I feel for you. No one here is going to be able to tell you what to do for sure, but it's clear that you care about what happens to this child, and that's a good thing. If it helps, do know that as others have said above, calling child protection doesn't mean the child will automatically be taken away.

A long time ago, I lived in an apartment building across from a woman who had a little girl about 3 years old. We were friendly in the halls and outside the building, but... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 7:24 PM on August 5, 2008

You might like Meet The Malones (1943) by Lenora Mattingly Weber. It's about an Irish Catholic family living in Denver during the war, and is very much of its time. Weber wrote 13 more books in that series, but the rest are all post-1945 (ranging from 1948 to 1969).
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 3:09 PM on May 29, 2008

Another data point from Canada:

I grew up just outside of Vancouver, BC. On my mother's side of the family (Chinese), we always took off our shoes before going in the house. On my dad's side of the family (English), some relatives didn't mind if we kept them on. Most of my friends' houses were shoes-off, with some exceptions.

I always take my shoes off when I'm in my own house. I find it more comfortable, I grew up doing it, and where I live now... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 9:30 AM on May 27, 2008

Chez Marianne is the kind of place you're looking for, I think. It's crowded, casual, and comfortable, with a dark, tavern-like interior. They also do takeaway. It serves Ashkenazi Jewish food, lots of small plates/appetizer/mezze type stuff, all delicious. It's in the Marais, in the 4ème arrondissement, but it's very close (comfortable walking distance, IMO) to the 2ème.

Address: 2, Rue Hospitalières St Gervais
Telephone: 01 42 72 18 86
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 7:47 PM on May 26, 2008

Get your eye health (not just vision) checked regularly, by an optometrist/ophthalmologist, because you can have a serious problem like glaucoma and not know it until you start to go blind. There's no cure for glaucoma so it's important to stop the progression of the disease as early as possible.

(A student of mine once gave a presentation on glaucoma with these scary tidbits of info. It made a big impression on me, and I scheduled my overdue eye appointment with great alacrity.)
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 11:23 PM on May 9, 2008

Nthing those who said "wear your seatbelt." I'm pretty sure my seatbelt is one of the things that kept me from death or severe injury when I had my car accident.

I am still shocked by the number of people I see who don't wear a seatbelt while driving.
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 2:46 PM on May 10, 2008

Have you looked into Montessori? It isn't suitable for everyone, but if you want to get away from competitive stuff, it might be something to consider. My neighbours have a very bright child who is in Montessori and she loves it. It's a good fit for her personality. There is a real focus away from competition in her school (sometimes too much, in the parents' opinion, but overall they like it).
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 11:26 AM on May 9, 2008

I'd recommend MeMailing Jazz Hands. In this thread she says she is a dental assistant who works with denture wearers. She can probably answer your specific questions that aren't addressed in that thread.
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 11:20 AM on May 9, 2008

About gifted classes: I think since your daughter has shown the aptitude and interest (you said she loves school), they are a really good idea for keeping her challenged and engaged. Personally, I am so, so thankful that I had the opportunity to do them. I was so bored in Grade One that the school administration actually broke down and agreed to skip me to Grade Two. I did the gifted classes, then in high school, went through the IB programme. I don't regret any of this for a minute. I felt... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 11:41 AM on May 8, 2008

I think you would get a lot of inspiration from Not Martha.
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 11:07 AM on May 8, 2008 marked best answer

There is a lot of good advice above.

As someone who has moved from a big city to a very small town,I just wanted to reiterate that usually when people chat with you in passing, they probably aren't expecting a witty or original response. What they're looking for is a signal that you aren't the kind of person who looks down on small-town folk, and that you are friendly and willing to reach out to them. How you do that isn't so important as the fact that you care and want... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 11:13 AM on May 7, 2008

Loratedine just doesn't work for some people; if you are one of those people (I am one), doubling the dose won't help.

The only non-drowsy med that works for me is Reactine (I just looked it up and it is the same as Zyrtec). I find it doesn't work quite as well as Benadryl, but then perhaps that's because Benadryl knocks me out and that's a pretty effective way to stop the misery.
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 1:35 AM on May 7, 2008

Coffee beans in a cup.

Leave them in the cup holder, and give them a shake every once in a while to spread the joy.

Yes. And, to combat the shoe stinkiness, put coffee beans in mesh/net bags and put one in each shoe.
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 10:52 AM on April 29, 2008

My mother (who is from Singapore) enjoyed Tanamera, by Noel Barber. She said it was a fast, entertaining read. It's about two families, one British, one Chinese, and as you can imagine, there's an epic romance. It's set in Singapore during the 1930s and '40s.

Empress of Asia is a fictional account of a Canadian WWII vet remembering his time serving in Asia--his pivotal experience takes place in Singapore at the time that the Japanese invaded and occupied. It's very... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 11:48 AM on March 22, 2008

Nthing Tales of the City.

I also liked Rupert Holmes' Swing: A Mystery. It's set during the 1940 Golden Gate International Exposition. The main character is a musician, and the book includes a disc of swing music pertinent to the novel.

Fun fact: Rupert Holmes is the guy who wrote the Escape (The Pina Colada Song). He also wrote the novel that the movie Where the Truth Lies was based on.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 4:01 PM on March 21, 2008

This is what has gotten me through dry, boring, or dense readings:

I find it helps me immensely if I have some background knowledge of the context (author's biography, historical setting, other important contemporary works, etc.) of the stuff I'm reading. Once I've got some context, I scan and skim through the document and try to find the author's organizing structure--I break the work into chunks that make sense to me, even if the author hasn't used headings and... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 8:28 PM on March 20, 2008 marked best answer

Echoing answergrape: I would much rather have a student come and speak to me about difficulties in class before the F happens (of course, that isn't the end of the world, but a W is preferable). Can you perhaps withdraw from taking the class for credit and audit it instead? That would help prepare you for the next go-round and make it a non-threatening way to practice your oral Japanese.

And, FWIW, 18 credits is A LOT for a first-year student. To put it bluntly, if you... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 3:48 PM on March 20, 2008

I'll chime in with everyone else who is saying: it's cultural, reciprocation at the same level is not expected, and it's nice to accept graciously and re-gift if they are things you can't use/don't want. This is probably your neighbour's way of trying to show, without words, that she likes you and your kids and appreciates the connection. This also might be a good teachable moment--you and your kids can have a discussion about different cultural norms. And, since she shared something with your... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 12:50 PM on March 20, 2008

Amateur theatre/performing groups are always looking for cheap rehearsal/performance space. Does your school have an auditorium with a stage that you could rent out during evenings or weekends?
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 11:27 AM on March 18, 2008

I actually think that the gift that will get across what you want to get across (that he's your dad and you love him and think he's special) is something like what bigmusic suggested, or just a hand-written letter that tells him how you feel about him and how much he means to you.

My elderly relatives always say they don't want "things" for presents, and they mean it. What they really appreciate is a card, a phone call, or a visit from a loved one. They can... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 2:25 AM on March 17, 2008

Little Voice
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 2:08 AM on March 16, 2008

Michael Ondaatje's The English Patient is set in the years just before and during WWII. The action takes place mostly in Egypt and Italy.

The main character in The Empress of Asia is a soldier stationed in Singapore at the time of the Japanese invasion/occupation who is then captured and taken to a POW camp.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 12:42 PM on March 13, 2008

If you don't mind leaving the tags on, but want them to stop irritating your skin, this product claims to cover up clothing tags with a smooth, non-irritating surface. I've never tried them, but it seems like a good idea--you can still read the cleaning instructions and you don't have to risk slipping with scissors/seam ripper and making a hole in your clothes.

Personally, I really like the new trend that winston mentioned of companies printing the info directly on the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 12:28 PM on March 13, 2008 marked best answer

When I worked at a daycamp, the kids really enjoyed making paper beads. It was a cheap, fun activity that was absorbing and took a long time, but wasn't too difficult for them, even the little kids, though I think your best age group for this craft is probably 9 and up. The end result was often surprisingly beautiful, considering the humble materials used. All you need are colourful, glossy magazines, scissors for cutting the paper into strips, glue, and wooden skewers/thin knitting needles/thin... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 11:11 PM on March 12, 2008

Jhumpa Lahiri--The Namesake (about a family whose parents are immigrants to the US from India)
Kathy Page--Alphabet (about an illiterate murderer who learns to read and write in prison and begins writing letters to women. Very non-sensationalistic story about the prison system, redemption, sexuality. Gritty but not gratuitous.)
Miriam Toews--A Complicated Kindness (about a young girl growing up in a very strict religious community, and her desire to escape)... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 2:09 PM on March 10, 2008

Tolerance.org might have some info for you. It's run by the Southern Poverty Law Centre. It addresses issues of racism, sexism, homophobia, ageism, lookism...it's quite diverse and has a lot of articles and information, as well as teaching materials--it's got lesson plans, classroom activities, teaching ideas etc. I'd suggest you browse the "for teachers" section to see if there is anything suitable for your age group and topics.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 11:01 PM on March 8, 2008

I've had this happen, though for a smaller amount than ClanvidHorse is describing. It was at a major chain grocery store here in Canada. I was surprised when it happened but chalked it up to the coupon/small change jar theories.
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 1:00 PM on March 8, 2008

Where do you live now? I think bringing something from your home country would be a nice gesture. Is there a local specialty where you live, some consumable that packs well and will not go bad? That's probably what I would bring, nicely wrapped/packaged.
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 9:36 PM on March 6, 2008

Fresh food, such as vegetables, fruit, and meat, are prohibited but canned, dried, and processed foods are fine, according to this website by the Japanese Consul-General. You are also allowed to bring 3 bottles of alcohol. So, since he likes drinking...maybe you could bring some wine from a local vineyard.
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 9:57 PM on March 6, 2008

The Police: "Don't Stand So Close to Me"--central character is a teacher obsessed with a student.

The Beatles: "Lovely Rita"--she's a meter maid.
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 9:41 PM on March 6, 2008

Keren Ann's "For You and I":

And it's over now for you and I
For you and I
It's over now for you and I
For you and I
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 10:32 PM on March 4, 2008

I wish that I knew what I know now
When I was younger

(The Faces, "Ooh La La")

Should be "I wish that I had known then what I know now."
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 7:25 PM on March 6, 2008

The group I do this kind of thing with has found chili to be the most popular because everyone seems to like it and if you serve a grain like buns or bread with it, it's nutritionally balanced--protein from either beans or meat (or both); lots of veggies and tomato sauce. It's hot, healthy, tasty and filling, and it's very easy to make cheaply in large quantities.
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 12:59 PM on March 6, 2008

I recently had a supporting role with a considerable amount of dialogue after not having acted in anything at all for about 15 years. Scared the hell out of me. I was sure I had made a mistake agreeing to the part; I was sure I'd never be able to remember all my lines. But miraculously, I did. We did have a lot of rehearsals, for which I'm profoundly grateful.

In addition to nedpwolf and hapticactionnetwork's excellent advice, I would recommend the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 5:57 PM on March 5, 2008

We don't use dryer sheets or liquid fabric softener because of my SO's skin sensitivities; even before I was with him, I didn't use fabric softeners much because I didn't like the buildup on my clothes (didn't know about that lint trap thing, kidsleepy--ick!). So for us, the options are dryer balls or nothing. We've been using them for 2 years and I definitely think the dryer balls are an improvement over using nothing: clothes are less staticky (and I live in a dry northern climate that is... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 11:16 AM on March 4, 2008

My recommendation is for Jasper, Alberta. I have never spent Christmas there, but I live about a four-hour drive away and we try to go at least once a year. The town itself is charming and cute, it's accessible by train, and apparently Jasper Park Lodge does a bang-up job of Christmas celebrations. The JPL is not cheap, but sometimes you can get package deals.
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 11:42 PM on March 3, 2008

Oh boy. I don't think there's much you can do here except be the grownup. So, as others have said, don't play along with her weird games. Just act as you normally would. Acknowledge her as you would anyone else, but if she pointedly ignores you, just let it go. If she sticks her butt in your face again, get up and move. That may be what she wants in the game she's playing, but she doesn't "win" and you don't "lose" just because you choose not to be physically uncomfortable.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 3:40 PM on March 3, 2008

Check out the two-page gallery of wooden slide top boxes on this site--some of the smaller boxes may be what you're after.
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 3:15 PM on March 3, 2008

I like to steam chopped broccoli and blend it with a little lemon juice, pepper, and garlic, put it on freshly cooked and drained hot pasta (usually rotini), then put in a few 1 cm cubes of Gorgonzola and stir until the cheese is melted.

It makes an attractive green sauce that is tasty, healthy (depending on how much cheese you put in) and different from the usual tomato sauce.

You can substitute steamed spinach for the broccoli and it works just as well.
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 12:23 PM on March 3, 2008 marked best answer

Just remembered another one: Cook a 450 g package of bowtie pasta until al dente. While it's cooking, mince the leafy part of a good-sized bunch of fresh parsley (discard stems). Combine the parsley with two tins of that premium tuna in oil (flake it if it isn't already). Drain pasta and combine with parsley and tuna. Mix in a 1/4 cup of lemon juice (or more, to taste). Add freshly ground pepper and salt to taste. Serve immediately. This is also good with some capers mixed in if you have them.
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 12:33 PM on March 3, 2008

My aunt's little pomeranian goes crazy for apples. She feeds him some cut-up apple pieces every day for a treat. And I have seen him go after windfall apples like nobody's business--it's really cute.
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 2:48 PM on March 2, 2008

MadamM: Apple seeds contain small amounts of a cyanide compound and aren't recommended for ingestion. (Cherry, peach and apricot pits contain the same compound.)
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 5:25 PM on March 2, 2008

Seconding fshgrl's recommendation of Eccos. My feet are terribly hard to fit, but Ecco has one particular shoe shape that works well for me.

John Fluevog may have something dressy that feels ok on your feet too.
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 1:58 PM on March 2, 2008

A Sideways Look At Time by Jay Griffiths.
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 1:52 PM on March 2, 2008

What a great thread!

Casu marzu FTW, in my opinion--any time the culinary advice includes, "be careful not to eat a maggot," it's just gagworthy.

As for other suggestions: cloud ear fungus has a strange, jelly-like texture. Personally, I think it's quite tasty.

Dried bean curd stick (what an appealing name, I know) is made from the skin that forms on the top of boiling soy milk. I also think this is delicious,... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 7:08 PM on February 29, 2008

Remembered another one: dogh (sounds like "doe") is a yogurt/cucumber drink from Afghanistan that is flavoured with mint and salt. I happen to like it, but I know other people whose first taste of dogh nearly caused them to vomit.
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 10:17 PM on February 29, 2008

Take the train (or, less expensive option, the bus) starting from Vancouver, and travel across Canada to Toronto. You'll see a lot of different geography as you move from the west coast ocean through the Rockies, across the Prairies, and you'll have a nice introduction to the country that will be your home while you're a grad student.

[On preview: I agree with pombe. Grad school is a slog, and you'll want to be rested and relaxed before you start.]
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 1:23 PM on February 28, 2008

I'm so sorry for your loss. Losing a pet is always terrible, even though you know you were doing the right thing by your doggie--and you most definitely were.

My first instinct was to suggest that you spend a little time with some friends' dogs if it didn't make you feel too sad (now I see in your last post that you are going to be with your neighbours' dogs).

When my childhood cats died, we put stones in the backyard with their names painted on... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 7:11 PM on February 27, 2008

Two summers ago we travelled throughout Europe, from France to Poland, all by train. It was fantastic. The trains in Germany were the sleekest and fanciest, and the trains in Slovakia and Poland were the least modern, but still clean and comfortable and, importantly, on time. I highly recommend taking the train.
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 1:21 PM on February 27, 2008

I'd definitely recommend citrus, and caution against the mint. As has been mentioned above, catnip is related to mint; my neighbour's cat loves catnip and LOVES mint, and will try to lick my neighbour's mouth after she's brushed her teeth. Ew.

It would probably be even more effective if you can manage to catch the cats on the mat and spray citrus oil at them.

Citrus oil is a major skin/eye irritant (I can personally attest to... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by hurdy gurdy girl at 12:53 PM on February 26, 2008