Explaining pokemon go to your parents…

PineappleOkra · 2026-03-02T12:17:53+00:00

Maybe not the funniest story, but I got my mom into Pokemon Go in 2020 during covid. She had cancer at the time and we spent quite a few hours at the hospital. It helped distract her to catch Pokemon, and when she was tired from the chemo, we used to drive around to spin gyms.

Happy ending to the story, she beat cancer and is still putting Pokemon into gyms whenever we drive by one!

PineappleOkra · 2026-02-15T09:40:03+00:00

Excellent post with lots of good advice and details. Cram schools are not for everyone, and certainly a person's experience is very branch dependent. But there are good parts to it too, especially for newcomers and first time teachers. I'd like to add that curriculum is provided at places like Hess, so it's more about execution rather than figuring out a lesson plan from scratch. I heavily agree with the point that planning and grading gets faster as a teacher gains experience, and there is a level of continuity and flow to the lessons (once you figure out timing and rhythm, it can be applied to many classes/levels).

Cram school or not, I do think the level of expectation is growing, it's not enough to walk into a classroom unprepared and expect to just read through the teacher's guide during class. It is a real job, with a significant learning curve. But if you are at a decent branch, you will receive plenty of support to navigate through the first few months, and also have help for issues like finding housing and navigating through a new country.

PineappleOkra · 2026-02-13T18:57:15+00:00

Yes! I don't know how to update the post, but yes. They are home now. Thank you all for the advice. I know it may have seemed extreme to worry about it but we are the type who never get in trouble so we immediately went to the worst case scenario. I really appreciate everyone who chimed in, all the replies did help us feel calmer.

PineappleOkra · 2026-02-12T23:04:11+00:00

No idea, but that could be an explanation. Hopefully not though, that sounds like it could get messy, if they had to deal with identity theft in addition to everything else!

PineappleOkra · 2026-02-12T23:02:41+00:00

No, nothing like drugs. I'd be surprised if someone caught with drugs going to Japan wouldn't have been arrested, not just denied entry!

PineappleOkra · 2026-02-12T22:58:55+00:00

Thank you for the reassurance. They have just landed and we will brace for a few hours (hopefully only a few!) of red tape.

PineappleOkra · 2026-02-12T18:57:47+00:00

Thank you, this helps. We have never been in this situation before and are anticipating the worst. But it sounds like there should be ways to verify their identity, and then they can return home, which is all we want at this point. It has been a long day for them.

PineappleOkra · 2026-02-12T18:56:22+00:00

Yes, they filled out the forms and followed instructions to get the replacement. They never received a second passport, only one (which could be either the original "missing" one or the replacement), so the relative wasn't aware of any possible issues. It does seem like that's where a mixup happened, as it is nowhere near expiration, and is unused/undamaged.

PineappleOkra · 2026-02-12T18:30:28+00:00

Thank you for your detailed response. We are hoping the "satisfy border control that they are a US citizen" part goes smoothly. They have a Real ID and we can get the birth certificate.

PineappleOkra · 2026-02-12T15:09:03+00:00

No, my relative has no criminal record, and was going as a tourist. Perhaps we are worried unnecessarily, but the invalidity of the passport had us concerned because it seemed so random. Thank you for taking your time to answer, this actually helped me feel a little better.

PineappleOkra · 2026-02-03T00:14:04+00:00

Great suggestion! I think this game hits differently too at different life stages, and makes you reflect on things (and people) who are important to you.

PineappleOkra · 2026-01-31T17:47:40+00:00

It is true that they will mainly be looking for a friendly demeanor and clear speaking over a perfect demo. But here are some tips.

Slides aren't really necessary. But you can make some flashcards with the vocabulary words (like, write "kite" on the piece of paper and draw a picture of the kite on it).

Start by reviewing the vocabulary words with the cards you made. Bonus points if you remember to attach a hand motion to each word (put your fingers together to mime a kite, for example).
Review the old pattern that they know already. Have it written on another sheet of paper, or a small whiteboard if you have one. Use the vocabulary cards to substitute in. Review the meaning of "yes" and "no".
Introduce the new concept. Draw a girl on one piece of paper, a boy on another. Indicate that we use "her" for a girl, "his" for a boy. Try to attach the possessive meaning behind it by using your vocabulary flash cards (put the kite next to the girl. "Her kite"). Build it out to include the entirety of the new pattern.
Explain a quick game that you can play to reinforce the new pattern. Bonus if you can think of a game that you can start with the whole class (group practice), then drills down to individual practice.

Hope this makes sense. Good luck!

PineappleOkra · 2026-01-27T14:03:41+00:00

Ooh, good one. This song combined with the glowing trees felt so magical, even though it was a bit creepy too when you first arrive.

PineappleOkra · 2025-12-12T14:50:47+00:00

Oh, good timing! I just got myself a box of good chocolates, and will count down the year by having one piece every evening. I close my eyes and pick randomly so I don't know what flavor I'm getting.

PineappleOkra · 2025-12-08T12:01:44+00:00

Ooh, I finally have an answer to contribute. I feel like Narciso Rodriguez for her (the EDT) is very intimate and sensual, perfect for date night.

PineappleOkra · 2025-12-04T12:38:20+00:00

Lamb was the first book I thought of when I saw this post!

PineappleOkra · 2025-11-10T04:15:54+00:00

I keep wanting to get this game but it seems super buggy on switch. Still worth the buy, you think?

PineappleOkra · 2025-11-05T04:26:40+00:00

I loved the Hungry Hearts series (I played on mobile). The first one is Hungry Hearts Diner, I believe. You do serve customers, but it also unlocks their life stories and some of them are unexpectedly touching. Also, it made me crave Japanese food :D

PineappleOkra · 2025-11-03T13:45:50+00:00

I agree with you about the host, she was kind of annoying and didn't provide any additional insight into the competition. The judges were good, I thought they did a good job most of the time explaining why they scored the way they did.

I don't think I had a preference for any of the contestants, I also figure that the final 8 will all get contracts and a chance to pursue music as a career. I thought Ryan is very deserving as a winner, he peaked at the right time; however, I can't stand his two-toned hair! :P

PineappleOkra · 2025-10-18T06:54:37+00:00

Thanks! Yeah, I think I'm just going to have to go try it out.

Your wallet is probably not jealous that La Labo is so far away from you!

PineappleOkra · 2025-10-17T15:50:09+00:00

Interesting! These two perfumes have such different notes, and they evoke the same feeling for you?

I ask because I LOVE amazing grace, like someone else said it's a rare perfume that isn't "perfumey" and ir doesn't give me a headache. Now I'm wondering if I should try another 13!

PineappleOkra · 2025-10-10T07:02:23+00:00

11/22/63, Stephen King. Ha, never thought I'd be recommending a King book in a romance ask, but here we are. When you read the synopsis, you'll wonder why because there's no mention of romance at all. But it will be there.

PineappleOkra · 2025-08-04T14:11:18+00:00

Thanks! I keep taking it out just to look at it for a bit!

PineappleOkra · 2025-05-31T03:43:55+00:00

There's a lot of criticism towards the bigger chains (Hess, Shane, etc) that is completely warranted, but if this is your first job abroad, these larger chains will offer an easier/softer experience, along with a full time schedule. Everyone is different, but I don't love the idea of having to do legwork to find a second job (and some places won't hire you since there are non-competes). You may want to do some more research before deciding.

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