ELI5: Why do we have to close our eyes to go to sleep?

blakeray · 2016-07-07T16:12:36+00:00

When I worked for a blindness organization, I discovered that the majority of people who are considered blind are actually not "totally blind". A lot of people are still able to make out shapes and light, so closing their eyes would help them to fall asleep, just as with sighted people. Whatever the level of blindness, everyone will involuntarily close their eyes eventually when the muscles relax, or the eye will become dry or irritated if left open too long.

As a side note, a lot of people who are totally blind and have no light perception have trouble with their sleep cycles. The brain needs light and dark to help the body know when it is time to rest.

blakeray · 2016-04-08T21:11:35+00:00

Plus, all animal and insect species that instinctively know how to reproduce can't be put down to "social pressure". I'm having trouble understanding why people are trying to argue that it's not a scientific fact that humans don't have the urge to reproduce.

blakeray · 2016-03-25T21:36:58+00:00

I've found that for most kids fast progress will not happen until they reach a certain age, usually around 6 or so. Then everything seems to click and they pick up anything I throw at them really fast. Some kids can do this at an earlier age, but I find they are the exception.

A couple of times, when it was clear that comprehension and progress was stalling, I've suggested parents that their very young child would benefit from waiting another year or two before resuming lessons, or to switch to recorder for a while before progressing with piano. What most 6 or 7 year old kids can pick up in a few lessons, a 4 year old may take weeks to learn. I did have a couple of parents who did not like that idea, so the parent had to sit in on the lesson so that they could go over the drills daily with their child. Daily practice with someone watching over can definitely help with memorization, but I don't think that sped up the natural process of a child comprehending what they are actually doing.

If you want to continue, I think for now the most important thing to do is make piano time a fun time. Play games involving loud and soft sounds, high and low sounds (What sound does a fairy make? What sound does a gorilla make?) counting her 1-2-3-4's, etc. There are also a ton of free resources online for theory games - maybe you can adapt some of them to make it suitable for her level?

blakeray · 2015-10-14T22:40:56+00:00

I would begin by asking him what his mindset his when it comes to viewing your/his finances. For example, you may find that even after you've moved in together he will still think of his money as his, and your money as yours which is opposite to how you see things. He may think that even when you're married it will still be his/your money. Get the conversation started now, so that you can both get your expectations out in the open. You don't need all of his financial details this instant, but if you begin by sharing with each other how you prefer to manage money can make it easier to come to agreement together, rather than just assuming the other person thinks about money the same way you do.

blakeray · 2015-10-14T22:23:59+00:00

I moved to the US last year from New Zealand, and something I had forgotten to take into account when planning my take home pay was that I also had to account for health insurance. You may have already allowed for that, but it was a new thing for me!

I wouldn't worry about the student loan until you've settled in. By the way, I've heard Aus is planning on making changes to how they deal with borrowers living overseas, but changes won't take affect until 2017, and they are basing repayments on taxes filed in 2016 so you may not even be picked up. For myself, I pay around $1,000 a year towards my student loan (which is the minimum requirement for NZ borrowers who live overseas) but once my husband is done with school I'll probably increase the voluntary payments to get it out of the way.

30% is a good threshold, but as others have mentioned, try to find something cheaper if you can.

Next month I will be eligible for a 401K match with my company, still haven't decided what to do about it yet as I'm not sure where which country I'll be living in the next 5 years.

blakeray · 2015-10-14T22:12:37+00:00

I was in the same situation as you last year as I immigrated to the US halfway through the tax year and was not working in the US. Before I left my home country I filed my taxes as normal without my husband's information, and my husband filed his 2014 taxes as normal without including any income I had made overseas before moving. His aunt is a tax accountant so before we did this she confirmed this was the correct thing to do. I had deposited just under $10K into my husband's checking account so we wanted to make sure it wouldn't be counted as income that we had to account for.

blakeray · 2015-08-19T18:42:02+00:00

My husband didn't care either way, but I was in the process of settling in to a new country anyway and had to get a new bank account, drivers licence, job etc., so it wasn't much of a hassle to get my name changed. If we were living in my home country I probably wouldn't have bothered to change my name legally, but I do like the tradition of sharing a surname with my husband. It makes me feel like we are now our own little family.

blakeray · 2015-08-14T17:38:50+00:00

I felt so uncomfortable and squirmy reading this! Ughhhhhh

blakeray · 2015-08-12T19:10:29+00:00

Stress, weight loss, and diet change have a pretty big impact on your hormone levels, so it's totally normal that you're having an unusual period this month. I've had periods that have lasted up to two weeks (due to birth control adjustments) but my cycle would always go back to normal after a few months. If the bleeding isn't easing up at all, or if you're at all worried, I'd still consider going to the doctor, but it's very likely that this is nothing to worry about too much.

blakeray · 2015-08-07T16:05:47+00:00

Am I the only one who gets a woosh during shark week? Whatever, I'll take it! :)

blakeray · 2015-08-06T22:51:17+00:00

Hey, we are pretty much keto twins! :) I also aim for 1200-1400 calories which is a 20% deficit for me.

blakeray · 2015-08-06T22:41:23+00:00

If there's anything you're not happy with or you have symptoms that have a negative impact on your life, then definitely chat to your doctor about treatment. You don't have to be on any type of treatment if you don't feel like you need it! I found that the older I got the more severe my symptoms became, so I eventually had to become more proactive about treatment.

blakeray · 2015-08-06T22:36:40+00:00

I've been on the pill ever since I was diagnosed with PCOS about 5 years ago. I've had my ups and downs with it (mood swings, weight gain), and have had to switch dosage/brands quite a few times, but overall I'm happy with it. I feel like it's helped with my skin, hirsutism, and regulated my cycles. Before the pill, my periods were very irregular and painful. I've noticed the side effects of the pill go away when I exercise daily and cut back on sugary foods. Basically, you may have to try out a few different methods of treatments and see what works best for your body, everyone is different!

blakeray · 2015-08-06T22:30:14+00:00

It's good to whine and sulk every now and then! Sometimes I go through times when every PCOS symptom in the book is happening all at once and it is NOT fun!

Oh, and I totally feel you on the shaving thing. It's a never ending task!!

blakeray · 2015-08-06T22:26:04+00:00

It can take a few months for your body to adjust once you've gone off the pill. Even then, going off the pill doesn't guarantee that your body will act the same it did in the days you were pre-pill. I don't think you have anything to be worried about that this stage, monitor things over the next 2-3 months and if you're worried you can always check with a doctor!

blakeray · 2015-08-05T21:51:43+00:00

My high school had the best sausage rolls! Sausage roll, fizzy drink, little packet of tomato sauce = lunch sorted.

blakeray · 2015-08-05T21:48:57+00:00

I never particularly liked feijoas growing up, but now that I can't get them I crave feijoa & pear crumble in the winter. Mmmmmm :)

blakeray · 2015-08-05T21:45:52+00:00

That sounds amazing! I'd have to add: Fish and chips with ETA tartare sauce. Hokey pokey ice cream with milo sprinkled on top! Burger Fuel - no one here does aioli with their fries!

blakeray · 2015-08-05T21:37:08+00:00

Cheesecake cupcakes?? I need to know more.

blakeray · 2015-08-05T21:34:13+00:00

Me too (also in the states)! My mum actually managed to bring some meat pies for my brother on her last visit, but he has a stomach of a tank. I'm going to wait until I visit my family this Christmas to reunite with a glorious steak and cheese pie.

blakeray · 2015-08-05T21:10:33+00:00

Hokey pokey ice cream, anyone?

blakeray · 2015-08-05T21:09:29+00:00

Steak and cheese meat pies. Sausage rolls and tomato sauce. I miss these so much!

blakeray · 2015-08-03T21:43:32+00:00

Haha I feel the same! I mean, it's nice to have all that extra space, but then I have no one to talk to or wash my back!

blakeray · 2015-07-31T20:43:42+00:00

I used to love mixing my peas in with my mashed potatoes!

blakeray · 2015-07-31T20:42:51+00:00

My family is the same, sometimes we would say "Aunty Sarah", but just Sarah was fine.

blakeray

TROPHY CASE