joy

Last Saturday my boyfriend s dad got really upset because at the last minute I backed out of a transaction because I realized he was doing illegal stuff. He got really really angry, yelled and called me names. My boyfriend did nothing to stop him and he was listening the whole time.

My boyfriend has since apologized and said he would try to protect me next time, but honestly he is a quiet, tender person, so I know it will take a while for him to develop that skill. But my boyfriend is graduating this Friday, and his dad is going to be there. What should I do? Should I try to say I am sorry we had a disagreement but I hope we can move on? Should I pretend it never happened, and just try to avoid him? The only other people going are his mom and sister, so it may be hard to avoid his dad. What can I do?? I honestly don t feel safe around that man. Especially if he can blow up like crazy when I say "no".

My roommate is 86 years old. I love her to death, but she doesn't want to turn on the air because she is too cold. Lately it has been extremely hot here in Los Angeles, and she has become so weak, and sleeps most of the day. I really want to turn on the air conditioning, but she says she is cold. My mom suggested I just turn it on, and she will feel better. My roommate said I could turn it on so I wouldn't have to suffer, but she went on put on a big sweater. I turned it off when I saw her actually put that huge jacket on! I don't know what to do. She seems to get weaker and weaker, but she still doesn't want to put on the ac. Should I just turn it on, or should I respect her wishes? The cleaning lady saw how weak she was, and thinks she is close to death. The cleaning lady has experience with the elderly, and told me that older people get really cold even in hot weather right before they die. What should I do???? I really want to turn on the air.

So, I met this guy at a party, and we hit it off well. He gave me his card, I added him on facebook, which leads to texting every day. I am loving the attention, but there is something that slightly nags me, but I can't put my finger on it. He asks me out, we go out on a dinner date last night, something simple, nothing big. He tells me to text him when I get home. I do. I tell him, I am studying for my midterm. He responds with telling me that it is "lame" that I am studying. The thing is that I have returned to school, and am trying to get a master's degree. He is working (no school) and EVERY time I mention something school related, he says, THAT'S LAME, or HOME WORK IS FOR THE WEAK, or something of that nature. I have told him...That's not lame! And stuff like that, but it hasn't stopped. I realized then, that was what has been bugging me! I want to just end it, to be honest. I have now realized I need someone who will encourage me to finish this degree, not tear me down and say negative things. I can't handle it. It's not that I am complaining when I say I am studying. He asks me what are you doing, and I just answer, I am studying for a midterm I have a monday, and I get the same response of that it is "lame". Sighs. I have not responded to his last text... I don't want to leave him hanging, I want to be honest... the thing is that I think we have chemistry. He is really intelligent, carries a conversation well, well traveled, we are the same religion, etc. Just...this thing...but I feel it can become a bigger issue if we get more serious. So, any ideas on what to say or do? Thanks....

I want to say, Thank you so much for taking me to many different places today! Everything was new, and fun. I really enjoyed it a lot. Also thank you so much for all the delicious food. See you next time! :)

Pleeease help me say this in Japanese.... I'm having a lot of trouble! I just want to send a simple text message. ^_^;;;

My mother will be turning 60 this coming June. We are all excited and want to make her day special. We decided to invite her friends and relatives.

My mom is actually adopted and we have had some contact with her birth family. We recently met her biological nephew and his wife last Christmas. They are very nice and we were happy to meet and get to know them. Especially since they speak English. (My mom was adopted from Japan).

Here is the thing, when my sister mentioned to this nephew's wife that we would be throwing our mother a birthday to celebrate her 60th this coming june through a text message, she was excited and said that was the same day of her husband's birthday. She asked if we could combine the birthday party with her husband's and my mom's 60th. My sister and I don't think it's a big deal, but my father was completely adamant about not doing that. We weren't think of doing something big, but we just thought maybe buying a cake for him too or something like that. I want to be nice and reach out to my mother's biological family. My mother is easy going and didn't mind combining the birthdays. My father though was very angry and said my mom would complain to him later about it and he wants to make this day her special day. We decided to compromise and make the birthday on the day before so it isn't actually on this nephew's birthday. (The day actually was better for different reasons that popped up too). I told my sister to text back the nephew's wife and say we decided to have it on a different day so your husband can have his own special day!

I sent an evite out and immediately the nephew's wife replied. I am not sure if my sister has texted her yet, but the nephew's wife said expressed her wish again about "getting a bit of bday blessing" on that day too for her husband---for all the others to see on the reply board. She obviously didn't get the hint! I am starting to think maybe my dad is right and it's kind of rude to just ask if we could combine a birthday party with someone else! Especially since we aren't that close.

Any advice on what to do?

I live in Japan and lets just say their culture here is very different when it comes to medicine. I have lived here for about a year and a half teaching English.

Yesterday I went to the doctor with a terrible stomach ache. I vomited three times in the middle of the night the night before. It could be that I went to an all you can eat barbecue restaurant. However I have been to these kind of places before and have had no problems.

I went to the doctor the next day and he said after feeling my stomach that I may have an ulcer.

He asked me if my stool was black or very dark brown. I said I didn't really analyze much but I didn't think so. He asked me if I was stressed and was I having trouble sleeping lately. I have been stressed lately, but not seriously stressed. I have been more stressed at other times in my life.

He gave me medicine for an ulcer and said if it didn't get better within a week, come back and we'll put a camera down your throat.

Well, that was yesterday. I checked my stool this morning and it was completely normal. Normal brown color, not black or dark brown.

My stomach is feeling a LOT better, but I still feel nauseous. I ate some yogurt and bread last night and some bread and a banana this morning. I have barely been eating anything. I also feel very tired even though I got 10 hours of sleep last night.

I don't know if I should continue taking the medicine now that I see my stool is completely normal and the pain in my stomach has decreased significantly. Would I hurt my body if I continue taking it? I still have NO appetite and am very nauseous. Just the pain in my stomach has decreased and it's easier to stand and walk around again.

So my questions are:

Should I continue taking the medicine even if I think I don't have an ulcer?

Is it possible that I still have an ulcer even if my stool is normal?

What should I do now? I am just resting and drinking some water. I rarely have stomach problems so I am out of practice of what is good for my stomach. I usually have lung issues (am asthmatic), and almost never have issues with my stomach.

Thank you for any help.

It was working fine this morning, but now it isn't. The sound card is installed just fine, and it says everything is working, but nothing is coming out. I made sure nothing is plugged that would be making the sound go to another device. Any advice would be appreciated. :)

I have this pain on the area of my right rib cage that has been going on and off. I think it is related to my asthma, and I have been experiencing some shortness of breath as well. However, the doctor is only open limited times (I'm in Japan in a rural area), and when the clinic is open... i am not experiencing any symptoms. I feel silly going to a doctor and telling him about pain that I am not currently experiencing at the time. The doctor closes in a couple hours... should I go now? Because of my work schedule, it makes it really hard to go during the work week, so I might have to wait another week before I get another chance to go. And this pain has been going on and off for over a month!

I'm in Japan teaching English. I REALLY think I got food poisoning. I was throwing up, spewing out both ends last night and I think it was from the chicken I ate. :/ I went to the doctor here last night, but since I can barely speak Japanese, communication didn't happen very well. He said it's a stomach virus even though i tried to explain i think it's food poisoning, and he told me come back again today. So, I went back today and he said don't go to work today or tomorrow. well, i teach English at jr high schools, but school is out for them, so since school is not in session, we have to just go to the board of education office and just sit there and study Japanese. I guess the doctor talked to my boss and said why dont i just take a sick day today and tomorrow. Thing is, is now I feel fine. I think it passed. I teach an adult English class on Wednesday nights, and it's noon now, and I think I'll be fine to teach the 2 hour class (that I already had plans for!). What if my boss finds out that I am working tonight, and not resting??? The adult English class and my main full time job are separate. Am I just being crazy? I forgot to ask the doctor, and honestly to ask him would have been difficult. We had to use my electronic dictionary a lot. Or should I just rest? I honestly feel fine, and haven't had any stomach trouble at all today. It seems to have stopped last night. It's such a HASSLE to cancel the class and I had to cancel the last time it was my turn when I was REALLY sick (about a month ago---i had a bad cold). What should I do?? Any advice? Any medical advise, or even Japanese culture advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks. :)

I am sending a package to Japan, but I JUST realized that I accidentally forgot to put down the T with the ~ over it and the numbers. This is the zip code, right? Will my package still make it over there? I don't really want to have to pay $20 again! :/ Will I at least get the package back if it doesn't make it there?

I don't use my inhaler often. I have had the same one for I believe going on six years. The label has worn off so much, that I can't find out the expiration date. How long do inhalers usually last for? Do you think it has probably expired by now?

Just wondering if it is ok to eat avacados...I rarely get stomach problems like this, so I am not really experienced on how to take care of myself compared to other sicknesses I have had. Thanks!

I have heard that breaking up over the phone is better due to the fact that you can just hang up and cry, and you don't have to deal with seeing that person's face. However some other friends have advised it might be better to break up in person. I have never been "the dumper"...so I would like to hear all of your advise on whether you think it would be better to do this over the phone or in person.

Just to give more background...We are both grad students, and this relationship was relatively short (about 3 months)...The guy is REALLY into me, but he has said and done things that are against my personal beliefs, and values, and this really isn't a good match. My feelings for him have completely died just by seeing his true colors recently, and the events that happened after.

I am seeing this guy... he's really great. We haven't had a DTR yet, but things are heading in a generally great direction. He is buying me dinners, lunches, and just recently, an hour long massage!!! We have been seeing each for about 2 1/2 months. My friend thinks I should cook him dinner, but honestly, I am not that great of a cook. He won't let me pay for ANYTHING! He drives me everywhere too. He is taking me to the opera next week! Is there something I can do to show my appreciation? I am having a great time with him, and we send each other emails and texts. But he does most of the calling, and initiating. I feel that maybe I should do something in return...is there anything that I can do besides cook him food? Or is that the only option at this point???

The ticket is $40, I am a poor student, and I just moved out here on my own. I know I will never do it again after this. I realize I made a mistake, and am willing to pay for it, but that is just a little too steep for me. I need a good excuse, or good wording to write an appeal. or do you think it isn't worth my time to do that and just fork over the money.