Split (3)

train · 35.8k rows

Subsets and Splits

No community queries yet

The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.

url stringlengths 27 124	title stringlengths 10 107	summary stringlengths 15 6.15k	article stringlengths 0 117k	step_headers stringlengths 0 5.75k
https://www.wikihow.com/Feel-Great-in-the-Morning	How to Feel Great in the Morning	To feel great in the morning, try to go to sleep at the same time every night and wake up on time every morning. Drink a full glass of water as soon as you wake up to re-hydrate yourself and enjoy a nutritious, filling breakfast so you can start your day with energy. Meditating or performing breathing exercises in the morning can help you clear your mind and create a sense of calm, and doing a few light stretches can loosen up your muscles for the day ahead.	Start your day with some light stretches to loosen up your muscles. Your body will feel pretty stiff after sleeping for 8 hours. Do light to moderate stretches in the first 5 minutes after you wake up to get energized and motivated in the morning. In a standing position, lift one leg up until it's parallel to the floor, then stretch your arms forward to touch your toes. Hold for 20 seconds then repeat with your other leg. This will stretch your hamstrings and legs. Rotate your arms like a windmill to stretch your arms and shoulders. Stretch your neck by tilting your chin downwards and upwards, then tilting your head to the left and to the right. You should push yourself to feel tension, but not pain. Stop performing a stretch if it starts to become painful. Do a set of push-ups and a set of sit-ups. Doing a few push-ups and sit-ups in the morning will help get your blood circulating and will also prime your muscles to make you more active throughout the day. Do 1 set each of push-ups and sit-ups, limiting yourself to completing as many as you feel comfortable doing without becoming exhausted. Although push-ups are a great way to build muscle, you shouldn't worry about that in this context; just do enough to get your heart pumping and your muscles very slightly sore. There's no set guideline for how many sit-ups or push-ups to include in each set. If you feel comfortable, do 10 of each exercise. Do a set of jumping jacks to engage your legs and shoulders. Jumping jacks are a terrific cardiovascular exercise that amps up your heart rate and also gives your legs and shoulders a workout. Do 30 to 50 jumps after you wake up to kickstart your heart rate and get energized right away. If you can't do 30 jumping jacks, consider doing 2 sets of 15 or 3 sets of 10 for the same end results. Make sure to do your jumping jacks after you've stretched to minimize the risk of injuring yourself. Perform a set of squats to kickstart your metabolism and build muscle. Squats work your largest muscle groups in your legs and thus have a tremendous boosting effect on your metabolism following a workout. Do squats after your morning stretches to get your body ready for the day and to improve your mobility, balance, and posture. Squats are a great exercise for increasing the range of motion in your hips and ankles, which also helps to reduce lower back and knee pain. However, your knees should not cross the plane of your toes, otherwise it may damage the joints in your knees. Go for a run or walk. Running through the fresh air outside can refresh you and wake you up very quickly after you get out of bed. Consider going for a short 5-10 minute run in the morning to refresh yourself and feel energized for the rest of the day. This doesn't have to be a very fast run; going for a light jog will still boost your metabolism and give you a nice workout. If you can't run, try walking for 30-40 minutes instead for roughly the same results. Drink a glass of water first thing in the morning. You may or may not feel like drinking water when you wake up, but in either case your body needs it. Down an 8 fluid ounces (240 mL) glass of water right after waking up to jump start your metabolism and to help you feel more alert. If you leave early in the morning to go to work, try to drink a second glass of water as well before leaving your home. This will help you stay focused in the morning and encourage you to stay hydrated throughout the day. Consider filling a water bottle with a leak-proof top and leaving it on your night stand before going to bed. Eat a nutritious and filling breakfast. Starting off the day with a healthy breakfast will give you energy for the morning and prevent you from feeling groggy. Eat a breakfast that combines healthy carbs, fiber, and protein for an energizing start to your day. Fruits, whole grain wheat, and simple proteins work best in the morning. Eggs, cheese, yogurt, or cottage cheese are also good options for morning meals. Avoid eating heavy carbs or large portions for breakfast; eating too much may cause you to feel more sluggish instead of energized. Meditate or perform breathing exercises to clear your mind. Doing breathing exercises or meditation in the morning can help give you a fresh mindset and get rid of anxiety or tension in your muscles. Meditate for 5 minutes each morning to start your day in a calm and relaxed state. When doing deep breathing, take deep breaths into your stomach and hold them for 5-7 seconds before releasing them. You'll find that tension in your body relaxes as you exhale. Hold off on drinking coffee until later in the day. Many of us drink coffee first thing in the morning. However, drinking coffee right after you wake up actually reduces the caffeine's effect and makes you build a tolerance to the drug faster. Consider waiting a few hours before having your coffee to make sure you're getting the full effect of the caffeine. For example, if you wake up at 7:00, consider waiting until around 10:00 before having coffee. For even better results, cut coffee entirely out of your regular morning routine and only drink it on the days when you really need to (e.g., when you have to wake up earlier than usual). Relax and unwind for 1 hour before bedtime. If you're stressed or overactive right up until you go to bed, it will take your body longer to fall into a restful sleep state. Give yourself an hour before you go to bed to unwind and do relaxing activities to help your body go to sleep faster. Examples of some relaxing activities might include reading, watching your favorite TV show, or listening to soothing music. Meditating or performing breathing exercises is also a good way to relax your body and your mind as you prepare to go to sleep. Refrain from eating right before bed to avoid digesting food all night. Your body uses a lot of energy to slowly digest food, so if you eat a big meal before bed, you'll digest that food all night and disrupt your sleep pattern. Eat your meals earlier in the evening to ensure your sleep is more restful. If you absolutely can't avoid eating right before bed, try to only eat a light meal and stick to foods that are the least disruptive to your sleep. These include cherries, bananas, rice, and turkey. You should definitely avoid eating dark chocolate or drinking coffee or wine before bed. Drink a glass of water before bed to stay hydrated. Even when you're asleep, your body is still carrying out a lot of its normal functions and will use up water in the process. Sip on some water before bed to keep your body hydrated, aid digestion, and help your body detox while you sleep. Consider investing in a sports bottle with a sealable lid and keeping a filled one next to your bed. This will not only remind you to drink water before you go to bed, but will also give you a convenient source of water for after you wake up. Go to bed at the same time each night. Your body has its own internal clock that it naturally follows, so going to sleep and waking up at regular times every day will help it feel energized and efficient. Pick a bedtime and stick to it each night to avoid feeling sluggish in the morning. No matter what bedtime you choose, aim to get 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Stick to this sleep schedule even on weekends and days when you don't have to wake up early. Your body will thank you for it! Wake up on time and don’t allow yourself to oversleep. Oversleeping can leave you feeling drained and sluggish in much the same way that not getting enough sleep can. Set alarms to go off roughly 8 hours after your bedtime and don't let yourself sleep through them. Consider using alarms that don't include a snooze option. If you know your alarm won't repeat itself, you'll be more inclined to get out of bed and start your day after it goes off the first time. Try to avoid sleeping for more than 9 hours, as this may negatively affect your mood the next day.	Start your day with some light stretches to loosen up your muscles. Do a set of push-ups and a set of sit-ups. Do a set of jumping jacks to engage your legs and shoulders. Perform a set of squats to kickstart your metabolism and build muscle. Go for a run or walk. Drink a glass of water first thing in the morning. Eat a nutritious and filling breakfast. Meditate or perform breathing exercises to clear your mind. Hold off on drinking coffee until later in the day. Relax and unwind for 1 hour before bedtime. Refrain from eating right before bed to avoid digesting food all night. Drink a glass of water before bed to stay hydrated. Go to bed at the same time each night. Wake up on time and don’t allow yourself to oversleep.
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Newspaper-Column	How to Write a Newspaper Column	If you're struggling to find a topic for a newspaper column, look at current events to see what your readers will be interested in. When you find an issue that you have an original opinion on, find a unique angle to present your opinion from. For example, you could draw from personal experience or focus on how the issue affects your locality. Whatever you write about, make sure you offer a solution to the problem so readers are interested in reading your column.	Find your voice. As a newspaper columnist, you're charged to have distinct opinions and a voice. Your voice could be humorous or dark, for example. A good way to find your voice is to read newspaper articles that report just the facts, and then freewriting a response. Do this with 5 or 6 articles, then chart how you reacted. You might notice that you consistently take a sarcastic tone or an optimistic one. Your editor will also be able to help you refine your voice, so don't be afraid to reach out. Have an opinion. What distinguishes a newspaper column from an article is that a column inserts an opinion where the article only reports facts in an objective way. Forming an opinion is a good way to speak your voice. A good way to test your opinion is to ask yourself, “Will someone have a strong reaction to my article?” If the answer is yes, you've successfully formed an opinion. If your stance doesn't elicit any reaction, then you've probably written a very neutral piece. Make sure you can back that opinion up with researched evidence. This will help persuade your readers to buy into your opinion. Share your personal experiences. A good way to develop a voice and opinion is to draw from your own personal experiences. Including anecdotes from your own life will not only make you more relatable to your reader, but also more credible. If you've had a situation where prescription drug costs buried you financially, start off your column with an anecdote about this time in your life before you lay out your fiery opinion on the high cost of prescription drugs for seniors. Write in the first person. Since a column is based on your opinion, incorporate your voice by using “I.” This will remind the reader of your presence and will help establish which opinions presented are yours. Instead of saying, “The facilities for race horses are inadequate,” use first person to make the statement more compelling. For example: “The facilities that I, as a trainer, have visited don't meet the horses needs, which affects their performance and well-being.” Look to current events. Your readers will be most interested in topics that are dominating the news, such as politics or pop culture, and not some obscure event that's no longer relevant. Stay on top of the news cycle and be ready to jump in with your own opinion. Scan newspaper and magazine headlines to see what events are most popular. These reoccurring issues are ones that the general public will be interested in. Often newspaper columns are about politics, but they can draw on social issues also, such as prison conditions. Find an interesting angle for your topic. Providing your readers with a fresh approach to a story can make your column appealing. Thinking about new angles for a topic on current events will be sure to speak to readers. Don't be afraid to include yourself in your topic. Look at your own personal history for a way to contribute something unique to your column. Dive into the details and see where they take you. Looking closely at details may provoke a new idea. Focusing on local angles is a great way to make your column relevant to your reader. Choose a topic for which you have a solution. Have the conviction to suggest a solution or two for the opinion you've stated. Readers are looking for answers when they pick up a newspaper column, and it's your job as the columnist to provide them. If, for example, you're going to say, “Social media use by students during school hours is crushing student productivity,” you'd better be prepared to offer a solution to get students to put aside social media and concentrate on the tasks at hand. If you've got a strong point of view on a particular topic, but have no solutions to offer, you should wait to write the column until you've got more concrete solutions. Have a catchy title. They often include numbers, fun adjectives, and a promise to the reader. This will help set the reader's expectations and grab his or her attention. For example, “Getting Stains Out of Your Carpet” is a mundane title that's not likely to capture your reader's attention. Alternatively, “3 Unusual Household Items That'll Get Red Wine Stains Out” is more interesting because it gives the reader a promise. Open with a “hook” that will grab your reader’s attention. Make that first sentence count by enticing the reader with your words and ideas. Remember that your opening also lays the foundation for your argument, so make sure it's relevant. Attention-grabbing opening lines include: dramatic anecdotes, controversial statements, irony and wit, references to new studies, or statements that contradict conventional wisdom. Tell your reader why they should care. As you write your article make sure every paragraph can answer the question: “Who cares?” Explain why your topic is relevant to your readers and how it will positively or negatively affect them. For example, if you're writing against a new tax proposal, explain to your readers that this new policy will increase their taxes. Write conversationally. While you shouldn't throw all the writing rules out the window, you should avoid jargon, technical language, and complex sentence structure. By writing in a more conversational manner, you'll be able to communicate your point to your audience more effectively. Try writing in shorter sentences or using contractions to adopt a more conversational style. Pretend that you're writing to a friend and address the reader directly. Try talking in your head as you write and then read it aloud afterwards to see how it sounds. Use active voice. Using active verbs comes across as more authoritative and it'll help cut down on wordiness. Since you're trying to convince a reader of your opinion, using strong, active verbs will help you do this. Stating that, “It is believed by the city council that the townspeople were misled by the mayor” is wordy and leaves the author wondering if the city council is an authoritative source. Instead, try writing that, “The city council believes that the mayor misled the townspeople.” You can note how the active voice sentence is more authoritative and straightforward. Keep your column short. Newspaper columns are typically only 400-800 words so you should get to your point straightaway. Get used to whittling down your initial drafts. After you read each sentence ask yourself, “How is this sentence contributing to my argument? Is every word necessary?” If you find yourself unsure whether words or sentences contribute to your argument, take them out and read the article again to see if their absence alters your argument. Make sure your topic is clearly defined. Because newspaper columns are short, your topic and point of view must be clearly defined and focused. State your topic and opinion in the first paragraph. The following paragraphs should relate back to this idea. For example, if you're writing that long-distance relationships are a bad idea, introduce this idea in the first paragraph. Present the problematic aspects of long-distance relationships in the following paragraphs to support your stance. Do your research. While column writing does leave a lot of room for your own personal voice, it should be anchored in facts. Backing up your opinion with facts will help make your case for your readers. You can conduct research at the library or from your computer, but you can also conduct field research by interviewing people involved in your story. Always make sure you properly cite your sources. If you include a quote be sure to name your source and their expertise. This way the reader is able to assess the reliability of that person's statement. Use Associated Press format. Journalism has its own specific writing style that ensures that all newspaper writers have consistent guidelines to follow. Journalism's punctuation is very different from your normal English formatting so you'll need to review the AP format carefully.	Find your voice. Have an opinion. Share your personal experiences. Write in the first person. Look to current events. Find an interesting angle for your topic. Choose a topic for which you have a solution. Have a catchy title. Open with a “hook” that will grab your reader’s attention. Tell your reader why they should care. Write conversationally. Use active voice. Keep your column short. Make sure your topic is clearly defined. Do your research. Use Associated Press format.
https://www.wikihow.com/Meet-Women	How to Meet Women	To meet women, try setting up a profile on an online dating site to meet women with similar interests. When you make your profile, upload a picture that shows you as approachable, and respond to messages promptly to show you're interested. If you're less keen on meeting people online, try attending a club, sports bar, or speed dating event to meet eligible single women. Alternatively, take up a class or course on something you're passionate about, like art. However you choose to meet someone, look friendly and approachable when you introduce yourself by smiling and using open body language, like keeping your arms open and standing up straight. Once you start up a conversation, focus on the woman's face and make eye contact, which shows you're interested in what she's saying.	Go online. It is now well established that online dating sites are a regular part of meeting people with like interests. Find a dating site that appeals to you and create a profile. You can either look through the women already on the site according to mutual interests or you can wait for women to find you. When uploading a profile, look approachable and neat. Wear clothes, too––naked bodies, no matter how buff, are not the way to go when online. Avoid lying. If you're older and less fit than you'd like to be, don't cover this up. Your potential date won't hang around if she comes face-to-face with your untruths upon meeting you. If you do get nibbles, reply promptly, so as not to cause the women to think you're lazy or uninterested. Be open-minded to all those interested in you. If you put an age-range or any other restrictive ranges into your wishlist, you could miss out on women who might be slightly outside those expectations but are ideal for you. It also sounds really bossy and perfectionist to list restrictive preferences and will scare off many women even if they fall within your restrictions. Ask your friends. Friends, both male and female, are a good place to begin when you're seeking to meet someone new. Your friends will know of single women who are looking for a chance to date--from sisters and work colleagues to friends from hobbies or sports they pursue. Organize, or have your friends organize, a party or dinner event at which the two of you can meet. Consider a blind date with this person. Be sure to ask your friend about why he or she thinks this woman might be compatible with you. It will help you to come up with topics of conversation before you meet. Try an introduction agency. If the thought of going online seems a tad too exposing or impersonal to you, you might prefer to try an introduction agency, where the agents do all the work of matching and arranging introductions for you. Many online sites operate as both, so check the details when looking at the website, as you might get the chance to try both ways. Consider women at your workplace. It's up to you whether workplace romances are taboo or not; in some cases, company policy prevents anything of the sort. But where this isn't an issue, there are both good and bad reasons to date someone from work. On the plus side, many women at work will likely have similar interests, schedules and availability. What's more, you don't have to go trawling through bars and clubs to meet them. On the downside, breakups after a relationship can impact work badly, office gossip can be difficult and charges of favoritism can be rife. There are ways of handling all the challenges though, so if you do like someone at work, perhaps it's worth the effort. Never harass a woman. Workplace procedures are in place to deal with any element of sleaziness, inappropriate touching or comments, etc. for good reason. Make sure she won't misinterpret your intentions by being open, clear and caring. Avoid using dirty language or innuendos. Leave alone any idea of having an affair or dating a woman who is going through a divorce. Keep personal communications personal. Don't use the workplace email to serenade her. Use your personal email addresses or speak to her directly instead. Your IT team can recall anything from work emails, so if you do use them, be careful and never send anything that couldn't be shared with everyone else in the office. Think really hard before attempting to date a boss, manager or supervisor. Charges of favoritism will be all too easy to lay against you and the imbalance in power at work may also influence an imbalance of power in your personal relationship, which isn't healthy for either of you. Go where the singles hang out on purpose. There are plenty of opportunities for meeting single women in a city, town, or similar environment. Some examples include: Clubs, nightclubs, bars/sports bars and restaurants Hobby or sports events that end with a party or get-together Dinner parties, dinner events, tasting events A singles cruise or other specially organized singles event that is a bit more out of the ordinary. Attend a class or a course. If you're passionate about something, from sailing to food art, you might find equally passionately driven women by joining a class or course focused on that very topic. You'll certainly have lots to talk about together. Hit the gym. Not only will you reap the benefits of fitness, but often classes are full of--you got it: mostly women. If you happen to be one of only a few men––or the only man––at the course or class, you'll be considered somewhat special! Be aware of your surroundings. Life itself presents many opportunities to meet women––if you're open to the possibilities. For example, standing in the supermarket queue, try striking up a conversation with the women alongside you who has attracted your attention for all the right reasons. Catch a woman's eye while commuting home on public transportation and make an amusing comment about something relevant, then introduce yourself. Daily places where conversations might be possible with women include the laundromat, waiting at a bus stop, shopping (including saying hi to the shop assistant you fancy so much), working out at the gym, walking your dog, clearing up your front yard as she passes by, the library, the video store (you already know her taste in movies), large outdoor events and pursuing recreational/sporting activities. Church and community group events can also bring you into contact with women who have the same set of beliefs and values that you do. There are bound to be many opportunities that come up through such institutions from your regular attendance. Look the part. Even though it is said that nobody should judge a book by its cover, first impressions count enormously when people don't know one another yet. It is always in your favor to look your best. In those first moments, you will be sized up and categorized depending on what you're wearing, how much you've groomed yourself and whether you've cleaned your shoes, no matter how much you may resent this reality! To help yourself meet women, stay well groomed and dress stylishly, according to your own tastes. When looking to meet someone, wear clothes that represent you. They should be in good condition, pressed if needed (obviously not all clothing needs pressing, so use your instincts), free of holes and without stains. Keep your hair in good shape. Take time in the morning to style your hair, shave, and get a haircut every 8 weeks. Leave the grungy workshop or gardening clothes at home. Unclean, messy clothing reduces your confidence and doesn't help you to stand out. Grungy clothing on either sex tells the world, "I'm not interested at the moment, thanks." Go easy on the cologne. She shouldn't be able to smell you from across the room. Act the part. Be the type of man a woman would want. Take small opportunities to show her you're a gentleman. Then, of course, follow up with casual conversation. If you see a woman with her hands full, offer to help! A courteous stranger will be sure to pique her interest. Any situation can be an opportunity to converse. Explain a bus schedule, inform her of a better value down the street, or offer her spare change when she's fumbling through her purse. Don't expect anything in return, however; allow her to reciprocate. Look approachable. Meeting people is helped by appearing open and willing to be approached. This includes using open body language, smiling and presenting a broadly positive demeanor. As well as good grooming, your body language has a big impact on whether or not someone feels able to approach you. Moreover, the tone, speed and volume of your voice has an impact too. Look and act confident. Self-doubt is noticeable by other people; prepare yourself mentally to be confident and fake it if need be! Stay positive––nobody wants to hear a litany of woes the first time they meet you. Even if life is treating you unkindly at the moment, don't pass this on to her when you first meet. Look at women's faces, not their chests. She may be stunning, but she won't stay near you if all you can do is stare at her breasts. Focus on her as a person; take in her face and truly listen to what she is saying. Maintain good eye contact without staring her out. Remember her name. Use her name when talking to her--she'll feel subconsciously more at ease with you. Value the place of small talk. It may be tiny, but it's a safe approach for getting to know one another better. Moreover, it's not what you say at this stage but how you say it: with warmth, friendliness and interest. Stay relaxed. Everyone is nervous when meeting someone new and wanting more than just a mere handshake from them. But it's important to settle your anxiety as much as possible by reminding yourself that you're worthy. Avoid seeing the meeting as an audition. This causes you to put yourself on show and to treat her as being on show too. This can only end badly when things don't go according to script. Instead, relax into yourself and treat this as a fun opportunity to get to know someone without worrying about where it may or may not lead. If you think you're good enough for the woman in question, she'll sense this and reciprocate your confident stance. If you act unworthy, you risk being treated as such. Attract the response you want by being confident and engaged in the moment. Make a connection. Try to find out what her interests are by asking about her job, hobbies, what she likes to do with her time, and her favorite things (movies, music, foods, etc). Then, you can tell her about yourself, too. Find some things you have in common and talk about them to establish connections and conversations to get to know one another. For instance, "Yeah, I really like Van Gogh too, but Monet is much too simplistic." That way, she'll know you're not just saying "yes" all the time to make her like you but that you are willing to converse intelligently. Do not tell too much information about yourself at first contact; it can make you look too desperate to get a sweetheart and too social to her liking. Act like a lonely, working man with a capable mind. Women are incredibly sensitive to "personal bubbles." Be sure not to crowd her--a good distance is about three feet. Instead of the chair next to her, choose the one across. If she leans in, bingo. Know when to end the conversation. Going on for too long can make you seem desperate or even scheming. When this woman is someone you'd really like to see again, say something like, "You know, I would love to hear more but I have to get back to work now. Tell me all about it over salsa dancing on Tuesday." Always leave the conversation to be continued. Do not exhaust the conversation as things can turn awkward and she may lose interest. Do not allow her to end the conversation or date; if she wants to quit, stall the ending by thinking of a few things to say and then end the meeting. She will now hang around longer at the place; if you have the chance, return. Then ask for her telephone number. Of course, as with everything, there are exceptions. If you feel that whammy of chemistry connecting the two of you and you go on to talk all night and into the next day, let the flow take you where it will. Sometimes, this is what happens--with no rhyme or reason. Understand that rejection is part of the dating deal. Some women won't be interested because they don't feel the spark or the click. Respect that––it's far better to have honesty up front than to insist on a meeting of minds and bodies that is never going to be nicely compatible but is forced and uncaring. Rather than taking rejection personally, realize that this is an important step in finding the right woman amid a sea of women who aren't your perfect match. Sometimes you'll be rejected because it's not the right time in her life to be committing to a relationship. Perhaps she's going through a messy divorce, perhaps a big career move is on her radar or perhaps she just needs time to heal after a bad relationship. If she is really worth it, give her wide berth while remaining friendly and just be patient. Otherwise, wish her the best of luck and keep looking. Listen to your gut instinct. A single rejection doesn't mean there is something wrong with you as a person (she may like you but not know how to express it!). However, if you experience repeated rejections, you may want to address your grooming, your mannerisms with women, or even your whole approach. It could be that you're doing something wrong and that's always easy to fix.	Go online. Ask your friends. Try an introduction agency. Consider women at your workplace. Go where the singles hang out on purpose. Attend a class or a course. Be aware of your surroundings. Look the part. Act the part. Look approachable. Look at women's faces, not their chests. Stay relaxed. Make a connection. Know when to end the conversation. Understand that rejection is part of the dating deal. Listen to your gut instinct.
https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Garden-Snails	How to Care for Garden Snails	To care for garden snails, mist them and the inside of their tank with water every other day, which will keep them moist so they don't dry out. Also, feed your snails washed fruits and vegetables every day. You may need to cut large food into smaller pieces so your snails have an easier time eating it. You also want to make sure there's a calcium source in the tank at all times, like cuttlefish bone or calcium supplements, which your snails need to build their shells.	Use any container with air holes for short term projects. If you would like to watch the snail for a couple days, then release it back into your garden, something like a jam or pickle jar with holes poked would work pretty well. But your snails could get cut on the metal. So instead of a lid, you could use a piece of cheesecloth fitted over the rim of the container with an elastic band. Keep in mind that snails can climb vertical surfaces, and will attempt to escape if the container does not have a lid. Get a larger tank or terrarium such as a Kritter Keeper for long term pets. If you're keeping the snail for more than a few days, use a container that provides enough space for its size. Only baby snails or the smallest adult varieties can be kept long term in a plastic container. Most require a larger tank to stay clean and healthy. You can purchase a terrarium at a pet store made for this purpose. Use a 5 gallon (19 L) tank or larger so the snail has room to move around. If you have several snails or intend to take care of young snails if the adult ones reproduce, get a larger tank. Make sure air can enter the terrarium. Just like humans, snails inhale air to use the oxygen, and exhale carbon dioxide. Your terrarium needs holes to let air in, ideally on multiple sides to allow for better air circulation. Some people have reported snails becoming more active when air was allowed to exit through a tiny gap in the bottom of the terrarium. Keep the tank room temperature. As long as the tank is kept moist, many garden snails will be fairly resilient when it comes to temperatures. However, they will be most active and safe at room temperature. Keep them in the shade during hot weather, and avoid exposing them to freezing temperatures. Purchase terrarium soil or earth from outside. To reduce the chance of harmful bacteria, pesticides, and other dangers, purchase terrarium soil from a pet shop. The next best option is to use natural earth from a garden not treated with pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Put the soil in a layer at the base of the terrarium, fully covering the glass or plastic. Avoid potting soil for plants, which can contain chemicals harmful to snails. Add a layer of natural material on top of the soil. Place a layer of sphagnum moss, peat, compost, or vermiculite on top of the soil. This traps moisture inside the soil, which creates good conditions for snails. Decorate your snail's home. Put objects in the tank that the snails can hide in and climb onto, which will make them more comfortable and more interesting to watch. At most pet stores they have fake logs for small animals to crawl through or short hamster tubes that snails might enjoy. You might find material you can use in your garden as well! Never use rocks in your terrarium as snails could fall off the sides of the glass and break their shell. Bark and sticks usually fall apart after a few weeks, so you will need to replace them. Never use cardboard ornaments for your snails, as it will grow moss and fungi, resulting in your snail's death. Attach a heavy or fastened lid. Snails are surprisingly strong for their size, and are able to climb to the top of almost any tank. A lid that can fasten closed with a latch will probably prevent them from escaping. If your terrarium's lid does not have a latch, weigh down the lid with a pile of books or other heavy objects. Find snails to put in your container. Look for snails in muddy garden areas, old plant pots, or other moist places. If you can't see any, place a few pieces of fresh vegetables in your garden and check back later to see if there are snails eating them. Heavy rain often drives snails out into the open, so you'll have a better chance of success if you look during or following a rainstorm. Garden snails are almost always safe to handle, but it's a good idea to wash your hands before and after touching them to minimize the chance of harm to your or your snail. If you do not want to touch the snails, wear gloves. Keep the tank moist with a spray bottle. Spray water on the moss, peat, or other material you've placed at the base of your tank whenever it starts to dry out. Keep this material moist at all times. If you can't spray every other day at least, you could leave an ice cube in the tank, or a rag or sponge soaked with water. Lightly spray the snails with water. The snails may stay healthier if you spray them with water every day or two, but pay attention to water temperature. Spray with warm water in cold weather, and use room temperature water during hot weather or if you have central heating. Feed your snails clean food daily. Most snails are not picky eaters, and will enjoy most types of fresh fruit and vegetable. Wash all food thoroughly in clean water before you give it to them, and cut large vegetables into chunks or slices. Some foods, such as carrots and potatoes, may need to be boiled for a few minutes to soften them slightly. Always let cooked food cool completely before giving it to your snails. Some snails may eat raw meat, raw eggs, brown bread, or (soaked, but uncooked) oatmeal. Experiment to give your snails a varied diet to increase the chance that they are receiving all the nutrition they need. Learn which foods might harm your snails. Not much research has been done on the best nutritious diet for snails, and there is disagreement among snail owners about which foods may or may not harm the snails. Here are a list of food ranging from the most to least dangerous: Salty foods could kill your snails. Avoid anything with salt crystals on it entirely. Avoid pasta, rice, and millet. These starchy foods can potentially cause blockage in the snail's digestive system. Do not feed them to your snails. Homegrown plants may be exposed to car exhaust while growing, which could cause harm. Acidic foods such as citrus fruit, tomatoes, and kiwi fruit may or may not harm snails. Use them in small quantities along with other foods. Give them a material they can use to build their shells. You can use any source of calcium as long as it is clean and washed. Egg shells or discarded snail shells in your garden will work for the average pet owner. If you are trying to breed snails you may wish to buy more concentrated calcium sources from a pet store, such as cuttlefish bones or pure calcium supplements. Have a source of calcium available in the tank at all times. Replace it whenever it runs out, but use calcium supplements with greater than 20% calcium sparingly. Keep your snails clean. Clean a snail with a toothbrush whenever their shells get dirty. Do not use soap and brush gently to avoid damaging the shell. Pour a few drops of water onto the shell to help remove stuck-on soil. Clean their tank every month or whenever it gets dirty. Pick up the snails gently by coaxing your finger underneath their head, then place them on a towel in a temporary container. Remove the old soil to discard in the garden. Use a wet, slightly soapy sponge to scrub the walls and base of the tank to get rid of snail slime marks and scum. Rinse the tank carefully to make sure every trace of soap is gone, as it could harm the snails. Don't leave the snails untended if the container is small. Do not shut the snails in a container without air. When replacing the soil and other materials in the clean tank, follow all of the steps described under Making a Snail Home	Use any container with air holes for short term projects. Get a larger tank or terrarium such as a Kritter Keeper for long term pets. Make sure air can enter the terrarium. Keep the tank room temperature. Purchase terrarium soil or earth from outside. Add a layer of natural material on top of the soil. Decorate your snail's home. Attach a heavy or fastened lid. Find snails to put in your container. Keep the tank moist with a spray bottle. Lightly spray the snails with water. Feed your snails clean food daily. Learn which foods might harm your snails. Give them a material they can use to build their shells. Keep your snails clean. Clean their tank every month or whenever it gets dirty.
https://www.wikihow.life/Clean-Comforters	How to Clean Comforters	Before you clean your comforter, make sure to read the care instructions on the label, which will specify what water temperature or wash cycle is safe for your comforter. In general, wash comforters in cold water on the delicate cycle and add a second rinse, if possible. Dry your comforter on low heat for 1-2 hours or until it is dry, stopping the machine every 30 minutes to make sure the comforter is even distributed in the dryer.	Read the care label. Your comforter should have a care label with instructions on how to clean it. Most down and down-alternative comforters can be washed at home with a mild detergent, though some may specify to dry clean only. Do not deviate from specific instructions on the label. These may include temperature settings for washers and dryers, etc. Determine if your comforter needs to be cleaned. Comforters probably need a good cleaning once every few months. If you have allergies, however, you may want to wash your comforter monthly. You don't need to wash your whole comforter if the problem is a single stain. See Step 4 for stain treatment. Check for seam strength and any holes. Before proceeding to actually washing your comforter, make sure it has no loose threads or tears. Hopefully, these tears will not be too large and can be easily remedied with a quick needle and thread. Though this adds time to the process of washing your comforter, it will prevent these small holes from becoming larger during washing. Remove stains. You can do this with a small amount of non-detergent solution like Woolite diluted with a little water. Alternatively, use a paste made of baking soda and water, a 50-50 solution of baking soda and white vinegar, or simply carbonated water. Shift the filling away from the stained area. Apply a small amount of the cleaning solution to the area. Blot with a clean, white towel or cloth. Alternatively, rub the fabric together to loosen the stain, and rinse with a small amount of water. Squeeze excess water out with your hands and then blot with a clean, white towel. If you're not washing your comforter afterwards, let this section air dry, or dry with a hair dryer. Make sure it has dried completely. Never use any bleach or color-treatment solution. Load your comforter into a washing machine. Make sure it is distributed evenly. Your comforter needs adequate room to get thoroughly clean, so if your home washing machine looks too small to fit the comforter, take it to a laundromat and use one of the large, front-load washers. Set the washing machine to the delicate setting and select the water temperature. The delicate setting is essential in preventing damage to the casing. Choosing a water temperature depends on a couple of factors. Use cool water or warm water per the label instructions. Use hot water if you want to kill off dust mites and do not have a dryer. Heat over 130 degrees Fahrenheit (54 C) kills dust mites, but if you're concerned about damaging the fabric or color of your comforter with a high-heat wash, use cool water and save the heat for the drying step. Add an extra rinse cycle if possible. Depending on your machine, you may be able to select this at the beginning, or you may need to add this as an extra step after the first cycle is complete. Use a small amount of mild detergent. Choose a detergent that is safe for delicate materials. Using a small amount prevents over-foaming in the machine, and also reduces stripping the feathers of down comforters. Add a clean pair of white tennis shoes or tennis balls. Adding these to the wash will help balance the load and ensure effective cleaning. Make sure the tennis shoes can go in the wash on the settings you've selected. Place your comforter in the dryer with the tennis shoes or balls. Make sure the comforter is evenly distributed. The tennis shoes or balls help keep the fill evenly distributed. Alternatively, you can use a rubber dryer ball or down fluffer rings. Dry the comforter on the low-heat setting. Your comforter will take a while to dry thoroughly, possibly a few hours. Use high heat to kill dust mites, but only after consulting the care label. Note that tennis balls and tennis shoes may not tolerate high-heat settings. Fluff the comforter regularly during the drying process. Every half-hour, pull the comforter out of the dryer and fluff it. This helps redistribute the fill and encourages thorough, even drying by keeping the comforter properly aerated. You can also check for signs of burns (unlikely on low-heat settings but a risk with higher-heat settings). Hang the comforter outside. If it's relatively dry and sunny out, complete the drying process by putting the comforter outside for a few hours. This helps ensure that the comforter is thoroughly dried, which is essential for preventing mildew. Sunlight also helps kill dust mites. If it's very warm and sunny outside, you can skip the dryer altogether and hang your comforter out for the entire drying process. If you do this, arrange the comforter so that its surfaces can dry evenly. Be sure to fluff and rotate it 90 degrees every few hours so that the down or fill doesn't collect in any one end. If weather does not permit, hang the comforter in a dry, well-ventilated area indoors. Laying it over a drying rack allows it to dry fairly evenly. Be sure to fluff and rotate regularly, as instructed above.	Read the care label. Determine if your comforter needs to be cleaned. Check for seam strength and any holes. Remove stains. Load your comforter into a washing machine. Set the washing machine to the delicate setting and select the water temperature. Add an extra rinse cycle if possible. Use a small amount of mild detergent. Add a clean pair of white tennis shoes or tennis balls. Place your comforter in the dryer with the tennis shoes or balls. Dry the comforter on the low-heat setting. Fluff the comforter regularly during the drying process. Hang the comforter outside.
https://www.wikihow.com/Say-Hello-in-Balinese	How to Say Hello in Balinese	To say "hello" in Balinese, say "om suastiast," pronouncing it exactly as it's spelled. As you say the phrase, hold your hands in front of your chest, palms together and fingers pointed up, to be polite and show respect to the person you're greeting. If you'd like to say good morning instead, say "rahajeng semeng." To tell someone good evening, say "rahajeng wengi."	Say "om suastiastu". To say "hello" in Balinese you should say "om suastiastu." The Balinese language has a different alphabet to Western languages, so this transcribing of the phrase for hello is written as it is pronounced in Balinese. This is a kind of pidgin version of Balinese that makes it easier for people to speak certain phrases without learning the Balinese alphabet and script. Pronounce the phrase as it is spelled. It might help to think of it in three parts "Om Swasti Astu." Place a slight emphasis on the "Om" and the repeated "ast" sounds. "Om SwASti AStu." You can listen to a recording of someone saying "om suastiastu" online to listen for the pronunciation. The greeting translates as "peace and greetings from God." The person will reply with the same phrase "om suastiastu." Use the right gestures. In Balinese culture you traditionally accompany words of greeting with a gesture. To be as polite and respectful as possible to the person you are greeting, you should hold your hands in front of your chest, in a praying position with the palms together and fingers pointed up. This is a traditional Hindu greeting, which has in recent years become more commonly used. Many people will greet you with a light handshake. Some people may touch their chest afterwards, as part of a greeting ritual. Try some alternative greetings. You can also try out some alternative Balinese greetings, which enable you to say things such as good morning and good evening. Having a slightly wider repertoire of greetings will help you feel a little more in tune with your Balinese hosts. To say good morning, say "rahajeng semeng." To say good evening, say "rahajeng wengi." Say hello in Bahasa Indonesian. Another very common language spoken in Bali is Bahasa Indonesian, so why not learn some basic greetings in this language too? It is common to just say "Halo" or "Hi" to greet people. It is also common to greet someone by saying "how are you?" which translates as "Apa kabar?" Other commonly used greetings will depend on what time of day it is. Good morning translates as "Selamat pagi." Good afternoon is "Selamat siang." To say good evening, say "Selamat sore." For goodnight, say "Selamat malam." You can practice your pronunciation by listening to the phrases spoken correctly online. Introduce yourself. When you greet someone in Balinese, you might like to be able to introduce yourself. You can do this by saying "wastan tiang" followed by your name. This translates simply as "my name is..." You can follow this up by asking the person you are greeting what he or she is called, by asking "sira pesengen ragane." Say thank you. If you have stopped and asked someone for help or directions, you will want to thank them warmly for the assistance before you say goodbye. You can thank someone in Balinese by saying "suksma," which translates as "thanks." For a more polite version, you could say "terima kasih" for "thank you," or "matur suksma" for "thank you very much." Close a conversation politely. After greeting the person respectfully, you will want to end the conversation in the same way. People will appreciate you saying goodbye in a more polite way than just saying "bye", or "dah" in Indonesian slang. The most polite way to say goodbye is to say “Titiang lungsur mapamit dumun," which translates to "I'm taking leave now." This is generally used for people who are highly respected or of a high caste. Alternative farewells include “Pamit dumun,” “Pamit,” “Ngiring dumun,” and “Ngiring.” A more informal goodbye to someone you know well could be “Kalihin malu.”	Say "om suastiastu". Use the right gestures. Try some alternative greetings. Say hello in Bahasa Indonesian. Introduce yourself. Say thank you. Close a conversation politely.
https://www.wikihow.com/Weld-Stainless-Steel	How to Weld Stainless Steel	To weld stainless steel, you'll need an argon-carbon dioxide shielding gas and a filler metal that matches your base metal. Once you have your supplies, secure the metal you'll be working with to a welding bench. If you're working with thicker pieces of metal, use an MIG torch, which you can buy or rent from a home improvement store. For thinner pieces of metal, use a TIG torch instead. Make sure you put on a welding mask and protective clothing before you get started, including work gloves and a respirator mask.	Put on a welding mask and protective clothing. Wear a full-length shirt and pants to cover up as much skin as possible, and cover your hands and feet with insulated gloves and boots. You also need a welding helmet to protect your eyes and face while you work. Finally, get a respirator mask and ear muffs for additional protection. Get an argon-carbon dioxide shielding gas compatible with your project. For the best results, use a gas mix consisting of 2% carbon dioxide and 98% argon. It is available at some home improvement stores or online. Using a shielding gas protects your weld and strengthens it. For MIG welding, a 90% helium, 7.5% argon, and 2.5% carbon dioxide mixture is even better. Identify the type of base steel you have. Look for a 3 digit number printed on the steel. It may be on a flat part of the metal. If it isn't available, test the metal by using a magnet and a bench grinder. Match the kind of spark the metal produces to the image on a test chart. Austenitic steel is a fairly common type of steel and is often labeled in the 300s. It consists of a high percentage of chromium and some nickel, so it isn't magnetic. Martensitic steel is used for wear-resistant projects. It is magnetic and produces long, white sparks with few forks. Ferritic is very common and is usually labeled as 409 or 439. Its high carbon content makes it magnetic. When ground, it produces white or red sparks with few forks. Select a filler metal that matches the base metals. Like pieces of steel, filler metals are sold with number labels used to identify their composition. To get the best weld, you need a filler material that is similar in composition to your base metals. Look up a chart, such as the one at https://www.wmwa.net/metal-products/filler-metal-charts/. Filler metals are available online or at most home improvement stores. If the pieces of steel you wish to join have different compositions, choose filler according to which piece is less likely to crack. Try to identify the metal using the tools you have. If you still aren't sure, choose an all-purpose filler. Something like 309L or 312L work well in most situations. Clean the base metal with a wire brush and acetone. Make sure you use a wire brush specifically designed for stainless steel. Rub the brush along the grain to remove the impurities. To finish, wipe away the debris a rag coated in acetone. Removing scale, slag, and other impurities in the metal helps you achieve a better weld. Wear gloves so you don't transfer oils from your hands onto the steel. The cleaning process eliminates the chance of oxides forming on the base metal, which can weaken the joint. Use other tools to clean the metal as needed. Some welders make use of sandpaper, angle grinders, or even saws. Choose the type of joint you need to weld. The type of weld you need to make depends on how you plan on joining the pieces of metal. Each joint can be welded in a number of different styles to strengthen the bond at the joint. Take into account the thickness of the metal and the accessibility of the joint. If the metal sheet are thin, you have to make a wider, shallower weld. Similarly, if the joint is hard to reach, you have to melt metal to flow into it. Butt joints are formed when you lay the sheets flat over one another and weld the edges. Simply melt the metal around the joint to fill it. Use a corner joint or T-joint to connect sides together. Since the joint is hard to access, you need to melt metal above the joint to fill it. Lap joints and edge joints are for connecting edges together. You may benefit from using a filler rod to help fill in the gap between the steel. Secure the metal to a welding bench with fixtures and jigs. Place the stainless steel on a metal work surface. Arrange the steel pieces together. Make sure you can see and reach the joint you plan on welding. The steel can easily slip out of position, so to get a good weld, pin the pieces to the table as firmly as possible. Many welding tables come equipped with fixtures or jigs that hold metal in place. If you don't have another option, try using store-bought clamps or vices. It is possible to hold pieces together by hand while welding, but remember that any small slip-up can weaken the joint. In addition, during TIG welding, both of your hands are already occupied, making this very difficult. Use MIG welding to join thicker pieces of metal. MIG welding is fast and requires less experience than TIG welding. A MIG torch has a filler wire inside of it, so you can do it with a single hand. MIG joints also cool relatively quickly, but this makes them more brittle. MIG welding is also known as gas metal arc welding (GMAW). Most home improvement stores sell MIG welders. You may also be able to rent one from them. Feed the filler wire through the torch and turn on the gas. Thread the wire through the MIG machine's reel and out through the tip of the torch. You do not need to force the wire through. Let the wire extend about ⁄ 4 in (0.64 cm) beyond the torch. Once you are done setting the wire and have activated the gas, you can begin welding. If you have trouble getting the wire through the torch, chances are it isn't set correctly. Avoid forcing it. Open the torch and adjust the wire's positioning. Hold the torch at a 30-degree angle above the edge of the joint. It doesn't matter which end of the joint you start on. Position the torch so the tip of the flame hits the edges of the metal pieces. Wait for the flame to heat up the pieces, forming a bead of liquid metal in the joint. If the metal splatters, you aren't using enough power. Turn the torch's heat setting up. Avoid using too much power, or else you'll burn through the steel! If the heat melts the metal too quickly, turn the power down until you have a smooth, controllable bead of liquid to work with. Move the torch forward to fill in the joint. Move the torch slowly, holding it at a steady angle at all times. As you push the torch forward, the flame will push the bead along the joint. The heat will also melt the surrounding metal a little. Make sure the joint is filled in smoothly and evenly before you move the torch forward. If you move too quickly, you won't melt the steel enough. The joint will feel flimsy and breakable in your hands. Avoid leaving the flame in place for too long. For thinner pieces of metal, the torch needs to move at a faster pace to avoid melting too much of the metal. Let the weld and torch cool before moving them. MIG welds cool down right away, so it won't be long before the joint is secure. Wait until you no longer feel heat coming up from the metal before handling it. In the meantime, set the torch in a secure location, such as a holster, until it cools as well. Turn off the gas when you're finished welding. Use TIG Welding to join thinner metals together. TIG welding machines are a little more complicated to use than MIG machines. TIG machines have multiple settings, so make sure you are using the correct ones for your project. Using a TIG torch also forces you to work more slowly, using your other hand to dip a separate filler rod into the liquefied metal. TIG welding is also called gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). TIG welding can create stronger, more lasting joints than MIG welds when done correctly. Check with home improvement stores to buy or rent TIG machines. Insert a sharpened tungsten rod into the torch and turn the gas on. Twist off the front end of the torch to open the electrode. Position a tungsten rod, about ⁄ 16 in (0.16 cm) in diameter, in the center of the metal cylinder. Before closing up the torch, adjust the rod so it sticks out of the nozzle by ⁄ 4 in (0.64 cm). The rod needs to be sharpened to a point. If it isn't yet, grind it down with a tungsten grinder or less expensive bench grinder. Flip the switch for the DC setting on your welder. TIG welders have settings for both positive and negative electric currents. The negative current setting may be labeled as “DCEN” on your machine. You need this setting to weld steel properly, so make sure you select the right one before you begin. The AC setting is for aluminum, so you don't want that. The DCEP setting may work for steel, but it's for stick welding, which won't create a strong enough weld in most cases. Turn the torch on and position it over the edge of the joint. Hold the tip of the torch about 1 in (2.5 cm) above the joint. It doesn't matter which end of the joint you start at, so choose whichever way feels more comfortable to you. Hold the torch at about a 75-degree angle. You will need to hold the torch in this position at all times. If you touch the torch to the metal, you may need to turn off the welder and grind the tungsten rod again. Press the foot pedal to begin heating the torch. All TIG machines have an attached foot pedal that rests on the ground. Press down hard on the foot pedal to activate the torch. Hold the torch in place until the metal begins to melt and fill the joint. Make sure the liquid metal doesn't splatter. If it does, your torch isn't powerful enough. Turn up the amperage on the control panel. Be careful to avoid using too much power, since you will end up melting too much metal. Dab the filler rod into the liquid metal as you fill the joint. Begin pushing the bead of liquid metal along the joint. Hold the filler rod opposite of the torch with your free hand. Every few seconds, dip the end of the filler rod into the metal underneath the torch. Keep the torch still as you do this so the heat melts the filler. Dab the filler rod very briefly. If you see clumps of metal forming on the weld, you are melting too much of the filler each time. Doing this correctly strengthens the weld. Wait for the metal and the torch to cool before moving them. Leave the metal on the table until the joint solidifies. When you no longer feel heat radiating from the metal, undo the jigs you used to hold the pieces together. Keep the torch upright in a holster until it has had a chance to cool down. Always keep the torch upright in a holster. Laying a hot torch on a flat surface is dangerous and may even lead to fires.	Put on a welding mask and protective clothing. Get an argon-carbon dioxide shielding gas compatible with your project. Identify the type of base steel you have. Select a filler metal that matches the base metals. Clean the base metal with a wire brush and acetone. Choose the type of joint you need to weld. Secure the metal to a welding bench with fixtures and jigs. Use MIG welding to join thicker pieces of metal. Feed the filler wire through the torch and turn on the gas. Hold the torch at a 30-degree angle above the edge of the joint. Move the torch forward to fill in the joint. Let the weld and torch cool before moving them. Use TIG Welding to join thinner metals together. Insert a sharpened tungsten rod into the torch and turn the gas on. Flip the switch for the DC setting on your welder. Turn the torch on and position it over the edge of the joint. Press the foot pedal to begin heating the torch. Dab the filler rod into the liquid metal as you fill the joint. Wait for the metal and the torch to cool before moving them.
https://www.wikihow.com/Test-for-Gluten-Intolerance	How to Test for Gluten Intolerance	To test for gluten intolerance, watch for common symptoms, like bloating, abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea or constipation, vomiting, weight loss, fatigue, and a rash on the elbows and knees. If you think you might have a gluten intolerance, talk to your doctor, who may refer you to a gastro specialist. Your gastro specialist can do a blood test and perform an endoscopy to determine whether or not you have a gluten intolerance.	Learn what gluten is and how it affects people. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and other grains. Gluten gives bread dough its elastic "doughy" quality. Many commercial foods contain gluten. There is gluten in all wheat bread and other wheat-based products. That includes things like certain processed meats, condiments, soups, beer, and even make-up. Some people have difficulty processing gluten, which can cause the small intestine to become inflamed over time. This can lead to a variety of problems including malabsorption and chronic diarrhea or pain. Most gluten absorption problems are quickly healed by adopting a gluten-free diet. Learn the variety of possible gluten sensitivities. Celiac disease is a potentially serious auto-immune disease that affects the small intestine's ability to process gluten. Your doctor can test you for Celiac. But not everyone who is sensitive to gluten will test positive for Celiac disease, despite having similar symptoms and responding well to a gluten-free diet. This is why it's important to visit a doctor and secure a diagnosis. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity is characterized by symptoms similar to Celiac disease, but without the intestinal damage associated with Celiac. Sometimes, a gluten sensitivity can come and go, so your symptoms may alleviate over time. Most people with gluten sensitivities respond immediately to a gluten-free diet. There is no test way to test for non-Celiac gluten sensitivity. "Wheat allergies" are potentially very serious and are typically diagnosed in childhood. Wheat allergies require a different set of tests , which your doctor can perform. If you have a wheat allergy, you need to avoid wheat products and food that was processed around wheat. Watch for the common symptoms. Gluten intolerance affects your digestive system. The most common symptoms of gluten intolerance are abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, and bloating. These symptoms can also be signs of many other afflictions. The symptoms can be vague, and some people have no symptoms. Common symptoms of gluten problems include: Abdominal bloating Abdominal pain Persistent diarrhea or constipation Vomiting Pale, foul-smelling, fatty stools Weight loss Fatigue Irritability Failure to thrive in children ADHD Persistent rash on the elbows and knees Always get tested for Celiac if there is a family history. Celiac disease runs in families. If you have a direct relative who has Celiac, you're much more likely to have or to develop a sensitivity sometime in the future. It's important to get tested promptly, if your relative has Celiac. Keep a food diary to see how gluten affects you. If you've been having digestive problems, it's a good idea to start keeping a food diary. Write down everything that you eat each day, including the amount of the food and the time that you eat it. If you start experiencing pain, or other symptoms of celiac, write them down in your journal as well. This can be helpful at the doctor. Continue eating gluten. Gluten must be present to diagnose you with Celiac disease. If you start going gluten-free now, it will make it very difficult to get a diagnosis. This can be a frustrating and confusing experience. Keep eating normally and schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. If you're diagnosed, most people report that their symptoms are alleviated in only a few days after starting a gluten-free diet. Eat however makes you feel good, but make sure that you know gluten needs to be present to confirm Celiac disease. Talk to a family doctor about your concerns. If you suspect you may have a sensitivity to gluten, bring up your concerns with your doctor. Receive a physical examination to check for signs of swelling and other physical problems. You'll also probably do a complete metabolic panel to check your blood count and organ function. Bring in your food diary, and be as detailed as possible. Be clear. If you're worried about gluten, say, "I'm concerned that I may have a gluten problem and I'd like to be tested for it." Don't leave it up to your doctor to guess. Get a referral to a gastroenterologist. If your GP can't find anything to account for your symptoms, you will be referred to a specialist for treatment and further testing. Abdominal problems are usually quite complicated, and the symptoms can be indicative of lots of different things, so it's important to consult a specialist for more specific testing. Why not go straight to the gastro specialist? It's important to get a once-over from your regular doctor to rule out other possible concerns and receive guidance in this matter. The symptoms of gluten intolerance can be any number of different things, some serious and some not. Eliminate these possibilities first. Get your blood tested for antibodies. Most doctors and experts recommend a TG test as the most reliable blood test for Celiac, which should be the first step in testing. Some doctors may also order a more comprehensive panel to check for your overall organ function and health, which may suggest a variety of things. The process is as easy as giving blood, and should only take 10-15 minutes. Most insurance plans cover this test in whole or part. Undergo an endoscopy and biopsy. A sample of tissue from the walls of the small intestine is the most accurate way to diagnose Celiac disease. This is a relatively simple procedure that takes less than 20 or 30 minutes in most cases. After being sedated, an endoscope is introduced into the small intestine from the mouth. A small tissue sample is taken to see if the villi have been destroyed by an allergic immune response. If so, this is a strong indicator of Celiac, along with the presence of antibodies. Endoscopes are very common and very safe. It's also an excellent way to check for other issues that may account for your symptoms, including gastritis, ulcers, or other stomach problems. Get a diagnosis. Your blood-work and biopsy should yield information that will result in a positive or negative diagnosis for Celiac disease. If you tested positive, you need to adopt a gluten-free diet immediately. If you tested negative, talk to your doctor about other possibilities and whether or not you might be non-Celiac gluten sensitive. Do not attempt to "test" yourself. Lots of people read an article about gluten intolerance and decide they've got it without consulting a doctor. Celiac disease is a serious auto-immune problem, and requires a clinical diagnosis. If you start avoiding gluten actively, it can make it much more difficult to receive that diagnosis. If you tested negative for Celiac, fight for some diagnosis. If you're still experiencing symptoms, talk to your doctor about other testing options and other causes that could result in your symptoms. Get a second opinion if necessary. Adopt a gluten-free diet if you test positive for Celiac. If you have Celiac disease, the only way to heal your small intestine is to avoid products that contain gluten entirely. Most patients report that immediately eliminating gluten from their diet achieves results in a few weeks, with some responding as quickly as a few days after going gluten-free. In the short term, it's often best to avoid lactose and dairy for a while. If your small intestine has been worn down, you'll have difficulty processing this as well. In most cases, you can gradually introduce dairy back into your diet. Fortunately, it's easier than ever to find a variety of nutritious and tasty gluten-free meal options, products, and restaurants in most places. Follow up with your doctor. If you have Celiac disease, it's important to schedule regular follow-ups with your doctor to make sure that you're responding well to your lifestyle changes. Keep track of any changes in your symptoms and make sure that you visit with your doctor regularly to stay on top of your disease. Your doctor may recommend that your follow-up with a nutritionist as well, to make sure that you're supplementing you diet with enough vitamins and minerals to keep your healthy during your transition. Take Vitamin supplements if necessary. If you've had Celiac disease for a long time, you might have developed some vitamin and mineral deficiencies, making it important to supplement your diet. Consult your doctor or a nutritionist and receive regular follow-ups to check your blood count. Iron, folate, and B12 are common supplements recommended for the gluten intolerant. In most cases, a multivitamin is sufficient. Avoid foods that bother you, if you're sensitive to gluten. If you test negative for Celiac, but still seem to have difficulty processing gluten, avoid the foods that bother you. Different people will struggle with different kinds of foods, so try keeping your food diary regularly and cutting the things that make you sensitive. Try an experiment: If you have a down day, check out what you ate recently and try avoiding those foods for the next couple of days to see if you get better. Then try them again. Do your symptoms return? If so, it may be best to avoid those foods going forward. Try avoiding processed and bleached wheat flour, which is a common complaint among the gluten sensitive.	Learn what gluten is and how it affects people. Learn the variety of possible gluten sensitivities. Watch for the common symptoms. Always get tested for Celiac if there is a family history. Keep a food diary to see how gluten affects you. Continue eating gluten. Talk to a family doctor about your concerns. Get a referral to a gastroenterologist. Get your blood tested for antibodies. Undergo an endoscopy and biopsy. Get a diagnosis. Adopt a gluten-free diet if you test positive for Celiac. Follow up with your doctor. Take Vitamin supplements if necessary. Avoid foods that bother you, if you're sensitive to gluten.
https://www.wikihow.com/Be-Observant	How to Be Observant	To be observant, start by listening to what your body is telling you since your instincts are typically right. Additionally, pay more attention to others than yourself as you begin to move your focus outward. For example, be a good and patient listener by looking at a person and observing how they feel, and noticing body language and what that might say about a person's mood. As you practice your observational skills, make sure to put distractions, like your phone, away so you can truly engage with your surroundings.	Listen to your gut. Part of being more observant is being aware of what your body is telling you. This can't always be described in a logical fashion – it just means listening to your gut. Do you feel like you've walked into an awkward situation but you don't know why? Do you suddenly feel danger when you're on your way to your car? Chances are, your instincts are right, and you should listen to what you feel internally, even if you can't quite explain why. Many people aren't observant because they ignore anything that they can't clearly see or prove. You may have a sense that you are in danger – don't ignore it just because you can't see the bad guy. Become more self-aware. Another part of being observant is being able to know yourself and to be aware of who you are, how you act, and how you come off. This doesn't mean that you should obsess over yourself, but it does mean that you should have a sense of the kind of energy you give off; do people see you as shy, outgoing, friendly, or mysterious? Knowing yourself first will help you observe others and have a better sense of what's going on in the world. Pay more attention to others than yourself. This is something that you'll have to do to shift your focus outward. A lot of people aren't observant because they're so self-conscious that they're busy worrying about how they look or project themselves in every possible interaction. If you're always thinking about your own every move, then how will you be able to really notice something about your friends, teachers, or colleagues? It's important to be self-aware, but if you cross the line over to being self-obsessed, then you'll miss off on many key observations. Check yourself the next time you talk to a new friend. Are you worrying about what to say or do next the whole time, or are you too busy listening to what the friend has to say to really care about yourself? Ask yourself questions. Though you shouldn't ask yourself so many questions that you're not living in the moment, you should keep your mind active when you're observing something so you have the best sense of what's going on. Ask yourself, how is this person really feeling? What is the difference between what he is saying and what he is really feeling? How many people in this room are in a good mood? How many people are wearing black? Keep your mind busy and keep prodding yourself to discover what's really happening in a situation. As you practice your observational skills, you'll be able to keep questioning the situation while paying complete attention. At first, switching to this inquisitive mode of thinking can be a little bit distracting. Put away the distractions. The reason that most people aren't observant these days is because of the infinite amount of distractions all around us. If you're in a social setting, don't play around with your iPod. If you're studying for a test, put away your magazines. Put away anything that's keeping you from focusing and noticing whatever is in front of you. Hide your phone. Spending all of your time on your cell phone is the easiest way to be completely unobservant, to annoy the people around you, and to have absolutely no idea what's going on. What's more, if you're texting while walking, riding a bus, or generally hanging out in public, you'll be much more likely to get your stuff stolen or to walk right in to a dangerous situation because you had absolutely no clue about what was actually happening. If you're having a real conversation with a friend, put the phone away and stop having a text conversation with a different friend. If you really want to observe what's going on, then you should just focus on one conversation at a time. Take the time to really listen. Being a good listener is different than just being a listener. When a person is talking to you, pay attention to that person's words, emotions, body language, and gestures to get the full picture. Don't interrupt the person or just wait for him to stop talking so you can start sharing your own opinions. Nod when it's necessary, make comments when the conversation asks for it, but don't say, “that's so true” every two seconds or the person will get distracted. If a person is telling you about a problem he or she is experiencing, don't jump in and offer advice right away. Sometimes, the person may just want to talk – and may just want you to be there to listen. Pay attention to the details a person reveals about his life so you can refer back to them in the next conversation. If you see a casual friend who says he's going up to Tahoe to ski for the weekend, the next time you see him, ask about his big trip. Use a person's appearance to see how he feels. Being observant means more than just listening to the words a person says – it means checking out how a person looks and acts for insight into how he is really feeling. Your friend may be telling you that she's getting over her break-up just fine, but her eyes may be red and puffy; your boyfriend may tell you that he's not so stressed out at work, but he can come home with his nails bitten down to the quick. People may say one thing and feel another, so pay attention to their appearance for more insight into what's really happening. Let's say your boss came in with bags under his eyes on the day you wanted to ask for a raise. If he's acting and looking worse than usual, then you may want to wait until the next day, when he's back to being his usual self. Being observant here can help you benefit yourself. Observe a person's mood. It's hard to say exactly how to categorize a person's moods, but be on the lookout for changes of behavior to see how your friends or acquaintances are really feeling. To see if there's a change in a person's mood, you have to recognize the norm first. If your friend is usually grumpy in the morning, then it means nothing if she's grumpy when you see her before school; but if she's a morning person and looks groggy and like she hasn't slept, then something bad might have happened to her. A mood is like an aura that surrounds a person; be observant to feel out the “vibe” you get. A person can be upset, excited, nervous, angry, bitter, confused, frustrated, elated, or disappointed without saying a word about it. Use all five senses. Engage all of your five senses when you're in a conversation with someone, or even just when you're observing others. This is the ultimate way to be fully observant. Here are some things that you can do: Use your eyes to observe and scan your surroundings and people's behavior wherever you are. Use ears to pay attention to all the different voices. You should be able to distinguish voices from a lot of noise. Use touch to know the mood of people. For example, if someone shakes hands with you and you find the person's hands sweaty, then the person may be nervous. Use your nose to detect any smell that is out of the ordinary, like a sudden change in aroma of the area. Notice what's not being said. What a person tells you is just as important as what he or she doesn't say, so pay attention for what's absent as well as what's present. For example, if your friend is always gushing about how amazing her boyfriend is, and suddenly, he doesn't come up at all in the course of a long conversation, then maybe something is up. If your mother has been really excited about a big promotion at work, and then she comes home and only wants to talk about your schoolwork, then maybe things didn't work out. Often, people don't want to mention the disappointments in their lives – or the things that they want to keep private. Be observant to see what's missing in a conversation. Pay attention to body language. Body language can be another strong indicator of what a person is really thinking and feeling. If a person is standing up straight, looking straight ahead or like he's ready for the next big thing, then chances are, he's in a good mood and ready for success. If someone is slouching, hunched over, fidgeting with his hands or looking at the floor, then maybe things didn't go so well for that person today. But of course, if that's how the person always looks, then the body language may not mean as much – but if you notice something out of the ordinary, then it may indicate a change in mood or emotion. Notice your surroundings. Don't just pay attention to people. Notice how many cars are in the parking lot along with yours. Notice what kind of birds are flying around the beach that day. See which fruits are being sold in the grocery stores, and notice whether the prices have gone up or down since the last time. Keep your eyes and ears open at all times, and look for anything out of the ordinary, even if you're just walking down the street. You can practice noticing your surroundings when you're on your own, and then become more aware of your surroundings when you're talking to people. Take a painting class. Painting classes will greatly improve your observational skills because you will have to paint whatever you see in front of you, whether it's a beautiful landscape or a bowl of fruit. You'll have to understand lighting, proportion, and other key elements that will help you see what is really in front of you and to analyze it as well. You don't have to be naturally gifted to take a painting class. Even if you don't come out a stellar artist, your observational skills will reap the benefits. Spend time observing people from a distance. Situate yourself in a coffee shop or a park, get your latte, and watch what people are doing. Pay attention to body language, moods, conversations, and actions. You can look at them in general, or you can look out for specific things – unhappy couples, career-oriented women, best friends, people who are nervous, etc. This will help you hone your observational skills and get used to observing people from a distance. Just make sure you don't look like a creeper. Don't watch children on a playground or do anything that would arouse suspicion. Try to be discreet by bringing a book or something to do while you watch. Do a puzzle. Puzzles help you pay attention to all of the little details and to see that every little piece is slightly different and can only fit into one place. Spending time alone working on a puzzle can sharpen your mind and memory and it can also help you notice the beauty in the details of many different objects. On a larger level, this can help you see that while many people around you are similar, no two people are alike, and that the differences are worth noticing. Meditate. Meditating helps build awareness of your mind and body and will help you develop your observational skills in the process. Take the time to sit down for 10-15 minutes every morning and/or evening, make sure you're comfortable in a quiet room, and listen to the breath rising and falling out of your body. Focus on relaxing one body part at a time until you find yourself in a state of real relaxation, and are able to notice all of the little things around you while keeping your eyes closed. Do yoga. Yoga builds awareness, and therefore, observational skills. Doing yoga makes you quiet your mind, focus on the moment, and be aware of what your body is doing and feeling at every possible moment. Practicing yoga just a few nights a week will make you a more calm, aware, and reasonable person. Being more in control of your mind and body will make you more observational because you will be able to get rid of distractions more easily. Doing yoga, like meditating, takes practice. Don't be frustrated if you don't get in the zone right away. Watch a foreign film without subtitles. If you know a little bit of a foreign language, or even if you've taken the language for a year or two, try watching a film in that language without turning on the subtitles. Sure, some of the plot will be lost to you, but try to watch the characters and to read their body language, moods, as well as the situations they find themselves in to pick up on the context and try to figure out what's going on. If you really want to see how well you did, watch the film again with subtitles and see how many things you got right. This will help you focus on more than just the words in any given situation. Take notes. Taking notes isn't just for class. You can take notes anywhere you go to help improve your powers of observation. If you are taking notes in class, have a separate sheet where you write down the stuff you don't have to know for your exams – note what people are wearing, what the teacher's mood is that day, if there are any birds near the window, or what the general mood in the room is. If you're at a cafe, take notes on what other people are reading, eating, or discussing. You can be sneaky about it. You don't have to stare at people and furiously jot things down in a small notepad. Write in a larger notebook and keep a textbook or novel handy so people think you are taking notes on the reading material. Take a dance class. Taking a dance class will improve your powers of observation because you will have to watch how the teacher's body is moving and mimic those movements with your own body. This won't be easy, and you'll have to put your mind to work as well as your body. You'll have to isolate the movements and see how they all come together to understand what's really going on. Mimicking any process will improve your own observational skills, even though it won't be easy to get the moves right on the first try. Train your mind. Do logic puzzles. Play “Where's Waldo?” Play the game where you have to look at two nearly-identical pictures and figure out what's different about them. Start an account on Lumosity.com and improve your brain power. Make the effort to keep your senses sharp, to notice new things, and to always question whether or not there is a better way to do something. Putting in just 15 minutes a day into doing some mental math can help you become more observant – and more committed to continuing to improve your powers of observation.	Listen to your gut. Become more self-aware. Pay more attention to others than yourself. Ask yourself questions. Put away the distractions. Hide your phone. Take the time to really listen. Use a person's appearance to see how he feels. Observe a person's mood. Use all five senses. Notice what's not being said. Pay attention to body language. Notice your surroundings. Take a painting class. Spend time observing people from a distance. Do a puzzle. Meditate. Do yoga. Watch a foreign film without subtitles. Take notes. Take a dance class. Train your mind.
https://www.wikihow.com/Play-the-Accordion	How to Play the Accordion	If you want to learn to play the accordion, hold the instrument against your chest with the key buttons facing away from you. Then, slip your left arm under the strap on the accordion. When you're playing, you'll press the piano keys, which produce the melody, with your right hand, and you'll press the bass buttons, which produce chords, with your left hand. You'll also use your left hand to open and close the bellows, or the folded part. This forces air in and out of the instrument, which produces its signature sound.	Get the right kind of accordion. There are variety of different accordions out there, but some are more well-suited for beginners than others. The more information you gather the better equipped you will be to successfully learn to play the accordion. Here is the most suitable option for beginners : Piano Accordions. These are the most popular kinds, with many of the capabilities of a regular piano (playing melodies, chords and basslines) in a highly portable size. They have between 25 and 45 piano-style treble keys on the right hand. On the left, they are equipped with a button keyboard with some buttons that play bass notes and some where a single button plays a three-note chord. This accordion system is called the Stradella, and typically has 120 bass buttons. Familiarize yourself with the instrument's structure. Your accordion is composed of several parts, all crucial to the accordion's sounds : Melody Keys. These are keys on the keyboard part of the instrument. Bellows. These are the folds on the instrument that allow it to expand and contract, acting as the "lungs" for the instrument and creating the sound. Register Switches. These are buttons or tabs you press to change the tone of your accordion.There are usually register switches on the treble side for the piano keyboard and a second set for the bass buttons. The register switches can change the sound from deep and rich to high and thin. Air Valve. The air valve button allows air to escape, so you can open or close the bellows soundlessly. Right Hand Strap. This is the main strap of the instrument that allows you to secure it onto your chest. Some accordions have two straps for the chest. Use the right size. Children and teens or adults will need to start off with different sizes due to the difference in hand and general body size. Children should start with the lowest number of bass buttons, 12 bass and 25 treble keys. Teens and adults should start with a 48 bass accordion. This amounts to 48 bass buttons and 26 treble piano keys. The 48 bass Piano Accordion is very lightweight, and easy to use and handle. Plus, you can play lots of different music on it, which will make you want to hang on to it even if you outgrow it or progress to a larger instrument. Place your accordion on your chest with the key buttons facing away from you. When you begin handling your instrument in the next section of the article, your left arm will move horizontally and vertically, while your right hand will only move vertically. For now, just hold it and see how comfortable or uncomfortable it is. Sit or stand while holding your accordion. Some people prefer to stand while playing and others like to sit with their instrument. All that matters is your sense of comfort and confidence, so try out a few different positions until you feel at ease. Don't slouch. Your body posture is very important when playing this instrument and slouching will cause you to be inaccurate in your balance and consequently in your performance. Learn proper balance. The accordion is relatively large and requires a little bit of familiarity when holding it. Being able to maintain proper balance is crucial. The more evenly balanced you manage to keep the accordion's weight, the better you'll be able to play because of the added control. And the more control you have, the less uncomfortable the weight will feel. Secure the instrument onto your chest. Slip your left arm under the strap of the instrument. You'll want to hold it as if you were putting on a backpack on your chest. The piano keys should be to your right and your left hand goes underneath the bass strap - the small strap on the left side of the instrument. Note that there is usually a thumb wheel on the left side to adjust the strap. Make sure that your accordion fits tightly enough not to move at all while you move. Try a back strap. An additional strap can be very useful. The back strap keeps the shoulder straps together so that the accordion doesn't move. Note that if the back strap is too far down it alleviates weight from the shoulders, making the straps loose on top. This, in turn, causes your straps to move and slide. Keep the back strap higher up, or secure it diagonally. Remember that when the straps stay in place, so does your instrument. Undo the safety buckles. The buckles can be found on the top and bottom of the instrument. Take care not to push or pull the accordion yet. Hold your wrist parallel to the keyboard. Don't bend your right wrist while keeping your elbow close to your side. It'll be a bit awkward at the beginning but you'll be able to achieve better accuracy as your hand's circulation won't be impeded. This applies the right arm only. Slip your left hand through the strap that lies below the bass button board.You'll be able to curl your fingers up and over the bass buttons. You right hand should be free and resting above the piano keyboard. Push down on the air valve (a lone button on the left hand side near the strap). Press the button down softly, and pull your instrument with your left arm. You'll hear a hissing noise as the air goes into the accordion and the bellows open. Note that it's important to use this air valve button when you open and close the bellows while they're moving. Don't press down on the keyboard while you're opening and closing the bellows at thus point, as we are focusing on the bass buttons. Focus on playing bass buttons first. No matter how many bass buttons your accordion has, you'll soon notice that they produce both bass notes and chords. Accordion chord buttons on the left side play three note chords, or "vamps", automatically. This is due to the accordion's internal mechanism. The term "chord" refers to the sound produced by a group of notes played together. Keep the bass buttons pressed for only a short time. Imagine they were on fire, and take your finger off quickly. This is called "staccato" playing. Try not to look at where your bass fingers are going, because you cannot see your bass fingers if you are positioned properly. For this reason, no professional accordionists look at their bass hand. This will be quite difficult at first, but do your best not to look at where your fingers go, or need to go. Learn to feel where the buttons are using your ear to tell you if you are on the right button. Find the note C. This button is usually a bit buried or recessed, but can be found on the top rows of buttons 8,12, 16, 24, 36 of all bass instruments. If your accordion is a larger model, then look for the note C in the second row. It may have a mark, jewel or indentation. We'll try the piano keyboard later. For now, your only concern should be getting comfortable with your instrument's bass buttons. Focus on the first columns of bass buttons. Regardless of how many bass columns your accordion has, you'll only be looking at the first two or three columns. If you have a small beginner accordion, there may be only one column of bass buttons and then columns of chord buttons. In contrast, a big 120 bass accordion has two columns of bass buttons and four chord columns. If you have a 120 bass instrument, the bass column second from the front is called the "fundamental bass"; it is your main bass column. For now, you don't need to use the first column on your 120 bass section. Place your index finger on the C note. Then, tuck your thumb under your index finger and push on the button right beside the bass note C, the C Major chord. This button will be right beside (and off-center in an upwards direction) from the C bass button that your index finger is pressing (Note: all references to "beside" or "upwards" are in regards to an accordion in playing position, strapped on your chest). Pull the bellows out. Then, press the two buttons alternately (C bass note and the C chord) to generate a sort of of oom-pah sound. Try to pull the bellows smoothly for the best sound effect. Attempt a Waltz rhythm. The beat for the Waltz goes 1, 2, 3--1, 2, 3. This sounds like "oom-pah-pah". Play the C note on the first beat, and push the button right beside the C (the C Major chord button) on the second and third beats. As mentioned earlier, play all the notes staccato.. Play the corresponding two bass buttons above and below the two you've just learned to play. The bass button below is F. The bass button above the C is G. With the F, you play the bass note F and the F Major chord button. For the G, you play the G bass button and the G Major chord. Usually, each chord is repeated several times before changing. This is how you can generate a simple accompaniment, or vamp. With just these three bass notes and chords, you could accompany hundreds of simple folk tunes and popular melodies! Add the bellows. Now try to pull the bellows in as you alternately press the buttons you just learned. Repeat this several times to practice. Practice the right-hand keyboard with little exercises. The note C (or Do) is the white key beside and above the two black notes. Let's try a keyboard scale exercise that will help you produce your first, controlled sound sequence : Expand the instrument's bellows. Softly and evenly push it back together, and hold the 1st C key down. Keep pressing the note key while you change directions by pulling the instrument in opposite directions. Go to the next key, push in and pull apart. Jump to the next white keys one by one, and you have now played Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La, Si, Do (Also known as the notes C, D, E, F, G,A, B, C). Try a right-hand chord exercise. This keyboard exercise has a chord, and you can leave your fingers on the keyboard. Place your thumb on the C, and pinky on the G: begin with the third finger on the E. Continue practicing at a steady tempo. Rhythmic time-keeping is one of the key roles of the accordion. One way to get steady rhythm is to practice with a metronome. Try to play bass buttons and right-hand chords at the same time. Play a C bass note alternating with a C Major bass button chord until it is smooth and easy. Then add in a right-hand C Major chord (the white notes C, E and G). This right-hand chord can be sustained, or it can go along with the bass button chords. Coordination of both hands might seem a little difficult at first, so it's important that you become very familiar with the necessary movements. Repeat the above exercise until you feel confident and can move on to more advanced songs.	Get the right kind of accordion. Familiarize yourself with the instrument's structure. Use the right size. Place your accordion on your chest with the key buttons facing away from you. Sit or stand while holding your accordion. Don't slouch. Learn proper balance. Secure the instrument onto your chest. Try a back strap. Undo the safety buckles. Hold your wrist parallel to the keyboard. Slip your left hand through the strap that lies below the bass button board.You'll be able to curl your fingers up and over the bass buttons. Push down on the air valve (a lone button on the left hand side near the strap). Focus on playing bass buttons first. Try not to look at where your bass fingers are going, because you cannot see your bass fingers if you are positioned properly. Find the note C. We'll try the piano keyboard later. Place your index finger on the C note. Pull the bellows out. Attempt a Waltz rhythm. Play the corresponding two bass buttons above and below the two you've just learned to play. Add the bellows. Practice the right-hand keyboard with little exercises. Try a right-hand chord exercise. Continue practicing at a steady tempo. Try to play bass buttons and right-hand chords at the same time.
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Dirty-CD	How to Clean a Dirty CD	If you have a CD that needs to be cleaned, use a canister of compressed air to blow away any excess dust without having to touch the surface of the disc. If you don't have compressed air, gently wipe from the center to the outside edge of the CD with a soft, lint-free cloth. If the CD still won't play, submerge it in a large bowl filled with mild soapy water, then rinse the disc under a stream of running water. Wipe the disc free using a lint-free cloth.	Blow or wipe any loose dust from the surface of the disc. Use a canister of compressed air to dislodge the dust without having to touch the disc. If you don't have any compressed air handy, you can also brush it off gently using a soft, lint-free cloth. Then, try playing the disc. If you're still having problems, you may need to move on to a more intensive cleaning method. When dusting a CD by hand, always work your way outward from the center of the disc to the outer edge to prevent damage avoid spreading the dust around. Be sure to handle the disc delicately—if you're not careful, you can actually scratch a CD while attempting to remove dust. Find a container large enough to submerge a CD in. A bowl with steep sides will work best, but you could also use a plastic storage container. Make sure the inside of the container is clean and completely free of dust or other debris. If the container you're using has been tucked away inside a cabinet for a while, swirl some warm water in it to rinse out any dust that may be inside before you fill it up with the soap solution. Add 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of mild liquid dish soap to the container. You could also pick up an all-natural cleaning liquid made with distilled water specifically for the job. It's important to use a mild type of liquid soap, as harsher soaps may contain abrasive agents that can leave behind scratches. Hand soap will get the job done as well, as long as it doesn't have any moisturizers or other additives in it. These can leave behind a filmy residue. Fill the container with 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) of warm water. While your container is filling up, stir the soap and water together with the tips of your fingers. The two ingredients should form a nice sudsy solution. Warm water works better than cold water for cleaning tasks because of its ability to soften stuck-on substances. Your soap solution may bubble up quite a bit. That's okay—you'll be rinsing the excess off later anyway. Immerse the dirty CD in the soapy water for about a minute. This will give the solution plenty of time to begin loosening any dust or dirt remaining on the disc. Be sure to slide the CD in with the underside facing up to prevent it from rubbing against the bottom of the container. If you like, you can whisk the CD slowly through the water a few times for a little extra cleaning power. Rinse the CD off under a stream of warm water. Tilt the disc at all different angles under the faucet to clear away every last bit of soap solution from both sides. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear—there should be no streaks or suds visible when you're done. Grip the CD with two fingers by the center hole and outer edge to avoid smudging it during the rinse. Repeat the process if necessary. If the disc still looks dirty, place it back in the soap solution and leave it for another minute. This time, scrub the most stubborn spots in a circular motion using the pad of one finger. They should come off easily with a little pressure. If your CD doesn't look any better after a second cleaning, it may be scratched rather than simply dirty. In this case, you'll need to actually repair the tiny grooves in the surface. Wipe the disc dry using a lint-free cloth. After shaking off the excess water, go over both faces to pick up any remaining moisture. As before, direct your strokes outward from the center of the disc to minimize the risk of damage. When you're finished, your CD should look and play as good as new! Microfiber towels are great for drying delicate items like CDs, DVDs, and electronic components. Hand-drying is preferable to air-drying, as it's possible for water to leave spots on the surface of the disc if it's allowed to sit for too long. Mix up a 1-to-1 solution of 90% isopropyl alcohol and distilled water. Pour equal amounts of the alcohol and distilled water into a shallow container, then stir or swirl them together to blend them. You don't need to use a lot of either ingredient—2-3 ounces (59-89 mL) of each should be more than enough. It's important that you use distilled water since you'll actually be buffing the disc. Tap water contains small particles that could cause scratches. Rubbing alcohol is useful for cutting through thick grime and stuck-on messes like soda or food residue. Diluting the acidic alcohol will keep it from eating away at the plastic surface of the CD. Dip a clean, lint-free cloth into the mixture. Fold the cloth over the tip of your pointer finger and lower it into the alcohol solution. This will let you soak up a small amount of solution and create a more precise scrubbing surface. To prevent drips, allow any excess solution to drip off the cloth before you begin cleaning your dirty CD. Use only a microfiber cloth, chamois, or something similar. Ordinary hand towels can easily cause scratches. Wipe the surface of the CD from the center to the outer edge. Use smooth, straight strokes and apply a moderate amount of pressure. Any foreign substances caked on the disc should vanish beneath the cloth. Continue wiping until you've cleaned off the entire underside of the disc. If you run into a tough spot, go over it in a straight line several times rather than being tempted to rub it in a circular motion. Allow the CD to air dry. Once you're done cleaning, hold the disc in one hand by the center hole and outer edge. The alcohol solution will evaporate within a matter of seconds, so there's no need to use a separate cloth or towel. Give your newly-cleaned CD a spin and see how it sounds!	Blow or wipe any loose dust from the surface of the disc. Find a container large enough to submerge a CD in. Add 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of mild liquid dish soap to the container. Fill the container with 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) of warm water. Immerse the dirty CD in the soapy water for about a minute. Rinse the CD off under a stream of warm water. Repeat the process if necessary. Wipe the disc dry using a lint-free cloth. Mix up a 1-to-1 solution of 90% isopropyl alcohol and distilled water. Dip a clean, lint-free cloth into the mixture. Wipe the surface of the CD from the center to the outer edge. Allow the CD to air dry.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Yakisoba	How to Make Yakisoba	To make yakisoba, first make the sauce by mixing tonkatsu sauce, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and mirin. Then, cut some pork or chicken into small pieces, and brown them in a wok over medium-high heat. Next, add chopped onion to the wok, and cook it with the meat until it softens. Once the onion is done, add carrot, cabbage, and green onion, and cook everything for a few more minutes before adding yakisoba noodles. Finally, lower the heat, cook everything for 3 more minutes, and add the sauce.	Mix the sauce ingredients. In a small glass bowl, combine the tonkatsu sauce, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and mirin. Whisk for 30 to 60 seconds, or until evenly combined. Set the sauce aside once you finish mixing it. If you plan on preparing the rest of the yakisoba immediately, it should hold at room temperature. Alternatively, you can save time by using commercially prepared yakisoba sauce instead of making your own. When using commercially prepared sauce, you may need anywhere between 8 and 12 Tbsp (120 and 180 ml) total. Cut the vegetables. Cut the onion, carrot, cabbage, and green onion into small, bite-size pieces. Slice the onion into long strips and the carrot into julienned strips. The green onion should be chopped into 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) pieces, and the cabbage should be chopped into 2 inch (5 cm) squares. The vegetables used in this recipe are among the most commonly used for yakisoba, but many yakisoba recipes also include other vegetables. As you get more comfortable making the dish, consider adding some other vegetables to your own version, too. Good options worth considering may include red bell pepper, green bell pepper, zucchini, broccoli, snap peas, baby corn, bean sprouts, and water chestnuts. Slice the meat. Cut the pork or chicken into 1 inch (2.5 cm) pieces. If using pork, the meat should be thinly sliced before cutting it into 1 inch (2.5 cm) lengthwise pieces. If using chicken, cut each chicken breast into 1 inch (2.5 cm) cubes. Pork and chicken are the most common meats used in yakisoba, but you can experiment with other options, as well. Thinly sliced steak is fairly popular, as is chopped shrimp. Treat these other meats the same way you would treat pork or chicken in this recipe. Heat the oil. Pour the vegetable oil into a large wok and heat it on the stove over medium-high. Allow the oil to heat up for 30 to 60 seconds before adding any of the ingredients to it. The oil should be hot enough to easily glide over the surface of the wok. If you don't have a wok, use a large, heavy-bottomed skillet with relatively low sides. Brown the meat. Add the pork or chicken to the hot oil in the wok. Cook at medium-high, stirring frequently, until you can no longer see any visible pink from any side. Depending on the thickness of the meat, expect to spend 4 to 7 minutes browning it. Don't worry about checking the inside of the meat. It will continue to cook as you add the remaining ingredients, so as long as you brown all sides during this step, it should be safely and thoroughly cooked by the end of the recipe. Add the onion. Add the sliced onion to the meat and oil. Fry over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until the onion softens and wilts. Note that if you choose to use any other hard vegetables, you should add them to the wok when you add the onion. Other hard vegetables you may end up using include broccoli, baby corn, and water chestnuts. Generally, you'll need to cook the onion and any other hard vegetable for 1 to 2 minutes during this step. These vegetables only need to start wilting at this point in the recipe. If you allow the onions to become translucent now, they might become too soggy or brown by the end of the cooking process. Toss together the remaining vegetables. Add the carrot, cabbage, and green onion to the wok with the onion and meat. Continue cooking and stirring the contents of the pan over medium-high heat until these vegetables soften. Any other soft vegetables you decide to use should be added at this time, as well. Other soft vegetables you may end up using include sliced or chopped bell pepper, diced zucchini, snap peas, and bean sprouts. You'll need to cook these vegetables for roughly 3 to 4 minutes during this step. Aside from getting soft and wilted, these vegetables should also begin release water. Season the contents of the pan. Sprinkle ground black pepper over the meat and vegetable mixture in the wok. Drizzle with 3 Tbsp (45 ml) of your prepared yakisoba sauce, as well. Toss the contents of the pan lightly to help distribute the pepper and sauce. Separate the noodles. Place the yakisoba noodles in a colander and hold them under hot running water for 15 to 30 seconds. Running the noodles under hot water should help separate any that were stuck together in the package. If the water alone does not separate the noodles, gently separate them with your fingers. Note that most yakisoba noodles are actually chukamen noodles, a type of Chinese-style egg noodle. These noodles should not be confused with standard soba noodles, which are made from buckwheat flour. If you do not have yakisoba noodles, you could technically make this dish with standard dried spaghetti. Boil the spaghetti according to package directions until it is "al dente." Do this immediately before cooking the rest of the yakisoba ingredients, then add the noodles to the wok and treat as yakisoba noodles from that point on. Add the noodles to the wok. Lower the heat to medium, then add the noodles to the meat and vegetable mixture currently in the wok. Do not dump the entire pile of noodles directly into the pan. Instead, use your hands or tongs to grab small portions of the noodles and add them to the pan a little at a time. Continue until all the noodles have been added. Stir until mixed. Stir the noodles into the rest of the yakisoba mixture. Work continuously to prevent the noodles from burning and sticking to the bottom of the wok. The yakisoba noodles should already be soft when you add them to the wok, so they should cook quickly. Essentially, they only need to remain in the pan for a total of 3 to 4 minutes at most, or until they are heated throughout. Pour in the remaining sauce. Pour the remaining yakisoba sauce over the contents of the wok. Using tongs, toss the ingredients to distribute the sauce evenly. You may wish to add more or less sauce depending on the number of ingredients you end up using. Ideally, the sauce should coat all of the ingredients without much (if any) excess puddling beneath them. Add any desired garnishes. Divide the yakisoba, transferring it to individual serving plates. Sprinkle the dried green seaweed powder and red pickled ginger over each serving of yakisoba. Add only as much of each garnish as you would prefer according to your own tastes. If you aren't familiar with either garnish, start with small amounts. More can be added later if you realize you would prefer a stronger flavor. Enjoy immediately. The yakisoba is now ready to eat. You should enjoy it while it is still hot for the best flavor and texture.	Mix the sauce ingredients. Cut the vegetables. Slice the meat. Heat the oil. Brown the meat. Add the onion. Toss together the remaining vegetables. Season the contents of the pan. Separate the noodles. Add the noodles to the wok. Stir until mixed. Pour in the remaining sauce. Add any desired garnishes. Enjoy immediately.
https://www.wikihow.com/Groom-a-Thick-Furred-Dog	How to Groom a Thick Furred Dog	To groom your thick-furred dog, start by detangling any matted fur so you can brush with ease. The best way to remove tangles is to use a slicker brush by angling it between the hairs and slowly teasing apart the mat. If the tangle is really thick and knotted, massage a little mineral oil or detangler solution into it, then brush it out. However, you may need to cut the mat out if it doesn't detangle so you don't hurt your dog. Once the tangles are fixed, use a bristle brush to brush the dog's fur in the direction it falls naturally. As you do this, you can pull away any loose hairs or use dog clippers to trim any that are too long.	Prepare your dog’s bathing spot. If you're grooming outside, find a spot where your pet will not be standing in mud. A good trick is to have your pet stand in a children's wading pool while you wash them. Make sure your hose will reach the spot, and place your shampoo and a towel nearby. Soak your dog. Use the water hose to completely saturate your pet's fur. Start behind the head, and run the hose over their body. Make sure the fur is completely wet so the shampoo will lather and cleanse the coat thoroughly. Don't forget to wet your pup's belly. Apply shampoo to the body. Start with about a quarter sized amount. From the neck back, work the shampoo into the coat. Massage all the way to your dog's skin to remove oils, dirt, and other debris. Add more shampoo as necessary to completely clean the entire body. Rinse your dog. Using the hose, run the water over your pup's coat until there are no more suds in the water that runs off. It's important to remove all of the soap as it may irritate your pet's skin as it dries and flakes. Additionally, your dog could become sick if they lick the shampoo from their fur later. Even nontoxic shampoos can upset your pet's stomach. Wash the head and face. Gently apply water, trying to avoid direct contact with the eyes, nose, and mouth. Apply a small amount of tear-free shampoo to the fur around the ears, eyes, and muzzle. Then, rinse it away, trying to avoid allowing soapy water to run into your dog's eyes or mouth. Dry your dog. Let them shake the water off if they want to. Then, pat your dog dry with a towel. Next, use a blow dryer to completely dry your pet. You can use a dryer that's made for animals or people. Since your pet has thick fur, this can take awhile. Use a brush to prevent the hair from mating or tangling as you blow dry their coat. If it's warm outside, you may want to let your dog air dry, but avoid this in colder weather, as your dog can get sick if it's body temperature drops too low. Use the dryer on a cool setting, holding it at least 10 inches (25.4 cm) away from your dog's body. Keep the dryer moving the entire time you are using it so that you don't hit the same spot for too long, which could accidentally burn your dog. Be very careful with a wet dog around electrical appliances. You don't want to accidentally shock your dog. Towel off the dog and move it to a dry area before using a hair dryer. Watch all cords and make sure that they are in good working order before you turn on the appliance. Remove mats and tangles. Before getting the dog wet, use a slicker brush to get between hairs and gently detangle your dog's fur. If this is not effective, you can also apply mineral oil or detangling solution to the mat. Massage the solution into the tangled area. Then, try to brush the tangle out with the slicker brush. In extreme cases, you may have to use scissors to remove mats. Brush out the fur. Once your dog's fur is detangled, you'll want to smooth it out evenly. Use a bristle brush, and go over your pet's fur in the direction that their coat should naturally fall. You should brush your dog's hair at least once a week to ensure they don't have too much oil buildup, to remove debris trapped in fur, and to keep the coat healthy. Trim long or loose hairs. If your dog has hair that gets in its eyes and mouth or drags on the ground, you may want to remove some of this to make it easier to keep your pet clean. You can use special dog clippers or baby scissors to complete this task. Simply snip off enough fur to prevent the coat from interfering with your dog's daily activities. Shear the coat if needed. If you're struggling to keep your thick furred pet clean, this may be the best option. Removing the bulk of the thick coat can do a world of good when it comes to maintaining your pup's hygiene. This is also a good idea if you live in a very warm climate where the thick fur may be uncomfortable. Talk to your vet or a professional groomer before shearing your dog on your own. You can purchase pet shears or use human hair clippers for the task. Simply set the blade to the length you desire and gently run the shears over your dog's fur from shoulder to tail. Continue this process over your dog's entire back, legs, belly, and tail. Trim your dog's nails. This is especially important if your pet will share your home with you, since long nails can scratch or damage floors, furniture, and skin. However, keeping nails trimmed is beneficial for your pet too. Trimmed nails make it easier and more comfortable for your dog to walk, and long nails can get caught or break. This can be very painful and even dangerous for dogs, who have a sensitive vein running through their nails known as the quick. Use baby nail clippers or those specially crafted for dogs. Remove tiny amounts of the nail at a time to avoid cutting the quick. You can see the darker pink quick in dogs who have white nails, but for dogs with darker nails, you'll need to check for the quick between snips. On the end of the nail, you will see a gray colored oval appear. This is the quick. Stop trimming at this point. If you do cut to the quick, use styptic powder to stop bleeding and numb the area. Brush teeth daily. This is the ideal, but any time spent caring for you pup's teeth will help improve its oral hygiene. Use a toothbrush and toothpaste made for dogs. Let your dog get used to the sight, smell, and taste of the toothbrush. Once your dog seems calm and unafraid of the toothbrush and paste, gently lift their lips to reveal the teeth. Brush each tooth from the gums to the tips inside and out. The younger you start your dog out brushing their teeth, the better behaved they will be during brushing. Clean out their ears. Dogs can get any number of foreign materials trapped inside their ear canals. This can lead to infection or hearing loss, so it's important to keep your pup's ears free from debris. Only clean out those parts of the ears that are visible. Do not use cotton swabs or other materials to clean deeper into the ear canal as this could cause unintended damage. Instead, use a cotton ball coated in mineral oil to gently remove dirt and other debris. You may also want to use an over the counter or prescription ear drop, if your pup shows signs of chronic ear health concerns. Purchase a slicker brush. These brushes are used to remove mats and tangles from your pet's thick fur. Most of these brushes look very similar. They are crafted with numerous wire bristles that are very close together. These bristles get between individual hairs, gently untangling mats. The brush head is positioned at an angle, so your pet's skin is not nicked or irritated as you brush. Slicker brushes come in a variety of sizes and bristle lengths, so select a brush that matches your dog's size and coat. Choose a bristle brush. This is your standard grooming tool. You'll use these brushes to smooth the coat after you've removed tangles, while you're blow drying, or just for daily or weekly brushing as necessary. They are available in numerous sizes and bristle lengths, so make sure the bristles reach all the way through your dog's fur without scratching the skin. Buy the right dog shampoo. If your dog has sensitive skin or is prone to itching and rashes, select products specifically made for these issues. Dogs who have mange, fleas, or mites, will need special shampoo. Ask a vet for help finding the best product for your dog. You can also get advice from a professional groomer or workers at the local pet store. Only use tear free, nontoxic shampoo when washing your dog's face and ears. Collect other necessary grooming items. These may include toothbrushes specialized for dogs, clippers, or scissors. If you have everything you need before you get started, the process will go much more smoothly. The last thing you want is to have to stop in the middle of grooming your dog to find the shampoo. This is just asking for your pup to roll around in the mud and undo all your hard work.	Prepare your dog’s bathing spot. Soak your dog. Apply shampoo to the body. Rinse your dog. Wash the head and face. Dry your dog. Remove mats and tangles. Brush out the fur. Trim long or loose hairs. Shear the coat if needed. Trim your dog's nails. Brush teeth daily. Clean out their ears. Purchase a slicker brush. Choose a bristle brush. Buy the right dog shampoo. Collect other necessary grooming items.
https://www.wikihow.com/Cure-Impetigo	How to Cure Impetigo	To cure impetigo, avoid touching or scratching the affected area and see your doctor as soon as possible to get antibiotics. If your doctor gives you topical antibiotic cream to treat your rash, it helps to soak the affected area with warm water and gently remove the brown scabs with a wet washcloth before applying the medication. Be sure to apply or take your antibiotics exactly as prescribed and complete the entire course of medication for the best results!	Look for red sores. Non-bullous impetigo is the most common type of the disorder, and it manifests with tiny blisters that become red sores on the skin. These sores are filled with a yellow or honey-colored fluid. After a few days, these sores rupture and ooze pus for several days. After a few days, the blisters will turn into into brownish crusted areas. The sores are most commonly found around the mouth or nose, but they may also occur on other areas of the body such as the arms and hands. Look on the body for larger blisters. Bullous impetigo is a less common form of impetigo, usually caused by the bacteria S. aureus. It creates larger blisters that are less likely to burst. The blisters in bullous impetigo may be found on the chest, abdomen, and diaper area of young children and babies. Check the leg area. A third, more severe type of impetigo is ecthyma, which is often caused by Streptococcus bacteria. It may also be caused by Staphylococcus or "staph" bacteria. It often begins on the legs. Ecthyma is sometimes called "deep impetigo" because its symptoms are similar to other types of impetigo, but they occur deeper into the skin. Look for small, red-bordered blisters. These blisters are often filled with pus and may look like they're very deep in the skin. After the blisters burst, you will see ulcers with thick, brownish-black crusts. This type of impetigo is much more painful. The ulcers from ecthyma will look "punched out" (well defined) around the borders, and the surrounding skin is often red and calloused. Unlike blisters, these ulcers will not heal or go away on their own. Visit the doctor. If you think you or your child has impetigo, the best course of action is to visit the doctor. The doctor can help ascertain that the rash on you or your child is, in fact, impetigo, as well as prescribe you the best medication. Avoid touching it. The rash is extremely contagious, so try to avoid touching the rash if possible. Wash your hands with antibacterial soap if you do touch the rash. This rash is often caused by variations of the staphylococcus bacteria (staph), which is why it is so contagious. However, it can also develop from the streptococcal (strep) bacteria, as well, which is also contagious. Soak the area to remove scabs. To help apply treatments, you may need to remove the top brown scabs first. Press a warm, wet cloth to the area for a few minutes, or soak the area in warm water to soften them. Gently rub the area with a wet, soapy washcloth when done, and rinse with water. Be sure to keep the washcloth separate from other people, as it can pass the rash. Apply antibiotic ointment. Antibiotic ointment is usually the first treatment option for impetigo, and your doctor will prescribe the best one for your rash. Put on gloves or a finger cot before applying the ointment. Rub the ointment on the affected area. If you do not have gloves, be sure to thoroughly wash your hands when you are done applying the ointment. Your doctor may prescribe a topical antibiotic such as mupirocin, retapamulin, or fusidic acid. Take antibiotic pills if prescribed. The other common treatment option for impetigo is an oral antibiotic. Usually, you take an antibiotic pill once or twice a day, with food, for up to 10 days. Your doctor will probably prescribe a topical antibiotic first, unless you have an extensive or resistant rash. Resistance to oral antibiotics is becoming a problem, so doctors tend not to prescribe them unless absolutely necessary. Your doctor will likely prescribe an oral antibiotic such as dicloxacillin or cephalexin. If you are allergic to penicillin, she may prescribe clindamycin or erythromycin. Always take the medication for the allotted time. Whether you are on pills or cream, follow your doctor's instructions for how long you should take it. Even if you seem to be better, the bacteria may not be completely gone, and it can come back worse if you don't finish out your medication. Don't scratch sores. While it can be tempting to scratch the sores, it can also make the rash worse. It can spread the rash across your body or to another person. Know when to see a doctor again. If you still have the rash after 7 days and it isn't showing signs of healing, you should return to your doctor, as he or she may need to give you a different antibiotic. Your doctor may need to run some tests to see what type of bacteria is causing the impetigo. Certain types of bacteria, such as MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), have become very resistant to antibiotics. Be aware of potential complications. While this rash is usually not serious, it can cause rare complications. For instance, the strep version can lead to a rare disease, poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis, which can harm the kidneys. If anyone with impetigo has dark urine, you should go back to the doctor to discuss the problem. Other complications include: Scarring, especially from ecthyma impetigo. Cellulitis, which is a serious infection that affects tissues beneath your skin. Guttate psoriasis, a non-infectious skin condition that causes scaly patches on the skin. Scarlet fever, a rare bacterial infection that may develop from a streptococcus impetigo infection in some cases. Septicemia, a bacterial blood infection that requires immediate medical attention Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS), a serious but rare skin poisoning caused by the staph bacteria. Avoid other people. In the first couple of days of infection, especially, it's a good idea to stay home from work or to keep your child home from school or daycare. You remain contagious for up to 2 days after starting treatment. Children can return to school 24 hours after antibiotic treatment has started. Cover all impetigo sores with a watertight dressing, and make sure the child keeps them covered while at school. Wash your hands regularly. Encourage children to wash their hands as well. Use clean, running water and soap to wash your hands frequently throughout the day. If soap is not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. The CDC recommends that you wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, or about the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice through. Good handwashing hygiene can help avoid the spread of impetigo. Any contact with the discharge from the sores can pass the rash. Nasal discharge can also pass the rash. Washing your hands frequently reduces the likelihood of spreading discharge around. Dry out your home. Impetigo is easier to spread when the environment is wet and humid. Air conditioners already take some of the humidity out of the air of your home, but if you live in an especially humid climate, you might want to invest in a dehumidifier for your home. Cover cuts and scrapes. The easiest way for impetigo to enter your body is through a cut or scrape. If you or your loved one has cuts, be sure to cover them up with band-aids or clean gauze to provide protection. Don't share with a person who has impetigo. Whether you have impetigo or someone you know does, make sure that person keeps her towels and clothes to herself and doesn't share with other people in the family. It's easy to pass the rash if cloth has been rubbed on the infected area. Do not share razors or other personal care products with people who have impetigo. Wash the infected person's clothes and towels daily, by themselves. Use hot water when washing them.	Look for red sores. Look on the body for larger blisters. Check the leg area. Visit the doctor. Avoid touching it. Soak the area to remove scabs. Apply antibiotic ointment. Take antibiotic pills if prescribed. Always take the medication for the allotted time. Don't scratch sores. Know when to see a doctor again. Be aware of potential complications. Avoid other people. Wash your hands regularly. Dry out your home. Cover cuts and scrapes. Don't share with a person who has impetigo.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Tissue-Paper-Butterflies	How to Make Tissue Paper Butterflies	To make a tissue paper butterfly, start by cutting 3 10-inch squares of tissue paper and laying them on top of each another. Then, fold the stack of tissue paper, accordion style, using 1-inch pleats. Next, clip a wooden clothespin onto the center of the folded tissue paper, and spread the folds on each side to look like wings. After that, fold a pipe cleaner into a “V” shape, curl each end into a spiral, and put this antenna into the tip of the clothespin, just above the tissue paper. Finally, decorate the clothespin body with a silly face and googly eyes.	Cut three 10-inch (25.4 centimeters) squares out of a sheet of tissue paper. For a more colorful butterfly, cut each square from a different color. This will make the wings. To save time, stack the papers first, and then cut them all at once. Stack the papers, one on top of each other. Make sure that the corners and edges are aligned. If you are using more than one color, stack them in an order that you like. Fold the paper, accordion style, until you have a 1-inch (2.54 centimeters) thick strip. Fold the bottom edge up by 1 inch (2.54 centimeters). Flip the paper over and fold it up by another inch (2.54 centimeters). Keep flipping and folding in this manner, until you get a fan or accordion. Keep the papers together while you are folding them. Treat them as one sheet of paper. Consider cutting a small notch or V-shape into each end of the folded fan/accordion. This will give your butterfly a more interesting design. Clip a wooden clothespin onto the center of the folded paper. Make sure that you are clipping the clothespin onto the folded edges of the folded paper, and not the top/flat part. The paper will scrunch up a little, but that is okay; when you open it up, you'll have beautiful wings. Open up the wings to either side of the clothes pin. The wings should be sticking out to either side of the clothespin, just like the wings of a butterfly. If they open up more like an umbrella instead, simply twist and rotate them until they are facing the right way If you'd like, you can gently fluff the wings up too. Make the antenna out of a pipe cleaner. Fold a pipe cleaner in half into a V-shape. Curl each end into a small O-shape or a tight spiral. Clip the antenna into the clothespin. Position it just above the folded tissue paper. Everything should be fitted snugly in the groove part of the clothespin. Decorate the clothespin body. You can color it with markers or with paints. You can even glue on tiny googly eyes or draw a silly face. To make an extra fancy butterfly, decorate the body with glitter glue and rhinestones. Fold a sheet of black construction paper in half widthwise, and draw half of a butterfly. Don't make the butterfly too small! It should be almost the same size as the paper. Also, make sure that the body of the butterfly is aligned with folded part of the paper. This makes the outer part of your frame. Use a white crayon or colored pencil so that you can see the line easily. You can make up your own butterfly, or find a template online to use. Cut the butterfly out, following the lines that you drew. Keep the folded while you cut. This way, when you unfold your paper, your butterfly will look the same on both sides. Cut out the inside of the butterfly, ½ to 1 inch (1.27 to 2.54 centimeters) from the outline. When you unfold your butterfly, you should have an outline of a butterfly. The wings should be hollow. This will make the inner part of the frame. If you'd like your butterfly to have a solid/black body, only cut out inside the wings. Don't extend the frame to the fold. Place the butterfly frame down on a sheet of clear contact paper. Cut a sheet of contact paper a little bit bigger than the butterfly. Peel off the backing, and set it down on the table, sticky-side-up. Place the butterfly frame down onto the contact paper. Cut the tissue paper into squares. Make them between 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 centimeters). Use lots of different colors to make your butterfly look more interesting. You can even cut some of the squares into rectangles inside. Stick the tissue paper onto the wings. The tissue paper will stick to the contact paper, so you don't have to use any glue. This will create the stained glass effect. If you cut out a hollow body, stick the tissue paper onto there as well. Cover the butterfly with another sheet of contact paper. Make sure that the contact paper is large enough to cover the entire butterfly. Peel off the backing, and slowly place it over the butterfly, going from one side to the next. Smooth it down with your hands or a ruler to seal it. Cut around the butterfly. Leave a ¼ -inch (0.64 centimeters) boarder of contact paper around the butterfly to seal it in and keep it from coming apart. Hang your butterfly in a bright window. Punch a hole through one of the wings, and thread a piece of thread through it. Tie the thread into a loop, and hang it someplace where the light will shine through it. You can also tape the butterfly to a window if you won't want to punch a hole through its wings. The side with the black outline is the front, and the tissue paper side is the back. Cut out your butterfly template out of a sheet of paper. Fold a sheet of paper in half. Sketch out half of a butterfly and then cut it out. This will make your template which you will be basing the rest of your butterflies on. It will make your garland more consistent. Make the butterfly no more than 6 inches (15.24 centimeters) tall. You should only draw and cut the wings; don't worry about the body. You will be making it out of pipe cleaner later. Fold a stack of tissue paper in half and tuck it inside the folded butterfly, like a hot dog. Make sure that the folded part of the tissue paper is nestled against the folded part of the butterfly. You will be cutting the tissue paper one color at a time, then arranging and assembling the colors later on. Cut the tissue paper, using your template as a guide. Take the cut tissue paper butterflies out of the template and unfold them. Set them down in a neat pile, and move on to the next color. You will need three different colors. Make the bodies of the butterflies using pipe cleaners. Cut the pipe cleaners in half using a pair of pliers or wire cutters. Bend each cut pipe cleaner in half. You will get two butterflies out of one pipe cleaner. Cut and fold as many as you need. Stack three tissue paper butterflies, one of top of each other. To save time, make all of your stacks now, so that they will be all ready for you. You can stack the colors in the same order, or alternate them. You can also make some butterflies all one color. Tuck the stack inside one of the bent pipe cleaners and twist it shut. Scrunch the middle of the butterfly slightly, then slide it into the bent pipe cleaner. Measure up about half way up the pipe cleaner, and twist it twice. This closes the body. If you don't wish to use these butterflies on a garden, you are finished. Gently spread the antenna apart, and curl each end for that final touch. Gently fluff the wings up. This will give your butterflies are more fluttery appearance. Be careful so that you don't pull the wings out of the pipe cleaner body. Attach the butterflies to the garland. Measure out your twine, and slide it between the butterfly's antenna. Twist the antenna one to two more times, then spread them apart in a V-shape. If you'd like, you can curl the ends of the antenna at this point. Keep assembling and attach your butterflies until you have as many as you like on your garland. When you are done, hang the garland wherever you like, such as across a doorway or window.	Cut three 10-inch (25.4 centimeters) squares out of a sheet of tissue paper. Stack the papers, one on top of each other. Fold the paper, accordion style, until you have a 1-inch (2.54 centimeters) thick strip. Clip a wooden clothespin onto the center of the folded paper. Open up the wings to either side of the clothes pin. Make the antenna out of a pipe cleaner. Clip the antenna into the clothespin. Decorate the clothespin body. Fold a sheet of black construction paper in half widthwise, and draw half of a butterfly. Cut the butterfly out, following the lines that you drew. Cut out the inside of the butterfly, ½ to 1 inch (1.27 to 2.54 centimeters) from the outline. Place the butterfly frame down on a sheet of clear contact paper. Cut the tissue paper into squares. Stick the tissue paper onto the wings. Cover the butterfly with another sheet of contact paper. Cut around the butterfly. Hang your butterfly in a bright window. Cut out your butterfly template out of a sheet of paper. Fold a stack of tissue paper in half and tuck it inside the folded butterfly, like a hot dog. Cut the tissue paper, using your template as a guide. Make the bodies of the butterflies using pipe cleaners. Stack three tissue paper butterflies, one of top of each other. Tuck the stack inside one of the bent pipe cleaners and twist it shut. Gently fluff the wings up. Attach the butterflies to the garland. Keep assembling and attach your butterflies until you have as many as you like on your garland.
https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-Cramps-when-You%27re-Not-Home	How to Deal With Cramps when You're Not Home	Menstrual cramps can be mild to severe, which can make them especially hard to deal with when you're not home. However, there are lots of common remedies that can help you feel better quickly. Deep breaths flood your blood with oxygen, which can reduce cramps, so try inhaling deeply through your nose and exhaling through your mouth while you relax your belly. Try a set of 10 deep breaths to relieve your cramps. Another way to reduce cramping is to stay well-hydrated, so aim to get 2 liters of water a day. Bananas can also help keep you hydrated and give you a healthy dose of potassium, which can help your discomfort.	Take deep breaths. Deep breaths flood your blood with oxygen and can reduce muscle cramps. Breathe in deeply through your nose and out through your mouth, letting your belly relax outward as you draw air deep into your diaphragm. You can perform a set of 10 deep breaths for optimal relaxation. This can easily be done in class or in your office. Apply pressure to reflexology pressure points. There are some easily accessible pressure points you can use to reduce menstrual cramping. One is located 4 finger widths below your navel, and one is located on the front of each hipbone. Use your middle finger to apply slow, firm pressure at each point, holding each one for 2-3 minutes to start. You can do this discreetly over your clothes while sitting in a meeting or while you read in school. Don't hold these points for longer than 10 minutes at a time, which may cause soreness. After performing one session of 2-3 minutes, you can do another if it feels comfortable. Massage your abdomen and lower back in small circles. Massage can increase circulation and bring more blood to the area to relieve muscle cramping. Follow your discomfort to provide the most relief: If your lower back is hurting, rub small circles near your spine with your thumb, which is your most powerful finger. If you have lower abdominal cramping, use your thumbs to massage in a circular motion from hip bone to hip bone across your belly. Circular motions can penetrate more deeply and bring better circulation to the area than more sweeping motions. If a different massage pattern feels good though, just do whatever lessens your discomfort. This massage is discreet and can be performed over your clothes in the car or when seated during your work or school day. Drink lots of water. Being well-hydrated eases muscle cramping and can reduce period pain. Aim to get 2 liters (or half a gallon) of water a day, especially when you're having cramps. You can carry a water bottle with you on the go and refill over the course of your day. Apply a few drops of essential oils. Essential oils can reduce tension and help naturally balance the hormones that cause bad menstrual cramping. Apply 2-3 drops of peppermint or clary sage oil to the inside of your wrist, so you can take a sniff during the day. If you find the scent to be distracting when you eat or drink, you can apply the drops directly to your abdominal area. You can keep a bottle of oil in your book bag or laptop bag, so you can address your discomfort on the go. Do not apply more essential oil than directed. It is also not for use internally. Create a makeshift heat pad using paper towels. Heat increases blood flow to cramping muscles and can be a strong, relaxing pain reliever. If you have access to a microwave, in a work break room for example, dampen some paper towels and heat them in 30-second increments in the microwave until they are warm but not steaming. Take them to the bathroom and apply to your lower back for some soothing pain relief. If you don't want to risk making your clothes damp, it may be helpful to sit on the toilet. This way you can apply the heated paper towels to your lower back with your pants or skirt lowered. If you don't have access to a microwave, you can still employ heat to soothe your cramps. Run some paper towels under hot water in the bathroom. Wring them well and place on your abdomen or lower back to soothe your cramping. Take the stairs or walk the hall. Exercise produces endorphins, which are your body's natural pain relievers. Since you likely can't put in a treadmill session on the go, try to incorporate easy exercise into your work or school day to boost your endorphins and provide some natural cramping relief. You could take the stairs instead of the elevator or walk outside during a free period. Avoid drinking coffee and high-caffeine teas. Caffeine constricts blood vessels and can increase muscle cramps. Steer clear of high-caffeine beverages if you're experiencing menstrual pain. The soothing warmth of a decaf herbal tea is a better alternative to aid hydration and relieve discomfort. Apply a personal heating pad. A personal heating pad, such as a Thermacare patch, is activated by exposure to the air and is invisible underneath your clothes. Wearing one can reduce cramping and relieve pain without needing to perform the paper towel method. Many patches stay warm for up to 8 hours, and you can apply them directly to the abdomen or back for relief. Keep a patch in your car or book bag, so you'll always have one handy in case you need it. Ask a friend for OTC pain medication or carry a small bottle with you. Over-the-counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, can reduce your pain and make you more comfortable. For the best pain relief, take these medications at the onset of your cramping and continue while you are experiencing symptoms. It's generally more effective to get ahead of the pain with medication when it is mild, than to blunt the pain once it is already very strong. Ibuprofen dosage is 200 to 400mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Acetaminophen dosage is 500-1000mg every 6 hours as needed. If you're at a hotel or restaurant for a business meeting, you can also ask the concierge or maître d' for a painkiller. Many keep a stock of common OTC medications for staff members and are happy to share one with patrons. If you find your cramps begin and you don't have any medication with you, ask a friend if they have a capsule to spare. Switch to maxi pads. While tampons are very convenient, they can irritate the cervixes of some women, aggravating cramping. If your cramping is very intense, it may be worth switching to pads for a day in case some topical irritation is increasing your discomfort. Most public restrooms in schools and offices have pads available in the feminine-product vending machines. Grab a banana. Potassium can help keep you hydrated and relieve muscle cramps due to dehydration. If your cramping acts up when you're away from home, grab a banana to snack on. It's an easy food to take on the go and may relieve some of your discomfort.	Take deep breaths. Apply pressure to reflexology pressure points. Massage your abdomen and lower back in small circles. Drink lots of water. Apply a few drops of essential oils. Create a makeshift heat pad using paper towels. Take the stairs or walk the hall. Avoid drinking coffee and high-caffeine teas. Apply a personal heating pad. Ask a friend for OTC pain medication or carry a small bottle with you. Switch to maxi pads. Grab a banana.
https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Rice-in-a-Microwave	How to Cook Rice in a Microwave	To cook rice in the microwave, rinse it in a colander and pour it into a microwave-safe dish. Add as much water as the package calls for. Microwave it on high heat for 10 minutes, leaving the dish uncovered, then lower the heat to low for another 15 minutes, or 20 if you're cooking brown rice. Fluff the rice with a fork and enjoy!	Rinse your rice. Rinse the rice you're using under the faucet. Rinse it using a colander or similar device. After rinsing the rice, shake the colander gently to remove any excess water. Check your package for precise ratios. Rice is combined with water prior to cooking, but precise ratios vary. Check your package's instructions to figure out the rough rice-to-water ratio. In general, most rices call for one part rice to two parts water. More water will make your rice mushy and less will make it chewy. If you want a mushy or chewy texture, try adding a little more or a little less water than recommended. Add your rice and water to a microwave safe dish. Make sure the dish you choose is safe to put in the microwave. It should say somewhere on the dish. If you can't figure out if a dish is microwave safe, use a different dish to be safe. Place both your rice and water in the dish. Make sure you choose a dish that's a little bigger than necessary, as rice expands when cooked. Also, a bigger dish will keep it from boiling over as easily It's not necessary to stir your ingredients when cooking rice. Microwave the rice at high heat. Switch the microwave to the highest heat setting it has. Microwave the rice for 10 minutes. Do not cover the rice when microwaving it. Continue microwaving at low heat. After 10 minutes have passed, switch the microwave to low heat. Continue microwaving the rice on low heat for 15 minutes. Leave the rice uncovered. Brown rice can take longer too cook than white rice. When cooking brown rice, you may need to microwave the rice for 20 additional minutes instead of 15. Do not stir the rice in between microwave sessions. Fluff your rice with a fork. After the last 15 minutes of cooking, your rice should be ready to eat. Take a fork and gently fluff the rice to give it some texture. If your rice is still stiff when you try to fluff it, cook your rice for a few minutes longer and check it again. Be careful when removing rice from the microwave. If any water has poured over the container, wait a few moments before handling the rice and use oven mitts. Opt for the traditional salt, pepper, and butter. You can mix a splash of salt and pepper, as well as a spoonful of butter, into your rice for a classic taste. Butter can be added to the water before you cook the rice or you can melt it in after the rice has cooked. Add spices from other dishes to the rice. If you're making rice as a side dish for something else, borrow from the spices from that dish and mix it into the rice. This will add flavor to the rice and help it pair well with whatever you're cooking. For example, if you're making salmon, add some of the salmon marinade to the rice after cooking it. Substitute chicken or vegetable broth for water. If you want to add flavor while the rice is cooking, opt for chicken or vegetable broth instead of plain water. Using too much chicken broth or water sometimes makes rice taste starchy, so opt for a 50/50 mix of vegetable/chicken broth and water to add flavor to your rice.	Rinse your rice. Check your package for precise ratios. Add your rice and water to a microwave safe dish. Microwave the rice at high heat. Continue microwaving at low heat. Fluff your rice with a fork. Opt for the traditional salt, pepper, and butter. Add spices from other dishes to the rice. Substitute chicken or vegetable broth for water.
https://www.wikihow.com/Cash-in-Series-EE-Savings-Bonds	How to Cash in Series EE Savings Bonds	To cash in series EE savings bonds, you'll need to wait at least 1 year after you purchased the bond or received it as a gift. However, you might want to wait 5 years to cash in your bond since you'll lose the last 3 months of interest if you cash it in before then. When you're ready to cash in your bond, you'll need to visit a bank in your area that redeems EE savings bonds. Or, if you have an electronic bond, you can redeem it online through the TreasuryDirect website.	Decide how much of the bond you want to redeem. For electronic bonds, you have to cash in a minimum of $25. If you redeem only a part of your bond, you must leave at least $25 in your account. For paper bonds, there is no limit to value you can redeem. Your bank might have a policy on how much of your paper bond they will redeem in one transaction. If you have individual paper bonds, they cannot be split. Each bond must be redeemed in full. Redeem an electronic bond online. Electronic bonds can be redeemed online and credited directly to a checking account within 1 or 2 days. Simply go to https://www.treasurydirect.gov/ and redeem your bonds in your account. If you don't have a TreasuryDirect account, click “Open an Account” on their homepage. You will need your social security number or Employer Identification Number, a valid email address, a US address, and your bank account number and routing number. Take your paper savings bonds to the bank. Check with your local bank to see if they redeem EE savings bonds. If they do, be sure to find out if they have a dollar limit on redemptions. Ask what identification or other documents you will need to bring with you. If your bank won't redeem your paper bonds, look up the local Federal Reserve bank in your area and contact them for instructions on how to redeem them. Note that the policies about redeeming bonds less than and greater than $1,000 in person may differ. Paper bonds greater than $1,000 may require a certifying officer to be with you when you cash in the bond. You can also convert your paper bonds into electronic bonds online at http://www.treasurydirect.gov/BC/SBCPrice. Set up an account and login. Then click “Manage Direct,” and then “Establish a Conversion Linked Account” in the “Manage My Linked Accounts” menu. Click “Create Account” and follow the instructions. Redeem lost, stolen, or destroyed bonds by mail. If you no longer have your paper bonds, you can still cash them in. Fill out TreasuryDirect's Form 1048 at https://www.treasurydirect.gov/forms/sav1048.pdf. Be sure to include as much information as possible about your bond (names of the owners, social security numbers, date issued, dollar amounts, serial numbers, etc.). You will need to sign the document and have it certified by a certifying officer at your local bank or credit union. Mail the form to: Treasury Retail Securities Site PO Box 214 Minneapolis, MN 55480-0214. If you are in an area that's been affected by a disaster, you only need to complete parts 1, 5, 6.B. and 7. Be sure to write “Disaster” on the top of the form's first page and on the envelope. If you are outside the US, you can have your form certified at a US embassy or consulate, by an American bank branch, or by a notary public who is certified by a US diplomatic or consular office. Have proof that you are entitled to the bond if you aren’t listed as the owner. Whether you cash in the bonds online or in person, you will need to prove that you are entitled to the bond. If the owner has died and you are listed as a survivor on the bond, you will need to present a copy of the death certificate and proof of your identity. If you are redeeming a paper bond and you are named the survivor, be sure to call the bank before you go in to clarify what documents they require. If there are no survivors named on the bond, the bond goes into the estate of the deceased owner. If the bonds in the deceased owner's estate total more than $100,000, the court system will administer the estate and reassign the bonds to new owners. If the bonds in the deceased owner's estate equal less than $100,000 and no court is involved, request ownership of the bond(s) by filling out FS Form 5336 at https://www.treasurydirect.gov/forms/sav5336.pdf , sign it in the presence of a certifying officer, send the bond and the form to: Treasury Retail Securities Site P.O. Box 214 Minneapolis, MN 55480-0214 Be prepared to pay taxes on your EE savings bond. You have the option of deferring taxes until you cash the bond in, or paying taxes when the bond matures — whichever comes first. If you do not wish to defer taxes, you may pay them at the end of the year. If you wish to factor in an education tax credit, it's best to defer taxes until you cash the bond in. Use bonds issued after 1989 for education to get a tax break. Although you usually must pay taxes on the interest you earned on your savings bonds, you may be eligible for an exemption if you use the money for higher education expenses. These expenses include tuition, books, and other supplies directly related to your education. The owner of the bond must be 24 years old before the issue date of the bond, so parents who buy bonds to pay for their child's education should put the bond in their own name and list their child as a beneficiary (and not a co-owner). That also means if you are using a bond to pay for your education, you will only be exempt from tax if the bond is in your parents' name. Cash in after the mandatory 1-year period unless you’ve been affected by a disaster. Whether you purchased the bond yourself or were given the bond as a gift, it normally cannot be redeemed until 1 year after its purchase. If you live in a federally-declared disaster area, the 1-year waiting period can be waived. If you are cashing in electronic bonds for disaster relief, simply write an email inside your TreasuryDirect account at https://www.treasurydirect.gov/ explaining the situation. If you've been affected by a disaster and are cashing in paper bonds, your bank should be able to waive the 1-year minimum holding fee if you live in a federally-declared disaster area. Avoid penalties by waiting at least 5 years to cash in your bonds. EE savings bonds were meant to be long-term investments. If you cash in your EE bond before it is 5 years old, you will lose the last 3 months of interest. Wait at least 20 years for the best investment on a paper bond. Paper EE savings bonds double in value at the 20-year mark, meaning that if you want to get the best bang for your buck, wait until the bond has reached its 20-year maturity. Say you have a bond worth $100 and an interest rate of 0.20%. After 20 years, the bond reaches a maturity value of $200, even though the nominal value of the loan, given the interest rate, would normally be $105. After the adjustment, and until the loan hits 30 years old, it will earn a fixed interest rate. Regardless of the interest rate on your current EE savings bond, waiting 20 years before cashing in the paper bond will guarantee you an effective yield of about 3.5 percent. Cash in any EE savings bond that is older than 30 years old. EE savings bonds only earn interest for 30 years. If you have a bond that is older than 30 years, it doesn't make much sense to keep it invested in an interest-less bond, so cash it in. Find out the interest rate of your EE savings bonds. Knowing the value of EE savings bonds will help you decide whether it's a good idea to cash in your bonds. Depending on the year issued, EE savings bonds have various interest rates. Bonds bought before May 1997 earn different interest rates depending on when they were bought. Bonds bought between May 1997 and April 2005 earn a variable interest rate, meaning their interest rate changes. It changes every 6 months and it's 90% of the average 5-year Treasury yield for the previous 6 months. Bonds bought between May 2005 and the end of 2006 earn between 3.2 percent and 3.7 percent interest and will continue to do so for as long as you own them.	Decide how much of the bond you want to redeem. Redeem an electronic bond online. Take your paper savings bonds to the bank. Redeem lost, stolen, or destroyed bonds by mail. Have proof that you are entitled to the bond if you aren’t listed as the owner. Be prepared to pay taxes on your EE savings bond. Use bonds issued after 1989 for education to get a tax break. Cash in after the mandatory 1-year period unless you’ve been affected by a disaster. Avoid penalties by waiting at least 5 years to cash in your bonds. Wait at least 20 years for the best investment on a paper bond. Cash in any EE savings bond that is older than 30 years old. Find out the interest rate of your EE savings bonds.
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Job-in-Australia	How to Get a Job in Australia	The best way to get a job in Australia is to apply for a points-category visa, which will use a series of tests to determine your useful skills. Choose a growing industry, like finance or tourism, and search for job openings online and in Australian newspapers. “Ausseify” your CV by making it a few pages longer, and send it with a cover letter to employers in your desired region. Call the company if you haven't heard back within a few weeks to show your enthusiasm for the job.	Look into an employer-sponsored work visa. If you're determined to land a job before completing your visa application process, this is the visa for you! Your future employer will be supporting your application thanks to your relevant skills. This is one of two main categories of work visas in Australia. Consider a points-tested category visa. To get this visa, you'll go through testing to determine your skills and how good of a candidate you are. This is the second of the two main categories of Australian skilled work visas. The idea of testing to get a visa may be stressful, get yourself prepared by researching requirements and interviewing techniques. Stay calm in the interview and be friendly. Show them how much you can bring to Australia! This, and every work visa category and subcategory, has some unique requirements, but all skilled work visas require, among other things, that you be under age fifty and possess “competent English” language skills. Try to learn some English before you apply for a visa by enrolling in local classes or studying online. You'll be living in a country where English is the main language, so this will be a good skill to know! Complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect. An EOI is not a visa application in itself, but rather a way to bring yourself to the attention of Australian employers and government entities, who may in turn choose to support your subsequent visa application. If you have the right mix of attractive skills and qualities, an employer or government agency may nominate you for an appropriate work visa. You'll need a completed EOI to apply for a points-tested visa. A completed EOI is not required of, but is available to, applicants for an employer-sponsored visa. For more information, head on over to SkillSelect at http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Work/Skil#. Meet the health and language requirements for a work visa. Before you can complete a work visa application, take a quick trip to the doctor so you can provide documentation of a completed health examination. You'll also need to demonstrate English proficiency by scoring well on one of several recognized exams. Check out English classes offered in your area. Head to a local clinic for recommendations on a good doctor to see for your health exam. Let your teachers and doctor know that you're preparing for a visa application to Australia and they'll be happy to help you! For more on health exam requirements, visit http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa/Heal/meeting-the-health-requirement. Verify that your qualifications are valid in Australia. Consult the Australian Skills Recognition Information website to find out if your qualifications will need to be confirmed by a relevant professional organization. Depending on your profession and place of study, it may be necessary to complete a bridging course or additional study. Don't think of this as additional testing, but rather as a way to prove that your skills will be useful not just in your home country, but in Australia as well! Being able to state your qualifications in Australian equivalents will be a big help when you apply for jobs. Maximize your chance of getting a visa. It may be harder to obtain a visa if you don't qualify as a skilled migrant, so focus on making yourself the most attractive applicant possible. Earn a professional qualification or gain some work experience before applying. If your English is not fluent, you may consider taking a language course with a recognized provider. Some work visa subcategories are regionally-focused, so ask if you can apply for a visa in a region with less job competition, or higher demand for certain jobs. If the visa process seems complicated and daunting to you, don't worry; many people feel this way! Take the time to familiarize yourself with all the intricacies of the procedure by doing research online or asking questions at an Australian embassy or consulate. Check out the Australian government's website for a wealth of useful immigration information. Submit your visa application. If you require a visa to work in Australia, this will be your first priority! Prospective employers will ask about your immigration status, and having your visa (or at least having started the application process) is a prerequisite for most job vacancies. You can apply online at http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa/Appl. Remember, visa priority is given to people who have skills, qualifications and experience in shortage occupations, so dust off your resume and brag a little! Look into a Temporary Graduate Visa. If you're a foreigner who has just graduated from an Australian higher education institution, you're in luck: you may be eligible to for a special visa that will enable you to stay and work in the country. You'll need to be under age fifty, have an existing valid visa (e.g. a student visa), meet language and education requirements, and have eligible and relevant skills. There are two “streams” of this visa available to graduating students, based on factors like your skills and the nature of your educational experience in Australia. For more information on and application materials for the Temporary Graduate Visa, see https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-graduate-485. Consider a working holiday. Maybe you're younger than thirty and want to travel across Australia, making a bit of money to cover your expenses as you go. In this case, you may be eligible for either a Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462) or a Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417). These visas may permit you to stay and work in the country for up to a year. You'll need to be travelling without dependent children and have enough money (roughly $5000 Australian) to cover expenses and a plane ticket home. Look out for scams. Sad to say, but there are many visa con artists out there, so use caution when someone offers to help you get an Australian work visa. The Australian government keeps a list of common and current scams at http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa/migration-fraud-and-scams. For instance, don't fall for scam phone calls demanding immediate payment for a visa renewal, and be very cautious regarding promises of an Australian visa and job (with an initial payment) on job websites. Use your common sense and stick to official Australian government sites; the URL will end with “.gov.au”! It is illegal for third parties (employers, etc.) to financially gain from nominating or sponsoring someone for a visa. In other words, a potential Australian employer cannot ask you to pay a fee ahead of time for sponsorship, or deduct from your paycheck after the fact. You might be charged legitimate professional services fees, though, which is okay. Consult an official at your Australian embassy or consulate if you want to make sure a payment is legitimate. Target an industry or economic sector. If you haven't decided on the industry you'd like to work in, choose wisely! The major industries in Australia are agriculture, mining, tourism and manufacturing. Mining, financial services, tourism and telecommunications have had the most growth in recent years, which means continued opportunities and job security! Keep an eye out for “Skills Australia Needs” events or information booths at skilled migration conferences worldwide. Search methodically and diligently for job openings. Millions of vacancies are posted online. You can use common online job sites, or government-supported sites. If the wealth of information and opportunities seems intimidating to wade through, stay focused on the industry, job or region you'd most like to work in and tailor your searches towards those preferences. Potential jobs will pop up in no time! Check Australian newspaper listings for jobs that aren't posted on online sites. Check out the major papers like The Age (Melbourne), Sydney Morning Herald (Sydney), The Courier-Mail (Brisbane) and The West Australian (Perth). To learn about vacancies in a particular organization of interest, consult the recruitment section of its homepage. “Aussiefy” your CV. It is important that your CV (also called a résumé in Australia) is in the Australian style. It won't look too different from a CV elsewhere, but will have a few key differences. Australian CVs, for example, tend to be longer than American versions. More space to show off your great experiences and skills! Although they're usually longer, Australian CVs highlight essential information on the first page. Use categories like "Career Summary" (a brief statement), "Key Skills," "Key Qualifications," and sometimes "Key Training" and/or "Key Affiliations." Look online for samples or templates of Aussie-style CVs and cover letters. Don't copy anyone's format exactly, but use it as inspiration to make your CV appropriately “Aussie” while reflecting your own unique brilliance. Take the time to write a tailored cover letter. Generic, one-size-fits-all cover letters work as poorly in Australia as they do everywhere else, so put in some effort to make each cover letter shine. Make sure to emphasize that you have been granted permission to work in Australia or are in the process of applying. Provide an Australian postal address and telephone number in your CV if possible. Utilize your contacts. Even today, many jobs aren't advertised through the media or online, so your personal contacts are going to be key! Take advantage of networking opportunities and expand your networks by joining professional associations. If you establish a contact within a company, inform the contact when you make an application. It may just get your CV to the top of the pile. Whether it's someone you worked with during a college internship or someone you met surfing, networking contacts are the crucial element in finding and landing a job. Send your CV and a cover letter. Target every potential employer and recruitment agency in the region in which you plan to settle. Speculative ("cold") applications are common in Australia, so take a chance and apply even if there's no advertised vacancy, especially if you have made contact with someone within your network. When in doubt, send in an application. Remember, your goal at this point is to secure interviews. You've got nothing to lose! Follow up. If you do not receive a confirmation of your submission, contact the human resources department. Likewise, don't hesitate to contact the company if you have not received a response within a couple of weeks. This is common practice in Australia, and is not considered inappropriate. In fact, it demonstrates your enthusiasm and your determination to land the job. Plan to attend onsite interviews. If you are called for interview, try to be in Australia to attend in person. Very few employers will engage candidates on an unseen basis, although you might suggest a videoconference (e.g. Skype) interview if you can't be physically present. Remember to bring (or send along) copies of your work visa and references for employers to examine. When it comes to interviews, Australian employers value punctuality, optimism, and the ability to provide concrete examples to illustrate a point. So be on time, upbeat and ready with examples! They also like to gauge your personality by asking about your hobbies, strengths and weaknesses, and so on. Be yourself and show them how well you'll fit in with their company.	Look into an employer-sponsored work visa. Consider a points-tested category visa. Complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect. Meet the health and language requirements for a work visa. Verify that your qualifications are valid in Australia. Maximize your chance of getting a visa. Submit your visa application. Look into a Temporary Graduate Visa. Consider a working holiday. Look out for scams. Target an industry or economic sector. Search methodically and diligently for job openings. “Aussiefy” your CV. Take the time to write a tailored cover letter. Utilize your contacts. Send your CV and a cover letter. Follow up. Plan to attend onsite interviews.
https://www.wikihow.com/Keep-Your-Child-Healthy	How to Keep Your Child Healthy	If you want to keep your child healthy, encourage them to consume a wholesome diet containing fruits and vegetables, whole-grain products, and lean meats. This can be tricky, but you can make food interesting by allowing them to help you prep a healthy meal such as a personal pizza with their selected toppings. You should also establish a regular sleeping schedule for your child as this will boost their metabolism and calm their emotions, and hopefully give you a good night's rest too! In addition, be sure to offer drinking water after your child reaches six months of age as this will improve their concentration and mental development.	Establish a sleeping schedule. It is important for your child to get around 10 hours of sleep every night, depending on age. Going to sleep at the same time each evening will help this happen. Stick carefully to this routine and only push back the bed time if it is absolutely necessary. When possible, allow you child to sleep in if they went to bed late. Sleep is important to health in many ways. It allows your body to recover quickly from illness or fight off potential infections. It also boosts your metabolism. Good sleep can calm your emotions and result in a healthier mindset as well. It is recommended that preschoolers get between 10 to 13 hours, elementary and middle-schoolers between 10 to 13 hours, and teenagers between 8 to 10 hours. This is dependent on personal preference as well. Some children simply prefer to sleep more or slightly less than average. Encourage a healthy diet. Purchase a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole-grain products, and lean meats for your household. Go for fresh, organic produce whenever you can. Carefully read labels to determine portion sizes and make meals that conform to those guidelines. Offer healthy snacks, such as hummus and carrot sticks, throughout the day. Invite your child to help you with meal prep. Let them choose a healthy recipe for dinner. Take them with you to the grocery store and turn reading labels into a game. Make food more interesting for finicky eaters by crafting healthy personal pizzas (with their own selected toppings) or by positioning fruit into a smiley face on their plate. If your child refuses to eat their veggies, keep offering them. Try out other vegetable options and preparations as well. A child who dislikes straight steamed broccoli may love it when it is topped with a bit of shredded cheddar cheese. Offer lots of drinking water. A child should drink the number of 8 oz. water glasses that correspond to their age (up to a limit of 64 oz. total at 8 years of age). So, a 4 year old child should drink 4 glasses containing 8 oz. of water per day. This total does not include milk, juice, or other liquids, just water. Your child should only start drinking water after they reach 6 months of age. Prior to this, they should drink formula and/or breast milk. To add some variety, a child can also drink milk after their first birthday. A 2 year old should drink up to two 8 oz. glasses of milk per day. You can also offer juice, in moderation. A child's brain is composed of 80% water, so staying hydrated is particularly important for optimal cognitive development. Teach your child to look at their urine to make sure it is more clear than yellow. If they spot yellow, then they should grab a glass of water. Keep junk foods to a minimum. Avoid purchasing sugary, fatty, or heavily processed foods. If you don't buy them, then your child will turn to a healthy alternative that is available in your fridge or pantry. Watch out for 'sneaky' foods that appear healthy but are actually the opposite. This can include items labeled “low-fat” or even low-juice fruit drinks. Other 'sneaky' junk foods can include various crackers labeled as kid friendly that actually contain high amounts of sugars or syrups. Watch out for fruit gummies as well. They often contain high amounts of sugar as well. It is better to simply offer your child a piece of fruit. Avoid exposing your child to smoke. Smoke can linger after you put out a cigarette, so it is important to keep your children away from areas where you are smoking or where you have been smoking. If you are a smoker, enroll in a program to quit and ask smoker relatives to do so as well. Secondhand smoke is harmful to children as they develop. Children exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to contract a variety of breathing problems and illnesses including (but not limited to) bronchitis and pneumonia. Smoke can also make existing medical problems worse, such as asthma. Babies are also at an increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Avoid exposing your child to sick persons. When it is possible, keep your child away from people who are currently sick. Your child encounters plenty of germs during the day but direct exposure to an infection is just not worth it. Stay in touch with your relatives, your child's friends, and your child's school to watch out for exposure to various infections. For example, if your child is invited to a sleepover but one of the other children present is sick with strep, it is probably best to decline the invitation. Keep in mind that viral infections are impossible to avoid completely, so don't go overboard if your relatives or friends have a mild cold. Promote germ avoidance. Teach your child to frequently wash their hands. They should do so after using the restroom and before they eat or touch their mouth or face. Give them a small bottle of hand sanitizer to carry around and use if a sink is not available. Instruct them to not share water bottles or drinks with others and to keep their hands out of their mouths (much easier said than done with toddlers). Show your child how to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice when washing their hands with warm, soapy water. This is the amount of time it takes to remove most germs. Show your child how to sneeze into their elbow and how to cover their cough with a hand as well. This way they can help prevent the spread of their germs as well. Develop a plan for sick days. If your child is at home with you, then keep them there until they feel better. If your child goes to school or daycare, find out that location's policy on sickness. Some schools require that a child is fever-free for 24 hours before they return. Make no mistake, your child will get sick at some point. Knowing how you will provide for their care will result in less stress for you and your child. Part of planning ahead is also knowing the proper doses of medication for your child. Stock up on common anti-fever medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen. It is best to avoid a run to the pharmacy for basic medications whenever possible. Schedule well child visits. You child should have a well child check-up every two to three months up until 2 years of age. After 2 years of age, your child will begin to visit their doctor each year for a basic check-up. Find a pediatrician who you trust and make sure to stick to this schedule. Your child's doctor will take a variety of preventative measures each visit, including tracking your child's growth and development. Use well child visits as an opportunity to ask any questions that you have regarding your child's physical, mental, or emotional development. It may help to write down questions before you arrive. For example, you might ask, “Should my toddler be using a spoon and fork yet?” Your child will also generally receive vaccinations at well check visits. These vaccinations offer protect against an assortment of more serious illnesses such as polio. A yearly flu shot can also help prevent a lot of misery from the flu. Don't forget the importance of taking your child to the dentist as well. At least once every year, your child's teeth need to be cleaned and checked out. Minimize in-home hazards. Place all toxic chemicals and cleaners in an inaccessible area. Hide all cords and wires. Secure furniture that could topple over. Remove any sharp or dangerous objects. Even after your child is beyond the baby stage, keep an eye out for potentially dangerous items in your home. You may want to ask that your relatives or family friends safety proof their homes as well, especially when your child visits. Medications, for example, need to be stored in a location that is inaccessible for a child. Sign them up for sports. Start experimenting with sports at an early age by enrolling your child through your local rec center or school. Or, you could sign your child up for lessons at a local sports facility. Swimming, dancing, and soccer are just a few examples of worthwhile sporting options. Being involved in sports will help your child to get at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day, the minimum suggested amount. Be prepared to go through a number of sports before you find the ones that your child will enjoy. This is a normal part of the process. Avoid pressuring your child to pursue a sport that they strongly dislike. Instead, look for alternative options. Sports are also great for mental health. The pressure to focus employed by sports like martial arts is great for children struggling with control issues, like ADD. Get your kids outside. Head outside with your child and a jump rope or a bike for a few hours. Go on a nice long walk or hike with your kid. Play an extended game of tag followed by a park picnic. Soaking in the sunshine gets your child their daily dose of Vitamin D. This vitamin can then boost immunity and help prevent a variety of infections. Remember to apply sunscreen to your child before heading outdoors! Fresh air is also just healthy. It is good to take a break from the air inside your home as it could actually possess a variety of unhealthy pollutants. Always make sure to apply sunscreen before heading outside. Limit technology time. Try to limit TV time to a maximum of two hours per day. You should also try to regulate the use of the computer, video games, and even their cell phone (if they have one) as well. Placing time and use limits on these devices will encourage your child to get out of doors and explore the world around them. Do not put a TV in your child's bedroom. The use of technology can have a negative impact on sleep patterns. Instead, read a book to your child before bedtime or follow another relaxing routine. Teach them that food is fuel. Spend time with your child researching healthy food options online. Look to see how particular foods translate into calories in and out of your body. Give your child the challenge of identifying the best possible food to eat before their sporting event. All children want to be strong and having them understand the impact of food is one way to get there. For example, before your child's soccer game, ask them if them if a fast-food burger or a homemade sandwich would help them perform the best. Discuss the pros and cons of both options. Make plans for the weekend. Go on a hiking or camping trip. Try out kayaking lessons at the local lake. Contact your kid's friends' parents and make a playdate for the local park. If you create definite plans, you are far more likely to get out of the house and explore the world. Don't forget to ask your child in advance what they would like to do over the weekend or breaks. They might have some great ideas or know about events that you are unaware of. Keep communication lines open. Make an effort to be present so that your child will have the chance to approach you, if needed. Ask your child questions about their life and do so on a regular basis. Resist the urge to try to fix all of their problems and instead just be a good listener and a resource for help, if needed. If you discover that your child is upset, you might say, “When you are ready to talk, I'm here and will help you figure everything out if I can.” Talk to them about peer pressure. Recognize and acknowledge the mental pressures that your child will face. They will likely be offered drugs, alcohol, or be pressured to engage in sexual activity at some point. It is important to open a dialogue with your child about these issues. Encourage them to ask questions without receiving negative consequences. A single question could prevent them from making a harmful choice. It is best to initiate these conversations prior to your child reaching their teen years. Most parents open up this subject before their child is ten years old, if not earlier. You could role play various scenarios with your child to get them used to saying “no” and sticking with it. You might say, “What is a good way to respond if someone offers you a beer at a party?” Don't rely on school sex ed to fully inform your child. Take responsibility for their well-being and ask them what they know, what they'd like to know, and what concerns they have. Tell them your concerns as well. Tell them, “I love you. ” Let your child know that they are important to you. This also reassures them that they are safe and protected. This will also provide the groundwork for them to have healthy and happy adult relationships later on. They will be able to more fully express their feelings to future partners. Never use words of affection as a way to control or manipulate your child. Only say them when you truly mean them in the way that they are intended. For example, you can unintentionally manipulate your child if you say, "I'll love you even more if you clean your room." Stay in contact with their teachers. Your child's teachers spend a great deal of time with them and can give you a heads up regarding their mental state. At parent meetings, make sure to inquire not only about grades but about how your child is doing interacting with others and coping with any life changes that are occurring. Pay attention to possible warning signs. If your child seems consistently tired, agitated, angry, irritable, or negative, you may want to seek professional help, perhaps with counseling. Other signs of possible depression or other mental concerns include slipping grades, lack of communication, poor hygiene or eating habits, and overall antisocial behavior. Talk to your child's doctor if you have concerns about their physical or emotional health.	Establish a sleeping schedule. Encourage a healthy diet. Offer lots of drinking water. Keep junk foods to a minimum. Avoid exposing your child to smoke. Avoid exposing your child to sick persons. Promote germ avoidance. Develop a plan for sick days. Schedule well child visits. Minimize in-home hazards. Sign them up for sports. Get your kids outside. Limit technology time. Teach them that food is fuel. Make plans for the weekend. Keep communication lines open. Talk to them about peer pressure. Tell them, “I love you. Stay in contact with their teachers. Pay attention to possible warning signs.
https://www.wikihow.com/Politely-End-a-Conversation	How to Politely End a Conversation	To politely end a conversation, mention that you don't have a lot of time by saying something like, “I'm in a bit of a rush but I'll see you next week.” Alternatively, you can mention something you have to do. For example, if you need to end a conversation with a colleague, say, “Anyway, I've got to get back to work so I don't get fired, but I'll talk to you later.” You can also tell them it was good to see them so you don't seem rude. For instance, if you bump into someone in the street, you can say, “It was nice catching up with you but I've got to pick up the kids soon.”	Use non-committal body language before the conversation begins. While it may feel impolite, turning your body away, leaving headphones on, and avoiding eye-contact will signal that you are not in the mood to talk. This may save you from directly telling someone to shut up later on. Keep working on whatever activity you were doing when they interrupted. Get up and move around, be active, and find little chores to do instead of listening. Interrupt them as soon as you can. Saying things like, "I'd like to add something," or "If I could interrupt you for just a moment," will often let someone know that they are talking too much. While people often talk quickly, capitalizing on a breath or a brief moment of silence can break the one-sided flow of discussion. Signal that you would like to speak by holding up your hands, opening your mouth, or clapping. Anything to break their train of thought and get a chance to talk works. If they ask to finish their thought, don't let them continue to steamroll the conversation; interrupt them once they finish their sentence. Lead the conversation. This is especially helpful when dealing with someone you talk to frequently. Let the person know that you listened to them and steer the discussion in another direction. Mention that you don't have a lot of time to talk. Phrases like "I would love to chat, but I'm swamped with work right now," "Today's not a great day to talk, I have a lot of errands," and "I unfortunately can't devote my full attention to you right now," will allow you to easily wiggle out of the conversation later on. If you don't want to talk, use a generic excuse like "Let's catch up another time," or "Sorry, I'm in a hurry now. I'll see you later!" If you are constantly being talked over, recognize that you must be more direct. Respect and protect your boundaries. Telling someone to "shut up," even politely, is difficult for people who are generally nice and friendly. But if someone is being offensive, aggressive, or even taking too much of your time, you need to take a stand for yourself. Ending a conversation does not mean ending a friendship, so don't be afraid. Incessantly talking can mean that someone does not respect you or your time, and letting them talk over you can reinforce that behavior. Use an assertive tone. Be direct and to the point, and avoiding asking questions or inviting interpretation with mushy language. Don't say, "Would you mind if I kept working?" Say "I'm getting back to work now." Make eye contact and speak clearly. Raise your voice if you need to be heard, but try to keep your tone level and steady. Use declarative (ie. "I am") sentences instead of questions or conditional ( ie."If you...") phrases Example: avoid saying, "Well, I'm kinda busy right now." Instead, say, "I've got a lot to do, and I unfortunately do not have time to talk." Inform them that they have crossed a line if they are offensive. When someone is being crude or hurtful, tell them that you would rather not talk about it and that they can have a nice day. Engaging aggressive talkers will only make them louder and angrier, so take the high road and leave. Example: "That's enough. I am not going to tolerate that sort of language." Ignore any further comments. Know the line between conversation and harassment, and ask for help if you feel threatened. Announce that the conversation is over. If someone continues talking, let them know you need to leave and walk away. Be polite but confident, and don't linger if they "have one last point." You have done everything you could to end the conversation peacefully, so don't feel badly if they still don't respect your time. Example: "It's been great talking to you, but I am going to go now." Listen for a reasonable amount of time. Actively listening to someone will help you determine not only what someone is talking about, but potentially why they are talking so much. While some people talk a lot because of egos or aggression, some people talk because they are nervous, want to make friends, or have something on their chest. Knowing why people won't shut up will help you end the conversation gently. Ignoring people, creating conflict, or feigning interest will all create longer conversations. Being polite but honest is usually best. Set a time limit on the conversation. If you know someone is a known talker, and you will have a hard time getting away, state early on that you have somewhere to be. Example: "Great to see you, but I only have a few minutes to talk." Getting a colleague to stop talking. When you are at work you often have your best opportunities to get some peace and quiet. Mentioning "that you have a deadline upcoming," you are "trying to focus more on work," or that "I would rather not talk about this at the office" can get you out of long or awkward conversations easily. If someone has a habit of pestering you, consider talking to HR or a supervisor. Example: "Great to see you, but I have only have 5 minutes!" Example: "I have to pick up the kids soon, so I need to run." Getting a friend or significant other to stop talking. When you spend most of your time with the same person, you will inevitably need some time away from their voice. Most likely, they need time away from yours, too. Find activities together, like reading, movies, or mediation, that require silence. "I need some time to relax and think, let's talk in an hour." Spending some alone time will allow both of you to focus on what is really important, and be able to talk about it later. Example: "Today was the longest day! I could use a few seconds for some peace and quiet." Get your parents to stop talking. We all love our parents, but they have a knack for talking our ears off. While you should always be respectful, there are a couple ways to get free without causing family drama. Sending letters or emails, and inviting them to do the same, will help you catch up on your own time. Be brief talking about problems or stress as many parents will want to know every last thing that is wrong in their child's life. Don't be a brick wall -- give them some details! If you are sullen and silent, many parents will try to keep talking to figure out what your problem is. Communicate regularly. It may seem counter productive, but giving periodic updates to your parents can prevent an information overload if you only talk once a month or year. Example: "I'm so glad we had the chance to catch up Mom, but I have to run. I'll call you soon!" Get a bully to stop talking. Getting a bully to leave you alone can be tough, but getting them to shut up is often as simple as eliminating their ammo. Laugh at their insults, ignore them, and resist the urge to get into a shouting match. Being coy or sarcastic takes the rug out from under their feet. "Would your poor mother approve of that language?" "Someone watched one too many R-rated movies," or "Sheesh, did someone treat you poorly as a child?" are sarcastic, but resist being too hostile.	Use non-committal body language before the conversation begins. Interrupt them as soon as you can. Lead the conversation. Mention that you don't have a lot of time to talk. Respect and protect your boundaries. Use an assertive tone. Inform them that they have crossed a line if they are offensive. Announce that the conversation is over. Listen for a reasonable amount of time. Set a time limit on the conversation. Getting a colleague to stop talking. Getting a friend or significant other to stop talking. Get your parents to stop talking. Get a bully to stop talking.
https://www.wikihow.com/Change-a-Mercedes-Key-Battery	How to Change a Mercedes Key Battery	To change a Mercedes key battery, start by pulling the silver tab at the bottom of the key holder back to release the manual key. Then, push it into the narrow opening to unlatch and loosen the cover. Once you've removed the cover, remove the exposed CR 2025 batteries and replace them with new ones. Finally, snap the cover back into place and replace the key in the holder right away so you don't lose it.	Distinguish between a Chrome or Smart Key. Chrome and Smart Keys look similar, but Chrome Keys belong to newer Mercedes cars. Chrome Keys have a metal casing, but Smart Keys are generally made of plastic. Although Chrome and Smart Keys operate in a similar way, their batteries are changed in different ways. Spot the latest Chrome model by its red triangular button. The current Chrome key model has a red triangle for its panic button. The words "panic" should be written on this button in capital letters. If you have the latest Chrome key, purchase one CR 2025 battery before you open its case. Look for a circular panic button on older Chrome keys. All Chrome key batteries are changed in the same way, but older models need 2 CR 2025 batteries instead of one. Unlike newer models, older Chrome keys have a circular panic button with the word "panic" inscribed in white letters. Check for a plastic casing on Smart Keys. Newer and older Smart Keys will have a black plastic casing. Although all Smart Key batteries are changed in the same way, newer Smart Keys have a red panic button identical to older Chrome keys while first model Smart Keys do not. Smart Keys need 2 CR 2025 batteries. The first Smart Key model does not have a panic button. Pull on the tab at the bottom of the Chrome key. The tab should be small and square with a silver coating. Pull the key back to release the key, which should fall out of its slot once the tab is moved. Push the key into the narrow end of the slot. When your key is removed, it should leave a narrow gap on the bottom end of the key holder. One end has a dip while the other end is flat and narrow. Push your key into the narrow end to unlatch and loosen the cover. Remove the loose cover from the side of the key holder. If you have pushed the key in far enough, the cover should snap off of the key holder without using force. The battery (or batteries, depending on your model) will be exposed once the cover is off. Remove both old batteries and discard them safely. Push the key further into the slot if your cover cannot be pried loose. Replace the CR 2025 battery or batteries. Inspect the battery slots carefully to make sure you are placing them in the right end and position. Once one or both are secure in their designated slots, snap the cover back on and place the key back into the key holder. Place the key back into its holder right away to avoid losing it. Pull the latch at the end of the key holder down. The latch should be black, square, and located at the bottom end of the key holder. Your Mercedes key will fall out of its holder. Hold out your other hand to catch it as you pull the latch to avoid losing it. Stick your key horizontally into the open slot. After you remove the key, you should notice an empty slot around the bottom end of the key holder. Turn your key holder sideways and push your key into the slot. Push the key entirely in, until you cannot push it further, to open the battery compartment. Lift the battery compartment up and out of the key holder bottom. When your key has triggered the latch, the top of the battery compartment will jut out slightly. Grab it by the end and pull it slowly out of the key holder. Once pulled out, you should notice 2 exposed battery slots. Remove and replace your CR 2025 batteries. Take out your 2 old batteries and replace them with 2 new ones in the designated slots. Slide the battery compartment back into the key holder until you hear a click. Put your key back into the slot vertically until it is secure as well. Purchase a key case to protect your Mercedes keys. Some Mercedes keys, especially old models, are fragile and may not work if they have been dropped or damaged. Use a case to protect your keys from unexpected falls or scratches. Silicone key cases are recommended because they are more durable. Use lithium batteries when changing your key batteries. Batteries come in a variety of metals, depending on their expense. While some battery types might be less expensive, lithium CR 2025 batteries last longest and are often cheaper than other options in the long-term. Choose lithium batteries if you would prefer not to change your key batteries often. Use a tracking app to find lost keys. Mercedes keys can be expensive to replace. To avoid this mishap, attach a tracker to your keys or keychain and download its corresponding app. Popular key tracking devices include: BiKN Button TrackR Cobra Tag HipKey Hone iFi Kensington Proximo Stick'n'Find Tile Zomm Change your batteries whenever you notice weakened efficiency. How often you change your battery depends on the metal type and the frequency that you use your keys. As a rule of thumb, your batteries need replacement if they stop responding when you press the buttons or if they respond infrequently. Replace your batteries as soon as you notice diminished efficiency to avoid emergencies or further inconveniences. Purchase new keys from a Mercedes dealership if necessary. After a few years, your Mercedes keys may not work even after you change the batteries. Replace your Mercedes key every 2-3 years or when your key no longer works, even with new batteries. Most Mercedes dealerships will sell new keys to customers even if they did not initially purchase their car from the dealership.	Distinguish between a Chrome or Smart Key. Spot the latest Chrome model by its red triangular button. Look for a circular panic button on older Chrome keys. Check for a plastic casing on Smart Keys. Pull on the tab at the bottom of the Chrome key. Push the key into the narrow end of the slot. Remove the loose cover from the side of the key holder. Replace the CR 2025 battery or batteries. Pull the latch at the end of the key holder down. Stick your key horizontally into the open slot. Lift the battery compartment up and out of the key holder bottom. Remove and replace your CR 2025 batteries. Purchase a key case to protect your Mercedes keys. Use lithium batteries when changing your key batteries. Use a tracking app to find lost keys. Change your batteries whenever you notice weakened efficiency. Purchase new keys from a Mercedes dealership if necessary.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Christmas-Decoration	How to Make a Christmas Decoration	To make a Christmas decoration, paint a pinecone green and then glue sequins or beads on it so it looks like a Christmas tree. You can also make a snowman by gluing 3 styrofoam balls together and using toothpicks for the arms. If you want to decorate by hanging up snowflakes, just draw snowflakes on a piece of wax paper with hot glue and then peel them off when they're dry.	Craft a Christmas tree ornament with buttons and embroidery floss. Cut a long piece of embroidery thread, then slip a needle onto each end. Push each needle through a hole on a stack of small brown buttons. Next, push the needles through a stack of green buttons, starting with the largest and finishing with the smallest. Pull the needles off, then tie the embroidery thread to make a hanging loop. Plan on using 4 to 5 brown buttons, and around 10 to 12 green buttons. The green buttons don't have to be the same shade. You can use a mixture of light, medium, and dark green buttons. Make the knot about 3 inches (7.6 cm) above the last green button. Cut off the excess embroidery floss. Build a snowman with Styrofoam balls, toothpicks, and pipe cleaners. Connect 2 Styrofoam balls (1 large and 1 small) using a drop of hot glue or a toothpick. Coil a pipe cleaner into a cone shape, then hot glue it on top of the smaller ball to make a hat. Slide a piece of thread between the coils on the hat, then tie the ends together to make a hanging loop. Use a black marker to draw some eyes and a mouth on the smaller ball, and buttons on the larger ball. Cut the tip off of a toothpick, color it with orange markers or acrylic paint, then press it into the middle of the snowman's face to make a nose. Wrap a narrow ribbon around the snowman's neck to make a scarf or bow. Choose Styrofoam balls that have about 1 inch (2.5 cm) difference between them. For example, you can use a 2 in (5.1 cm) ball and a 1 in (2.5 cm) ball. Make snowflakes on wax paper with hot glue, then peel them off. Use a hot glue gun to draw an asterisk shape on a sheet of wax paper. Press a piece of looped string into the top of the snowflake. Add some horizontal, vertical, and V-shaped lines to the asterisk's arms to make it look more like a snowflake. Wait for the glue to set, then peel the snowflake off. You can use plain hot glue or glittery hot glue. If you can't find glittery hot glue, sprinkle glitter onto the snowflakes before the glue sets. Paint and decorate pinecones to look like Christmas trees. Find a pinecone and clean it with water. Let it dry, then paint it green with acrylic paint. Use hot glue to secure "ornaments," such as sequins, mini pompoms, and large beads. Tie a loop of thread to the top of the pinecone so that you can hang it. Wrap a gold chain or pipe cleaner around the pinecone to make garlands. Draw small, colorful dots with puffy paint to make Christmas lights. Make a reindeer with a candy cane and craft items. Hot glue a mini pompom to the short, hooked end of a candy cane. Add a pair of tiny googly eyes about 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the nose. Center a brown pipe cleaner against the top, curved part of the candy cane, then wrap it a few times. Bend or curl both ends of the pipe cleaner to look like antlers. Use a red pompom to make Rudolf, and a brown or black pompom to make a normal reindeer. Make sure that you are using a hook or J-shaped candy cane. Do not unwrap it, or you will end up with a sticky mess. You can use a traditional red-and-white candy cane, or you can use a more colorful one. Tuck glass Christmas baubles into a clear vase. You can use all the same size and color, or you can use multiple sizes and colors. For a more elegant display, use ornaments that are all the same color, but in satin and glossy finishes. How many ornaments you use depends on the size of the vase. If you have a cylindrical vase, consider arranging the ornaments in neat, off-set rows, like bricks. Make a 3D bauble garland with paper circles. Punch four 2 in (5.1 cm) circles from colored cardstock, then fold them in half to crease them. Glue 4 circles together to make a sphere. Make as many spheres as you want, then thread a needle with string. Push the needle through the spheres to make a garland, then remove the needle. If you look down at the spheres from the top, they should look like an X or a +. Choose cardstock in festive colors, like red, green, and white. Use a glue stick or liquid glue for this. Avoid hot glue, as it can create bumps. You can make the circles larger as long as you can find a craft punch that's big enough. Make a traditional popcorn-and-berry garland. Cut a long piece of string and tie a loop in 1 end. Thread the other end of the string through a large needle, then push the needle through pieces of popcorn and cranberries. Pull the needle off at the end, then tie another loop into the string. If you don't have cranberries, try red, wooden beads. You can also use short, ⁄ 2 in (1.3 cm) pieces of cinnamon, dried citrus slices, and wooden beads instead of cranberries and popcorn. Create a paper chain link garland from strips of construction paper. Cut construction paper into 1 by 6 in (2.5 by 15.2 cm) strips. Overlap the ends of your first strip to form a ring, then staple it shut. Poke your second strip through the ring, then overlap and staple the ends as well. Keep adding rings until your garland is your desired length. Use multiple colors for a more interesting garland. They don't have be to Christmas colors; they can be all colors of the rainbow. Tie pieces of ribbon around a Styrofoam ring to a simple wreath. Purchase a Styrofoam wreath base in your desired size, then wrap and tie pieces of ribbon around the wreath until it is all covered and you can't see the Styrofoam anymore. Tie a longer piece of ribbon to the top of the wreath to make a hanging loop. Ribbon with a matte finish, like burlap, gingham, and grosgrain will look the best. Choose festive colors, like red, white, and green. The wider your ribbon pieces are, the fewer you will need. Something that is around 1 to 1 ⁄ 2 inches (2.5 to 3.8 cm) wide would work great. Make sure that the knots are all on the outside of the wreath. Cut the ends of the ribbon down so that they are about 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) long. Cut V-shaped notches into the ends to make them look nicer. Dry slices of apple and oranges in the oven. Cut an apple and an orange into thin slices. Bake the fruit at 285 °F (141 °C) for 45 to 60 minutes, turning it once halfway through. Use a needle to thread the fruit onto string to make garlands or ornaments. The slices should be no thicker than ⁄ 8 inch (0.32 cm). Cut the fruit horizontally across the equator. Do not peel the fruit or cut it into wedges. Make the ornament or garland more festive by adding cinnamon sticks. Wrap and tie the string around the sticks instead of piercing them with a needle. Press whole, dried cloves into an orange for a rustic touch. You can stick the cloves randomly, or you can create patterns, like stripes. Keep the cloves ⁄ 2 to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm) apart for a nice, full look. For a fancier orange, wrap some thin red or gold ribbon around the orange first. Secure it to the orange with double-sided tape. Create a festive fruit bowl with apples, oranges, satsumas, and nuts. Choose a variety of red and green apples, as well as golden oranges and satsumas. Place them into a nice bowl, then add some Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, and walnuts. For a festive touch, add sprigs of holly or evergreen. A clear, glass bowl will work the best because it will allow you to see all of the fruit. Decorate with natural branches and evergreen. Gather some bare branches or evergreen branches. Rinse them with warm water, then let them dry. Tuck the branches and evergreen into vases as desired; you can also pile evergreen on top of window sills and fireplace mantles. For a more festive effect, spray the branches with a light dusting of fake snow. If you want some sparkle, gloop on some white acrylic paint into the branches, then sprinkle clear, iridescent glitter to mimic snow. Coat mason jars with glue and Epsom salts to make snow lanterns. Fill a tray with Epsom salt and set it aside. Mix 3 parts white school glue with 1 part water. Brush the solution onto a mason jar, then roll the mason jar across the Epsom salt in the tray, then set it aide to dry. Add some iridescent glitter to the salt to make the lantern really sparkle. Once the lantern has dried, place a tea light into it. You can use this technique on other glass candle holders as well.	Craft a Christmas tree ornament with buttons and embroidery floss. Build a snowman with Styrofoam balls, toothpicks, and pipe cleaners. Make snowflakes on wax paper with hot glue, then peel them off. Paint and decorate pinecones to look like Christmas trees. Make a reindeer with a candy cane and craft items. Tuck glass Christmas baubles into a clear vase. Make a 3D bauble garland with paper circles. Make a traditional popcorn-and-berry garland. Create a paper chain link garland from strips of construction paper. Tie pieces of ribbon around a Styrofoam ring to a simple wreath. Dry slices of apple and oranges in the oven. Press whole, dried cloves into an orange for a rustic touch. Create a festive fruit bowl with apples, oranges, satsumas, and nuts. Decorate with natural branches and evergreen. Coat mason jars with glue and Epsom salts to make snow lanterns.
https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-a-Lying-Boyfriend	How to Deal With a Lying Boyfriend	If you think your boyfriend is lying, confirm that he is by paying attention to his tone of voice and body language, since people who lie often avoid eye contact or stammer. Avoid blaming yourself for his behavior, but also put yourself in his shoes and think about why he may have lied. Then, have an honest talk, but avoid accusing him by expressing your concern and giving him the chance to be honest. After your conversation, it's a good idea to take some time to yourself and consider how the lie has affected your relationship and how you'll move forward.	Take note of his body language. According to behavioral specialists, people who are lying tend to exhibit certain body language cues that make it easy to spot a lie. Look for these body language cues to determine if your boyfriend is telling a lie. For example: He may itch his nose often and his nose may turn red. This is known as the Pinocchio Sign, as a lie causes your cells to release histamine, which can cause your nose to itch and become swollen. He may also exhibit negation cues, like covering or blocking his mouth and rubbing or putting his hand over his eyes, his nose, or his ears. He may also avoid making eye contact with you or turn his body or head away from you as he speaks. Listen to his tone of voice. You may notice that your boyfriend's regular tone of voice changes or shifts when he is telling a lie. He may also stammer, pause for long periods of time, or have unusual intonations. A sudden change in his speech patterns when he is talking about a certain subject, person, or event may be a sign that he is telling a lie. Notice his word choice and language. Similar to the physical Pinocchio effect, your boyfriend may demonstrate a Pinocchio effect in his word choice as well. Often, people who lie tend to use many more words when lying in an effort to hide the lie or distract you from the lie. According to a study by the Harvard Business School, liars tend to use more swear words when they speak, as they are so focused on the lie they neglect to use proper terms or clean language. Your boyfriend may also use the third person when lying to distance himself from the lie he is telling you and he may try to change the subject quickly after he has told a lie to avoid drawing attention to it. Keep in mind the three reasons individuals lie. Though people may lie for many different reasons, in general, people tell lies to hide something from another person, to hurt another person, or to make themselves seem greater or better than they really are. It may be helpful for you to consider which reason may be motivating your boyfriend to lie to you. If your boyfriend is lying to you to keep something from you, it may be useful to approach his lie as a way to reveal a truth he is hiding. If you and your boyfriend are just starting to date seriously, he may lie to you to hype himself up to you and make himself seem more worthy of your attention. However, if you think your boyfriend may be motivated to lie to you to hurt you, you may want to consider if his lies are a red flag that there are other issues in the relationship that need to be addressed. Avoid blaming yourself for your boyfriend's lies. If you have complained about your boyfriend's behavior before, you may feel like you are partly to blame for him covering up his bad habit or behavior. But it's important to remember that you are not to blame for your boyfriend's lies, as only your boyfriend can be responsible for his behavior. Part of being an adult in a mature relationship is being willing to take responsibility for one's own actions. Your boyfriend should be willing to take the blame for his lies and you should not feel you are responsible for his choices. No one can be "made" to lie, it is a choice they make and it is their responsibility to own up to their choice. Keep this in mind as you try to deal with your boyfriend's lies. Consider the context around his lie. If you catch him in a lie or notice telltale signs he is lying when he is speaking to you, think about what you were talking about together that triggered the lie or motivated him to lie. You could be discussing an event you were both supposed to attend together, but he backed out at the last minute, or you may be talking about a person he works with. Thinking about the context of the lie may also help you determine why he felt the need to lie to you. This way, when you confront him, you can explain why you think he is lying and be honest and open about your feelings. There are many different reasons why people lie to their partners, and it may be useful to consider common relationship scenarios where someone may lie. For example, maybe you criticized certain bad habits your boyfriend cultivates, such as smoking or spending too much money. He may then lie to avoid disappointing you or to avoid receiving another lecture from you. He may also lie to avoid conflict or to avoid having to stop his bad habit. Confront him with honesty and openness. If you have caught your boyfriend in a lie, you cannot simply demand he stops lying to you. You cannot control your boyfriend's desire to lie to you, or his ability to lie to you. However, you can control if your boyfriend gets away with the lie. Confronting him calmly and clearly will ensure you control how the conversation goes between you both. Rather than tell him, “I know you're lying” or “You are a liar”, you should give him the opportunity to be honest with you. Tell him: “I think there is something going on that you're worried about or that you do not want me to know about. I think it's time that we bring it out into the open so we can handle it together.” This will indicate to your boyfriend that you want to be honest and open with each other and that you are not trying to accuse him of lying. Instead, you are letting him make amends and come clean on his own about the lies. Discuss reasons why he may have lied. Allow your boyfriend to provide reasons for his lies, but be wary of excuses. He may have felt pressured not to be honest about his behavior because he knew you would not approve or that you would get upset if you found out. He may also be hiding an addiction or a personal problem that he does not want you to know about. Focus on ways that you can work together to try to help him deal with his issue or problem so he no longer feels the need to lie to you. If your boyfriend is lying due to an addiction or a personal issue, you may suggest that he go for help in the form of AA or substance abuse counseling, or that he consider talking to a therapist about his issues. This will give him other ways to work on his personal issues without having to lie to you or to anyone else in his life. Make it clear you do not appreciate being lied to. Once you have given your boyfriend the opportunity to come clean, give him time to consider his response. If he explains that he did lie to you and the reason why he lied to you, you should let him know you do not think it's appropriate that you are being lied to. This will show you are uncomfortable and unhappy with his behavior and that you expect it will not happen again. Consider how the lies are affecting your relationship. At the end of the conversation with your boyfriend about his lies, it may be useful to take a step back and analyze your relationship. Though your boyfriend may offer good reasons for his lies, if he lies to you regularly, you may want to consider if his lies are signs of deeper issues in your relationship. You may ask yourself some questions, such as: Does your boyfriend lie to you often? Do you have difficulty trusting your boyfriend? Have you confronted him about his lying before, and seen no change in his behavior? If you answer “yes” to all of these questions, your boyfriend's lies may be part of a destructive pattern in your relationship and you may want to consider if it is worth it to be lied to by your partner on a regular basis. Frequent and consistent lying can also be signs of a potential personality disorder. These cannot be changed through simple conversation. If this is the case, you may need to consider if this is the right relationship dynamic for you at this moment.	Take note of his body language. Listen to his tone of voice. Notice his word choice and language. Keep in mind the three reasons individuals lie. Avoid blaming yourself for your boyfriend's lies. Consider the context around his lie. Confront him with honesty and openness. Discuss reasons why he may have lied. Make it clear you do not appreciate being lied to. Consider how the lies are affecting your relationship.
https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-with-Persistent-Feline-Flea-Problems	How to Deal with Persistent Feline Flea Problems	To deal with persistent feline flea problems, vacuum regularly, especially in the areas where your cat spends a lot of time, like its bed or the couch. Since fleas thrive in dark environments, make sure to vacuum under the couch as well. Fleas can also live in baseboards, so mop any wooden or tile floors every other week. You'll also want to wash infested bedding and clothing on a hot cycle in your washing machine. If the flea problem continues, use a flea spray on your carpet, rugs, curtains, and upholstery. Before spraying, ventilate the rooms or house by opening windows and doors. After using the spray, take yourself and your pets outside to let the rooms air out for 30 to 60 minutes.	Look for flea dirt. Flea dirt resembles small specks of ground black pepper. Look for these specks along your carpet and floor, especially in the areas where your cat rests. If you see the black specks, rub them with a damp, white cloth. If tiny red specks appear on the white cloth, then this is a sure sign that you have a flea problem. You can also identify a flea problem by putting on a pair of white socks. Walk around your home shuffling your feet to create warmth. If you see black or brown specks on your socks after doing this, then you can be sure that you have a flea problem. Vacuum regularly. Vacuum the areas where your cat spends most of its time like its bed or the couch. Also, thoroughly vacuum carpets, rugs, couches, and upholstered furniture in your house. Make sure to vacuum underneath your furniture since fleas thrive in dark environments. Vacuum your house every three days to remove organic material that fleas feed on such as dirt and flea feces. Remove and throw away the vacuum bag each time you finish vacuuming. Mop your floors. Since fleas can live in your baseboards, make sure to mop wooden and tile floors regularly. Mop them every 10 to 15 days to keep the flea infestation at bay. You can use a household cleaner or detergent of your choice to mop your floors. Wash soft furnishings. Wash removable upholstery, including curtains, per the instructions on the instruction manual. Also wash infested clothing and bedding on a hot cycle in your washing machine. Use the dryer to dry your clothing and bedding. The heat from the dryer will kill any remaining fleas and/or flea larvae. Spray your carpets and upholstery with a flea spray. Before using the spray, make sure the room is well-ventilated, i.e., open the windows and doors. Spray your carpet, rugs, curtains, upholstery, and areas where your cat sleeps like its bed. After using the spray, take yourself and your pets outside to let the room air out for 30 minutes to an hour before returning. You can also purchase boric acid-based powders to control flea problems. Sprinkle the powder in between the floorboards and on your carpet and rugs. These powders are not harmful to your pets and/or children. Flea bomb your house. You can either hire a professional to flea bomb your house, or you can do it yourself. Before you flea bomb your house, remove your cat's food and water bowls, as well as household plants. You and your pets will also need to leave your house while the flea bomb works. You can purchase flea bombs from your local hardware store or pet store, or online. Make sure to follow the instructions on the canister. You may need to buy more than one flea bomb. It may be up to eight hours before it is safe to go back home, so plan a fun day with your cat before flea bombing your house; for example, you could take your cat to the groomer to have it bathed while your house is getting flea bombed. Sweep the leaves. Fleas thrive in warm, humid and dark environments. Therefore, make sure to sweep and bag piles of leaves in and around your front and back yard. Do this once a week, or as often as you need to. Keep your grass short. Mow your lawn once a week to keep your grass short. Also, limit your use of mulch. The dark, warm environment mulch provides attracts fleas. Block off dark, warm areas around your house. Use wooden boards or wire mesh to block off areas underneath your porch and veranda, as well as any other areas around or under your house where fleas can breed. This way, your cat will not be able to access these areas. Contact a professional. You can schedule a professional to come out and treat your front and back yard with a flea spray. When contacting the professional, however, make sure the sprays they use actually treat fleas and are safe for your cat. If not, then contact a different company. Apply flea medication consistently. Make sure to give your cat its flea medication on time, as well as the correct dosage per the instructions on the box. Also, choose a high-quality flea treatment for the best results. Only give your cat flea treatments that have been recommended by your vet. To maximize the effectiveness of spot on flea treatments, bring your cat to a professional groomer to have it bathed with a flea shampoo before applying the treatment. If the infestation is severe, then try a fast-acting flea medication that contains Nitenpyram. These can be used in conjunction with your cat's flea medication. Wash your cat's bed regularly. Since fleas can burrow down into the foam of your cat's bed, make sure to wash the whole bed, not just the cover. Wash its bed on a hot cycle and use the dryer to dry it. Wash your pet's bedding once every 10 to 15 days. Make sure to wash any plush toys your cat has. Use a cat-friendly detergent to wash its bedding and plush toys. Clean your cat's toys. Use hot water and a mild soap to clean your cat's toys. Do not use scented soaps (especially lemon-scented ones), ammonia, and/or deodorants to clean your cat's toys. Throw out any toys that cannot be cleaned thoroughly. Consult your veterinarian. If your cat's flea problems persist, or are severe, then you should contact your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will be able to recommend a high-quality flea treatment and regimen to rid your cat of fleas. Your veterinarian may recommend an oral treatment in conjunction with a topical one. Ask your veterinarian about fast-acting flea medications that can be used in conjunction with its regular flea medication.	Look for flea dirt. Vacuum regularly. Mop your floors. Wash soft furnishings. Spray your carpets and upholstery with a flea spray. Flea bomb your house. Sweep the leaves. Keep your grass short. Block off dark, warm areas around your house. Contact a professional. Apply flea medication consistently. Wash your cat's bed regularly. Clean your cat's toys. Consult your veterinarian.
https://www.wikihow.com/Pass-English	How to Pass English	The key to passing your English class is understanding your set texts and writing strong essays. Before you can write a great essay, you need to make sure you know the texts inside out. Take your time reading and re-reading each text, and take detailed notes on the themes, plot points, and the type of language the authors use. Research the historical context of your texts and the main criticisms other people have made about them. If you get overwhelmed, don't be afraid to use study guides and online summaries to help you understand the texts. To get good grades, structure your essays with a strong intro, several paragraphs explaining your main arguments, and a conclusion. You should also ask your teacher for practice exams, and talk to them about how to improve your essays.	Ask questions before you begin. Asking yourself some pre-reading questions can make it easier for you to retain what you read. Before you start reading a text, determine what you need to discover from the text. Some instructors will provide students with a list of questions to help them stay focused as they read. You might ask your instructor about good questions to keep in mind as you read. You can also develop your own questions. For example, you might simply ask, what is the focus of this chapter? Take your time. Give yourself plenty of time to read and take breaks as needed. It is better to go slowly when you read a text than to rush through it and have to re-read it later on. Make sure that you provide yourself with plenty of time to read and understand what you read. For example, if you have to read 40 pages of a book by Friday, start reading on Monday and just read 10 pages per night. Don't put off reading until Thursday night. Write in the margins. Making notes in the margins whenever you encounter something important is more effective than highlighting or underlining the passage. Try reading with a pen in your hands instead of holding a highlighter. You can write key words in the margins, ask questions, or comment on something that just happened. Summarize what you have read. Writing summaries of what you just read can help you to commit the information to memory as well. After you finish reading a chapter of a book or a short story, take a minute to write a brief summary of what you just read. In your summary, don't worry about including every little detail. Instead, try to provide a nice overview of the action. You also might want to include a paragraph where you discuss your ideas about the reading. For example, if something surprising happened in the chapter, you might talk about how you reacted to it and why. Summaries are also a good place to record information about symbols, themes, and characters. For example, you might note that the author uses nature symbolism to describe certain characters. Use online study guides after reading. There are many online guides that you can utilise in order to better comprehend the literature that you're assigned to read. Websites like SparkNotes and CliffsNotes provide summaries, character analyses, interpretations, helpful hints, essay tips and more for many different books. Read these after completing your reading assignment to feel more confident in understanding the material. Don't rely solely on reading SparkNotes or CliffsNotes. Reading only these guides will usually not give you enough information to be successful. Tell someone about the reading. Teaching someone else about the text that you have been reading is a great way to commit the information to memory as well. Try telling a classmate or friend about the chapter you just read. When you tell someone about the reading, try to summarize the main ideas and explain anything that might be difficult to understand if you have not read the book. Make sure that you explain the reading in your own words. Don't just repeat parts of what you read word-for-word. Take time to prewrite. Prewriting (also known as invention) is what you do to generate ideas before you actually write a paper. While it may be tempting to skip prewriting and just start drafting your essay for English class, it is worth taking the time to prewrite. By spending time developing your ideas before you write, you can improve the quality of your work. Freewriting. This is when you write as much as you can without stopping. Even if your mind is blank, you should write “My mind is blank,” until you get an idea to write about. After you finish writing, read over your freewrite and identify any important ideas that might be useful for your paper. Listing. This is when you create a list of all of everything you can think of that is relevant to the essay topic. When you have listed as much as you can, read over your list and identify any useful information. Clustering. This is when you use lines and circles to connect your ideas on a piece of paper. For example, you can begin by writing your topic at the center of the page and then draw lines coming from this idea. Keep drawing more lines and making connections until you are out of ideas. Research your topic. Some English papers will require you to conduct research before you write. If you have to write a research paper , then make sure that you spend some time finding quality sources and reading them carefully. Search your library's databases rather than just doing a basic internet search. You will be more likely to find quality sources by using your library's database. Check with a librarian if you are not sure how to use your library's databases. Create an outline. An outline provides the basic structure for an essay. Outlines can be as detailed as you want and this can be a great way to keep yourself focused when you start drafting your paper. Outlining your essay before you get started can help you write a better paper as well. Draft your essay. Drafting is when you take your notes, outline, and all of the ideas in your head and put them onto paper in essay form. If you have done adequate freewriting, research, and outlining, then this step should not be too difficult. Keep in mind that if you struggle with the drafting phase of the writing process, then you can always return to one of the previous phases and come back to the drafting phase when you feel ready. Remember to use your outline to guide you as you write. Revise your work. Revising is when you go over a piece of writing before you submit it to determine if you need to add, delete, reorganize, or clarify something. Revising your work can help you to develop your ideas and catch minor mistakes as well. Make sure that you allow yourself plenty of time to read over your work and revise it as needed. You can always swap papers with a friend and provide feedback for each other. Just make sure that the friend is someone who you trust to provide good feedback. You might also consider asking your instructor or a writing center tutor to look over your paper for you and give you revision suggestions. Having a few days to revise is ideal, but if you can only spare a few hours then that is fine as well. All essays benefit from revision, so do not consider this as an optional step. Try to give yourself a break before you revise. Even taking a few hours away from the paper will allow you to return to it with fresh eyes. Ask to re-write unsuccessful essays. If you tried your best but didn't do as well as you wanted on an essay assignment, ask to meet with your instructor about how the essay can be improved. After getting extensive feedback, ask your instructor if you can rewrite your essay and apply their revision suggestions for partial or extra credit. This may be an opportunity to improve your grade and your writing abilities, and the worst they can say is “no.” Make flashcards. If you need to master certain vocabulary words for a test, then making flashcards is a great way to commit these words to memory. To make flashcard, write the word on one side of an index card and then write the definition of the word on the other side. You might also find it helpful to provide yourself with an example of how to use the word in a sentence. Keep the flashcards with you and study them whenever you have a few spare minutes. For example, you can study your flashcards while waiting in line or riding the bus. Read for fun. Reading is an excellent way to improve your vocabulary and grammar skills. Try to discover a book or series of books that you enjoy and read during your spare time. Read as much as possible and choose books that are slightly challenging for you. Look up words that you do not understand when you are reading. Make sure to make a note of the word's definition as well. Use new words in conversation and in writing. Using new words will help you to remember them and figure out how to use them. Try to use the new words that you learn as often as you can. For example, you might try out a new word in a conversation with a friend or include a few of the new words that you have learned in an English essay. Keeping a journal where you try out new words is another great option. Consider getting a tutor. If you struggle with English sometimes, then getting a tutor from the writing center at your school may help you to develop your skills. A tutor can work with you on any areas that give you trouble, such as grammar, vocabulary, or reading. Most schools provide tutor services to students as a free benefit. Your fees and tuition help to cover the costs of providing these services. Learn what is expected of you. When the semester begins, read over the course materials and make sure that you understand everything that is expected of you. If you do not understand something, then ask the instructor to explain it to you. Highlight important details in your assignment sheets and other course materials. For example, you might want to highlight key words for assignments such as “describe,” “argue” “compare,” etc. Copy down all of the important due dates for your English class in your planner or on a wall calendar to make it easier for you to remember them. Plan ahead. Figure out how much time you will need to complete your assignments, read books and essays, and study for tests. Make sure that you set aside plenty of time to complete these objectives every week. Procrastinating is a sure way to fail your English class. If possible, start your assignments at least a week before they are due. Having plenty of time is especially important for writing essays. Starting early will provide you with more time to develop and revise your work. Keep in mind that in college level English courses the majority of your grade will come from assignments that are later in the semester. For this reason, make sure that you do not burn yourself out early in the semester. Take good care of yourself and reserve plenty of energy to finish the semester. Find a study partner or group. Studying with a classmate or a couple of classmates can improve your grades and make it easier for you to pass your English class. Plan to meet at least once per week to study and quiz each other. Try to team up with classmates who are good students. Studying with someone who is a good student will make it easier for you to excel in English class than studying with someone who is struggling. If you plan to study with a friend or group of friends, it can be easy to get distracted talking about other things. To prevent this from happening, try studying at the library. The quiet environment should make it easier for you and your study group to stay focused. Come to class. Attendance is essential for passing any class, but it may be even more important in an English class where participation may make up a large part of your grade. Make sure that you are present in body and mind whenever you attend your English class. Never sleep in class. Silence your cell phone and always keep it stowed away during class. Avoid chatting with your classmates, especially when your instructor is talking. Take notes in class. Much of what your English instructor talks about during lectures will end up on your tests and exams for the course. This information can also be helpful when you are writing papers. Make sure that you take good notes during class to earn as many points as possible on your English class assignments. Write as much as you can during class to help you retain the information. Things that your instructor writes on the board or includes on a PowerPoint may be even more important to remember, so be sure to write these things down. If you have trouble keeping up, then you may consider recording lectures (with your instructor's permission) or asking a friend to compare notes with you after class. Speak up. If your instructor ever says something that does not make sense or that you'd like to know more about, make sure that you speak up. Raise your hand and ask your instructor to repeat, explain, or expand on what he or she just said. Keep in mind that most instructors are happy to elaborate on a point if it will help you to understand it. Just make sure that you are listening closely because an instructor may find it annoying if you are always asking him or her to repeat things that have already been explained. Meet with your instructor outside of class. Your instructor probably has regular office hours where you can drop in or make an appointment to meet with him or her one-on-one. Make sure that you take advantage of this valuable resource. Meeting with your instructor outside of class is a great way to get some extra help with assignments, ask questions that you didn't want to ask in class, or just get more information about something. Try to meet with your English instructor at least once per semester. Go above and beyond. If you really want to excel in your English class, then look for ways to go above and beyond your instructor's expectations. If your instructor ever says that something is a good idea, but that it is optional, do it anyways. These extra assignments can help you to increase your knowledge and that may improve your grade. Some instructors even offer extra credit for completing optional assignments. For example, if you are assigned a short story and your instructor says it might be a good idea to get a little background on the story's reception after you read it, then do it! If your instructor recommends flashcards as a good option for improving your vocabulary, then make some flashcards! Study in short sessions. Rather than staying up all night for one big cram session the night before a test, try studying in small sessions over the course of a week. Studying in smaller sessions will make it easier for you to retain the information that you take in and it will be less stressful for you as well. For example, if you have a test on Friday and you expect that you will need to study for about six hours to get a passing grade on the test, then break your study sessions into three two hours sessions over the course of the week. Make sure that you take a short break every 45 minutes as well. Most people can't concentrate for more than 45 minutes at a time, so taking a short break (about 5 to 10 mins) will help you to reset and stay focused. Attend any review sessions that are offered. Some instructors offer review sessions before an exam to go over the material that will be on the test. Make sure that you attend these sessions whenever they are offered. It can be tempting to skip review classes, since it is a review of old material, but you will increase your chances of passing English if you attend. Take a practice test. Before you take the actual test, taking a practice test may be beneficial. Try asking your instructor for some practice test questions to help you prepare or come up with some practice questions of your own. You can create a practice test based on your knowledge of what will be on the test. When you take the practice test, make sure that you simulate an actual test environment. Put away your notes, books, etc. and time yourself. Check your answers when you are done and use your results to help you figure out what you need to spend more time studying. Get a good night’s sleep before the test. Being well-rested is one of the best ways to ensure that you will be able to focus on a test. Make sure that you go to bed a bit earlier than usual the night before your English test. For example, if your usual bedtime is 11pm, try going to bed at 10pm instead.	Ask questions before you begin. Take your time. Write in the margins. Summarize what you have read. Use online study guides after reading. Tell someone about the reading. Take time to prewrite. Research your topic. Create an outline. Draft your essay. Revise your work. Ask to re-write unsuccessful essays. Make flashcards. Read for fun. Use new words in conversation and in writing. Consider getting a tutor. Learn what is expected of you. Plan ahead. Find a study partner or group. Come to class. Take notes in class. Speak up. Meet with your instructor outside of class. Go above and beyond. Study in short sessions. Attend any review sessions that are offered. Take a practice test. Get a good night’s sleep before the test.
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Brush-Pen	How to Use a Brush Pen	To use a brush pen, hold it close to the nib to give you more control over your strokes. Try to keep your wrist and fingers still and move your arm to direct the pen. Use upstrokes and apply light pressure to create thin lines. For thick lines, use downstrokes and apply heavy pressure. If you're unsure when to use thin and thick lines, print off an online brush or handwritten font guide to use as a reference. You can also practice tracing printed fonts to help you develop a consistent style.	Hold your brush pen close to the nib. The “nib” of a brush pen is the marker part of the pen. Holding your brush pen right above the nib will give you the most control over your brush pen strokes. Experiment with holding your pen closer and farther from the nib, to see what feels most comfortable and produces the best results. Use your entire arm to keep your script steady and even. Practice keeping your wrist straight and fingers stationary, allowing the motion of your arm to guide your brush pen. When you need to change your application of pressure, let that force come from the strength of your arm—rather than from a change of position or pressure in your fingers or wrist. Trace individual letters of a printed font. Tracing the letters of brush or handwritten fonts printed from your computer will help you get comfortable with using your brush pen to create scripts. You will quickly learn that you must adjust the pressure on your brush pen and its angle to the paper to successfully trace the letters of a font. Practicing by tracing a font can also help you develop a consistent style of writing across individual letters, words, and sentences. Use “upstrokes” to create thin lines. Prepare to make the upstroke by holding your pen at about a 90 degree angle to the paper. Applying light pressure, draw your brush pen upwards on the paper. Use “downstrokes” to create thick lines. Prepare to make the downstroke by holding your pen at about a 45 degree angle to the paper. Applying heavy pressure, draw your brush pen downwards on the paper. Use paper with guidelines to practice writing. As you start writing words and sentences, writing within a designated area will keep your script level across the word or page. You can use lined paper, graph paper, or you can draw your own straight lines across blank pages to make your own guideline paper. Think about how much space you need to create crisp strokes and smooth line transitions when buying or making your guideline paper. If you want to produce hand-lettering without guidelines but aren't quite ready to do so, lightly pencil in your guidelines and then erase them after you're done writing. Use fonts as a reference for consistent style. As you practice writing with your brush pen, keep a printed font reference nearby. Try to mimic the font you choose to guide the style of your letters and words. Master the art of connecting letters. Instead of picking your pen up in between letters, give the letters in your words a “tail” that trails out from the letter itself—kind of like connecting cursive letters. Your tail should be a thin brush stroke that you can easily draw up to connect to the next letter in the word you're writing. If you're having difficulty connecting letters in succession, try giving your letters tails and then going back later to gently make the final connecting stroke between the “tail” and the following letter. Experiment with creating different fonts. Mastery of brush pen lettering can be evidenced by how many different styles you can letter in. Once you can produce consistent brush pen lettering in one font, find other fonts you like and work on adding these new styles to your repertoire. You can revert to tracing printed fonts as a means of easing yourself into writing with your brush pen in new styles. Learn to create a watercolor effect. You'll need a plastic surface (a watercolor painting pallet works great) and a water brush in addition to your brush pens. Use your brush pen to deposit ink onto the pallet; then, wet your water brush and use it to pick up some color from the pallet. Finally, “paint” onto your paper with the color on your water brush. By adding water, the colors from your brush pens will blend together in the same way that watercolors blend.	Hold your brush pen close to the nib. Use your entire arm to keep your script steady and even. Trace individual letters of a printed font. Use “upstrokes” to create thin lines. Use “downstrokes” to create thick lines. Use paper with guidelines to practice writing. Use fonts as a reference for consistent style. Master the art of connecting letters. Experiment with creating different fonts. Learn to create a watercolor effect.
https://www.wikihow.com/Play-Jenga	How to Play Jenga	Jenga is a competitive puzzle game played with blocks that are stacked on top of one another to make a tower. The aim of the game is to remove blocks and place them on top without knocking the tower over. You can play with anywhere from 2-10 players. To play Jenga, first lay 3 Jenga blocks together to make a square-shaped base. Then, stack 3 new bricks on top of the base with that are perpindicular to the first layer of bricks. Repeat this process until all 54 pieces have been placed into a tower. Then, have one player volunteer to go first. The starting player removes a single block and places it on top of the tower to start a new row. Players are not allowed to pull a block from the top 3 rows, or use more than 1 hand to remove their block. Once the starting player places their block, the player sitting to their left goes next. Keep playing like this until one player knocks the tower over. Whoever pulls the block that causes the tower to topple over or accidentally knocks the tower over loses!	Set up the tower. First, shake the Jenga blocks out onto a flat surface. Then, stack the blocks in sets of three until you have built a tower that is 18 blocks high. Each new layer of three parallel blocks should be rotated 90° along the horizontal axis from the last layer. Your Jenga set should include 54 blocks. However, if you are missing blocks, you can still play the game! Just build the tower as usual. Straighten out the tower. Before you play, make sure that the structure is sturdy. The block layers should interlock so that the tower stands tall without any external support. Use your hands or a flat, solid object to smooth out the sides. Push in any pieces that jut out. Gather players around the tower. Make sure that you have at least two players. Have everyone sit in a circle around the block structure. If you are only playing with one other person, then sit facing each other from opposite sides of the tower. There is no strict maximum amount of players. However, it might be more fun with fewer people so that you get more turns. Consider writing on the blocks. This is an optional variation of Jenga. Before you stack the tower, write something on each block: a question, or a "dare," or some other directive. Then, shuffle the blocks and stack the Jenga tower as usual. When each person pulls a block from the tower, he or she must do the thing that is written on the block. Questions: When someone pulls a question from the tower, he or she must answer that question. Questions might be flirtatious ("Who do you most want to kiss in this room?), thoughtful ("When was a time that you felt small?"), or humorous ("What is your most embarrassing moment?") Dares: When someone pulls a dare from the tower, he or she must perform the action on the block. Dares might be anything from "Trade one item of clothing with the person beside you," to "Drink a shot of hot sauce," to "Make a scary face." Pick a person to pull the first block. This can be the person who built the tower, or the person with the next birthday, or the person who most wants to start. Remove a block. Carefully take one block out from any level of the tower except the top. Look for the block that is the loosest, or the easiest to remove, or that will least disturb the stability of the tower. You can push the block or pull the block, depending on the angle and the location in the stack. Remember: you can only touch the tower with one hand a time. This rule keeps players from holding the tower steady while they pull their blocks. Place each pulled block atop the tower. The player that pulled the block puts it back on top of the tower to continue the pattern of layering-by-threes. Try to stack them neatly so that the tower stays strong. As the game goes on, the tower will grow higher and higher until it teeters, unstable, and falls. Play until the tower falls. The "loser" of the game is the person who makes the tower topple. Rebuild the tower to play again! Be patient. Do not rush Jenga! Carefully and intentionally take your time to pull the right block when your turn comes around. If you try to go too quickly, you will be more likely to topple the tower. Take the easy blocks. Gently poke your way around the tower to find the pieces that are safest to remove. Look for the loose blocks and the blocks that are already sticking out of the tower. Be careful as you go, and always keep an eye on the overall stability of the structure. Make sure to maintain the balance. Each layer of the tower has three parallel blocks: two on the outside, and one in the center. If you go for a block in the middle, you will generally be less likely to set the tower off-kilter. Take blocks from the top or the middle of the stack. The blocks at the bottom of the tower can be hard to remove without dangerously destabilizing the structure. The blocks near the very top can be so loose that they pull other blocks apart with them. Push or pull. If you're taking a block from the middle, try gently poking it through the tower from one side. If you are taking a block from the outside edge, try pinching the ends between your thumb and forefinger, then wiggling the piece back and forth until it comes loose. Use a combination of tapping and wiggling to take out difficult blocks. Place pulled blocks to keep balance. Notice which way the tower is tilting after you have removed your block from the stack. Then, carefully arrange your block on top so that the extra top-heavy weight won't send the tower toppling down. Alternately: if you think you can get away with it, try placing your block on the weaker "leaning" side so that it is that much harder for the next player to pull a block. Play to win. If you care about the competitive aspect of the game, then you don't want the tower to fall on your turn. Try planning out your moves to destabilize the structure so that it will topple on someone else. Remove important pieces from near the bottom of the stack, and generally try to pick the best piece that you can. Try to be a good sport. Respect other players, and do not go out of your way to mess them up while they're taking their turns. If you make the game less fun for everyone else, then they may not want to play with you again!	Set up the tower. Straighten out the tower. Gather players around the tower. Consider writing on the blocks. Pick a person to pull the first block. Remove a block. Place each pulled block atop the tower. Play until the tower falls. Be patient. Take the easy blocks. Push or pull. Place pulled blocks to keep balance. Play to win.
https://www.wikihow.com/Create-a-Study-Schedule-to-Prepare-for-Final-Exams	How to Create a Study Schedule to Prepare for Final Exams	A study schedule is a great way to stay on track for your final exams and make sure that you cover all the material you'll need to know. Before you make one, take a look at your calendar to see how much time you have to devote to studying. Then, block out study sessions in 2-hour increments so you don't overwhelm yourself. It's best to focus on 1 topic at a time when studying, which will help you retain more information. Additionally, you should schedule in one 10-15 minute break every hour to keep your energy and focus up.	Pick a calendar for keeping track of your schedule. Before you can actually create a study schedule for finals week, you need to decide what exactly you'll use for scheduling. You might prefer paper calendars or planners, or you might want to use a digital app, such as the calendar on your phone or an actual study app. It doesn't matter which type you prefer, as long as you have something that you are comfortable using. Print out your exam schedule. Before you even begin crafting a schedule, make sure you have all of your exam dates in front of you. This will make creating your schedule a lot easier because you won't have to stop and search for information or, even worse, have to start over because you forgot about an exam. Some schools schedule all finals during a finals week. In this case, the time for your final might not be on the same day or at the same time as when your class normally meets. Make sure you note if that's true. Some teachers might schedule your final during regular class time, even if your school has a devoted finals week. Make sure you have that information, too. Print out your school break schedule. If you have breaks between when you start drawing up your study schedule and finals week, you can use them to devote more time to studying since you won't have to attend class. Depending on how long your classes usually are per day, consider adding extra study sessions for those courses during their regularly scheduled meeting times. This gives you some extra time to study without really disrupting your normal schedule. Calculate how much time you have. How much time you have to study for finals will depend on when in the semester you start drawing up your schedule. Once you're ready to set your study schedule, calculate how many days you have between now and when your exams are. This will obviously be a different number for every exam. Keep in mind that you might not be able to study every single day. If you have a lot scheduled on a specific day, leave that day off your study schedule. This will give you a more realistic idea of what you have to work with. Prioritize your exams. Once you know how much time you have to study for each exam, prioritize them. List your exams in order, starting with the one you have to take the soonest, and ending with your last exam. You might also want to consider prioritizing by how hard the exam is likely to be. For example, if you struggle with Math, you might want to move it to the top of your list so that you'll know you have enough time to study for it. Decide when you’ll study. Some people study better at night while other people are more alert in the morning. Schedule your study time for a time of day when you know you'll be the sharpest – this will help you retain information more easily. If you don't know what time you study best at, experiment. Study in the morning one day, and in the evening the next. Schedule everything. Before you create your study schedule, make sure you add the non-studying stuff you have to do—classes, extracurricular activities, doctor's appointments, etc.—so you know what time you actually have available. This prevents you from scheduling study time and then realizing that day you had an appointment you forgot about and have to miss your study time. Set realistic goals for your study sessions. Don't schedule study time for eight hours of the day on top of the other stuff you have to do, too. The more realistic you can be, the more productive your studying will be. Be realistic about what you can get done in each study session. Don't schedule studying 5 chapters, writing a paper, and working on a project all during the same 2-hour block. Limit your study time per session. Research shows that after about 2 hours, we are less able to focus on a specific topic or task, and our concentration and ability to retain information declines. Scheduling your study time in 2-hour blocks not only prevents you from setting unrealistic goals, it also helps you make the most productive schedule. This doesn't mean that you can only schedule one 2-hour session per day. Depending on how much other time you have available to study, you can schedule one or two 2-hour sessions in the morning and one or two 2-hour sessions later in the day. If you're going to schedule multiple sessions per day, try to schedule them for the time when you work best. If you work better in the morning, try scheduling to sessions before noon—with a good break in between. If you work better in the evening, schedule one session before dinner and one after. Focus on 1 topic at a time. In each study session, studying 1 subject at a time can help you focus on the material better and therefore retain more. Splitting your time between multiple subjects per study session doesn't give you enough time to get deep enough in the material to really retain anything. Some change is good when you're studying. Studying one topic for one study session and then switching to something totally different for your next session can keep things fresh and keep up your efficiency and energy. Make time for review. When you're setting up your times to study, make sure you build in 10 or 15 minutes to quickly review what you studied the day before. It keeps things fresh in your mind and will remind you of the connections between what you're doing and what you already did. If the topic is more difficult, you may need a little more than 10 or 15 minutes to review. You should still do this even if you feel confident about a topic or are really good at it. Build in breaks. While you're scheduling time to study, it's also important to build breaks into your schedule. Research suggests that you should take a break for 10-15 minutes every hour. You should also schedule larger breaks—like time to exercise or see friends or watch TV. Giving your brain and your body a chance to relax will make you more productive in the long run. Aim to eat a healthy snack on your break as this can improve your mood, energy level, and focus. For instance, eat a handful of nuts or a piece of fruit and a small portion of cottage cheese. Color-code your schedule. As you're scheduling your existing appointments and obligations and your study time, color code each type of activity. This gives you a better visual representation of what your week will look like and can often help you see how much time you really need to spend studying. Don't put similar colors right next to each other. For example, red and orange can look similar, especially under certain lights. Try red and yellow together instead. Stay consistent. Try to study at the same time (and possibly the same place) every day. This can make studying become almost automatic. The one exception to this, of course, is if your study area is unavailable. For example, if you are used to studying in a coffee shop, but the coffee shop is closed, you will need to find another place to study. If you can't focus in your usual study location, choose a different spot.	Pick a calendar for keeping track of your schedule. Print out your exam schedule. Print out your school break schedule. Calculate how much time you have. Prioritize your exams. Decide when you’ll study. Schedule everything. Set realistic goals for your study sessions. Limit your study time per session. Focus on 1 topic at a time. Make time for review. Build in breaks. Color-code your schedule. Stay consistent.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Strawberry-Lemonade	How to Make Strawberry Lemonade	To make a quick and easy strawberry lemonade, start by washing your strawberries and removing the stems and green leafy tops. Then, add them to a blender with a little water and blend everything until it's smooth. In a separate pitcher, add lemon juice and sugar, and mix them well. Next, pour the blended strawberries into the pitcher and stir until it's combined. To serve, pour your strawberry lemonade over ice, or store it in the refrigerator to keep it chilled.	Make the lemonade. Combine the water, sugar, and lemon juice. It may be necessary to bring the water to a boil first, to get all the sugar to dissolve. Remove the stems, hulls, and any bad spots from the strawberries. You can use more or fewer strawberries if you wish to. Place the strawberries in a blender with lemonade to cover generously. Add a bit of ice if you would like more of a smoothie or slushy consistency. You can also freeze the strawberries instead of adding ice. Blend until mixed. Once it is mixed, pour it into a pitcher with the remainder of the lemonade, and stir. Blending in only part of the liquid at first helps to get the strawberries blended more smoothly. Serve the strawberry lemonade. Pour into glasses and float sliced or halved strawberries to the top. Garnish the rim of the glass with a slice of fresh lemon, if you like. Serve chilled with pink straws for extra flair. Wash and hull the strawberries. Add them to a blender and blend until smooth. If needed, add some water to help it to blend easily. Use seedless strawberries if you don't want seeds, or strain the seeds from it. Pour the lemon juice and sugar into the serving jug or pitcher. Stir to dissolve the sugar. Pour the blended strawberries into the lemon juice and sugar mixture. Stir well to combine. Done. The strawberry lemonade is now ready for serving. Add ice cubes before pouring. If not serving immediately, keep chilled in the refrigerator. Make lemonade. You can fresh-squeeze the lemonade from real lemons, or us a packet. The idea is for it to be regular lemonade, so use your favorite way of making lemonade for the base. Wash and slice the strawberries. In a different bowl, add the strawberries. With a masher, mash the strawberries until creamy. Blend the strawberries into the lemonade. Mix until the composition is smooth and thoroughly blended. Keep in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Serve. Once chilled sufficiently, add ice and enjoy.	Make the lemonade. Remove the stems, hulls, and any bad spots from the strawberries. Place the strawberries in a blender with lemonade to cover generously. Blend until mixed. Serve the strawberry lemonade. Wash and hull the strawberries. Pour the lemon juice and sugar into the serving jug or pitcher. Pour the blended strawberries into the lemon juice and sugar mixture. Done. Make lemonade. Wash and slice the strawberries. Blend the strawberries into the lemonade. Keep in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Serve.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Paper-Kunai-Knife	How to Make a Paper Kunai Knife	Kunai knives are known for being used by ninjas and assassins. To make a paper one, you'll need to fold 1 piece of paper into the shape of the blade, then roll a separate piece of paper into the handle. To make the blade, fold a square of paper in half diagonally twice to make a small triangle. Then, unfold it once and fold the edge of 1 side of the paper to the middle. Keep folding until you can't fold anymore, then tuck the extra paper at the bottom inside the blade. It should resemble a tall, skinny triangle. To make the handle, simply roll a larger square paper into a thin tube. Insert the end into the open bottom of the blade and secure it with a piece of tape.	Get two square pieces of paper, preferably black construction paper. One should be bigger than the other, to be used for the handle. This can be found at any craft store. Gather the rest of your materials. These include some tape, scissors (to cut the paper into squares), and, optionally, a small, heavy object, like a penny. Holding the smaller square, fold one corner to the opposite side. It should now look like a triangle. Fold a crease halfway through the paper. It should now look like a smaller triangle. Unfold the paper. Now, it's a triangle with a crease. Take one of the short sides of the triangle (not the long one) and fold the edge to the middle. The edge of the side you're folding should line up with the crease. Flatten the fold down. Keep folding repeatedly until you can't fold it anymore. Then tuck the extra paper inside the kunai. Squish the paper from top to bottom so that it creates a kunai shape (grasp by edges and press). This step isn't that necessary. It just makes a flatter kunai. Take the larger square paper and roll it into a thin tube for the handle. Tape it. Insert the tube into the hole. You may need to open the blade a bit to allow the tube to fit. Wrap your hand around the section of the tube next to the blade. Make sure there's enough of the tube that you can hold it. The extra bit, sticking out from your hand, should be flattened. Optionally, before flattening the extra length of the tube, cut a chopstick to the length of the handle and stick it inside to improve the stiffness of the handle. Use a series of folds and reverse folds on the flat side of the tube to create a circle. You'll be making 90 degree folds in the flattened tube, in a counter-clockwise fashion. Tape the circle so that it stays. One piece of tape connecting the end of the tube to the unflattened section should do it. Tape or staple the tube into the back of the kunai (where the hole is). Make sure the handle is secure. Use extra tape here if necessary. Take something heavy and put it inside the knife so that it can fly better. Pennies work well and are cheap. This step is optional. Seal the kunai with thick tape so that the heavy object doesn't come flying out when you throw it. Place tape over where the blade and handle meet, enough of it to seal and secure the heavy object in the blade. Finished. You've now got your very own paper kunai knife. Avoid throwing it at people as you could injure someone.	Get two square pieces of paper, preferably black construction paper. Holding the smaller square, fold one corner to the opposite side. Fold a crease halfway through the paper. Unfold the paper. Take one of the short sides of the triangle (not the long one) and fold the edge to the middle. Keep folding repeatedly until you can't fold it anymore. Squish the paper from top to bottom so that it creates a kunai shape (grasp by edges and press). Take the larger square paper and roll it into a thin tube for the handle. Insert the tube into the hole. Wrap your hand around the section of the tube next to the blade. Use a series of folds and reverse folds on the flat side of the tube to create a circle. Tape the circle so that it stays. Tape or staple the tube into the back of the kunai (where the hole is). Take something heavy and put it inside the knife so that it can fly better. Seal the kunai with thick tape so that the heavy object doesn't come flying out when you throw it. Finished.
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Sports-Analyst	How to Become a Sports Analyst	To become a sports analyst, start by taking as many math classes as you can to help you understand how to apply statistics to player performance and game outcomes. While you're still in school, try out for a sports team to gain practical knowledge of how a team operates. Additionally, to hone your communication skills, try writing out your thoughts and analyses of games you watch on TV, or attend at your school. Finally, talk to coaches, recruiters, or sports reporters, and ask them about their jobs to learn the business and develop important contacts.	Learn as much as you can about sports. Most sports analysts start off as sports fans. Once you've decided to pursue a career as a sportscaster, absorb as much knowledge about sports as you can. Keep up with collegiate as well as professional teams, and follow multiple sports rather than just one or two. A good sports analyst is expected to be like a walking encyclopedia of sports information. It is not enough to know all about one team, or even one sport. Sports analysts have to possess a thorough knowledge of all the most sports, including football, basketball, baseball, soccer, hockey, golf, boxing and even Olympic and extreme sports. Become well-versed in statistics. Start paying close attention to game outcomes, player stats, win-loss records and other statistical information. Commit as much of these facts as you can to memory. Statistics is the language of sports analysis. As an analyst, your job will be to make authoritative assessments and predictions based on statistical models. There is far more use of mathematical principles in sports analysis than most people realize. Taking a formal statistics course or two will help further your understanding of how these principles come into play. Earn an undergraduate degree in a related field. Go to school and work towards a degree in journalism, communications or broadcasting. While it's not strictly necessary to have one of these degrees in order to land a job in sports journalism, most employers prefer that applicants hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Online programs are also available for those who are unable to attend university classes. Holding a degree, along with the right experience, can give you an advantage over those without an education when it comes to getting hired. Many online programs can be completed in less time than a full term at a university, and include all the most relevant courses, such as news reporting, media ethics, sports psychology and broadcasting. Consider going for a graduate degree. Once you've earned an undergraduate degree, think about channeling your efforts into a post-graduate master's or doctorate level certification. Many graduate programs include courses that focus more specifically on sports analytics and broadcasting, meaning you'll be getting an education in your chosen field of expertise. These credentials will be very impressive to potential employers. A graduate degree will require you to significantly narrow your area of focus, which may not help you get your first job but can make you a commodity for special positions later on. Play a sport. If you have the opportunity, think about trying out for a sports team. Having a practical knowledge of the sports you'll be reporting on can be a major plus. Becoming an athlete will give you a chance to work closely with other players, coaches, recruiters and journalists, and afford you a behind-the-scenes look into the workings of the industry. If you're not a student and don't have the option of trying out for a school team, look into joining a community league in your area. Quite a few well-known sportscasters got their start as players rather than educated journalists. Hone your communication skills. Start writing out your thoughts and analyses of sporting events for practice. A substantial amount of the expert opinions offered by sports analysts are written down in the form of blurbs, editorials and written interviews. You should also work on polishing your verbal skills and becoming comfortable talking to people to prepare for conducting interviews and appearing on radio or television. A lot of writing goes into sports reporting, even if you're working in broadcasting. The better you're able to write, the better you'll be at doing your job. Devise a system for interviewing players, coaches and other personnel. Know how to make the best use of a short interview segment, and which questions to ask to receive the information you're after. Make industry connections. Attend sporting events regularly and meet as many industry professionals as you can. See if you can take up a minute of the coach's time, or ask a sports reporter or even a camera technician how they broke into the business. Give your name to everyone you meet and let them know that you're interested in getting started as a sportscaster. This way, they'll remember you once it comes time to put your networking to use. Don't be shy about asking for advice. Most sports reporters are very comfortable talking to people and will be happy to share the secrets of their success with you. Look for a job in sports journalism or broadcasting. When you feel prepared, start seeking out jobs in sports journalism. You may have to smart small initially, working for community newspapers or an independent local television station. There, you will find expression for your love of sports while learning the ins and outs of the business. Begin compiling copies of the articles you write and any tapings you appear on to have a portfolio to show to more prestigious employers in the future. Don't be discouraged if you have trouble landing a job at first. Sports analytics is one of the most competitive professions in the nation, and the market is constantly saturated with hopefuls. However, this also means that the demand for hardworking people is very high. No one begins their career with one of the major sports news networks like ESPN. In all likelihood, working your way up will require you to travel and even move to new cities to work for different press agencies and gather the experience needed to make you an asset to the bigger companies. Provide credible information. Like any journalist, the mission of a sports analyst should be to provide the public with factual, reliable information. Take care to research facts carefully and represent them faithfully in your write-ups. Call upon your statistical proficiency to produce accurate figures and predictions, and share your own insights whenever you have the chance. Sports fans will be counting on you to provide them with reports that they can count on. Always verify a piece of information before you relay it to the public. Aim to construct a network of dependable sources that will give you an inside line on developing updates. Get comfortable being on the radio or TV. While some sports analysts are confined to offices researching and writing reports, others will find themselves presenting these reports to the masses on the air. If you intend to advance into broadcast journalism, you'll need to cultivate a distinct professional demeanor and be at ease working in front of the cameras. Learn to think on your feet and stay poised and you'll quickly get over the nerves of appearing in broadcasts. Talking for the radio or TV cameras can be intimidating, but will become easier the more you do it. It may also be a good idea to know how to work with teleprompters, research databases, word processing programs and other technology utilized by professionals. Be able to meet strict deadlines. As a sports analyst, you will be expected to have prediction models, written columns and other materials prepared under strict time constraints. Get in the habit of starting projects right away and taking an organized approach to data collection and analysis. It's important that you be able to work briskly and efficiently under pressure and meet a consistent quota. Your daily workload as a sports journalist will vary depending on where you work and what your exact job description is, but will more often than not include extensive paperwork that has to be submitted in a timely manner in order to support the information included in broadcasts. Stay up-to-date on sports news and results. Keep watching sports and following the action of different teams, leagues and events. Even if you're not observing from the press box, you should do your best to stay current on major developments in the sports world such as game results, player trades and injuries and team personnel changes. Your reputation depends on your ability to keep up with all types of sports-related information at once. Luckily, this is the most rewarding part of working as a sports analyst—getting paid to immerse yourself in what you're most passionate about. In addition to your own research, you should know where to turn for credible, up-to-the-minute sports reporting. Follow the major news outlets like SportsCenter and ESPN to catch the big stories as they unfold. Make use of your professional sources for exclusive inside information.	Learn as much as you can about sports. Become well-versed in statistics. Earn an undergraduate degree in a related field. Consider going for a graduate degree. Play a sport. Hone your communication skills. Make industry connections. Look for a job in sports journalism or broadcasting. Provide credible information. Get comfortable being on the radio or TV. Be able to meet strict deadlines. Stay up-to-date on sports news and results.
https://www.wikihow.com/Wear-an-Ihram	How to Wear an Ihram	To wear an Ihram if you're a man, start by wrapping one of the white cloths around your waist just above your navel. Then, tie the belt around your waist about 2 inches from the top of the cloth. Finish by wrapping the second cloth around your left shoulder and tying the ends below your right armpit. If you're a woman, wrap the first cloth around your chest. Next, wrap the second cloth around your head, and bring each end of the cloth around the opposite shoulder. Finally, use safety pins to fix both cloths in place.	Ask your imam when to assume Ihram. Most people only wear it when making the Hajj. You can only assume the Hajj Ihram when you are drawing close to Mecca, and the rules for exactly when to do so vary among different sects and different teachings. Talk to your imam when making your Hajj preparations to know exactly when you should begin. If you are already in Saudi Arabia, virtually all planes, buses, and private vehicles entering the Hajj area will inform pilgrims when it is time to enter the state of Ihram. Make sure you have 2 white cloths, belt, and sandals. The rules of Ihram vary between genders and teachings, but most people will need the same basic supplies. Check with your imam if you aren't sure what your group's specific teachings are. Men will need 2 white cloths without stitching of any kind. The size will depend on your dimensions. Each cloth should be wide enough to cover the area between the top of your navel and the tops of your feet, and long enough to wrap all the way around your body without any skin visible. This is important, since you can't wear underwear with Ihram! The rules for women's Ihram are variable, but many groups allow women to use the same 2 cloths men do, except women can have stitching. Women's cloths should be wide enough to reach from the armpit to the tops of the feet, and long enough to wrap all the way around the body. Men can't pin or sew Ihram cloths in place, so make sure you have a belt or clips to keep yourself dressed. Sandals are the only permitted shoes to wear with Ihram. You can use any sandals, including flip-flops, as long as the tops of your feet are visible. Some groups believe that women may wear socks with their sandals. You can have a small bag to carry necessities, as long as it isn't pinned to your clothes. Check the list of prohibited activities while in Ihram. There are certain activities that are ordinarily okay but are prohibited while in a state of Ihram. Talk to your imam if you aren't sure exactly which prohibitions your group follows. You can't remove hair or nails by any means during Ihram. Sexual relations are prohibited. No perfumes are allowed when in the state of Ihram. Killing of any kind, including hunting or fishing, isn't permitted. Cut or remove any unwanted hair if needed. Before putting on your Ihram, get your hair cut, beard trimmed, and any unwanted body hair shaved or otherwise removed. You aren't required to get a haircut, but you can't remove hair for any reason during Ihram, so it's best to prepare beforehand. Trim your nails. You can't cut your nails while in Ihram either, so make sure you clip them before beginning! Don't forget your toenails, cuticles, or any hangnails too--you won't be able to take care of them while in Ihram. Take a shower. The first part of the Ihram purification process is cleanliness. Take a shower or bath and bathe yourself carefully. Avoid using any perfumed soaps or shampoos, and dry your hair and body thoroughly afterwards. If you aren't able to bathe, you can perform wudhu. To perform wudhu, announce your intentions of doing so by saying “I am performing wudhu for the pleasure of Allah, and to seek closeness to Him.” Then, wash or wipe your face, arms, hands, and feet in that order. Groom yourself carefully. It's traditional to carefully comb your hair and beard before assuming Ihram in order to show respect. This applies even if you are a woman who plans to cover her hair! Repent of any sins. The second part of purification is to repent of any sins. You do not need to publicly announce or confess them, nor do you need to seek forgiveness. All you have to do is acknowledge and repent of your sins to yourself. You don't even need to speak out loud. In fact, many people repent while showering! Learn the intention to perform Umrah. Umrah is the act of making a pilgrimage to an Islamic holy site. After you put on your Ihram, you will declare your intention to perform Umrah by loudly declaring “O Allah! I intend to perform Umrah. Please make it easy for me and accept it from me. Amen.” You may say this in any language you know, but you should have it memorized before you put your Ihram on. Memorize the Talbiyah recitation before putting your Ihram on. After you put your Ihram on and declare your intention to perform Umrah, you'll need to recite the Talbiyah prayer three times by heart. You can also repeat it as many times as you'd like afterwards. You can say Talbiyah in any language you know, but you should have it memorized before you put your Ihram on. This is the English text of Talbiyah: “Here we come, O Allah, here we come! Here we come. No partner have You. Here we come! Praise indeed, and blessings, are Yours--the Kingdom too! No partner have You!” Men should recite Talbiyah loudly, while women should murmur it softly. Unfold and hold one of the cloths horizontally. Hold out one of your white cloths at a horizontal level, so that one top corner is in each hand. You should be facing your cloth. Wrap the cloth around your waist above your navel. Make sure that the entire navel area is covered, that your feet are visible, and that the cloth isn't gaping open at any point. It should look like you are wearing a towel after taking a shower. Fasten the belt or clips around the top of the cloth. If you're using a belt, buckle it about 2 inches (51 mm) below the top of the cloth to avoid it slipping off. If you're using clips, make sure at least one clip is over the outside end of the cloth. You can fasten your bag to the belt or the clips. Hold the other cloth horizontally behind your back, with one top corner in each hand. Once the bottom cloth is secured, unfold the other cloth and hold it behind you with a corner in each hand. It should look almost like you're about to put on a cape. Bring the left top corner down to your right armpit. Take your left hand and bring it over your shoulder and towards your right armpit. Your left shoulder should be covered now. Wrap the other corner around your left shoulder. Take your right hand and wrap the other side of the cloth back over your left shoulder. Your entire left shoulder area should be completely covered, with your right shoulder bare. In some groups, men cover both shoulders. If you plan to cover both shoulders, move your right hand to your left armpit and securely wrap any loose ends around both shoulders. It should look like a winter shawl. Tie or clip the cloth in place (optional). If you're worried about your shoulder cloth slipping, you can tie the ends or use clips to secure it. For many people, the cloth is big enough not to worry about dropping it! Put your sandals on. Slip your sandals on to complete your Ihram clothing. Make sure that the sandals don't cover the tops of your feet. Also check to be sure that you can move comfortably in your Ihram. Speak to your imam about your sect’s views on women’s Ihram. In many sects or groups, Ihram for women is simply their regular, everyday clothes. Others believe that women only need to wear a white cloth over their heads. Most groups accept women wearing the same 2 cloths as men, except that women can have stitching in theirs. If you aren't sure, talk to your imam. In some groups, women also need to ask their husband's blessing before wearing Ihram. Hold one cloth out in front of you horizontally. You should have one top corner in each hand. Hold it out in front of you approximately level with your chest. Wrap the cloth around the top of your armpits. This should look pretty similar to wearing a towel after coming out of the shower. Your chest should be covered, and there should be no gaps between the ends of the cloth and your body. Some women like to drape the cloth over one shoulder for extra security before securing it in place. Pin, tie, or stitch the cloth into place. Since women are allowed to have stitches in their Ihram, you may use any method you wish to secure your cloth. You can pin it, tie it, belt it, or even stitch it into place. Drape the other cloth over your head. You should have the top center of the cloth slightly over your forehead, with one end in both of your hands. You can also buy pre-made Ihram cloths with a hole for your face already sewn in. If you usually wear a burqa or niqab, make sure you remove it before putting on Ihram--you can't cover your face during Ihram. Many women wear dark sunglasses to prevent their face from being fully visible. Wrap each end of the cloth around the opposite shoulder. Wrap the cloth securely around your shoulders. Your hair, neck, collarbones, shoulders, and arms should all be entirely covered up. It's okay for your hands to be visible. Secure the cloth into place. You can use any method you like to secure the head cloth. Some people prefer to stitch it for extra security, but you can also tie it, pin it, or clip it. Put on your sandals. Slip on your sandals. In some groups, women are permitted to wear socks with their sandals. Check with your imam if you aren't sure.	Ask your imam when to assume Ihram. Make sure you have 2 white cloths, belt, and sandals. Check the list of prohibited activities while in Ihram. Cut or remove any unwanted hair if needed. Trim your nails. Take a shower. Groom yourself carefully. Repent of any sins. Learn the intention to perform Umrah. Memorize the Talbiyah recitation before putting your Ihram on. Unfold and hold one of the cloths horizontally. Wrap the cloth around your waist above your navel. Fasten the belt or clips around the top of the cloth. Hold the other cloth horizontally behind your back, with one top corner in each hand. Bring the left top corner down to your right armpit. Wrap the other corner around your left shoulder. Tie or clip the cloth in place (optional). Put your sandals on. Speak to your imam about your sect’s views on women’s Ihram. Hold one cloth out in front of you horizontally. Wrap the cloth around the top of your armpits. Pin, tie, or stitch the cloth into place. Drape the other cloth over your head. Wrap each end of the cloth around the opposite shoulder. Secure the cloth into place. Put on your sandals.
https://www.wikihow.com/Paint-Brass	How to Paint Brass	Before you paint brass, scrub the item with steel wool to remove dirt and create a surface that paint can stick to. You'll also need to clean the surface with a degreaser like liquid deglosser. Next, apply a self-etching primer to your brass item to help the paint stick. Once the primer has had 24 hours to dry, apply a thin coat of enamel or acrylic paint in your chosen color. Let the coat dry according to the manufacturer's instructions before applying further coats. Finish by allowing the last coat to dry and applying a clear coat to seal the paint.	Remove the item if necessary. Some brass objects, such as door handles, faucets, and fixtures will be easier to paint if you remove them from where they are. Other objects, like furniture, utensils, and lamps, are already portable. If you removed any screws, nails, or other hardware, store them in a safe place so you can return the item after it's painted. It's also a good idea to test that your item is in fact brass. To test if something is brass, hold a magnet to it. Brass is a non-ferrous metal, meaning it contains no iron. As such, brass is also not magnetic, so a magnet will not be attracted to a brass object. Move the item to a well-ventilated area. All paint projects should be done in a well-ventilated area, such as a garage with doors or a room with large windows that open. This will protect you from paint fumes in addition to wearing a mask. Place a drop cloth on the ground to protect the surrounding area from paint and splatter. Place the object you want to paint on top of the drop cloth, or on a work table or bench. Before you start painting, open windows and turn on any vents in the room to help remove paint fumes. Protect yourself with a mask, gloves, goggles, and other personal safety equipment when painting. Take measures to prevent dust from blowing around in the room. Scrub the item with steel wool. One of the most important steps in painting brass is the scrubbing that happens beforehand. Not only does this help remove dirt and corrosion, but it also provides the paint with a good surface to stick to. Rub the entire surface with the steel wool, concentrating on areas that are especially corroded or heavily soiled. When you finished scrubbing the item, wipe it down with a damp, lint-free cloth. Paint needs a rough surface to stick to, which is why you want to scrub it with steel wool. Scrubbing brass with steel wool is not advisable unless you're preparing it for painting. Clean the surface with a degreaser. Removing oils, dirt, and grease from the surface of the metal before painting is integral. If there is oil, grease, or dirt left on the brass when you paint, the paint won't adhere properly. Dampen a lint-free cloth with degreaser and wipe down the entire surface you wish to paint. Wipe the item again with a cloth damp with water, and set it aside for about 10 minutes to dry. Good degreasers for brass include liquid deglosser and solvents like butanone. Choose a spray paint in your desired color. Pick a paint that is suitable for metal, such as an enamel paint, an acrylic- or oil-based product, or another hard-drying paint. Most paints that are suitable for metal will be spray paints, but some may come in liquid (roll-on) form. Avoid latex paints for brass, as these don't adhere as well to metal and aren't as durable. They may be usable if you have selected a high quality primer. Apply a coat of primer. The best primer for brass is self-etching primer, also known as a bonding primer. This is a mixture of acid and zinc, and it will adhere better to the brass than any other type of paint or primer. Shake the primer well and hold it six to eight inches (15 to 20 cm) from the surface of the metal. Spray in a sweeping motion, going from side to side, and apply a thin, even coat of primer onto the surface. Let the primer dry for about 24 hours, or according to the manufacturer's instructions. Wear all proper safety equipment when using spray paint, including gloves, safety glasses, and a mask. Even after scrubbing with steel wool, brass still doesn't have a great surface for painting, which is why self-etching primer is important. Apply several thin coats of paint. Once the primer has had time to dry, apply the paint in the same way. Shake the can, use a sweeping side to side motion, and hold the can six to eight inches (15 to 20 cm) from the surface to apply a thin, even coat. Let each coat dry completely according to the manufacturer's instructions (usually an hour or two) before applying a second or third coat. Depending on the effect you're trying to achieve, you may need anywhere between two and five coats of paint. If your paint came in a liquid form, use a brush or roller to apply thin, even coats. Apply a protective clear coat. Once the paint has had time to fully dry—usually about 24 hours—you can apply a clear top coat to finish the piece. This will help seal the piece, protect the paint, and make the finish shiny. Look for clear coats or enamel coats that are safe for metal. Shake the can and hold it six to eight inches (15 to 20 cm) from the surface. Spray the coat in a back and forth motion to apply an even coat on the metal. Set the piece aside to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions. These coats tend to dry quickly, sometimes in as little as 30 minutes. Transfer the dry item to a drying rack. After all the paint has dried to the touch, move the piece onto a drying rack. This will allow air to circulate around and under the piece and help it dry more quickly and evenly. Removing the piece from the position in which it was painted is also important to ensure it doesn't stick to the drop cloth or work bench. Give the item time to cure. Once applied, paint generally has two phases that it goes through, and those are drying and curing. The paint may be dry within 30 minutes, but it still needs time to cure. Once the paint fully cures, it will be set, hard, and less prone to damage or dents. Depending on the type of paint you used, curing time could take anywhere from three to 30 days. Check the manufacturer's instructions for specific curing times. Giving the paint time to fully cure is especially important for fixtures, handles, utensils, and other brass pieces that will be handled often. Return the item to its original place. Once the paint has dried and cured, you can return the item, reinstall it, or put it back into regular use. Don't forget to affix the piece properly using all the original screws, nails, and other hardware. Maintain your painted brass. The best way to keep your painted brass clean and new is to avoid touching it or banging it against other objects. For certain items, like wall fixtures, it will be easy to avoid contact. However, for things like furniture and door knobs, you can protect the brass and the paint by keeping it clean: Wash the surface with a damp cloth and soapy water. Rinse the area with a clean, damp cloth. Towel dry the surface to remove excess water. Apply a fresh coat of paint as necessary to cover nicks and scratches.	Remove the item if necessary. Move the item to a well-ventilated area. Scrub the item with steel wool. Clean the surface with a degreaser. Choose a spray paint in your desired color. Apply a coat of primer. Apply several thin coats of paint. Apply a protective clear coat. Transfer the dry item to a drying rack. Give the item time to cure. Return the item to its original place. Maintain your painted brass.
https://www.wikihow.com/Be-Thankful	How to Be Thankful	Even when things aren't going your way, there are still plenty of things to be thankful for. For example, even if you hate your job and had a bad day, you can still be thankful that it allows you to provide for your family and be part of a community. Even in difficult situations, you can be thankful that you have the strength to make it through and learn from it. Try keeping a gratitude journal where you record 5 things you're thankful for every day, like having nice weather, your coworker making you laugh, or recovering from a cold. You can also let people know you appreciate them whenever they go out of their way to do something for you. Not only will this make you feel better, but you'll brighten their day too.	Take a minute to be thankful for your life. Sometimes a good way to get back on track and feeling better is to take a break. You'll need to identify things to be grateful for, and sometimes the break itself is a good reason to be thankful. At work, school, etc., go for a walk around your building or step outside for 15 minutes to breathe the fresh air and muse about how thankful you are for the opportunity to take a break, to stretch your legs, to feel the sun, etc. Take a moment to notice the little things you're thankful for, like your morning cup of coffee or your pillow when you lay down to go to sleep at night. Tell someone you appreciate them. So often life gets busy that you forget to tell people how much they matter to you, or that you've noticed what they do and it means a lot to you. Expressing your thanks to others will cultivate an atmosphere of thankfulness that can spread out gradually. For example: If your spouse packs your lunch for you, call or text them something like “Honey, I know packing a lunch doesn't seem like much to you, but I really appreciate how you always try to make my morning just a bit less hectic.” Talk about gratitude with family. Set aside a time, like the evening meal, to talk about the things you were grateful for that day. Let each family member have a turn to discuss what made them thankful that day. Make it a routine to go around the table and mention at least 1 thing you're thankful for before digging in. Try to be as specific as possible. For example, instead of saying "I'm thankful for all of you being there for me," you could say "I'm thankful that you all help me tend to the garden every weekend." Send thank you notes. It is really amazing what sending just a small thank you note can do. A thank-you note acknowledges that the person gave you something (time, effort, a gift) that they didn't have to and that you appreciate what they've done. You don't have to write a massive novel thanking them, just a few lines that let them know what they and their gift, time, effort, etc. meant to you. Thank you texts, emails, voicemails, etc. are great to send (and receive), but there still seems to be something particularly special about a handwritten thank you note. Your thank you note can be as simple as a post-it with a short message, or it can be written on a notepad with a flower or heart doodle. Give back as part of giving thanks. Being thankful isn't just about telling people you are thankful — it's also about giving back to your community and friends. This doesn't mean that you give back so that everything is even and no one "owes" anyone anything. Give because it's the right thing to do and because it feels good to do it. If you know the person, help them directly. For example, you could take your grandmother to her appointments or help your friend move into her new place. If you don't know the person, continue their good work. For example, you could repay your college advisor by mentoring others. Focus on the intention behind kindness shown to you. When someone does something nice for you — gives you a gift, brings you a hot meal, offers to read over and edit your thesis — focus on how they tried to bring something good into your life. Someone gave up their precious time, money, etc., just so they could do something kind for you. This focus cultivates an atmosphere of gratitude that is then passed on to other people through your actions and words, especially if you have children. Make sure to say “thank you” regularly. Thank the barista who makes your coffee, thank the person who held the door for you, thank the customer service person who helped you figure out why your phone wasn't working. Speaking the words aloud can help cement the feeling of gratitude in your life. Use the words "thank you" as a sort of prayer or mantra. You can thank specific things, or you can just repeat the words over and over to yourself. For example, you could give thanks for the food you ate this morning, the rain for watering all the trees, your rain jacket for keeping the rain off, and so on. By cultivating gratitude (and by speaking it aloud), you can do things like ease anger, anxiety, depression, and other health problems. When you say thank you to people, make eye contact and smile so they can feel the sincerity. Find reasons to be thankful, even when it’s difficult. Sometimes it can be really hard to be thankful in your life. These are the times, however, when it is even more important to cultivate gratitude, because that will help you get through the hard times better than getting angry or upset will. To cultivate gratitude for something like a difficult or boring job, make a list of the good things about the job: it gives you money so you can buy food and have a roof over your head, it gives you a chance to take the bus into the city and see the early morning sun, and so on. For something like a break-up or a death of someone you love, you should allow yourself time to grieve and be sad. Being grateful doesn't mean doing away with emotions like sadness, anger, etc. it simply means making them more manageable. After you've given yourself time to grieve, make a list of the things that you learned or are grateful for from the relationship, and then what you are thankful for about the relationship being over. Keep a gratitude journal. Record your reasons to be thankful each day in order to cement them in your memory. It doesn't matter how difficult your life is at the moment, there is always something to be thankful for. Finding that will help you deal with the other parts of life. Record about five things you're thankful for every single day. These can be things as simple as "the sun was shining," or they can be as big as "my significant other proposed." Spend a little time each day reflecting on the things you're most grateful for. You may even find that you have more than five things you want to record. If you need a little reminder, download a gratitude journaling app for your phone that will send you daily notifications. Refer back to your gratitude journal as needed. When you're having a particularly difficult time, it can be beneficial to go back to what you've written previously. If it's a tough time, find the smallest things that you can be grateful for. For example, even if you have a terminal illness, you can be grateful for things like someone bringing you dinner, a warm bed, or your cat snuggling with you. All these little things can make the trauma of the big thing (the illness) more bearable. Get a gratitude buddy. Share your goal of becoming more thankful with a close friend or family member, and ask for their help. Choose someone you can comfortably talk to about the things you're grateful for. Also, make it a person who will hold you accountable when you go down the slippery slope of complaining about things. It might work best as a two-way-street — that is, each of you helping the other to become a more thankful person. Turn around how you think about difficulties. People who are thankful for the things in their lives aren't living an easier life than you. In fact, many people who practice gratitude abundantly have struggled quite a bit. They, however, understand that it isn't the situation that's the problem, it's how you think about the situation that makes it easier or more difficult. For example, if you have to work in order to pay for college, you could think about how your work is teaching you responsibility instead of taking away free-time. Use the right words to describe your life. Using negative language and labeling can make a situation more difficult, and make it harder for you to be thankful in general. For example, labeling it "my horrible illness" creates a more negative perception than simply saying "the illness that I have." In the second instance, not only are you not making the illness part of you, you are also utilizing neutral language, rather than negative. Include your gratitude in the words you use to describe your life. For example, you could say "Even though I have this illness, I'm thankful that I'm receiving wonderful treatment and that I have the support of my family." Be positive about yourself and other people. Bashing yourself and others will make you less able to be truly thankful. When you find that you're thinking negatively about yourself or another person, stop and turn that thinking around. For example, if you think "I am so stupid when it comes to math," tell yourself "I am having some difficulty with this math problem" instead. A simple change in language and perception re-frame things so that the problem isn't you, it's that there is a disconnect between you and this problem. And that is something that you can overcome. Eat a healthy diet. Make sure you're putting food in your body that will help you feel good, which makes it easier to feel thankful as well. Go for veggies and fruits like kale, red peppers, and bananas; good carbohydrates like brown rice, whole grains, and oats; and proteins like salmon, nuts, lean meats, and eggs. Moderation and variety is important. Your diet shouldn't solely consist of fruits and veggies; you need protein and good carbs too. Be sure to avoid refined sugars and added salt as much as possible. Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water. Water is a necessary component to making sure every part of your body and mind runs smoothly. Take sips regularly, and drink before you get thirsty. Be thankful every time you can turn on the tap or open a bottle and have fresh, clean water to drink. Keep in mind that millions (perhaps billions) of people around the world don't have this luxury. Don’t skimp on the amount of sleep you get. Sleep is a huge component of healthiness and happiness, both of which make it easier to be thankful. While it's certainly admirable to practice gratitude even during those sleepless, anxiety-fueled times in your life, getting enough sleep can help make thankfulness easier to cultivate. Set a consistent bedtime and wake-up time, create a comfortable sleeping location and a calming bedtime routine, and turn off all electronics well before bedtime. Follow a regular exercise routine. Exercise releases happy chemicals like endorphins, which help to regulate your mood and make you feel better. And feeling good is both a reason to be thankful and a motivator for practicing gratitude. Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. This can be something as simple as going for a run, putting on some music and dancing, or doing some yoga. Meditate regularly. Meditation is another useful way of dealing with mental health issues and a general sense of malaise in your life. It can also help to support your thankfulness and gratitude practices. Go somewhere quiet and meditate for at least fifteen minutes each day. Sit comfortably and take deep breaths. Focus on your breath. When errant thoughts demand your attention, acknowledge them and let them go when you exhale. Practice mindfulness. By remaining in the moment, you are making it very difficult for your brain to race ahead and worry or plan for the future, or become bogged down in the past. This is one way of practicing thankfulness, because you are immersing yourself in the present, and thereby giving thanks to the "now." Practice mindfulness while you eat. Focus on the food that you're putting into your mouth: Is it hot or cold? What is the texture? Is it sweet or sour or salty? Try this while going for a walk, or simply sitting outside. Notice the color of the sky and shape of the clouds. Use your nose to locate any scents, and listen to the wind in the trees.	Take a minute to be thankful for your life. Tell someone you appreciate them. Talk about gratitude with family. Send thank you notes. Give back as part of giving thanks. Focus on the intention behind kindness shown to you. Make sure to say “thank you” regularly. Find reasons to be thankful, even when it’s difficult. Keep a gratitude journal. Refer back to your gratitude journal as needed. Get a gratitude buddy. Turn around how you think about difficulties. Use the right words to describe your life. Be positive about yourself and other people. Eat a healthy diet. Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water. Don’t skimp on the amount of sleep you get. Follow a regular exercise routine. Meditate regularly. Practice mindfulness.
https://www.wikihow.com/Dive-Off-a-Cliff	How to Dive Off a Cliff	To dive off a cliff, make sure you dive in a popular location so you know the water is deep enough and there aren't any rocks. Before you jump, bend your knees at a 45-degree angle, which will help you propel yourself away from the cliff. Then, jump up and away from the cliff feet first. Keep your body straight and rigid after you jump so you easily glide into the water, and make sure you hit the water feet-first so you don't injure your spine. Once you make contact with the water, exhale through your nose so you don't accidentally breathe in any water, then swim up towards the surface.	Find a popular cliff diving location. The safest places to cliff dive, especially if you are a beginner, are at cliffs that are frequently jumped from. You can either conduct your own research online, or ask locals in the area about popular cliff diving spots. If you speak with people who frequently dive at a popular spot, ask them if there is anything important you should know about the spot. Are there rocks in the water? Does the water have a strong current? Is there enough of a platform on the cliff to get a running start? Are there any local laws barring tourists from diving at a particular cliff? Some popular locations worldwide include: Rick's Cafe in Negril, Jamaica; Buža Cafes in Dubrovnik, Croatia; Ord River in Kimberley, Australia; Brontallo in Ticino, Switzerland; the foothills of the Himalayas in Rishikesh, India; and Tar Creek Falls in Los Padres National Forest, California. Look for cliffs that have multiple diving height options. You are going to want to work up to the higher dives. Don't get swept up in the adrenaline rush and jump from the highest cliff available. For beginners, start at cliffs that are around 20 feet (6.1 m) or lower. The average diving cliffs range between 20 feet (6.1 m) to 50 feet (15 m) high. While you can always dive from a cliff shorter than 20 feet (6.1 m), it is not recommended to drive off of cliffs that are higher than 50 feet (15 m), as serious injuries can occur more easily. Check the water depth yourself. You want to be able to properly visualize your dive and landing area, so don't take someone's word on it. Grab a pair of goggles and swim around in the water. Make sure the water is deep enough for you to dive in, but also look for submerged rocks, branches, or other debris. The water needs to be at least 8 feet (2.4 m) deep. Add an extra 2 feet (0.61 m) of depth for every 10 feet (3.0 m) of cliff height. Be aware of the water currents, and any riptides in the area. Even if you are a strong swimmer, it is very easy to get swept up in a riptide. If you get swept up in a current, try twisting your body to escape the current. Avoid jumping near waterfalls. While this may seem picturesque in films, waterfalls often create strong currents and undertows that can make the diving experience dangerous. Make sure that no one is in swimming in the water below the cliff. You are going to need to be completely focused before you jump. Having the water below the cliff free of swimmers will allow you to concentrate, and will also prevent anyone from getting hurt. For added safety, you can have friends rotate to be a lookout below the cliff. When one person is jumping, another can watch the water at the bottom of the cliff to make sure nobody swims in the way. Practice diving feet first or head first at a local swimming pool. If you are nervous about your upcoming cliff diving adventure, then get some swimming time at a local pool. Jumping off a high-drive in a controlled environment will help you gain the confidence and the proper technique needed to go cliff diving. It is good to have strong swimming skills for cliff diving as you may encounter strong currents in the water. So if you need to, take some swimming lessons to brush up on the proper swimming techniques. Bring a group of friends or someone experienced in cliff diving with you. Never cliff dive alone. Even if you take the proper precautions, it is very easy for something to go wrong. So grab a group of friends, or even someone experienced with the sport, to go with you. Make sure that someone has a cell phone and cell service. If something goes wrong, you are going to want to be able to call for medical assistance. If the area you are in does not have cell phone reception, then keep a vehicle nearby so you and your friends can quickly leave. Wear tight-fitted clothing. You do not want to wear over-sized or baggy clothing while cliff diving. The force of diving through the water can rip loose clothing right off, and may even impair your swimming abilities. So try and wear a swimsuit or wet suit that can withstand the dive. Also consider adding drops of olive oil to your ears to avoid water pressure buildup. When you land in the water, pressure will build up in your ears. So before you jump, add a few drops of olive oil in your ears to alleviate the water pressure. Do not cliff dive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Diving under the influence can greatly impair your judgment and physical abilities. You are going to need a clear head to execute your dive and swim up from the water's depths. Cliff diving in itself is a very dangerous sport. If you or any of your friends are under the influence while out cliff diving, then greatly reconsider returning later in the day when you and your friends have sobered up. Don’t feel pressured to jump. If you do not feel comfortable jumping, then don't. Any hesitation could lead to a serious injury. So don't feel like you have to jump to impress anyone or to prove anything. Try watching a few of your other friends or a professional cliff dive first. This may alleviate some of your fears. If it doesn't, don't worry. You can still have just as much fun experiencing the moment in person. Pick a landing spot in deep water that is away from the cliff side. How far out you need to jump and where you need to land completely depends on the particular cliff you are diving from. You want to land where the water is deepest — providing that the deepest area of water does not have any obstructions or is not right up against the cliffside. Before you jump, focus on your landing spot and visualize your jump. Don't let yourself become distracted. Bend your knees at a 45-degree angle to spring off the cliff. You will need to propel yourself off the cliff using your bent knees to spring up and out away from the cliff. Jumping outwards will keep you away from the side of the cliff and protect you from harm. If you are diving feet first, you might need an additional running start. Take as many steps as you think you might need to spring your body away from the side of the cliff. Use the pencil-diving technique to execute an easy jump. The pencil-diving technique is the easiest way to cliff dive as it requires you to jump feet first into the water. Most professional cliff divers jump in this manner, and it is the best technique to use if this is your first time cliff diving. Jump up and away from the cliff, diving feet first. Your body should be rigid like a pencil that is aimed at your landing spot in the water. Outspread your arms to steady your body when diving feet first. Your body might naturally veer off to the side when you jump. So use your arms like wings to quickly steady and straighten your body. Press your arms to your sides. Once your body is steady, pull your arms vertically, tight against your body. This will allow your body to slide into the water easily, rather than break through the surface. Straighten your back. Your body should not be bent when you hit the water. Folding or twisting your body to perform tricks while falling can easily result in a hard collision with the surface of the water. Having your back straight will decrease the pressure forced on your body from the impact. Dive head first for a more advanced cliff diving technique. Regardless of the cliff height, it is incredibly dangerous to dive head first when cliff diving. It is a technique often reserved for professional cliff divers. So if this if this is your first time cliff diving, avoid diving head first unless instructed otherwise by a professional. Jump outwards from the cliff and angle your body to dive head first. This motion is similar to the one you would do to dive into a swimming pool. You just want to make sure that your body is away from the side of the cliff, and aimed at your desired landing spot in the water. Straighten your body like an arrow with your arms outstretched over your head and against your ears, and tuck in your chin. Your arms will protect your ears from the water pressure once you make contact with the water's surface. Layer the palm of one hand so it is on top of the back of your other hand. You want to hit the water with your layered hands first to protect your head. Your layered hands will safely cut through the surface of the water, and allow the rest of your body to glide into the water. Point your toes and squeeze your legs together before hitting the water. This applies to both diving head first and diving feet first. You want your body to be rigid like a plank. This will ensure that your body will easily glide through the water's surface rather than slam against it. Exhale through your nose as you connect with the water. Your body will naturally want to exhale when you come in contact with the water. So exhale through your nose to prevent water from shooting up into your nose, and to prevent you from accidentally sucking in water through your mouth. Enjoy your time spent diving through the air. It takes a lot of mental and physical preparation to go cliff diving. So once you are diving, make sure to enjoy the thrilling experience! Keep your body straight as you enter the water. Depending on how high the cliff is, you can gain considerable speeds when diving. So when you break the surface of the water, focus on keeping your muscles tense until you slow down. Then, when you are ready, swim to the surface, and out of the way of the landing zone. The average speeds hit from cliff diving can be between 25 mph (11.176 m/s) to 45 mph (20.117 m/s). Continue to practice your technique on the lower cliffs. Just like with any sport, mastering the cliff diving technique takes practice. You want to be confident in your cliff diving ability before moving up to a higher cliff.	Find a popular cliff diving location. Look for cliffs that have multiple diving height options. Check the water depth yourself. Be aware of the water currents, and any riptides in the area. Make sure that no one is in swimming in the water below the cliff. Practice diving feet first or head first at a local swimming pool. Bring a group of friends or someone experienced in cliff diving with you. Wear tight-fitted clothing. Do not cliff dive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Don’t feel pressured to jump. Pick a landing spot in deep water that is away from the cliff side. Bend your knees at a 45-degree angle to spring off the cliff. Use the pencil-diving technique to execute an easy jump. Dive head first for a more advanced cliff diving technique. Point your toes and squeeze your legs together before hitting the water. Exhale through your nose as you connect with the water. Enjoy your time spent diving through the air. Keep your body straight as you enter the water. Continue to practice your technique on the lower cliffs.
https://www.wikihow.com/Bathe-a-Shih-Tzu-Puppy	How to Bathe a Shih Tzu Puppy	Before you try to bathe a Shih Tzu puppy, lay a towel or non-slip mat in the bottom of your tub so the puppy doesn't slip. Place the puppy in the tub, then use a handheld showerhead or a pitcher to gently wet the puppy with lukewarm water, but avoid wetting its face or ears. Use your hands or a bath brush to gently shampoo the dog from the back of its head back to its tail, then rinse out the shampoo and repeat with conditioner. Use a damp washcloth to clean your puppy's face, then dry it with a soft towel or a blow dryer set on low heat.	Purchase high-quality, pet-safe shampoo and conditioner. It is recommended to bathe a Shih Tzu every three weeks. However, puppies may need to be bathed more frequently, since they can soil their bottoms when they defecate. Using high-quality shampoo and conditioner will help ensure that your puppy's coat and skin will be clean and remain healthy. The variety of shampoos and conditioners from which to choose at your local pet store may be bewildering. To narrow your search, you can look for tearless, puppy-specific shampoos. Hypoallergenic shampoos are also good for puppies. They are free of detergents, fragrances, and additives that may be harsh on your puppy's skin. Good-quality hypoallergenic shampoos contain such ingredients as avocado, coconut oil, or lanolin. Conditioner has many benefits. It prevents hair breakage, seals the hair shaft (helps to keep out dirt and stains), and can prevent dry and itchy skin after a bath. Conditioner is especially useful in long-haired dogs like Shih Tzus. Spray conditioners are also available that can give your puppy's coat a nice sheen after bathing. The spray can also protect your puppy's coat from the sun and other outdoor elements, such as wind and dry air. Leave-in conditioners are ideal for Shih Tzus. Conditioners that need to be rinsed out are usually not strong enough for Shih Tzu coats. If your puppy has specific skin issues, your veterinarian can assist you in identifying which shampoo and conditioner would be best for your puppy. Human shampoos and conditioners have pHs that could irritate your puppy's skin, so do not use your own shampoo and conditioner to bathe the puppy, or grown dog. Obtain additional bathing supplies. Other than shampoo and conditioner, you will need several other supplies: comb, brush, cotton balls, towels, washcloths, and a pet-specific blow dryer. The comb should be a double-sided stainless steel comb and will be used after he is dry. A bristle brush will be needed to brush him before the bath. Canine bath brushes are available that are helpful in bathing puppies. Pin brushes especially useful for Shih Tzus, given their long hair. Bristle and nylon mixture brushes are also good for Shih Tzus. The cotton balls will be helpful to keep water out of your puppy's ears when you are bathing him. You will need several towels: one to put in the bottom of the sink or tub for traction, and a few with which to dry him off after the bath. Washcloths will be needed to clean your puppy's face and around his eyes. The blow dryer must be specific for pets, since the intense heat from human dryers could result in thermal damage to your puppy's skin. Blow dryers are especially useful for longhaired dogs. If you plan to groom your puppy after the bath, you may also need nail clippers, styptic powder, and ear cleaner. Acclimate your puppy to bath time. If this is the first time that your puppy has been bathed, he will need some time beforehand to become comfortable with the bathing process. This means that he will need to get accustomed to the sights, sounds, and sensations of bath time. Your puppy may need only a few days, or he may need even longer (a week or more) until he is at ease with what bath time will mean for him. For example, let him get used to the sound of running water. To acclimate your puppy to the blow dryer, first show it to him when it is turned off. When he is comfortable with it being turned off, turn it on while facing away from him. Gradually move closer to him with the blow dryer turned on until he is not frightened or wary of it. This process may take at least several days, depending on your puppy's comfort level. Give him treats during this acclimation process. Let him sniff all the supplies that you will use to bathe and groom him. In addition to his regular play time, spend time touching his paws, handling his ears, and rubbing him all over in general. The more comfortable he is with you touching him, the better he'll react to you rubbing him with shampoo and conditioner. Give your puppy plenty of verbal praise and treats when he responds positively to the acclimation process. Rewarding him will help get him ready to have a positive experience at bath time. Prepare the bathing area. Because your puppy is so small, you can easily bathe him in either the utility sink (if you have one) or the bathtub. Whichever location you choose, be sure to place either a towel or slip-proof mat on the bottom surface to keep your puppy from slipping or falling during his bath. In addition, it is important for puppies to be warm. A small space heater may be useful in keeping the room warm. Organize all of your supplies in the bathing area. This will keep you organized and efficient, as well as lessen the chance that you will have to turn your back on your puppy during the bathing process. Place some of your puppy's toys in the sink or bathtub. This will help keep him entertained during the bath and will make the experience more fun for him. Plastic toys and toys inside which you can hide a treat are good to have your puppy play with during bath time. Consider diluting the shampoo (1 part shampoo to 10 parts water) and conditioner (1 part conditioner to 8 parts water). Diluting each product may be necessary if your puppy has particularly sensitive skin. It would be helpful to keep some treats nearby to feed to your puppy while you are bathing him. Bring your puppy to the bathing area. Rather than calling him to come to you, you should go to him, pick him up, and carry him to the sink or tub. If your puppy is extremely young, he may not yet know how to respond consistently to his name being called—this is another reason to go to him rather than call him to come to you. Walk slowly with your puppy and talk to him in a quiet and soothing voice to keep him calm before bath time. His first bath may be an unsettling experience for him, so you will want to make him feel as comfortable as possible. You can also offer him some treats as you are carrying him. Brush your puppy. Use a bristle brush to smooth out your puppy's coat and remove mats (areas of clumped fur) before bathing him. These mats can become nearly impossible to comb or brush through when the fur becomes wet, so it is preferable to get the hair as smooth as possible before getting your puppy wet. Shih Tzus have long hair, which can make brushing a challenge. Detangling sprays are available that could help you brush through knots and mats in your puppy's fur. Detangling products are available at your local pet store. Spraying water on your puppy's coat while you are brushing him can also brush through knots. Brush down your puppy and toward his back. Get your puppy wet. It is very important to test the temperature of the water before getting your puppy wet. The water should be no warmer than lukewarm. If you are bathing him in your bathtub, try using a handheld showerhead to get him wet. If he is frightened by the showerhead, you can fill a pitcher with water and pour the water over him. Gently hold his head up to avoid getting his face and eyes wet. Make sure that you place cotton balls in his ears before getting him wet. Apply shampoo to your puppy's coat. Follow the instructions on the shampoo bottle to determine how much shampoo to use. Starting from the back of your puppy's head and working your way back to his tail, use your hands to gently work the shampoo into his coat and skin. As mentioned previously, you could use a canine bath brush rather than your hands to bathe your puppy. Pay particular attention to your puppy's belly and the area between his back legs. These areas tend to get very dirty, so you want to make sure you don't miss these places when you bathe your puppy. Gently position your puppy's head upward when shampooing him to avoid getting shampoo in your puppy's eyes, ears, and mouth. Rinse out the shampoo. Residue from the shampoo can make your puppy's skin itchy and uncomfortable, so you will need to rinse his coat thoroughly to remove all of the shampoo. Because dogs' coats tend to be thicker than human hair, several rinses may be necessary to get all of the shampoo out. You will know when you have rinsed out all of the shampoo when you no longer see suds in your puppy's coat or in the water in the bottom of the sink or tub. Apply conditioner to your puppy's coat. Apply the conditioner in the same way that you applied the shampoo. This is a crucial step to moisturize your puppy's coat, replenish his skin's essential oils, prevent hair breakage, and seal the hair shaft. Follow the instructions on the conditioner bottle to determine how much conditioner to use and how long you should leave it in before rinsing it out. Clean your puppy's face. Dampen a clean washcloth and gently wipe your puppy's face. Be sure to wipe in the corners of his eyes, and around his eyes, to remove tear stain and excess goo. Make sure to clean around the corners of his mouth as well. Shih Tzus have shallow eye sockets, which makes them prone to excessive tearing and subsequent reddish-brown tear stains. You can use a small amount of hydrogen peroxide, applied to a cotton ball or small washcloth, to remove the tear stains. Dry off your puppy. First, use a few towels to pat him dry. It is important to pat him dry, since using a rubbing motion can cause split ends to develop in his coat. Once you have patted him dry, use the blow dryer to finish drying him off. Use one hand to work through and lift the hair while you are using the blow dryer. This will ensure that all layers of his coat are fully dried. To prevent thermal damage to your puppy's skin, use the lowest possible heat setting on the blow dryer and do not keep the heat in any one area for a long period of time. Make sure to keep the blow dryer's nozzle at least a few inches (about five to eight centimeters) away from your pet's coat. Keep in mind that your puppy will probably have the urge to shake off as soon as you finish rinsing out the conditioner. Remember to remove the cotton balls from his ears after you have finished drying him off. Comb your puppy's coat. When he is fully dried off, use your double-sided stainless steel comb to comb through his coat and remove any tangles. Once his coat is all smoothed out, you can use your spray conditioner to put a nice finishing touch on his coat. Clean your puppy's ears. Keeping your puppy's ears clean is just as important as keeping the rest of him clean. Following the instructions on the ear cleaner bottle, pour the recommended amount of ear cleaner into your puppy's ears, one at a time, and gently massage his ears. Use a clean cotton ball to clear out any obvious debris. If you are comfortable doing so, use a small pair of tweezers to remove hair from your puppy's ear canal. If you are unsure of how to do this, your veterinarian or local pet groomer can do this for you. Trim your puppy's nails. Using your nail clippers, trim your puppy's nails down to just above the quick. The quick is the blood vessel that runs halfway through your puppy's nail. It is easy to identify if your puppy has light-colored or transparent nails. The quick has many nerve endings. If you trim past the quick, not only will the nail start to bleed slightly, but your puppy will experience some pain. If your puppy has light-colored or transparent nails, you may be able to see the quick from the side of your puppy's nail. If this is the case, trim the nail until you see that you are just above the quick. If your puppy has dark-colored nails, trim a very small amount at a time and look at the cut edge of the nail. Stop trimming when you begin to see a gray or pink oval in the cut edge of the nail—this oval is the quick. If you trim the past the quick and the nail starts to bleed, dab a small amount of styptic powder onto the nail to stop the bleeding. The bleeding will stop immediately after you apply the styptic powder. If you are not comfortable with trimming your puppy's nails, your veterinarian or local pet groomer can perform this task.	Purchase high-quality, pet-safe shampoo and conditioner. Obtain additional bathing supplies. Acclimate your puppy to bath time. Prepare the bathing area. Bring your puppy to the bathing area. Brush your puppy. Get your puppy wet. Apply shampoo to your puppy's coat. Rinse out the shampoo. Apply conditioner to your puppy's coat. Clean your puppy's face. Dry off your puppy. Comb your puppy's coat. Clean your puppy's ears. Trim your puppy's nails.
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-a-Sprained-Ankle-on-a-Dog	How to Treat a Sprained Ankle on a Dog	To treat a sprained ankle on a dog, restrict your dog's activity for a full 48 hours by keeping it inside or in a small area where it isn't able to run or play. When you take your dog out, use a short leash, and keep the walk short and slow. To reduce swelling and aid in healing, wrap an ice pack in a towel and apply it to the sprain for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 hours. If, after 48 hours of rest and ice therapy, your dog is getting worse, contact your veterinarian.	Understand your dog's anatomy. Dogs actually stand and walk on the toes of their front and rear legs. When a dog is standing, you will see its ankle on its hind leg between the knee and the toes. This is similar to where a your ankle is when you stand on your toes. Dogs do not have ankles on their front legs, just as you don't have them on your arms. Other types of sprains can occur in the front legs, and they are treated similarly. Know the causes of a sprained ankle. Many dogs are athletic. The activities they take part in can put an extreme amount of force and stress on their joints and sometimes this results in an injury. Running, jumping, and making sharp and quick turns can put undue stress on a joint. While not all dogs are equally energetic, their joints can also be put under more stress than they can handle. A sprain can also be the result of slipping, falling, stepping in a hole, or something as seemingly minor as jumping on or off the couch. Any of these can cause your dog to end up with a sprain. Look for limping. The first, and usually the most recognizable sign of an ankle sprain is limping on the affected rear leg. A dog with a sprain will often try not to put weight on the affected leg. Depending on the severity, the dog may carry the leg in a raised position, not using it at all. Be aware of other common reasons for rear leg lameness. Injuries to the hip, knee, or foot area can also cause a dog to limp. Look for a visible injury. You may see swelling or redness around the ankle if your dog has a sprain. You may also notice your dog regularly licking the area. Look for behavioral signs. An injured dog may also display changes in its normal behavior. Changes to look for that can suggest an injury include: A change in appetite, usually apparent in decreased food consumption A change in activity level, such as sleeping more or a reluctance to exercise Vocalization related to the injury, such as barking, grunting, or whining when the ankle is touched or moved Make your dog rest. Rest is the first step to treating a sprain. To ensure your dog gets enough rest, you will need to restrict your dog's activity. You should keep the dog inside or in a small area where it is unable to run or play. The less active the dog is, the better. As needed, you can take your dog outside on a short leash. Keep the walk short and slow. Return the dog to a confined area as soon as possible. Restrict the dog's activity for a full 48 hours to give the injury enough time to heal. Apply an ice pack. To reduce swelling, help with pain, and aid in the healing process, apply an ice pack for 10 to 15 minutes. Wrap the ice pack in a towel to protect the dog's skin from any excessive cold. Repeated as needed, waiting at least two hours between applications. This will help prevent irritating the skin and reducing circulation, which can delay healing. You can use a bag of frozen vegetables, such as peas, for an ice pack that you can mold around the ankle. This will allow you to evenly and effectively apply the ice to all of the damaged tissue. Apply heat. If your dog has an older, chronic, or recurrent injury it is not recommended to apply an ice pack. At this stage of an injury it is best to apply moist heat. Heat will improve circulation and help to loosen tightness in the muscles while having a soothing effect. To apply heat, use a damp towel warmed in the dryer or microwave. Be sure the towel isn't hot enough to burn the skin. Apply heat for 10 to 15 minutes. Then, remove it for at least an hour before applying again. Don't use a heat treatment immediately after exercise. Watch for signs of improvement or worsening. During the 48 hour rest period you should watch closely for signs that the injury is improving or worsening. With rest and treatment, most ankle sprains will be back to normal fairly quickly. If the leg is not better after 48 hours or if it is getting worse, consult with your veterinarian. If you don't see improvement, it's possible that your dog may just need more rest, along with some veterinarian-prescribed medication. Sometimes, there can also be an injury in another area that is delaying recovery. If there is a more serious injury, such as a dislocation or small fracture, your vet can do a full examination and X-rays if needed.	Understand your dog's anatomy. Know the causes of a sprained ankle. Look for limping. Look for a visible injury. Look for behavioral signs. Make your dog rest. Apply an ice pack. Apply heat. Watch for signs of improvement or worsening.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Taco-Salad	How to Make a Taco Salad	When you make a taco salad, the first thing to do is chop lettuce, tomato, and bell peppers into small cubes. Next, brown ground beef in a frying pan over medium-high heat and mix the bell peppers in with the meat. Once the peppers have softened, add salsa to the pan and simmer it for 10 to 12 minutes. Layer the lettuce on the center of the plate and top it with the meat. If you want, you can add tortilla chips, chopped veggies, and shredded cheese before serving.	Chop your vegetables. Use a sharp knife to chop the lettuce, tomato, and bell pepper into small, cubed pieces. Set the lettuce and tomato aside — you'll use them later on. To save time, you can chop the bell pepper first, then finish the other vegetables while you're waiting for the ground beef to finish browning in the next step. Brown ground beef with the bell pepper on the stove. Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the beef with a little cooking oil and use your spoon or spatula to break it into small chunks. After a few minutes, add the chopped bell pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until brown all over and no pinkness remains. This should take about five to seven minutes. When you're done cooking, there will be a little excess grease in the pan. Carefully drain this into a container that won't melt from the heat and toss in the garbage. Don't pour it down the sink — this can clog the drain. In a pinch, you can also microwave ground beef for five to seven minutes, breaking it up and stirring at the three minute mark. Add salsa to the mix and heat to a boil. Pour your bottled salsa directly into the pan with the drained beef and bell pepper. Stir well to combine. Do not attempt to drain the salsa or get rid of excess moisture. Let this mixture cook until it reaches a healthy boil. Simmer until thick. When you notice boiling, reduce the heat to medium or low. The boiling should decrease to a light simmer. Cover loosely (with a gap in the lid to allow steam to escape). Simmer at this heat for 10-12 minutes or until the mixture is pleasantly thick. Stir every few minutes. Keep an eye on the texture and thickness of your mixture to prevent burning. The cooking time here will vary greatly depending on the starting thickness of your salsa. Very liquid salsas may take the full 12 minutes to thicken, but chunkier salsas will be ready much sooner. When it's done, your mixture should be thick enough to hold together in a spoon without running over the edges. Layer lettuce and meat mixture on each serving plate. Take a generous pinch of your chopped lettuce and set it in the center of each plate. Spoon a helping of the meat/salsa mixture over this bed of lettuce. Top with chips, remaining vegetables and cheese. When each plate has a serving of meat over a bed of lettuce, sprinkle each with the chopped tomatoes, crumbled chips, shredded cheese, and the rest of the lettuce. Your easy taco salad is now ready to eat. This dish can be eaten with a spoon or fork, but you may want to serve it with additional chips or hot tortillas for a rustic "eat with your hands" experience. Chop your vegetables. This recipe is a little more complex than the one above, but the result is a fuller, more impressive dish. The recipe starts basically the same way: chop your lettuce, bell pepper, and tomatoes into small pieces so they'll cook quickly. For this recipe, you'll also want to chop about two medium onions and slice a handful of olives. If you are including the optional green onions and cilantro, chop these up at this point as well. Combine the vegetables. In this recipe, you will make your own chunky salsa rather than using storebought salsa. Add chopped onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, and olives to a large mixing bowl. If you are using the optional cilantro and green onions, add these as well. Mix well to combine. Don't worry if the tomatoes make the mixture a little watery. Set aside when combined. If you have a lime handy, squeezing half of it over the mixture can lend it a bit of a tangy flavor. You can also try using a squirt of bottled lime juice. This isn't required, however. Brown and drain the ground beef. Set a frying pan over medium-high heat for about three minutes. Add a little cooking spray or oil and crumble the beef into the pan. Cook until well-browned and no pinkness remains (about five to ten minutes), stirring and breaking up the meat with your spoon or spatula. As noted above, when the meat is finished cooking, some grease will remain in the pan. Drain this carefully and dispose in the garbage. Add taco seasoning and water. Pour the water into the pan with the beef, followed by the seasoning. Stir well so that the beef is evenly coated (the water will make this easier). Simmer until the water evaporates. If you don't have taco seasoning, it's not hard to make your own. Most commercial seasonings are just chili powder, cumin, paprika, and coriander, with a little salt, onion powder, and/or cayenne added for flavor. See our article on taco seasoning mix for step-by-step recipes. Layer ingredients over a bed of lettuce. Put a generous pinch of lettuce in the center of each serving plate. On top of this, arrange your beef, beans, vegetables, and cheese in layers to give each serving a multi-tiered presentation. Now is your chance to get creative. There's no "right" order to layer your ingredients, so feel free to arrange them however you want. You can also use the sample order below, which works well: (Bottom) Bed of lettuce Seasoned beef Beans Chopped vegetable mixture Sprinkled lettuce (Top) Shredded cheese Arrange the chips in an appealing pattern around each serving. In this recipe, the tortilla chips are used like miniature spoons that you can eat. Arrange a generous portion of chips around each salad in a way that you find pleasing. Again, the exact arrangement here is up to you. One idea is to try laying chips in a circle around the edge of the plate, for instance. You can also wedge the chips in the salad itself at an angle to make something that looks like a flower. Keep a bowl of chips handy for when your guests run out of chips on their plates. Garnish with sour cream and guacamole. To finish off your taco salad, put a portion of guacamole and sour cream on each plate. You can put these on the side or on top of the salad itself. If you're not sure whether your guests like these ingredients, putting them on the side is probably safest. To get a clean presentation, try using a melon baller or a tablespoon to get round, even scoops of each ingredient. Serve in a crisp taco shell "bowl". If you order a taco salad from a restaurant, there's a good chance that you will receive it in a hard tortilla bowl (or "tostada") that looks a little like a giant, folded tortilla chip. You can replicate this at home easily. Just buy tortilla bowls from your local supermarket (your best bet is to look in the Latin foods section) and layer your taco salad inside the bowls instead of on a bed of lettuce. You can also make your own tostadas if you wish — see our article on the subject for instructions. Serve with Spanish rice. With its distinct flavor and reddish-orange color, there's no mistaking well-prepared Spanish rice. Prepare the rice on its own in a slow cooker or a separate pot (cooking times will generally be longer than for the beef, etc., so you'll probably want to start it first). Serve the rice on the side of the salad plate or use it as a layer in the salad itself. See our article on Spanish Rice for a selection of easy recipes. Serve with latin-style beans. Beans are a filling side dish that round out a taco salad well. With their high protein and fiber content, they're also quite nutritious. Try serving your taco salad with a generous scoop of beans on the side and provide a few extra chips or tortillas to eat it with. Refried beans are a favorite often served at Mexican restaurants. See WikiHow's refried bean article for an easy recipe. Seasoned black beans provide a healthier alternative (see our black beans recipe ). Toss vegetables with salad dressing for flavor. Adding a few spoonfuls of your favorite dressing to your vegetable mixture can give your salad a richer, more complex flavor for almost no extra effort. Simply stir, shake or toss the vegetables to mix the dressing in well, then use them in the recipe as normal. While there's no "right" dressing to use for this, the simple, tangy-sweet flavor of Catalina dressing tends to be a good choice. A good recipe is available here. Consider non-beef alternatives. Ground beef is generally the most common meat used in taco salads, but it's far from your only choice. Many types of shredded or ground meats can be substituted — you may even like them more once you try them. Some choices (like ground poultry) will generally even make a leaner, healthier choice. Prepare these beef alternatives as you normally would: cook them in the pan, drain them, and season them before assembling your salad. A few ideas are below: Ground chicken Ground turkey Pork carnitas Shredded/pulled barbecue pork Flank/strip steak, chopped or sliced thin	Chop your vegetables. Brown ground beef with the bell pepper on the stove. Add salsa to the mix and heat to a boil. Simmer until thick. Layer lettuce and meat mixture on each serving plate. Top with chips, remaining vegetables and cheese. Chop your vegetables. Combine the vegetables. Brown and drain the ground beef. Add taco seasoning and water. Layer ingredients over a bed of lettuce. Arrange the chips in an appealing pattern around each serving. Garnish with sour cream and guacamole. Serve in a crisp taco shell "bowl". Serve with Spanish rice. Serve with latin-style beans. Toss vegetables with salad dressing for flavor. Consider non-beef alternatives.
https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Soybeans	How to Grow Soybeans	To grow soybeans, plant your seeds 1 and ½ inches deep and 3 inches apart in a fertilized seedbed, and give them just enough water to moisten the soil. When your seeds sprout, thin them by cutting the weak seedlings to the ground and spacing the remaining plants 4-6 inches apart. Try to weed your seedbed regularly, especially while the plants are small and easily choked out by weeds. However, water your seedbed only sparingly, just when your plants are first growing, when they're developing pods, and when they're flowering.	Select the right type of seeds. There are thousands of different types of soybeans. If you want to eat your soybeans, make sure you have an edible, green variety. If you want to make soy milk or flour, find a yellow-seeded variety. If you are planning on drying the soybeans, get a black-seeded variety. Pick the right soil. Choosing the right soil for your soy plants has many advantages, including that there will be fewer weeds, less erosion, and the right balance of nutrients and pH in the soil. This will produce healthier plants with better yields. The best type of soil for soybeans is well-draining loam that isn't packed too tightly. If you're working with soil that has a high clay content, you can make it more suitable for growing soy by mixing it with peat moss, sand, or mulch. Plant at the right time. Soybean plants will generally produce the highest yields when the beans are planted in May, but the soil temperature is something you have to take into consideration as well. The ideal time to plan soybeans is two to three weeks after the last frost, when the soil warms to about 60 F (15.5 C) and the air to about 70 F (21 C). Prepare the seedbed. Soy plants need a good balance of nutrients in the soil to grow properly. If there are too many or too few nutrients, the plants won't grow properly. Therefore, it's important to add a fertilizer to the soil if the area hasn't been enriched in recent years. For soil that hasn't been enriched recently, add aged manure or compost to the soil to add more nutrients to the seedbed before planting. Inoculate the seed. One particular nutrient that soy plants require a lot of is nitrogen. The best way to ensure that they get what they need is to inoculate the beans with Bradyrhizobium japonicum, which is a nitrogen-fixing soil bacterium. To inoculate the beans, place the beans in a bucket and sprinkle them with the bacterium. Use a spade or small shovel to mix the beans and coat each one. Keep the seeds out of direct sunlight and plant them within 24 hours of inoculation. You can purchase Bradyrhizobium japonicum through catalogues, online, or in some gardening and farm supply stores. Plant the seeds. Sow the soybeans 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) deep into the soil, and space the beans about 3 inches (7.6 cm) apart. Plant the beans in rows that are about 30 inches (76 cm) apart. Water the beans once they've been planted, but only until the soil is moist. Do not overwater newly planted beans, otherwise they may crack. Keep rabbits away. Rabbits love soybean shoots, and will devastate your crop if you don't protect the growing plants. To protect your crop from rabbits, put a fence around the perimeter of your garden. You can make a simple fence by driving a few stakes into the ground around the garden and attaching chicken wire to them. You can also purchase premade panels of garden fencing. Another method is to plant metal rings throughout the garden bed and cover them with horticultural fleece. Thin out the soybean crops. Once the crops have sprouted a few inches, you should remove weaker plants to let the stronger plants flourish. To this, cut the weak seedlings at ground level; do not disturb their roots. The remaining plants should be spaced about 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) apart. Weed the area regularly. Soybeans do not like to compete with weeds, and will quickly be choked out if there are lots of weeds growing in the same garden. Weed the garden bed often and pull out weeds with a spade or by hand. Once the plants establish themselves and get larger, you don't have to worry about weeding so much, because the soy plants will choke out the weeds on their own. Water. Soybeans typically only need additional water during three stages: when they are first growing and before they erupt from the soil, when they are developing pods, and when they're flowering. During these periods, make sure to water the plants frequently enough to keep the soil moist. Harvest the pods. Soybeans start to mature in September, and are ready for harvest when the pods are green and the seeds become plump and fully grown. Be sure to harvest the beans before the pods turn yellow. To harvest, simply pick the entire pod off the plant. When the seeds are ready, the pods will be between two and three inches (five to eight cm) long. Blanch and shock the pods. Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Fill another large pot halfway with water and fill the rest with ice. When the water comes to a boil, put the full pods into the water and boil them for five minutes. Then, remove them from the hot water with a slotted spoon and plunge them into the ice bath for five minutes. Once the pods have cooled, remove them from the cold water and place them on a clean towel. It's important to blanch and shock the beans because you cannot properly digest raw soybeans. Blanching also makes it much easier to remove the beans from the pods. Remove the beans from the pods. Take a cooled pod in your hands and gently pinch both ends. As you squeeze, the seams of the pod will open and the beans will pop out. Place the beans in a bowl and repeat until you've removed all the beans. Be careful when you're squeezing the pod, because the beans will shoot out! Compost the hulls. Soybean hulls contain a lot of nutrients, and you can reclaim them by composting the hulls and putting the nutrients back into the soil. Use and store the beans. Once the soybeans have cooled, you can eat them immediately, use them in your favorite recipes, or store them for later use. The soybeans will keep in the fridge for about a week, or for storage up to a year, you can process them through: Freezing Canning Drying	Select the right type of seeds. Pick the right soil. Plant at the right time. Prepare the seedbed. Inoculate the seed. Plant the seeds. Keep rabbits away. Thin out the soybean crops. Weed the area regularly. Water. Harvest the pods. Blanch and shock the pods. Remove the beans from the pods. Use and store the beans.