Checking some discussions made me remember how people from largely Protestant cultures, like northern Germany, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Great Britain and to some extent the US all have in common that they are seen by foreigners as boring, quiet, frigid, introverted and individualistic. While people from Catholic cultures like Spain, Italy, Latin America or southern Germany by contrast are seen as fun, cheerful, energetic and sociable.
Is this related to the Protestant work ethic as some say? Or it's just plain cultural differences between northern and southern Europeans?

I am 27 years old and working for a western-european government. I love my work and have been looking at buying a place closer to work. I have a very tight-knit group of friends that I love. I am doing well.
Last summer, I did an internship for a month at one of my country's overseas territories in the Caribbean. I had a wonderful time and really enjoyed the adventure.
A permanent vacancy has opened up at another slightly bigger island. The pay is great, the work seems interesting. I am really considering applying. I could imagine myself working there for 2-3 years and then moving back to Europe. Since the job is in a similar line of work, I feel like it would not be detrimental to my career. I would also have the opportunity to learn a Creole language (awesome, right?).
Yet there is doubt. It's a small island - about 20k people - and I worry it'd might get a bit boring. I would really miss my friends and am afraid that at an island that small my love life would not really flourish (it has been pretty lackluster anyway). People my age who grew up there would probably be looking at moving abroad. I also wouldn't really be in a position to travel too much. My PTO would be strongly reduced compared to what I have now.
But I also feel like this is the moment to make the jump. I am young, single, don't have a mortgage. If I don't do it now, I feel like I'd might regret it forever. But if I go, I also feel like I could end up regretting on missing out on all the things back home.
Any words of wisdom?

is there no leaderboard or score chart I can look at to see how I'm doing compared to other people? I'm new to the game and like looking at that so I can see how badly I'm doin'.

I always have this bubbly and positive attitude in work. Ayoko kasi na negatron at toxic sa trabaho. Lalo na that I handle people. Magaling akong makisama and hindi ako know it all, I stay grounded and umaamin ng pagkakamali. Pero dadating pa din pala yung time na makakaramdam ka ng pagod at maaapektuhan ka mentally ng politics sa work regardless kung gaano ka kagaling makisama at kung gaano ka positive yung thinking mo. Dadating yung time na pagtutulungan ka talaga ng mga tao sa paligid mo kasi ayaw talaga nila na umaangat ka. Ang masakit lang, kung sino pa yung pinagkakatiwalaan mo, sila pa yung sasaksak sayo.
Yung mga ka team ko sa mid level, pinagtulungan nila ako sa meeting with our Department Head. Kesyo sa tinagal tagal ng trabaho ko, wala silang nakitang improvement sa team ko. Ang dami dami ko daw tao at napaka inefficient ng team ko to the point na hindi kumikita yung department ko. Ang sakin lang, kung may ganyan pala silang comment, sana sinabi nila iyon sakin directly at hindi sa harap ng Boss namin. Sana napag-aral ko at napaghandaan ko ng data to check yang mga sinasabi nila.
Hindi ko alam kung naka pikit ata sila sa mga improvement na ginawa namin sa team for 10yrs. Only few notable: 1. yung cost ng operation namin ay napababa namin from 70M per month down to 30M to 35M na lang ngayon. 2. Nakakapag set up at implement kami ng Team ko ng project na sa ibang team, it took them 3 months, us, 1 month month lang executed na. 3. One of my handled facility is working with 17 manpower before, ngayon 10 na lang sila with a 30% increase in output pa nga.
Nakakalungkot lang how they see things in me na hindi nila nagagawa, kaya ngayon hinahanapan nila ako ng butas. Well I see it as room to improve, pero di ko matanggap na sinabi nila yun without checking the sacrifices that my team encountered para sabihin nilang walang improvement.
Buti na lang 10yrs na. Pwede na akong mag-avail ng early retirement at magsimulang muli.
Grabe lang nanghihinayang ako sa dream team ko pag umalis ako. But I know kaya nila yan. Seeing how they are now comparing 10yrs ago, nakaka proud sila. And I know, kahit hindi sabihin ng Boss ko, I did a great job sa Team ko. 😊

I’m 26 (f) have always felt that I was treated unfairly by my parents, with higher expectations and harsher consequences for me compared to my siblings. No matter how well or poorly I did, it seemed like my achievements didn’t matter to them, unlike my siblings, who were consistently rewarded and loved. I’ve confronted my parents about this disparity, but despite being divorced, they both deny it, making me question myself.
My dad and I's conversations feel different compared to the ones he has with my brother. They often exclude me from vacations or outings, which I assume is because they don’t want me to ask to join.
Earlier today, I saw a letter from my mom's attorney mentioning that my siblings wouldn’t have student loans. Curious, I checked my dad’s computer and found a receipt for my brother's college tuition. His showed no student loans, even though he's about to start his seventh year of undergrad. In contrast, my receipt from a few years ago included student loans.
I’m not upset about the money; I’m upset about being lied to and consistently put down for acknowledging the clear disparity in treatment. I worked hard to graduate on time, while my brother remains a full-time student with no apparent consequences. My dad's financial situation was much better when I was in school, yet I still had to take out loans, unlike my brother now. It’s frustrating that no matter what I do, my family always makes me feel less important.
Seeing this feels like the physical evidence I needed to prove that my feelings of unfair treatment were valid. I just hope that someday I’ll feel worthy of happiness instead of feeling like I deserve nothing all the time.

Recently considering my driving and what I lack of compared to pros' driving I made a list of things to remind myself.
I have even created some post-its on my monitor to notify myself. Which is really helpful.
I wonder about your "wise remarks" especially if you are a pro... Can extend/shrink the list or order my priorities.

TRACK USAGE - I noticed this by reviewing my laps via replay
VISION- This one requires really practice to look next step (apex-exit) way before, otherwise it is like riding a bike by looking on tires.
QUICK LIFT OFF - I noticed that via telemetry, My lift off take some more time than faster guys.
LIGHT HANDS technique - Ever wondered how people brake late and still manage to save the turn? I think this was the solution because when i almost release the steering and let the lateral forces do their job I sensed the car slows down more quickly. -could be a placebo-. Also always RELAX your shoulder through reminding yourself (via post-its maybe)
PEDAL STEERING - I think this last one will create the difference but I am not there yet. The idea is use pedals to turn, steering wheel should only infer the direction and searching grip as well as saving the car going crazy.

I managed to just barely throw my very new Champ Teebird into the sea, and it floated to the bottom before I could get to it ...
Luckily, I had already placed an order for a '22 Jen Allen Teebird. I bought it primarily because I got it really cheap (half off). I can throw it fairly hard, maybe 60-70% on a slight anny and it'll hold it until ~330 and it'll fade smoothly back. Throw it flat at 80% and it'll go 350-370 ft on a straight rope with a nice finish. I was also thinking the Jen Allen might be a tick less or more stable, so it should complement nicely.
I just got it in the mail today, and by looking at and feeling it, it is nearly identical to a Champ to me, but there is probably a bit less dome, if my memory serves me right.
So I am asking; what are people's experiences with them in terms of stability, especially compared to the Champ? The Champ is perfect imo. I am unable to test it out for a few days, so my thinking is I will place an order for another Champ if the consensus is that the Jen Allen won't be the same.

Hey guys so today marks exactly 3 months of being on the mounjaro and the weight is coming off slowly compared to how much I seen people lose. I am just wondering is 19 pounds in 3 months considered a slow responding. How much is the recommend average weight loss on these drugs?
For reference I am a female 5’7 , starting weight: 320 ibs ,current weight: 301. I really thought the higher your weight is the quicker you lose weight.

I feel like these days it's so hard to convey your feelings and it's like everyone is so busy to listen. I have friends but when I look at how they act with me, do I have friends? Why do I have to make so many decisions I don't want to make? I don't want to grow up already I don't want to give life altering exams that could impact my future. I want to feel confident in how I look and I don't want to compare myself to every other beautiful person I see just because I'm not as slim as them or because I don't have pretty blue or green coloured eyes and I hyst got shit brown eyes. I want to be liked by people. I want to be happy and succeed but I feel so stuck. Nothing I do makes a difference. I always end up feeling like shit. I wanna move out of my toxic house but I can't because I don't have the fucking money to. Im failing in stuff that's so easy for others. I want to be loved for once. I want to be easily liked like others are but no matter how polite, nice or helpful I am, I'm just the backup friend, backup sibling, backup cousin and backup girl to fall in love with. Why are teenage years so shitty.
Im sorry for ranting. I just needed to get all of this out.

People keep talking how the progress is slow in the game I understand the battlepass but that’s it. Grinding is worth the time to be better. New weapons will be added in the future. Gold camos are actually respectable compared to COD. I’m excited for this games future and have a great time playing it. Can’t wait for some patches and such to make it even more enjoyable. Games always have issues but this game will be around for awhile and definitely will always be downloaded on most people’s consoles or pcs to get that first person shooter crave away . If u got over 100 ping tho ✌️.

Combination vending machines have transformed the way people access snacks and beverages, offering a streamlined and convenient purchasing experience. These innovative machines integrate both snack and drink options into a single unit, providing customers with a diverse selection of refreshments in one location.
Here's how combination vending machines streamline snack and drink purchases:
Convenience and Accessibility:
Combination vending machines bring together snacks and beverages in one accessible location, eliminating the need for customers to visit multiple vending machines or locations to satisfy their cravings. Whether someone is in the mood for a refreshing drink or a quick snack, they can find both options conveniently located in a single machine. This accessibility enhances the overall customer experience, making it easier and more efficient to purchase refreshments on the go.
Maximizing Space and Variety:
Traditional vending machines are limited by space constraints, often only offering either snacks or beverages. In contrast, combination vending machines maximize space utilization by integrating both types of products into one unit. This allows businesses to offer a wider variety of options to their customers without the need for additional machines or floor space. From chips and candy bars to bottled water and soda, combination vending machines can accommodate a diverse range of snack and drink preferences.
Time-Saving Convenience:
By consolidating snacks and beverages into a single vending machine, customers can save time and effort when making purchases. Instead of navigating multiple machines or waiting in separate lines, individuals can quickly select their desired items from a single interface. This time-saving convenience is especially valuable in high-traffic locations such as offices, schools, airports, and hospitals, where efficiency and convenience are paramount.
Enhanced Customer Experience:
Combination vending machines enhance the overall customer experience by providing greater choice and convenience. Customers appreciate the ability to find all their favorite snacks and beverages in one place, reducing frustration and simplifying the purchasing process. Additionally, these machines often feature user-friendly interfaces and intuitive navigation, further enhancing the ease of use for customers of all ages.
Cost-Effective Solution:
For businesses and vending operators, combination vending machines offer a cost-effective solution for providing snacks and beverages to customers. By consolidating multiple vending machines into one unit, businesses can reduce operating costs associated with maintenance, restocking, and servicing. This streamlined approach allows businesses to maximize their return on investment while still meeting the diverse needs of their customers.
In conclusion, combination vending machines streamline snack and drink purchases by offering convenience, accessibility, and variety in a single unit. Whether it's saving time, maximizing space, or enhancing the overall customer experience, these innovative machines provide a cost-effective solution for businesses and a convenient option for customers on the go.

Im not muslim but i sometimes find women wearing hijab very pretty. Some exmuslim also told me that having a part time hijabi wife is like having two wives in one (which isnt morally wrong compared polygamy). she doesnt have to be muslim. Ok maybe progressive muslim, exmuslim or non muslim but im not gonna impose it on her ill just tell her like shes really cute in hijab and encourage her to wear it part time. Itll be really cool if by day we go out shes covered up and dress modestly and look pretty and cute in hijab but during night we go to dates and clubing she wears badass punkish clothes her hair down like a tomboyish metal lead lady. The contrast would be very neat like by day shes the religiously conservative cute "muslimah" but by night shes the cool one of the guys lass who wears the pants in the relationship.

I'm building a fantastical science fiction world based on the real world, where magic exists and is not yet fully understood by science. Part of my magic system is based on the Thaumcraft system, which has always been my favorite magic system.
In this world, crystals have been used for magical and healing purposes. However, for the most part, the use of mundane crystals for magical and healing purposes is considered a form of pseudomagic and pseudoscience, without any real or proven effects.
For example, ancient Egyptians buried lapis lazuli with the deceased to protect them in the afterlife. Egyptian amulets, worn as jewelry, ensured the well-being of the individual and benefited them in the afterlife, representing deities and their powers. In funerary practices, they used headrests to symbolize resurrection and rebirth. Ancient Greeks believed that clear quartz was permanently frozen water and used amethyst as an amulet against hangovers, as its name means "not intoxicated." Across cultures, crystals were considered objects with healing properties in lapidary medicine. The Hopi of Arizona used quartz crystals to diagnose illnesses, and in Europe, belief in the healing powers of crystals persisted into the Middle Ages, documented in texts called lapidaries. Rose quartz, for example, was believed in Egypt to prevent aging, the Romans used it as a seal of ownership, and in the Middle Ages, it was included in healing potions. Today, it is known as the "stone of love" and is used to balance emotions and heal anger and disappointment.
Although these practices reflect a belief in magical properties, in reality, the mentioned crystals do not possess real magical powers and are considered pseudomagic. However, there are truly magical crystals. These are called vis crystals.
Vis crystals consist of altered quartz crystals that have absorbed or generated, through interaction with ambient magic over millennia, large amounts of a specific type of primal aspect.

Primal Aspects

In my fantastical science fiction world, matter can be decomposed not only chemically but also aspectually. Aspects are actually emergent properties of matter that have been condensed and isolated.
There are 7 primal aspects, and hundreds of combinatory aspects. While in antiquity these primal aspects were associated with "elements of nature," it is now known that aspects are actually emergent properties of matter that have been condensed and isolated from their material base.
The 7 primal aspects of matter are as follows:
Aer (gases and volatility): Represents the essence of gases and volatility. It is used to manipulate properties of matter.
Aqua (liquids and dissolution): Controls the properties of liquids and their solvent capacity. It is used to manipulate properties of matter.
Ignis (heat and combustion): Associated with heat and combustion capacity, it allows for the generation of intense heat, manipulation of temperature, and generation of plasma.
Terra (solids and silicates): Represents solidity and earthy materials. It is used to manipulate properties of materials and transmute minerals.
Ordo (order and homogeneity): Controls periodic order and homogeneity in matter. It is used to produce ordered structures and stabilize materials and thaumic infusion processes.
Perditio (entropy and disorder): Represents entropy and disorder in matter. It is used to disintegrate materials into their aspectual essences.
Spatium (metamagic and space-time metrics): Associated with metamagic and altered space-time metrics, it allows for magic manipulation, construction of portals, and space distortion.
The existence of the Spatium aspect is known, but for most of history, it was completely unknown and sometimes misunderstood, due to its extremely scarce sources on the planet.
It wasn't until 2013 that its existence was theorized, and not until 2019 that it was correctly isolated and studied. A millivis (unit of aspect quantity) of Spatium can cost thousands of dollars.
The production and extraction of the Spatium aspect is a complex and costly process involving the crafting and concentration of the dangerous combinatory aspect "vitium," and the generation and cultivation of interplanar microwells with said aspect, from which the Spatium aspect is extracted

Vis Crystals

As previously explained, vis crystals are altered quartz crystals (usually) with high concentrations of one of the 7 primal essences, which can be naturally generated through the interaction between ambient magic and the minerals of the environment.
These crystals have been used in antiquity in many transmutation and aspectual manufacturing processes, in runic infusion altars and arcane stills, and also to craft artifacts such as scepters and power amulets, and magical weapons and ammunition (swords and arrows and, later, pistols and bullets) with arcane qualities.
Below are detailed properties of each of the 7 quartz-based vis crystals, which are the most common:
Ignis Crystals: Take tetrahedral forms with reddish hues. They are warm to the touch and flammable when exposed to flame. When burning, they are impossible to extinguish until consumed, leaving quartz sand as residue. Upon receiving strong impacts, they can detonate violently. When dissolved in strong acids, they form a highly reactive superacid.
Terra Crystals: Adopt cubic forms with greenish hues. They have greater hardness and resistance compared to ordinary quartz crystals. Otherwise, they do not exhibit significant additional properties beyond the realms of alchemy and thaumaturgy.
Aer Crystals: Take octahedral forms with yellowish hues. They have a very low density, close to that of air, and can float on very dense gases. When compressed, their volume decreases up to a certain limit. When subjected to vacuum, they expand. They are volatile and lose aer aspect over time in the absence of sufficient concentrations of ambient vis, degrading into quartz sand. Volatility decreases with higher pressure and lower temperature.
Quasicrystals of Aqua: Adopt icosahedral forms with bluish hues. They are softer than quartz. When exposed to flame, they generate a mixture of simple polar liquids (mostly water) as they degrade into quartz sand. When exposed to salts and other desiccants, they generate the same mixture of liquids as they degrade into quartz sand.
Quasicrystals of Spatium: Take dodecahedral forms with silvery hues (later discovered to absorb light in the ultraviolet range, so polymorphic mages with avian and reptilian eyes can easily recognize it under a color they call "ultraplusian", which is sometimes described by them as a kind of pure spectral purplish magenta distinct from magentas and purples obtained from mixing red and blue). They react to large amounts of directed vis (magic), generating kos (metamagic). When destroyed, they explode, generating a metric pulse that can disintegrate materials and bend light, and can be detected by gravitational wave sensors used to detect black hole collisions, leaving quartz sand as residue.
Ordor Crystals: Adopt stacked laminar forms with weak aggregation, similar to mica and graphite, but with white hues. It is a very soft and fragile material, but each individual lamina is extremely resistant and tenacious. When exposed to large concentrations of directed vis, it tends to slowly and progressively rearrange and crystallize surrounding materials.
Perditio Glass: Adopts an amorphous structure similar to glass or obsidian and has translucent black hues. When exposed to large concentrations of vis, it alters surrounding materials by slowly mixing them.
The interaction between ordor crystals and perditio glass under the effects of high concentrations of vis is complex and produces permutation cycles on adjacent materials.

Vis Crystals and Platonic Solids

Plato attempted to correlate the primary aspects with Platonic polyhedra, even before the Spatium aspect was fully understood, confusing it with the natural element aether, later recognized as a condensed Gauge boson carrier of magic and constituted by praecantatio aspect.
Plato correlated the tetrahedron with the fire element and the ignis aspect. The cube with the earth element and the terra aspect. The octahedron with the air element and the aer aspect. The icosahedron with the water element and the aqua aspect. And the dodecahedron with the aether element and the lux aspect by confusion.
At that time, the ordor and perditio aspects were unknown, which would later be discovered in the Middle Ages and correlated with order and chaos. The Spatium aspect would not be discovered until around 2300 years later..

Environmental Role of Vis Crystals

In ancient times and the Middle Ages, vis crystals played a central role in a variety of magical and alchemical practices. These crystals, imbued with the primal essences, were considered vehicles of power and wisdom, used by thaumaturges and alchemists to channel and manipulate the magical energy of the universe.
In transmutation and aspectual manufacturing processes, vis crystals were key ingredients. Alchemists used them in runic infusion altars and arcane stills to distill and purify the aspectual essences, transforming them into more concentrated and potent forms. These rituals and processes were essential for creating elixirs, potions, and magically potent objects.
Vis crystals were also employed in the crafting of magical artifacts, such as scepters and power amulets. These objects were used to produce damage and harmful effects in directed energy attacks. Expert alchemists and artisans spent long hours carving and setting the crystals into these artifacts, endowing them with unmatched beauty and power.
Magical swords and arrows imbued with the aspectual essences of these crystals had arcane qualities that made them extremely effective against supernatural creatures and magical beings. Later, with the advancement of technology, magical pistols and bullets were developed, maintaining the tradition of using vis crystals as a power source on the battlefield.
However, their rampant exploitation during the 17th to 20th centuries left an indelible mark on ecosystems, triggering the destruction of natural habitats and leading to the extinction of numerous species of magical animals, fungi, and plants.
The fervor for vis crystals unleashed an extraction frenzy that knew no bounds, leading to the overexploitation of natural resources and unprecedented magical and ecological imbalance. Enchanted forests were decimated, mana rivers were contaminated, and magical biodiversity suffered a devastating blow. This dark period in magical history left deep scars in the very fabric of the natural world.
Over time, awareness of the importance of conserving magical ecosystems rose, and the harmful effects of uncontrolled extraction of vis crystals were recognized. International treaties were established to protect these resources and regulate their use, prohibiting their extraction in many places around the world. Although the demand for these crystals still exists, it has been significantly reduced, paving the way for synthesis methods that allow for their artificial production.
Today, synthesis methods have gained ground, offering more sustainable and ethical alternatives to meet the needs of modern thaumaturgy. Fluid essences and synthetic aspectual ethers have emerged as effective substitutes for vis crystals, being purer, more reactive, and most importantly, less harmful to the magical environment. Although vis crystals are still valued for their connection to ancestral tradition and by mineral collectors, their extraction has been relegated to a marginal level in order to preserve magical ecosystems and their unique biodiversity.

Flux Crystals

In contrast to vis crystals, there exist flux crystals, mostly of anthropogenic origin. These "crystals" are not actually crystals but fractals, although they are generally referred to as crystals.
These fractals are generated when concentrations of flux in a particular area are high, and they serve as both an indicator and a health risk.
Flux is a corrupt and residual form of magic generated in failed thaumaturgic processes (usually), and is known for its harmful effects on health and the environment (at low concentrations), its mutagenic and carcinogenic potential, and its supernatural danger (at high concentrations), which can open breaches in space to other planes, called seeds of corruption.
Flux is not persistent and dissipates over time. There are very few uses for its aspect, vitium, which is not a primal aspect (unlike ignis, aer, aqua, terra, ordor, perditio, and spatium) but a combinatory aspect, so its incidental production is not usual. Similarly, flux fractals or flux crystals also have limited utility, and their main demand comes from mineral collectors, despite their slight hazardousness similar to that of radioactive materials.
Flux fractals adopt mixtures of organic forms, sharp and acute shapes, with purple hues. When exposed to flux, they grow. When exposed to high concentrations of vis, they slowly transform it into flux. Exposure of living organisms to flux fractals has toxic and potentially mutagenic effects. Regardless of their storage conditions, flux fractals degrade into quartz sand slowly, dissipating flux into the environment. Their renewal and growth rate is usually lower than their degradation rate.
This is all for today.

What’s some fics with a genuine very heroic MC. That’s just got screwed by their power. Living piles of flesh and metal saving people from a fire. A living bug hive doing public meet and greets with the Wards, and other such things. I really love the contrast of getting messed up powers and still being a good person. As well as the PRT interactions are always great.
I was reading up on Trench Crusade and it really got me in the mood for it.

I’m trying to understand how data is scored in a table (part circled in red).

Hi fellow US/Florida golfers!
I live in the Czech Republic and I've come across some great flight deals to Miami from January to March 2025. My family and I are avid golfers, so we're thinking about travelling to Florida for a golf vacation. I've found out that January and February are peak months for snowbirds, so I'm considering booking our flight for March.
My question to those with relevant know-how - Will March have slightly fewer crowds/cheaper fees compared to the previous months, or is there no significant difference? I'm particularly worried about the impact of spring breakers, although I'm not sure if they are the main demographic for golf courses and hotels.
Disclaimer: I've read through this subreddit before posting this, so I understand that some people consider golfing in Florida "overrated," "overpriced," "underwhelming," etc. I take these opinions into account, so there's no need to repeat them. This trip will likely be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for us, and we understand that it won't be cheap. However, if going in March means we can enjoy less crowded courses and potentially save a bit of money, I believe it's worth it.
Thank you all for your help!

I work at a hotel in Vietnam, and there's this man, who I believe is British based on his accent, negotiating a room with air conditioning for 100,000. I told him it was 150.000, and he wanted 100.000, but then he said it was overnight, and the owner of the hotel came and said it had to be 200.000 overnight since that room had an air conditioner, so he bargained it down to 150.000, and the owner accepted. Many people visiting Vietnam assume that ALL VIET PEOPLE WILL INCREASE THEIR PRICE WHEN THEY MEET THETOURISTS, as if I, a 14-year-old, were to raise the price just because I am Vietnamese. You go to Vietnam thinking everything is cheap, but you have to negotiate because Vietnamese people will raise prices for foreigners. Not all Vietnamese people will raise the prices for foreigners. Don't negotiate every circumstance for you, bro. It looks pricey, yet it is not. It's our money, which is cheap for you but valuable for us. Also, convert our currency to your currency to compare how cheap that is bro, and you are bargaining just for that much.

I (24F) am from a country where the quality of life isn't the best, especially compared to Europe. My boyfriend (25M) and i have been together for a year now and things aren't perfect between us but they're good. We have a great relationship where there's mutual respect, understanding, and love. Today i found out i might get a chance to go study in Europe (Italy) and possibly get to chase a better future and the life i dreamed of since i was a little girl. While my boyfriend has already graduated with a master's degree, i only have a highschool degree (due to many factors that aren't relevant here). I know in my heart that if i choose to persue this opportunity it would most likely mean the end of our relationship. On one hand, I don't want to miss out on what could be a once in a lifetime chance to better my life and on the other hand I'm scared that if i sacrifice my relationship i would be losing a good man and would regret it later on in life. Another concern of mine is the possibility that i would sacrifice my relationship and embark on this journey and still fail in the end , and then I'd have lost both. But then again i could choose to stay only for the relationship to not work out later on. I feel like I'm at a crossroads and I'm finding it extremely hard to make a decision even though I'm sure most people would tell me I'm dumb for even considering it a crossroads and that my (possible) future is more important than any relationship, which I'm objectively aware of. I'd be grateful if someone has a piece of advice or even a personal experience with something similar, anything that can help me put things in perspective...