NinjaNeer's advice column

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Q: I want to marry my girlfriend but i dont have any where close enough of money to do it what do i do? and what is the different between engagment rings and wedding rings?

It only costs a couple of hundred dollars to actually get married; to go to a Justice of the Peace and get the paperwork. Even if you want to have a wedding, you can do it on the cheap... potluck, simple backyard affair. It doesn't have to be a grand, $20 000 event.

Engagement rings tend to have a diamond or other stone, where a wedding ring is often a plain band. You can do this pretty inexpensively,as low as a couple hundred for the engagement ring.

Congratulations :)

Q: Ok I'm not quite sure where to begin but ill try to explain it the best I can you see I think I know a lot about people and how they live and the way I think and do things is better than what people do its like people are lazzy cheap and nasty and to me I'm usaly correct about it because It showes like for example when I'm on the highway and I see someone changeing lanes or exiting off the highway if there not useing there blinker I tell myself they are on there celphone and then I see them that's what they are doing they can't. Have one hand on the stearingwheel one hand with there phone glued to there ear and use there blinker they only have two hands and here's another thing I work at a carwash on one job I have 2 jobs but when people come in and have a faiely new car or truck and its like trashed I have a 15yr old truck and it emaculant and its always been that way even before I workd at a carwash working two jobs I still make sure that my ride is clean but I can tell how a person is just by looking at there ride what I'm getting at is am I just being stupid or what

You're being a little judgmental, and a lot holier-than-thou.

You can tell a lot about a person based on certain things about them in some cases. For instance, if I'm out with a friend and they're rude and condescending to waitstaff or salespeople, I lose a lot of respect for them because it says a lot about the kind of person they really are. However, saying that someone must be lazy, cheap and nasty because their car is messy or they're on their cell phone while they're driving is a little excessive. Maybe they just don't put the same priority on cleanliness that you do. For example, I'm always getting on my fiance's case because his car is always messy. Otherwise, he's a neat freak, he was just raised in a family where cars were not kept clean. He's not a slob, he's just different.

I'm not a religious person, but there's a great saying that goes "Judge not, lest ye be judged." Remember that every time you judge that person who comes into your car wash for having a sloppy car, they're judging you because you work at that car wash. They might assume that you're uneducated, dumb, too lazy to get a better job, when in reality you could be a very smart, driven person. Heck, you must be, since it's your second job.

Remember that these people are just that; people. Everyone is different. Everyone has their own flaws and perks. You can't look down on someone just because they're different from you.

Q: Where can I find the answers to the Anatomy and Physiology Coloring Workbook Answers?

We can't give you the answers, because that's academic dishonesty. The whole point of the colouring book is to find out what the parts are yourself and to label them.

This website is a great resource. It goes into incredible detail, and you can choose by group (muscular, skeletal, etc)

http://www.innerbody.com/htm/body.html

Q: So I've been with my boyfriend exactly one year yesterday. For like a month or so now, everytime we hang out and go out on dates and stuff, I don't feel like I used to about being with him. It's fun and not awkward or anything, I just feel "content" I guess. And it sucks a lot because I really love him and I really want to make it work...and I'm going to try, I just don't know what to do because I've never been in this situation before. I told him about my "content" feeling and he said we should try new things so I could get the butterflies back...will that work? I haven't got any idea of what to do so any advice will help me. Thank you :)

As someone who's coming up on her 4 year anniversary, I can tell you that what you're dealing with is totally normal and not at all a negative thing. There is absolutely nothing to fix here.

You're not going to have butterflies forever. Butterflies are something you get in the honeymoon phase of a relationship; everything is new and exciting, you're learning about each other, etc. Once your relationship deepens and matures a little, you start to feel more than just excitement. You love the other person for everything they are, plain and simple.

Being content is not a bad thing. It's a good thing. Relationships aren't meant to be volatile forever. You're not bored with him, and you're not falling out of love, from what you've said. You're just happy and secure. The rush of an early relationship is fun, but being at a point in your relationship where you feel snug and safe and happy and totally comfortable is so much better.

Q: ohk well im 13 , and im a sexual person with both genders . i feel as if im a slut but i cant help not to do stuff with people . and i hate it when people call me a slut . like if they were sexually active they would prollly be the same way . sex feels great . it sucks tho that im only 13 and i already had sex . im moore mature than most girls in my grade . i have all older friends that are in 11th 10th grades and so on. can you guys help me thanks (:

There's a difference between being promiscuous and being sexually liberated. If you're having protected sex, getting tested in between partners (and insisting that they're tested first) and selectively having sex, then you're taking a mature approach to sex and you're not a 'slut'. Anything less than that is sketchy.

However, most people at your age aren't ready to deal with the actual consequences. Are you going to be okay with your 'number' when you're 16, 20, 25? 10 guys now means a likely total of 30+ by the time you hit 25. It's all about your personal values. There's also always the risk of STI infection, unwanted pregnancy and exposure (like someone telling personal details about the experience).

Yes, sex feels good. It feels even better when it's done with a person who you care deeply about. Having sex because it feels good is like eating nothing but chocolate bars because they taste good. It's bad for you if you don't practice moderation. There are other ways to make yourself feel good that are consequence-free (masturbation, anyone?).

Q: Ive been thinking about this for so long, and im just having so much trouble actually processing that im gay/bi.
Heck, it took a lot out of me just to go here.
I keep on doubting myself and my identity.

Your sexuality isn't who you are. That's like saying your identity is based on whether you prefer Coke or Pepsi. It's just a part of you.

Don't focus too much on the word. Let relationships happen as they will. Also, you don't exactly have to announce to the world that you like the same sex. I'm bisexual, and my family doesn't even know because I've never had a serious girlfriend. If you meet someone, then you can bring it up.

Q: So i'm in my first year of college and there's this group that I may go out with on saturday. There will probably be drinking and i'm really interested in trying it because I've never drank a sip of alcohol in my life. So, I'm a little socially awkward and uptight in many situations and I really admire the people in this group and would love to become good friends with them. This isn't the reason why I'm doing it but will drinking "loosen me up" a little? Will it sort of rid me of some of the inner tension I have when socializing? I'm not planning to get blackout wasted, just a little buzzed. and please, answer the question honestly and try not to lecture. i really just want the honest truth.
Thanks so much

There's a reason why alcohol is called "social lubricant"!

Having a little bit of alcohol tends to loosen inhibitions and make people more social. Having a lot of alcohol makes people act like idiots. As long as you stay within your limit, keep drinking water and wait in between drinks, you should be fine.

My friends and I have a saying: when you're drunk, everyone's your friend.

Q: so i am a 16 year old boy living in Massachusetts. So i had a friend who lived next door to me from like age 10-13, and we were BEST FRIENDS. We did everything together, and i really looked up to him. He moved away when i was 13, but then visited me when i was 15. We kind of fell in love, or at least i fell in love with him. Then this last April i visited him, and we kinda hooked up, but it was purely me doing things to him, but like he asked for them. After that the only thing he ever said to me is "i hate you, never speak to me again. Your a sick fag, get out of my life.". I don't know how to get over this, its crushing me. I was absolutely in love with him.

This is a guy who can't come to terms with his own sexuality.

It sounds to me like you're okay with being gay. That's fantastic! However, some people just aren't so lucky. They spend their life living in shame and lies because they refuse to accept that they're gay. It might be because of family, their religion, or society.

It's awful that you got caught up in his insecurity. I would suggest that you wait a while before attempting communication. He needs to grow as a person before he can confront that side of him, but it's not worth destroying an amazing friendship over.

Q: so i'm a freshman in college and i feel like all my friends are just throwing themselves out there, like its the college thing to do. but i don't like being a slut, i'm the only one whos still a virgin because i feel like i haven't found the right guy yet. even all the guys i've messed around with i've felt a connection with, like i actually cared about them. i'm not into one night stands but i feel left out when all my friends talk about it:/ not to brag but i am a pretty girl and guys do try to get with me but i'm just not into it, i want a serious boyfriend...what should i do?

Don't sweat it.

Not everyone has promiscuous sex in college. By not doing it, you're avoiding a whole lot of worry, heartache and risk.

You don't have to worry about getting pregnant or infected with an STI by a guy who doesn't remember your name in the morning. You don't have to feel dirty and used. You don't have to do the walk of shame!

Just wait it out for a bit. The free and easy attitude tends to die out a bit amongst most people by the end of the year. If you're looking for someone more serious, I'd suggest joining some clubs or teams where you can meet older guys, because they've generally settled down a bit and are ready to date, not just have sex.

Q: I'm just wondering why my questions arent being answered they arent stupid or ridiculous or just it just take a while to be approved?

There are a few reasons why good questions might not be answered. I've looked, and yours certainly aren't stupid.

It does take a while to get approved. Here's the FAQ on approval:

http://www.advicenators.com/faq.php?f=9

Remember that we're just random people volunteering to do this. There may be an expert or ten on any given subject, but some things we just don't know. We can't give advice on a subject we aren't familiar with. I know that often I'll see a question that I just plain don't know how to answer.

Other than that, questions that get answers tend to be brief and to the point, because nobody likes to strain their eyes over a large block of unbroken text. They're also very specific, rather than asking for general advice, because people don't like throwing heaps of advice at you in the hopes that some of it is what you want/need.

Q: So in high school i noticed a guy and he lived down the street from me, he never really talked to me but he would make jokes at time and was nice. One night in high school he incited me to go over to his house and i did but it was only for like thirty minutes then he dropped me off.Never saw him again. So he moved to AZ and joined the air force and got in touch with me and at this time i was graduating high school and he started talking to me, we got to the point where we where actually in a relationaship and we liked each ithervery much. So i kept putting off not seeing him everytime we made plans to visit but he still stayed with me and we wouls talk on the phone and e-mail,also my mom was very strict so there wasnt really a way to leave to visit him by myself. So it went all well and then his birthday came around and we went to Vegas, well he didnt talk to me for a week! So when he finally texted me he said sorry and i wasnt really mad just relieved and he could believe i was mad and he just seemed weird and a week later he broke up with me saying he cant be with a girl who still lives under her mother not in a mean way though he was kind about it. Well months passed by and i would look at his myspace and he would sooo happy! like he never mentioned anything abut us. So 6 months pass and then he sends a text saying "hey." and i'm really suprised and i start talking to him and it was only for two days then a few weeks later i decide to text him and he says he is actually happy i have texted him! So basically we both start talking again and he says he loves me so all is well and then what i expected happened! he stopped talking to me! and when he finally texted back he said his step-dad had a heart attack and he likes to deal with that studd alone. And then couple weeks later i leace him a messege about not caring about my feelings and he said sorry but that he is afraid of commitment and now we have stopeed talking for about 2 months now, i cant halp but to look at his facebook and myspace and he looks happy i know he is in the air force and has stuff to do but he seems to party it up as well and he cant even aknoledge me so what should i do? how should i fee? And what if he sends me a messege again, what do i do then? its so cinfusing should i forget all the sweet things he said to me and forget and move on?or should i say something. Or do i just like him because i like the idea of him? i like the way he talks about his family i kind of want to be a part of his life, and i like alot of things about him and i know i sound like a physco but its how i can explain. I just need advice i really am not a whiney person and idk whats happening to me.

It sounds to me like this guy is being honest with you, and you want something he can't give you.

He isn't the commitment sort. Especially if he's around your age, that's perfectly normal. As a military guy, he's got a lot of freedom and a lot of options, and unless you're really serious about a relationship in his situation it's just not worth the heartache of being tied down.

He likes you; that much is clear. Be friends with him until he's ready for something more. You can't force a relationship on him at this point. In the meantime, I'm sure there are plenty of sweet men out there for you to choose from!

Q: What do i do if i get pregnant and my parents sont approve and i am too young to have a baby? What do i do?

If you're old enough to have sex, you're old enough to deal with the consequences. There's no such thing as "too young to be pregnant" unless you mean biologically.

The best course of action is to not have sex until you're ready to deal with a pregnancy. Of course, many girls think that birth control and condoms make them immune to unwanted pregnancies, which is totally untrue.

If you're using two forms of birth control and you get pregnant (it happens from time to time) you have three options:

1) Have the baby, raise it.

This one will be difficult to pull off. Since your parents don't approve, then you would likely get kicked out of their house and have to raise the baby on your own. That means dropping out of day school, trying to do classes by correspondence, and working or being on welfare. Not the best quality of life for you and baby.

2) Have the baby, give it up for adoption.

You'll still need your parents' support for this. You've got to eat right, be healthy, go to pre-natal appointments, etc. You've got to wonder for the rest of your life where that little part of you is; if they're happy, if they're healthy, if they're loved and wanted.

3) Have an abortion.

This one sounds like the easy option. A quick medical procedure, and you're out of there, baby free. Of course, you may have to compromise your own values in order to do this. Or let's say you're pro-abortion. Even then, you've got to deal with a certain level of guilt. I'm pro-choice, but I personally would not have an abortion. I think it's a last resort, not a form of birth control.

So there you go. Best method is the keep-it-in-your-pants method.

Q: I don't know what to do with him! I found out from my bff that my bf made a facebook group thing about our relationshp. I went and red a few things on it and it is personal and nothing anybody should know but us so I told him I knew he had a secret he was keeping from me but not what it was so he would tell me or something but he didn't. i kinda thought that he posted stuff and didn't think it was bad and I wanted to give him chances to say so but he just said he didnt have no secrets so i went back to read the rest and he had made it private only so now it is hidden from me.

I guess what I am asking is if he didn't think this was wrong why did he hide it when i found out? He still denies everything and now i got no proof because i cant see it anymore!!! i have been crying about this and i feel betrayed like he has a secret life on facebook or something! should i stay with him if he isn't going to be honest and still hides things?

Sorry if this is too long!

If you told him that you didn't appreciate the group, and he totally disregarded that, you should be leaving him.

It's your name; if you don't want it on Facebook, that's your decision to make. For him to be posting personal details about your relationship without your permission is incredibly rude.

Now, if he had apologized and removed the group immediately, I would say there's no issue. But he actually had the stones to block you from viewing it?! Honestly, to me that shows a great deal of disrespect towards you. That's disrespect you shouldn't have to deal with.

Disrespect on Facebook isn't a huge deal. When it is a huge deal is later on in your relationship; when he incurs debt that he doesn't tell you about, or when he spends money behind your back. Trust is really important in a relationship, and when one partner doesn't respect the other, they're more likely to do untrustworthy things.

Drop him like a hot potato and find a decent guy who is worth your time.

Q: My friends always ignore my opinions! And when I tell a story, they will talk about another topic! And I feel nervous now because I know about their plan. Their plan is to make my life suffer and when I have a crush they will hunt him down and tell him and lie about me and tell bad things about me that aren't true and make my other friends my enemies. Now what will I do?! My life is going to be ruined in three months! And did I mention they will post a picture in a website with me with no underwear and no shirt or bra?!

The first issue that needs addressing is the last one you mention.

If you're under 18 (as I suspect you are) and they have in their possession a picture of you nude, then they have possession of child pornography. If they were to post that, they would be guilty of distributing child pornography. Let them know now that they need to destroy any copies they have, and that if they do post it you will take the matter to the police. What they're proposing to do is illegal.

As for the other stuff, why are they your friends? Friends don't do this sort of stuff. I'm sure there are plenty of other kids at your school who are nice, decent people who would love to be friends with you. The only reason you have to deal with this is because you continue to associate with them. They're pushing to find your limits. As long as you stay 'friends' with them, they will keep doing worse and worse things to you until you react. Don't talk to them. Don't tell them who your crush is. Don't give them anything that they can use against you. Tell them they're not worth your time, and walk away. Being alone is better than being with these people.

I can guarantee you that any new friends won't be affected by nasty things that these other girls say. Obviously they're manipulative jerks, and there's no way that anybody else at your school has missed that.

Remember that there's no shame in being alone for a bit. Having no friends is better than having fake friends who hurt you like that.

If they act aggressively towards you in school (name-calling, hitting, spitting, etc) then you can take the matter to your principal. Most schools have a no-tolerance bullying policy.

Q: Well if it is 2010, and we have been using a 24-Hour clock. Over time, are we losing accuracy in the date? A day is actually 23 hours & 56 minutes. 1440 minutes in a day, BUT, after a year we are off by 1 day and 20 minutes, and every leap year wouldn't make it up. So aren't we off by maybe a few years?

I just saw this article on MentalFloss, and it reminded me of your question.

Apparently, we add a leap second every once in a while to make our time sync up better with astronomical time.

http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/65575

Q: Ill start out by saying I work work two jobs and I bust my ass just to make my wife happy its like all she thinks about is money .one job I have is not a steady scedual it has its peaks and lowes if it rains can't work if it even looks like its gooing to rain people don't come in for business so I get sent home early .but the days we have good weather we get bussy .I make hourly plus tips and sometimes the tips are pritty good but my wife will always ask if I maid tips today like why should it matter to her when both my paychecks go to the bank but anyways I tell her my tips where fair .and there is times she wants to hold my tips like I'm not responsable enough to do it myself .its my money anyways .she works also .but when I get sent home early or don't get to work at all she will always ask me did you get to work today ? And I'm beggining to wonder if I'm just here for a paycheck .what do you think ?

It doesn't sound to me like your wife is taking advantage of you. It sounds like she's just wondering about your finances.

Does your wife do the budgeting, or handle the money? It's a role that many women take on in a relationship that isn't recognized. That would explain why she wants to know what's coming in.

Personally, I want to know if we've got extra money coming in, or a little less. I do the budgeting, and I'm better at organizing our finances, so I need to know about every little bit.

Q:
Today when I was walking down the hallway during lunch I got hit in the back by one of my classmates. He started laughing and his friend was egging him on to hit me again. He's bigger than me so I couldn't have hit him back. he does the same thing to me in my 2nd period. Then when I went to 6th period another boy hit in me in the arm and everyone else just laughed, hes bigger than me too. If I tell somebody that their doing this they will make fun of me and bother me more.

how do i stop wearing my heart on my sleeve? all my life even when i was little i would try and still befriends with some one that has done me wrong, i always wanted to believe that people just make mistakes and not believe that the ones i care about would be this hate full towards me.

how can i toughen up and stop letting people walk all over me? my dad my mom and sister always tell me im to nice and people treat me the way they do because i allow it. and that nice people finish last, but how can i stop being who i am? my grandma always tough me to treat people the way i want to be treated but that doesn't work. I don't want to start any fights with people so I don't argue and the are usually bigger than me. I'm nice to them and they turn around and talk about me and call me zit face. I even cried when a group of girls started yelling at me calling me pimple face and everyone started laughing. It ruined my whole day. I already have self esteem issues bacause of my acne. People at school always beg and take my school supplies and they beg for my food. These girls in almost all of my classes talk about me for no reason, and I haven't done anything wrong. I'm nice to everybody. Every single day there's a kid in all of my classes asking me for paper and pencils. Some people even take things out of my pocket, when they don't ask, and I don't say anything. If I don't give them what they want they will be mean and talk about me, it bothers me because im sensitive and might cry later on. I don't want people to hate me or try to fight me if I say no or tell an adult. Most of the kids in my first 2 classes cheat off of me, I hate my first 2 classes and I think i'm starting to hate school becuz of these stuck up pretty girls. Ive noticed that every girl in the school that's pretty is stuck up and they treat everyone that they think is a geek or ugly badly. This girl sitting next to me got mad at me cause I wouldn't tell her how to do her own paper. i'm tired of people making fun of me and bothering me. If I tell an adult I will just be picked on even more and called a snitch and the people that bother me have tons of friends that will bother me. Ive tried getting my schedule changed but the same people that bother me are always there and its mostly girls. I get along with boys ok, but the girls are really mean, catty and they like to fight all the time. I don't bother anyone in any of my classes and im nice to everyone but Im always getting bothered. People take my things and talk about me while Im sitting right next to them. yesterday 3 girls took my work while I wasn't paying attention and copied it, then when they were done they threw it on the floor when the bell rang. I get cussed out and talked about all day. I know some people will say don't worry about that, worry about your studies. I am passing in school, but these people that pick on me are making me hate coming to school. It makes me cry everyday. I told my mom about it and she doesn't understand how people bother me. I cant go to another school because they are all far away. I get picked on by tough, popular people and every other group in school. I dont know what else to do to get these people to stop bothering me. I dont argue or fight, Im little anyway.

Unfortunately, the advice that most people give is to stay silent, to not show that it bothers you. At a certain point, though it doesn't work. You say you don't argue or fight, but you have to if you want to get anywhere.

You've got to fight back. Someone punches you in the arm, ask him why he needs to hit someone smaller than him. Bonus points if you're a girl... you can ask him what sort of dirtbag hits a girl for no reason. Someone calls you ugly, tell them that beauty fades, but stupid is forever, so it's too bad for them.

For school supplies, just start carrying only what you need for each class. Then you can't lend it out. Tell them so. When you start eating lunch, take a bite out of everything so they can't ask for it. If they're grabbing at your food, ask them if they're just so poor that they can't afford a 50 cent apple.

Who cares if they get mad at you for not doing their homework for them? If they demand answers or instruction, you can direct them towards the teacher or offer to tutor them for $10 an hour. Your time is valuable. If they get mad, they get mad. Keep a death grip on your schoolwork.

In the end, though, this all constitutes harassment. When I was in high school, my bully got expelled and escorted off the premises by a police officer for just this sort of thing! You need to talk to your principal about this, that way they can keep an eye on it. Let them know if they talk to the students who are picking on you, that things will get worse for you. Remember that the principal was a kid too, at one point, and will probably understand. Most schools have a zero tolerance policy, especially for physical violence.

And so what if these people hate you? If they'll go to this level to make someone miserable, then they're not the sort of people you want to like you. They're jerks, plain and simple. They'll at least respect you a little more if you stand up for yourself.

Q: If there wuz no way i could get birth control. Besides using a condom, how else could i become safe for sex?

If there is no way for you to get birth control, you can use condoms in combination with a spermicidal lube, which you can get at any drug store.

However, there is still a chance that you can become pregnant even using both methods. You may want to try having him pull out as well if you're not ready to deal with an unwanted pregnancy.

--------------------------------------------

Spermicidal lube is a lubricant that contains an ingredient which kills sperm. It isn't nearly as effective as condoms or birth control, but it does help.

Q: I cant find a reason to keep my faith in humanity. I keep getting this fuck the world feeling accompained by alot of bottled up rage. Ive always had it but I swear every year it gets worse. When I get these feelings i just wanna pack up some stuff and drive until i run out of money and gas. I just need a reason to beleive everythings gonna be fine. I just need to know how to get started.

You want to know how to keep faith in humanity?

Take a look around this website. Dozens of people give up their time every day to help total strangers. Sure, the questions might not be all that important at first glance, but they are to the person who's asking them. Every time someone answers a question on this website, they're doing good.

If you need to find a more tangible example, get involved in your community. Find something you enjoy, and volunteer your time to make your environment better. Tutor an underprivileged child, help build houses for Habitat for Humanity, work at a soup kitchen. Whatever floats your boat. You'll surround yourself with good people that way.

Things are what you make of them. It's easy to give up, but there's no reward.

Something I did recently when I was feeling down is to write a list of things I want to accomplish. Little things like performing a random act of kindness, or big things like walking the Inca Trail and swimming with sharks. Just something to remind me of my goals and get me going on the journey to becoming the person I want to be. I would suggest the same for you. It gives you a whole new sense of direction.

Q: Well me and my boyfriend yes the Jeff guy we started dating and well he is wanting to get "serious" and im cool with that as long as we dont have sex. I promised everyone, me and God also i would wait until i was married. But what do i do if he wants to have sex? FYI im 13 1/2 and hes 14. I dont think im old enough but all my friends do it but idk... I mean its okay to fool around and have some fun but i dont want him to take it farther than that. Its just too much for me to take in right now. I mean i "want" to have sex sooo badly but i dont want to break my promise, or my cherry....yet...... im in eight grade and all but i just reallyyyyy donntttt knooowwwww.............

I'm not going to tell you that you're too young to think about sex. You're a teenager, and your hormones are just waking up now. You're starting to have all sorts of new feelings that you're not prepared to deal with quite yet. All of that is totally normal. Your morals and values are going to be challenged all the time. Whether you change them or not is up to you.

If you don't want to have sex, then you don't need to. If you feel that you have to have sex in order to keep the relationship, then the relationship isn't worth keeping. If Jeff is a good guy, then he will wait as long as he needs to, and he won't pressure you beyond your limits. You can even tell him ahead of time that you're not having sex before marriage, period, end of story. If he has a problem with that, then he's free to pack up and go.

No boy is worth compromising your values. If you want to remain a virgin until marriage, or until you're 18, or forever, that's up to you. Remember that it's not a bad thing to change your mind later on. You made that promise at a young age. While you mature, you may find reasons to have sex before marriage, and that's just fine. The only way you could possibly go wrong is to have sex before you are ready for it.

bio

My Personal Forum

My name is Amanda and I'm 26 years old. I'm currently studying electrical engineering. Armed with a fairly odd sense of humour and a sunny outlook on life, I'll take on just about anything. I'm also cussedly stubborn, which has its ups and downs. Things get tough sometimes, and I've never been one to run from it.

In my last 8 years with Advicenators, I've gone from honours student to failing out of university (and getting back on top again!), from single to married, from tenant to homeowner.

Until lately, I have been struggling with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and OCD, which had basically ruined my life and taken just about everything from me. I'm thankful every day for every experience I've had because of this ordeal, because it's helped to make me who I am today. Things like that really make you appreciate what you do have. Now that I'm back in work and school and starting to become myself again, I couldn't be happier. I credit Advicenators with saving my life back when I was a teenager, which is a big part of why I'm still here.

I won't necessarily give you the answers you want to hear, but I'll always be honest and do my best to help.