October Network of Nice Hook ups!

It's that time of the month! Time to make new friends, share your expertise, and help people out! Here's how The Network of Nice works:

1) Read through the hook up requests. You see someone you can help? Email them.
2) Read through the hook up offers. You see someone who can help you? Email them.
3) Write kind, thoughtful thank-you email to anyone who was lovely enough to share their time and expertise with you because you're A Nice Person not an Ill-mannered A-hole.

I need a hook up!

Looking for friends in Birmingham, UK
Hello there! :) I'm a 20-something Indian girl who has recently moved to Birmingham, UK. I love painting, exploring new countries and cuisines, and the social sciences. Moving to a new city by myself has been an exciting and intimidating experience. I'm hoping to meet people in Birmingham who will help me fall in love with this city and my new life.
ellipsa@sky (dot) com

I need to know about getting my jewelry into stores
I currently make button earrings, bobby pins and cufflinks, along with gorgeous sequined and beaded headbands and polymer clay earrings. I'm wondering how I would go about getting my stuff into shops, how to approach shop owners and what is generally good etiquette. If anyone can help that would be wonderful!! I live in Geelong and do the market circuit in Melbourne if that helps.
sara.h638@gmail (dot) com

I'd like to meet people in Cork, Ireland
I'm moving to Cork, Ireland from San Francisco, CA for several months and do not know anyone there! About me: Born and raised in Chicago, IL as the oldest of six children. Decided to move to CA for school after the Beach Boys song about California Girls. Work in finance, run marathons, craft Pinterest favorites, and enjoy tasting new wines!
mskarzynski@apple (dot) com

I want to learn about becoming a sign language interpreter
I live in NH, I am a SAHM to an 8 month old, and I 'm looking for a hook up to learn ASL. I've taught my son some signs and would like to study ASL full time and then become an interpreter. Would anybody know where to start looking for grants or how to get tuition help?
rmfoye@gmail (dot) com

I'd like to talk to someone about stroke recovery/living with minor brain damage
I am 18 years old, suffered a stroke and have recently been diagnosed with minor brain damage. I've developed chronic migraines, lost 40% of my hearing and my short-term memory is not what it used to be. I'd like to talk to anyone who's survived similar things -- stroke, hearing or memory loss, migraines or living with un-medicated pain. I'm particularly looking for tips on successfully returning to education, but any information and experiences appreciated!
rootkelsie@gmail (dot) com

I need to know about living in NYC
I'd like to know about living in NYC: whether I'd love the city or whether I'm just in love with the idea of it; the best place(s) to live, according to my budget, interests, and personality; making friends in a new place; being single; dating; living with a large dog (parks, getting around, etc.); moving from Canada to the US - and from the country to the city; and anything else you would like to tell me about!
amy_mcrae29@hotmail (dot) com

I would like to learn about the Event Management (Event Planning) Industry
I am looking to change careers and enter into the event planning industry. I have a strong interest in event design and production, and would like to know what tools the pros use to develop their knowledge and keep up with trends. I love wedding and special events, but would also love to hear from people with experience in planning festivals, marketing events, community events, fundraisers etc. Anything really! I would be interested to hear about the journey to becoming a successful event planner (one that gets paid!) and what you love/don't love about the job.
rachele.f.doyon@gmail (dot) com

I would like advice on being a freelance writer
I have been to uni twice and quit twice, not knowing what to do with my life, and have been working awful odd jobs just to scrape by enough money to live. The only thing that I seem to enjoy lately is writing. And someone once told me that if you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life. How do you come up with things to write about? How do you pitch an idea? Is it really possible to make a living being a freelance writer?
ellochhead@gmail (dot) com

I'd like some information about Bangkok and Japan, or maybe even meeting people who live there!
I'll be doing an exchange course to Bangkok in January. I would love to know about special places to go or other tips, not just the touristy well-known things, but also the more "hidden" things. I will be there until May and I'd love to travel around in Japan after that. Since it's such a big country, I'd really appreciate it if someone could provide me with some tips where to go to and what I just can't miss out on!
valeriedelaat@hotmail (dot) com

Looking for a city tour/new friends over coffee in San Francisco
I'm moving to San Francisco on 1 October to start a new life, so I'll be temporarily jobless, homeless, and smartphone-less. Very excited about the change, but nervous because I don't know the city at all, so I would love to meet some new people and potentially get a tour of the city, so I can figure out where I should look for an apartment/roommate. I'll be happy to buy the coffee and provide stories about living in Europe.
katjpedersen@gmail (dot) com

I need to know about finding biological, birth parents
I'm looking to talk to someone who has searched for their or someone else's biological mother. My brother was adopted, and I'm trying to help him find his birth mother and also support him in his search. I am looking for advice on the best ways to search for her, and also advice on how to be there for him if we can't find her or if she doesn't want to be in touch with him.
vicious081@hotmail (dot) com

I can give you a hook up!

I can tell you about nonprofit stuff/Sheboygan, WI/pets bunnies
I am happy to host/meet up with/offer info to intrepid travelers to the Sheboygan, Wisconsin area.
I can help with nonprofit things- whether you're thinking of starting your own 501(c)3 and have questions, need help with marketing/communication/development projects, or are thinking about choosing the social sector for your life's work (available positions, degree programs, certifications, etc.) I can also offer advice/tips/things to consider about sharing your home with ferrets and rabbits.
abbyeblock@yahoo (dot) com

I can be your Indianapolis penpal/tour guide!
As are most folks, I am doing a 26 before 26 list, and would love to help someone with theirs! I’m a mid-20s single chick who has lived in Indy for about 2 years. I love low-key coffee shops and bars, and have spent time in different neighborhoods in the area. If you’re new to the area or want to know more about this awesome city, feel free to email me and we can chat!
hetrojack (at) gmail (dot) com

I can help you design a purposeful non-profit career.
Having working with non-profits from all around the world, I'm keen to share my knowledge, insight and advice with up and coming do-gooders. I've worked in the US, India, Zambia & Ireland on education disadvantage, health projects, getting people back to work, post-conflict programs, leadership development and a range of social enterprises. I want to help you create a purposeful non-profit career.
Honest feedback and testimonials are very welcome.
clare@clareherbert (dot) com

I can offer you FIVE hours of FREE proofreading!
I'm trying to hone my proofreading chops and would love to look over your masterpiece for free! I have an uncanny ability to spot typos, errors, forgotten words and crazy misspellings! Do you have an e-book, a group of blog posts or an article that needs proofing? Just email me and we can set up a time to review things. I can accommodate the first five responses only (5 people for 5 hours each = 25 hours), as proofreading takes a lot of time, and I really don't want my eyeballs to pop out of my head!
katiemackwrites@gmail (dot) com

I can give you writing advice or tell you about NYC
I write and proofread for a living--both freelance and at my day job. I’ve written blogs, instructor’s manuals, responses to RFPs, pitches, and a whole host of other things. If you need help writing or proofreading any of those things, or need help turning your ideas into a polished written product, I’m your girl! I can also tell anyone coming to NYC some fun places to go!
janice.rodden@gmail (dot) com

I can help you feel calm, confident and in charge of your emotions
Hi! I’m Steph and I am a Bach Flower Therapist which means I use the vibrational therapy of the flower essences to support emotional journey of my clients. They’re great for giving you an energy boost, calming an overactive mind, releasing fears, bolstering confidence and much more! If you have any emotional baggage that you feel may be holding you back at the moment we can help to let it go using this gentle method. Happy to help!
stephanie.lisa.kelly@gmail (dot) com

I can proofread and edit your resume or LinkedIn profile
I’ll check for spelling, grammar and formatting, as well as make suggestions about things you might want to emphasize or expand upon to really punch things up and show employers what an awesome candidate you are!
erin@gingero (dot) us

If you'd like to be included in next month's Network of Nice, send me 100 words about your hook up at sarah (at) yesandyes (dot) org!

original photo (without text on top) by nate chester henniger, for sale here