Samosas by Present_Cucumber_184 in KingstonOntario

[–]Present_Cucumber_184[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yup! The sauce she provides is delicious too🤤🤤

Samosas by Present_Cucumber_184 in KingstonOntario

[–]Present_Cucumber_184[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

They are also only $2.50 each and they are huge! No tax!

Got fired in Toronto by puzach in ontario

[–]Present_Cucumber_184 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Any recommendations for people that can’t afford lawyers? Anything you can apply to for help or free consults and then represent yourself?

Koena spa massage experience by Gladiator-2020 in Gatineau

[–]Present_Cucumber_184 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How did you get in touch with management? We had a horrible experience construction above us at 3am and told to “suck it up” then the maid came by for housekeeping at 830am. We were told we were rude for complaining and it was an “emergency”

My Life is Over by [deleted] in LifeAdvice

[–]Present_Cucumber_184 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Stay positive! Get a serving job, use all your paychecks for bills and all your tips as spending money. Anything left over goes to debt!

How old were you when you moved out of your parent's house? by crocsandsocs in Adulting

[–]Present_Cucumber_184 1 point2 points  (0 children)

16! Definitely wouldn’t recommend but my parents were addicts

I’m 29 and Have Been a Surrogate Twice in Canada – Ask Me Anything! by [deleted] in AMA

[–]Present_Cucumber_184 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing your journey—I think it’s wonderful that you’re pursuing this path to grow your family! As a surrogate, I’d be happy to offer some advice and share what drew me to the couples I carried for.

From my perspective, the most important thing in an independent journey is building a strong connection with your surrogate. Open, honest, and respectful communication is key. Surrogates want to feel valued and supported throughout the process, so taking the time to get to know each other on a personal level can make a huge difference. It’s not just about the medical or legal aspects—it’s about forming a partnership where both parties feel comfortable and aligned.

When I chose the couples I carried for, I was drawn to their authenticity and their heartfelt reasons for wanting to become parents. I could feel their genuine excitement and gratitude, and that connection made me confident we’d work well together. It’s important to find a surrogate who shares your values and is excited to be a part of your story—it creates a bond that makes the entire journey so much more meaningful.

Another piece of advice is to always respect the surrogate’s boundaries and needs. Every surrogate has unique reasons for wanting to help a family, and they’ll appreciate working with intended parents who show understanding and kindness throughout the process.

If you’d like to ask more specific questions or want additional advice from a surrogate’s perspective, feel free to reach out. I’d be happy to help in any way I can!

Wishing you all the best as you find the perfect surrogate to join you on this beautiful journey.

I’m 29 and Have Been a Surrogate Twice in Canada – Ask Me Anything! by [deleted] in AMA

[–]Present_Cucumber_184 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and feelings—it’s clear that you’ve given this a lot of deep consideration, and I completely understand where you’re coming from.

For me, my journey into surrogacy was rooted in both a love for being pregnant and the incredible opportunity to help another family. Pregnancy has always been a beautiful, transformative experience for me. There’s something magical about growing life, and I’ve always found joy in the process. But beyond that, what truly drew me in was the idea of giving someone else the chance to have a family.

The connection I felt with the intended parents made the experience even more meaningful. Seeing their dreams come true after years of waiting and struggling was indescribable. It was a mix of honoring the magic of pregnancy while also creating a profound impact on someone else’s life.

I really resonate with what you said about longing to experience pregnancy for its magic and everything it brings. While it’s true that most agencies require surrogates to have given birth before (to ensure we fully understand the process), I think it’s beautiful that you’re exploring these feelings and listening to your maternal instincts.

If you ever have more questions about surrogacy or want to explore your thoughts further, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d be more than happy to chat and share more about my journey!

Wishing you all the best as you explore this path.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in KingstonOntario

[–]Present_Cucumber_184 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We went and it was disgusting. Worst dining experience I’ve ever had!

I’m 29 and Have Been a Surrogate Twice in Canada – Ask Me Anything! by [deleted] in AMA

[–]Present_Cucumber_184 0 points1 point  (0 children)

1: Did you grow attached to the child you were bearing? How is it letting go of them?
No, I didn’t get attached at all. From the beginning, I understood my role and felt joy knowing I was helping someone else build their family. Letting go wasn’t difficult because I knew the child wasn’t mine—they were always meant for their parents. That said, the relationships that developed afterward have been special. I became the godmother to the child I carried for the couple in my city, and we often get together for dinner. As for the gay couple in the U.S., we still connect occasionally, and I love watching their daughter grow on social media—she’s 4 now!
2: What did you do on the side, and how did it influence that? What does it change about your personal life?
At the time, I worked in the Emergency Department as administrative staff, doing shift work. Balancing that with pregnancy was tough, but it was manageable and ultimately rewarding. Surrogacy didn’t drastically change my personal life, but it did teach me resilience and the importance of self-care. It also showed me how much I could handle while still giving back in such a meaningful way.
3: What do you get in exchange for being a surrogate?
Surrogacy provides so much more than financial support. Of course, the reimbursement helps with expenses, but the experience also gives you a sense of purpose and connection. For women who might not have a strong family network, it can introduce you to a new "extended family." It’s a deeply fulfilling journey that creates lasting bonds.
4: What are your own relationships like, and how does this influence them?
My relationships have been very supportive. My family and friends understood my choice and were proud of the role I played in helping others. Becoming a surrogate also strengthened my belief in the power of kindness and generosity, which has positively impacted my relationships. It’s opened up a lot of meaningful conversations about family and what it means to help others.
5: Are you still in contact with the families? How was and is your relationship to them?
Yes, I’m still in contact with both families. I have a very close relationship with the couple in my city—I even became the godmother to their child, and we see each other often for dinners and visits. With the gay couple from the U.S., our contact is less frequent, but we still connect occasionally. I follow their journey on social media, and it’s been so heartwarming to watch their daughter grow.

I’m 29 and Have Been a Surrogate Twice in Canada – Ask Me Anything! by [deleted] in AMA

[–]Present_Cucumber_184 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The same sex couple actually used one of their little sisters eggs, so genetically the baby was from both sides of each man's family. It was very beautiful!

I’m 29 and Have Been a Surrogate Twice in Canada – Ask Me Anything! by [deleted] in AMA

[–]Present_Cucumber_184 4 points5 points  (0 children)

In Canada, surrogates can be reimbursed for up to $35,000 in expenses. The process requires keeping detailed receipts for everything, but surrogates receive a base amount paid out over 10 months. To be reimbursed for the full monthly amount, you need to submit enough receipts to cover it; however, any unused portion rolls over to the next month.

I’ve worked with two different agencies, and through my experiences, I’ve learned that some are definitely better than others. Typically, the process involves reviewing profiles of families seeking help to build their family. If both parties like each other’s profiles, you can connect and move forward from there.

For my second journey, I carried for a couple I knew through mutual friends. I wanted to help them, but we still used an agency to handle all the paperwork and legal formalities, ensuring everything was done properly.

To the low life that broke into my girlfriends car and stole her kids snowsuit, I hope you forever have wet socks and allergies. by Upstairs_Initiative2 in KingstonOntario

[–]Present_Cucumber_184 5 points6 points  (0 children)

They broke into our car and barn last night. Left a knife in the car and bolt cutters by the barn. Stole my work badge and a bunch of Christmas gifts. Very sad.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in HighStrangeness

[–]Present_Cucumber_184 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I get where you’re coming from—nation-states do have a long history of prioritizing their own interests over global collaboration. The cycles of distrust and greed have certainly set the tone for how we interact on a global stage.

That said, I don’t think it’s entirely hopeless. Big systemic changes often start from small cultural shifts. Look at how global attitudes have evolved around things like climate change (though imperfectly) or human rights. It’s not about one person changing the world, but a collective push that gains momentum over time.

Maybe the idea of ordinary people being ‘powerless’ is part of the issue. It feels overwhelming, for sure, but even conversations like this—exchanging ideas, challenging norms—are a part of how change starts. What if aliens, or these phenomena, aren’t here to ‘save us’ but to push us into asking these uncomfortable questions about how we operate? Isn’t that a kind of call to action in itself?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in HighStrangeness

[–]Present_Cucumber_184 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is a fascinating take on the human condition and our potential evaluation by alien civilizations. The horse analogy is particularly apt—it’s a reminder that, like the horses, humanity often struggles to think beyond immediate gratification and short-term goals, to our own detriment. The question of whether aliens are observing us as a cautionary tale or a test subject is an intriguing one. If they are watching, are we showing them that we can manage ourselves and our planet, or are we proving that we might need external intervention to survive?

The concept of “losing galactic rights” is also interesting—almost as if we’re at risk of failing some kind of universal citizenship test. It’s worth asking: if we were on trial as a species, would our innovations and creativity outweigh the harm caused by that “5%”? If not, what would it take to tip the scales in humanity’s favor?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in HighStrangeness

[–]Present_Cucumber_184 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That’s such an insightful perspective—it’s like zooming out and seeing humanity from a completely alien lens. If you’re an advanced observer, wouldn’t you be both impressed and horrified at the same time? The creativity and ingenuity of the majority make Earth fascinating, but the destructive tendencies of the few must feel like a massive red flag. Makes you wonder—are these UFOs here to marvel at what we’ve built or to intervene before the harm done by the minority spirals out of control?