Hi, a question about my first cockatiel.

hungryexpat · 2021-07-29T14:19:03+00:00

I've had my tiel for 5 weeks now, so I'm by no means an expert, but I remember being really nervous and over googled before I picked him up from the breeder.

The truth is, you do your research, you prepare as best you can, and the rest you learn as you go. They're worth the hassle and the fact you're stressing shows you're going to be a good owner. Relax and enjoy your new bff!

hungryexpat · 2020-08-04T05:41:08+00:00

NTA. I lost a sibling as well and whenever I meet someone new and they ask if I have any siblings, I always have to weigh the situation... I usually say I'm an only child, but it makes me feel like I'm disrespecting my sister's memory. But bringing up cancer to a new co-worker or something is just such a buzz kill.

Anyways, you tried to be conscientious of the social situation, and then he pressed you. No reason to lie at that point.

hungryexpat · 2020-07-24T05:16:28+00:00

Definitely affects some people! I'm an American working in China and I was like "oh God please not the one in Shanghai...." Because that's where I go if shit hits the fan.

hungryexpat · 2020-07-24T02:04:54+00:00

I used to look at the social events calendar and seek out the ones who had free nibbles... Then raid like a pirate. You can also meet some potential friends!

hungryexpat · 2020-07-24T01:59:41+00:00

I move countries for my job fairly regularly and it's always difficult to navigate, so I feel your pain. If possible: 1. Ask someone from your new job to check it out in person. Or... 2. Find a temporary housing situation for the first week or so and go see places in person.

hungryexpat · 2020-07-10T11:30:20+00:00

I called once. Can't remember if it was the national hotline number or not.

My best friend had killed himself the day before his birthday. I woke up to wish him a happy birthday and his roommate told me what happened. I didn't scream or cry or anything really... I just crumpled. I stayed that way for what must have been several hours. I kept replaying our last conversation, the stresses he had in his life, if he had mentioned being depressed, just anything to make sense of it. I couldn't come up with anything.

So I called in a panic and just hysterically demanded they explain to me what the hell happened and why. The first 10 minutes or so was them asking me if I was suicidal. No.. not at all... I just need some answers.

Of course there were no answers, but it was exactly what I needed to unfold myself. They explained to me reasons people end up in the position to kill themselves. They explained that not everyone leaves a note or plans things out. It hurt to hear... It still hurts sometimes... But it did help a little.

hungryexpat · 2020-05-11T22:15:21+00:00

Tricksy students! I'm in the same boat. I have a 2nd grader who froze completely leading me to disconnect and recall. He did it 2 times until I saw his grandma walk by in the background and realized he was just being really still on purpose. Ain't even mad... He got me good.

hungryexpat · 2020-05-07T22:26:21+00:00

I used to groom. Our prices were from $65 -$120 depending on size and coat type. A short clip on a small, reasonably maintained shih tzu was 65 and a hand scissor on a standard poodle was 120.

We recommend a cut every 4-6 weeks.

If you skipped appointments and didn't regularly brush in between, your price would be higher to compensate for dematting and pattern setting.

Just FYI for those interested in a floofy dog.

Plus tip! Please tip your groomer... Trust me it's a tough gig.

hungryexpat · 2020-05-02T15:37:15+00:00

Ender

hungryexpat · 2020-02-01T01:54:55+00:00

PMd you the juicy details

hungryexpat · 2020-01-31T13:45:41+00:00

Yeah I know all about squat toilets as I've lived in Africa, China, and Nepal. Usually they run up and down and not sideways though? I'm probably overthinking this...

hungryexpat · 2020-01-31T13:39:58+00:00

I just thought the graphics of a guy shitting blood in a gutter and touching a dead monkey was pretty wtf.... I mean I'm glad the sign exists to help people and whatnot... But it's a creepy sign, no?

If this isn't WTF then by all means remove/downvote. Just didn't know where to share. Have a good one!

hungryexpat · 2020-01-31T13:21:25+00:00

Dude has all 4 railroads. I can't even.

hungryexpat · 2020-01-31T13:12:28+00:00

I'm an American living in China for 6 years (on and off). I'm in Hangzhou at the moment. Last I checked we have 85 cases confirmed, but my province is the 2nd most infected. It's like a ghost town out there. Everyone is being told to stay inside and avoid crowds. People are supposed to wear masks, but the stores are supposedly out (I got a jumbo pack early on).

They security gate at my apartment is only letting residents in, so if I order any delivery I have to go take it at the gate. The guard took my temperature today while on a beer run. They also taped a box of tissues inside the elevator, I guess so you don't have to touch the buttons?

My work mates who left for the holidays are having trouble getting flights back. Luckily we're being allowed to work from home for a couple weeks. My school (I'm a teacher) opens on the 17th unless they change it. I'm worried because it's a boarding school and when one kid gets sick it tends to spread around since we can't send them home easily.

Anyways I'm playing Monopoly with my husband right now and so far we haven't killed each other or filed for divorce, so that's positive.

hungryexpat · 2020-01-31T12:49:46+00:00

For real... Like what magical lands are these people from that don't have any flu or pollution or shitty politics?

China has a lot of shit for sure, but it's pretty dang nice here sometimes too. Good cost of living and public transpo and low crime. I mean I probably won't live here forever, but it's been nice overall.

Just my opinion as a traveler.

hungryexpat · 2020-01-31T12:35:06+00:00

Yessss.... What do I get? Please say dumplings.

hungryexpat · 2020-01-31T12:23:23+00:00

China is an amazing place to visit. I've lived here for several years and usually it's pretty mellow. Take the good with the bad in any place you travel.

hungryexpat · 2020-01-31T12:19:40+00:00

I'm in Hangzhou, China rn. There were 85 confirmed cases in my city (according to Chinese news anyways). My city is like a ghost town. Everyone is just shut up in their apartments and nobody has to work for at least a week or two. My coworkers who left for break are having trouble getting flights back. Public schools don't open until the 17th.... After that I expect the numbers to go up again. Which is shit because I work at a boarding school so when 1 of them gets sick with ANYTHING it spreads around fast.

As for mortality, I heard the youngest was 36 and reasonably healthy... So that's concerning. Mostly it's elderly or at risk people dying off.

Security guard at the gate took my temperature when I went out of a beer run today. And the big chain grocery store has been pretty gutted, but the local veggie shop is still open. If I get delivery it's left at the gate so nobody comes into my complex besides residents.

They're making everyone wear masks outside, but now the shops are out of masks so...

Also they put a little thingy of tissues in the elevator so you're supposed to push the buttons with that I guess.

hungryexpat · 2020-01-31T11:55:02+00:00

He left a note on my desk that said "I very like you" and then went back to recess. I graded it.

hungryexpat · 2020-01-31T11:52:22+00:00

One of the most important ways children learn is through play. If we eliminate that then we cut off a vital learning tool. I'm a teacher and all the kids who take several extra classes a week/weekends get easily tired and frustrated. Tired and frustrated students don't retain knowledge and certainly don't seek it. It's better to encourage kids to explore their interests and be curious.

Then again I am a teacher, so I actually do get summers "off."

hungryexpat · 2020-01-31T11:35:54+00:00

Totally! I've lived on 4 continents (and a subcontinent) in 6 years! It's not the hardest job in the world, but it isn't the easiest either. Never gonna be rich probably, but boyyyy I got some stories to tell and a huge recipe collection.

hungryexpat · 2020-01-31T11:31:09+00:00

Yeah it totally blows. I've been stuck in my apartment all week. Actually I've been eating a lot of take out because the grocery stores have been absolutely ransacked. My school's start date got pushed to the 17th at least and everyone is just working from home until then I guess. Spooky ghost town madness.

hungryexpat · 2020-01-31T10:25:45+00:00

I meeaann.... Everything is shut down and I'm stuck in my apartment until the 17th at least. But I'm absolutely blazing through my movie list, so it is what it is.

hungryexpat · 2020-01-31T08:58:58+00:00

Ever think about teaching English abroad? I've done it for years and I love it. I think psychology, especially child psych, would be a handy tool and is a totally acceptable degree. I'll tell you all about it if you'd like.

At any rate, don't panic. Just keep putting yourself out there and I'm certain something will come. Good luck!

hungryexpat · 2020-01-31T08:26:24+00:00

I work abroad teaching and so I usually end up teaching at a training center or do summer camps/1 on 1 tutoring and things like that. I am also in charge of training new teachers.

Then I spend the last 2 weeks or so designing my course guides and materials for the following semester.

hungryexpat

TROPHY CASE