I am thinking about relocating to Montreal from Ontario… I seem to attract a lot of negativity and I figure a change in environment might alleviate some of the pain that I have been feeling lately. But not sure if it would make my situation worse?

I am miserable here. I am 31 years old and I can’t recall when I’ve ever been genuinely happy. If I am – it’s short lived. I am a very attractive and educated woman but can’t seem to get into a normal relationship. I get played mostly by guys or get treated badly. I don’t know what it’s like to be in a normal genuine relationship.

My life has never been easy (no one’s life is easy) but just this past year I found out that my boyfriend of two years last October got another girl pregnant. I dumped his a.s.s obviously – but it still hurt because (so I thought)was a caring relationship/friendship. He was just taking advantage of my kindness because I always felt bad for him.

This year I spent most of my summer vacation (I am a high school teacher) in court suing my landlord because he ripped me off. My landlord was an aquaintence of my mine from high school. I won my case but it was taxing on me because I was already depressed overall about things going on in my life.

I don’t have a lot of family here in the Toronto Area but I will say that my sisters are a.s.s.h.o.l.e.s. Every year they have family get togethers on holidays and I’m not invited. The last straw for me was when they had a birthday party for my mom back in June. Their kids went and of course my mom attended. Even when I lived at home with my mom (before I moved out on my own) – the older sister would have family get togethers on holidays – and I would stay at home crying because my mom would go and I would spend New Years day or whatever holiday at home alone.

I don’t have kids of my own but my sisters do so I often feel left out and get left out. And although I have explained to the second eldest sister that it causes me to have suicidal thoughts and it makes me feel bad – my sisters still continue with their behaviour. I suffer from a diagnosed clinical depression. I was in the hospital for my depression before.
The older sister has a history of withholding her kids from people when she is mad at them so my mom and my second eldest sister just go along with the things that she does (even when she is wrong, spiteful and vindictive) for the sake of the children. She’s not a good person at all. The other sister is not as bad as the other sister but she is not much better in my opinion for the hurt that she has caused me. The family dynamic has always been negative – nothing changes…

However me and my brother and his wife and kids are very close but I have to travel to Ottawa to see them or they sometimes come here.

The worst thing that happened to me over the Victoria Long weekend of this year was that I was sexually assaulted by a guy. It was traumatizing and a stab to my self esteem. He seemed okay. He was on Breakfast TV a few times as an advisor, well spoken, educated and a gentlemen but I realized after what he did that it was all an act in the beginning.

Anyway – I’m having a rough time dealing with my sadness- I feel very hurt.. That being said – I don’t think that I am trying to run from my problems but I do need (I believe) a change in environment.
I’ve thought about Montreal because it seems diverse. The only thing is I don’t speak enough French.

I am a certified High School Teacher with a permanent position in the board. I could apply to the English School Board in Quebec –but I noticed that Ontario pays 25000-30000 dollars more than Quebec in terms of Salary.

I also wouldn’t mind leaving teaching all together but I am not sure if I would be able to find a job that hires an English Speaking professional that doesn’t speak french. I have two degrees and a college diploma in Youth Counseling.

My friends are also worried that I don’t know people in Montreal. That being said – they think that I shouldn’t move because I would have to start over again and make new friends etc. etc. I would lose my support group.

Please leave your thoughts or suggestions. Or you may suggest a category for me to re post this questions

Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you!

I’m pretty new to the traveling and booking rooms deal. I am honeymooning in September. I was wondering WHEN is the best time to book a room? WHAT is the best site to use? I’ve heard pros/cons about waiting and not waiting, using hotels direct sites and mass sites. Help would be appreciated.

If you need details, on our way to FL we are stopping off on Sunday night in Chattanooga, TN.
I should’ve mentioned I’ve already book a fancy room for our wedding night and the Chatt hotel will just be a stop and sleep.

Does it really make sense that people who travel in cars over 40 miles an hour don’t wear helmets?

Custom seems to make it something that is not questioned, like years ago when alcohol soused drivers got into ‘accidents’.

Especially with these newer fuel efficient small cars, don’t you think if the carmakers are going to sell these aluminum cans for people to ride in they should also throw in some helmets in the deal?

If your answer is, just wear seat belts, I say we need something extra over that, and not to relie on air bags that are complex and dangerous by themselfs.
I do not mean something heavy, like a motorcycle helmet, no just some light extra protection, say the size of construction worker helmets, and affordable, like 20 dollars.

We are looking to go out of town for a three day weekend soon and I’m not sure where to go? We are a younger couple (20′s) and will be bringing a 5 year old too. We are not looking to go out and party, we are looking for a good family mini vaca. Where would you recommend going ? We live in denver metro and are only looking to travel 6 hours max! Thanks!