Dear Pengu - Advice to help for a better today, and tomorrow

[Deleted]

Hello to you fellow Islanders, this is your neighborhood friendly Pengu speaking to you today.

Have you been feeling down lately? Are there troubles that you've been facing and you don't know what to do? Have you been itching to talk to your crush, but have been unsure of what to say? Are you at a point in your life to where you need some guidance? Do you have something that you've been itching to get off your chest and are wanting some advice?

Well, you need not look any further my friends. I am here to give you a listening ear and to dish out some advice to help you in your journey of life. Though I may not have a degree in Psychology like some of the top advice givers out there, I will do my absolute best to make sure that you can walk away feeling a little better about yourself and your decisions...giving you the best advice that I'm capable of to make sure that you flourish in what you're trying to do.

If you're seeking some friendly, warm, and constructive advice as well as a listening ear, please feel free to send me a PM with whatever it is that is ailing you, and I will be more than happy to give you a guiding hand to a possible solution.

If you wish to just ask a question (whether it be simple advice, something you're just curious about, or whatever else you wish to ask), or have no issue with others seeing your troubles, you are also more than welcome to post in the thread as well.

Be advised that PMs that are sent to me will be posted in here anonymously, as is tradition in a typical Dear Abbey article. Questions posted in here will also be responded to with a nickname as well.

If you are against having your troubles posted publicly, please don't hesitate to let me know; I will be more than happy to give you advice privately and avoid anyone seeing personal bits that you may not want them to see.

Also keep in mind that some of these may be posted in the Mad Islander as well. Ones that are sent to me in confidence (requested to not be publicly posted) will be overlooked.

I look forward to hearing from you and helping you in whatever troubles that you may be having. No problem is too big or too small to work with, and I will do my absolute best to have you leaving with a smile and a more upbeat/relaxed attitude.

[The Candy Lane]

I slept in this morning and it is a 45 minute commute to my college. Class runs from 10-2, so it starts in 20 minutes. Should I go to school or stay home and work around the house?

[Deleted]

You should definitely go to school. A day that you missed is a day that you'll have to catch up on, which is never worth it. House work doesn't always pile up, whereas homework always does. The less schoolwork you have to worry about now, the more you'll be able to focus on working on the house later.

And if you don't have to worry about working on the house tomorrow, you'll have all that free time after class to do whatever you want.

[New Ecopia]

Im nearing the end of my Secondary Education and is about to start my Tertiary Education and I have no idea how Life isn't Uni is like please give me some guidance on how Uni Life is like?

[Deleted]

Uni life can actually be quite exciting, actually. If the University you're attending is having an orientation for new students, I'd definitely recommend going. It's a great way to learn what the feel of it will be like, and it's also a great way to make some new friends on campus before school even starts.

Homework will be challenging at times (which considering it's school, it happens), but never stress out too much. A good university will have a lot of different ways for you to be able to wind down if you're feeling the pressure. When finals week was happening, the school I went to had a Spa Day to where people could get massages and relax from the building pressure that finals creates. Even if your school doesn't have anything like that, it'll have something so that you don't feel so overloaded.

Depending on how you are with your school work, there's also Fraternities and Sororities. This isn't the path for everyone, but if you're wanting to explore the more wild and free side of college life, you can give it a look. While the stereotypes you see about them can be very true for the most part (as they do love the partying and can remind you of the popular kids from high school), people in fraternities and sororities also have strong bonds with their fellow members (after they've gone through initiation, of course), and being in a good one can definitely get you places as well.

Overall though, University life is a very exciting thing. There's a lot of people to meet, many with like-interests as you, and this is a time in which people will really flourish and grow, since they're getting the chance to really explore and figure out what their full potential is. You have plenty of time to decide where you want to go as far as your degree goes, and you may end up finding that your original path may not be your destined path to take as many have gone in with a clear goal...only to find that they very much excel in a completely different area.


Note: Keep in mind that this is from the viewpoint of universities in the US in certain points. I unfortunately don't know what universities in other countries are like, though I imagine at least to most degree that they're very similar.

[Deleted]

I also forgot to add that normally there's a lot of different clubs and events to fit almost anyone's interests. Definitely get involved with those to explore the other sides of University life: Audition for plays if you're into theatre, try out for choir if you like music, write articles for the newspaper if that interests you, or take part in a club that fits your style and personality. They're an exciting experience for sure, but they can be time consuming as well. But the best part about clubs is that you don't have to be there every time it's happening if you're slammed with school work (whereas with plays and choir it's a bit more expected that you be there for every rehearsal).

But definitely don't hesitate to dive in and try all of the things that stick out to you that your university offers. You're going to be there for a while, so you have plenty of time to find the things that you enjoy.

[Free Guns For All]

I've been unemployed for over a year now, despite applying for jobs left, right and centre (as well as at least twelve other directions). What the f**k am I doing wrong?

[Deleted]

Jun 10, 2014 2:58:15 GMT -5 Free Guns For All said:

I've been unemployed for over a year now, despite applying for jobs left, right and centre (as well as at least twelve other directions). What the f**k am I doing wrong?

Coming from another person who has a difficult time finding a new job, the process is just a difficult one. You can have plenty of experience and the right credentials for the job, but all it takes someone having more experience that they're looking for applying for the same position, and you might be overlooked. It also doesn't help that many times they'll hire those that other employees recommended, bosses will hire friends, and the like. But don't despair though; finding a job is like auditioning for a play: It's 50% the process, and 50% the belief. If you feel confident enough, it'll show in your interview. If there's a hint of nerves, then they'll sense that. Just go in feeling like you're going to get it (but don't act like you've already gotten it, that's a whole other monster you want to avoid), and it'll exude. Likewise, after you're done with the interview, let that confidence to continue to exude out and better yet - don't think about it. Keep applying or do something to keep your mind off of it, but the more you think about it...the more you may worry about it, and if you're anything like me, the more you'll already feel like you may have messed it up enough to not get it.

If it's a question of the application not going anywhere, be honest. Don't butter yourself up to sound exactly what they're looking for. They can spot that a mile away and if not, they'll see what you're really like in the interview and that'll just make them even less likely to consider hiring you. In the interview, just answer questions as truthfully but keep them precise and to the point. Rambling or going off on long statements doesn't help you at all. They're not interested in hearing exact detail in your statements, they just want to know why you think that, for an example, you'd be a good fit.

Other than that, as I said, it's all about attitude. Just keep applying and if you get an interview and it didn't work out, look back at what you feel may have happened and work on it. Other than that, all you can really do is just keep tossing your chips in the air and hoping for the best.

[Voltzenkrad]

Should I ask to marry?

5ft 9 Red Head-Dirty Blonde Hair, Blue eyes
Dating for 7 1/2 years.
Like playing video games together.
Like running me over in Battlefield.
Like staying up all night together playing Mario Kart.
Dislike other peoples babies just like me.
We don't like republicans.
We don't like democrats.
We do like whatever political party benefits us the most at this current time and place and for the next four years.
Fought once over which game bundle to buy on steam.
Cheated on me once with a cucumber after drinking a lot.
We both like chocolate ice cream and short walks on the beach.
We both hate sunlight.
We both hate the weather.
We both hate boats.
We both hate EA.
Oh, and sometimes we see who can get a better score than one another. If she loses she makes me sandwich. If I lose I become her female dog for a day.

I don't know if it's been long enough and if I should ask her to marry and how I should do it.

[Deleted]

Timing is never an easy thing in relationships. There's a time where it's too early and you could potentially make them a little nervous/unsure...there's a time when it's too late and that could potentially make them upset/unsure, and then there's that unexplained window of opportunity somewhere in between which ends up being perfect.

In reality, I'd say go with what you're feeling and what she's feeling. You both have been together, and if the relationship has been worth it enough to where you're considering marriage, then you both should at least be on some form of equal wavelength to where you can get a general idea of how she's feeling about the relationship and whether or not she's ready for marriage or not. Has she made any hints that she's ready for it?

It sounds like you both have quite a bit in common and enjoy being with each other, though. So it seems more likely that the result would be positive than negative, but that doesn't mean jump right at it. Just go with your feelings and hers. If you feel like the timing is right and that she's wanting it, then give it a go. If there's any sort of doubt lingering in your heart about it, even if it's just feeling like it's not the right time or that she might not be wanting it right now, then wait it out and go for it when you're more confident about the decision. Sometimes that window of opportunity comes in at different places and you just have to figure out when that is for you.

[Voltzenkrad]

I asked her in the shower this morning and she asked me what the f^ck I had been waiting for all these years. XP

[Benevolent Thomas]

That's a story for the grandchildren.

[Voltzenkrad]

I asked her, "Theoretically, if I were to ask you to marry me next week, would you?"
Response: No. I don't feel like we've been together long- What the f**k took you so long dummy.

Then she surprise hugged me and I fell and hit my head on the water knob.

[Deleted]

Glad to hear that it worked out well for you. Well, you know, minus the hitting your head part. But you could say you were just head over knob in love at that moment.

[Paffnia]

Oh wise one, how in the world did the app "Yo" get $1 million in funding for just saying the word "Yo!"?

[Deleted]

Jun 21, 2014 20:52:44 GMT -5 Paffnia said:

Oh wise one, how in the world did the app "Yo" get $1 million in funding for just saying the word "Yo!"?

Not to sound rude, but you know those people who would list things like Napoleon Dynamite, Borat, Scary Movie, or Balls of Fury (you get where I'm going with this) as a favorite movie of theirs? Those people who call themselves "Hardcore gamers" when all the play is Call of Duty/Modern Warfare/Halo? Those people that don't read because it's too much work and would rather wait for the movie for EVERYTHING (even a 100 page book)?

I'm sure you see where I'm going, but apps like that attract those types of people...and unfortunately those types of people are a large bunch. These are the same people who watch the dumbest Youtube videos (or better yet, STAR in them) because they think they're being funny or cool, when they're really not. They're the people that probably frequent the "Voice to text" feature on phones since they're too lazy to type out a message (in most cases), and talking on the phone for something quick and simple is just "unheard of."

When you look at apps like that and see their popularity, think about the audience it's probably attracting...which is mainly those, teenagers, and friends of the former that try it out because it seems "amusing" or "cute" or whatever you want to call it. Call me rude or whatever word you wish (I'm sure after reading this, judgmental comes to mind), but that's generally the only reason I'd see something that simple doing so well. I mean after all, if random cat videos can get billions of views, why can't a simple app like that get millions of downloads or millions in funding despite it serving an incredibly simple purpose?

[Ater Nox]

I have started a little less than a month of holidays and very little planned to do at the moment. What should I do?

[Deleted]

What is the meaning of life?

[Deleted]

Jun 21, 2014 22:38:10 GMT -5 Ater Nox said:

I have started a little less than a month of holidays and very little planned to do at the moment. What should I do?

There's nothing wrong with a bit of spontaneity. Go to the movies, call up some friends and make plans, or whatever you're feeling at the moment. The good thing about holidays is that they're generally open to interpretation and last minute planning...as long as it's not something like Christmas or Thanksgiving, but even those are negotiable. If the weather has been nice, a beach trip is always a good thing to fall on, or really anything that involves going out and enjoying the sun.

[Deleted]

Jul 13, 2014 11:53:08 GMT -5 @derpysquids1 said:

What is the meaning of life?

An obvious joking answer would be 42. But really, that's a question that only you can answer, since it's your life. What's the meaning of your life? What's your purpose for being? What do you believe that you were created to do? Nobody but you can answer these questions, since my answers may not be the same as, say, Nox's or Aerso's answers. Some may believe that the meaning of life is just to live it to its fullest and enjoy every moment of it. While some may believe that the purpose is to find ways to help further mankind and continue prolonging the existence of humanity. And others might believe that the meaning of life is just to be the best you that you can be and nothing else.

So I'd direct that question back to you and have you think about it. What do you think the meaning of life is?

[Jabberwocky]

Good advice!