Sylvie M

So, a bunch of my friends have young kids, and whenever they go over to people's houses they put a blanket on top of the carpet before setting their baby/toddler... what's the deal? Why do they do that? They don't do it at their own houses... I had thought they were just doing it at my place because we have hardwood floors, and wanted a softer place for their kid but then noticed they do it over carpeting at other friends' houses.

So, I'm a teacher, and I am curious about a couple of my students. They're both Pre-K/Kindergarten level.

I am curious if it's just from not being introduced to letters/numbers at home, or, if it's dyslexia.

I live in Russia, so, they learn Cyrillic as well as the 'Roman' Alphabets. So, they have a Г in their L1, (which essentially is a gamma). And, two of my kids (in separate classes) when beginning to be introduced to 7, they confuse the two. There are more examples of number/letter switch-ups, and writing in mixed up orders, but that's the one that I ran into today.

Is there a test that laymen can do for dyslexia, so that I might be able to suggest to the parents that there is a problem?

I know that only specially trained people can diagnose, but is this a warning sign, or just children? I wouldn't ask, but these kids seem to be the only ones with a problem.

So, I'm an ESL teacher in Russia, and I've noticed that some of the kids have black marks on their gums near their teeth.

One of my colleagues told me that she asked her boss about it, and they said that it was something a dentist did to stop something like gum decay. That the dentist had to burn the gums, or something.

To me, that sounds somewhat like gingivitis, or something. Although, I'm not entirely sure I trust what she told me, as it seems a little strange. Also, she might have gotten it wrong, as they might have had a translation miscommunication.

Does anyone have any clue about this?

Okay, so, I know I'm not supposed to submerge the tattoo (and I'm not going to until the full 2 weeks!!) But, I'm curious why.

Will it make the lines blurry, or can minerals in the water seep in and change the color of the tattoo change (mine's mostly white), or, some other reason?

Thanks! and as always responses that do not answer this will be reported as per community guidelines. :-D Have a great day!

If I don't work in the USA for an entire calendar year (fiscal year), do I still have to pay income taxes for that year?

Thanks!

So, my Motorcycle ran out of gas, and I had to get one of those red temporary containers from the gas station... But, now, the gas is gone, ... So, what do I do with the can?

Something tells me that I can not just throw it away in the trash...

I live in Ohio, just in case that matters with the EPA, or something.

Right now, it's in a ventilated room in my apartment, but, I don't want to leave it in here.

In your opinion, what is the most interesting thing happening in Russia now?

So, I'm curious, because I'm in the process of getting my license with the Motorcycle endorsement... is it possible to find comfortable, practical AND moderately stylish women's boots? (aka something I can wear when I'm off my bike and not look man-ish)

Can anyone recommend a site which has good boots, or, is this a lost cause, and I just need to carry a pair of cute shoes in my sachel?

Hi,

I am just curious about why carob is used as a chocolate substitute by many vegetarians, and vegans. I can understand not eating milk chocolate, as it contains milk [how unexpected! ;-) ] but, chocolate and carob are both plants, and I'm curious what the opposition to chocolate is.

Thanks!

PS. Please no comments about disliking Carob, I think we all know that there are those who dislike it.

I bought a phone in Russia, and like it better than my USA phone, but I have Verizon, and I'm unsure Verizon is sim-card capable? Does anyone know what USA brands use sim-cards?

So, I'm curious why it is that some people in my ballet classes use 'two-part' shoes? There's a toe piece, and a heel piece connected with elastic bands. I hadn't seen them used until I moved states, before all I had ever seen was the traditional ballet slippers. Are these better? What are their selling points? It seems like they would have less arch support than ballet slippers already lack.

Thanks!

Is it really easier to spell words wrong on the computer? Why does it seem that so many people are prone to terrible mistakes, like "wat" (what) and "rood" (rude)?

What kind of animal do you think s/he is?