Work is how I got in. The IT sector gives you a fair bit of mobility as a worker, an EU blue card can be obtained without a degree (but with relevant experience) if you have a company sponsor you over.

I’m an American living and working in Europe for years now. It’s pretty great, although language barriers can leave you feeling a little isolated sometimes. That said, the thought of going back to the US turns my stomach. European working culture is much more… Human. More understanding about things like sick days, better vacation packages and, better worker protections.

I wish the US could be better, but it no longer looks like that will happen in my lifetime so I’ll do my best to find happiness here instead.

I eat green olives straight out of the can for lunch sometimes.

Or just the auto-reply bots that swarm like flies on certain keywords

That seems very strange if it goes on too long. I’d suggest calling another pediatricians office.

Sometimes I ask it for music recommendations.

But mostly I tend to just use it like a fancy thesaurus when I’m low on mental energy.

Sometimes I remind myself silently “just listen”