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https://www.wikihow.health/Treat-Fibromyalgia | How to Treat Fibromyalgia | If you have fibromyalgia, visit your doctor, who may prescribe medication to manage your symptoms, including painkillers and antidepressants. You can also help manage any pain with a regular aerobic exercise routine, including walking, swimming, cycling, or dancing. Try to maintain a regular sleep pattern and get 7-9 hours of sleep to reduce any fatigue caused by your fibromyalgia. If stress is contributing to your symptoms, try meditation, yoga, or deep-breathing techniques to help you relax and deal with pain better. | Take over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers. Acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB), and naproxen sodium (Aleve) are all examples of OTC painkillers that can help with some pain symptoms. Always follow the specific manufacturer's instructions regarding safe daily dosages and for how long you can take the medication before discontinuing use. Reduce stress. Certain stressors in your life—such as work, family, life-changing events, or abuse—can worsen fibromyalgia symptoms. Ensure that you give yourself time to relax and decompress every day. Turn to hobbies, meditation, yoga, tai chi, deep-breathing techniques, prayer, or whatever you find most relaxing to help stop yourself from feeling overwhelmed. Avoid changing your routine completely in hopes of avoiding all stress. Those who quit work and reduce engagement in other activities tend to suffer from worse symptoms than people who try to stay active. Some studies show that gentle yoga and tai chi may be able to help reduce physical symptoms as well as stress reduction. Get enough quality sleep. Increased fatigue is a common symptom of fibromyalgia. Studies have also suggested that poor sleep actually worsens fibromyalgia-related pain by impairing pain-inhibition pathways. To help facilitate longer, more qualitative sleep: Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Relax before going to bed while avoiding bright electronic screens from TVs, phones, and computers. Create a relaxing bedtime routine such as taking a bath or drinking a warm beverage such as milk or a caffeine-free tea. Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol before going to bed. Keep away from heavy meals late at night. Maintain a comfortable, quiet, cool, and dark room. Avoid watching the clock when you have trouble falling asleep. Instead get up and do something relaxing until you feel sleepy. Consider seeing a sleep professional if you still have trouble sleeping soundly despite your best efforts to cultivate a healthy sleep routine. Engage in moderate aerobic exercise. A regular routine of moderate, aerobic exercise has been shown to help with pain, function, and general quality of life for those with fibromyalgia. Most importantly, begin and progress slowly to avoid inducing flare-ups or worsening current ones. Listen to your body with regard to your routine. Start with something as simple as five to ten minutes of walking a day and progress slowly to include cardio activities you enjoy such as swimming, cycling, or dancing. Low-impact exercises are best. Remember to warm up and cool down before and after each session. Progress at your own slow pace. Even a ten percent increase in time every three to six sessions is plenty. The goal is also to feel energized rather than exhausted after exercise. Once you've worked into a good routine, try to participate in moderate cardio exercises three to five times per week, and always use proper technique and posture to avoid injury. Add moderate strength-training exercise to your routine. Your fitness routine should also include exercise to strengthen muscles and improve joint range of motion in addition to aerobic exercises. As with cardio, begin and progress slowly while listening to the feedback your body provides. Begin with minimal resistance. As you progress, aim to strength train two to three times a week at moderate intensity. The goal is to feel energized rather than fatigued at the end of a workout, so avoid pushing yourself too hard. Balance your level of activity. With both exercise and general activity, avoid pushing yourself too hard. Attempting to cram too much activity into your good days can lead to more bad days with fibromyalgia. This balance additionally means doing your best to stay active on bad days as well. Try to mix each day with a healthy balance of activity and rest. Schedule your rest and activities at the same time in an organized manner. Doing your best to include some activity each day, including bad days, can help you manage flares faster. Even if you are only able to walk slowly for 10 minutes every few hours, this can make a big difference. Develop a strong support system. If you have fibromyalgia, you need support from individuals or groups that can truly empathize with your condition. Frustration and stress related to living with this often misunderstood condition do nothing to help alleviate symptoms. However, support groups for fibromyalgia are common. Look into groups in your area to help develop a circle of supporters who know what you're going through. Don't exclude your friends or loved ones who naturally want to help either. Provide them with educational information about your condition and the frustrations associated with it. This will help them provide the support you need on a daily basis between group meetings. See your doctor. A variety of different prescription medications have been shown to help with symptoms of fibromyalgia. Consult your physician to start finding the best medication regimen for you. Unfortunately, no single treatment works for all symptoms, so you may have to try several combinations of drugs. Ask your doctor about prescription painkillers. If OTC pain relievers aren't properly managing your pain, then ask your doctor about prescription-strength options. Tramadol (Ultram, Conzip) are common options that your doctor might prescribe. Most doctors will not advise narcotics for fibromyalgia pain. Narcotics can create dependency in users and even worsen pain rather than alleviating it over extended use. Ask your doctor about antidepressants. Though not expressly developed for symptoms of fibromyalgia, different antidepressants have proven effective at helping with symptoms by altering levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. The classes of antidepressants your doctor may suggest include: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine (Prozac) to help you sleep better and reduce fatigue Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) or milnacipran (Savella) to help minimize pain and fatigue Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as amitriptyline (Elavil) to help reduce fatigue by promoting quality sleep Discuss anti-seizure drugs as an option. Some epilepsy and anti-seizure medications have also been successful at reducing fibromyalgia pain in some sufferers. Pregabalin (Lyrica) is the first drug the FDA has approved to help treat fibromyalgia. Your doctor may also suggest gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise) to help combat fibromyalgia symptoms related to pain. Educate yourself to better understand the condition. One of the primary things your physician can do is to simply validate your condition despite the lack of an organic disease. The battery of tests those with fibromyalgia go through to rule out other conditions is exhaustive and fraught with instances of tests showing nothing. Your doctor can provide the necessary assurance that despite your condition being real, you have nothing to fear regarding the pain in your joints, muscles, or bones handicapping you or stopping you from leading a full, active life. Consider seeing a therapist. A big part of improving your quality of life with fibromyalgia is not giving in to despair over the condition. A counselor or therapist can help arm you with a wide array of resources to strengthen your confidence in living with the condition, as well as to help deal with the stressful situations that come with having fibromyalgia. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one popular school of therapeutic thought that can help you think more positively about your condition. CBT is a type of talk therapy that can help change how you think and feel about your condition. Ask your therapist about professional relaxation techniques. Your therapist will also have a variety of relaxation therapies available for you to try, so do the one that feels best after trying out a few. Relaxation techniques can help greatly in reducing stress, which can lead to fewer flare-ups. Some of these relaxation techniques may include: Autogenic training - This method focuses on the physical sensation of your own breathing or heartbeat. Biofeedback - Biofeedback-assisted relaxation utilizes electronic devices to monitor your body's reactions to techniques in order to teach you how to produce the relaxation response consciously. Deep-breathing exercises - You consciously slow your breathing and focus on having deep and regular breaths. Guided imagery - You focus on relaxing and pleasant images as a substitute for negative feelings. Progressive relaxation - Also called progressive muscle relaxation or Jacobson's progressive relaxation, you focus on tightening and relaxing the different muscle groups in your body. Meditation - This includes both meditation and yoga, which make use of breathing techniques, concentration, and body movements. | Take over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers. Reduce stress. Get enough quality sleep. Engage in moderate aerobic exercise. Add moderate strength-training exercise to your routine. Balance your level of activity. Develop a strong support system. See your doctor. Ask your doctor about prescription painkillers. Ask your doctor about antidepressants. Discuss anti-seizure drugs as an option. Educate yourself to better understand the condition. Consider seeing a therapist. Ask your therapist about professional relaxation techniques. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Ham-Sandwich | How to Make a Ham Sandwich | To make a ham sandwich, start by toasting 2 slices of bread until they're slightly brown. Then, spread mayonnaise on one of the slices of toast and layer tomato slices over it. Next, place a piece of romaine lettuce over the tomatoes, followed by 9 slices of ham and a slice of cheese. Finally, spread mayonnaise over the second slice of toast before putting it on top of your sandwich. | Spread mayonnaise across a slice of bread. Set 2 slices of sourdough bread out on a cutting board or plate. Use a kitchen knife or butter knife to spread 1 tablespoon (15 g) of mayonnaise across 1 slice of bread. Spread your mayonnaise out so that there aren't any thick globs sitting on your bread. You can use white, wheat, or potato bread instead of sourdough if you prefer. There are a ton of options when it comes to the ingredients that go inside a basic ham sandwich. Mix your Dijon mustard and honey and spread it on the bread. In a small bowl, pour 1 tablespoon (15 g) of Dijon mustard and 1 tablespoon (21 g) honey. Use a spoon or whisk to mix the ingredients together for 30-45 seconds. Use your kitchen or butter knife to scoop out your honey and mustard mixture. Apply it to the slice of bread that doesn't have any mayonnaise on it. Spread your mustard out evenly. You can skip the honey if you aren't a fan of it. You can use honey mustard or brown mustard instead of Dijon if you prefer. The Dijon will provide a nice, even kick without dominating the mayonnaise, though. Add 3 slices of ham on top of the bread. You can put the ham slices on either slice of bread. Place them on top of one another so that they aren't sticking out past the sides of the bread. You can use honey-baked, glazed, black forest, smoked, or uncured ham on your sandwiches. You can add an extra slice of ham or cheese if you're a particular fan of one of these ingredients. Layer 2-3 slices of Swiss cheese on top of the ham. Layer the cheese slices on top of one another so that no ham or cheese is sticking out past the sides of your bread. Ham and Swiss is a classic combination, but you can use cheddar, American, or provolone cheese if you prefer. Top your sandwich with pickles or other condiments. If you want a little bit of a crunch, top your sandwich with 4 small pickle chips. You can use pickle relish if you want the flavor of pickles without the texture. Add any additional condiments or ingredients that you'd like. Feel free to skip the pickles if you aren't a big fan of their flavor. They aren't mandatory when it comes to a classic ham and cheese sandwich. Place your second slice of bread on top of your ingredients. Be sure to line the second slice of bread up with the first one so that it's directly above it. If you like, you can press down lightly on the final slice of bread so that it conforms to the tower of ingredients below it. Grill your sandwich if you’d like to eat it warm. If you want a warm sandwich, heat a large, non-stick skillet over medium heat. Cook your sandwich for 3 minutes on each side until the bread is golden and the cheese is gooey. If you prefer your sandwiches cold, you can simply eat it without heating it on the skillet. Split a ciabatta roll with a chef’s knife and spread it open. Place a ciabatta roll on top of a clean cutting board. Take a serrated knife and cut horizontally though your ciabatta roll. You can either cut all the way through the roll to create 2 separate slices, or leave 1 in (2.5 cm) of the bread uncut and spread the roll open. Get a high quality ciabatta roll from a bakery. If you're going to make a fancy sandwich, you might as well go all the way with it! Butter your roll and spread your mustards on it. Take 0.25 tablespoons (3.5 g) of unsalted butter and spread it across both sides of your roll with a butter knife or kitchen knife. Then, spread 0.5 teaspoons (2.5 g) of whole grain mustard and 0.5 teaspoons (7.5 g) Dijon mustard across both sides of your bread. Spread your ingredients out evenly across both sides of the roll. Use spreadable butter to make the spreading process easier. You can also heat your butter for 2-3 seconds in the microwave to soften it up. Slice half of a tomato into thin slices and put them on your bread. Wash a medium-sized tomato under a stream of cool water to wash it. Set it out on your cutting board and use a chef's knife to cut your tomato in half. Take half of your tomato and cut it into 3-6 slices with a thickness of 0.5–1 in (1.3–2.5 cm). Lay your tomato slices out on top of your mustard on both sides of the bread. Cut a red onion into slices and add them on top of the tomatoes. Set out a small red onion on top of your cutting board. Cut it in half and peel the outer 2-3 layers of the onion off of one half and discard them. Then, use a chef's knife to cut the peeled half into thin slices. Add them on top of your tomatoes on both sides of your roll. It's okay if your onion slices fall apart into a sequence of stringy lengths. You can use a quarter of an onion instead if you don't love onion on your sandwiches. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to your tomato and onion. To season your veggies, top them with salt and pepper to taste. If you aren't sure how much you want to add, stick with 0.125 teaspoons (0.7 g) of each seasoning. Sprinkle it on top of your vegetables to give them a more dynamic flavor. You can also add some oregano or basil if you'd like. Cut your glazed smoked-ham into 3-4 slices and add it to your sandwich. If you have an uncut piece of ham, use a chef's knife to cut 0.25 pounds (110 g) of ham into 2-5 slices. If you like thick cuts of ham, make each slice 0.75–1 in (1.9–2.5 cm). If you want thinner slices, you can cut them to be thinner than 0.5 in (1.3 cm). Layer your slices of ham on top of one another on your roll. A smoked ham with a honey glaze is perfect for a gourmet sandwich like this. You can use pre-cut deli slices if you'd like though. Slice your cheese into 3-4 slices and layer it on top of your ham. Grab a high-quality block of Pavé d'Affinois cheese and set it out on your cutting board. Cut 0.15 lb (68 g) of your cheese into 3-4 slices and layer them on top of your ham. If you really love cheese, feel free to use an equal amount of ham and cheese. It's really up to you! Close your sandwich and cut it in half before serving it. Take your 2 slices of bread and stack them together to complete your sandwich. If you didn't cut your roll all the way through, simply fold the 2 halves on top of one another. Cut your sandwich in half with a chef's knife before serving it. Create a classic Cuban sandwich with your ham. Take 2 slices of Cuban bread and spread 1 ounce (30 g) of yellow mustard across both sides of the bread. Add 4 dill pickle slices and 1 slice of Swiss cheese. Add 4-5 slices of ham and 2 slices of pork over your pickles. Then, butter both sides of your bread with 1 ounce (25 g) of butter. Heat your sandwich on a panini press, grill, or skillet over medium heat for 4-6 minutes on each side until the sandwich is crispy, brown, and your cheese is melted. For the traditional presentation, slice your sandwich diagonally across the center. Press your sandwich together to compress the ingredients if you're using a skillet or grill to heat it. Use French toast, a biscuit or a croissant instead of bread. For a unique breakfast-inspired version of your ham sandwich, try swapping out your bread for French toast, a split biscuit, or a halved croissant. Add a few layers of ham, some Swiss or cheddar cheese, and top your breakfast sandwich with an egg. This is a hearty way to start the day without putting too much effort into your morning meal. You can add some mayonnaise or mustard if you'd like, but it's not mandatory for a breakfast sandwich. Butter both sides of your toast, biscuit, or croissant before adding your ingredients. Add some ham to your standard grilled cheese to make a melt. For a standard variation on the grilled cheese, add 2-3 layers of sliced ham to your ingredients. Stack your ham in between 2-3 slices of American, cheddar, or gruyere cheese. Add butter to a nonstick skillet and melt it over medium heat. Put your sandwich on top of the melted butter and cook the sandwich for 4-6 minutes on each side to create a beautiful melt. The higher the quality of your ham, the better your ham and cheese melt will be. Cheap pre-packaged deli slices have a lot of water in them, and won't heat as well with your cheese. | Spread mayonnaise across a slice of bread. Mix your Dijon mustard and honey and spread it on the bread. Add 3 slices of ham on top of the bread. Layer 2-3 slices of Swiss cheese on top of the ham. Top your sandwich with pickles or other condiments. Place your second slice of bread on top of your ingredients. Grill your sandwich if you’d like to eat it warm. Split a ciabatta roll with a chef’s knife and spread it open. Butter your roll and spread your mustards on it. Slice half of a tomato into thin slices and put them on your bread. Cut a red onion into slices and add them on top of the tomatoes. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to your tomato and onion. Cut your glazed smoked-ham into 3-4 slices and add it to your sandwich. Slice your cheese into 3-4 slices and layer it on top of your ham. Close your sandwich and cut it in half before serving it. Create a classic Cuban sandwich with your ham. Use French toast, a biscuit or a croissant instead of bread. Add some ham to your standard grilled cheese to make a melt. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Wear-a-Sports-Bra | How to Wear a Sports Bra | A good sports bra can help support your chest and make you more comfortable while you work out, but it's important that you choose the right fit and style for your needs. Look for an encapsulation sports bra, which has separate cups to prevent your breasts from moving around too much when you exercise. If you have an A or B cup or you're only doing low-impact exercise, you can also use a compression sports bra, which doesn't have separate cups. Get it in the same size as your regular bras and make sure the cups hold your whole breasts to avoid any discomfort. Your sports bra should also have adjustable clasps or straps so you can make it fit right. When you try on your sports bra, pull on the straps and band around your chest to make sure it's tight. You don't want more than an inch of movement, since this won't support your chest properly. | Select a sports bra made of moisture-wicking material. You want your sports bra to be made of moisture-wicking material that is breathable. Most new sports bras these days contain technology to wick away sweat, making them the ideal choice for working out. Try to steer clear of cotton, which tends to soak up moisture and stay wet. Choosing a moisture-wicking material will also help to regulate the temperature of your body as you're working out. Choose a sports bra that comes in typical bra sizes. You want your sports bra to be the same size as your correctly-fitted regular bras. It should have a cup size as well as a band size, ensuring great support. Avoid buying sports bras that only come in a small, medium, large, etc. Opt for sports bras that have a clasp or are adjustable. Pullover sports bras aren't ideal because they can't be adjusted if necessary and are much more stretched out than other types. Choose a sports bra that has adjustable straps or a clasp. With a band clasp, you'll be able to move from the innermost hook to the outer hook as your bra stretches. Invest in a high-quality sports bra. While it can be tempting to buy that $5 pullover sports bra, it most likely doesn't have the support and structure that your chest needs. Finding a sports bra that fits you well is incredibly important for keeping your chest supported and your ligaments undamaged, so invest in a high-quality bra. Match your sports bra to your activity. You can wear a different kind of sports bra while doing yoga than you would while running or playing an intense sport. Choose a low-impact bra when participating in low-impact sports, and wear a high-impact bra for high-impact sports. A low-impact bra doesn't need to have as much support as a high-impact one. High-impact bras should be in an encapsulation style with molding, and definitely made of moisture-wicking material. Choose encapsulated bras over compression bras. An encapsulated bra is one that has separate cups, as opposed to a compression bra, which pulls over your head and does not have separate cups. Because your breasts move side-to-side as well as up and down when you exercise, it's important for your sports bra to have separate cups to provide better stability. This helps to give support to each individual breast and allows for better temperature regulation. Wearing a compression-style bra is alright if you have an A or B cup size or are doing a low-impact workout, but an encapsulated bra is always best. Encapsulated bras are especially important if you have a larger chest. Decide on a racerback sports bra for better support. A racerback sports bra cinches in the back, meaning the bra is held much closer to your body. This provides good support while also eliminating annoying straps that can fall off of your shoulders. Wear a sports bra with wide straps for better weight distribution. If you have larger breasts or definitely want your sports bra to be adjustable, choose one with wide straps. These straps help distribute the weight of your chest more evenly, and they're usually padded as well. Straps shouldn't dig into your shoulders — if you find the straps painful or making your neck sore, consider going with a different size. Try the sports bra on before purchasing it. You won't know if the sports bra is right for you unless you try it on to see how it fits. Use a store's dressing room to see how the sports bra looks and feels. If you're buying a sports bra online, don't take the tags off until you've tried it on first. Pull on the straps to test their stretch. When it comes to sports bra straps, you don't want them to be super stretchy. Put your fingers around the top of one strap, holding it in place. Tug on the center of the cup that corresponds to the strap, seeing how much the strap stretches. You want straps that don't stretch too much when you pull on them, because this is a sign that they won't provide great support. Make sure the cup holds your whole breast. You don't want to be popping out of your sports bra — this won't give you great support at all. Check to see that your breasts fit inside each cup. If they don't fit, you need a larger cup size. You can even try bending over while wearing the sports bra to make sure nothing spills out. Use your finger to test the band. Slip your finger in-between the band and the front of your chest. Try to pull the band away from you using that same finger. If you can pull the band out more than an inch from your chest, this is a sign that the band is too loose and you need better support. Get fitted by an expert. When in doubt, get an expert's help. Go to a store that has employees who are knowledgeable about bra fittings and have them fit you for a sports bra. They'll be able to measure you accurately, allowing you to choose a sports bra that will support you the best. Multiple panels provide greater all-around support. Look for soft seams around the cups. Generally, more fabric means more support. Racer back styles should be wide where they meet the strap to spread out the support in the back. Replace your sports bras every 4-6 months. If you're using your sports bras regularly, they're going to stretch out over time. For this reason, it's important to buy new ones every 6 months so that you always have great support. How often you buy a new sports bra will depend on how active you are. If you wear the same sports bra once a week, it could last up to a year, while if you wear the same sports bra 3 times a week, it's going to be all stretched out after 4-6 months. If you exercise 4-5 days a week, you should have 4-5 sports bras that you rotate. Wearing the same one over and over again will cause the sports bra to stretch out much faster. Buy a new bra if the band is riding up on your back. The band of your sports bra is even more important than the straps — this is what gives you the most support. If your band is riding up on your back when you're moving around or it's super stretched out, it's time to get a new sports bra. If you're using the tightest hook on your band, this may be a sign that your bra is stretched out and you should think about replacing it. Alternatively, it could mean you have a narrow back. You can also test the band by reaching your arms up over your head. If the band moves up your back, it isn't a great fit. Find a new sports bra if the straps are all stretched out. If you pull on your straps and they don't have much give anymore, they're likely all stretched out. Straps that are falling off of your shoulders when you're exercising need to be retired. If your straps are falling off of your shoulders and are adjustable, see if they can be tightened before deciding whether or not you need a new sports bra. Invest in another bra if your chest hurts after working out. If you finish a workout and your chest is in pain, this is the ultimate sign that your sports bra isn't working for you. The same goes if you're working out and your chest is bouncing all around. If your sports bra isn't giving you the right support, it's time to get a new one. | Select a sports bra made of moisture-wicking material. Choose a sports bra that comes in typical bra sizes. Opt for sports bras that have a clasp or are adjustable. Invest in a high-quality sports bra. Match your sports bra to your activity. Choose encapsulated bras over compression bras. Decide on a racerback sports bra for better support. Wear a sports bra with wide straps for better weight distribution. Try the sports bra on before purchasing it. Pull on the straps to test their stretch. Make sure the cup holds your whole breast. Use your finger to test the band. Get fitted by an expert. Replace your sports bras every 4-6 months. Buy a new bra if the band is riding up on your back. Find a new sports bra if the straps are all stretched out. Invest in another bra if your chest hurts after working out. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Nosebleeds-in-Dogs | How to Treat Nosebleeds in Dogs | If your dog has a nosebleed, stay calm and check its breathing right away. Take it to the vet immediately if you can hear it wheezing or panting rapidly because it could be a sign of a serious condition. However, if your dog seems to be breathing well, it might just be a minor injury, so wrap an ice pack in a cloth and lightly press it on the bridge of its nose, which will likely dull the pain. Gently pet your dog and talk to it soothingly as you ice its nose to help keep it calm and reduce blood flow. After about 20 minutes, the bleeding should stop. If not, the problem may be more serious and you need to take your dog to the vet. | Stay calm. If you notice a nosebleed, don't become frantic. Doing so will only make your dog upset and frightened. Instead, try to stay calm and collected. You can help your dog. You just need to stay cool-headed, so you can get it to the vet and get it treated. Check for breathing. Your dog primarily breathes through its nose, so when it gets a nosebleed, it may have trouble breathing. Make sure the dog is breathing okay before doing anything else. If it's not, it's time to go to the vet now. If your dog is having trouble breathing, you should be able to hear wheezing. Your dog may also be panting more, as well as breathing more rapidly. Apply ice and pressure. To stop the nosebleed in the moment, use an ice pack. Wrap ice in a cloth or washcloth so it isn't too cold, then hold it up to your dog's nose, on the bridge. Apply light pressure in the area. The cold should help the blood vessels narrow, making the blood stop flowing. You should apply pressure until the bleeding stops. If it hasn't stopped after about 20 minutes, consider taking your dog to the vet. Calm your pet. You don't want your dog to move around too much. Moving around increases blood flow, which makes the nosebleed worse. Instead, try to keep it still by petting it and talking soothingly to it while you apply the ice pack. Continue calming your dog even once the blood as stopped flowing, as moving around too much could cause the clot to blow, creating a new nosebleed. See a veterinarian. A nosebleed is often a symptom of an underlying condition. Therefore, if you notice a nosebleed in your dog, you need to take it to the vet as soon as possible to get a diagnosis. Often, your dog will continue to get nosebleeds if the underlying condition isn't treated. Expect tests. Because a nosebleed can indicate a wide variety of conditions, your doctor will need to do a full examination, plus a range of tests. The tests will likely include taking both a blood sample and a urine sample for analysis. Your vet may also order x-rays or a CAT scan to help to determine what is wrong. Nosebleeds in dogs can be caused by more minor issues such as high blood pressure, dental disease, a fungal infection, or mild trauma (including having something stuck in the nose). Your dog may also have a problem with blood clotting. Some more serious possibilities include the chance of a tumor or cancer, problems from eating rat poison, and diseases passed from ticks. The most common causes for nosebleeds are infections, trauma, and tumors. A few other possibilities include Rocky Mountain spotted fever or a thyroid issue. Think about possible causes. It can help your vet if you think about possible connections to the nose bleed. For instance, if you know your dog got into rat poison (which can also happen if they eat a rodent contaminated with poison), that's a connection. Another connection is if the dog experienced any trauma recently, such as running into something. Foxtails, a type of grass with a spiky end, can also be a problem if your dog has had a run-in with it recently, as the end can go up the dog's nose and get stuck. Medications can also cause nosebleeds, particularly NSAIDs (like ibuprofen). Understand how the vet may stop the nosebleed. If your dog's nose won't stop bleeding, your doctor may need to employ some other tactics than you used. They may use epinephrine drops on the nose, for instance, or they may put your dog under anesthesia and pack its nose with gauze. Your vet may also have to cauterize the end of the blood vessels to stop the nosebleeds. If your dog has lost a lot of blood, it may need a blood transfusion, which your vet can provide. Ask about antibiotics or antifungals for infections. If your dog has an infection, a round of antibiotics or antifungals may be needed to treat the infection. Once the infection has been banished by the medications, the nosebleeds should go away, too. Know a plasma transfusion may be needed. If your dog has von Willebrand's disease, it may need a plasma transfusion to help treat it. Von Willebrand's disease, often inherited, is found in both dogs and humans. Basically, the blood doesn't clot as well as it should, causing excessive bleeding. After the bleeding has stopped and your dog has had a plasma transfusion, your doctor may recommend that it begin taking a round of drugs intended to treat the disease. Remove the object if something is lodged. If your dog ran into something that become lodged in its nose, the vet will need to remove the object. Doing so may cause more bleeding for a bit, but the nosebleeds should clear up eventually. Your vet may be able to remove the object with tweezers. If they can't remove the object, they may need to move on to surgery. Understand other options. If the problem is a tumor, a build-up from a fungal infection, or a badly lodged object, surgery will likely need to be performed on your dog. Of course, your vet will need to make this call, and they will provide you with the options you have for your dog's care. Depending on what's causing the problem, your dog may need other treatments, such as immunosuppressive therapy. Prednisone may be prescribed if the problem has to do with the platelets in the blood. Chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be needed if the cause is cancer. Your dog may also need to stay in the hospital for a period of time for treatment. Follow your vet's directions at home. Once your dog comes home, you'll need to follow all of your vet's instructions. Your dog will need to be kept calm. A crate can help in severe cases. You'll also likely need to give your dog medications, either pills or a spray for the nostrils, which your vet will show you how to apply. Watch for blood. Obviously, the main symptom of a nosebleed is a slow, steady flow of blood dripping from your dog's nose. However, you may not notice the flow right away. Watch for the skin around the nose changing color (turning darker because of the blood). You may also see swelling around the mouth and nose. Look for signs of distress. Even if you don't notice the blood right away, your dog is likely to know something is wrong or different. It will likely paw at its nose as a nosebleed starts because it can feel the blood starting to come out. Give your dog's breath a sniff. As a dog owner, you know dog breath is rarely pleasant. However, nosebleeds can cause even worse breath, particularly if they are chronic. If you notice your dog's breath suddenly getting worse, it could be because of nosebleeds or the underlying cause. Pay attention to your dog's eating habits. If your dog suddenly stops eating, that could also be a sign of nosebleeds. More likely, it's a sign of the underlying condition causing the nosebleed. Either way, if your dog stops eating, it needs to see a vet. While your dog may still be eating, you should also note if it's losing weight over time. Check out your dog's feces. This job is definitely not a fun one. However, you don't need to dig around in your dog's feces. Rather, you just need to note the color. If it's especially dark and sticky, that could mean your dog has been swallowing blood from a nosebleed. | Stay calm. Check for breathing. Apply ice and pressure. Calm your pet. See a veterinarian. Think about possible causes. Understand how the vet may stop the nosebleed. Know a plasma transfusion may be needed. Remove the object if something is lodged. Understand other options. Follow your vet's directions at home. Watch for blood. Look for signs of distress. Give your dog's breath a sniff. Pay attention to your dog's eating habits. Check out your dog's feces. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Apple-Chips | How to Make Apple Chips | To make apple chips, peel and core the apples, then cut them into slices ⅛ inch thick. Next, lay the slices on a metal cooling rack in a single layer and sprinkle the tops with powdered or cinnamon sugar. Then, bake the slices on the cooling rack for 2 hours at 200 °F, flipping them halfway through to ensure even cooking. Finally, turn off the oven, but leave the apple chips in there for 1 hour so they can dry out and get crisp. Afterwards, store the chips in an airtight container and keep them in a cool, dry place. | Wash the apples. Run them under cold water until the water running off of them is completely clear. The water helps remove dirt and chemical residue. Once they are washed, pat them dry. Peel the apple skins for a crispier chip. Use a vegetable peeler or paring knife to remove the skin. Start at the top of the apple and move the blade in a clockwise motion down and around the circumference of the apple. The skin should come off easily and in one big ribbon. Remove the skin if you want a chewier chip. If you're looking to make really crispy chips, leave the skin on. Keep your thumbs out of the way so you don't cut yourself on the peeler or knife. Core the apples with an apple peeler. Insert the corer tool in the center of the apple. To loosen the apple core, just push down and twist the tool. Then, use your hands to pull out the apple core. You may not get all the apple core and seeds out. If there's anything left behind, use a paring knife to gently scrape the seeds off of the apple. Cut the apples into thin, uniform slices. You want them all to be the same thickness. Slice horizontally, parallel to the stem, and aim for roughly 0.125 inches (0.32 cm) thickness. A mandolin or meat slicer works best, but a knife works as well if you go slowly. Preheat your oven to 200 °F (93 °C). Let your oven heat while you prepare the apples to speed up the whole process. Set a timer to let you know when the oven is ready. Place the apple slices on a metal cooling rack. Lay your wire rack on top of a baking sheet to capture any dripping juice. Then, spread the apples evenly and don't let them overlap. You need them to be exposed to properly air dry. However, it's alright if the slices touch. If you don't have a metal cooling rack, you can use any other heat resistant platter, like a pizza screen or baking sheet. However, you should try to aim for a rack or platter with holes for better airflow. Sprinkle the apples with powdered sugar and cinnamon. A little bit of sweetness will add a lot of flavor to your apple chips. Just pinch some sugar and or cinnamon and sprinkle it evenly over the tops of the apple slices. If sugar is too sweet, consider using honey as an alternative. Bake the apples for 1 hour. Place the tray with the apple slices in the oven carefully. Leave the oven cracked open slightly to vent the moisture from the apples. If your oven doesn't stay open slightly on its own, use a wooden spoon to wedge it open. Be careful with the oven. Use heat protection and keep children and pets away from the oven. Set a timer to remind you when 1 hour has gone by. Flip the apples with a spatula. Leave the oven on and remove the apples from the oven. Then, use a spatula to flip each chip on its other side. However, if you're using a non-mesh or wire baking sheet, where air can't escape the apples from below, turn them every 30-45 minutes. Bake the apples for about 1 more hour. This may take a little longer or shorter than 1 hour. The thicker the apples, the longer it may take. It should take about 1 hour for the apple edges to curl up slightly. Let the apples cool for 1 hour. If you want crispy chips, let the chips cool in the oven. But, if you want chewier chips, set the chips to cool outside the oven. Either way, make sure to turn off the oven. Keep in mind that before cooling, the apples may be rubbery. Don't worry! They will crisp up as they cool. Store the chips in an airtight container. Keep your apple chips in a cool and dry place. You can keep them stored for up to 2 weeks before having to throw them out. Enjoy! Line a plate with parchment paper. Use a microwave-safe plate to keep your microwave clean. If you don't have parchment paper, use a paper towel instead. Place the apple slices on the parchment paper. Spread the apples evenly in a single layer. Don't let the apples overlap. Overlapping slices will interfere with the drying process. It's okay if the apple edges are touching lightly. Microwave the apples for 4.5 to 5 minutes. It should take 4.5 to 5 minutes for the edges of the apples to start curling. However, depending on the microwave and slice thickness, it may take shorter or longer for the apples to start curling. Once they start curling, remove them from the microwave. Watch the apples while they are microwaving. Flip the apples with a spatula. Make sure to turn over every apple slice. Make sure they aren't overlapped once you flip them. Do this step as quickly as you can. You don't want the slices to lose too much heat. Microwave the apples for 1 more minute. Depending on how thick your apple slices are, this may take more or less time. Remove the apples after the 1-minute mark or once the edges curl more. Let the apples cool for about 10 minutes. By this time, the apples should be pretty crisp and dry. Serve them immediately and enjoy! | Wash the apples. Peel the apple skins for a crispier chip. Core the apples with an apple peeler. Cut the apples into thin, uniform slices. Preheat your oven to 200 °F (93 °C). Place the apple slices on a metal cooling rack. Sprinkle the apples with powdered sugar and cinnamon. Bake the apples for 1 hour. Flip the apples with a spatula. Bake the apples for about 1 more hour. Let the apples cool for 1 hour. Store the chips in an airtight container. Line a plate with parchment paper. Place the apple slices on the parchment paper. Microwave the apples for 4.5 to 5 minutes. Flip the apples with a spatula. Microwave the apples for 1 more minute. Let the apples cool for about 10 minutes. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Read-Topographic-Maps | How to Read Topographic Maps | To read topographic maps, look at the thicker contour lines and the number next to them to determine the elevation. You can also figure out the elevation change by looking at the space between the contour lines. For example, the closer the spaces, the more rapid the change in elevation. Additionally, use the map's colors to get an idea of the landscape. If, for example, an area has a lot of land, you'll see a lot of brown on the map. | Use the thicker contour lines to determine the elevation. Contour lines represent paths or segments of the Earth. Topographic maps are covered in contour lines. Some contour lines are thicker, known as indexed contour lines. They have a number next to them that shows you the elevation of that path or segment. For example, you may notice there is the number “6500” next to the thicker contour line. This means that everything along that line is 6,500 feet (2,000 m) above sea level. There are also thin contour lines on the map. These are called intermediate contour lines and are not given an elevation. Determine the elevation change by looking at the space between the contour lines. The closer the spaces are between the contour lines, the more rapid the change in elevation. An area with contour lines that are spaced far apart have a fairly low elevation and be easy to hike or walk through. An area with a concentration of contour lines that are very close together have rapid changes in elevation. It has high and low terrain that may be more challenging to walk or hike through. Vertical cliffs are notated by a series of contour lines that are drawn very close together. In some cases, cliffs that are very vertical and high may have contour lines that form a single line. Notice how the contour lines slope on the map. The way the contour lines curve can tell you if the path is going to be gentle or steep. A thick contour line that has rounded curves means the path is going to have a gentle slope that is easy to climb. A thick contour line with jagged curves that appear sharp means the path is going to have steep slopes that are harder to climb. Use the shape of the contour lines, as well as the space between the contour lines, to help you determine if the path is going to be easy or difficult to hike or climb on foot. Look for flat terrain with a dashed contour line. You may notice dashed lines on the map, which are called supplementary contour lines. This indicates the elevation is half of the elevation between the contour lines around it. This indicates the terrain is flat for a long expanse, or there is very little change in elevation in these areas. Check for contour lines that form a circle. Contour lines that form a series of circles on the map, where the circles get smaller and smaller, indicate a raised land mass. If the contour lines are not thick and they form a circle, this means there is a hill. If the contour lines are thicker and form a circle, this means there is a summit or peak. There is usually an elevation number next to the land mass so you know how high above sea level it is. For example, if you see circular contour lines and the number “5400,” this means the land mass is 5,400 feet (2,000 m) above sea level. Find glaciers and cold areas by looking for blue contour lines. Blue contour lines means there is a glacier in the area or the mountains are snow-capped and very cold. The contour lines are blue whenever you are at higher elevations on the map. Being aware of the blue contour lines helps you plan a route where you do not have to deal with ice or high elevations. Opt to go around these areas or use a different route instead. Notice the color brown for land. The map will have a lot of brown areas if it has a lot of land. Contour lines are usually brown as well to notate land mass and land features as well as the elevation. Keep in mind that just because an area is brown does not mean there is a path or trail in this area, just that there is land. Check for the color green to find vegetation. Green is on the map wherever there are forest or woods. Green usually appears in large sections to let you know there is a lot of vegetation in the area. Look for the color blue to locate water features like lakes and rivers. The color blue will also appear if there are swamps, reservoirs, and any drainage sites. Find trails by looking for black lines. Black lines are used to notate trails on the map. They may appear a bit thicker than other lines on the map so you can see them easily. Locate roads by looking for red lines. Red lines are also used to notate boundaries on the map, such as a different town or area. Look for a blue symbol for glaciers or snowfields. They are notated by round blue circles with dashed lines inside of the circles. The lines will point in different directions to notate if the glaciers or snowfields are advancing or retreating. Find a complete list of symbols on topographic maps at https://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/TopographicMapSymbols/topomapsymbols.pdf It may be useful to bring a list of symbols with you when you use the map so you can refer to it as needed. Identify the type of river or lake with blue wave symbols. Streams and rivers that are ongoing appear as solid blue waves on the map. Streams and rivers that are intermittent, where there is a break in their flow, have dashed lines or dots in the wave. Dams are notated on the map by two blue squares locked together. Locate buildings and schools by finding black boxes. Buildings appear as small block boxes on the map. They may appear as solid black boxes or shaded boxes. Schools are notated by small black dots. Athletic fields appear as triangles or boxes with dashed lines. Other man-made objects like wells, tanks, and cemeteries are notated on the map using specific symbols. Check for campgrounds by looking for red tents. Find picnic areas by looking for red tables. Roadside rest areas appear as small black tables on the map. Determine the scale of the map. The scale on the map will help you determine the distance between objects and landmarks. This is handy when you want to plan a hike or walk. It can also help you figure out how far you are from landmarks or objects. The scale will appear on the top or bottom of the map and have a ratio next to it. The rain will tell you how to measure distance on the map. For example, it may say, "SCALE: 1:24,000." This means that 1 inch (2.5 cm) on the map represents 24,000 inches (61,000 cm) on the ground. There will also be graphic scale under the ratio. The graphic scale will break down the map by miles, feet, and kilometers. Use the graphic scale to make quick estimates of distance on the map. Locate a tall peak or hill in your area and refer to the map. If you get lost and need to find your way using a topographic map, try finding a landmark like a tall peak or hill close to you. Then, look on the map for a series of circular contour lines to notate the hill or peak. You can then navigate your way using the peak or hill on the map as a guide. Search for a water feature or a man-made structure. You can also use a nearby water feature like a river, stream, lake, or dam to determine your location. Or use a man-made structure like a campground, a building, a school, or a rest area to orient yourself with the map. If you can't tell what side of a feature you are on, locate another feature and determine where you are in relation to both of them. | Use the thicker contour lines to determine the elevation. Determine the elevation change by looking at the space between the contour lines. Notice how the contour lines slope on the map. Look for flat terrain with a dashed contour line. Check for contour lines that form a circle. Find glaciers and cold areas by looking for blue contour lines. Notice the color brown for land. Check for the color green to find vegetation. Look for the color blue to locate water features like lakes and rivers. Find trails by looking for black lines. Locate roads by looking for red lines. Look for a blue symbol for glaciers or snowfields. Identify the type of river or lake with blue wave symbols. Locate buildings and schools by finding black boxes. Check for campgrounds by looking for red tents. Determine the scale of the map. Locate a tall peak or hill in your area and refer to the map. Search for a water feature or a man-made structure. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-in-Shape-for-Rock-Climbing | How to Get in Shape for Rock Climbing | To get in shape for rock climbing, practice hanging from a sturdy door frame or tree branch for a few seconds at a time to improve your grip and hand strength. You should also do pull-ups, which build your arm and shoulder strength. Other good exercises you should practice are push-ups and planks to improve your core and upper body. In addition to building muscle, schedule time for cardio exercises, like jogging, cycling, or swimming, to improve your overall endurance. | Do finger hangs to strengthen your hands and improve your grip. Use a sturdy door frame or a low tree branch. Lift yourself onto your toes and grip the door frame or branch with the top half of your fingers. Lift your legs so that you're hanging. Let yourself hang for 5 seconds, then release and rest for 5 seconds. Repeat the exercise for 1 minute, which means you should do 6 reps total. Use the pads on the top half of your fingers to hold you up. This exercise will help you get used to supporting your weight on a ledge. Perform pull-ups to build arm and shoulder strength. Grip a stable bar with your hands shoulder-width apart. You can use an overhanded or underhanded grip. Bend your legs behind you so that you're hanging from the bar, then slowly pull yourself up. Raise your chin above the bar, then lower yourself slowly back to start. Make sure your muscles are controlled and engaged the entire time. Do 2-3 sets of 6-10 pull-ups. To increase the challenge and build more strength, pull yourself up as quickly as you can, then slowly lower yourself for a 5 count. Alternatively, do chin-to-knuckle pull-ups by pulling yourself up to 1 side. Touch your chin to the top of your knuckle, then release. Alternate sides as you do your pull-ups to mimic the movement of rock climbing. Do planks to build your upper body and core strength simultaneously. Planks help you build the strength you need to hold yourself up and support your own weight while you're climbing. Lie on your stomach, then get into push-up position with your palms directly under your shoulders. Slowly push yourself off the ground, balancing your weight on your palms and toes. Keep your core tightened to support a straight back. Hold the plank for as long as you can or up to 2 minutes. If you can't hold your plank for 2 minutes, hold it as long as you can. Then, rest and repeat until you've held a plank for a total of 2 minutes. Don't let your back slouch or stick up your butt while you're doing your planks. Perform push-ups for a more intense core and upper body workout. Push-ups help you build the muscles you need to lift and lower your body weight. Lie down on your stomach, then place your hands under your shoulders. Engage your core, then slowly push yourself off the floor. Balance on your palms and toes, keeping your back straight. Hold for 2-3 seconds, then slowly lower yourself down to the floor. Do 1-3 sets of 10 push-ups. Don't point your butt up into the air or let your back slouch. To make your body work harder, try putting your hands slightly above your head. Form a diamond shape with your hands, angling your elbows outward. These are called diamond or superman push-ups. To make your push-ups more challenging, do them on an incline. Put your feet on a chair, stair, or sturdy box, but keep your lower body on the ground. Slowly perform your push-ups in this position. Go to a rock climbing gym and climb the beginner wall. This will help you get practice with climbing while you build up your strength. Tell the employees you're a beginner and what your goals are. They'll help you pick the right course for you. It's a good idea to visit the rock climbing gym 2-3 times a week as you build up your strength. You don't need to wait until you've built up your fitness to do beginner climbs. Perform single-leg pistol squats for strong, flexible legs. Stand with your feet hip-width apart and your arms extended out in front of you. Extend your left leg out in front of you with your knee straight, your toe pointed, and your foot not touching the floor. Slowly lower your body down by bending your right leg. Keep your right knee in line with your foot, not letting it go out past your toe. Hold for 30 seconds if you can, then slowly rise back to your starting position. Do 1-3 sets of 5-10 pistol squats on each side. Hold the squat for as long as you can. If you need help balancing, hold onto a chair or the wall. Your legs need to be strong and flexible so you can propel yourself up the wall or summit. Perform jumping lunges to build explosive strength for climbing. Step forward with your right leg, then slowly lower yourself down by bending your right knee. Keep your knee in line with your foot and don't extend it past your toe. Then, explode off the floor, jumping back into your starting position. Repeat on the other side. Do 1-3 sets of 8-10 jumping lunges on each side. Do box jumps to strengthen your legs for propelling yourself upward. Stand with your feet hip-width apart in front of a sturdy box. Lower your body into a slight squat and swing your arms back. Then, swing your arms forward and propel yourself up onto the box, landing in a slight squat. Finally, jump back down to your starting position. Do 1-3 sets of 3-6 box jumps. Get 30 minutes of cardio exercise 5-7 days a week to build endurance. Cardio activity will help condition your body and improve your endurance level. In fact, it's best to get at least 150 minutes of moderate cardio activity each week to maintain a healthy body. Make sure you do your cardio exercise 5-7 days a week. For instance, you might try the following cardio exercises: Climb at your rock climbing gym. Take a brisk walk. Run or Jog. Cycle. Swim. Do aerobics. Dance. Do short sprints to improve your fitness so you can climb longer. Mark off a distance of about 100 feet (30 m), and place additional markers every 10 feet (3.0 m). Sprint from the start to the finish and touch the baseline. Then, sprint back to start and touch the baseline. Turn back around and sprint to your 2nd-to-last 10 ft (3.0 m) marker. Continue sprinting back and forth until you've touched each baseline and run back. Shorten your sprint by 10 ft (3.0 m) on each turnaround. Walk up and down stairs with weights to simulate climbing. Wear a weighted vest or a heavy backpack or carry hand weights. Walk up at least 1 flight of stairs, then walk back down. Continue climbing up and down the stairs for at least 10 minutes. Go as fast as you safely can. Try to go for 30 minutes. This will help you build your climbing endurance. Get 50-60% of your calories from healthy carbohydrates (carbs). Choose nutritious, complex carbs for most of your meals to help fuel your body during your workouts and recovery. The best sources of carbs include vegetables, fruits, beans, legumes, and whole grains. Include these foods in each of your meals. For example, you might eat oatmeal for breakfast, a salad at lunch, apple slices for a snack, and lentil soup for dinner. To figure out how many grams of carbs to eat, multiply your calorie goal by.5 for 50% or.6 for 60%, then divide by 4 because there's 4 calories in a gram of carbs. For instance, if you planned to eat 2,000 calories a day, you'd multiply 2,000 x.5 = 1,000. Then, divide 1,000/4 = 250. This means you'd eat 250 grams of carbohydrates a day. Make 30-35% of your calories lean protein. Protein helps your body repair and fuel your muscles, so it's an essential nutrient. Choose lean options like poultry, fish, low-fat dairy, beans, legumes, nuts, tofu, or veggie burgers. Eat a source of lean protein at each meal. For example, you might add 1% milk and sliced almonds to your oatmeal at breakfast, grilled chicken to your salad at lunch, and peanut butter to your apple slices. Lentils contain protein, so you'd already be eating protein if you were eating lentil soup. To calculate how much protein you need, multiple your calorie goal by.3 or.35, then divide by 4. For a calorie goal of 2,000, multiply 2,000 x.3 = 600. Then, divide 600/4 = 150. You'd eat 150 grams of protein. Get 20-25% of your calories from healthy fats. Your body needs fat to stay healthy and recover after your workouts. However, you want to choose healthy fats, such as monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats, and omega-3s. However, eat fewer saturated fats and avoid trans fats. Get most of your fats from fatty fish, nuts, natural oils, avocado, and peanut butter. For instance, you'd get fat from the sliced almonds on your oatmeal, the salad dressing on your salad, and the peanut butter you ate as your snack. You can add fat to your lentil soup by sauteing your aromatic soup veggies, like onions and garlic, in oil before you make the soup or by sprinkling cheese over your soup. To figure out how much fat you need each day, multiply your calorie goal by.2 or.25, then divide by 9 because there's 9 calories in a gram of fat. For a 2,000 calorie goal, you'd multiply 2,000 x.2 = 400. Then, divide 400/9=44.4. You could round this to 44 grams of fat per day. Eat about 25-30 g of nutritious carbs 30 minutes before a climb. Carbs fuel your body, especially during a hard workout. You don't want to feel full, but eating a light high-carb snack can give you the power to complete your workout. Stick to healthy, nutritious carbs, like fruits, veggies, and whole grains. If you're going on a short climb, choose easy-to-digest carbs like bananas, dried fruit, oats, or sweet potatoes. For longer climbs, opt for complex carbs, such as brown rice, beans, or quinoa. It's best to avoid sugar packs or processed snacks, as these don't contain as many nutrients. Consume protein and carbs within 30 minutes of working out. Choose a snack that's high in protein and carbs but has less than 5 grams of fat. This will help refuel your body post-workout so your muscles can recover and rebuild. For instance, you might drink a protein shake, eat Greek yogurt with cut up fruit, or snack on string cheese and a serving of grapes. Drink at least 8 to 10 cups (1.9 to 2.4 L) of water daily to stay hydrated. Your body needs plenty of fluids to fuel your workouts, maintain your body, and recover post-workout. Sip on water throughout your day, and add in more foods that hydrate you, such as fruits or soup. If you don't like water, try flavoring it with sliced fruit. As another alternative, you can drink tea or other fluids instead. Since you're likely very active, you may need more water every day. Increase your water intake if you feel thirsty or tired. | Do finger hangs to strengthen your hands and improve your grip. Perform pull-ups to build arm and shoulder strength. Do planks to build your upper body and core strength simultaneously. Perform push-ups for a more intense core and upper body workout. Go to a rock climbing gym and climb the beginner wall. Perform single-leg pistol squats for strong, flexible legs. Perform jumping lunges to build explosive strength for climbing. Do box jumps to strengthen your legs for propelling yourself upward. Get 30 minutes of cardio exercise 5-7 days a week to build endurance. Do short sprints to improve your fitness so you can climb longer. Walk up and down stairs with weights to simulate climbing. Get 50-60% of your calories from healthy carbohydrates (carbs). Make 30-35% of your calories lean protein. Get 20-25% of your calories from healthy fats. Eat about 25-30 g of nutritious carbs 30 minutes before a climb. Consume protein and carbs within 30 minutes of working out. Drink at least 8 to 10 cups (1.9 to 2.4 L) of water daily to stay hydrated. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Money-Easily-(for-Kids) | How to Make Money Easily (for Kids) | If you want to make money easily as a kid, offer to tutor your friends or neighbors in a subject you're really good at in school, like math. Alternatively, babysit for your neighbors or parents' friends when they go out. When you're off school during the summer, organize a daycare so you can look after younger kids while their parents are at work. Finally, speak to your parents about giving you an allowance in exchange for household chores, like cleaning the house or raking leaves in the garden. | Host a lemonade stand. Lemonade stands are popular in the summer, and can make you a nice amount of money. Get some friends together and make lemonade to sell in your neighborhood. There are a lot of factors that make a lemonade stand successful, the first being location. You want to put your lemonade stand somewhere where there isn't a lot of competition and that's in a busy, visible part of the neighborhood, like a street corner. Make your stand look as inviting as possible. If you are feeling really creative, build an old-fashioned stand and decorate it with ribbons and a banner with your “company's” name on it. Keep track of what you spent on ingredients, and charge enough so that you can make a profit. Just don't charge too much. Make a menu with your offerings, and consider offering more than just lemonade. Maybe you have cookies or brownies, or other flavors of lemonade. Create a website to advertise your business. Just make sure to get your parents permission first. Try using Wix.com to create it. Assign different tasks to everyone. Make signs and have some kids go around the neighborhood posting them up or standing at the ends of the block advertising. Have someone making your goods so you don't run out. Sell drinks and baked goods on the road. Like having a lemonade stand, you can apply the same idea to sell refreshments out at community events. Get a cooler and sell your goods or even bottled water at parks on hot days. If you have a sibling that has a baseball or soccer game, you can go to the game and offer refreshments to the players and parents there. Make signs for your sale, and set up a little area with a table and cooler. Sell water and juice to make extra money. Keep your prices reasonable. Make and sell jewelry and other goods. Gather up some friends and make something; beaded jewelry, boondoggles, etc. Sell at car boot sales, market stalls, yard sales and even online, with your parent's help and permission. Sell items you don't need on eBay or at these events. Just ask your parents first, to make sure that it's okay with them. Host a group car wash. Get together with some other kids in the neighborhood looking for some easy money and offer car washes. Decide on a date and make some flyers to advertise. Pop the flyers in your neighbor's mailboxes and ask each member of the washing group to get their families to come along too. Choose a suitable car washing spot, such as at a house with a good length of driveway. Get buckets, water, wash cloths, sponges, etc. Wash cars on the day and collect the money. Only do this for local people you know, and have an adult there to supervise. Always ask before putting car washing products other than water on anyone's car. Mow lawns and shovel driveways around the neighborhood. Offering up your services to mow lawns and shovel snow is another great way to get some extra money easily. Treat it like a business, and come up with a name for your services. Post flyers around the neighborhood advertising your services and a way to contact you. Ask your next door neighbors directly as well. It's best if you can provide your own equipment, though you may find certain clients who already have equipment you can use. Offer a fair price that's related to the size of the lawn or driveway, and how long it takes you to mow or shovel. For mowing lawns, set up a consistent day and time every week when you will come and mow the lawn. For shoveling, be able to get the job done in a timely manner. Tutor your friends and neighbors. If you're really good at a subject in school, or at playing an instrument like guitar or piano, you can offer to tutor your friends or neighbors down the street for some extra cash. Know, though, that your friends may also not have a lot of extra money, so be generous and don't overcharge your buddies. If you are in the same class as your friend and you are better at that subject, you can offer to tutor your friend and help with the homework and studying for tests. If you have a younger sibling, you can also offer to tutor your sibling so your parents don't have to always be checking up on grades and homework. Babysit for your neighbors and your parents’ friends. One of the most profitable ways to make money easily for kids is to babysit. Start by offering to babysit your own sibling, and once you've got some experience, reach out to the neighborhood. Take a babysitting course. Red Cross offers a certified course that trains you gives you skills from handling children to teaching you what to do if there's a medical issue. Being certified will help you get jobs and may even let you charge more. Get referrals. Ask your parents to reach out to friends who might need a babysitter, and post signs up around your neighborhood. Treat babysitting like it's your own business. Come up with a name, and choose a rate to charge. Consider joining and online babysitting network like Sittercity. Hold a daycare. During the summer months, when you don't have school, but your parents still need to go to work, holding a daycare service in the neighborhood can be another great way to make some extra money. This works best if you have some friends helping you out too. Not all parents will want to leave their kids with you all day, but if you have established yourself as a reliable babysitter, you may have some luck. This method works best if you are a little bit older and have some other friends helping you out. Advertise your daycare around the neighborhood and feature fun activities for the kids to do. Maybe you organise a park day where you play games like kickball. Or you hold an arts and crafts day at the house. You can even combine a daycare with your tutoring. Ensure you check out local bylaws, to be sure that you are compliant. There may be restrictions on how many children you can sit for, and how many daycare "supervisors" you have per child, before licensing, inspections, and so on becomes an issue. Pet sit, or dog walk for your neighbors. If you are comfortable around animals, pet sitting or dog walking is great way to easily earn some money. Dogs and cats will usually need some pet sitting, but people will also be interested in caring arrangements for fish, amphibians, reptiles, etc. Don't look after anything you can't care for though. Make flyers advertising that you are open for business. Leave them in mailboxes and on bulletin boards close to your area. Keep a planner. This is so that you know which animals you have to watch over at which times. Also keep a record of food and cleaning needs. Be sure to keep the keys for the different houses organized. Tie paper luggage labels to keys with names on them but do not add the address in case you lose them. Charge a fair price but be competitive with other pet sitters. A flat rate of $4 to $10 a visit or per walk is a good starting price to negotiate. Ask your parents for an allowance. Ask your parents to pay you for doing certain chores around the house on a weekly basis. If your parents don't want to give you an allowance for doing work, try explaining to them that by giving you an allowance, you won't need to rely on your parents every time you go out. Earning an allowance is like a job. By getting paid for your services you can start to build a great work ethic that will help you as you get older. Come up with a proposal for your parents. Make a schedule for the week and write down what sort of tasks you are willing to do and how much you think those tasks are worth. Then, you and your parents can negotiate your allowance. . Clean your house Cleaning rooms in your home is a great way to earn an allowance. Whether you agree to clean the windows, dust, or vacuum, there are plenty of tasks you can complete to earn your allowance. Keeping your own room clean may not be enough for an allowance. Chances are your parents think that you should be responsible for keeping your room clean on your own. So offer to go above and beyond and clean other rooms in the house. Discuss with your parents about how much each room or chore may pay you. Maybe cleaning the hallway doesn't pay as much as the dining room, since the hallway is much smaller and takes less time. Do outside chores. Doing seasonal, outside housework is another great way to earn an allowance since it's work your parents may not have time, or want to do themselves. Offer to rake leaves, shovel snow, mow the lawn, and weed gardens. If you're doing a seasonal, but consistent chore like mowing the lawn or shoveling your driveway, you can talk to your parents about a set rate for each time you do this chore. If you're raking leaves, try negotiating an hourly rate. Work at a retail store or restaurant. Most retail stores and restaurants have an age requirement, but if you are old enough, getting a part-time or summer job is a great way to easily earn some money, and start to build your resume. More and more teens are finding part-time work through bussing tables, or working at hotels. These aren't the most glamorous jobs, but you may have an easier time getting hired. Other retail stores, like teen clothing stores, or places like Best Buy, or Macy's may also be a good place to look for a job. Go onto the company's website and look for open positions. When applying for a job, and especially when interviewing. You want to dress nicely and respectfully, unless you are requested to wear something specific to the interview. If you don't have a resume, be able to speak about past accomplishments. It's also always a great idea to have references. Become a lifeguard or park manager. Another easy way to make money, and sometimes get a nice summer tan, is to be a lifeguard or park manager. Go to your local pool or park and ask if there are any positions available and what you need to do to get hired. Lifeguards have to have special training and be certified, so if you're serious about becoming a lifeguard, it's good to get the right training. Once you become certified, you may not be guaranteed a job, however. It's good to find out if your local pool or beach is hiring, or ask your trainer for tips on landing a job. You can also contact your local park district to see if there are any summer park jobs that you can work. Sometimes these consist of overseeing weekly events for kids, or managing sporting events. Work at the family business. If your parents own a business, you can see if your parents will let you work part-time. This is a good alternative to an allowance and may be easier than finding another job if you have less experience, or are still too young. Ask if you can help keep the shop clean for an hourly rate. There might be busy work that needs to get done as well, like filing papers, stuffing envelopes, or even going around town passing out flyers or coupons. This is also a great opportunity to start building your resume which will help you when it's time to go out and find other work. | Host a lemonade stand. Sell drinks and baked goods on the road. Make and sell jewelry and other goods. Sell items you don't need on eBay or at these events. Host a group car wash. Mow lawns and shovel driveways around the neighborhood. Tutor your friends and neighbors. Babysit for your neighbors and your parents’ friends. Hold a daycare. Pet sit, or dog walk for your neighbors. Ask your parents for an allowance. . Do outside chores. Work at a retail store or restaurant. Become a lifeguard or park manager. Work at the family business. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Pamphlet | How to Make a Pamphlet | To make a pamphlet, try using a template in a program like Microsoft Word or Google Docs. Once you've found a template you like, add your title, company logo, and an eye-catching image to the front page so it's clear what the pamphlet is about. When you write the main body of your pamphlet, try to separate your content into 4-5 sentence sections so it's easily skimmable for your readers. You can also use bullet points to make key information stand out. Once you've written your text, insert a few clear, colorful images to make your pamphlet more attractive. | Determine the purpose and target audience of your pamphlet first. Knowing the demographic who will most likely read your pamphlet can help you choose the text and images that will be most effective. Narrow your audience down to a specific group of people based on who would find the information most useful. If you are making a pamphlet for a nursing home, for example, you may want to target older adults who are either reaching the age of retirement (60s-70s) or whose parents will soon be retiring (40s-50s). Do research on your target demographic online. Find out what values are important to them, what their general needs are, and what their relationship is with your business or organization. This will help you tailor your information around your pamphlet's audience and select images that will emotionally move them. If you're making a pamphlet about skateboards and your target demographic is teenage boys, for example, you might research what features teenagers like in skateboards, the price range teenagers are most likely to spend on skateboards, and where they are most likely to pick up your pamphlet. Use a pamphlet design program to create your pamphlet. Programs with a pamphlet template will help you make yours quickly and easily. Choose one of the following popular programs with a pamphlet template or find another online: Microsoft Word Google Docs Adobe InDesign LucidPress Use images that will provoke an emotional response in the reader. Try to avoid images that are dull or generic, like clip art. Instead, choose images that are relevant to the purpose of your pamphlet and will encourage your audience to take action in some way. If your pamphlet is selling a product, for example, you could include a picture of someone using the product or the different varieties that the product comes in. Make sure you have the proper license to use any images you put on the pamphlet. Keep a consistent style of imagery throughout the pamphlet. Avoid, for example, switching between drawings and photography. Include your logo on both sides of the pamphlet. Because you don't know which side of the pamphlet a reader will see first, adding your business's or organization's logo to both sides will help them understand what the pamphlet is for quickly. Make sure your logo is clear and visible so that, if readers are interested, they can research more about your organization online. Make a sketch of your pamphlet before designing it online. Most pamphlets have 6 sides, each of which can be dedicated to displaying different information. Plan out what information and images you want to put on each side of the pamphlet before making it online. You don't have to be an excellent artist to sketch out your pamphlet. If you can't sketch a certain image or design, write what you want to include in that area instead. Show your pamphlet draft to other people involved in your business or organization before creating it online. Design a front and back cover for the pamphlet. The front and back panels should be where you design your cover. Include your title, a few eye-catching images, your company or organization's name, and any social media page names you have on the back. Try to keep any specific details brief in this area, as you will add more information in the inside panels. Pick a readable font. People will be more likely to absorb the information on your pamphlet if it is easy to read. Avoid using complicated fonts, hard-to-read colors, or overly small print that might make others strain to read the pamphlet. Basic fonts, like Times New Roman or Arial, tend to work best. Keep the content skimmable. Pamphlets are designed to be read in a short amount of time and usually skimmed. Make your paragraphs small, no larger than 4-5 brief sentences. Read your information aloud a few times to catch any overly-complex or confusing phrases. Break up any large areas of texts with images, headlines, or white space. To keep readers from losing interest, insert a headline or image whenever your paragraphs are too long (more than 4-5 sentences) or you have several paragraphs together without an image. If you can't think of anything else to add, add white space to separate the information into easily-digestible chunks. Use simple language while writing your pamphlet. You have a limited space to make your point on a pamphlet. Write your statements as clear and literal as possible to help your audience understand the information. Avoid flowery language or cliches, which both take up space and distract from the overall point. Avoid using jargon, which can confuse your target audience if they are less familiar with the topic. Instead of saying "If you want to keep up with what we're doing, check out our pages on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter," for example, you could say, "Follow us on social media!" Use bullet points to highlight information. Rather than blocking information out into long paragraphs, organize any paragraph larger than 5-6 sentences into bullet points with the key ideas. These will draw the reader's eyes to the most important information and help them read through the pamphlet quickly. Make a sample copy first. Before you print all of your copies, test out the size and design by printing a single copy. If, after printing and folding the copy, you like how the pamphlet looks, go ahead and print out the rest of your copies. If not, continue tweaking the design and printing out samples until you're satisfied with the design. The type of paper you use for your sample copy does not matter, as the main purpose of a sample copy is to Print your pamphlet with a printer that supports two-sided (duplex) printing. This will ensure that your pamphlet is printed in the right format so it can be easily folded. If you are printing pamphlets in bulk, contact a local print center—they may be able to print large quantities at a cheaper price than printing them at home. You may want to print your pamphlet in a more durable paper like cardstock to prevent them from tearing or crumpling. Fold your pamphlet. Your pamphlet should be separated into 3 columns separated by 2 gaps on the page. Fold the right and left columns towards the center, then flatten and crease the side edges. Position the fold so that the side you intended to be the cover rests on top. These instructions are for the standard tri-fold pamphlet style. If your pamphlet template deviates from the six-panel, tri-fold style, you may find folding instructions on YouTube. Distribute your pamphlet to places where it will be best received. After you've made a pamphlet, don't just let it sit around. Make a list of spots where your target audience will be most likely to pick up the pamphlet. Ask each place if you would be allowed to distribute pamphlets there, and drop off a stack of pamphlets to all willing places. Instead of "Don't forget to check us out on social media to keep up on what we're doing," for example, say "Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!" If you are making a pamphlet on the benefits of cognitive-behavioral therapy, for example, you might contact nearby community health centers, support groups, or counseling offices. | Determine the purpose and target audience of your pamphlet first. Do research on your target demographic online. Use a pamphlet design program to create your pamphlet. Use images that will provoke an emotional response in the reader. Include your logo on both sides of the pamphlet. Make a sketch of your pamphlet before designing it online. Design a front and back cover for the pamphlet. Pick a readable font. Keep the content skimmable. Break up any large areas of texts with images, headlines, or white space. Use simple language while writing your pamphlet. Use bullet points to highlight information. Make a sample copy first. Print your pamphlet with a printer that supports two-sided (duplex) printing. Fold your pamphlet. Distribute your pamphlet to places where it will be best received. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cope-with-Trichotillomania | How to Cope with Trichotillomania | Trichotillomania is the irresistible urge to pull hair out from your scalp or other areas of your body. While it may be difficult at first, there are many ways you can learn to cope with this condition and reduce your hair pulling. Pay attention to what causes you to pull your hair. For instance, maybe you start pulling your hair when you feel bad about yourself or when you interact with certain people. Once you know your triggers, come up with some alternative activities to calm your anxiety that don't involve hair pulling. Maybe you can doodle on a scrap of paper, listen to music, or call a friend. Then, the next time you notice yourself pulling your hair, switch to one of these activities. Remember that recovering from Trichotillomania can take time, so try to be patient and gentle with yourself. | Keep track of when you’re pulling your hair. Consider what kinds of situations cause you to resort to hair-pulling. Do you only do it when you're depressed? Angry? Confused? Frustrated? Understanding what triggers your hair-pulling can help you find other, more positive ways of coping. Carrying ziplock bags and putting pulled hair in the bags will also help you understand how much hair you are pulling out and tracking progress. Over two weeks, jot down every time you catch yourself pulling your hair. Document what happened just prior to the hair-pulling, as well as your feelings. Also, note the time of day and the activity. Make note of how you feel when you pull your hair. When learning the triggers, try to pin down what could be reinforcing the behavior. If you pull hair when you are anxious and this relieves the anxiety, then the hair pulling is positively reinforced by the feelings of relief. Take stock of how you feel during and immediately after you pull your hair. Knowing this can help you cope because the next time you feel anxious, you can try to find another coping strategy that brings you relief and work to make that your conditioned response to anxiety or your go-to coping strategy rather than hair pulling. There are three distinct phases for sufferers of trichotillomania. Not all sufferers go through each of the three phases. You may experience one or more of these phases: 1.You initially experience tension accompanied by a desire to pull out some hair. 2. You start pulling out hair. It feels really good, like a sense of relief, as well as some excitement. 3. Once the hair is pulled, you might feel guilt, remorse, and shame. You might attempt to cover the bald patches with scarves, hats, wigs, etc. But eventually the bald patches become obvious to everyone and you tend to start hiding at this point. You might start to feel intensely humiliated. Examine the hair that you’re pulling. Do you pull hair because you don't like certain kinds of hair? For example, one person might pull hair compulsively when they find grey hairs because they don't like grey hair and “all greys must go.” One way to work on this trigger is to re-frame your perceptions of those hairs. No hair is inherently bad--all hair serves a purpose. Attempting to change your thought patterns about these hairs can help reduce the urge to pull. Consider your childhood influences. The initial cause of trichotillomania could be genetic and/or environmental. Researchers see similarities with the triggers for obsessive-compulsive disorder and consider that chaotic, distressing childhood experiences or disturbed early relationships with parents or care-givers might be behind the development of this disorder. One study has shown that over two-thirds of sufferers had experienced at least one traumatic event in their lives, with a fifth of them diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. This has led to speculation that it is a form of self-soothing for some sufferers, a way to cope. Look at your family history. When tracing the source of your trichotillomania, look at whether you have a family history of hair pulling, obsessive compulsive disorder, or anxiety disorders. There is a significantly increased risk of developing trichotillomania if there is a family history of this disorder. Develop a plan to stop yourself. The "Notice, Interrupt, and Choose Plan" is one strategy that may help you stop pulling your hair. This consists of noticing when you feel like pulling your hair, interrupting the chain of feelings and the urge to pull your hair through listening to positive reminders in your head. Then, you can choose to do something else instead, something that will relax you and calm you. Keep a journal or a chart of your hair-pulling episodes. Through writing you can get a good idea of the times, the triggers, and the impact of your hair-pulling. Record the date, time, location, and number of hairs you pull and what you used to pull them. Write down your thoughts or feelings at the time, as well. This is a good way of getting the shame out, and of expressing how the hair-pulling is impacting your life in general. When you tally up the amount of hair you've pulled out, this can serve as a reality check on how much hair you're removing; is the result surprising to you? What about the amount of time spent on it, was it more than you thought? Choose an alternative way to express your emotions. Once you have identified the warning signs and triggers, write a list of alternative behaviors you can do instead of hair pulling. Whatever the alternative behavior is, it should be easy to do and easy to access. Some suggestions for alternative ways of expressing your emotions and feelings include: Taking a few minutes to clear your mind. Drawing or scribbling on paper Painting Listening to music that relates to your emotions Calling a friend Volunteering Cleaning Playing video games. Stretching Try a physical reminder to make yourself stop. If you're pulling your hair unintentionally, you may need a physical reminder to make yourself stop the activity. For a physical barrier, consider wearing ankle weights on the arm that pulls, or a rubber glove, to discourage pulling. There are also finger covers and acrylic nails that can help act as a barrier to pulling. You might even have Post-It notes placed in areas where you tend to pull your hair a lot. These can act as other physical reminders to stop. Distance yourself from your triggers. While it's likely not possible to eliminate all triggers that compel you to pull your hair, you may be able to reduce some of your exposure. Is your girlfriend the cause behind most of your episodes? Perhaps it's time to reconsider your relationship. Is it your boss who's causing you all this stress? Maybe it's time to find a new career opportunity. Of course, for many, the triggers aren't as simple to identify or get away from; for some, change of schools, abuse, newly realized sexuality, family conflict, the death of a parent, or even pubertal hormonal changes are behind compulsive hair-pulling. These triggers are very hard - if not impossible - to get away from. If it is the case that you can't get away from a trigger for any of the above or other reasons, continue to work on self-acceptance, retraining your habits and enlisting social support to help you cope with your disorder. Reduce itching or strange feelings on your head. Use an all-natural oil to soothe the follicles and reduce itching, but more importantly to modify behavior from picking and pulling to stroking and rubbing. Make sure to use all natural products such as a mix of essential oils and castor oil. Try a cooling or numbing hair product to work as a "competing response" during Habit Reversal Training with your therapist. There is no quick fix to trichotillomania, but with training, patience, and practice, you can reduce your hair pulling behavior. You can also talk to your doctor about a prescription numbing cream to use on your head, but some are not safe. There are new cooling hair products that are also safe to use on the scalp and eyebrows such as Prohibere and a hair product by Lush with menthol. This may be useful if one of your triggers is an “itchy” or "urge" to pull hair strange feeling in your hair. In a case study of a 16-year-old girl, it was found that temporary use of numbing cream in combination with psychotherapy was successful in eliminating hair pulling behaviors. Be present in the moment. Hair pulling often results from a refusal to sit and be present with uncomfortable feelings or negative emotions. Use mindfulness techniques to help yourself become more accepting of these negative or uncomfortable emotions as a natural part of the human experience. They don't necessarily need to be avoided. When the insistent urge to avoid discomfort abates, hair pulling will also decrease. To do a mindfulness exercise, sit in a quiet, comfortable spot. Take deep breaths. Breathe in for a count of four, hold for a count of four, and exhale for a count of four. As you continue to breathe, your mind will likely wander. Acknowledge these thoughts without judgment and let them go. Return your attention to your breath. Build your self-esteem. Many individuals who are affected by this disorder also have low self-confidence or are low in self-esteem. In order to build self-esteem and self-acceptance, use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a therapeutic approach. This approach can help an individual clarify her values and focus on her life goals. Building self-esteem is an important part of recovery. Remember, you are a wonderful and unique person. You are loved, and your life is precious. No matter what anyone else tells you, you should love yourself. Replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Negative thoughts about yourself can deflate your self-esteem quickly and can make you feel like pulling your hair. Put-downs, fear of failure, and other negative thinking will keep you feeling as though you are not enough. Start changing these mental habits to begin to build yourself up and increase your confidence. Here are some example of how you can begin to change how you think about yourself: Say you have a thought such as, “I don't have anything interesting to say, so I can see why people think I'm pathetic.” Catch unkind thoughts like this and make a conscious effort to change these thoughts by correcting yourself. Tell yourself: “Sometimes I don't have much to say, and that is okay. I don't have to keep others entertained or take on the entire responsibility for this conversation.” Replace critical thoughts with productive thoughts. For example, here is a critical thought: “There is no way I am meeting everyone for dinner. Last time I went, I was so embarrassed at my off-topic comment. I am so stupid.” Replace this with a productive thought: “I was so embarrassed at the last dinner, but I know that I make mistakes and that is okay. I am not stupid. I just made an honest mistake.” As you practice catching these thoughts and changing them, you will notice that your self-esteem will increase along with your confidence. Write down your accomplishments and strengths. Another way to start accepting your emotions and improving self-esteem is to write down a list of your accomplishments and strengths. Refer to this often. If you're having trouble coming up with a list, talk with a trusted friend or family member. This person can brainstorm some ideas with you. No accomplishment is too small for this list. Keep adding to the list. Work on communicating assertively with others. Practicing better self-assertion techniques can help you to overcome situations in which you feel challenged by other people. For example: Learn to say no. If people are making requests of you that you don't want to fulfill, assert your own needs and wants by saying no. Don't be a people pleaser. Don't do things just to secure someone else's approval. Figure out what is really important to YOU. Ask for what you want. Use “I” statements. These types of statements help you convey responsibility for your own emotions and reactions. For example, instead of saying, “You never listen to me,” you can say, “I feel ignored when you are looking at your phone when we talk.” Eliminate some of your stress sources. Many sufferers find that stress triggers the desire to pull hair. Do whatever you can do reduce stress in your life and learn how to manage the stress you do encounter with better coping techniques. Make a list of the things that stress you out. These can be large things, such as money or work, or they can be small things, like long lines at the grocery store. While you can't avoid everything that causes you stress, you can minimize your exposure to some things. Relax your muscles through progressive muscle relaxation. You can reduce stress that you're feeling by using progressive muscle relaxation. This type of relaxation reduces muscle tension, sending a signal your body to begin relaxing. By tensing and then releasing the tension in your muscles, you can slowing bring your body back to a calm state. Tighten your muscles for six seconds and then release for six seconds. Pay close attention to how each muscle is relaxing. Work from your head to your toes until you feel your body begin to relax. Try meditation. Meditation can be helpful in reducing stress. A regular meditation regimen, even 10 minutes a day, can help clear your head and refocus your energy into a positive space. To meditate, find a quiet spot and sit or lie down. Begin breathing deeply, taking slow breaths. You might even try guided visualization, wherein you imagine a calm place such as a beach, a rippling creek, or a woodsy area. Get enough sleep. Ensure that you have a regular sleep pattern and that you're getting enough sleep every night. Aim for at least seven or eight hours of sleep every night. If you have trouble falling asleep, try listening to some soft music. Stop using any screen devices at least 15 minutes before you go to sleep. Try exercise. Studies show that stress can be reduced considerably with a regular exercise regimen. Your body will increase its production of endorphins, which contribute to you feeling more positive. You don't have to pound the pavement for an hour every day. You can participate in exercising that you enjoy. This might include yoga, martial arts, or other activities. Even gardening can give you an energy boost. Talk to a trusted friend or family member. Find someone you trust and tell him or her about your trichotillomania. If you aren't able to talk about it out loud, write a letter or an e-mail. If you are afraid of talking about your struggle with this disease, at least talk to this person about your feelings. You might also tell your friends and family what your triggers are. This way, they can help remind you when you may be at risk of pulling your hair. They can also help you find an alternative behavior. Ask your friends and family to provide positive reinforcement when they see you successful engaging in a healthy alternative to hair pulling. Talk to a mental health professional. A counselor or therapist can help you find ways of coping with your disorder. This person can also address any depression or other problems that may be contributing to your self-injury. If you visit one counselor or therapist and you feel you are not being helped, find another one. You are not chained to one doctor or counselor. It's important to find someone you feel a connection with, and who you feel is helping you. The types of therapy that may be of benefit to you include behavioral therapy (especially habit-reversal training), psychotherapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, cognitive-behavioral psychology, and possibly anti-depressant medication. Ask your doctor about medication. Several medications have been shown to be effective in treating trichotillomania. Fluoxetine, Aripiprazole, Olanzapine, and Risperidone are medications that have been used for treating cases of trichotillomania. These drugs help regulate the chemicals in the brain to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other emotions that can trigger hair pulling. Consult a support group online or by phone. If you don't have immediate access to counseling, there are other sources you can access. The Trichotillomania Learning Center has online support groups. Seven Counties Services, Inc. has a free Trichotillomania support hotline you can call. The number is 800-221-0446. Watch for certain actions or reactions that signal this disorder. Trichotillomania is officially classified as an impulse control disorder, along the lines of pyromania, kleptomania, and pathological gambling. If you suffer from trichotillomania, you may act or react in certain ways when hair-pulling. These might include: Chewing or eating pulled-out hair. Rubbing pulled-out hair across your lips or face. An increasing sense of tension immediately before pulling out the hair or when resisting the behavior. Pleasure, gratification, or relief when pulling out the hair. Catching yourself pulling hair without even noticing (this is called “automatic” or unintentional hair-pulling). Knowing that you're pulling hair deliberately (this is called “focused” hair-pulling). Using tweezers or other tools to pull out hair. Recognize physical signs of this disorder. There are some tell-tale signs that a person may be suffering from trichotillomania. These include: Noticeable hair loss caused by recurrent pulling out of the hair. Patchy bald areas on the scalp or other areas of the body. Sparse or missing eyelashes or eyebrows. Infected hair follicles. Observe if you have other compulsive body issues. Some hair pullers may find that they nail bite, thumb suck, head bang, and compulsively scratch or pick at their skin. Keep track of these types of behaviors over several days to see if they are habitual. Notice when you're doing them and how often you're doing them. Evaluate if you have any other disorders. Determine if trichotillomania is the only disorder that's affecting you. Compulsive hair pullers may suffer from depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, Tourette's disorder, bipolar disorder, phobias, personality disorders, and in some cases, exhibit suicidal tendencies. Visiting your doctor or mental health professional can be helpful in determining whether you have other disorders. However, it is complicated to say which disorder is causing which. Is the loss of hair causing the depression through the desire to isolate yourself from others and avoiding enjoyable activities because you feel deep shame? Often, successful recovery from Trichotillomania requires treatment for any co-existing disorders as well. Talk to your doctor about hair loss disorders. Someone who believes that she suffers from Trichotillomania should be examined by a qualified doctor to rule out other hair follicle disorders. Some disorders include alopecia or tinea capitis, both of which can cause hair loss. When a doctor examines you, he will look for evidence of irregularly broken hairs, coiled hairs, and other hair abnormalities as signs of trichotillomania. Recognize that trichotillomania is a disorder. The first thing to realize is that this can be treated; it is a disorder, not something due to willpower or lack thereof. The disorder arises as a result of genetic makeup, moods, and your background. When it kicks in, it's a condition in need of treating, not something to beat yourself up over. Brain scans have shown that people with trichotillomania have differences in their brain from persons not suffering from the disorder. Understand that this disorder is a form of self-harm. Don't convince yourself that nothing is wrong; that your hair pulling is "normal.” Trichotillomania can be considered a form of self-harm, even though it isn't as talked about as other forms of self-injury. Like all forms of self-harm, trichotillomania can become an addictive behavior. With time, it becomes harder and harder to stop; that is why it's best to bring it under control as soon as possible. | Keep track of when you’re pulling your hair. Make note of how you feel when you pull your hair. Examine the hair that you’re pulling. Consider your childhood influences. Look at your family history. Develop a plan to stop yourself. Keep a journal or a chart of your hair-pulling episodes. Choose an alternative way to express your emotions. Try a physical reminder to make yourself stop. Distance yourself from your triggers. Reduce itching or strange feelings on your head. Be present in the moment. Build your self-esteem. Replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Write down your accomplishments and strengths. Work on communicating assertively with others. Eliminate some of your stress sources. Relax your muscles through progressive muscle relaxation. Try meditation. Get enough sleep. Try exercise. Talk to a trusted friend or family member. Talk to a mental health professional. Ask your doctor about medication. Consult a support group online or by phone. Watch for certain actions or reactions that signal this disorder. Recognize physical signs of this disorder. Observe if you have other compulsive body issues. Evaluate if you have any other disorders. Talk to your doctor about hair loss disorders. Recognize that trichotillomania is a disorder. Understand that this disorder is a form of self-harm. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Spider-Veins-on-Your-Nose | How to Get Rid of Spider Veins on Your Nose | You may be able to reduce the appearance of spider veins on your nose using home remedies, but the most effective way to get rid of spider veins is with the help of a dermatologist. If you want to try natural remedies first, try including more ginger in your diet and drinking cold green tea every day. You can also try making a paste with oatmeal and water and applying it to your nose. Wipe it off once it dries, and repeat it 4 times a week. There are also commercial creams for spider veins that you can buy at a drugstore. For the most effective results, talk to your dermatologist about laser treatment or sclerotherapy to get rid of the spider veins. | Stay hydrated. While the precise effects are unclear, many people swear by water's positive impact on skin. As drinking plenty of water is already good for your health, it can't hurt to up your water intake to improve the health of your skin. Try to drink between 2 to 3 liters (0.53 to 0.79 US gal) of water each day to stay hydrated. Drink less alcohol. In some cases, spider veins may be caused by excessive consumption of alcohol. If you're a regular drinker, try cutting back or eliminating alcohol from your diet and see if it makes a difference. This may lead to a reduction in spider veins around the nose. Eat more ginger. The evidence on diet's effect on spider veins is limited, but ginger's positive impact is supported by some anecdotal evidence. Foods rich in ginger, especially foods spiced with ginger, have reduced symptoms for some. Try adding ginger to tea and using raw ginger as a spice while cooking. Drink cold green tea. Patients with similar skin conditions, like rosacea, sometimes benefit from drinking green tea. While evidence is minimal, there is some evidence green tea rejuvenates skin. Try having a cup or 2 of cold green tea a day and see if you get results. If you have an allergy to green tea, this method will not work for you. Hot beverages may inflame the veins, so avoid them. Apply an oatmeal mask. Oatmeal masks sometimes help patients with facial redness due to conditions like eczema and rosacea. Some people with veins around their nose find them helpful here as well, although the method has not be scientifically tested. Mix oatmeal and water into a paste and apply it to your nose. Wipe it off when it dries. Repeat this 4 times a week to see if there's a reduction in symptoms. Try commercial creams. You can buy many creams for spider veins at drugstores, health stores, beauty salons, or online. These creams do not work for everyone, but they're a good place to start if you want to try avoiding medical treatments. Pick up a basic vein removal cream and apply it to your nose according to directions. It may help with symptoms. Keep in mind, some people may have reactions to creams. Read the instructions of any cream you purchase and apply it as directed. If you have a negative reaction, stop using the cream. Use vitamin-based creams. Vitamins A, E, C, and K may help with skin health and reduce the appearance of spider veins. Most drug stores should sell creams containing these vitamins. You can also purchase creams online. Follow the directions on your bottle and see if the creams reduce symptoms. Try cypress oil. Some people find essential oils reduce spider veins, although more research is needed. Cypress oil in particular helps as it can increase circulation. Mix about 10 to 12 drops of your cypress oil with an ounce of a carrier oil such as olive oil. Rub it on your nose twice a day for several weeks. You may see results. Some people have bad reactions to essential oils. If you get a rash, skin irritation, or other negative reactions, cease using your oil immediately. Never use essential oils without diluting them first. See a dermatologist to determine the cause of your spider veins. Spider veins can be caused by a variety of conditions, ranging from simple genetics to skin conditions like rosacea. Treatment depends on the cause of your spider veins, so see a dermatologist to determine the cause. They can recommend treatments from there. For example, if you're diagnosed with a skin condition such as rosacea, your dermatologist can recommend creams and cleansers to help treat the issue. Prescription topical treatments, such as Mirvaso (brimonidine) or Rhofade (oxymetazoline hydrochloride) may be an option. Get laser treatment. Laser treatment is one of the most common treatments for spider veins around the nose. Laser treatment involves targeting spider veins topically with lasers in a doctor's office. Laser treatments works well for some people, but others find it is ineffective or causes issues like scaring. Talk over the possibility of laser treatment with a doctor or dermatologist to help determine whether it would be effective for you. Try sclerotherapy. When getting sclerotherapy, a dermatologist will inject chemicals into the veins to produce a blood clot. When the clot is reabsorbed by your body the vein will disappear. This procedure is generally reserved for patients with many spider veins. Ask a dermatologist about Veinwave. Veinwave is a treatment for spider veins that uses microwaves instead of light to target spider veins. It does come with a slightly reduced risk of side effects in comparison to laser treatment, but it's a new treatment and its long-term effects are unclear. If you're interested in Veinwave, talk to a doctor or dermatologist to determine if it's the best option for you. As Veinwave is a new and still relatively untested option, it's best to use this as a last resort if other methods don't work. Use gentle cleansers on your face. Harsh cleansers and exfoliants damage the skin rather than help them. Choose a gentle daily cleanser for your face and avoid using exfoliating products with rough edges, such as crushed apricot shells. Apply a noncomedogenic moisturizer to your face each day. Avoid picking or squeezing pimples or pores, which can lead to spider veins. Protect your skin from environmental damage. Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher each day to protect your skin from sun damage. Avoid going out in the sun during peak hours, and wear long-sleeved clothing and a wide-brimmed hat if you must. Wear a hat and scarf to protect your skin from extreme temperatures and wind burn in the colder months, as well. Support your liver. A poorly-functioning liver can lead to spider veins. Reduce your alcohol consumption and try taking supplements to support liver health. Such supplements include milk thistle, holy basil, dandelion root, and bupleurum. Consult your doctor before beginning any supplement regimen. Avoid foods linked to inflammation. This is especially important if you have an autoimmune disorder. Foods to avoid include processed foods (like lunch meat and hot dogs), fast food, sugar, wheat and gluten. Discuss your medication options with your doctor. If you are on steroids or hormone replacements, an unfortunate side effect may be spider veins. Talk to your doctor about alternative medications you could take. It's important that you don't stop taking a prescribed medication, like steroids, before discussing the decision with your doctor. | Stay hydrated. Drink less alcohol. Eat more ginger. Drink cold green tea. Apply an oatmeal mask. Try commercial creams. Use vitamin-based creams. Try cypress oil. See a dermatologist to determine the cause of your spider veins. Get laser treatment. Try sclerotherapy. Ask a dermatologist about Veinwave. Use gentle cleansers on your face. Protect your skin from environmental damage. Support your liver. Avoid foods linked to inflammation. Discuss your medication options with your doctor. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Enjoy-High-School | How to Enjoy High School | To enjoy high school, try getting involved with extracurricular activities or clubs that reflect your interests, like joining the drama club or writing for the school newspaper. Clubs are also a great place to meet people who might have similar interests to your own and you may end up with a circle of close-knit friends! It can also help to spend time doing fun activities outside of school, like going to the movies, playing games, or checking out an amusement park, to create a healthy balance between studying and socializing. | Open yourself up to new experiences. High school is a great time to branch out and try new things. Try to get out of your comfort zone a little bit and try out for a sports team, join the choir, or even just sit with new people at lunch. This will help you discover new passions and maybe even make new friends. You could have a goal of trying one new thing a day, whether it's big or small. Small things might include attending a friend's play performance or checking out books from the library, while bigger things could be asking someone to a dance or running for student body president. Take pride in your appearance. Try to let your personality shine through your clothing and general style. Pick out clothes you feel confident in, and spend a little time each morning for some personal grooming to make yourself look and feel your best. Choose a hairstyle that you really like, such as long layers, straightened locks, curls, or spikes. Take some time each morning to brush your hair and teeth, shower if necessary, and ensure your clothes are wrinkle-free. Whether you have a uniform or not, you can customize your outfit by adding jewelry, hair accessories, and shoes that you love. Be confident in your decisions and avoid peer pressure. Don't let anyone pressure you into activities you are not comfortable with, including sex, drugs, or alcohol. Reflect on what you want and are comfortable with, and stand your ground—others will respect you for your confidence. Avoid peer pressuring others as well, making sure you respect other people's boundaries. If someone is pressuring you, say no firmly and repeatedly if necessary. Leave the situation if they do not respect your feelings. Talk to an adult who can provide support if you're struggling with peer pressure. Ask for help if you’re struggling academically, socially, or emotionally. Your parents, teachers, coaches, and guidance counselors are all excellent resources for you and are there to help. If you're worried about a bad grade, are in a fight with a friend, or are feeling a bit down, reach out to an adult in your life that you trust. Your teachers always want to know when you're struggling in a subject, and they'll do their best to help you succeed. If you have a problem, whether it's academic or personal, your guidance counselor will be able to point you in the direction of help. Stay true to who you are. High school is a time of working to become the best possible person you can be while also exploring your interests. Instead of trying to be popular or joining a team or group just because others are, focus on what you enjoy doing and pursue these things instead. If you're not sure which things you're truly interested in yet, keep trying new things until you find something that you really love. Get to know the people in your classes. These are the people you'll see and interact with every day, so becoming friends with a few of them will give you a great support network throughout the school year. If you don't know them, introduce yourself and strike up a casual conversation, and if you do already know them, ask them a question about their hobbies or family so that you can get to know them a little better. For example, introduce yourself to a potential new friend by saying, "Hi, I'm Sam. I really like your shirt, where did you get it?" Ask someone in one of your classes if they'd like to get together to study, or if they can help you with a homework question. You can even ask to exchange contact information so that if either of you have questions about homework, tests, or projects in the class, you can reach out to one another. Become involved in extracurricular activities or clubs. High school is a great place to find people and clubs that share your interests. Sign up to be in the drama club, on the school newspaper, part of the art club—any club or activity that catches your attention and you think you'd enjoy. Other extracurricular activities might include yoga, coding, or chess club. If your high school does not have a club that caters to your interests or passions, start one of your own ! If you apply to college, include your activities on your application. This helps give admissions committees a better idea about who you are as a person. Try out a sport to be part of a team. Sports are a good way to get active while also being part of a close-knit team. Choose a sport you like, such as soccer, softball, basketball, or swimming, and work hard during practice and at games to make your team (and yourself!) proud. Track and field has many different types of events, each designed to showcase a different talent or skill set. Try out dance team, cheer leading, or volleyball. Reach out to people and make new friends. Whether you're a freshman or a senior, you can always meet new people and form new relationships. Strike up a conversation with someone in the hall, sit with someone new at lunch, or offer to partner up with someone you're not friends with for a class project. You might leave with a new friend! If you don't feel comfortable talking to a complete stranger, say hello to the person whose locker is next to yours, or compliment someone's outfit in the lunch room. Attend school events to broaden your experiences. Events such as school dances, sports games, and pep rallies are all an essential part of the high school experience. Even if you aren't full of school spirit, try to go to at least one school event each season—you'll likely end up making great memories. Invite a friend or two to come along with you. Ask your friend to introduce you to people you may not already know. Focus on your work to get good grades. Your school work should be your first priority all throughout high school, as this is the real reason you're there. Study hard for tests and quizzes, focus during class, and do your homework so that you can get grades that you're proud of. If you need help in a class, reach out to the teacher so that they can offer you assistance. Ask a friend to help you study if you need a little extra practice in a subject. Complete your homework each night so that you're ready for class the next day. Take good notes during class. Your notes will help you with your homework and studying for quizzes, and taking notes will also help the information absorb into your brain. You can create an outline of the main points of the lecture, print out the slides and take notes directly on them, or any other method of note taking that works for you. If laptops are allowed in class, you can also take notes quickly and efficiently by typing. Build a support network of teachers, coaches, and guidance counselors. There's no reason to be ashamed of asking for help at times, and the adults in your life are always willing to assist you. Get to know your teachers, coaches, and guidance counselors so that you feel comfortable coming to them when you need them. For example, drop in once a week to chat with your guidance counselor about what's going on in your life, or stay after class for a minute or two to talk to your teacher about the class they just taught. Maintain a healthy balance between your academics and social life. While it's important to get good grades, don't stress yourself out by aiming for constant perfection. Give yourself some down time in between working hard in school by hanging out with friends or doing extracurricular activities. Remember that getting a bad grade once in a while is normal, and try not to be too hard on yourself. Your social life shouldn't outweigh your academic life in order to keep your grades up. Stay organized to use your time productively. It's helpful to keep a calendar or planner with you so that you can easily write down due dates, test dates, and when sports games or extracurriculars are. By always knowing what you have coming up in the future, you'll be able to plan ahead and prioritize the most important tasks. Get a study group together a few days before a test so that you all have plenty of time to review the material. Eliminate distractions to help you focus. Whether you're trying to do homework, study, or just have some down time, distractions such as your phone or social media aren't helpful. Try to keep your phone turned off or in a separate area when you're focusing on school. Constantly checking social media tends to increase your anxiety, so try to only set aside a small amount of time for it each day. Try to finish your homework and studying before responding to texts, phone calls, or emails. Exercise to help you de-stress and relax. Not only is exercising great for you physically, it also helps your mind decompress. Play a sport after school, visit the gym, or just go on walks for some fresh air each day. Exercising outdoors is even better—the fresh air and sunlight will make you feel invigorated and healthier. Go for a run after school or ask a friend to play soccer or basketball with you. Sleep for at least 8 hours each night. If you're going to bed super late and have to wake up early to go to school, you're not going to do well in class because of how tired you are. Plan ahead so that you get 8-10 hours of sleep each night and are energized for the next day. For example, if you have to wake up at 7am to go to school, aim to go to bed at 11pm at the latest. Eat breakfast before heading to school. Even if you don't have a lot of time in the mornings, try to grab some food to go before leaving. Eating breakfast will give your body and mind needed energy to focus throughout the day. Grab a granola bar and piece of fruit if you're in a hurry. Eat scrambled eggs with spinach in them if you have time to sit down and eat. Take a step back if you're feeling overwhelmed. With all of the schoolwork, extracurricular activities, social expectations, and family commitments, high school can be a bit overwhelming sometimes. If you find yourself feeling stressed or unsure how to handle everything, stop pushing yourself so hard and talk to an adult who can help. You may need to cut back on some of your commitments if you're feeling overwhelmed; for example, if you're on the swim team, write for the school newspaper, and babysit every day after school, consider babysitting only 1 or 2 days after school instead. | Open yourself up to new experiences. Take pride in your appearance. Be confident in your decisions and avoid peer pressure. Ask for help if you’re struggling academically, socially, or emotionally. Stay true to who you are. Get to know the people in your classes. Become involved in extracurricular activities or clubs. Try out a sport to be part of a team. Reach out to people and make new friends. Attend school events to broaden your experiences. Focus on your work to get good grades. Take good notes during class. Build a support network of teachers, coaches, and guidance counselors. Maintain a healthy balance between your academics and social life. Stay organized to use your time productively. Eliminate distractions to help you focus. Exercise to help you de-stress and relax. Sleep for at least 8 hours each night. Eat breakfast before heading to school. Take a step back if you're feeling overwhelmed. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Flower-Out-of-Ribbon | How to Make a Flower Out of Ribbon | To make a flower out of ribbon, start by tying a knot at one end of a wide, wire edge ribbon. Then, pinch the edges with your fingers to give them a ruffled look. Next, twist the ribbon around a pencil, starting just after the knot. Continue rolling the ribbon so that it looks like the layers of a rose. Finally, use your fingers to flatten and shape the ribbon edges to create the rose petals. | Gather your materials. Check the dollar store before you purchase your materials online or an arts and crafts store. Make sure you know exactly how many flowers you will need in order to budget how much material you will need to purchase. Grosgrain is a heavy ribbon with a corded texture that is usually made of rayon or cloth silk. To create grosgrain ribbon flowers you will need : 22 inches of ¾ inch wide grosgrain ribbon. Grosgrain ribbon comes in a variety of colours. ⅛ inch pearls or beads. The number of beads will vary depending on their diameter. Thread to match the colour of the grosgrain ribbon. Brooch pin or barrette and hot glue (optional) Cut and fold your ribbon to create your flower. Cut 4 pieces of ribbon that each measure 5 ½ inches long. Create a loop with each piece by folding with the ends meeting in the center. The loop will measure 2 ½ inches long while there will be a ¼ inch overlap of ribbon at the center. Create the flower petals using pins. Hold each loop in place with a pin and create two crosses by pinning two pieces of ribbon at their center and repeat with the two remaining pieces of ribbon. Place the crosses together at a 45 degree angle. Stitch the four pieces of ribbon together with matching coloured thread. The eight loops should look like eight petals once you've stitched the two crosses together. Your stitching should resemble a box at the center point at which the two crosses come together. The box makes sure that the loops do not come loose and your flower remains secure. Stitch your beads or pearls to create the center of your flower. Ensure that the bead hole won't be visible as you loop the thread through it. Begin at the center and continue outward to create a circle of beads. Stitch another circle around the first. This will use twice as many beads. You only need to penetrate the first layer of ribbon as you stitch your beads or pearl. The number of beads and pearls will vary depending on the diameter of the beads or pearls but generally you will be using about 5 - 7. Stitch the flower onto clothes or use it as a brooch or barrette (optional). If you are using the flower as a brooch or barrette, simply use a glue gun to add a clasping barrette pin to the back of the flower, opposite the pearls or beads. Gather your materials. Choose your prefered colour of ribbon from your arts and craft store or fabric store. You will also need a sewing machine, scissors, a wire and foil paper. Choose wire that is very flexible. Create a strong but flexible band using the foil paper wrapped over wire. Fold the foil paper horizontally several times over a piece of wire. Create a band about 1.5 - 2 cms thick. You need the band to be thick enough so that it holds it shape as you spiral out to create your flower. Wrap the band in your ribbon. Wrap the band vertically by holding one end of the ribbon at one of the band with your thumb and pulling the length of the ribbon up and around the band. Repeat the process until the entire band is covered and the ribbon overlaps about ⅓ of its width each time you loop it around the band. The band should now look like it is scaled by the ribbon. Keep the wrap as tight as you can. Remove the paper but leave the wire. Gently slide the paper off the wire and the wrapping by pinching one end of the wrap and wire with one hand and pinching only the foil paper with the other hand. Sew the side you are pinching closed once you have removed the paper completely. Make sure that the ribbon is tight and none of the scales are loose making the wire visible. Use the open end of the ribbon as the center of your flower and roll. Keeping the ribbon tight, roll the ribbon as tightly as possible as you keep the open side at the center. Be sure to gently but firmly pull the length of the ribbon each time you create a new layer of the spiral. Pinch the center to keep the spiral tight with each new layer. Sew the final end to keep the flower closed. Create a subtle stitch to secure the end of the ribbon onto the rest of the spiraled bloom. You may only stitch the bottom of the final scale or outer layer of the spiral to keep it inconspicuous. Once secure, you may also play with the petals to spread them out along the wire to create the appearance of a more open bloom. You may use a hot glue gun instead of stitching to keep the flower together. Gather your materials. Choose your prefered colour of 1 ½ inch wide wire edge ribbon from an arts and crafts store. You will also need a pencil and needle-nose pliers. Create a knot and gather the ribbon. Tie a simple knot at one end of the ribbon. Gather the ribbon so that it becomes ruffled along the wire. Gather the ribbon by pinching one end of the wire and pulling the other end of the wire as you move the material of the ribbon toward where the knot is, which is the pinched end. Use your fingers to create more of a ruffle as you keep the material of the ribbon tightly gathered along the wire and fluffed out in a ruffle as you move away from the wire. Use the pencil to roll the ribbon. Create a tight center around the pencil as you roll the ribbon around it. Start just after the knot and keep the knot below the roll and alongside the pencil. Once secure, remove the pencil but continue to create the rest of the rose by rolling the rest of the gathered ribbon around the center that you have created with the pencil. Tighten and form to your preference. Secure the rose by wrapping the pulled wire around the base of the flower as tightly as you can. You should wrap the wire above the knot. Use needle-nose pliers to grasp the center of your creation as you tighten and secure the layers by twisting the wire. Use your fingers to enliven the petals by flattening and spreading the material of the ribbon to your preference. | Gather your materials. Cut and fold your ribbon to create your flower. Create the flower petals using pins. Place the crosses together at a 45 degree angle. Stitch your beads or pearls to create the center of your flower. Stitch the flower onto clothes or use it as a brooch or barrette (optional). Gather your materials. Create a strong but flexible band using the foil paper wrapped over wire. Wrap the band in your ribbon. Remove the paper but leave the wire. Use the open end of the ribbon as the center of your flower and roll. Sew the final end to keep the flower closed. Gather your materials. Create a knot and gather the ribbon. Use the pencil to roll the ribbon. Tighten and form to your preference. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Start-a-Record-Label | How to Start a Record Label | If you want to start a record label, you will need to create a formal business entity, such as a limited liability corporation (LLC), as well as obtain funding and appropriate licenses. Once that is in place, go to various music venues to scout out talent, then approach bands or artists that you think have potential and sign them to your label. Create working relationships with recording studios, engineers, agents, and record stores in your area to help you get the word out about the artists you are promoting. | Define your venture. For the most effective startup, focus on a particular genre to build your reputation. This focus will be determined in large part by what you wish to accomplish. If your goal is to make a lot of money , then you'll focus on popular music. If your goal is to be the go-to label for 21st century post avant jazzcore, your focus and approach will be much different. Write a business plan. This is needed on many levels. First and foremost, you will build the framework of your label: how you plan on finding and developing talent, your marketing and promotion avenues, how you understand the market and the competition, how you plan on financing your venture, and how you intend on making this a profitable business. If you're independently wealthy, then you may not need investors, at least for the monetary backing. However, you may wish to attract investors who can help you build credibility in your market. For example, if you started a pop music label with your own cash, but were able to convince Sir Paul McCartney to invest in your label, that would be a huge win for your label. To do that, though, you will need a credible plan that shows Sir Paul, or any other investor, that you know what you are doing. Should you need financial backing, having a plan that shows that you understand both the rewards and the risks, and that you have been able to determine a way forward, will go a long way in convincing an investor to risk his capital on your venture. Detail all the costs associated with your startup. That will include everything from staples to electricity to recording and production costs. Be very thorough when you do this: people who might consider becoming involved in your label will certainly be, when they read your plan! Here are some things to take into account: Administrative costs: rent, utilities, taxes, and licenses are right up front and can be significant. Don't forget to include phone, internet, printers, paper, computers, business cards, and office supplies in this list. You will also need a website, as well as somebody to both create and maintain it. Some of these costs will be weekly, some monthly, and some that only happen every year or two. It may seem like a lot at first, but if you create a five-year plan, you should be able to chart out how these costs will eventually become a small percentage of the overall financial picture. Recording costs: as a record label, you're going to be producing acts. That means you need to account for the recording chain, including studio time, the fees for the engineer and producer (which may be you, but you need to get paid too), mixing engineers, and studio musicians. Marketing budget: a great recording is nothing until it's actually in the market. To do that, you're going to need to promote your label through online ads, magazine ads, press releases, and your website. You will also need to work with artists and designers to create your logo, packaging standards, and overall design plan. Professional services: while you're busy making beautiful music, somebody needs to take care of writing clear, effective legal contracts both for your talent, and for your business deals. For that, you will want the services of a qualified attorney who specializes in the music business. You'll also want an accountant to make sure that you friendly tax collector doesn't come to call. You need people that you can trust and rely on. Prepare a cash flow forecast. Planning a cash flow forecast for one, three, and five years out requires some skill, some savvy, and some educated guesswork. The first year should be a very solid plan: you will have a good idea of your startup costs already, and you will likely have in mind (and made contact with) a few bands who will be the first on your roster. Using this information, determine how much you'll be spending, and a projection about how much these acts will bring in. For example, you can base this on how the bands are doing currently: Do they pack clubs? Their music has a good track record, and will probably perform well. If you also have bands that are brand new, and don't have a fan base to work from, you'll have to do significantly more promotion to get the word out. As you add more bands to your roster, your income potential will continue to grow. As you plan for years three to five in your forecast, you will need to determine how and when you will add more talent, and how you will promote them. This is where prediction gets a little more complicated: a great band on your roster may make it much easier for you to promote all the bands on your roster. Similarly, a poorly-performing band will be a cash drain that can lead to financial struggles. Create your team. Unless you're supremely talented in sales, marketing, music, business, art, conversation, and moonlight as a lawyer, you're going to want to develop a team. Here are some key skill sets that will enable your success: Marketing and sales: somebody who can get out there and promote your label, who knows the industry, and has a personal relationship with artists, promoters, and people who like to support the arts financially. This person or persons will be key to your success: they're responsible for bringing talent in, and getting the word out. The better they perform, the more successful you'll be. Production. You'll need somebody who understands the recording process inside and out, who can find or develop good engineers, mixers, and producers, and who can run a recording session. Contract help. To keep costs down, at least at first, consider hiring other staff on a per-job basis. This would include logo and graphic design, legal, accounting, engineering, and other needs that only occur from time to time. Formalize your business. Set up the appropriate business entity for your label so that you can operate legally, and protect yourself as well. You have several options, which may be called different things in different countries, but are functionally the same: Sole proprietorship. This is the one where you do it all. A sole proprietorship is easy to start, easy to stop, and easy to maintain. You may have consultants or friends who help you out with the many things that need to be done, but at the end of the day, it's all yours. That includes all the profits, and all the liabilities. It offers little incentive for investors, very little protection for you and should your business fail, any business debts will come out of your pocket. If you are planning on making your label a real business, or want to hire people as you grow, this is not the best option. Limited Liability Corporation (LLC). An LLC is great for a small business. You have the ability to add people to the team as you grow, and it offers personal liability protection should the business fail. It also provides for relatively easy and flexible control over finances, legal, and tax issues. If you plan on seeking investors, or are international in scope, this is not a good option. Corporation (You, Inc.). If you are planning to make this a major business venture, are going to be seeking investors, and who like a formal structure, this is the way to go. As with LLCs, you are protected from liability for business losses. You can issue shares of stock, raise investment capital, and have decades of legal precedents to call on when necessary. There are strict rules of organization, and your accountant—as well as your attorney—will be kept busy with taxes, fees, reports, and filings. If you are the casual, laid-back type, this is not the best option for you unless you are ready to pick up the pace. Bring in the talent. With your plan in place, your business in order, licenses and permits applied for and granted, and your production art created and approved, and (hopefully) some investment capital to get you rolling, it's time to get to work! Get out there and listen to live music, but listen with a critical ear. Watch the audience and see how they react to the band. If they are up on their feet from the start, and swooning over the band, you might be on to something! Approach the band and talk with them. Find out who they are, how long they've been together, have they released any music, and what their plans are for the future. Most importantly, find out if they've been signed to a label already. That may not be a show-stopper, but for starting a record label, you might want to pick a band that's not already signed! Meet the press. Your town is loaded with writers who will help you get the word out, but they have to know you. Search for them in the local papers, or local music blogs, and make contact. Invite them to lunch, or to your studio (or to the studio you like to use), and keep in touch with them. Meet the engineers. Find the local recording studios in your area, and visit them. Some may be extravagant, high-end studios, and many will be modest one- or two-room affairs, with varying equipment standards. While that is certainly something to consider, more important is the quality of music that comes out of their speakers. Get to know the engineers, and talk to them about their recording philosophy, how they relate to bands, and what irks them. This is good to know if, for example, you have a rap artist you think will be a hit, and the engineer absolutely hates rap. Ask them to play some of their favorite cuts, and listen carefully. To be really thorough, ask them for a CD of some of their work so that you can also listen on your home speakers. Though it's rare, what sounds mind-blowing in a million-dollar studio might sound like it was recorded in the back seat of a Gremlin when taken out of the studio environment. Visit the music and record stores. Big or small, they are there to sell recordings. When you get to know them, they may well be happy to sell your recordings as well. It's a small venue in the grand scheme of things, but when you're getting started, there's no venue that's too small. Get to know the agents. These are the people who have their fingers on the pulse of the local music industry. The bands that have signed an agent have passed a certain threshold of legitimacy, simply by being professional enough to hire an agent. If your services show well to agents and promoters, the next time one of their bands says, "Hey (name), I think we're ready to record an album," That person will say, "I know just the place!" Establish your brand. Once you've got the practical business matters well in hand, cultivate and maintain the aesthetic layers of your record label. Create a logo and make sure you use your logo and "look" on your physical labels, on your website, and on all stationary, t-shirts, mugs, etc. Sign bands and acts that fit in with the particular image you hope to cultivate. Check out successful DIY labels Sub Pop and Matador records for examples of brand management, who maintain a fiercely independent business model that's also quite diverse. Market your label creatively. Over the last ten years, the Internet has drastically changed the way music is purchased, listened to, and distributed. You may face a hard road to success if you're using the traditional model of touring and relying on CD sales and radio play. YouTube videos and pay-what-you-want models are increasingly popular in maintaining the success of your brand. Consider promotional gimmicks, like printing t-shirts with the download code for a label mixtape on the tag. Goner records, a Memphis-based garage/punk label, even offered free 7-inch records to anyone who got "Goner" tattooed to their body and showed it at the store. Grow your base. Sub Pop started by focusing on local Pacific Northwest grunge bands, but now features a diverse array of more mainstream sounds, like Iron & Wine and Fleet Foxes. With this expansion of the kinds of sounds they embrace, their success and share of the market has grown considerably. Even if you're focusing right now on tween pop stars, consider taking ways in which you might crossover and fit other sounds and images into your brand. In the early 90's, major labels were much more willing to take risks on unknown or "underground" acts. Sonic Youth, a noisy independent art band from New York, found themselves in a unique position after being offered a big deal by Geffen, and the signing was applauded by both label executives and music fans. If your label is bringing in money, consider throwing a curveball by releasing a project from left field. | Define your venture. Write a business plan. Detail all the costs associated with your startup. Prepare a cash flow forecast. Create your team. Formalize your business. Bring in the talent. Get out there and listen to live music, but listen with a critical ear. Meet the press. Meet the engineers. Visit the music and record stores. Get to know the agents. Establish your brand. Market your label creatively. Grow your base. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Computer-Monitor/LCD-Screen | How to Clean a Computer Monitor/LCD Screen | To clean a computer monitor or LCD screen, start by turning off the monitor so you can see the dust and dirt more easily. Then, use a soft, non-abrasive cloth, like a cotton T-shirt or a microfiber towel, to dust the screen in slow, circular motions. Next, mix equal parts white vinegar or isopropyl alcohol with distilled water, spray the cleaner on your cloth, and wipe the screen in small circles. Finally, let the screen dry completely before turning it on to prevent moisture damage to the internal components | Turn off your monitor to prevent screen damage. Wiping the surface of your LCD screen while it's on can cause pixel damage, so be sure to turn it off before you get started. It's also easier to see the dust and smudges when the screen is black. If you want to be extra careful, go ahead and power your device down completely. Grab a clean, dry microfiber cloth. Microfiber cloths are essential for this because they are lint-free and gentle on an LCD surface. Regular cloths, rags, paper towels, and T-shirts are more abrasive than you think and can damage your screen. Lint-free cloths meant to clean eye glasses work well but any microfiber cloth will do. Sweep the cloth gently across the top of the screen in 1 smooth motion. Start at the top of the LCD screen and lightly wipe from one side of the monitor to the other using 1 broad stroke. This should be enough to lift away dust and minor smudges. Continue using smooth strokes as you work your way to the bottom. Move down the screen slightly and use another long, smooth stroke to lift dust from the surface. Repeat this motion as you work your way down to the bottom of the LCD screen. Dust the screen as often as you'd like, just remember to be gentle! Check the user manual before using liquids on LCD screens. It's easy to assume all LCD monitors are created equal, but that's not the case. Some LCD screens have a thin layer of glass over the surface that makes it safer to use liquids and cleaners sparingly. Some manufacturers caution against using liquids of any kind. Most Apple devices have a thin glass layer over their LCD screens. PC desktops and laptops usually don't. The only way to know for sure is to check the user manual or manufacturer's website for information on your specific device. Most warranties won't be honored by the manufacturer if you damage an LCD screen with liquid or cleaner. Power down the monitor and unplug the device to avoid damage. Wiping an LCD screen with a damp cloth while it's on can damage it and possibly even shock you. Avoid this by turning off the screen and unplugging your device. Plus, it's easier to see smudges and gunk when the screen is totally black. Wipe the screen with a dampened lint-free cloth for a safe option. Wet the microfiber cloth with plain water and wring it out thoroughly. Then, wipe across the screen in long, sweeping motions starting at the top and working your way to the bottom. Let the screen dry before you turn the device back on to prevent damage and electrocution. This is usually safe to do on most LCD screens unless the manufacturer specifically says not to. Using tap water occasionally isn't a big deal, but distilled water is preferable since it doesn't contain minerals. Use a solution of dish soap and water if plain water doesn't work. Mix 1-2 drops of mild dish soap into a bowl of plain water. Moisten a lint-free cloth with the solution and wring it out thoroughly. Wipe across the screen in long motions, working from the top down. Then, rinse the cloth with water, wring it out, and wipe the screen down again to remove soap residue. For most devices, soap and water is fine as long as you don't do it often. Give the screen a few minutes to dry before turning the device back on. If you want to disinfect your screen, soap and water isn't a good option. In fact, a dry lint-free cloth will remove more germs than soap and water. Moisten a lint-free cloth with LCD cleaner to remove stubborn smudges. If the previous techniques don't get rid of smudges and gunk, move on to a commercial LCD cleaner. Dampen a microfiber cloth with the cleaner and wipe the screen using broad strokes from one side of the screen to the other. Start at the top of the screen and work your way to the bottom. Never spray LCD cleaner directly on the screen since the liquid can trickle down into the screen frame and damage it. Do not use commercial cleaners with alcohol in them. If you want to sanitize your screen, LCD cleaner probably will not be effective. Get rid of tough dirt and stickiness with a vinegar and water solution. Mix equal parts distilled white vinegar and plain water in a bowl. Then, moisten a lint-free cloth with the solution and wring it out. Starting at the top, wipe along the screen from one side to the other using broad, smooth strokes. Repeat this as you work your way to the bottom of the screen. Vinegar has sanitizing properties so it may kill some germs on the surface. Keep in mind this probably isn't as effective as a Lysol wipe at killing germs. Allow the screen to dry or wipe it gently with a dry microfiber cloth before turning it back on. Use a Lysol wipe to destroy bacteria on a glass-coated LCD screen. Many devices, including most Apple products, have glass-coated LCDs. It's safe to use a Lysol wipe on these screens. Wring out the wipe thoroughly and use broad strokes to wipe across your screen, working from the top to the bottom. Let the surface dry for at least 4 minutes before you turn it back on. Letting the surface dry first prevents electrical shock and also gives the Lysol time to destroy the germs on the surface. Do not use Lysol wipes to kill germs on a regular PC monitor or any LCD screen without a glass coating. For those, water or a vinegar solution are your best bets. | Turn off your monitor to prevent screen damage. Grab a clean, dry microfiber cloth. Sweep the cloth gently across the top of the screen in 1 smooth motion. Continue using smooth strokes as you work your way to the bottom. Check the user manual before using liquids on LCD screens. Power down the monitor and unplug the device to avoid damage. Wipe the screen with a dampened lint-free cloth for a safe option. Use a solution of dish soap and water if plain water doesn't work. Moisten a lint-free cloth with LCD cleaner to remove stubborn smudges. Get rid of tough dirt and stickiness with a vinegar and water solution. Use a Lysol wipe to destroy bacteria on a glass-coated LCD screen. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Be-More-Affectionate | How to Be More Affectionate | To be more affectionate, try to make physical affection a habit by regularly holding your partner's hand, rubbing their shoulders, and giving them hugs. If you tend to rush through the day only to find that you haven't had any intimate time with your partner, combine date night or even TV watching time with cuddling time. In addition to physical affection, make it a habit to compliment your partner every day. Look for things you admire or appreciate about them and let them know. | Recognize discomfort. Some people are uncomfortable with touch because of personality, family history, intimacy issues or trauma. This can make it difficult to initiate or enjoy displays of physical affection, such as caressing, hugging, holding hands or cuddling. Deal with your fears regarding intimacy and connecting physically with another person. Accept that you are afraid, and find out where it's coming from. It can be helpful to realize that your fears are probably not related to your current partner or events, and to try to move past them. Talk to your partner and let them know that you are uncomfortable and why. Ask him or her to be patient. Showing physical affection can be easier as you get to know someone better and deal with the root causes of your discomfort with physical intimacy. Plus, improving communication may lead to a closer and more affectionate relationship. Talk to a professional about it. They can help you deal with the negative emotions related to your fears and get over your hesitation to show physical affection. If you don't want to talk to someone, you can write about it in a journal or express your feelings in other ways. Make showing physical affection a habit. Hold your partner's hand, touch their shoulder or give them a hug as often as possible. Eventually, showing affection physically will come easier and more natural. Schedule cuddle time with kids or spouses. Touching helps relieve stress and pain, can help people cope and strengthen bonds. Put cuddle time on your daily schedule with your family to promote physical and psychological health. Date night, story time and even TV watching time can all be combined with cuddling. Hold hands. Whether it is with your partner or your kids, holding hands is quick, painless and can really cement your bond. In fact, it is probably one of the easiest ways to immediately increase the amount of physical affection you show for another person. Whether you are walking to the bus stop, through grocery isles or sitting at home on the couch, reach over and take someone's hand that you care about. Include physical touch in your list of health goals. Having contact with your kids and partner can release oxytocin, the cuddle hormone, which lowers blood pressure. It can also help you control the stress hormone cortisol. Physical touch activates the orbitofrontal cortex in the brain, which contributes to rewarding feelings and can even boost the immune system. List healthy ways that you can be physically affectionate. Physical affection is any touch that is meant to boost affectionate feelings or love in the giver or receiver. Write down your list so you can refer to it later. Then, make it a goal to do each method at various points throughout the week. Some ways that you can show affection include: kissing, back rubs, massages, caressing, cuddling, holding, hugging and holding hands. There may be other methods specific to you or your relationship that can also relay feelings of love. Although it may take 21 days to form a habit, the time length depends upon the person. Continue referencing this list for several months to permanently change how much physical affection you show. Give playful nudges. Finding humor with your partner can be enhanced by good-natured physical contact. This may be a gentle squeeze, shoulder or knee nudge, playful slap, knuckle nudge or soft push. Always be sure that your partner doesn't mind when you nudge them and never hit hard, cause pain or leave bruises. Put your feet together. You can wrap your legs and feet together, play footsie under the table, put your feet in your partner's lap or vice versa. This connects you physically and keeps you aware of each other's presence if you are sitting directly across from him or her. Remember, any physical contact that is intended to convey affectionate feelings is a form of physical affection. Try a massage. Along with other forms of physical affection, giving massages can help bring you closer in your relationship. Additionally, massages have health benefits including: reducing stress, increased blood and nutrient flow and helping with pain. For all these reasons, a back , foot or body massage is a great way to show physical affection. Your partner will probably enjoy it and hopefully return the favor. Give verbal affirmations. Giving verbal affection, such as saying, “I love you” or “I care about you”, is an important way to strengthen bonds and is even good for you physically and mentally. Don't let texting or emailing the ones you love replace verbal affection. If you are apart, then pick up the phone to check in because it's more personal, even if it takes more time. Verbal expressions of affection are the words you speak intended to validate your positive feelings of love and affection and make your partner feel loved. This can be unique to you, your partner and your relationship as long as what you say produces the intended emotions and reinforces your affection for each other. If you must use electronic modes of communication, sign off with a phrase like “Thinking of you” or “Miss you” instead of a something generic. Understand that long-distance relationships require more verbal affection. Since you won't be able to physically touch and bolster your bond that way, you will need to tell him or her how you feel more often. This is important to maintain the closeness in your relationship and reinforce feelings of safety, comfort and trust. If possible, use Skype or Google Hangout so you can make eye contact and pick up on physical cues while talking. Compliment someone you care about every day. Compliments are a form of showing verbal affection that can boost self-esteem, show you care and make the ones you care about feel good. Additionally, compliments motivate people to succeed because they believe they can. Always give truthful compliments though or you risk what you said being dismissed as shallow flattery. Look for things that you admire, appreciate or that the other person is good at to compliment. This can be anything from the way they look, a feature of their face that you particularly enjoy (such as eyes or lips), a personality trait, accomplishments, the positive way they make you feel or a skillset that you admire. Be honest, and don't let opportunities to compliment those you love pass you by. Tell your wife, “You have beautiful eyes” while looking at her or “You complete me”, if it's true. Tell your husband, “You look handsome in that shirt” when he gets ready for work or “You're a great cook” when he makes you breakfast. Tell your child, “You're so smart” when you see a report card or “You're good at sports” after practice. Greet your partner or children when they get home. Stop what you are doing and interact with your partner or children so they know you care. You want them to know they are more important than anything else and that you missed them. Combine verbal affection with physical affection by giving your kids a peck on the cheek or top of the head. You may want to kiss your partner on the lips or cheek. Nickname your partner or children. A positive nickname shows that you have a special bond. The name you choose usually reflects some characteristic, habit or event related to the person. It can also be a shortened form of their legal name. Make sure that they are happy to be called by a nickname - some people prefer not to be addressed in this manner. Some common nicknames include: Angel, Cowboy, Doll, Babe, Dear, Honey, Love or Sweetheart or Sweetie. Take the time to say “thank you”. Think of all the things the other person does for you or the ways they improve your life. Look them in the eyes and express your appreciation in a few sentences. You want them to know exactly how much you love and appreciate them and everything they do. Don’t assume that “I love you” is the only way to express affection. If you are not saying it, you should try to make it a regular part of your vocabulary. Phrases like “You're great”, and “I'm so lucky to have you”, are also good ways to show affection. There is probably also something specific to your relationship, such as a mutual interest in cars, that allows you to expand on these simple phrases to include descriptions of something you really love for added meaning. If you love cars, then you might use a favorite vehicle to explain how you feel by saying, “You're my 1968 Plymouth Road Runner Hemi.” Return affection automatically. Answer cues by returning hugs, complimenting, saying “I Love You,” kissing someone on the cheek or high fiving. Ignore the urge to hesitate during these moments. If you aren't used to doing this, it may take some practice but will become second nature in time. Don’t let only one parent be the “affectionate parent”. In decades past, it was not as culturally important for dads to be affectionate to kids. However, times have changed. Both parents should strive to show affection to their children, even if it is not natural for one of them. Make eye contact. While you are cuddling, holding hands or giving a compliment, eye contact connects you further and shows you are serious. Studies have shown that staring into the eyes of someone you love (even a pet) can increase oxytocin hormone levels. This can make you both feel really good and is well worth the effort. Give yourself goals. Motivational strategists believe that good habits can be established by dreaming big about the way you would like things to be, such as being a more affectionate parent. Then, give yourself micro quotas, such as “I am going to spend 20 minutes conversing directly with my children every day.” Always break down larger goals into smaller goals so they are more obtainable and give you the opportunity to celebrate your successes more often. Don’t be afraid to talk to a professional. If you have no desire to show affection or feel affection but can't express it, consider speaking to a counselor or therapist—either alone or with your partner. Relationships take work. Don't associate couple's counseling or seeking therapy on your own with weakness. If you love someone and want to make it work, then nothing should keep you from seeking help to make your relationship stronger. | Recognize discomfort. Schedule cuddle time with kids or spouses. Hold hands. Include physical touch in your list of health goals. List healthy ways that you can be physically affectionate. Give playful nudges. Put your feet together. Try a massage. Give verbal affirmations. Understand that long-distance relationships require more verbal affection. Compliment someone you care about every day. Greet your partner or children when they get home. Nickname your partner or children. Take the time to say “thank you”. Don’t assume that “I love you” is the only way to express affection. Return affection automatically. Don’t let only one parent be the “affectionate parent”. Make eye contact. Give yourself goals. Don’t be afraid to talk to a professional. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Artichokes-in-the-Oven | How to Cook Artichokes in the Oven | Before cooking your artichokes in the oven, preheat your oven to 425 °F (218 °C). Next, rinse the artichokes and and trim off the stems. Carefully separate the leaves of the artichokes without snapping them off. If you like, season them with lemon, olive oil, garlic butter, or minced herbs. Wrap each artichoke in tin foil and bake them for 1 hour. After an hour, use a baking mitt or dry cloth to open one of the artichokes from its tin foil. If the leaf separates easily from the center, the artichoke is cooked. Enjoy! | Preheat your oven to 425 °F (218 °C; 491 K). The right oven temperature is important so your artichokes can bake evenly. Most ovens need about 10 to 15 minutes of preheating before they reach the desired temperature, so turn on the oven as you prep your food. Forgetting to preheat your oven can result in undercooked artichokes. Rinse and trim your artichokes over the sink. Wash your artichokes to get rid of any dirt and rinse your artichokes of pesticides. Then, cut the stem off of your artichoke. The artichoke should be able to stand up on its own without tipping if you've removed the stem fully. Use a sharp knife to cut your artichokes to avoid knife injuries. Place your artichokes stem-side down in a bowl. Separate the artichoke leaves with your hands. Part them as far as you can without snapping them off of the artichoke's body. Squeeze lemon juice inside the leaves for a more tangy flavor. Instead of lemon juice, you can spread garlic butter inside the leaves as a substitute. You may also stuff your artichoke with minced herbs like thyme, rosemary, oregano, basil, or parsley. Garnish the tops of your artichokes with sea salt and olive oil. Drizzle olive oil over the tops of each artichoke. For added tartness, drizzle a little more lemon juice on top with the oil. Sprinkle a pinch salt over the artichokes—once you have, your artichokes are ready to bake. Wrap your artichokes in tin foil. Finish seasoning your artichokes as you desire, then wrap each one in two layers of tin foil or one layer of heavy-duty tin foil. Pinch any seams tightly shut to avoid juices dripping from your artichokes. Put each artichoke on a baking sheet and place them in the oven once it is done preheating. Let the artichokes bake for an hour. Set an oven timer to make sure you roast your artichokes for the right amount of time. Baking an artichoke for too long can burn them or weaken their flavor. Create a homemade dipping sauce for your artichokes while they bake. Make an optional dipping sauce for your baked artichokes with 1.5 ounces (43 g) of olive oil and 1 juiced lemon. Whisk the olive oil and lemon juice in a bowl until smoothly blended, then add a pinch of salt to taste. This step is optional. If you do not like the taste of lemons, you can skip this step. Test whether the artichokes are done by poking them with a fork. Using baking mitts or a dry cloth, open one of the artichokes from its tin foil. Gently pull one of the leaves away from the artichoke. If the artichoke is done, it will separate easily from the center. Remember to pinch the tin foil closed again when you have finished checking. Remove the artichokes from the oven. Place the artichokes on a cooling rack for about 5 minutes before you prepare them to serve. After the 5 minutes have passed, remove the tin foil covering and place each artichoke on a separate plate. Scrape off the leaves with a knife or your teeth. Grasp the pointed edges of the artichoke leaves. Using a knife or your teeth, scrape at the flat edges of the leaves to remove them from your artichoke. Continue scraping off the leaves until you reach the leafless center, or heart, of the artichoke. The flat edges of artichoke leaves are edible but unpleasant tasting. Scrape off the top of the heart. The top part of the artichoke heart has a hairy texture that is not meant to be eaten. Use a knife to carefully scrape off the top until all the hairs are removed. Spoon the hairless artichoke heart out of the base and leave it on the plate. Throw away the rest of the artichoke. Serve your baked artichoke with a garlic sauce or the dipping sauce you made. Store leftover artichokes in the fridge. Place all of your leftovers into a bowl, cover them with tin foil or plastic wrap, and store them in the fridge. Baked artichoke hearts will last for up to a week in the fridge before wilting or rotting. Warm up your leftovers in the microwave within a week to keep them from going to waste. Reheating food in the microwave can make your artichokes watery. To avoid potential mushiness, reheat your artichokes in the oven. | Preheat your oven to 425 °F (218 °C; 491 K). Rinse and trim your artichokes over the sink. Place your artichokes stem-side down in a bowl. Garnish the tops of your artichokes with sea salt and olive oil. Wrap your artichokes in tin foil. Let the artichokes bake for an hour. Create a homemade dipping sauce for your artichokes while they bake. Test whether the artichokes are done by poking them with a fork. Remove the artichokes from the oven. Scrape off the leaves with a knife or your teeth. Scrape off the top of the heart. Store leftover artichokes in the fridge. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Factor-by-Grouping | How to Factor by Grouping | To factor a quadratic equation by grouping, start by multiplying the "a" term by the "c" term to get the master product. Then, list all of the factors of your master product, and separate them into their natural pairs. Next, look for the factor pair that has a sum equal to the "b" term in the equation, and split the "b" term into 2 factors. Finally, group the terms to form pairs, factor out each pair, and factor out the shared parentheses. | Look at the equation. If you plan to use this method, the equation should follow a basic format of: ax + bx + c. This process is usually used when the leading coefficient (the a term) is a number other than "1," but it can also be used for quadratic equations in which a = 1. Example: 2x + 9x + 10 Find the master product. Multiply the a term and c term together. The product of these two terms is referred to as the master product. Example: 2x + 9x + 10 a = 2; c = 10 a * c = 2 * 10 = 20 Separate the master product into its factor pairs. List the factors of your master product, separating them into their natural pairs (the pairs required to produced the master product). Example: The factors of 20 are: 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20 Written in factor pairs: (1, 20), (2, 10), (4, 5) Find a factor pair with a sum equal to b. Look through the factor pairs and determine which set will produce the b term—the middle term and the coefficient of x —when added together. If your master product was negative, you will need to find a pair of factors that equal the b term when subtracted from one another. Example: 2x + 9x + 10 b = 9 1 + 20 = 21; this is not the correct pair 2 + 10 = 12; this is not the correct pair 4 + 5 = 9; this is the correct pair Split the center term into the two factors. Rewrite the center term, breaking it apart into the factor pair previously identified. Make sure that you include the proper signs (plus or minus). Note that the order of the center terms should not matter for this problem. No matter which order you write the terms in, the end result should be the same. Example: 2x + 9x + 10 = 2x + 5x + 4x + 10 Group the terms to form pairs. Group the first two terms into a pair and the second two terms into a pair. Example: 2x + 5x + 4x + 10 = (2x + 5x) + (4x + 10) Factor out each pair. Find the common factors of the pair and factor them out. Rewrite the equation accordingly. Example: x(2x + 5) + 2(2x + 5) Factor out shared parentheses. There should be a shared binomial parentheses between the two halves. Factor this out, and place the other terms in another parentheses. Example: (2x + 5)(x + 2) Write your answer. You should now have your final answer. Example: 2x + 9x + 10 = (2x + 5)(x + 2) The final answer is: (2x + 5)(x + 2) Factor: 4x - 3x - 10 a * c = 4 * -10 = -40 Factors of 40: (1, 40), (2, 20), (4, 10), (5, 8) Correct factor pair: (5, 8); 5 - 8 = -3 4x - 8x + 5x - 10 (4x - 8x) + (5x - 10) 4x(x - 2) + 5(x - 2) (x - 2)(4x + 5) Factor: 8x + 2x - 3 a * c = 8 * -3 = -24 Factors of 24: (1, 24), (2, 12), (4, 6) Correct factor pair: (4, 6); 6 - 4 = 2 8x + 6x - 4x - 3 (8x + 6x) - (4x + 3) 2x(4x + 3) - 1(4x + 3) (4x + 3)(2x - 1) Look at the equation. The equation should have four separate terms. The exact appearance of those four terms can vary, however. Usually, you will use this method when you see a polynomial equation that looks like: ax + bx + cx + d The equation may also look like: axy + by + cx + d ax + bx + cxy + dy ax + bx + cx + dx Or similar variations. Example: 4x + 12x + 6x + 18x Factor out the greatest common factor (GCF). Determine if all four terms have anything in common. The greatest common factor among the four terms, if any common factors exist, should be factored out of the equation. If the only thing all four terms has in common is the number "1," there is no GCF and nothing can be factored out at this point. When you do factor out a GCF, make sure that you continue to keep it at the front of your equation as you work. This factored out GCF must be included as part of your final answer for that answer to be accurate. Example: 4x + 12x + 6x + 18x Each term has 2x in common, so the problem can be rewritten as: 2x(2x + 6x + 3x + 9) Create smaller groups within the problem. Group the first two terms together and the second two terms together. If the first term of the second group has a minus sign in front of it, you will need to put a minus sign in front of the second parentheses. You will need to change the sign of the second term in that grouping to reflect that choice. Example: 2x(2x + 6x + 3x + 9) = 2x[(2x + 6x ) + (3x + 9)] Factor out the GCF from each binomial. Identify the GCF in each binomial pair and factor it to the outside of the pair. Rewrite the equation accordingly. At this point, you might be faced with a choice between factoring out a positive number or a negative number for the second group. Look at the signs before the second and fourth terms. When the two signs are the same (both positive or both negative), factor out a positive number. When the two signs are different (one negative and one positive), factor out a negative number. Example: 2x[(2x + 6x ) + (3x + 9)] = 2x [2x (x + 3) + 3(x + 3)] Factor out the common binomial. The binomial pair inside both parentheses should be the same. Factor this out of the equation, then group the remaining terms into another parentheses set. If the binomials inside the current sets of parentheses do not match, double-check your work or try rearranging your terms and grouping the equation again. The parentheses must match. If they do not match no matter what you try, the problem cannot be factored by grouping or by any other method. Example: 2x [2x (x + 3) + 3(x + 3)] = 2x [(x + 3)(2x + 3)] Write your answer. You should have the final answer at this point. Example: 4x + 12x + 6x + 18x = 2x (x + 3)(2x + 3) The final answer is: 2x (x + 3)(2x + 3) Factor: 6x + 2xy - 24x - 8y 2[3x + xy - 12x - 4y] 2[(3x + xy) - (12x + 4y)] 2[x(3x + y) - 4(3x + y)] 2[(3x + y)(x - 4)] 2(3x + y)(x – 4) Factor: x - 2x + 5x - 10 (x - 2x ) + (5x - 10) x (x - 2) + 5(x - 2) (x - 2)(x + 5) | Look at the equation. Find the master product. Separate the master product into its factor pairs. Find a factor pair with a sum equal to b. Split the center term into the two factors. Group the terms to form pairs. Factor out each pair. Factor out shared parentheses. Write your answer. Factor: Factor: Look at the equation. Factor out the greatest common factor (GCF). Create smaller groups within the problem. Factor out the GCF from each binomial. Factor out the common binomial. Write your answer. Factor: Factor: |
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Wood-Filler | How to Use a Wood Filler | To use a wood filler, start by sanding down the surface you want to repair and removing any debris, which can prevent the filler from sticking. Then, squeeze the filler out of the tube into the affected area, beginning at the deepest part of the hole or crack. Make sure to overfill the hole a little bit, since wood filler shrinks when it dries. Next, smooth out the area with a putty knife before leaving the filler to dry for several hours. Finally, sand down the area until it's smooth and even. | Buy or make an appropriate filler. Stainable wood fillers are designed to be stained so you can match them to the rest of the wood. Some water-based wood fillers are also stainable, but they are specifically meant to be used indoors. You can also make your own wood filler by adding sawdust to carpenter's glue to form a paste. Another option is epoxy designed for wood, which is hard-wearing and can be carved. Remove paint chips and wood splinters. If you see paint chips falling off, you need to take them off before repairing the wood. Flake them off with a scraper, getting off as much as you can. Similarly, scrape off any large splinters you see. Sand down the area. Rough edges can be detrimental when you're applying filler. Sanding those edges down will make the process go smoother for you. Check for rough edges directly around the damaged area. Remove any debris. If you leave any loose debris or sawdust behind, the filler won't stick as well. Wipe it down with a damp tack cloth and then let it dry thoroughly. You can also use a shop vac if you have one. Squeeze the filler into the hole. Use the tube to squeeze the filler into the area, making sure to fill in the deepest area by pressing the end down into it. Start at one end and gradually work your way to the other end. If you don't have a tube, use a putty knife to apply it. Overfill the hole. When adding the wood filler, you need to fill it a bit more than level with the rest of the wood. That's because the filler shrinks a bit as it dries, so it will end up flush with the wood if you overfill it. You only need to overfill it a little bit, maybe 5%. Smooth the filler out with a putty knife. Go over the filler with a putty knife to make a smooth area. Wipe off the knife and go over the area again if the first pass didn't get it as smooth as you'd like. Keep in mind you'll be sanding it later, so it doesn't have to be absolutely perfect. Wait for the filler to dry. Once you've got the hole filled to your satisfaction, let the filler dry completely. It will be hard to the touch when it is dry. It may take up to 8 hours on a large or deep area, though it can dry in under half an hour. Check the packaging for wood filler for specific drying times. Sand down the area until it is smooth and even with the wood. Use an orbital sander or standard sandpaper to sand down the area. Sand until the filler is evened out and it is level with the surrounding wood. Wipe it down to remove dust before painting or staining. Check that the hole is filled in. Run your hand over the repaired area to see if it's smooth. Also, make sure you have filled in the hole and that it's level with the wood. Even if you filled in the hole completely, it may have settled out and left a depression or hole. If you haven't completely filled in the hole, repeat the process by adding more wood filler. Apply primer if you're painting the area. Most wood fillers can be painted, but fillers may affect how the paint looks. If you use primer first, it can help even out the look of the area. This process works particularly well if you're painting a whole piece of furniture that you've repaired holes on. Paint or stain the area. Once you've got the repaired area perfectly level with the rest of the wood, you can apply paint or stain to match the rest of the wood. If you're not sure of the paint or stain, you may want to test it first in an inconspicuous area to make sure it matches. You can also test stain on a piece of scrap wood. | Buy or make an appropriate filler. Remove paint chips and wood splinters. Sand down the area. Remove any debris. Squeeze the filler into the hole. Overfill the hole. Smooth the filler out with a putty knife. Wait for the filler to dry. Sand down the area until it is smooth and even with the wood. Check that the hole is filled in. Apply primer if you're painting the area. Paint or stain the area. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Emotionally-Abusing-Others | How to Stop Emotionally Abusing Others | If you want to stop emotionally abusing other people, you'll need to be dedicated to learning from your victims and seeking outside help. If possible, take time to speak with someone you've emotionally abused and ask them about the experience. As you listen, avoid minimizing or denying their experience by getting emotional or acting like they're attacking you. Instead, take responsibility for your actions. Opt for “I” statements like “I was too controlling when I wouldn't let you leave the house without me” to make it clear you're taking the blame. In addition to gaining perspective from those you've hurt, seek out the help of a professional therapist or counselor who can help you learn strategies for self-improvement. | Admit that you are emotionally abusive. Recognizing the problem and admitting that you are emotionally abusing others is the first step toward being able to change your behavior. Taking time to try and see the effects your abuse has on others will help you realize the extent to which you are being abusive. If you are unsure if your behavior is emotionally abusive, look at ways in which emotional abuse can be identified. Examples can include violent and aggressive language, such as name calling, yelling, and shaming; controlling behaviors, such as intimidation, threats, or monitoring and withholding money; or physical abuse, such as withholding food or water, or hitting, shoving, and pushing. Contact the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence immediately if your abusive behavior involves physical violence against a family member or spouse. Keep in mind that many people who abuse other people have been abused themselves. You might consider talking with a therapist about your experiences to help you move past what has happened to you and stop treating other people the same way. Oftentimes, you can notice that you're abusing people when your relationships and even your professional life starts breaking down because of the ways you treat others. Identify the source of the abusive behavior. Identifying the source of abusive behavior will help you understand where the stress or pressure causing the abuse is coming from. The person you act angry toward or abuse emotionally may not be the problem, but only the victim. If you have problems in your life that you feel are beyond your control, you may lash out at an easy, convenient target, even one that has nothing to do with your real problem. For instance, perhaps it might really upsets you when people give you feedback, because deep down inside you're afraid you're worthless despite knowing it's not really true. Take time to think about what other elements in your life are causing you stress, like work, conflict with a loved one or spouse, or financial issues. Ask yourself questions like “Am I under too much pressure at work,” “Do I have any unresolved conflicts that follow me around,” or “Are there moments in my past that might be affecting my current behavior?” Consider whether you are engaging in drug or alcohol use. Using substances can contribute to abusive behavior. Cut the source of the abusive behavior out of your life. Once you've identified the source or cause of your abuse you can begin to take steps removing it from your life. Although removing this source might feel like a relief, there are still many other behaviors and effects that need addressing in order to completely stop emotionally abusing others. Talk about quitting your job with a friend or family member if your work is causing too much stress. Seek financial advice from a financial planner if you are struggling with debt or making ends meet. If you suspect the source of your abusive behavior stems from an unresolved conflict or past trauma seek out help from a therapist or counselor. Listen to the other person’s experience. Taking time to sit down with those who you have emotionally abused to hear their experience will help you gain perspective on how you being emotionally abusive and what the abuse's effects were. Listening to those you have abused may often feel like an attack or accusation in itself. Rather than responding with more abuse, try to listen without an immediate response. Listen to others without becoming to defensive or making excuses. Keep in mind that it is normal to feel defensive, but if the other person was hurt by your behavior, then it is abuse. Try to avoid equalizing, minimizing, or denying their experience. Don't make yourself the center of their story or experience. Take responsibility. Hold yourself responsible and accountable for all the emotional abuse you've caused throughout a relationship. Although there may be many different sources or causes, you are the only one who could prevent you abusing another. Taking responsibility and holding yourself accountable for abuse takes a lot of courage and is necessary to begin moving forward with understanding and changing your abusive behavior. When discussing abuse, try using “I” statements like “I was too controlling when I wouldn't let you leave the house without me,” or “What did it feel like when I was controlling?” Respect the other person’s response. Do not expect pity from people who you have abused at this point, but be willing to ask for support from trusted friends and family members. Being accountable and taking responsibility for the abuse you've caused is not about others forgiving you, but about changing yourself and respecting others. Those who you have abused may not be in a place to be able to forgive you, and trying to use your accountability to gain the forgiveness of another can be seen as an extension of the abusive dynamic. Remember, nobody has to forgive you. Forgiveness takes time and should be allowed space. If, after you're forgiven you sometimes still feel like responding to comments from friends angrily, try to focus instead on using empathy, curiosity, and openness to try to understand where the other person is coming from. Forgive yourself. Admitting responsibility and accountability is about self help, learning how and why we have harmed others, and learning how to stop. Although those you have abused may not be ready to forgive you, forgiving yourself will allow you to move beyond your abusive tendencies and leave abuse in the past. Reminder yourself of your commitment to change by telling yourself affirmations like, “Abusing others is a choice and I am going to do my best to change my behavior,” or “I can change my behaviors with patience, the right help, and hardwork.” Seek out the help of a therapist, counselor, or life coach. There are many different specialized types of therapy, from cognitive behavioral therapy to group therapy, family therapy to journal therapy. Find a therapist best suited to the type of therapy you think will be most useful to you. Life coaches can also provide consistent long term strategies for self improvement, although some are not trained to deal with more severe types of behavioral or physical abuse. Try cognitive behavioral therapy if you would like help processing traumatic experiences, such as previous abuse, loss of a loved one, or feeling disconnected from others, that might be causing abuse. Try family or group therapy if your abuse is occurring within your relationships with your spouse, children, or siblings. You can also look into support groups. Try looking to Emotions Anonymous to learn how to cope with difficult emotions. Consult friends and family. Seeking advice from your friends and family can help you gain perspective and support during your time when you are addressing your abusive behaviors. Friends and family can provide essential support toward self-betterment and self-help. Schedule weekly calls with a friend or family member to check in on your progress in therapy, conversations with those you have abused, or your general well-being. Be sure to seek out those who you feel comfortable being honest with about your abuse. Contact domestic abuse help agencies. If the abuse you are enacting on others is physical, reach out to domestic abuse help agencies, like the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, to find out your next best course of action. The NCADV also offers access to support groups and informational resources regarding intervention. Domestic abuse needs immediate attention and may require lawful intervention. Seek out the NCADV or local law enforcement to quickly address physical abuse. | Admit that you are emotionally abusive. Identify the source of the abusive behavior. Cut the source of the abusive behavior out of your life. Listen to the other person’s experience. Take responsibility. Respect the other person’s response. Forgive yourself. Seek out the help of a therapist, counselor, or life coach. Consult friends and family. Contact domestic abuse help agencies. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Put-an-Address-on-an-Envelope-(Great-Britain) | How to Put an Address on an Envelope (Great Britain) | To put an address on an envelope in Britain, start by writing it in the bottom left-hand corner of the envelope, but leave enough space so there is a 1/5 inch border around the address. Make sure all address lines are left aligned as you write them in permanent ink. On the first line, include the person's full name, then add the property name or number on the second line. When you're on the third line, include the local town or area. Finally, write the post code on the last line, which is used to help sort out mail. | Position the address correctly. Some countries have varying conventions on where to write the address on an envelope. In Great Britain, the address is positioned in the bottom left corner on the front of the envelope. When positioning the first line, be sure to plan ahead so that you leave enough room for the next lines of text. You should also plan to leave a generous margin of about 1/2 an inch (1.3 cm) around the entire address. Left align all address elements. As you begin to write the address out on the envelope, be sure to left align all of the text in each line. Some countries prefer that the address is centered, both in placement on the envelope and the alignment of the text, but in Great Britain the correct format is for all of the address lines to be aligned against the left address margin. Write clearly using good penmanship and permanent ink. In order for the envelope to be processed properly, you want to make sure that the mail carrier can read the address clearly. If you are handwriting the address, use a pen or ink that is clear against the color of the envelope. Do not use pencil or anything that could be easily smudged or rubbed off during the journey. If you are printing an address label, be sure to use a font that is easy to read and a color that stands out against the label. For both handwritten and printed addresses, make to size the text so it can be ready easily, with a text size comparable to a font size of 10 - 15. Write the name of the recipient on the first line. Be sure to include their first name and surname, spelling each correctly. For close friends and family members it is a personal preference whether you include titles with the name; however, for any other recipient you should specify titles (e.g., Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss, Dr., etc.). If you are sending the envelope to a person at a specific organization, you should include the name of the organization in a separate line underneath their name. On the next line write the property number and street name. If the place you are mailing the envelope to has an official building number or property name, like “Building J49” or “Victoria House,” include this underneath the recipient's name and drop the property number and street name to the next line. If the property does not have a full name, simply include the property number and the name of the street, or “thoroughfare” as it's called in Great Britain. Include locality information on the next line(s). There are three types of localities in Great Britain, and in order for mail to get sorted properly the post town has to be included. There are two other locality elements that you can include as well, but only the post town is required. Each element needs to be included on separate lines. Each locality should be written in normal letter case, except for the post town, which should be all uppercase letters. You do not need to include the county name. For example: Locality line 1 is the double dependent locality (i.e., the neighborhood or borough): Otterley Locality line 2 is the dependent locality (i.e., the town or civil parish): Hedge End Locality line 3 (or line 1 since it is the only one required) is the post town (i.e., the county town): OXFORD Write the postcode on the last line. The postcode aids in the sorting and delivery of mail and is similar to zip code in the United States. Like the post town, the postcode should be written in all capital letters. You should also include two spaces between the two parts of the post code (e.g., BH1 1AA). Since you are sending the envelope from a Great Britain address to a recipient in Great Britain, you should not include a destination country. The postcode should be the final line in the address.. If you don't know the postcode, you can look it up on the Royal Mail website: http://www.royalmail.com/find-a-postcode Include a return address. A return address is an address that the post office uses to send the mail back to in case there is a reason the envelope could not be delivered. Even if you include all the elements of the address correctly, it is still a good idea to always include a return address when you mail something. In Great Britain, the return address is written on the back of the envelope (the side with the flap) in a center position with the text left aligned. You need to include all of the same elements as the front address, except the first line here should read “Return Address” with all the other lines coming after that. Include the appropriate postage. Postage is always required to send any envelope in the mail. The appropriate amount of postage depends on the size and weight of the envelope or parcel you are sending, with larger, heavier packages costing more money. The postage should always be included on the front of the envelope in the top right corner so that the mail carrier can read the address and confirm the shipping was paid for at the same time. If you are not sure how much postage you need, you can look it up on the Royal Mail website: http://www.royalmail.com/personal/uk-delivery/stamps Position the address correctly on the envelope. Since you are sending an envelope from Great Britain to an international recipient, you should still position the address per Great Britain's requirements. This means that the address should be positioned in the bottom left corner on the front of the envelope. When positioning the first line, be sure to plan ahead so that you leave enough room for the several lines of text, including a line for the country. You should also plan to leave a margin of about 1/2 an inch (1.3 cm) around the entire address. Left align all address elements. While some countries prefer that the address is centered, both in placement on the envelope and the alignment of the text, you still want to stick with Great Britain's conventions for formatting. In Great Britain the correct format is for all of the address lines to be aligned against the left address margin. Use good penmanship and indelible ink. International mail has a long journey, so you want to make sure the address remains clear in order for it to be processed properly. When handwriting the address, use a pen with permanent ink in a color that is clear against the color of the envelope. Do not use pencil or anything that could be easily smudged or rubbed off during processing. If you are printing an address label, choose a font that is easy to read and use a color that stands out against the label. For both handwritten and printed addresses, size the text so it can be ready easily, with a text size comparable to a font size of 10 - 15. Write the name of the recipient on the first line. Be sure to include their first name and surname, spelling each correctly. Because it is international mail you should include a title with the name even for close friends and family members. If you are sending the envelope to a person at a specific organization, you should include the name of the organization in a separate line underneath their name. Some country-specific things to remember when writing out the name: Remember some countries use alternative titles (e.g., Herr or M. vs. Mr., Sra or Mme vs. Mrs., Mlle vs. Miss, etc.). When addressing mail to France or Monaco, write the recipient's surname in CAPITAL letters (e.g., M. Robert MARIN). On the next line write the property number and street name. If the place you are mailing the envelope to has an official building number or property name, like “U.S. Embassy” or “Paris-Sorbonne University,” include this underneath the recipient's name and drop the street name and property number to the next line. If the property does not have a full name, simply include the property number and the name of the street. Keep the following in mind when writing the street address for other countries: For most countries outside of the United States, Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand, the house number is written after the street name (e.g., “Rue du Diamant 215” instead of “215 Rue du Diamant). If you don't know the correct order for the country you are sending the envelope to, you can look it up on the Royal Mail website: http://www.royalmail.com/personal/international-delivery/country-guides Include the name of the locality and the postcode on the next line(s). There are three types of localities: the double dependent locality, the dependent locality, and the post town. For most international mail, the address is only required to have the post town and postcode included, this time on the same line. If you need or want to include other locality elements, such as the state or province, they should go above the post town and postcode line, which should always be the second to last line for international mail. The post town and any letters in the postcode (if applicable) should all be written in capital letters, with other locality information written in normal case. Keep the following in mind when writing these elements for other countries: Some countries like Germany require the postcode to come before the post town. Countries like Portugal require the province to be included in brackets after the post town. Australia and the United States require the state abbreviation to be inserted between the post town and postcode. For a full list of country-specific requirements for post towns and postcodes, look it up on the Royal Mail website: http://www.royalmail.com/personal/international-delivery/country-guides Write the country name as the last line. As a requirement for international mail, the destination country must be included on the last line of the address. For all countries, this must be written in in capital letters. This line should not contain any other information and needs to be spelled correctly. Do not abbreviate the country. For example, write out “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” instead of “U.S.” or “USA.” Include a return address. In case the envelope needs to be sent back to you, a return address should be included with all international mail. It is not a requirement, but international mail is complicated, and sometimes mail is returned even if you include all of the address elements correctly. Since you are sending the mail from Great Britain, follow the convention of including the return address on the back of the envelope (the side with the flap). Position the return address in the center of the envelope with the text left aligned. You need to include all of the same elements as the front address, except the first line here should read “Return Address.” Be sure to also include your country in all capital letters as the last line in the return address. Include the appropriate postage. Postage is always required to send any envelope in the mail, but there are sometimes special requirements for sending international mail, like customs labels. The appropriate amount of postage depends on the size and weight of the envelope or parcel you are sending, with larger, heavier packages costing more money. Include the postage on the front of the envelope in the top right corner so that the mail carrier can read the address and confirm the shipping was paid for at the same time. If you are not sure how much postage you need for international mail, or you want to check if a customs label is needed, look it up on the Royal Mail website: http://www.royalmail.com/personal/uk-delivery/stamps | Position the address correctly. Left align all address elements. Write clearly using good penmanship and permanent ink. Write the name of the recipient on the first line. On the next line write the property number and street name. Include locality information on the next line(s). Write the postcode on the last line. Include a return address. Include the appropriate postage. Position the address correctly on the envelope. Left align all address elements. Use good penmanship and indelible ink. Write the name of the recipient on the first line. On the next line write the property number and street name. Include the name of the locality and the postcode on the next line(s). Write the country name as the last line. Include a return address. Include the appropriate postage. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Gin-and-Juice-Drink | How to Make a Gin and Juice Drink | To make basic gin and juice, combine 1.5-2 oz (30-45mL), or about a shot, of gin with a half ounce (15 mL) of juice in a cocktail mixer and shake for 15 seconds. For a milder taste you might try using pineapple or orange juice, and for a stronger taste try cranberry juice. Finally, fill a highball glass halfway with ice, then pour the gin mixture into the glass. You can even add a slice of lime or sprig of mint on top for garnish. | Pour the gin and juice into a shaker. As a general rule, you should use about 5 oz (150 ml) of juice per 1.5 to 2 oz (45 to 60 ml) of gin. The type of juice you use is really up to you, but tart juices are more commonly used than sweet juices. For a milder taste, consider using pineapple juice, orange juice, pomegranate juice, cherry juice, or grape juice. For a slightly stronger taste, consider grapefruit juice or cranberry juice. You can also combine juices as long as the ratio of gin to juice remains the same. Try mixing grapefruit juice and orange juice, cranberry and grape, or another of your favorite juice combinations. Strong citrus fruits, like lemon and lime, can also be mixed with gin but are generally combined with other ingredients, like syrup or soda water, to dilute the sourness. Shake the liquids together. Secure the lid on the container and shake it using a vigorous up and down motion away from your face and away from anyone else. Shake it for at least 15 seconds to mix the ingredients completely. Fill a chilled highball glass with ice cubes. To chill the glass, store it inside the freezer for 5 to 10 minutes before using it. Fill the glass at least halfway full with ice. Pour the gin and juice into the glass. Release the lid and pour the contents of the mixture over the ice. Add a garnish. A slice of citrus fruit, like lemon or lime, works well depending on the juices in your drink. You could also float a small sprig of mint on top of the drink. Serve immediately. In order to maintain a proper balance of flavor, the drink should be consumed before the ice has a chance to melt. In a medium glass, combine the gin and lime juice. You can use the base of a cocktail shaker, a highball glass, or any other clear glass. You only need the glass to mix the juice. It is not the glass you will be drinking out of. Mix the juice and gin using a bar spoon. A bar spoon is a special utensil with a long shaft, specially created for stirring cocktails. Hold the spoon near the top of the twisted section with your thumb and first two fingers. Sink the spoon into your glass, near the side but not touching it. Twirl the shaft, moving both back and forth and up and down. Continue stirring for about 30 seconds. Fill a chilled highball glass 1/2 to 3/4 full with ice. Chill the glass beforehand by keeping it in the freezer for 5 to 10 minutes, or by storing it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Pour the contents of the first glass into the second. Go slowly and carefully to avoid spilling any of the drink. Add the soda water to the drink. Do not shake or stir the soda water, since doing so may cause it to go flat. Instead, allow the liquids to combine lightly and naturally. Soda water is another great way to water down the bitterness of an extremely sour juice. Add garnish and serve! Finished. Fill the shaker with ice. You should fill it about halfway, if not a little higher. Pour the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup into the shaker. A simple syrup is nothing more than a combination of equal parts granulated sugar and water, heated together until the sugar dissolves. Simple syrups are great for reducing the bitterness of alcohol and extremely sour juices. Pour all three liquids into your shaker and over the ice before securing the cap. Shake vigorously. The ice in the shaker not only cools the cocktail but also helps to combine the syrup into the alcohol and the juice. Continue shaking using your dominant hand, pointing the lid of the shaker away from you and anyone else, for 15 to 30 seconds. Strain the drink into a cocktail glass. The strainer built into your shaker should suffice, but you can also double-strain your gin sour by pouring the liquid through a separate cocktail strainer, as well. | Pour the gin and juice into a shaker. Shake the liquids together. Fill a chilled highball glass with ice cubes. Pour the gin and juice into the glass. Add a garnish. Serve immediately. In a medium glass, combine the gin and lime juice. Mix the juice and gin using a bar spoon. Fill a chilled highball glass 1/2 to 3/4 full with ice. Pour the contents of the first glass into the second. Add the soda water to the drink. Add garnish and serve! Finished. Fill the shaker with ice. Pour the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup into the shaker. Shake vigorously. Strain the drink into a cocktail glass. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Toffee-Apples | How to Make Toffee Apples | To make toffee apples, start by mixing sugar, butter, vinegar, boiling water, and red food coloring. Then, cook the mixture over low heat, stirring it continuously. Once all the sugar dissolves, boil the mixture for 10 minutes before removing it from the heat. Next, pierce some apples with wooden skewers, and dip them in the toffee mixture. Finally, dunk the apples in ice cold water to harden the toffee. | Mix the sugar, butter, vinegar, and boiling water. Combine the ingredients in a saucepan. Make sure that you are using a saucepan that has a heavy base to prevent sticking. Add the food coloring. If you like, you can add a little red food coloring to give your apples a classic candy apple look. Stir the mixture well to distribute the color evenly. Cook the mixture over low heat, stirring continuously. Set the saucepan on the stove and turn the burner to low. Stir the mixture constantly until all the sugar dissolves. Stop stirring and let the mixture boil for 10 minutes. Once the sugar has dissolved, boil the mixture for 10 minutes or until the mixture reaches the hard crack stage. Do not stir! If you have a candy thermometer, the temperature should read 302 °F (150 °C). At the hard crack stage, the toffee will form a hard, brittle thread that easily snaps when you drop it into cold water. You can get a candy or candy or sugar thermometer online or at any store that sells home goods and cooking supplies. Test the toffee by dropping it in cold water. Drop a little bit of your toffee into a bowl of water. If it hardens immediately, it's ready. If the toffee is still soft and squishy, boil the mixture for another 1-2 minutes and try again. Give the candy a few seconds to cool before you grab it so that you don't burn your fingers! Remove the toffee from the heat and let the bubbles disappear. Take your toffee off the stove and wait a moment for it to stop bubbling. If you dip the apples in the toffee before the bubbles settle out, they'll come out bumpy and bubbly. Pierce the apples through with the wooden skewers. Push the skewer through the top until it gets halfway inside the apple. Check for a firm hold. Tilt the saucepan with the toffee mixture in it. Tip the pan to one side to create a deeper pool of toffee. This will make it easier to dip the apples and coat them completely. If you want to free up both hands, you can use some sort of wedge, such as the edge of a trivet, to tilt the pan at an angle. Otherwise, simply tilt the pan with one hand and dip the apple with the other. Dip the apple into the toffee and twist it around gently. Keep turning the apple until the whole thing is coated in toffee. Work quickly, while the toffee is still hot. If the toffee starts to cool down and harden while you're working, you may have to reheat it briefly to liquefy it again. Remove the apple once it’s coated. Pull the coated apple out of the toffee. Allow any excess drips to fall back into the saucepan. Put the apple in a bath of cold water for a few seconds. To harden the toffee, dip the covered apple immediately into ice cold water. Throw in some ice cubes if necessary. Put the apple down onto a tray covered in baking paper to set. Pull the apple out of the cold water bath and set it down on a baking sheet covered in a layer of parchment or wax paper. The toffee will soon harden into a delicious, crunchy candy shell! If you want, you can skip the cold water bath and set the apples directly on the baking sheet. They should cool and set on their own in a few minutes. Serve and enjoy! Your toffee apples will stay good for up to 2 days if you store them in a cool, dry place. | Mix the sugar, butter, vinegar, and boiling water. Add the food coloring. Cook the mixture over low heat, stirring continuously. Stop stirring and let the mixture boil for 10 minutes. Test the toffee by dropping it in cold water. Remove the toffee from the heat and let the bubbles disappear. Pierce the apples through with the wooden skewers. Tilt the saucepan with the toffee mixture in it. Dip the apple into the toffee and twist it around gently. Remove the apple once it’s coated. Put the apple in a bath of cold water for a few seconds. Put the apple down onto a tray covered in baking paper to set. Serve and enjoy! |
https://www.wikihow.com/Count-to-50-in-French | How to Count to 50 in French | To count to 50 in French, memorize the numbers from 1-9, which are un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq, six, sept, huit, and neuf. Then, move on to 10-19, which are dix, onze, douze, treize, quatorze, quinze, seize, dix-sept, dix-huit, and dix-neuf. For numbers 20-50, say the first digit, such as "vingt" for 20, "trente" for 30, "quarante" for 40, and "cinquante" for 50. For the second digit, say "et un" for numbers ending in 1, or simply say the second digit. For example, for 21, you would say "vingt et un," and for 38, you would say "trente-huit." | Memorize the numbers 1 to 9. As in English and other languages, the numbers 1 through 9 in French are unique words that you can only learn by memorizing. Luckily, they aren't too difficult, and there are some tricks you can use to help. Un (uh) is 1. The same word is used for the French masculine article meaning "a," as in "un café" (which would mean either "a coffee" or "one coffee"). Deux (duhr) is 2. You can remember this by thinking of the word "double." Trois (twah) is 3. Remember this by thinking how similar this word is to "triple." Quatre (katr) is 4. Remember this by thinking about the word "quarter," which is one-fourth of something. Cinq (sank) is 5. Six (sees) is 6. It looks just like the English word "six," but is pronounced differently. Sept (seht) is 7. Huit (weet) is 8. Neuf (nurf) is 9. Move on to the numbers 10 through 19. To help you remember 11 through 16, think of taking the numbers 1 through 9 and adding a z sound to the end of them. For 17 through 19, you form the number word just as you do for the rest of the numbers – by saying the first digit (in the tens spot) and then the second digit (in the ones spot). Dix (dees) is 10. Onze (ohnz) is 11. You can remember this by thinking of the English word "ones." The number 11 is made up of two digits, both of them "ones." Douze (dooz) is 12. Treize (trehz) is 13. Quatorze (kah-torz) is 14. Quinze (kanz) is 15. Seize (sehz) is 16. Dix-sept (dee-seht) is 17. Dix-huit (dees-weet) is 18. Dix-neuf (dees-nurf) is 19. Add the numbers 1 through 9 to vingt (vehn) for numbers 21 through 29. Once you get to 20, number words in French follow the same pattern that is also used in English. The only exception is 21, for which you'll add an et (and) between the words for the digits. Vingt et un (vehnt ay uh) is 21. The literal translation would be "twenty and one." Note that you pronounce the t when it comes before a vowel sound. It is silent if it comes before a consonant. Vingt-deux (vehn duhr) is 22. Vingt-trois (vehn twah) is 23. Vingt-quatre (vehn katr) is 24. Vingt-cinq (vehn sank) is 25. Vingt-six (vehn sees) is 26. Vingt-sept (vehn seht) is 27. Vingt-huit (vehn weet) is 28. Vingt-neuf (vehn nurf) is 29. Say trente (trahnt) for the number 30. All numbers in the 30s start with the word for the number 30, followed by the correct word for the digit in the ones place (numbers 1 through 9). This is the same pattern you saw for the French words for numbers in the 20s. Don't forget to add an et between the digits for 31 – trente et un (trahnt ay uh). While the t at the end of vingt is silent, the t is pronounced in trente and other French number words when it is followed by an e. So, for example, you would say trahnt-katr for 24. Use quarante (kah-rohnt) to count from 40 to 49. Continuing with the same pattern, start with 40 and then add the correct word for the digit in the ones place (numbers 1 through 9). Add an et between the digits for 41 – quarante et un (kah-rohnt ay uh). The word quarante is a good opportunity to practice your French r. Pull the sound from the back of your throat, as though you are gargling. Learn cinquante (sank-ohnt) to finish counting to 50. Cinquante means 50 in French, but there's no need to stop there. As before, you can simply add the correct word for the digit in the ones place (numbers 1 through 9) to the word cinquante. Not only can you count to 50, you can easily count to 59 using number words you already know. Cinquante has two vowels that are followed by an n , signaling a nasal pronunciation. This makes it a good word for you to practice making French nasal vowel sounds. Remember that 51 would be cinquante et un (sank-ohnt ay uh). Start with the French vowels. While the French language has a lot of accent and diacritical marks (the marks over letters) that can trip up beginners, none of these marks are present in French numbers. Getting down the basic vowel sounds and practicing them with numbers can help improve your overall French pronunciation. A is pronounced like the a in the English word "father." The combination ai is pronounced like the ai in "bait," and au like "oh." An e without any accent marks is pronounced like the oo in the English word "good," as is the combination eu. When coming before an f , it sounds more like ur , as in neuf (9). I is pronounced like the ee in "see." You notice this in the number words six and dix. O is pronounced like "oh." The combination ou sounds like the same vowel combination in the English word "soup." U may be pronounced similar to the oo in the English word "food," although the exact sound doesn't exist in English. Since you won't find this u sound in number words, feel free to skip it for now. Anytime a vowel is followed by an n , it is a nasal vowel. This will alter your basic pronunciation. For example, in the word un (1), the u sounds more like eh or uh. Pronounce most French consonants as you would in English. French uses essentially the same alphabet as English, and most of the consonants are pronounced similarly. The ones that are pronounced differently are fairly easy to remember once you've had some practice. When the letter h appears at the beginning of a word, it's usually silent. For example, with the word huit (8), the w sound comes from the pronunciation of the vowel combination ui. The h at the beginning is silent. Whenever you see a q or qu in French, it is pronounced like an English k. You can see this in the number words quatre (4) and quatorze (14). This pronunciation is found occasionally in English words, such as etiquette , which are loanwords from French. The letter c is pronounced like an English s if it comes before an e or an i. This isn't really different from English, which also has a soft c , as in the words "office" and "face." In fact, most of the English words with soft c came from French. Say the French r from the back of your throat. The French r sounds quite a bit different than the English r. This is because the sound comes from the back of your throat, rather than the front of your mouth. The French r is guttural, but not as guttural as some sounds in other languages, such as German. Think in terms of the sound you would make when you were gargling, but not the sound you would make if you were clearing your throat. To find the correct place to make the French r sound, make a k sound with your mouth closed. You should feel it at the base of your tongue. Practice making an r sound from that spot. It can take some time to get it right, but until you do, take comfort knowing that you will still be understood if you use a regular English r or a slightly trilled r sound. Practice the nasal sounds until you get them right. Nasal sounds figure prominently in many French number words, including vingt (20) and un (1). To make the nasal sound correctly, cut off air flow in your mouth and send part of your exhalation through your nose instead. Generally speaking, if you see an ng in a word, it is a signal to pronounce the vowel nasally. Many English words with an ng , such as sang , are also said with a slight (or significant, depending on your regional accent) nasal twang. Leave off the last letter when pronouncing many French words. You may be familiar with the silent e in English, but French also has many silent consonants. Some of these lettres muettes (silent letters) appear regularly in French number words. For example, in the word vingt (20), the g and t are essentially silent (although the ng signals that this word should be pronounced nasally). The word quatre (4) is another French number word with silent letters – here, the r and the e are both silent. | Memorize the numbers 1 to 9. Move on to the numbers 10 through 19. Add the numbers 1 through 9 to vingt (vehn) for numbers 21 through 29. Say trente (trahnt) for the number 30. Use quarante (kah-rohnt) to count from 40 to 49. Learn cinquante (sank-ohnt) to finish counting to 50. Start with the French vowels. Pronounce most French consonants as you would in English. Say the French r from the back of your throat. Practice the nasal sounds until you get them right. Leave off the last letter when pronouncing many French words. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-an-Expression-of-Interest-for-a-Visa | How to Write an Expression of Interest for a Visa | Before you fill out your Expression of Interest, or EOI, do some research to ensure your occupation is visa-eligible. You will also have to pay fees, which can vary widely, but may be $1500 or more. The EOI form will ask about your dependents, education, and work history. Plan to write a statement explaining why your job is in demand. Make sure to carefully review your work for errors before submitting it. | Make sure your occupation is eligible for a visa. In general, most host countries prefer to give work visas to people with high-skill, high-demand occupations. This is to ensure that people entering are providing a net benefit to the host country that couldn't necessarily be provided by a native citizen. For this reason, some countries will only award work visas to people in certain professions. Before beginning the process of filling out an EOI, double-check to make sure your occupation This information will usually be available from the relevant immigration agencies in your host country. For instance, in Australia, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection publishes an online list of visa-eligible occupations called the Skilled Occupation List (SOL). Make sure you're applying for the correct visa. The visa application process can be a long, drawn-out, and tricky one. You definitely don't want to accidentally waste time and effort applying for a visa that won't provide the sort of protection that you and your family need to live and work in your host country. If you're even a little unsure of which visa you should apply for, don't begin without making sure. Usually, your host country will publish easy-to-understand visa information for visa applicants online. For instance, the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection's website offers a "Find a Visa" utility that allows you to easily input your personal information to find the visa(s) you should apply for. Alternatively, try contacting the nearest embassy or consulate of your host country directly. Gather all necessary supporting documentation. For some countries, the EOI serves only as an initial screening step to the visa application process, so you won't need any sort of official documentation to complete your EOI. For other countries ,however, you may need to include this sort of documentation as part of your EOI. In this case, be sure to have any needed documents before starting. Things like birth certificates, employment records, and so on can take time to obtain, so request them as early as possible to help keep your EOI writing process relatively quick. Usually, you'll be able to find this information either on the EOI form itself or from online government sources. For example, the Australian government occasionally publishes changes to documentation requirements on its official blog. Be prepared to pay any application fees. Unfortunately, many (if not nearly all) EOI forms will require the applicant to pay a processing fee to submit the form. These can vary greatly depending on which visa you're applying for, how big your family is, where you currently live and what your occupation is. Be sure to have this money ready by the time you finish your EOI — usually, processing won't begin until you pay the fee. If you can't find the application fee on your EOI document, most immigration agencies will publish this online. For instance, the government of New Zealand offers an online utility that allows visitors to find exactly where they'll need to submit their forms and how much they'll need to pay by inputting their personal information. As an example of the wide range of fees you may be asked to pay, a skilled migrant applying for resident status in New Zealand will need to pay about NZ$1,550 if he is from Australia or the pacific. However, if he is from the rest of the world, he may need to pay about NZ$2,400. Provide any personal information requested. Nearly all EOI forms will require you to supply a wide range of personal details. For instance, in addition to basic information like your name and address, you'll probably be asked for your marital status, your salary, your level of application, your tax obligations, and more. Supply this information as thoroughly and as accurately as you can as you fill out the form. In addition, be prepared to provide extensive information on anyone who might come to the host country with you, including your family and/or spouse. Never lie or neglect to disclose important information on your EOI on purpose. Knowingly deceiving your host country's government can immediately disqualify you from visa eligibility, seriously hindering your ability to work there in the future. List qualifications and experience as directed. Beyond basic personal information, much of what you'll be asked to supply in your EOI will have to do with your current job and any past work history. Supply this information to the best of your information as requested. It can be very helpful to use a recent resume, curriculum vitae, or tax return to help you with this process. Don't be afraid to contact old employers to get any necessary information if needed. Because visas are preferentially given to migrants with high-skill occupations, in general, you'll want to emphasize skills and work experience that are in short supply in your host country. For this reason, your chances of getting a visa are usually best if you currently work in one of these sorts of positions and have a good amount of relevant experience in your field. For instance, here are just a few of the occupations listed on Australia's Skilled Occupation List (SOL): actuary, chemical engineer, surveyor, naval architect, medical radiation therapist, sonographer, dental specialist, systems analyst, and social worker. When prompted, explain why your job is a highly-valued one. Eventually, many EOIs will ask you write a brief description of why, exactly, you're such a valuable candidate. Keep in mind that your ultimate goal with an EOI is to paint yourself as someone whose skills are in high demand — someone who can do a job that there aren't enough native citizens to fill. With this in mind, clearly and succinctly explain how your particular occupation requires lots of training or specialized knowledge and is something that there is a great demand for. For example, the EOI form for New Zealand asks applicants to "explain how [their] job is skilled [and] give a detailed reason in support of their claim..." In this case, in addition to the strategies above, it can be useful to consult supporting documents (like, for New Zealand, the Skilled Migrant Category EOI Guide) to find the host country's official definition of what a skilled occupation is. Then, on the EOI form, use this information to give specific examples of how your job is a skilled one. Have your family members fill out their own forms as needed. Nearly all EOI forms will ask you for detailed information on your family and/or spouse. In addition to supplying this information yourself, your family members will often need to fill out their own supplemental forms for the EOI application to be considered complete. If they're too young to do so, you may still need to fill out a form for them. Unfortunately, these additional forms can sometimes have their own application fees. For example, visa applicants to New Zealand who wish to apply as parent of an adult New Zealand resident (rather than as skilled migrants) must fill out a separate form called the Parent Category EOI. If necessary, get an English-speaker to help you write. If you're applying for a visa to an English-speaking country, there's a reasonable chance that you don't yet have full knowledge of the language. If you're not a good enough reader and writer of English to fill your own form out, it's usually acceptable to get help from a fluent English speaker or translator to help you. Often, you'll need to disclose this person's identifying information on your EOI form. For instance, visa applicants to Australia who get a translator outside Australia to help them must provide their translator's name, address, contact information, and give their qualifications as a translator. If the translator is from inside Australia, this person must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters. Carefully review your EOI before submitting. When you're done with your EOI, give it a thorough check for errors, misspellings, and omitted information before submitting. Filling out your form incorrectly can can lead to it not being accepted, costing you even more time and money during your application process as you re-apply. Usually, your EOI form will contain information about where exactly to mail it. For instance, EOIs for visas to New Zealand must be sent to the official Immigration offices in the capital of Auckland. | Make sure your occupation is eligible for a visa. Make sure you're applying for the correct visa. Gather all necessary supporting documentation. Be prepared to pay any application fees. Provide any personal information requested. List qualifications and experience as directed. When prompted, explain why your job is a highly-valued one. Have your family members fill out their own forms as needed. If necessary, get an English-speaker to help you write. Carefully review your EOI before submitting. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-Olaplex | How to Use Olaplex | To use Olaplex, start by shampooing your hair and towel-drying it thoroughly. Next, apply Olaplex No. 3 to your scalp and comb it through your hair. After 20 minutes, rinse with warm water, then shampoo and condition your hair as normal. Alternatively, use the Olaplex website to find a salon near you that offers Olaplex treatments. | Find a stylist you trust at an Olaplex-affiliated salon. Olaplex is a beauty product that is only sold in select salons. Find a salon that you like and trust that carries Olaplex and make an appointment for a treatment. Since the treatment is incorporated into your existing color/styling appointment, it won't add very much extra time to your time at the salon. You can use the Olaplex online salon locator at https://locator.olaplex.com/ Make sure you ask the salon if they offer Olaplex treatments when you call. If they do, let them know that's what you're coming in for. Otherwise, they may not have a stylist available to work with you when you arrive. Sit through the Olaplex No. 1 treatment. If you are using the Olaplex in combination with a coloring treatment, your stylist will mix the Olaplex No. 1 solution directly into the bleach, hair dye, or powder lightener before it is applied to your hair. The solution will remain in your hair for as long as the color treatment normally would, then will be simply rinsed out once the allotted time has passed. If you're not using the Olaplex in combination with a coloring treatment, your stylist will still put it in your hair as a stand-alone treatment. Once the Olaplex has been removed, your hair should feel silky, shiny, and healthier Continue with the Olaplex No. 2 treatment. The Olaplex No. 2 treatment works best if you are getting your hair colored at the same time, or if you have particularly damaged hair. Your stylist will dye your hair using the hair dye that contains Olaplex No. 1, then rinse it out (using no shampoo) after the allotted amount of time. Your hair will be towel-dried and then Olaplex No. 2 will be applied throughout your hair. You must keep the Olaplex No. 2 in your hair for 10-20 minutes. Once you finish waiting, the stylist will rinse, shampoo, and condition your hair. Shampoo and towel-dry your hair normally. Hop in the shower and shampoo your hair as you normally would. Soap up your hair and gently massage the shampoo into your scalp. Then rinse the shampoo out completely. After you finish shampooing, towel-dry your hair thoroughly. Apply Olaplex No. 3 and let it sit for 10-30 minutes. Pour a nickel-sized amount of the Olaplex No. 3 solution into your hands and massage it into your scalp, just as you would with regular shampoo. Be sure to comb the serum through all of your hair, saturating all of the strands as you go. Let it sit for the required amount of time. Leave the Olaplex No. 3 in your hair for at least 10-30 minutes. If your hair has recently been dyed or otherwise damaged, consider leaving it in for an hour or two. You may want to put on a shower cap to keep the serum from touching your clothes or other items in your home while you wait out the clock. Rinse the treatment out and shampoo your hair. After the allotted amount of time, hop back in the shower and rinse out the Olaplex No. 3 treatment with warm water. Then, shampoo and condition your hair as you normally would. Once you get out of the shower, your hair should be silky smooth, healthy, and ready to be styled! Repeat the treatment once every 10 days. For the best results, you should keep applying Olaplex to your hair every 10 days after you're initial treatment at the salon. Reapplying the Olaplex No. 3 solution will help keep your hair smooth and healthy. | Find a stylist you trust at an Olaplex-affiliated salon. Sit through the Olaplex No. Continue with the Olaplex No. Shampoo and towel-dry your hair normally. Apply Olaplex No. Rinse the treatment out and shampoo your hair. Repeat the treatment once every 10 days. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Cornstarch-Paste | How to Make Cornstarch Paste | Cornstarch paste is a great equivalent to store-bought glue, and you can make your own with only cornstarch and water. Start with 3 tablespoons of cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of water. Mix them together in a bowl until you get a glue-like substance. If you want a thicker mixture, combine ½ cup each of cornstarch and water in a saucepan and heat it over low heat while stirring it. The heat will help the cornstarch dissolve. Store the paste in a container in the fridge and use it within a few weeks. | Combine cornstarch and water. That's it! From there, the recipe can deviate based on your preference for thickness; you can add more cornstarch or water until the paste is your preferred consistency. Thoroughly mix the two ingredients together. As the cornstarch absorbs water the mixture will thicken and begin to resemble glue. For thin cornstarch paste, use 3 tablespoon (44.4 ml) of cold water and 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) of cornstarch. For thick cornstarch paste, use equal parts cold water and cornstarch. Because the starch may settle, stir the simple cornstarch paste just before using it. Heat the mixture. If you're creating a thick paste, adding it to heat can make the mixing process easier. Place 1/2 cup cornstarch and 1/2 cup of water in a saucepan. Place the pan over low heat. Stir the ingredients together until they're smooth. When the consistency is thick and gluey, remove the mixture from heat. The finished product will be somewhat translucent. Allow everything to cool before pouring it into a plastic container for use. Using a whisk can work initially, but you'll need to switch to a heavy spoon when the mixture thickens. Store the paste in the refrigerator. Use a clean plastic or glass container for storage. The mixture will keep for as long as a month in the refrigerator. If necessary, you add more water and slightly heat the mixture to soften it before use. An old butter tub works well for larger amounts of paste. If you're making paste for multiple projects or more than one person, small yogurt containers with lids work well. Use the cornstarch paste in your arts and crafts projects. This simple cornstarch paste can be used with yarn, string, Popsicle sticks, and various other children's art. After using cornstarch paste in a craft project, allow it to dry for 24 hours. Use corn syrup and white vinegar. This variation creates a stronger glue that can be used in craft projects in place of regular school glue. Mix 3/4 cup water, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 2 tablespoon (29.6 ml) corn syrup, and 1 tsp white vinegar into a saucepan. Place the pan over low heat. Stir the mixture it until it's blended together well, then remove it from heat. Add cornstarch and water. Pour an additional 1/4 cup cornstarch and 1/4 cup water into the saucepan. Slowly and continuously stir the mixture until everything is well combined. The mixture will begin to thicken into a glue-like substance after a few minutes of stirring. Allow the mixture to cool. The mixture will be very hot, so handle it with care. After bringing it to room temperature, spoon the mixture into a plastic or glass container for storage. Don't pour the mixture into a container while it's still hot, as it could melt the storage container. Do not allow a child to use the paste until it has completely cooled. Add white glue to your mixture. If you'd like your cornstarch paste to dry quickly, you may want to add some white glue to the mixture. Blend enough cornstarch and water to make a thick paste. After heating the mixture until translucent, take it off the heat, and stir in the white glue. For best results, use a 50/50 mixture of glue and paste. Make sure you stir thoroughly after the white glue is added. Otherwise, the glue will not bind with the cornstarch paste base. The resulting mixture is a good choice for craft projects that require extra gluing power. Add a few drops of essential oil. Choose your favorite scent and stir in a few drops just before using the glue. A little goes a long way, so don't add more than 3-5 drops. Rose oil is a great touch for glue on a love letter. Peppermint would be an excellent addition to a Christmas card. Stir in some food coloring. Change the appearance by putting in a bit of food coloring. This is a great way to add flair to paper craft projects. Experiment with food coloring until you get the right color and desired transparency. Sprinkle in some glitter. When the paste is almost hardened, you can mix in some glitter to add sparkle. This is a great way to integrate glitter into arts and crafts without making a big mess. Ensure the glitter is not added too late, or it will be difficult to blend into the paste. | Combine cornstarch and water. Heat the mixture. Store the paste in the refrigerator. Use the cornstarch paste in your arts and crafts projects. Use corn syrup and white vinegar. Add cornstarch and water. Allow the mixture to cool. Add white glue to your mixture. Add a few drops of essential oil. Stir in some food coloring. Sprinkle in some glitter. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Talk-with-Your-Mouth-Closed | How to Talk with Your Mouth Closed | Talking with your mouth closed takes a little practice, but once you get the hang of it, it's a useful trick. To position your mouth correctly, part your lips slightly, touch your teeth together, and make sure you have room to move your tongue. Practice saying letters at first, then move on to simple words when you've mastered those. When you're just starting out, look in the mirror when you speak to make sure you're not moving your mouth too much. Try to avoid the letter “f”, and the sounds “ing” and “able,” since these are pretty hard to say with your mouth closed. Once you've practiced for a while, try out your new skills in front of your friends to see if they can understand you. | Part your lips. To speak with your mouth closed, you'll need to make sure your lips are parted ever so slightly. Without parting your lips just a little bit, you won't be able to get any sound out of your mouth. Practice parting your lips in front of a mirror. You should be able to breathe normally and see your teeth ever so slightly. Touch your teeth together. After parting your lips, you'll need to make sure your top and bottom front teeth are lightly touching each other. If your teeth aren't touching, people will be able to see your tongue moving as you talk. Don't grind your teeth against each other. Instead, let them sit together comfortably. Your jaw should be relatively relaxed. Make sure your tongue can move. Once you have your lips and teeth in place, drop your tongue lower in your mouth and try to move it around. If your tongue can't move enough, you won't be able to make the sounds you need to make. If your tongue can't move, you may need to relax your jaw a little bit and part your teeth a little bit. Look at yourself in the mirror. After you've positioned your mouth, you need to look at yourself in the mirror. Your lips should be parted a little. You may be able to see your teeth. However, you should not be able to see your tongue. If you can see your tongue, or see it moving around, you'll need to position your teeth so they hide your tongue. Breathe normally. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Make sure to stay calm. Avoid hyperventilating or breathing too deeply. If you breathe too deeply, you won't be able to keep your mouth closed. Practice easy letters. Say easy letters repeatedly until you can say them comfortably. Try to articulate with your tongue rather than opening your mouth. Ultimately, the only way to speak with your mouth closed is to practice making as many different sounds as possible. Easy letters include: A, C, D, E, G, H, I, J, K, L, N, O, Q, R, S, T, U, X and Z. In general, vowel sounds are easier to say with a closed mouth than consonants. Work on tough letters. There are 7 letters (B, F, M, P, V, W and Y) that are especially tricky to say with your mouth closed. This is because they require you to move your lips to make the sounds associated with them. To make the sounds of these letters, you'll have to substitute them for easier letters or sounds. Substitute: D for B “Eth” for F N for M T for P “Thee” for V O for I W and Y Try saying some words. After you've mastered your letters, try practicing full words. Feel free to start off with easy words like “mom” and move on to tougher words like “butterfly.” Without practicing a variety of words, you won't be able to master talking with your mouth shut. Make a list of easy and difficult words and repeat them 10 to 20 times each – or until you feel comfortable saying them. Then, move on to new words. Emphasize “ing” when saying a word that starts with a problematic letter. Since “ing” is such a powerful sound, you can use it to obscure your substitution of a difficult letter. Simply emphasize the “ing” and possibly say it louder. Since “f” is difficult to say, with “fishing,” say “th-ish-ing.” Say the “ing” loud. Avoid words that end with “able. ” Because of the complex sound and the inclusion of the problematic “b,” you should avoid using words that end in “able.” Instead, substitute different words for words that end with “able.” Instead of saying “agreeable,” say “compliant.” Instead of saying “adorable,” say “darling.” Instead of saying “comfortable,” say “contented.” Speak entire sentences. Start to put individual words together to form sentences. Make sure to include a few somewhat difficult words. Without these, you won't be able to master the art of talking with your mouth closed. After enough practice, you'll find that your pronunciation will get better and better. Start with a simple sentence like “Hi, my name is John and I am from Nebraska.” Move on to tougher sentences like “I believe that running is one of the most effective ways to exercise.” Write a monologue and practice it. After you've mastered the alphabet and words, you should write a monologue and practice it. Start by using words that you're most comfortable with. However, make sure to incorporate some words that you think are challenging. Consider giving a speech with your mouth closed. For example, work on Abraham Lincoln's “Gettysburg Address.” Talk to your friends. While practicing by yourself is certainly helpful, you should try talking to your friends with your mouth closed. This way, you can not only entertain them but be challenged by unscripted conversations you're likely to have with them. Try to hold a normal conversation with your friends. Talk about various subjects and let them ask you questions. Invite friends and family to watch you talk with your mouth closed. Get a ventriloquist dummy or puppet and hone the art of ventriloquism. Record yourself. One of the best ways to improve your ability to talk with your mouth closed is to record yourself. By recording yourself, you'll be able to hear exactly how you pronounce certain words. Then, you can practice problematic words until you say them better. Use your cellphone or a tape recorder to record yourself. | Part your lips. Touch your teeth together. Make sure your tongue can move. Look at yourself in the mirror. Breathe normally. Practice easy letters. Work on tough letters. Try saying some words. Emphasize “ing” when saying a word that starts with a problematic letter. Avoid words that end with “able. Speak entire sentences. Write a monologue and practice it. Talk to your friends. Record yourself. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Have-Good-Table-Manners | How to Have Good Table Manners | To have good table manners, follow your host's lead if it's your first time at a dinner party. When you arrive, wait for the host to invite you to the table, and put your napkin in your lap and begin eating when the host does. When you're eating, use the outermost set of cutlery first and work your way in toward your plate. Always remember to say please and thank you, and avoid talking with food in your mouth or chewing with your mouth open. | Observe your host. Follow their lead. The key objective in learning table manners (etiquette) is to feel comfortable when dining with others, and the host generally the leader at a dinner party or meal. If you are the host , don't panic. Ensure you read up on etiquette before taking on the role of hosting and operate within the boundaries so that you are easy to follow. Wait for the host to invite you to the table. He or she may assign you to a seat. Stand behind the chair as the other guests get assembled. When the host sits, take your seat. You'll get extra points for helping others, such as the elderly, into their seats before you take yours. After you sit, pull your chair in to the table, without dragging it over the floor with a horrible scrape. Take your napkin from the table immediately, and place it neatly on your lap. Then sit up straight, just like Mom always tells you. And keep those pesky elbows off the table, too. Emulate your host. Put your napkin in your lap when you see them doing it. Match their rate of eating. (After all, no one wants to have an empty plate when their host is only halfway done with the dish.) If you see them eating finger food with a fork, follow their lead - even if it seems unreasonable. Assume that your host is always right; unless you can definitely tell that they have bad manners, in which case you may follow another guest. Use the appropriate cutlery. If there are many utensils in your place setting and there is more than one course, start on the outside and work your way in. Again, observe your host if you have any doubts. Be polite. Consider every action before you do it and if you have the slightest doubt, don't do it! You must consciously refrain from embarrassing yourself and your host. Take small bites; do not chew with your mouth open; do not talk with food in your mouth; and do not place elbows on the table. Learn to pass items. When someone says, "Please pass the (what you would like passed to you)," reach for it only if you are the closest one to it. Take the item and place it next to your neighbor. Continue passing the item in this manner until it reaches the person who asked for it. Refrain from helping yourself along the way, before the person who asked for it gets the chance. Wait politely until they have served themselves. Then ask for the bowl to be passed back to you. Take one roll or one slice of bread only. If you have a bread plate to the left of your fork, put the bread on it. When the butter is passed to you, use the serving knife to take a pat. Place it on your bread plate. Then pass the butter dish along with the serving knife to the next person. Use your fingers to tear off a bite-size piece of bread. Butter only that bite-sized piece. Then eat and repeat as desired. Place your napkin next to your plate on the table when you wish to leave. Wait for your host to indicate the meal is complete. Then stand up. Push your chair back in and thank your host for a delicious meal. | Observe your host. Wait for the host to invite you to the table. Emulate your host. Use the appropriate cutlery. Be polite. Learn to pass items. Take one roll or one slice of bread only. Place your napkin next to your plate on the table when you wish to leave. |
https://www.wikihow.health/Prevent-Hepatitis-B | How to Prevent Hepatitis B | Although hepatitis B has no medical cure, the best way to prevent it in the first place is to get vaccinated, preferably at birth. Additional measures you can take include practicing safe sex by always using a condom, since the exchange of body fluids during sex is the most common way adults transmit HBV. You should also be cautious of needles, tattoos, or piercings, as these are also common ways for infectious bloodborne diseases to spread. If you think you've been exposed to HBV and are not vaccinated, talk to your doctor about getting a hepatitis B immune globulin injection to help contain the infection. | Vaccinate your newborn. According to medical authorities, the best way to prevent hepatitis B infection is to be vaccinated against it, preferably starting at birth. Two HBV vaccines are currently available (Recombivax HB and Engerix-B) and both require three intramuscular injections administered over a six-month period. As such, newborn babies should get their first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine very shortly after birth and get the other two shots by the time they are six-months old. The injections are given into the thigh muscles of newborns. Babies born to mothers who have acute hepatitis B or have had the infection in the past should get vaccinated within 12 hours of birth. After three doses of the hepatitis B vaccine, at least 95% of infants, children and adolescents develop adequate antibody responses to the HBV and are immune to infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The side effects from hepatitis B vaccines are usually not serious and typically include soreness at the injection site and mild flu-like symptoms. Take your child for a "catch-up" shot. If your child or adolescent wasn't vaccinated against HBV at birth, then make an appointment with your family doctor and ask about getting so-called "catch-up" doses of hepatitis B vaccine — which means getting their immune system caught up to speed in preventing the infection. This is particularly important if your child has a weakened immune system, needs frequent blood transfusions or has a serious liver or kidney disease. Furthermore, you should take your teenager for a catch-up shot if they are becoming sexually active. The deltoid (shoulder) muscle is the recommended site for hepatitis B vaccination in children and adults. HBV is infectious, but it's not transmitted via saliva. It's only transmitted through contact with blood and other body fluids, such as semen. As such, you can't get a hepatitis B infection from sharing food or drinks, kissing or getting sneezed on. The Recombivax HB vaccine has only a two-dose schedule (instead of three) for adolescents aged 11 through 15 years, so this may be more appropriate if your child has a big fear of needles. Get a "booster" dose if you're at higher risk. Even if you were vaccinated at birth for HBV, you should get a booster dose (three shots within six months) if you are considered at high risk for the infection. People at higher risk of hepatitis B infection include health care workers, frequent travelers (especially to developing countries), people who live in countries where the risk of hepatitis B is high, patients undergoing hemodialysis, sexually promiscuous people, people who have contracted an STD in the past, pregnant women, gay men, recreational drug users, people in the correctional system, people who need frequent blood products or transfusions (hemodialysis patients), people with compromised immunity and people with chronic liver or kidney disease. The regular hepatitis B vaccine schedule (three doses) is only 75% effective in preventing infection or clinical hepatitis if you are aged 60 years or older. As such, talk to your doctor about possibly getting larger doses or more doses of the vaccine for better protection. The most common ways HBV is transmitted include: unprotected sexual contact with someone who is infected; sharing contaminated needles, syringes or intravenous (IV) paraphernalia; accidental needle pricks while working as a healthcare professional; and infected mothers passing it to babies during childbirth. Practice safe sex. The exchange of body fluids (blood, semen, vaginal secretions) during sexual contact is the most common method of HBV transmission between adults. As such, know the HBV status of any sexual partner and always either wear a condom or insist that your partner does in order to prevent your risk of hepatitis B infection. Condom use does not completely eliminate the risk of hepatitis B infection or other sexually transmitted diseases, but it significantly reduces it. Use a new latex or polyurethane condom every time you have a sexual encounter, even if there's no sexual intercourse involved. The HBV can't penetrate latex or polyurethane, but sometimes condoms develop rips or tears or are used incorrectly. Stop injecting illicit drugs. Some illicit drugs, such as heroin, are injected with needles and syringes, which not only negatively impacts your health in numerous ways, but it can dramatically increase your risk of hepatitis B infection if you share needles. Promising yourself that you won't share needles with other drug users is often not foolproof since the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms can make people do desperate and irrational things to get high. As such, the best advice is to stop using all illicit drugs. If you need help quitting, ask your doctor about addiction programs. If you are an injection drug user, keep in mind that thoroughly cleaning your syringes (even with bleach) will not eliminate your risk of hepatitis B infection — so never share needles. Other drug paraphernalia may also have blood on it that's contaminated with HBV (like straws for snorting cocaine), so avoid sharing anything with other drug users — even razors and toothbrushes. Be cautious with body piercing and tattooing. Getting body parts pierced or tattooed are not high-risk activities for HBV infection or any other type of infection. However, because HBV is a blood born virus, there's some risk of infection if the person piercing or tattooing you doesn't sterilize their equipment properly, use disposable gloves and/or practice good hygiene. As such, only use shops that have good reputations and are willing to answer questions about how they reduce the risk of spreading infectious diseases, such as HBV. Consider making your appointment for when the shop opens in the morning (so you're the first client of the day) and asking them if you can watch how they sterilize their equipment. Explain that you're especially cautious of infectious blood-born diseases and that you're not questioning their professionalism, just wanting a high level of hygiene. Maintain a strong immune system. For any type of infection (viral, bacterial or fungal), true prevention depends on a healthy and strong immune system. Your immune system consists of specialized cells that search for and attempt to destroy HBV, but when the system is weakened and malfunctioning, HBV proliferates in the blood and causes liver inflammation and damage. Thus, focusing on ways to keep your immune system strong and functioning properly is a logical and natural approach to preventing HBV and virtually all other infectious diseases. Getting more sleep (or better quality sleep), eating more fresh produce, practicing good hygiene, drinking lots of purified water and regular cardiovascular exercise are all proven ways to boost your immune function. Your immune response will also benefit by cutting down on refined sugars (soda pop, candy, ice cream, most baked goods), reducing your alcohol consumption and refraining from smoking tobacco products. Supplements that can boost immunity include vitamins A, C and D, zinc, selenium, echinacea, olive leaf extract and astragalus root. Get a HBIG injection. If you're not vaccinated against HBV and are nervous that you've been recently exposed to the virus (ie. poked with a used needle or unprotected sexual encounter), then talk to your doctor about a single injection of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) to help contain the infection. HBIG is recommended following exposure to HBV (preferably within 24 hours of exposure) because it provides immediate, short-term protection against HBV proliferation and infection. Along with a HBIG injection, a dose of hepatitis B vaccine is given at the same time for those not previously vaccinated. A HBIG injection does not guarantee protection from HBV infection and it becomes significantly less effective beyond the initial 24-hour window from the moment of exposure. Children born to mothers who are infected with hepatitis B should have a hepatitis B Vaccination and HBIG. | Vaccinate your newborn. Take your child for a "catch-up" shot. Get a "booster" dose if you're at higher risk. Practice safe sex. Stop injecting illicit drugs. Be cautious with body piercing and tattooing. Maintain a strong immune system. Get a HBIG injection. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Study-when-You%27re-High | How to Study when You're High | Studying when you're high isn't the most effective, but if you're already high and want to get some work done, try to perk yourself up and focus your mind on studying. If you're feeling groggy from marijuana, try taking a short walk or a shower to wake yourself up. You can also sip tea or coffee to offset your high. However, if you're high on stimulants, avoid caffeine, since this will make you feel worse. Once you've perked yourself up a bit, head to a quiet, calm environment so you can focus on your work. Turn your phone off and stay off the internet. If you listen to music, stick to something instrumental and calm so it doesn't distract you. Set a timer for your study session, and take regular breaks so you don't get fatigued. | Take a short nap or relax. Go and sleep for a little bit. If you're wired and can't sleep, try to relax. Either way, make sure your alarm is set for 20-60 minutes so you don't lose track of time. Taking a short nap or spending time relaxing will refresh you. If you're high on marijuana, it will help you shake off some of the grogginess associated with your high. If you're amped up and wired from something else, trying to relax will help you focus. Your mind will become crisper and you'll be able to think clearer. Find a place that is cool and dark. Use some white noise, if it helps you. If you can't sleep, try to eliminate distractions while you rest and focus your thoughts. By calming your mind, you'll put yourself in a better place to study later. Set your alarm clock or phone alarm so you don't wind up sleeping all day and night. Do some light exercise. Another great way to sober up so you can study is to do some light exercise. Exercising will help get your juices pumping, and combined with eating well and hydrating, should give you a burst of energy and make you more alert. Consider: Exercising might make your high more intense (in the short term, about 15 minutes). Exercising will help you focus your mind better. If you're amped up on something, exercise will give you a positive outlet for your extra energy. Going for a short jog, perhaps about 10 minutes long. Doing some jumping jacks or pushups. Take a shower. Taking a shower is a great way to help you get into the right mind frame for studying if you're high. This is because showers freshen us, wake us up, and recharge us. In a way, taking a shower is a way of starting your day anew. Consider: Taking a cold shower if you need to “shock” yourself into waking up. If you're wired, taking a shower will relax you and help you focus. Don't spend too long in the shower. The key is not to relax, but to freshen yourself up a bit. Try to spend just 3-5 minutes in the shower, then get to work. Use caffeine appropriately. Depending on what you're high on, you'll want to use caffeine appropriately. This is important, because if you don't use it appropriately, you could undermine your attempts to put yourself in a better position to study. The best thing you can do to get rid of that nasty grogginess brought upon by marijuana is to get energy. To do this, drink some coffee or a 5-hour energy. If you're amped up or wired from another drug, avoid caffeine at all costs. It'll simply reinforce the high that you're trying to fight. Be aware that caffeine doesn't necessary cancel out a marijuana high, and it may actually make you feel higher than before. As a result, only use caffeine if you know how it affects your body and yourself when you are high. Have a snack. Many drug users know that food can often help bring you down. This is because when you eat something, your body will start to metabolize that food, which will help your body breakdown and metabolize any chemicals that might be making you high. However, when taking this approach consider: Don't eat too much. You don't want to get overly full and then feel sleepy from that. Don't eat too many carbs or sugar. Carbs and sugar might pep you up right away, but after a short while you'll wind up crashing and you'll be groggy and muddled again. Avoid eating only meat. Eating only meat, depending on the meat, might make you groggy again. Eat a well-balanced snack that includes vegetables, fruits, some carbs, and protein. If you're high on an upper, it might hurt your appetite. Try to overcome this by eating something. Chances are, it'll help. Hydrate yourself. Drinking lots of water and other non-alcoholic liquids will help you sober up a bit so you can do some work. Hydrating yourself works for a number of reasons: Like with eating food, drinking liquids will help get your juices flowing and your metabolism pumping. This will help your body move THC and/or other chemicals out of your system and help you to become more alert. Hydrating yourself helps in detox in the long run. Consider drinking liquids that are rich in vitamins like vitamin C, D, or B-12. These vitamins will help wake you up and make your more alert. Find a good place to study. You need someplace good to study effectively. This is because environment is extremely important when it comes to concentrating. If you are on a couch or in your bed, the likelihood of you not studying increases tenfold. You might fall asleep or get distracted by something. Consider: The library. A desk at your home or in your bedroom. A coffee shop or other public place that is peaceful and quiet. Try to focus. One of the biggest challenges when it comes to studying when high is focusing on the task at hand. You could have many challenges. It might be hard for you to read a paragraph through and process information. It might be difficult for you to do complex math problems. In order to overcome this problem focusing: Continually remind yourself of the task at hand. When reading, use a pencil to keep track of where you are and to underline and make notes. You might find that doing a close read while high is actually not so bad – if you commit yourself to focusing. When writing, continually remind yourself of your thesis or the point of your paper. You might find that you can write much more (volume wise) while under the influence. However, the quality might be lower than normal. This is okay. Write a lot of volume and then go back later (when sober) and clean it up. Set goals and time limits. Make sure you set concrete goals for what you're trying to study. In addition, set a time limit on each section of what you're studying. This way, at least you'll be able to move through large amounts of subject matter rather than getting bogged down on a certain topic because you lose focus. Start by mapping out what you need to cover in a certain amount of time and then divide your time up between the material. If you are studying chapters 4-7 give yourself an hour to study each one, but no longer. If you don't complete the chapters as thoroughly as you wanted to, then give yourself an hour for two chapters, and if you still feel that way after, give yourself an hour for the four. Avoid distractions. One of the most common problems with studying high is that you're easily distracted by a wide variety of things. In order to overcome distractions, you need to shelter yourself away from common distractions. Don't make yourself vulnerable to things that can take your attention off of studying. Consider: Avoiding the internet, if you don't need it. Turn your cell phone off. Study in a place that does not have TV If you have to listen to music, make sure it is something that is conducive to studying, like classical music, jazz, or something instrumental. | Take a short nap or relax. Do some light exercise. Take a shower. Use caffeine appropriately. Have a snack. Hydrate yourself. Find a good place to study. Try to focus. Set goals and time limits. Avoid distractions. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Apply-Conditioner-to-Your-Hair | How to Apply Conditioner to Your Hair | To apply conditioner to your hair, start by wetting your hair in the shower. Then, wring out your hair so it's not soaking wet, which will prevent all of the conditioner from dripping off. Once your hair is wet but not soaked, work some conditioner into the ends. Avoid applying conditioner to your roots or you could clog your hair follicles and make your hair too oily. Let the conditioner sit in your hair for a few minutes. Then, rinse it out and you're finished! | Choose the right conditioner for your hair type. A traditional conditioner is applied every time you shower, just after you rinse out your shampoo. This type of conditioner works to repair the damage done by hot tools, chemicals, and general wear-and-tear that your hair experiences on a daily basis. Choose a type of conditioner that is advertised for your specific hair needs; whether you have curly and frizzy hair, dry and damaged hair, colored hair, fine hair, relaxed hair, or limp and lank hair, there is a specific conditioner that can help with each. Wash your hair. Hop in the shower, and go along with your regular washing routine. You'll condition your hair after you wash it, so give your scalp and strands a good scrubbing with your favorite shampoo. Focus most of your washing power on the scalp, being careful not to tug at your wet hair as you wash as this can damage the ends and cause more breakage. Rinse out your shampoo. Use warm water to wash out the shampoo. Warm water is safer on your hair than hot water is. Be careful not to tug on the strands if you run your fingers through it. When your hair feels 'squeaky', you've rinsed out all the shampoo. Wring out your hair. If your hair is sopping wet, any conditioner you try to apply will run right off and won't stick long enough to affect your hair. If your hair is very short, you probably won't have to do much wringing. If, however, you have long hair, spend a bit of time getting as much water out of it as you can. Apply your conditioner. Pour a bit of conditioner into the palm of your hand; the amount you need will vary depending on the length of your hair. A dime-sized amount is usually recommended for professional conditioners, while drug store brands may require more because they can be diluted. If your hair is very long, you may need a whole palm-full of conditioner. Run this through the mid-shafts of your hair, trying to apply it to every strand that you're able. Work the conditioner toward the ends of your hair, as this is the part that is damaged (it's the oldest). Putting conditioner near your scalp and roots can actually clog your follicles, and slow hair growth/increase oil production. Your hair will get oily if you apply conditioner on your roots and make it weighed down. Let the conditioner set. This step is slightly optional; the longer you wait and allow your conditioner to set, the more it will be able to do to improve the health of your hair. If you're in a rush, you can rinse it out nearly immediately after, but it won't make your hair as soft and shiny as it normally would. Try applying your conditioner, and then washing the rest of your body/face while it sets. Then when you're finished (normally a minute or two later), you can rinse out your conditioner for maximum effect. Rinse out the conditioner. Assuming you've turned the water temperature back up for comfort's sake, turn it back down as cold as you can handle it. As aforementioned, the cold water is healthier for your hair. Spend a few minutes rinsing out the conditioner; if your hair still feels 'slimy', then you haven't gotten it all out. When your hair is smooth and no longer feels super slippery, then you're set! Wring out your hair and you're done conditioning. Choose a leave-in conditioner for your hair type. As with regular conditioner, there are many varieties of leave-in conditioner depending on your needs. There are two general styles of leave-in conditioner: cream and spray-on. The former variety is best for thick, long, or curly hair, as it weighs down the strands a bit. The latter variety is best for thin or straight hair, as it is a bit lighter-weight. Shampoo and condition your hair. Go about your regular hair treatment regimen. Leave-in conditioner does not need to be rinsed out (as the name suggests) but does need to be applied to damp hair. Use the aforementioned directions for washing and conditioning your hair, and then towel-dry it so that it is just damp. Place a small amount of serum on the palm of your hand. Most products will recommend a pea-sized amount for medium length hair of average thickness, but the amount will vary from person to person. You can always add more product to your hair, so begin with less than you think you will need. Rub the product into your hair. Rub your hands together to thin out the conditioner a bit, and then begin running it through the ends of your locks. As with regular conditioner, avoid getting it near your scalp or the roots of your hair; keep it on the most damaged (oldest) parts of your hair, typically from half the length downwards. Comb through your hair. Use a wide-tooth comb to brush your hair after applying the leave-in conditioner. This will spread the product out even further, and help to avoid clumps of the conditioner from making certain sections of your hair greasy while others are left dry. Choose a deep conditioner. Deep conditioners all have the same goal: to repair chronically dry/damaged hair. Therefore, there aren't too many 'types' of deep conditioners to choose from, just different brands. Find a deep conditioner that meets your hair and budget needs. Avoid using a deep or heavy conditioner if you don't have a lot of hair since a daily one may work better for you. Wet your hair. Rinse through your hair with warm or cool water (the colder the better). You can choose to shampoo your hair first if you would like, but all you really need to do is to get all of your hair wet. When you're finished wring it out, removing as much extra water as you can. Apply the deep conditioner. Scoop some of the conditioner out of the container with your hands, and apply a thick coating to your entire head. Focus most of the conditioner on the ends of your hair, but feel free to spread it all the way to your roots. Be sure to separate any large chunks of hair so that each strand gets a thorough coating. Wait for it to set. Apply a shower cap to your head to keep your hair off your clothes/away from your face. Follow the directions for your specific conditioner, and leave it to cure. Typically, it should take between 20-30 minutes for the conditioner to work its magic. If you want an added boost, you can set your hairdryer on 'warm' and heat up the conditioner as it sets. Wash out the deep conditioner. Remove the shower cap, and turn your water on as cold as you can handle it. Spend 3-5 minutes rinsing out all of the deep conditioner, being careful not to leave any extra to set in your hair. When your hair no longer feels 'slimy', you've likely removed all of the conditioner. At this point you are free to dry and style your hair as you wish. | Choose the right conditioner for your hair type. Wash your hair. Rinse out your shampoo. Wring out your hair. Apply your conditioner. Let the conditioner set. Rinse out the conditioner. Choose a leave-in conditioner for your hair type. Shampoo and condition your hair. Place a small amount of serum on the palm of your hand. Rub the product into your hair. Comb through your hair. Choose a deep conditioner. Wet your hair. Apply the deep conditioner. Wait for it to set. Wash out the deep conditioner. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Boxelder-Bugs-Outside | How to Get Rid of Boxelder Bugs Outside | To get rid of outdoor boxelder bugs, fill a spray bottle with water and liquid dish soap and spray the bugs to kill them. You can also sprinkle borax or food-grade diatomaceous earth around the perimeter of your home and plants to keep boxelder bugs away. Even just spraying the bugs with your garden hose can stop them from gathering on your plants. | Wear appropriate safety gear before working with insecticides. You can never be too safe when you're working with insecticides or other chemicals. Wear heavy-duty gloves, protective goggles, a dust mask, and long sleeves and pants. That way, you'll avoid eye, skin, or respiratory inhalation due to the chemicals. When you choose a product, read the label closely for specific safety instructions. Even if a product isn't harmful to humans, like diatomaceous earth, it's best to protect yourself. The powder can irritate your lungs if you breathe in a large amount of it, and it can also be very drying to your eyes. Use food-grade diatomaceous earth to treat large swarms of boxelder bugs. Before you use dangerous pesticides, opt for a safer treatment. Following the manufacturer's instructions, use a hand duster or a large scoop to sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the base of your boxelder or maple trees. Then, scatter more powder around the perimeter of your home, being especially generous around doorways and windows. You'll need to reapply this treatment after it rains or if the bugs come back. Diatomaceous earth is non-toxic to humans and pets, but it is lethal to boxelder bugs. That's because the fine silica-based powder affects insects' exoskeletons, leading to their death. You can use Borax instead of diatomaceous earth, if you'd like. This boron-based compound is also safe to use around the home. Spray the outside of your home with insecticide if the bugs are swarming. Boxelder bugs release a chemical that attracts other boxelder bugs, which can sometimes lead to large swarms. This is especially common in the fall, when the bugs are trying to find somewhere warm to spend the winter. If a swarm occurs, use insecticide to kill the bugs. Follow the specific application instructions for the product you're using, observe all listed safety precautions, and spray the entire wall where the boxelder bugs are congregating. You can also use the insecticide to create a perimeter around your home, preventing the boxelder bugs from getting inside. Look for a commercial preparation that lists boxelder bugs on the label. Common chemicals for residential pesticide use include bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, and deltamethrin. Keep children and pets away from areas treated with an insecticide. Vacuum up big clumps of bugs. If you have a shop vac or a vacuum with an attachment hose, you can bust big groups of boxelder bugs by simply sucking them up. Then, either take the bag out of the vacuum or empty the canister into a garbage bag, and seal the bag tightly shut before you throw it away. This will keep the bugs from escaping. This is also an effective way to remove boxelder bugs that get inside your home. Call a professional if the bugs still aren’t gone. If you've tried diatomaceous earth, borax, or commercial insecticides and the boxelder bugs haven't left, you may need to call a professional exterminator. The exterminator will come out and assess the situation, and typically they will then give you an estimate for how much they think it will cost to fix the problem. In most cases, the consultations will be free, but be sure to check first. If you've never used an exterminator before, ask your friends and family to recommend someone to you, or research local exterminators online to find one with mostly positive reviews. Rake up fallen boxelder seeds as soon as they drop. Boxelder bugs feed on the sap from female boxelder trees, which they primarily obtain from their seedpods. When you notice the seedpods starting to drop in the fall, rake them up and dispose of them as often as possible. This will help remove the bugs' food source, which will discourage them from congregating in your yard. Boxelder bugs also feed on other types of maple trees, though not as commonly. If the boxelder bugs seem to be attracted to another tree, rake the leaves and seeds from that tree as soon as they fall, as well. Use a strong stream of water to disperse small groups of bugs. Since boxelder bugs attract others, you can help prevent large swarms by keeping smaller groups from forming. If you see several boxelder bugs together, spray them with a hose set to the strongest stream possible. This won't kill the bugs or cause them to leave your property, but if you're able to catch them when they're just starting to gather, they won't be able to release their scent to call others to that spot. Soak the bugs with soapy water to kill them quickly. Spraying the bugs with plain water won't kill them, but using soapy water will. Mix about 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of dish soap into a spray bottle full of water. When you see boxelder bugs on the side of your house, near your windowsill, or anywhere else they might gather, just grab your spray bottle and saturate the bugs. This is less harmful than using chemicals to treat the bugs, while still being very effective. Replace female boxelder trees if you want to permanently get rid of the bugs. If nothing else you've tried has made much of a difference and the boxelder bugs are really bothering you, you might consider removing the female trees. Hire a professional tree removal service to safely cut down the female boxelder tree, then plant another tree in its place. Male boxelder trees don't produce seedpods, so you don't need to cut these down. This is an extreme solution to getting rid of a bug that generally doesn't cause too much trouble. In most cases, it's simpler to keep your tree and just accept the bugs. | Wear appropriate safety gear before working with insecticides. Use food-grade diatomaceous earth to treat large swarms of boxelder bugs. Spray the outside of your home with insecticide if the bugs are swarming. Vacuum up big clumps of bugs. Call a professional if the bugs still aren’t gone. Rake up fallen boxelder seeds as soon as they drop. Use a strong stream of water to disperse small groups of bugs. Soak the bugs with soapy water to kill them quickly. Replace female boxelder trees if you want to permanently get rid of the bugs. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Fake-Pink-Eye | How to Fake Pink Eye | To fake pink eye, you'll want to make your eyes tear up and go red, then fake a little discharge around them. Try to blink as little as possible for about 30 minutes, which will make your eyes dry and red. You can also gently rub the area around your eyes to irritate them and make them bloodshot. For fake tears, use eyedrops and don't wipe the tears away. Alternatively, hold some chopped onions near your face to make yourself weep. If you have any sleep crust in your eyes when you wake up, leave it there to fake eye discharge. If not, spread a bit of clear gloss or petroleum jelly underneath your eyes to simulate discharge. | Dry your eyes out. When eyes aren't getting enough moisture, they can get irritated and red. By simply trying to blink as little as possible for about 30 minutes, your eyes will start to become irritated because they aren't being properly lubricated. You can expedite the process by sitting in front of a fan and trying not to blink, so they'll dry out faster. But remember! We blink for a reason: to protect our eyes. So if the discomfort becomes too great, begin blinking normally again and perhaps even use some eye drops to rehydrate your eyes. Rub the area around your eyes. Doctors tell us that directly rubbing our eyes isn't good for them because harmful bacteria may find its way in and cause irritation. You could also damage your cornea, which is the clear protective layer covering the iris. Rubbing your eyes does make them red and a little bloodshot, though — which is the look you're going for. To keep your eyes safe while attempting to make them red, rub the area around your eyes and indirectly stimulate them. Don't rub directly over the eyeballs and eyelids. This will keep you from damaging your cornea or getting bacteria into your eyes, and will create a mild irritation that will cause sufficient redness. Swim in the pool. Ever go for a swim at the pool and find that your eyes are all red-rimmed and bloodshot? This is a common occurrence caused by irritants in the water. When the cornea comes in contact with water, the protective tear film on our eyes can be washed away, leaving our eyes more vulnerable to irritants. Chlorine can irritate eyes; it's the chemical in pools that's used to kill bacteria and germs that people bring into the water. What kind of bacteria, you ask? The kind that comes from things like body oil, dirt and even pee (1 out of every 5 adults admit to peeing in pools). Chlorine can kill most bacteria, but not all of it; so once the protective tear film is washed away, bacteria can get into eyes and cause irritation. Even though going for a swim can help you fake pink eye — if you're not careful, you'll actually get it. Pink eye is caused by harmful bacteria, and it's a common infection that people get from swimming in pools. Figure out whether or not you want to risk real pink eye for fake pink eye. Chop some onions. They're notorious for making people tear up when they're sliced — which means they're a quick and easy way for you to start producing tears for the weepy look of the bedeviled pink eye. Onions produce a sulfur compound called syn-propanethial-S-oxide. When an onion is cut open, the compound is released into the air. When the chemical reaches your eyes, the lachrymal glands above the eyelids (responsible for the regulation of tears) produce tears to help wash away the irritating chemical. Sweet onions produce less syn-propanethial-S-oxide than other onion varieties because the sugar and high water content can abate the irritating enzymes. So if you're really looking to get the tears going, chop the pungent red or white onions instead of the sweet yellow Vidalias. Use eye drops. If you aren't trying to get too creative with your tear production techniques, then get some eye drops from the drugstore or supermarket. Usually, directions on eye drop containers suggest only one or two spurts into the eye. To create the illusion of more tears, put a few extra drops than you normally would into your eyes and let them run down your face. Don't wipe the drops off your cheeks so that everyone will assume your eyes are in a constant state of weeping. Use a menthol stick. Ever wonder how actors manage to cry on the spot? They could just be really good at their jobs... or they could also be using a menthol stick. Menthol sticks are waxy substances that come in lipstick tubes. To use it, you rub the waxy menthol beneath your eyes and then wait for your eyes to water. These are commonly used in theater productions to create realistic crying scenes. If you're gonna act like you have pink eye, why not really give in to the performance and do as the professionals do? Leave overnight sleep crust in your eyes. If you've just woken up, chances are, you have some dirt or “crust” in the corners of your eyes. Because pink eye involves a lot of crusty discharge around the eye, leaving the crust in your eyes from the night before adds to the natural look of infection and icky-ness. Spread clear gloss or petroleum jelly underneath your eyes. Pink eye can produce different colors and thicknesses of discharge depending upon how serious the infection is. In most cases, the discharge is thick and clear. By taking some clear lip gloss or petroleum jelly and spreading it about 15mm underneath the eye, you can create the illusion that your eyes are weeping thick liquid. Make sure that the lip gloss you use has no sparkles in it so that people won't be able to guess that it's fake. Also, while you have the gloss and petroleum jelly on your face, make sure not to rub your eyes! If these substances come in contact with your eyes, you can experience great discomfort — and the chemicals in those substances are not good for eyeballs. Don't wipe any tears from your eyes. If you've managed to work up a lot of tears in your quest for the perfectly fake pink eye, they should pool around the rims of your eyes. Depending upon how gullible your audience is, you could convince them that the tears are thin, clear discharge. | Dry your eyes out. Rub the area around your eyes. Swim in the pool. Chop some onions. Use eye drops. Use a menthol stick. Leave overnight sleep crust in your eyes. Spread clear gloss or petroleum jelly underneath your eyes. Don't wipe any tears from your eyes. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Create-Your-Own-Bible-Study | How to Create Your Own Bible Study | In order to create your own bible study, start by making a list of people to invite. To ensure that enough people show up, make sure to invite 3 times as many people as you would like to attend. Next, prepare your bible study by choosing the chapter and verses you want to go over with your group. No matter what chapter you choose, pray to God to help you understand the message behind each verse. Then, put together your stories, illustrations and other materials to help explain the verses. | Pray before you begin to ask for God's leading. Without God's illumination, studying the Bible is a waste of time. Pray, "Dear God, please help me to understand what you want me to learn from this book. Thank you, Amen." Make a long list of people to invite. Invite three times as many people as you want to attend. Choose the topic of your Bible study. Be sure to tell your group to read which chapter & verse you will want to go over with your group before they leave for your next Bible Study group session. Gather your information together. See tips for sources. Write texts, stories, illustrations, etc. , on cards, a written list or a document in your word processor. Make sure you identify the source and the topic. Arrange the information in order: Introduction, development of topic (sometimes called "body"), and conclusion or appeal. There should be a logical progression in the study that follows and develops the theme towards the conclusion. Practice the study with someone. Pray for the opportunity to share what you've learned with a friend. As the leader: Write a question from each verse of each chapter. Leave spaces to fill in the answers. Start. Each person reads one verse from the first chapter. As the leader: Hand out sheets with questions on it for the first chapter and a pen for each person. Have another person reads the first verse. After this reading, the group discusses the verse and the question. Ask each person to write down their answer. As part of this, have them each explain what was meaningful to them from the verse. Proceed with the next verse. Have the next person read it and repeat above steps until all of the chapter completed. | Pray before you begin to ask for God's leading. Make a long list of people to invite. Choose the topic of your Bible study. Gather your information together. Write texts, stories, illustrations, etc. Arrange the information in order: Practice the study with someone. Pray for the opportunity to share what you've learned with a friend. As the leader: Start. As the leader: Have another person reads the first verse. Ask each person to write down their answer. Proceed with the next verse. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Calibrate-and-Use-a-pH-Meter | How to Calibrate and Use a pH Meter | To calibrate and use a pH meter, prepare a neutral buffer with a pH of 7 and a second buffer with a pH of 4 for acidic samples or 9.21 for base samples. Next, put a clean electrode in the neutral buffer and press the “Measure” or "Calibrate" button. Once you have a stable reading, set the pH meter to the buffer's pH value by pressing "Measure" a second time. Don't forget to rinse your electrode with distilled water before moving on to the next buffer! | Turn on your pH meter. Before you begin to calibrate and use your pH meter you will first need to turn it on and allow adequate time for the meter to warm up. This should generally take around 30 minutes, but check your pH meter's operating manual for exact times. Clean your electrode. Take the electrode out of its storage solution and rinse it with distilled water under an empty waste beaker. Once rinsed, blot dry with Kimwipes or Shurwipes, which are available at most office supply stores. Be sure to rinse your electrode in a waste beaker that is different from the beaker you will be calibrating in. Avoid rubbing the electrode as it has a sensitive membrane around it. If you find the electrode to be particularly dirty consult your operating manual for recommended cleaning solutions. Prepare your buffers. You will generally need more than one buffer for calibrating a pH meter. The first will be a “neutral” buffer with a pH of 7, and the second should be near the expected sample pH, either a pH of 4 or 9.21. Buffers with a higher pH (9.21) are best for measuring bases, whereas buffers with a low pH (4) are best for measuring acidic samples. Once you have chosen your buffers allow them to reach the same temperature as the pH meter because pH readings are temperature dependent. Pour your buffers into individual beakers for calibration. Check with your pH meter manufacturer, or current educational or professional institution, about acquiring pH buffer solutions. Buffers should be kept in a beaker for no longer than two hours. Discard the buffer when you are finished. Do not return it to its original container. Place your electrode in the buffer with a pH value of 7 and begin reading. Press the “measure” or calibrate button to begin reading the pH once your electrode is placed in the buffer. Allow the pH reading to stabilize before letting it sit for approximately 1-2 minutes. Set the pH. Once you have a stable reading, set the pH meter to the value of the buffer's pH by pressing the measure button a second time. Setting the pH meter once the reading has stabilized will allow for more accurate and tuned readings. Although not necessary, if you stir your buffer before measuring be sure to stir all other buffers and samples in the same way. Rinse your electrode with distilled water. Rinse and pat dry with a lint-free tissue, like Kimwipes or Shurwipes, in between buffers. Place your electrode in the appropriate buffer for your sample and begin reading. Press the measure button to begin reading the pH once your electrode is placed in the buffer. Set the pH a second time. Once your reading has stabilized, set the pH meter to the value of the buffer's pH by pressing the measure button. Rinse your electrode. You can use distilled water to rinse. Use a lint-free tissue, like Kimwipes or Shurwipes, in between buffers to dry the electrode. Place your electrode in your sample and begin reading. Once your electrode is placed in your sample, press the measure button and leave the electrode in your sample for approximately 1-2 minutes. Set your pH level. Once the reading has stabilized, press the measure button. This is the pH level of your sample. Clean your electrode after use. Rinse your electrode with distilled water and blot or dab dry with a lint-free tissue. You may store your pH meter once clean and dry. Consult your operation manual for optimal storage practices for your specific pH meter. | Turn on your pH meter. Clean your electrode. Prepare your buffers. Place your electrode in the buffer with a pH value of 7 and begin reading. Set the pH. Rinse your electrode with distilled water. Place your electrode in the appropriate buffer for your sample and begin reading. Set the pH a second time. Rinse your electrode. Place your electrode in your sample and begin reading. Set your pH level. Clean your electrode after use. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Oven-Dry-Bread | How to Oven Dry Bread | To oven dry bread, start by cutting it into ½-inch thick slices if it's not already cut. Then, cut the slices into 1/2-inch cubes. Don't worry if the sizing isn't exact! When you're finished, spread the cubes out on an ungreased metal baking sheet. Make sure they're in an even layer and none of them are overlapping so they cook evenly. Toast the bread for 10 minutes at 250 degrees Fahrenheit, or until it's crunchy and golden brown. If it's still soft after 10 minutes, try flipping the cubes over and letting them cook for an additional 5-10 minutes. Once they're done toasting, take them out of the oven and store them in a sealed container for up to 1 week if you don't plan on using them immediately. | Preheat the oven to 250 °F (121 °C). Before you start preparing the bread, get your oven up and running. The cutting process doesn't take very long. Also, bread is delicate, so keep the oven set to the lowest possible temperature to avoid scorching it. Higher temperature settings can dry the bread faster. It isn't a bad idea if you're hoping to make the bread super crispy or are cooking bigger chunks. However, it increases your chances of burning smaller pieces. Cut the bread into 1⁄2 in (1.3 cm) slices if you’re using a whole loaf. If you're using a whole loaf or something you baked yourself, you will need to break it down a little first. Make as many slices as you think you will need for your recipe. Try to keep the slices as uniform as possible so they dry evenly later. An average slice of bread equals about half a cup (17.50 g) of cubes or a third of a cup (30 g) of breadcrumbs. Pre-sliced bread is perfectly fine to use and will save you a little time. Cut the bread into 1⁄2 in (1.3 cm) cubes. Lay the slices of bread flat on a cutting board, then break them down with a sharp knife. Cut each slice vertically into strips, then slice horizontally to turn the strips into cubes. The cubes don't have to be exact, but try to keep them as close to the same size as possible. Leave the crust on the bread. It doesn't affect the finished product, so there is no need for the extra cut unless you really want it gone. The ⁄ 2 in (1.3 cm) cube size is perfect for stuffing and most other recipes that use dried bread. You can cut the bread differently if you wish, although that may affect how much time it needs to dry in the oven. Spread the cubed bread across a metal baking sheet. Use a shallow baking sheet such as a cookie sheet, distributing the bread across it in a single layer. Since you're drying the bread out, you don't have to worry about it sticking, but you can put a baking mat or piece of parchment paper down if you wish. Make sure the bread cubes aren't stacked on top of one another before you put them in the oven. If you have room, leave a little bit of space between each piece for better browning. All you need is about ⁄ 4 in (0.64 cm). The bread needs to be spread out in a layer so each cube gets the same amount of heat. If you're making a large batch, you are better off getting a second baking sheet than trying to fit everything onto a single one. Check the bread cubes after toasting them for 10 minutes. Slide the tray onto the center rack in the oven for maximum air circulation. Since you're using such a low temperature, the bread isn't likely to burn. Still, keep an eye on it and don't let it sit in the oven for longer than needed. Note that the exact cooking time will vary depending on your oven and the heat setting you use. Also, larger chunks of bread take longer to dry. If you're using multiple baking sheets, consider rotating their positioning after about 10 minutes. Test the bread before taking it out of the oven, leaving the softer batch in for longer if it needs the extra time. Take out the bread cubes when they turn crunchy and golden brown. When the bread is done drying, it will feel hard to the touch. Make sure the bread is fully dry before you take it out of the oven for storage. Give it extra time in the oven if it feels soft. Bread is completely dried when it is crunchy and slightly golden brown. If your bread cubes are not dried after 10 minutes, return them to the oven for up to 30 minutes. Remember to check on the bread every so often so it doesn't burn. Flip the bread over and bake it again if it is still soft. Give the pan a good shake and turn all of the cubes over onto their softer sides. Bake them at the same temperature for 5 to 10 minutes until all the pieces are solid and browned. Keep a close eye on the bread the entire time so it doesn't burn. If you're worried about the bread burning, try turning off your oven and leaving the door open. Let the bread sit there in the heat for 10 to 15 minutes. You can always turn the oven back on if the bread feels underdone, but you can't go back once it is burnt. Remove the dried bread and let it cool for at least 10 minutes. Once the bread is at the perfect consistency, set the baking tray aside. Find an out of the way spot in your kitchen where you can leave the bread exposed to the open air. Wait for it to feel cool to the touch before attempting to store it or use it. If you have a cooling rack, you could transfer the bread to it. It's not really necessary and it's hard to fit a lot of small cubes on a rack, but it can help if you're in a hurry. Store the dried bread in sealed containers for up to 1 week. You don't need to do anything special in order to store dried bread. As long as you have resealable plastic bags or containers, you're good to go. Dried bread is fine at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Consider labeling it with today's date so you know when it was made. Dried bread can be frozen, but put it in a freezer-safe container first. It lasts at least 2 months there. Break the dried bread up if you need breadcrumbs. If you have the oven-dried bread in a plastic bag, have fun smashing them by hand or with something hard, like a rolling pin. The easier way is to put them in a food processor, although it isn't quite as fun. Break down the bread so the crumbs are about the size of a grain of rice. Fresh breadcrumbs have a variety of different uses. For example, you could use the breadcrumbs in meatballs or in meatloaf. They keep the meat juicy and give it a lighter, more consistent texture. Breadcrumbs are useful as a topping on many dishes. Add it to macaroni and cheese, for instance, or use it to bread chicken cutlets. Cook the cubes in broth if you’re making your own stuffing. Repurpose a loaf of bread to make a delicious stuffing without all of the preservatives. For a basic recipe, sprinkle the bread cubes with herbs like sage and thyme before drying them in the oven. Then, moisten them in chicken broth along with cooked onions and celery. The stuffing goes well with turkey and all sorts of other meat and fish. Try using about ¾ teaspoon (0.60 g) of both thyme and sage along with ½ teaspoon (2.46 g) of sea salt and ¼ teaspoon (0.57 g) of black pepper. Coat the baking sheet in about 2 US tbsp (30 mL) of olive oil to mix the bread in the seasoning. Add a light amount of broth, just enough to moisten the bread. For instance, 1 cup (240 mL) is often enough, but it depends on how much bread you're using. Adding too much broth makes the bread soggy. Turn dried bread into croutons for soups and salads. Take the crust off the bread when you slice it into cubes. Before putting in the oven, brush it with melted butter and add seasonings like garlic and parmesan if you would like. Otherwise, bake the cubes like you normally would and throw them into your next recipe for texture and flavoring. Croutons go well in dishes like French onion soup or chowder. No one will blame you if you eat the croutons straight out of the bag, though. Cook bread pudding for a dried bread dessert. Bread pudding works best with a sweet bread like brioche or challah. After drying the bread cubes in the oven, set them in a baking dish. Mix together an egg and spice mixture to pour over them, then let them soak in it for about 15 minutes. Finish by baking the bread until the mixture solidifies and browns. For a basic topping, combine 5 beaten eggs with 1 cup (200 g) of sugar and ⁄ 4 cup (59 mL) of milk. Add whatever seasonings you want, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Bread pudding feels moist and spongy when it's done cooking. You can then add extra toppings like a sugar sauce or berries for additional flavor. Turn sliced bread into |french toast if you’re looking for a morning meal. Slice the bread thicker than you normally would, about 1 in (2.5 cm)-thick, and don't cube it. Soak each slice in an egg and spice mixture to moisten and flavor it. When you're done, brown the bread in butter over medium heat on the stove. Finish by baking it until it's solid and brown all the way through, then cover it with maple syrup, berries, or other delicious toppings. For example, a mixture you could use is 2 beaten eggs, ⁄ 2 cup (120 mL) of milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and allspice. The seasonings and toppings are easy to customize. French toast works best with egg-based bread like challah and brioche. Avoid using white sandwich bread or thick-crusted loaves with big holes in them. | Preheat the oven to 250 °F (121 °C). Cut the bread into 1⁄2 in (1.3 cm) slices if you’re using a whole loaf. Cut the bread into 1⁄2 in (1.3 cm) cubes. Spread the cubed bread across a metal baking sheet. Check the bread cubes after toasting them for 10 minutes. Take out the bread cubes when they turn crunchy and golden brown. Flip the bread over and bake it again if it is still soft. Remove the dried bread and let it cool for at least 10 minutes. Store the dried bread in sealed containers for up to 1 week. Break the dried bread up if you need breadcrumbs. Cook the cubes in broth if you’re making your own stuffing. Turn dried bread into croutons for soups and salads. Cook bread pudding for a dried bread dessert. Turn sliced bread into |french toast if you’re looking for a morning meal. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Paint-Shoes | How to Paint Shoes | Before painting fabric shoes, clean the shoes with a rag and warm water. Then, apply fabric paint to the shoe, or use a stencil if you'd like a design. Leave the shoes to dry for 1 hour, then apply a second coat. To paint leather shoes, use acrylic of spray paint. Before painting, clean them with rubbing alcohol. Then, let the paint dry for 2-3 days before wearing. | Use leather or spray paint for leather or vinyl shoes. There are acrylic paints designed to adhere to leather products, including shoes. You can buy them at your local craft store. These paints go on with a brush for a smooth and lasting finish. Your other option is to use spray paint purchased from a hardware store. Choose a spray can with the smallest nozzle possible to minimize over-spraying. While spray painting your shoes is easy, it won't allow you to get very detailed. Spraying works best when you are painting your entire shoes a single color. Remember to remove the shoe strings before you paint. Use fabric paint for cloth shoes. This is a type of acrylic paint made specifically for fabric painting. It is applied with a brush and is quite durable. It also comes in a wide variety of colors, even with glitter options. Another plus is that it usually doesn't crack after drying. You can also use fabric paint for leather or vinyl shoes. However, you have to extensively sand the surface of the shoe down almost to its fabric base or the paint will not adhere. Use paint markers for detailed designs. You can buy paint markers at most art supply or craft stores. They come with a variety of tip sizes from super thick to ultra skinny. It's usually a good idea to get a number of markers in the same colors, so that you can experiment. You'll also want to test out the paint itself, as some are thicker in consistency. Create a design. If you plan to paint your shoes a single shade, then it's as simple as choosing the color. If you are going to do a more elaborate pen drawing or painting, then go ahead and sketch out your ideas on paper in advance. You can also create a 3-D design with a computer program, such as Photoshop. A fun way to make a tie-dye looking canvas shoe is to use permanent markers and rubbing alcohol. Draw on your design with the markers and use a cotton swab to dab at the colors. It will give them a softer look. Make sure to consider how your design will look from all angles, including the back and from an above view. If you are just starting out, try to avoid any designs that involve layering multiple colors or really intricate images. Instead, go with designs that feature large blocks of color, geometric images, or simple swirl patterns. Outline your design in pencil on the shoe’s surface. If you keep your marks relatively light, then they won't be noticeable even under the lightest of paint. Some people prefer to go over their pencil outline with a fine brush or fine tip marker as well. Before you finalize your drawing with marker, make sure that the design is symmetrical, if that is what you are going for. Check that the toes, heels, and sides are mirror images. Cover your workspace with paper. Before you start painting, find a flat, steady table and cover it entirely with craft paper or newspaper. This will keep you from ruining your work surface in the event that you have a few paint drips or spills. You can also cut open brown paper grocery bags and secure them around the top and edges of the table. Be careful using newspaper if you are working with white or light fabric shoes. The newsprint can leave black smudges on the fabric. Practice painting on an old pair of shoes. This isn't always an option, but if you have a cheap pair of shoes lying around then practice your technique on them. This gives you a chance to see if the paint is the right texture and color for what you want. You can even buy a pair of thrift store shoes to use as your practice pair. Clean the surface of the shoes. For natural leather shoes, soak a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and gently rub this over the surface of the shoes. For manmade leather shoes, soak a cotton ball in acetone and wipe the shoes down. If you are painting cloth shoes that are a bit dirty, wipe them down with a rag soaked in warm water and soap. This should remove any debris from the surface of the shoe and help the paint to adhere. Let your shoes thoroughly dry after cleaning before attempting to paint. Make sure that you use 100% acetone for cleaning, not a mixed nail polish remover. Sand away the finish if your shoes are shiny leather. Patent leather shoes are known for their shiny appearance, but it's difficult for paint to stick to this surface. Get a fine grade sandpaper and rub over the surface of the shoe, moving in small circles. Continue until the shoe takes on a dull appearance. Look over your shoes and make sure that your sanding is even from all angles. Otherwise, you may get an uneven appearance after painting. Cover the inside and sole with tape. Apply thin strips of painters' tape to all of the shoe's surfaces that you don't want to paint. This means you'll need to go around the soles of the shoes as well. Some people also stuff newspaper into the inside of the shoes to help them keep their shape while wet. Apply fabric or leather paint with even, short brush strokes. If you are using acrylic paints, dip your brush into the paint and then put the paint on the shoes using short strokes. Keep refilling your brush until you've fully coated the area and no longer see any of the shoe's original surface. A #6 or #8 brush is flatter and good for painting the edges areas. A #0 or #1 round brush has a fine shape that works well for details. A #1 or #2 fan brush can spread paint over the flat sides of a shoe quickly. Apply fabric or leather paint with a sponge for a partially covered look. Get a small bath or scrub sponge. Pour your paint into a small bowl. Dip the edge of the sponge into the bowl. Then, dab the extra paint off on a nearby piece of paper. After that you can start to quickly press the painted sponge against the shoe until it is painted. This is a great approach if you'd like to layer colors or even have the original color of the shoes partially show through. Spray paint onto the shoes if you want a single color. Hold your spray can nozzle about 4-6” away from the shoes. Press firmly against the nozzle trigger to apply an even coating of paint across the entire shoe. Make sure that you cover all areas. Coat the shoes with a glitter mixture. Get a plastic cup and pour 1/2 cup (4 ounces) of Mod Podge into it. Add a small container of glitter and stir it together. Use a paint brush to apply the glitter mixture on top of your current shoe's fabric. You can also use this over newly painted shoes, but they'll need to be fully dry first. Let the shoes dry. Leave the shoes on the paper-covered table for at least 1 hour or until they are fully dry. Then, you can apply a second coat of paint, if needed. You'll also want to wait 2-3 days to wear them. This allows your shoes to dry on both the outside and inside (if any paint seeped through). To keep your brushes and sponges from drying out in between coats, place them in some plastic wrap. Peel off the protective tape slowly. Grab the ends of each piece of tape and apply gentle pressure until it pulls away from the shoe. Continue until you've removed all of the pieces. If you see any small pieces remaining, use metal tweezers to carefully remove them. Apply a spray on acrylic sealer and avoid washing your shoes. If you are worried about your design getting damaged by water, you can spray your finished shoes with an acrylic sealer spray (for cloth shoes) or even a clear matte spray paint (for leather shoes). This will protect your shoes from exposure to the rain, but it is still not a good idea to wash your shoes in a machine. If they get dirty, simply dab at the spot with a warm wash cloth. | Use leather or spray paint for leather or vinyl shoes. Use fabric paint for cloth shoes. Use paint markers for detailed designs. Create a design. A fun way to make a tie-dye looking canvas shoe is to use permanent markers and rubbing alcohol. Outline your design in pencil on the shoe’s surface. Cover your workspace with paper. Practice painting on an old pair of shoes. Clean the surface of the shoes. Sand away the finish if your shoes are shiny leather. Cover the inside and sole with tape. Apply fabric or leather paint with even, short brush strokes. Apply fabric or leather paint with a sponge for a partially covered look. Spray paint onto the shoes if you want a single color. Coat the shoes with a glitter mixture. Let the shoes dry. Peel off the protective tape slowly. Apply a spray on acrylic sealer and avoid washing your shoes. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Buy-a-Siberian-Husky-Puppy | How to Buy a Siberian Husky Puppy | To buy a Siberian husky puppy, look for a breeder in your area on a website like the Siberian Husky Club of America. Although buying a puppy from the pet store may be cheaper, keep in mind that many pet stores don't give their dogs adequate care, and many puppies will have genetic problems and behavioral issues. Once you find a local breeder, call them and ask about their available puppies. Many breeders only breed their dogs every 2-3 years, so be prepared to be put on a wait list. Once puppies are available, make sure to arrange a meeting before adopting so you can get to know the puppies. When you arrive, be prepared for the breeder to ask you about your past pet experience and about your family to ensure you'll take great care of the new pup. | Learn about the breed. Before you make the decision to purchase a Siberian Husky puppy you should make sure the breed is right for you. Siberian Huskies are fun but changeling dogs. You should make sure your lifestyle matches up with the needs of a husky. Siberians love people and tend to make loyal family dogs. They're intelligent and highly trainable breeds and love walking, hiking, and other athletic activities. Siberians are notoriously poor watchdogs as they tend to like everyone, even potential intruders. This can be a good thing, however, if you're looking for a people friendly dog. Siberians do tend to have predatory drives, which means they may chase cats or other small animals in your home. If you have cats, you might want to consider a different breed or discuss your concerns with a dog trainer. Siberians have some downsides. They tend to have issues with digging and running and sometimes do not come when called. They also shed a lot, in great amounts at least once a year. Siberians need a lot of physical activity to remain happy and healthy. If you're not committed to daily exercise, like running and walking, you should consider a different breed. Make sure you want a puppy. A new puppy is can be an exciting addition to your home, but also a big time commitment. Make sure you weigh the pros and cons of adopting a puppy before the beginning the process. A new puppy will probably not be housebroken and while she might have learned a few basic commands from her former caregiver, she'll need a lot of training. It takes awhile for a puppy to learn boundaries and you need to be able to make time to train your new pet. If you have a very busy schedule, an adult dog might be a better option. Another issue regarding adopting a puppy is that purebred Siberian Husky puppies usually much be purchased from a breeder. If you have reservations about buying from a breeder over a rescue, know you're unlikely to find a puppy through the many Siberian Husky rescues that operate throughout the country. Rescues usually house older dogs who have been abandon by previous owners. If your heart is set on buying from a rescue, you will likely have to adopt an older dog. Understand the dangers of buying from pet stores. If you want to buy a Siberian Husky puppy, you should avoid doing so at a pet store. Only buy from reputable breeders who practice good ethics in regards to caring for and raising their puppies. Pet stores keep puppies in conditions many find unethical. Puppies are generally kept in cramped cages. While many pet store owners claim they only buy from responsible breeders, ethical breeders would never sell to a pet store. Reputable breeders do genetic testing on their dogs to make sure they're not passing down detrimental health conditions. The breeders who do business with pet shops usually do not perform genetic testing and a puppy you would get from a pet store might have serious health and costly conditions later in life. Buying from a pet shop means you will not get to meet a puppy's parents. You will also not get to see a puppy interact with her litter. This makes it difficult to get a gauge of a dog's personality and know whether or not a puppy is right for you and your home. Pet shop puppies frequently have behavioral issues due to being confined to a cage for a long period. They might nip and tend to be hyperactive and difficult to train and control. Decide if AKC papers are important to you. Many breeders boast their puppies come with an AKC registration. This may or may not matter to you depending on why you are purchasing a dog. AKC stands for American Kennel Association. AKC registration papers are granted to any puppy as long as both their parents were also AKC registered. It does not say anything about the health or personality of the puppy. In other words, an AKC registration does not guarantee a higher quality puppy. If you don't plan on breeding or showing your Husky at a professional level, you probably don't need AKC registration papers. A puppy that's just intended to be a pet probably does not need papers. There's nothing inherently wrong with a breeder offering AKC papers, but if you're not planning on showing or breeding you don't need to limit your search to breeders offering AKC papers. You might want to ask to see the puppy's pedigree, however. In terms of gauging behavior and potential health problems, a pedigree is probably more important. You can see if there's been a lot inbreeding in your puppy's family history. Puppies prone to inbreeding tend to have more health and behavioral problems. Know how to recognize a good breeder. You want to make sure you find a solid breeder. Know how to identify a good breeder before you agree to purchase a puppy. Good breeders want to meet with potential buyers before making a sale. This is because responsible and ethical dog breeders want to make sure their puppies go to good homes. If a breeder asks a lot of questions, don't be alarmed. This is a positive thing. It means the breeder cares about the health and safety of her puppies. A good breeder will also be respectful of you and allow you to ask questions. The breeder you buy from should have no reservations about allowing you to meet and interact with both the mother and the father of the puppies. A good breeder should be able to provide you with health certificates for all the puppies in a litter. These certificates will assure you your puppy is not prone to any breed-specific health concerns. Search for a breeder in your area. Once you know how to recognize the markings of a quality breeder, you can begin your search. The internet is a wonderful resource to find breeders. The AKC has a website that allows you to search for breeders by breed and locations. The Siberian Husky Club of America also has a breeder referral list on their website. It's not always possible to find a refutable breeder within a reasonable distance. You might have to make a few overnight trips to meet with a breeder, so be prepared for that if you're committed to getting a Siberian Husky. Contact the breeder and arrange a meeting. Once you've selected a breeder, contact them and inquire about meeting the puppies. Choose a breeder who has a current or upcoming litter. Many breeders only breed their dogs once every 2 to 3 years, so you want to pick someone who has puppies available now or will soon. Be prepared to answer questions about who lives in your family, whether all your family members want the puppy, and whether the puppy will be properly confined at your home. Good breeders do not sell puppies to anyone. If you have any questions about the breed, the breeder is a good person to ask. She should be able to clear up any questions you have. See when you can come by the meet the puppies. Remember, you will probably not leave with a puppy on the same day you meet the litter. Good breeders will want you to take time to think about your decision. Watch the litter as a group. Observe the puppies as a group first. You can learn a lot about a puppy's temperament by watching how they behave during group interactions. Puppies who are timid are a bad sign. Even if only a few puppies seem shy, bark, and avoid contact, there's a good chance such behaviors are part of their genes. This means that even if certain puppies are friendly now, the tendencies towards skittishness might come out later. Normal puppies will be friendly and trusting of strangers. They should greet you by jumping and nibbling on your clothes or shoelaces. Many people bulk at such behaviors as they worry the puppies are disobedient or hyperactive. This is probably not the case. They simply have not learned boundaries yet, which is a good thing. They're naturally trusting. Watch for the puppies that seem neither too timid nor too bossy. You don't want to end up with a skittish puppy but you also do not want an alpha who might be hard to train. Interact with available puppies one by one. After you've observed the puppies as a group, ask to see the ones you're interested in individually. You need to get a sense of how a puppy behaves when separated from her littermates. Ideally, the puppy will continue to be calm and friendly even away from the pack. While interacting with the puppies one on one, take the opportunity to ask questions. Your breeder should have insights on each puppy's personality that you might miss in a short visit. Ask to see health certificates of the the puppy and her parents. Once you've selected a puppy, you should request to see the health certificates of that puppy as well as her parents. Siberian huskies are generally pretty healthy, but certain genetic health issues should be a warning sign. Siberian huskies are prone to chronic conditions that require longterm, costly treatment. Hip dysplasia is a condition in which the thigh bone fits improperly into the hip socket. Severe cases require surgery and can cause other problems, such as arthritis. Hip dysplasia can be devastating for dogs who love to run and pull. If you see a history of hip dysplasia, be wary. Seriously consider the possibility your puppy may eventually develop the condition and whether or not you could financially and emotionally handle the situation. Eye problems, like juvenile cataracts and corneal dystrophy, can also be a problem in Siberian Huskies. These tend to start early, sometimes before the age of 2, and cannot usually be corrected by surgery. Blindness is a potential result and while most Siberians can get around all right blind, if you're nervous about raising a blind dog you might want to go to another breeder if eye problems run in your puppy's family. Remember, most dogs will have some kind of health problem documented on their medical records. If it's not a chronic condition of the joints or eyes, your puppy is unlikely to inherit it. However, even if your puppy's parents do not have a history of certain health conditions, this is not necessarily a guarantee your puppy will be free of longterm health problems. Even without a genetic predisposition hip and eye problems can develop, but having healthy parents does reduce their likelihood. Take time to think it over. After visiting the puppies, you should take some time to consider which puppy you want. Even if you have your heart set on a particular puppy, give it at least a day. You want to be completely sure of your decision when you purchase a new puppy. Having to return a pet is an emotionally difficult experience. If possible, see if you can visit the puppies again if you're unsure which one you want. A good breeder is unlikely to pressure you into a fast decision. They're invested in making sure their puppies have happy, healthy longterm homes. | Learn about the breed. Make sure you want a puppy. Understand the dangers of buying from pet stores. Decide if AKC papers are important to you. Know how to recognize a good breeder. Search for a breeder in your area. Contact the breeder and arrange a meeting. Watch the litter as a group. Interact with available puppies one by one. Ask to see health certificates of the the puppy and her parents. Take time to think it over. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Eggplant | How to Cook Eggplant | To cook eggplant, start by cutting it into slices, chunks, or halves. Leave the skin on so it holds the eggplant together while it cooks. Once you've cut the eggplant, you can batter and fry it in a pan on the stove. You can also bake it in the oven for 20 minutes at 375°F (190°C). You can grill eggplant by brushing it with oil and cooking it directly on the grill grate for 3 minutes on each side. Finally, if you want to stir-fry eggplant, cook it in a pan with oil until the outside of the eggplant is lightly browned. | Wash the eggplants and slice them into 1/2-inch slices. Lay the eggplants on a platter lined with paper towels and sprinkle them with salt. Allow them to rest for about 15 minutes, until they've released their moisture. Pat the slices with paper towels, turn them over, and repeat on the other side. Prepare a batter of a cup of flour, 1/4 cup cornmeal, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 pepper. Mix the ingredients together in a shallow bowl. Double the ingredients for a larger amount of eggplant, and add more or fewer spices to taste. In a separate small bowl, whisk one or two eggs together. Add more eggs if you're frying a large amount of eggplant. Heat cooking oil in a large skillet or dutch oven to 350°F (176.6°C). Use about 1/4” (.6cm) of oil, or enough to float the eggplant pieces in a skillet. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/de\/Cook-Eggplant-Step-5Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Cook-Eggplant-Step-5Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/de\/Cook-Eggplant-Step-5Bullet1.jpg\/aid2158314-v4-728px-Cook-Eggplant-Step-5Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Peanut oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil are good choices for deep frying. Do not use olive oil, as it cannot be heated to a high temperature. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8c\/Cook-Eggplant-Step-5Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Cook-Eggplant-Step-5Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8c\/Cook-Eggplant-Step-5Bullet2.jpg\/aid2158314-v4-728px-Cook-Eggplant-Step-5Bullet2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Working one slice at a time, dip the eggplant pieces in the egg, then coat them in the flour mixture. Tap the eggplant slices on the side of the flour bowl to remove excess flour. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7f\/Cook-Eggplant-Step-6Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Cook-Eggplant-Step-6Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7f\/Cook-Eggplant-Step-6Bullet1.jpg\/aid2158314-v4-728px-Cook-Eggplant-Step-6Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Make sure each piece is thoroughly coated in flour. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8d\/Cook-Eggplant-Step-6Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Cook-Eggplant-Step-6Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8d\/Cook-Eggplant-Step-6Bullet2.jpg\/aid2158314-v4-728px-Cook-Eggplant-Step-6Bullet2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} For an extra-thick batter, coat each piece in egg and flour, then coat them a second time in egg and flour. Use tongs to place the battered eggplant slices into the hot frying oil. Don't overfill the pan. Fry one layer of eggplant slices at a time, and repeat with an additional batch if necessary. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0d\/Cook-Eggplant-Step-7Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Cook-Eggplant-Step-7Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0d\/Cook-Eggplant-Step-7Bullet1.jpg\/aid2158314-v4-728px-Cook-Eggplant-Step-7Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Let the eggplant slices cook until lightly brown on one side. Flip them and let the other side brown. Remove the fried eggplant slices with a slotted spatula to a paper towel lined plate to drain. Serve the fried eggplant immediately with the sauce of your choice. Fried eggplant gets soggy if it sits too long. It should be eaten right away, while it's still hot. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b3\/Cook-Eggplant-Step-10Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Cook-Eggplant-Step-10Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b3\/Cook-Eggplant-Step-10Bullet1.jpg\/aid2158314-v4-728px-Cook-Eggplant-Step-10Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Try serving fried eggplant with marinara sauce or tzatziki. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9b\/Cook-Eggplant-Step-10Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Cook-Eggplant-Step-10Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9b\/Cook-Eggplant-Step-10Bullet2.jpg\/aid2158314-v4-728px-Cook-Eggplant-Step-10Bullet2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Wash the eggplants, peel them, and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Lay the eggplant pieces on a platter lined with paper towels and sprinkle them with salt. Allow them to rest for about 15 minutes, until they've released their moisture. Pat the slices with paper towels, turn them over, and repeat on the other side. Heat a little cooking oil in a wok or shallow frying pan. Stir-frying is done with a very small amount of oil. Use no more than a tablespoon. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bc\/Cook-Eggplant-Step-13Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Cook-Eggplant-Step-13Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bc\/Cook-Eggplant-Step-13Bullet1.jpg\/aid2158314-v4-728px-Cook-Eggplant-Step-13Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Heat the oil until it is very hot, just before it smokes is ideal. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/75\/Cook-Eggplant-Step-13Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Cook-Eggplant-Step-13Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/75\/Cook-Eggplant-Step-13Bullet2.jpg\/aid2158314-v4-728px-Cook-Eggplant-Step-13Bullet2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Add the eggplant and other ingredients of your choice, like chopped onions, snow peas, or carrots. Season the stir fry with a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir the eggplant and other ingredients constantly and quickly with a spatula or spoon until cooked to the lightly browned stage. Serve over white or brown rice. Wash the eggplants and slice them into 1-inch slices. Lay the eggplants on a platter lined with paper towels and sprinkle them with salt. Allow them to rest for about 15 minutes, until they've released their moisture. Pat the slices with paper towels, turn them over, and repeat on the other side. Using a basting brush, brush both sides of the eggplant slices with olive oil. Sprinkle on the spices of your choice. Consider cumin, paprika, or garlic powder in addition to a pinch of salt and pepper. Place the oiled eggplant slices on a medium hot grill. As an alternative, use the broiler in your oven. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c2\/Cook-Eggplant-Step-22Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Cook-Eggplant-Step-22Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c2\/Cook-Eggplant-Step-22Bullet1.jpg\/aid2158314-v4-728px-Cook-Eggplant-Step-22Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Cook the eggplant slices for about 3 minutes on each side. The eggplant is ready when the meat is soft and the edges are brown and crispy. Remove the eggplant slices with a spatula onto a plate. Preheat the oven to 375ºF (190ºC). Wash the eggplants and slice them into 1-inch slices or chunks. Eggplant can be cut in half, cut in chunks or made into a fan shape for baking. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1a\/Cook-Eggplant-Step-26Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Cook-Eggplant-Step-26Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1a\/Cook-Eggplant-Step-26Bullet1.jpg\/aid2158314-v4-728px-Cook-Eggplant-Step-26Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Generally the peel is left on when the eggplant is halved to hold it together after cooking. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/07\/Cook-Eggplant-Step-26Bullet2.jpg\/v4-460px-Cook-Eggplant-Step-26Bullet2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/07\/Cook-Eggplant-Step-26Bullet2.jpg\/aid2158314-v4-728px-Cook-Eggplant-Step-26Bullet2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} When eggplant is to be cut into pieces for a recipe it is generally peeled first. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1b\/Cook-Eggplant-Step-26Bullet3.jpg\/v4-460px-Cook-Eggplant-Step-26Bullet3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1b\/Cook-Eggplant-Step-26Bullet3.jpg\/aid2158314-v4-728px-Cook-Eggplant-Step-26Bullet3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Oil a casserole dish or baking pan with olive oil. Lay the eggplant pieces in the pan, taking care not to overlap the pieces. Bake the eggplant until the edges and top are brown, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve hot. Wash, peel, and chop the eggplant into chunks. Alternatively, you may boil an unpeeled eggplant whole. Bring a large pot of water to a boil on the stove. Use 2 parts water to 1 part eggplant pieces. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6b\/Cook-Eggplant-Step-31Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Cook-Eggplant-Step-31Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6b\/Cook-Eggplant-Step-31Bullet1.jpg\/aid2158314-v4-728px-Cook-Eggplant-Step-31Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} If you're boiling the eggplant whole, use enough water to submerge the entire eggplant. Add the sliced or whole eggplant to the boiling water. If you're boiling a whole eggplant, poke holes in the skin to keep the eggplant from exploding before you add it to the water. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2e\/Cook-Eggplant-Step-32Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Cook-Eggplant-Step-32Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2e\/Cook-Eggplant-Step-32Bullet1.jpg\/aid2158314-v4-728px-Cook-Eggplant-Step-32Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Cook at a slow simmer until the eggplant is softened, about 8-15 minutes. Season the eggplant with salt, pepper and additional spices of your choice. | Wash the eggplants and slice them into 1/2-inch slices. Lay the eggplants on a platter lined with paper towels and sprinkle them with salt. Prepare a batter of a cup of flour, 1/4 cup cornmeal, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 pepper. In a separate small bowl, whisk one or two eggs together. Heat cooking oil in a large skillet or dutch oven to 350°F (176.6°C). Working one slice at a time, dip the eggplant pieces in the egg, then coat them in the flour mixture. Use tongs to place the battered eggplant slices into the hot frying oil. Let the eggplant slices cook until lightly brown on one side. Remove the fried eggplant slices with a slotted spatula to a paper towel lined plate to drain. Serve the fried eggplant immediately with the sauce of your choice. Wash the eggplants, peel them, and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Lay the eggplant pieces on a platter lined with paper towels and sprinkle them with salt. Heat a little cooking oil in a wok or shallow frying pan. Add the eggplant and other ingredients of your choice, like chopped onions, snow peas, or carrots. Season the stir fry with a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir the eggplant and other ingredients constantly and quickly with a spatula or spoon until cooked to the lightly browned stage. Serve over white or brown rice. Wash the eggplants and slice them into 1-inch slices. Lay the eggplants on a platter lined with paper towels and sprinkle them with salt. Using a basting brush, brush both sides of the eggplant slices with olive oil. Sprinkle on the spices of your choice. Place the oiled eggplant slices on a medium hot grill. Cook the eggplant slices for about 3 minutes on each side. Remove the eggplant slices with a spatula onto a plate. Preheat the oven to 375ºF (190ºC). Wash the eggplants and slice them into 1-inch slices or chunks. Oil a casserole dish or baking pan with olive oil. Bake the eggplant until the edges and top are brown, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve hot. Wash, peel, and chop the eggplant into chunks. Bring a large pot of water to a boil on the stove. Add the sliced or whole eggplant to the boiling water. Cook at a slow simmer until the eggplant is softened, about 8-15 minutes. Season the eggplant with salt, pepper and additional spices of your choice. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Dissolve-Kidney-Stones | How to Dissolve Kidney Stones | If you've been diagnosed with kidney stones, ask your doctor about taking medications that can help dissolve the stones or allow your body to pass them more easily. For larger stones, they may recommend using sound waves to break the stones into smaller pieces. If the stones are too large to dissolve or remove with less invasive methods, discuss taking the stones out with a ureteroscope or trying surgical removal. | Look into medication. If you have trouble passing small stones on your own, your doctor may prescribe a type of medication called an alpha blocker, which relaxes the muscles in your ureter to help you pass the stones more easily. This should be sufficient for smaller stones, but you may need extra help to pass larger ones. If you have uric acid kidney stones, then a course of potassium citrate might be in order so that the stones dissolve on their own. Get extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (SWL). This procedure uses sound waves to break up large stones, making them easier to pass. Since the procedure can be painful, patients are usually placed under anesthesia during the 30 to 45 minute process of pulverizing the stones. This is an effective treatment, but it can cause bruising and pain as the small pieces of stone eventually pass. See if the stone can be removed with a ureteroscope. Stones that are too large to be broken up with shock wave therapy, but too small to require surgery may be removed with a scope that is inserted into the ureter. Once the stone is located, it is broken up using small tools. Since the procedure can be painful, it usually requires either local or general anesthesia. Have percutaneous nephrolithotomy surgery. For large stones that can't be broken into bits using shock wave therapy, surgery may be required to remove them. A small incision is made in the patient's back, and a tiny instrument is inserted to remove the kidney stone or stones. The surgery requires an overnight stay in the hospital. See if thyroid treatment is necessary. In some cases, calcium kidney stones are caused by hyperparathyroidism, which is when the parathyroid glands produce too much parathyroid hormone. This can happen when a small tumor grows on a parathyroid gland, or when a separate condition causes the parathyroid to overproduce parathyroid hormone. Once your doctor has determined the cause of the hyperparathyroidism, he or she will recommend the proper course of treatment to correct the problem. Drink several quarts of water every day. No matter what type of stone you have, kidney stones smaller than 5 millimeters will usually pass on their own, without the need for medical intervention. If you can feel your kidney stone but it isn't painful enough to require treatment, your doctor will probably advise drinking 2 to 3 quarts of water daily until the stone passes. Staying extremely well hydrated will help flush the kidney stone from your system. Aim to drink enough water to produce mostly clear urine. Clear urine is an indication that your body is extremely well hydrated. Non-caffeinated, sugar and alcohol free beverages like ginger ale, fruit juice, cranberry juice, or green tea could also help you stay hydrated. Avoid beverages with caffeine, artificial sweeteners, sugar, or alcohol while you're trying to pass a kidney stone. Make dietary changes to shrink stones. Since kidney stones are caused by the buildup of certain minerals, eating fewer foods containing these minerals can help to shrink the stones. This is especially effective if you have either calcium or uric acid stones. If you have calcium stones, cut back on the following foods that make the problem worse: salty foods, dairy products, oysters, tofu, and fatty foods. If you have calcium oxalate stones, you should avoid foods high in oxalate, like rhubarb, grapes, spinach, sweet potatoes, coffee, and chocolate. If you have uric acid stones, cut back on the following foods containing uric acid: organ meat like liver and kidney, anchovies, sardines, beans, mushrooms, spinach, cauliflower, yeast, and alcohol. Drink beverages containing lemons every day. Whether you drink real lemonade, lemon juice, lemon-lime drinks or just water with a few lemon slices, the acidic nature of citrus helps so that kidney stones do not form. Try herbal remedies. While no herbal remedy has been scientifically proven to remove kidney stones, many have found that consuming certain herbs, especially in the form of tea, can help to shrink the stones so they pass more easily. Try the following herbs in order to treat a mild kidney stone: Birch leaf tea, which is said to help remove waste products from the urinary system. Black tea, which increases urine flow since it is a diuretic. Nettle leaf, which is also a diuretic and can help flush the kidney stones from your system. Dandelion root, which is said is to be an effective kidney tonic. Apple cider vinegar, which is said to help dissolve stones. You can consume 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) of apple cider vinegar each day, or mix it with water. Avoid using sorrel, which can cause calcium oxalate kidney stones to worsen. Banana stem juice is a well-known treatment for kidney stones in India. Determine if you really have a kidney stone. While not all kidney stones cause people to have symptoms, even very small stones can cause severe pain. If you've already had a few kidney stones in your life, you might be reasonably sure that's what's going on. However, since the symptoms of a kidney stone overlap symptoms of many other disorders, it's a good idea to receive a diagnosis so you can treat it properly. Here are the most common symptoms of kidney stones: Severe pain in the side and lower back, which often spreads to the abdomen and groin. Pain that comes and goes in waves, and is present during urination. Foul-smelling, cloudy, pink or brown urine. Nausea and vomiting. Visit a doctor to get an imaging test. Getting an x-ray, CT scan or ultrasound (depending on what your doctor recommends) when you notice the symptoms of a kidney stone is the best way to determine how you should treat the stone. Imaging technology can will reveal the size, shape and number of stones you're dealing with. If you have a stone smaller than 5 millimeters, your doctor will probably advise using at-home methods to help the stone pass. If you have a larger stone or multiple stones, your doctor may prescribe a medication or recommend a different course of medical treatment to pulverize the stones so you can pass them. Figure out what kind of stones you have. Kidney stones produce the same symptoms, but they can be caused by several different conditions. Knowing what's causing the formation of your kidney stones will help you reduce their size and prevent them in the future. Your doctor may perform blood or urine tests to figure out what type of stones you have. After you pass a stone, your doctor might send it to a lab for analysis to determine its makeup. Here are the different types of kidney stones: Calcium stones : these are the most common type of stones, and are caused by a high level of calcium combined with another substance, such as oxalate or uric acid. Doctors may prescribe a thiazide diuretic or phosphate containing preparation in order to get rid of these stones. Uric acid stones : these form when the urine contains too much acid. Doctors will prescribe allopurinol, which may help dissolve the kidney stone. Also, they may prescribe potassium citrate to lower the pH of the urine and dissolve the uric acid stone. Struvite stones : these can form after a urinary tract infection. To prevent struvite stones, your doctor might suggest that you keep your urinary tract clean and free of infections. Cystine stones : this type of stone is caused by a rare genetic disease. These are more difficult to treat. Your doctor may have your drink more fluids or prescribe you medication that reduces the amount of cystine in the urine. | Look into medication. Get extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (SWL). See if the stone can be removed with a ureteroscope. Have percutaneous nephrolithotomy surgery. See if thyroid treatment is necessary. Drink several quarts of water every day. Make dietary changes to shrink stones. Drink beverages containing lemons every day. Try herbal remedies. Determine if you really have a kidney stone. Visit a doctor to get an imaging test. Figure out what kind of stones you have. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Turkey-Calls | How to Make Turkey Calls | To make a homemade turkey call, first draw a half moon shape on the lid of a pill bottle. Then, carefully cut out the half circle shape with a razor blade, leaving about an inch of plastic around the outer edge. After you've done this, use a hacksaw to cut off the bottom of the pill bottle. Just make sure to sand it afterwards so it's not sharp. To make the reed for your call, cut off one of the fingers of a latex glove. Then, stretch the hole of the glove over the top of the pill bottle. You can secure it by tying a rubber band around it and placing the top of the pill bottle on top. | Buy a turkey call device. Many hunting supply stores sell turkey calls. These are small devices that will make the sound for you when you use them. Some stores sell these devices for only a few dollars, although you could pay between $10 or closer to $100. Some of the turkey calls perform a single call, such as gobbling, and other turkey calls offer a series of call choices. Many of these turkey call devices are available for purchase online. They are usually small enough to fit inside your pocket. Pace it right. Rhythm matters in turkey calling. You've got to get the cadence down or the turkey won't come in. Don't make the call too fast or too slow. In order to practice the cadence of the sound, listen to good turkey callers or to the sounds of live birds. You could try recording your practice calls and then compare those to the sound of a live turkey to see if you're making the call too loud or slow. Not all turkeys sound the same. Some hens are high-pitched and some aren't. Use different calls and change it up to increase your chances of calling in a turkey. Learn many calls. Some people believe you should only make a call every hour when you're doing “blind-calling” of turkeys from, say, a hill. Turkeys make calls when they see other turkeys. If a turkey Is lonely, it will call long enough for other turkeys to hear. These turkey calls may come in long strings. To increase your chances of drawing out a turkey, don't be afraid to get aggressive and make more calls if you've gotten no response with the first one after 15 minutes. Understand that turkeys make different calls for different reasons and some calls are more effective in certain seasons than others are. Gobble like a male turkey. Male turkeys are called gobblers, and they make the most famous turkey call. It sounds somewhat like the crowing of a rooster. The sound is loud, shrill, descending and throaty and it lasts for about 1 second only. Usually male turkeys goggle from treetop roosts. They do this because the sound carries better through the trees than it does on the ground. Male turkeys make this sound to attract females. Turkeys also cackle when they fly down from roosts, and they give short, soft purring sounds as they move on foot. They also give long yelps to reassemble their flocks; young turkeys whistle three or four times so their fellow turkeys can find them when they are lost. Download a sound app. Maybe you don't have any luck trying to call turkeys with your own voice. These days, there's plenty of technological help for that problem. You can download a free sound app on iTunes that makes turkey calls. You can set the app to play a turkey call once or to play different calls in a loop. Listen to expert callers or actual birds on You Tube. This will help you emulate the sound of the call. Many online hunting sites have audio sound files online that allow you to hear the different sounds turkeys make. Use a turkey mouth call. It might take years to learn how to use a turkey call, so have patience and practice a lot. Blow air across the latex reed to make the sound of a turkey. These turkey calls are a reed stretched across a horseshoe-shaped frame that is centered inside a plastic skirt. Pick a single or double reed call for your first call as they are easier for beginners to use. Put the call into your mouth so the open end is facing out, and push it up to your mouth's roof with your tongue. Make sure the seal is tight. Put your tongue lightly against the reed. Trim some of the tape so the call fits into your mouth if it's too wide. Try not to bend the frame or you could knock the reeds loose and this can alter the sound. The manufacturers of turkey calls set the tension very carefully for sound quality. Make a basic yelp. Hold the call with your tongue against the roof of your mouth to make this basic turkey call. Turkeys give out a “tree yelp” when they want to reassure other turkeys roosted nearby, and a lost yelp when they want to reassemble after being scattered. Exhale the letter “H” as you hold the call against your mouth's roof. Force the air to go in between your tongue and the call. Some hunters will say a word when yelping to get the sound. Chick, chirp, chop and chalk are some words used. Make sure air doesn't escape over the call between the call and your mouth's roof. That's incorrect. Press your tongue harder against the reed to create higher tones. Apply less pressure on the reed to lower the sound of the tones. Control the yelping sound with your tongue to place more or less pressure on the reed. Exaggerate the length of the high tone at first for about 2 seconds. Then slightly open your mouth or remove your tongue's pressure from the reed to make a lower tone. Once you've mastered that maneuver, speed it up. Blend together high and low tone to make the yelp. The yelp should be a 5- to 15 note series made in a rhythmic manner. Vary the volume and skip beats. Gobblers and hens use this call. The hens use it to tell gobblers they want to mate. Use the yelp in spring and fall. Make a turkey cluck sound. This sound occurs when you say the word “putt” with your teeth clenched together as you exhale. Some hunters will say the words pock and puck instead as they make the call. A cluck call is about 2 or three notes. It's used by turkeys to get the attention of other turkeys and to communicate with them. It's a good call to use when you want to attract the attention of a spring gobbler. Turkeys gobble when they are in the woods and trying to attract female turkeys. They give out yelps when they are separated from other turkeys. They cackle as they fly down from a tree top, and they purr as they travel and feed. A kee-kee run audio sound is another call popular by fall hunters who want to bring in a flock. Turkeys use this sound to regroup their flock. Make 2-4 high tone calls followed by 2 or 3 yelps. Use this largely in fall turkey hunting. Say pee-pee-pee to kee kee, and use more tongue pressure on the reed. Rise the notes with lost urgency. Make a purr turkey call. The purr is a call that a turkey uses when it's foraging in the fields or woods. You can attract a gobbler with a purr and then a cluck. To make a purr sound, position your tongue slightly again the reed. Now exhale and flutter your lips rapidly to emulate the turkey's purr. Some hunters find this sound very difficult to make so they will practice it all season long. Gobblers will come looking for hens when they hear the purr sound. To emulate the sound of a lonely bird, make a series of Cut sounds, which are used by hens who are looking to mate, especially in the spring. This call should be loud and aggressive. It should last between 5 to 15 seconds long. Use a pill bottle. It's pretty easy to make a homemade turkey call out of a pill bottle. Any prescription bill bottle should work. First, draw a half circle on the pill bottle's lid. Leave about an inch around the outer edge of plastic. Next, cut out the half circle. A razor blade should work to cut it out. Use a hack saw to cut off the pill bottle's bottom. Sand off the rougher points with sandpaper. Be very careful whenever using cutting instruments. Take a latex glove and cut one of the fingers off to use it as your reed. Slit it up the middle to the tip of the finger. Stretch the cut glove finger over the hole, and fasten it to the bottle with a rubber band. Leave a gap between the bottom edge of the hole and the latex to make the turkey call. You can change the size of the gap to alter the sound. Cut off any excess latex. Press your bottom lip across the part of the bottle without latex. Chirp, purr or gobble into it. Make a call with a can. Turkey calls can also be made with cans. Take an empty tin can. Cut down the side of the can and then around its bottom to create a single long metal strip. Discard the can bottom or save it for other turkey calls. This metal strip will be the frame for your call. Lay the strip flat, and draw at least one frame on it. The frame should be 2 inches long by 1 inch wide. Trace it on the metal. Cut out the inside of the frame. Cut along the outline. Make the reed. This is the musical instrument portion of the homemade call, which causes the reed to vibrate and make the sound. Take a latex glove and draw a 2 inch by 1 inch rectangle on the glove. You could mark out more than one rectangle to make different calls. Take a razor knife, and cut out the rectangles. Cut through both glove layers. Open your metal frame, and put your latex reeds in it by laying them in the frame. Ensure they are all the way forward against the bend and close the frame tightly to hold the latex. Bend the top frame tab to lock the frame. Tape up the call made with the can. Cut three pieces of 3 inch long waterproof tape. Layer them. You will then have one piece of tape that is three layers thick. Take the piece you carved out of the frame's interior, and lay it in the center of the tape. Use a razor knife to trace around the cut out to cut a hole in the tape the size of the opening in your frame. After you've cut the hole, lay the frame with the latex in it on the tape. Line it up so the frame's opening is over the hole. Pull the latex tightly. Put the latex around the frame. Stick it to the tape around the frame. You want the reed to be tight but not overstretched. Fold the tape over, and press it together. Make sure that it doesn't have gaps or the sound will be off. Trace the basic shapes. After the turkey call is folded over, trace the basic call shape onto the tape. It should match your mouth shape so you can seal the call against the roof of your mouth. Make a call box. This is probably one of the easiest calls that you can make at home. The key to this is to obtain very dry wood. Old furniture can provide a good source of wood, especially if it's made of oak or mahogany. You could also get some from a landfill or thrift store. Get a band saw to cut the wood with the grain. Cut it into strips that are ¼ inch thick. Print out a homemade box call pattern sheet from the internet, and cut out the patterns. Trace the patterns. You should trace the patterns onto the blocks of wood and then cut them, following the pattern shapes. It's pretty easy to construct the box once you've cut the wood. You should have 6 pieces of wood when you are done using the box call pattern sheet. Shape the paddle's bottom into a rounded bottom using a belt sander. Then, glue the ends and sides of the box together and put them into a box shape. Assemble the paddle on the top of the call. Use a wood screw and a small spring to provide tension to the paddle. Make a slate turkey call. Find a good piece of slate. A slate tile or shingle are potential sources. Cut the slate with a diamond-tipped saw. The slate section should measure about 8 inches (20.3 cm) by 12 inches (30.5 cm) and be 1/8 inch (0.3 cm) thick. Grind the slate section. Rub on a section of sidewalk that you've doused with water. Move the slate in circles until its fairly smooth. Rub the slate section with fine sandpaper until it's very smooth. Make a sound chamber. The chamber should be fashioned out of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe. Cut 2 inches (5 cm) off a 3-inch (7.6 cm) diameter pipe. Set the end of the sound chamber against the slate section. Trace the round outline onto the slate with a pencil. Use tin snips to cut the slate until you have a round piece that fits over the end of the sound chamber. Attach the round piece of slate to the end of the sound chamber. Use liquid ceramic glue or silicone glue. Create a striker handle. Make the handle from a 3/8 inch (1 cm) wood dowel. Cut an 8-inch (20.3cm) section, then whittle 1 end until it's sharp. Shove the handle length-wise through the center of a dried, shelled corn cob. The cob should measure 6 inches (15 cm) in length. Use wood glue if the handle is a bit loose within the corn cob. The corn cob is the striker. Use the slate call to mimic wild turkey sounds. Hold the striker by the handle in 1 hand and the slate/sound chamber in your other hand. Move the striker over the slate's surface. Perform this action with even circular motions. Tune the slate turkey call. Do this until you're satisfied with the sound. Trim the handle slightly, as that will impact the sound of the turkey call, and it's important to get it just right. You could shorten or hollow out the top of the corn cob or shorten the sound chamber. Make a tube turkey call. Smooth the ends of a 3/4-inch (2 cm) PVC pipe coupler with sandpaper. Make a lip rest. Use the end of the PVC coupler to trace a circle onto a margarine tub's plastic lid with a pencil. Cut out the plastic circle and then cut it in half to make 2 rests. You'll need just 1 lip rest for this project. Glue the lip rest to one half of the end of the pipe coupler. Use a hot glue gun. Sandpaper any rough spots, if necessary. Wrap the tube turkey call with black or camouflage tape. Cut a 2-inch by 2-inch (5 cm by 5cm) square from a latex glove to create a diaphragm. Drape the diaphragm. Drape it over the other half of the PVC end that the lip rest is attached to. Hold the latex diaphragm in place with a rubber band. Press your lower lip against the diaphragm and your upper lip against the lip rest. The correct position is similar to drinking from a bottle. Impersonate turkey calls by speaking into the tube turkey call. Your breath and jaw movements make the sounds that mimic turkey vocalizations. For example, saying "shuck" into the tube call will sound like a wild turkey's yelp. | Buy a turkey call device. Pace it right. Learn many calls. Gobble like a male turkey. Download a sound app. Use a turkey mouth call. Make a basic yelp. Press your tongue harder against the reed to create higher tones. Make a turkey cluck sound. Make a purr turkey call. Use a pill bottle. Make a call with a can. Make the reed. Tape up the call made with the can. Put the latex around the frame. Make a call box. Trace the patterns. Make a slate turkey call. Make a sound chamber. Create a striker handle. Move the striker over the slate's surface. Make a tube turkey call. Drape the diaphragm. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Pass-Time-As-a-Teen | How to Pass Time As a Teen | Don't fret if you're bored during your free time, since there are plenty of ways you can entertain yourself. Try getting creative by writing a story, filming a video, or drawing a comic. If you'd rather just relax, look up lists of the greatest movies, albums, TV shows, games, and books online and immerse yourself in the best entertainment the world has to offer. If it's a nice day, go for a walk and explore your neighborhood to find some cool places to hang out. Alternatively, find a club to join so you can try out a new hobby and meet new friends. If you'd rather use your time to earn some money, ask your neighbors if they have any chores they'll hire you to do. | Unleash your creativity. No matter how bored you feel, you always have your creative, incredible brain to keep you company. With a little equipment you can easily pass hours making movies, writing poems, or learning cover songs on an instrument. Not only will the time fly by, you'll get the chance to hone your skills and make something to share with the world. Write poems, stories, scripts, or comic strips. Shoot home movies, from quick Vines and YouTube clips to longer films. Grab free music production software, like GarageBand, and use it to make original beats and songs. Look up DIY projects online, like small greenhouses or homemade speakers, and get building. Binge out on great books, music, movies, and TV. The wealth of media available on the internet now makes it easy to fill entire months without leaving your couch. You can still use the time spent alone to catch up on the shows and songs you may have missed. You can also use this time to expand your horizons, crushing the "best of the best" and becoming a little more culturally literate. Work your way through Rolling Stone's Top 500 Albums, the AFI's Best 100 Films, or Time's Greatest Novels of the 20th century. They provide hours of entertainment and are often well-read, which means you're guaranteed to find someone with which to talk about each piece. Teach yourself something new. Learn a language, a new recipe, or some Roman history. Let your mind wander to whatever interests you the most, learning what you want to learn instead of what a teacher tells you. Learning for learning's sake is one of the best ways to pass the time, and it may open you up to new hobbies or ideas as time goes by. Head to the local library and check out a few books from the non-fiction and DIY section. Don't worry about the "right" subjects, just grab what interests you. Do some simple chores and housework. It will definitely make your parents happy, and it can actually be a quiet, meditative way to pass the time if you put some good music on. Keeping your room clean, helping out with dinner, and mowing the lawn will pass the time quickly, and it could make you a bit of money if you've discussed an allowance with your parents ahead of time. Start a diary or journal. Writing in a journal each day not only passes the time, it helps you organize your thoughts and ideas and provides you with a record of who you were earlier in life. Journals help boost your mental health and have been shown to increase creativity. They are also a lot of fun to reread a few years later, as they offer a unique look into who you were at the time. Browse the endless excitement of the internet. The internet is full of time passing sites, diversions, and intriguing information. Try out StumbleUpon, which takes you to random sites based on your interests, or forums and message boards like Reddit, where users post interesting content based on their likes. You can peruse the handmade art on Etsy or glue your eyes to the incredible homemade videos available on Vimeo. Or you can simply go to a search engine, type in your interests, and dive down into the rabbit hole of wikiHow, Google, or Wikipedia. Schedule time to leave the house during the summer with your parents. The freedom of summer can sometimes feel like a double-edged sword. On one hand, you are out of school. On the other, you've got a lot more free time to fill up suddenly. If you're worried about having too much time on your hands when school finally gets out, talk to you parents about making plans for camp, vacation, and any long-term projects. Summer is the perfect time to work on things you can't otherwise fit into your schedule. Some ideas include: Plan a summer vacation with your parents. Make a list of things you want to do or places you want to go. Together, figure out ones that are feasible and that your parents would also enjoy. Find 1-2 summer camps to explore. Your local Parks & Rec Department likely publishes a summer camp guide, offering everything from writing classes to sports camps, that you can pick up from your town hall. Or, go online and search for camps related to your interests Start a project. You could build a new shed with your mom or dad, begin to write a movie or short story, or decide to pick up a new instrument. Give yourself a goal for the end of the summer and pass the time trying to reach it. Go outside. If you've got nothing else to do, with no car or events on the horizon, head outside and make your own fun. You can go for a hike, build a fort in the woods, or just bike around town. Don't let the weather get you down, either. Sometimes a run in the pouring rain is the most fun thing you can do during a storm. Relish the opportunities to sled, build forts, and make snowmen in the colder months, and jump in a pool or pond when it's scorching hot. For centuries, teens have found endless enjoyment in the great outdoors. All it takes is a bit of sunscreen and a willingness to get out there. Play some sports. If you're feeling casual, grab a Frisbee and improvise a disc golf course around the house. Go fishing, camping, or bird-watching. Offer to help your neighbors to make some pocket change. Make a piece of art together, like a song or movie. Record something silly, even if you never share it with anyone else. You could put on a play, film a movie or music video, or just start jamming together on your instruments. Collaborative works like this will pass the time before you know it. Just turn a camera or recorder on and improvise, doing your best to make each other smile, laugh, or tap your feet. Come up with an idea together and make a plan to finish it. Working together towards a common goal is a perfect way to pass some time with good friends. Find events in advance that you all enjoy together. Check online or in your local paper for concerts, events, and movies, and make plans together to see them. More often than not, if you take the time to check out the events schedule in advance, you can avoid sitting around without knowing what to do. However, waiting until the last minute often means you miss the showtime, or can't get a ride down, leaving you stranded at home without an activity. Play some games. From simple and easy cards to complex video & board games, games are one of the best way to pass the time with any number of people. While the number of video, card, and board games is nearly endless, there is even a variety of games you can play without any equipment: Mafia. Ninja. Truth or Dare. Celebrity. Get involved with school groups and clubs. One of the best ways to pass the time is to explore your interests at school, joining groups with similar interests and trying out new things. If there is nothing at your school that really interests you, or if you're already in the groups you enjoy, there is a variety of other places that offer classes and groups that you can join weekly. Ask for a schedule of events, classes, and groups at your local: YMCA. Parks & Rec Department. Public library. Town Hall. Volunteer with an organization or charity you find meaningful. You can volunteer with animals, after school programs, libraries, or local food pantries. Volunteering is not only a great way to pass some time, it is a fulfilling and enjoyable way to meet people and help fill out your college resume. You can find it online by searching for "Volunteer Opportunities," asking at your church or school, or visiting organizations you admire and want to join. Some options include: Help local animals. Manage a youth sports team. Become a tutor. Help out at a nearby nursing home. Pick up a new sport or musical instrument. Having a sport, or playing in a band gives you weekly events to look forward to and plan your schedule around. They also give you a great way to pass the time even when you're not at practice, as you can always work on your skills in your free time to become the best you can be. If you're serious about the new hobby, find a trainer or teacher to help you improve. This also gives you weekly practice sessions to look forward to. If your school doesn't have band or sporting options for you, visit the YMCA or search online for groups in your area. Taking private lessons can also open up opportunities for teams or bands. Ask a friend to learn an instrument with you. Having a partner to play with helps you both learn faster, and playing in a band is much more fun than playing alone. Exercise regularly, at least 3-5 times a week. Regular exercise, at least 30 minutes a day, will help you stay healthy, fit, and energetic. And exercise comes in a variety of forms, whether it is running or riding the bike with friends, playing a game of pickup basketball, swimming in the pool, or even a tough game of capture the flag. Just getting outside and moving around each day will help you pass the time and feel great. Find the exercise you enjoy, or find ways to make it enjoyable. Listen to a new album each walk you go on, do push-ups and sit-ups during commercial breaks, join a local disc golf league, etc. Get a part-time job. Not only will this help you pass the time, it will put a little money in your pocket, making other hobbies and events more accessible. Many jobs exist for teens, from part-time jobs throughout the year to full-time summer jobs when you're not in school. You can find them by looking in the paper, on Craigslist, or talking to your parents and parents' friends about potential opportunities. Businesses that frequently hire teens include: Movie theaters. Painting and landscaping companies. Restaurants and coffee shops. Grocery Stores. Neighbors and parents who need babysitters, lawn cutters, gardeners, etc. | Unleash your creativity. Binge out on great books, music, movies, and TV. Teach yourself something new. Do some simple chores and housework. Start a diary or journal. Browse the endless excitement of the internet. Schedule time to leave the house during the summer with your parents. Go outside. Make a piece of art together, like a song or movie. Find events in advance that you all enjoy together. Play some games. Get involved with school groups and clubs. Volunteer with an organization or charity you find meaningful. Pick up a new sport or musical instrument. Exercise regularly, at least 3-5 times a week. Get a part-time job. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-Contracts | How to Write Contracts | To write contracts, start by agreeing to the terms of the contract with the other party. Then, write up the terms of the contract, including any deadlines and funds that will be exchanged. You should also specify whether the contract is ongoing or a one-time agreement, as well as how any issues related to the terms of the contract will be handled. Finally, when you're finished with the contract, have both parties sign and date it. | Discuss the specific details with the person with whom you are creating a contract. Both parties should agree upon the terms of the contract before drafting it. Usually, someone “offers” terms and the other party “accepts” terms. If the accepting party would like to negotiate before agreeing to the terms, that is fine. In most cases, once a counter-offer is introduced, the original offer no longer stands. Consider the task or work to be completed. If either party need to conduct a service, does the performance specified in the contract need to be completed within a certain amount of time or by a certain date? For example, when negotiating terms for a construction contract, include specifications on when the work should be done. Additionally, include terms that address weather or other types of delays. Discuss the exchange of funds. If the contract involves an exchange of funds, specify the amount of money that you will exchange. Make arrangements for accepted payment options as well. Include terms setting out what to do if more money is needed to complete the service or other potential problems relating to funds associated with the contract. Consider whether the contract needs to be ongoing or one-time. If the contract sets up a long-term relationship between the parties, make sure to specify the end date for that relationship. For example, if you own a business that sells homemade pies and you enter into a contract to sell your pies to a local grocery store, you should specify the length of the obligation to sell the pies to the store, e.g. one month, one year, etc. If the contract simply covers a one-time transaction, there is no need to specify that the contract will end after the completion of performance. For example, if you sell your car to someone and write up a contract for the sale, you don't need to specify that the contract will cease to have an effect when you sell the car and the buyer pays the money. Address how to handle problems related to the contract. Especially if your contract covers more than just one transaction, it is important to place provisions in the contract that discuss what happens if something goes wrong. Will either party have a way to get out of the contract if performance becomes very difficult or expensive? You can put provisions in the contract stating what your obligations would be in a situation like this. For example, say you make homemade blueberry pies and contract to sell the pies to a grocery store. If a shortage causes the price of blueberries to rise 200%, can you change the unit sale price? Determine whether the contract must be in writing to be enforceable. Although not all contracts need to be in writing to be valid, it is a good idea to memorialize your agreement in writing to preserve evidence of the agreement and its terms. The following contracts must be in writing: A contract for the sale of land A contract that will last for longer than one year A contract for the sale of goods for a price of $500 or more A contract of marriage A surety ship contract, which is a contract saying that someone will pay another person's debt if that person doesn't pay Write a contract that meets all requirements. Even if your contract does not need to be in writing, you should formulate a written document if at all possible. In order for a written contract to be valid, it should: Identify the subject of the contract Indicate that the parties have entered a contract State the essential terms reached in the discussion Include any additional details relevant to avoiding misunderstandings Double-check all of the details within the contract. If the contract contains misleading or incorrect information, it could be considered voidable due to either fraud or mutual misunderstanding. Presenting information as clearly and accurately as possible can minimize this risk. Have all parties sign and date the contract. Each party should sign and date the contract (also called executing the contract) to make it official. Having a space for a witness to sign or a notary to notarize the contract is also a good idea. Make copies of the contract for all parties, and begin performance. After the contract is signed by all parties, make copies to distribute to everyone. This will insure that no one forgets the contract terms. Once the contract is executed (signed), it becomes legally valid, and performance can begin. Specify the length of the contract. One-time exchanges automatically terminate once the parties complete the exchange. However, parties involved in ongoing service contracts may want to include terms for the termination of the contract. Include language pertaining to breach of the contract. If one party does not perform or becomes unable to perform, the contract can have terms for what will happen to the contract. This should include whether or not a party is able to terminate the contract with or without a penalty or mitigation of damages. For example, “If Company X does not deliver the [product] within 3 weeks of signing this Agreement, X has breached the contract and Company Y is entitled to buy the [product] from another vendor and recover any difference in price from Company X.” Add dispute resolution terms for handling a breach. Note what the remedy for the breach is. The remedy that is usually used in breach of contract actions is money. Typically, the non-breaching party is entitled to the amount of money that he or she would have received if the contract had not been breached. Parties can also place a predetermined amount of money in the contract that will be paid in the event of a breach. This would include language to the effect of: “If one of the parties breaches this Agreement, the non-breaching party is entitled to $5,000.” Note who will pay attorney’s fees and court costs. If a party to the contract breaches, and lawyers get involved, it is usually customary for each party to pay their own legal fees. However, parties can change the default rule by signing a contract that requires the losing side in a legal dispute to pay the attorney's fees of the winning side. To include a provision for payment of attorneys fees, including language such as: “The winning party has the right to collect from the other party its reasonable costs and attorney's fees incurred in enforcing this Agreement.” Consider adding an alternative dispute resolution clause. Alternative dispute resolution is a term for various ways to settle a legal dispute short of litigation in court. ADR is usually faster, simpler, more efficient and more flexible than litigation. Also, using ADR is a private proceeding, which is good for businesses that do not want to hurt their reputation by engaging in public litigation. Types of ADR include: Mediation : a procedure where a neutral third person helps the parties talk through their dispute and come up with a solution that everyone is satisfied with. Arbitration : this procedure is similar to a trial: an “arbitrator” hears from both sides and then makes a deciding that will be binding based on the evidence presented by the parties. Negotiation : negotiation is where the parties resolve the dispute themselves, possibly with attorneys. Spell out an ADR solution in the contract. Parties to the contract can decide to use an ADR procedure after a dispute arises, but it will be more difficult for them to reach an agreement on ADR procedures after a contract dispute arises. To write an ADR clause into a contract, use language similar to the following: “All claims and disputes arising under or relating to this Agreement are to be settled by mediation/arbitration/negotiation which will be conducted in the state of [whatever state the parties agree on].” | Discuss the specific details with the person with whom you are creating a contract. Consider the task or work to be completed. Discuss the exchange of funds. Consider whether the contract needs to be ongoing or one-time. Address how to handle problems related to the contract. Determine whether the contract must be in writing to be enforceable. Write a contract that meets all requirements. Double-check all of the details within the contract. Have all parties sign and date the contract. Make copies of the contract for all parties, and begin performance. Specify the length of the contract. Include language pertaining to breach of the contract. Add dispute resolution terms for handling a breach. Note who will pay attorney’s fees and court costs. Consider adding an alternative dispute resolution clause. Spell out an ADR solution in the contract. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Shave-Your-Armpits | How to Shave Your Armpits | Before you shave your armpits using a safety razor, raise one arm over your head and apply a generous layer of shave gel or lotion to your entire armpit. Hold the razor in your other hand and shave in the direction of your hair growth, rinsing the razor after each stroke. If your skin is not sensitive, shave against the grain of your hair as well, since underarm hair may grow in different directions. Avoid pressing the razor too firmly against your skin, as this may result in razor burn. Repeat on the other side, then rinse underneath each of your armpits. | Prepare your skin. It is often easiest to shave in the shower or during a bath. Water will soften the skin while the warmth will prevent goosebumps, which can get cut while shaving. Apply a moisturizing lubricant. Commercially produced shaving gel, lotion or foam can help soften the skin and make a smoother shave possible. Soap, shampoo, or conditioner may be adequate substitutes. Cover the entire area with a generous amount of lubricant. If necessary, soap or gel can be reapplied partway through the shaving process. Raise one arm over your head. When the skin is taut, it is easier to get a smooth shave and prevent cuts. Begin shaving. Hold the razor in your other hand and start by shaving in the direction of hair growth. If your skin is sensitive, shaving against the grain can result in razor burn. If sensitivity is not an issue, shave both up and down, as underarm hair may grow in several different directions. Avoid pressing the razor too firmly against your skin, as this can result in razor burn. Rinse the razor after each stroke. For the smoothest shave it is best to remove foam and cut hair strands. Do not attempt to dislodge hair or otherwise clean the razor with your fingers. You will cut them. Repeat on the other armpit. It may take some practice to use your weaker hand to shave, but over time this will become easier. Complete the shaving process. Rinse under both arms to remove any remaining foam or loose hair. The skin is likely to be sensitive, so consider using a gentle moisturizer after you dry off. Deodorants may sting if applied immediately after shaving. Consider shaving at night to allow the skin to rest and heal before applying any products. If irritation or inflammation persists consult a dermatologist or try a different process. Identify the type of shaver. Some newer models can be used with wet or dry skin, but the typical electric razor is designed only for dry use. Review the packaging to be certain which kind of razor you have. If you are unsure, try dry shaving first. Electric appliances should never be used in the shower or bath. Wet shavers can be used on wet skin, but should not be used while you bathe. Examine the shaving mechanism. If your razor has a rotary mechanism then it will be most effective if you move it in a circular motion. If it is a foil shaver then repeated back and forth strokes will provide the smoothest shave. Knowing in advance what type of motion to use will ensure a close shave and reduce the risk of cuts or abrasions. Prepare your skin. You will get the smoothest shave if the hair is completely dry. Clean your underarm hair to remove oils or deodorant residue. Consider using a pre-shave product designed specifically for electric razors. These may be marketed to men to ease facial hair removal. Keep the skin taut. Lift your arm in such a way that the skin underneath is as tight and smooth as possible. This will reduce the risk of skin becoming caught in the razor. Hold the electric shaver at a right angle to your skin. Shave against the grain of the hair. This may entail strokes in several different directions to ensure the closest shave. Be patient. If you are just beginning to use an electric shaver your skin may be sensitive and irritated easily. After several weeks of consistent use this problem should self-resolve. If irritation persists, discontinue use or consult a dermatologist. If you have open cuts or severely irritated skin, wait until you have healed completely before trying to shave again. Maintain the electric razor. Like most electrical products, shavers perform best when they are properly cared for. Replace worn out parts and clean the razor regularly. Use a soft cleaning brush to gently remove hair and other particles from the blades after each shave. Avoid tapping the razor against the sink or counter to remove hair as this may nick the blades or dull them. Over time the razor may become dull, adding to the risk of cuts. The owner's manual will likely contain information about how to order and install replacement parts. Try different products. Most electric shavers are designed for men to use on facial hair, which may be too powerful for soft underarm skin. If you try a shaver marketed to men and have problems, consider searching for a product marketed to women instead. | Prepare your skin. Apply a moisturizing lubricant. Raise one arm over your head. Begin shaving. Rinse the razor after each stroke. Repeat on the other armpit. Complete the shaving process. Identify the type of shaver. Examine the shaving mechanism. Prepare your skin. Keep the skin taut. Be patient. Maintain the electric razor. Try different products. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Draw-a-Realistic-Wolf | How to Draw a Realistic Wolf | To draw a realistic wolf, lightly draw a circle, then add a tufted ear at the back of the circle, then another just to the left of that. About halfway down the left side, draw a muzzle with a curved bottom that meets the bottom of the circle. Erase the circle and add an eye, then add the neck scruff and the front legs and paws. Draw circular paws with flat bottoms on the end of each leg, then add a tufted back and tail. Finish by drawing the wolf's back legs and paws, then connect the front legs to the back with a furry belly. | Draw a circle lightly. You will have to erase after. Add an ear at the back of the circle. Go forward and start making "tufts" of fur. Go down about halfway and draw a muzzle that goes out about half an inch then goes down in a curve to the bottom of the circle. You can make the mouth any way you want like a smiley inside the curve. Also add a nose (small triangle). Erase the circle and add the neck scruff and the front legs and paws. Add some paws. Draw a leg and (lightly) two circles. Outline the circle while adding a flat bottom to them. Add another "toe" and bring the bottom out a little and bring it up. Add the back of the head, start the back and add the front leg muscle. Draw the belly and the back legs. Then starting from the back draw the tail and connect it to the ending point of the leg. Draw the legs behind the legs you have already drawn. All you really do is outline the "front" legs. The paws don't have to be as detailed. Add the eye and the shadows on the "back" legs and the "back" ear. You are done! You can color it any way you want. If it is a realistic wolf try to use colors like brown, gray, black or white. You can even use two or more colors at once! If you are doing a wolf that is "made up" you can use colors as you wish, just try not to go overboard. Gather all the necessary materials like paper, pencil, pencil sharpener and eraser gum. For coloring, you can chose from colored pencils, crayons, markers or watercolors. Use quality paper so your color will come out nicely. Start with a triangle. This will be the basic shape for the wolf. Draw two circles at the top angle of the triangle. Make them in the shape of an 8. Draw two curve lines for the neck. Continue with a big oval. This will be the body. Add legs. For the legs, see the image for reference. Draw a long oval and attach it to the end of the big oval. This will be the tail. Detail the drawing, start with the head. The wolf has the same structure as a dog, mostly the German shepherd. Continue with the base of the neck and the back. Draw the front legs. Look at the illustration for reference. Use curves lines for the back legs and the tail, make it ragged. Erase the extra lines, refine the drawing and add the background. Color the drawing. The wolf's usual color is grey. Add shading and make the fur visible. Finished. | Draw a circle lightly. Add an ear at the back of the circle. Erase the circle and add the neck scruff and the front legs and paws. Add some paws. Outline the circle while adding a flat bottom to them. Add the back of the head, start the back and add the front leg muscle. Draw the belly and the back legs. Draw the legs behind the legs you have already drawn. Add the eye and the shadows on the "back" legs and the "back" ear. Gather all the necessary materials like paper, pencil, pencil sharpener and eraser gum. Start with a triangle. Draw two circles at the top angle of the triangle. Draw two curve lines for the neck. Continue with a big oval. Add legs. Draw a long oval and attach it to the end of the big oval. Detail the drawing, start with the head. Continue with the base of the neck and the back. Draw the front legs. Use curves lines for the back legs and the tail, make it ragged. Erase the extra lines, refine the drawing and add the background. Color the drawing. Add shading and make the fur visible. Finished. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Read-Guitar-Tabs | How to Read Guitar Tabs | To read guitar tabs, start by corresponding each of the 6 tabs with a string on the guitar, with the low E representing the thinnest string and the high E representing the thickest string. Next, use the numbers on the tab to determine where you should place your fingers. For example, a "1" on the bottom line means to play the lowest note on the first fret. Then, read the notes on the tab from left to right in sequence, and drop down to the next line only when you've reached the end of the line before it. | View tab notation as a representation of the guitar's strings. A tab is usually written using six horizontal lines, each corresponding with a string on the guitar. The bottom line represents the lowest, thickest string, while the top string represents the highest, thinnest string. For standard tunings, this means that the lines will represent, from the bottom up, the low E, A, D, G, B and high E strings. E----------------------------||(Thinnest string) B----------------------------|| G----------------------------|| D----------------------------|| A----------------------------|| E----------------------------||(Thickest string) Use the numbers on the tab to fret spaces on the neck. Unlike normal musical notation, guitar tabs don't tell you which notes to play. Instead, they tell you where to put your fingers. Numbers on the lines correspond to frets on the fretboard. Each number represents a specific fret on the line it's written on. For instance, a "1" on the bottom line means to fret the first fret of the lowest string and play that note. If the number is greater than 0, (1, 2, 3, 4, etc), then press your finger on that fret when you play, with "1" being the fret closest to the stock and fret numbers increasing as you move towards the guitar's body. If the number is 0, then pluck the open string without fretting any notes. Play vertically stacked numbers at the same time. When reading tabs, many times, you'll come across numbers that are aligned vertically. These are chords. Fret every note in the chord as written, then play the notes all at the same time. You'll get a fuller sound than You might see the chord name written as well. See Example 2 below. Proceed from left to right. Tabs are read like sentences in a book - read them from left to right, across the page, dropping down to the next line only when you've reached the end of the previous. Play the notes and chords in sequence as you read them from left to right. Note that most (but not all) tabs don't display the rhythm with which you should play the notes in the tab. They may break the tab into measures (usually signified by vertical lines in the tab between measures, but they won't tell you the rhythm of the notes within the measures. In this case, it's best to listen to the song while you read the tab to find the beat. Some advanced tabs do count out the beat for you - this is usually done by including rhythmic markings along the top of the tab notation. Each marking is vertically aligned with a note or a rest to give a sense of how long the note or rest lasts. Typical rhythmic markings include: w = whole note h = half note q = quarter note. e = eighth note. s = sixteenth note. Sometimes & markings are included to show that a note or rest lies on the "and" of a certain beat. A dot after the rhythm marking means the corresponding note or rest is dotted. For instance, q. = dotted quarter note. For rhythm basics, see How to Read Music Look for lyrics or chord changes. Many songs have guitar parts made up solely (or mostly) of chords. This is especially true for rhythm guitar parts. In this case, the tab may forgo typical tab notation in favor of a simplified list of chord changes. These chords are almost always written in standard chord notation (Amin = A minor, E7 = E dominant 7, etc.) Simply play the chords in the order that they're listed - if it's not noted otherwise, try playing one chord per measure, but if the changes don't sound right, listen to the song for the strumming pattern. Sometimes, these chord changes are printed above the lyrics of the song to give you a sense of when these chords are played, as in this snippet from a tab for The Beatles' "Twist and Shout:" (A7)...................(D)...............(G)............(A) Well shake it up baby, now (shake it up baby) Look for additional symbols in the tab. As you can see in the example above, many tabs aren't just collections of lines and notes. Tabs use a wide variety of special symbols to tell you how to play the notes in the tab. Most symbols refer to specific playing techniques - to make a song sound as much like the recording as possible, pay attention to these special markings. Learn the symbol for Hammer ons. In a tab, an "h" inserted between two notes (e.g. 7h9) means to perform a hammer on. To hammer on, play the first note normally, then use a finger on your fretting hand to tap down on the second note without using your strumming hand to pluck the note. Sometimes "^" is used instead (e.g. 7^9). Learn the symbol for Pull offs. - A "p" inserted between two notes (e.g. 9p7) means to perform a pull off, which is essentially the opposite of a hammer on. Pluck the first note while using another finger to fret the second note. Then, quickly lift the finger fretting the first note. The second note will sound. As with hammer ons, sometimes "^" is used instead (e.g. 9^7). In this case, know to perform a pull off if the second note is lower and a hammer on if the second note is higher. Learn the symbol for string bends. If a "b" is inserted between two fret numbers (e.g. 7b9), fret the first note and bend it up until it sounds like the second. Sometimes the second number is in parentheses, and occasionally the "b" is omitted altogether. If there is an "r" it denotes what the note should be released to (e.g. 7b9r7). Learn the symbols for slide techniques. Perform a basic slide by striking a note, moving your finger up or down a string without releasing it from the fretboard, then striking another note. An ascending slide is marked by a forward slash "/" and a descending slide is marked by a backwards slash "\" (e.g. 7/9\7). A lowercase "s" usually means to perform a legato slide. This is like a normal slide, but you only strike the first note with your pick. Let your target note sound simply from the motion in your fret hand. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e0\/Read-Guitar-Tabs-10b1.jpg\/v4-460px-Read-Guitar-Tabs-10b1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e0\/Read-Guitar-Tabs-10b1.jpg\/aid77638-v4-728px-Read-Guitar-Tabs-10b1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} There is debate among guitarists over whether a light pick strike is appropriate for the target note. The most important thing is to remember to leave no gap between notes. Shift slides are signified by an uppercase "S." In this case, strike the target note without striking the initial note of the slide. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/75\/Read-Guitar-Tabs-10b2.jpg\/v4-460px-Read-Guitar-Tabs-10b2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/75\/Read-Guitar-Tabs-10b2.jpg\/aid77638-v4-728px-Read-Guitar-Tabs-10b2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Learn the symbols for tremolo bar techniques. If your guitar has a tremolo bar, (also known as a "whammy bar" or "vibrato bar") follow these symbols to achieve some remarkably out-there effects. If you see a "\n/," where n = some number, perform a tremolo bar dip. Quickly hit and release the bar to dip the note's pitch. The number between the slashes gives an indication of the pitch you should dip to - dip the pitch by "n" semitones (a semitone is the same as the pitch between two adjacent frets.) For instance, "\5/" means to drop the pitch by 5 semitones, which will be the same tone as 5 frets below the original note. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3c\/Read-Guitar-Tabs-11b1.jpg\/v4-460px-Read-Guitar-Tabs-11b1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3c\/Read-Guitar-Tabs-11b1.jpg\/aid77638-v4-728px-Read-Guitar-Tabs-11b1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} If you see a "\n," where n = some number, fret note "n," then strike it and depress the tremolo bar deeply to dramatically drop the pitch. If you see "n/," raise the tremolo bar up after striking note "n" to raise the pitch. On some guitars, you can also put your bar in "inverted" position first so that hitting the bar raises the pitch rather than lowers it. If you see "/n\," perform a tremolo bar inverted dip by first depressing the tremolo bar, then raising it. As above, this also works in inverted position. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9e\/Read-Guitar-Tabs-11b4.jpg\/v4-460px-Read-Guitar-Tabs-11b4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9e\/Read-Guitar-Tabs-11b4.jpg\/aid77638-v4-728px-Read-Guitar-Tabs-11b4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Learn the symbol for vibrato. Look for "~" or "v". If you see these symbols, perform vibrato on the preceding note. Strike the note, then use your fretting hand to rapidly bend and unbend the string, vibrating the pitch of the note. Learn the symbols for muting techniques. Several tab symbols indicate different methods for giving notes a "muted" sound. If you see an "x" or a dot below the number, mute the string. Lay your fretting hand finger(s) across the designated strings so that when you strike them they produce a dull, clicking sound. Several "x" in a row, on adjacent strings, indicates a rake - just mute more than one string at once. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/54\/Read-Guitar-Tabs-13b1.jpg\/v4-460px-Read-Guitar-Tabs-13b1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/54\/Read-Guitar-Tabs-13b1.jpg\/aid77638-v4-728px-Read-Guitar-Tabs-13b1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} If you see "PM," play using palm muting. For standard right-handed guitar playing, gently lay the edge of your right palm across the strings near the guitar's bridge. When you strike the notes (with the same hand as is providing the mute), you should hear the tone of the note, but with a subdued, dead quality. Move your hand slightly up the strings toward the neck to deaden the notes more. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9b\/Read-Guitar-Tabs-13b2.jpg\/v4-460px-Read-Guitar-Tabs-13b2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9b\/Read-Guitar-Tabs-13b2.jpg\/aid77638-v4-728px-Read-Guitar-Tabs-13b2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Learn the symbol for tapping. Tapping is usually represented by a "t." If you see a "t" in a string of notes, (e.g. 2h5t12p5p2) use one of the fingers on your picking hand (usually your right hand) to tap down hard on the indicated fret. This is a useful technique for making very rapid, fast changes in pitch. Learn the symbols for harmonic techniques. Guitar tabs differentiate between several different techniques for playing harmonics - bell-like tones created by special fretting techniques. For natural harmonics, the fret is surrounded by "< >" (e.g. <7>). If you see this, lay a fretting finger across the metal line at the right of the fret, not the middle of the fret. Then, strike the string for a clear bell tone. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/81\/Read-Guitar-Tabs-15b1.jpg\/v4-460px-Read-Guitar-Tabs-15b1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/81\/Read-Guitar-Tabs-15b1.jpg\/aid77638-v4-728px-Read-Guitar-Tabs-15b1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Pinch harmonics are signified by surrounding the fret number in brackets (e.g. [n]). To perform a pinch harmonic, strike the note with your pick hand while your pick hand thumb is also touching the note. Use vibrato from your fret hand to add sustain to the tone. Pinch harmonics are difficult. It requires lots of practice. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/Read-Guitar-Tabs-15b2.jpg\/v4-460px-Read-Guitar-Tabs-15b2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/Read-Guitar-Tabs-15b2.jpg\/aid77638-v4-728px-Read-Guitar-Tabs-15b2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Note: these are best performed on an electric guitar with distortion using a bridge pickup. Tapped harmonics are signified by two notes, the second enclosed in parentheses (e.g. n(n)). Tapped harmonics are like natural harmonics, but shifted around the neck. Fret the first note, then use a finger on your pick hand to slap or strike the string at the second fret position. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/16\/Read-Guitar-Tabs-15b3.jpg\/v4-460px-Read-Guitar-Tabs-15b3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/16\/Read-Guitar-Tabs-15b3.jpg\/aid77638-v4-728px-Read-Guitar-Tabs-15b3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"485","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Learn the symbol for trills. When you see a "tr" written in or above the tab, it's usually between (or above) two notes. Often, it's accompanied by a string of tildes ("~'s.") This simply means to strike the first note, then rapidly hammer on to the second note and pull off to the first note again and again. Learn the symbol for tremolo picking. "TP" means you should tremolo pick the note - essentially, pick the single note over and over as rapidly as you can. Sometimes, a TP symbol is followed by a string of tildes or dashes to give you a sense of how long to tremolo pick. Glance over the tab below. Notice that it shows several three-note chords as well as some individual notes descending on the higher strings. In the following steps, we'll walk through this tab beat-by-beat. E---------------3-0--------------------|| B-------------------3-0----------------|| G---7-7-7---------------2-0------------|| D-2-7-7-7-7-7-7------------------------|| A-2-5-5-5-7-7-7------------------------|| E-0-------5-5-5------------------------|| Start with the chord at the far left. In this case, first you would play a power chord in E (Middle finger/Finger 2 on the second fret on the A string, ring finger/Finger 3 on the second fret on the D string, and no finger on the low E string) strumming those first 3 strings (E,A,D) once. Play the chord highlighted with parentheses below: E-------------3-0-----------------|| B----------------3-0--------------|| G-----777-----------2-0-----------|| D-(2)-777--777--------------------|| A-(2)-555--777--------------------|| E-(0)------555--------------------|| Proceed to the next two chords. The next chord you would play would be a power chord on the fifth fret of A three times. So you would play with your index finger on the fifth fret of A, your middle finger on the seventh fret of D, and your ring finger on the seventh fret of G. Then, simply shift this finger shape down one string so that your index finger is on the fifth fret of the E string with your other fingers on the seventh frets of the A and D strings. Play the chords in the sequence that they're highlighted with parentheses below: E-------------3-0-----------------|| B----------------3-0--------------|| G----(7)77-----------2-0----------|| D-2--(7)77--777-------------------|| A-2--(5)55--777-------------------|| E-0---------555-------------------|| E---------------3-0---------------|| B------------------3-0------------|| G----7(7)7------------2-0---------|| D-2--7(7)7--777-------------------|| A-2--5(5)5--777-------------------|| E-0---------555-------------------|| E---------------3-0---------------|| B------------------3-0------------|| G----77(7)------------2-0---------|| D-2--77(7)--777-------------------|| A-2--55(5)--777-------------------|| E-0---------555-------------------|| E---------------3-0---------------|| B------------------3-0------------|| G----777--------------2-0---------|| D-2--777--(7)77-------------------|| A-2--555--(7)77-------------------|| E-0-------(5)55-------------------|| E---------------3-0---------------|| B------------------3-0------------|| G----777--------------2-0---------|| D-2--777--7(7)7-------------------|| A-2--555--7(7)7-------------------|| E-0-------5(5)5-------------------|| E---------------3-0---------------|| B------------------3-0------------|| G----777--------------2-0---------|| D-2--777--77(7)-------------------|| A-2--555--77(7)-------------------|| E-0-------55(5)-------------------|| Play the individual notes at the right. After the first 3 chords in the example, proceed to the right and play the single notes. Put any finger on the third fret of the high E string, pluck once, then play the open high E string, and so on through the six descending notes. Play the notes below in the order they're highlighted in parentheses: E---------------(3)-0-------------------|| B--------------------3-0----------------|| G---7-7-7----------------2-0------------|| D-2-7-7-7-7-7-7-------------------------|| A-2-5-5-5-7-7-7-------------------------|| E-0-------5-5-5-------------------------|| E---------------3-(0)-------------------|| B--------------------3-0----------------|| G---7-7-7----------------2-0------------|| D-2-7-7-7-7-7-7-------------------------|| A-2-5-5-5-7-7-7-------------------------|| E-0-------5-5-5-------------------------|| E---------------3-0---------------------|| B--------------------(3)-0--------------|| G---7-7-7------------------2-0----------|| D-2-7-7-7-7-7-7-------------------------|| A-2-5-5-5-7-7-7-------------------------|| E-0-------5-5-5-------------------------|| E---------------3-0---------------------|| B--------------------3-(0)--------------|| G---7-7-7------------------2-0----------|| D-2-7-7-7-7-7-7-------------------------|| A-2-5-5-5-7-7-7-------------------------|| E-0-------5-5-5-------------------------|| E---------------3-0---------------------|| B--------------------3-0----------------|| G---7-7-7----------------(2)-0----------|| D-2-7-7-7-7-7-7-------------------------|| A-2-5-5-5-7-7-7-------------------------|| E-0-------5-5-5-------------------------|| E---------------3-0---------------------|| B--------------------3-0----------------|| G---7-7-7----------------2-(0)----------|| D-2-7-7-7-7-7-7-------------------------|| A-2-5-5-5-7-7-7-------------------------|| E-0-------5-5-5-------------------------|| Put it all together. Play the chords and notes from left to right without stopping. Tap your foot, playing each note or chord on each tap of your foot. Work slowly and carefully, only increasing your speed once you've mastered playing the tab slowly. | View tab notation as a representation of the guitar's strings. Use the numbers on the tab to fret spaces on the neck. Play vertically stacked numbers at the same time. Proceed from left to right. Look for lyrics or chord changes. Look for additional symbols in the tab. Learn the symbol for Hammer ons. Learn the symbol for Pull offs. Learn the symbol for string bends. Learn the symbols for slide techniques. Learn the symbols for tremolo bar techniques. Learn the symbol for vibrato. Learn the symbols for muting techniques. Learn the symbol for tapping. Learn the symbols for harmonic techniques. Learn the symbol for trills. Learn the symbol for tremolo picking. Glance over the tab below. Start with the chord at the far left. Proceed to the next two chords. Play the individual notes at the right. Put it all together. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Determine-Whether-a-Perfume-Is-Authentic | How to Determine Whether a Perfume Is Authentic | To figure out whether perfume is authentic before you buy it, look at its packaging to be sure it's wrapped tightly in cellophane, which legitimate perfumes are. Check to see if the box has control, batch, and serial numbers on it. Then go online and check to see that these numbers match the perfume manufacturer's numbers. If you're checking an open bottle's authenticity, see if it smells good all day long as you wear it. If it wears off after a few hours or starts to smell "off," it's probably counterfeit. | Know the seller. Most counterfeit perfume purchases can be avoided by going to a reputable seller. There are a variety of outlets for perfume, and it's important to understand the benefits and dangers of each. Department stores are always the safest way to buy perfume, as you have the advantage of being able to closely examine the bottle in its packaging and talking to the retail staff. This allows you to approach the staff if it's possibly a fake, and you are able to return the perfume if it's not authentic. Be very cautious at flea markets or swap meets where sellers can easily rip you off without recourse. Always carefully inspect the perfume before you purchase it, and if at all possible get the vendor's contact information in case it turns out to be unsatisfactory. Feel free to ask the buyer very direct questions based on the information explained here. For example, "Can you please tell me the batch number?" and "Can you put up a photo of the text on the back of the box?", etc. When buying online through eBay or Amazon it's important to check for product and online seller reviews. Make sure the seller is PayPal verified as this means they had to disclose their contact information. Check to see if they have a return policy, and demand one if they don't. Pay attention to whether the listing is written with proper grammar and spelling. Pay attention to the price. Although this isn't always indicative of the quality of the perfume, if it's really cheap for the "brand" it claims to be, then it's likely to be too good to be true and it isn't the real perfume. There may be exceptions, such as a stock clearance where a store is closing down, but on the whole, the price provides a good indication of authenticity. Research the perfume beforehand. Check the manufacturer's website to see if they have provided sufficient information on the packaging, bottle and the placement of the bar code. You might want to visit mall stalls to see how the bottle and cellophane wraps look on the authentic perfumes to get a good idea of what to expect. Check the wrapping. Legitimate perfumes typically have cellophane tightly wrapped around the boxes. See if the cellophane is loosely or poorly wrapped, to the point where it is moving around the box. Improperly wrapped cellophane is a telltale sign of counterfeit perfumes. Inspect the box closely. You can often discern the authenticity of a perfume merely by inspecting the right parts of the box. Before opening your perfume, carefully examine the box for any signs of unprofessional packaging and design. Examine the text on the back of the packaging. Check for grammatical errors, misspellings, poorly laid out information, etc. Real packaging for a real perfume should ideally be grammatically correct. Spelling or grammar mistakes can indicate the mark of a counterfeit. Real packaging is made from high quality paperboard. Boxes made from thin, flimsy material are often counterfeit. Look for the barcode on the packaging. The barcode must be placed on the lowest back portion and not on the sides. Check to see if there is any excess glue or tape. Real perfume shouldn't have any messy glue residue or extra tape inside or outside the container. Check the control, batch and serial numbers. Authentic perfume will have all of these numbers on the packaging, which can then be used to independently verify its authenticity. Consult the manufacturer to see whether the numbers match with their production numbering. Feel the bottle. Real perfumes have smooth bottle containers while imitation bottles are often a bit rough and are usually poorly made, sometimes constructed with plastic. Quality perfume bottles have tight fitting caps that are spill-proof. Be aware that designer perfume labels treat the bottle as part of the perfume experience, so the bottle should be of a superior quality Understand the complexities of real perfume. The scent of authentic perfumes is complex and intricately constructed. While smell can be a difficulty measure of authenticity, those who know the perfume's scent can often sniff out a counterfeit. Know the layers. Authentic perfumes will have three layers of scents that reveal themselves over time, consisting of top, middle and base notes. This complexity ensures that the scent is varied and multidimensional, allowing the scent to change from the initial application until complete skin absorption. Fake perfumes will have one dimensional fragrance layer and it will often have an "off" smell after only a short time of wearing it. Discern synthetic from natural ingredients. Authentic perfumes have had a lot of work put into creating the different notes in the perfume. They will use a mixture of scents derived from natural products and synthetic products. Cheap perfumes tend to be completely synthetic and therefore lack the complexity of layered perfumes created with natural ingredients. Pay attention to longevity. An imitation perfume will initially smell similar but you will usually find that the authentic perfumes outlast their imitators in terms of longevity and effectiveness, which makes them better value in the long run. Opened bottles of authentic perfumes should retain their scents from six to 18 months. Citrus-based scents generally deteriorate around the six month mark, whereas floral-based scents should maintain until 18 months. Cheap opened bottles of perfume will lose their scents in a matter of weeks or a couple months. Know what kind of notes the perfume is supposed to have. When researching the perfume you're about to purchase, it's important to know whether it's supposed to have a 'single note,' or a complex scent. Single note perfumes contain only the top notes, so a lack of middle and base notes doesn't always indicate a counterfeit. When checking the authenticity of a single note perfume, pay attention to whether the scent smells strange and if the scent matches up with the description listed on the manufacturer's website. Test it out. You should only test out the perfume once you've examined the packaging and analyzed the scent beforehand. Be cautious because counterfeit perfumes can often cause allergic reactions, or leave unwanted rashes on your skin. Once you've thoroughly checked every aspect of the perfume, apply it on your skin and pay attention to the way it smells throughout the day. If it's an authentic complex perfume, then you should notice the tapering of the top notes throughout the day while the middle and base notes reveal themselves. A counterfeit perfume will often only keep its top scent for a few hours at the most. | Know the seller. Pay attention to the price. Research the perfume beforehand. Check the wrapping. Inspect the box closely. Check the control, batch and serial numbers. Feel the bottle. Understand the complexities of real perfume. Know the layers. Discern synthetic from natural ingredients. Pay attention to longevity. Know what kind of notes the perfume is supposed to have. Test it out. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Decide-Which-Piercing-Is-Best-for-You | How to Decide Which Piercing Is Best for You | To decide which piercing is best for you, try a basic lobe piercing that you can wear at school or work. If you want to be more adventurous, you can add more lobe piercings later on or stretch your piercings after they've healed. Alternatively, consider getting a helix cartilage or conch piercing, since both are relatively simple ear piercings and can be easily cleaned. Finally, make sure to consider the visibility of the piercing, since you don't want to take it out for school or work. | Consider the visibility of the piercing. Ear and facial piercings are very visible, which can cause problems at school or work for some people. If you're thinking about getting a piercing, make sure you won't have to take it out at school or at your job. If you're set on getting one, give some thought to covering your piercing in the meantime. Sometimes, schools will allow piercings to be covered with a small bandage while it heals. Use a temporary piercing. Temporary rings can be gently clipped onto the place you're considering piercing, allowing you to get used to the sight. If you don't have a clip-on piercing, you can use a small sticker-backed bead, or small plastic jewel and stick it to your face with non-toxic white glue. It might seem silly, but you can look at yourself in the mirror from different angles. Go out in public if you want. Get other peoples' opinions. Keep looking at yourself in the mirror throughout the day in different lighting. At the end of the day, did you ever have any doubts about the placement? If so, you can always do this step again. Take a picture. Take a picture of yourself from the front and from different sides. See how it looks. Upload it online to see what your friends think. Make sure that it shows your whole face, head-on, in good lighting. Upload the picture to an image editor. It can be as simple as Paint or you can use an advanced editor like Photoshop, or you can use an online editor like pixlr.com. Place a black dot (or a picture of a ring or stud) on your face to represent the piercing, if you don't have a clip-on. Step back from your computer and look at it. Adjust the placement until you have a good idea of where you want it. Experiment. Think about your flaws. As backwards as it may sound, you an use piercings to distract or augment certain things you might think of as flaws. For example, a bumpy or squat nose can easily be covered up with a nostril piercing. Don't like the shape of your brow? Try adding a ring, or drawing attention to other parts of your face, with a lip piercing. Sleep on it. Don't make any snap decisions. Take a couple weeks to think about it. Keep trying on your fake piercings and making sure you like how it looks. Think about how much work it will take to keep clean. Make sure you really want it. Consult an experienced APP-certified piercer. The best person to talk to about any of your piercing questions and concerns is a piercer certified with the Association of Professional Piercers (APP), who are required to attend at least a year-long apprenticeship program, and stay up to date on blood borne pathogen safety. When you get pierced, make sure you get pierced by a professional. Talk to your parents, if necessary. You may need to acquire your parents' consent before you get any part of your body pierced. In some areas, you can be 16 and get pierced without consent, while other areas require you to be 18 to get a piercing. In some areas, you must be at least 14 to get pierced, with or without your parents' consent. Consider a basic lobe piercing. Ear piercings are the most common type of body piercing. You'll see pierced ears at church and at a punk rock concert. Most schools and jobs allow pierced ears, but they can also be be covered with hairstyles quite easily. Pros : Stylish and simple, a basic ear-lobe piercing is a good intro. If you want something a little more wild, you can get your lobes pierced multiple times, or stretch your piercings with gauges after they heal. Cons : Lobe piercings aren't the most exciting choice, if you're looking for something a little more "out there." Still, it is a good introduction. Consider a helix cartilage piercing. The cartilage high on your ear is commonly pierced, versatile, and relatively painless. This area of the ear makes for an excellent and trendy piercing option. Pros : You're piercing through thin cartilage, and helix piercings are relatively simple and easy to clean. It's also versatile enough to connect to other piercings, though it stands out from a traditional lobe piercing. You can pierce the helix or the antihelix, slightly lower on the ear. Cons : This piercing sticks out a little more on your face, though it is easy to cover with certain hairstyles. Mix it up with a tragus piercing. The tragus is the cartilage in front of the ear canal, which partially covers it like a small flap. While this is a somewhat difficult piercing, it stands out a lot and offers a unique piercing option. Pros : This advanced piercing stands out from the crowd. A small, tasteful stud or ring in the tragus can be a big statement. It's also a little painful, which can be a good way to show off your tolerance. Cons : Because the cartilage is a little thicker than the top of the ear, this piercing hurts. Tragus earrings are also susceptible to wax build up, making frequent cleaning a necessity. This piercing can also be somewhat uncomfortable when wearing headphones, especially ear-buds. The fold just about the tragus is the "daith," which is usually a little easier and less painful to pierce, but looks quite similar to the tragus piercing. Think about a daith, if you're concerned about the pain and aftercare. Consider a conch. Conch piercings go between the helix and the lobe, along the back ridge of your ear. These make for another common ear piercing. Pros : Like any ear piercing, the conch is relatively safe, quick to heal, and generally easy to care for compared to facial or body piercings. It looks great with bar-style piercings. Cons : This is one of the more big-statement ear piercings. You'll definitely notice it. Consider other cartilage piercings. There are lots of cartilage folds in the ear, and most of them have been pierced at one time or another successfully, by experienced and licensed piercers at tattoo parlors. If you want to get your ears pierced, get a temporary ring that you can clip onto different parts of your ear to experiment. Leave it there for a day or two and see how much you like it, then talk to the piercer for advice. Consider a nostril piercing. Perhaps the most common facial piercing aside from the ears is the nostril. It's a stylish and increasingly well-accepted facial piercing in most communities, amenable for both studs and rings. Pros : Nostril piercings are much more common than they used to be, making them a good foray into a facial piercing. They're easy to care for and relatively quick to heal. Cons : It's mostly impossible to hide a nostril piercing, and you won't be able to take it out for several months while it heals. Corkscrew-style studs are also somewhat difficult to remove. Consider a septum piercing. The septum is the center wall that separates your nostrils, just under the cartilage. The septum is an increasingly popular choice for a variety of reasons. Pros : Septum piercings are very versatile and easy to hide. Rings can be twisted up into the nostrils to make them practically invisible. Cons : Septum piercings look really stylish with the right jewelry, but can look a lot like boogers with the wrong choices. It's also sometimes a painful piercing, depending on the make-up and size of your septum. Think about a lip piercing. Typically, the lip is pierced just below the lip-line of the bottom lip, in the middle, to the left or right side, or some combination. The top lip is also sometimes pierced, which is called a "Madonna" to one side and a "Monroe" to the other. Whether solo or combination, lip piercings are both hip and very common. Pros : There are lots of combinations and variations of lip piercings, which means you can start with one and evolve your piercings as you grow. If you want to end up with snakebites, or fangs, you can try out a single piercing and see how it works for you, then go back for more. Cons : Any lip piercing comes with some measure of dental risk, including chipped teeth and enamel wear. Like any facial piercing, lip piercings need to be performed by safe and experienced piercers. Consider getting your eyebrow pierced. Eyebrow piercing used to be completed to show courage and virility. It's a punky and stylish selection. Pros : Eyebrow piercings are powerful and commanding in their presence. Both bars and rings look cool on the eyebrow. Cons : These are possibly the most difficult piercings to hide, and can't usually be hidden without removal or using a bandage. They're also somewhat less popular than they once were. Think about a tongue piercing. Tongue piercings are a more advanced type of facial piercing that some people choose to work up to when they're ready. It's not usually a first piercing, but tongue piercings are popular for a variety of reasons. Pros : For some people, tongue piercings offer both style and sexual advantages. They're also easy to conceal. Cons : Tongue piercings are one of the more dangerous and painful facial piercings you can get. There is some risk of nerve damage and vascular damage, if piercings aren't done by a professional. They also bring some danger of dental problems. Consider piercing your naval. One of the more common and easily concealed body piercings is the naval, or bellybutton. Probably more common for women, bellybutton piercings typically look best on fairly trim figures. Pros : Bellybutton piercings are definitely the most common and socially acceptable body piercing. Cons : These piercings are typically somewhat painful, and require lots of aftercare to keep them healthy. Consider piercing your nipple(s). Supposedly, Roman soldiers used to pierce their nipples to show their bravery. For both men and women, nipple piercings are a common and sexy body piercing. Pros : Many people like the stimulation and added sexual benefits of nipple piercings. They're easy to hide and quite trendy. Cons : The nipples are extremely sensitive, and the piercing can be quite painful and sore in the short term. Long term, piercings may also affect milk production and the ability of some women to breastfeed. Consider surface piercings. The hips, the back, the nape of the neck, and the wrist have all been pierced at one time or another. Corset-style piercings are popular among body-mod enthusiasts and people looking for something different. Pros : These are the most eye-catching and spectacular types of body piercing, because of the difficulty of pulling them off. Piercing designs can also be made on the surfaces of the skin. Cons : These piercings are usually quite advanced, and are prone to rejection. They can also easily rip out of the skin if you make any wrong movements. Consider getting your genitals pierced. For some advanced piercing enthusiasts, genital piercing is the biggest thrill and the most stimulating experience that piercing offers. For others, it's a terrifying prospect. While piercing can offer added stimulation and excitement sexually, it can also come with the risk of infection, permanent nerve damage, and a loss of feeling in your most private parts. Always consult with an experienced and licensed piercer to get your genitals pierced. Women often get a vertical clitoral hood piercing, although a horizontal piercing can also be performed. While other types of genital piercings exist such as a fourchette, done to the rear rim of the vulva, or the clitoris itself, many women do not have the anatomy required for these piercings or, like the clitoris piercing, they carry a considerable amount of risk. Men typically pierce the underside of the frenulum, through the urethra, or pierce across the head of the penis to complete a "Prince Albert." Other piercings exist such as the hafada, performed on the scrotum, or a foreskin piercing. However, the piercer will have to evaluate the anatomy of each individual, as certain factors such as whether or not the penis is circumcised can play an important role in whether or not the piercing can be performed. | Consider the visibility of the piercing. Use a temporary piercing. Take a picture. Think about your flaws. Sleep on it. Consult an experienced APP-certified piercer. Talk to your parents, if necessary. Consider a basic lobe piercing. Consider a helix cartilage piercing. Mix it up with a tragus piercing. Consider a conch. Consider other cartilage piercings. Consider a nostril piercing. Consider a septum piercing. Think about a lip piercing. Consider getting your eyebrow pierced. Think about a tongue piercing. Consider piercing your naval. Consider piercing your nipple(s). Consider surface piercings. Consider getting your genitals pierced. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Grate-Ginger | How to Grate Ginger | To grate ginger, first use a chef's knife to trim off any uneven ridges or stalks to square up the edges of the ginger. Hold the ginger over a cutting board and drag the round edge of a spoon over it to peel off the skin. Then, hold a grater over a bowl and repeatedly drag the ginger across it in one direction to grate it. Use the palm of your hand to grate the last bit of ginger so you don't cut your fingers. To grate ginger with a fork, hold the ginger in one hand and the fork in your other. Drag the ginger back and forth across the tines of the fork to shred pieces off. Keep going until you've grated all of the ginger. | Check the ginger for softness or moistness. Ginger should feel solid and should not have any soft spots. Feel around the root with your hands and look for noticeable spots of rot. Peeled ginger will darken around the edges when it starts to go bad. Square up the edges using a chef’s knife. Cut off the ends of the root with a sharp chef's knife. Cutting a little off of each side will make it easier to hold the ginger rather than working with an irregular shape. Try to only cut off a small portion from the edges so you do not waste any of the usable ginger. Peel the ginger with a paring knife or vegetable peeler. Stand the ginger on one of its ends, and use a sharp knife or vegetable peeler to remove the rest of the skin. Slice in a downward motion towards the cutting board. Remember to try and remove as little of the skin as possible. Alternatively, you can use the edge of a spoon to scrape the peel off of fresh ginger. This works especially well on the rounded knobs that may be difficult to reach with a knife. Freeze the ginger so it’s easier to grate. Peeled ginger should be stored in a freezer-safe resealable bag and keeps for 1 week. Frozen ginger is easier to grate since it hardens up. Unpeeled ginger keeps in the freezer for up to 3 months. Allow it time to thaw before peeling it. Peeled ginger can be grated as soon as it's pulled out from the freezer. Find a grater with a large surface area and fine etched holes. It doesn't matter if it is handheld or a box grater. Avoid graters that have metal nubs or teeth because they will be inefficient and overall more time-consuming. These graters can be bought at many big-box or cooking specialty stores. Hold the peeled ginger root so the fibers are perpendicular to the grater. The fibers in ginger run from the top to the bottom of the root. If you grate from the top or the bottom, it's likely your grater will clog. By holding the side against the grating teeth, you're able to avoid the fibers getting caught. If the teeth of the grater do clog, run it under warm water and use a sponge to rub the residue away. Drag the root against the grain of the grater. In short back and forth motions, rub the ginger across the metal teeth. Apply even pressure with your fingers against the grater so the ginger shreds evenly. Use a big enough piece of ginger so you don't accidentally cut your hands on the grater's teeth. It takes 1 ¼ oz (35.4 g) of raw ginger to make 1 tbsp (14.3 g) of grated ginger. Lay a fork down on the cutting board. Place a metal fork on your cutting board with the tines facing up. Hold the handle of the fork with your non-dominant hand so it does not move. Use a fork with smaller tines for smaller pieces of ginger. Rub peeled ginger across the tines of the fork. Hold the ginger with your dominant hand. Keep constant and even pressure on the ginger as you drag it across the edge of the fork. You'll see strands of minced ginger falling from the knob you are grating. Pull the ginger in all directions. This helps you work around the interior fibers and frees up the most amount of usable ginger. Continue grating the ginger on the tines of the fork until you have the amount that you need for your recipe. | Check the ginger for softness or moistness. Square up the edges using a chef’s knife. Peel the ginger with a paring knife or vegetable peeler. Freeze the ginger so it’s easier to grate. Find a grater with a large surface area and fine etched holes. Hold the peeled ginger root so the fibers are perpendicular to the grater. Drag the root against the grain of the grater. Lay a fork down on the cutting board. Rub peeled ginger across the tines of the fork. Pull the ginger in all directions. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cut-Long-Hair-Short | How to Cut Long Hair Short | Going from long to short hair can be a big step, so try to pick a style you like to make it as stress-free as possible. When you're ready to start cutting your hair, tackle the ends first since this is where you'll find the most damage. Cut just above where the majority of split ends are to keep your hair healthy. If you want to go shorter, then start by cutting an inch at a time so you don't go too short. When you reach a length you like, make short diagonal snips to help your hair look healthy and flowing rather than heavy and flat. | Match a hairstyle to the shape of your face. Are you going for an ultra-short punk rock look, or just taking a few inches off to give yourself a nice summer style? Whatever kind of new look you're going for, it's very important to match your style to the shape of your face. If you have a very round face, you could try a bob or a layered cut that frames your face better. If you have a narrower face or more highly defined structure, a pixie style may look better with your features. If your face is oval shaped, then you will look good in just about any haircut. Consider a layered cut. If you want a dynamic and layered cut, that will involve sectioning off your hair and cutting it at slightly different lengths to get the hair to fall gently and evenly with the back of your head. This will take a little more work to pull off, and might require some help and mirrors. To cut your hair in layers, decide where you want the shortest layer to fall and then cut the top layer of hair to that length. Then, use the layer as a guide to cut the rest of your hair longer going towards your shoulders. Hold your hair out at an angle to create a smooth transition from 1 layer to the next. Then work back over the layers to make sure they'll be uniform. Consider going super-short. Maybe one of the easiest ways to cut long hair short is to use hair clippers and start buzzing. If you're tired of long hair and want to go ultra-short, you don't need to give it much time or thought with a good pair of clippers. Another way to go the quick and dirty route is to put your hair back into a ponytail and just cut it off. Using a mirror, go back over the ends and clean them up, snipping the ends at angles so it'll look more layered. Look at hair inspirations. As with any haircut, it can help to find some pictures of hairstyles that you really admire to help you get geared up for the cut. If you think you might like having short hair, it'll definitely help assuage any fears you have if you pick out some flattering short styles to emulate with your own. Try to find someone with a similarly featured face. If you've got a rounder face, it probably wouldn't make any sense to pick someone with a very long face to model your hair after. Consider going to a hairdresser. If you want to get a lot of hair cut off, it's usually best to go and talk to a hairdresser who cuts hair professionally. This is especially true if you have long hair and want to go for a short, pixie cut. You're perfectly capable of cutting your own hair, but if it's going to be a big job, it's usually best to go to a pro. You can talk about what will look best for your own style, and make sure the cut gets done evenly and professionally. It'll look great. Use hair treatments before and after. If it's been a long time since you've had your hair cut, make sure that the sudden loss of body doesn't make your hair look limp and thin. Using treatments along with regular shampoo and conditioner will help to keep your hair strong and healthy. Try to use treatments that contain keratin which helps to strengthen and nourish your hair. If your hair is severely damaged, use double or triple concentrated keratin treatments. Wash your hair thoroughly if you want to cut it yourself. Comb your hair thoroughly and cut your hair damp. Straighten out curls or waves with a straightener tool or a brush and some hairspray or water. If the curls or waves are very loose, they will become straight when you get them wet. However, if you have tight curls, they will probably remain curled when wet so you may need to straighten your hair with a flat iron before you cut it. The straighter, the easier. You can use curlers, rollers, or hair tools to restore the curls or waves once the hair is cut, unless you like the straight look. You may find it easier to cut your own hair dry. Do what works best for you. Use a pair of small, sharp scissors. Hair shouldn't be cut with a ratty old pair of kitchen shears. Make sure that you're using sharp, clean scissors appropriate for cutting hair, so the job goes smoothly and your hair ends up looking great. A small pair of scissors will work best for cutting your own hair. Some people like to use razor combs to cut hair, but if your hair is very long, you need to do some cutting with regular scissors first. If you want to finish it with a razor comb, after you've layered, that's fine. Cut your hair on a hard floor in a clean space. If you haven't gotten your hair cut for a while, there's going to be a lot of it to collect. If you start with a ponytail, you'll be able to keep it all in one place relatively easily, but otherwise you're going to make a big mess. Take some steps to make sure that it'll be easy to clean up, if you're going to cut indoors. Make sure you're somewhere with hard, laminated floors, like the kitchen or the bathroom. Clear out all bathmats, rugs, and other things that'll get in the way of your sweeping. Sweep up the hair immediately when you're finished, into a trash can. Alternatively, going outside can make clean up a whole lot easier. Set up a chair on a warm night in the backyard to cut your hair and don't worry about cleaning it up. Get some hand mirrors. Regardless of whether or not you or someone else will be doing the actual cutting, it's a good idea to have a couple of hand mirrors ready so that you can periodically check on the work and make sure you're not taking too much off the back. Mirrors allow you to see your head from all angles, making sure that you're not missing anything. Mirrors are great for checking your results. However, if you cannot see the area that you want to cut without using a mirror, then don't try to cut it. Start with the ends. Depending on how damaged your hair is, you will generally want to cut just above where a majority of your split ends are, 0.5 in (1.3 cm) or so. This will cause your hair to be much healthier and will help you to maintain your locks. Worry about getting the hair styled and shaped after you've done the damage-control of getting your split ends taken off. For curly hair, you may be able to wait up to 8 weeks to get it trimmed, but most other hair types will require trims every 6 weeks to keep their hair healthy. Go a little at a time. If you are uncertain on what style you want and are not happy with what has been advised or do not think that it will suit you, start by cutting your hair inch by inch. This way you can tell how short is too short. Don't try to get it over with and chop the hair off in a few seconds. Take your time. Measure off the hair accordingly and hold the hair straight in between your fingers. Cut in a straight, even line with no angling if you want a blunt cut. Hold your hair at a 45 degree angle your hair if you're going for a bob. For layers, clip off the hair being used for the next layer or so in sections. Remember that you can always cut more hair off, but you can't put it back on! Use short, diagonal cuts. You don't want to cut straight across your hair, but make short diagonal snips when you've got your hair about as long as you want it. This helps to keep hair looking healthy and flowing, rather than lank and flat. You want to avoid making long, straight cuts on your hair, or it'll look flat and dull. Remember, your hair will dry and won't be as straight (even if you have very straight hair), so there's little point in worrying about getting all the ends the exact same length. Hair looks dynamic when the ends are "evenly irregular." Give it a few days. Often changing from long hair to short hair can be such a change that you may not like your end result at all. Often the change only seems bad to you and it can usually take up to a week for the hair to grow to a nice length or for you to get used to it. Try to style it in a few different ways and give yourself a chance to experiment. It'll always go back, so even if you're not thrilled with it at first, treat this as a fun little project. Try new styles you've never tried before. Be a new you. | Match a hairstyle to the shape of your face. Consider a layered cut. Consider going super-short. Look at hair inspirations. Consider going to a hairdresser. Use hair treatments before and after. Wash your hair thoroughly if you want to cut it yourself. Use a pair of small, sharp scissors. Cut your hair on a hard floor in a clean space. Get some hand mirrors. Start with the ends. Go a little at a time. Use short, diagonal cuts. Give it a few days. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Tell-if-a-Ruby-is-Real | How to Tell if a Ruby is Real | To tell if a ruby is real, start by looking at the shine of the ruby under a light. It should be bright and deep, like the shine of a stop light. If you're able to, try to scratch the surface of the ruby with your fingernail or a coin to make sure it doesn't break. Additionally, you can rub it against another surface, like glass or porcelain tile to see if it leaves a red mark, which means that the stone is artificially colored. Compare the ruby to other similar gems, like garnet or tourmaline if possible. | Tell by the color and the shine. Real rubies glow with a deep, vivid, almost "stoplight" red. Fake gems are often dull: they are "light, but not bright." If the gem is more of a dark red, then it may be garnet instead of a ruby. If it is a real ruby, however, know that darker stones are usually worth more than lighter stones. Check for a consistent and even color throughout the stone. Fakes are more likely to contain blemishes and impure spots. That said: rubies do sometimes have imperfections. Use the "stoplight red" as a guide, but do not expect to find a real ruby that is actually that bright. If you do, then the ruby is likely fake. A real ruby should be more like a bright traffic light, however, than like a dull stone. Compare the ruby stone to a shard of red glass. Rubies and other varieties of sapphire are often faked as glass. If the glass and stone look similar, then you may just be holding two pieces of red glass! It is relatively common for dealers to fake rubies using a glass composite. Try to scratch the surface. Real rubies are extremely hard stones. Grind a fingernail or a coin into the surface of the "ruby" and see if you are able to scratch it. If the ruby shows a scratch, then there's a good chance that it is not a real ruby. Only a diamond can scratch a ruby. Composite rubies are not as durable as real rubies. There is a chance that the ruby is not a complete "fake," and just a machine-made stone. See if the ruby rubs off on another surface. Gently scratch the stone against a hard, smooth surface: porcelain tile or a piece of clear glass. The stone should scratch the surface whether or not it is a "ruby." The tip-off, however, comes if the "ruby" leaves a red mark on the surface where you scratched it. The red mark might be a sign that the gem is artificially colored. It might tell you that the "gem" is actually made from a much weaker material. Know the types of fake. The stones commonly used as ruby imitations include garnets, tourmaline, glass, and composite gems. Garnets are dull, dark-red silicate minerals. They are much softer than a ruby. Tourmaline is a reddish-pink silicate mineral. Tourmaline is somewhat harder than a garnet, but much softer than the ruby. Red-colored glass imitations are usually cheap, but not very durable. It should be easy to tell if a "ruby" is actually made from glass. Composite rubies are real rubies that have been fused with glass. This makes the stone larger so that a jeweler can sell it for more money. Beware! Composite rubies are often sold as "real" rubies, for real ruby prices. Bring the stone to a professional jeweler. Ultimately, the safest way to be sure is to pay a professional to have a look at the gem. He or she should be able to tell you whether or not the ruby is real. Look up reputable jewelers in your city. Consider looking at reviews online before you visit the jeweler. Check whether other customers were satisfied with the accuracy of this person's analysis. Get an appraisal. A jeweler can analyze the ruby and tell you how much it is worth. Others may pay much more or much less for the gem – but an appraisal is usually a good ballpark estimate of what a stone is worth in monetary value. Certify the ruby. A licensed jeweler can give you an official certification that your ruby is the real deal. This document will act as legitimizing proof should you ever decide to sell the ruby. Make a copy of the certificate and keep it in a safe, secret place. Certify your ruby for the sake of insurance. If you ever lose the ruby in a disaster or another mix-up, then you will be more likely to receive compensation for the loss if you can prove that you lost an actual ruby. If you plan to keep the ruby, keep it as a family heirloom. When your family or friends one day inherit the ruby, it will be much more valuable if it is certified. You will also save them the trouble of going through the same steps to determine whether the ruby is real. Inspect the ruby with a 10-power magnifier. Use a jeweler's loupe or a standard microscope. If you don't have access to a high-powered magnification tool of your own, consider asking a friend or a local lab. Otherwise, just visit a jeweler. Expect microscopic flaws. Look for small, microscopic flaws that would otherwise be invisible to the naked eye. You should see some small imperfections on a real ruby. Fake and lab-created rubies are almost always flawless, as the natural flaws are so tiny that they are extremely hard to replicate. If you see bubbles of any kind, then you are likely dealing with a fake ruby. Look for flaws other than bubbles. External flaws (blemishes) include scratches, pits, nicks, and small scrapes. Internal flaws (inclusions) are categorized as: cracks (feathers) crystals, negative crystals, silk, fingerprints, halos, cavities, chips, and color zoning. Look at the ruby's cuts and facets. The intricacies of the ruby surface will only be readily visible beneath a 10-power microscope. If the ruby is rounded, rolled, or excessively smooth, then it is probably a fake gem. The stone might be the real deal if the facet is clean, pristine, and sharp-cut. | Tell by the color and the shine. Compare the ruby stone to a shard of red glass. Try to scratch the surface. See if the ruby rubs off on another surface. Know the types of fake. Bring the stone to a professional jeweler. Get an appraisal. Certify the ruby. Inspect the ruby with a 10-power magnifier. Expect microscopic flaws. Look at the ruby's cuts and facets. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Have-Fun-on-a-Snow-Day | How to Have Fun on a Snow Day | To have fun on a snowy day, go sledding down a hill with a sled or toboggan. If you don't have one, use a cardboard box lid or a cookie sheet instead. Alternatively, divide your friends and family into 2 teams and have a snowball fight. To make the game more interesting, build walls or forts using snow in your yard to protect yourself from snowballs. Finally, try writing something in the snow by filling a spray bottle with water and food coloring, then spray it on the ground. | Go sledding. Grab a plastic sled or toboggan and go sledding down the nearest hill If you don't have a sled, you can use a plastic inner tube, a cardboard or plastic box lid, or a cookie sheet or cafeteria tray. You can also try snowshoeing or cross country skiing if you have the equipment! Have a snowball fight. Get together with friends or family and divide into two teams. Post up on either side of your yard and throw snowballs at each other. You can build walls or forts to help protect yourself from the other side. When you're tired, fall down in the snow and make a snow angel! Make the perfect snowball by packing snow when the weather is close to freezing. Slushy, icy, or powdery snow will not work as well for making good snowballs. Build a snow fort or igloo. Build a snow fort by creating one big circular wall of snow, to hide behind and store snow balls during a snowball fight or just to relax in. For an igloo, grab a friend or family member to help cut and stack snow blocks to create a dome shape. You can also create blocks and shapes for a fort or igloo by packing snow into sand buckets, empty milk cartons, or cake and bread pans. Do a scavenger hunt. Make a list of some things you'd only see after a snowstorm, like a carrot nose on a snowman or a red sled, and have your friends try to find them all in your neighborhood. First one back to the house wins! Shovel driveways and sidewalks. You can make clearing your driveway and sidewalk into a game by seeing how quickly you can get the whole thing done, racing someone else to finish a section, or by using all the snow you shovel to make a big snow hill or snow fort. You could also earn a little extra money by knocking on neighbors' doors to see if they need their driveway shoveled! Make a snowman or other creatures. Build a snowman , a snow family, or snow animals like a cat, dog, bird, or caterpillar! Use sticks, pine cones, rocks, and anything else you can find in nature to make faces for your snow creatures, or grab some buttons, hats, and scarves from inside to dress them up. Make snow slushies or ice cream. Gather some snow into a cup and drizzle on maple syrup, fruit juice, or soda for a snow slushie. Or add milk, sugar, and vanilla extract to snow to make snow ice cream. You should only eat snow in small quantities and only if it is clean and clear of pollutants and pesticides. You may not want to eat snow if you live in an area with heavy smog or other local pollutants, and you should always steer clear of snow that is colored yellow, brown, pink, or any other color than pure white. Color the snow. Fill spray bottles with water and food coloring to write or draw with colors in the snow. Spell your name, make a tic-tac-toe board, or just create beautiful designs. Go for a walk. Check out your favorite park or trail—or just your own block—to see how different it looks in the snow, spot all the footprints and animal tracks you can see, and find the best snowman in the neighborhood. Put out birdseed. Line the railing of a deck or patio with birdseed, or coat pinecones in peanut butter and then roll them in birdseed. Place them somewhere you can see easily from a window, and have fun watching and trying to identify all the birds that show up for a snack. Make hot cocoa and cookies. Stir some hot cocoa mix into hot milk or hot water and top with marshmallows. Make your favorite cookie recipe, or try some super-easy peanut butter cookies using 1 cup of peanut butter, 1 cup of sugar, and 1 egg. Do some crafts. Make paper snowflakes by folding a square piece of paper into smaller and smaller triangles, then cutting shapes into it and unfolding to see your design. Color in a coloring book, or make your own playdough or silly putty. Make a blanket fort. Use chairs, couches, and tables as the sides of your fort to drape blankets over. Then stuff the inside of the fort with plenty of pillows, flashlights, games, and snacks. You could also go “indoor camping” by bringing sleeping bags into your blanket fort or a tent set up inside, and make s'mores over the kitchen stove or fireplace. Read and write. Curl up and get into a new book or reread one of your favorites. Write in a journal or write a story or poem about snow. Watch movies or play video games. Have a movie marathon of all the movies in a series or movies by your favorite director. Or invite friends over and have a video game tournament. Play games and do puzzles. Get together with family or friends to play board games, card games, crosswords, or a jigsaw puzzle. Have a spa day. Stay in your pajamas and pamper yourself by painting your nails, putting on a face mask, and soaking in the bath. | Go sledding. Have a snowball fight. Build a snow fort or igloo. Do a scavenger hunt. Shovel driveways and sidewalks. Make a snowman or other creatures. Make snow slushies or ice cream. Color the snow. Go for a walk. Put out birdseed. Make hot cocoa and cookies. Do some crafts. Make a blanket fort. Read and write. Watch movies or play video games. Play games and do puzzles. Have a spa day. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Talk-With-a-Scottish-Accent | How to Talk With a Scottish Accent | To talk with a Scottish accent, drop the "g" sound from words that end in a "g." For example, instead of saying "good evening," you would say "good evenin." You should also pronounce "u" sounds as "oo" sounds. For example, instead of saying "pull," you'd say "pool." Also, practice rolling your "r's," especially when they come after a "d," "t," or "g." For example, you would roll your "r's" when saying "draw," "trip," and "grand." | Understand the differences in Scottish dialects. Just like American, Canadian, and English accents, Scottish accents vary widely based on region. If you are wanting to speak with a Scottish accent, chances are you are thinking of the kind of Scottish accent you hear in movies and on television. These accents are typically from the Lowlands and Midlands. A "generic" Scottish accent is hard to define because there are so many types. But, you can learn to speak with a general accent that non-Scottish people would be able to identify as Scottish. Most of the Scottish accents that you may hear come from the Lowland and Midland areas. These are the regions where the more populated cities such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Galloway reside. However, even the accents of these more populous regions will differ. Galloway, which is south-west, sounds slightly closer to Irish as it's close to Northern Ireland. Additionally, there is a difference in the accents from Glasgow and Edinburgh, not unlike how a New York and Boston accent differ from one another. Set your oral posture. Oral posture, or vocal tract posture, is the way you position your jaw, lips, tongue, teeth, and even vocal chords to speak a certain way. There are some basic techniques you can employ with the positioning of your articulators (lips, teeth, tongue, hard and soft palate, etc.) to speak with a Scottish Accent. Set the tip of your tongue far back in your mouth. When you speak, pull your tongue back toward your throat. Doing this will help you get the harsher, guttural sounds associated with Scottish accents. When speaking, you still want to keep a lot of movement or action in your lips and jaw. Keep your lips out and open your mouth as if to get your lips around each sound and word. Because you are pulling your tongue back, you may be tempted to close or tighten your lips. To counteract this, focus on keeping your jaw loose and unclenched. Pronounce like words the same, join syllables in words, and drop "g" endings. Unlike in American English where "pull" has a slightly different pronunciation than "pool", in a Scottish accent, both words sound like "pool". When trying a Scottish accent, think of "u" sounds as "oo" sounds. If there are two short words together, pronounce the two as one. "Did not" often becomes "didnae" or "dinnae." However, avoid speaking too fast. Drop the 'g' sound from words ending in a 'g.' For example, say "evenin'" instead of "evening." "Sewing" becomes "sewin'". Replace "o’s" with "ae" sounds. The "ae" sound, officially known as the Near-Open Front Unrounded Vowel, is an "ah" sound with more emphasis on the "a" and less on the "h". You hear this sound when you pronounce words like "have" and "that" in American Standard English. Try making the "ah" sound in words like "Not" to become "nae." Words that end in "oo" sounds get more of the "ae" pronunciation as well. "To" is pronounced as "tae". "Do" becomes "dae". Additionally, "no" gets a bit of an "aw" sound at the end making it sound like "naw" or "nae". Another example of changing how you pronounce words is in the sentence "I am going to the shops over there." In a Scottish accent, it would be pronounced as "Am gan tae the shoaps oor air." Play with the glottal stop. The glottal stop is made when you close off airflow in your throat during a word to pronounce your "t's". Think of it like an absence of sound. For example, if you were to say "glottal stop" with a Scottish accent, you would say "glo'al stop". The glottal stop is not used for every "t" sound in a Scottish accent. If you have a "t" at the beginning of a word you would still pronounce the "t". For example, "that" would sound like "tha". And at the end of the word, you would constrict your throat to stop the airflow. Learn to roll your "r's". Roll your "r's" only once. Do this especially after a "d", "t" or a "g". Words like "draw", "trip", and "grand" all get a rolling "r" sound. Words like "where" can get a bit of an "r" roll, but here you want to touch the tip of your tongue to the roof of your mouth after the "r" sound. This action forms a sort of "de" sound. So "where" becomes more like "wherde". This is also called tapping your "r's". Follow Aitken’s law. Aitken's law is the vowel length rule that characterizes how different Scottish vowels are formed. Before learning each specific vowel pronunciation, you can generalize vowel pronunciation to help you get a feel for speaking in a Scottish accent. Generally, vowels which are followed by consonants are short. Short vowels appear in words like "bead" which is pronounced "bid". In a Scottish accent, the word "mood" rhymes with "good" as you don't elongate the "oo" in "mood". Long vowels occur when a word ends on another vowel. For example, you would pronounce a word like "key" as "kee". The same applies for a word like "done". Here it would sound more like the word "dome" but with an "n". The vowels are key in a true Scottish accent. As a general rule, vowels are less hard sounding in a Scottish accent. Vowels may be short or long, but you pronounce the vowel with more of an open mouth. Remember to keep your jaw loose and not clenched. Learn slang. If you wish to pass for a Scot, you must learn to speak like one. Familiarize yourself with the slang of the Scots. Part of using slang is following the vowel and consonant rules. Certain words are also just pronounced differently. "Yes" often becomes "yae". Instead of saying "go away" you can say "oan yer bike pal." Note, a bike doesn't have to be present. But this is a colloquial term you may hear in the Midland or Lowland areas. While you might say "I don't know" or even "I dunno" in your normal speaking voice, it sounds quite different in a Scottish accent. To say "I don't know" in a Scottish accent, you might say, "I dinnae ken." or simply, "I dinnae". The word "ken" is typically only spoken in Midland dialects. "Instead of "hello" you can greet someone with "awright ya?" Oftentimes, instead of saying "yes" or asking "yeah?" you would simply say "eh?" Shorten and change certain words. It's hard to get every colloquialism down, but a lot of Scottish terms are simply changing American, Canadian, and English words by employing vowel and consonant rules. For example, instead of saying "everybody" you could say "aab'dy". Here you are condensing the word from five syllables down into roughly two. "I am not" becomes "am no'". Here, "am" serves the same purpose as "I'm". Listen to people speaking the accent. The best way to develop a Scottish accent is by listening to it. Get to know any Scots you may know a little better, watch Scottish movies or even go to visit Scotland. Television shows like Doctor Who often have Scottish actors who speak in his or her natural accent. Karen Gillan, David Tennant, and Peter Capaldi are all Scottish. Listen to how these actors speak compared to the English actors on the show. James McAvoy and Gerard Butler are two other Scottish actors to listen to. Watching interviews of these actors is a good way to listen to the accent. Both the film and the book "Trainspotting" are also great ways to get acclimated to the Scottish accent. The book is written phonetically so when you read it aloud you are forced to speak with an accent. Both 'Dead Man's Chest' and 'At World's End' from the Pirates Of The Caribbean series feature Bill Nighy as Davy Jones, where he speaks with a heavy Scottish brogue. | Understand the differences in Scottish dialects. Set your oral posture. Pronounce like words the same, join syllables in words, and drop "g" endings. Replace "o’s" with "ae" sounds. Play with the glottal stop. Learn to roll your "r's". Follow Aitken’s law. Learn slang. Shorten and change certain words. Listen to people speaking the accent. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Let-Air-Out-of-a-Tire | How to Let Air Out of a Tire | To let air out of a tire, start by removing the cap from the valve located on the side of your tire between the spokes. Next, use the tip of a screwdriver to push in the thin metal pin in the center of the valve and let the air rush out. Alternatively, you can use needle nose pliers to push in the pin. In order to deflate the tire even faster, use pliers to unscrew the metal pin in the valve. However, make sure to put the pin back in when you're done! | Locate the valve on your tires. The valve is usually found between the spokes near the middle of your tire. The valve stem should look like a short 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) tube protruding from your tires. It will usually have a black or metal cap on the end of the stem. The cap on the stem keeps dirt and dust off your valve. Rotate the cap on the valve counterclockwise to remove it. Removing the cap on the valve will reveal the metallic part of the valve. The valve looks like a round hole with a pin in the center of it. Once you remove the cap, put it safely aside in a plastic bag so you don't lose it. Check the pressure on your tires. Attach a pressure gauge onto the valve on your tires and screw it into place. It should give you a readout for your tire pressure in pounds per square inch, or PSI. Check the owner's manual to see what the recommended pressure should be. You can purchase a tire pressure gauge at an automotive store or online. Press the tip of a screwdriver on the metal pin. There will be a thin metal pin in the center of the valve. You can also use a pair of needle-nose pliers or another small, thin tool. Air will start to shoot out of the valve when you apply pressure to the pin. Lift the screwdriver off of the pin to stop it from deflating. Jack your car up if you're completely deflating your tires. Completely deflating a car or truck tires without jacking up the vehicle can damage your rotors and tires. Find the jack point on the side of the vehicle and use the lever to jack the car up into the air. You can then completely remove the air from the tire safely. Read the owner's manual if you're unsure of how to jack up your particular model of car. Unscrew the metal pin to deflate the vehicle tire faster. Use a pair of thin, 5 inches (13 cm) long needle nose pliers and turn the metal pin inside of the valve counterclockwise. Your tires will lose air in a quicker flow than if you just pressed down on the pin. Use this method if you want to deflate your tires quickly. Set the metal pin aside in a plastic bag so you don't misplace it. Remember to screw the pin back into the valve once you're done. Loosen the cap on the end of the valve. The valve will look like a long stem protruding from your tire. On the end of the stem, there will be a cylindrical cap. Turn the cap counterclockwise until the cap is loose, but don't remove it completely. Fit the end of your tire pump onto your tire. You can usually find the recommended pounds of pressure, or PSI, for your bike tires on the inner part of the tire. Press the end of the tire pump hose onto the end of the valve after you loosen it. Flip the lever on the backside of the tire pump and read the gauge on the pump to see what the pressure level is in your tires. If they are overfilled, you should release some air from them. Remove the tire pump from the valve to deflate the tire. If your tire is overfilled and you want to deflate it, you'll need to remove the pump first. Flip the switch on the back of the pump to the up position and wiggle the pump off the valve. Press down on the tip of the valve to deflate the tire. Pressing down on the cap once it's loose will release the air from the tire. You should hear and feel the air shoot out of the valve as you press down on the valve cap. Push down on the tire to remove the air more quickly. If you want to remove the air from the tire quicker, place it on the ground and push down on it. This will shoot the air out of your tires faster than if you just pressed down on the valve cap. | Locate the valve on your tires. Rotate the cap on the valve counterclockwise to remove it. Check the pressure on your tires. Press the tip of a screwdriver on the metal pin. Jack your car up if you're completely deflating your tires. Unscrew the metal pin to deflate the vehicle tire faster. Loosen the cap on the end of the valve. Fit the end of your tire pump onto your tire. Remove the tire pump from the valve to deflate the tire. Press down on the tip of the valve to deflate the tire. Push down on the tire to remove the air more quickly. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Pick-Sunglasses | How to Pick Sunglasses | To pick sunglasses, identify your face shape and pick glasses that compliment it. If you have an oval-shaped face, consider an Aviator style and avoid frames that are wider than your face. For a round face, choose thicker frames with a square design to balance plump cheeks. Similarly, pick a larger lens and polygonal frame if you have a long face. Round, wider sunglasses are a good choice for people with a square face, because they minimize a pronounced jawline. | Opt for large brown or black frames if you have an oval-shaped face. If you have an oval-shaped face, you can wear almost any pair of frames you like. Darker colored lenses will accentuate your cheekbones. Cat-eye frames, aviators, round frames, squared frames, and others are fun options for you to explore. If your face is oval-shaped but also on the smaller side, stick with smaller, shorter frames instead of overly-large ones so that your facial features aren't hidden. Wayfarer, hingeless, rectangle, and rimless or semi-rimless frames would be good options to look into. With an oval-shaped face, you may want to pay more attention to your hair color and skin tone. For example, if you have pale skin, brown sunglasses could play nicely against your light skin. If you have darker skin, black frames could look very sophisticated. Green could look nice against pale skin, and yellow looks great against darker skin. Try out a few options to see which looks best. Pick smaller frames or cat-eye glasses if you have a heart-shaped face. Heart-shaped faces tend to have larger brows and a smaller chin. Too-large sunglasses will take over your face and look bulky. In addition to cat-eye frames, round glasses, smaller rectangular glasses, and rimless glasses are nice options to pick from. Pick a color of shade that complements your skin tone. For example, if your skin has red undertones, steer clear of red or pink shades—opt for a cooler color, like blue or purple. Go for a bigger, rounder frame if you have a square-shaped face. If you have wide cheekbones, a wide forehead, and a noticeable jawline, you most likely have a square-shaped face. If you wear small frames, they could make your face look bigger than it is. Avoid sunglasses with lots of angles, as they will make your face look boxy. Aviators in the classic, teardrop, or square shape are great picks if you have a square-shaped face. Black frames tend to look larger than colored frames. If you don't want black sunglasses, opt for a deeper color, like gray, purple, or even dark green. Choose a wider, angled frame if you have a round-shaped face. Round faces tend to be about equal in height and width, so it's important to choose sunglasses that are a little wider than the broadest section of your face. Rectangular and square sunglasses are great options for this face shape, as are wayfarer, sport, and retro frames. Avoid circular frames, as they will just make your face look rounder. Don't be afraid to pick lenses with a little bit of bling around the edges. A cool pattern, rhinestones, or even glitter can be a great addition to your sunglasses. Opt for brown or amber lenses if you need to see far distances easily. If you play golf, spend time hiking in the great outdoors, go boating, or do anything else that requires you to look out at long distances, amber lenses can improve your depth perception and strain your eyes less than other lenses would. The red hue makes the contrast between landscape and sky much more apparent. Pick gray or black lenses if you live in an equally sunny and cloudy area. Darker lenses reduce glare, provide protection for your eyes, and keep your eyes from getting fatigued. They're a good pick if you do a lot of outdoor activities, like jogging, biking, or fishing, and they are also a good pick to wear while driving. Gray lenses are also great for people who love spending time in nature—you should still be able to see the things around you in their most natural color. Look stylish while protecting your eyes with blue sunglass lenses. Blue lenses reduce glare, help you see details more clearly, and are good for both sunny and cloudy conditions. Plus, they look fashionable! Blue lenses are popular with people who enjoy snow sports, like snowboarding and skiing. Because they reduce glare from the sun, they help you see further in icy and snowy conditions. Choose green lenses for an all-around great pick to protect your eyes. Green lenses can kind of do it all—they make colors brighter and shadows darker so it's easier to see what's happening around you, they're great for both cloudy and sunny conditions, and they reduce glare. If you don't want others to be able to see your eyes, green probably isn't the best pick for you. Get yellow lenses if you often need to be able to see well in low-light. Hunters, outdoor basketball players, tennis players, cyclists, and other people who tend to run into fog or low-visibility during their activities can benefit from yellow lenses. They can help you focus your sight on what's in front of you, even when the light is dim. Yellow lenses are also a good option for people who spend a lot of time on the computer or playing video games. It may seem strange to wear sunglasses indoors, but they can do a lot for the health of your eyes. Yellow lenses aren't the best for driving. Even though they help you see in better in low-light, they aren't great at blocking out glare. Increase your field of vision and block blue light with red lenses. Red lenses are great for really bright conditions, like skiing or using a computer for more than several hours a day. They're also great if you spend a lot of time on the road as they help you see better for further distances. Blue light is also an issue for people who spend the majority of their day looking at screens, so even they can benefit from red lenses. In addition to helping you see better in various conditions, red lenses can also comfort your eyes and help them experience less strain. They're very versatile and are suitable for all conditions! Invest in a pair of prescription sunglasses if you are a glasses-wearer. If you need a prescription to see clearly, you don't want to have trouble with your eyesight every time you wear your sunglasses. Many providers will insert prescription lenses into frames you already have, or, you can buy a new pair with the prescription already included. If you don't want to have to switch your glasses out for sunglasses every time you need them, you could get a pair of prescription clip-on sunglasses. If you regularly wear contacts, there's no need to get prescription sunglasses. Opt for an all-in-one pair of glasses with photochromic lenses. If you have prescription eyeglasses, photochromic lenses will transition from clear to dark based on the presence of UV rays, meaning that you don't need to worry about forgetting your sunglasses at home or in the car the next time you're outside. They can take longer to transition in the car or really cold weather, so be ready for a slight delay in those situations. Photochromic lenses provide UV protection at all times. You can get photochromic lenses put into almost any frame that you'd like, and they are compatible with bifocals, progressive lenses, and shatter-resistant lenses, too. Get polarized lenses if you play water sports or hate the glare from the sun. If you want to be able to see more clearly without having to squint your eyes, polarized lenses are a great option. They block the reflection of the sun and reduce glare so that you can see more clearly. Most polarized lenses also include UV protection. Pick close-fitting or banded sunglasses if you play a lot of sports. The last thing you want while you're in the middle of a basketball game, run, or skiing session is to suddenly lose your sunglasses. If your sunglasses tend to be a little loose, take them to an optometrist to have them tightened up. Or, invest in a pair of sunglasses that has a band that wraps around your head for ultimate security. The banded sunglasses can be especially helpful if you get sweaty while you're outside. Sweat can cause frames to lose their grip and slip off your head. | Opt for large brown or black frames if you have an oval-shaped face. Pick smaller frames or cat-eye glasses if you have a heart-shaped face. Go for a bigger, rounder frame if you have a square-shaped face. Choose a wider, angled frame if you have a round-shaped face. Opt for brown or amber lenses if you need to see far distances easily. Pick gray or black lenses if you live in an equally sunny and cloudy area. Look stylish while protecting your eyes with blue sunglass lenses. Choose green lenses for an all-around great pick to protect your eyes. Get yellow lenses if you often need to be able to see well in low-light. Increase your field of vision and block blue light with red lenses. Invest in a pair of prescription sunglasses if you are a glasses-wearer. Opt for an all-in-one pair of glasses with photochromic lenses. Get polarized lenses if you play water sports or hate the glare from the sun. Pick close-fitting or banded sunglasses if you play a lot of sports. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Recognize-Symptoms-of-Throat-Cancer | How to Recognize Symptoms of Throat Cancer | To identify possible symptoms of throat cancer, look for changes in your voice, like hoarseness or an inability to pronounce words. Additionally, note coughing, problems swallowing, weight loss, or ear pain. You should also feel around your throat for any irregular growths or lumps, and stick out your tongue to see if you can spot any lesions. If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor as soon as possible to confirm a diagnosis and begin the necessary treatments. | Recognize your risk for throat cancer. Doctors know that throat cancer is caused by a genetic mutation in the cells of the throat, though they are not sure what spurs this mutation. Being aware of your potential risk for throat cancer may help you recognize the symptoms and get a timely diagnosis and treatment. Men are more likely to contract throat cancer than women. Your risk for developing throat cancer increases with age. People who smoke and use chewing tobacco are at a higher risk of developing throat cancer. Excessive alcohol consumption increases your risk. In fact, alcohol and tobacco consumption are the primary risk factors for developing throat cancer. Having HPV (human papilloma virus) can make you more prone to throat cancer. Not eating sufficient fruits and vegetables can raise your risk for contracting throat cancer. Having gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, may also increase your risk. Determine possible symptoms. Most symptoms of throat cancer aren't specific to cancer, so you'll need to be extra vigilant about watching your oral cavity. Identifying possible symptoms of throat cancer may help you get a relatively expeditious diagnosis and treatment. Symptoms of throat cancer include: Coughing. Changes in the voice, which may include hoarseness or inability to speak clearly. Problems swallowing. Ear pain. Sores or lumps that don't heal on their own or with over the counter treatments. A sore throat. Weight loss. Frequent headaches. Examine your throat for lumps and irregularities. Irregular growths and lumps can be a sign of throat cancer. Examining your throat may help you recognize unusual growths. Stick out your tongue and see if you can identify any lesions or growths on it. It may be slightly more difficult to examine the inside of your mouth or your throat, but open your mouth as wide as you can and look inside. Shining a light inside your mouth may also help you recognize any irregularities. Check your mouth and throat regularly so that you know how the area looks usually. Look for changes in the appearance of your throat including differences in color or skin texture. Growths that appear wart or ulcer-like may indicate throat cancer. Schedule an appointment with your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms. Having regular dental checkups can also help with monitoring for any mouth or throat changes or concerns. Watch for pain or bleeding. Pay attention to your mouth and throat for any extended pain or bleeding in your mouth or throat. These symptoms might indicate a more serious condition such as throat cancer, in particular if they don't heal. Observe lingering pain in throat, especially when you swallow. Look for any bleeding from lesions, growths, or lumps. Talk to your partner or spouse. Ask your partner or spouse to look in your throat or ask if they've noticed symptoms of throat cancer. He or she may recognize symptoms or differences in your oral cavity more quickly than you do. Visit your doctor. If you find any of the signs or symptoms of throat cancer and/or are someone who is at risk for the disease, schedule an appointment to see you doctor as soon as possible. If diagnosed early enough, throat cancer is very treatable, with a rate between 50 to 90% depending on the stage at which your doctor diagnoses the disease. You can see your regular doctor or an otolaryngologist, or ear-nose-throat doctor. If necessary, your doctor can send you to other doctors or specialists. Your doctor will most likely conduct an exam of your oral cavity and throat. She may also health history, which can include factors like your health habits and any past illnesses. Your exam may include having your doctor examine your throat with a lighted scope called an endoscope. Undergo tests for a definitive diagnosis. If your doctor suspects that you have developed throat cancer, she will probably order additional testing. Tests such as a biopsy or scoping can confirm a diagnosis of throat cancer. The most common test for throat cancer is scoping. Your doctor will insert a small lighted scope, called an endoscope, into your throat or voice box and examine them through a video that the scope transmits. Your doctor may also perform a biopsy, where she removes cells or tissue from your throat and then sends them to a laboratory for furthering testing. In some cases, doctors will also prescribe imaging tests such as CAT scans or MRIs. Imaging tests can help your doctor determine how much throat cancer has spread. In the event that tests confirm throat cancer, you may require additional tests which can determine if the cancer has spread to other areas of your body. Additional testing may include a lymph node biopsy or more in-depth imagining tests. Receive treatment. If your doctor discovers throat cancer, she will prescribe a course of treatment based on the extent to which the disease has spread. There are several treatment options and they can be successful if your throat cancer is diagnosed early. Your doctor will prescribe a treatment based the stage at which your cancer is diagnosed. You should also talk to your doctor about your options and what makes you comfortable. The four main treatments used to combat throat cancer are: radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted drug therapy. Radiation therapy is often the only treatment necessary in the early stages of throat cancer. It uses high-energy beams from sources like X-rays to kill cancer cells. Surgery can be as simple as scraping cancerous cells off of your throat and voice box to much more extensive surgeries that remove part of the throat and lymph nodes. Chemotherapy employs drugs that kill cancer cells. In some cases, chemotherapy is used in conjunction with radiation therapy. Targeted drug therapy, which uses medications such as cetuximab, that attack certain defects in cancer cells. These drugs help slow or stop the growth of cancer cells. Consider taking part in a clinical trial of medication, which may give you the chance to try a new treatment method. Avoid tobacco and alcohol. Both alcohol and tobacco consumption are closely linked with throat cancer. Avoiding them as much as possible may make treatments more effective, but can also prevent recurrences of throat cancer once you're healed. Smoking has several effects for throat cancer patients. It can: make treatment less effective, decrease your ability to heal, and increase your risk of getting throat cancer again. Stopping your consumption of alcohol is also important. Not only can it increase the efficacy of your treatments, but may also minimize your risk for recurrences. If you are having a hard time quitting either tobacco or alcohol, which is especially difficult in stressful times, speak with your doctor about getting help to avoid these substances. | Recognize your risk for throat cancer. Determine possible symptoms. Examine your throat for lumps and irregularities. Watch for pain or bleeding. Talk to your partner or spouse. Visit your doctor. Undergo tests for a definitive diagnosis. Receive treatment. Avoid tobacco and alcohol. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Save-a-Wet-Cell-Phone | How to Save a Wet Cell Phone | If you got your cell phone wet, the first thing you should do is turn it off, even if it seems to be working, so it doesn't short circuit. Once it's off, take out the battery and place it on a paper towel. Depending on your phone, you might need to use a special kind of screwdriver to get the battery out. You should also take out your phone's SIM card if it has one. When you've finished disassembling your phone, use the hose attachment on a vacuum to suck water out of all the components. Wipe your phone and battery dry with a paper towel as you're vacuuming it. Once you're done, leave your phone and battery in a bowl of uncooked instant rice or silica gel packets for 48-72 hours to absorb any leftover moisture. | Take your phone out of the water as soon as possible unless it’s plugged in. The longer your phone's in water, the more damage it will sustain. If your phone has been submerged for a long period of time, you may not be able to resuscitate it. Disconnect the power if your phone is plugged in and in water. If your phone is plugged into a wall charger and submerged in water, turn off power to the outlet before attempting to remove it from the water. Taking your phone out of water while it's plugged in may result in an electric shock. Turning off the power at a fuse box is the safest way to do this. Turn your phone off immediately, even if it seems to be working. Leaving it on can cause it to short circuit. If it's been in water, assume it is waterlogged whether it is still working or not. Don't turn on your phone to see if it's working. Rinse off the impurities (if any, like sea water, mud, etc. ) with pure water to prevent corrosion. Remove your phone’s battery and cover and place them on paper towels. After removing the phone from the water, quickly gather some paper towels or soft cloths. Lay your phone on top of them while you remove the battery cover and battery. You will need a Philips screwdriver to open most phones. If you have an iPhone, though, you'll need a special “pentalobe” screwdriver. Read the manual to your phone and/or online articles if you're not sure how to remove the battery. This is one of the most important steps to saving your phone. Many circuits inside the phone will survive submersion in water if they're not attached to a power source (battery) when wet. To find out if the phone is truly water damaged, check the water damage indicator. In most cases, the indicator is located in the battery compartment behind the battery, or on the battery itself, depending on the phone model. Normally, it will look like a white square or circle. If this is pink or red, your phone has water damage. On many iPhone models, the water damage indicator is located on the side of the phone (in the SIM card slot) or at the bottom, near the charging port or headphone jack. On Android devices, unscrew the screws to remove the cover of the circuit board. Sometimes the water is behind it and the water damage indicators. Note: even if the cover isn't on, the phone can work when plugged in. Take out the SIM card if your phone has one. After removing the SIM card, pat it down with a dry paper towel or cloth. Set it on a dry cloth or paper towel to dry out until you reconnect your phone to your cell network. If your phone does not have a SIM card, you can skip this step. Some or all of your valuable contacts (along with other data) are stored on your SIM and SD cards. These cards tend to not get water damage and can be kept for recovery. In many cases, this may be more valuable and worthy of saving than the phone itself. Detach any accessories that may be on your phone. Remove any protective covers, ear buds, memory cards, or other things that attach to your phone. Be sure to expose all the phone's slots and crevices to the open air so they can dry properly. Put your phone in a bowl of uncooked instant rice for 48-72 hours. Pour 4 cups (900 g) of rice into a large bowl. Then bury your phone and its disconnected battery in the rice. The rice will help draw out any residual moisture in your device. Rotate the phone to a different position every hour until you go to sleep. This will allow any water left inside to run down and hopefully find an opening to escape through. Regular uncooked white or brown rice isn't as absorbent as instant rice and won't work as well. Use silica gel packets instead of instant rice if you have some. Place the silica gel packet(s), your phone, and the disconnected battery into a container. Then let the phone sit for 48-72 hours to give the gel time to absorb any moisture remaining in your phone. Silica gel packets are those little packets that come with new shoes, purses, noodle packets, and other products. Speed is the most important element in saving your wet phone, so use rice or another desiccant if you don't have any silica packets lying around. There's no need to open the packets. Simply place them in the container with your phone. Cover your phone with 4 cups (about .5 kg) of crystal cat litter. If you don't have instant rice or silica gel packets lying around, crystal cat litter is another option. Pour a layer of cat litter into a container that's at least 1–2 US quarts (0.95–1.89 L) in size. Then, lay your open phone and its detached battery on top of this layer. Pour in the rest of the litter to fully cover your phone. You can find crystal cat litter at most grocery stores and pet-supply shops. Don't use clay-based or other types of cat litter. Only crystal cat litter, which is made of silica gel, will work. Other desiccants, like couscous pearls and instant oatmeal, will also work just as well. Suck the water out of your phone with a vacuum cleaner. Fit a hose attachment onto your vacuum cleaner. Then, set it to its highest setting and vacuum near all your phone's openings. If you have one, a wet/dry vac would work especially well for this step. This is the fastest method and can completely dry out your phone and get it working in 30 minutes. However, unless the exposure to water was extremely short, don't attempt to turn your phone on this soon. You could also try sucking out the water with your mouth. This is very gentle and allows you to be close enough to your phone to hear where the water is. Listen for trapped water while doing this to focus on water-logged areas. Continue to remove water there until the 'trapped water sound' is all gone (would sound like only air flow then). Use an air compressor to blow water out of your phone. Set your air compressor to a low psi (pounds per square inch) setting. Then, blow the air across the surface of your phone and its ports. Alternatively, you can use a can of compressed air. Using a higher psi may damage the inner components of your phone. Don't use a hair dryer to dry out your phone. The warm air may damage components in your phone. Wipe your phone and battery dry with a soft rag or towel. As you're blowing or vacuuming your phone dry, gently wipe as much water off its surface as possible. Drying the inside of your phone is your priority, but you'll also want to dry its outside. Avoid shaking or moving the phone excessively, so as to avoid moving water through it. Leave your phone in open air with a fan as another option. Place your phone on top of a dry towel or other absorbent surface. Then, if you have a fan, turn it on and position it so that it will blow air across your phone's surface. Wait 48-72 hours, then turn on your phone. Before turning on your phone, check to see that it's clean and looks dry. Wipe away or vacuum any dust and dirt from the device and the detached battery. Then, insert the battery into the phone and try to power it on. The longer you wait to turn on your phone, the more likely it is to survive. Turn on the phone and see if it awakes. If it does : Use it while continuously feeling the backside for overheating (to prevent spontaneous shut offs). Every few minutes (or if it shuts off), remove the back casing to wipe off the water droplets that ooze out. Put it back, turn it on, use it, and repeat again, incrementing to more demanding tasks, like video, each time, until the water is all gone (as heat facilitates water out from core electronic parts, which is a part of the recovery process). If it makes sounds, but the screen doesn't turn on : open the phone back up and remove water likely trapped underneath the motherboard. If nothing happens : place it back into a bag with rice or silica packets and give it another day or two before trying to turn it on again. This may need to be repeated multiple times. | Take your phone out of the water as soon as possible unless it’s plugged in. Disconnect the power if your phone is plugged in and in water. Turn your phone off immediately, even if it seems to be working. Rinse off the impurities (if any, like sea water, mud, etc. Remove your phone’s battery and cover and place them on paper towels. Take out the SIM card if your phone has one. Detach any accessories that may be on your phone. Put your phone in a bowl of uncooked instant rice for 48-72 hours. Use silica gel packets instead of instant rice if you have some. Cover your phone with 4 cups (about .5 kg) of crystal cat litter. Suck the water out of your phone with a vacuum cleaner. Use an air compressor to blow water out of your phone. Wipe your phone and battery dry with a soft rag or towel. Leave your phone in open air with a fan as another option. Wait 48-72 hours, then turn on your phone. Turn on the phone and see if it awakes. |
https://www.wikihow.pet/Plan-a-Cesarean-Section-for-Brachycephalic-Dogs | How to Plan a Cesarean Section for Brachycephalic Dogs | To plan a cesarean section for brachycephalic dogs, consult your vet so they can help you schedule the C-section. You can have them measure your dog's luteinizing hormone and progesterone levels to properly determine when to schedule its C-section. When it's time for your dog's C-section, carefully give it a bath so it's clean for the procedure as long as you don't have to force it, which may stress it out and be bad for the puppies. Remember not to give your dog food the day of the procedure to prevent it from regurgitating or breathing stomach contents into its lungs. | Have your vet measure luteinizing hormone (LH) levels. Timing the C-section is an important part of the planning process. Several strategies are available to determine when a C-section should take place. One strategy is measuring LH, a hormone that stimulates ovulation (egg released from the ovary). Peak LH levels mark the beginning of pregnancy, which lasts an average of 65 days in a dog. Your vet will measure your dog's LH levels for several days to determine when they peak. Your vet will schedule the C-section about 65 days after the LH peak. The LH peak will last 24 hours or less. Your vet will take a blood sample to measure LH. Let your vet measure progesterone levels. Progesterone helps your dog maintain its pregnancy. Its levels start to rise at around the same time as LH levels peak. Progesterone levels also help determine when to schedule a dog's C-section. Your vet will measure progesterone for a few days to determine when levels indicate ovulation. Your vet will take a blood sample to measure progesterone. When your dog's progesterone levels reach 4-8 ng/dl, plan on scheduling the C-section about 62 days from then. Allow your vet to take a vaginal cell sample. In addition to measuring blood hormone levels, your vet can also look at vaginal cells to estimate the date of the C-section. When the cells indicate your dog is in diestrus (out of heat), your dog will be ready for the C-section in about 57 days. Diestrus lasts about 57 days. Calculate the age of the fetuses. Between days 25 to 35 of your dog's pregnancy, your vet can use ultrasound to look at the fetuses and determine when to perform the C-section, within about three days of variability. Remember that, with any of these strategies, there will be at least a day or two of variability for determining the best day for the C-section. Schedule the C-section date. When your vet determines when the C-section should be performed, mark the date on your calendar and make the appointment. Knowing the C-section date at the beginning of your dog's pregnancy will help you plan for a successful surgical procedure. Bathe your dog. In the days leading up to the C-section, you can do a few things to help your dog prepare for the procedure. For example, you can give your dog a bath. This will get your dog nice and clean before the C-section. Because of the pregnant belly, you will need to be careful when bathing your dog. Be gentle when moving your dog around. Be especially careful with bathing your dog's belly. If your dog resists being bathed, don't force the bath. Forcing the bath could cause your dog to be stressed, which could be bad for the puppies. The stress could also make it harder for your brachycephalic dog to breathe, causing even more stress. Watch your dog closely. As you prepare for your dog's C-section, keep a close eye on it. Even though the C-section has already been scheduled, you should still watch your dog for signs that it's getting close to whelping (giving birth) time. Signs to look for include: Nipples getting larger and possibly leaking milk (1 to 2 weeks prior) Restlessness, wanting to be alone, making a 'nest' (12 to 24 hours prior) Body temperature below 99 degrees Fahrenheit/37 degrees Celsius (8 to 24 hours prior) Withhold food on the day of surgery. Your dog can have food the night before the C-section, but not on the day of the procedure. An empty stomach will prevent your dog from regurgitating and possibly breathing stomach contents into its lungs by accident. Your dog can probably have water on the day of surgery. Your vet will give you instructions on when your dog should stop eating and drinking water before the C-section. Organize a whelping area in your home. Even though your brachycephalic dog will not be giving birth naturally, it will still need an area in your home to nurse and raise its puppies after the C-section. This area should be warm and away from other pets and household members. Before the C-section, place supplies in this area: Rectal thermometer Heated whelping nest (look for one online or at your local pet store) Puppy scale Notebook to record puppies' weights and body temperatures, and other notes Feeding tube, for puppies that are not nursing well Tincture of iodine to care for the puppies' umbilical cords Gather supplies to take to your vet’s office. In the days leading up to the C-section, organize supplies to take with you to the vet's office. These supplies will prepare you for taking the mother dog and its puppies back home after the C-section: Large crate for the mother dog Blankets and towels Large sheet or piece of tarp to cover the back seat Laundry basket to hold the puppies Heating pad Have your vet measure progesterone levels again. About one to two days before the end of your dog's pregnancy, its progesterone levels will drop back down. When the progesterone drops to a certain level, it will be time to perform the C-section. Before the scheduled C-section date, take your dog to your vet so they can measure its progesterone levels. | Have your vet measure luteinizing hormone (LH) levels. Let your vet measure progesterone levels. Allow your vet to take a vaginal cell sample. Calculate the age of the fetuses. Schedule the C-section date. Bathe your dog. Watch your dog closely. Withhold food on the day of surgery. Organize a whelping area in your home. Gather supplies to take to your vet’s office. Have your vet measure progesterone levels again. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Pay-Attention | How to Pay Attention | To pay attention, find a place where you won't be disturbed and minimize distracting noises by using earphones or headphones. Also, try making a list of everything you need to do and breaking tasks down into smaller steps. Check each step off when you complete it for a small motivational boost. You can also take periodic breaks, such as five minutes every hour, to do stretches or watch a video before refocusing on the task. If you're finding it difficult to maintain attention for a long period, try mixing up your routine every hour or so to keep your mind engaged. | Write down a list of what you need to get done. Break down individual tasks into steps. As you complete each step, check it off. This gives you direction for your work, and you'll get a small boost of motivation each time you cross something off the list. For example, if you need to write a paper, your task list might include making an outline, reading 3 sources, writing an introduction, or revising afterwards. Make sure to only focus on 1 task on a time. Multitasking will make you less productive in the long run. Minimize distractions. Voices, honking cars, loud music, or the television can make it hard to stay focused. Find a place where you can work without being bothered, disturbed, or interrupted. Some people do well somewhere with a little bit of ambient noise in the background, such as an office or a coffee shop. Others might need total silence. In this case, go to a library or work in a room alone at home. Work in a coffee shop or library. If you see other people around you focusing on their tasks, it can help you be more productive as well. If you're somewhere where you cannot control your environment, try using earplugs or headphones to block out noise. Ask your coworkers to leave you alone until you can finish a task. Listen to classical music or nature sounds to increase your focus. If you find yourself distracted, get up and stretch or take a short walk to clear your mind. Impose a time limit. If you can, limit how much time you spend on a difficult, tedious, or boring task. Set a timer to encourage you to finish it before time is up. Once time is up, take a break or move onto a different task. For example, you might give yourself an hour to do research for an essay or respond to all of your emails within 30 minutes. Take periodic breaks. Sometimes the best way to get yourself back into the groove is to take a break from your task. If you give yourself a little bit of time to space out and refocus, you'll find it easier to concentrate again. Consider taking a 5 minute break every hour or give yourself an hour off after working for several hours straight. Doing some stretches, watching a video, even just shutting your eyes for a few minutes, can all give you the needed break to get back to being attentive. If you're at school, ask to go to the bathroom. Go splash water on your face, or do some easy stretches. Mix up your routine. Try not to work on the same task for a long period of time. You may get tired and bored, which can cause your mind to wander. Instead, when you finish part of the task, switch to another activity for a while. This can be another task you have to complete or a relaxing activity that will help you unwind. If you're at work, spend a half hour or hour on a task, before moving on to something else. Come back to it after you've done a couple different tasks. Switch up the types of tasks. For example, go from reading, to writing, to calling someone, and back to reading. For example, you might work on your taxes for an hour, then take some time to make an important phone call or answer some emails. When you are done with that, you can return to your taxes. Redirect yourself back to the task if you get distracted. As soon as you realize that you're daydreaming or distracted, force yourself to return to the task at hand. If you need to, get up and stretch or jog in place for a few minutes to energize you and clear your mind. The more you do this, the easier it will become. Soon, you'll automatically divert from the less useful thoughts to the things you're trying to focus on. Ask for clarification if your mind drifts. If you're in the middle of a conversation and you realize you haven't been paying attention, ask the other person for clarification on the last point you remember. You can also ask them to restate what they just said. Say something like "So what did you mean when you said that he left?” or “Can you go back for a second? I think I missed something.” You can also summarize what the person has said to help you process what they are talking about. For example, you might say, “So it sounds like your boss isn't giving you enough credit" or "What I am hearing is that we need to finish this project soon." Maintain eye contact with the speaker. When you maintain eye contact with someone, you're more likely to keep your mind focused on what they are saying. Even if you are listening to a speaker in a crowd, watching their face and eyes can help you be more attentive to what they are saying. Don't stare unblinkingly. You can occasionally look at your hands, or the table, but return your eyes and your attention to your conversation partner. Fidget or doodle while you listen. Small, repetitive movements like fidgeting or doodling can actually help you listen more effectively. So grab something small like a paper clip or a bracelet or a rubber band and fidget with in in your hands. If you like to draw, sketch out shapes on a piece of paper. It's best to do this under the table so you don't distract other people. If you find your mind wandering, try wiggling your toes or jiggling your legs to get your mind back on track. Avoid judging the speaker before they finish. When you're hearing someone else talk, it can be easy to get lost in your own thoughts, opinions, or ideas. Keep an open mind to what they are saying, and try not to think about your own ideas until they are done. Try not to think of dismissive thoughts like “This person has no idea what they are talking about” or “They're completely wrong.” These can make you stop listening, and you might miss crucial information. If you don't consider everything they are saying, you might miss an important point that could help you understand their point better. Find out when you work best. Some people work best at night. Others are better in the morning. Schedule your most difficult or longest tasks for the times of day when you know you can pay attention. If you're unsure when the best time of day is for you, try working at different times. Do some work in the morning, early afternoon, late afternoon, and evening. Decide which time you prefer. For example, if you work best in the early morning, set your alarm so you can get up and ready for a productive day! Plan your breaks for the times when you know you can't focus. For example, if you get sleepy in the afternoon, take a break around 2 to take a walk or get a cup of coffee. Learn to meditate. Meditation makes you more mindful and aware of the present moment, which can help expand your focus and improve your concentration. Close your eyes, draw in some long, deep breaths, and pay attention to your breathing. Start with just 5 minutes of meditation a day and work your way up to longer sessions. Meditation helps you stay aware within the moment. You can even do some meditation at your desk at work or at a university library, if you need a quiet moment. Learn to accept whatever task you need to get done. If you acknowledge what's happening at the present moment, you can pay better attention. Identify your biggest distractions. Pay attention to when you get distracted, and try to learn the cause of it. Are you thinking about what you want to eat for dinner? Or are you thinking about the work you're trying to accomplish or the conversation you're having? Writing down the thoughts can be helpful in noticing when you're not paying attention. Keep a journal with you and note down the errant thoughts when you notice them. If you notice that you're checking your phone often, try putting your phone in a drawer while you work. If you're having trouble paying attention at work because you're constantly checking your email, or going on Tumblr, you can download an app to help you monitor and avoid your distracting websites, such as the Self-Control App or Anti-Social. Stop distracting yourself when you are bored. Whether you waiting in line or killing time before a meeting, don't rely on your phone, computer, or tablet for a momentarily distraction. This teaches your brain to look for distractions instead of learning to wait patiently while you're bored. Try to pay attention to things going on around you to increase your awareness. Watch people walking by, peruse the items on a shelf, or listen to a store's ambient music. Get 7-9 hours of sleep a night. Sleep helps you become more alert, focused, and productive. If you don't get enough sleep, you may find yourself yawning or daydreaming during work. Shut off electronics like your computer and your phone at least 30 minutes before you go to sleep. This can help you fall asleep faster. Go to bed and wake up at the same time everyday for the best results. This can help you get enough sleep and improve your quality of sleep. Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. Exercise helps improve your mood and attention while reducing anxiety and stress. Just 30 minutes of exercise a day can let your brain focus and boost your productivity. Try activities like running, swimming, yoga, or just taking a walk. If you find that you're distracted or sleepy, step out for a brief walk or do some jumping jacks. Exercise will help you refocus. Visit a doctor if your inattention interferes with your life. If you are unable to complete work, school assignments, or social activities because you can't pay attention, it may be time to talk to a doctor. You may have a disorder, such as Attention Deficient Disorder. Your doctor can get you counseling and medication that can help you pay attention. | Write down a list of what you need to get done. Minimize distractions. Impose a time limit. Take periodic breaks. Mix up your routine. Redirect yourself back to the task if you get distracted. Ask for clarification if your mind drifts. Maintain eye contact with the speaker. Fidget or doodle while you listen. Avoid judging the speaker before they finish. Find out when you work best. Learn to meditate. Identify your biggest distractions. Stop distracting yourself when you are bored. Get 7-9 hours of sleep a night. Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. Visit a doctor if your inattention interferes with your life. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Tame-a-Bird | How to Tame a Bird | To tame a bird, wait until it's had 2 weeks to acclimate to its new environment before you get started. After a couple weeks, start talking to your bird in a soothing voice throughout the day so it gets more comfortable around you. You should also start holding your hand up to its cage for 10-15 minutes several times a day. Once your bird seems fine with your hand being there, try placing it inside of the cage and holding out some treats. Just make sure you're using slow, gentle movements whenever you approach the cage so you don't scare your feathered friend. | Give your bird time to acclimate to your home. Your bird will probably need about two weeks to adjust to his new environment before you can begin taming him. Some birds will take longer, and some will need less time to acclimate. Place your bird's cage in a busy room. Intuitively, a quiet room may seem ideal. However, housing your bird in a busy room will allow him to acclimate to, and become more comfortable with, human interaction and activity. Do not place your bird's cage in the kitchen. Fumes released from nonstick appliances are toxic and potentially fatal to birds. You will know when your bird feels secure in his new environment when he does not flutter his wings when you approach him. If he sits frozen on his perch, he is not yet comfortable with you or his new environment. Talk to him in a soothing voice. An important part of gaining your bird's trust is making him feel comfortable and safe when you are around. You can do this by talking to him in a soothing voice. Of course, what you talk about is not important—he just needs to know that you are a calm and reassuring presence in his environment. Talk to him throughout the day, and especially when you change out his food and water. Use slow and gentle movements when you approach your bird. Birds are naturally skittish animals. Therefore, any sudden movements can frighten your bird. Slow and gentle movements will reassure your bird that you are not a threat. When you approach your bird, you should be slightly above his eye level. If you are too high above his eye level, you may scare him. Being too far below his eye level would make you appear submissive to him. It may be helpful to use a soothing voice as you approach him to make him feel even more at ease with your presence. Place your hand near his cage. Hand taming is a common way of taming birds. However, due to his skittish nature, your bird may be very wary of your hand. Moreover, birds who come from pet stores may associate hands with grabbing and chasing, making them even more wary of human handling. Place your hand where he can easily see it. To reduce his anxiety, talk to him in a soothing voice while you hold your hand still. Hold your hand near his cage for 10 to 15 minutes (or as long as you can hold your hand up), two to three times a day, for four to seven days. You may want to place your hand gently on the outside of his cage. Getting your bird to be comfortable with your hand will take time and patience. Place your hand inside his cage. When your bird no longer seems flustered by your hand's presence outside of his cage, acclimate him to your hand when it is inside of his cage. It is very important that you place your hand in his cage slowly and without sudden movements. You should also avoid making eye contact with your bird when you put your hand inside his cage—direct eye contact may appear threatening to him. At this stage, do not attempt to touch your bird when you have your hand in his cage. Practically speaking, you will need to place your hand inside your bird's cage each morning when you change his food and water. By making a routine out of slowly reaching into his cage each morning, your bird should become increasingly more comfortable with your hand. It may take your bird anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to feel comfortable with your hand inside his cage. Continue talking to your bird in a soothing tone when your hand is inside his cage. Entice your bird with a treat. If your bird is still not comfortable with your hand inside his cage, you may need to move things along by holding a treat in your hand. Millet spray is a very popular treat for birds. Dark and leafy greens, such as spinach, are another good treat to use. Whichever treat you use, make sure that it is one your bird is already familiar with and enjoys eating. Hold the treat in your hand and hold your hand still. Depending on how skittish your bird is, it may take several tries before he feels comfortable enough to get close to your hand and eat the treat. Hold a treat in your hand three to five times each day, and each time you change your bird's food and water. Eventually, your bird will begin to anticipate the daily treat. Slowly move your hand closer and closer to your bird when holding the treat. With the help of the daily treats, your bird will become comfortable with your hand inside his cage. Position your hand like a perch. With your hand in your bird's cage, create a perch with your hand by holding your index finger out and folding your other fingers in towards your palm. In a slow and non-threatening manner, move your hand towards your bird and position your index finger below his breast line, which is just above his feet. If you are afraid of getting bitten, you could cover your hand with a small towel or wear gloves. However, covering your hand will defeat the purpose of getting your bird comfortable with your hand. In addition, your bird may be scared of the gloves or towel. Encourage your bird to step onto your finger. With your finger below your bird's breast line, gently push up on his body to encourage him to step on to your finger. Do not be surprised if your bird jumps away and flies to another part of his cage. If he does this, do not chase him around his cage— remove your hand and try again later, or simply leave your hand in his cage until he calms down and is ready to approach your hand again. If your birds needs a little extra encouragement, hold a treat in your other hand. Hold it far enough away that he would have to jump onto your finger to reach it. You can try this if the cage door is wide enough for both of your hands to fit through. If you would like, you can give your bird a verbal command (“Step up” or “Up”) when you push up on his body. Say the command each time you want him to step up onto your finger. Hold your hand still when your bird steps onto your finger. Reward your bird. Give your bird a treat each time he steps onto your finger, even if only for a brief moment. Be aware that he may jump on and off your finger, or only feel comfortable placing one foot on your finger. Reward him with any progress he makes with stepping onto your finger. Keep your practice sessions short: 10 to 15 minutes, two to three times a day. Along with an edible treat, you can also give your bird verbal praise when he steps up onto your finger. Prepare a bird-proof room. Teaching your bird to step onto your finger when he outside his cage is an important part of taming him. A bird-proof room is one in which your bird will feel safe and secure. To prepare the room, close the windows and blinds. Also, clear the room of pets and other hazards, such as blowing fans. Ideally, the room should have a door that you can lock so others cannot come in during your training sessions. Make sure the room is lit, tidy and clean. A bathroom is a common choice for a bird-proof room. Rearrange your bird’s cage, if necessary. Your bird's cage is his comfort zone. Taking him out of his comfort zone may be a frightening experience for him—you do not want to make the experience more frightening by having to navigate through various perches and toys. Take the time to clear the exit path of any obstacles that could hamper your ability to take your bird out of his cage. Remove your bird from his cage. With your bird perched on your finger in his cage, slowly move your hand backward to bring your bird out. Do not be surprised if he flies off your finger as you try to take him out—he may not be ready to leave the safety of his cage. If he does this, do not chase him around his cage. If the cage door is large enough, reach in with your other hand and cup that hand behind your bird. Your other hand would serve as a shield to keep your bird from jumping off your finger, but would not actually be touching him. Do not force him out of his cage. Remember to be patient with him. It may take several days' worth of training sessions before he is comfortable with being moved outside his cage. Give your bird time to acclimate to being outside his cage. Your bird may immediately want to jump onto the outside of his cage. Once again, do not chase him with your finger if he does this. Patiently wait until he has settled down before having him step onto your finger again. If you have not had your bird's wings trimmed or clipped, he may fly away from you as you get him out of his cage. Slowly and gently approach him to retrieve him, making sure to talk to him in a calm and reassuring voice. Reward your bird with a treat when he stays perched on your finger. Keep your daily practice sessions short (10 to 15 minutes). Have your bird step up on your finger in the bird-proof room. When your bird is comfortable with being outside his cage, walk to the bird-proof room with your back turned to his cage. When in the room, sit on the floor or on a bed. If he hops off your finger, have him step back onto it again. To challenge your bird, use both hands as perches. With your bird perched on the index finger of one hand, use the index finger of your other hand to gently press below your bird's breast line and get him to step up. Alternating between hands, move your finger perches higher and higher to mimic the climbing of a ladder. Reward your bird with a treat each time that he steps onto your finger. Practice with your bird in the bird-proof room for 15 to 20 minutes, one to times a day. Place your bird back in his cage. After each training session outside the cage, slowly walk him back to his cage and place him back inside. Although he may want to fly off your hand as soon as he's back inside the cage, you should try to place him back on one of his perches. To do this, position your finger such that the perch is in front of your bird and higher than your hand. When he steps onto the perch, give the verbal command to “step down.” Although he is stepping up onto the perch, this action is still considered to be stepping down from your finger. Close the cage door when your bird is comfortably situated in his cage. | Give your bird time to acclimate to your home. Talk to him in a soothing voice. Use slow and gentle movements when you approach your bird. Place your hand near his cage. Place your hand inside his cage. Entice your bird with a treat. Position your hand like a perch. Encourage your bird to step onto your finger. Reward your bird. Prepare a bird-proof room. Rearrange your bird’s cage, if necessary. Remove your bird from his cage. Give your bird time to acclimate to being outside his cage. Have your bird step up on your finger in the bird-proof room. Place your bird back in his cage. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Boost-Serotonin | How to Boost Serotonin | To boost your serotonin levels, try eating more complex carbs, like whole grain breads and pastas, brown rice, and sweet potatoes. Additionally, eat more healthy fats, like those found in fish, nuts, and seeds. You can also boost your serotonin by exercising 30 to 60 minutes a day. Alternatively, try managing your stress levels with yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises, since prolonged periods of stress can deplete your serotonin levels. | Understand the serotonin/food myths. Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths surrounding food and increased levels of serotonin. These myths include: Foods rich in tryptophan automatically boost serotonin. This is false. Most foods that contain tryptophan, an amino acid, compete with other amino acids to be absorbed by the body's transport system. Eating a lot of turkey, which is rich in tryptophan, will not automatically give you more serotonin. Eating a lot of banana will automatically boost serotonin. Bananas do contain serotonin. That serotonin, however, is unable to cross the blood-brain barrier and be absorbed by humans. Shun the simple carbs and embrace the complex carbs. Complex carbohydrates are absorbed by the body differently than simple carbohydrates. Simple carbs raise your blood levels quickly, causing a spike in insulin, which drops after a while. Complex carbs are absorbed more slowly by the body and therefore avoid the massive peaks and troughs brought upon by simple carbs. Complex carbs include: Legumes like peas and lentils Whole grain breads Whole grain pastas Brown rice Starchy vegetables like sweet potatoes and parsnips Simple carbs include: Yogurt Fruit juice "Normal" pasta Cakes, candies, and other refined sugar products White bread and white rice, while not technically simple carbs, are absorbed by your body in a similar way. Avoid caffeinated foods, especially energy drinks. Caffeine suppresses serotonin, which could also help explain why it's a hunger suppressant as well. Energy drinks contain large amounts of sugar, which the body processes quickly, but which produce an energy-zapping low after the insulin has finished surging. If you have to drink caffeinated products, wait until after you've eaten, doctors recommend. Eat healthy fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are hypothesized to affect the functionality of serotonin in the brain. People with low serotonin levels commonly have low DHA levels, which is an essential building block in the brain, and which needs to be replenished with foods such as fish oils, which are high in omega-3 fatty acids. Look for omega-3 fats in: Fish, such as salmon, and fish oils Nuts, seeds and seed oils, such as flax seed oil Eat dark chocolate. Eating dark chocolate improves serotonin levels partly because of resveratrol. Resveratrol boosts both endorphins and serotonin levels. Remember to reach for dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate, as milk chocolate contains far less cocoa (the stuff that produces serotonin) than dark chocolate. Exercise regularly. Exercise is a great way to boost your serotonin levels. The results are clear: exercise causes an increase in tryptophan, which is a precursor to serotonin. The tryptophan persists well after exercising is finished, suggesting that mood elevation may be present for hours after the exercising has finished. Work out in at intensity levels with which you are familiar. Consistent serotonin release is linked with exercise that people feel comfortable with, not exercise that pushes people off the edge, an English study has found. If you can't find the time to exercise regularly, try walking or 30 minutes to an hour per day. At the very least, this moderate exercise will help burn calories and boost tryptophan levels, causing an increase in serotonin. Get enough light. Light probably helps serotonin synthesis. Research has found a positive correlation between serotonin synthesis and total hours of sunlight during the day. In postmortems of humans, serotonin levels are higher during the summer months than the winter months. Getting a better mood could be as easy as opening the curtains in your otherwise dark room. Get natural light during the day, not artificial light during the night. Natural, daytime sunlight is better at giving you serotonin than artificial LED, fluorescent, or UV light. Getting artificial light, especially at night, has the added disadvantage of blocking melatonin production, which helps your body get a good night's sleep. Invest in massage. Several studies show that massage therapy helps cut down the stress hormone cortisol while boosting serotonin levels and increasing dopamine. This double-pronged benefit makes massage particularly valuable. Understand that stress may interfere with serotonin. Prolonged periods of stress can deplete serotonin levels. Serious and systematic stress can have an impact on the body's ability to produce and synthesize serotonin. This means that you should stay away from stressful situations as much as possible, and find healthy ways to deal with stress once it comes your way. If confronted with lifestyle stress, try practicing: Yoga Meditation Deep breathing exercises Self-expression (art) Relive happy memories. Though it may sound corny, reliving happy times may be enough to give your brain a serotonin boost. This may directly increase serotonin levels and keep you from fixating on less happy times, if you are prone to depression. The inability to think of happier times is called "state dependent recall." If you can't think of happier times, try talking to friends or family and looking at old journals or pictures. | Understand the serotonin/food myths. Shun the simple carbs and embrace the complex carbs. Avoid caffeinated foods, especially energy drinks. Eat healthy fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids. Eat dark chocolate. Exercise regularly. Get enough light. Invest in massage. Understand that stress may interfere with serotonin. Relive happy memories. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Develop-a-Good-Personality | How to Develop a Good Personality | Everyone's idea of what makes a good personality is different, and what's important is that you develop a personality that you feel proud of and confident in. To work on your personality, start by identifying some personality characteristics that you want to cultivate, like being lighthearted, being calm in tense situations, and being open-minded. You should also explore your interests and hobbies since it will help you get to know yourself better and build a personality that you're confident in. If you need some inspiration, try looking at the personalities of people you admire, and work on developing some of their traits. | Figure out what “personality” means to you. Most people define personality as the collection of mental and behavioral traits that make you who you are. These are your enduring characteristics and tendencies to consistently think, behave, and feel in certain ways. While some of your personality is defined by your genetics and your early experiences, it is possible to change your beliefs and behaviors over time to a certain extent. Remain happy and lighthearted. Try to see the joy in the world. Laugh with others, but not at them. Everyone appreciates someone who is jolly and jovial. Smiling and laughing a lot is a huge part of having a good personality. Try to stay calm in tense situations. A lot of people seem like they have a good personality until you see them in an emergency or tense situation. Then they lose their cool. Don't be this person! If you are in a tense situation, try to remain relaxed and see what you can do to resolve the situation. For example, let's say your car breaks down on the highway and you're going to be late to work. Don't start yelling and screaming – that's not going to fix anything. Keep your mind clear and start developing a plan to solve the problem. Keep an open mind. One important part of having a good personality is being willing to change your worldview. Listen to others and always be willing to change your mind. Don't pass judgment on other people just because they act in a different way than you do. Keeping an open mind will allow you to make many new friends and probably live a much more interesting life. There's no need to shut off parts of the world. Getting out of your comfort zone and experiencing new things can help you become more open-minded and develop new beliefs and habits. Develop modesty. You could be the most talented, extraordinary person in the world, but if you don't have any modesty than you probably won't have a good personality. Always keep yourself level and balanced. Nobody likes a big ego. Learn to love other people. Many bad personalities develop because people do not want to forgive each other and find themselves overwhelmed with hate and anger. Try to find love for everyone. Ask questions. Being an inquisitive person is part about caring for other people, and it will also make you a more interesting person in turn. Try to find out what others find interesting and important. You'll learn a lot and you'll help them feel valued. Remain loyal. Don't betray those who are close to you. Your loved ones will appreciate you more and more if you remain loyal. Stick with the people you love through thick and thin. You can push through a rocky part in your relationship if you remain loyal to the person. Offer support and guidance. Don't try to act like you know everything, but always try to offer a helping hand to people when possible. This could be something as simple as helping a friend move out of their house or offering more involved support, like life guidance. Offer whatever insight you may have, but don't try to sway them too far in one direction. Respect people's decisions and opinions. Think positive thoughts, both about yourself and others. The thoughts that we think soon turn into the words we say and the actions we take. Having good thoughts about yourself gives you self-confidence and self-respect: hallmarks of any good personality. Once you become aware of your own thoughts, the process of guiding them in the right direction through positive thoughts will become effortless. Show your true self. We often come across opportunities in our day-to-day life to express our personality. Do it! Don't try to fall in line with the crowd. Having a good personality doesn't mean that you are like everyone else. For example, if you are in a conversation with a group or an individual, try not to just constantly agree with everything that they say. Insert your own opinions and stories in a respectful and engaging way. Always act like yourself. People are drawn to others who act real. If you are putting on a front, it will be easy to tell. In order to be your true self around others, you'll have to allow yourself to be vulnerable. This means being willing to open up to others about your fears, desires, strengths, and weaknesses. Focus on the good parts of your personality. It's easy to get down on the parts of your personality that you need to work on. Try to avoid that. Pay attention to the parts of your personality that you think appeal to other people and try to showcase those. Commit to working on the parts of your personality that you don’t like. Maybe you think you talk about yourself too much, or that you become impatient too quickly. It's important to recognize these things, but not to hate yourself for them. Try to pay attention to the way you are acting. The next time you start acting impatient, you can catch yourself and try to respond differently to the situation. Pay attention to the traits of people you admire. These could be people you know personally, people in your family history that you've heard a lot about, or famous personalities that you look up to. Examine what they believe about the world and about themselves, and consider trying to adopt similar beliefs. If you know the person, have a conversation with them about their beliefs and attitudes. Ask them about how they came to believe what they did, and how they act on their beliefs. If you don't know the person, read biographies, watch them in interviews, or talk to people who know (or knew) them personally to find out more about their beliefs and actions. Try to figure out who you are. Look deep inside yourself and think about who you are. It's one of the most difficult things to do, but it is also really important. Try to sort out the difference between the ways you act and your real personality. Start by examining your beliefs and values. It can be hard to change your beliefs and the behaviors that stem from them until you know what those beliefs are. Look at how you act, and think about how those actions relate to your personal values. Decide what matters to you. Remember, it's a lot harder to find out what matters to you if you aren't even sure who you really are yet. Don't choose the things that matter to you just because other people told you they were important. Find out where your true heart lies. Maybe you've always liked playing soccer because your dad really likes soccer. Or maybe you have always supported a certain political party because your friends support that party. Try to figure out the way you really feel. Develop hobbies. Having hobbies is a big part of having a good personality. You want to be a well-rounded person, not a cliché. Try to throw yourself into the things that you enjoy doing. You don't even need to be good at them – just passionate. Have an opinion. Having opinions is an important part of having a good personality. You don't want to be just a nodding automaton. You naturally should have opinions anyways, but sometimes people suppress their opinions to avoid conflict. Don't be obnoxious about your opinions; just be well-informed and willing to change your mind. Don't be afraid to ask others their views and share your own. Spend time doing the things that matter to you. Whether it's playing the guitar, reading the news, or learning how to fly a plane, if you enjoy it, then it's worth spending time doing. The more time you spend doing things, the more knowledgeable you'll become. Do this for yourself, not so that other people think it is cool that you play the guitar. | Figure out what “personality” means to you. Remain happy and lighthearted. Try to stay calm in tense situations. Keep an open mind. Develop modesty. Learn to love other people. Ask questions. Remain loyal. Offer support and guidance. Think positive thoughts, both about yourself and others. Show your true self. Focus on the good parts of your personality. Commit to working on the parts of your personality that you don’t like. Pay attention to the traits of people you admire. Try to figure out who you are. Decide what matters to you. Develop hobbies. Have an opinion. Spend time doing the things that matter to you. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Garlic-Butter | How to Make Garlic Butter | To make spreadable garlic butter, mince 2 tablespoons (14.3 g) of fresh garlic and combine with 1 cup (226.81 g) of unsalted butter. If you don't have fresh garlic you can also use 2 teaspoons (3.3 g) of garlic powder. Next, season the garlic butter with salt, pepper, and Italian seasonings such as parsley, rosemary, or thyme. Finally use a whisk or electric mixer to combine the ingredients until the spread is light and fluffy. | Soften the butter. Let the butter sit, covered, at room temperature until it's soft and can be easily spread with a knife. Put the softened butter into a medium-sized bowl. For a dairy-free alternative, try margarine. Olive or coconut oil can also be used. Coconut oil has a very strong coconut taste, and olive oil is liquid so it will not become whipped and fluffy. Mince the garlic. Press the garlic through a garlic press, or mince finely with a knife. Add the garlic to the butter. Garlic powder can be used instead of fresh garlic. Substitute one to two teaspoons of garlic powder. Add herbs and spices. Add salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. You can substitute the seasoning with fresh herbs, but they will give the butter a different flavor than the dried herbs. Rosemary, parsley, and thyme all go well with butter. Basil or sage could also be used. For an extra decadent garlic butter with some zing, add one-quarter cup of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. To add heat, add chili flakes or powder. Beat ingredients together. Use a whisk or electric beaters to combine all the ingredients. This will help incorporate air into the mixture and make it light, fluffy, and whipped. Use immediately or store for future use. Spreadable garlic butter can be used right away, or it can be covered and refrigerated for later use, though it will be harder to spread when it's cold. While butter can safely be stored on the counter, unused garlic butter should be refrigerated. Garlic-in-oil is best used immediately, but unused portions must be refrigerated and should be used within a week to prevent botulism. Garlic butter can be spread on bread, toast, corn on the cob, burgers, or anything else. Substitute garlic butter for any savory recipe that calls for plain butter to add some extra zip, such as scones or biscuits, cream sauces, or to cooked vegetables. Freeze the garlic butter for extended shelf life. Put the garlic butter on wax paper and roll it into a log. Chill in the fridge until it has started to harden. With a knife, divide the butter log into disks that are one-half to one-inch thick. Once it's frozen, these can be pulled out individually and used without thawing the whole log. Cover the butter in the wax paper and freeze for two to three months. Clarify the butter. Clarified butter is butterfat that has been separated from the water and milk solids. It has a higher smoke point and longer shelf life than fresh butter. Put the butter in a heavy-bottom saucepan. Heat on medium until it's melted. Turn down the heat, and keep on a low boil until the top layer begins to froth and foam. Skim off the foamy layer with a spoon. What's left in the pan will be a liquid layer of butterfat in the middle, and the separated milk solids on the bottom. Continue heating on low until the milk solids begin to turn a light brown. Remove from the heat. Gently pour out the liquid into a separate saucepan, being sure the leave the milk solids in the bottom of the saucepan. If you have a strainer and cheesecloth, strain the liquid butterfat into the new saucepan. Discard the milk solids or keep them to add into gravy, mashed potatoes, or other recipes. Add minced garlic, salt, herbs, and spices to the clarified butter. Heat on low for at least 20 minutes, so the garlic and herb flavors permeate the butter. You can use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic, and you can add any of the extra herbs or spices according to your taste. Cooking oils (like olive) can be substituted for the clarified butter at this stage, but be warned that different oils have different smoke points. Use immediately or store for future use. Although clarified butter has a longer shelf life than regular butter, adding garlic reduces the shelf life. Store unused portions in the refrigerator in a mason jar or covered container. Refrigerated clarified butter will not remain liquid, but can easily be melted into a sauce again. Strain out the herbs and garlic before use if you like, or leave them in for texture and additional flavor. The garlic butter sauce can be brushed on meat, fish, tofu, or vegetables, drizzled on bread, or used as a fondue sauce. | Soften the butter. Mince the garlic. Add herbs and spices. Beat ingredients together. Use immediately or store for future use. Freeze the garlic butter for extended shelf life. Clarify the butter. Add minced garlic, salt, herbs, and spices to the clarified butter. Use immediately or store for future use. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Over-a-Long-Relationship-That-Ended | How to Get Over a Long Relationship That Ended | Getting over a long-term relationship that has ended is really hard, but by giving yourself time to grieve and focusing on the positive things in your life, you can start to move on. It's perfectly normal to feel angry or sad, since part of coping with your feelings involves letting your negative emotions out. You should also hang out with close friends, since doing fun activities and keeping up a healthy social life can help you feel better. Remember that you're now free to express yourself as an individual. Try taking up a new hobby or changing your look, like by getting a new haircut or clothing style. By making these changes, you may find it easier to focus on the future instead of the past. | Allow yourself to feel bad. Emotion-focused coping is important to dealing with a breakup. This means allowing yourself to feel grief, sadness, and anger. These are normal and natural emotions that are felt after a relationship ends. Give yourself the time to grieve and recover, at your pace. Take care of your own emotional needs. If you want to stay at home and cry in your bed, do so. One way to accept your emotions is to tell yourself, "It is okay for me to feel bad right now. I'm going through a difficult time." Getting in touch with your emotions and tolerating distress is about accepting the emotion without judging it or necessarily trying to change it. Sit with the emotion and observe how it feels. What do you feel in your body? This information can indicate how you are feeling and help you process your feelings in a healthy way. Talk about it. Your overall perception of social support can help you throughout the process of healing from a breakup. Processing your feelings out loud with trusted individuals can help with emotional healing; not to mention the support you'll feel from others that care about you. It is important to acknowledge that you're hurting; bottling it up may result in a melt-down later. Ask a friend to come over and support you during this time. You could stay in your pajamas and watch a movie. Use this time to connect with your friend and discuss your feelings regarding the breakup. Go out for coffee or bite to eat with a family member. Let your friends take care of you immediately after the breakup. A lot of times, your friends will want to keep you busy and help you feel better. Let them if you feel up to it. Distraction is a great way to temporarily feel better after a breakup. Additionally, your need for intimacy may be stronger after a breakup. Write about it. Creative and expressive writing is a very useful tool in processing emotions and thoughts related to a breakup. Write down your thoughts and feelings about the breakup on a Word document or journal. Avoid status updates, blogs, or other online posts because these can leave you feeling exposed. You could write a letter to your ex that you never send. Tell him how you feel. Let your anger out. You don't have to worry about his reaction if you don't send the letter. Don't blame yourself. Individuals that blame themselves for a breakup may end up experiencing distress, anxiety, depression and reduced health outcomes. Individuals who do not blame themselves are able to process their emotions better and look at negative events from the past more realistically. Instead of blaming yourself or thinking negatively, forgive yourself for any mistakes or transgressions First analyze what you think you might have done wrong. You could write these down if you wish. Then, go through each item and say or think to yourself, "This was a mistake and I forgive myself for it. I did not want it to turn out this way and I know what I did was wrong. I will work toward not continuing to make this mistake in the future." Distract yourself. Sometimes when people split up they make ruminate over the relationship, thinking, “What could I have done better? Am I not good enough?” However, this may lead to more distress and less emotional adjustment. Avoid re-playing the situation in your mind over and over again, and thinking about what you could have done to fix the situation. If you find yourself doing this, distract yourself with an activity or think about something else. You can also remind yourself that you may not have been able to do anything, and you could not have predicted the outcome. Avoid social media such as Facebook. It can be difficult to avoid cyber-stalking your ex and will social media will not serve as a useful distraction if it constantly reminds you of your ended relationship. One study showed that people who looked at their exes on Facebook had higher distress and longer for their ex-partner. Be busy and pack your social calendar full with activities and events. Try new things and rekindle old friendships. Focus on yourself. New relationships can cause you to expand your sense of self because you adapt to another person. However, after a breakup it can be difficult to regain your unique identity and make sense of your daily activities. So, work on redefining yourself and celebrate your individuality and uniqueness. Some people can get a sense of freedom after a relationship ends, use this feeling to your advantage and explore new activities. Explore activities that you previously liked but were too busy to engage in. Get a new haircut or style. Identify the positive consequences. Many people find that breakups, while hurtful and difficult, produce positive results in the end. Identifying some of the positives outcomes of the breakup may help you feel less sad or angry. For example perhaps the breakup helped you focus more on school, work, or other obligations. Some people feel that breakups allow them to have more freedom. You may also have personal positive outcomes from the breakup such as more confidence, self-reliance, and self-acceptance. In addition to environmental and personal outcomes, you might also have gained more communication skills throughout the relationship and learned valuable relationship skills (i.e. learning to admit when you're wrong). Learn from your mistakes. Some breakups occur due to lack of satisfaction within the relationship, inadequate personal investment, or perception of alternatives (“there's plenty of fish in the sea” mentality. People are more likely to break up if they have a strong social support system outside of the relationship. For example, individuals may be more likely to breakup if they are unsatisfied or not respected. Attempt to identify things that you could have done better, but don't beat yourself up. View the relationship as a growing opportunity that will help you navigate future relationships. Try to reflect (think logically) instead of ruminate (getting caught up in negative thinking). Decide if you want to be friends. Individuals who are friends before a relationship are more likely to remain friends after a breakup. You will be less likely to remain friends if you completely withdraw from the person after the breakup. However, you may need this time to get space and be alone. Get space. Though you may wish to stay friends, you may have an easier time getting over your ex if you don't see and talk to him. For now, it can be helpful to remove him from your Facebook friend list, delete his number from your phone, and avoid hanging out with him. If your ex wants to stay friends, let him know that you're going to need time and that you'll contact him when you're ready. Get rid of things that remind you of your ex. It may be easier to get space to grieve if you are not reminded of your ex by everything around you. Letting go of the physical and digital may help you let go emotionally too. For example, if he left a toothbrush at your place, throw it out. Seeing it every morning could trigger negative feelings for you and color your day. If there is something that shouldn't be thrown away or given to charity, give it to a mutual friend to give back. Delete or toss away the photos if you wish. If you want, you can save the photos of yourself using Photoshop or some other editing program to carve out your image without your partner. Delete your ex's number from your phone. If you need his number, delete every message or voicemail from him––a clean slate! Be polite and brief if you bump into each other again. It only hurts you to turn the breakup into an ongoing fight. If it is too painful to address your ex at this point, try to exit the situation so that you can avoid talking to him. Setting boundaries is an important component of the healing process. If you don't want to talk to him, you don't have to. If you do decide to speak to him, acknowledge him politely and smile. Be respectful. Aggressive speech such as saying, “I hate you!” or behaviors, such as throwing objects at your ex, do not solve problems. Hold on to your good memories. Just because the relationship has ended doesn't mean you have to erase it from your life. It is likely that the person you had a relationship with had a big impact on you and your life, and you can cherish those changes. This is especially helpful if you have a lot of anger and resentment toward your ex. Focusing on the positive may be able to assist you in positively coping and gaining closure from the relationship. Forgive your ex for his mistakes. Harboring resentment only makes you feel worse and stunts the healing process. You don't have to tell him face-to-face or even on the phone, you can forgive him in your heart and this is just as effective. Avoid ruminating over the happy times. This can lead to longing and prolong your grief process. | Allow yourself to feel bad. Talk about it. Let your friends take care of you immediately after the breakup. Write about it. Don't blame yourself. Distract yourself. Focus on yourself. Identify the positive consequences. Learn from your mistakes. Decide if you want to be friends. Get space. Get rid of things that remind you of your ex. Be polite and brief if you bump into each other again. Hold on to your good memories. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Fold-an-Origami-Envelope | How to Fold an Origami Envelope | To make an origami envelope, fold a square piece of paper in half like a triangle, then fold the top point of the first layer toward the bottom. Next, fold the outer points toward the center, so the bottom is square. Along the square, fold the left point back to the left edge, fold it again back toward the middle, then unfold the last fold. Next, turn your envelope so the top point is facing you, then take the folded portion and squish it flat. To finish it off, turn it again so the pointy part is on top, then fold the point down and tuck it into the pocket. | Take a square piece of paper with the corner facing you. If you want a colored envelope, make sure the colored side is facing down. Fold the paper in half, from corner to corner across the square. Take the top corner of the first layer and fold it down to the bottom edge. Fold the right corner one third over to the left. You do not have to be exact, just try to be as accurate as possible. Take the left corner and fold it over to the other end. Now the bottom portion should be square shaped. Fold the point of the flap over the other flap back to the left edge of the model. Fold the point of the flap up to the top corner of the flap. Unfold. This is a crease to help guide the next step. Turn the model 180 degrees. The point of view in the photo will now change. Open the folded portion of the flap. Make a squash fold on this flap. Make sure you flatten it well, as this will help secure the envelope closed. Change the position back so it is "upright. " Or turn it back 180 degrees. Fold the very top point down to the bottom edge. Or, the bottom edge of the square you formed by "squashing." Put the top flap (the portion you just folded down) into the "pocket" that was formed by the squash fold. Flatten the model. Ensure that the model can hold itself together. Take a plain piece of printer paper and write or type your message. Fold it in half hamburger style so it looks like this. Make sure the message is on the inside. Unfold the piece of paper. With the writing facing you, take one side of the paper, and fold it at a right angle so that the edge is touching the first crease. Do this with the other side. On one side of each right triangle, there is an open space. With one side, fold that space over so that it is touching the right triangle. Do this with the other side. Then take one side and fold it over at a right angle against the first crease. Do this with the other side so it looks like this. Then take one of these last triangles. You'll see a small flap under the tip of it. Slide the tip of it underneath the little flap. Slide the tip of the other triangle underneath the flap found under it. Now it's done. It should look like this. If you plan on mailing the envelope, you can write the address on the back. | Take a square piece of paper Fold the paper in half, Take the top corner of the first layer Fold the right corner Take the left corner Fold the point of the flap over the other flap Fold the point of the flap up Turn the model 180 degrees. Open the folded portion of the flap. Make a squash fold Change the position back so it is "upright. Fold the very top point Put the top flap (the portion you just folded down) Flatten the model. Take a plain piece of printer paper and write or type your message. Fold it in half hamburger style so it looks like this. Unfold the piece of paper. With the writing facing you, take one side of the paper, and fold it at a right angle so that the edge is touching the first crease. Do this with the other side. On one side of each right triangle, there is an open space. Do this with the other side. Then take one side and fold it over at a right angle against the first crease. Do this with the other side so it looks like this. Then take one of these last triangles. Slide the tip of the other triangle underneath the flap found under it. If you plan on mailing the envelope, you can write the address on the back. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Practice-Subconscious-Mind-Power | How to Practice Subconscious Mind Power | Your subconscious is the part of your mind where automatic or unconscious decisions and impressions are made. You may be able to increase the power of your subconscious mind by making changes to your conscious thought patterns. For example, practice positive self-talk and refrain from saying anything to yourself that you wouldn't say to another person to improve your mental view of yourself. Anytime a negative thought enters your head, respond to it by thinking about something good about yourself. You can also alter your thought patterns by making small changes to your daily routine. Try taking a different route to school or work to force your subconscious mind to engage with a different environment, which can help train your mind to focus on and engage with your own goals. | Identify learned, self-doubting thinking. Studies have shown that self-doubting or self-limiting thoughts affect your ability to perform well and achieve what you may already be capable of. In other words, if you have learned to doubt yourself, your abilities, and your chances of succeeding, then you may be setting yourself up for failure. It's important to remember that thinking poorly of yourself is not an accurate reflection of who you are, even though these socially-learned behaviors and thought patterns begin to feel real over time. Any time you find yourself thinking something negative about yourself or your abilities, take a step back and question where that thinking comes from. Ask yourself what proof you have that you will fail at the task at hand, and you'll quickly see that self-doubting thoughts do not have any foundation in reality. You'll never know if you can succeed or not unless you try. Think of it as an experiment - you cannot reach an accurate conclusion without first collecting data, and each situation requires its own set of data. Think more positively. Simply put, the more you believe in yourself and your abilities, the more likely you are to continue trying and succeeding. Once you've silenced your self-doubting thoughts, you'll need to replace them with more constructive, useful thoughts. You can do this by acknowledging your talents and abilities, and by learning to accept the positive compliments from others. Recognize that everyone has strengths, talents, and abilities, including you. Identify areas that you can change, rather than dwelling on your faults or perceived weaknesses. Exercise positive self-talk. A good way to start thinking more positively is to refrain from saying anything to yourself that you would not say to another person. Any time a negative thought enters your head, try to respond to it with an acknowledgement of something good about you. Change the way you approach your goals. Before you attempt to tap into your subconscious mind's abilities, it may be worth changing the way you consciously think about your goals and aspirations. Even if you dream big, it's important to be realistic by setting manageable, achievable goals. The best goals are often called S.M.A.R.T. goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Results-focused, and Time-bound. Specific - be clear and unambiguous with yourself about what it is you hope to accomplish. Measurable - make sure that your goal's outcome can be quantified. You want to know by the end that you've accomplished your goal. Achievable - don't set yourself up for failure by desiring a goal that cannot possibly be accomplished. Make sure your goal is something that you can reasonably achieve, given your current or soon-to-be-acquired knowledge and skills. Results-focused - make sure your goal has an endpoint, and isn't just an endless series of activities. Again, it's important to know that you've accomplished your goal at the end. Time-bound - your goal should be structured within a realistic timeframe. Your timeframe should be realistic enough to allow for the necessary work you'll have to put in, but also have some sense of "urgency" (like a self-imposed deadline) to prevent endless procrastination. An example of a SMART goal would be to work towards finishing a manuscript and submitting it to publishers by a self-imposed deadline, rather than simply hoping to get a book published and never finding the time to finish writing it. Change your mind to change your world. Your unconscious mind can make a huge difference in your day-to-day happiness. If you started your day in a bad mood, there's a good chance your day went downhill pretty quickly. That's because your mind's unconscious thought patterns affected the way you interacted with the world, as well as the way you processed information and situations around you. Most daily events aren't explicitly good or bad, but if your unconscious mind has prompted you to be in a bad mood, you'll probably see those events as significant burdens. But the opposite is true, too: if your unconscious mind has set you up to be in a positive mood, you probably see even somewhat unpleasant events as mere inconveniences. Break out of your old habits. The unconscious mind works largely through recognized patterns and habits in your everyday life. It's what allows your brain to go into "autopilot" while you drive to work or walk to the subway. Sometimes autopilot is a good thing. But if you're trying to tap int your subconscious brain's power, you may need to change up your routine a little everyday. This may help prevent your subconscious mind from falling into the old ways of thinking that may have hampered your ability to succeed in the past. Even minor changes in your day-to-day routine can have a big impact in how you interact with the world around you. You'll force your subconscious mind to engage more with your environment, which is how you'll eventually train your mind to focus on and engage with your goals. Try taking a different route home once in a while, or changing up your at-home routine when you get home from work. Little changes like this can make a big difference in how your subconscious mind interacts with your surroundings. Open yourself to new ways of thinking. Once you recognize how your subconscious mind affects the way you interact with the world, you'll eventually open yourself to new ways of thinking and feeling. It will take time and a lot of effort, but eventually you will be able to recognize when your brain is distorting a given situation and train yourself to stop forcing the world to fit your worldview. Once you can do this, you can continue to train your subconscious mind to affect real change in your life. As an example, perhaps you want to break into a new field of work but you can't make any connections with employers. Rather than allowing yourself to be too intimidated to network with others who might be able to help you achieve your dreams, force yourself to talk to people. Get out of the house and go to networking events. This may open up new opportunities for you, and at the very least it will change the way you think about networking and pursuing job opportunities. Know what you want. It's not enough to have a vague idea of what you hope to accomplish. If you really want to tap into your subconscious mind's power, it's important to know in clear, precise terms what it is that you want. Your desired outcome should be unambiguous and as concise as possible. Rather than just hoping to be a world-famous author, devote yourself to writing one book. Make it the best book you could write, and devote yourself to finishing that project. It may help to make your desired outcome a sort of mantra that you can recite to yourself in order to stay on track. Any time you start to doubt yourself or your abilities, simply recite the mantra to turn your attention back to your goal. Refocus your energy. It's important to be aware of what you want, and it may be even more important to devote a significant portion of your emotional energy towards focusing on that goal. Once you know clearly what it is that you want, you'll need to imagine that goal and think about it as though it has already been achieved. Some experts suggest that your subconscious mind can only break out of problematic behaviors and thought patterns if you are passionate about your goal and devote a lot of time and energy thinking about your ability to achieve it. To continue with the example of publishing a book, imagine your book being in the hands of a reader, or picture your manuscript in the hands of an impressed publisher. Imagining your success may give you the confidence to perform better, no matter what field you're working in. Work toward your goal. Changing your mind's way of thinking and focusing your energies on the outcome of your goal are both imperative steps, but they're only part of the equation. The other part requires you to work towards achieving your goal. Now that you've conquered your self doubt and changed the way you think and interact with the world, you'll likely be more confident and sure of yourself, but you'll still need to work towards accomplishing whatever it is you've been dreaming of. As an example, instead of doubting that your book will ever get published, you've silenced your inner critic and developed a great deal of confidence. But now you need to actually write and revise your manuscript and submit it to a publisher. Without action, you're left with wishful thinking - which is important, but it's not enough unless it's combined with work and action. | Identify learned, self-doubting thinking. Think more positively. Change the way you approach your goals. Change your mind to change your world. Break out of your old habits. Open yourself to new ways of thinking. Know what you want. Refocus your energy. Work toward your goal. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Raspberry-Puree | How to Make Raspberry Puree | To make raspberry puree, first pour 2 cups (350 g) of fresh or frozen raspberries into a saucepan. Then, add 1¾ cups (440 mL) of water and 1/3 cup (70 g) of sugar. You can also add 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of lemon juice if you want a tangier puree. Now, heat the ingredients on the stovetop over medium heat and slowly stir them until the water comes to a boil. Reduce the heat and let the ingredients simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring the mixture occasionally. Next, pour the mixture through a strainer to filter out the seeds. Use a spoon to push any big chunks of fruit through the holes. Finally, transfer the puree to an airtight container and store it in the fridge so it cools and thickens. You can keep your puree in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. | Combine the ingredients in a saucepan. Place the raspberries, sugar and lemon juice in a large saucepan. You may use fresh raspberries if they're in season, or frozen raspberries, which are available year round and are picked and frozen at the peak of freshness. Stick with the minimum amount of sugar and lemon juice that the recipe recommends for now. More can be added to taste later if the puree turns out too tart or sweet. If you are using frozen raspberries, allow them to thaw enough to separate from one another or defrost them in the microwave before heating to make puree. Cook over medium heat. Turn on the stove to low-medium or medium heat and begin heating the raspberry mixture. The sugar will begin to melt and combine with the liquid from the raspberries and lemon juice, stewing the fruit. Cook for around 10 minutes or until the raspberries begin to break down and integrate with the liquid, stirring frequently. Cooking on too high a heat might cause the mixture to scorch. Sugar in particular has a very low burning point. Make sure there is another liquid in the pan to dissolve the sugar so that it doesn't burn as it melts. Pour the mixture through a strainer to extract the seeds. Position a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl and pour the raspberry mixture over the top. The liquid will run through the strainer while the larger solids will be trapped. Use the back of a spoon to force the remaining fruit through the strainer until only the seeds are left. This method will result in a thick puree that contains some small chunks of the stewed raspberries. Refrigerate the puree. Chill the finished puree until it has had time to set up. The puree will thicken on its own as it sits. Take the puree out once it is ready to be used or served. You can also serve it warm as a topping for cakes, custards and ice cream, though it will be slightly thinner than puree that has been refrigerated. Raspberry puree will stay good in the refrigerator for a week or longer. You also have the option of freezing the puree until you need it. Blend raspberries, sugar and lemon juice together. Combine the 2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries, 1/4 cup sugar and 1-2 teaspoons of lemon juice in a blender or food processor. Blend until the mixture is smooth. The puree will still be somewhat thin at this point with minimal clumps or pieces of raspberry. Be careful not to blend to the point that the seeds become ground up and pass through the strainer. Blending results in a puree with a much smoother consistency, making it ideal for for use in sauces, smoothies, etc. Strain the mixture through a sieve or chinois. Pour the blended raspberries, sugar and lemon juice through a mesh sieve or conical chinois strainer. Because of how smooth the mixture will be after it comes out of the food processor, you'll need to use a strainer with very fine grating in order to filter out the seeds. Chinois are most commonly used by chefs to strain purees. Freeze or refrigerate until needed. Put the puree in the refrigerator to allow it to cool and thicken until you plan to use it. Purees also freeze well, and will retain their freshness far longer than the whole fruit. Make raspberry puree far in advance or in bulk and freeze it to have it on hand for use in other recipes. Change the proportions of ingredients. Sample the puree as it's simmering or after it has been blended to ensure that the balance of sweet and tart flavors is just right. Recipes are important guidelines for making sure a dish comes out correctly, but the best cooking is always done to taste and can be altered based on personal preference. Add more sugar to give the puree a more dessert-like quality, or increase the lemon juice to bring out the natural acidic notes of the raspberries when the puree is used in other recipes. Simmering the puree as opposed to blending it can give you more control over the flavor, as the heat will cook out the natural tartness of the raspberries, and sweetness and tartness can then be modified using sugar and lemon juice. Always taste purees and sauces as they're being prepared. Make a sweeter puree. Up the amount of sugar in the recipe, or supplement with confectioners sugar or honey for a sweeter variety of puree. Not everybody likes sour things, and the tart flavors of the raspberries and lemon juice can dominate when not counterbalanced by sweeteners. Sweetening the puree will make it more palatable when it is being served on its own as a topping or on the side as part of a dessert plate. Confectioners sugar blends and dissolves better than regular granulated sugar because of how finely it is ground. Thicken it up. If you want your puree nice and thick, use 2/3 tablespoons of cornstarch along with 1/4 cup of water to bulk up the consistency. Cornstarch will do little to affect the flavor of the puree, but will thicken it nicely to allow it to stand up better to cooking, microwaving and thawing after it's been frozen. Thickened raspberry purees can even be used as fillings for cupcakes and pastries, which require that the texture be more substantial. Stir in the cornstarch a little at a time until the desired thickness is reached. Adding too much at once may cause the puree to congeal. Keep in mind that the puree will thicken on its own somewhat as it cools. Substitute another liquid. Use orange juice, water or even honey in place of lemon juice to cut down on the tartness of the recipe. Raspberries are a naturally sour fruit, and too much acid can overpower the flavors of the puree. Try mixing the lemon juice with water first, and if that's still too tart, gradually add more water or replace the lemon juice altogether. Don't use more liquid than the recipe calls for. If you're cutting the lemon juice with water, make sure the proportions together still add up to roughly 1-2 teaspoons. It is not strictly necessary to use lemon juice in the recipe at all. The acid in the lemon brightens the tartness of the raspberries and also helps preserve the freshness of the fruit, but all that is needed is enough liquid to break down the raspberries as they cook or blend. | Combine the ingredients in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat. Pour the mixture through a strainer to extract the seeds. Refrigerate the puree. Blend raspberries, sugar and lemon juice together. Strain the mixture through a sieve or chinois. Freeze or refrigerate until needed. Change the proportions of ingredients. Make a sweeter puree. Thicken it up. Substitute another liquid. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Print-on-Fabric | How to Print on Fabric | To print on fabric, start by printing a design onto thick card stock. Then, tape a sheet of acetate over it, and cut out the design using a craft knife. Next, tape the acetate stencil over the fabric you want to print onto, and roll some textile paint over it using a foam roller. Finally, remove the stencil, place a sheet of wax paper over the design, and iron over it to set the print. | Gather your materials. Buy your materials online or at your local craft store. When shopping for acetate, also known as transparency film, look for the thin sheets. Thicker sheets of acetate are harder to cut through. You don't have to use a rotary cutting mat, but you will need something to cut on. You will need the following to make your stencil: A rotary cutting mat A craft knife Thin acetate Masking tape Print your stencil. You can find free stencil templates online, or you can make your own. Depending on the design, making stencils can be quite complicated. Print your stencil design onto thick card stock. Make sure you it is the right size for your project. Tape your stencil down. Using masking tape, tape a sheet of acetate to the printed image. Then, tape both the acetate and the image to your cutting mat. Masking tape works better than scotch tape. Painter's tape also works well. To make sure your image doesn't move around while you are cutting, tape all the edges down to your cutting surface. Start cutting. Use your craft knife to start cutting away the unwanted areas from your image. If you downloaded a stencil template, it should have instructions on which areas to cut away from the image. Work from the middle out. The more you cut away from the image, the weaker your stencil will become. Take your time, and work carefully. You can make a stencil last a long time if you take care of it. Remove the tape from your stencil. Once you finish cutting your image, remove the masking tape. You should now have a sheet of acetate with your cut-out image. If you see any hanging pieces on the acetate, simply pop them out. Gather your supplies. If you plan on printing your design on a t-shirt, make sure you wash and dry it beforehand. Search online or at your local craft store for the following: T-shirt or some other fabric Foam roller Textile ink Wax paper Cardboard Masking tape Prepare your fabric. If you are printing on a t-shirt, place a piece of cardboard inside the shirt. If you are working with some other piece of fabric, such as a handbag, place a piece of cardboard under the area you'll be painting. You need a firm surface to roll the paint onto. Tape the acetate stencil over the area you want to paint. Use masking tape to tape down all the edges. Make sure the stencil is secure. You don't want it to move when you start rolling your paint on. Mix your paint. When shopping for textile ink, look for something that is water-based. You should be able to find a variety of colors, or you can mix your own. You can make quite a few colors if you have red, blue, yellow, black, and white inks on hand. Mix the paint on a plate or a shallow dish. Use just enough to cover your image. Load your roller. Once you've mixed your paint to the desired color, roll your foam roller through the paint. If you spot any lumps, roll them out. Roll your paint on. Make a light pass over your image with the foam roller. Don't worry about getting a lot of paint on the fabric with the first pass. You want to make several light coats as opposed to one heavy coat. Once you make the first pass, you'll find that the acetate sticks to the fabric. This will allow you to use a little more pressure on the next few passes. Pay attention to the stencil. If there are a lot of pieces that are barely attached, take care not to disrupt them. Remove the stencil. Before you remove the stencil, use a hair dryer to apply a 2-3 second blast of heat. You don't want the paint to dry completely before removing the stencil, but you don't want it wet either. Loosen the tape around the edges of your image. Starting from the top, gently pull the acetate away from the fabric. Take care not to ruin the image you painted, or damage the acetate screen. If you take care of your stencil, you can use it multiple times. Heat seal your print. Once the paint is completely dry, you need to heat seal the image. Leave the cardboard under the fabric and place a piece of wax paper over the shirt. Run an iron over the wax paper to seal the ink. Different inks will require different levels of heat to seal. Refer to the instructions on your ink for ironing details. If you don't have any wax paper, use a clean piece of cloth. You can remove the cardboard once you've sealed the image. Wash your shirt in cold water. Hot water can be harsh on your clothes. To prevent your print from fading, and to keep your fabric from wearing thin, use cold water on a gentle cycle. Try hand washing your shirt in colder water the first few times to make sure the image is set into the fabric. When you wash, turn your shirt inside out to protect the print. Avoid using any harsh chemicals when you wash your shirt. Let your shirt air dry. Avoid using a high-heat setting on a dryer. Heat can cause your clothes to shrink and may cause the image to fade. Air drying takes longer, but could extend the life of your shirt. If you are in a rush, you can speed up the air drying process. Set your dryer to a low heat and remove your shirt from the dryer halfway through the cycle. Hang your shirt to let it finish drying. Don't wash your shirt every time you wear it. Unless your shirt is noticeably dirty, you don't have to wash it. Even if you take care of your clothes, washing will wear them down over time. If you only wore your shirt for a few hours, fold it back up and wear it again before washing it. | Gather your materials. Print your stencil. Tape your stencil down. Start cutting. Remove the tape from your stencil. Gather your supplies. Prepare your fabric. Mix your paint. Load your roller. Roll your paint on. Remove the stencil. Heat seal your print. Wash your shirt in cold water. Let your shirt air dry. Don't wash your shirt every time you wear it. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Burlap-Wreath | How to Make a Burlap Wreath | To make a burlap wreath, you'll need a 12-inch wire wreath frame, some copper wire, and strips of burlap that are 12 inches wide and 25 inches long. First, fold the end of a burlap strip into quarters lengthwise. Then, run 4 inches of wire through the folded end of the strip and use the wire to secure the folded end to the divider bar on the wreath frame. Once you've done that, you can loop the burlap strip through the frame and secure it in place. Continue with the rest of the burlap strips until you've covered the entire wreath. | Select a roll between 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) wide to give your wreath enough fluff. Use burlap between 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) wide for a wreath that is standard in terms of fluffiness. If you'd like a fluffier wreath, use burlap that is 12 inches (30 cm) wide. Don't use burlap 6 inches (15 cm) or less—your wreath won't have enough fluff to create its signature look. To avoid stuffing your wreath, avoid using burlap more than 12 inches (30 cm) wide. Cut a 20 to 25 inch (51 to 64 cm) piece of burlap for each 12 inch (30 cm) frame. Burlap rolls are typically sold in 100 yard (91 m) bundles, which is enough for plenty of wreaths! Every 20 to 25 foot (6.1 to 7.6 m) piece of burlap you cut should fill 1 wreath, although you will be cutting it into smaller pieces as you work. Purchase burlap rolls at crafts stores, department stores, big-box stores, and online suppliers. Find an old piece of burlap and cut it to size with a pair of scissors to skip purchasing a roll. Fold the top 2 inches (5.1 cm) of your burlap lengthwise into quarters. Lay the burlap vertically onto a flat surface facing toward the top of the frame from the outside. Grab the end of the burlap closest to the wreath and fold the top 2 inches (5.1 cm) in half, and then again into quarters. After this is done, there should be 4 layers of burlap on the end closest to the wreath. Be sure that the top of your wire wreath base is the part farthest from you. Hold the 4 layers together with your thumb and index fingers after folding them. Run approximately 10 inches (25 cm) of wire through the 4 layers of the wreath. Cut off your wire piece using wire cutters and run it up through the 4 layers from the bottom-left or bottom-right. Now, take the remaining wire hanging from the bottom of the burlap and run it up through the 4 layers again, but this time through the opposite side—bottom-left or bottom-right, whichever is remaining. Check that you have 2 ends of the wire poking through all 4 layers and be sure that both are pointing upward. Use thin wire—about 30 AWG should do the trick. Fasten the folded end of the burlap to a divider bar. The divider bars run horizontally across all 4 rings of the wreath. Within these rings are the inner sections, middle sections, and outer sections, each designated by the wire rings. Place the burlap underneath the divider bar at the top of the wreath farthest from you. Pull each wire through the bottom section closest to you on either side of the bar and tie them into a knot around it. Snip off the excess wire afterward using wire cutters. Press the first 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) of the burlap through the inner section. The inner section is closest to the center hole of the wreath and designated by the 2 innermost wires. Place your non-dominant hand underneath the burlap and press it upward through the inner section. Continue feeding it through by pulling it with your dominant hand until the loop extends about 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) upward. Since there are 2 layers, this totals about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) of burlap. Use your first 4 fingers as a guide for loop size. If the loops are loose around your fingers, pull down on the burlap until it fits snugly over them. Increase loop size for a fluffier wreath and decrease it for a tighter wreath. Pull the loose burlap through the center section of the wreath. Press down through the center section and onto the burlap with your dominant hand. While holding the burlap down onto the table with your dominant hand, place your non-dominant hand underneath the loose burlap and press it upward through the center loop. Align the 2 loops of burlap to determine that they are fairly even. Tuck a loop of burlap through the outer section of the wreath. Clutch the 2 loops from the inner and middle sections in your dominant hand and press down through the middle section down onto the burlap. While holding it in place, pull the burlap up through the outer section to create the outer loop. Align the 3 loops and make sure that they are fairly similar in size. Scrunch the 3 loops into a divider bar and twist the loose end tight. Grab the 3 loops simultaneously from the left and press them right into a divider bar. Once they are tight against the divider bar, hold them in place and twist the bottom loose end of the burlap 2 to 3 times to hold them in place. Continue holding the 3 loops together even after twisting the bottom of the burlap. Continue pressing loops of burlap across the wreath's circumference. Always work from the inner section to the outside and be sure that each bundle is comprised of 2 to 3 loops. If you prefer a compact wreath, aim for about 3 bundles for each section. For a looser wreath, 2 bundles will suffice. Use between 12 to 36 feet (3.7 to 11.0 m) of burlap in total and increase your usage for more compact loops. Fold the remaining 2 inches (5.1 cm) of burlap into quarters and attach it to the wreath. Once you have used up your burlap, fold the last 2 inches (5.1 cm) into quarters just like you did at the start. Insert another piece of wire through the bottom so that each end pokes through and points upward, and tie the wreath to the closest wire or divider bar. Use about 10 inches (25 cm) of wire for the best results. Create a theme for your decorations and purchase supplies. Before you decorate your wreath, decide on a theme. Is it Christmas? Buy some red and green leaves! If it's Halloween, try orange and black ribbons. If you don't have a theme, pick a mood that you want to create and buy your decorations accordingly. For example, choose blue colors for a calming effect, yellows for something for energetic, and purple or orange for something a bit more exciting and dramatic. Visit a crafts store and buy some colored ribbons, artificial leaves, and any other decorations that you think match your theme. Attach 6 to 7 inches (15 to 18 cm) of accent ribbons for some extra flair. Purchase a roll of accent ribbon to top off your wreath. Choose standard solid colors like red or green to keep it simple. If you like a bit of variety, try polka dot or chevron ribbon. Cut off 6 to 7 inches (15 to 18 cm) of your ribbon of choice and tie it onto the backside of one of the burlap wreath wires. Turn it to the front and push it through the burlap. Tie as many accent ribbons to the wreath as you like. Change up the colors to mix it up! Decorate the wreath with plastic leaves to match your theme. Purchase plastic decorative leaves and attach them to your burlap with some pins or a glue gun. If you're using glue, a small dab should be enough. Add some gold floral leaves around the edges for a fall theme. Attach snowflake decorations during Christmas season. Store your burlap away from sunlight to avoid fading. Direct sunlight can fade burlap, so keep it in a closet with your other decorations when not in use. Try placing it somewhere cool and moisture-free so that it doesn't absorb any odors. Let your burlap wreath sit in fresh air after removing it from storage. This will help remove any odors. Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda and water onto your wreath to combat smells. | Select a roll between 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) wide to give your wreath enough fluff. Cut a 20 to 25 inch (51 to 64 cm) piece of burlap for each 12 inch (30 cm) frame. Fold the top 2 inches (5.1 cm) of your burlap lengthwise into quarters. Be sure that the top of your wire wreath base is the part farthest from you. Run approximately 10 inches (25 cm) of wire through the 4 layers of the wreath. Fasten the folded end of the burlap to a divider bar. Press the first 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) of the burlap through the inner section. Pull the loose burlap through the center section of the wreath. Tuck a loop of burlap through the outer section of the wreath. Scrunch the 3 loops into a divider bar and twist the loose end tight. Continue pressing loops of burlap across the wreath's circumference. Fold the remaining 2 inches (5.1 cm) of burlap into quarters and attach it to the wreath. Create a theme for your decorations and purchase supplies. Attach 6 to 7 inches (15 to 18 cm) of accent ribbons for some extra flair. Decorate the wreath with plastic leaves to match your theme. Store your burlap away from sunlight to avoid fading. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Old-Style-Macaroni-and-Cheese | How to Make Old Style Macaroni and Cheese | If you want to make your own old-style macaroni and cheese, heat 4 cups of milk on the stove, but don't let it come to a boil. Bring another pot of water to a boil, then add the macaroni noodles. Once you've added the noodles to the boiling water, make a roux from butter and flour in a small saucepan, stirring constantly. After about 5 minutes, stir in the warm milk, whisking to smooth out any lumps. When the pasta finishes cooking, drain off the water, then mix the macaroni noodles and the shredded cheese into your sauce. | Heat the milk (on the stove or in the microwave), but don't let it boil. Keep it warm. Grate the cheese coarsely and set it aside (a food processor with a grater disc will do this quickly). Bring a big pot of water to a boil, add salt to the water, then add the macaroni. As soon as the macaroni is in the water, start the next step (making the sauce). You want the sauce and macaroni to be ready at about the same time. Be sure to stir the macaroni from time to time so the pieces don't stick together. If you're going to put the macaroni and cheese in the oven to bake, you can remove the pasta from the water when it's slightly undercooked. It will cook a little more in the oven, and if it's perfectly cooked when it goes in, it might come out too soft. Make the white sauce. Melt the butter over medium-low heat, then stir in the flour with a wire whisk (this is called a roux ). Turn the burner down a bit and let the roux bubble a few minutes (make sure the butter does not burn). Continue to stir to cook the flour a bit, but don't let it brown. Stir in the warm milk all at once, stirring vigorously with the whisk to smooth out any lumps. Whisk in the mustard and cayenne if you are using them and let the sauce bubble gently for about 2 minutes. This is just one of the many cheese sauces you can make. For variation, try other cheese sauces like Make Mexican White Cheese Sauce. White sauce (also referred to as bechamel) can also be made in the microwave. Drain the macaroni, giving it a few good shakes to get as much water out as possible. Some people prefer to rinse the pasta briefly to keep it from getting mealy (it removes excess starch released by heat). Remove the sauce from the stove and stir in the grated cheese and the cooked macaroni. Stir until it is well mixed, then add salt and pepper to taste. Serve or bake. If you want to bake the macaroni and cheese, put it in a baking dish, sprinkle more cheese or some buttered breadcrumbs on top, and bake it for 20 or 30 minutes at about 375 °F (191 °C). The baked version is less creamy and has a crusty top. To butter the breadcrumbs, heat up some butter in a small skillet and stir in the crumbs or make them in the oven as described in How to Make Buttered Crumbs. For best results, Make Fresh Breadcrumbs. Finished. | Heat the milk (on the stove or in the microwave), but don't let it boil. Grate the cheese coarsely Bring a big pot of water to a boil, add salt to the water, then add the macaroni. Make the white sauce. Drain the macaroni, giving it a few good shakes to get as much water out as possible. Remove the sauce from the stove and stir in the grated cheese and the cooked macaroni. Serve or bake. Finished. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Open-a-Soda-Can | How to Open a Soda Can | The easiest way to open a soda can is using the tab, but you can still open it if the tab has fallen off. If you have a key or lighter on hand, just rub it back and forth quickly over the sealed opening of the can until it bursts open. You can also use a butter knife or a flathead screwdriver to pierce the opening of the can. Once you get the can open, pour the soda into a glass before drinking it so you don't cut your lip on the can. | Place the index finger of your dominant hand under the tab’s ring. This is the upper portion of the tab with a hollowed out center, closest to the edge of the can. Your finger goes behind the top of the tab. The opposite end of the tab will be more in the center, and it will be the end to physically open the indentation. If you can't get your finger under the tab, use a butter knife or other flat object to pry the tab up. Rest your thumb on top of the tab to maintain your grip. Using the same dominant hand, put your thumb on the very center of the can. This should be on the bottom of the tab, helping to direct it. Hold the can with your other hand to keep it in place. This is super important so that you don't end up spilling the drink everywhere. Grasp the side of the can so that the tab is facing you, making it easier for you to open it. Hold the can on a stable surface to avoid spilling it. Lift the backside of the tab using your thumb and index finger. Your thumb will be pressing down on the can while your index finger lifts up the back of the tab. You'll feel resistance, but keep lifting the tab up until you pierce the opening of the can. Make sure you have a firm grasp on the can with your other hand while lifting the tab to prevent the can from moving. The bottom of the tab will put pressure on the part of the can that opens, making a hole once the aluminum is pierced. Push the tab back down, if desired. Once you've lifted the tab completely, the hole in the can should be open and the tab will be vertical. You can push the tab back down to its original position to get it out of the way, making it lay flat again. Create a hole in the can using a can piercer. Can piercers have a sharp end in the shape of a triangle, allow you to make holes in the aluminum. Place this pointy end against the top of the can (it doesn't matter where), and hold the can in place with your other hand. Use pressure to pierce the can to form a hole. Pour the drink into a glass or cup, if possible, to avoid cutting your lip on the pierced opening. Rub the lid of the can using a skinny, blunt object. Use the object, such as a lighter or key, to create friction against the front of the indentation—right where your lips would go when you're taking a sip of the drink. Rub the object back and forth quickly on this spot until the lid bursts open while holding the can steady with your other hand. This method often creates a loud pop when successful. Make sure the object isn't sharp—you're trying to create friction, not tear the lid open with the object. Use a blunt butter knife to push the indentation open. You should see a light line where the tab would open the can, showing where the aluminum would break. Place a butter knife right on the edge of this line while holding the can steadily with your other hand. Apply pressure with the knife until it creates an opening, similar to how the normal tab would work. Do this with the butter knife facing away from you for safety reasons. You can also use a flathead screwdriver. | Place the index finger of your dominant hand under the tab’s ring. Rest your thumb on top of the tab to maintain your grip. Hold the can with your other hand to keep it in place. Lift the backside of the tab using your thumb and index finger. Push the tab back down, if desired. Create a hole in the can using a can piercer. Rub the lid of the can using a skinny, blunt object. Use a blunt butter knife to push the indentation open. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Degree-Online | How to Get a Degree Online | To get a degree online, research on the internet to find an online course in the subject you want to study. For example, you might be able to study at an established university that offers online courses for out of state students. Alternatively, try exploring what online universities have to offer. However, you should avoid applying to non-accredited schools to make sure you get a good quality education. Once you've found a few options, narrow them down by reviewing testimonials from past students, the cost of instruction, and the quality of the teaching staff. | Decide what you’d like to earn your degree in. Whether you're pursuing your first degree or returning to academia after a long hiatus, it's important to have an idea of what you want to study and how it can lead to more prestigious opportunities in the future. Take into account your interests, passions or current line of work. The right degree can act as a stepping stone toward success. To become a nurse, for instance, it will be necessary to have a nursing degree, while someone looking to move up in the engineering world may find it useful to study physics or advanced mathematics. Focus on schools that are highly-rated for the programs you're most interested in. Look at established schools with online programs. Most major universities offer curriculums for students that live out of state or are too busy to attend lectures in person. Signing up for one of these programs will allow you to earn a degree from a prominent accredited school without ever stepping foot in the classroom. Not every program or specialization taught at a given school may be available online. Do some research to find out which schools offer the subjects you're interested in. Major universities will likely have tougher entrance standards, which may be a speed bump for people who are going back to school or have limited college experience. A low-residency program might also be an option, if you have the ability to travel or commute periodically. These types of programs involve spending a certain number of hours on campus throughout the course of a semester for special lectures and events and completing the rest of your requirements via distance learning. Consider an online university. There are also a slew of colleges that operate entirely over the internet. With an online school, you'll have access to assignments, projects and study materials all through your own computer. These sometimes offer courses of study that are hard to find anywhere else, and can make a fine alternative to traditional universities. Online universities are becoming more recognized by employers as the technology of education continues to improve. Tuition and other expenses will often be much lower for these schools, making them a practical option for those with financial constraints. Avoid unaccredited schools. To ensure that you stand to receive a quality education (and a useful degree), do some research to find out whether the school you're looking at is a legitimate accredited university or technical school. This can be done by locating the name of the accrediting organization listed on the school's website, then checking that name against the list recognized by the Department of Education. It's a painstaking process, but it's crucial if you want to avoid being deceived. Scammer have been known to set up phony schools or degree programs in an effort to separate students from their hard-earned money. Attending an accredited university doesn't guarantee more advantages later in life, but it does look better to employers and graduate schools. Narrow down your options. Once you've seen what a few different schools have to offer, prune your list down to the top two or three. Make a note of what impressed you about each program, or how feasible it would be to complete given your schedule and other circumstances. When you're ready, pick the school that you think will make the best fit for you. Some factors to consider when choosing a school to attend online include accreditation, overall cost, the quality of instruction and the ability to transfer existing credits. Looking up testimonials from past students who have gotten their degrees from a given school can help you decide whether it would be worth the time and expense to enroll there. Fill out an enrollment application. Locate the option to enroll online on the school's website, then follow the directions you're given to complete your application. You'll likely be asked to supply a few pieces of personal information, education and/or employment history and transcripts from previous schools. When you're finished, send off your application for review. Online applications will usually be accompanied by a fee of $30-$60. Make sure the information you provide on your application is complete and accurate to the best of your knowledge. Provide the proper documentation. Along with your transcripts, most schools will ask to hand over a copy of your high school diploma or GED. You might also be expected to furnish one or two additional forms of identification. All of this information will be used to officially cement your status as a student, should you be accepted to the school. Recognized forms of ID might include a valid driver's license, birth certificate, social security card or passport. International students will need to be able to show proof of citizenship in the country where they'll be attending school. Await your acceptance results. After you've sent off your enrollment materials, all that's left to do is wait. You can typically expect to hear back from the school within 2-4 weeks, though it may take longer depending on how they process applications. In the meantime, be patient and start getting your affairs in order to make room for study time, the cost of textbooks and other considerations. If you've applied to multiple schools, wait until you get all your results back before coming to a decision. Pay your tuition. Tuition payments can be made online as soon as you've been formally accepted and begun signing up for classes. The amount you owe will be based on the number of courses you take—you can either pay the total sum up front or opt for an installment plan, which most schools offer. Take into account your schedule and funds when planning out your semester. Make sure you get your tuition paid in full on time. If you don't, you won't be permitted to attend classes. Your tuition will be partially determined by whether you're a part-time or full-time student. Those with busy work schedules or financial restrictions may find it more manageable to work toward their degrees on a part-time basis. Register for the classes you need. Sign up for the courses required to complete your degree, as outlined by the details of your program or specialty track. One advantage of online universities is that they're usually not limited in terms of class size, which means you won't have to worry about securing a seat. Try to only take a course load that you know you'll be able to handle on top of all your other responsibilities. At first, you may have to fulfill a few prerequisites, like English composition or college algebra, but once these are out of the way you can proceed to the more specialized coursework you'll need to complete your program. Email your academic adviser (one of these will likely be assigned to you as a new student) or the head of your program to find out what courses you'll need to take, as well as the best order to take them in. Study on your own time. As an online student, you'll still be held to strict due dates, but the time in between will be much more flexible. You might choose to work on your assignments early in the morning, in the evenings before bed or on your days off. Iron out a schedule that's sustainable and works for you, and stick to it. You'll need to have (or have access to) a working computer with a fast internet connection in order to get your work done on time. Since you won't have the benefit of working in a classroom setting, it can help to set aside a dedicated study space (like a coffee shop or a separate room in your home) to keep you from getting distracted. Fulfill the necessary academic requirements. Different programs will have different formats, structures and standards. To obtain an undergraduate degree, for example, you'll be judged on your test scores, essays and grades on weekly assignments, whereas for a master's or doctoral program you might have to write and defend an in-depth thesis on a certain topic. Be prepared to devote whatever time and effort it takes to meet the demands placed on you as a student. Make sure you're clear starting out about what will be required of you in order to graduate. Keep a planner or journal that you can use to record details about major projects, deadlines and holidays. Earn your degree. After you've passed all your courses, successfully completed the requirements of your program and applied to graduate, you'll be awarded your degree. Be proud of your accomplishments! The pursuit of higher education is a noble goal, and one that allows you to shape a brighter future for yourself. Use your new qualifications to apply for jobs and other opportunities that were previously unattainable. Learning is a lifelong endeavor. Continue accumulating advanced degrees to further distinguish yourself in your chosen field. | Decide what you’d like to earn your degree in. Look at established schools with online programs. Consider an online university. Avoid unaccredited schools. Narrow down your options. Fill out an enrollment application. Provide the proper documentation. Await your acceptance results. Pay your tuition. Register for the classes you need. Study on your own time. Fulfill the necessary academic requirements. Earn your degree. |
https://www.wikihow-fun.com/Be-a-Spy-at-School | How to Be a Spy at School | To be a spy at school, stock your spy kit with handy spy gadgets, like a recording device, notebook and pen, and camera. You'll need to use your notebook to detail clues and your camera to record any evidence before it's disturbed. Next, find a spy mission worthy of your spy skills at school, such as retrieving a missing trophy or finding out who is graffiting the lockers. Once you've chosen your case, start your spywork. For example, research your subjects by interviewing a friend group, searching social media and observing your target from afar. However, don't break any rules, or else you could get into trouble! | Use a pen and notepad. A good pen and notepad will become the greatest spy equipment you can use. The key of being a spy isn't about fancy equipment and high tech gear; it is all about your brain power. Investing in a good quality pen will encourage you to write more. You should also have a portable notepad for all your thoughts on the go. You could use a larger notepad, but you might find it more effective to use a pocket-sized notepad. Find a portable recording device. Portable recording devices are very useful for spying on subjects. Plant the recording device in a room, or conceal the device on your body to capture a conversation. You can find cheaper digital “voice memo” devices that you can use for recording people. You can also use a smartphone's recording function to record conversations. You probably wouldn't want to plant your smartphone in a room to pick up a conversation, but you could. Voice recorders can be found at most office supplies stores and other generalist stores. Use a long-range audio detector. Once you begin spying you might find that you need a long distance listening device. This type of spy equipment is available in most spy kits or sold separately. The devices sold separate from spy kits are usually higher quality than spy kits. There are bird watching and other nature tools that include long range audio devices. You might be able to find a cheaper device by looking at outdoor and nature stores. Use a portable camera. Your school probably has a policy against cameras at school, but you may be able to maneuver around this rule. Acquire a small portable camera, or a “spy camera,” that can be easily concealed. For more money, you can even buy a real spy cameras like a camera pen, or a dog tag necklace camera. You might already have a suitable device like an iPod mini or a GoPro that could work. Both these devices have video capabilities that can be useful in the field. If you get a small camera, you should also find a way to conceal the device. You could cut out a hole in your pencil box, or cut a hole in a tissue box. Hiding your camera depends on what rules your school has and what type of camera you have. Teachers will probably confiscate your camera if they find it. Read detective novels. One of the best resources for how to be a spy is in detective novels. If this is a true passion you wish to follow, read as many spy novels as you can. Start with the classics like “The Purloined Letter” by Edgar Allen Poe, and move into reading Sherlock Holmes books by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Here are some other essential detective novels you can read: The Hardy Boys by Franklin Dixon A Coffin For Dimitrios by Eric Ambler The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie Fade out by Joseph Hansen Find subjects to spy on. The first step in becoming a good spy is to prove your credibility as a spy. One way to do this is keep your ears open in the hallways at school. Actively listen out for opportunities that you think you could work on. For instance: You hear that a lot of janitors and teachers are frustrated by a graffiti tag in the boys locker room. Once you find a lead, chase it down until you find the culprit. You find out that a girl from school likes someone, but she can't be certain that he likes her back. This is a matter of gossip, but you can work it as a professional. The football team is missing the championship trophy. This could be a good opportunity to blow the truth wide open. Learn everything about a subject. Once you've been put on the job for something, you should learn everything there is to know about this person. One way to learn about this person at school is by following them around at a distance. Find out their schedule for the day and who they surround themselves with. Once you begin to learn their group of friends, you can interview some of the friend group. Don't ask if you can interview them directly, but instead ask them some questions you've been building. Be careful not to overstep your bounds in the school environment. You'll probably be forced to do some detective work outside of school. Eavesdrop effectively. Eavesdropping is a major aspect of spying. This is the way you can acquire information without interviewing reluctant subjects. You'll always need to watch your back, or have an accomplice watch your back. People don't like to be spied on, so you'll need to keep your guard up. A safe way to eavesdrop is by planting a recording device where you know your subjects will be congregating. Be sure to conceal the device before the subjects come to the meeting place. Document your findings. The best way to develop spy work is by recording all the information you've gained. Even if the information seems minuscule, you should include the information in your notepad. Once you start reviewing your notes, you might find that a small detail connects the larger pieces you overlooked. Keep all the information you record organized by keeping track of the date and time of each detail. Lots of detective work is all about tracking information about a small time slot that happened weeks ago Practice stealth. A key to being a spy is being stealthy. Your work is about secrecy and your methodology should reflect this. You can become a social chameleon by acquiring different clothes to fit into different friend groups. You should also know the schedule of classes at your school and when the hallways will be open. You can accomplish a lot in a three minute window while the hallways are clear. You can mask your identity by wearing a wig. Get a wig that is a different color than your hair. If you have blonde hair, get a brown wig. Use a newspaper or a book to conceal your face while spying. Open the book or newspaper so that it covers your face. Decide what you want to spy on. There are different types of detective work you can become involved in. You can try to go after social cases that involve information about other schoolmates. Other work you can do is exposing the identity of someone who vandalizes school property. You don't need to be restricted to one type of detective work over another. It might help you to define your spy vision while you're getting started. This will help you decide if you want to include other members into your spy work. Think about what needs your classmates have. Consider working with a group of students that regularly gets misrepresented in school. Find people who'd benefit from a spy. Take a bit to reflect on people or groups in your school, from the past year or months, that could benefit from a spy. It might help you build your portfolio if you spy on cases that are relevant to your school. Try talking to employees of the school to see if they agree on an area of need. Don't present yourself as a spy looking to build cases. Some people may be alarmed if they find out you are an aspiring spy. Consider building clients. You don't have to work on cases from clients, or fellow classmates and school employees. The spy work you conduct could be a personal activity that you do for fun. You can also develop a network of contacts who can benefit from your work as a detective. You can even plan a consultation conversation for potential clients. You can get a list of questions that you could ask every new client like: “What's your current issue?”, “Is anyone upset with you that you are aware of?”, and “What is your timeframe?” You probably won't get any money working in your school, but at least it is a start. If you're interested in becoming a private investigator when you grow up, practicing amateur spying will teach you a lot. Some people might give you things like candy or baked goods for your work. They might just say, “I owe you one,” which can help you out in your future spy work. Build a clientele through promotion. If you are having trouble getting clients, you may have to be proactive in acquiring them. You can make business cards explaining what type of detective work you have done in the past, and what you're comfortable doing. Another way to get the word out is to post flyers advertising your services. Don't put your name or picture on the advertisements. This way you can keep an anonymity while working different cases. Get your friends involved. Once you start working as a spy, you may find that you need help. Include some of your trusted buddies to help you develop and improve your spy work. They need to be told that secrecy is the utmost priority, especially when it involves a classmate's personal information. | Use a pen and notepad. Find a portable recording device. Use a long-range audio detector. Use a portable camera. Read detective novels. Find subjects to spy on. Learn everything about a subject. Eavesdrop effectively. Document your findings. Practice stealth. Decide what you want to spy on. Find people who'd benefit from a spy. Consider building clients. Build a clientele through promotion. Get your friends involved. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Your-Pond | How to Care for Your Pond | One simple way to care for your pond naturally is to add a softball-sized portion of barley straw in mesh netting into the water, since it will release a chemical that prevents algae as it decomposes. You can also add more plants to your pond to keep algae at bay. Floating plants like lillies and lotus will reduce the total surface area where algae can live while absorbing nutrients algae would otherwise use to grow. Also look into adding submerged plants like hornwort, parrot's feather, and anacharis, which will prevent algae by adding oxygen into the water. | Use a biological filter. A biological filter uses bacteria to remove organic waste that can accumulate in your pond. You could get an in-pond filter or an external filter. In-pond filters have a pump attached to a fountain that runs into the pond. While they are easy to set up and install, they are difficult to clean because you must remove the entire contraption from the pond. External filters are very easy to clean, but it can be difficult to get the right size and pump, since they are usually designed for pools, not ponds. While these bacteria occur naturally in ponds, they are not present in the quantities necessary to adequately filter all the toxins that occur in most ponds. Get a filter capable of filtering about twice the amount of water that our pond contains. For instance, if a filter says it can adequately filter 3,000 liters, you should use it only if your pond is around 1,500 liters or less. If you get a filter that matches your pond's volume exactly, it will struggle to keep the pond clean. Your filter should filter your entire pond in about two hours. Check the speed of the pump and compare it to your pond's volume to choose the right one. Clean your pump’s filters out regularly. Most filters require cleaning once each week. Usually, cleaning is a simple matter of removing the filter, spraying it down with a hose, and replacing it. However, you should always follow manufacturer instructions when deciding how and how often to clean your filter. If you notice your pump leaking or struggling noisily, you probably need to clean it. If your filter has a gauge on it, clean it when the back-pressure reaches four to five pounds. Failure to clean your filter regularly will result in it working less efficiently, and leave your pond dirty. Manually clean your pond. The cheapest but most time-consuming method of removing algae is to go out each day, or every few days, and check for algae. If you see any, use a rake or a long stick to remove it directly from the water. If you choose to employ this method, you must be vigilant and check the pond on a regular basis. Remove leaves and debris floating on the water. Most leaves, twigs, seeds, and loose grasses can be removed with a pond skimmer, a kind of long-handled net specifically designed to keep ponds and pools clean. These are readily available at most home care stores. Clean the bottom of the pond. You can use a pond vacuum or a wet vacuum to clean the bottom. A pond vacuum is a device that allows you to suck up leaves, algae, sludge, and other debris that you don't want in the bottom of your pond. They are readily available at most home improvement stores. Feed your fish properly. Feeding your fish properly involves choosing the right feed and feeding in the right amounts. If you have fish in your pond, selecting a high-quality fish feed will prevent the growth of algae, as the food will be more fully digested, and your fish will produce less waste. In order to ensure your fish eat all the food they're given, check for food floating on the surface about twenty minutes after you're done feeding them. If you see food bits still floating in the water, you'll know that you're overfeeding and should gradually reduce the amount of feed you're providing to a level where you do not see feed floating on the surface after feeding is complete. Excess food will rot and give algae nutrients it can use to grow. The type of feed you choose to give your fish depends on the species, though most commercially available feeds are appropriate for multiple species. Talk to the proprietor of your local pet store or your vet if you have questions about what type of feed is best for your fish. Reduce the amount of feed you give your fish in autumn and winter. During these seasons, their metabolism slows and they'll require less food. Introduce a moving water fixture. With moving water, your pond will be less likely to accrue algae and grime. You could add a fountain or waterfall to your pond. With either fixture, ensure it is placed next to the pond so that water will return to it. Fountains could be placed in the middle of the pond if the pond's depth does not exceed the height of the fountain. If you install a fountain or waterfall less than three feet high, the pump should be located next to the waterfall on the ground level. If you install a waterfall five feet tall or taller, the filter should be placed just behind the waterfall at an elevation equal to its highest point. Add barley straw to your pond. As barley straw decomposes, it releases a chemical that prevents algae from growing. One bale of barley straw treats 1,000 gallons of water. In other words, if your pond holds 100 gallons, you'd need only one-tenth of a bale. The best way to add the straw is to wrap a softball-sized portion of straw in mesh netting and toss the balled-up straw in the pond. Alternatively, you could add liquid barley straw. One tablespoon usually treats about 50 gallons. If you don't notice a change after about a week, add more gradually. Barley straw is readily available at most garden centers. Barley straw is safe for use in ponds with fish. Add plants to the pond. You could add both floating plants and submerged plants to your pond. Both will keep algae at bay and keep your pond clean in a natural way. Add floating plants. Lillies and lotus reduce the total surface area of the pond that algae can thrive on, and absorb nutrients that algae would otherwise use to grow. Submerged plants like hornwort, parrot's feather, and anacharis add oxygen to the water, preventing algae. They can be kept below the water's surface by attaching them to a rock or putting them in a plant pot and adding weight until it sinks. Add water treatments. Water treatments are chemical formulas designed to block or remove algae. They are typically safe for use with fish and invertebrates like snails, but will harm tadpoles. Specific directions for use vary with the particular product you choose to use in your pond. Always follow manufacturer directions when adding water treatments to your pond. Water treatments will need to be re-applied from time to time, so just add more as necessary when you notice algae or green water. Add calcium sulfate. Calcium sulfate, also known as gypsum, is useful for breaking up pond sludge that accumulates at the bottom of the pond. Sprinkle the calcium sulfate evenly across the surface of the pond at a concentration of 525 pounds per acre-foot of water. Calcium sulfate is readily available at most gardening centers. Get an ultraviolet (UV) clarifier. UV clarifiers are special pumps that pull pond water into a chamber where the water is exposed to ultraviolet light. The light kills suspended algae (but not string algae) in the water and allows you to easily remove any algae detritus. UV clarifiers can be attached to either mechanical or biological filters. UV light is harmful to human eyes, so the UV bulb will be situated within a case. Do not disassemble or remove the case from the UV clarifier. A clarifier with 8-10 watts of UV light is appropriate for 1,000 gallons of water. Decide when a deep cleaning is necessary. If there are many dead leaves and a lot of sludge at the bottom of the pond that you can't easily remove with a pond vacuum, you'll need to empty the pond entirely. If you can easily remove debris at the bottom of the pond, a complete cleaning is not necessary. You should empty and deeply clean your pond at least once a year. The best times to do this are in the spring (so you can remove debris that accumulated during winter) and in the fall (when you're getting ready to winterize your pond). Pump water out of the pond. You can buy or rent a water pump from most home improvement stores. Ensure the pump has a long extended hose or handle so the pump will reach to an appropriate depth in your pond. To avoid wasting the water, direct it to a garden at the back of your house or to the lawn. Place some of the pond water in a large tub, inflatable swimming pool, or other large container if you have fish. This water will serve as your holding tank for your fish while the pond is empty. Remove your fish. After you've removed most of the water from the pond, transfer your fish to the holding container(s). The water level should be high enough that the fish can still swim around, but low enough that you can walk easily in it. Water of about a half-meter in depth is a good level at which to remove the fish. Remove your fish with a fish net. Scoop the fish out and place them in the container holding pond water you filled earlier. You might need to place netting or mesh over the container holding the fish to ensure they don't leap out. Finish emptying the pond. Once the pond is empty, begin removing the aquatic plants from the pond. If any of the plants need water to survive, put them in a holding tank. Scoop up and remove any dead plants or plant material. Clean the pond while it is empty. Wash the grime from the bottom and sides of the pond with a pressurized water spray gun. Don't use bleach or any toxic chemicals on your pond. Refill the pond. Fill the pond up with clean water. Add a dechlorinating agent to the water. Dechlorinator is a solution designed to remove chlorine from water that comes out of your hose. This is important because chlorine in the water will kill fish. Replace your plants and fish in the pond. Dechlorinators are readily available at most pet stores. The amount you need will depend on the size of your pond. Consult manufacturer directions for specific use. To acclimate your fish to the new water, take one gallon of water out of the holding tank and add about one gallon of the new pond water to it every five minutes. After about 30 minutes, transfer the fish back into the pond. | Use a biological filter. Clean your pump’s filters out regularly. Manually clean your pond. Feed your fish properly. Introduce a moving water fixture. Add barley straw to your pond. Add plants to the pond. Add water treatments. Add calcium sulfate. Get an ultraviolet (UV) clarifier. Decide when a deep cleaning is necessary. Pump water out of the pond. Remove your fish. Finish emptying the pond. Refill the pond. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Keep-Track-of-the-Disney-Vault | How to Keep Track of the Disney Vault | To keep track of the Disney vault, check in with the Disney website for updates on releases. Keep in mind that not all movies enter the vault, since it's generally only the classics, like Pinocchio, Peter Pan, Aladdin, and The Lion King. To calculate a rough estimate of when a movie will be released from the vault, find out when it was last available on DVD, then add 9 years. Basically, each movie is available for 2 years, goes in the vault for 7 years, and then the cycle repeats. However, look out for special anniversary releases every 10 or so years after a movie's original release date. For example, Sleeping Beauty was released in 2014 to celebrate its 55th anniversary. | Research the Disney vault system. Disney's vault system means putting certain movies on a moratorium so that they are not available for purchase or digital viewing until they are released from the vault. Generally, Disney puts movies in a seven-year vault hold and then releases them. Disney's reasoning behind the release is that every seven years a new generation of 2 - 7 year old children comes of age and is ready to enjoy the films. Generally, two movies are released a year. Others believe that Disney's vault system was created to create a scarcity. Because the scarcity encourages people to rush out and buy the DVDs and Blu-ray disks when they are released, since they're not available all the time. Memorize the movies in the vault. Not every movie goes in and out the vault system, and you have to know which movies you should be tracking to keep track of the vault. Currently, the movies included in the vault system are the following:Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Fantasia, Dumbo, Bambi ,Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp, Sleeping Beauty, One Hundred and One Dalmatians, The Jungle Book. The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and The Lion King. Basically, it's all the classics. Keep a spreadsheet of the vault schedule. Write down the name of the movie, its theater release date and DVD release dates. Also, track digital releases such as releases to iTunes and Amazon. When you purchase the rights or redeem a Digital HD Copy through Disney Movie Anywhere (DMA) you can continue to view your purchased titles even when they return to the vault and are no longer available to purchase. Track Diamond Editions, Special Releases and Blu-ray releases. They don't usually release DVDs, Blu-rays and digital releases at the same time. So, you have to keep track. For instance, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was last released on Diamond Edition on October 6,2009 and in a DVD set on November 24,2009. However it was not released digitally or on Blu-ray. It went into the vault April 3rd, 2011 and is expected to be re-released on Blu-ray on February 2nd 2016 and on Digital HD and Disney Movies anywhere January 19th 2016 under the Signature collection. Review disney.wikia.com to gather some Intel on the current movies in vault to get a head start on your spreadsheet. Another item to include in your chart is anticipated releases. Generally, Disney releases two movies from the vault a year. So, calculate when the movie went into vault by adding seven years. Then, include a column for anticipated releases. For instance, Peter Pan went into the vault on April 30, 2014, so it is not expected to be released until 2021. Document current releases. If you take note of the movies that are currently released, then you can anticipate when they are going in the vault and when they might be re-released. Take note of Disney commercials advertising limited-time offers for movie purchases. Those offers really are limited. For instance, if a commercial says only available until July 2015, then that really is the case. After that date, you won't be able to purchase it for a while. Document the releases of new movies. New Disney movies such as Frozen are not currently in a vault because they're new, but if the movie sells well it probably will be placed on the limited-release list. Frozen, for instance, did sell well and it wasn't released in Blu-ray, so it likely will go into a vault and won't be available in that format for a while. Calculate a rough estimate. Research when a movie was released. If you want to track when a movie will be re-released take note of the last time it was released. If you don't know, then start with its original movie release date. Add two years for DVD production after the original movie release, then assume it went into the vault for seven years. This might not give you an exact release date, but it gives you a good estimate of when it will be released. Let's say Sleeping Beauty is to go into the vault in 2016, but you don't know that. Research the original release date, which is 1959. Assume it's available for two years for purchase. Then assume another seven years in the vault. Assume another 2 years for release out of the vault. Continue doing this up until present day. It will look like this. 1959+2 = 1961 ( Release) The movie is released until 1961. Then it goes back into the vault for seven years until 1968. 1961 + 7 = 1968 ( Vault) In 1968, it is released out of the vault for two years until 1970. Then, it goes back into the vault for another 7 years until 1977. If you keep this up until present day, you'll find that the movie is released in 2013, which means it would go back into vault in 2015. In actuality, it goes back into vault in 2016, and if you adjust for the month and date, you can get an even more accurate release date. Nevertheless, just by using the year of the original release date, you can get really close to guesstimating the vault release dates. Research the Disney websites. Disney has a website for almost of its Diamond Edition releases. So, you can check out the website for release information. Also, research Disney's press releases. They provide ample information on special releases and release dates. There are also some websites that track some of the Disney release dates such as disney.wiki.com. Make sure websites such as these are bookmarked in your browser. Disney.wiki.com is no longer available Expect milestone anniversary release dates. For instance, Peter Pan was just released in 2013 for its 60th anniversary. Anticipate that Disney will release certain movies from the vault to celebrate milestone anniversaries such as 10th, 20th, 30th and 50th anniversaries. Sleeping Beauty, for instance, was released in 2014 to celebrate its 55th anniversary. To track milestone anniversaries, just add the appropriate number to the original release date. Sleeping Beauty, for instance, will celebrate it's 60th anniversary in 2019. So perhaps it will be released from the vault prematurely; it's not scheduled to be released until 2023. In 2006, Disney released Bambi from the vault for 70 days in celebration of it 70th anniversary of when Disney began work on the movie. Pay attention to current events and anticipate releases for special circumstances. Take note of Walt Disney's birthday -- the creator of Disney. His favorite movie, such as Bambi, could be released around his birthday to celebrate. Also, pay attention to current events with actors who performed in Disney movies. For instance, after Robin Williams' death, Disney released Aladdin from the vault because Williams played the beloved genie in the movie. | Research the Disney vault system. Memorize the movies in the vault. Keep a spreadsheet of the vault schedule. Document current releases. Document the releases of new movies. Calculate a rough estimate. Research the Disney websites. Expect milestone anniversary release dates. Pay attention to current events and anticipate releases for special circumstances. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Apply-for-the-Police-Clearance-Certificate-in-India | How to Apply for the Police Clearance Certificate in India | To apply for the Police Clearance Certificate in India, start by registering on the Indian passport website and filling out the application online. Then, pay the application fee and schedule an appointment to bring in the necessary documents to your regional passport office. On the day of your appointment, make sure you bring a photocopy of your passport and proof of your employment or residence. If there aren't any issues with your application, you should receive your certificate on the same day as your appointment. | Visit the Indian passport website. Go to passportindia.gov.in. Scroll down to the middle of the page and click on the "Police Clearance Certificate" link. This will bring you to the registration page which will have additional details for your PCC. Register on the website. If you already live in India, make sure to designate which Police district you live in. There will be a drop-down menu that lets you select the different districts. If you live in Delhi, then select "CPV Delhi" to pick up your certificate at the Consular, Passport, and Visa (CPV) division in Delhi. If you do not currently live in India you will have to visit your local Indian embassy or consulate. Fill out the application for a Police Clearance Certificate. Login to the Passport Seva Online Portal with the username that you just created. Click "Apply for Police Clearance Certificate" to bring up the application for the Police Clearance Certificate. Fill out all the fields with the proper information before heading onto the next step. Pay the fee for the application. The fee for an application is Rs. 500 ($7.76). Click "Pay and Schedule Appointment" to be brought to the payment page. You can pay using a credit or debit card, an Indian banking account, or with your SBI Bank Challan account. Schedule an appointment. Make sure to clear your schedule for that day and make an appointment that works for you. If you live in a major Indian city, you may have to wait for up to a week or more to get your appointment. If you live in a less busy district, you'll usually be able to schedule your appointment in the same week. Print out a confirmation for your appointment. Once you finish scheduling your appointment, you'll be given a confirmation that you can print out. The confirmation will contain your Application Reference Number (ARN) or appointment number. Download and fill out the e-form from the Passport Seva website. Go to the Passport Seva website and download the e-form for your PCC. Answer all of the questions to the best of your ability and refer to your passport if you don't know the answer to some of the questions. Save the e-form. Once your done filling out the form click "Validate and Save." This will generate an XML file for your PCC that you'll use later. Save the file on your desktop or in a place that you can easily locate. Register an account on the Passport Seva website. After you've filled out the form, you'll need to create a Passport Seva account to upload the file. Click "Register Now" on the main page of the Passport Seva website to register an account. If you've already created an account in the past, you can skip this step. Login using your new account. To login quickly, use the website's login link. Enter the credentials that you created earlier to log into your account. Upload the XML file. Click the "Upload e-Form" link to upload the XML file that you generated before. Browse through your files and find the form that you filled out and click "Upload." Pay and schedule an appointment through the website. Once you get to your account page, you'll need to click the "View Saved/Submitted Applications" to navigate to the upload location for your e-form. There will be a link that says "Pay and Schedule Appointment." Click the link to be brought to the payment scheduling page. Insert your payment details and choose a day that you're free. The cost for a PCC in India is Rs. 500 ($7.76). Print your application receipt. Once you're done, click the "Print Application Receipt" link to receive your Application Reference Number (ARN). You will need the receipt when you go on your interview. Make photocopies of your passport. For your appointment, you'll need a photocopy of your passport's first two and last two pages including ECR/Non-ECR page and page of observation. Print out these photocopies before your appointment so that you have the proper documentation with you. These extra photocopies will go into your file. Bring proof of employment or residence. The documents you'll have to bring to your appointment include your old passport, two forms of proof of your present address (utility bills, aadhaar, or voter ID), and proof of your employment status. If you don't have a job, you'll need to get your sponsorship declaration or your application for residential status. Remember to bring the confirmation that you originally printed out after paying for the PCC online. Visit the Regional Passport Office. Visit the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Regional Passport Office (RPO) on the day of your scheduled appointment. Once you get to the front desk, let them know that you made an appointment online and have all the documents that you need to get your PCC. If there are no issues with your application, you should be able to get the PCC on the same day. Live in Delhi. If you are applying for a PCC inside of Delhi, you can obtain it online without having to make an appointment with your Regional Passport Office. In Delhi, law enforcement will visit you to verify your application and you can register and apply on a separate website. Visit the Delhi Police website. Visit the official Delhi Police website to find the PCC online registration link. Scroll down and Click "Register" for a Police Clearance Certificate. Fill out the online registration form. Once you start the registration process, you'll be asked to enter an e-mail to receive a verification. Type in your email to get the confirmation number so that you can bring up the PCC application. Once you get to the application page, fill out all the information accurately and submit it. Pay for the PCC. A PCC through the Dehli Police Department costs around Rs. 505 ($7.84). Use their payment portal to make a payment for the PCC. You should receive a confirmation receipt in an e-mail if you filled everything out correctly. Wait for a field inquiry. The Dehli police will give you a house visit once you've finished paying and submitting your application. They will double check the veracity of your application to ensure that all the details are true. Check your email for an attached PCC. Your PCC should arrive in an e-mail within 21 days, though in some circumstances it may take longer. To check the status of your application, log into the Dehli Police Department's website. | Visit the Indian passport website. Register on the website. Fill out the application for a Police Clearance Certificate. Pay the fee for the application. Schedule an appointment. Print out a confirmation for your appointment. Download and fill out the e-form from the Passport Seva website. Save the e-form. Register an account on the Passport Seva website. Login using your new account. Upload the XML file. Pay and schedule an appointment through the website. Print your application receipt. Make photocopies of your passport. Bring proof of employment or residence. Visit the Regional Passport Office. Live in Delhi. Visit the Delhi Police website. Fill out the online registration form. Pay for the PCC. Wait for a field inquiry. Check your email for an attached PCC. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Critique-a-Speech | How to Critique a Speech | To critique a speech, start by evaluating whether or not the speaker made their argument apparent in the first few sentences of their speech. Then, decide if the rest of the speech supported that argument in a smooth, understandable manner. You should also focus on the speaker's voice inflections, like speaking at a natural pace and knowing when to pause for effect. Additionally, evaluate their body language, which should project confidence with gestures like making eye contact and standing up straight without fidgeting too much. | Decide whether the speech resonates with the target audience. The content, including word choice, references and anecdotes, should be tailored to the audience who will be listening to the speech. For example, a "don't do drugs" speech aimed at first graders will sound very different from one meant to teach awareness to college students. As you listen to the speech, try to determine whether it hits the mark or seems a bit off. Do not base your critique on your own personal opinion, but on how the speaker would be perceived by a wider audience. Your own biases should not come into play. If possible, note audience members' reactions to the speech. Do they seem to understand it? Are they rapt with attention? Do they laugh along with the jokes, or do they seem bored? Evaluate the speech’s clarity. The speaker should use correct grammar and easy to understand language, making it pleasant to listen to the speech and follow what it's about. Within a few sentences, the main subject of the speech should be clear, and the rest of the content should build in a smooth, understandable manner to support the speaker's thesis. Again, whether or not you agree with or like the speaker should be less important than what the speaker is saying. When you're deciding whether the speech is clear, consider the following questions: Is the introduction effective? Did the speaker make his or her primary argument apparent within the first few sentences, or did it take awhile before you figured out what he or she was getting at? Is the speech full of distracting tangents that do not relate to the primary argument, or does it build in a logical manner toward the conclusion? If you were to repeat the speech to someone else, could you recite all the main points or would you have trouble remembering what it was really about? See if the speech is convincing and educational. In a well-written speech, arguments are skillfully put forth to prove a larger point. The content of the speech should demonstrate the speaker's expertise on the subject at hand, and the audience should come away feeling they learned something new. Look for gaps in the speaker's reasoning or places where further research would have made a point more convincing. Listen for names, dates, and data cited to back up the points the speaker is making. Write down any names, dates, statistics, and other research-related information given by the speaker so that you can look it up later. After the speech, do some fact checking to make sure they're accurate. Inaccuracies in data are very important to notice because they can impact the credibility of the talk. If you must critique the speech directly after it is given, using the internet to quickly fact-check a speech can be useful. Wait for the question and answer, meet and greet, or break period to look up the speaker's points. See if the speech has personality. Anecdotes and the occasional joke break up the serious tone of the speech and keep it from getting boring. If the speech is too dry, it doesn't matter how convincing the argument is; people will never hear it, because they'll be too distracted. When you're determining whether the speech is engaging at a high level, ask these questions: Does it start with a good hook? In order to engage people right away, good speeches usually start with a funny or intriguing point that draws the audience in. Does it stay engaging the entire time? A good speaker will pepper anecdotes and jokes throughout to grab and keep listeners' attention. Are the anecdotes and jokes distracting, or do they help build the speaker's argument? Some listeners will tend to miss the important points, listening only to the hook. The best way to properly critique a speech is to wait for the speaker to make a joke and then listen very closely to what he or she says afterward. Think of jokes and anecdotes as highlighter pens, pointing out the main ideas. Does the speaker use illustrations judiciously? One really superb, memorable illustration is better than three that don't stick with the audience and are only partially related to the main goal of the speech. Evaluate the closing. A good close should tie up all of the points and give the audience new ideas for using the information they've been given. A poor closing will only summarize the points, or outright ignore them and go on to a topic that has nothing to do with what the speaker has been saying for the rest of the allotted time period. Remember that the ending of a speech is one of the most important parts in the speech making process. It should regain the audience's attention and be powerful, thoughtful, deep, and concise. When ending a speech, the speaker must also exhibit the greatest level of confidence one can muster, since this technique will help the audience also gain confidence in the speaker's presentation. Listen to the speaker’s voice inflections. Does the speaker talk in a way that makes you want to keep listening, or is it easy to tune out? A great speaker knows when to pause for effect, as well as how fast to speak and at what volume. There's no one perfect way to deliver a speech, since everyone has their own style. However, all great speakers share in common a capacity to keep their listener's attention. Here are a few things to keep in mind: A person who is speaking too loudly may seem aggressive, while one who is speaking too quietly may struggle to be heard. See if the person seems to have a good sense of how loudly to speak. Many speakers tend to speak too quickly without realizing it. See if the person is speaking at a pace that sounds natural and easy to understand. Watch the speaker’s body language. The way the speaker holds him or herself should project confidence and charisma, making the audience feel engaged and included. Someone less skilled at public speaking might look down, forget to make eye contact, and tap his or her foot, while a great speaker will do the following: Make eye contact with audience members in several different spots in the audience. This helps each part of the crowd feel included. Stand up straight without fidgeting too much. Use natural arm and hand gestures from time to time. When appropriate, walk around the stage instead of leaning against a podium. Listen for filler words. Too many “ums,” “likes” and “uhs” take away from a speaker's credibility, since they make him or her sound a bit unprepared. Listen for these words and make a note of how many times you hear them. While saying a few filler words is natural, they should not overwhelm the speech or be noticeable in any way. See if the speech was memorized. A great speaker should have memorized the speech long in advance. Using a typed page of notes or using powerpoint to jog one's memory is acceptable, but glancing down too many times can be distracting for audience members. It was once acceptable to carry a series of notecards and read from them, but this is no longer the case. Memorizing the speech allows the speaker to engage with the audience through eye contact and body language, and prevents the speech from sounding like it's being read from a book. Assess how the speaker manages anxiety. Most people suffer from stage fright. Public speaking is the second worst fear in North America, ranking above death. Great speakers might be nervous on the inside, by they've learned ways to hide that from the audience. Look for signs that the speaker is nervous so you can offer a critique that will help him or her improve next time. Note any repeated movements or gestures that take away from the content of the speech; these could be signs of nervousness. A shaky voice or tendency to mumble are also signs of nervousness. Take detailed notes during the speech. Bring a notebook and pen to the speech, so you can make note of areas that need improvement. Writing down a shorthand account of what the speaker said will help you to organize the points when it's time to deliver your critique. Being as detailed as possible in your notes will help the speaker understand exactly what to work on for next time. If there are no restrictions against it and you have time, record the speech using either a video camera or a tape recorder. This way, you will have the opportunity to play back the speech more than once to get an idea of what point the speaker was making, as well as how well they said it. Organize your notes so there's a section on content and a section on delivery. Include examples to back up your evaluation of each. Discuss your assessment of the speech’s content. Deconstruct the speech by part, starting with the introduction and ending with the conclusion. Give an overall evaluation of whether you felt the main points of the speech were adequately presented and reinforced, and whether you felt the speech as a whole seemed convincing and credible. Would you consider it a successful speech, or does it need to be revised? Tell the speaker what elements of the speech were interesting, which parts were confusing, and which areas need more references to back them up. If there were certain jokes or anecdotes that didn't work, let the speaker know. It's better to be honest now than to let the person tell the same bad joke twice. Tell the speaker whether you felt the speech was appropriate for the intended audience. Give feedback on the speaker’s delivery. It is in this area that speakers often need the most feedback, since it's difficult to evaluate your own body language and style. Give the speaker a gentle but honest critique of the effectiveness of his or her body language and delivery, including tone of voice, pacing, eye contact, and posture. It might be helpful to discuss the concept of emotional intelligence , or EQ, which refers to the ability to read an audience and keep people engaged by affecting their emotions. The point of making eye contact, speaking clearly and sounding natural is to make the audience feel as though you care about them and you want them to understand where you're coming from. Helping them feel included will make them more likely to stay engaged. If the speaker seemed nervous, you might suggest that he or she practice techniques that help reduce stage fright, like exercising before the speech, laughing before the speech and practicing in front of a small group of people first. Point out the positive, too. The speaker you're critiquing likely put some time and effort into writing and practicing the speech. Any time you're giving a critique, it's just as important to point out what went right as it is to discuss what needs improvement. If you're working with a student or someone who needs help improving their speech-giving skills, be encouraging and complimentary so they have the confidence to keep working on their skills. Try the feedback sandwich technique: give the person a compliment on an element of their speech, tell them what needs improvement, then give them another compliment. This classic way to deliver constructive criticism makes the medicine go down more easily. For example, you could tell the person he or she started with a brilliant hook, but you were confused about how the second point related to the thesis. However, the conclusion clarified the main point. As a way to encourage the person to keep learning and improving, you might suggest he or she watch videos of speeches given by famous speakers. Point out similarities and differences between the speech you're critiquing and the famous speech. | Decide whether the speech resonates with the target audience. Evaluate the speech’s clarity. See if the speech is convincing and educational. See if the speech has personality. Evaluate the closing. Listen to the speaker’s voice inflections. Watch the speaker’s body language. Listen for filler words. See if the speech was memorized. Assess how the speaker manages anxiety. Take detailed notes during the speech. Discuss your assessment of the speech’s content. Give feedback on the speaker’s delivery. Point out the positive, too. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Milia | How to Get Rid of Milia | To get rid of milia at home, start by washing your face with warm water twice a day using a gentle cleanser. Next, use an exfoliating scrub or apply an exfoliating moisturizer to reduce the build-up of dead skin cells. Then, target the areas affected by milia with retinol products for smoother, brighter skin. You can also try an at-home chemical peel that includes ingredients like lactic and glycolic acid to deeply exfoliate your skin and get rid of milia. | Clean your face daily for clear skin. Start getting rid of milia by getting into a good skincare routine. Make sure to wash your face with warm water twice a day. You should use a light, gentle cleanser. Try choosing one that specifies “gentle” or “sensitive skin.” Gently rub the cleanser into your skin for 20-30 seconds. Rinse thoroughly, and pat dry with a clean, dry towel. Use an exfoliator to help clear your skin. Teens and adults should treat milia with an exfoliating treatment. You could either go for an exfoliating moisturizer or a targeted exfoliating product. An exfoliating moisturizer is a good idea if your milia are widespread and accompanied by dry skin. The moisturizer will reduce the build-up of dead skin cells below your skin and the exfoliating aspect will allow your skin to release the dead cells that have already accumulated. Look for a moisturizer that contains vitamin A. It should also be free of any heavy oils. A targeted exfoliating treatment is best if you have a few milia that you want to get rid of, but otherwise have no skin problems. Choose a targeted treatment containing salicylic acid. The treatment should be applied directly to the milia once daily until they disappear. Check the label to follow specific instructions for that product. Add products with Retinol to your routine for brighter looking skin. Retinol is commonly used to fight acne and signs of aging. It has exfoliating properties that keep your skin soft and clear. For best results, use a targeted Retinol lotion and apply it directly to the area of your skin affected by the milia. Wait roughly 30 minutes after you wash your face before using the Retinol. Apply a pea-sized drop of retinol to the milia-covered area of your face every other night. Do not apply Retinol to the upper eyelid since it can cause irritation and damage if it gets into your eyes. Try an at-home chemical peel. Peels are one of the most effective ways to get rid of milia because they are basically a deep chemical exfoliant for your skin. If you can't afford to see a dermatologist, don't worry. There are lots of at-home chemical peels that work great and are easy to use. Look for ingredients such as lactic and glycolic acid. Follow the instructions on the package. Directions will vary depending on which peel you choose. Use steam to open your pores. Opening and cleaning your pores is a great way to have clearer skin. To steam your pores, fill a large bowl with almost boiling water. Carefully lean over the bowl with your face near the water. Drape a towel over your head to keep the steam in, and stay like that for 5-10 minutes. Alternatively, you could run a hot shower with your bathroom door closed and the fan off. The room should get pretty steamy. Sit in the steam for 5-10 minutes. Make an egg mask 3 times a week. Eggs contain retinol, so they can help clear up your skin. To make an easy mask, combine 1 egg white, ½ tsp almond oil, 1 tbsp plain yogurt, 1 tbsp raw honey. Mix into a paste and apply to areas with milia. Leave the mask on for 30 minutes, then rinse with warm water and pat dry. Use this mask 3 times a week to see the best results. See a dermatologist if home remedies don't work for you. If you find that home remedies aren't helping get rid of the milia, make an appointment to see a dermatologist. Try jotting down some notes before your appointment so that you can give them specific information. Think about how long you've dealt with milia, and how frequently it appears. Ask family or friends for a recommendation to a dermatologist they trust. You can also look at online reviews to find one with a good reputation. Remember that milia is really common, and not a bad thing to have. You only need to take steps to get rid of it if it is bothering you. Schedule a professional chemical peel. A dermatologist will be able to apply a stronger chemical peel than you can at home. Talk to your dermatologist about your expectations and they can decide whether you need a light peel or a more aggressive peel. The peel will not hurt. After the peel, your skin might be red and feel irritated for a few days. Follow the dermatologist's instructions on how to care for your skin after a peel. Get professional extractions or laser ablations for a deep cleanse. During extractions, a professional will use either a special tool or their hands to unclog your skin. Extractions are usually not painful, but you might feel a little pressure on stubborn spots. You can schedule a facial with extractions with either a dermatologist or aesthetician. Laser ablation accomplishes the same goals as extractions but does so using a laser beam. The laser is put on a low setting and heats up the material clogging your skin to a point where it evaporates or sublimates. Follow all instructions after an extraction. You might need to lay off products with Retinol for a day or 2, or go makeup-free for the rest of the day. If you don't want to get extractions, you don't have to! Milia is a cosmetic concern, and won't hurt you if it doesn't go away. Try niacin supplements. Niacin, or vitamin B3, is an important nutrient that is thought to help maintain multiple systems in your body. Among its benefits, many believe that niacin helps maintain healthy skin and is capable of treating milia. Talk to your doctor before taking any supplements. Note that there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that niacin can get rid of milia faster. If you do not already take niacin supplements, begin by taking a small dose of 100 mg daily. Do not exceed 1500 mg of niacin daily since large doses have the potential to cause liver damage. Only use pure niacin supplements, since these are less likely to contain harmful toxins or additives. Consider biotin supplements. This co-enzyme and B vitamin is also known as vitamin H. Most people take in enough biotin through diet alone, but if you suspect that you may need more, you can also take it in supplement form. Ask your doctor before trying new supplements. Biotin is thought to have multiple benefits. It supports adequate skin health, which means that it may help your skin to release the milia quicker. Note that there are no scientific studies capable of backing this claim, however. Adults should only take 25 to 35 mcg of biotin a day. Increase your intake of CoQ10. Increasing the amount of CoQ10 your body gets can be done naturally and without the use of supplements. Your body produces CoQ10 when you exercise, and the vitamin can also be found in foods like meat and fish.This vitamin is thought to help maintain many of your body's systems and functions and may help improve the health of your skin. Note that there is no scientific evidence to support a direct link between CoQ10 and milia. However, it is generally considered safe. Talk to your doctor before taking any supplements. CoQ10 acts as an emulsifier, so it removes oils from the body. By allowing your body to flush these oils out more easily, it may be able to help the pores blocked with milia to flush out any dead skin cells, as well. Reduce your sun exposure. Milia can worsen with sun damage. This is especially true if you are suffering from secondary milia, which is caused by blistering. A sunburn can result in the spread or prolonged existence of milia, so cutting down on sun exposure will let you get rid of milia faster. Stay out of direct sunlight as much as possible. When spending time outside, wear a hat to shade your face. Apply a gentle oil-free sunblock specially formulated for facial care. A heavy, oily sunblock will only clog your pores more, making it harder to exfoliating the trapped dead cells causing the milia. A light sunblock can offer protection from the sun without clogging your pores, though. Look for a light one with a minimum SPF of 15 or above. Avoid heavy cosmetics or creams. You may be tempted to conceal your milia with makeup, but doing so will only prolong their stay. It will also welcome more dirt onto your face, making your milia harder to get rid of. Cosmetics and heavy creams stay on your skin, blocking your pores. In order to get rid of your milia, you need to be able to exfoliate away dead skin cells. Doing so will be much more difficult if your pores are blocked by makeup, though. Make good skin care a part of your daily routine. You might not be able to completely prevent milia, but you can take steps to make flare-ups less frequent. Make it a point to take care of your skin each day. Wash your face, moisturize, and stay hydrated. You might also consider getting regular facials if your budget allows. | Clean your face daily for clear skin. Use an exfoliator to help clear your skin. Add products with Retinol to your routine for brighter looking skin. Try an at-home chemical peel. Use steam to open your pores. Make an egg mask 3 times a week. See a dermatologist if home remedies don't work for you. Schedule a professional chemical peel. Get professional extractions or laser ablations for a deep cleanse. Try niacin supplements. Consider biotin supplements. Increase your intake of CoQ10. Reduce your sun exposure. Avoid heavy cosmetics or creams. Make good skin care a part of your daily routine. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Set-Your-Refrigerator-Temperature | How to Set Your Refrigerator Temperature | To set your refrigerator temperature on a digital refrigerator, use the arrow or number keys on the digital keypad to set the temperature between 35 to 38 degrees F. If your refrigerator has a dial or slide mechanism, start by checking the current temperature using an appliance thermometer. If the temperature is lower than 37 degrees F or higher than 40 degrees F, move the mechanism 1 number in either the “cooler” or “warmer” direction. Check the temperature again after 5 to 8 hours and adjust the setting again, if needed. | Purchase a refrigerator thermometer to test the temperature. Most refrigerators don't have built-in thermometers, so get the next best thing. Pop it in whenever you need to check the temperature. Look for the stainless steel thermometers that are less likely to break than glass ones. Many of them hook onto the shelves in your refrigerator, making them very easy to set up. You can get a refrigerator thermometer online or at most hardware stores. They are relatively inexpensive and the cost is well worth what you save by keeping your food fresher for longer. Most refrigerator thermometers also work in the freezer as well. Place the thermometer on the refrigerator’s middle shelf. Try to center the thermometer in the refrigerator as much as possible. The most basic thermometers stand up on their own, but you can also use the built-in clip to hang them on the front of the shelf. If you're using a stick-shaped thermometer, keep it in a glass filled with water. Keep in mind that refrigerators aren't a consistent temperature all over. There are always some warm spots and some cold spots, so use the center shelf to get the most accurate reading possible. Read the temperature on the thermometer after at least 5 hours. The temperature will give you an idea of what adjustments need to be made to keep your refrigerator running at top form. The ideal temperature is from 35 to 38 °F (2 to 3 °C). Anything 40 °F (4 °C) or below is considered safe. If you're wondering why your lettuce is a frozen, soggy mess, your refrigerator is probably too cold. However, turning up the temperature too far could mean you encounter that dreaded odor of rancid milk. A good thermometer allows you to have more control over your refrigerator's temperature. Adjust the temperature setting using the controls inside your refrigerator. You might expect that all refrigerators are the same. While they all do the same thing, you never know what kind of temperature control dial you're getting until you look inside. Locate the dial inside the refrigerator, then adjust it according to what type you have. Always make small, gradual adjustments rather than big changes that could throw the internal temperature out of whack. Check the owner's manual if you're not sure where the temperature dial is. It is often inside the refrigerator, near the top by the light. It looks like a numbered dial or slider, so it isn't too tough to spot most times. Take the temperature reading again after at least 5 hours. The refrigerator takes some time to get up to speed with the new setting, so waiting longer than 5 hours is perfectly fine. Give it enough time to adjust. Then, check the thermometer again and make adjustments to change the temperature accordingly. Adjust the temperature gradually each time. Wait at least 5 hours after each adjustment so you don't inadvertently end up making too big of an adjustment. For maximum safety, test your refrigerator once or twice a year. Locate the dial inside the refrigerator. It is usually in the upper part of the refrigerator, sometimes near the back, close to the light bulb. The dial often looks like the kind of burner control knob you might see on a stove. Dials have either a set of numbers or notches representing the temperature settings. The dial itself may have an arrow on it that you point to the numbers to change the temperature. The dial inside your refrigerator may be very different than the one inside your neighbor's refrigerator. Although they look different from model to model, each dial works the same way. Turn the dial up to cool down the refrigerator. On most dials, the higher number or setting makes the refrigerator colder. If your refrigerator has a range of 1 to 5, turn the dial toward 5 to get a good chill going or turn it toward 1 if you need to warm things up a bit. If your dial has notches on it, turn the dial clockwise to cool things down. The best setting is usually in the middle of the dial. If your dial ranges from 1 to 5, try turning it to 3. If it's from 1 to 9, set it around 4. Your refrigerator may also have some handy “warmer” and “cooler” stickers on it showing you which way to turn the dial to adjust the temperature. Take the temperature and adjust the setting until it’s right. You're aiming for a temperature around 37 °F (3 °C). Stick a thermometer on the center shelf and wait at least 5 hours for the new setting to take effect. Then, see if the temperature is to your liking. Keep using the dial to bring the refrigerator's temperature up to a healthy range. You may need to repeat the process a few times to find the perfect setting. Make gradual adjustments, letting the refrigerator rest for 5 hours or more each time. Once you find temperature setting you like, consider marking a line on the dial so you can easily reset it if it gets bumped out of position. Look for a sliding temperature gauge near the top of the refrigerator. The gauge is similar to a dial, but you control the temperature by moving a little slider. It is usually close to the door's hinge in the upper half of the refrigerator. You may see a series of numbers along the gauge indicating the different settings you can use to get your refrigerator to the perfect temperature. You probably won't have much trouble finding or using the slider, but refer to your owner's manual for more help. Move the switch to the right to cool the refrigerator. Typically, the right side of the gauge cools your refrigerator while the right side heats it up. The gauge may be numbered like a dial or have labels like “colder” on it to help you. Simply pinch the slider with your fingers and move it horizontally to adjust the temperature. The best setting on a refrigerator slider is generally right in the middle, 3 or 4 if yours is labeled. Start there if you're unsure about what adjustments you need to make. Measure and adjust the temperature again after waiting at least 5 hours. If the temperature is where you want it to be, then great! You don't have to do anything else. Aim for a 37 °F (3 °C) temperature to store a wide variety of things. As long as you're in the ballpark, you can get the maximum freshness out of groceries. If your refrigerator doesn't reach the right temperature at first, keep a thermometer inside and wait 5 hours. Check it and make adjustments with the slider. Make small adjustments each time until the temperature is where you like it. Consider marking the gauge with a pen once you find the ideal placement for the slider. That way, you can easily move the slider back if it gets bumped out of position for some reason. Find a digital temperature screen on the front of your refrigerator. You might be living large if you have a modernized refrigerator with a digital readout. The screen makes changing the settings a breeze. It is usually located outside the refrigerator on its door. Some refrigerators have digital displays with control buttons while the newest models have touch screens. The digital display is tough to miss, so if you don't see one, you probably have a dial or sliding gauge hidden inside your refrigerator. Be sure to check your owner's manual for more instructions about how to operate your refrigerator's controls. Press the arrow keys to adjust the temperature setting. Many digital displays have small arrow buttons that you press to change the temperature. Some models have buttons like “warmer” and “colder” instead, which do exactly what you would expect. Keep pressing the buttons until the screen displays your desired temperature. Plan on getting the refrigerator to about 37 °F (3 °C). Set the temperature no higher than 40 °F (4 °C) to prevent your food from spoiling and becoming unsafe to eat. Test the refrigerator by storing a thermometer in it for at least 5 hours. Give the refrigerator plenty of time to adjust to the new setting, but keep a thermometer on the center shelf. The electronic display is only a display, so it might not match the temperature of your refrigerator if something is wrong with it. Always use a thermometer to rest easy knowing that your food is as safe as it can be. If the internal temperature is wrong, try adjusting it little by little using the controls again. Wait another 5 hours after each adjustment to see if anything changes. If not, you might have a cooling problem that needs to be addressed by a repair technician. | Purchase a refrigerator thermometer to test the temperature. Place the thermometer on the refrigerator’s middle shelf. Read the temperature on the thermometer after at least 5 hours. Adjust the temperature setting using the controls inside your refrigerator. Take the temperature reading again after at least 5 hours. Locate the dial inside the refrigerator. Turn the dial up to cool down the refrigerator. Take the temperature and adjust the setting until it’s right. Look for a sliding temperature gauge near the top of the refrigerator. Move the switch to the right to cool the refrigerator. Measure and adjust the temperature again after waiting at least 5 hours. Find a digital temperature screen on the front of your refrigerator. Press the arrow keys to adjust the temperature setting. Test the refrigerator by storing a thermometer in it for at least 5 hours. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-and-Prevent-a-Common-Cold | How to Treat and Prevent a Common Cold | To prevent colds, make sure you wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, and cover your mouth whenever you sneeze or cough. Avoid public spaces as much as possible and disinfect surfaces in your home to reduce your potential exposure. If you do catch a cold, remember to drink plenty of fluids and get plenty of rest. You can also use lasenges, nasal sprays, and other over the counter medications to help with your symptoms. | Drink plenty of fluids. Staying hydrated can help replace fluids you lose producing mucus or from a fever. Ensuring you consume enough liquids may help you feel better and get over the cold more quickly. You can drink water, juice, clear broth, or even clear, non-caffeinated soft drinks. Avoid coffee or caffeinated teas and soft drinks because they can cause dehydration and exacerbate your symptoms. Eat chicken soup. Recent studies have shown that the long-time home remedy of chicken soup can decrease inflammation and reduce symptoms, congestion in particular. If you don't like chicken, you can always make a vegetable soup instead! Eating chicken soup as you can may minimize your symptoms and help you get over your cold more quickly. Chicken soup has anti-inflammatory properties and also temporarily speeds up the movement of mucus through the nose, which in turn relieves congestion. You don't have to make your own chicken soup to get the benefits — store-bought, canned soup works just as well. Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and caffeine. Alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco products can exacerbate the symptoms of a cold. Avoiding these products while you are sick may make you feel better and reduce the duration of your symptoms. Gargle with a saltwater solution. Rinsing with a simple solution of salt water can keep help relieve a sore and scratchy throat. Although the benefits are temporary, you can use this remedy as often as you need it to help yourself feel better. Make a salt solution by dissolving 1/4 – 1/2 tsp of salt in 4 – 8 oz of warm water. Gargle the solution, being careful not to swallow. Soothe with throat lozenges or sprays. Throat lozenges or sprays containing mild analgesics can help soothe a sore throat. Products that have eucalyptus or camphor may also help to relieve congestion. Suck on throat lozenges or use sprays every two to three hours, or according to the package or your doctor's directions. Suck on the throat lozenge until it is completely gone. Don't try to chew it or swallow it whole, which can numb your throat and cause swallowing difficulties. You can buy throat lozenges and sprays at most pharmacies and some grocery stores and larger retailers. Use saline nasal spray. Nasal congestion is one of the peskiest symptoms of a cold. A saline nasal spray can help relieve congestion by loosening mucus. It is safe to use on children and can generally be used as frequently as you wish. You can get saline nasal drops over-the-counter at most pharmacies or large retailers. Make sure to follow the packing instructions or those of your doctor. For some infants, doctors recommends using a few drops in your baby's nose and then suctioning each nostril. Relieve pain with over-the-counter (OTC) medication. You may have body aches and a headache with a cold. Consider taking an OTC medication (decongestants, nasal sprays, or antihistamines) to relieve pain and discomfort from a cold. It is important to take with care as directed on package and remember that these are for temporary use. Take acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium to minimize pain. Do not give children or teenagers aspirin, which associated with Reye's syndrome. Check with your healthcare provider before giving an infant or child any medication. Rest as much as possible. Getting enough rest can help relieve your symptoms. If possible, stay home from work or school, especially if you have a fever or have taken medications that make you drowsy. Staying home from work or school can also prevent you from infecting other people with a cold. Take naps during the day if you can and make sure you get at least eight hours of sleep a night to help your body recover. Create a comfortable sleeping environment. Sleep in a bedroom that is comfortable, warm, and slightly humid. By controlling factors such as the temperature and humidity, having comfortable bedding, and keeping air circulating, you may help relieve the symptoms of a cold. Set temperature in bedroom to between 70 to 75°F (21 to 23.9°C), which can keep you warm and help you sleep. Use a cool-mist humidifier or vaporizer to moisten the air, which can help relieve congestion and coughing. Make sure to clean the humidifier to prevent mold or bacteria growth. Breathing in steam from running a hot shower in a closed bathroom can help ease congestion. Use a fan to keep air circulating or open a window if it is not cold outside. Consider alternative medicine remedies. Many people rely on alternative medicine to prevent and relieve colds; however, studies have had mixed results regarding the effectiveness of vitamin C, Echinacea, or zinc as cold remedies. Use these remedies if you feel they work for you and make you feel better. There is limited evidence that taking Vitamin C at the onset of cold symptoms may reduce the duration of your symptoms. Some studies have shown that taking echinacea at the onset of a cold can reduce the severity and duration of symptoms. As with vitamin C and echinacea, studies on zinc have shown that it can reduce symptoms such as nausea and a bad taste in the mouth if taken within 24 hours after the onset of your cold. Do not use intranasal zinc, which can cause permanent damage to your sense of smell. See your doctor. A cold will usually resolve on its own and does not require a visit to the doctor. There are, however, some circumstances in which you should see your doctor. These include: If there is no improvement of your cold symptoms after 10 days. If you have a sore throat and a fever with no cold symptoms, you may have strep throat, a bacterial infection that requires an antibiotic. If you experience any of the following symptoms: high fever (over 101.3°F or 38.5°C for adults), severe or worsening symptoms, severe headache, vomiting, abdominal pain, chest pain, wheezing, shortness of breath, or trouble breathing. These symptoms indicate you may be developing or have a secondary infection such as pneumonia, sinusitis or ear infection. Any infant three months old or younger who develops a cold or fever should always be seen by a healthcare professional. Recognize that there is no cure. Although there is no cure for the common cold, there are effective ways to help prevent it. Employing basic measures such as handwashing, cleaning surfaces, and covering your mouth can help minimize your risk for contracting it. Unlike the flu, there is no vaccine for the common cold. Antibiotics will not be effective in treating a cold, as a cold is caused by a virus and antibiotics treat bacterial infections. Wash hands often and thoroughly. One of the most effective ways to prevent a cold is by proper hand-washing techniques. This minimizes the spread of bacteria and the flu virus from surfaces that many people touch. Wash your hands in warm water with a mild soap for at least 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Make sure to wash your hands after touching anything in crowded places, such as handles on public transportation. Cover your nose and mouth with tissues. Always cover both your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow to avoid contaminating your hands. Make sure to discard the tissue right away and then wash your hands. Covering your nose and mouth minimizes the risk of spreading your cold to those around you. Encourage others to cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. Avoid crowded spaces as much as possible. Colds are very contagious, especially for children, and spreads most easily in places where there are large crowds of people. Minimizing time in crowded spaces may reduce your risk of getting a cold. Avoid contact with infected individuals. Do not share utensils and other personal objects with someone who has a cold. If you have a cold, stay home to reduce the risk of spreading it to others. Disinfect surfaces and spaces. Germs spread easily in shared spaces such as bathrooms or on kitchen surfaces. Cleaning and disinfecting these spaces frequently may help prevent spreading the cold to other members of your family or your friends and colleagues. Focus on spaces that everyone in your vicinity uses. This includes the toilet, bathroom sink, kitchen counters, and the kitchen sink. You may also want to disinfect door handles. You can use any type of surface disinfectant available commercially. | Drink plenty of fluids. Eat chicken soup. Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and caffeine. Gargle with a saltwater solution. Soothe with throat lozenges or sprays. Use saline nasal spray. Relieve pain with over-the-counter (OTC) medication. Rest as much as possible. Create a comfortable sleeping environment. Consider alternative medicine remedies. See your doctor. Recognize that there is no cure. Wash hands often and thoroughly. Cover your nose and mouth with tissues. Avoid crowded spaces as much as possible. Disinfect surfaces and spaces. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Prepare-for-Your-Period | How to Prepare for Your Period | You might be nervous to get your period, but with a little bit of preparation, you'll be ready when it comes. If you haven't yet, you may want to stock up on some menstrual care products, like pads, tampons, and panty liners. It's good to keep a few in your bag at all times just so you're prepared. You might even wear a pad one day just to get used to how it feels. Keep in mind that most people get their first period between 9 and 16, but there are some signs that mean your period is coming soon. You may notice yellow or white vaginal discharge, your breasts growing, or pubic hair growth. All of these are signs your period will arrive in a few months to a year. Don't worry if you end up getting your first period at school. You can always visit the school nurse and they'll be able to help you out. | Talk to your doctor. When you go to the doctor for a checkup, they can examine you and see how you are developing. The doctor may be able to predict around when your period may start. This can help you be more prepared. You should also take this time to ask your doctor any questions you have about starting your period. Do not feel embarrassed by any questions you may have. Your doctor is used to questions and is there to help you. Notice any physical symptoms. Before your period starts, you may experience breast tenderness, cramping, stomach bloating, and acne. You may not experience any symptoms the first time you have your period though. Ask your parent about a heating pad or taking pain medicine to help with your symptoms. The older you get, it will be easier to tell when your period is coming. Recognize when your period starts. Your period will usually begin between the ages of 12 and 14. Menstrual blood will begin to come out of your vagina. This blood can be different shades of red and brown and may include clots. If you have not gotten your period by the time you are 15, you need to talk to your parents and your doctor. If you feel any wetness, go to the bathroom to see if your period has started. Your first period may only last for a few days and be very light. You may only see some reddish and/or brown spots. It should last from two to seven days. You can wear panty liners if you suspect that your period may be starting soon. This will protect your clothes until you can use a pad or tampon. Predict when your next period may start. Your menstrual cycle begins the first day that you bleed. A cycle usually lasts between 21 and 45 days. The average cycle is 28 days. It is helpful to mark on a calendar or use a phone app to keep track of your period. You will begin to recognize a pattern and know when your cycle will start. Mark the first day your period starts, and then count the days until you bleed again. This will help you figure out the length of your cycle. Your periods may not come every month when you first start your period. It may take up to six years before you have a regular cycle. The average length of menstrual cycle during the first year is about 32 days. See your doctor if your period comes more often than every 21 days or less often than every 45 days. Also see your doctor if your period was once regular, but you begin to have irregular periods. Be aware that you can get your period anytime between ages 9 to 16. A period is a standard sign of puberty. Know the signs. There are ways of telling if your period is coming. One way of telling if your period is near is vaginal discharge. Discharge is a yellow/white substance that appears in your underwear. Once you get your discharge, your period could come within 6 months to up to 2 years time. Some girls choose to wear a pantyliner to protect their underwear from discharge. Note that your breasts will start to grow. You can expect your period about two years after you get breast buds. Expect to see pubic hair grow. Just after your breasts start to form, you'll probably start growing pubic hair (hair on and around your private regions).It will be soft and thin at first, but it'll get coarser over time. Your period usually arrives around one to two years after public hair growth. Choose a product to collect period blood. Pads, tampons , and menstrual cups can all be used to collect period blood and keep you from getting stains on your clothes. Most girls start off with pads, but try different products until you find something that you like. Pads and tampons come in different sizes. Products that say "light" or "slim" are for a lighter flow, and products that say "heavy," "super," or "overnight" are made for a heavier blood flow. All menstrual products come with instructions. Read them before you use the products. It will take practice for you to feel comfortable using the products. Take your time and don't get frustrated. Do not use scented menstrual products. These products can irritate your skin and vagina. Avoid perfumes and sprays as well. Know how to use a tampon. Tampons are plugs of cotton that you insert into your vagina. You can't feel a tampon once it is inside of you. Most women sit on the toilet, squat, or put one leg up when they insert the tampon. Find a position that works best for you. Inserting a tampon should not be painful, but it may feel uncomfortable at first. Wash your hands before inserting the tampon. Relax when you insert the tampon. It can be painful if you do not relax. Using a tampon with an applicator will make it easier to insert. Change your tampon every three to four hours. You should not wear a tampon for longer than eight hours as this puts you at risk for toxic shock syndrome (TSS). It may be best to wear pads when you are sleeping. The reason for not wearing tampons at night is they absorb moisture. This makes the tampon become larger. Since you sleep for a long time usually the tampon will be larger and possibly a little more difficult to remove. The tampon will also not hold that much, so it may leak during the night. Tampons are good for swimming and sports activities. Use the string on the end of the tampon to remove it. If the string breaks, it is ok. You can gently use your fingers to find the end of the tampon and remove it. Do not flush tampons or applicators in the toilet. If you are having problems, ask your mother or someone you trust to help you. Using a small amount of water based lubricant may make it more comfortable for you to insert the tampon. This is especially useful if this is new to you. Know how to use a pad. Pads are placed in your underwear and have an adhesive strip that helps them stay in place. Use pads with wings or flaps to help you feel more secure and to better protect your clothes and underwear. Change your pad every three to four hours. Pads are safe to wear overnight. Do not ever flush your pad down the toilet. Wrap them in toilet paper and put them in the trash. Do not go swimming in a pad. The pad will absorb the water and become bulky. If you are having problems, ask your mother or someone you trust to help you. Consider a menstrual cup. Menstrual cups are made of rubber, silicone, or plastic and are inserted into your vagina. They are shaped like small bells and are reusable. The cups can look large and intimidating, but they will fit into your body. Like tampons, you will not be able to feel the cup once it has been inserted properly. Cups are usually more difficult to use than tampons and pads and will take more time to get used to. Read the instructions that come with the cup for the best way to insert the cup. Instructions will tell you how to insert, remove, and properly clean the cup. Always wash your hands before inserting and taking out the cup. Menstrual cups can be worn overnight and for up to 12 hours. To remove a menstrual cup, put your hands inside your vagina and pinch the cup. This will release the cup from your vaginal walls. Once you grip the cup, pull it out and then empty the cup into the toilet. Wash the cup with mild, unscented soap and warm water before reinserting. If you are having problems, ask your mother or someone you trust to help you. Water based lubricants can be used with a menstrual cup. This may make it easier to insert and remove the cup, especially when your period is lighter. Use a panty liner for extra protection. Panty liners are very thin pads that you can use when you wear a tampon or a menstrual cup. The panty liner will protect your clothes and underwear from any leakage. You can also wear a panty liner when your flow is light, and you do not want to wear a pad, tampon, or menstrual cup. Make a period kit to take to school. Your period kit should contain the menstrual products of your choice (e.g. pads, tampons, menstrual cup, and panty liners) and extra underwear. You can also include an extra set of clothes in your kit. You can keep this in your backpack, purse, or locker. Talk with your mom, sister, aunt, or another woman that you feel comfortable with. They can help you be prepared. Take your kit with you if you spend the night at friend's house too. Start the preparations. Once you've had discharge, you should start thinking about being prepared. It might be a good idea to create a mini kit for yourself, small enough to take anywhere you go (such as school). Get a starter kit targeted at tweens and teens; check your local pharmacy. Know what to use for your first period. Most girls' first periods are light, so maybe have some normal or "lil lets teen" pads. Everyone is different, so just in case your period comes heavy, it may be a good idea to have a couple heavy pads just in case. It's a good idea to wait until you've had a few periods and/or are comfortable with them before you start wearing tampons. If you think your period may start soon, you may want to start wearing pantyliners, just in case you start when you don't expect to. Keep a pad in your pocket or bag at all times. Check for marks on your undies. You will see bright red marks or brown dark sticky marks, this means your period is coming soon. Be aware of any cramps in your stomach region. Your lower back and legs might hurt and your body also might start to hurt a little. If you haven't prepared and you start your period unexpectedly, then go to your school nurse (if you're at school), a friend (if you're with one) or your mom and ask for a pad or tampon. If you are in class and you feel you have started, ask your teacher to be excused. Don't be embarrassed. If they say no, go up to them and quietly explain the situation. If they still say no again, just quickly leave. The nurse will most likely give you a note that excuses you. Wearing a night pad before you go to bed is a good idea to stop leakage emergencies while sleeping. If you haven't started your period, you may want to wear a pad one day just to get used to it. However, do not wear tampons when you're not on your period! Note that periods can last up to a whole week. Again, this depends on the person. Mark the date from when it started to when it ended. Then you'll know to expect it around that time. Deal with tummy troubles. If you're thinking you don't look as good in your bikini as you did a few days ago, that might be some period-related bloating. You could also have either diarrhea or constipation, cramps, and nausea. Some girls start craving specific foods and eating a little more than usual, too, so be careful that you keep snacking on healthy things. Understand that at times you may feel very emotional. You're not a drama queen, but you've been feeling pretty weepy the past few days. That's probably a sign that your period is right around the corner. You could also be more irritated than usual or have trouble sleeping. In more severe cases, some girls have trouble remembering things and concentrating in the days leading up to their periods. Expect breakouts. Acne tends to pop out on your face when your period shows up because your hormones are going wild. Expect sometimes to feel sleepy. You might feel more tired than usual. Be prepared for leaks. Sometimes blood will leak through your clothes. It is ok, most girls will or have experienced this before. If you are at home, change your clothes immediately. If you are not home, you can tie a jacket or sweater around your waist to hide the blood and then change your pad or tampon. You can also keep a change of clothes in your locker. As soon as you can, rinse your underwear and clothes with cold water and then put them in the washing machine. You may be able to get rid of the stain. Know what to do if you do not have a pad or tampon. If you do not have a pad or tampon, ask a friend, teacher, or school nurse. You can also go to the office and ask to call your parents to bring you the supplies that you need. If you are desperate, fold up tissue or toilet paper and put them in your underwear to protect your clothes. Some schools have tampon and pad dispensers in the bathroom. The toilet paper and tissue will not last for long. Try to find a pad or tampon as soon as you can — the school nurse is your best bet. Remember that the nurse is a healthcare professional and you don't need to feel embarrassed to go to them and ask for help. Change your pad or tampon at school. You may need to excuse yourself from class to insert and/or change a pad or tampon. You can quietly tell your teacher, "I need to go to the bathroom." If they say no, you can say something like, "It is that time of the month." Your teacher will know that you are on your period. You can also ask to go to visit the school nurse. Many bathrooms have a small trashcan in the stall that you can throw your used pads, panty liners, and tampon applicators in. If you cannot throw it away in your stall, wrap the used product in toilet paper and then throw it away in the bathroom trashcan. Most girls will have their period. You will not be the only girl changing her pad or tampon at school. Know that you can do everything you usually do. Many girls worry that they cannot swim or play sports when they are on their period or that other people will notice that they are on their period. None of that is true. No one else will know that you are on your period unless you tell them. Other people cannot smell you when you are on your period. As long as you change your pads and tampons regularly, you will be fine. Wear tampons when you are swimming and playing sports. They are more comfortable than wearing a pad and will allow you to move around better. | Talk to your doctor. Notice any physical symptoms. Recognize when your period starts. Predict when your next period may start. Be aware that you can get your period anytime between ages 9 to 16. Know the signs. Note that your breasts will start to grow. Expect to see pubic hair grow. Choose a product to collect period blood. Know how to use a tampon. Know how to use a pad. Consider a menstrual cup. Use a panty liner for extra protection. Make a period kit to take to school. Start the preparations. Know what to use for your first period. If you think your period may start soon, you may want to start wearing pantyliners, just in case you start when you don't expect to. Keep a pad in your pocket or bag at all times. Check for marks on your undies. Be aware of any cramps in your stomach region. If you haven't prepared and you start your period unexpectedly, then go to your school nurse (if you're at school), a friend (if you're with one) or your mom and ask for a pad or tampon. If you are in class and you feel you have started, ask your teacher to be excused. Wearing a night pad before you go to bed is a good idea to stop leakage emergencies while sleeping. If you haven't started your period, you may want to wear a pad one day just to get used to it. Note that periods can last up to a whole week. Deal with tummy troubles. Understand that at times you may feel very emotional. Expect breakouts. Expect sometimes to feel sleepy. Be prepared for leaks. Know what to do if you do not have a pad or tampon. Change your pad or tampon at school. Know that you can do everything you usually do. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Sciatica-with-Exercise | How to Treat Sciatica with Exercise | To treat sciatica with exercise, try core strengthening exercises like planks to help support and relieve your back pain. Additionally, perform side planks to engage the oblique muscles, which protect your spine when twisting. You can also do bridge exercises, which strengthen the back of your legs, lower back, and buttocks. When performing a bridge, lay on your back with both knees bent and the soles of your feet on the floor. Then, push your hips toward the ceiling while keeping your back straight. Start by doing 5 sets of each exercise, trying to hold each pose for 5 to 10 seconds. | Try the plank exercise. Many health professionals will recommend core strengthening exercises like the plank to help alleviate pain. Stronger core muscles help to support and relieve your back. They also help keep your pelvis in a neutral alignment, decreasing compression of the nerves. Lie face-down on a soft surface, such as an exercise mat. Prop yourself off the ground by using your forearms and toes to support the body. The elbows should be directly under the shoulder. Make a double chin and keep the shoulder blades back and down to maintain proper spinal alignment. Tighten the abdomen as if you are about to be punched in the gut. Tuck your hips under and squeeze your glutes, keeping your entire body in a straight, rigid line. Try to make yourself as long and as strong as you can from the crown of your head out through your heels. Maintain this position for 10 seconds or until you begin to wobble. Breathe normally throughout the plank. Do three sets with 30 second rests in between. Work your way up until you can do 30 second holds with good form. Perform side planks to engage the oblique muscles. These muscles protect the spine against sudden twisting movements and provide additional support to your back. Start by laying on your left side on a soft surface like an exercise mat. Lift your body off the surface by supporting your weight with the left elbow and outer side of the left foot. Your left shoulder should be tracking straight over your left elbow. Maintain an erect posture as if you are standing tall. Look straight, brace your abdomen, keep the shoulders back and down, and squeeze your butt. You should maintain this position for 10 seconds by continuously engaging your left oblique muscles (the muscles at the side of your belly). This can be a very challenging move. If you are struggling, try staggering the feet for more support, or performing with the left knee down. Do three sets of 10 second holds. Work your way up to 30-second holds with proper form. Switch sides and repeat. Do lying leg lifts. Leg lifts will help strengthen your lower abdominal muscles and remove the strain from your lower back and sciatic nerve. Start by lying down on the floor on your back either on an exercise mat or on the carpet. Press your lower back down to the floor and pull your bellybutton in toward the floor. Your pelvic alignment is essential to getting this exercise right an not causing further harm. It may be necessary for you to put your hands under your lower back for support, or put a slight bend in your knees. Keeping both legs straight (if you can), slowly raise your left leg off the floor while keeping your knee straight. Hold for five seconds, and return back to the original pose. Then do the same with your other leg. Repeat the alternation five times or as many times as you are able. Try bridge exercises. This exercise helps strengthen the back of your legs, buttocks, and lower back. Lay down on the floor on your back with both knees bent and the soles of your feet flat on the floor. Then, push up using your buttocks while your back is straight. Your body should form a straight line declining from your knees to your head. Hold for five seconds to 10, and relax. Repeat this exercise five times if able. Try curl ups. This exercise is similar to a traditional crunch. It strengthens the abs and the upper rectus to help relieve pressure from the lower back. Begin by laying flat on your back on an exercise mat or carpet. Fold your arms across your chest. Slowly roll and lift your head up off the ground followed by your shoulders. You should feel your entire core become tight and engaged. Hold this position for two to four seconds or as long as you're able. Slowly lower your shoulders and head back down to the starting position. Continue with this exercise until you can complete two sets of 10 curls. Stretch your hamstrings. A standing hamstring stretch is an exercise that can help treat sciatica pain by stretching and lengthening the hamstring (back of your thigh) muscles. Stand in front of a low table or sturdy box. Place one heel on the table or box on it while standing straight and keeping your foot flexed and toes pointed to the ceiling. Slowly bend over at the waist, making sure to keep your back straight. Try to touch your toes, as much as you can until you feel a slight stretch in your hamstrings. If you're not able to touch the toes, rest your hands on your shin or knee for a more comfortable position. Hold the stretch for 20-30 seconds, then return your foot to the floor. Repeat this stretch two to three times per leg. Do a back flexion stretch. Flexing and bending your back forward can alleviate pain from sciatica. This helps to alleviate the irritation or impingement on the nerve. Start by lying on your back on the floor on an exercise mat or carpet. Bend both of your knees while raising them towards your chest. You will be able to feel a light stretch at the lower part of your back. Hold your knees at a position that you feel a light, yet comfortable stretching sensation in your lower back. Hold the stretch for thirty seconds, and repeat four to six times. Try child's pose. Although a common pose to yoga, the child's pose is another exercise that can cause the comfortable, forward bending stretch that can help alleviate sciatica pain. Sit on your knees on a carpet or exercise mat. Lower your forehead to the ground and rest your head comfortably. Stretch your arms out in front of you and over your head and just allow them to relax, palm-side down on the mat or carpet in front of you. Hold this position for 30 seconds and repeat four to six times as you're able and feel comfortable. Stretch your piriformis muscle. The piriformis stretch or "ankle over knee" exercise helps to loosen the piriformis muscle and increases its flexibility. Increased piriformis flexibility reduces the pressure on the sciatic nerve underneath. It is important to stretch the piriformis because, while it is very small and deep, it runs directly over the sciatic nerve. Increased tension in this muscle will cause compression of the sciatic nerve (possibly all the way down the leg). Lie down on your back on the carpet or exercise mat. Bend both of your knees at a 90 degree angle and keep feet flat on the floor. Place the left ankle on top of the right leg's knee. Your legs should now form a figure four pattern. The outer side of the left ankle should rest comfortably on the right leg's front thigh. Grab the back of your right thigh and slowly pull your thigh forward. You should feel a stretch deep in the left butt muscle. This is the piriformis being stretched. Keep your butt on the ground the whole time and hold the position for 30 seconds. People older than 40 years old should hold the position for 60 seconds. Switch legs and repeat two to three times per leg. Stay active. Although you might feel like you want to rest or take time off from being physically active, studies have shown that being inactive or taking to bed rest might be counterproductive to managing your sciatica. The USDA typically recommends that you participate in about 150 minutes or 2 1/2 hours of physical activity or cardio exercises each week. This breaks down to 30 minutes five days a week. If you're not currently exercising, just starting, or not currently doing 150 minutes of exercise each week, take it slow. Start with 60 minutes a week and then slowly progress until you meet your goal. Higher intensity, high impact exercises like running might not be appropriate for your condition. However, walking or water aerobics may be more gentle and comfortable for you. Use hot and cold packs. People with sciatica and other muscles aches and pains have successfully used a combination of hot and cold compression packs to ease their pain. Start with icing your painful muscles and joints. This helps decrease inflammation which is one of the main causes of irritation to the sciatic nerve. Apply the ice pack for about 20 minutes several times a day. Make sure your ice pack is covered in a towel. Transition to hot packs after using the cold packs. Use a few times a day for relief. You may want to alternate between both hot and cold packs. If you exercise, stretch or do strengthening exercises, you may start with cold to prevent inflammation and then use heat to ease the pain. Take OTC pain medications. There are several options for sciatica pain management. These might help you stay active, stretch and strengthen the muscles to help reduce your pain long-term. Although the pain you may feel from your sciatica may be intense, try self-medicating with over-the-counter or OTC medications. If you can manage the pain with these, it's better than having to take narcotic or opioid medications. Try: paracetamol and NSAIDS for relief. Make sure to read the dosage and consumption instructions. Also, always ask your doctor prior to beginning any OTC pain medications. If your pain is not well-managed with these types of medications, talk to your doctor about possibly taking prescription medications for additional relief. Be careful when lifting heavy objects. If you are about to lift anything, consider the weight you are going to lift. Don't lift any heavy things that could strain your back or cause more irritation and pain. If you need to lift something heavy, use proper form: bend your knees as if you are sitting down into a chair, and using your hips, let your leg muscles lift instead of your back muscles. Don't pull heavy things or boxes across the floor; instead, push them slowly. Alert your work or family members of your pain. Ask for "light duty" or help if you need to lift heavy objects on a regular basis. Maintain good posture. Maintain correct posture while standing, sitting, or even sleeping. This can help ensure that you're not aggravating your condition by posture. When standing, keep your shoulders pulled back, yet relaxed. Lift your head up tall as if there is a string attached to the middle of your head and is pulling you upwards. Pull in you stomach slightly and put equal weight on both feet. Sit with your back straight and use a pillow to support your lower back, with your feet stable on the floor. Like standing, keep shoulders pulled back and relaxed. When sleeping, make sure that your bed mattress is firm and distributes your body weight evenly, while supporting your back in a straight position. Make an appointment with a physical therapist. Many times, sciatica pain is not well managed with at-home exercises or OTC pain medications. Try meeting with a physical therapist for a more intensive therapy program. A physical therapist is a health professional that can assist in you in managing your sciatica pain by helping you stretch and strengthen the proper muscles. Ask your primary care doctor or look online for a local physical therapist. Many specialize in different types of injury and pain management. Sciatica is fairly common and is usually familiar to most therapists. | Try the plank exercise. Perform side planks to engage the oblique muscles. Do lying leg lifts. Try bridge exercises. Try curl ups. Stretch your hamstrings. Do a back flexion stretch. Try child's pose. Stretch your piriformis muscle. Stay active. Use hot and cold packs. Take OTC pain medications. Be careful when lifting heavy objects. Maintain good posture. Make an appointment with a physical therapist. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Exercise-Horses-in-Cold-Weather | How to Exercise Horses in Cold Weather | To exercise horses in cold weather, start with at least 10-15 minutes of easy activities, like slow walking and stretching, so your horse can warm up its muscles. Next, ease your horse into low-impact training exercises and groundwork. You can also incorporate hill work and some cantering if the ground isn't too slippery. If you hit an icy patch during a ride, dismount and lead your horse over or around it on foot. Finish up with at least 15 minutes of easy walking so your horse can cool down. | Take your horse's condition into consideration. If considering taking your horse out in cold weather you need to take its current fitness level into consideration. Don't have expectations of it that it cannot physically fulfill. Remember that exercising in the winter can be more difficult for the horse, so rein in your expectations. For example, if your horse does not exercise much during more temperate months, then expecting it to go on long rides in cold conditions will set you up for failure and possibly injury. Keep your horse's activity level the same or slightly lower when the weather starts getting colder. Acclimate your horse to cold temperatures. While horses can be acclimated to most temperatures, it can take some time. Get your horse used to the cold gradually. This means not throwing it out into freezing temperatures for long periods when it is not used to them. This is especially true if you are relocating a horse that has never experienced freezing cold weather before. Give it some time and allow it to gradually get used to the cold before thoroughly exercising it. Keep your horse's blanket or cooler (a moisture-wicking wool or fleece covering) on it over your tack (horseback riding equipment) as you walk it to let the horse warm up slowly. Do not let the horse get sweaty under the blanket. Allow your horse to properly warm up. One of the best ways to protect your horse from injury or illness due to exercise in cold weather is to properly warm it up. Warming up a horse allows its muscles to loosen up and more blood to flow into its joints. Have your horse do 10-15 minutes of slow walking and stretching to allow its muscles to warm up. This can be a good time to do some easy training exercises, such as making the horse walk next to you without physically pulling it with ropes or reins. If your horse has been standing in its stall for a long period of time, then it will need a long warm up period to get its muscles ready for exercise. A horse that has been turned out in a field all day, and thus has been moving around, will need less time. Before getting on your horse to work out, warm up your horse's neck and chest by doing some carrot stretches. While using carrots as a lure, have the horse do three different motions, including: Rounding (flexion) Hollowing (extension) Side to side (lateral) bending Adapt your work to the weather. Just because your horse can exercise in very cold weather doesn't mean that it should be exercising really hard or for long periods of time. Taking your horse out and keeping it at a walk will be much easier on its lungs than making it exercise really hard. If your horse is breathing too deeply in cold weather it's lungs can be negatively impacted. If your horse has to breathe really hard, its upper respiratory system does not have enough time to warm and hydrate the air before it gets into the horse's lower respiratory system. If dry and cold air gets into the horse's lower respiratory system it can impact your horse's breathing and immune responses to airway pathogens, along with other issues. Just remember, if you are miserably cold, then your horse probably is too. If it is painful for you to be riding, consider abandoning the ride for a time when the weather is a bit warmer. Also take wind chill into consideration. Wind chill can have a big effect on the impact of cold weather on your horse's lungs. Check wind chill before going on a ride outside and take that into consideration when deciding how hard your horse should work. Consider various types of exercise. Just because it's too cold or blustery to go on a ride, that doesn't mean that your horse can't get exercised. Do other types of exercise and training. This can be as simple as walking your horse around in a ring next to you or working on other groundwork skills. If working in a ring, make sure that the ground surface is not slippery and frozen before taking your horse out on to it. A hard-packed icy surface can be a hazard to your horse's footing, and thus its safety. Incorporate hill work if available. This can be done at a slow walking pace, if the ground is safe to do so, and is great for maintaining glute muscle which deteriorates fast in the winter without work. Take indoor arena workouts as an opportunity to work on specific drills and moves or to do long periods of cantering. See if there is a nearby indoor arena where you can take your horse 3-4 times a week. Most barns are happy to share in the winter when people are riding less anyway. Avoid icy areas. Just as with humans, horses can have a hard time getting a good footing on hard packed ice and snow. While a layer of light snow can be easy for a horse to walk in, deep snow can cause the horse to work too hard. It can also cause injuries to the horse's tendons if the horse struggles for its footing. Use your best judgement about when and where you should, and shouldn't, take your horse out for a ride. If you suspect an area is icy, avoid it instead of risking your horse's health and safety. If you must take your horse into an icy area, consider removing its horseshoes. Horses with bare hooves generally have better traction in the snow and ice. If you come upon an icy patch during a ride, dismount and lead your horse over or around it on foot. Your horse will be able to navigate the ice better without a rider aboard. Cool down the horse. After your horse exercises in cold weather, it needs to be given a period of cool down to help its muscles recover from the exercise. This usually includes at least 15 minutes of easy walking. Cool down periods help your horse's muscles continue to have good circulation, which is essential to exercise recovery. Cool downs will help your horse acclimate to the air temperature and will also help its body temperature return to normal. Your horse should be dry once cool down is done. This means walking it until it is dried off or taking it into a warm area where excess moisture can be totally dried off. Leaving a horse wet can drop its body temperature and promote illness. If your horse is body clipped in the winter, putting a cooler on it after exercising will make the temperature transition less harsh and make your horse more comfortable while you walk for 10-15 minutes. Check your horse for ice and snow build up. Make sure that your horse's legs and hooves are free of ice and snow after a ride or other type of exercise in the snow. Getting this off, and then drying your horse's legs, will help to keep your horse's legs healthy and infection free. In particular, balls of ice that build up in a horse's hooves can make it very hard for them to walk. These should be removed to avoid the risk of slipping and falling. Make sure your horse has its basic needs met. After a ride you should take the time to make sure your horse has its other needs met. This means that it at least has access to cover and has food and water available to it. Frozen water troughs can be a big problem in the winter. Make sure to break any ice accumulating on troughs so that your horse has access to water. Feeding needs to be adjusted in the winter. Make sure that your horse has more hay available in the winter if it is exposed to cold temperatures. This will help it to keep its internal temperature up. Horses that have their coats clipped should also be given a blanket and more feed in order to keep their temperatures up. | Take your horse's condition into consideration. Acclimate your horse to cold temperatures. Allow your horse to properly warm up. Adapt your work to the weather. Consider various types of exercise. Avoid icy areas. Cool down the horse. Check your horse for ice and snow build up. Make sure your horse has its basic needs met. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Lamp | How to Build a Lamp | To build a lamp, start by getting a lamp kit at your local hardware store, which will come with a detachable harp, a cord set, a socket and shell, a finial, and some basic hardware. You'll also need a base for your lamp, like a book or a wine bottle, since you won't get one in a lamp kit. Next, cut or drill a hole through the base and use rubber stoppers to make sure it's stable. Then, thread the lamp cord through the rod and put it into the hole. Check that the cords are fully threaded, screw the lock nut onto the rod, and attach the harp bottom and socket cap. | Find a base. The base for your lamp should be sturdy enough to stand on its own, even after you add lamp apparatus and a shade on top. If you have a hollow base that you need to stabilize, consider partially filling it with something like marbles or sand. Some ideas for lamp bases that you could use: Wine bottles Log or timber Wooden pails or buckets Toys or figurines Hollowed-out books Buy a lamp kit. These can be found at most hardware stores. Note that it's possible to purchase the pieces separately, but buying them together will ensure a better fit. If you do buy the cord separately, choose a #18 size cord. If you don't want to buy a lamp kit, and instead want to purchase the items separately, you'll need: Detachable harp Cord set Push-through socket and socket shell Finial Assorted hardware, like nuts, bolts and washers Prepare the base for the rod. The rod is a hollow tube that will run the cord up through the bottom of your base to the lightbulb at the top. Depending on your base, you may have to drill or cut holes wide enough for the rod at the top and bottom of the lamp. If necessary, you can trim the rod with a hacksaw or pipe cutters, but it's best (and easier) to choose a base that's fitted to your rod. Sawing your rod down to size is not ideal. Stabilize the bottom of the base. Your lamp kit might come with a piece meant to stabilize the bottom of your base. If it doesn't, simply purchase rubber stoppers. Affix these at intervals around the base to prevent sliding and lift the base slightly off the table, allowing room for the cord. Thread the cord through the rod. The cord should consist of two covered wires stuck together. Thread it through the rod from bottom to top, leaving 3 or 4 inches (7 to 10 cm) of cord about the base. Before threading, tape the wire ends together so that they fit smoothly inside the rod. When doing this, make sure that the bottom of the plug doesn't rub against the rod's sharp edge. Screw the lock nut onto the end of the lamp rod. Make sure your cords are threaded to where you want them first. Screw the neck onto the lamp rod (optional). Your lamp kit may or may not come with a flat, broad "neck" piece or a rubber stopper to add to the lamp rod. Add the harp bottom. Screw the harp bottom onto the lamp rod, arms facing upward. This will be the base for the rest of the harp. Screw on the socket cap. Put the bowl-shaped socket cap on top of the harp bottom, open end up. Secure tightly. Strip the wires. Pull the two covered wires at the top of the cord apart, separating about 4 inches (10 cm) down the cord. Using wire strippers or a knife, remove the insulation from the top 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the cords. Tie the wires. Tie the wires into an underwriter's knot, which looks like a pretzel. Doing this will prevent the wires from falling through the rod to the base. To tie an underwriter's knot: Bring the left wire down so that it's facing to the right, in front of the doubled wiring. Bring the right wire down so that it's facing to the left, in back of the doubled wiring. Put the right wire into the loop on the left side. Pull the ends of both wires tight, fastening the knot. Find the hot wire and the neutral wire. Usually, the neutral wire will be surrounded by ribbed insulation. If you're unsure, refer to the instructions that came with your lamp kit. If the wires have two colors at all, the white is the neutral wire and the black is the hot wire. Wrap the wires around the screws on the bulb socket. The bulb socket in the lamp kit should have two screws of different colors positioned at the base. Wrap the neutral wire clockwise around the silver (or white) screw, and the hot wire clockwise around the gold (or dark) screw. If you're unsure, check the manual that came with your lamp kit. Using a screwdriver, tighten the screws down over the wires. Put the socket shell over the bulb socket. Line it up so that the slot coming up from the bottom of the socket shell aligns with the switch on the bulb socket. Tuck the cords inside so that they won't be visible, and push down the socket shell until it locks into place. Attach the top of the harp. Squeeze the sides of the harp as you slide them into the slots on the harp bottom. Place your lampshade on top of the harp. Once it's secure, twist down the locknut to secure it. Screw a lightbulb into the socket, and plug in your lamp. | Find a base. Buy a lamp kit. Prepare the base for the rod. Stabilize the bottom of the base. Thread the cord through the rod. Screw the lock nut onto the end of the lamp rod. Screw the neck onto the lamp rod (optional). Add the harp bottom. Screw on the socket cap. Strip the wires. Tie the wires. Find the hot wire and the neutral wire. Wrap the wires around the screws on the bulb socket. Put the socket shell over the bulb socket. Attach the top of the harp. Place your lampshade on top of the harp. Screw a lightbulb into the socket, and plug in your lamp. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Knit-on-a-Loom | How to Knit on a Loom | To knit on a loom, start by making a slip knot and putting it onto a peg of your loom. Next, wrap your yarn around every peg on the loom. Once you have your foundation row, make a knit stitch. To make a knit stitch, insert a loom hook into the lower loop of a peg. Pull the bottom loop up over the top loop on the peg to bring the bottom loop over the top loop on the same peg. Now you can take away the loom hook to use on the next peg. Repeat this process according to your pattern. If you're just learning how to use a loom, consider picking a project that only uses knit stitches so you can become comfortable with them. | Make a slip knot and slip it onto a peg. Take your yarn and make form a loop to make a slip knot. Slide the knot onto a peg on your loom. If your loom has an anchor peg, place it on a peg that's closest to the anchor. If your loom doesn't have an anchor peg, you'll just need to keep track of where you started the row. Place the slip knot on any of the pegs. Wrap the yarn counter-clockwise if you're knitting clockwise. Use your right hand to pull the working yarn towards the center of the loom. Then wrap the yarn counter-clockwise around the peg that's next to it going in a clockwise motion. Keep wrapping the yarn around each peg until you've gone around the loom. Work clockwise if it's more comfortable for you. The lines of yarn should be closest to the inside of the loom if you've wrapped the pegs correctly. If your pattern calls for making knit stitches first, wrap another row of yarn around each peg so you have 2 levels of yarn on the pegs. Wrap the yarn clockwise if you're knitting counter-clockwise. If you prefer to knit counter-clockwise around the loom, wrap the yarn around each peg in a clockwise motion. Continue in the clockwise motion around each peg until you've gone around the loom. The line of yarn should be nearest to the inside of the loom and you'll end up with 2 distinct lines on each peg. If you're knitting the first row, wrap the yarn around each peg of the loom 1 more time so you have 2 levels of yarn on each peg. Use knit and purl stitches to work a loom project. Once you've established your foundation row, you can wrap the loops around the loom again in order to make knit stitches. You can also begin wrapping and lifting stitches in order to make purl stitches. Follow pattern instructions to craft your own projects using a combination of these stitches. If you're just learning, consider choosing a project that only uses knit stitches. Then you can begin adding purl stitches once you're comfortable with working on a loom. Insert a loom hook into the lower loop. Take a loom hook and insert the tip under the bottom loop of a peg. The hooked portion of the hook should catch on the yarn so it doesn't slip off. If you're concerned that your working yarn will come loose, wrap it around the anchor peg to secure it while you knit. Pull the bottom loop up over the top loop on the peg. Bring the loom hook up and over the top of the peg. This will bring the bottom loop over the top loop on the same peg. Now you can take away the loom hook to use on the next peg. Avoid pulling the stitches too tightly or it will be difficult to bring the bottom loops over the top loops. Repeat the knit stitch for the next peg or according to your pattern. Continue to knit each peg on your loom if you're making a garter stitch. If your pattern calls for some knit stitches and some purl stitches, follow its instructions. To make the garter stitch, knit every row. Push down the stitches to make room on the pegs. Once you've knit the first row on your loom, use your fingers to push the knit stitches down towards the base of the loom. If you're making a row of knit stitches, wrap the yarn around each peg as you did when you cast on the foundation row and work the stitches. If you'll be making purl stitches, you don't need to wrap another row. Keep track of how many rows you've made, especially if you don't have an anchor peg to use as a reference. Hold the working yarn in front and below the loop on a peg. If you're going to make purl stitches, you don't need to wrap another row around the pegs. Instead, bring the working yarn in front of the loom away from the center. Hold the yarn below the loop on the peg you're ready to work. You'll need the working yarn below the loop so you can pull it up and through the loop. Insert the loom hook through the loop down toward the working yarn. Point the tip of the loom hook down and behind the loop on your peg. Push the loom hook through the stitch so the loop catches on the hook. It may help to guide the hook through the groove on the peg. Twist the hook to catch the working yarn and bring it up. Turn the working hook so the tip points up and hooks onto the working yarn that's below the loop. Pull the working yarn up so it makes a loop. Avoid pulling the loop so it's a lot larger than the peg. Remove the purl stitch and slide the loop onto the peg. Keep the loop on the end of your loom hook and pull it up so any of the stitches on the peg are lifted off. Then take the loop you just made and push it onto the peg. It should now be the only loop on the peg and you can bring the working yarn down below the next peg to make another purl stitch. If it's easier, use your fingers to lift the stitches off of the peg before you place the purl stitch loop onto it. Cut the yarn to leave a 2 feet (61 cm) tail and thread it onto a needle. When you're ready to bind off your work, cut the working yarn and leave a long enough tail to sew the end shut. You'll need to leave about 2 feet (61 cm) of yarn for most projects. Then thread the yarn onto a tapestry needle. Ensure that you only have 1 loop on each peg before you begin binding off. Insert the needle under a loop on a peg. Take the tapestry needle with the yarn and place it under the loop on a peg. The tip of the needle should be pointed up towards the top of the peg. If you don't have a tapestry needle, you can use a flexible plastic needle. Bring the threaded needle through the loop and pull it off. Keep pulling up on the yarn so all of it is worked through the loop on the peg. Once you've pulled it all through, use your fingers to lift the loop off of the peg. At this point it's fine to drop the loop towards the center of the loom because it won't unravel. Bind off every loop around the loom. Continue to bring the threaded needle through each loop and pull off each stitch. Work your way around the loom and bind off the loop from the final peg. Now you should be able to remove the fabric from the loom because it's not connected at all to any of the pegs. Pull and gather the fabric to secure it. Hold onto the loop that's next to the working yarn and use your other hand to pull the working yarn. You should see the fabric begin to gather and tighten. Once you've pulled it as tightly as you'd like, insert the needle into the nearby loop and make a knot. Now you can cut the tail and weave in the ends. Make a basic hat using the knit stitch. Select bulky yarn that's comfortable and cast on a foundation row. Knit every stitch and then bind off the fabric. The knitted material will look like a tube. Then you can thread the end and pull it tightly to gather it together. Stitch on a pom pom to secure the end. To make a smaller hat, knit a smaller tube before gathering one end. Use the knit stitch to make an infinity scarf. Choose a yarn in your favorite color and texture. Cast on a foundation row and then knit every row until the scarf is as long as you like. Bind off the fabric and sew the ends together to make an infinity scarf. For a multi-colored scarf, use several yarns or a single yarn that's been dyed multiple colors. Work a garter stitch to make a blanket. Once you're comfortable with knitting and purling, work a combination of rows to create a garter stitch. Make blocks of fabric and stitch them together to form a blanket in any size. To make a multi-colored blanket, use a different color of yarn for each square. Create easy tube socks. Socks are notoriously tricky to knit with needles, but they work up quickly on a loom. Use worsted weight wool and work a combination of knit and purl stitches to make a sock. Bind it off and then gather the end to form the toe end. Make another sock and enjoy your hand-knit tube socks. Remember to follow the pattern closely so the socks are identical. | Make a slip knot and slip it onto a peg. Wrap the yarn counter-clockwise if you're knitting clockwise. Wrap the yarn clockwise if you're knitting counter-clockwise. Use knit and purl stitches to work a loom project. Insert a loom hook into the lower loop. Pull the bottom loop up over the top loop on the peg. Repeat the knit stitch for the next peg or according to your pattern. Push down the stitches to make room on the pegs. Hold the working yarn in front and below the loop on a peg. Insert the loom hook through the loop down toward the working yarn. Twist the hook to catch the working yarn and bring it up. Remove the purl stitch and slide the loop onto the peg. Cut the yarn to leave a 2 feet (61 cm) tail and thread it onto a needle. Insert the needle under a loop on a peg. Bring the threaded needle through the loop and pull it off. Bind off every loop around the loom. Pull and gather the fabric to secure it. Make a basic hat using the knit stitch. Use the knit stitch to make an infinity scarf. Work a garter stitch to make a blanket. Create easy tube socks. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cut-Plywood | How to Cut Plywood | To cut plywood with a hand saw, start by marking the line you want to cut on the wood. Then, make a notch by drawing your saw upwards with the blade in an upright position. Next, put the saw in the notch at a 30-45-degree angle and start cutting. You'll want to keep your forearm and shoulder in line with the blade to ensure a straight cut. Once you get close to the end, use your free hand to hold the cut-off end, and make short cuts with the blade upright to avoid splintering the wood. | Choose the right kind of blade. To get a smooth cut on a sheet of plywood, you'll need to have the right blade. Look for a carbide-tipped blade with a high tooth count. You can find blades labeled for plywood or "finished cuts," but make sure to check the tooth count. Blades come in various sizes, so be sure you get one that will fit your circular saw. If you stick with the blade that came with your saw, you'll likely end up with splintered ends, also known as tear-outs. Set the saw blade to the right depth. Before cutting your plywood, adjust your saw blade to the right depth. If your blade is set too deep, you'll be dragging a lot of excess blade through the sheet. If you have your blade set too shallow, you run the risk of not cutting all the way through the sheet. You want your saw to be about.25 inches (0.6 cm) below the sheet. If you're cutting a sheet of plywood that is.75 inches (1.9 cm) thick, set your blade to 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep. Support the whole piece of wood. When cutting a sheet of plywood, it's important that you support the sheet on both sides of the cut. A few long 2x4s laid across two sawhorses will keep the sheet steady as you cut. Keep the 2x4s handy just for this task, as you'll be cutting into the tops of them with your circular saw. If you don't have access to 2x4s or sawhorses, you can use a piece of rigid foam insulation instead. Lay the foam on the ground, and lay the sheet of plywood on top. Make sure the wood doesn't slide around on top of the foam board. If you use the foam board method, you can crawl across the board as you cut, and you don't have to worry about the board snapping off at the end of the cut. Cut with the good side down. When using a circular saw, place your plywood on the cutting surface with the good face down. The teeth of the blade enter the sheet from underneath, and exit at the top. When the teeth exit, they may cause some chipping. Placing the sheet with the good face down will ensure a smooth surface. Mark your cutting line. Use a straight edge to mark your line. Measure carefully and make sure you have the cutting line square with the edge of your plywood. For a smoother cut, score your line. Use a utility knife to score your line before you cut. You may have to run your knife over the line a few times to get it to score completely. A good rule to follow is "measure twice, cut once." If you cut the wood wrong, you can't do much to fix it other than start over with a new piece of wood. Use a guide to cut. Find a piece of plywood that still has its factory edge and attach it to your cutting surface using clamps. Take into consideration the width of the saw's base plate, or shoe. Adjust your guide so that the shoe fits firmly against the guide, and the blade is in line with your cut mark. If you are planning on cutting a lot of plywood, you might consider investing in a saw guide that attaches to your circular saw. Look online or in your local hardware store to find one that suits your needs. Make your cut. Line your saw up with your guide, and make sure the blade is over your cut mark. Turn your saw on, and run the shoe of the saw along your guide. Take care to make your cut as straight as possible. Using a saw is dangerous. Wear safety goggles at all times, and keep your fingers clear of the blade. Watch out for the power cord as you cut. Keep your work area clean. Choose the right blade. To get the smoothest cut from your table saw, invest in a blade with a high tooth count, such as an 80 TPI plywood blade. Most stock blades on table saws work well for rough cuts, but will not give you a clean edge. Alternatively use a zero-clearance insert under the plywood. To make one of these, carefully set a piece of wood or plywood onto the working table saw, taking care not to have the wood slip or pull from your hands. Once the blade is all the way through (the blade needs to be quite high), clamp the insert down. You will be cutting on the insert, which does not allow the bottom layer of plywood to chip downward because of the low clearance between the blade and the insert. The insert is sacrificial and it's usually only sensible to make one when cutting large amounts of plywood. Raise the blade. Raising the blade changes the direction the teeth will enter the wood. When the blade is slightly raised, such that the teeth just barely cut through the surface, the teeth enter the cutting surface at an angle. If you raise the blade a little higher, you can get a perpendicular cut, which will make a smoother surface. Don't raise the blade more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the cutting surface. A raised blade may offer a smoother cut, but it also makes for a more dangerous cut. Exercise extreme caution when cutting with a raised blade. Use a zero-clearance insert. Your table saw may have a gap between the blade and the throat plate, where the blade sits in the table saw. A zero-clearance insert closes the gap and offers support to the sheet, making a smoother cut. You can purchase a zero-clearance throat plate online or at your local hardware store. Alternatively make your own. First, carefully set a piece of wood or plywood onto the working table saw, taking care not to have the wood slip or pull away from your hands. Once the blade is all the way through (the blade needs to be quite high), clamp the insert down. You will be cutting on the insert, which does not allow the bottom layer of plywood to chip downward because of the low clearance between the blade and the insert. The insert is sacrificial and it's usually only sensible to make one when cutting large amounts of plywood. To make safe cuts, make sure that whatever you're cutting isnt at an angle or unsupported on the other side. Support the entire sheet. Large pieces of plywood can get heavy. When cutting them on a table saw, make sure you can keep it flat before beginning your cut. Stabilize the sheet on sawhorses, or ask a friend to help you hold it steady. Having the entire sheet supported allows you to keep a steady feed rate, that is, the speed you run the wood through the saw. You can also use a circular saw to break down large sheets to more manageable sizes. Tape off your cut mark. Use a low-adhesion tape, such as painter's tape, on both faces of your sheet. This will help hold the wood fibers in place and keep the edges from splintering. Once you have finished cutting, peel the tape off slowly to avoid any splintering. Cut with the good face up. Lay your sheet on your table saw with the good face up. The teeth of the saw will enter the sheet from the top and exit from the underside of the sheet. Tear-outs, or splintering, will occur where the teeth exit, so keep the good face up. Make the cut. Hold your sheet steady and keep it pressed firmly against the fence, the straight edge of your table saw. Use both hands to guide the sheet through the blade. Use the hand that is closest to the blade to press the sheet forward, through the blade. Use the hand that is furthest from the blade to press the sheet towards the cutline. As you get close to the end of the cut, move your hands so that you have one hand on either side of the blade. Carefully push the rest of the sheet through the blade. Work carefully when using your table saw. Keep your hands away from the blade. Make sure the sheet is stable. Lay your sheet of plywood on a few 2x4s suspended over two sawhorses. The entire sheet of plywood should be seated firmly on the work surface. A plunge cut is a cut that does not start from a straight edge, but the center of a sheet of plywood. If you need to make an opening in the middle of a sheet of plywood, for example, you would need to make a plunge cut. Set the blade depth. Lower the blade to about.25 inches (0.6 cm) more than the thickness of your sheet. This will ensure the teeth of the blades just barely cut through the underside of the surface. Stand to the side of the saw. There is a high risk of kick back, or the saw running back towards you, when making a plunge cut. Do not stand directly behind the saw when you make a plunge cut. Position your saw for a plunge cut. Place the front edge of the shoe, or the base plate of the saw, against your sheet of plywood. Carefully lift up the blade guard, and line the blade up with your cut mark. Keep the underside of the blade clear. You won't be able to see what is beneath the sheet as you make your plunge cut, so check before hand to make sure the space is clear. Lower the blade into the plywood. Turn the saw on and slowly lower the saw blade into the sheet. Hold the saw firmly to keep it from kicking back to you. Once the saw is completely lowered into the cut, and the saw bed is flush with the cutting surface, release the blade guard. Move the saw forward to finish the cut. Let the blade come to a complete stop before lifting the saw out of the sheet. Buy a good saw. If you don't have access to power tools, you'll need to invest in a solid crosscut saw. Look at a saw's TPI, or teeth per inch. A saw with fewer teeth will cut faster, but you'll be left with a rough edge. A saw with a higher TPI will leave you with a smoother edge, but it will take some time to saw. Make sure the handle is comfortable when you grip it, and look down the back of the saw blade to make sure it is straight. The tip of the saw should be flexible. When you bend it, it should snap back to the center. Measure your cut. Anytime you are working with wood, make sure to measure your cut. Once the wood has been cut, there is no turning back. Double check your measurements before cutting. Notch the wood. Start on the edge of the board, and hold the saw blade upright. Draw the saw up a few times to get a notch in the edge of the board. You can use your thumb knuckle to guide the blade, but be careful. Start the cut. When you've made a solid notch in the edge, bring the saw to about 45-30 degrees. Work carefully and use smooth, full strokes to cut plywood. Keep your forearm and shoulder in line with the blade to ensure a straight cut. If you notice the blade running off track, give the handle a little twist to set it right. Brace the cutoff end to avoid splinters. When you get towards the end of your cut, use your free hand to hold the cutoff end. Turn the saw upright and use short vertical strokes to finish the cut. | Choose the right kind of blade. Set the saw blade to the right depth. Support the whole piece of wood. Cut with the good side down. Mark your cutting line. Use a guide to cut. Make your cut. Choose the right blade. Raise the blade. Use a zero-clearance insert. Support the entire sheet. Tape off your cut mark. Cut with the good face up. Make the cut. Make sure the sheet is stable. Set the blade depth. Stand to the side of the saw. Position your saw for a plunge cut. Keep the underside of the blade clear. Lower the blade into the plywood. Buy a good saw. Measure your cut. Notch the wood. Start the cut. Brace the cutoff end to avoid splinters. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Add-a-Spouse-to-a-Deed | How to Add a Spouse to a Deed | To add a spouse to a deed, start by reading over your mortgage carefully with your spouse. Next, obtain a quitclaim form from the county recorder's office where the property is located. If your goal is to avoid probate, be sure to specify on the form that you're claiming as joint tenants with a right of survivorship. Then, sign the completed form in the presence of a notary before submitting it to the recorder's office! | Read your mortgage. If you have a mortgage on your property, it may have a “due on sale” clause. This clause gives your lender the right to demand payment in full of the balance you owe on the mortgage if you sell or transfer some portion of your ownership. The reason: The property is the bank's security that if you don't pay your mortgage, the bank can seize your property. Obviously, if you sell or transfer some of your property, that gives the bank less security. However, there are exceptions to the "due on sale" clause. These are spelled out in legislation known as the Garn St. Germain Act--specifically 12 U.S. Code § 1701j–3 - Preemption of due-on-sale prohibitions. There are nine exemptions--nine cases in which a lender may not invoke the "due on sale" clause. Exemption six is: "a transfer where the spouse or children of the borrower become an owner of the property." Nevertheless, if your mortgage has a due-on-sale clause, it doesn't hurt to notify your lender in writing of your intent to add your spouse to the deed. Recognize you will lose some control over your property. When your name was the only name on the deed, you could do whatever you wanted to do with the property. If you add your spouse, that means he has the same interest in the property as you do, and you can't sell it, make improvements, or do anything else to change it without his consent. Adding your spouse's name to the deed will expose your property to any judgments against him. For example, if he has a bad debt, his creditor can sue and force the sale of your property to pay it off. Become familiar with your spouse's financial history before you decide to add his name to your deed. If you alter the deed so that you and your spouse both own the property, instead of just you, it changes the situation in the eyes of banks, lenders, and the government. Depending on your spouse's financial status and earnings history, adding his name to your deed may make you ineligible for refinancing, a reverse mortgage, or certain government benefits such as Medicaid. Learn the necessary words to use to avoid probate. The typical reason to add your spouse's name to your deed is to remove your property from the time-consuming and costly probate process, guaranteeing your spouse will get the property when you die. However, this isn't automatically true, and there may be a more efficient way for you to accomplish the same goal. Generally speaking, adding another owner only makes the probate process more complicated. As long as you retain interest in the home, it's still going to go through probate. If your goal is to avoid probate, you must specify in the deed that you are claiming as joint tenants with a right of survivorship. Some states have a specific deed-holding status: Tenants in the entirety. That applies only to married couples. If you live in a community property state, you can specify the home or land is community property with a right of survivorship. Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin are community property states. Otherwise, married couples usually claim property as tenants by the entirety. Your county recorder's office will have a list of ways to claim property. Make sure you select the one that best suits your needs. To avoid probate, you must choose an ownership relationship that includes a right of survivorship. That means when you die, your spouse will absorb your ownership share of the property. Understand you may lose tax exemptions. If you have property tax exemptions, such as a homestead exemption, adding your spouse to your deed could mean you no longer qualify. This could substantially increase your property tax bill. If you're accustomed to claiming a property tax exemption and you're concerned you might lose it if you add your spouse to your deed, consult a tax professional. Pay gift tax. When you add your spouse to your deed, you are giving her a gift. The IRS only allows taxpayers to gift up to $14,000 per person per year. Assuming your property is worth much more than that, adding your spouse to your deed could trigger state and federal gift tax reporting obligations. NOTE: Gifts to spouses are exempt from state and federal gift taxes if the spouse recipient is a US citizen. Discuss capital gains with your spouse. Capital gains are taxes you pay on the profit you make from selling property. For example, if you buy a house for $100,000, that amount becomes your “basis” in the property. If you sell the house five years later for $200,000, you would have a capital gain of $100,000. If you add your spouse to your deed, he will have to use your basis if he later sells the property. That means he could pay substantially more in capital gains taxes than if he acquired the property when you died. To continue the previous example, suppose you added your spouse to the deed for the house you bought for $100,000. You die 50 years later, and your spouse decides to sell the house five years after that for $1 million. His capital gain would be $900,000. However, if you transferred the property to your spouse at your death, for example through a transfer-on-death deed, his capital gains basis would be the fair market value of the house when he acquired it. This could result in far lower capital gains taxes. Returning to the $100,000, suppose you create a TOD deed for your spouse. When you die 50 years later, your spouse acquires a house with a fair market value of $900,000. When he sells it five years later for $1 million, he only owes capital gains taxes on $100,000. Before you add your spouse to your deed, it's important that both of you understand how it potentially affects your tax liability so you can make an informed decision and not be caught unaware later on. Obtain a quitclaim form from the recorder’s office in the county where the property is located. A quitclaim deed transfers whatever interest you have in a property, if any, to another person. These deeds are frequently used when adding another name to a deed, or changing a name on a deed, because they are simple, inexpensive, and don't typically require the property owner to hire an attorney. The form will include a blank for your name, the names of the people to whom you want to transfer the property, and the legal description of the property (which you can copy from your old deed). You want to transfer the property from yourself to your spouse and yourself, making the two of you joint owners. This is also where you specify how the two of you will own the property. Sign the deed in the presence of a notary. Without a notary seal, the deed isn't a legal transfer. Some counties also require additional witnesses. In some areas, your spouse also must sign the deed. You can ask at the county recorder's office when you pick up the form, although usually you can tell by whether the deed includes blanks for both of you to sign. Depending on how you claim the property, you may also need a spousal affidavit. The affidavit states that the two of you are a married couple, and must be signed by both of you under oath in the presence of a notary. For example, if you're claiming the property as tenants by the entirety or as community property, the deed would have to be accompanied by a spousal affidavit because those methods of claiming property are only available to married couples. Get the deed recorded. Once it's completed and signed, your county recorder's office, sometimes called a register of deeds, must record it so it becomes part of the official property record of the county. There will be a fee for this. You also may have to pay any property taxes that have been reassessed as a result of the change in ownership. | Read your mortgage. Recognize you will lose some control over your property. Learn the necessary words to use to avoid probate. Understand you may lose tax exemptions. Pay gift tax. Discuss capital gains with your spouse. Obtain a quitclaim form from the recorder’s office in the county where the property is located. Sign the deed in the presence of a notary. Get the deed recorded. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Set-Up-an-Xbox-One | How to Set Up an Xbox One | To set up an Xbox One, start by connecting your unit to the internet and tv. Next, turn on your Xbox One by holding down the Home button on your controller. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to choose your language, location, network preferences, and update your console. After this initial set-up, you can refine your preferences by picking your time zone, setting up your Kinect sensor, and customizing the appearance. Finally, end the set up process by pressing the controller's Home button again. | Locate the connections. Xbox One has several connections to the unit which will need to be made first. These include the new Kinect sensor, Internet connection, and your set-top box if you wish to view your cable TV shows through the Xbox One. Connect to the Internet. Before you do anything, one thing you have to be sure of is that your console is connected to the Internet. You can do a wired connection by using an Ethernet cable to connect it to your Internet source or you can also connect wirelessly if you have a wifi router available. Connect to your TV. Use an HDMI cable to connect your Xbox One to your TV. Connect the HDMI cable to the HDMI OUT port at the rear portion of the Xbox One. The other end of the HDMI cable goes in the HDMI input of your TV. If you have cable or satellite TV, you can connect another HDMI cable into your console's HDMI IN port and the other end goes to your set-top box for cable or satellite TV. Connect the Kinect sensor. Connect your Kinect into the Kinect port at the back of the Xbox One. It is the port in between the USB ports and IR port. The Kinect sensor cable has a fixed length of 3 meters (9.8 ft) so make sure that your Kinect sensor is close enough to your Xbox One. Connect Xbox One to your power source. Plug the power supply at the back of the Xbox One into a power source. It is at the leftmost part of the console from the back. Then connect the power cord to the power supply. Lastly, plug in the other end of the power cord straight to your power outlet. The Xbox One's LED on the power supply should light up as an indication that there's power. Turn on your Xbox One. You can turn on your unit by using your wired controller. Simply hold down the Home button on your Xbox One controller to power on both your unit and controller at the same time. You can also touch the front panel of the Xbox One (where its logo is) to power on the unit. If you are using a wireless controller, make sure you put in batteries first to power on your controller. The Kinect sensor can also be used to turn on your console except during initial setup. You can normally turn on your Xbox One via the Kinect sensor by saying “Xbox On” within your Kinect sensor's range. Follow the on-screen instructions. The first thing you'll see on-screen is the Xbox One logo with a green background. Wait for it to process a bit and it will eventually give you initial setup instructions. The first instruction is for you to press A to proceed. It gives you that instruction by showing an Xbox One controller on-screen. Then Xbox One greets you for the first time. Choose your language. There are a lot of languages available to choose from including English, Deutsch, Español, and more when you scroll down the options. Select your preferred language then press A. You will notice that Xbox One on-screen texts automatically translate to the language currently selected as a preview. Choose your location. Depending on your selected language, Xbox One will now give you options to select what country you live in. Select your network preference. You can either choose your wired connection or WiFi (wireless) connection. It is best to choose the wired connection for stability. In choosing wireless, you may have to provide your router password for access. If Xbox One for some reason fails to discover your router, you can press Y on your controller to refresh scanning. Update your console. Since this is initial setup, you will need to update your Xbox One. This is almost guaranteed for initial setup, regardless of the unit. You need to be connected to the Internet to download the update which is around 500 MB in size. Your unit will automatically reset after the update. Choose your time zone. After the Xbox One resets, it will ask you to press the controller's Home button to continue with the rest of the setup. First up, select your time zone. Again, the default selection will depend on the country you selected previously. Set up the Kinect sensor. Setting up the Kinect sensor will allow you to sign in automatically via Kinect recognition, control Xbox One with voice and hand motions, chat with other Kinect users, and control your TV. Make sure you have speakers connected to your Xbox One for the Kinect setup to properly gauge speaker volume. Keep quiet when the instructions ask you to. This will affect the Kinect sensor's setup. Sign in with your Microsoft account. You can use the email and password associated with your current gamer tag. If you don't have an existing gamer tag, you can use your Skype, Outlook.com, Windows 8, or Windows phone's credentials instead. If you don't have accounts on any of the alternatives, you must create a new Microsoft account to proceed. Accept Xbox Live terms of use. View and accept the Xbox Live terms of use. After accepting, you will be given the Privacy statement. Customize the appearance. You will have the chance to pick your color preference for your Xbox One's color theme. Upon selecting, you will be given a preview of what your dashboard will look like. Save your password. Before ending the setup, Xbox One will ask if you wish to save your password. It is advisable to save it to prevent the unit from asking your password every time you log in, but if you are concerned about who uses the device, then do not save the password. You will also be asked if you want the Kinect sensor to automatically log you in upon recognition. End the set up process. Now, press your controller's Home button to end the setup and visit your Xbox One dashboard with your chosen color theme. Enjoy your new Xbox One! | Locate the connections. Connect to the Internet. Connect to your TV. Connect the Kinect sensor. Connect Xbox One to your power source. Turn on your Xbox One. Follow the on-screen instructions. Choose your language. Choose your location. Select your network preference. Update your console. Choose your time zone. Set up the Kinect sensor. Sign in with your Microsoft account. Accept Xbox Live terms of use. Customize the appearance. Save your password. End the set up process. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Convert-Units | How to Convert Units | To convert units, verify that the two units you're converting measure the same thing, like length or width, and look up the conversion rate for both units. Next, write the conversion as a fraction, with the starting unit on the bottom and the unit you're converting to on the top. Then, multiply your original number by the fraction. Finally, cancel out any units that appear on both the top and bottom of the fraction. The remaining number and unit is your conversion! | Compare your two units. The two units must measure the same thing. For example, in the problem " convert 2 inches into centimeters ," both inches and centimeters measure length. If your units measure two different things (like length and weight), you can't convert between them. People often get confused about length, area, and volume, which are three different things. Remember that "square" or " " means area, and "cubic" or " " means volume. You can also write this example as 2 in. = ? cm. Look up the conversion. Before you can do the math, you need to know how much larger one unit is than the other. If the conversion you find has many decimal places, round to the nearest significant digit. If you don't know what a significant digit is, round to the second or third digit. For example, if you need to convert 2 inches to centimeters, you need to know that 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters. Write the conversion as a fraction. Write this conversion as a fraction, including units. Put the unit you start with on bottom (the denominator), and the unit you're converting to on top (the numerator). For example, write / 1 in.. You can read this as "2.54 centimeters per inch". Write a multiplication problem with your original number and the fraction. Multiplying these two numbers together will give you your answer. To start this, write out the multiplication problem, with units after each value. 2 in. x / 1 in. = ? Solve the multiplication problem. It's important to keep track of your units while you do this. Every unit in the equation should still be there during each step. 2 in. x / 1 in. = / 1 in. = / in. Cancel units that appear on top and bottom. If a unit is on the top and bottom of the fraction, cross it out. Whatever you're left with should be your answer. / in. = 5.08 cm. Correct mistakes. If your units don't cancel, start over and try again. You might have put the wrong half of the fraction on top. For example, if you multiplied 2 inch. x (1 in. / 2.54 cm), your answer will have units of "in. x in. / cm," which doesn't make any sense. You realize the inches will cancel if you flip the fraction, so you try again with 2 inch x (2.54 cm / 1 in.). Write down your problem. Figure out exactly what the problem is asking, and write it as a math problem. Here's an example: If a bicycle is moving 10 miles per hour, how many feet does it travel in one minute? Write this as "10 miles / hour = ? feet / minute" or " 10 miles / h = ? ft / min ". Find the conversion for one unit. Remember, you can only convert between two units that measure the same thing. In our example, we have units that measure length (miles and feet), and units that measure time (hours and minutes). Start with one pair and find the conversion between them. For example, 1 mile = 5,280 feet. Multiply your number by the conversion fraction. Just as describe in the section above, we can write the conversion as a fraction to cancel out units. Make sure to include every unit in your calculations. / h ) x / mile = / h x miles Cancel out your units. One of your units should be on the top and the bottom, so you can cancel them. You aren't done yet, but you're getting closer. / h x miles = / h Multiply with another conversion fraction the same way. Choose a unit that hasn't been converted, and write down the conversion as a fraction. Remember to arrange the fraction so the units will cancel out during multiplication. In our example, we still need to convert hours to minutes. 1 hour = 60 minutes. Right now, we have 52800 ft / h. Since hours (h) is on the bottom, we want our new fraction to have hours on top: 1 hour / 60 minutes. / h x / 60 min = / h x min Cancel units. Another unit should cancel out, just as it did before. / h x min = / min Repeat until the conversion is done. If your answer is in the units you were trying to convert to, you're done with the problem. If you're not there yet, convert another unit with the same method. Once you're used to this method, you can write all the conversions on one line. For example, we could solve our example problem like this: / h x / mile x / 60 min = / h x / mile x / 60 min = 10 x 5280 ft x / 60 min = 880 ft / min. Understand the metric system. The metric system, also called the decimal system, is designed for easy conversion. To convert from one metric unit to another, you only have to work with round numbers: 10, 100, 1000, and so on. Learn the prefixes. Metric unit of measurements use prefixes to show how big or small the measurement is. Here's an example with units of weight, but all other metric units use the same prefixes. The prefixes below are in italics , but you can do most conversions with just the most common one, in bold. kilo gram = 1000 grams hecto gram = 100 grams deka gram = 10 grams gram = 1 gram deci gram = 0.1 grams (one tenth) centi gram = 0.01 grams (one hundredth) milli gram = 0.001 grams (one thousandth) Use the prefixes in conversion. If you know the prefixes, you don't need to look up the conversion every time you need to convert. The prefixes already tell you the conversion. Here are a couple examples: To convert from kilometers to meters: kilo means 1000, so 1 kilometer = 1000 meters. To convert from grams to milligrams: milli means.001, so 1 milligram =.001 gram. Move the decimal point instead of doing calculations. The best part about metric conversion is skipping all the calculations. Multiplying a number by 10 is the same as moving the decimal point to the right. Dividing a number by 10 is the same as moving the decimal point to the left. Here's an example of how to use this: Problem: convert 65.24 kilograms to grams. 1 kilogram = 1000 grams. Count the number of zeroes: three. That means we multiply by 10 three times, or just move the decimal three spaces to the right. 65.24 x 10 = 652.4 (multiplied once) 652.4 x 10 = 6524 (twice) 6524 x 10 = 65240 (three times) The answer is 65240 grams. Practice more difficult problems. It gets a little trickier when both the units you're converting between have prefixes. The easiest way to solve this is to convert to the base unit (no prefix) first, then convert to the final unit. Here's an example: Problem: convert 793 milliliters to decaliters. 1 milliliter = 0.001 liters. There are three zeroes, so we move the decimal point three to the left. (Remember, move left when dividing.) 793 milliliters = 0.793 liters 10 liters = 1 dekaliter, so 1 liter = 0.1 dekaliters. There is one zero, so move the decimal point one to the left. 0.793 liters = 0.0793 dekaliters. Check your answer. The mistake that's easiest to make is multiplying instead of dividing, or vice versa. When you get your final answer, check that it makes sense: If you converted to a larger unit, your number should get smaller. (Just like 12 inches converts to 1 foot.) If you converted to a smaller unit, your number should get larger. (Just like 1 foot converts to 12 inches.) If your result doesn't match this, check your work. | Compare your two units. Look up the conversion. Write the conversion as a fraction. Write a multiplication problem with your original number and the fraction. Solve the multiplication problem. Cancel units that appear on top and bottom. Correct mistakes. Write down your problem. Find the conversion for one unit. Multiply your number by the conversion fraction. Cancel out your units. Multiply with another conversion fraction the same way. Cancel units. Repeat until the conversion is done. Understand the metric system. Learn the prefixes. Use the prefixes in conversion. Move the decimal point instead of doing calculations. Practice more difficult problems. Check your answer. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Mint-Sauce | How to Make Mint Sauce | To make a mint sauce, start by removing the mint leaves from the stalks and chopping them up. Then, season them with salt, transfer them to a container, and add boiling water and caster sugar. Stir the mixture well, then let it cool before adding white wine vinegar. Finally, taste the sauce and add more water or seasoning, if needed. | Prepare the mint leaves. Remove from the stalks and generously sprinkle with salt. Chop finely. Transfer the chopped mint leaves to a jug, bowl or pouring vessel able to withstand hot water. Add the caster/superfine sugar. Pour in the boiling water. Stir the mixture well. Leave to cool. Pour the vinegar into the cooled sauce. Stir through. Give the sauce a taste; if it needs more water or vinegar, add some. If it needs more seasoning, adjust. Serve. The sauce is now ready for use. It is typically poured over roast lamb but can also be used with other dishes, such as vegetables or rice. Prepare the mint leaves. Remove from the stalks and generously sprinkle with salt. Mince or chop finely. Add the yogurt, chopped mint, lemon juice and salt to a small container such as a jug or bowl. Whisk or stir together. Press or finely mince the 1/2 clove of garlic. Add to the sauce. Mix together. Chill, then it's ready for use over meat, burgers, vegetables or other food of your choice. Prepare the mint leaves. Remove from the stalks and generously sprinkle with salt. Chop finely. Place the mint into the jar. Pour in the olive oil and white wine vinegar. Add the sugar and salt. Put the lid on the jar. Shake the jar to mix all of the ingredients together. Place in the refrigerator to chill. Use when required. This sauce can be kept refrigerated for up to one month. | Prepare the mint leaves. Transfer the chopped mint leaves to a jug, bowl or pouring vessel able to withstand hot water. Stir the mixture well. Pour the vinegar into the cooled sauce. Serve. Prepare the mint leaves. Add the yogurt, chopped mint, lemon juice and salt to a small container such as a jug or bowl. Press or finely mince the 1/2 clove of garlic. Mix together. Prepare the mint leaves. Place the mint into the jar. Pour in the olive oil and white wine vinegar. Put the lid on the jar. Place in the refrigerator to chill. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Silver-Jewelry-with-Vinegar | How to Clean Silver Jewelry with Vinegar | To clean your silver jewelry, soak it in vinegar for a few hours. First, place your jewelry in a small bowl or jar and cover it with vinegar. You can also add a couple of tablespoons of baking soda for a deeper clean. Leave your silver pieces to soak for 2-3 hours. Then, rinse and dry it. If your jewelry is heavily tarnished, use boiling water and vinegar. First, line a shallow pan with aluminum foil and place your jewelry on top. Add a cup of boiling water, a tablespoon of baking soda, and a tablespoon of salt. Then, pour half a cup of vinegar into the mixture, which will make it bubble. Leave your jewelry for 10 minutes before you rinse and dry it. | Immerse your jewelry in white vinegar. Place your jewelry in a clean mason jar or another suitable container. Cover it with white vinegar, so that it is completely immersed. You can let it sit for two or three hours, depending on how much tarnish you need to remove. Then, rinse and dry the jewelry. If the piece is only moderately dirty, it should be pretty clean after fifteen minutes. Add baking soda for a deeper clean. Add a half cup of vinegar to a clean container. Then, add two tablespoons of baking soda. Place your jewelry in the solution and let it sit for two or three hours. Finally, rinse the jewlery under the sink, taking care not to let it fall into the drain, and dry it with a clean cloth. If you are using the kitchen sink, it is a good idea to leave the sink strainer in place. Use vinegar, tea tree oil and baking soda. Find a suitable glass mason jar in your kitchen. Place your jewelry in the bottom. Cover the jewelry with half a cup of white vinegar and one drop of tea tree oil. Leave the jewelry to soak in the mixture overnight, or for eight hours while you are at work. If you see debris floating around in the solution, you know it is working. If your kitchen sink has a high pressure washer, you should use it. However, remember to leave the sink strainer in place and don't let go of your jewelry. Scrub the jewlery with baking soda. Coat the jewlery with baking soda. Using an old toothbrush, scrub the jewlery until it regains its sparkle. Finally, rinse and dry your jewelry. Using baking soda at the end with a toothbrush will allow you to get into the cracks and other tough to reach spots. Line a shallow pan with aluminum foil. The aluminum foil should be face up in the pan. You can use any oven safe kitchen pan that will hold your jewelry. Once you have the pan lined, distribute your jewelry across the surface so that each piece of jewelry is making contact with the aluminum foil. Add boiling water, baking soda and salt to the pan. In a medium bowl, mix together a cup of boiling water, a tablespoon of baking soda and a tablespoon of salt. Add the mixture to the pan with the jewelry. Add the vinegar to the pan. Pour half a cup of vinegar into the pan. You should see it bubble. Let your jewelry sit. Leave your jewelry in the pan for ten minutes. If you like, you can stir the jewelry around every few minutes, making sure each piece is touching the bottom of the pan. Rinse your jewelry. Use the pressure washer in your sink to completely rinse your jewelry. Be careful not to let it fall into the garbage dispenser. Then, dry your jewelry with a clean towel and store it in a safe place. Use distilled water in your vinegar pickle. Pickling is a process that removes oxidation and residues from jewelry, such as after soldering or in order to clean a heavily tarnished piece. Start by obtaining some distilled water, since minerals in tap water may react with the acid in the vinegar. Gather the equipment. You will need a safety mask, such as a particulate mask, as well as safety gloves. In addition, you will need a pot or crock pot that you don't need for cooking, since it is not a good idea to use this pot for cooking afterwards. Mix a non-toxic, vinegar pickle. A great pickle (cleaning solution) can be made with distilled white vinegar, salt and distilled water. For every cup of distilled water, add one teaspoon of salt. Remember to add the vinegar to the water, rather than vice versa. Heat up the pickle. Warm up the pickle to just before boiling. Add the jewelry to the pickle and let it soak until you see signs of improvement. Rinse and dry the jewelry. Use a pair of tongues to remove the jewelry from the pot. Then, rinse it thoroughly. Dry it with a clean cloth. | Immerse your jewelry in white vinegar. Add baking soda for a deeper clean. Use vinegar, tea tree oil and baking soda. Scrub the jewlery with baking soda. Line a shallow pan with aluminum foil. Add boiling water, baking soda and salt to the pan. Add the vinegar to the pan. Let your jewelry sit. Rinse your jewelry. Use distilled water in your vinegar pickle. Gather the equipment. Mix a non-toxic, vinegar pickle. Heat up the pickle. Rinse and dry the jewelry. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Juice-to-Lose-Weight | How to Juice to Lose Weight | The easiest way to juice to lose weight is to create a meal plan that includes the weight you want to lose, the fruits and vegetables you'll be consuming daily, and how many meals you'll be replacing with juice per day. Buy a juicer or blender for easy mixing, and use frozen fruits or vegetables to incorporate foods that aren't in season. | Buy a juicer. The essential tool for following a juice-based diet is a juicer. You can purchase either a cold press juicer (also known as an Auger-style juicer) or a juice extractor. Juicers can vary widely in price (anywhere from $50 to over $400) and come in a variety of sizes. An Auger-style or cold press juicer are typically more expensive. They work by slowly crushing and mashing fruits and vegetables to extract the juice. The advantages of this style of juicer is that they typically leave behind more pulp in the juice. The pulp is from the skin and other fibrous parts of the fruit or vegetable and can add a little boost of fiber to your juices. The down side of these juicers is that they can easily get jammed with tougher fruits or vegetables. A juice extractor separates the juice from the pulp and filters the juice through a strainer so no pulp remains. All fruits and vegetables should be cleaned and peels/skins removed as these can jam the machine. The disadvantage to juice extractors is that they can be hard to clean. Review a variety of brands and types of juicers before making your purchase. Look for features that make the machine easy to use, store and clean. For example, find a juicer that has parts that are dishwasher safe or has a large feeding chute to allow for bigger slices/chunks of food. Also consider purchasing a blender. Blenders also vary in size and price and allow you to process the entire fruit or vegetable. Unlike juicers, blenders allow you to consume the entire fruit – including the fiber containing pulp and skins/peels. If your juice becomes too thick, add water to thin it out to your desired consistency. Buy fresh, 100% juice. Many juicers are expensive and not in everyone's budget. If you're still interested in following a juicing diet, try purchasing fresh 100% juice instead of making it yourself. Avoid purchasing frozen fruit concentrate or fruit juice cocktails. These types of juices typically have added sugars, flavorings and preservatives that are not healthy. Outside of your grocery, there are some juice bars and markets that sell a variety of freshly pressed fruit and vegetable juices. You can purchase a single serving or large quantities. Buy a variety of fruits and vegetables. Another essential ingredient to following a juicing diet is to have a variety of fruits and vegetables on hand. Purchasing both fresh and frozen items will give you more flexibility and variety with your juices. As a rule, your juice should be 2/3 vegetables and 1/3 fruit. Fruits generally contain a lot of sugar, which can cause your blood sugar to spike. Buying frozen fruits or vegetables allows you to stock up on items that might be out of season. In addition, you can use a small portion of frozen items in one sitting without worry of them going bad. Mixing both frozen and fresh items together can give you thicker smoothie-like consistency to your juice which may be more enjoyable. Be careful to only buy frozen fruits and vegetables without added sugars. Read the ingredient labels to make sure only the fruit or vegetable is listed. Prepare sample juices. Before purchasing a large quantity of fruits and veggies, try making a few small servings of different blends of juices. This will prevent you from wasting items you may not enjoy as a juice. Many times, when you purchase a juicer or blender, the company provides you with a small recipe book to use. This is a good place to get quick ideas for recipes. Note that when making your own fresh juice, it takes a significant amount of fruits or vegetables to make enough juice. For example, it takes 6-8 large carrots to make 1 cup of juice. Make sure to wash all your fruits and veggies first. This is especially important when you're going to blend the skin/peels into your drink. Follow the juicer's instruction booklet. Most recommend to add delicate items first (like leafy greens), followed by softer items (like a banana or tomato) and add hard foods (like carrots or apples) last. Prepare only 1-2 servings of fresh juice at a time. Freshly squeezed or processed juices are more susceptible to harmful bacteria which can make you sick. Prepare your juice for one day at a time. Keep and store all juice in an airtight container for no longer than 24 hours. Make sure to keep all freshly processed juice in the refrigerator so it stays within the acceptable temperature range of below 40 F. Purchase small, air-tight water bottles or mason jars to help you store smaller quantities of juice safely in the refrigerator. Mason jars also make a great on-the-go container. Purchase juicing resources. Following a juicing diet can be complicated. There are a variety of different diet plans, juices and methods for juicing. Purchasing or researching recipes and eating plans can help you follow the plan more easily. Spend some time researching different juice diets online. There are a variety of juice diets to consider, so spending ample time reviewing a few will help you decide which is best or if you'd like to combine a few different diets. Also consider buying a juicing book or plan to have at home. Having a resource you can refer to at home may be helpful. Some credible sources for juicing diets include: Juicing for Health & Weight Loss from WebMD , How to Start Juicing: A 7 Day Meal Plan from EatingWell , Safe Juicing & Blending from the MayoClinic and 6 Things You Need to Know About Juicing from NCHR. Write up a meal plan. After researching a variety of juicing diets, you may realize there are a variety of options to choose from. If you're not following a specific plan, it may be helpful to write up your own meal plan to ensure you're maintaining a well-balanced and healthy diet. Figure out how many meals you're replacing with juice or how much juice you'd like to consume each day. You'll find some diets recommend consuming a certain amount of juice throughout the day. For example, 1-2 servings of a "green" or vegetable based juice. Arrange to consume a variety of juices in your day. Plan to have both fruit and vegetable juices daily – not just one or the other. Also plan to use a variety of fruits and vegetables each day. For example, maybe your morning juice has apples and kale while your afternoon choice has carrots, oranges and ginger. Weigh yourself. It's important to track your weight on any diet or weight loss plan. This will help you record your progress and give you insight into how effective or ineffective a juice diet is for you. It's ideal to weigh yourself once a day. Purchase a home scale so you have the right tools at home to keep yourself on track. Jot down your daily weights. It can be a fun and encouraging way to see how much progress you've made over time. Consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian. Speaking to your doctor prior to starting any new diet regimen is a smart idea. They may be able to provide you with additional guidance or recommend alternatives that might be more appropriate for your health. A registered dietitian is a nutrition expert that may give you a more effective diet for weight loss. Speak with your primary care doctor. They may know or can refer you to a local dietitian for additional help. Visit the EatRight website and click on the orange "Find an Expert" button on the top right to search for a dietitian in your area. Eat at least 1200 calories daily. Consuming less than 1200 calories daily, especially for more than a few days, is not a safe or healthy way to lose weight. Ensure that whatever juicing diet or plan you choose, that you're able to consume adequate calories daily. Use a food journal or calorie counting app to track how much you're consuming each day. Try replacing only 1-2 meals with a juice instead of going on a completely liquid juice diet. Consuming 1-2 well-balanced meals will help ensure you meet your calorie goal each day. Side effects of a very low calorie diet can include: fatigue/exhaustion, weakness and hunger. More extreme side effects can include nutrient deficiencies like anemia, loss of muscle mass and heart problems. Eat enough protein. Although juicing allows you to consume larger quantities of fruits and vegetables, juice provides little to no protein. In order to maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet, it's important to consume adequate protein each day. On average, adult women need to consume about 46 g protein daily and adult men need to consume about 56 g daily. Add unflavored protein powder to your juice, which will help control your blood sugar and won't affect the taste. Try making a smoothie instead of only juice. You can mix in nuts, seeds, nut butters, milk, yogurt or protein powder for a big boost of protein. Only juice for 1-2 meals a day and ensure to eat lean protein at all other meals and snacks. Add in a source of fiber. Some juice diets and juicers (like juice extractors) leave out the pulp from the fruits and vegetables. The pulp contains some nutrients and most of the fiber from the fruits and vegetables. Low-fiber diets can lead to constipation, blood sugar fluctuations and weight gain. Many juicers separate the juice from the pulp. You can add some of the pulp back into your juice or use it in other recipes. For example, you can add leftover vegetable pulp to soups, stews, and pasta sauce or mix it into casseroles or other savory baked dishes. Try adding fruit pulp to sweet baked goods like muffins, cookies or pancakes. You can also try adding a fiber supplement daily. These come in chewable tablets, capsules or powders. Add 1-2 servings daily. Regardless of how you get it, fiber is an essential part of a healthy diet. Make sure you are not eliminating it from your diet by juicing. Limit the amount of time you spend drinking only liquids. All liquid or juice diets or cleanses are not meant to be followed long-term. Don't follow plans that recommend consuming only juice or liquids for more than a few days. Juice cleanses and diets are typically very low in calorie, low in protein and low in some essentials nutrients which, over long periods of time, can be unhealthy and unsafe. Engage in regular physical activity. With any weight loss plan, it's important to be physically active. Exercise burns additional calories to support your weight loss attempts. Aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio exercises and at least 2 days of moderate-intensity strength training each week. Be aware to not push yourself too hard with exercise when following a lower calorie diet. Physical activity requires a significant amount of energy to perform. When you're subsisting solely off juice or a low-calorie liquid diet, you may not be consuming enough calories to fuel a workout. | Buy a juicer. Buy fresh, 100% juice. Buy a variety of fruits and vegetables. Prepare sample juices. Prepare only 1-2 servings of fresh juice at a time. Purchase juicing resources. Write up a meal plan. Weigh yourself. Consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian. Eat at least 1200 calories daily. Eat enough protein. Add in a source of fiber. Limit the amount of time you spend drinking only liquids. Engage in regular physical activity. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Girl-Happy | How to Make a Girl Happy | To make a girl happy, reciprocate when she does something nice for you, like giving her a foot rub if she gave you a massage. You should also keep your promises, whether it's doing the dishes or making time for her when she feels down, since this will show her she can trust you. When you meet up with her or see her after a long day, show you're excited by smiling at her or giving her a hug. Once you're in a relationship, remember that you can promote happiness and contentment by giving your partner some space, like by hanging out with friends or pursuing your own hobby. If you think there is something that's making her unhappy, ask directly what you can do to improve your relationship, since honesty and directness are usually the best way to resolve problems. | Become a good listener. Everyone wants to feel like they're being listened to, but girls care very deeply about being listened to. It's a validation for them, but it's also a sign that you want them more than just physically. Here are some simple, real things you can do right away to become a better listener: Ask questions about the things she says. If you can follow her conversation, you should be able to ask questions. Show her you're listening actively , not passively. Don't interrupt her. Interrupting a girl tells her that what you have to say is more important than what she has to say, which isn't always the case. Let her finish talking before you speak. Listen to the best parts of her. Everyone has moments, or even whole days, that they'd like to forget. Forget the times when she was frazzled, or frustrated, or off her game. Listen to her best moments and prioritize those over her not-so-good moments. This will make her incredibly happy, and predispose her to do the same for you. Reciprocate. Whenever you get something, give back a little. It doesn't have to be clockwork, but the idea is important. If she gives you a massage, give her a foot rub the next day. If she writes you a romantic letter on vacation, write her a romantic note and give it to her when she gets back. You want her to see how much work you're putting into the relationship. Remember, you're a reciprocator, not a parasite. Don't be a robot about giving back every time you get something. That's not very romantic, and it probably won't impress your girl. Try to appear spontaneous, even if you're planning far in advance. It will make her a lot happier. Don't forget to do things just because. Don't always make something tit-for-tat. Get her ice-cream before school or after work, and don't expect anything in return. You'll earn your karma in the long run. Earn her trust. Be worthy of her trust. Guys may not care about it that much, but for girls, it's a really important issue: Trust helps them fend off guys until they've proven themselves. She won't truly let you inside until you show her you can be trusted. As you spend more time with her, she'll start to see who you really are and start building trust. Do not show romantic interest in her friends. Not even a single one of them. Stay steady as an arrow and clean as a whistle. Always tell the truth, even if it hurts. Getting caught in a lie is much, much worse than fessing up to something unpleasant. Be there for her when she needs it the most. When all her friends have deserted her, when she's feeling her awfullest, remind her that you're there for the long-haul. Send her a note saying how much she means to you; give her flowers; remind her of all the things that she does for other people that make her special to you. Be as good as your word. This doesn't just mean keeping a big promise every now and then; it means doing the dishes or picking up those socks like you said you would. If you say you're going to do something, follow through with it. Include her with your friends. Let's face it — she may never be mistaken for "one of the guys." But you can make an effort to include her into the gang every once in a while. Girls like feeling included, especially with other guys. It tells her that you're comfortable with her at your side — even with your boys — and that you're not embarrassed to her around the people you care most about. Share things about yourself that define you. Open up. Self-disclosure is essential to bonding and has been shown to promote happy relationships. Talk with her about your hopes, dreams and fears. Make sure the depth of these discussions is appropriate for the level of your relationship. Don't be an open book, but don't be afraid of showing her some vulnerability. Contrary to what you might think, vulnerability is sexy in her book, Talk about your favorite songs, movies, books, and memories. These seemingly little things play a big role in forming an emotional connection. Don't be put off if she doesn't like every single one of your interests. If she likes you, she'll put up with your Metallica even if she's a Miley kind of girl. Ask her directly. Don't be afraid to ask her if there's anything you can do to make her happier, or make the relationship better. Sometimes, honesty is just what the doctor ordered. Instead of playing games and trying to figure out what's wrong by fitting together all the tiny puzzle pieces, be blunt and ask her what she needs and what she wants. If something's wrong or could be better, she'll tell you. Be prepared to at least think about what she'd have you do. Show her verbal affection from time to time. Tell her how much she means to you, what she's good at, or even what you like about her. Say something like "Remember the first time we met? I fell head over heels for you when I saw you standing there. It's like everything else seemed to disappear, kind of like tunnel-vision. You still do that to me." A nicely placed compliment or endearment can make her heart melt. Don't overdo it. A nice compliment or "I love you" goes a long way every once in a while. But the more you use them, the cheaper they get. Remember, a diamond is valuable because it's so rare. Be a gentleman. A gentleman will treat a woman with patience, care, and attention, without making her feel out of place. Unless your girl absolutely doesn't like being treated differently because she's a different gender, you can make a lot of headway by taking the time to act like it's 1945. Here are some easy things you can do to show your girl you're a true gentleman. Walk on the outside of the sidewalk; sleep on the side of the bed closest to the door. These two gentlemanly gestures are all about protection — positioning yourself in between harm and your lady. In the first case, you're protecting your girl from a possible car; in the second case, you're protecting your girl from a possible intruder. Open doors and help the girl get seated when it's easy for you to do it. The key words here are "easy." You want to be a gentleman, but going out of your way to rush to the door in order to open it before she gets there seems like you'd be trying too hard. Try to be as casual as possible with these gentlemanly maneuvers. Make your enthusiasm contagious. Everyone loves to be around a positive person. Your demeanor and how you carry yourself can affect how happy she is both with and without you. Show that you're genuinely glad to see her. If your usual first reaction isn't a smile, there may be something wrong with the relationship. Consider hugging her or kissing her when you see her after a long day. If you're just having a bad day, put it aside and grin. Make a self-deprecating joke about how you always seem to attract trouble. Put a smile on your face and be done with it. Laugh at her jokes; everyone likes to think that they're funny. If they're not funny and you're not good at faking, just smile; a fake laugh is much worse than no laugh at all. Don't treat her like she's an object. She's not a maid or a cleaning service; she's not your personal cook; she's not there to simply to satisfy all your carnal desires. Don't do things that might make her feel any of these things. Don't smack her on the butt. Look at her when you're talking to her. If she feels like a person instead of a thing that exists solely for your pleasure, she'll be much more likely to be happy with you. Don’t pressure her romantically. There's nothing sexy about reluctant sex. Honestly, you'll get a lot more sex, and better sex, if she's just as ready as you are. If she seems hesitant, back off — even if she doesn't say anything. She may need more time to feel comfortable. Don't put out the wrong vibes. If she senses that you're impatient, she may grow distant — or worse yet, do something she regrets. Remember that no means no. Even if you've been together for years, it's her body and she's under no obligation to share it with you. If she's an abuse survivor or something along those lines, that's a different situation entirely. Get her to talk to someone if she's not already. Stay in shape and pay attention to your grooming. If you expect your girl to look like a Victoria's Secret model, how do you think she expects you to look? It's a double standard to expect girls to look great but to let your own grooming, hygiene, and exercise regimes to slip. Shave every day, unless your girl likes a man with a beard. If you happen to have a beard, trim it regularly and keep it looking under, not out of, control. Buy some semi-expensive gym clothes. If you buy gym clothes, you'll feel obligated to work out. If you feel obligated to work out, you won't skip out on your gym membership after school or at work. Smelling odorless is better than smelling like you just stepped out of an Axe commercial. Girls like guys who smell subtly good. So don't drench yourself in cologne. Only use so much that she'll be enticed to get closer to you in order to catch a whiff. Know when to give her space. Women are just as turned off by neediness as men. Learn to give her a little space once in a while, even if it means letting her hang out with other guys. Trust in her and she'll want to live up to your trust. Have a life of your own. A confident, independent person will never lack admirers. Don't force-feed a budding relationship with too much affection. This is unhealthy and will raise red flags. Find ways to make her laugh. It all depends on your own sense of humor and what she thinks is funny, but humor is routinely one of the most attractive things women look for in men. Whether it's jokingly poking fun of her ruthlessness, or reliving a joke you had when you were on spring break, humor is the lifeblood of happiness for both guys and girls. Don't forget that making fun of yourself in a joking way is another great way to get her to laugh. Learn how to fight. Knowing how to keep your head in a fight will make it productive instead of destructive. And as much as you may want to avoid confrontation, it's far healthier to fight than to sweep things under the mat. Remember that if you really messed up, you might want to plan a special date to apologize. Don't just change the subject when a fight is brewing. Forcing the conversation elsewhere will just create resentment. If she's really mad, give her a cooling period, then offer to work it out. Never forget to come back to the argument later or you will come off as evasive and/or uninterested. Admit when you're wrong. Without humility, you will never learn from your mistakes. Don't use an apology as a tool for ending an argument. This is manipulative and unproductive. Show her physical affection from time to time. Physical affection is just as important as verbal affection; it's just a different breed. While being careful to give your girl enough space and not appear clingy, it's important to physically show her how much you care for her. Here are some things that you can do: Come up and slowly kiss the back of her neck while hugging her from behind. This soft, sensuous kiss is sure to get her excited and remind her of the sweet things you can do. Nothing says "I like you" quite like a good foot massage or back massage. Learn how to give good ones and you'll never need another way to apologize! Try a six-second kiss. A six-second kiss is a passionate way to help make your love last. Couples who regularly kiss for six seconds or longer last longer than those who don't. | Become a good listener. Reciprocate. Earn her trust. Include her with your friends. Share things about yourself that define you. Ask her directly. Show her verbal affection from time to time. Be a gentleman. Make your enthusiasm contagious. Don't treat her like she's an object. Don’t pressure her romantically. Stay in shape and pay attention to your grooming. Know when to give her space. Find ways to make her laugh. Learn how to fight. Show her physical affection from time to time. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Blackheads | How to Get Rid of Blackheads | If you want to use a natural, homemade treatment to get rid of blackheads, apply a thin layer of egg white to your skin. Once the first layer has dried, pat on a second layer. Repeat this 3-5 times, always letting each layer dry first, then wash it off and let it pat dry. You can also apply warmed honey to your skin. The stickiness is thought to bind to the blackheads to help remove them. Let the honey dry for about 10 minutes, then wipe your face with a damp cloth. | Figure out your skin type. Knowing if you have oily, normal, dry, or sensitive skin will determine what kind of product you should look for when buying a cleansing product from your local store or pharmacy. The main two categories of treatment are those with benzoyl peroxide, and those with salicylic acid. Products with these active ingredients can cause allergic reactions. If your skin reacts badly, stop using it. You can actually have more than one type, which is "combination". For example, your nose and forehead may be oily, but you may have dryness on your cheeks. Most acne-prone skin is actually "sensitive", as acne tends to react to products such as harsh soap, makeup, or fragrances. If in doubt, go with products designed for sensitive skin. For more sensitive skin, choose a product with salicylic acid. If you have sensitive skin that can dry out and be irritable it is best to go for a product with salicylic acid. Just check the ingredients on the package in the store to know which is which. Salicylic acid is more gentle to the skin, rarely causes redness and peeling, and works more slowly than the stronger alternatives. Look out particularly for products that combine salicylic acid with glycolic acid. Use benzoyl peroxide. If you don't have particularly sensitive skin that is not prone to drying out, seek out products that have benzoyl peroxide. This key ingredient breaks up the waxy clog so it loosens and comes out of the pore. This is the fastest working store-bought option, but it can be a little harsh on your skin. The strength of the benzoyl peroxide usually ranges between 2.5 and 10%. This, combined with how long you leave the product on your skin, can influence any irritation you may experience. If your skin is sensitive, you can try a product at the lowest percentage and don't leave it on your skin too long. Benzoyl peroxide can be harsh on your skin, but it is also more effective than salicylic acid. Consider an alpha hydroxy acid product. Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) include glycolic acid and can be very effective at exfoliating your skin. You will find glycolic acid in daily exfoliators as well as chemical face peels. It dissolves and releases dead skin cells, which is an excellent way to tackle your blackheads. Use it in the same way you would a benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid product, and always read the instructions. AHAs can increase sensitivity to the sun, so be careful if you are going out in bright sunlight after using this treatment. Decide if you want to use a topical cream or face wash. Skin products are usually sold as either face washes or topical creams. A topical cream is usually left on longer, which means it has more time to work, but it is also more likely to irritate your skin. Follow the guidelines for the given product, and be especially careful if you have sensitive skin. Understand the limitations and risks of homemade treatments. There is little to no scientifically-backed support for most homemade treatments; support for these methods is mostly anecdotal, or based on personal accounts. These treatments may or may not work, and could potentially damage your skin. Talk to your doctor before attempting any homemade treatment. If you have particularly sensitive skin take extra care and use more diluted versions of these solutions. Stop if any of these irritate your skin. Try an egg white mask. It is thought that a proteins found in eggs may kill bacteria that causes acne. To make a face mask, separate an egg white from the yolk and, after patting dry your face, apply the egg white to your skin. You can use a cloth for this, if you use your fingers make sure they are clean and dry first. Once the first egg layer has dried, add another. Repeat this 3-5 times, always letting each layer dry first. Then wash it off and pat dry. You can add a layer of tissue between each egg layer. Peel each layer off before you wash your face at the end. Raw egg whites can grow salmonella. Be sure not to ingest raw egg white. Use warmed honey. Honey has both antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties and may assist in healing wounds and skin infections. There is, however, no evidence that it has any affect on blackheads or acne. It is thought the stickiness may help it bind to the blackheads and remove them. Warm up some honey in a pan, or place a jar of honey in hot water. When the honey is hot to the touch, but there is no danger of you burning yourself, dab it onto your blackheads and let it dry for around ten minutes. Wash off your face with a damp cloth. You can leave this treatment on overnight, but make sure it has dried or you might wake up with your face stuck to your pillow! Check with your doctor before proceeding. As with homemade treatments with natural ingredients, there is very little scientifically-backed evidence for the effectiveness and even the safety of homemade acne and blackhead treatments. You should talk with your doctor or dermatologist before attempting a homemade treatment — you could end up seriously damaging your skin, which could lead to far worse problems than a few blackheads. Make a boric powder solution. One recommended treatment is the application of highly diluted boric acid mixed with water. Boric is a mild acid that you can buy from the pharmacy. Mix one and a half cups of hot water with half a tablespoon of boric acid powder. Dip a face cloth into the solution and dab this onto your skin. You can leave this for fifteen or twenty minutes to work. There are no studies supporting the use of boric acid for acne. There is evidence to suggest that it does have antibacterial and antiviral properties; however it has not proven to be effective for acne. Although diluted formulations are known to be safe for abrasions and treating vaginal bacterial disease, boric acid if not diluted properly can cause severe skin and eye irritation. In addition, there are a few case reports of patients who used an ointment containing boric acid that caused an acne eruption. Be aware that boric acid is a pesticide and be toxic to infants if inhaled or ingested. Use Iodine and Epsom Salts. This method is supposed to pull the plug of oil and dead skin out of your pore. Epsom Salts can be a good exfoliant. Mix a teaspoon of Epsom Salts with four drops of Iodine in half a cup of hot water. Stir until all the salts have dissolved and the temperature has dropped a little. Once the solution is at a safe temperature, apply to your face with cotton balls and let it dry. Then wash off and pat your face dry. Again, there is no evidence that this method actually removes blackheads. If left on your skin for too long or overused, iodine can cause severe skin reactions, or may put you at risk for hyperthyroidism. Steam open your pores. Before you think about squeezing or pulling them out, you need to really loosen the pores. Blackheads are very sticky and won't come out easily, but by loosening the pores you give yourself the best chance of success. An excellent way to do this is to carefully hold your face at least a foot above a bowl of steaming water for ten to fifteen minutes. Getting any closer can cause burns. Place a towel over your head so the steam can't escape. You will feel the steam beginning to loosen your pores. You can also soak a washcloth in hot water and lay it over your face. Use a comedones extractor. A comedones extractor is a tool used by dermatologists and licensed aestheticians to remove blackheads, but you can use one at home, too. It is easy to use and there is far less risk of damaging your skin than if you try to squeeze out a blackhead with your fingers. After cleansing your skin, place the loop over the blackhead and apply gentle pressure, then pull the tool down. The blackhead should pop out of your pore. Do not press too hard. If the blackhead doesn't come out with gentle pressure, treat it with a topical cream. Pressing too hard may damage your skin. Make sure you clean your skin and the tool after use to avoid the spread of bacteria and possibly clogging other pores. Pull them out with blackhead strips. You can use special blackhead strips to pull out your blackheads. This technique is less likely to irritate your skin. It is only a temporary fix, but it could be exactly what you need in an emergency. Combine occasional use of strips with a good cleaning and exfoliating regime. For the best results, it's a good idea to use a treatment cream for a few nights in a row to loosen your pores before you try using a blackhead strip. Avoid squeezing. Never squeeze, pick, or pop blackheads. Squeezing blackheads can cause inflammation and infection, and will certainly not stop the blackheads coming back. If they persist, visit your doctor. If you are having a really tough time with bad skin and blackheads, pay a visit to your doctor or dermatologist for some advice. She will be able to examine your particular skin type closely and provide the best type of treatment for you, be it something from the store, pharmacy, or even a natural remedy. Consider prescription products. There are some products that dermatologists can prescribe if you have if you have acne that is not getting better with over-the-counter products. This is not for people who just have a few awkward blackheads on their nose every now and then. Your doctor may prescribe benzoyl peroxide. It is comedolytic (unclogs pores), anti-inflammatory, and also has been shown to reduce the bacteria thought to play a role in acne. Be prepared for oral antibiotics and a topical treatment. It is possible that your dermatologist may prescribe you a course of antibiotics to take orally alongside a topical treatment if you also have inflammatory acne lesions alongside your blackheads. This will only be in the most serious cases. | Figure out your skin type. For more sensitive skin, choose a product with salicylic acid. Use benzoyl peroxide. Consider an alpha hydroxy acid product. Decide if you want to use a topical cream or face wash. Understand the limitations and risks of homemade treatments. Try an egg white mask. Use warmed honey. Check with your doctor before proceeding. Make a boric powder solution. Use Iodine and Epsom Salts. Steam open your pores. Use a comedones extractor. Pull them out with blackhead strips. Avoid squeezing. If they persist, visit your doctor. Consider prescription products. Be prepared for oral antibiotics and a topical treatment. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Bathe-a-Ferret | How to Bathe a Ferret | To bathe a ferret, start by filling a tub or sink with warm water and putting a few of its favorite toys in the bath to help it relax. Then, massage a shampoo made specially for ferrets into its coat, and follow up with a conditioner if you'd like to replenish the oils that are stripped from its skin during bathing. Next, rinse your ferret thoroughly since leaving any shampoo in its fur can cause your ferret's skin to dry out. Afterwards, towel dry your ferret, then allow it to dry itself by placing it on a separate towel. | Understand when to bathe ferrets. Many ferret owners love their pets but get frustrated by their smell, which can be quite strong. Bathing ferrets can be a good way to combat odor, but only if it's done following proper protocol. Bathing a ferret too often can actually make the smell worse. Bathing strips oils from a ferret's skin and oil glands go into overdrive to replace what's been lost. This result in added stink. Ferrets should not be bathed more than once a month. Ferret smells are actually more often related to a ferret's bedding, cage, and blankets than to the ferret itself. Try washing these items before bathing your ferret to rule them out as the primary cause of smell. Ferrets become itchy and uncomfortable when bathed too often. If your ferret is itching frequently and appears otherwise distressed, you might want to cut back on how often you're bathing him. Choose the right supplies. All your supplies should be ready before you bring your ferret to the tub or sink. To bathe a ferret, you will need: Shampoo. Choose a shampoo specifically made for ferrets. Shampoos made for other animals can easily dry out a ferrets skin and cause him discomfort. Depending on your ferret's needs, choose a shampoo right for him. If he's not well behaved during bathing, for example, get tearless shampoo in case shampoo gets in his eyes. If he has fleas, special shampoos that kill flees are available. Ferret shampoo can be purchased online or from a pet store. If you want, you get conditioner for your ferret. This replenishes the oils lost in bathing. Once again, be sure to select a conditioner specifically made for ferrets. A towel should be available to dry the ferret after the bath. Ferrets get cold quickly, so you may want to put the towel in the dryer before the bath so it's warm to the touch afterwards. Make sure the water temperature is okay. A ferret's normal body temperature is between 101 and 103 degrees Fahrenheit. Water that feels lukewarm to you is cold for a ferret. Fill the tub or sink with water that is warm to the touch but not boiling. Go for the water temperature you would want when taking a hot bath. Keep the ferret comfortable. Before lowering your ferret into the tub or sink, make sure he is comfortable. This way, he'll be less nervous during the actual bath. Any time you hold your ferret, support his body completely. Make sure his feet are resting on the floor and, if they're not, make sure your hands are supporting his feet. Make sure the water is not too deep. Hold the ferret up above water if he seems distressed and let the water drain some until he is relaxed. Ideally, your ferret should only be submerged up to his chest. Your ferret's feet may slip on the floor of a bath or sink. Consider a rubber matt to make sure he can stand steady and therefore feel safe. Having some of your ferrets favorite toys in the water can help him relax during bath time. Shampoo the ferret. After getting your ferret in the water, you can begin the process of shampooing the ferret. First, get your ferret thoroughly wet. You can do this by gently splashing water on his sides, running the faucet over him, or using a measure cup to pour water of his back, head, and tail. Run the shampoo bottle under warm water before applying it to your ferret's skin. Ferrets get cold easily and you want to make sure the shampoo is slightly hotter than room temperature. Apply a thin line of shampoo down your ferret's back and massage the shampoo deep into the ferret's coat. Be particularly diligent about washing his tail and abdomen, as these are areas where oils build up and increase odor. Be careful to not get soap in the ferret's eyes or mouth. Only use your fingertips when washing around the head to reduce the likelihood of this happening. Keep one hand on your ferret while you wash him to make sure he doesn't move around too much, which can cause injury to you via biting and scratching. If you're choosing to condition the ferret's coat, repeat this process with conditioner after rinsing the shampoo from the ferret's coat. Rinse you ferret thoroughly. Leaving shampoo in can cause your ferret's skin to dry out. Make sure to get all the shampoo out before letting your ferret out of the bath. If you're bathing your ferret in standing water, drain the tub before beginning the rinsing process. The water is likely diluted with shampoo, hair, and debris and it's counterintuitive to use it to rinse the ferret. Refill the tub with fresh water, once again making sure it's hot to the touch. Use this water to work shampoo out of your ferret's coat. Rinse the head carefully with your hand. Do not pour water directly on his head as you do not want soap to run into his eyes. If possible, use a faucet during the rinsing process as this can help work shampoo out of the ferret's fur. Do not take the ferret out of the bath until no soap residue surfaces when water is being poured over his coat. Use a towel to begin drying the ferret. Ferrets are often aggravated after a bath and desperate to get dry. As you don't want a sopping wet ferret running around, begin the drying process with a clean towel. Wrap the ferret in a towel and attempt to rub his fur. Be gentle. Your ferret is probably aggravated, so be gentle and do not attempt to dry him for too long. Expect that your ferret will not tolerate too much drying. Ferrets crave space after a bath. If the ferret is being particularly difficult and resisting being dried, let him go. You do not need to get him completely dry. Just make sure he is not sopping. Allow ferrets to dry themselves. After the bath, ferrets will want to try to dry themselves by rubbing their fur on warm, dry surfaces. Pick a designated drying space for your ferret, and lay down clean towels and blankets for him to use. You should keep the ferret in a contained area during the drying process. He might roll or rub on a dirty surface, meaning he'll need another bath. Do not be alarmed. Many ferret owners are surprised by the erratic movements of a ferret after a bath, but this is normal ferret behavior and not a cause for concern. Make sure the ferret's cage and litter are clean. Bathing ferrets provides a good opportunity to clean their blankets and cages. Make sure clean linen is available right after a bath, and make sure your ferrets litter box is clean. Ferrets often want to relieve themselves right after a bath, and might be wary to do so in a dirty litter box. | Understand when to bathe ferrets. Choose the right supplies. Make sure the water temperature is okay. Keep the ferret comfortable. Shampoo the ferret. Rinse you ferret thoroughly. Use a towel to begin drying the ferret. Allow ferrets to dry themselves. Make sure the ferret's cage and litter are clean. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-HEPA-Filter | How to Clean a HEPA Filter | To clean your HEPA filter, remove it from your appliance and tap it over a garbage can to get rid of built-up dirt and debris. Then, check your product manual. If your manual says the filter is washable, rinse your filter with water until the water runs clear and free of dirt. Shake off any excess water, and let your filter air dry for at least 24 hours before you reinstall it. For a non-washable filter, use your vacuum cleaner's hose with a nozzle or brush attachment and run the attachment over your filter until it's clean. You can then reassemble your appliance. | Check your product manual to see if you can wash your filter. Before attempting to clean a HEPA filter, you'll need to find out whether or not it's washable. Some filters need to be rinsed out periodically, while any contact with water will ruin others. If you don't have your product manual, you can search online for your appliance's manufacturer and model number to download a digital copy. Washable filters are used in both air purifiers and vacuum cleaners. Disassemble the appliance outside to prevent releasing dirt and debris in your home. Larger filters can be cumbersome and hold lots of dirt and debris that you might not want to release into your house. Take your appliance outside or to the garage to remove and clean the filter if you're concerned about your home's air quality. Just make sure you're within reach of a garden hose or water faucet. If your filter is small and easy to handle, or if you're not worried about spilling any dust, you can just remove the filter indoors and rinse it in a sink. Remove the filter from your appliance. Make sure your air purifier or vacuum cleaner is turned off and unplugged. Remove the canister or panel that encases the filter, then slide the filter out of the appliance. Check your product guide if you're not sure how to access the HEPA filter. Never operate an air purifier or vacuum cleaner without a filter. Tap the filter over a trash can to loosen debris. The filter might be caked with dirt and debris, depending on the type of appliance and how often you clean the filter. If necessary, you can gently tap the filter over a garbage can. This will knock off excess debris and loosen any built up dirt. Rinse the filter with water. You should use gentle or moderate pressure, as high pressure could ruin the filter. Rinse the filter until the water runs clear and dirt free. Some manufacturers recommend a lukewarm water rinse, while others stipulate cold water only, so check your product guide for the best water temperature for your specific filter. In general, you should rinse both sides of a washable flat filter. Cylindrical wet/dry vacuum filters should only be rinsed on their exterior and should not get wet inside the cylinder. Let your filter air dry completely before reinstalling it. All washable HEPA filters must dry completely before reinstallation. Shake off excess water, then leave your filter out to air dry for at least 24 hours. Never put your filter in a clothes dryer, use a blower dryer, or use any method other than natural air drying. Remove the filter from your appliance. Many air purifiers use non-washable HEPA filters. Turn off and unplug your appliance before accessing the filter. Check your product manual for specific instructions on how to access your appliance's filter. Wash your appliance’s other filters. At least one foam or activated charcoal filter usually accompanies a non-washable HEPA filter. These accompanying filters typically need to be rinsed for two to three minutes, or until water runs clear. Towel dry your foam or activated charcoal filters, then let them air dry completely for at least 24 hours. Run a vacuum cleaner hose attachment over the filter. Use your vacuum cleaner's hose with a nozzle or brush attachment to clean your non-washable HEPA filter. Run the attachment over the filter until you've removed all debris. Take care not to puncture the filter with the vacuum attachment. Reassemble the appliance. Reassemble your appliance after the washable filters have dried. You can wrap the HEPA filter tightly in plastic while you're waiting for the other filters to dry or during any other extended period of non-use. Some air purifiers have an electronic filter clean reminder. If yours has one, reset it after cleaning your filter. Check the filter before using it and clean as needed. As a rule of thumb, you should change your vacuum filter every one to three months or every four to six uses. However, the frequency with which you clean a vacuum filter depends on how often you vacuum. To keep your appliance in the best working order, check the filter before each use and clean it if it's covered with a layer of dirt or debris. Clean your air purifier filter every three to six months. Most air purifier manufacturers recommend cleaning both washable and vacuum-only HEPA filters once every three months. Remember that your filter will get dirtier if you live in a dusty environment or use your appliance more frequently, so check the filter periodically and clean it more often if necessary. Check your user guide for your product manufacturer's recommendations for your specific model. Don't be afraid to clean your filter more often than recommended. There's no need to be afraid of cleaning your HEPA filter before it's due. As long as you clean your washable or vacuum-only filter using the correct method, you shouldn't worry about cleaning it more often than the user guide recommends. In general, the cleaner you keep your filter, the more efficiently your appliance will operate. Use the electronic clean filter reminder light as a general guide. Some air purifier models come with an electronic filter clean reminder. The timer either keeps track of the appliance's hours in use, which is a more reliable guide, or just tracks calendar days. You should check your filter regularly instead of relying on the reminder timer alone, especially if it doesn't track actual time in use. If you don't use the appliance often, the filter might not need to be cleaned when the timer light comes on. On the other hand, if you always keep the appliance on, but the timer tracks calendar days instead of actual time in use, you'll likely need to clean the filter more often than the timer recommends. You can check your user guide to find out if your appliance tracks use time or calendar days. Replace your filter when it's worn or as the manufacturer recommends. Since filter replacement standards will depend on your appliance type and model, it's best to check your user guide for information about replacing your filter. In general, washable and vacuum-only HEPA filters are designed to last much longer than disposable filters. Some can go years without needing replacement. Some manufacturers suggest replacing your filter when it becomes visibly worn or discolored, so inspect your filter's condition when you clean it. | Check your product manual to see if you can wash your filter. Disassemble the appliance outside to prevent releasing dirt and debris in your home. Remove the filter from your appliance. Tap the filter over a trash can to loosen debris. Rinse the filter with water. Let your filter air dry completely before reinstalling it. Remove the filter from your appliance. Wash your appliance’s other filters. Run a vacuum cleaner hose attachment over the filter. Reassemble the appliance. Check the filter before using it and clean as needed. Clean your air purifier filter every three to six months. Don't be afraid to clean your filter more often than recommended. Use the electronic clean filter reminder light as a general guide. Replace your filter when it's worn or as the manufacturer recommends. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Be-Taken-Seriously | How to Be Taken Seriously | If you want to be taken seriously, start by looking people in the eye when you're talking to them. Try to speak clearly and in a steady voice, which may take a little practice! In conversation, avoid making jokes about everything that comes up and contribute only when you have something valuable to add. Arriving early to meetings and appointments and following through with your promises shows other people that you respect them and their time. You can also show others that you're a serious person by staying calm in stressful situations and taking responsibility for your actions. | Look people in the eye while talking to them. This shows them that you're serious about what you're talking about and that you are engaged in the conversation. Not only will it let them know that you are focused on them, but it will allow you to connect with them. By looking at their eyes, you can read their facial expressions and see how they are reacting to what you are saying, and you can adjust the conversation as necessary. Speak clearly. Say what you need to say with a steady voice. Don't mumble or speak too quickly or slowly. Don't look to others for approval; simply express your beliefs and ideas from the heart. Try the "slow talk" technique. Slow down your speech by adding an extra second to your words. Articulate your words, pronouncing each syllable. Use proper body language. When speaking to others, hold your head high and keep your legs and arms uncrossed. This body language commands respect and shows that you are open and confident. Speak only when you have something valuable to say. Avoid adding random jokes or unrelated bits of information to conversations. Should you have a good idea or thought, express it. Adding unnecessary or repetitive information will make folks less likely to listen to you. For instance, if a group is discussing global warming and you have recently watched a documentary about it, chime in with what you know. However, if you don't know about the topic, stay silent and listen instead. Stay calm. If you're arguing with someone, stay calm and speak in an even tone. Don't get all worked up because this will make you look like you can't think clearly. Take deep breaths in and out to steady yourself. If you feel that you are going to cry or yell, walk away for a moment to take a bathroom break. Take responsibility. Actions speak louder than words, so you may have lost credibility with others because your actions have not been consistent. Accept responsibility for your behavior instead of blaming others, and seek more responsibility to demonstrate how serious you are. Take on more work without expectation of reward. This will show others that you are becoming more mature. Take action to show that you're serious. For example, if others don't see you as financially responsible, then create an excel spreadsheet and start keeping track of your finances. At work, ask your boss if you can help out with their new project and come to them with research or ideas on how to improve it. Try to find ways to do things better, more efficiently, or find problems that no one else has noticed. At home, take on more chores to help your family. Arrive early. Show that you mean business by arriving five to ten minutes early for any meeting or appointment you might have. This shows that you respect your time and the time of others. This applies to professional settings. It is typically okay to be a few minutes late to parties and other social events. Read the news. Stay up on the current events in your city, state, country and the world. Don't just know about the latest pop culture, know about the politics that are affecting you. This will give you serious topics to discuss with others. Download news apps to your phone and take fifteen minutes daily to read articles every morning. You can even sign up for news alerts. Prepare for your assignments or projects. Should you be assigned a task at work or school, work diligently on it. Do your research so you can do it to the best of you ability. If there is a presentation portion, practice beforehand until you have mastered it. This will show that you take your work seriously. For instance, if you have a presentation coming up, prepare a powerpoint. Use a simplistic format and include visuals or charts. Check for typos and practice presenting in the mirror. Dress for success. Take care of your appearance by showering and keeping your hair and clothes presentable. This will keep you looking sharp, neat and clean. You don't have to look ready for a board meeting (unless you're actually going to a board meeting), but you should always look nice. Iron your clothes the night before so you don't have to rush in the mornings. Use your clothes to tell people what you want them to think about you. Set up a good reputation. If you want to be taken seriously, don't do things that make people think less of you. Avoid public intoxication, drugs, crime, and other poor decisions. Instead, involve yourself in positive activities like volunteering. Be mindful of what you post on social media, too. Avoid posts that glorify drugs, violence or other negative behaviors. Follow through on your promises. If you tell someone that you will do something, you should follow through on that. If they see you as someone that just makes empty promises, they will be very unlikely to take you seriously. Perhaps you promised a coworker that you would pick them up the following morning for work. Be sure to set a reminder on your phone and wake up early so you can keep the promise. Tell the truth. If you are lying often, you can't really expect people to believe you. They aren't going to trust you to tell them the right information. Always be truthful with others, even when it's difficult. They will begin to take you seriously if they know you will be honest with them. People value honesty and genuineness in others. For example, if you don't know something, say, "I'm not familiar with that, but I'll look it up." Speak up when you disagree. If someone is being rude to others or suggest something that is wrong, speak up for what you believe. Do so in a respectful and kind manner. This will show to others that you have integrity and that you're willing to fight for what's right. For instance, your boss might suggest paying the new female coworker less than the male staff because of her gender. Let him know that this is not okay and that she deserves equal pay to do equal work. Avoid speaking negatively about others. Even when your friends or coworkers are gossiping about others, avoid doing so. Change the subject or walk away. This will show that you take your morals seriously. If your coworkers start bashing your boss, say “Hey, did y'all see last night's episode of Game of Thrones? It was awesome.” Keep your private life personal. At work especially, avoid sharing intimate details about your personal life. Avoid talk about sex, in particular. Share that you have a partner, but avoid discussing the fights between you two. Focus instead on discussing work or more lighthearted topics like TV shows or music. Don't try to make a joke out of everything. When it's appropriate, go ahead and have a little fun. But if you are always joking around about everything, how do you expect to be taken seriously? Know when the situation is right for a joke, but stay serious most of the time in professional settings. While you can use jokes as a self-defense mechanism, doing it too often can make you appear fake. Avoid hyperbole. Hyperbole is when you exaggerate for dramatic effect. An example would be describing something as "enormous", when it was really just large. If you use hyperbole too often, people will start to think that you're exaggerating all the time and they won't take your words at face value. Try to be as honest as possible. For instance, if you got minimal sleep the night before, say that you didn't get much sleep instead of saying that you didn't sleep at all. Avoid getting off task while at work. When at work, avoid texting or using your phone for personal calls. People will begin to think that you don't do any work. Instead, focus on the task at hand and take mini breaks as necessary. Primp in the restroom only. Sometimes the folks taken the least seriously are those who seem a little too invested in their physical appearance. Avoid applying makeup or fixing your hair in public; try to do so in the restroom instead. Avoid looking into every mirror you pass or taking selfies often. | Look people in the eye while talking to them. Speak clearly. Use proper body language. Speak only when you have something valuable to say. Stay calm. Take responsibility. Arrive early. Read the news. Prepare for your assignments or projects. Dress for success. Set up a good reputation. Follow through on your promises. Tell the truth. Speak up when you disagree. Avoid speaking negatively about others. Keep your private life personal. Don't try to make a joke out of everything. Avoid hyperbole. Avoid getting off task while at work. Primp in the restroom only. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Personal-Statement | How to Write a Personal Statement | To write a personal statement, start with a strong beginning such as “When I first started working at XYZ Company, I didn't know the first thing about widget manufacturing” to introduce your theme and grab the reader's attention. Then, write 2-4 paragraphs to support your statement, highlighting things like your experiences, achievements, and goals. Make sure that you focus each paragraph on a single point, relate each point back to your theme, and keep the tone of your writing positive and confident. | Pick the purpose for your personal statement. The basic structure and purpose of a personal statement can vary based on your goals and your field. You will emphasize different skills and focuses depending on the type of situation for which this personal statement will be used. If you're writing a personal statement for undergraduate schools or scholarships focus on how your interests developed, your high school achievements, and your community involvement. If you're writing for an undergraduate transfer, focus on your academic and community record with your current school and describe your reasons for wanting to switch universities. If you're writing for graduate school, focus on the specific course you want your graduate project or studies to take, your reason for pursuing graduate school, and the undergraduate experiences that have prepared you. If you're writing for a job, portfolio, or to gain a particular client, focus on your past work experiences, your relevant academic accomplishments within the past 5 years, and your positive character traits. If you've been given a prompt for your personal statement, make sure you have a clear understanding of what it's asking for and what you should write. Research your target institutions. Start any personal statement by researching the institution or client that will read it. Read over the organization's mission statement, history, and recent newsletters or bulletins to see what they value in a potential student or employee. Every institution and organization will look for content specific to their mission and goals in a personal statement. Don't send the same personal statement to different organizations, but instead personalize each statement you write. For example, if you're applying to a university that emphasizes community service and involvement, you'll want to emphasize your service work in that statement. Another school may value academics first though. For that school, talk about your coursework and grades. Define your academic and career goals. Your goals are ultimately the focus of any personal statement. These goals let the reader know that choosing you will have a significant impact. You do not need to describe all your goals in your final statement, but list as many as possible as you brainstorm to make your goals clear and specific. To get started, ask yourself a range of questions like: How will this university/academic program/scholarship/job position/client directly impact my future? What project do I plan to undertake to complete this degree or job opportunity? What is my ultimate career goal? Where do I see myself in 1 year? 5 years? 10 years? What are the steps I need to take in order to reach my ultimate goal? What are other goals I hope to accomplish along the way? Ask yourself why you should be chosen. You will likely have plenty of competition, so you need to thoroughly describe what sets you apart from the rest of the crowd. Before you can convince the reader of your uniqueness, you need to convince yourself. Ask yourself a range of questions, such as: What personal qualities (leadership skills, organizational skills, self-control, etc.) do you possess which make you a valuable asset? What experiences and beliefs have shaped your present character? What accomplishments make you the proudest? Have you had any turning points that redirected your life in a positive way? Why would you choose yourself over other candidates? Why should anyone else? List your formal achievements. While you should not include a straight list of achievements in your personal statement, some of your most significant achievements deserve to be mentioned. Writing out a list of your achievements will help you to recall each one and determine which to include. Formal achievements can include: Academic degrees and certificates Scholarships, fellowships, and grants Awards or honors from academic institutions (e.g. summa cum laude, manga cum laude, departmental honors, Dean's List, etc.) Workplace promotions, reviews, and evaluations Speaking at a conference, convention, or workshop Published works in your field of expertise Official recognition for community service or contributions Outline how you reached this place in your life. Jot down a list of experiences and turning points in your life that led you to develop your current career or academic interests. Questions worth asking yourself include: When did you originally develop an interest in your field of choice? What do you love most about your field of choice? Why do you think your field of choice is important? What experiences have you had that have provided you with experience in the field? Have you given up any other dreams or expectations in order to chase after this one? Describe any challenges you have faced. Challenges and difficulties can help foster interest in your story and make you more endearing. Everyone loves an underdog, and many people will be willing to assist you if they see that you have already worked hard to reach your current position. Possible challenges to explore include: Financial difficulties Prejudice Social disenfranchisement Learning disabilities Physical disabilities Family problems Medical problems Unexpected tragedies Read any specific questions mentioned. Sometimes, an institution or organization will provide a list of specific questions or topics they want you to address. If this is the case, review the list carefully so that you can outline answers that directly answer those concerns. Often, these questions will be listed directly on the application, or otherwise on the job posting or program web page. If you're not sure if your application needs to address specific questions, reach out to the program coordinator or the contact person listed on the posting. Outline the basic structure of your statement. You will generally only have 1-2 pages to fit all of your information into your statement. Outlining your statement before you write will make sure you cover all your most salient points in your limited space. Try to pick 2-4 critical points to cover. Prioritize the purpose of your statement in your outline. For example, if you're applying to a graduate program, your graduate project should be your main focus. Write about what interests you. You will be able to write more convincingly and more passionately if you write about events, goals, experiences, or ideas that you already feel passionate about. Address issues specifically brought up by the institution or organization. If there are any topics that the reader demands to see, then make sure that those are included in your personal statement. Create a strong beginning. Your first paragraph must grab the reader's attention. A strong introductory paragraph will clearly introduce the thesis or theme of your personal statement while creating a sense of narrative as if you're introducing a story. Use a personal anecdote to hook your readers. Avoid starting with common or cliché phrases like, “The most important moment in my life was when...” A better way to introduce that “important moment” would be to simply start describing it. Explain that, “When I first started working at XYZ Company, I didn't know the first thing about widget manufacturing.” Directly break into the narrative instead of alerting the reader that you intend to do so. Provide as much detail in the first paragraph as possible. Introduce the main idea of your personal statement and describe how it connects to your narrative. Save any elaborate details or related notes and experiences for the body of your essay, though. Write a body to support your statement purpose. The paragraphs following your introduction should bolster your statement purpose. Focus each paragraph on a single point, and make sure you relate each point back to your statement purpose or the goals you mentioned. For example, for a graduate program statement, your second paragraph could focus on your undergraduate career. Frame your undergrad research, your relevant coursework, and your achievement as tools that helped prepare you for your graduate project. Do not be vague or general. Do tell the reader about experiences, goals, and ideas unique to you. Maintain a positive tone. Write in an optimistic, confident tone, even if you're addressing difficult subjects. Your statement should show how you will address problems and create solutions, and your tone should reflect that. Avoid uncertain or weak phrasing like, “I'm not sure but I think I would probably be a good fit for your program.” Even when discussing challenges or difficulties you faced, focus on your triumphs over those problems. Expand your statement if it's too short. Your first draft can be as long or short as you need it to be, but many institutions and organizations have a word count or page count limits on personal statements. If your statement is not long enough, you have space to add more supporting information. When expanding your personal statement, look for ways to elaborate on the information you already have. Include more specific detail to create a fuller picture. Alternatively, you could introduce another point that contributes to your overall statement purpose. While it's not advisable to submit a statement that's too short, you also shouldn't add information just for the sake of having it. If your statement is a paragraph short of a full page but covers all your relevant information, you don't need to expand it. Avoid telling the reader why something is important to you. Instead, explain what you've done to show and develop the skill. Trim down your statement if it's too long. When trimming your personal statement down, scan the essay for any parts that do not directly address your point. You should also cut points that only serve to provide background information. You may also consider reducing your number of main points if one point does not seem especially significant. Unlike a short statement, a long statement can't be left long. Many application programs won't allow you to press the submit button until your statement is the correct length. That means that if your statement is too long, it needs to be cut down. Read your personal statement aloud. Reading the piece out loud will give you a more accurate idea of how it sounds. As you read, listen for errors or clunky wording. You should also note any sentences that seem out of place or awkward. While listening to your statement, ask yourself if it sounds like your natural voice. If you were describing these things in person, would the way you speak sound like what you wrote? Ask for constructive criticism. Ask at least 3 people you trust, such as a professor, your business partner, or someone successful in your field, to read over your statement and make suggestions for improvements. Different sets of eyes may offer a more objective analysis regarding your statement's strengths and weaknesses. Accept constructive criticism graciously and try not to take anything personally. When asking for constructive criticism, first go to professional sources like a high school teacher, a university professor, an internship supervisor, an academic adviser, or a trustworthy colleague. After your professional sources have been exhausted, ask friends and family for their thoughts. They may offer great insight regarding the “every-man” opinion, since not all your readers may be familiar with your program or industry. It's common to receive conflicting feedback. Think about each of their perspectives to see what may have influenced what they told you. If their experiences don't match your goals, consider if their advice is worth taking. Proofread at least twice prior to submission. Once you feel satisfied with the content of your personal statement, proofread it once for basic spelling and grammar errors. Then, set your statement aside for 3-4 days, and take a look at it again with fresh eyes. You may catch some errors you didn't find during your first read. Once you fix these problems, your personal statement is ready to submit. | Pick the purpose for your personal statement. Research your target institutions. Define your academic and career goals. Ask yourself why you should be chosen. List your formal achievements. Outline how you reached this place in your life. Describe any challenges you have faced. Read any specific questions mentioned. Outline the basic structure of your statement. Create a strong beginning. Write a body to support your statement purpose. Maintain a positive tone. Expand your statement if it's too short. Trim down your statement if it's too long. Read your personal statement aloud. Ask for constructive criticism. Proofread at least twice prior to submission. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Send-Money | How to Send Money | To send money, check to see if your bank allows online transfers. If they do, you can send money to someone else's online banking account using their email address and phone number or their account and routing numbers. Alternatively, you can send money through a money-transfer service, like Western Union and MoneyGram. Or, you can sign up for a PayPal account to instantly send someone money online for a small fee. | Purchase a money order for a certain amount at a USPS outlet. A money order is a secure payment method that is convenient, affordable, and widely accepted. Money orders can be bought at any official Post Office location. You can send up to $1,000 to destinations within the United States. For international destinations, you can purchase money orders for values up to $700. You can pay for the money order with cash, debit or traveler's checks. Be aware that there are small fees for money orders. Domestic money orders for amounts up to $500 cost $1.25; money orders for between $500 and $1,000 cost $1.65. International money orders incur a cost of $4.50. Fill out the money order correctly. Make sure you know the exact amount you want to send and the full address of the person you are sending it to. Bring an envelope or purchase one at the USPS store. Confirm that the money order has been received. Domestic money orders take 1-3 days to be delivered. International orders can take longer. If your money order is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can have it replaced by USPS. There is a $6.10 processing fee in such cases. Visit your local Post Office immediately to complete and submit PS Form 6401 Money Order Inquiry. Transfer money online with an email address or mobile number. Many banks now offer account holders the ability to send money via an online transfer using just the email address or mobile phone number of the recipient. This is one of the advantages of 21st century banking! Enter the amount to transfer and the recipient will receive a text or email with instructions on how to receive it. Check to see if your bank charges a fee. Many standard banks, like Bank of America, do not charge their account holders who make transfers. The online transfer method is especially helpful both if you pay one person often, like a babysitter, or need to make a one-off transfer, like to a student away at school. You can also use online or mobile transfers (using your bank's mobile app) to split a bill at a restaurant, since the money can be moved around instantly. This way, you won't have to wait for anyone to pay you back! Transfer money online with an account number and routing number. This lets you send money to someone else's account, or between your account at different financial institutions. For this transfer, you need to know the account number and transit routing number of the recipient. A transit routing number—also commonly known as a check routing number, ABA number or routing transit number (RTN) —is a 9-digit code that identifies the bank, its branch and location. You can usually find this information through your online account. Alternatively, if you have checks, you can find the 9-digit routing number on the bottom-left of your check. Your account number is the second code on the bottom-center of the check. This type of transfer can take a little longer (between 2-4) days than a standard online transfer. Send checks to people without online banking. Checks sent through the mail are a straightforward alternative if you want to send money to someone who can't receive a transfer through online banking. Simply write out the check and mail in an envelop to your recipient. Domestic mail in the U.S. typically takes 1-3 days. The recipient will then have to deposit the check. It may take several days before the recipient can access the funds. Though rare, sometimes checks get lost in the mail. Check with your bank about what procedure you should follow if you think this has happened to you. Send wire transfers for large amounts of money. A wire transfer is an electronic payment service for transferring funds by wire. Wire transfers are good to use if you're sending money overseas because you can send largely amounts safely and securely. The best-known wire transfer service is SWIFT, the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication. Wire transfers have high levels of security and are quick. However, they almost always incur fees. The average fee of outgoing domestic and international wire transfers charged by the 10 largest U.S. banks is $27.40 and $47.50, respectively. Some banks allow you to make domestic or international wire transfers online. However, for international wire transfers, which can be more complicated, you can also visit a local bank branch. Wire transfers usually require extra information. What you need may vary depending on your bank. However, the SWIFT Code, IBAN number (International Bank Account number) as well as the addresses of the recipient and his/her bank are often needed. Usually your account will be debited the same day to make the transfer and the bank will send out the payment immediately. The recipient's bank should receive the funds within a day or two and then credit the transfer to the recipient thereafter. There can be delays in wire transfers due to a number of factors, including holidays, delays by an intermediary bank, or other local conditions. Some countries have also been labelled "slow-to-pay" countries, meaning that transfers made to and from them can take extra time. Open up a PayPal account. Make sure you have an email address available that can be associated with the account. Founded in 1998, PayPal is the best-known service for sending money quickly, easily, and cheaply online. In 2013, PayPal processed 180 billion dollars across the world. Make sure your bank account is linked to your PayPal account. If you bank online, PayPal will usually confirm your account instantly. If you don't bank online or prefer another way to confirm your account, you must provide them with your banking information. Consult a blank check to obtain the bank transit number (5 digits), the institution number (3 digits), and the account number (1-12 digits). PayPal will then deposit two small amounts of less than $1.00 USD into your account. When they show up in your bank account, you just have to log-in to your PayPal account and enter the amounts to finish linking your bank. Enter in the recipient's email or phone on the PayPal website or mobile app. Recipients do not not have to have a PayPal account Sending money is free when you use your PayPal balance or account. If you send money with your credit or debit card, there is a fee of 2.9% + $0.30. Enter an amount and send your money securely. Every transaction is protected by advanced encryption and 24-hour fraud monitoring. Do not send money over public wifi networks, like at a coffee shop or public square. Track your transactions. Make sure the recipient received the transfer. Recipients usually receive the money within minutes. Use a money-transfer service for sending money internationally. Shop around a bit before you pick a service. The two best-known companies are Western Union and MoneyGram, although there are also newer companies like Xoom. Some supermarkets, convenience and drug stores, and retail giants like Walmart also offer money-transfer services. Visit a location or send online. Both Western Union and MoneyGram let you transfer money online, on your mobile device, at an agent location, or over the phone. Pay with cash, debit card, credit card, a prepaid debit card, or directly from your bank. Many of the larger companies let you choose how you want to pay. Know the exchange rate. The exchange rate is the amount of foreign currency that will be generated for every dollar you send. For example, a money-transfer service might have a rate of 12.48 Mexican pesos per U.S. dollar. So if you send $200, it will come to 2,496 pesos. Exchange rates change daily or even multiple times a day. Exchange rates can differ among various money-transfer service because the companies adjust it to make money on the transfer. If possible, try to get a guaranteed exchange rate, rather than an "indicative" or estimated rate. Be aware of fees. Fees vary greatly depending on the service and method you choose to use and the country your money is being sent to. Many money-transfer services have a program on their website that lets you generate a rough estimate of how much your transfer will cost. The best-known companies do not necessarily offer the best value. For example, if you want to send $200 to Mexico the same day, Western Union charges $10-$12 depending on whether you do the transfer online or in-person with an agent. For the same service, the online company Xoom charges $4.99. | Purchase a money order for a certain amount at a USPS outlet. Be aware that there are small fees for money orders. Fill out the money order correctly. Confirm that the money order has been received. Transfer money online with an email address or mobile number. Transfer money online with an account number and routing number. Send checks to people without online banking. Send wire transfers for large amounts of money. Open up a PayPal account. Make sure your bank account is linked to your PayPal account. Enter in the recipient's email or phone on the PayPal website or mobile app. Enter an amount and send your money securely. Track your transactions. Use a money-transfer service for sending money internationally. Visit a location or send online. Pay with cash, debit card, credit card, a prepaid debit card, or directly from your bank. Know the exchange rate. Be aware of fees. |
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