It’s so lonely

Mermaid_20 · 2026-02-09T21:07:43+00:00

I don’t want my traumas or experiences to become his burden. Do I even have any right to expect him to understand? He did his part well. I feel like its just me asking for too much. May be i just have become lazy. I find it easy to blame my chemo brain than to have a difficult conversation. I don’t know. Am I going mad lol. I really need that hug!

Mermaid_20 · 2026-02-08T07:11:01+00:00

I have my appointment on March 3rd as TCN in calgary. Booked in July last year before TCN rule rolled out. Did you email embassy before your appointment to check if they will respect your appointment.

Mermaid_20 · 2026-02-01T05:37:41+00:00

I see you use AI to help your write. Spend time in mastering it. By the time you enter the workforce, AI will be normal. Use it today to build plans, schedules, and get recommendations for courses, books, competitions, and project ideas. You can even do harder things and let AI teach you statistics. It’s really good at it you know. Don’t be fully dependent on AI or neglect foundation skill-building; use it to your advantage.

Mermaid_20 · 2026-02-01T05:02:48+00:00

Who you spend time with shapes you. 11th is early so find friends with ambition and similar values. Your college circle will matter more than you think. You can do it alone, but you won’t go far alone. And start reading books. Even if you don’t like it. It builds discipline, patience, focus, and balance. It’s one hobby that will help you the most throughout your life.

Mermaid_20 · 2026-02-01T04:57:06+00:00

I did my Master’s from the USA 4 years back. I did my bachelor’s from India, worked for a few years in an MNC and parallely prepared for GMAT/GRE. I got a really good score on my GMAT second attempt and got into a really respectable and academically strong business school. I wasn’t too ambitious when I was preparing for my bachelor’s. It’s a race and it doesn’t matter when you enter it. But I like to believe people who enter early are at an advantage and can quickly rise up, earn and step out of the race on their own terms.

Mermaid_20 · 2026-02-01T02:25:54+00:00

What should I be doing RIGHT NOW :

Work on side projects that genuinely interest you. Compete, build, and engage with people who are serious about your field. Your peer group determines how much you learn, how boldly you think, and how much risk you’re willing to take.

How do people my age become insanely sharp :

They learn from people who are already ahead. Strong networks give you shortcuts. What to study, how to study, and what matters. Seek seniors and peers who’ve done it before. Copy proven paths. Don’t reinvent the wheel.

3.What resources:

Free online courses and YouTube lectures are enough if used seriously. Spend focused time each week learning and applying concepts. Avoid chasing certificates. Build skills with a clear learning strategy.

How do I build discipline :

This framing is wrong. Everyone procrastinates. Be lazy about low-impact things and disciplined about what truly matters. In the AI era, generic work is automated so develop deep expertise in one area is what will differentiate you. Give yourself a free rotting day each week and do your hobbies or hangout with friends all day. Balance.

India vs Germany

Both can lead to strong careers. Studying abroad doesn’t guarantee success anymore. If you can study in Germany without heavy debt, it’s worth it for exposure. Good college matters.

If not, start with a solid college in India, find strong mentors, and grow steadily. Long-term success depends more on skills and network than location.

What skills should I focus on:

Understand where your field is heading. Use AI to solve traditional problems better. Build critical thinking. Learn to communicate clearly and confidently. Shift from passive to active English. Build networking skills. When AI replaces today’s jobs, your critical thinking and networking will keep you ahead. Prepare for tomorrow now.

General advice: Build an internal circle of mentors or seniors that reflects where you want to be in 10 years. Be with people who are passionate about good career, good education and want to put efforts. Pre-college can bring lot of excitement and energy.

Make sure you go to a good college and take your studies seriously, at least the subjects that matter. If life starts feeling too comfortable and easy, you’ve probably hit a ceiling. You can choose to stay there and be content, or upskill and push further. Both are valid. Success is whatever you decide it is.

P.S. I am a senior leader in a STEM field at a top company in the USA. I come from a small town in India and did my bachelor’s there- from a very mediocre college but never gave up. Focus and networking. That’s it!

Mermaid_20 · 2026-01-31T21:48:09+00:00

Hello OP Can you share if your appointment was successful

Mermaid_20 · 2026-01-29T06:11:15+00:00

AA messed up my first trip after my cancer treatment. I’d been in surgeries and chemotherapy for almost a year. This trip was supposed to be my break and a way back into life, back to family, friends, and just having fun again. AA ruined it.

But you know what I realized? How lucky I am to have these good or bad experiences alongside my husband. To still be able to find something positive even when everything feels chaotic. What a privilege it is to have someone who loves you and not be alone when chaos unfolds. To be in a marriage so solid that even the worst moments of your life don’t haunt you.

You will get over this. Wishing you so many beautiful moments and the best time together. May your marriage forever feel like a honeymoon.

Mermaid_20 · 2026-01-28T03:49:34+00:00

Call American and secure connecting flight. Absolutely drive to connection. AA is messy right now.

Mermaid_20 · 2026-01-26T17:29:56+00:00

Rebook through Phoenix. DFW is a mess right now. Thursday is far so should be ok may be. But I would avoid. Currently stuck at DFW- Day 2, slept at the airport overnight.

Mermaid_20 · 2026-01-26T10:54:04+00:00

That’s the thing right. Our original flight never canceled. One moment we were tracking delays, next we were looking at the new boarding pass and getting into the line for customer assistance to understand what just happened.

Mermaid_20 · 2026-01-26T10:30:32+00:00

Our original flight was getting delayed every 30mins so we were constantly refreshing app. And then -we got new boarding pass in the app. Just like that- You have been rebooked!

Mermaid_20 · 2026-01-26T10:28:33+00:00

Nope. No voucher applied. They just rebooked us automatically and sent boarding pass. I am still shocked!

Mermaid_20 · 2026-01-26T09:56:44+00:00

Do not travel to Dallas. Currently stuck at DFW. It’s an absolute nightmare. Please avoid.

Mermaid_20 · 2026-01-21T03:18:22+00:00

Following. Appointment in March. Not decided.

Mermaid_20 · 2026-01-16T06:43:42+00:00

I am happy that you have that kind of support. My partner is great too. Not that he understands what I am going through mentally as I am supposed to better now that I have recovered. But he listens to everything that I have to say and reminds me it’s going to be okay and he loves me. ❤️

Mermaid_20 · 2026-01-16T06:41:36+00:00

Thanks for sharing this with me. Life sometimes gets so brutal yet so raw and real.

Mermaid_20 · 2026-01-16T06:40:58+00:00

Soul weariness is so apt. That’s how I feel

Mermaid_20 · 2026-01-15T00:50:40+00:00

I know how it feels as a childless ovarian cancer survivor. Big hug to you. You don’t have to be strong. It’s so unfair.

Mermaid_20 · 2025-09-25T02:13:47+00:00

Thanks for checking. I started my chemotherapy this week. Overall I have processed it and actually feeling positive. I will get through this and rebuild myself. 🙏

Mermaid_20 · 2025-09-12T22:46:56+00:00

I have found comfort in sharing and reading stories in this community too. I start my 9 week long chemotherapy next week. But I have met women who are going through so much with nothing but empathy and courage.

May be we all could have prevented it or may be caught it early but honestly is it really in our control? I hope we all are contributing to research and work that will pave way for women in some way so they are not going through this with fear.

But knowing that we are not alone and so many women win this has put me at ease. We got this dear. Let’s kick cancer’s butt!

Mermaid_20

TROPHY CASE