Strangefox

So these tags and labels - do I get them at check in? Can I stick several labels on my luggage - just in case? I would hate to lose it! Last time I flew with luggage that was not hand luggage was many years ago so I have forgotten all these details...

You are so right! By the way, are there any ways to prevent your luggage from being lost? Like put a note with your email it it so that in case it gets lost they could contact me?? Or would that be completely useless??

Thanks a lot!!!!!!!

I think you should not be worried about hanging out more with your partner's group and less with your own. If your group thinks that you are weird or something (and I am sure you aren't!) they won't be too upset about your absense You can hang out with them occasionally and even tell that you have some other group you are hanging out with - why not? It would be awkward if you tell them you need more time with your partner but then they will see you with another group. I think they may be more offended if you lie to them. Just be yourself, be nice and friendly with them when you are working on a project together. I think there is nothing wrong if people who work well together do not hang out together.

Thanks for the input! And what is AV?

Some time ago I started a topic about networking and in this thread it was mentioned that one good way to meet new people is to volunteer as conference staff. Question: does it make sence in your school? I mean, you know all professors there anyway and if you are running around helping them you won't be able to meet new people who will come to the conference, right? Volonteering like that probably makes more sence if you go to another school to help conference oranizers there. But may be it can have the same drawback there as well? I mean, you will not be able to move around freerly talking to people, you will be always busy with some stuff, may be even sitting in some corner all the time... On the other hand, if you help organizers, that is professors from another school, that means you will definetely be able to rub shoulders with them. Which is good. So what are pros and cons of volunteering as conference staff in your opinion?

Congrats! Keep your mind open. You haven't seen College B yet and you already think that it's worse. I think it is called acceptance depression. Cheer up! You are already in!

I am so glad you did it! Please let us know what they will tell you. I think that the very fact that you are looking for help means that you still have strength and there is something to put back together. Don't give up and step by step you will gain your independance and your self-esteem and confidence.

Do you think TSA locks are more vulnerable than ordinary locks? I have no illusions about locks (or any other measures to protect your luggage, for that matter). I believe all locks can be opened/cut/broken so the point of a TSA lock for me is not that it is 100% safe but that it will not (most probably) be broken by TSA. They can break it too as one of the posters indicated but I don't think it happens that often. May be these locks malfunction sometimes and TSA have to break them. Anyway, they are definetely not expensive, so I am going to use them

TSA locks cost around 10 bucks or even less: http://www.nextag.co...ks/compare-html Of course a broken lock can be replaced. The problem is that from the moment TSA breaks it and till the moment I get my suitcase back somebody can take something for it. So I would prefer to have my lock intact. Of course, some people can say that they've travelled with unlocked suitcases but why would I take this risk and invite trouble if I can have my suitcase locked? Oh, and I've also read that they sometimes break locks carelessly and damage a suitcase (zipper).

Oh! Then I am definetely buying this TSA lock - or most probably a suitcase with this lock, because in my country you cannot buy this lock separately

It's like saying: I've never been robbed so people who have been robbed probably make too much out of it You've been lucky, that's all. Nobody says it happens to everyone - but it happens, I've read a number of extremely unpleasant stories when TSA actions seemed too much like molestation and abuse.

I mean that: The TSA’s invasive new screening measures include officers literally putting their hands down people’s pants if they are wearing baggy clothing in a shocking new elevation of groping procedures that have stoked a nationwide revolt against privacy-busting airport security measures. I think that problems behind this controversy are real. Body scanners cost taxpayers a lot of money and pat-down costs them a lot of nerves but these measures do not not guarantee against terrorist attacks.

I've heard that TSA have recently become quite vicious, - have you read about Full Body Scanners controversy?

So I've just looked for hotlines and very quickly found this website: http://www.thehotline.org/ I don't know if it's for free but I guess it probably is. And here you can send a message to this hotline and tell about your problems in writing: http://www.thehotline.org/get-help/contact-the-hotline/ Please call/write there and tell us the results. Don't forget, we are all here to help you and support you. Another useful link, to help you to define domestic violence: http://www.oprah.com...mestic-Violence

I was choosing a suitcase and I found out that now there is an opportunity to buy a special TSA lock. So what is that? TSA screens every passenger's baggage before it is placed on an airplane. While our technology allows us to electronically screen bags, there are times when we need to physically inspect a piece of luggage. TSA has worked with several companies to develop locks that can be opened by security officers using universal "master" keys so that the locks may not have to be cut. These locks are available at airports and travel stores nationwide. The packaging on the locks indicates whether they can be opened by TSA. (TSA = Transportation Security Administration) Basically, it means that if you have an ordinary lock and they want to inspect your luggage - they just break it, they have a right to do it. But with this special lock they open it gently and then close so that your opening sequence remains intact. I am going to buy me one!

YOU MUST FIGHT YOU MUST ACT YOU CAN CHANGE THIS AWFUL SITUATION

You should not worry that your decision to do whatever you want with your life can hurt your mother. Your mother is emotionally torturing you - how can you feel guilty if a person who is torturing you does some harm to him/herself in the process?? It is not your fault! Your mother doesn't feel guilty about making your suffer, though she should! You must not think, as you write, that you should at least be happy that you were "allowed" to go to college for something you wanted to do rather than something of her choosing. This situation is not normal! There is nothing to be happy about!! You got accustomed to it so for you it might seem like something normal. But believe us, people from this forum, who are absolutely appalled by what your mother is doing to you. It is wrong! You should find some councelling, because people there can really help you. We will support you and give you advice, but that's all we can do in this virtual space. You must act, and you must act now. Please believe in yourself! Don't give up! You can change this situation, but you must do the first step yourself. Find councelling!! They will help you. And remember that here on this forum you will always find friends who will give you advice and support you.

You can buy a return ticket and not use it. Airplane companies don't care People who will give you the visa won't care either And of course you can explain them the situation if they ask. How can they be concerned about a return ticket is all they worry about is that you won't return?

On the other hand, look at the bright side. If you love her - why not? And you can avoid so many expenses if you have a quick wedding

And what are the indications of this movement?

I guess, while renting a room in a house of some prof from your school is somewhat conceivable, living with your own supervisor is totally freaking crazy!

Yes, quite likely you are almost there! A little bit more patience

Weird. Weird. Weird. I would not like to know such things about my professors