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https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Garden-Moles | How to Get Rid of Garden Moles | To get rid of garden moles effectively, set traps or use natural treatments to prevent them from returning. You can use toxic baits by placing 3-4 poisonous bait worms in a tunnel or near an exposed molehill. If you don't want to poison them, use a garden hose to flood the tunnels by placing the spout at one end of the tunnel or molehill. For long term solutions, consider getting a cat to hunt the moles, and bury wire mesh 18 inches into the ground surrounding your garden to keep the moles from tunneling in the area! | Place toxic baits in the tunnels. Toxic baits will resemble earthworms, which are the mole's primary food source. Find a tunnel running through your garden and dig into it. Drop 1 of the baits into the tunnel and then fill in the hole you dug. Place 3 or 4 baits throughout the tunnel or near exposed molehills. Toxic mole baits can be purchased at most gardening stores or online. If you notice new mounds appearing in your garden, place more baits near them. Many times, baits will not be enough and you will need to pair them with traps. Use a spear trap for shallow tunnels. Spear or harpoon traps are spring-loaded and impale the mole as it passes through its tunnel. Use your thumbs to depress the center of an active tunnel by about 1 inch (2.5 cm). Push the trap into the soil so just the tips of the spikes are in the ground. When the mole passes through the tunnel, the trap will set and stab into the mole. Use caution when setting the trap since it has sharp, spring-loaded edges. If you have pets or children that play outdoors, select a different trap since spear traps have sharp exposed edges. Set a scissor trap for deeper tunnels. Dig into and expose the tunnel with a tool the same width of the trap. Build up a mound of compact dirt in the middle of the tunnel. Set the trap on top of the mound, following the instructions on the package. When the mole tries to dig through the mound, the trap activates and snaps the blades together to kill the mole. Lay a barrel trap in the tunnel for minimal setup. Dig a hole the size of the hole into an active tunnel. Fit the barrel into the hole and cover it so sunlight cannot penetrate through. When the mole moves through the barrel, claws will puncture the mole and kill it efficiently. Barrel traps are effective for yards if you have pets or children. Make a humane trap by burying a bucket under their tunnel. Dig a hole large enough to fit a jar or large bucket underneath the bottom of a mole tunnel. Keep the lip of the bucket level with the tunnel's bottom. Cover the tunnel with dirt so no sunlight gets through. Check the trap twice daily to see if you've caught any moles. Release live moles somewhere 5 miles (8.0 km) away from your yard and be sure they are not near any other garden. Flood the tunnels using a garden hose. Take your hose and place the spout in one of the molehills. Turn your hose on to a steady stream until the tunnel floods. Keep your eyes on other molehills in your garden to see if a mole tries to escape. If problems persist, try flooding the tunnels again. Most moles can swim, so it may take a while for the moles to come to the surface for air. Sprinkle strong-scented materials near the molehills. Moles have very sensitive noses and strong scents can deter them from the area. Using materials such as red pepper, cayenne, or coffee grounds near the entrances of molehills can make a mole abandon an area. Blood meal fertilizer has a high nitrogen content and helps plants grow while also deterring moles from the area. Be sure to always re-apply the material after it rains, otherwise a mole may return to its tunnels. Plug the molehill with a corn cob dipped in roofing tar. Since roofing tar has a strong smell, moles will avoid the area. A corn cob is a perfect size for fitting into the hole leading into a mole's tunnel. Plug each of the entrances to force the mole out from the ground. Make a castor oil repellent. Castor oil has a pungent smell and makes a good repellent for moles. Mix 3 parts castor oil to 1 part dish detergent. Combine 4 tablespoons (59 ml) of the liquid with 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water. Pour the mixture into and around the tunnels. Pouring the full amount across the molehills will also coat some of the mole's food source and cause it to taste foul. Keep a cat outside to hunt the moles. Cats hunt and kill small mammals like moles and mice. Let your cat explore and hunt in your yard. Even the smell of an outdoor cat will help deter them from the area. Using cat litter around or in the molehills will discourage moles from the area. Water your garden less. Moles essentially “swim” through the ground with their front paws. When the soil is drier, it is more difficult for the mole to burrow and travel through the ground. Watering your garden less will attract fewer earthworms and make moles find new food sources. Bury a wire mesh 18 inches (0.46 m) into the ground around your garden. Measure the total length around your garden to find how much mesh you will need. Dig a trench around your garden that is 18 inches (0.46 m) deep. Leave 6 inches (15 cm) of mesh exposed above the ground. You can purchase wire mesh at any home improvement or garden store. It is possible for moles to chew through the wire mesh, so consider opting thicker or sturdier wire. Spray beneficial nematodes on the ground to remove grubs. Nematodes are a small bacteria that infect the grubs in your yard to use as their food source. Purchase a nematode solution online or in gardening stores. Follow the directions on the packaging to spread it across your yard. Nematodes will also kill Japanese beetle larva, so you can get rid of two pests at once! Create a barrier with rocks or gravel underground. Dig out an area 1 foot (0.30 m) wide and 24 inches (0.61 m) deep. Fill the hole with gravel so a mole can not dig through it. Cover the gravel with a thin layer of soil or sod to keep a uniform look in your lawn or garden. | Place toxic baits in the tunnels. Use a spear trap for shallow tunnels. Set a scissor trap for deeper tunnels. Lay a barrel trap in the tunnel for minimal setup. Make a humane trap by burying a bucket under their tunnel. Flood the tunnels using a garden hose. Sprinkle strong-scented materials near the molehills. Plug the molehill with a corn cob dipped in roofing tar. Make a castor oil repellent. Keep a cat outside to hunt the moles. Water your garden less. Bury a wire mesh 18 inches (0.46 m) into the ground around your garden. Spray beneficial nematodes on the ground to remove grubs. Create a barrier with rocks or gravel underground. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Max-Your-Car%27s-Horsepower | How to Max Your Car's Horsepower | To max your car's horsepower, start by removing everything from your car's trunk and cab, including rear seats, to make your vehicle as light as possible. You can also install a high-flow air filter to allow your engine to breathe better and add horsepower. Additionally, consider installing a performance camshaft to help your car accelerate more quickly. Alternatively, install a water-injection kit on your engine, which will increase your gas mileage and reduce carbon deposits on the combustion chambers, while increasing horsepower. | Make the vehicle as light as possible. The simplest and cheapest way you can get the most efficiency and power out of your engine is by giving it the least amount of car to power. Even dropping 20 pounds will help you accelerate faster. Remove excess junk from your trunk and cab, and consider making extra modifications that will lighten your load: Remove the rear seats, which can weigh up to a hundred pounds in some models. Use lightweight wheels instead of steel, with high performance tires. This can help you drop up to 50 pounds. Use carbon fiber or fiberglass body panels instead of the manufacturer panels. This is a more complex modification, but if you're trying to find your engine's max and make the vehicle lighter, it's a possibility. Install a high-flow air filter and intake system. Changing out the air-filter to a higher performance variety can add a few horsepower cheaply and quickly to your engine. You won't have to buy new air filters, and you'll allow your engine to breathe better, adding a small amount of power. For about $40 – $250 for most applications, this is an excellent place to start. AEM dry-flow air filters never need any oil added and are legal everywhere. K&N Air Filters are good for for 1,000,000 miles (1,600,000 km), and can add five horsepower or more depending on vehicle. Cold-air or ram-air intake systems draw in air from a cooler place outside the vehicle. Some cars will benefit greatly, and some will not. Usually, higher-end cars will not be able to benefit from this, as they already have a well-designed air intake system. Before making any filter modifications or using a high-performance system you get from the Internet, research the laws in your state regarding filter regulations. Some high-flow filters aren't legal in all 50 states. Upgrade to a performance exhaust system with test piping. Ideally, a "header-back" exhaust system will be installed, in which the exhaust goes pretty much straight from the engine to the tailpipe, efficiently and quickly. Kits are available, should you choose to do it yourself, for several hundred dollars, though welding a new exhaust system onto the car requires that you have access to a shop with a hydraulic lift, the replacement system, the welding gear, and the know-how. It's usually better to have a muffler shop that knows what they're doing upgrade your exhaust system for a fee. I-4 engines should go up to 2.5 exhaust, unless a turbocharger is equipped, then 3" is acceptable. V6/V8 cars should have 2.5"-3" exhaust all the way through. Exhaust headers are expensive and will add only a small power gain. It's a good option, but only if you've exhausted most other HP-maxing opportunities available. Consider installing a performance camshaft. Performance cams increase the duration and timing of the valve openings during the engine stroke, increasing horsepower and making your car accelerate more quickly. You'll idle slightly rougher with a performance cam, but get a throaty rumble that's desirable for some gearheads, depending on your vehicle. They're on the expensive side, but work well in conjunction with header or exhaust upgrades. To install a new camshaft , you must expose the valve train by removing the valve cover and possibility the distributor. Loosen and remove the timing chain and the old camshaft to install the new version. Adjust the timing and tweak the new cams as necessary. Research your turbocharging, supercharging and Nitrous options. A turbocharger can add up to 25 – 30% power gains. However, turbocharger kits cost about $3,000 for common applications, and go up in price for less common applications. Turbochargers are excellent for any car, anywhere, but can be prohibitively expensive, and are difficult to install for novice mechanics. Research which systems and options would be effective for your model and weigh your options. Turbochargers suck air into the engine, increasing boost and horsepower. An intercooler will also need to be installed with a turbocharger to drop intake and running temperatures, and increase longevity. Turbo chargers also tend to offer less low end torque, but more high end power, due to turbo lag. This varies based on turbo size, with small turn is offering a better low-end, and larger turbos offering a better high end. A turbocharger takes the exhaust gasses and spins a turbine which spins an impeller, which sucks in air. Superchargers are belt-driven, making them less efficient, and pull some power from the motor, but offer a much more steady power delivery. While a turbocharger results in a higher peak of HP, while supercharger give a steady supply of torque and horsepower throughout the rev range. superchargers don't require the use of an intercooler, but result in more heating problems and maintenance issues. They're available in centrifugal, screw, and roots-type models, depending on the application. Nitrous is power in a bottle, Nitrous oxide is an oxidizer, it has 2 oxygen molecules for every nitrogen. In a hot engine, those molecules break down and release more oxygen, and decrease intake temperatures, allowing for more fuel and power. Kits cost from $300 - 3000 for any application. Basic kits are easy to install with high performance kits needing some skill sets. Nitrous systems also require a fuel upgrade, as the extra air is only useful with extra fuel. Power gains can be anywhere from 5Hp to 100Bhp over the whole rpm range. Install a water-injection or anti-detonant injection kit. For $300, a good water-injection kit increases gas mileage and power while reducing carbon deposits within the combustion chambers, preventing engine pinging. Most of the time, having such a system installed will even let you buy lower-octane fuel. While water-injection kits will have almost no performance gains on naturally-aspirated engines, they can help restore lost power. Turbo or supercharged engines will have massive power gains with water-injection. | Make the vehicle as light as possible. Install a high-flow air filter and intake system. Upgrade to a performance exhaust system with test piping. Consider installing a performance camshaft. Research your turbocharging, supercharging and Nitrous options. Install a water-injection or anti-detonant injection kit. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Troll-Your-Friends | How to Troll Your Friends | There are many funny ways to get creative and troll your friends online. Tag them in random photos on social media so they keep getting pointless notifications. You can also send them random messages that don't make sense to confuse them. Or, send them fake news articles. If you have a photo of your friend's face, use an app to face swap them with celebrities, animals, and other funny pictures. Another great way to troll your friend is to create a funny meme of them and share it with your other friends. Just don't do anything too harsh that might actually upset them. | Send a "text in progress" gif. Many phones display an ellipses when you're typing a message. You can download a gif of an ellipses online, usually through an app store. A great way to troll your friends is to text them something exciting and, when they respond, text them a gif of the ellipses indicating you're typing. Leave your friend waiting anxiously to see your response. For example, text your friend something like, "I had the craziest thing happen to me today!" Wait until they respond with "What?" Then, text the "text in progress gif" so they have to sit and wait anxiously for a response that won't come. Add the motion fart app to your friend's phone. If you can get ahold of your friend's phone, download the motion fart app and enable it. This is an app that makes farting noises when the phone is moved. Each time your friend goes somewhere with their phone, it will let out an embarrassing fart noise. Make sure the fart app you download is free. You don't want to spend your friend's money just to troll them. Make Siri call them a ridiculous name. If your friend has an iPhone, they may have Siri enabled. Take your friend's phone when they're not looking and press down on the home button to enable Siri. Then, instruct Siri to call your friend by a ridiculous, goofy name from now on. For example, have Siri call your friend by a silly nickname. You can also have Siri call your friend by a long, complicated version of their name. Make it look like their home screen is frozen. Wait until your friend leaves their phone unattended. Take a screenshot of the home screen. Then, move all the icons to a different screen on their phone. In settings, change their wallpaper to the screenshot you took of their home screen. When your friend tries to click an icon, nothing will happen and they will think their phone screen has been locked. The precise means to take screenshots, move icons, and change backgrounds varies depending on the type of phone your friend has. If you're unsure how to work your friend's phone, look this up online quickly while you're altering their phone. Spam your friends with pointless texts. There is a website called catfacts.co where you can sign people up to receive random cat facts throughout the day. This is a fun, harmless way to mess with your friend by spamming them with useless texts. You can also find other random things to sign your friend up for so they receive random text messages. Just make sure any of the sites you use are free. You don't want to stick your friend with an unexpected phone bill. Use a fake check-in app to make your friend jealous. Think about places your friend has on their bucket list. Maybe your friend has always wanted to go to Disney World or visit a particular restaurant in your town. Download a fake check-in app for a social media site like Facebook and "check in" to your friend's favorite destinations. If your friend sees this, they may get jealous. You can even go as far as to tag your friend in posts to make sure they see. For example, tag your friend saying something like, "Thinking of you! Know how much you've always wanted to go here." Tag your friends in random photos. People often get annoyed by unnecessary notifications. If your friend has a social media site like Facebook or Twitter, tag them in random posts or statuses. For example, tag your friend as a picture of a pan at your apartment. If you go to the zoo, tag your friend as random pictures of animals. They'll be bombarded with random notifications from nonsensical pictures. However, make sure not to tag your friend in a way that could be read as offensive. A friend who's sensitive about their weight, for example, may take offense if you tag them as a cow in a picture. Instead, tag them as something completely random, like a shoe. Add your friends to random Facebook groups. If you can get ahold of your friend's computer for a moment, get on their Facebook. Join a bunch of random groups and like a bunch of random pages. This way, your friend's news feed will suddenly be full of random content. You can pick completely random pages. For example, add your friend to a page called "I Love Goats." You can also add your friend to pages expressing opinions or tastes your friend disagrees with. For example, maybe your friend hates Ayn Rand. Have them join an Ayn Rand fan page on Facebook. Leave your friends nonsensical messages. Post messages on your friend's Facebook wall or send them tweets that are completely random. This will leave your friend confused and guessing as to what you mean. You can do things like leave links to random pages, like the IMDb page of an obscure film from a few years ago, or simply leave messages that don't make sense. For example, leave a message that looks out of context. Send them a Tweet saying something like, "Wow, that was epic. Never heard you laugh that hard!" Your friend will be left guessing what you're referencing. Hack your friend's account to post goofy content. If you can get ahold of your friend's phone or computer, see if they're logged on to Twitter or Facebook. Post ridiculous tweets or statuses that would make your friend blush. For example, if your friend is a hardcore Democrat, post something like, "Vote Republican this November!" Make sure the content is appropriate, however. Avoid posting any NSFW (not safe for work) content or foul language. Send them fake newspaper articles. There are many sites online where you can generate fake newspaper articles and then send them to friends. You can trick your friends into thinking a phony news story is true to troll them for an afternoon. Think of a fake story that will really bother your friends and get under their skin. For example, does your friend love a particular band? Send them a fake news story saying that band broke up to mess with them. Keep in mind, your friend may not believe the news story for more than a few minutes. However, it can be a fun way to troll them, even if it's only for a minute or two. Create a meme of your friend. Online meme generators allow you to make memes using photos of your own. You can upload a photo of your friend to a meme generator and write a funny caption. Share it with a variety of mutual friends and have them post the meme on social media to mess with your friend for a day. You can also send the meme to your friend and claim that you found it on a big website, like imgur, so your friend thinks their photograph is becoming a popular meme online. Make sure you don't let your friend believe this for too long, however, as you don't want to cause your friend distress. Face swap your friends. You can find free websites online that allow you to swap faces in pictures. Face swap a variety of goofy pictures of your friends and then post them on Facebook or send them to your friend to mess with them and get a laugh. You can find unusual images to face swap, such as face swapping your friend's picture with a baby picture or a picture of an animal. Use voice changing software to call your friends. You can find software online that allows you to change your voice with the help of a microphone or smart phone. Using your altered voice, prank call your friend as a joke. For example, call your friend pretending to be from a credit card company or collections agency. Confess it's you before your friend gets too upset, however. Trolling should be lighthearted and you don't want to truly upset your friend. | Send a "text in progress" gif. Add the motion fart app to your friend's phone. Make Siri call them a ridiculous name. Make it look like their home screen is frozen. Spam your friends with pointless texts. Use a fake check-in app to make your friend jealous. Tag your friends in random photos. Add your friends to random Facebook groups. Leave your friends nonsensical messages. Hack your friend's account to post goofy content. Send them fake newspaper articles. Create a meme of your friend. Face swap your friends. Use voice changing software to call your friends. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-a-Red-Eared-Slider-Turtle | How to Care for a Red Eared Slider Turtle | To care for a red-eared slider turtle, feed it a balanced diet that consists of 50 percent vegetables and water plants, 25 percent commercial foods, and 25 percent live protein. On top of feeding your turtle a healthy diet, make sure you have a UV lamp that's greater than 5% near its tank so it gets the vitamins and heat it needs. You can also take your red-eared slider turtle outdoors sometimes so it gets direct sunlight. | Learn about red-eared sliders. Ask around to see if any friends have sliders. You can ask them about the advantages of having a pet turtle, as well as the challenges. If you don't know anyone with a red slider, go to the pet store and speak to employees that are familiar with the turtles. Better yet, spend a little time interacting with a red-eared slider at the store. Make sure you're aware of what goes into caring for a turtle. Consider the time commitment. The average lifespan is around 20 - 30 years, with some sliders living even longer than this. Be sure your future lifestyle can adapt to include a long term turtle companion. If you're simply getting a turtle so your child can have a pet, realize that the turtle will be your pet for a long time. Think about providing all the necessary equipment and supplies. Just like any living creature, red-eared sliders start out small but grow in size as they mature. A fully grown slider needs a tank with a usable floor space at least four times the area of the adult's hard shell, so take this into account when purchasing a young turtle. If you are getting more than one turtle, be sure you have enough tanks to separate the turtles as necessary. Male red-eared sliders tend to pester the females. This can be so extreme that the females stop eating. For this reason males and females are best kept separately. Keep costs in mind. This includes such things as electricity to heat the aquarium, a thermostat to monitor water temperature, water pumps for aeration, a water filter designed to cope with turtle waste, and last but not least food. Even though the price of the turtle is low, they are not necessarily a cheap pet to keep. If you're concerned about the expense of a red-eared slider, it may help to create a rough estimate of the ongoing costs before you buy the turtle. This may help you decide if you're willing to invest in the pet. Consider the risk of salmonella when handling turtles. Be aware that the turtle may harbor salmonella and not be ill itself, while still posing a risk of infection to people. The only safe way of keeping a turtle is to assume he carries salmonella and to exercise scrupulous personal hygiene before and after handling. Hand washing is essential. Because of the risk of salmonella infection, you need to have a separate set of utensils for anything related to the turtle, which are kept washed and disinfected away from other household items. Think about the turtle's personality. Red-eared sliders are not naturally sociable creatures. Wild-caught turtles can be snappy and aggressive. While some captive bred animals may learn to tolerate handling, don't assume your pet turtle will be overly friendly. Purchase a tank. One guide suggests having 10 gallons of capacity per inch of turtle length, plus an additional 15 percent space for a basking area. For the first year, you can get by with a 50 gallon tank for a baby, but after that you need at least 120 gallons. Save money by getting a tank large enough to begin with. Take into account: Water depth: Turtles love to dive and chase food, so make sure the water is plenty deep enough to allow this. Space: Turtles are territorial so make sure they have plenty of space to keep away from one another, or you may need to separate them into individual tanks. Waste: Turtle waste is more solid than fish waste. This needs to be kept well diluted by providing a large volume of water, and /or the use of filter system designed for turtles. Look for a cheaper tank alternative. The ideal container is a large glass aquarium but these can be expensive. A cheaper alternative is a stock tank. A 100 gallon stock tank can be purchased relatively inexpensively. Avoid purchasing acrylic tanks, which are cheaper, but easily scratched by turtle claws. Get a floating dock or a rock that is above the water level. A slider can rest on this when it is not swimming. If you live in a warm climate and have a suitable backyard, you can dig out a pond and use a liner to provide a suitable home for a slider. While this will provide a more natural environment for your turtle, you will have less control over environmental conditions and may need to bring your turtle inside during inclement weather. Buy a filter system. The filter keep help prevent bacteria from flourishing in your slider's tank. You don't necessarily have to buy a filter system. You can change the water regularly, which is a highly labor intensive task, or use a filter system designed for turtles. There are different types of filter, depending on your current needs and budget: Under-gravel filter: This needs a large surface area. It's only useful where you have one or two turtles. If it's air pump powered, it will only be useful for small turtles or hatchlings. Use a powerhead if using the filter with turtles older than hatchlings. Internal canister filter: This filter sits inside the tank. The larger the better. This can be both affordable and effective. Look for one that allows for easy cleaning, such as the foam type. External canister filter: This one sits outside of the tank. They tend to be expensive, but they are excellent at filtering, which reduces the number of times you need to change water. One canister filter recommended by many turtle owners is the Rena Filstar Xp3 or Xp4. Decorate the tank. Decorations can add diversity and interest to your turtle's habitat. Substrate, the material that lines the bottom of the tank, offers a way for the turtle to move between water and basking rocks with ease. River rocks provide a space for your turtle to bask. You could also make a basking spot from a plexiglass shelf glued to the side of the tank. Check that the glue is non-toxic. Avoid fish tank gravel as it presents a health risk––it could fatally block your turtle's intestines if swallowed. Also, carefully consider using water plants. While they can make the tank look nice and help with filtration, your turtle may be tempted to eat them. If you notice this happening, remove the plants and wash the tank. Place a well-fitting screen over the top of the tank to prevent a daredevil escape and to catch anything accidentally dropped from above. Set the correct temperatures. The water should be 80 - 82 degrees Fahrenheit ( 26.5 - 27.5 Celsius) for a hatchling or a sick turtle, and 77 - 80 degrees F (25.5 - 26.5 C) for a healthy turtle over a year old. The basking (dry land) area should be 10 degrees F (6 degrees C ) warmer than the water to entice the turtle to warm up by basking. The air temperature in the tank needs to be around 75 - 82 degrees Fahrenheit (24 - 28 degrees Celsius). Use the right kinds of lights. Turtles rely on UVA and UVB lights for vitamins, as well as a heat light. UV light does not travel through glass, so it is very important that you get a 5% or more UV lamp. The bulbs should be replaced about every 6 months. The heat light keeps the basking area temperature 10 degrees higher than your water temperature. Your turtle shouldn't be able to reach the lighting, since the bulbs can burn. Screw the lights tightly out of the way of the turtle. Also, never leave a glass or plastic tank in full sunlight as it will quickly overheat. Purchase your turtle. Never take a turtle from the wild. Not only is this cruel and unfair to the turtle, it is also illegal in most states. If you still are determined, be sure you have the legal paperwork to do so. The kindest thing you can do is to get an adult turtle that is no longer wanted, and there are a lot of abandoned turtles that need homes. Check out availability at adoption, rehoming or turtle rescue organizations. You can also try reputable breeders to get your turtle. Beware of pet stores that keep turtles in poor conditions. A number of turtles are ill before you buy them. Look around and take note of the turtle's behavior, as well as the conditions the turtles are kept in. The water in the tank should not smell. If it does this is a sign the turtles have not been cleaned out regularly and are more likely to become sick. It is not recommended to buy from large breeders, as they usually have bad conditions and lack veterinary care. Give your new turtle some space. Your turtle will probably be a little shy when you bring it home. It may take a few days before your turtle feels safe enough to venture forth from the shelter of its shell. Leave it in peace to settle down and wait for it to feel more confident. Determine the sex of your turtle. You will not be able to determine the sex until a turtle is a mature adult, from 2 to 4 years old. Males will have longer nails and tails than females. Females will also be larger in general. Feed your red-eared turtle the right food. A proper diet for red-eared turtles (and similar aquatic turtle species) should have the following proportions: vegetables and water plants 50 percent, commercial foods 25 percent, and live protein 25 percent. Red eared turtles are happy to store-bought food turtle food, as well as food you've foraged for them. Good vegetable choices include: dandelions (the ones in your yard are good if you don't use pesticides), carrot tops, mustard greens, romaine lettuce, carrots, bell pepper, and squash. The best greens are water plants like anacharis, water hyacinth, water lettuce, Frogbit, hornwort, and duckweed. While expensive in a pet store, these are easy to grow in a separate tank or pond, and they are cheap if you buy in bulk online. Red eared turtles don't usually eat fruit in the wild, so avoid it except for an absolute treat. If giving a treat, bananas are a good choice. For commercial food, look for something that has low protein and low fat. Dried shrimp are an absolute no-no! While turtles love the taste of dried shrimp, they offer no nutrients and turtles may refuse other foods for weeks. Check your turtle for signs of health problems. There are various conditions and diseases that can occur if the tank water is dirty, if the turtle's diet is poor or for other reasons. Some more common problems to watch for include: Eye infections : The eyes will appear closed, swollen, puffed up or discharging. You may see pieces of tissue coming off. Eye infections are caused by bacteria. The turtle should be seen by a vet and probably needs a topical antibiotic plus upgrading the tank's filtration system. Soft shell : If your turtle's shell is softer than it's supposed to be, your slider may not be getting enough light from your overhead light. If this happens, the turtle's dock may be too small, the water may be too deep, or the turtle is too weak to get on the dock. If this happens, contact your vet or a pet store. It can also mean that it has metabolic bone disease. Furry mouth and refusal to eat : Your turtle has a bacterial infection and should be seen by immediately by the vet for an antibiotic treatment. Weak, wheezing, lethargic and holding head at an unusual angle : This may be a respiratory infection, such as pneumonia. Immediately take your turtle to the vet. Wounds : Check the tank for sharp objects or a fighting mate. Remove the cause, treat the wound with povidone-iodine solution, and keep it clean. See your vet for more advice. Take your turtle outside sometimes for direct sun. You must supervise outside time, to prevent overheating. One approach is to get a kiddie pool, fill it with some water, and provide something for the turtle to bask on. Make sure to offer some shade for your turtle so it won't overheat. Spend time with your turtle. This is your pet and you'll form a bond, as with any pet, if you spend time together. Handle with care––not all turtles like being held or touched. Some turtles love to have their shells gently scratched, just like a backscratch, or scratching behind a dog's ear. However, be careful, as not all of them enjoy it and may try to bite. Note that their shells have nerve endings in them and they can feel everything. Be gentle. | Learn about red-eared sliders. Consider the time commitment. Think about providing all the necessary equipment and supplies. Keep costs in mind. Consider the risk of salmonella when handling turtles. Think about the turtle's personality. Purchase a tank. Look for a cheaper tank alternative. Buy a filter system. Decorate the tank. Set the correct temperatures. Use the right kinds of lights. Purchase your turtle. Give your new turtle some space. Determine the sex of your turtle. Feed your red-eared turtle the right food. Check your turtle for signs of health problems. Take your turtle outside sometimes for direct sun. Spend time with your turtle. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Generator | How to Use a Generator | To use a generator, start by checking the fuel and oil levels as well as inspecting the air filter for dirt and debris. If necessary, add fuel, oil, or clean the filter before powering up the machine. Next, make sure the circuit breaker is in the “Off” position, turn on the fuel valve, and use your generator's “Start” switch or key to power up the machine. Let the generator run for several minutes before switching the circuit breaker to the “On” position. When you no longer need the generator, flip the circuit breaker to “Off,” turn off the machine using the power switch or key, and set the fuel valve to the “Off” position. | Read the manufacturer's instructions. If you have never used your generator before, or if you haven't used it in a long time, it is critical to read all instructions and safety information provided with the generator. Before attempting to start the generator, take a few minutes to read over the information provided by the manufacturer so that you understand how to safely operate the machine. Consider storing safety information with the generator so that it is easy to find when you need it in a hurry. Set the generator in a proper place. Generators can get hot and noisy, and produce dangerous fumes. Keep the generator outdoors, in a dry location, at least 3 feet away from anything else, and at least 20 feet away from any open doors and windows. Check the fuel level. Your generator should have some sort of fuel gauge. Make sure that the generator's fuel tank is adequately filled before starting the machine. Add more of the appropriate fuel, if necessary. Check the generator’s oil level. Generators need oil to lubricate their running parts. Following your generator's manufacturer's instructions, check the oil level of your generator before starting it up. Add more oil (using only the type specified by the manufacturer), if necessary. Inspect the generator’s air filter. Your portable generator takes in air as part of the combustion process it runs to produce power. The filter traps dirt and debris, to ensure that the air the generator takes in is pure. You must inspect the filter before starting the generator. If it is dirty or clogged, clean or replace it according to the manufacturer's instructions. Flip the circuit breaker off. Your generator will have a switch that controls when it puts out power. Make sure that it is safely in the “OFF” position before starting the generator. Turn on the fuel valve. This control determines when fuel flows to the generator's engine. The generator needs the fuel in order to run and produce power, but you should not flip the fuel valve on until you are ready to start the generator. Start the generator. Using your generator's “START” switch or key, power the machine up. You should let the generator warm up and run for several minutes before switching the circuit breaker to the “ON” position (check your generator's instructions to see exactly how long it should warm up). Connect your devices. Many generators allow you to plug electronic devices directly into the generator. You may also use an approved extension cord. Choose one that is heavy-duty, outdoor-rated, and has a grounding pin. Turn the generator off. When you no longer need the generator's power, or when you need to refuel the generator, you should turn the machine off. First, flip the circuit breaker to the “OFF” position. Then, turn off the machine using the generator's power switch or key. Finally, set the generator's fuel valve to the “OFF” position. Keep an adequate supply of fuel for your needs. The amount of fuel you can store may be limited by laws, regulations, safety considerations, and storage space. Try to keep enough around to power the generator for as long as you need it. Check the manufacturer's instructions for tips on how long your generator will run on each tank of fuel. This can give you a sense of how much fuel to keep on hand. Use only the type of fuel recommended by the generator's manufacturer. Using an inappropriate fuel can be dangerous, and can void the generator's warranty. Common fuels used for portable generators include gasoline and kerosene. Turn the generator off and let it cool before refueling it. While it can be inconvenient to turn off your source of power when you most need it, trying to refuel a hot generator can be dangerous. Turn the machine off and wait 15 minutes to refuel. You can minimize the inconvenience by scheduling a refuel of the generator at an off-peak time, such as when your family is asleep. Inspect your generator regularly. It is important to keep your generator in good working order. Since it may sit unused for long periods of time, you should schedule regular inspections (at least once per year). Make sure that all the parts are clean and that there is fresh fuel in the tank. Store the generator according to the manufacturer's instructions. Run the generator for a short time about once a month to make sure that everything is working properly, and that the machine's parts stay lubricated. Buy the right generator. If you are shopping for a generator, get one that will supply the amount of power you will need. Labels and other information provided by the manufacturer should help you determine this. You can also ask an electrician for assistance. If you connect devices that use more power than the generator can produce, you run the risk of damaging either the generator or the devices. If you have a relatively small furnace and city water, you can probably power most household appliances with between 3000 and 5000 watts. If your home has a larger furnace and/or a well pump, you can expect to probably need a generator that produces 5000 to 65000 watts. Some manufacturers have a wattage calculator to help you determine your needs. Generators approved by Underwriter's Laboratories (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM) have undergone rigorous inspections and safety tests, and can be trusted. Never use a portable generator indoors. Portable generators can produce deadly fumes and carbon monoxide. When these become trapped in enclosed or partially-ventilated spaces, they can build up and cause illness and even death. Enclosed spaces can include not only rooms inside your house, but also a garage, basement, crawl space, etc. Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, so even if you don't see or smell any fumes, you may be in danger if you use the portable generator indoors. If you feel dizzy, sick, or weak when using a generator, get away immediately and seek fresh air. Keep your generator at least 20 feet away from any open windows or doors, as fumes can enter your home through these. You can install portable, battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors in your home. These work much like a smoke or fire alarm, and are a good idea to have at any time, but especially when you are using a generator. Inspect these regularly to make sure they are working and have fresh batteries. Never operate a generator in rainy or wet conditions. Generators produce electricity, and electricity and water make a potentially deadly combination. Set your generator on a dry, level surface. Keeping it under a canopy or other covered area can protect it from moisture, but the area must be open on all sides and well-ventilated. Never touch a generator with wet hands. Never plug a portable generator directly into a wall outlet. This is an extremely dangerous process known as “backfeeding," since it runs power back into the grid. It can harm you, electrical workers trying to repair a system during an outage, and your home. If you want to have backup power connected directly to your home, you must have a licensed electrician install a power transfer switch and a stationary generator. Store the generator’s fuel properly. Use only approved fuel containers, and store the fuel according to the manufacturer's instructions. Usually, this means in a cool, dry place, away from your home, flammable material, and other fuel sources. | Read the manufacturer's instructions. Set the generator in a proper place. Check the fuel level. Check the generator’s oil level. Inspect the generator’s air filter. Flip the circuit breaker off. Turn on the fuel valve. Start the generator. Connect your devices. Turn the generator off. Keep an adequate supply of fuel for your needs. Turn the generator off and let it cool before refueling it. Inspect your generator regularly. Buy the right generator. Never use a portable generator indoors. Never operate a generator in rainy or wet conditions. Never plug a portable generator directly into a wall outlet. Store the generator’s fuel properly. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Short-Grain-Brown-Rice | How to Cook Short Grain Brown Rice | To cook short grain brown rice, start by running 1 cup of rice under cold water for about 10 seconds in a fine mesh colander, which will help get rid of any excess starch. Next, combine 2 cups of water, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 2 tablespoons of unsalted vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Then, stir in 1 cup of rice and bring the mixture to a rolling boil over high heat. As soon as it starts boiling, reduce the heat to low, put the lid on the saucepan, and let the rice cook for 45 minutes. Once the time is up, let the rice sit for about 10 minutes to absorb excess water. Finally, fluff the cooked rice with a fork and enjoy! | Run the rice under cold water for about 10 seconds in a fine mesh colander. While short-grain rice is meant to be starchier than long-grain rice, running the rice under water will help to get rid of any excess starch that does nothing but add cholesterol. Pour your rice into a rice strainer or fine mesh colander and run water over it for just a few seconds. Usually, you would run water over rice for about 30 seconds, but because short grain rice is meant to be sticky, you do not want to get rid of too much. Combine your water, salt, and butter or vegetable oil in a saucepan. Add 2 cups (470 ml) of water, 1 teaspoon (5.7 g) of salt, and 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of unsalted vegetable oil to a heavy-bottomed saucepan, but do not turn on the heat. The salt will let the water get hotter before it reaches a boil, while vegetable oil improves the texture and flavor of the rice. The heavy-bottomed saucepan will cook the rice more evenly. You can use butter instead of vegetable oil for a creamier texture. Generally, you should aim for a 2 to 1 ratio of water to rice. If you want to make more, take the amount of rice you want to make, double it, and add that much water. You should add more salt and butter to the mix in a proportional amount (so if you make twice the amount of rice, add twice the amount of salt and butter). Squeeze 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of lemon juice into the saucepan if you so desire. Lemon juice adds a subtle zest to rice, which greatly improves its flavor if eaten as a side or alone without additions, but it is not needed to cook the rice fully. The starch of short grain rice brings out the citrus flavor more fully than long-grain rice. You can also use the juice of an orange, if you don't like lemon, although it will not produce quite as strong of a citrus flavor. If you do use an orange, add about 2 tbsp (14 g) of orange zest to the rice after cooking. Add the rice and give the mix a few stirs. Add 1 cup (180 g) of rice to the saucepan and stir the mix to get the rice evenly spread around the saucepan. Don't stir or disturb the rice while it cooks, or it won't cook evenly. Make sure you have about double the amount of water as you do rice to cook it without having to use a rice strainer later on. Bring the rice to a rolling boil on high heat. It is very important that you do not have the heat on until all the ingredients are combined. Turn your stovetop to near-max heat, and allow the rice to come to a rapid rolling boil. Reduce the heat to low and cover tightly as soon as it boils. The water has reached a rolling boil after bubbles form, rise, and burst rapidly. Turn the heat to low and cover the saucepan tightly. It is very important that you do not remove the cover at all during the cooking process, as the heat needs to be trapped to properly cook the rice. If the lid is removed even for a peek, the rice will cook unevenly. Cook the rice for a further 45 minutes. Keeping the heat on low, let the rice cook for three-quarters of an hour. Make sure the lid is on there nice and tight before finding something to do. You can use this time to prepare veggies and other additions for your rice. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the rice sit for 5 to 10 minutes. This allows the rice to fully absorb the rest of the water in the saucepan while letting it cool down enough to eat. Even though the saucepan is off the heat, do not remove the lid yet, as this traps the water and steam, and the rice will finish cooking on its own. Remove the cover and fluff the rice with a fork. With the cover finally removed, the rice may look a little deflated. Using a fork, gently fluff the rice by inserting it into the center and raising it, as if you were slowly whisking eggs, until you have fluffed the entire mix. Fluffing with a fork is better than with a spoon or other utensil as the gaps between prongs allow proper mixing and allow excess water to evaporate. Your rice should end up plump but still sticky — it should look like it fills the saucepan ever so slightly more than when it was un-fluffed. Serve it hot alongside your favorite foods. Short-grain brown rice goes well with just about everything, but especially well as a side to Asian , South American , Indian , and Middle Eastern entrees. By simply adding some cooked veggies or meats after it has finished cooking, it can become an excellent entree on its own. You can store rice in the fridge in a sealed container for a few days. If it starts to turn crusty, add a few drops of water to it before you reheat it to bring back its fluffy stickiness. | Run the rice under cold water for about 10 seconds in a fine mesh colander. Combine your water, salt, and butter or vegetable oil in a saucepan. Squeeze 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of lemon juice into the saucepan if you so desire. Add the rice and give the mix a few stirs. Bring the rice to a rolling boil on high heat. Reduce the heat to low and cover tightly as soon as it boils. Cook the rice for a further 45 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the rice sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove the cover and fluff the rice with a fork. Serve it hot alongside your favorite foods. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Hook-a-Minnow | How to Hook a Minnow | When you hook a minnow to use for bait fish, where you place the hook depends on how you like to fish. If you are trolling or repeatedly casting, run the hook through the minnows lips so it will appear to swim naturally as it's pulled through the water. When ice fishing or using a sinker to still fish, hook the minnow through its back. To fish with an unweighted line, hook the minnow through its tail. | Hook a minnow through its lips when trolling or when repeatedly casting and retrieving. Hooking a minnow this way lets it swim naturally when being pulled through the water. Rigs that call for lip-looked minnows include live-bait rigs such as a sliding weight or drop-shot rig, as well as with a sinker and bobber. You can also hook a minnow this way on a jig head to “sweeten” the lure. When hooking a minnow through the lips, thread the hook through first the lower, then the upper lip. Because the hook will turn point up, this will let the minnow swim upright. Hooking a minnow through the lips will prevent water from entering its mouth and exiting its gills, causing it to eventually die. Check live minnows hooked this way often and replace them when they show signs of dying. Hook a minnow through its back when still fishing. Hooking a minnow through the back, just behind its dorsal fin, lets it swim more naturally when rigged under a sinker to keep it under the water and a bobber about 18 inches (45 cm) ahead of the minnow to keep it from going down too far. This method is also recommended for using minnows as bait on a tip-up when ice fishing. A minnow hooked through the back can survive longer than one hooked through the lips. However, if you pierce the minnow's spine when hooking it this way, you'll paralyze it. Hook a minnow through its tail when fishing it without any weight or bobber. This lets the minnow swim as freely as possible when it is not pulling any weight other than that of the hook. Fishing a minnow with an unweighted line works best when casting to a specific target or when fishing for fish suspended in trees or near a boat dock. Some anglers also use the tail hook method when using a very light sinker on the line. Choose the right hook. The size of hook you use depends on how large the minnows you're fishing are. For minnows under 3 inches (7.5 cm), a size 4 or size 6 hook works best. For minnows 4 to 5 inches (10 to 12.5 cm) or larger, you can go as large as a size 2, 1/0, or even 2/0.. Tie direct. Although snap swivels make it easier to change hooks and lures, they also add extra weight that can upset the minnow's swimming action. You can, however, rig either a barrel swivel or a three-way swivel some distance ahead of the hook to fish with either a sliding sinker (using the barrel swivel as a stop) or a dipsey sinker or split shot (with the three-way swivel). Use thinner line in clear water. Lines of 6 to 8 pound test (3 to 4 kg class) are recommended when fishing clear rivers or lakes. Maintain a cool temperature. Minnows thrive best in cool water or water of a temperature no higher than that of the water they're being fished in. Cooler water holds more oxygen than warmer water. Keeping your minnow bucket out of direct sunlight will keep the water cooler. If the water in the minnow bucket is in danger of getting too warm, you can add ice in small amounts. Too much ice at once, however, will cool the water too rapidly and will send the minnows into shock, eventually killing them. If the temperature of the water in which you're fishing sharply differs from that of the minnow bucket, temper the bucket water by gradually adding outside water to the bucket. Although some minnow buckets are designed to be immersed in the water you're fishing, doing so before tempering the water gradually will shock and kill the minnows. Keep the water clean. Just as with caring for fish in an aquarium, you need to filter and change the water in your minnow bucket when keeping minnows in it for a long period of time. If your minnow bucket water comes from a city tap, add a few drops of de-chlorinating solution to take out any chlorine present in the water. If the bucket water turns cloudy, change it immediately to remove the ammonia built up from the fishes' waste excretions. Consider an aerator. Portable aerators add oxygen to the water in the minnow bucket, which can help keep your minnows alive longer. Aerators typically run on batteries, but some may include adapters to connect them to a 12-volt battery. Some aerators let you adjust the level of oxygen they deliver to the water. Generally, you want to maintain an output of tiny bubbles, which carry more oxygen, and don't push the fish around the way larger bubbles might. Choose an aerator that runs as quietly as possible to avoid disturbing you when you're fishing. Don’t overcrowd your minnows. Too many baitfish in too small a bucket leads to increased competition for the available oxygen in the water and increases the amount of waste ammonia. A 1-gallon (3.79 l) minnow bucket can handle up to 6 dozen 3/4 to 1 inch (19.1 to to 25 mm) fathead minnows, 4 to 5 dozen 2 to 3 1/2 inch (50 to 88.9 mm) shiner minnows, and 1 to 1 1/2 dozen chubs of 3 1/2 inches (88.9 mm) or larger. For very large baitfish, such as 10 to 18-inch (25 to 45.72 cm) suckers, a 5-gallon (18.93 l) bucket is recommended. | Hook a minnow through its lips when trolling or when repeatedly casting and retrieving. Hook a minnow through its back when still fishing. Hook a minnow through its tail when fishing it without any weight or bobber. Choose the right hook. Tie direct. Use thinner line in clear water. Maintain a cool temperature. Keep the water clean. Consider an aerator. Don’t overcrowd your minnows. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Overcome-Insecurity | How to Overcome Insecurity | To overcome insecurity, write down everything you are worried about and all the things that make you feel like you can't accomplish things. As you read over your list, ask yourself how many of these things are rational and how many are a result of negative thinking. Consider what might be at the root of your fears, and think about positive solutions for the things worrying you. Alternatively, you can write down all of your successes so that when you feel insecure you can remind yourself of all of the proud moments you have had. | Practice being objective. If you are feeling like you can't accomplish something, take a step out of yourself for a moment and imagine you are a completely different person. Think about what you would tell another person in your situation. For example, if you're nervous about going to a party where you don't know a lot of people or are interviewing for a new job, think about the advice you would give a person in a similar situation. If you look at it this way, you'll see that there's nothing to be scared about and that you will succeed if you put your mind to it. Write down your fears. Write down all of the things that you are worried about, and all of the factors that make you feel like you can't accomplish a thing. Read them over and ask yourself how many of them are rational, and how many are just a product of negative thinking. Take the time to really think of what's at the root of your fears -- whether it's making a fool of yourself, disappointing your parents, or not having the life you want. See how many of your fears you can tackle, and how many positive solutions you can think of for all of the things that are worrying you. It's perfectly natural to be afraid of failure or of coming off looking bad. Everybody has these fears from time to time. It's unnatural, however, to be so plagued with worry that you feel like you can't get a single thing done. Remember all of the success you've had. Instead of focusing on all the times you embarrassed yourself, failed at something, or just looked silly, you should take a long hard look at all the times that you've done really well. Think of the success you've had in school, the great friendships you've maintained, or just of random times when you made a group of people crack up because of your winning sense of humor. The more great times you remember, the more confidence you'll have that you can have more of them in the future. It can be helpful to write down each of your successes after they happen. Keep a success journal at your desk and fill it up with proud achievements and fond memories. When you feel incapable of anything and feel like you can't do anything right, you can look over your list and remember what an awesome, capable person you are. Ask yourself, "What's the worst that could happen? " And be honest with your answer. If you get a new haircut and a few people don't like it, then it's unlikely to end of the world. If you absolutely hate it, then guess what -- hair grows. Don't let these silly worries stop you from trying something different. Once you realize that the worst isn't really that bad, you'll be more likely to be dynamic and to take risks. If you cannot tell when your responses stop being reasonable and start being ridiculous, try running it by someone whose sensibility you trust. They should be able to tell you if your worst case scenario is feasible or overthought. Now ask yourself, "What's the best thing that could happen? " This is something insecure people don't do nearly enough. Let's say you're nervous about going on a first date with someone you're set up with. The best thing that can happen is that you and the person hit it off, and begin a meaningful and satisfying relationship. Isn't this worth going on the date for? Though the best thing ever isn't always likely to happen, having it on the table can help you approach new tasks with a positive mindset. Before you set out to do something new, you can even write down the best thing that can happen, or the best three things that can happen, so they are fresh in your mind when the time comes. Remember your positive qualities. To keep yourself feeling secure, you need to keep your positive qualities in the forefront of your mind. Make a list of all of the things you love about yourself, from your friendliness to your intelligence, and keep it at the forefront of your mind whenever you engage with someone. Insecure people tend to focus only on the worst parts about themselves, which leads them to feel unhappy with who they are. By only looking at the negative things that are distinct about yourself, you focus on them and neglect your positive qualities. If you have been hard on yourself for a long time, it can be difficult to think of anything worthwhile about yourself at first. Practice positive self-talk. It is especially hard to notice negative self-talk if you have been doing it for a long time. If you're always telling yourself that you're a loser, a failure, or that you can't do anything right, then you're bound to feel that way forever. Instead, work on telling yourself positive things about yourself so you're more likely to attack new tasks with a healthy mindset and a desire to do well. A helpful exercise to get you more comfortable with positive self-talk and to rein in your self-abuse is to tell yourself two sincerely nice things about yourself for every negative thing. They don't have to be related. For example, if you burn your tongue because you didn't wait long enough for your coffee to cool off and swear, "Idiot! That was a stupid move," at yourself, you must then remind yourself, "But I do play tennis pretty well, and I have a great sense of humor." It may seem odd, but you are shifting your attitude when you praise yourself. Question why you tell yourself no. Start saying yes more often. Instead of telling yourself all the reasons why you want to say no to a new experience, try running through what might happen if you said yes. Even if all of your no answers are true, the yes scenario could lead to new and unexpected things. If you get a little hurt after saying yes to a new experience, you can recover and you have a new experience under your belt than if you had simply said no. If nothing comes of it at all, you can be happy to think that you are the kind of positive and outgoing person who is willing to try new things. Say a distant friend of yours from your music class approaches you and tells you they want to start a band, and they'd like you to join. Your automatic response might be "No way, I've never been in a band and you certainly don't seem to know how to make a successful one -- besides, I don't think of myself as a musician and I don't have time with classes and..." In this way of thinking, before anything has gone anywhere, you have already shut yourself down and denied any exploration into the potential of the idea. You could bond with that friend and their friends, get an interesting experience out of it, and have a new story to tell. Say yes and see where it leads you. Keep nurturing company. Pay attention to the friends you keep and their attitudes about others, themselves, and you. If you start noticing that the majority of your friends are highly critical, criticizing clothing, body, decisions, speech, or behavior on a daily basis, you may want to seek less judgmental friends. Try instead to find people who have nice things to say about others and are not quick to pass judgement. While having a few negative friends is perfectly fine, if you are surrounded by negativity, even if it is not directed at you, you are absorbing its effects. Even if your friend is pointing out the stupid looking hairstyle on someone else, if you happen to like that hairstyle, now you are feeling as though you were mistaken and losing confidence in your own opinion. Be more forgiving of others. Do not be quick to pass judgment, yourself. Trying to put others down may seem like it raises you up, but really, every time you knock someone else down, you are also criticizing a quality you possess and are knocking yourself down, too. Instead, raise others up. Not only will you have better luck making friends and having meaningful relationships, but you will also be elevating yourself. If you find yourself condemning other's failures or decisions, think about why you are doing so. If your initial thought is "because they're wrong," think a little harder. Why is it wrong? In what context? Is it your cultural background or how you were raised that makes you think so? Would someone from another country or cultural background feel the same way? Just because someone is doing something differently than you would or is living in a way you would not choose, it does not automatically make them wrong. Do one thing that excites you every day. It doesn't have to be dangerous -- just go to a part of town you've never been to on your own and go into a random store. See what you find there. Try talking to the clerk. The more new and exciting experiences you rack up, the more likely you are to be excited by life instead of being scared of new things or new people. If you know that you're capable of doing exciting things every day, then you'll stop thinking that anything you try will end in failure. If you're self-conscious about your image, try going to a clothing store somewhere out of the norm and trying on a bunch of clothes that you know don't suit your tastes. Laugh to yourself at your appearance in the mirror. You may actually find something that unexpectedly suits you. If not, you have your own familiar clothes which may seem a bit less ridiculous now. Just try new things as often as you can! Address the flaws you can address. If you hate your freckles or the sound of your own voice, then there may not be too much you can do about it. If you have flaws you can't change, you have to work on accepting them. But if there are things you can change about yourself, such as how easily you get stressed out, your lack of compassion, or your lack of conviction, then you need to take some steps to work on the things you can work on. Sure, we are all born with a certain disposition and it's hard to transform yourself completely, but you can definitely work on improving the qualities that you can improve. If you take action to improve the things you don't like about yourself, you'll be on your way to feeling more secure in no time. Nobody said it was easy to figure out what you want to change about yourself and then to go for it. But this is better than the alternative: forever bemoaning the things you don't like about yourself without lifting a finger to do something about it. Stop comparing yourself to other people. One of the best ways to guarantee that you'll be insecure is to compare yourself to the people you know, or even to the people you see on television. If you do that, you're sure to find a way to make yourself feel ugly, poor, unsuccessful, or a number of other unflattering things just because you feel like you can never measure up to other people. Instead, focus on the things that would make your life better by your own standards, not by anyone else's. If you try hard enough, you'll always be able to find someone who is healthier, wealthier, and wiser than you are. But chances are, there are many people who wish they were more like you in some ways, too. The grass is always greener, and the person who you may think is perfect and has it all together may be wishing he or she were someone else. Talk it out with a close friend. One way to overcome your insecurities is to talk them over with a close friend. Having someone who knows and understands you can help you get an unbiased perspective, and can make you feel like your worries or fears are irrational. A good friend will cheer you on, tell you that you can achieve your goals, and can help you dispel any of the negativity and doubt that surrounds your life. Sometimes, talking something out is half the battle to solving it. You may be feeling worse because you've been bottling your insecurities up inside you. Work to excel at something. If you want to feel better about yourself, then one way to do it is to be good at something. It can be dancing, writing short stories, painting, telling jokes, or being a whiz at foreign languages. It doesn't matter what it is; what matters is that you've devoted enough time and energy into something that you can say, "Hey, I'm really good at this." Making the effort to succeed at something and making the commitment to do it regularly can definitely help you feel good about yourself. To be clear, you shouldn't aim to be the best soccer player on the field or the sharpest student in math class to impress other people. You should do it to make yourself proud. Learn to laugh at yourself. In general, people who are insecure take themselves pretty seriously. They are always worrying about failing or embarrassing themselves. People who have a good sense of humor about themselves and understand that everyone makes a fool of himself from time to time tend to be more secure, because they accept that they will mess up sometimes and are okay with it. You should learn to laugh at yourself, and to make jokes if something didn't go as planned, instead of worrying about coming off looking good all the time. It'll be a big relief to face the day with more laughter and less worries about everything going perfectly. This doesn't mean that you should be super self-deprecating and laugh at your own expense all the time. But it does mean that you should treat yourself more lightly and with more forgiveness; if you laugh at yourself, people will feel more comfortable around you because they won't be afraid of offending you all the time, and you'll find that you feel more comfortable with yourself in return. Get as much information as you can. One reason you may be feeling insecure is because you hate dealing with uncertainty. You may not know what to expect at a party, in a new class, or during a trip where you won't know many people. While you can't predict what may happen in a given situation, you can make yourself feel a bit better by gathering more information about it so you feel a bit more in control. This will help you feel more secure about what's going to happen. For example, if you're going to a party, try to find out who will be there, what kind of things people will do there, what the dress code will be, etc, so that you feel like you have a better sense of what to expect. If you're worried about giving a presentation, make sure you know how many people will be there, what the room will look like, who else will be presenting, and so on, so that there are less X factors for you to worry about. Remember that you're not alone. You may feel like you're the only person in the world who is constantly doubting himself or who feels like he doesn't quite measure up. However, you have to remember that everyone has felt insecure at one time or another, even supermodels or extremely successful businessmen. Insecurity is just a part of life, and if you stop feeling insecure about your insecurity, you'll already be on your way to feeling better! Everyone has something that he or she is insecure about, and your doubts are perfectly normal. Knowing this can already put you on the path to feeling better. Try mindful meditation. Sit or lie down comfortably with your eyes closed, focusing only your breathing for 10 minutes. Try to clear your head of any thoughts causing you stress and release physical tension in your body. Meditation can draw your focus away from insecurities and worries, leaving you with a sense of peace and calm. | Practice being objective. Write down your fears. Remember all of the success you've had. Ask yourself, "What's the worst that could happen? Now ask yourself, "What's the best thing that could happen? Remember your positive qualities. Practice positive self-talk. Question why you tell yourself no. Keep nurturing company. Be more forgiving of others. Do one thing that excites you every day. Address the flaws you can address. Stop comparing yourself to other people. Talk it out with a close friend. Work to excel at something. Learn to laugh at yourself. Get as much information as you can. Remember that you're not alone. Try mindful meditation. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Do-Simple-and-Cute-Hairstyles | How to Do Simple and Cute Hairstyles | For a simple DIY hairstyle at home, start with a ponytail and build up to more styles. To make a ponytail, tease the crown of your hair with a comb, pull the hair back and secure it with an elastic. If you want to make your ponytail look longer, separate your hair into top and bottom halves and make a ponytail for each one so that the one on the bottom rests under the one on top. From there, you can make a simple bun by twisting the hair that hangs from your ponytail, coiling it up on your head, and securing with pins. | Decide where you want your ponytail to sit. Ponytails are incredibly versatile. Your ponytail's placement can dramatically affect your look. High ponytails sit on the crown of your head so that the ponytail is visible from the front. These are very dramatic and fashionable. Tying your hair just a few inches lower gives a more sporty look. Low ponytails at the nape of your neck can make you look down-to-earth. Another less common type of ponytail is 1 tied to the side of the head instead of the back. Side ponytails can make you seem quirky and fun. Tease your hair slightly at your crown. Teasing, also known as backcombing, adds subtle, flattering volume that may also help to keep your ponytail in place. Take a section of hair from the back of your head where it starts to curve downward. Gently backcomb the bottom part of this section with 2 or 3 passes. To backcomb , grip the section of hair and hold it vertically away from your scalp. Run a comb from the middle of the back of your hair towards the roots, stroking downward. Repeat this until the gathered strands have created a cushion on your crown. If you are doing a side ponytail, tease a small section of hair right above where you plan on placing the hair tie. If your hair is curly, you can skip this step. Gather your hair back. Use both hands to sweep the majority of your hair backward and hold it in place with 1 hand. For a sleek and practical ponytail to keep hair out of your face, gather all of your hair, including your bangs. For a more laid-back look, leave your bangs loose (if you have bangs) or pull a few wisps of hair out around your face. For a side ponytail, gather your hair to the side instead. Smooth out any bumps with a flat brush. Gather your hair into the crook of your index finger and thumb and then use the other hand to smooth back your hair. Smooth down the hair with your fingers first, and then run the brush over the hair to get it nice and neat. Keep holding onto the hair with your other hand while you do this. Loosen and tighten your grip on the hair as needed to smooth it. Switch hands as needed to smooth out both sides of the ponytail. Secure your ponytail in place. Take a hair tie and pull it over your ponytail from the back. Once the elastic reaches the base of your ponytail, twist it into a figure 8. Pull your ponytail back through this new opening. Repeat this until the hair tie no longer has slack and your ponytail isn't budging from its desired position. For extra style, you can use a colorful scrunchy. You could even create your own unique ponytail by adding braids or twists wherever you want. For a simpler look, use a plain elastic. Consider doing a double ponytail. One easy secret to creating a longer-looking ponytail is to stack 2 ponytails on top of each other. Instead of tying all of your hair back at once, separate it into top and bottom halves. Tie each half back as its own ponytail. Position the top ponytail at the crown of your head and the other pony tail a few inches below it. Comb the ends of the 2 ponytails together so they blend together as a single, very long ponytail. Get a hair donut. The most important thing you'll need to make a sock bun is a spongy donut-shaped item to wrap it around. Hair donuts are what give the sock bun its perfect shape. You can either buy a hair donut or make 1 for yourself by cutting the toe off of a tube sock. Discard the toe. The remaining sock tube will be your donut. You don't have to shape the tube; it will take on a donut shape further on. If you are using a sock, take 1 edge of the sock and roll it up into itself until it takes on a solid donut shape. Put your hair into a ponytail. Use the techniques discussed elsewhere in this article. Place the base of your ponytail wherever you want your bun to sit. The most popular position for a sock bun is on the crown of your head starting from a high ponytail. It's better to use a thin hair tie rather than a bulky scrunchie, as a scrunchie may cause bumps in your bun. Pull your ponytail through the center of your sock bun. If you're using a hair donut, just put it on just as you would a scrunchie. If you're using a sock, pull it down to the base of your ponytail. Roll your hair onto the donut. Bring the donut up to the tip of your ponytail. Spread the ends of your hair evenly around the donut. Then slowly roll the donut down towards the base of your ponytail, wrapping your hair with it. Roll the hair donut down around the base of your ponytail. Tuck any loose strands into the donut. If you can see the donut through gaps in your hair, gently spread your hair out a bit to cover them. Depending on how tight you've rolled your bun and how thick your hair is, you may not need to secure it any further. If your hair is very fine or you've rolled it loosely, secure your bun with a few bobby pins. Use a comb to give yourself a middle part and gather all of your hair back. Make sure you have 2 large and 4 small bobby pins on hand if you decide to go with this style. Twist your hair. Take your gathered up hair with 1 hand and twist it in a clockwise direction by rolling your wrist. Be gentle to avoid hair breakage or hurting your scalp. Keep twisting until all of your hair from the nape of your neck to the tips is a tight spiral. Coil your hair into a bun. Hold your hair with 1 hand, maintaining its twisted spiral. With that same hand, begin to wrap the whole strand in a clockwise circle around its base. Place your index finger of your other hand in the center of the base to keep the bun in shape. Once you've gotten down to the end of your hair, wrap the tips underneath the rest of the bun. You can also do a counterclockwise bun. If you choose this option, start by twisting your hair counterclockwise instead. Secure your wrapped hair. Use large bobby pins on either side to hold your bun securely. Make any minor changes to your bun's shape you'd like by gently pulling edges loose with your fingers. Once you have the desired shape, pin it in place with the 4 smaller bobby pins. You may choose to put the finishing touches on your bun by adding a little volume to your hairdo. Use the tail of a comb and gently slide it under the hair at your crown. Gently pull the hair slightly up and out of the bun. You can use the same technique on the outer portion of the bun. Use a comb to gather all of your hair into a ponytail. A chignon is a classic hairstyle that is worn low on the back of your head, near the nape of your neck. You will need to start with a sleek ponytail, so gather your hair, smooth it out, and secure it with an elastic band at the back of your head. Secure the ponytail halfway to the ends with another elastic band. Brush out the ponytail well to ensure that it is smooth. Then, secure the ponytail with an elastic band near the center. Slide a bobby pin over the elastic band and fold over the ponytail. Slide the bobby pin onto the elastic band going towards the base of the ponytail. Then, fold the ponytail up towards the base so that the 2 elastic bands are right next to each other and insert the bobby pin through the base of the ponytail. You can position the hair however you want, but the classic way is to fold it straight up and secure the bobby pin through the top center of the ponytail holder. Wrap the remaining hair around the base of the ponytail. Take the ends of your ponytail and wrap them around the base of the chignon to hide the elastics. Then, insert bobby pins on either side to hold the hair wrapped around your chignon securely. Spray on some hairspray for a stronger hold. Create a pony tail where you would like the braid. Brush your hair out and secure it with an elastic at the back of your head. If desired, you can also skip the ponytail and just divide your hair into 3 sections to start. Take your ponytail and separate it into 3 equal sections. Label these sections A, B, and C respectively. Create your first twist in your braid by taking and crossing it over B. The order should now be B, A, C. Next you should take C and cross it over A. Now the order should be B, C, A. This creates your first twist in the braid. Repeat steps 2-4 until you get to the end of your braid, secure with an elastic and enjoy your new look! Slide a stretchy headband over the crown of your head. Position the front of the headband so that it either rests on the top of your forehead or an inch or 2 back on top of your hair. Move the back portion of the headband wherever you want your tuck to be. A popular position is the nape of the neck. Make sure your headband fits correctly. It must be both tight enough to stay in place all day and loose enough for hair to be tucked into. Your headband should not slide around at all on your head. You should be able to slide 2 to 3 fingers comfortably underneath the headband. Don't wear a headband that feels like it's pinching your head. Tuck your hair into the headband. Begin from the front and work in sections. Take a strand of hair into your hand and bring it up and over the headband. Tuck the ends in so that the hair forms a loop. For best results, start in the front of your hair and work towards the center back on the sides. Then combine the ends into the middle section and fold them together. If your hairdo is looking too flat, add some volume. Take a styling comb and gently insert it under the hair at your crown and/or tucked into the headband. Carefully lift the comb to pull the hair out slightly. Re-tuck any strands that you may have accidently loosened out of the headband completely. | Decide where you want your ponytail to sit. Tease your hair slightly at your crown. Gather your hair back. Smooth out any bumps with a flat brush. Secure your ponytail in place. Consider doing a double ponytail. Get a hair donut. Put your hair into a ponytail. Pull your ponytail through the center of your sock bun. Roll your hair onto the donut. Roll the hair donut down around the base of your ponytail. Use a comb to give yourself a middle part and gather all of your hair back. Twist your hair. Coil your hair into a bun. Secure your wrapped hair. Use a comb to gather all of your hair into a ponytail. Secure the ponytail halfway to the ends with another elastic band. Slide a bobby pin over the elastic band and fold over the ponytail. Wrap the remaining hair around the base of the ponytail. Create a pony tail where you would like the braid. Take your ponytail and separate it into 3 equal sections. Create your first twist in your braid by taking and crossing it over B. Next you should take C and cross it over A. Repeat steps 2-4 until you get to the end of your braid, secure with an elastic and enjoy your new look! Slide a stretchy headband over the crown of your head. Make sure your headband fits correctly. Tuck your hair into the headband. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Kill-Yellow-Jackets-in-the-Wall | How to Kill Yellow Jackets in the Wall | If you have yellow jackets in the wall, the first step is to find the nest. While wearing protective clothing, drill a small hole in the wall as close to the nest as possible. Immediately spray an entire can of a quick-freeze aerosol product designed to kill yellow jackets into the hole. Seal the hole you drilled with caulk or drywall mud, then cover it with masking tape. | Call an exterminator for best results. You're probably trying to get rid of these yellow jackets on your own, but in some cases that may not be possible. If you don't know where the nest is, if you're allergic to yellow jackets, or if you've tried several strategies and still have a problem with yellow jackets in your walls, it's best to contact an exterminator. These professionals have experience dealing with pests and can eliminate the problem for you. Treat the nest at night early in the summer, if possible. It's best to treat a yellow jacket nest before the colony grows to an unmanageable size. The colony will grow over the warmer months, so it's best to handle the problem as early as possible. Treating the nest at night ensures that most, if not all, of the yellow jackets are inside. The yellow jackets will die off in the winter, so if the nest is in an unused space (like an attic), you could simply wait for their life cycle to end. Purchase a quick-freeze aerosol product designed to kill yellow jackets. Because the yellow jackets are inside a structure, you can't use dust, like Sevin 5 Garden Dust, to kill the yellow jackets. You'll need a quick-freeze aerosol product designed to kill yellow jackets instead. Pick up several cans of this product from your local gardening center or home improvement store. Wear protective clothing when dealing with yellow jackets. Yellow jackets can sting you, so it's important to wear thick clothing and other gear to protect yourself. You should also get a netted hood, like those used by beekeepers, to protect your face and head. Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, thick socks, closed-toe shoes, and leather gloves. Find the entrance to the nest and the nest itself. In some cases, the entrance the yellow jackets use can be up to 30 feet (9.1 m) away from the nest itself. Generally, the entrance to the nest is outdoors. Inspect the structure for holes and try to determine where the yellow jackets are coming from. If you aren't sure where the nest is, look for a shiny area of the wall. The yellow jackets can actually use the drywall for nest material, leaving only a layer of paint between their nest and your living space. You may also be able to hear the yellow jackets moving inside the walls. Find the area where the noise is the loudest, either by placing your ear against the wall or using a listening device. Drill a hole into the wall if the entrance isn’t near the nest. If the entrance to the nest is far from the nest itself, or if you are unable to find the entrance, you'll need to drill a hole in the wall. The drill bit can be small—the hole only needs to be large enough to insert the nozzle of an aerosol spray can into it. Drill the hole as close to the nest as possible. Spray a quick-freeze aerosol product into the hole immediately after drilling. You'll want to act fast so the yellow jackets can't escape. Immediately after drilling the hole, stick the nozzle on the spray can into the hole. Spray the entire can of product into the hole to kill the yellow jackets. If the entrance is very close to the nest, you can spray the aerosol product into the entrance hole instead of drilling a new hole. Seal the hole you drilled. It's crucial to seal up the hole so the yellow jackets don't emerge into your living space. Fill the hole with caulk or drywall mud, then cover it with masking tape. Leave the entrance hole open. It's important to leave the entrance hole open so the yellow jackets can escape. Otherwise, the ones left alive may find a way to enter your home, like through small holes around electrical or light fixtures. Repeat the procedure after 3 days if the yellow jackets remain. If you still see, hear, or notice yellow jacket activity in the walls, you may need to spray the nest again. Be sure to wear protective clothing and follow the same procedure to kill the remaining yellow jackets. Contact an exterminator if the nest needs to be removed. In many cases, you can leave the nest inside the wall, like if it is in an attic. However, if there are lots of larvae in the nest, they can rot and attract other pests. If you want to remove the nest, it's best to contact an exterminator as well as a contractor. They can work together to get rid of the nest and make repairs. Put tight-fitting lids on your garbage cans. Yellow jackets are attracted by food waste, so if your garbage cans are open, you may be luring them in. Use tight-fitting lids to seal your garbage cans, both indoors and outdoors, to discourage yellow jackets from roaming around your property. Keep pet food inside. A bowl of Fido's kibble on the patio could be attracting yellow jackets to your home. Rather than leaving pet food and other sources of protein outdoors, be sure to store these items inside your home or garage. It's best to store pet food in airtight containers. Dispose of any leftover food in the bowl once your pet is done eating. Seal any holes in your exterior. If you have holes in the exterior of your home, even if they are quite small, yellow jackets can get inside. Inspect your siding, screens, vents, and door jambs for holes. If necessary, replace the screens or weather stripping, or use caulk to seal up holes. Set hanging traps to catch yellow jackets. If you see yellow jackets flying around your home or property, you can use a hanging trap to catch them. These traps use a sugar solution to lure the yellow jackets into a small hole. They cannot get out of the trap and will die. | Call an exterminator for best results. Treat the nest at night early in the summer, if possible. Purchase a quick-freeze aerosol product designed to kill yellow jackets. Wear protective clothing when dealing with yellow jackets. Find the entrance to the nest and the nest itself. Drill a hole into the wall if the entrance isn’t near the nest. Spray a quick-freeze aerosol product into the hole immediately after drilling. Seal the hole you drilled. Leave the entrance hole open. Repeat the procedure after 3 days if the yellow jackets remain. Contact an exterminator if the nest needs to be removed. Put tight-fitting lids on your garbage cans. Keep pet food inside. Seal any holes in your exterior. Set hanging traps to catch yellow jackets. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-Rit-Dye | How to Use Rit Dye | Before you use Rit Dye on a garment, make sure to wash and dry the item since dirt and oils may prevent the dye from setting. Then, stir half a bottle of liquid dye into 3 gallons of hot water, and add 1 cup of salt for cotton items, or 1 cup of white vinegar for wools, silks, or nylons to ensure even coloration. Next, place the garment in the dye and use metal tongs to swish it for 30 minutes before removing. Afterwards, rinse the item with warm water, then wash it with a mild detergent and run it through the dryer to lock in the color. | Set out a container to do your dyeing in. A plastic bucket or dish pan that holds around 5 gallons (19 L) will allow you to work with bold colors without worrying about making a mess. You can also do your dyeing in a sink, provided that it's stainless steel. Whatever container you select should be roomy enough to comfortably hold several gallons of water, along with the item you'll be dyeing. Don't use Rit Dye in white porcelain or fiberglass sinks, as it can cause permanent stains. Protect your work area. Lay out a few sheets of newspaper or some old towels directly under your dyeing container. They'll serve as a barrier to keep the dye from coming into contact with the floor, countertop, or whatever other surface you're using. By taking a few extra moments to prepare, you stand to spare yourself an extensive cleanup process later on. Be sure to also wear gloves while handling dye to avoid staining your hands. Fill the container with hot water. For effective dyeing, the water you use should ideally be around 140°F (60°C) (hot enough to release steam). The intense heat will soften the fibers of the fabric and help them accept the dye. Rit Dye recommends using 3 gallons (11 L) of water for roughly every pound 1 pound (454g) of fabric you're coloring. If the water from your tap doesn't get as hot as you need, heat a few gallons in a tea kettle and transfer it to your dyeing container. Measure out an appropriate amount of Rit Dye. For best results, use approximately half a bottle of liquid dye per pound (454g) of fabric, or one whole box of powdered dye. If you're dyeing a single t-shirt or a couple pairs of underwear, you can get away with using less, whereas you'll likely need more for a heavy sweater or multiple pairs of jeans. Stir the dye into the water. Liquid dye can be poured straight in. For powdered Rit Dye, mix the entire package into 2 cups (240ml) of hot water, then incorporate the mixture slowly until you achieve the desired depth of color. Stir the dye until it's completely distributed. Give the dye a good shake before pouring it in to make sure it's properly mixed. Do your stirring with a stainless steel spoon or similar utensil. Add salt or vinegar for even dyeing. If the item you're dyeing is cotton, dissolve 1 cup (300g) of salt into 2 cups (480ml) of hot water and add it to the dye bath. For wools, silks, or nylons, use 1 cup (240ml) of distilled white vinegar instead. Stir the dye bath once again to disperse the additives. Some fabrics have a tendency to resist dyes. The salt or vinegar will serve to condition the fabric and promote consistent coloration. Start with a freshly-laundered garment. Wash the item in warm water with a stain-fighting detergent, then dry on a low-medium heat setting. A preliminary cleaning will remove any foreign substances from the material that might interfere with the dyeing process. Never attempt to dye soiled clothing. Dirt and oil buildup may prevent the dye from setting into certain areas, and the garment will come out looking streaked or spotty as a result. Perform a color test on an absorbent paper towel. Dip the corner of the paper towel into the solution and note the color. If you're satisfied with the outcome, proceed to the next step. Otherwise, it may be necessary to add more dye a little at a time. Repeat your color test on another part of the paper towel as many times as necessary until you get the color just right. Submerge the item in the dye bath. To prevent splashing, make sure you lower it slowly. It should be able to sit below the surface of the solution at all times. The garment should be as unfurled as possible going in. Wrinkles or folds could affect the dye's ability to penetrate evenly. Swish the item through the dye for 10-30 minutes. Keep the garment moving constantly so that every part of the fabric is exposed to the solution. The longer you leave it in the dye bath, the more intense the final color will be. For a mild color boost, stop around the 10 minute mark. Completely changing the color of a garment will require the full half hour. A pair of tongs will make it easier to drag the item through the dye. Just be careful not to hold the fabric in the same spot the entire time, or the dye won't be able to get to it. Be aware that the item may appear darker while it's wet. Remove the dyed garment. When you're satisfied with the look of the item, take hold of one corner with your tongs and lift it out of the dye bath. Allow the excess solution to drip off into the container, then wring out as much dye as you can by hand before moving the garment to another area. To avoid leaving a colorful trail of drips all over your home, set up your dyeing station close to the area where you'll be doing your rinsing. Rinse the item immediately. Hold the garment under a stream of warm water to wash away the saturated dye. Gradually decrease the temperature of the water so that it cools the garment in stages. Continue rinsing with cold water until it runs clear. Going from warm to cool water will help the color set after the loose dye has been rinsed out. Run the item through the washing machine. Wash freshly-dyed apparel on a low heat setting with a mild detergent. Throw an old towel in to soak up any dye that happens to run. For the first few washings, separate different colored items to prevent bleeding and color-mixing. Some materials may fade a little following a few washings. Consider using color-preserving detergents and fabric softeners to maintain the appearance of your dyed clothing. Dry the item thoroughly before wearing. The heat from the dryer will reset the fabric, locking in the new color. Like you did while washing, make sure you keep an old towel with the item in case of minor bleeding. After an initial washing and drying, you can begin laundering dyed clothing as usual. Once the item comes out of the dryer, it will be ready to wear! Wash and dry delicates by hand. Whisk less sturdy materials like wool, silk, and lace through a sinkful of clean, warm water. Mix in a small amount of detergent to clean and restore the fabric. Press out the excess water gently, then hang each garment separately and allow them to air dry. It may take as long as 24 hours for hand-washed clothing to dry completely. Position a bucket or old towel beneath your dyed delicates as they dry to catch stray drips. | Set out a container to do your dyeing in. Protect your work area. Fill the container with hot water. Measure out an appropriate amount of Rit Dye. Stir the dye into the water. Add salt or vinegar for even dyeing. Start with a freshly-laundered garment. Perform a color test on an absorbent paper towel. Submerge the item in the dye bath. Swish the item through the dye for 10-30 minutes. Remove the dyed garment. Rinse the item immediately. Run the item through the washing machine. Dry the item thoroughly before wearing. Wash and dry delicates by hand. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-a-Severe-Sunburn | How to Treat a Severe Sunburn | To treat a severe sunburn, start by gently washing the area with mild soap and cool, but not cold, water. After it is clean, apply a cold compress or a towel dipped in cold water to the area for 10-15 minutes several times a day. You can also apply some aloe vera gel to the burn to relieve the pain and help it heal faster. Make sure to stay out of the sun while your burn is healing and take over-the-counter pain reliever if it is very painful. If your burn has blisters or is not healing well, consult your doctor. | Wash the burned area thoroughly. Use mild soap and lukewarm/cool water. You can use a cool, damp towel applied to the affected area, but avoid any rubbing that may irritate the skin. Gently place the towel on the skin. Be sure that the temperature of the water is not too cold, as this can have negative effects on the skin immediately after a burn (cooling burned skin with excessive cold too rapidly slows down healing and increases the chances of a frostbite injury on top of the burn). If the burn continues to cause irritation, you can relieve this by taking frequent showers or baths in cool (mildly cool) water. Do not completely dry yourself out of the shower, but allow for a little moisture to remain to aid in healing. Consult your doctor if your burn blisters. If your burn is very severe, you may encounter blisters and leaking pus from the blisters. It is important to keep the area clean by washing it with running water and mild soap. Blistering of your skin means you have a second degree burn and infection becomes a concern. It is important to see a doctor if your burn is blistering and leaking pus. Your doctor may choose to prescribe antibiotics and can pop blisters if necessary. Silver sulfadiazine (1% cream, Thermazene) can be used to treat sunburns. This acts as an antibiotic to help prevent infection around areas of compromised and damaged skin. Do not use this medication on your face. While you may be tempted to pop the blisters yourself, you run a high risk of infection. Since the skin is already damaged, it does not fight off bacterial infections effectively. It is best to let your doctor treat the blisters, as she can provide a sterile environment and tools. Apply cold compress. If you do not have a pre-made compress, dip a towel in ice-cold water and apply to the sunburned area. Apply the covered cold compress for 10 – 15 minutes several times a day. Apply aloe vera gel to the affected area. Aloe vera gel or soy-based moisturizers are the best choice since they will cool the burn. Preliminary studies have shown aloe vera to help burns heal faster. In a review of available scientific literature, patients treated with aloe vera healed almost nine days earlier (on average) than those who went without aloe vera. Generally, medical professionals recommend that aloe is best used for minor burns and skin irritations, and should never be applied to an open wound. For soy-based moisturizers, look for organic and natural ingredients on the label. A good example is the brand Aveeno, commonly found in most stores. Soy is a plant that has natural moisturizing capabilities, which helps your damaged skin maintain moisture and heal. Avoid lotions or creams that contain benzocaine or lidocaine. While once used commonly in the past, these can cause irritation and allergic reactions. Avoid using petroleum oil (also known by the brand Vaseline). Petroleum can clog pores and trap heat within the skin, preventing proper healing of your skin. Keep your burn clean and moisturized. Try to avoid harsh lotions with perfumes, as this could cause more irritation. Continue using aloe vera, soy moisturizer, or a mild lotion with oatmeal. These products are currently recommended by many doctors and they will help to keep your skin moisturized with minimal irritation so that your body can naturally heal. Continue taking cool showers or baths throughout the day if you are still feeling any burning. You can take multiple showers or baths to help the skin stay moisturized. Avoid the sun while your skin in healing. Further exposure to the sun may cause additional damage, which may require medical attention. Your skin needs protection, so make sure to keep it covered when it is exposed to the sun or any other excessive UVR. Wear fabrics over your sunburn that won't irritate your skin (avoid wool and cashmere specifically). There is no “best” fabric, but a loose-fitting, comfortable, and breathable fabric (such as cotton) will keep you comfortable and may provide some additional protection from the sun. Wear a hat to help protect your face from damaging UV rays of the sun. The skin on your face is especially sensitive and protecting it from the sun with a hat is a good idea. When you are considering protective fabrics and clothing, a good test is to hold up the fabric to a bright light. The most protective clothing will have very little light penetration coming through. Avoid being outside between 10 am and 4 pm. These are peak hours for sunburn. Have patience. Sunburns will heal on their own. Most sunburns will heal on their own within a few days to a few weeks. You can expect a longer time-frame if you have a second-degree burn with blistering that is closer to the 3 week healing time. Proper treatment with medical attention for second-degree blistering burns will result in the fastest recovery time. Sunburns can usually heal completely with little to minimal evidence of scarring (if any at all). Take an over-the-counter pain reliever as needed. Follow all manufacturers' directions on dosage. Ibuprofen — This is an over-the-counter medication that can help to reduce inflammation, redness, and pain. Ibuprofen for sunburns is generally taken by adults in 400mg doses every 6 hours for a short period of time. Follow instructions as indicated by your doctor or the manufacturer's label. Children under 6 months old should not take Ibuprofen. Follow the instructions on the bottle. Naproxen — Your doctor may alternatively prescribe this medication if ibuprofen hasn't worked for you. The upside is that the anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects will last longer once they begin. Naproxen can be found in over-the-counter medication such as Aleve. Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) and as such can cause some stomach discomfort. Use vinegar to take away the pain. Acetic acid in vinegar alleviates pain, itching, and inflammation. Pour one cup of white cider vinegar into tepid bathwater and soak. Alternatively, dab a vinegar soaked cotton swab on the most painful parts of your sunburn. Dab, don't wipe. You don't want to add any sort of friction to the outside of the burn. Apply some witch hazel to your sunburn. Wet a washcloth or cotton gauze with this anti-inflammatory astringent and apply to the skin three or four times a day for 20 minutes to minimize pain and itching. There are very few side effects of witch hazel and it is completely safe to use with children. See a doctor if you think you have sun poisoning. Sun poisoning is a term used to describe severe sunburns and reactions to UV rays (photodermatitis). If your skin develops blisters, if the burn is very painful, or is accompanied by a fever and extreme thirst or fatigue, seek medical attention immediately. These may be signs of a more serious medical condition. There may be a genetic sensitivity that causes this. Additionally, metabolic causes can result from a lack of niacin or vitamin B3. The typical symptoms and treatment are described in this article, but the most severe symptoms that require medical attention include: Blisters — you may experience itchiness and raised areas of your skin where you were excessively exposed to sunlight Rashes — along with blisters or bumps, it is common to see rashes that may or may not be itchy. these rashes can resemble eczema Swelling — there may be pain and redness in areas of excessive sunlight exposure Nausea, fever, headache, and chills — These symptoms may arise as a result of a combination of photosensitivity and exposure to heat If you experience these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention right away for further evaluation of the severity of your sunburn. Beware of skin cancer. The two most common forms of skin cancer — basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma — are directly related to sun exposure. These cancers form primarily on the face, ears, and hands. A person's risk for melanoma — the most serious form of skin cancer — doubles if he has had five or more sunburns. More importantly, if you have a severe sunburn, you are at greater risk for melanoma. Watch out for heatstroke. Heatstroke occurs when the body fails to regulate its own temperature, and body temperature continues to rise. Since sun exposure can lead to both extreme sunburns and heat stroke, many people who experience extreme sunburns also run a risk of heatstroke. The primary signs of heatstroke are: Hot, red, dry skin Rapid, strong pulse Extreme body temperatures Nausea or vomiting | Wash the burned area thoroughly. Consult your doctor if your burn blisters. Apply cold compress. Apply aloe vera gel to the affected area. Keep your burn clean and moisturized. Avoid the sun while your skin in healing. Have patience. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever as needed. Use vinegar to take away the pain. Apply some witch hazel to your sunburn. See a doctor if you think you have sun poisoning. Beware of skin cancer. Watch out for heatstroke. |
https://www.wikihow.pet/Treat-Feline-Anorexia | How to Treat Feline Anorexia | If your cat has refused to eat for several days, you should take it to your vet immediately to avoid starvation. Then, follow your vet's directions and give your cat any medication it's been prescribed. After giving your cat its medication, you can try providing fresh, smelly food, like canned fish, to make eating as appealing as possible. Another way you can do this is warming its food up in the microwave for ten seconds. Essentially, you should give your cat anything it's willing to eat that isn't poisonous at this point. If your cat still won't eat anything, you may have to use an implanted feeding tube or force feed it until it gets it appetite back. | Give nourishment immediately. If your cat has refused to eat for several days, it will need to be given some nourishment immediately at the veterinary office. Nourishment can be given several ways, including: Force feeding Syringe feeding Tube feeding Appetite-stimulating drugs Discuss your cat's diagnosis with the veterinarian. Anorexia is a symptom of a wide variety of health problems and it is not typically a stand alone disease in cats. Your veterinarian should tell you what they think the underlying problem is and you should discuss with them why they think that. Some possible illnesses that could cause anorexia include: Diabetes Kidney disease Hepatic lipidosis Hyperthyroidism Pancreatitis Conjunctivitis Asthma A fever Treat underlying medical problems. Your veterinarian will suggest a course of treatment designed to treat its underlying illness. The treatments your veterinarian may suggest vary widely due to the varied causes of anorexia. Treatments may include medications, such as treating a cat's diabetes with insulin. They may also include surgical treatments, such as removing infected teeth that are causing your cat not to eat. In some cases your veterinarian will not be able to find a physical cause of the cat's anorexia. In these cases, they usually diagnose the problem as psychological and suggest behavioral treatment. Give your cat medication. If the veterinarian is able to identify your cat's underlying condition, it's important that you continue treatment at home. Follow your veterinarian's directions and give any medications as they have been prescribed, for as long as they have been prescribed. The type of medication and length of giving it to your cat varies depending on what your cat's underlying illness is. Make your cat eat. If your cat continues to refuse food even after treatment for its underlying illness has begun, then you may need to takes steps to make it eat. The easiest way to get a cat to eat is to give it an appetite-stimulating drug. However, this does not always work. In some serious cases, your cat may also need to be fed through an implanted feeding tube or force fed until its appetite recovers. Force feeding a cat can be traumatizing to a cat and make it even more resistant to food. A feeding tube is considered a better option for cats that refuse to eat. Whatever your cat is willing to eat, give it to them. This may be a special treat that you use to train them or a little bit of tuna leftover from your lunch. Basically, if an anorexic cat shows interest in any food, give it to them. Give your cat fresh and appealing food. While your cat is recovering from anorexia it is important to make its food as fresh and appealing as possible. Never expect the cat to eat food that has been sitting for a long time and make sure that all food dishes are clean and tidy. Smelly foods, like fish, are more appetizing to cats. Try offering your cat canned fish or other pungent cat foods. Warm food may be more appealing to your cat than cold or room temperature foods. Microwave wet food for 10 seconds at a time until it is warm but not hot. Test it with your finger to make sure it is not too hot. You might also serve wet food in a warmed dish. If your cat won't eat its usual food, you can try to feed it a higher quality food. However, you don't want to change the cat's food too abruptly, as this can cause digestive health problems. Feed your cat by hand. Your cat may be more willing to eat if you give it the food directly. Place some dry food in the palm of your hand and hold it out to your cat. Alternatively, you might place a little bit of wet food on your finger. Touch the food to the cat's mouth or gums to encourage it to eat. Notice changes to your cat's appetite. Healthy cats tend to eat a similar amount of food every day, so if your cat begins to eat less, you should take not of that. If your cat has a dramatic drop in how much it eats, this can signal a health or behavioral problem. This means that it is important that you don't just ignore changes in appetite. With this in mind, it is important to keep track of how much your cat is eating on a daily basis so that you can identify when the cat's appetite changes. Identify any other symptoms. If your cat is not eating, that behavior is likely associated with a specific medical, dental, or behavioral problem. Make note of any other changes to your cat's routine or body, whether or not you think they are related to the anorexia. Identifying other symptoms can help a veterinarian diagnose the underlying problem with your cat. Make a veterinary appointment. Call your veterinary office and let them know about the problem with your cat's appetite. Schedule an appointment for that day or the next so that your cat's health can be assessed promptly. If your cat has not eaten anything for over 24 hours, as opposed to simply eating less than normal, then that is an emergency and it should be seen by a veterinarian immediately. Tell the veterinarian about your cat's symptoms. When you bring your cat in for evaluation, be ready to tell the veterinarian about your cat's symptoms. You should have a general idea of when the anorexia started and whether your cat has any other symptoms that might be related. When you tell the veterinarian about your cat's symptoms and how long they have been going on, the vet will be able to better assess the seriousness of the cat's health problems. Allow your veterinarian to do a thorough exam. Once the veterinarian has discussed your cat's symptoms with you, they will likely do an exam on it. They will visually assess the cat and feel its body for abnormalities or problems. They will then likely do a variety of tests to find the cause of your cat's anorexia, including lab work and imaging. You may be asked to hold your cat still or keep it calm while the exam is happening. Your supportive presence can do a lot to help your cat get through a veterinary exam. | Give nourishment immediately. Discuss your cat's diagnosis with the veterinarian. Treat underlying medical problems. Give your cat medication. Make your cat eat. Give your cat fresh and appealing food. Feed your cat by hand. Notice changes to your cat's appetite. Identify any other symptoms. Make a veterinary appointment. Tell the veterinarian about your cat's symptoms. Allow your veterinarian to do a thorough exam. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Take-Nugenix | How to Take Nugenix | Nugenix is a dietary supplement to help men over 50 boost their energy levels, strength, and libido. Make sure you talk to your doctor before starting Nugenix to make sure it's right for you. Start with 3 capsules a day, all taken at once. Take the tablets on an empty stomach or 30 minutes after eating. If you're working out in the morning, take your Nugenix 30-45 minutes before, which will give you an energy boost. If you're not exercising, take it first thing in the morning. You might have to wait up to 8 weeks to see results from taking Nugenix. | Talk to your doctor. Any time you start a new supplement or drastically change your fitness regimen, it is wise to talk to you doctor. It is especially important to consult your doctor before trying Nugenix if you are allergic to salicylates (such as aspirin), if you have stomach ulcers or gastritis, or if you have any other serious medical conditions. Nugenix is intended for adult use only. Wait at least 30 minutes after your last meal. Take Nugenix on an empty stomach. If you have already eaten, give yourself at least half an hour before taking a dose of Nugenix. Plan to take Nugenix 30-45 minutes before a morning workout. Nugenix can give you an additional energy boost that can push you through your workout. If you work out in the morning, take your Nugenix beforehand to harness that boost. Take Nugenix first thing in the morning on non-workout days. If you are not planning to workout on a given day, simply take your dose of Nugenix as soon as you start your day. Start with 3 capsules per day. Nugenix capsules should be taken all at once, with a full 8–12 fluid ounces (240–350 ml) glass of water. For best results, take Nugenix on an empty stomach. Increase your dosage by 1-2 capsules, as needed. If after 1-2 weeks of taking Nugenix you do not feel an increase in your energy level, try increasing your regimen to 4 or 5 capsules per day. These capsules should all be taken at the same time. Do not take more than 5 Nugenix capsules per day. Wait up to 8 weeks to see results. Nugenix recommends that customers try Nugenix for a full 2 months in order to notice a change. For best results, you should follow a strength training routine during this time. Do some form of strength training 3-5 times per week. Whether or not you take Nugenix, regular exercise is a great way to naturally boost your testosterone levels. Resistance training, in particular has been shown to provide an increase in testosterone production. You might try: Lifting weights Using dumbbells High-intensity interval training Eat a mix of carbs, protein, and healthy fats. Maintaining a healthy diet is another proven way to boost your testosterone levels. Avoid eating processed foods and sugar. Instead, focus on eating whole foods. Be sure to include: Protein, such as eggs, garbanzo beans, lentils, chicken, and beef. Fruit and veggies, such as spinach, broccoli, sweet potato, bell pepper, apples, bananas, berries, and mango. Grains, such as brown rice, quinoa, oatmeal, and whole grain bread. Healthy fats, such as olive oil, coconut oil, and avocado. Keep stress levels low. When you feel stressed, your body is releasing cortisol. When you feel confident, your body releases testosterone. By taking steps to reduce your stress levels, you can help boost your body's testosterone. You might try: Meditation Yoga Positive thinking Speaking to a therapist Take a vitamin D supplement. Vitamin D deficiency is a very common problem. Including a vitamin D supplement in your diet has been shown to help boost testosterone. Take 2,000 IU of vitamin D, or more if you get little to no sun exposure. Consult your doctor before adding vitamin D supplements to your routine. | Talk to your doctor. Wait at least 30 minutes after your last meal. Plan to take Nugenix 30-45 minutes before a morning workout. Take Nugenix first thing in the morning on non-workout days. Start with 3 capsules per day. Increase your dosage by 1-2 capsules, as needed. Wait up to 8 weeks to see results. Do some form of strength training 3-5 times per week. Eat a mix of carbs, protein, and healthy fats. Keep stress levels low. Take a vitamin D supplement. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Chocolate-Dipped-Spoons | How to Make Chocolate Dipped Spoons | To make chocolate dipped spoons, start by microwaving some semi-sweet chocolate chips in 30-second intervals until they're fully melted. Then, dip some spoons in the melted chocolate, being careful not to go too far up the handle so you don't get chocolate on your fingers when you use them. Finally, place the dipped spoons face down on a lined baking sheet and refrigerate them for 5-15 minutes, or until the chocolate on them hardens. | Place 1 cup (150 g) of semi-sweet chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl. Don't mix in the other types of chocolate yet, as you will need to use the milk chocolate and white chocolate chips for decorations later on. Make sure to use a bowl large enough to hold all of your chocolate chips. Look for a symbol shaped like a microwave with three wavy lines on the bottom of tupperware and glass containers to see if they are safe to use in the microwave. Microwave the chocolate chips for 2 to 3 minutes, in 30 second bursts. Keep a close eye on the chocolate while it is melting in the microwave to prevent overheating or burning the chocolate. Pull out the bowl every 30 seconds to give the chocolate a light stir, to prevent the chocolate from burning or bubbling. When every chocolate chip has melted, stir the liquid chocolate until it is smooth with a wooden spoon. If you don't have a microwave, you can place the bowl on top of a boiling saucepan full of water to heat up the chocolate with hot steam. This works in the same way that heating fondue works. Be sure to completely cover the saucepan with the bowl to prevent steam from coming out of the edges. Stir the melted chocolate until the mix is smooth and even. Using a wooden spoon, gently stir the mix while you look for unmelted chunks of chocolate. If the rest of the chocolate is hot, the chunks should melt within a few seconds, but if the chunks are particularly large you may need to microwave it for another 30 seconds. Do not dilute the mix with water or butter as this can separate the chocolate and ruin its consistency. Dip each spoon into the chocolate so it covers the front bowl. Avoid getting chocolate too far up the handle of the spoon or the person using it may get chocolate on their fingers, and it can be more difficult to handle during the cooling process. Aim to get a thick coating of chocolate only on the head of the spoon by dipping it straight down into the melty goodness. If you accidentally dip one too far, use a wet paper towel to wipe away the excess chocolate from the handle. Be careful not to wipe the bowl of the spoon. Lay wax paper on a cookie sheet and place the spoons face-down. Use a cookie sheet large enough to hold every spoon, and place each one face-down so it balances on the tip of the handle and the edge of the bowl. The curve of the spoon should be raised above the paper to minimize the amount of chocolate touching the wax paper. Refrigerate the chocolate spoons until the chocolate hardens completely. This can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes, depending on how hot the chocolate was when the spoons were dipped in it and how thick that layer is. If you want to add any toppings to the spoons, do that before you place them in the refrigerator, or the chocolate on your spoons may not hold them together. Remove the tray from the fridge and wrap each spoon. Wrap each spoon carefully in plastic wrap or paper with the handle poking out so it resembles a lollipop. Take care to prevent too much of the chocolate from touching the plastic wrap or paper, and try to seal the opening on the handle with either a zip tie or a ribbon. Don't wrap the plastic wrap or paper tightly, instead try to allow a pocket of air in between the spoon and the wrap to cushion it against hard surfaces. Store the chocolate spoons in the fridge or a cool, dry place. To prevent the chocolate from melting, be sure to store the spoons in a cool cupboard or in the fridge. You can store them in the freezer, but the chocolate may crack and dry out if it is left for more than a few weeks unsealed. If sealed, the chocolate should last for up to a year. Keep the spoons in a sealed container if you choose to store them in the freeze to keep the chocolate from drying out. Melt white and milk chocolate to drizzle over the spoons with a plastic bag. In two separate microwave-safe bowls melt the white chocolate chips and milk chocolate chips in the microwave for about 2 to 3 minutes each in 30 second bursts, and stir the mix regularly. Pour the melted chips into separate small plastic bags. Cut a small hole in one corner of each plastic bag. Let the melted chocolate fall to one side of the plastic bag, and cut a small hole in the opposite, empty corner with scissors. Don't cut the corner with lots of chocolate or you may accidentally lose some of the melted chocolate. Drizzle white chocolate and milk chocolate onto 12 spoons apiece. Squeeze the bag towards the cut-out hole to drizzle a thin strand of white and milk chocolate onto different spoons. Drizzle a zig-zag or crosshatch pattern onto each spoon, or a single thick drop in the center of each spoon, whichever seems more visually appealing to you. Be sure to drizzle the white and milk chocolate before you cool the spoons, or the topping layer could separate from the spoon. Consider sprinkling coarse sugar, sprinkles, toffee, or candy onto each spoon. These little decorative additions are entirely optional but can add a visual appeal to your spoons. As with other decorative additions, you should sprinkle these toppings onto each spoon before you cool them. Coarse sugar is perfect for coffee, sprinkles and toffee bits are great for hot cocoa, and candy cane pieces mix perfectly with any hot wintery drink. Decorate 6 spoons with each topping to make your spoons more aesthetically diverse, and feel free to mix and match toppings together. Pair your spoons with drink mixes and mugs for the perfect holiday gift. If your spoons are a gift for somebody else, find out what kind of hot drinks they like and include a drink mix with your spoons. You can put them all into a little straw basket, or if you include a large mug with the spoons, you can place the spoons and drink mix in the mug itself as a self-contained gift. Wrap the whole gift with a red or green ribbon, and voila — the perfect gift for the coffee or hot cocoa lover in your life. | Place 1 cup (150 g) of semi-sweet chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the chocolate chips for 2 to 3 minutes, in 30 second bursts. Stir the melted chocolate until the mix is smooth and even. Dip each spoon into the chocolate so it covers the front bowl. Lay wax paper on a cookie sheet and place the spoons face-down. Refrigerate the chocolate spoons until the chocolate hardens completely. Remove the tray from the fridge and wrap each spoon. Store the chocolate spoons in the fridge or a cool, dry place. Melt white and milk chocolate to drizzle over the spoons with a plastic bag. Cut a small hole in one corner of each plastic bag. Drizzle white chocolate and milk chocolate onto 12 spoons apiece. Consider sprinkling coarse sugar, sprinkles, toffee, or candy onto each spoon. Pair your spoons with drink mixes and mugs for the perfect holiday gift. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Play-Dice-4,-5,-6 | How to Play Dice 4, 5, 6 | The aim of Dice 4, 5, 6 is to win all of the chips by betting against other players. Each round starts with the banker placing a bet from their chips. The other players have to collectively match the stake to continue. Once the stake has been matched, the banker rolls 3 dice. The banker automatically wins if they get a 4, 5, and 6, any 3 of a kind, or any pair and a 6. If they roll a 1, 2, and 3, or any pair and a 1, they automatically lose. If none of those combinations come up, they can still win off a score. A score is any pair and a 2, 3, 4, or 5. However, if they get a score, the other players get a chance to roll the dice and beat the score. If another player rolls an automatic win, the banker has to give them an amount equal to their stake. If they roll an automatic loss or a lower score, they have to give their stake to the banker. Otherwise, they have to roll again. At the end of each round, the banker rotates. The game continues until 1 player wins all the chips. | Select a banker. If more than one player wants to start as the banker, have them roll dice. The highest roller is the banker for the first round. The banker has slightly better odds of winning, but puts up a larger stake. Set the stake. The banker puts up a bet of any amount. If you like, your group can decide on a minimum stake. Match the stake. Each other dice player gets a chance to match some or all of the stake. Move on once the full stake is matched, or when no one else wants to put up a bet. Here are a couple examples: Example 1 : The banker puts up $25. Player one matches $15 of that stake, and player two puts up $10. The full $25 stake is matched, so no one else can bet. Continue to the next step. Example 2 : The banker puts up $100. Player one puts up $20, player two puts up $40, and no one else wants to bet. Since only $60 has been matched, the banker keeps the remaining $40 of his stake. Continue to the next step, playing for the $120 still on the table. Roll for an automatic win or loss. Once all bets are made, the banker rolls three dice. In most versions of this game, these results immediately end the round: 4 + 5 + 6 exactly ("c-lo"): automatic win. Banker takes all the money. Any three of a kind ("trips"): automatic win. Any pair + 6: automatic win. (For example, 1 + 1 + 6 or 3 + 3 + 6.) 1 + 2 + 3 exactly: automatic loss. Banker pays out to each player, matching their stakes. Any pair + 1: automatic loss. (For example, 4 + 4 + 1 or 6 + 6 + 1.) Find the score for other results. If the banker didn't roll one of the combinations above, the round continues. Find the banker's score: Any pair + a 2, 3, 4, or 5: the banker's score equals the value of the third die. (For example, 1 + 1 + 4 gives a score of 4. A roll of 5 + 5 + 3 gives a score of 3.) Any other result: the banker rolls all three dice again until she gets a "decision roll:" a score, an automatic win, or an automatic loss. Try to beat the banker's score. If the banker rolled a score (not an automatic win or loss), each player gets a chance to roll three dice to try and beat it. This uses the same scoring rules, but only affects that player's stake: If a player rolls an automatic win or a score higher than the banker's, the banker pays that player an amount equal to the player's stake. If a player rolls an automatic loss or a score lower than the banker's, the player gives his stake to the banker. If a player rolls a score equal to the banker, no money changes hands. If a player rolls any other result, he re-rolls until one of the above happens. Start the next round. Once each player has rolled (or the banker rolled an automatic result), the round is over. If money is still on the table due to a tie, it stays on the table unless the banker changes (see below). If the banker changes, the betting players pick up their stakes instead. Start the next round, using the same rules. Switch bankers. Some groups rotate the banker position clockwise each round. Others let the banker keep the position until someone rolls a 4-5-6. That person then takes over the banker position starting next round. The old banker becomes an ordinary player. The banker role is always optional. A player can choose to turn it down. Place your bets. In this version of the game, there is no banker. Each player puts a matching stake into a single pot. These rules are recommended for two player games, or for groups looking for a more tense game with a top-heavy prize. Roll until you get a result. Roll all three dice until you get a 1, 6, pair, or triple. For any other result, reroll all three dice until you get one of these results. Have each opponent roll. Each player rolls in turn, following the same rules. Roll until everyone has a meaningful score (a 1, 6, pair, or triple). Compare your results. In this version, there are no automatic wins or automatic losses. Whoever has the higher result wins the pot. Here are the results from highest to lowest: 4+5+6 is the highest roll. 6+6+6 is the next highest, followed by all the "trips" from 5+5+5 down to 1+1+1. Any pair + 6, down to any pair + 1. 1+2+3 is the lowest roll. Shootout to break a tie. If two or more players tie for the highest score, they each reroll to break the tie. The highest reroll wins, ignoring the earlier rolls. There's also a special rule for breaking ties with "pair + third die:" The higher third die always wins, no matter what the pairs are. 1 + 1 + 4 beats 6 + 6 + 2, because 4 > 2. If the third die is the same, the higher pair wins. 3 + 3 + 5 beats 2 + 2 + 5, since 3 > 2. Give the pot to the winner. Whoever got the highest roll that round wins the entire pot. Put up stakes again and begin the next round. | Select a banker. Set the stake. Match the stake. Roll for an automatic win or loss. Find the score for other results. Try to beat the banker's score. Start the next round. Switch bankers. Place your bets. Roll until you get a result. Have each opponent roll. Compare your results. Shootout to break a tie. Give the pot to the winner. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Flush-Your-Kidneys | How to Flush Your Kidneys | To flush your kidneys, drink plenty of water throughout the day since dehydration can prevent your kidneys from functioning properly. You can also drink natural juices, like cranberry, beet, or lemon juice, which can help flush out any buildup in your kidneys. Additionally, eat healthy foods that will help flush your kidneys, like watermelon, berries, and pumpkin seeds. | Stay hydrated. Long-term dehydration can prevent your kidneys from functioning properly. Drink whenever you feel thirsty, and drink enough to keep your urine colorless or pale yellow. It's a myth that additional water beyond this baseline will help flush your kidneys, but it will help prevent kidney stones in at-risk groups. Balance your diet. The foods you eat are very important to your kidney health. When you are trying to flush your kidneys, pay particular attention to your diet. You should always aim to eat healthfully, but it is especially important when you are cleansing a major organ like your kidneys. A healthy, balanced diet will help prevent high blood pressure and diabetes, the two major causes of kidney damage. Watermelon is a great food to add to your diet. It contains a lot of water, and acts as a diuretic, which will help flush the toxins from your kidneys. Eat more berries. Cranberries and raspberries in particular can help rid your kidneys of unwanted substances. Pumpkin seeds contain a lot of powerful antioxidants that can help improve kidney function. Consider adding them to your diet as a healthy snack. Reduce your sodium intake. Diets that are high in sodium lead to a greater risk of high blood pressure. This can result in extra strain on the kidneys. Reducing the sodium in your diet is an excellent way to promote overall health, especially for your kidneys. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables. Fresh varieties contain lower amounts of sodium than the canned options. Read labels. Start scanning ingredient lists to make sure the foods you purchase do not have high sodium content. Canned soups are an obvious one to avoid. Compare products to make sure you buy the one with the lowest amounts of sodium. Look for products that are advertised as low-sodium. Drink natural juice. Because your kidneys are your body's filtration system, they can collect some build up. Drinking natural juice with no added sugars is a good way to stay hydrated while delivering nutrients to your body. Cranberry juice is one of the most effective choices for kidney cleansing, because it helps reduce the amount of calcium oxalate, which can cause kidney stones. Look for juices that are all natural and do not have any added sugar. Beet juice is also a great juice. It contains betaine, which can help remove buildup of many substances. The natural acidity in lemon juice helps flush your kidneys. Add water to cut the sharp taste. Take herbal supplements with caution. Many herbs are traditionally used to treat kidney problems, but overusing them or taking them in combination with other herbs or medication can end up causing more harm than good. Always talk to your doctor before beginning any dietary supplement. Milk thistle and grapefruit seed extract are all examples of naturopathic kidney treatments. Herbal products are usually best taken as a tea, made by steeping the herb in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes. Dietary supplements are especially risky if you have a kidney disease, or if you are taking other medication. Even beneficial supplements such as vitamin C or cranberry tablets can backfire if taken in large amounts. To avoid contaminated products, look for supplements with a seal of approval from an independent organization, such as Consumer Lab, NSF International, or U.S. Pharmacopeia. Try a cleanse. A kidney cleanse is a good way to "reset" your body and begin new, healthy habits. Consistent healthy changes are safer and more effective than extreme changes, so don't feel the need to design a strenuous cleansing challenge. A few days — or even just one day — of cleansing can have good results. When you are doing a cleanse, you will only eat specific foods and liquids. These includes fruits, such as cranberries, and herbs, such as marshmallow root. Look for recipes that will allow you to integrate these foods into your meals. Cleansing means that you also need to avoid certain foods that stress your kidneys, notably alcohol and caffeine. If you are at risk for kidney stones, also avoid chocolate, nuts, tea, wheat bran, beet greens, strawberries, rhubarb, and spinach. Exercise regularly. Physical exercise can help you avoid weight gain and high blood pressure, both of which put unnecessary pressure on your kidneys. Keeping your body healthy can help your kidneys function properly. Aim to get at least 20 minutes of physical activity each day. Look for an activity that you enjoy. For example, if you like to walk, recruit a friend and schedule a standing date to explore your neighborhood. If you like to swim, look for a community pool in your area. If you're new to exercise, consult your doctor before beginning any program. Quit smoking. If you smoke, quitting can help improve not only your overall health, but it will greatly benefit your kidneys. Smoking impedes blood flow to vital organs, including your kidneys. This means that they cannot effectively flush toxins from your body. Quitting smoking is hard, but there are many resources you can use. Ask your doctor about medication or nicotine cessation products such as gum or patches. Take medicines as directed. While there are many benefits to medications, there can also be side effects. Some prescription medications have been known to cause damage to the kidneys. Make sure to discuss this possibility whenever your doctor issues you a prescription. Over-the-counter pain killers — especially the NSAIDS such as ibuprofen, Aleve, and Motrin — can also cause damage to the kidneys if taken on a regular basis. They are fine for occasional use, but talk to your doctor about alternatives if you need to treat chronic pain and have concerns about your kidney health. Acetaminophen is a kidney-safe NSAID. Learn why your kidneys are important. You'll be better able to take care of your kidneys if you understand how essential they are for your health. Your kidneys remove waste from your body — think of it as your filtration system. Without your kidneys, your levels of sodium and potassium could reach harmful levels. Try to create habits that lead to good overall health. For example, try limiting your caffeine and alcohol intake. You'll see multiple health benefits, and your kidneys will thank you. Know the risks of poor kidney health. Chronic kidney disease is the most common kidney ailment. If the condition persists, it can cause your kidneys to fail, meaning waste is not being properly filtered. Symptoms of kidney disease include fatigue, nausea, increased or decreased urination, fluid buildup (which may cause shortness of breath), and an increase in potassium levels. Chronic kidney disease is typically caused by high blood pressure or diabetes. If you suffer from either condition, have a doctor test your kidney function at least once a year. Kidney stones are another common ailment. These are solid particles, frequently formed by minerals, and can be very painful. Symptoms include pain (sometimes extremely severe and stabbing) in the back, flank, and abdomen, as well as and difficulty and pain during urination. Talk to your doctor. If you suspect you have a kidney ailment, you should seek medical attention. Be sure to describe your symptoms as specifically as possible to your doctor. You can also ask for information about preventing kidney ailments. | Stay hydrated. Balance your diet. Reduce your sodium intake. Drink natural juice. Take herbal supplements with caution. Try a cleanse. Exercise regularly. Quit smoking. Take medicines as directed. Learn why your kidneys are important. Know the risks of poor kidney health. Talk to your doctor. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cover-a-Book | How to Cover a Book | If you need to cover a book, cut a large sheet of paper so it's about 6 inches longer than the length of your book and about 3 inches taller than the book's height. Close your book and fold the paper along the top and bottom so the crease is about 1/4 inch from the edges of the book, then tape down these edges. Next, open the book and lay it flat in the center of the paper. Fold the left side of the paper snugly over the book's front cover and press the crease down, then fold the right side over the back cover. Slip the front and back cover into the pockets created by the folded paper. | Choose paper to cover your book with. For books without covers or to protect your textbooks, make a paper cover for your book. You can cover your books with foreign or old newspapers, old or new maps, sheet music, old wall paper, a brown paper bag, etc.. Unless you are covering a smaller book, you will need a large piece of paper to make your cover. It will need to be at least double the length of your book and three inches taller than the height of your book. Cut the paper to size using the measurements for your book. To find the width of the book, lay the book open and measure the width with a measuring tape or ruler. Then add 6 inches, 3 inches to cover both sides of the book. Next measure the height of the book and add 3 inches, 1 ½ inches to cover the top and bottom of the book. Using a ruler, mark a faint line with a pencil on your paper the dimensions of your cover, and then with a sharp pair of scissors, cut your paper to size. Avoid laying the book out so that a previous crease that was in a bag or on your paper aligns with a cover edge. If your paper is already worn, it will tear more easily when it is on an edge of the book. Fold the paper 1/4 inch above the top and bottom of the book. Close your book and center it on the paper. Faintly mark the edges of the top and bottom of the book then add an extra ¼ inch so that the book will fit inside of the cover. Take the book off the paper, and fold the paper up to the spot marked and make your fold into a crease. Repeat the process with the top of the book; fold the paper down and create your crease about a 1/4 inch above the top of the book. Go back over the creases you have made in the paper with a pen or bone folder. You want your creases to be crisp and clean, especially if you are using heavy paper. Tape down the top and bottom folds. Use double-sided tape to tape down the folds you have just made so that they do not flap. The double sided tape will help the cover stays snug on the book once it is covered. Place the tape toward the center of your cover, leaving about three inches at both sides for your book to fit in the cover. Create the folds for the sides of the book. Lay your book open flat on the paper and center the book so that both sides have the same amount of paper for the flaps. Press your book down so it does not move, and fold the paper over the right side of the book and create a crease. Go back over the crease, more lightly than before, with the side of your pen or your bone folder. To accommodate for the thickness of the cover, do not make the creases too heavy. With the flap in the right side of the book, close the book and wrap the paper around the book and mark where you want to fold the paper to make the last flap. Take the book of the paper, and crease the flap for the left side of the book. Go over the crease with your bone folder or pen again, but remember to keep the crease lighter. Fit your book inside of the cover. Gently place the back of the book into the fold on the back of your paper cover. Then wrap the paper cover around the book and tuck the top cover of the book carefully into the front of the paper cover. Add a name tag to your cover. You can buy fun or fancy name tags or labels from crafts and office supply stores. Write your class or your name on the label using a fun script or font. Practice writing the word on a scrap of paper in different scripts or fonts until you find a script you like, and then with a marker or pen, inscribe the title onto the name tag. Use a ruler and carefully center the tag on the front upper center of your paper cover and then adhere it. Use paper tape to create fun horizontal stripes on your book cover. You can buy different colored paper tapes from a crafts store that go well with your cover. Take the cover off of the book to make the stripes, or make the stripes before you make the cover. Mark a place for each stripe at the top of the book every 1-2 inches. Use a ruler to mark off the stripes at regular intervals to make sure they are evenly spaced. To keep your lines straight, draw faint lines down the cover with your ruler and cover them with strips of paper tape. Buy fun stickers to create a theme or add flair. For example, if you have a blue paper cover with white stripes, you can adhere an anchor sticker to the bottom corner of your cover to create a sailing themed book cover. You can buy any kind of sticker(s) to go along with the color or pattern of your book cover. Place a plastic pocket on the front of your book cover. You can put your school schedule into a document holder you adhere to your book cover or you can decorate a card to place into a holder to give your cover more fun style. In office supply stores, you can find self-adhering business card holders, self-adhering document holders, and insertable label holders for shipping. Simply adhere one of these pockets onto the front or back of your book cover. Create a pocket in your cover with paper. You will follow the method “Making a Paper Cover” to make your paper cover, but you will use two pieces of paper instead of one. The second paper creates a pocket you can use to put papers in. You can overlap two different colored pieces of large construction paper to create a pocket on your book cover. Or you can use one solid color and one pattern or music sheet, etc.. This pocket will look cool but is also a practical addition to your cover. You will be able to quickly stash documents in the front of your book cover with a pocket. To create the paper sheet you will cover your book with, lay the papers on top of each other so that the piece below sticks out 2 inches from the bottom edge of the top paper. Use double sided tape to adhere the two pieces of paper together at the edges of the paper. Create a rubber band notebook holder on a textbook book cover. If you keep a pocket notebook, make a rubber band holder to keep your pocket notebook. It will help prevent you from losing the small notebook in your bag. Simply take two large rubber bands and place them around the length of the front cover so that they are spaced a bit wider apart than the notebook. To secure your notebook in the cover, put your notebook under the rubber band closer to the book opening, and set it on top of the rubber band nearer to the book spine. Choose one or two fabrics to make your notebook cover with. If you have a sewing machine, making fabric covers is a simple way to cover your notebooks. Pick one fabric for the cover and the another fabric for the flaps on the inside of the cover. You can choose a combination of a print and a solid color fabric, two print fabrics, or two different colored solid fabrics. You should prewash your fabric to prevent it from shrinking. Iron the fabric before you use it as well. You will need less fabric for the inside of the cover and more for the outside. Find the dimensions for the cover. Use a ruler or measuring tape to get the height and the width of your book for the big cover. To find the height, measure the height of the notebook and add an inch. To get the width, multiply the width of the front cover by two, then add the width of book's spine, and then add another inch. For example, your height and width may be 8 (height)x 12 ½ (width of book spread open) inches, and then you would add another inch to have 9 x 13 ½ inches. For the dimensions of the inside flaps, use the same cover dimension for the height, for my example it is 9 inches. To find the width, divide the width by 3. In my example, 13 ½ divided by 3 is 4.5 inches. My fabric will measure 9 x 4.5 inches. Cut the fabrics to the dimensions you took. Using a pair of sharp scissors and a ruler, make a faint straight line on your fabric and cut out your fabric to size. You should cut out 2 larger pieces of fabric for the outside and inside and 2 smaller pieces of fabric for the inside flaps. Use an iron to make a double fold. Make a ¼ inch flap along one of the long sides of the inner fabric, and iron it down so that it is creased. Double the fabric, turning over the folded crease once more so that it has a second ¼ inch fold over the first fold. Create a crease on this double fold and then iron it down. Do this on both pieces of the flap fabric. Sew the double fold shut. On the inner side of the double fold, use your sewing machine and sew the flap down so that it is closed. At the top and bottom of your fabric back up your sewing machine and go back over the stitches to ensure the stitching does not come undone at the ends. Repeat the process with both pieces of fabric. Layer your fabrics, and pin them into place. Lay out a piece of the bigger fabric with the print or color side facing up. Then place the smaller fabric flaps on top of the bigger fabric so that they are covering the right and left sides of the bigger fabric. The sewn sides of the flap fabrics should be facing in toward the center of the big fabric. Then place the last piece of big fabric on top of the three pieces of fabric with the print or color side facing down. Pin the 4 fabric sheets together. To keep the fabric in place while you sew, pin about four pins on the bottom and top of the fabric and the three pins on the sides of the fabric. Sew around the edges of your cover using a ⅜ inch inseam. Leave a gap of an ¾ inch in the middle of the bottom or top of the cover so that you can turn the cover inside out once you have finished sewing. Use your scissors to round the corners of the fabric, and then turn the cover inside out. To round the corners, trim the sharp edges of the 4 corner edges off. Then flip the cover inside out. Make sure to get all of the corners all the way turned out. Iron the cover, and then sew a perimeter around the sides of the cover. Iron the cover to flatten it, and then use your sewing machine to go back over the 4 sides of the cover. You can use a 3/8 inch inseam. This perimeter will close the ¾ inch gap you left, and give the cover a clean and finished style. | Choose paper to cover your book with. Cut the paper to size using the measurements for your book. Fold the paper 1/4 inch above the top and bottom of the book. Tape down the top and bottom folds. Create the folds for the sides of the book. Fit your book inside of the cover. Add a name tag to your cover. Use paper tape to create fun horizontal stripes on your book cover. Buy fun stickers to create a theme or add flair. Place a plastic pocket on the front of your book cover. Create a pocket in your cover with paper. Create a rubber band notebook holder on a textbook book cover. Choose one or two fabrics to make your notebook cover with. Find the dimensions for the cover. Cut the fabrics to the dimensions you took. Use an iron to make a double fold. Sew the double fold shut. Layer your fabrics, and pin them into place. Sew around the edges of your cover using a ⅜ inch inseam. Use your scissors to round the corners of the fabric, and then turn the cover inside out. Iron the cover, and then sew a perimeter around the sides of the cover. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cure-Olives | How to Cure Olives | To cure olives in brine, place the olives into air tight glass jars with lids, leaving 1 inch of space at the top. Next, mix 3/4 cup of pickling salt with 1 gallon of water and pour the brine into the jars. Store the jars in a cool, dark place for 1 week, then drain the olives and discard the brine. Then, mix 1 1/2 cups of pickling salt with 1 gallon of water and pour the stronger brine into the jars. Store the olives for 2 months in a cool, dark place to finish curing them! | Obtain fresh green olives. Water curing gently removes oleuropein, a component in olives that gives them a sharp, bitter taste. Green olives are actually just immature olives (just like green tomatoes are immature tomatoes) and they are naturally pretty mild, so using water alone is sufficient to cure them. Green olives left on the vine to fully ripen will turn purple or black. Once they're fully ripe, water alone won't remove the bitter taste; you'll need to choose a different curing method. Inspect the olives. Make sure that they are as unbruised as possible. Look for holes left by insects or birds. If the olives were treated with chemicals, rinse them off before you begin the brining process. Break the olives. In order for the water to be able to reach the insides of the olives, you'll need to break or slit the olives to let the moisture in. You can do this with a wooden mallet or, more commonly, a rolling pin. Give the olives a light smack, keeping them as intact as possible. You want the flesh to tear, but don't completely mash it or rip it into several different pieces. You should also take care not to damage the pit. If you're concerned about the appearance of the olives, you can slit them with a knife instead. Take a sharp paring knife and make three slits in the olives to allow the water to penetrate. Place the olives in a plastic bin and cover with cold water. Use a food-grade plastic bin with a lid. Completely cover all of the olives with water, making sure none are poking out. You may need to weigh them down with something like a plate to keep them from floating above the surface of the water. Place the bin's cover loosely over the olives and put the container in a cool, dark place. Make sure you use a food-grade container that won't leach chemicals into the brine. A glass container also works well, but you'll need to make sure it isn't exposed to sunlight. Change out the water. At least once a day, change out the water with fresh, cold water. Make sure you don't forget, since otherwise bacteria could build up in the water and taint the olives. To change the water, just strain the olives through a colander, wash the pot, replace the olives and fill it back up with cold water. Continue the process for about a week. After one week of changing the water daily, taste an olive to see if the bitterness is at a level you like. If it is, the olives are ready; if you want the olives to be less bitter, wait a few more days (changing the water daily) before moving on. Make a finish brine. This is the solution that the olives will be stored in. It's a mixture of pickling salt, water and vinegar that will both preserve the olives and give them a delicious pickled taste. To make the brine, mix the following (makes enough for 10 pounds of olives): 1 gallon (3.8 L) cool water 1 1/2 cups pickling salt 2 cups white wine vinegar Drain the olives and place them in a storage container. Use a large glass jar with a lid or another storage container of your choice. Wash and dry the storage container thoroughly before placing the olives inside. Leave one inch of space at the top of the container. Cover the olives with the brine. Pour it into the container to completely cover the olives. Place the lid on the container and store the olives in the refrigerator. You may add lemon peel, rosemary sprigs, roasted garlic, or black pepper to flavor the brine if you'd like. The olives will keep in their brine for up to a year in the refrigerator. Obtain fresh olives. Both green and black olives may be cured in brine, a mixture of salt and water that preserves the olives and gives them a salty taste. This method takes longer than water brining, but it's the best method to use for ripe olives. Manzanillo, mission, and kalamata olives are commonly cured in brine. Inspect the olives to make sure that they are as unbruised as possible. Look for holes left by insects or birds. If the olives were treated with chemicals, rinse them off before you begin the brining process. You may want to sort the olives by size. A batch of olives will cure more evenly if all the olives are a similar size. Cut the olives. In order for the brine to be able to reach the insides of the olives, you'll need to slit the olives to let the moisture in. Make a vertical cut down the olive using a sharp knife; make sure not to cut the pit. Place the olives into glass jars with lids. They need to be stored in containers that can be sealed against the air, and glass is best for this purpose. Pack the olives into jars, leaving an inch of space at the top. Cover the olives with a medium brine. Mix 3/4 cup of pickling salt with a gallon of cold water. Pour the brine into the jars so that it completely covers the olives. Seal the jars and store them in a cool, dark place, such as the pantry or cellar. Wait one week. During this time the olives will begin to brine. Leave the jars undisturbed to allow the salt and water to seep into the olives. Drain the olives. After one week, drain the olives and discard the medium brine, which will be full of bitter flavor. Keep the olives in the same glass containers. Cover the olives with a strong brine. Mix 1 1/2 cups of pickling salt with one gallon of water. Pour the strong brine over the olives to completely cover them. Seal the containers. Store the olives for two months. Keep them in a cool place out of sunlight. At the end of two months, taste an olive to determine whether the bitterness level suits your taste. If not, change the brine again and store the olives for another month or two. This process can be repeated until you're happy with the way the olives taste. Obtain fully ripe olives. Black, oily olives may be dry-cured using salt. Manzanillo, mission, and kalamata olives are commonly cured this way. Make sure the olives are completely ripe and dark in color. Inspect the olives to make sure that they are as unbruised as possible. Look for holes left by insects or birds. Wash the olives. If the olives were treated with chemicals, rinse them off before you begin the brining process. Lay them out to dry completely. Weigh the olives. Use a kitchen scale to figure out exactly how much they weigh. You'll need a pound of pickling salt (1 1/2 cups) for every two pounds of olives. Prepare a curing crate. You may use a wooden fruit crate about six inches deep with two slats on each side. Line the entire crate with burlap, including the sides, and staple or nail it to the top. Prepare a second crate identical to this one. Alternately, you can line the crate with cheesecloth, old sheets or cloth napkins as long as there is enough fabric to keep the salt contained and to absorb any liquids which may drip from the crate. Mix the olives and salt. Mix 1 1/2 cups of pickling or Kosher salt for every two pounds of olives in a large bowl. Make sure to mix thoroughly, so that every olive gets covered in salt. Do not use iodized table salt; this will affect the flavor of the olives. You need pickling salt or Kosher salt. Don't skimp on the salt, since it prevents mold from growing. Pour the mixture into a fruit crate. Pour all of the olives and salt into one crate, then cover it with a layer of pickling salt. Cover the crate with cheesecloth to keep bugs out of the mixture. Place the crate in a covered outdoor area. You may want to lay out a tarp, since the juices from the olives will seep out and stain the surface. Rather than setting the crate directly on the ground, raise it up on blocks to promote air circulation. Mix the olives after one week. Dump the contents of the crate into the second, clean crate. Shake the crate well to mix the olives, then carefully pour them back into the original box. This ensures every olive gets an even coating of salt and allows you to see any damaged or rotten olives. Remove these, they'll not be good to eat later. Any olives with white circular patches (probably a fungus) should be removed. The fungus often starts at the stem end of the olive. Check the olives to make sure that they are beginning to cure evenly. If an olive has shriveled areas and plump areas, you may want to dampen the olive prior to repacking in salt; this will encourage the plump area to start shriveling. Repeat once a week for a month. After this time, taste an olive to determine if you like the flavor. If the olive is still quite bitter, continue the dry-curing process for another couple of weeks. The olives should take about a month to six weeks to become cured depending on the size of the olive. When cured, they will be shriveled and soft. Strain the mixture. Either sift out the salt by pouring the olives over a screen, or pick the olives out of the salt and shake them out one by one. Dry the olives overnight. Spread them out on paper towels or cloth napkins to thoroughly dry. Store the olives.Mix the olives with a pound of salt for every ten pounds of olives to help preserve the olives in storage, then pour them into glass jars and seal them. Store them in the refrigerator for several months or more. You can also mix the olives with extra-virgin olive oil and spice to taste. Take precautions when working with lye. Lye can cause burns. Wear chemical-resistant gloves and safety glasses whenever you're working with lye, and don't use an olive vat made of plastic or anything made out of metal (even lids, since the lye dissolves metal). Do not use the lye curing method if children might come anywhere near the olives or the solution. Complete the process in a well-ventilated room. Open the windows and turn on a fan to increase the airflow. Clean the olives. This method works best for large olives, such as Seville olives. It may be used for either green or ripe olives. Pick out the damaged or bruised olives and sort the olives by size, if desired. Place the olives in a lye-resistant container. Again, do not use a metal container; a large glass or ceramic. container is best. Make a lye solution. Pour one gallon of water into a lye-resistant container. To the water, add 2 ounces of lye. The solution will immediately heat up. Cool it to 65 to 70 °F (18 to 21 °C) before you add it to the olives. Always add lye to water; never add water to lye. It will cause an explosive reaction. Use exact measurements. Using too much lye will be detrimental to the olives; too little and they won't cure properly. Pour the lye over the olives. Cover the olives completely with the lye solution. Use a plate to weigh the olives down so they don't get exposed to air, which would cause them to darken in color. Cover the container with cheesecloth. Stir the mixture every two hours until the lye reaches the pits. For the first eight hours, just stir the mixture and recover it when you're finished. After eight hours, start checking the olives to see whether the lye has penetrated to the pits. While wearing chemical-resistant gloves, pick a few of the largest olives. If they are easy to cut to the pit, with soft, yellowish green flesh all the way through, the olives are ready. If the flesh is still pale at the center, submerge them and try again in a few hours. Make sure you never handle the olives with your bare hands. If you don't have chemical-resistant gloves, use a spoon to remove the olives and run them under cold water for several minutes before checking lye penetration. Switch out the lye solution if necessary. If the olives are very green, the lye may not penetrate to the pits after 12 hours. If this is the case, drain the olives and cover them with a fresh lye solution. After another 12 hours, do the same if the lye still hasn't penetrated to the pits. Soak the olives in water for two days. Change the water at least two times a day. This process washes the olives and gives the lye time to seep back out. Each time you change the water, it will look lighter color. Taste test an olive on the fourth day. If it's sweet and fatty, with no bitterness or soapy flavor, proceed to the next step. If it still tastes of lye, continue the soaking and rinsing process until the olives taste mild and the water rinses clear. Cure the olives in a light brine. Place the olives in a glass storage container. Mix 6 tablespoons pickling salt in a gallon of water and pour it over the olives to cover them. Let the olives cure for a week, at which point they're ready to eat. Store the olives in the refrigerator in their brine for up to a few weeks. | Obtain fresh green olives. Inspect the olives. Break the olives. Place the olives in a plastic bin and cover with cold water. Change out the water. Continue the process for about a week. Make a finish brine. Drain the olives and place them in a storage container. Cover the olives with the brine. Obtain fresh olives. Cut the olives. Place the olives into glass jars with lids. Cover the olives with a medium brine. Wait one week. Drain the olives. Cover the olives with a strong brine. Store the olives for two months. Obtain fully ripe olives. Wash the olives. Weigh the olives. Prepare a curing crate. Mix the olives and salt. Pour the mixture into a fruit crate. Place the crate in a covered outdoor area. Mix the olives after one week. Repeat once a week for a month. Strain the mixture. Dry the olives overnight. Store the olives.Mix the olives with a pound of salt for every ten pounds of olives to help preserve the olives in storage, then pour them into glass jars and seal them. Take precautions when working with lye. Clean the olives. Place the olives in a lye-resistant container. Make a lye solution. Pour the lye over the olives. Stir the mixture every two hours until the lye reaches the pits. Switch out the lye solution if necessary. Soak the olives in water for two days. Taste test an olive on the fourth day. Cure the olives in a light brine. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clicker-Train-a-Cat | How to Clicker Train a Cat | To clicker train your cat, start by giving your cat a treat and clicking the clicker at the same time so it associates the sound with a treat. Repeat this several times in each training session. Then, click and toss the treat a few steps away from the cat so it has to retrieve it. Next, show your cat a target, like a pen. When it sniffs the target, click and give it a treat. Then, encourage it to do more before you give it a treat. For example, you could wait until it brushes its face against the target. | Get a clicker. A clicker is a small plastic box with a metal tab in it. When you press it, it makes a clicking sound. These are available online or in pet stores, and they cost as little as $1. These are commonly used to train dogs and cats. It's best to use a clicker specifically designed for training. If you don't have one, though, make a distinct clicking noise with your mouth, or you can use a pen that makes a clicking sound. If your cat is deaf, you can use a pen light to achieve the same results. Have some treats on hand. In order for the training to work, you need to give your cat a reward. A common reward is a special treat of some sort (e.g., tuna or deli turkey), and it should be something that can be given instantly to reward behavior. If the treat is food, it should be cut up into pea-sized chunks. Some cats might respond well to affection or a toy. Get a target item. Use a stick-like object, such as a pen or a spoon. This item should be easily recognizable and used only for training. Your cat will eventually follow this object as a target, so you don't want your cat jumping up to the dinner table to follow her training spoon. You can make a target stick by putting a Ping-Pong ball on the end of a pencil or chopstick. Don't use the treat as the target. This will teach your cat to do tricks only when there is a treat involved. Eventually you'll want to be able to get your cats to do tricks without treats (though you should still reward with treats sporadically). Find a good time to train. Set aside about 5 minutes for each training session, and hold these sessions a few times a day. Wait until your cat is active and hungry (it should be at least 20-30 minutes until mealtime). He will be more interested in the treat and will respond better to the training. Start in a quiet location. Start your training in a location that will be quiet and without distractions. If you have other pets around, try putting them outside or in a separate room while you work on training your cat. Sit on the floor with your cat. Get down at your cat's level to engage with him while you start the process of clicker training him. This will make it easier for you to respond immediately to your cat's correct behavior by clicking and giving him a treat. Use the clicker and give a reward. Toss over a treat for your cat while making the clicking noise at the same time. This will begin an association in the cat's mind that a clicking sound will mean a treat will appear. Don't click at any other time. You want the cat to associate the click with the treat, so don't click while the cat is eating, looking at you, or walking away. Only click when you give the treat. Repeat clicking and rewarding several times. Wait until your cat is finished eating the treat and looks at you before you start again. Make the clicking sound and toss over a treat again. Let your cat finish the treat before starting again. Try this process several times. Stop after 5 minutes and give your cat a break. If the cat completely loses interest, the reward isn't strong enough. Find a better reward. Toss the treat a little ways and click at the same time. Continue to associate the clicking sound with the reward, but use your cat's attention to the treat to start building some stronger associations. The cat will still want the treat but will have to work harder for it (here, your cat will just take a few steps, but soon, your cat will need to perform for the treat). Don’t talk to your cat during this time. Don't talk to the cat or use any kind of verbal cues during this first stage. You want the clicker noise to be the clearest signal here. The click noise is also much easier for an animal to identify than a verbal cue, such as saying, “Good kitty.” Your timing might not be as exact, and the cat might pick up on your tone differently every time. A click is quick and consistent. Reinforce the click/treat relationship briefly. In the beginning, every time you start a new training session, reinforce the click/treat relationship by clicking the clicker and giving your cat a treat. This will remind your cat of this association. Associate the click with the target. Bring your target item over to your cat. Be prepared to click as soon as the cat makes any movement towards the target or shows interest in it. He might look at it, lean toward it, approach it, or sniff it, for example. Click at the same time as his sniff or other movement, and give him a treat. Hide the target in between each click, so that your cat only sees it when you're ready to reward it appropriately. The click lets the cat know the exact moment at which it did something right. In this case, the correct action is moving toward the target. Using the clicker as a signal for the reward will make sure your cat doesn't get confused. If you toss the cat a treat when he looks at the target, he will immediately get distracted and focus on the treat. Instead, the clicker tells the cat that the treat is coming, and the cat has a little more time to figure out what it did to get the treat. Try again several times. Once he's finished his treat, bring up the target again and click when he makes any movement towards it. Immediately give him a treat. He will start to associate the target with the treat, and will try different movements to get that treat. If the cat is only looking at the target, move the target closer to its face. Most cats will lean in to sniff it. As soon as the cat does this, click and then reward. Wait for the cat to touch the target. After the cat has associated a click (and treat) with the target, push him a little to perform more. Wait for the cat to brush his face on the target, for example, before clicking and giving him the treat. Move the target around. Now you can start to move the target so that your cat will also move. Encourage your cat to take a step toward the target. Once the cat is reliably looking at target every time you introduce it, try to get the cat to take a step in its direction. As soon as it takes that step, click and reward. Try moving the target over to the side. When your cat follows the target, click and give a reward. Taking an incremental approach will be productive, because cats won't complete the entire action you want the first time. Give rewards when your cat makes partial movements in the right direction. As you keep training, you reward him for getting closer and closer to the complete action. Repeat this exercise a few times a day. Try 5 minute sessions at most. If you notice your cat losing interest and starting to clean himself after 10-15 clicks, end the training session. Eventually you'll probably be able to get your cat to walk across the room to the target. Decide on a verbal cue for each of your cat's tricks. While the clicker noise is good for letting the cat know what it's doing right, verbal cues can be used once the cat has already learned a few tricks, to help it understand which trick you want it to do. The verbal cue must be distinct and clear. It should be a word you won't use with other pets, or a word that is used too much in everyday conversation. Choose a logical word to make your cat do something. You might use “Jump!” for when your cat jumps onto something. You might use “Come!” for when your cat walks toward you. Teach your cat to come. Sit on the floor and hold out the target. If your cat will respond to the target by walking toward it, try holding it in front of you and say, “Come!” at the same time. When your cat moves towards the target (and you), click and give a reward. Try this several times in different locations in your house. Make sure you click and reward each time. If your cat is just not getting it, or if he seems confused, revert back to your previous training. End the session on a good note and try again later. Remember to only try these sessions for about 5 minutes at a time. Teach your cat to sit. Hold a treat above his head in your closed hand. As he sees it, move your hand back further. Most cats will naturally sit down so their head can still follow the treat. As soon as your cat sits down (or even as he starts to sit down), click the clicker, say “Sit,” and give him the treat. Repeat this several times a day. Ignore behavior performed without a verbal cue. The verbal cue signals that when your cat performs a particular behavior, he will receive a reward. If your cat does this something on his own, just don't reward him. Don't click and don't give a treat. At this stage of the training, ignore any behavior that he does without a verbal cue. This is so your cat will associate the verbal cue with the click and reward. Repeat this process with other tricks. As you continue to train your cat, he will learn more commands and will recognize different verbal cues for different tricks. At some point, you'll find you don't need the clicker or the treats anymore. | Get a clicker. Have some treats on hand. Get a target item. Find a good time to train. Start in a quiet location. Sit on the floor with your cat. Use the clicker and give a reward. Repeat clicking and rewarding several times. Toss the treat a little ways and click at the same time. Don’t talk to your cat during this time. Reinforce the click/treat relationship briefly. Associate the click with the target. Try again several times. Wait for the cat to touch the target. Move the target around. Repeat this exercise a few times a day. Decide on a verbal cue for each of your cat's tricks. Teach your cat to come. Teach your cat to sit. Ignore behavior performed without a verbal cue. Repeat this process with other tricks. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Clothes-Look-Vintage-and-Worn | How to Make Clothes Look Vintage and Worn | To make clothes look vintage and worn, use a razor blade to cut small nicks into the hem or collar of a t-shirt or into the waistband, cuffs, or knees of a pair of pants. After cutting or tearing, wash clothing as usual to soften the edges and make it look more natural. You can also use sandpaper to distress hems, cuffs, and knees or to fade prints. For an overall faded look, submerge clothes in a water and bleach solution for 5-10 minutes, rinse, and wash as usual. | Wash the garment that you plan on altering. Whether the garment is brand-new or has seen a few wears, it is important that you wash it. New garments often contain dyes and coatings that may prevent the bleach from working; you also want to remove any potential shrinkage before you start. Choose a workspace that can get messy or ruined. A garage or an outdoor location would work the best, but you can use an indoor location too. If you are working indoors, choose a surface that can get scratch or stained. If there isn't one, cover it up with a cutting mat, newspaper, or plastic bags. If you plan on working with bleach, ensure that you have good ventilation. Have some rubber gloves ready. Plan out your look and much distressing you want. It is easy to get carried away when distressing clothes. Unless you want something that looks like it went through an alien war or zombie apocalypse, you want to choose only 1 or 2 things to do to your garment, such as fraying the hems and doing minor fading with bleach. Look at pictures online or in magazines to get ideas. If you know how to draw, you can sketch your ideas out instead. Mark your garment where you want to cut it, if desired. You don't have to do this, but it will reduce the amount of mistakes you might make. If you want to cut the sleeves off of your shirt or turn your jeans into shorts, draw some cutting guidelines. If you wish to add a hole to your jeans, put the jeans on, draw the line for the hole, then take them off. You can also use a piece of masking tape to mark off sanding areas. A piece of tailor's chalk or a dressmaker's pen will work the best, but you can use an ordinary chalk or pen if you have nothing else. Give your T-shirt a vintage feel by cutting the hems and collar off. You can also cut the hems off of the sleeves, or cut the sleeves off all the way to create a tank top. Make your shirt shorter by cutting more off of the bottom instead of just the hem. You can even cut the collar off into a scoop-neck or a V-neck. Rip the hems instead if you want to create a jagged look. Cut a small slit into the hem that you want to tear--make sure that the cut is parallel to the hem, not perpendicular. Hold the fabric to either side of the cut, then pull it apart. Keep pulling until the entire hem separates from the garment. You can use this technique on T-shirts and jeans. Use this technique to create holes in the knees of your jeans or to create cut-off shorts. Use razor blades to nick the hems if you want a more precise design. Cut small nicks into the hem or collar of a T-shirt, or into the waistband or cuffs of a pair of pants. You can even do it on pocket hems, but tuck a piece of cardboard into the pocket so that you don't tear up the fabric behind it. Don't get too carried away with the nicks. They will fray the next time you wash the garment. For best results, cut along the edge, not against it. For a rougher look, try a serrated knife instead. Cut holes into the knees of your jeans with razor blades. Tuck a piece of cardboard into the leg that you want to cut. Find an area that looks worn, and slice your razor blade horizontally across it. Use your fingers or tweezers to fray the cut edges. Wash the garment after you cut or tear it. This will help soften the edges and make them look more frayed and natural. You can use the recommended setting on the care tag inside the garment, but hot water will help distress the garment even further. Be aware, however, that hot water may cause the garment to shrink, so it's best to do it on items that are already too big. Use sandpaper to distress hems, cuffs, knees. Tuck a piece of cardboard into the garment first. This way, you won't accidently tear up the fabric on the other side. Sand the area with sandpaper until you get the look you want. Focus on the areas that will get the most wear, such as hems, cuffs, and knees. You can sand just enough to make the fabric look fuzzy, or you can sand until you create a hole. Use coarse-grit sandpaper for tough fabrics, like denim and canvas. Use fine-grit for delicate fabric, like jersey or T-shirt. Use a rotary tool or dremel to distress tougher fabrics. Sometimes, sandpaper is not enough for tough fabrics, such as denim or canvas. In this case, you might want to try a rotary tool or dremel. Use a coarse-grit sanding drum attachment--it looks like a cylinder with a sandpapery texture. How much you sand is up to you. Again, tuck a piece of cardboard into the garment to protect the fabric on the other side. Focus on the areas that get the most wear. Fade prints by scuffing them with fine-grit sandpaper. Spread your shirt out on a flat surface. Take a piece of fine-grit sandpaper and move it across the print using circular motions. Move the sandpaper with the grain of the shirt to over stretching it. How much you sand the print is up to you. Try other rough-textured tools, such as rocks or cheese graters. Just about anything with a rough, abrasive texture can be used to wear and distress fabric. Great examples include: cheese graters, pumice stones, nail files, rocks, and wire cleaning brushes. Save the more abrasive textures, such as cheese graters and rocks, for tougher fabrics, like denim and canvas. Fade clothing in a solution of bleach and water. Fill a large container with 4 3/4 quarts (4.5 L) of water, then add 1 cup (240 mL) of bleach. Put on some rubber gloves, then submerge the garment in the solution for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse the garment with hot water, then wash it as usual. This won't be enough to turn your clothes pure white, but it will be enough to give it a faded look. Work in a well-ventilated area and remember to wear rubber gloves. Add 1 cup (240 mL) of bleach to your laundry cycle as an alternative. Allow your machine to fill with hot water, then add 1 cup (240 mL) of bleach. Agitate the water, then wash your garment on a gentle cycle for 5 minutes. Let the article soak for 1 hour, then continue with a normal cycle. Wash the garment a second time as usual without bleach. Dry the garment as usual in the dryer or hang it out in the sun to fade it further. If you plan on cutting or ripping your clothing, do that first. The washing machine will do the rest for you. Sponge T-shirts with a bleach and water solution for a patchy fade. Pull on a pair of plastic of rubber gloves, then mix some bleach and water. Dip a sponge into the solution, then squeeze the excess out. Blot your shirt with the sponge, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse it out. Wash your shirt in hot water, then hang it out to dry in the sun. Use equal amounts of bleach and water for a drastic effect. Use more water for a subtle effect. Work in a well-ventilated area and put on some rubber gloves. Use hot water and sunlight if you don't want to use bleach. Make sure that your clothing can withstand hot water first by reading the wash tag. Wash your clothing in the washing machine using a regular cycle and hot water. Allow the clothing to air-dry outside in the sun to further fade them. You may have to repeat this process a few times before you get the desired effect. If you plan on cutting or ripping your clothing, do that first. Rub jeans with coffee beans to fade them. This may sound strange, but it is effective. Due to their acidic nature, coffee beans can help fade the dye from denim. Simply take a handful of coffee beans, and rub them across the areas that you want faded, such as down the lap or the hem of the waistband. Wash the jeans afterwards with hot water. . Fade your jeans with lemon juice Soak your denim in water first, then wring the excess water out. Pour lemon juice onto the areas that you want faded, then wait a few hours until you get the look you want. Wash the jeans with plain water to stop the reaction, then hang them out in the sun to dry. Keep the jeans wet after you add the lemon juice. Tucking them into a plastic bag would work great. If you have a lot of lemons and want an all-over fade, fill a bucket with lemon juice, then put the jeans into it. Leave them there for several hours. Wash and wear your clothing often to speed up the process. The more often you wear something, the faster it will wear out. If you need this look by a certain date, simply tearing the garment up with razors and sandpaper may not be enough. You can break in the item faster by wearing it around the house or even to bed. Be sure to wash it often! Soften T-shirts by washing them with salt and washing soda. Place your shirt and a towel into the washing machine. Let the machine fill with hot water past the load, then add 2 cups (600 g) of salt and 1/4 cup (175 g) of washing soda (sodium carbonate). Add your usual detergent and run a normal cycle (still using hot water). Dry the load in the dryer on high heat. Your shirt may shrink during this process. Start with something 1 or 2 sizes larger than what you normally wear. You will need to repeat this process 3 to 5 times before your shirt becomes soft and worn. Use sandpaper to rough up any logos or graphics after the process is done. Repair things by hand rather than with a sewing machine. Instead of sewing up rips or tears on a sewing machine, do it by hand. If you get a hole, don't just iron a patch on and leave it there. Reinforce the patch by hand sewing it around the edges. This way, you get the original strength from the iron-on adhesive as well as the DIY look from the hand sewing. Dye garments in black tea or coffee. This is a great way to give white clothing a dingy look, but you can use it on colored clothing as well. The stronger you make the tea or coffee, the darker the color will be in the end. The weaker you make the tea or coffee, the more subtle the look will be. | Wash the garment that you plan on altering. Choose a workspace that can get messy or ruined. Plan out your look and much distressing you want. Mark your garment where you want to cut it, if desired. Give your T-shirt a vintage feel by cutting the hems and collar off. Rip the hems instead if you want to create a jagged look. Use razor blades to nick the hems if you want a more precise design. Cut holes into the knees of your jeans with razor blades. Wash the garment after you cut or tear it. Use sandpaper to distress hems, cuffs, knees. Use a rotary tool or dremel to distress tougher fabrics. Fade prints by scuffing them with fine-grit sandpaper. Try other rough-textured tools, such as rocks or cheese graters. Fade clothing in a solution of bleach and water. Add 1 cup (240 mL) of bleach to your laundry cycle as an alternative. Sponge T-shirts with a bleach and water solution for a patchy fade. Use hot water and sunlight if you don't want to use bleach. Rub jeans with coffee beans to fade them. . Wash and wear your clothing often to speed up the process. Soften T-shirts by washing them with salt and washing soda. Repair things by hand rather than with a sewing machine. Dye garments in black tea or coffee. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Open-a-Lemonade-Stand | How to Open a Lemonade Stand | To open a lemonade stand, choose a good location that gets a lot of foot traffic, like a local park or beach. Next, set up a good, sturdy table and chair on level ground and cover the table with an eye-catching tablecloth or blanket to attract attention. Then, make plenty of lemonade and set up your pitchers, cups, napkins, and straws neatly. Finally, draw in customers by making signs to advertise and being friendly to passersby. | Choose a location. If you place your stand in front of your house, only a few of your neighbors will see you. Instead, choose a location that gets a lot of foot traffic, so more people will know you're in business. Local parks and beaches are good options, especially on a nice day. You can also ask your church or a local grocery store if they'll give you permission to set up your stand by their entrance. Make sure you ask permission before setting up your stand on private property. Make a schedule of local events. If there are street festivals or sporting events, set up your stand nearby. Think of where people will be warmest and thirstiest. People who've been laying out on the beach or have just played 18 rounds of golf in the sun will be more likely to buy your lemonade. Be aware of the weather. If the sun if very hot on the day you want to work your stand, make sure to choose a spot with a lot of shade. Set up your stand. At the very least, your stand will need to have a good, sturdy table and chair for you to sit in. Make sure you put them on level ground, so your stand doesn't wobble and spill lemonade all over the place. It's also a good idea to cover the table with a tablecloth or blanket in a bright color that attracts attention. Make sure the fabric reaches to the ground in the front of your table. That way, you can store extra supplies underneath the table, but not let your customers see the clutter down there. Set up your pitchers, cups, napkins, and straws in a neat arrangement. The tidier your stand looks, the more people will want to visit. Make it comfortable. If you're planning on working at your stand for a long period of time, you want it to be as comfortable as you can make it. Keep water on hand in case you get sick of drinking lemonade for refreshment. You should also put a comfy or soft cushion on your chair to keep your bottom from getting sore. If the weather's hot, keep a battery-powered fan on hand, or fan yourself with a piece of paper. If you're out there long enough, you might find that the shade moves away and exposes you to the sun. If that happens, shut down your stand for half an hour and move it to a shadier location. Make sure you wear a lot of sunblock to protect your skin against the sun, as well. Decorate your stand. There's no right or wrong way to decorate a lemonade stand. All that's important is that it looks good and you have fun doing it. You can print out lemonade-themed decorations from the internet and tape them to your stand. Try to draw your own decorations. You can draw lemons, glasses, and pitchers full of ice-cold lemonade, or the sun, the beach, and anything else that makes you think of lemonade. Maybe you could put fresh-cut flowers on your stand, or use colorful straws and napkins instead of plain white ones. Make sure to make a nice, larger sign saying what your stand sells and how much you're charging. Place it somewhere passersby can't miss it. A good spot is the part of your tablecloth that hangs down to the ground. Draw signs advertising your stand. Even if you're in a good location, you want everyone in the neighborhood to know you're in business. Make signs advertising your lemonade stand and place them around your stand to drum up some business! You can use regular sheets of white printer paper or colorful construction paper to catch the eye. Use different colored markers to advertise your lemonade stand. Make sure you include the price for each glass of lemonade and either directions or an address for your stand. Spread the word. Ask your friends to not just visit, but to tell their other friends about it and bring some along! Post about your stand on your or your parents' Facebook page to let as many people as possible know when and where you'll be setting up. Be kind and sincere. Nothing draws people in like a big smile and a sunny personality. Talk to people walking by and ask them to buy lemonade from you. You'll be surprised by how many new customers you can bring in just by being friendly! Encourage customers to return by telling them when you'll be back: “I'll be here again tomorrow at noon till seven! Come visit!” Keep your stand neat and clean. If a sunny personality can bring people in, a messy stand can drive them away. Make sure you pour your lemonade without spilling and getting everything sticky. Keep your napkins in neat piles, and gather your straws together in a cup so they don't roll all over the place. Your cups should be in one or two neat stacks. Make sure you don't stack them high enough to topple over, though! Offer a range of products. While a lemonade stand is a classic draw, your customers might be more eager to visit you if you can offer more than just one thing. On a humid day, some people might prefer an ice cold bottle of water, so have a cooler full of those to sell. You might also sell snacks, so your customers have something to wash down with their lemonade! You might make your own snacks to increase your profits. Cookies, brownies, or lemon bars are all great homemade options to go with your lemonade.Don't be afraid to sell store bought items if you don't have much in your house. Some people might prefer salty snacks rather than sweet ones. Individual baggies of pretzels, potato chips, or peanuts could cut through the sweetness of the lemonade. Keep fresh fruit on hand for healthier alternatives. Apples, oranges, or sliced watermelon would all be delicious with cold lemonade on a hot day. Set your prices well. Make sure you're charging a fair price for everything you sell. If you're in a hot-spot where there are a bunch of thirsty people, charge about.75 or a dollar per glass of lemonade. Make good deals for your customers, such as " Buy 2 Get 1 Free!" You may be losing money for the price of one lemonade, but you will attract more parents with children! Keep a tip box or jar on hand to earn extra money, as well. Have money on hand to make change. Even though you're trying to make some money with your stand, you need to have some yourself to break any large bills you might get. You don't have to accept any bills larger than $20, but have some $10s, $5s, $1s, and quarters available. It would be terrible to lose a sale because you couldn't give a customer change for a $20! Keep an envelope at hand to hold your change and the money your customers give you. Make sure you don't lose it! Track your sales. Running a lemonade stand can be a good lesson in business and finances. Keep track of how much money you're making by recording each of your sales. Divide a lined sheet of paper into 5 columns, and name them "Day," "# of Cups Sold," "Price per Cup" "Tips," and "Total." For every sale you make, fill out that information. At the end of the week, add up all the numbers in the "Total" column to find out how much money you earned. Calculate your profits. You might have made some money selling lemonade, but don't forget that you had to invest money to start your stand, too! You need to figure out if you made back the money you spent in the beginning. Hopefully, you made some profit! Write down the cost of each item you had to buy for this business. This includes the lemonade ingredients, your cups/straws/napkins, advertisements and decorations, and so on. Add up how much money you invested in the business. Subtract how much money you invested from the amount of money you earned through sales. If that amount is negative, you lost some money this week. If the amount is positive, that's how much profit you made! Clean up after. When it is time to close up, pick up all your trash––as in empty cups, used napkins, or lemon shavings. When people see you clean up, it will make them see you are neat and tidy, encouraging them to want to come next time. Decide if you want to make fresh or powdered lemonade. Lemonade made from actual lemons is healthier and tastes brighter than the powdered kind. Many customers will respond to advertisements of "fresh" or "homemade" lemonade. However, powdered lemonade is cheaper and easier to make. It's also a processed food that's not as healthy as the fresh product. Weigh the pros and cons of each type and decide which one you want to choose. Make powdered lemonade. If you choose the powdered option, you have it easy! Making powdered lemonade is a quick and simple process. Buy lemonade powder from the grocery store. Follow the instructions on the packaging to mix it with water. Mix it thoroughly until all the powder has dissolved. Taste the lemonade to see if it's too strong (add more water) or too weak (add more powder). When you're happy with your lemonade, you're ready to sell it! Make fresh-squeezed lemonade. If you choose fresh lemonade, you have to do a little more work, but you'll have a delicious, healthier product. Start by gathering all your ingredients. The following will make about a gallon of lemonade : 8 lemons 2 cups of sugar 1 cup of hot water 1 gallon of cold water Combine the sugar and hot water. Adding sugar to hot water makes the sugar dissolve more, so you won't have grains of sugar floating around in your lemonade. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely. Roll your lemons. When you roll your lemons before squeezing them, they tend to release more juice. Put each lemon down on a table, then press the heel of your palm into it. Roll it back and forth against the surface until you feel it starting to lose its firmness. When you're finished rolling, cut each lemon in half. Squeeze the juice from your lemons. Each whole lemon should give you about 1/4 cup of juice. You should end up with 2 cups of juice. If you have less than that, squeeze more lemons until you have 2 cups. Squeeze each lemon half over a bowl, letting the juice drip down into the container. Cradle one hand under the lemon to catch any seeds or pulp that you don't want to end up in your lemonade. You can poke the inside of the lemon with a fork to make it give up more juice. Combine your ingredients in a large pitcher. Pour your hot water and sugar mixture, your lemon juice, and your gallon of cold water into a pitcher that's big enough to hold all that liquid. Stir it all together until it's mixed well. Refrigerate it to cool it down. You're ready to serve your fresh lemonade! Don’t combine the lemonade and ice immediately. If you add your ice directly to the pitcher of lemonade, the ice will melt over the course of the day. You'll end up with watered down lemonade. Instead, refrigerate your lemonade before selling it. Just have a bag or cooler of ice by your lemonade stand so customers can add fresh ice to their drinks when they buy them. Serve more than one kind of lemonade. Once you have your lemonade base, you can make little adjustments to give your customers an option of different lemonade flavors. Make strawberry lemonade: chop 2 cups of strawberries and toss them with 1/2 cup of sugar. Let it sit at room temperature for about 45 minutes, then drain the "syrup" away from the berries. Add 1 tablespoon of syrup for each glass of lemonade. You can repeat those steps with any berry to make raspberry, blueberry, or whatever kind of lemonade you want! Put sliced watermelon in a blender, and mix the resulting water into your lemonade for watermelon lemonade. Be creative! Experiment with as many flavors as you can think of over the summer! | Choose a location. Set up your stand. Make it comfortable. Decorate your stand. Draw signs advertising your stand. Spread the word. Be kind and sincere. Keep your stand neat and clean. Offer a range of products. Set your prices well. Have money on hand to make change. Track your sales. Calculate your profits. Clean up after. Decide if you want to make fresh or powdered lemonade. Make powdered lemonade. Make fresh-squeezed lemonade. Combine the sugar and hot water. Roll your lemons. Squeeze the juice from your lemons. Combine your ingredients in a large pitcher. Don’t combine the lemonade and ice immediately. Serve more than one kind of lemonade. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Couplet | How to Write a Couplet | With a little creativity, you can write your own rhyming couplet. A rhyming couplet is 2 lines of roughly equal length that rhyme at the end. One good example from Dr Suess is, "Fox in socks, our game is done, sir. Thank you for a lot of fun, sir." Another example from Hamlet is, "The time is out of joint, O cursed spite. That ever I was born to set it right." A couplet should also form a complete idea, like an image, a feeling, or even a joke, whether it's on its own or contained in a larger poem. | Think of your main idea or point in the couplet. It doesn't matter if the couplet will stand alone or as part of an 80-page epic -- the two lines should form a complete thought or idea. Poetry is about verbal economy -- using "the right words in the right places" -- so have a clear idea what you want to talk about in the couplet. This doesn't mean you need a grand idea or big philosophical point. A couplet could describe a flower, crack a joke, or explore your feelings on something. Think of the keywords surrounding your topic, ending the first line with one of them. The last word in a line of poetry is always emphasized, and this is twice as true when the lines rhyme. Rhyming calls attention to the word, making it the center piece of the line. Furthermore, the last word of a line always stands out, capping off the line before it. In general, you want a unique, exciting word to end your line. You don't necessarily want to end on a difficult-to-rhyme word like "orange" or "knickerbocker," even if they are exciting words. The best poets use language in fresh, exciting, and innovative ways. While you could find a lot of rhymes for "you" or "me," ask yourself if there is a more unique word to choose. Brainstorm several words that rhyme with the end of your first line. Once you've got a line you're comfortable and a good end word, start brainstorming potential rhymes. Write out every word that you can think of -- even seemingly unrelated words may fit in perfectly as part of a metaphor, simile, or image. While most rhymes occur on the last word, they don't have to. Check out, for example, this couplet from Dr. Suess: "Fox in socks, our game is done, sir. / Thank you for a lot of fun, sir." You may decide to rewrite your first line if you have no good rhymes -- this is just part of the process. Place punctuation at the end of the line for complete thoughts, or leave it as an "open couplet. " Contrary to popular belief, most poetry is meant to be read normally, meaning you don't stop or pause at line breaks but instead read it out loud like you would read any other book. If you leave it open, the rhyme is subtle and feels less like a song, since you read right over the rhyming word, but still get the musical quality. If you place a comma or period after the first line, you generally get a more old-fashioned, song-like rhyme. Talented poets will often mix and match open and closed couplets, such as in Sir Edmund Spenser's "Mother Hubbard's Tale". For a master course in open couplets, read Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales. Make sure that both lines have roughly the same amount of syllables. Say the couplet out loud to yourself. Does it flow off the tongue, or does it sound awkward? If you can't comfortably read your couplet, try cutting or adding words so that both lines are roughly the same length. If you're comfortable with poetic meter, try and make the two lines as close as possible with stresses and syllables. If not, just focus on making them sound lovely. Follow your imagination and intuition to keep crafting couplets. Some poets would rather write out the first line then brainstorm good words to rhyme. Others think of pairs of words they want to rhyme, then build lines around them. Still others work backward, crafting the second line as a punchline or surprise and then building the lead-in before it. Most poets do a bit of everything. Once you've got the structure down, the only way to get better is to practice. In general, couplets give a poem a light, playful, and sing-songy feel in modern poetry Appropriately, many modern song lyrics are written in couplets. There are some that feel like poetry Use iambic pentameter to write heroic couplets. The heroic couplet, like those used in old British Poetry and Shakespeare, are carefully constructed so that each line has only ten syllables. They are written in iambic pentameter, and the last syllable of the line must be stressed. If you're new to poetic meter, iambic sounds a bit like a heartbeat (daDUM, daDUM, daDUM), where the syllables alternate between unstressed and unstressed when you say them (for example, words like "exIST," "aWAY," or "preDICT," where your voice goes up at the end). Iambic pentameter is all about rhythm, and while it is rarely used today, you should be aware of it for school. Pentameter means five "feet" per line, since penta = "five." A foot is a specific combination of stressed and unstressed syllables. Every sonnet Shakespeare wrote was written in iambic pentameter. Eminem's "Lose Yourself" is modern example of iambic pentameter at high speed. End classic sonnets with a couplet to "turn" the meaning of the poem. Shakespeare might be known primarily as a playwright, but his sonnet's have become so famous their form is still mimicked to this day. A sonnet is made up of alternating couplets (line one rhymes with line three, line two with line four, etc.), but the ending is a classic couplet. The switch from alternating rhyme to a couplet highlights a change in perspective, tone, or theme as well as a change in form. Very often, this couplet surprises the reader, provides the moral or point of the poem, or otherwise makes the poem turn on its head. Craft an Arabic ghazal out of five or more couplets. This ancient poetic form is usually concerned with loss and longing, but it can be built out of any subject material. However, ghazals aren't made up of your typical couplets. For starters, the first two lines must end in the same word, with the rhyme coming before this word, known as the refrain. From then on out, the second line of every couplet ends with this refrain word, but with a different rhyming word before it. The first line of each couplet does not have to rhyme, and the second to last line usually contains your own name. While it seems complicated, the ghazal is easiest learned through this example by Patricia Smith: Gotta love us brown girls, munching on fat, swinging blue hips , decked out in shells and splashes, Lawdie, bringing them woo hips. As the jukebox teases, watch my sister's throat the heartbreak, inhaling bassline, cracking backbone and singing thru hips. Like something boneless, we glide silent, seeping 'tween floorboards, wrapping around the hims, and ooh wee, clinging like glue hips. Engines grinding, rotating, smokin', gotta pull back some. Natural minds are lost at the mere sight of ringing true hips. Gotta love us girls, just struttin' down Manhattan streets killing the menfolk with a dose of that stinging view. Hips. Crying 'bout getting old—Patricia, you need to get up off what God gave you. Say a prayer and start slinging. Cue hips. Build a classic blues song out of couplets. The blues, America's signature genre of music and the foundation of rock and roll, jazz, hip-hop, and much modern pop, was originally just a collection of rhyming couplets. You will find that the first line is repeated twice ("Woke up this morning, to a knock upon my door.... I woke up this morning, with a knock upon my door), and then the second line comes in with a chord change ("And I said "hello Satan, I believe it's time to go" -- Robert Johnson). In general, the second line contains a turn. That is, after the first line is repeated, the second line surprises the listener by changing expectations or swiveling the focus. Couplets are also common in many modern forms of music, and form the basis of many rock, rap, and pop lyrics. | Think of your main idea or point in the couplet. Think of the keywords surrounding your topic, ending the first line with one of them. Brainstorm several words that rhyme with the end of your first line. Place punctuation at the end of the line for complete thoughts, or leave it as an "open couplet. Make sure that both lines have roughly the same amount of syllables. Follow your imagination and intuition to keep crafting couplets. Use iambic pentameter to write heroic couplets. End classic sonnets with a couplet to "turn" the meaning of the poem. Craft an Arabic ghazal out of five or more couplets. Build a classic blues song out of couplets. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Solve-Matrices | How to Solve Matrices | By properly setting up a matrix, you can use them to solve a system of linear equations. Start by writing out your equations and then transfer the numbers from them into a matrix by copying the coefficients and results into a single row. Stack the rows one on top of each other to form a block-looking format. Add a large square bracket around your full matrix and use the abbreviation “R” for the rows and “C” for the columns. This allows you to refer to a specific position in the matrix with a combination of R and C, such as R4C1. To solve the matrix, you can use different operations. For instance, you could use row-addition or row-subtraction, which allows you to add or subtract any two rows of the matrix. | Verify that you have sufficient data. In order to get a unique solution for each variable in a linear system using a matrix, you need to have as many equations as the number of variables that you are trying to solve. For example, with variables x, y and z, you would need three equations. If you have four variables, you need four equations. If you have fewer equations than the number of variables, you will be able to learn some limiting information about the variables (such as x = 3y and y = 2z), but you cannot get a precise solution. For this article, we will be working toward getting a unique solution only. Write your equations in standard form. Before you can transfer information from the equations into matrix form, first write each equation in standard form. The standard form for a linear equation is Ax+By+Cz=D, where the capital letters are the coefficients (numbers), and the last number - in this example, D - is on the right side of the equals sign. If you have more variables, you will just continue the line as long as necessary. For example, if you are trying to solve a system with six variables, your standard form would look like Au+Bv+Cw+Dx+Ey+Fz =G. For this article, we will focus on systems with only three variables. Solving a larger system is exactly the same, but just takes more time and more steps. Note that in standard form, the operations between the terms is always addition. If your equation has subtraction instead of addition, you will need to work with this later my making your coefficient negative. If it helps you remember, you can rewrite the equation and make the operation addition and the coefficient negative. For example, you can rewrite the equation 3x-2y+4z=1 as 3x+(-2y)+4z=1. Transfer the numbers from the system of equations into a matrix. A matrix is a group of numbers, arranged in a block-looking format, that we will work with to solve the system. It actually carries the same data as the equations themselves, but in a simpler format. To create the matrix from your equations in standard form, just copy the coefficients and result of each equation into a single row, and stack those rows one on top of each other. For example, suppose you have a system that consists of the three equations 3x+y-z=9, 2x-2y+z=-3, and x+y+z=7. The top row of your matrix will contain the numbers 3,1,-1,9, since these are the coefficients and solution of the first equation. Note that any variable that has no coefficient showing is assumed to have a coefficient of 1. The second row of the matrix will be 2,-2,1,-3, and the third row will be 1,1,1,7. Be sure to align the x-coefficients in the first column, the y-coefficients in the second, the z-coefficients in the third, and the solution terms in the fourth. When you finish working with the matrix, these columns will be important in writing your solution. Draw a large square bracket around your full matrix. By convention, a matrix is designated with a pair of square brackets, [ ], around the entire block of numbers. The brackets do not factor into the solution in any way, but they do illustrate that you are working with matrices. A matrix can consist of any number of rows and columns. As we work through this article, we will use brackets around terms in a row to help join them. Use common symbolism. In working with matrices, it is common convention to refer to the rows by the abbreviation R and the columns with the abbreviation C. You can use numbers together with these letters to indicate a specific row or column. For example, to indicate Row 1 of a matrix, you can write R1. Row 2 would be R2. You can indicate any specific position in a matrix by using a combination of R and C. For example, to pinpoint the term in the second row, third column, you could call it R2C3. Recognize the form of the solution matrix. Before you begin doing any work to solve your system of equations, you should recognize what you will be trying to do with the matrix. Right now, you have a matrix that looks like this: 3 1 -1 9 2 -2 1 -3 1 1 1 7 You will be working with some basic operations to create the “solution matrix.” The solution matrix will look like this : 1 0 0 x 0 1 0 y 0 0 1 z Notice that the matrix consists of 1's in a diagonal line with 0's in all other spaces, except the fourth column. The numbers in the fourth column will be your solution for the variables x, y and z. Use scalar multiplication. The first tool at your disposal for solving a system using a matrix is scalar multiplication. This is simply a term that means you will be multiplying the items in a row of the matrix by a constant number (not a variable). When you use scalar multiplication, you must remember to multiply every term of the entire row by whatever number you select. If you forget and only multiply the first term, you will ruin the entire solution. You are not required, however, to multiply the entire matrix at the same time. You are only working on one row at a time with scalar multiplication. It is common to use fractions in scalar multiplication, because you often want to create that diagonal row of 1s. Get used to working with fractions. It will also be easier, for most steps in solving the matrix, to be able to write your fractions in improper form, and then convert them back to mixed numbers for the final solution. Therefore, the number 1 2/3 is easier to work with if you write it as 5/3. For example, the first row (R1) of our sample problem begins with the terms [3,1,-1,9]. The solution matrix should contain a 1 in the first position of the first row. In order to “change” our 3 into a 1, we can multiply the entire row by 1/3. Doing this will create the new R1 of [1,1/3,-1/3,3]. Be careful to keep any negative signs where they belong. Use row-addition or row-subtraction. The second tool you can use is to add or subtract any two rows of the matrix. In order to create the 0 terms in your solution matrix, you will need to add or subtract numbers that get you to 0. For example, if R1 of a matrix is [1,4,3,2] and R2 is [1,3,5,8], you can subtract the first row from the second row and create the new row of [0,-1,2,6], because 1-1=0 (first column), 3-4=-1 (second column), 5-3=2 (third column), and 8-2=6 (fourth column). When you perform a row-addition or row-subtraction, rewrite your new result in place of the row you started with. In this case, we would take out row 2 and insert the new row [0,-1,2,6]. You can use some shorthand and indicate this operation as R2-R1=[0,-1,2,6]. Recognize that adding and subtracting are merely opposite forms of the same operation. You can either think of adding two numbers or subtracting the opposite. For example, if you begin with the simple equation 3-3=0, you could consider this instead as an addition problem of 3+(-3)=0. The result is the same. This seems basic, but it is sometimes easier to think of a problem in one form or the other. Just keep track of your negative signs. Combine row-addition and scalar multiplication in a single step. You cannot expect the terms always to match so you can use simple addition or subtraction to create 0s in your matrix. More often, you will need to add (or subtract) a multiple of another row. To do this, you perform the scalar multiplication first, then add that result to the target row that you are trying to change. Suppose you have a Row 1 of [1,1,2,6] and a Row 2 of [2,3,1,1]. You want to create a 0 term in the first column of R2. That is, you want to change the 2 into a 0. To do this, you need to subtract a 2. You can get a 2 by first multiplying Row 1 by the scalar multiplication 2, and then subtract the first row from the second row. In shorthand, you can think of this as R2-2*R1. First multiply R1 by 2 to get [2,2,4,12]. Then subtract this from R2 to get [(2-2),(3-2),(1-4),(1-12)]. Simplify this and your new R2 will be [0,1,-3,-11]. Copy down rows that are unchanged as you work. As you work with the matrix, you will be changing a single row at a time, either through scalar multiplication, row-addition or row-subtraction, or a combination step. When you change the one row, make sure to copy the other rows of your matrix in their original form. A common mistake occurs when conducting a combined multiplication and addition step in one move. Suppose, for example, you need to subtract double R1 from R2. When you multiply R1 by 2 to do this step, remember that you are not changing R1 in the matrix. You are only doing the multiplication to change R2. Copy R1 first in its original form, then make the change to R2. Work from top to bottom first. To solve your system, you will work in a very organized pattern, essentially “solving” one term of the matrix at a time. The order for a three-variable matrix will begin as follows: 1. Create a 1 in the first row, first column (R1C1). 2. Create a 0 in the second row, first column (R2C1). 3. Create a 1 in the second row, second column (R2C2). 4. Create a 0 in the third row, first column (R3C1). 5. Create a 0 in the third row, second column (R3C2). 6. Create 1 in the third row, third column (R3C3). Work back up from bottom to top. At this point, if you have done the steps correctly, you are halfway to the solution. You should have the diagonal line of 1's, with 0's beneath them. The numbers in the fourth column are really irrelevant at this point. Now you will work your way back up to the top as follows: Create a 0 in the second row, third column (R2C3). Create a 0 in first row, third column (R1C3). Create a 0 in the first row, second column (R1C2). Check that you have created the solution matrix. If your work is correct, you will have created the solution matrix with 1's in a diagonal line of R1C1, R2C2, R3C3 and 0's in the other positions of the first three columns. The numbers in the fourth column are the solutions to your linear system. Begin with a sample system of linear equations. To practice these steps, begin with the sample we used before: 3x+y-z=9, 2x-2y+z=-3, and x+y+z=7. When you write this into a matrix, you will have R1= [3,1,-1,9], R2=[2,-2,1,-3], and R3=[1,1,1,7]. Create a 1 in the first position R1C1. Notice that R1 currently begins with a 3. You need to change it into a 1. You can do this by scalar multiplication, by multiplying all four terms of R1 by 1/3. In shorthand, you can note this as R1*1/3. This will give a new result for R1 as R1=[1,1/3,-1/3,3]. Copy R2 and R2, unchanged, as R2=[2,-2,1,-3] and R3=[1,1,1,7]. Notice that multiplication and division are merely inverse functions of each other. We can say we are multiplying by 1/3 or dividing by 3, and the result is the same. Create a 0 in the second row, first column (R2C1). Currently, R2=[2,-2,1,-3]. To move closer to the solution matrix, you need to change the first term from a 2 to a 0. You can do this by subtracting twice the value of R1, since R1 begins with a 1. In shorthand, the operation is R2-2*R1. Remember, you are not changing R1, but just working with it. So first, copy R1 as R1=[1,1/3,-1/3,3]. Then, when you double each term of R1, you will get 2*R1=[2,2/3,-2/3,6]. Finally, subtract this result from the original R2 to get your new R2. Working through term by term, this subtraction is (2-2), (-2-2/3), (1-(-2/3)), (-3-6). These simplify to give the new R2=[0,-8/3,5/3,-9]. Notice that first term is 0, which was your objective. Copy down the unaffected row 3 as R3=[1,1,1,7]. Be very careful with subtracting negative numbers, to make sure you keep the signs correct. For now, leave the fractions in their improper forms. This will make later steps of the solution easier. You can simplify fractions in the final step of the problem. Create a 1 in the second row, second column (R2C2). To continue forming the diagonal line of 1's, you need to transform the second term -8/3 into 1. Do this by multiplying the entire row by the reciprocal of that number, which is -3/8. Symbolically, this step is R2*(-3/8). The resulting second row is R2=[0,1,-5/8,27/8]. Notice that as the left half of the row starts looking like the solution with the 0 and 1, the right half may start looking ugly, with improper fractions. Just carry them along for now. Remember to continue copying the unaffected rows, so R1=[1,1/3,-1/3,3] and R3=[1,1,1,7]. Create a 0 in the third row, first column (R3C1). Your focus now moves to the third row, R3=[1,1,1,7]. To create a 0 in the first position, you will need to subtract a 1 from the 1 that is in that position currently. If you look up, there is a 1 in the first position of R1. Therefore, you simply need to subtract R3-R1 to get the result you need. Working term by term, this will be (1-1), (1-1/3), (1-(-1/3)), (7-3). These four mini-problems simplify to give the new R3=[0,2/3,4/3,4]. Continue to copy along R1=[1,1/3,-1/3,3] and R2=[0,1,-5/8,27/8]. Remember that you only change one row at a time. Create a 0 in the third row, second column (R3C2). This value is currently 2/3, but it needs to be transformed into a 0. At first glance, it looks like you might be able to subtract double the R1 values, since the corresponding column of R1 contains a 1/3. However, if you double all the values of R1 and subtract them, you will affect the 0 in the first column of R3, which you do not want to do. This would be taking a step backward in your solution. So you need to work with some combination of R2. If you subtract 2/3 of R2, you will create a 0 in the second column, without affecting the first column. In shorthand notation, this is R3- 2/3*R2. The individual terms become (0-0), (2/3-2/3), (4/3-(-5/3*2/3)), (4-27/8*2/3). Simplifying gives the result R3=[0,0,42/24,42/24]. Create a 1 in the third row, third column (R3C3). This is a simple step of multiplying by the reciprocal of the number that is there. The current value is 42/24, so you can multiply by 24/42 to create the desired value of 1. Notice that the first two terms are 0's, so any multiplication will remain 0. The new value of R3=[0,0,1,1]. Notice that the fractions, which appeared quite complicated in the previous step, have already begun to resolve themselves. Continue to carry along R1=[1,1/3,-1/3,3] and R2=[0,1,-5/8,27/8]. Notice that at this point, you have the diagonal of 1's for your solution matrix. You just need to transform three more items of the matrix into 0's to find your solution. Create a 0 in the second row, third column. R2 currently is [0,1,-5/8,27/8], with a value of -5/8 in the third column. You need to transform it to a 0. This means conduction some operation involving R3 that will consist of adding 5/8. Because the corresponding third column of R3 is a 1, you need to multiply all of R3 by 5/8 and add the result to R2. In shorthand, this is R2+5/8*R3. Working term by term, this is R2=(0+0), (1+0), (-5/8+5/8), (27/8+5/8). These simplify to R2=[0,1,0,4]. Copy along R1=[1,1/3,-1/3,3] and R3=[0,0,1,1]. Create a 0 in the first row, third column (R1C3). The first row is currently R1=[1,1/3,-1/3,3]. You need to transform the -1/3 in the third column to a 0, by using some combination of R3. You do not want to use R2, because the 1 in the second column of R2 would affect R1 in the wrong way. So, you will multiply R3*1/3 and then add the result to R1. The notation for this is R1+1/3*R3. Working it out term by term results in R1=(1+0), (1/3+0), (-1/3+1/3), (3+1/3). These simplify to give a new R1=[1,1/3,0,10/3]. Copy the unchanged R2=[0,1,0,4] and R3=[0,0,1,1]. Create a 0 in the first row, second column (R1C2). If everything has been done properly, this should be your final step. You need to transform the 1/3 in the second column to a 0. You can get this by multiplying R2*1/3 and subtracting. In shorthand, this is R1-1/3*R2. The result is R1=(1-0), (1/3-1/3), (0-0), (10/3-4/3). Simplifying gives the result of R1=[1,0,0,2]. Look for the solution matrix. At this point, if all has gone well, you should have the three rows R1=[1,0,0,2], R2=[0,1,0,4] and R3=[0,0,1,1]. Notice, if you write this in the block matrix form with the rows on top of each other, you will have the diagonal 1's, with 0's everywhere else, and your solutions in the fourth column. The solution matrix should look like this: 1 0 0 2 0 1 0 4 0 0 1 1 Make sense of your solution. When you translated your linear equations into a matrix, you put the x-coefficients in the first column, the y-coefficients in the second column, the z-coefficients in the third column. There, to rewrite your matrix back into equation form, these three lines of the matrix really mean the three equations 1x+0y+0z=2, 0x+1y+0z=4, and 0x+0y+1z=1. Since we can drop the 0-terms and don't need to write the 1 coefficients, these three equations simplify to give you the solution, x=2, y=4 and z=1. This is the solution to your system of linear equations. Replace the solution values into each variable in each equation. It is always a good idea to check that your solution actually is correct. You do this by testing your results in the original equations. Recall that the original equations for this problem were 3x+y-z=9, 2x-2y+z=-3, and x+y+z=7. When you replace the variables with their solved values, you get 3*2+4-1=9, 2*2-2*4+1=-3, and 2+4+1=7. Simplify each equation. Perform the operations in each equation according to the basic rules of operations. The first equation simplifies to 6+4-1=9, or 9=9. The second equation simplifies as 4-8+1=-3, or -3=-3. The final equation is simply 7=7. Because each equation simplifies to a true mathematical statement, your solutions are correct. If any of them did not resolve correctly, you would have to go back through your work and look for any errors. Some common mistakes occur in dropping negative signs along the way or confusing the multiplication and addition of fractions. Write out your final solutions. For this given problem, the final solution is x=2, y=4 and z=1. | Verify that you have sufficient data. Write your equations in standard form. Transfer the numbers from the system of equations into a matrix. Draw a large square bracket around your full matrix. Use common symbolism. Recognize the form of the solution matrix. Use scalar multiplication. Use row-addition or row-subtraction. Combine row-addition and scalar multiplication in a single step. Copy down rows that are unchanged as you work. Work from top to bottom first. Work back up from bottom to top. Check that you have created the solution matrix. Begin with a sample system of linear equations. Create a 1 in the first position R1C1. Create a 0 in the second row, first column (R2C1). Create a 1 in the second row, second column (R2C2). Create a 0 in the third row, first column (R3C1). Create a 0 in the third row, second column (R3C2). Create a 1 in the third row, third column (R3C3). Create a 0 in the second row, third column. Create a 0 in the first row, third column (R1C3). Create a 0 in the first row, second column (R1C2). Look for the solution matrix. Make sense of your solution. Replace the solution values into each variable in each equation. Simplify each equation. Write out your final solutions. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Caldereta | How to Cook Caldereta | To make caldereta, start by marinating chicken or pork in a mixture of pineapple juice, soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Once the meat has marinated for 30 minutes, brown it in a skillet over medium heat. Then, remove the meat and drain the skillet before sauteing chopped onions and minced garlic for 3 to 5 minutes. After the onions soften, stir in chili peppers, tomato sauce, water, and the meat marinade and turn the burner to medium-high. As the mixture boils, add the meat and olives before covering the pot and simmering for 25 to 30 minutes. Then, add sauteed potatoes and carrots, liver spread, cheese, and bell peppers. Finally, let the caldereta cook for another 2 to 3 minutes before serving. | Toss the chicken or pork with the juice, soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Pour ⁄ 2 cup (120 ml) of pineapple juice and ⁄ 4 cup (59 ml) of soy sauce into a dish. Stir salt and pepper into the marinade and add 3 pounds (1.4 kg) of chicken or pork cut into serving parts. For example, use chicken legs and thighs or a mix of pork shoulder and loin. Marinate the meat in the refrigerator for 30 minutes and drain the liquid. Set the meat in the pineapple marinade in the refrigerator. After 30 minutes, remove the dish and use a slotted spoon to transfer the meat to a plate. Reserve the marinade to use when you cook the caldereta. You can chop the vegetables while you wait for the meat to marinate. Sauté the potato pieces for 3 to 5 minutes over medium heat. Pour ⁄ 4 cup (59 ml) of vegetable oil into a deep skillet and turn the burner on to medium. When the oil shimmers, add the potatoes quarters and leave them to cook for 3 to 5 minutes. Stir the potatoes once or twice so they become slightly browned. Remove the potatoes and sauté the carrots for 2 to 4 minutes. Use the slotted spoon to remove the potatoes. Place them on a paper towel-lined plate and put the sliced carrots into the skillet. Cook the carrots until they become slightly browned. Stir the carrots once or twice to prevent them from sticking to the skillet. Remove the carrots and sauté the peppers in the skillet for 30 seconds. Take the slotted spoon and remove the carrots from the skillet. Put them on the plate with the potatoes. Then put the chopped bell peppers into the skillet and cook them for 30 seconds. Use the slotted spoon to transfer the bell peppers to the plate with the potatoes and carrots. Stir the peppers frequently since they'll begin sizzling and sticking. Brown the pieces of meat for 5 minutes over medium heat. Place the pieces of marinated meat into the hot skillet and cook them until they're browned. Use tongs to turn the meat so each piece becomes golden on every side. Keep in mind that the meat won't be completely cooked. It will finish cooking when you simmer the vegetables in the sauce. Remove the meat and drain the skillet. Transfer the browned meat to another paper towel-lined plate and pour off most of the oil that's still in the skillet. Leave 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of oil in the skillet. You'll use the oil to sauté the onion and garlic. Sauté the onion and garlic for 3 to 5 minutes. Add 1 chopped onion and 3 cloves of minced garlic to the skillet. Stir and cook the mixture over medium heat until the onion softens and the garlic becomes fragrant. Stir the onions frequently to prevent them from sticking to the skillet. Stir in the chili peppers, tomato sauce, water, and marinade. Mince 2 to 3 Thai chili peppers and add them to the skillet. Cook them for about 30 seconds and then stir in: 2 cups (450 g) of tomato sauce 1 cup (240 ml) of water The reserved marinade Bring the mixture to a boil and add the meat and olives. Turn the burner to medium-high so the liquid comes to a boil. Then return the meat to the skillet along with ¼ cup (33 g) of green olives. The green olives will give the caldereta a slightly sour taste. If you prefer, you can leave them out. Cover and simmer the caldereta for 25 to 30 minutes. Turn the burner down to medium-low so the liquid bubbles gently. Put the lid on the skillet and simmer the caldereta until the meat reaches 165 °F (74 °C). To test the meat, insert an instant-read meat thermometer into the thickest piece of meat. Add the potatoes and carrots and cook them for about 10 minutes. Return the browned potatoes and carrots to the skillet. Stir the caldereta and let the mixture cook until the vegetables become fork-tender. Keep the lid off of the skillet so some of the liquid evaporates. Stir in the liver spread, cheese, and bell peppers. Add ½ cup (113 g) of beef liver spread, ½ cup (56 g) of shredded cheddar or American cheese, and the chopped bell peppers. Stir until the liver spread is incorporated and the cheese melts. Cook the caldereta for 2 to 3 minutes and serve it immediately. Let the caldereta cook until it heats back up. Then turn off the burner and serve the caldereta with steamed rice. Refrigerate the leftover caldereta in an airtight container for up to 3 to 5 days. Mix the meat with oil, salt, and pepper. Pour ⁄ 2 cup (120 ml) of olive oil into a large bowl and stir in 1 teaspoon (5.5 g) of sea salt and 1 teaspoon (2 g) of ground black pepper. Add 2 pounds (0.91 kg) of beef or goat meat that you've cut into 2 in (5 cm) chunks. Use leg, shoulder, and loin cuts for the most tender caldereta. Marinate the meat for 1 hour at room temperature. Cover the bowl and set the meat on the counter so it's at room temperature. Leave the meat to marinate so it becomes tender and absorbs the salt. You can safely leave meat at room temperature for up to 2 hours, unless it's over 90 °F (32 °C). If it's over 90 °F (32 °C), it's important to leave it out for no more than 1 hour. Sauté the jalapeno, onion, and garlic for 5 minutes. Put 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) (28 g) of butter into a large pot and turn the burner to medium. Once the butter melts, stir in 1 chopped yellow onion, 1 minced jalapeno, and 1 teaspoon of (2.5 g) of minced garlic. Cook the mixture until it softens and browns a little. Stir the onion mixture frequently to prevent it from sticking to the pot. Sear the meat in the pot for 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the marinated meat from the bowl and put it into the pot. Cook the meat over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes until it browns. Use tongs to turn the meat as it sears. Turn it frequently so it browns on all sides. Stir in the tomatoes, peppers, chicken stock, and peanut butter. Pour in 1/2 cup (115 g) of tomato paste, 1 ⁄ 4 cups (410 ml) of chicken stock, and 1 can (28 ounce or 794 g) of crushed tomatoes with its juice. Stir in 1 chopped red bell pepper and 1 green bell pepper until the caldereta is combined. If you'd like to add peanut butter for a slightly creamy flavor, add 3/4 cup (190 g) of creamy peanut butter now. Ensure that you're using peanut butter with no added sugar. Cover and simmer the caldereta over low heat for 45 minutes. Put a lid on the pot and turn the burner down to low. Let it bubble gently for 45 minutes so the meat finishes cooking and the peppers soften. Take the lid off and stir it every once in a while to ensure the caldereta cooks evenly. Stir in the cheese, peas, and chili powder. Add 1/4 cup (25 g) of grated cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup (75 g) of thawed green peas. Stir and taste the caldereta. Add chili powder according to your taste or adjust the salt and pepper. Simmer the caldereta for 5 minutes before you serve it. Keep the lid off of the pot and let the caldereta bubble gently over low heat. Cook it for 5 minutes and stir it occasionally until it thickens. Then turn off the burner and serve the caldereta with cooked white rice. Refrigerate the leftover caldereta in an airtight container for up to 3 to 5 days. | Toss the chicken or pork with the juice, soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Marinate the meat in the refrigerator for 30 minutes and drain the liquid. Sauté the potato pieces for 3 to 5 minutes over medium heat. Remove the potatoes and sauté the carrots for 2 to 4 minutes. Remove the carrots and sauté the peppers in the skillet for 30 seconds. Brown the pieces of meat for 5 minutes over medium heat. Remove the meat and drain the skillet. Sauté the onion and garlic for 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the chili peppers, tomato sauce, water, and marinade. Bring the mixture to a boil and add the meat and olives. Cover and simmer the caldereta for 25 to 30 minutes. Add the potatoes and carrots and cook them for about 10 minutes. Stir in the liver spread, cheese, and bell peppers. Cook the caldereta for 2 to 3 minutes and serve it immediately. Mix the meat with oil, salt, and pepper. Marinate the meat for 1 hour at room temperature. Sauté the jalapeno, onion, and garlic for 5 minutes. Sear the meat in the pot for 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, peppers, chicken stock, and peanut butter. Cover and simmer the caldereta over low heat for 45 minutes. Stir in the cheese, peas, and chili powder. Simmer the caldereta for 5 minutes before you serve it. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Practice-Guitar-Scales | How to Practice Guitar Scales | To practice guitar scales, set aside 10-15 minutes at the beginning of each practice session, since scales are great for warming up. Try starting with a pentatonic scale or major scale, which are the most common types. When you practice, work through all of the scales you know at a steady pace, taking care not to miss any notes. Once you know a scale well, try picking up speed with a metronome and moving the scale into another key by playing it on a different string. | Start every practice session with 10-15 minutes of scales. Scales are an incredible way to warm up, and they are essential to becoming a good guitarist. You need to make scales a priority in your practice time, so put aside a set amount of time to practice them each day. Turn on a timer and work through every scale you know, playing them each on multiple sections of the guitar. Baseball players hit batting practice every day on a variety of pitches, artists doodle in a sketchbook, and writers free-write. Scales are the basic skill behind guitar theory and playing, and you need to devote time to practicing them. Practice with consistent rhythm and speed, avoiding mistakes. Do not rush through your scales, hitting 1-2 bum notes or missing a string here and there, just because you want to get faster. Speed means nothing if you're not hitting notes cleanly, so always practice with an ear for perfection. Once you've got the scales and exercises down at a certain tempo, then you can gradually increase your speed. It may be frustrating now, but it will make you a better guitarist in the long run. It is highly recommended that you play with a metronome for the best practice sessions. Skip strings as you play to build speed up and down the neck. Once you have the scales memorized up and down, it's time to kick your practice into the next level. Very rarely do you play a scale straight up and down, so you shouldn't always practice like that. Try the following string skipping exercises to master any scale. Play all the normal notes on your scale. Start with the 6th string (your thickest string), then skip to the 4th. Play the notes on the 4th string, then come back up to the 5th. Skip to the 3rd string, then come back to the 4th, moving up and down like this until you can hit them all in rhythm Skip from top to bottom, playing the 6th string, then the 1st. Then play the 5th string, followed by the 2nd, etc. After each string, return to the 6th string again so that you repeat the root note after every string. Once you've gone up and down like this, start repeating the 5th string, then the 4th, etc. Play with triplets and quarter-note sets. This is a fantastic way to increase your speed both up and down the neck, and to add a bit of spice to your normal scale runs. Basically, you play the first note in a scale, then the next three in quick succession. You then return to the 2nd note in the scale and play the next three in quick succession. From there, you repeat the pattern all the way down, until you've done a set starting with every note in the scale. Try to string this together rhythmically -- not worrying about speed just yet. While you'd never play a full solo like this, you can adapt parts of this lick into your playing once you get better. Try "down and backs" to learn to change direction quickly. This simple little exercise is a great way to comfortable speeding up and down the fretboard during solos. To do it, simply play your scale like normal. However, once you hit the fifth note, turn around and re-play the last three notes you played. Work through the whole scale like this -- five notes down, three notes up, and then reverse it once you hit the bottom. As you get comfortable, adjust the numbers. Try going four down, two up. How small can you make the intervals and still move comfortably through the scale? For an added challenge, try it with repeating notes. Once you get to the fifth note, play it twice, then move only two notes back. Repeat this note as well. This is a good way to work on your picking speed. Skip notes, but make sure you only play notes in the scale. Start playing your scales randomly, to the rhythm. Set a metronome to a comfortable pace, then hit a note on every single beat. Pick notes at random, but make sure they are all on the scale. As you get better, move up and down the neck. How many unique notes can you play before messing up? This is invaluable practice for improvisation because it teaches you to find the right note anywhere on the guitar at the drop of a hat. Improvise solos in your favorite scales. Not all practice has to be rote. Once you've worked through the technical exercises, bring it all together by improvising a few solos with your scales. You can search for practice tracks online by typing "Key + Your Scale + Instrumental Track," Such as "A Minor Dorian Scale Instrumental." You can also train your ear by putting on your favorite songs, then finding the key and scale by yourself. Ultimately, all the scale practice in the world means nothing if you can't use them in a song, so have some fun and start jamming. Though jams are more free-form, you should still be focusing on technique. Challenge yourself, but don't sacrifice quality of play for a few faster, sloppier notes. Learn the major scale, minor scale, and pentatonic scale when you first start playing. These three scales are, far and away, the most useful scales you can learn, and they are the easiest. Almost every other scale is some variation on these three scales, and the pentatonic scale -- the most common rock and blues guitar scale -- is itself just a variation on the minor scale. The following diagrams in the key of A, and are written in guitar tab. This means that the number represents the fret you need to play, and the line represents each string. Minor Pentatonic Scale: If you're playing modern music, the pentatonic scale will almost always suffice. If you want to start soloing quickly, this is the one to get down. e|---------------------5-8-------------| |B|-----------------5-8----------------- G|-------------5-7---------------------| D|---------5-7-------------------------| A|-----5-7-----------------------------| E|-5-8---------------------------------| Major Scale: This is the basis of all major chords. It is bright and happy, and absolutely essential to know for music theory, but it is usually adapted when used in solos or leads: e|---------------------------4-5-| B|-----------------------5-7-----| G|-----------------4-6-7---------| D|-----------4-6-7---------------| A|-----4-5-7---------------------| E|-5-7---------------------------| Minor Scale: The basis for all minor chords, it has a darker, sadder feel. Like the major scale, most players adapt it for solos, but it is still essential for a guitarist to know: e|-----------------------------5-7-8-| B|-----------------------5-6-8-------| G|-----------------4-5-7-------------| D|-------------5-7-------------------| A|-------5-7-8-----------------------| E|-5-7-8----------------------------- Memorize the scale by playing it up and down slowly. Start off with the basic pentatonic scale. Play each one at the pace where you can play all the notes without mistakes, and slowly speed up the pace once you get better. Always play the scale backward after playing it forwards. Don't try and create any variations now, just get used to playing all the notes, in order, front to back. You want to play slowly enough that you don't make mistakes. You don't want to reinforce bad habits when you first start learning. Slowly pick up speed by practicing with a metronome. To really crush your scales, you need to be able to play them to a beat. A simple metronome is a great way to keep you on time and to measure your progress. Do not, however, speed the machine up until you can comfortably play the scale up and down without mistakes. You can get free metronome apps on your phone, or find them online. Remember -- practicing scales is about technique. It may feel boring now, but you'll notice the benefits once you start using the scales for solos and licks. Learn the scale across the guitar, not just in one place. Almost all the scales that you learn are actually "scale forms." This means that, without any extra movement, you can move them up and down the neck to put the scale in a new key. For example, the most common pentatonic scale to learn is A-Minor, where you start on the third fret. But, if the song is in E-Minor, all you have to do is make the first note an E, then play the same basic structure. Learning the notes of the guitar is essential to becoming a great soloist. Play the scales across the neck, not just in the same place. Supplement your scales by learning the five main chord shapes across the fretboard: C, A, G, E, and D. While the C shape is a C chord in its traditional placement, you can make it major or minor by moving the starting notes. The first skills you should learn should be your major and minor scales and the blues pentatonic scale. Expand your scales across the neck once you have the basics memorized. Whenever you watch great guitarists, you'll notice that they rarely stay in the same place on the guitar the entire time they solo. They move up and down, and while it seems to be at random, they know exactly where to go. This is because they understand the "intervals," which are the distances between two notes. While one could delve into interval theory for months, one basic pattern will help you expand your scale on every string across the whole neck: Step Theory: Starting on your root note (the A in an A-Minor), you could play the whole scale on one string. Simply remember W-H-W-W-H-W-W. This is the distance between notes: W stands for whole-step (2 frets) and H stands for half-step (1 fret). Try playing the whole minor scale on one string like this. Every note you play on this string could be used in a solo. As you get better, test out new notes to the left and right of your scale. Can you play a whole "solo" without touching your normal scale? Look up new scales once you have the basics down. Scales can be found on websites such as All Guitar Chords , or Guitar Scales. You should remember, however, that it is better to master 2-3 scales then to know 30 scales in pieces. Before moving on, make sure you can play the three basics scales outlined above across the entire guitar. It not only helps you play over almost anything, it will make learning new scales easier. Modes are variations, adding and subtracting notes, on the major and minor scale. They follow a series of rules that makes them coherent and pleasing to the ear. To learn how to figure our modes by yourself, check out Wikihow's Learn Guitar Scales. | Start every practice session with 10-15 minutes of scales. Practice with consistent rhythm and speed, avoiding mistakes. Skip strings as you play to build speed up and down the neck. Play with triplets and quarter-note sets. Try "down and backs" to learn to change direction quickly. Skip notes, but make sure you only play notes in the scale. Improvise solos in your favorite scales. Learn the major scale, minor scale, and pentatonic scale when you first start playing. Memorize the scale by playing it up and down slowly. Slowly pick up speed by practicing with a metronome. Learn the scale across the guitar, not just in one place. Expand your scales across the neck once you have the basics memorized. Look up new scales once you have the basics down. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Overcome-Nervousness | How to Overcome Nervousness | If you want to overcome nervousness, focus on breathing slowly and steadily to stay calm. You could also try doing more exercise prior to an event you're nervous about as this will help you to relax your muscles and burn stress hormones. For example, you could do some yoga or go to the gym. Alternatively, try tensing and relaxing the muscles in your body, starting from the top and working your way down. Finally, remember that even if you feel really nervous, other people won't realize you're nervous, so there's no need to feel embarrassed. | Practice whatever makes you nervous. If you are nervous about public speaking, flirting on dates, or doing a good job at work practice can make you more confident and alleviate nerves. The more experience you have, the more used to the situation you will feel. If you are nervous about dating, try getting a friend to go on a practice date with you. Go to the place where you plan to have your date and practice having conversations and doing the activities you will do on the date. If you are nervous about public speaking, seek out opportunities to practice talking in public. Volunteer to talk in your class at school when there are opportunities. Attend a public meeting and voice your opinion. Join a public speaking organization. The more you get a chance to practice, the less nervous you will be. Prepare in advance. Preparation for the specific task that makes you nervous will make you feel ready and self-assured. For a big meeting, plan out how the meeting will unfold and outline important information you may need so you can have it ready. For a job interview, do research on the company and the position so you can speak knowledgeably. Try to think of some potential questions that may come up and plan out your answers in advance. For a date, think about questions you can ask your date about themselves. If there are any lulls in conversation you can have an interesting question ready and not have to come up with things to say. Think positively. Visualize yourself doing well and not being nervous. Walk through the event that makes you nervous in your head and imagine yourself calm and successful. For a date, imagine the date going well and that you both are relaxed and having a good time. For a big speech, visualize yourself in front of your audience. Think about yourself giving a relaxed and successful presentation. See your audience enjoying your speech. Relax your body. Try to relax yourself ahead of time to reduce nervousness. Take a few minutes before situations that make you nervous and try to work out your nervous energy and get relaxed. Try sitting in a dark, quiet room to calm your mind. Progressively relax your body. Tighten and then relax each of your muscles. Start at the top of your body and work your way down. Tighten your shoulder muscles then relax them. Tighten your arm muscles then relax them, and so on. Go for a walk to get out some nervous energy and clear your mind. Concentrate on your breathing. Try to think about your breathing and take slow, deep breaths. Thinking about breathing slowly not only calms you down physically, but can also distract you from your nervousness. Take ten deep breaths while thinking about the air moving in through your nose, filling your lungs, and moving out through your mouth. This might make you feel focused and calm. Reduce sweating from nervousness. Use some simple steps to avoid sweating too much when you are nervous. Wear cooler clothes. Use a strong antiperspirant. Avoid wearing hats. Reduce nervous movements. Even if you feel nervous try not to fidget around nervously. Stand still instead of shifting your weight from side to side. Hold your hands loosely at your sides instead of making nervous gestures. Hold a pen in your hand if it helps you remember not to fidget. Rationalize the situation. Often, your thoughts about an upcoming event will be much worse than what will actually happen. Ask yourself why you are nervous and whether your feelings are really founded. Think about what could really go wrong and consider that the worst outcome you imagine would not be so bad. Try to reframe your thoughts by asking yourself what is the worst that can happen. Picture that outcome, and ask yourself if you could survive should the scenario occur. Remember that nobody knows you're nervous. Others can not tell how nervous you are so don't worry about appearing too nervous. Often people feel much more nervous than they appear. Get more exercise. Getting regular aerobic exercise is an easy and effective way to overcome nervousness. Exercise reduces physical tension in muscles, produces relaxing neurotransmitters, and burns stress hormones. Even 20 minutes of aerobic exercise can help burn off extra cortisol and reduce your stress. Try meditation or yoga. These activities are based on relaxation and they are good sources of exercise. Take up a sport. Join a gym. Go out for walks or bicycle rides. Try journaling. Writing in a journal can help you overcome nervousness by making it easier to collect and confront nervous thoughts. If you think about what makes you nervous and keep track of it in your journal, you'll have a better sense of when and why you get nervous. Journaling can also help you work out nervous thoughts head of time on paper so that you are less nervous in your actions. Chronicling your nervous thoughts can help put them in perspective. Look back over things you were nervous about and think how well they turned out in the end. Practice mindfulness. The more you are able to focus on the present moment, the less your mind will concentrate on "what-if" situations. Practice mindfulness in everyday situations by focusing on what is directly around you and clearing your head of noise and invasive thoughts. Drink less caffeine. Caffeine is known to make people feel nervous and jittery. Try to avoid drinks with caffeine, especially before an event you are nervous about or late at night. Instead of coffee and caffeinated teas, try drinking a calming herbal tea. Avoid sodas with caffeine. Energy drinks are very high in caffeine. Get more sleep. Loss of sleep can be a major trigger for nervousness, so making sure you are well rested is important. Seek help for more serious nervousness and anxiety. If your nervousness prevents you from doing things you want to do in your daily life you may need to seek help from a therapist or psychologist. Talk to someone. Talk to a friend, parent, or mentor about your nervousness. Talking about what makes you nervous can help alleviate some of your anxiety. Your friend may share similar stories about nervousness and have some ideas on good ways to cope. Speak with a professional. A professional therapist or psychologist can help you overcome more problematic nervousness using medication or therapy. Some solutions to discuss with a professional include: Medication to reduce stress or anxiety. Techniques to be more aware of stress or nervousness. Breathing techniques to reduce nervousness. Relaxation strategies to reduce bodily symptoms of nervousness. Techniques for how to think about your nervousness and confront it or distract yourself. Managing nervousness through slow exposure to anxiety inducing situations Problem-solving strategies for confronting nervousness. Methods for coping with setbacks. | Practice whatever makes you nervous. Prepare in advance. Think positively. Relax your body. Concentrate on your breathing. Reduce sweating from nervousness. Reduce nervous movements. Rationalize the situation. Remember that nobody knows you're nervous. Get more exercise. Try journaling. Practice mindfulness. Drink less caffeine. Get more sleep. Seek help for more serious nervousness and anxiety. Talk to someone. Speak with a professional. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Revive-a-Friendship | How to Revive a Friendship | If you want to revive a friendship, the first thing to do is reach out to that friend to show your interest in reconnecting. Don't worry about how long it's been since you last spoke! You can send a message online if it's been a while, or, if the relationship is comfortable enough, try a more personal approach by calling them. When you get together in person, keep the meeting short and casual so there aren't too many expectations. For example, you can grab a coffee or go out to lunch. | Take the first step. Don't wait for your friend to reach out. If you want to reconnect, make yourself available, either by reaching out or by inviting your friend to meet with you. A phone call or an email are quick, easy, and respectful ways to convey your interest to speak or spend time together. However, you should consider your options regarding how to reach out. Reach out in the right way. Depending on the degree to which you've grown apart, there are different recommended routes to take. The depth of your previous friendship, and the context in which you drifted apart are important factors when considering how you should approach an old friend. If you simply haven't seen or spoken with someone in a while, reach out casually. A message on an online media platform that you both use may work. An email is better because it is a more reliable and secure method of communication. People also tend to check their email more frequently. Consider sending a letter. If you had gone through a conflict with your friend, be wary of rekindling old animosities. Take care not to make them feel as though they are under pressure to respond. Don't just call someone you had a falling out with; this may make them feel uncomfortable or may even upset them. A note or card gives them time to think and contemplate a response. Do more than just text. While texting is great way to convey information of send a quick hello, it is not a productive method to rekindle a relationship. If you feel your relationship is casual and comfortable enough to contact a friend via text but you haven't spoken in a while, give them a call. The more personal approach will indicate your interest to truly reconnect. Don’t worry about how long it’s been. Don't feel as though your friendship has ended or become less important. Friendships often change when people get married, move, or have kids. If you're missing an old friend, there's a good chance your friend misses you as well. It is always appropriate to try to reconnect. Recognize the importance of circumstances. If you had drifted apart because your friend went through a major life change, and you recently went through a similar life change, you may soon find you have even more in common now than ever before! Don't wait any longer! The more time you spend missing your friend without acting on it, the further you may drift apart. Know that it's okay if you haven't spoken with someone in a while. You may actually make their day by letting them know you've been thinking about them and would like to reconnect. Be persistent, but not over-eager. If your friend doesn't respond, or does so hesitantly, you can try to convey your hopes to reconnect again. Don't rush though. Allow time in between contact. If they simply don't respond, accept the fact that they may not be ready or willing to reconnect for the foreseeable future. Keep your first (re)meeting short. Know that the present is not the past. Your friend may have changed substantially. Don't expect them to be the person they were when you were closer. Holding expectations about someone else affects the way you feel about them, which is unfair to them and may lead to unwarranted expectations about the potential to rekindle your friendship. Meet for coffee or lunch instead of going out at night together. This will allow each of you to interact more casually, with less assumptions or expectations about the meeting. Apologize. If you have something to apologize for, do so as soon as you are able. Be completely honest. Know that your friend may still be experiencing some negative emotions about whatever happened between you, and that negative emotions may even arise for you upon meeting up with your friend again. If you were at fault for something that led to a conflict, even only partially, accept that fault. Tell your friend that you're willing to put the past behind you, and that you're willing to speak about whatever happened if they'd like to do so. Try something like, "Hey, George, I'm really sorry about that argument we had. Want to catch a beverage together someday soon and catch up?" Try, "Sally, you know, I've felt really bad about the way I acted a while back. I'm so sorry. I'd like to get together again sometime, if you're interested." Listen and Respect. You should always be respectful when interacting with other people, and all the more when interacting with friends. One of the surest ways to indicate that you respect someone is by listening intently during conversation. In order to understand what a friend is feeling or thinking, try to consider your friendship from their perspective. Practice active listening. Especially during meaningful conversations, make sure to follow these tips to help you listen intently: Summarize what it seems like the other person is saying when you are unsure. Encourage your friend to continue with short prompts such as “Then?” or “Oh!?” Use “I” statements when responding. Reflect about what the other person is saying out loud, by beginning with, “I feel like…” If something is unclear, ask them to expand upon a point you don't understand. Recall fond memories. Whatever the context of your friendship now, you undoubtedly have positive memories from experiences you shared together in the past. Recall some of the enjoyable moments you spent together, particularly those that might get you laughing together again. By recalling positive memories of your own, your friend will likely recall similar memories of their own, and you will both end up remembering more about your friendship than either of you had remembered independently. This alone will rekindle positive feelings towards one another, if not a resurgence of interest in spending time together again. Forgive. Notice that this step comes after apologizing. Not only do you need to forgive a friend that you hope to continue having a relationship with, you need to forgive them even if they don't apologize. If you and a friend are not fully able to resolve an issue, you still may be able to have an amicable friendship. Know that there are learning and growing opportunities for both individuals in every friendship. Respecting one another can help you both find the positive in the relationship you had before and the relationship you will have moving forward. Follow through on plans. If you commit to getting together, immediately act on it by making specific plans. Talk together about what days or evenings you have free in the coming week and at least settle on a day and time to meet. If the day comes and you're not as free as you'd hoped, compromise. Avoid rescheduling if possible; Instead of lunch, meet for coffee. If you're unable to meet up, make specific plans again. If your friend invites you out, go! There is no quicker way to let a friendship fall by the wayside than continually turning down opportunities to spend time together. Give your friends space. Know that even when a friendship is rekindled, especially after a long period of time, it will likely not feel exactly as it had before. Even if it's harder to share your lives with one another, you can still value each other's friendship – you may just have to accept the fact that you won't get as much time together as you'd like. Consider whether friendship is still in the cards. Be aware that your hopes or expectations for reconnecting with a friend may be different than their expectations, even if they're willing to meet. If you meet, but a rekindling of your friendship seems unlikely, leave with the knowledge that you both still respect each other enough to reach out to one another again in the future. In the meantime, don't allow yourself to be stressed about a situation that is out of your control. Know that not every friendship is the same. Nor will every friendship stay the same. For that matter, no friendship will ever be perfect. More importantly, the context of your relationships with other human beings will change, perhaps out of the blue. Don't hold it against your friends when they change. Accept them as they are now, just as you had accepted them when you'd been closer. Understand the difference between types of friendships. In the course of your life, you will have relationships that amount to acquaintances, casual friendships, and close friendships. Put your time and effort into nurturing relationships with those people who value their time with you, respect your perspective, and encourage you to grow in whatever capacity you choose. | Take the first step. Reach out in the right way. Don’t worry about how long it’s been. Be persistent, but not over-eager. Keep your first (re)meeting short. Apologize. Listen and Respect. Recall fond memories. Forgive. Follow through on plans. Give your friends space. Consider whether friendship is still in the cards. Know that not every friendship is the same. |
https://www.wikihow.life/Grow-Plants-from-Seed | How to Grow Plants from Seed | To grow plants from seed, start them indoors in pots to protect them from diseases, insects, and bad weather. When you plant them, use a seed starting mix and put 1 or 2 seeds in each pot. While you're waiting for the seeds to sprout, keep them in a warm spot with indirect sunlight. Also, make sure the soil the seeds are planted in is always moist. Once your seedlings sprout and become established, you can transplant them into the ground outdoors. | Choose your seeds. A local garden store can recommend seeds that are easy to grow in your climate and at this time of year. Great beginner options for vegetables and herbs include green beans, looseleaf lettuce, and basil. Sunflowers, cosmos, and poppies are some of the easiest flowers to grow from seed. Fresh seeds are more likely to germinate than old ones. Collecting your own seeds from plants or fruit is risky, but can be a fun experiment. Because of cross-pollination or grafting (attaching the branches of one variety to the roots of another), the children may not look like the parent. Set the planting time. In most cases, you'll want to start your seed indoors. However, this depends on what you are planting. For example, lettuce and green beans do better when you sow them outside directly in the ground. This means you can plant before the spring frosts have passed. Cold-hardy plants can be planted indoors in late winter or early spring. Plants that thrive in heat need a later seeding date (mid- or late spring), so the weather is warm when the plants are ready to go outside. Plants usually take three to six weeks to grow from a seed to a healthy plant ready to be moved outdoors, but some take up to fifteen. Select a starting pot. Seeds planted outdoors are vulnerable to disease, insects, and bad weather. The survival rate will be higher if you care for the young plants indoors. A seed starting tray from a gardening store is a convenient option, but you can use any small container with drainage holes. Before reusing an old container, scrub thoroughly with soapy water. Dip it in a solution of one part household bleach and nine parts hot water, then air dry. This will kill microorganisms that could harm the seed. Some plants such as lettuce, cucumbers, melons, and sunflowers suffer when transplanted if their roots are disturbed. You can start these seeds outside instead after the last spring frost, or plant each seed in a separate cell of a "plug tray" and transplant the whole chunk of soil. Add seed starting mix. Making your own is simple, and much cheaper than buying it from a store. Just mix together equal amounts of perlite, vermiculite, and coir (or peat moss). This light mix drains quickly to prevent rot, and makes it easy for the sprout to emerge from the surface.Moisten the seed starting mix thoroughly, then fill containers to within ¼" (6mm) of the top. Use any clean object to gently press the mix into a firm, level surface. Let excess water drain before you continue. If you're using a store-bought mix, check whether it contains compost. If it does, you won't need to fertilize your seedlings. (Don't try to add compost to a homemade mix for your first project — it's more trouble than it's worth.) If you use peat moss instead of coir, add hot water to make it easier to mix in. Since peat moss is acidic, it helps to add garden lime (calcium carbonate) to balance it out. Try ¼ tsp of lime per gallon of potting mix. Plant your seeds. If the seed starting mix has dried out, moisten it again before planting. Check your seed packet for exact spacing and planting depth instructions, or follow these guidelines: Shared tray, one variety: Scatter the seeds loosely and evenly across the tray. Shared tray, multiple varieties: Scratch shallow rows 1–2 inches (2.5–5cm) apart with a clean ruler. Drop seeds of each variety into a separate row. Label each row. Separate pots or plug trays: Plant one large seed (e.g. cucumber or melon seed) or two small seeds (e.g. most flower seeds) in each container. Cover seeds based on their size. As a rule of thumb, bury seeds to a depth twice the diameter of the seed. Most tiny seeds need light to germinate, including petunia, lettuce, and snapdragon seeds. Just leave these on the surface of the mix. Dry vermiculite or milled sphagnum moss (not peat moss) are ideal for covering seeds, but you can use dry seed-starting mix instead. Sprinkle the material on lightly. If you press it on hard, the sprout may have trouble breaking through the compact layer. Seal moisture in with plastic. Seeds are very vulnerable to over- and under-watering. A layer of plastic wrap or a plastic bag seals will often keep the mix moist until the seeds have germinated. Most seed trays from garden supply centers come with a plastic cover to keep in moisture. If your seed trays did not come with a cover, then you can make a miniature greenhouse instead, or grow seedlings in an old, covered aquarium. Keep the seeds in warm, indirect sunlight. If the seed packet doesn't specify a temperature, keep it at daytime temperatures between 65 and 75ºF (18–24ºC), and night temperatures no lower than 55ºF (13ºC). Put a heating pad under the tray if the room is cooler than this. Most seeds do best in plenty of light, but avoid direct sunlight if the containers are covered in plastic. Some seeds germinate best in complete darkness, including tomatoes, larkspur, calendula, and coriander. Block the light with black plastic or cardboard. If you want to maximize success, you can look up your variety's specific temperature needs. In most cases, though, you'll only lose a few seeds to the "wrong" temperature, or the seeds will take longer to emerge. Check moisture levels every day or two. If the mix looks dry, place the container in a container of water. The mix will absorb water from the base of the container. This is less risky than watering from above, which can wash away the seeds or overwater them. As mentioned before, the plastic is often enough to retain moisture for the whole germination period. This is just a backup. Remove the plastic after germination. Most seeds germinate (sprout) within a couple weeks. Once sprouts have emerged from the soil, take off the plastic cover (if you were using one). If you planted in rows in a shared tray, cut strips of plastic or cloth to cover the rows that have not yet sprouted. Provide bright light immediately after germination. Move the container to a bright, south-facing window (north-facing in the Southern Hemisphere). If the temperature or lighting conditions on the windowsill are very different from the last location, move the seeds in several stages, gradually increasing brightness levels. Sudden changes may kill the plants. If it is quite cold outside, you may need to place a heat pad between the planters and the window. Otherwise, the cold will be absorbed through the window and slow the growth of the tiny seedlings. At far northern or southern latitudes that don't receive much sunlight, place a grow light 6 inches (15 cm) above the seedlings and turn it on for 14–16 hours a day. Move the lamp farther away as the seedlings grow to avoid burning them. Rotate the plants daily. Plants grow toward the light. If light only comes from one window, the seedlings will lean into it and grow long, weak stems. Give the containers a quarter turn each day to promote even growth. Keep temperatures stable. Unless your seed packet says otherwise, continue to keep the plants at daytime temperatures between 65 and 75ºF (18–24ºC), and night temperatures no lower than 55ºF (13ºC). Excessive cold or heat during this stage can cause unhealthy growth patterns, such as weak, "leggy" stems. Water regularly. The mix must stay moist but not soggy, or the delicate roots will rot or drown (unable to absorb oxygen). A water bath that lets the container absorb water from the base is ideal, since watering the sprout may break it or encourage disease. Seeds will quickly die if allowed to dry mid-germination. Check at least once a day. Provide fertilizer once the first true leaves emerge. The first set of leaves that appear are known as the seed leaves or cotyledons. The second set of leaves are the first 'true leaves,' and a sign that your plant is getting mature and ready for serious growth. Dilute a balanced fertilizer to ¼ the strength recommended on the label. Pour it into a tub and place the container in the diluted fertilizer to absorb it from below. Repeat once a week or as directed by the fertilizer label. If the seeds were planted in a mix that contained compost, do not fertilize them. Too many nutrients can cause "burns" or other problems. You can fertilize at ½ strength once the seedlings are in larger pots, and full strength once they are adults. . Transplant seedlings to individual containers If the seedlings are sharing a container, they may need a larger home to prevent them from crowding each other. However, this isn't necessary for all seeds. It depends on the variety. If you do need to thin out the seedlings, delay this delicate process, until the seedling looks sturdy enough to handle it. Typically, gardeners will only transplant the largest, healthiest seedlings. You can compost or give away the rest. Here's how to approach the transfer: Wash the new container in soapy water, then rinse. Fill the new container with moist, room temperature potting soil. Push a hole into it large enough for your seedling's roots. Gently tease away the starting mix around the seedlings root using a popsicle stick or similar thin tool. Lift the plant by the topmost leaves. Do not handle the stem. Lower the plant into the hole. Use a pencil to spread out the roots a little, but don't worry if it's not perfect. Sprinkle moist potting soil over the roots until the seedling is planted to the same depth as before. Press the soil down lightly. Avoid changes in temperature and light levels for at least a few days, while the plant is recovering. Harden off your plants. 'Hardening off' is a process in which you slowly expose your plants to the fluctuating temperature and weather conditions outdoors, so that they don't suffer from transplant shock. Start this process two weeks before the outdoor planting date appropriate for your plant: Lower the temperature indoors slightly. Water less frequently, but do not let the plants dry out. Move them outdoors for an hour or two a day, in a shady area protected from wind. Avoid temperatures below 45ºF (7ºC). Increase the amount of time spent outdoors by an hour or so each day. Gradually expose the plants to sunlight. (The correct amount of sun depends on the plant and where you plan to move them.) . Transplant your seedlings outdoors Once the weather is warm and your plants can handle being outdoors all day, transplant them to a permanent outdoor pot or garden bed. Follow the specific directions for your plant, since every species has different temperature and sunlight needs. This is the basic outline only: When possible, transplant on an overcast morning with minimal wind. Wet the soil both in your plant's pot and in the new hole. Carefully transfer the root ball to the new hole. Spread out the roots as much as you can without breaking them. Add soil to the same planting depth as before. "Water in" heavily to bring the soil in contact with the roots. Maintain your plants. Transplanting is rough on plants, and it can take several weeks before new roots become established. After the initial watering, keep the plant moist but not soaked. Protect the plant from strong wind and rain until it's back to its healthy self. Prevent fungus infection in young seedlings. Newly sprouted seedlings die to fungus so often it has its own name: "damping off." Try again with new seeds, and take extra precautions to prevent spores from landing and taking hold: Use sterile potting mix and clean all containers and tools with a 1:9 ratio of household bleach and water. Sprinkle dry vermiculite or perlite over the surface of the container after planting. Avoid cool, damp conditions. If the soil drips water when you squeeze it, it is too wet. For best results, treat the mix with fungicide, following label instructions. Figure out why tree seeds are not growing. Many tree seeds, including seeds taken from oranges or apples, need special treatment to trigger germination. Following the exact instructions for your species will provide best results. Most seeds of this type need one or both of the following treatments: Scarification: Seeds with a hard coat may need it removed or thinned. Try rubbing with a nail file or nicking it with a knife. You can even boil some tough seeds to soften the coat. Stratification: Many tree seeds in nature lie on the ground all winter and germinate in spring. A few weeks in a cold, damp environment mimics these conditions so the seed "knows" that it should sprout. Try keeping the seeds between two damp paper towels in the fridge, inside an unsealed zip-locked bag. | Choose your seeds. Set the planting time. Select a starting pot. Add seed starting mix. Plant your seeds. Cover seeds based on their size. Seal moisture in with plastic. Keep the seeds in warm, indirect sunlight. Check moisture levels every day or two. Remove the plastic after germination. Provide bright light immediately after germination. Rotate the plants daily. Keep temperatures stable. Water regularly. Provide fertilizer once the first true leaves emerge. . Harden off your plants. . Maintain your plants. Prevent fungus infection in young seedlings. Figure out why tree seeds are not growing. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Tabasco-Sauce | How to Make Tabasco Sauce | To make tabasco sauce, you'll need a pound of fresh chili peppers, 2 cups of white vinegar, and 2 tablespoons of salt. Start by cutting off the chili stems and chopping the chilis into small pieces. Pour the chopped peppers into a medium-sized pan and add the white vinegar and salt. Heat the mixture over medium heat, and stir it regularly until it starts to boil. Once the sauce reaches a boil, turn down the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Then, remove the pan from the heat and let it cool down. When the sauce is cool, blend it in a blender. Pour the sauce into an air-tight container and refrigerate it for 2 weeks, which will let the sauce steep and make it spicier. After 2 weeks, pour the sauce through a strainer to remove any seeds. | Choose high quality white vinegar that's been distilled. Since this recipe has so few ingredients, it's important to use the best quality available to you. Avoid off-brand jugs of white vinegar and opt for something quality in a glass bottle. Make sure it's white vinegar that's been distilled. Select fresh, ripened tabasco chili peppers without blemishes. Choose peppers that are bright red and evenly colored. Avoid gnarled and blemished peppers. If your local market doesn't sell tabasco chili peppers, or if you grow other kinds of hot peppers yourself, you can experiment with any of those. If you're experimenting with different peppers, choose spicy varieties. Ideally, they should be red, but you can experiment with color, too. Good alternative hot peppers candidates are serrano, habanero, and cayenne varieties. Be careful when handling and chopping hot peppers. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to put on a pair of disposable gloves before you begin. The pepper juice is very strong and can sting your skin. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling the peppers, as well. Avoid touching your eyes and face while handing the peppers. Remove the stems from the peppers. Wash the peppers thoroughly with cold water to remove any dirt or debris. To remove the stems, simply cut off the top of the pepper, including the stem, with a sharp knife. Chop them up by hand or in a food processor. Place all of the peppers, with the stems removed, into a food processor or blender. Turn the machine on and process them until they are roughly chopped. If you don't have either of those appliances, you can chop them roughly by hand. Put the peppers, vinegar, and salt in a sauce pan. Pour the chopped peppers into a medium-sized sauce pan on the stove. Add 2 cups (500 ml) of distilled white vinegar and 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) of salt. Turn the burner to medium-high. Heat the mixture until it begins to boil. Bring the pepper mixture to a boil and stir regularly to ensure that the peppers do not stick to the bottom of the pan. Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes. Once the sauce is boiling, turn down the heat to low. Let it simmer for approximately 5 minutes. To ensure that you don't heat the peppers for too long, set a timer. Remove them from the heat immediately. Stir occasionally, but try not to stand right over the sauce pan and breathe deeply. The steam rising from the hot sauce can irritate your lungs and nasal passages. Cool the mixture completely. Turn off the stove and remove the sauce pan from the heat. Cover the mixture loosely and allow it to cool completely before pureeing the sauce. Don't move forward with pureeing until the sauce cools. When hot, its consistency is thinner and the final result may end up too thin. Puree the sauce in a blender. Once the peppers have completely cooled, transfer them to a blender. Blend the peppers thoroughly, until they create a pureed liquid sauce. You can use a food processor if yours has a puree setting. Pour the sauce into an air-tight container and refrigerate for 2 weeks. Use a funnel to transfer the sauce into a glass jar with an air-tight lid. Seal the jar and store it in the refrigerator for 2 weeks. This will allow the sauce to steep. The seeds in the sauce will make it spicier as it steeps. Strain the mixture. After 2 weeks, remove the sauce from the refrigerator. Pour it through a fine strainer to remove any seeds that are still in the sauce. Make sure to place a bowl or jar under the strainer to catch the sauce as it drips through. Return the sauce to the refrigerator. Once the sauce has been strained, place it into a tightly sealed glass jar or plastic container and return it to the refrigerator. Tabasco sauce, if stored in the fridge, can keep for over a year. Freezing isn't recommended, since it will alter the flavor and consistency of the sauce. Finished. | Choose high quality white vinegar that's been distilled. Select fresh, ripened tabasco chili peppers without blemishes. Be careful when handling and chopping hot peppers. Remove the stems from the peppers. Chop them up by hand or in a food processor. Put the peppers, vinegar, and salt in a sauce pan. Heat the mixture until it begins to boil. Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes. Cool the mixture completely. Puree the sauce in a blender. Pour the sauce into an air-tight container and refrigerate for 2 weeks. Strain the mixture. Return the sauce to the refrigerator. Finished. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Healthy-Food-During-Coronavirus | How to Make Healthy Food During Coronavirus | If you're limiting shopping trips due to the coronavirus pandemic, it can be tough to figure out how to make healthy, well-balanced meals. But with a little planning, you can prepare nutritious foods even with limited supplies. Stick to buying produce with a long shelf-life, such as potatoes, apples, and squash, so that you don't have to go out as often. You can also stock up on frozen, canned, and dried fruits and vegetables, which can last for months in your freezer or pantry. Freeze lean meats, like chicken breast or fresh fish, so you can keep them until you're ready to cook them. It can be tempting to reach for convenient pre-packaged snack foods, like chips or chocolate bars, so only buy these in small quantities to avoid the urge to overindulge. | Eat oatmeal with fruit for breakfast. Plain oatmeal is a healthy food that's packed with fiber and other nutrients. Mix your oatmeal with fresh or frozen fruit to sweeten it rather than adding sugars. If you like, you can add a little honey, agave, maple syrup, or sugar-free sweetener to add a little extra flavor. Try one of these recipes: Add apples and cinnamon to stove-top oatmeal for an easy breakfast treat. You could also mix bananas, almonds, cinnamon, and a splash of vanilla extract into your oatmeal. Combine a cup of milk with 1/2 cup (85 g) of oatmeal and a dash of cinnamon. Let it sit overnight in the refrigerator, then add fresh or frozen bananas, berries, or mango. Mix fruit into Greek yogurt. You can use either fresh or frozen fruit to add flavor and nutrition to your Greek yogurt. Put your yogurt into a bowl or small jar, then add your fruit as desired. Mix the fruit into the yogurt, then enjoy. Try strawberries and bananas, strawberries and blueberries, kiwi and banana, mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries) or peaches and blueberries. You can also top your yogurt with granola or nuts. Make an egg white omelet. First, add a little olive or avocado oil to a skillet and saute your omelet veggies until they're soft. Transfer the veggies to a clean bowl, then add your egg whites to the pan. Cook the egg whites until they're set, which takes about 1-2 minutes. Then, top the egg whites with the veggies and a bit of cheese, if you like. Fold the egg white in half to finish the omelet. Yummy veggie options include onions, red or green bell peppers, mushrooms, and spinach. If you prefer, make an egg white bowl instead. Saute your veggies and put them in a bowl. Then, make your egg whites like you usually would. Transfer the egg whites to the bowl of veggies, then top with cheese. You can also add hot sauce, sauce, or pico de gallo if you like. Prepare a quinoa breakfast bowl. Quinoa is high in protein and very filling, and it will keep for a long time in your pantry. Prepare your quinoa as directed on the packaging. For a savory breakfast, top it with an egg and sauteed veggies. For a sweet breakfast, add a bit of yogurt and some fruit. If you're making savory quinoa, consider cooking it in vegetable broth for extra flavor. Make a big salad and top it with beans, canned tuna, or leftover chicken. For an easy meal, put mixed greens into a bowl. Then, add veggies like chopped cucumbers, sliced carrots, and tomatoes. Toss with your favorite salad dressing, then top with black beans, canned tuna, or chicken. If you like, add a little cheese for flavor. Keep it simple with veggies, lean protein, and whole grains. For an easy healthy meal, fill half your plate with fresh, sauteed, or roasted vegetables. Then, add about 3–4 oz (85–113 g) of lean protein, which should make up about 1/4 of your plate. Fill the remaining quarter of your plate with whole grains. For instance, enjoy a fish filet with cilantro-lime brown rice, sauteed peppers and onions, and roasted zucchini. You could also pair a chicken breast with roasted veggies, a small salad, and quinoa pilaf. Make a burrito bowl with lean protein, veggies, and whole grains. Start with brown rice or quinoa. Then, fill about half the bowl with sauteed or fresh veggies. Top with chicken, turkey, beans, or egg whites. Add fresh cilantro, green onions, or peppers if you have some. For your veggies, try sauteing onions and bell peppers. Add canned corn in the last few minutes of cooking to warm it up. Then, toss in some fresh tomatoes when it's time to serve your burrito bowl. Add flavor with cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, and lime juice. Season your protein with salt and pepper. If you have some, add chili powder or chipotle chili powder. Add veggies to a whole grain pasta dish. For a healthy pasta dish, make half of your dish veggies. Cook whole-grain pasta as directed on the package. Meanwhile, saute your veggies in a little olive or avocado oil for about 7 minutes. Then, add your favorite pasta sauce to the pan and heat it until it's warm. Mix the sauce and vegetables into the pasta before you serve it. Pick a low-sodium, low calorie pasta sauce. You can also use about 1 tbsp (17 g) of tomato paste and a 28-oz (794 g) can of diced tomatoes instead of pasta sauce if you season it with Italian seasoning. If you want more protein in your dish, stir in some shredded chicken breast. Prepare vegetable-based or bean soups. Soups are an easy way to incorporate veggies into your meals. Plus, you can use frozen veggies alongside fresh. Make a basic soup with broth, veggies, and the seasonings you have at home, or follow a recipe. Here are some ideas: Combine chicken, beef, or vegetable broth with onions, celery, and root vegetables. Add cabbage and thawed frozen green beans if you have them. Season to taste. Make black bean soup with black beans, chicken or veggie broth, and a can of diced tomatoes. Add salt, pepper, cilantro, and peppers if you have them. Prepare bean chili with black beans, onions, chopped sweet potatoes, and a jar of salsa. Combine quinoa and veggies for a nutrient-dense dish. Prepare your quinoa according to the package instructions, but consider making it with vegetable broth instead of water. Mix in a can of rinsed corn, a can of rinsed black beans, a handful of fresh cherry tomatoes, a handful of cilantro, and 5-6 chopped green onions. Finally, toss with a blend of 4 US tbsp (59 mL) of olive oil and juice from 2 limes, as well as cumin, black pepper, salt, and red pepper flakes, to taste. Play around with your quinoa! For instance, mix sauteed or roasted veggies into cooked quinoa, top your quinoa dish with feta cheese or tahini, or incorporate lean protein if you prefer. Buy produce that has a long shelf-life. You probably know that vegetables and fruit are healthy for you. However, it might feel hard to keep them on-hand, especially if you're limiting trips to the store. Fortunately, there are options that can last for a few weeks to months. Purchase extras of the following items, which have a long shelf-life: Onions Peppers, including bell peppers Celery Carrots Apples Oranges Limes Lemons Cabbage Squash Potatoes, including Russet potatoes, sweet potatoes, and red potatoes. Garlic Stash frozen veggies and fruit in your freezer so you have options. Luckily, frozen foods are just as healthy as fresh, so you can round out your options using frozen foods. Choose veggies you like or that are useful for common recipes, like broccoli or mixed veggies. Try to buy enough to last your family for about 2 weeks at a time. Buy pre-packaged frozen veggies when you can. Many fruits, such as bananas, berries, mangos, peaches, cherries, and strawberries, are easy to freeze at home. Try not to over purchase so that there's enough food for everyone. You can always get more later. Fill your pantry with healthy, shelf-stable staples. When you think of shelf-stable foods, your mind might immediately go to processed boxed foods or sugary cereal. However, a lot of healthy ingredients are shelf-stable, so you can eat delicious and well-balanced meals without turning to “junk food.” Stock up on 2-4 weeks of the following items: Canned fish Chicken, beef, and vegetable broth Dry or canned beans Quinoa, brown rice, and whole wheat or bean pasta Pasta sauce and tomato products Nuts and nut butters Oatmeal Canned vegetables Low sodium soups and chili Plain popcorn Freeze lean cuts of meat and fish so they stay good longer. Your healthy diet may normally feature meat, which tends to have a short shelf-life. Fortunately, it's easy to make your meat last longer by popping it in the freezer when you come home from the store. When you're ready to use your meat, defrost it overnight in your refrigerator. You can buy pre-frozen meat for a convenient option or you can freeze fresh meat. Get eggs or egg whites as a protein option. Eggs provide protein and other nutrients. Plus, they're easy to prepare. Typically, eggs will last about 3 weeks in your refrigerator, but check the date on the package. Similarly, check the date on your egg whites. Unopened, egg whites typically last for awhile. Once you open them, it's best to use them within about a week. Choose whole-grain bread products. Whole grain products are healthier and more nutritious than refined breads. Opt for whole grains if you're going to eat bread, tortillas, bagels, and other grain-based products. Purchase fresh and shelf-stable milk. If you enjoy dairy, consider buying extra fresh milk if the dates are far in advance. Otherwise, opt for shelf-stable containers of milk or dry milk. You might be able to buy cartons of milk for up to 2 weeks at a time, depending on when they expire. However, once milk is open, you typically need to use it within about a week. Limit how much pre-packaged foods and treats you purchase. It's understandable that you'd want your favorite snack foods and treats right now. However, buying large quantities of these foods is a recipe for unhealthy eating. If you want snacks, buy just enough for you enjoy an occasional treat. For instance, you might buy a dark chocolate bar to satisfy your sweet tooth or you could buy 1 pint of ice cream. | Eat oatmeal with fruit for breakfast. Mix fruit into Greek yogurt. Make an egg white omelet. Prepare a quinoa breakfast bowl. Make a big salad and top it with beans, canned tuna, or leftover chicken. Keep it simple with veggies, lean protein, and whole grains. Make a burrito bowl with lean protein, veggies, and whole grains. Add veggies to a whole grain pasta dish. Prepare vegetable-based or bean soups. Combine quinoa and veggies for a nutrient-dense dish. Buy produce that has a long shelf-life. Stash frozen veggies and fruit in your freezer so you have options. Fill your pantry with healthy, shelf-stable staples. Freeze lean cuts of meat and fish so they stay good longer. Get eggs or egg whites as a protein option. Choose whole-grain bread products. Purchase fresh and shelf-stable milk. Limit how much pre-packaged foods and treats you purchase. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Sand-Hardwood-Floors | How to Sand Hardwood Floors | To sand hardwood floors, start by renting a drum sander and installing a coarse grit sandpaper onto the sander, which will remove any noticeable damage or old finish from your floors. Then, sand the entire area at the same angle, moving constantly as you work. When you get to a wall, move the sander back to your starting point and slightly to the side, overlapping your first pass. Repeat this process until the entire area is sanded. After your initial sanding, switch to a medium grit sandpaper to get a smooth surface. | Consider the chance of lead. Many older homes contain lead in the floor finishes. This practice ended in 1978 in the US, the 1990s in Canada and Australia, and the 1920s or earlier for most other Western countries. If your house was built before the ban in your country, consider hiring a floor finisher with lead certification to test your floor and refinish it safely. If you do decide to sand an old floor yourself, take these precautions: Cover vents, doorways, and light fixtures with plastic sheeting. This is not a bad idea for any sanding job, to make dust cleanup easier. Attach a HEPA-filter vacuum to the sander. A "dust free" setup is not actually dust free, but it helps. Wear a HEPA-filter respirator and old clothes. Do not wear the clothes outside the work area. Keep pregnant women and children out of the house until the day's work is done and the area has been vacuumed with a HEPA-vac or wet/dry vac. Check for nails and staples. Hammer in any nails that are sticking up. Remove any staples or metal fasteners from old flooring. These can tear the sandpaper on your machine. Rent a drum sander. Ideally, find a rental store that will teach you how to use it. Check that the drum sander's rear wheel is tight, and that the drum stands flat or nearly flat on the floor. Blow out any dust from the machine before adding sandpaper. If your floor is flat with no noticeable warp, you may use a standing orbital sander instead (not a handheld one). This is easier to use without damaging the floor, but it tends to take longer. Install coarse grit sandpaper onto the sander. Load the coarse sandpaper around the drum so it is perfectly aligned, securing the trailing end of the paper, then the leading end. Some sanders secure this with screws, while others have a snap bar and may require sandpaper shims. For most floors, 36-grit sandpaper is a good place to start. If your floor does not have serious damage and only has a thin layer of finish, you may be able to skip this step and start with 60-grit sandpaper instead. You'll often need to even out the sandpaper by putting sandpaper shims in the drum's loading slot. Cloth-backed sandpaper is more expensive, but less likely to tear on the drum machine. Practice on a hidden area. Choose a closet floor, or a spot that's normally covered by furniture. Lift the drum sander off the floor, and run it until it reaches full speed before lowering it. It will move immediately, so be prepared to start walking. Move at a steady pace, then lift the sander before you turn it off. Get the hang of this before you move to the rest of the floor. Turning the machine off or on while it is on the floor will leave a mark on your floor. If you get dust clouds, stop and make sure the dust bag is properly attached. A respirator or at least a dust mask is a good idea in any case. Eye and ear protection is also recommended. If you see a tight repeating pattern of marks — "chatter" — there is likely something wrong with the machine. Make sure the sandpaper is loaded flat, the belt is not worn or compressed, and the parts are tightly assembled. Decide where to start. Most machines are set up so one side of the drum is slightly lower than the other, and sands more aggressively. If this is the left side, start on the left wall. If this is the right side, start on the right wall. Sand at a slight angle to the grain. For the first stage of sanding, you can move at a 7 to 15 degree angle to the direction of the boards. This will help level slight variations in the floor. It also minimizes the chance of "dish out" or "waves," when a loose or uneven floor gets sanded more in some spots than others. Move constantly as you sand. Sand the whole area at the same angle. Do not stay in one place, or the sander may eat through deeper than you intended. This coarse sanding should remove the old seal and level out uneven parts of the floor. Start at a brisk walking pace. If this doesn't seem to get through the old finish, slow down to a moderate pace. This is not a major concern with orbital sanders, which are not powerful enough to cause immediate damage when they stop in one spot. Continue until most of the floor is sanded. When you get to the wall, move the sander back to your starting point and slightly to the side, overlapping your first pass. Walk to the wall and repeat until the whole area in front of your is sanded. If you need to go over one spot more than once, lift the lever for a moment as you reverse direction. This will briefly raise the drum off the ground, avoiding a mark on the ground where it reversed. If you are sanding a large room, you will likely need to replace the sandpaper at least once. A drum sander cannot reach the edge of the wall. Just leave the edges unsanded for now — you'll use an edge sander for those areas later. Finish the shorter side of the room. There is now an unsanded area at one end of the room, where you stood at the beginning of each pass. Turn around and sand this area moving along the same angle as before. Vacuum the dust. Let the dust settle, then clean it up with a professional vacuum designed for fine dust. When choosing a machine to rent, look for one with soft wheels that won't leave a dent in your unfinished floor. Keep your respirator on until the dust is clear. Empty the sander's dust bags when they get half full. Switch to medium grit sandpaper. By now your floor will be free of the old finish, but many scratches may still be visible. Load 60-grit sandpaper onto your drum sander to deal with this problem. Ideally, use aluminum oxide (ALO) sandpaper loaded with medium tension. Never skip directly from coarse sandpaper to fine, such as 36 to 80. This can leave deep scratches in your floor. Sketch pencil marks on the floor (optional). At this stage it can be difficult to see how effective the sanding is. Try drawing light, zig-zag pencil marks across your floor. When the pencil marks have disappeared, you know you've sanded that area. You may use this technique on any of the finer grit sanding steps below as well. Start on the opposite side of the room. On your first pass you did a "long run" followed by a "short run" to fill in your starting point. Start from the opposite wall this time so your new "long run" and "short run" don't have the same dividing line. If you use the same pattern as before, that line may become visible, especially if you plan to stain the floor. Sand along the grain. Do not sand on the same diagonal path as the first sanding job, or you may end up with stripes on your floor. Sand directly along the boards instead. As before, vacuum up dust once this stage is finished. Remember, never turn your sander on or off while it is in contact with the floor. Buff with 80 grit sandpaper. This is easier and more effective with a floor buffer, but you can use a drum sander. This will remove the 60-grit scratches. Vacuum the floor again once you're done. Finish certain floors with 100 grit paper. This is only necessary if you plan on staining the floor, or if your floor is made from maple or birch. The 80-grit scratches are more noticeable on these surfaces. Use an edge sander. These handheld tools allow you to reach right against the edge of the wall. If using an orbital sander, you probably already reached the walls. In this case, you can skip this section, and remove the finish at the corners with any handheld sander. Start with 36-grit. For this small remaining area, you may be able to skip some of the steps you used on the whole floor. That said, you will need to start with a coarse grit to remove the old finish. Sand in a clockwise zigzag pattern. Move the edge sander back and forth along the wall in small triangular movements. This is less likely to leave marks than a side-to-side motion. Most tools are designed so moving right (clockwise) along the wall is easier than the other direction. Repeat with finer sandpaper. You can now skip straight to 80-grit sandpaper. Sand carefully until the edge matches the rest of the floor. If you want to finish with 100-grit sandpaper, you'll need special techniques to avoid burning the floor and paper. You'll need a sander with a slow speed setting, and preferably an "open coat" sandpaper. Vacuum up the dust. Your floor is now ready to be stained and/or waxed. Try to keep dirt, abrasives, and heavy objects off the floor until it is finished. | Consider the chance of lead. Check for nails and staples. Rent a drum sander. Install coarse grit sandpaper onto the sander. Practice on a hidden area. Decide where to start. Sand at a slight angle to the grain. Move constantly as you sand. Continue until most of the floor is sanded. Finish the shorter side of the room. Vacuum the dust. Switch to medium grit sandpaper. Sketch pencil marks on the floor (optional). Start on the opposite side of the room. Sand along the grain. Buff with 80 grit sandpaper. Finish certain floors with 100 grit paper. Use an edge sander. Start with 36-grit. Sand in a clockwise zigzag pattern. Repeat with finer sandpaper. Vacuum up the dust. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Do-80s-Makeup-and-Hair | How to Do 80s Makeup and Hair | If you want to do 80's-style makeup and hair, start by applying your usual foundation, and then add bright blush to the hollows of your cheeks. Then, apply a bright, shimmery eye shadow shade on your eyelid, with a lighter color along your brow bone, making it the focus of your look. Stick to colors like cobalt blue, hot pink, neon orange, and purple, which were popular in the 80's. Apply eyeliner, mascara, and bright lipstick to finish off the makeup. For your hair, pull it back in a high ponytail with a scrunchy, or leave it wavy to complete the look! | Start with a clean face and apply some toner and moisturizer. This will help give you a clean "canvas" to work on. Even if you have very oily skin, some moisturizer is a good idea; choose something lightweight or gel-based. Apply primer, if desired, then foundation and powder. Face primer is not absolutely necessary, but it will fill in any pores and wrinkles, and make your makeup appear smoother. If you have oily skin, try a liquid or powder-based foundation. If you have dry skin, try a liquid or cream-based foundation. If you have oily skin, focus your powder on the T-zones: your nose, forehead, chin, and cheeks. If you have dry skin, go easy on the powder, or skip it entirely. Go heavy on the blush, especially in the hallows of your cheeks and just in front of your ears. This will help contour your face and bring out your cheekbones. You can also try contouring your face instead, which was also very popular in the 80's. Contouring is ideal for a darker, punk, or gothic look. To contour your face, choose a bronzer or foundation that is 2 to 3 shades darker than your skin tone, and apply it to either side of your nose, your temples, and the hallows of your cheeks. Apply some bright eyeshadow using an eyeshadow brush and make it the focus of your look. Use a medium-shade all over your lid, and a lighter shade across your brow bone. Finish off with a darker color in the crease. For a standard 80s look, choose bright colors, like orange, red, purple, blue, neon green, or hot pink. Blue was especially popular. Use darker colors for a punk or gothic look. Punk and goth were popular during the 80's. Eyeshadow does not have to cover just your eyelid. You can make it shaped like a lightning bolt even. This was David Bowie's trademark makeup when he played Aladdin Sane Consider applying some eyeshadow primer first. This will make those bright colors stand out even more. Simply apply the primer over your entire lid, from lash line to brow bone, then brush on the eyeshadow. Don't be afraid to go crazy with the eyeliner. You can do a simple eyeliner, or a thick Gothic one. You can even use the eyeliner to draw a bold shape across your eye, such as a lightning bolt. The eyeliner does not have to be black. It can be a different color, such as bright purple. Blue and teal eyeliners, especially on the lower lash line, were very popular. Add some volumizing mascara to balance your eyeshadow and eyeliner. Position the brush at the base of your lashes, close to the lash line. Then, comb upwards, towards the tips of your lashes using a wiggling motion. The 80s look is all about the eyes, so you will likely be wearing a lot of eyeshadow and eyeliner. A good, volumizing mascara will help balance the look, and open up your eyes. Mascara does not have to be black. If you want a bright, wild look, try purple, green, or blue mascara. Bright blue mascara was very popular. Keep your eyebrows full and bushy, but also well-kempt. Pluck away any stray hairs, and comb through your brows using a brow brush. If your brows are thin, fill them in with eyebrow pencil or brow powder. Thick, bushy brows were popular during the 80s. Apply a brightly-colored lipstick that goes well with your eyeshadow color. Try to use a frosted lipstick color, if you can. It will make your lips appear fuller; the frosted look was also very popular in the 80s. Also, don't be afraid to experiment with different, bold lipstick colors, such as hot pink or purple. If you want to do a more punk or gothic look, use a very dark purple or red, or black. Lip gloss was popular too, but mostly among younger girls. If you'd like a younger, more youthful look, go for lip gloss. Consider setting your makeup with setting powder or setting spray to make it last longer. This is essential if you are going to a party. Start with damp hair, but skip the conditioner and any smoothing, silicone-containing products. These will weigh your hair down, and make it too smooth. Big, wild hair was very popular in the 80s. Consider spraying your hair with salt spray. This will give your hair some extra texture, and make it easier to work with once it dries. If your hair has troubles holding styles, add some lightweight styling mousse into your hair. Put your hair into lots of tiny braids the day before if you want a crimped look. You will need to do this in the day before your party or event so that your hair has time to dry. Once your hair is completely dry, take the braids out, and fluffy them up. If you are short on time, blow dry your hair first, then spray it with a heat protecting spray. Crimp your hair using a crimping iron and set it with hairspray. Backcomb your hair while blow drying it to add volume. Comb your hair backwards at the crown while you blow dry it. You can also bend forward, so that your hair hangs in front of your face, and aim the hairdryer nozzle upwards. Tease your hair after it is dry to add more volume. Take a ½ to 1 inch (1.27 to 2.54 centimeters) wide section of hair from the front of your head. Pull it straight up and hold it taut. Use a comb or boar bristle brush to comb your hair rapidly downwards towards your scalp. Do this about three times before combing it back, and moving onto the next section. To minimize damage from teasing your hair, work a volumizing product into your hair first, like sea salt spray or dry shampoo. That way you won't have to tease your hair as much. Try a high ponytail if you don't want to do anything to your hair. This works great on straight hair as well. You can also combine this with backcombing and/or crimping. The ponytail can even be off to the side, just above your ear. For a final touch, wrap a scrunchie around the base of your ponytail to hide the hair tie. Go for big bangs. The 80s were all about the big, bold, and colorful, and hair was no exception. If you have bangs, try to get them as big as possible. You can do this by crimping them, curling them, or putting them into large, barrel rollers the night before. Go natural if you have textured or ethnic hair. The 80s were all about big hair, so if you are blessed with textured or ethnic hair, you are lucky and don't have to do much. Follow your usual hair care routine, and wrap a thick, cloth headband around your hair to give your hair a pop of color. If you like to wear your hair in braids or cornrows, try adding some plastic pony beads to the end for a pop of color and fun. Don't forget the hair accessories. Items such as scrunchies, thick fabric headbands, plastic barrettes, and big bows were popular in the 80s. Choose items with bold patterns and bright colors for a standard 80s look. For something more punk or gothic, stick with black. | Start with a clean face and apply some toner and moisturizer. Apply primer, if desired, then foundation and powder. Go heavy on the blush, especially in the hallows of your cheeks and just in front of your ears. Apply some bright eyeshadow using an eyeshadow brush and make it the focus of your look. Don't be afraid to go crazy with the eyeliner. Add some volumizing mascara to balance your eyeshadow and eyeliner. Keep your eyebrows full and bushy, but also well-kempt. Apply a brightly-colored lipstick that goes well with your eyeshadow color. Consider setting your makeup with setting powder or setting spray to make it last longer. Start with damp hair, but skip the conditioner and any smoothing, silicone-containing products. Put your hair into lots of tiny braids the day before if you want a crimped look. Backcomb your hair while blow drying it to add volume. Tease your hair after it is dry to add more volume. Try a high ponytail if you don't want to do anything to your hair. Go for big bangs. Go natural if you have textured or ethnic hair. Don't forget the hair accessories. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Job-in-Retail | How to Get a Job in Retail | To find a job in retail, research available jobs on websites like Indeed or Career Builder. When you find one you like, send in your application - even if you think you aren't qualified! Prepare your resume to include keywords from job description, and send a personable cover letter along with your resume to the hiring manager. When it comes time for an interview, dress for the part, smile, speak confidently, and sell yourself! | Conduct a job search. If you know the company you would like to work for, you can go to the "Careers" section of the company's website to apply for a position. If you are unsure of where you would like to work, you should go to a job search engine such as Monster, Career Builder, Indeed, or Simply Hired. You should be as specific as possible in your job search. This will make your search be more efficient. Specify the job title or job description by putting quotation marks around the keywords. For example, you could enter "retail," "sales," or "cashier" in the search box. You can often specify your location by state, city, or by distance from a certain zip code. If you are applying to a local or independent store, you may have to go to the store to complete an application. Decode the job description. The job description will tell you what kind of person the company is looking for and if you are a good fit. Focus on the qualifications section which includes required and preferred skills. You should apply if you meet the required qualifications. You can still get the position if you do not have all of the preferred qualifications/skills. The first three qualifications listed are usually the most important. If the job description is looking for someone that is a team player, any experience you have working on a group project or belonging to a club or sports team would be a match for the skill they are looking for. If the job description is looking for someone who is friendly and confident, you should demonstrate this during your interview. This includes smiling, making eye contact, giving a firm handshake, and generally being pleasant through any communication you have with the company. Focus on the skills you have gained through your previous experiences and not necessarily your actual job titles or positions. Many skills are transferable. Prepare your resume. Your resume should include your contact information, employment history, education, and any relevant skills. Make sure that your resume is tailored to the job you are applying for. If you are applying to be a cashier, your resume may highlight your ability to communicate with people and any experience you have with handling money. Make sure your resume is easy to follow and error-free. Include keywords and skills from the job description in your resume. If the job description uses the phrase "team player," you should use a phrase like "team player," "worked on a team," or "contributed to a team" in your resume. Highlight retail-friendly skills. Three skills that are important for retail jobs are leadership, being responsible, and good people skills. Even if you have never had a retail job before, you have probably developed these skills through other experiences. These skills are often called "soft skills." Volunteering in the community, babysitting, involvement in sports teams or clubs, having a leadership role in a project or group activity are all examples that you have developed these skills. Write a cover letter. A cover letter is a great way to introduce yourself and cover any topics that you cannot convey in your resume. Your cover letter should not be more than one page and should be tailored to the job you are applying for. It should include a heading, introduction, body, and a closing. Your cover letter should not just repeat what is in your resume. It needs to tell the employer who you are, and why they should hire you. The heading should contain your contact information, date, and the address of the company. In the introduction, greet the recipient of the letter, state the position you are applying for and why you are a good match for the position and company. The body is where you can provide specific examples of the skills you have and how you used these skills. You might say "During my time as an X, I met people from all walks of life and learned how to communicate with all types of people." The closing of the letter should reiterate why you are a good candidate for the job, thank the person for reading your application material, and mention that you look forward to speaking with them in the future. You should also sign your name at the end. A cover letter may be especially helpful if you have no prior retail experience, but have developed soft skills that would help you be successful in retail. The cover letter is an ideal place to talk about those skills. Prepare for your interview. You should practice discussing your work experience, why you want to work for the company, and what skills do you have that would be an asset to the company. You should know your resume inside and out. You should also be prepared to answer some questions specific to working in retail. You should also do some research on the company prior to the interview. You may be asked: "Do you work well with people?" "Do you have reliable transportation?" "How would you handle a rude customer?" "Can you describe a time when you provided good customer service?" and many other situational questions like these. You should anticipate the type of questions you will be asked and develop some answers. It may help to do a mock interview with one of your friends. A good answer for "Do you work well with people?" would include not only saying yes, but also a specific example of a time when you worked on something with other people. The other people could be classmates or coworkers from another job. A good answer for "How would you handle an upset customer?" would include listening to the customer's concern and working with the customer to resolve the issue. Also mention that you would make sure the resolution was still inline with the policies and regulations of the company. It will be helpful if you keep a few specific examples in the back of your mind about a time you provided good customer service and any situation in which you were able to resolve a problem with your coworkers, a customer, or a manager. Note that a customer isn't always a person physically shopping in a store - it could be a client to a previous employer or any communication with a user of the company's product (including a website). Dress appropriately. Your appearance is the first thing that the interviewer will notice about you, and they will likely form opinions about you based on the way you look and present yourself. This includes not only your dress, but the way you carry yourself as well. Dress professionally and neatly to show the employer that you are serious about the job. Men should wear pressed collared dress shirts, dress slacks, tie, and polished dress shoes. Women should wear a nice blouse, slacks or skirt and dress shoes. Your shoe choice should reflect the job that you are applying for. If you are interviewing at a high-end fashion or lingerie store, high heels would be appropriate for a woman. If you are applying to a hardware or department store, a nice pair of flats would be appropriate. Prepare questions to ask your potential employer. Remember that the interview process is a two-way street. You should be evaluating if the company is a good fit for you as well. Asking questions also shows the interviewer that you are serious about working at the company. Questions you may want to ask include: "How many hours a week am I expected to work?" "Will I be required to work nights and/or weekends?" "How are employees reviewed and evaluated?" "What would a typical day be like in this position?" Follow-up after the interview. Following up is the last step of the interview process. You should send a follow-up letter within 24 hours. Make sure that you send the follow-up letter during business hours Most interviewers prefer an email, but you can send a handwritten thank you note as well. Make sure you proofread the letter before you send it. You are being evaluated every time you communicate with the interviewer. Your letter should thank the interviewer for their time, mention something that was discussed during the interview, and reiterate why you are a good fit for the position. | Conduct a job search. Decode the job description. Prepare your resume. Highlight retail-friendly skills. Write a cover letter. Dress appropriately. Prepare questions to ask your potential employer. Follow-up after the interview. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Present-Yourself-as-Beautiful-and-Confident | How to Present Yourself as Beautiful and Confident | The best way to present yourself as beautiful and confident is to build a positive self-image, since loving yourself is the best way to be confident and, by extension, be beautiful! If you aren't sure where to start, try making a list of your strengths, and include any details that make you proud of who you are, even if they feel small. Or, if you're having a hard time coming up with a list, ask a loved one to help you. Then, read over your list on a regular basis, and give yourself time to feel proud of everything you have achieved. This will help you accept yourself as you are, without comparing yourself to others. You can further build your self-esteem by looking at yourself in the mirror once a day and make a positive comment about yourself out loud. For example, if you like the way your new haircut looks, say so! | Smile. There's a saying - “Smile and the world smiles with you.” It's great advice. It's even better advice when you realize that smiling can actually change the chemical reactions in your brain - in a good way. Smiling when you're unhappy can actually make you feel good. Even if you don't feel like smiling, give it a try anyway. Yes, you might have to start by faking a smile, but before you know it, it will become a real smile. It also doesn't hurt to laugh. Laughing increases the oxygen levels to your brain, which in turn releases chemicals called endorphins. Endorphins are good chemicals that make us feel awesome. Stay healthy. Keep yourself as healthy as possibly by eating properly, getting enough sleep every night, and exercising regularly. But at the same time, don't beat yourself up if you miss a day or two - you are allowed to have a break. Keeping yourself healthy also includes managing your stress levels. Keeping the stress in your life as low as possible will lead to many other healthy side effects, and you'll find yourself in a better mood more often. Take a moment for yourself, and yourself alone, every day. Consider getting massages, pedicures, etc., whatever makes you feel relaxed, on a regular basis. Don't use a scale. Sometimes seeing a number on a scale can have a massive emotional impact on us, yet that number doesn't necessarily relate to how we feel or what we think of ourselves. Don't set yourself up for disappointment. Have a positive self-image. Self-image is the mental image you have of yourself. It's directly related to self-esteem and self-confidence. Your self-image is built-up over time based on your personal life experiences. If your experiences have been mainly positive, you'll most likely have a positive self-image, and vice versa. If you've had negative experience, and therefore a negative self image, you're more likely to doubt your abilities. Having a positive self-evaluation leads to empathy skills and feelings of contentment. Sit down and make a list of all your positive qualities and abilities. You may surprise yourself as to how accomplished you are, and how proud you should feel. Try not to compare yourself to other people, whether they're celebrities, friends or family members. You are not them, so there's no need to compare yourself to them. You are your own person and comparisons are not required. Learn to love you self - as you are. You're unique and that's awesome! No matter what you've experienced in your life, it's been a long and difficult journey and you survived. Get an awesome haircut. It's amazing how much you hair can impact every thing you do! If you have a haircut you really like, it's easier to feel confident and happy. If you don't like your haircut, it can really bring you down and annoy you. The next time you go for a haircut, take a moment to plan ahead to ensure you get the best possible haircut for your needs and wants. Go through a list of questions with yourself about your hair, then base your haircut request on your answers: Do you need to be able to tie your hair back? How much time do you have to 'do' your hair each morning? What styling tools (blow dryer, flat iron, etc.) do you have and know how to use? Google hair styles and review the images. If you see something that matches what you're hoping to get, print it out and bring it with you. This works really well if you're looking to get your hair coloured. It'll save you trying to describe the shade of colour you want in words. Provide as much detail as possible to the stylist before they start. Explain exactly what you want and what you need to do with your hair. During or after your haircut, ask your stylist for advice on how to style your hair properly. You may not be able to do it exactly the same way they can, but they can teach you several tricks. Change up your wardrobe. If you look confident, you'll feel confident. But that means you have to wear your clothes, and not let them wear you. When trying to dress confidently, you want to make sure you're using colours and styles that match your personality and your figure. You want to dress to express your personal style, not the style of others. Most importantly, you want to feel comfortable in the clothes you wear. Accentuate your best 'assets', as opposed to focusing on hiding the things you don't like about yourself. Wear something that you'll be known for - like a trademark. Maybe that's always having really awesome earrings, or always wearing bright coloured shoes. Whatever works for you. If you're not sure where to start, consider making an appointment with a personal shopper at your local mall. They can help you sort through the bazillion options available and choose which ones work for you. Stand up straight. And stop slouching! Easier said than done unfortunately! Good posture equates to muscles that are balanced and aligned properly. Bad posture equates to muscles that ache and are painful. Good posture also affects your joints and can help prevent arthritis. In addition to all the physical benefits of good posture, it can also make you appear confident and ready to take on the world! Standing - keep your shoulders back and relaxed; pull in your abdomen; keep your feet hip distance apart; balance your weight evenly on both of your feet; and let your hands hang naturally at your sides. Avoid tilting your head in any direction, or locking your knees. Sitting - make sure both of your feet can rest comfortably on the ground while your knees are level with your hips; sit back in the chair; put a rolled towel or pillow behind your lower back (if the chair doesn't have lumbar support); pull your head towards the ceiling; tuck your chin in a little; keep your upper back and neck in a straight line; and relax your shoulders. Sleeping - maintain a position that keeps your back curved naturally; try to avoid sleeping on your stomach; firmer mattresses are better than soft mattresses; and if you sleep on your side, put a pillow between your knees to keep your upper leg aligned with your spine. Lift with your knees, not your back. When you're lifting something heavy, keep your back straight and bend your knees. When you stand up, straighten your knees. Don't bend forward at the waist to pick something up. Think about what your body language is saying. Your body language can sometimes say more than your words. Most of the time body language is determined by how you feel, rather than what you want to portray. But you can change that by simply paying attention to the position of your body while you're having a conversation. There are specific ways you can adjust your body to convey confidence, they are: Don't fidget. Stand in one spot, with your feet planted on the ground hip-width apart. Stand evenly on both feet, don't shift from one foot to another. Lean back in your chair when you're sitting. Don't fidget your lower body. If you need to cross your legs, do so comfortably and loosely. Keep you hands in a relaxed position. Look in one spot, or one general area. Keep your head still. Hold you head upwards, with your chin level to the ground. Hold your hands together in front or behind you when not using them. If you grip your hands together, do so lightly. But don't hide your hands in your pockets and don't put grip your hand in a fist. Don't rush. Walk steadily. Talk steadily as well, don't rush to get your words out. Confident people are not in a hurry. Pause every now and again - whether walking or talking. Be comfortable and don't fidget when there's a break in the conversation or everyone goes silent. Be assertive. Smile. Look people in the eyes. If you're shaking someone's hand, do so firmly. Respect and be kind to others. To truly see that beauty is on the inside, you have to see it in yourself AND in everyone else. Every individual has one or more awesome qualities that make them special. When you're with other people, look at them with new eyes and see the person they really are - on the inside. By seeing these qualities in others, you'll start to notice them in yourself. Use this opportunity to explore the specific qualities you admire in others, and how you can work to achieve them yourself. Select role models for yourself based on these qualities. Don't be afraid to tell other people what you admire about them. Nothing boosts confidence and self-esteem better than compliments from people who admire you. Be assertive. Being assertive helps ensure you get what you need out of life. It's not about controlling other people. Being assertive includes: saying no; stating an opinion; asking for a favour; complimenting someone; and not bowing down to pressure. Being an assertive communicator means you're able to express yourself openly and honestly, while still respecting the people you're communicating with. Expressing assertiveness is a great way to boost self-confidence, you'll feel good after being able to get what you need without anyone being upset or mad. When speaking assertively to someone else, remember to: look at them without staring them down; keep the volume of your voice normal, and your tone respectful; don't use distracting hand gestures; and respect the other person's personal space. Translate your feelings into “I” statements. “I” statements consist of four parts: the feeling, the behaviour, the effect, and the preference - "I feel xxx when xxx because xxx. I'd prefer xxx.” For example, "I feel annoyed when you tell me what to do in emails because it makes me feel disrespected. I'd prefer you ask me to do something rather than tell me to do something.” Prepare yourself in advance. Remember that you can't change the past, and you can't control the future. But you can prepare for future events by looking at what items are under your control and creating an action plan. When creating your plan, avoid the extreme approach where you attempt to take into account every possible outcome. There's no way you can prepare yourself for all that, so stick to a couple realistic outcomes. Once you've come up with your small list of potential outcomes, prioritize them. Work on the items with the highest priority first. And don't think you have to prepare alone. Use your friends and family to help you. Talk through your thoughts with someone, or practice what you're going to say. Preparing yourself in advance can also include saying no. Don't feel obligated to do something simply because someone asked. If you cannot realistically accomplish what they're asking, say no. After the event or situation has happened, reward yourself for a job well done. Stop being self-critical. Value and respect yourself. It's not necessary to be a perfectionist. It's okay if not everyone likes you. It's okay if you're not perfect at absolutely every activity you take up. Your personal value has nothing to do with the things you achieve or don't achieve. You have value and are worthy no matter what you do, or don't do. It's not necessary to take on an “all or nothing” attitude about life. Change your vocabulary and stop using the word “should.” “Should” implies a level of perfectionism that isn't necessary, and can sometimes enforce the unnecessary and useless expectations of others. Replace the critical thoughts you have about yourself with encouraging thoughts. Give yourself constructive criticism that can help you make a positive change. Don't feel the need to take responsibility for everything. Not only does it increase your stress levels and overwhelm you, you take away the opportunity for others to be responsible for something (including themselves). If something was in your control, and you made a mistake, take the blame. However, if something was out of your control, there's no need for you to take the blame or feel guilty about it. Think positively. Not only is being positive important for you, it's important for the people around you. Young adults listen to what older adults say, and if they hear you talking negatively about yourself (e.g. my butt is fat), may become self-critical as well. Many of these comments are spoken so often we forget we're actually saying them. So the next time you feel a negative comment coming on, consciously try to change it to a positive comment. You won't change overnight, and there will be some days when it may feel impossible to think positively, but start small. The important thing is that you realize when you're being negative and to do something about it. Look at yourself in the mirror at least once a day and make a positive comment about yourself. Don't just think about the positive comments, say them. If you like the way your new hair cut looks, say so! Do not stop learning. Consider this an opportunity to challenge yourself. Learn something new every day. Enrol in courses that teach you something new and exciting, like: drawing, painting, cooking, singing, pottery, etc. Or enrol in college or university courses in subjects that have always interested you, but you haven't previously had the time to take. Expand your horizons. Encourage a friend to join you in one of your 'learning expeditions'. Take risks. Don't look at every new learning opportunity as something that must either be won or lost, or perfected. Understand ahead of time that it's okay if you suck at something, because you can still have fun. But unless you take a walk outside your comfort zone and take a small risk, you may never know how fun it is to learn something new without any expectations. Work towards your own definition of success. Success in your life isn't dependent upon other people, it's depends on what YOU want. Success doesn't have to be a pre-defined “standard” like the American Dream. Your success should be based on realistic goals that you have for yourself, based on your own wants and needs. Success also doesn't have to mean perfection, it can include many goals that you can achieve at a level other than perfection. And success doesn't have to be an end goal, it can be the journey. If you attempted something (e.g. knitting a scarf) and weren't able to figure it out (e.g. it looked more like a pile of yarn), that's okay! If you had fun trying, that's what's important. Treat your mistakes as learning experiences. No matter what you attempt to do in life, chances are you'll make a mistake at some point. Everyone does. First off, there's absolutely nothing wrong with making a mistake. Some historical mistakes have actually changed the world (e.g. teflon, vulcanized rubber, post-it notes, penicillin). Instead of stressing over the fact that you made a mistake, use it as an opportunity to learn. Think about what you could have done differently. The more mistakes you make, the more you learn and the smarter you become! | Smile. Stay healthy. Have a positive self-image. Get an awesome haircut. Change up your wardrobe. Stand up straight. Think about what your body language is saying. Respect and be kind to others. Be assertive. Prepare yourself in advance. Stop being self-critical. Think positively. Do not stop learning. Work towards your own definition of success. Treat your mistakes as learning experiences. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Bathe-a-Great-Dane | How to Bathe a Great Dane | To bathe your great dane, first fill up a portable bath tub or kiddy pool in an area with plenty of space, like a backyard. Before washing your dog, use a soft bristle brush to remove any lose hair. Then, coax your great dane into the tub. Since great danes are prone to ear infections, you may want to gently place cotton balls in its ears to prevent its ears from getting wet. Once your dog is wet, lather its skin with a dog shampoo then rinse its fur thoroughly. After bathing it, dry off your dog with a few beach towels or allow it to air dry if it's warm out. | Get all of your supplies together. Bathing a large dog can be quite a chore. Have everything you need before you start the process. Gather your towels, brush, shampoo, and a pitcher or cup. Having your supplies together will make bath time faster and keep you from leaving your dog unattended. You may need 3 or 4 large towels depending on the size of your dog. Bathe your dog in an area with plenty of space. Bathe your Great Dane in a walk-in shower, bathtub, or a portable bath tub. Both you and your dog should fit comfortably in the bath area. If your bathroom is small, a portable bath tub would be better. If it is warm outside, you can bathe your dog outside. However, if your dog tends to squirm a lot during bath time, it will be harder to keep him still if you are outside. Brush your dog. Use a soft bristle brush to remove any loose hair. You can use a rubber grooming mitt instead of a brush of you prefer. Your Great Dane has a short coat so be very gentle when you brush. You do not want to hurt the skin. Always brush in the direction the coat grows in. It is more comfortable for your dog. Great Danes are not prone to matting, but gently untangle any mats with your fingers or a comb. Do not try to brush matted hair. Coax your dog into the tub. If your dog is unwilling to get in the tub, take him out for some exercise first. Your dog is more likely to enjoy the water after exercise and will have less energy to fight you. You can also put a treat or a toy in the tub to make it more attractive for your dog. Never use anger or force to get your dog into the tub. This will make the experience unpleasant for both of you, and your dog will begin to think of bath time as something negative that needs to be avoided. Protect the ears. Avoid getting water into your dog's ears. This is uncomfortable for your dog and can cause some health problems. Stuff the ears with cotton balls before the bath. Be sure not to put the cotton balls in too deep. You need to remove them once the bath is over. Excess moisture in the ears can lead to ear infections. Clean the ears once a week with an ear cleaner formulated for dogs. Typically, you apply the cleaner and then wipe out the ear with a soft, damp cloth. Wet your dog with lukewarm water. Once your dog is in the tub, use the shower head, spray hose, large plastic pitcher, or cup to wet your dog. The water should not be too cold or too hot. If the water is too hot or cold for a baby, then it is the wrong temperature for your dog as well. Wet your dog from the neck down. This will protect its eyes, ears, and mouth. Large dogs tend to overheat more easily so make sure that you choose the right temperature. The water should be between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (or between 22 and 26 degrees Celsius). Talk to your dog in a calm voice as you wet him. This will make him feel comfortable and safe. Apply dog shampoo. Use a shampoo that is made for dogs. Human shampoo is too harsh for your dog's skin. Gently massage the shampoo into your dog's fur. Work from your dog's tail toward its head. Thoroughly rinse your dog with water. Avoid getting shampoo in the eyes, ears, and nose. You can use a wet washcloth to wipe your dog's face instead of applying shampoo to its head. You may have to rinse multiple times to ensure that all of the shampoo is removed. Your dog's skin may become irritated if you do not rinse all of the shampoo off. If your dog got into mud or is really dirty, you may need to shampoo and rinse multiple times. Dry off your dog. It will probably take 2 or 3 beach towels to dry your dog. Put a towel on the floor of the bathroom to keep your floor from getting too wet and place a towel on your dog as soon as he gets out of the bath. Rub him down. Use another towel if the towel gets soaked. Try to get your dog as dry as possible. It is best to air dry, but you can blow dry your dog. It is best to use a doggie blow dryer. Human blow dryers often blow out air that is too hot and can cause itching and dandruff. The sound of the hair dryer may scare some dogs. If your dog reacts to the sound, stick with towel drying. If it is cold outside, keep your dog indoors until he is completely dry. It is completely normal for your dog to shake off excess water, and there is not much you can do to prevent it. This is a reflex that prevents them from getting hypothermia. Place towels on the floor, wear clothes that you don't mind getting wet, and remove anything that you do not want to get wet. Purchase dry shampoo. Dry shampoo should be used instead of giving your dog a full bath. Great Danes are very large and bathing can be difficult. Full baths remove natural oils from your dog's coat and can lead to dry skin. Dry shampoo for dogs can be purchased from your local pet store or online. Apply dry shampoo once a week or whenever your dog gets dirty. If you do this, you will only need to give your Great Dane wet baths in particular situations, like if your Great Dane rolls in something. Dry shampoo is a great option in the colder months. You do not have to worry about your dog going outside with wet fur. Apply the shampoo to your dog's fur. Brush your dog and then rub the shampoo into his coat. Allow the shampoo to sit on your dog for the recommended duration. Then brush the shampoo out. Always read the instructions on the bottle before you apply. The amount of time you allow the shampoo to sit on the skin will depend on the product that you use. Dry shampoo is not as effective as bathing with water, but it will keep your dog clean. You may also use waterless shampoo. You usually spray these products onto your dog's coat, rub your hands through the fur, and then pat the dog dry with a towel. Alternate dry shampoo with water baths as needed. For most Great Danes, regular dry shampooing is enough. If your dog gets sprayed by a skunk, smells really bad, or gets really muddy, a full bath may be necessary. Regular brushing and dry shampoo use will reduce the need for you to bathe your dog with water. Pay attention to how your dog's skin reacts to the dry shampoo. If you notice any irritation, you may be using the dry shampoo to frequently. It may take some trial and error to find the right dry shampoo for your dog. If the shampoo leaves a white residue or is difficult to brush out, choose another brand. Put toys in the tub. Help your dog associate bath time with something that is fun. Allow your dog to play with its favorite toys during bath time. Your dog will be calmer and will feel like bath time is play time. Allow your dog to play in the tub a few times before you give him a bath in there. Instead of toys, you can also feed your dog in the bathing area. Get your dog used to getting wet. If your dog does not like getting wet, bath time can be very hard. Do small exercises to help your dog feel comfortable getting wet. Dry your dog after each exercise. All of these exercises will help your dog associate water with treats and fun. Wet a sponge and rub it on your dog's back before he eats. Dry off your dog when he is done eating. Do this three days in a row. If it is raining lightly, play fetch with your dog outside for a little while. Dry your dog off when you come back inside. You can also squirt your dog with a little bit of water and then give him a treat. Turn the squirting and treat into a little game. This is great to do with a garden hose and the weather is warm. Have a positive attitude. If you dread bath time, your dog will too. Be upbeat and have positive body language when it's time to bathe your dog. Use the same attitude as you do when you take your dog outside to play or when it's time to eat. Speak to your dog with a happy, upbeat tone and say his name. Praise your dog or give a treat when he behaves during bath time. | Get all of your supplies together. Bathe your dog in an area with plenty of space. Brush your dog. Coax your dog into the tub. Protect the ears. Wet your dog with lukewarm water. Apply dog shampoo. Dry off your dog. Purchase dry shampoo. Apply the shampoo to your dog's fur. Alternate dry shampoo with water baths as needed. Put toys in the tub. Get your dog used to getting wet. Have a positive attitude. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Keep-Eyes-Open-Underwater | How to Keep Eyes Open Underwater | Keeping your eyes open underwater can be a little tricky at first, but with enough practice, you'll get used to the feeling. One way to practice is to fill up your sink with lukewarm tap water and submerge your face in it. Start with your eyes closed, then when you feel comfortable, open your eyes. You can also try this in a bathtub or a pool. Practice opening your eyes for longer amounts of time until you get used to the sensation. Once you're comfortable keeping your eyes open underwater, try swimming around in a pool and looking for objects at the bottom of it to practice even more. | Go to your bathroom and fill your sink with water. You will want to ease in and start with tap water as opposed to pool water or open freshwater and saltwater. The sink should be full enough that you can submerge your face at least halfway. Avoid temperatures that shock or scald the skin with cold or hot to make the process easier. Put your face in with eyes closed. Let your face adjust to the temperature and make sure you feel comfortable and calm when you are submerged underwater. If your nose is irritated at this stage, you should stop, as your eyes are likely to become more irritated by chlorine or cleaning byproducts from halogen-based cleaners. Submerge yourself in a bathtub. Practice keeping your eyes open underwater as long as you can hold your breath. The temperature of the water should be moderate to cold, as in pools or the sink earlier. Continue practicing this until you have no trouble and don't mind the irritation of exposing your eyes to water. Find a minimally treated water source. Practice swimming in a pool that uses non-chlorine based cleaners or fresh water. While chlorine has not been conclusively found to cause eye irritation or corneal damage, it has been found to increase this activity in by-products of pool cleaners. Larger pools should be avoided, as they are most likely to use hypochlorite or elemental chlorine to maintain water quality. Submerge yourself and open your eyes. If you are in fresh water, you should expect a minimum of irritation, but treated or saltwater is far more likely to contain irritants. While your eyes might become irritated and your corneas irritated, loss of visual acuity is unlikely without excessive time spent practicing. Practice adding time with your eyes open. Work at this, minding irritation to your eyes or exhaustion swimming until you can keep your eyes open underwater as long as you can hold your breath. Focus on increasing the time you keep your eyes open and focused underwater each time. Avoid deep or treacherous areas if you are not already a strong swimmer. Practice keeping your eyes open and seeing underwater. You will likely want to spread this over several sessions to minimize risk of irritation if you are in a treated pool or saltwater, though it likely should not take too long before you are comfortable. You will want to practice in multiple water sources, which can vary considerably in their visibility and color. Avoid any unsanitary or stagnant water while practicing, as waterborne infections are a risk in small lakes and ponds. You will need additional practice to parse visual information underwater accurately. Practice estimating distance with objects that you know are a certain depth or distance from you, and estimate how long it takes you to reach the object to get a sense of your ability to react to these things. If you are diving, avoid going too deep in an unpressurized suit. Pressure changes during ascent can easily cause burst capillaries and damage to the ears. Make sure you can easily equalize the pressure when you dive with ease. | Go to your bathroom and fill your sink with water. Put your face in with eyes closed. Submerge yourself in a bathtub. Find a minimally treated water source. Submerge yourself and open your eyes. Practice adding time with your eyes open. Practice keeping your eyes open and seeing underwater. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Kick-Someone-out-of-a-Group-of-Friends | How to Kick Someone out of a Group of Friends | If you don't get along with someone anymore, you can kick them out of your friend group subtly so they don't get too upset. First, talk with the rest of the group to make sure you're all on the same page. Then, gradually stop hanging out with the friend and inviting them to things so it's not a sudden thing. For example, if you usually hang out 3 times a week, you could hang out with them once a week for a few weeks, then every other week, then stop hanging out with them altogether. If you go to school with them or it's hard to avoid them, it might be easier to just tell them directly. Say something like, “We're not trying to be mean, but we don't think we have that much in common with you so we'd rather hang out in a smaller group.” | Get together as a group to talk. You want to make sure everyone is on the same page. You should all get together to voice your opinions and decide what to do about the problem friend. Let everyone know you want to get together to talk about the friend in question. This will give everyone a heads up so they can plan what to say. Pick the right time and place. Choose a time where no one has plans, so the conversation will not be limited by external deadlines. You should also choose a place where you all feel comfortable hanging out. If you all usually hang out in one friend's basement, for example, this may be a good place to talk. Identify the specific problems that you have with the person. Deciding to end a friendship is a big decision, so it is important to lay out your reasons for wanting to do so. As you and your friends talk, make sure that you are specific about the problems you are having with this person and why you do not want to continue a friendship with him or her. For example, if the person often tells lies to you or about you, then that is something you should share. Make sure that you provide examples of what happened, what you did, and how the friend responded. Listen to everyone's input. You want to make sure everyone feels heard. Ending a friendship is difficult, and some people may have reservations about doing so. Listen as much as you talk. If you feel strongly about something, you may be inclined to blurt out your feelings quickly. However, you need to allow others to participate. If you find yourself saying things like, "Let me talk before I forget what I wanted to say!" you may be dominating the conversation. State your feelings clearly and directly, and then ask for other people's input. For example, "So, that's how I feel about the situation. What do you guys think?" If you are being interrupted, calmly say "Please let me finish". Find out what your friends want to do. Keep in mind that some of your friends might disagree with you. While you might have had some negative experiences with this person, there is no guarantee that your other friends will feel the same way. Therefore, a compromise may be necessary to move forward. If one or more of your friends still want to be friends with this person, then do not try to stop them or force them to see things your way. Just express your desire to end your friendship with this person and allow your friends to make their own decision on the matter. If your friends are all in agreement with you, then talk about what to do next. Do you want to end the friendship right now, or do you want to give the problem friend a chance to apologize? Remember that you cannot control who is friends with who. You can only control your half of your friendship with someone else. Decide if you want to end the relationship permanently. Your friend may ask for another chance or offer to change. You and your friends should make plans on how to handle this kind of situation together. It can help for you all to consider the relationship. How much has this person hurt you? Does he or she have any redeeming qualities? If you all still care about this person, you may not want to permanently burn the bridge. Think about your relationship as a group. What qualities do you look for when letting friends into the group? Does this person have these qualities? If not, you may decide you are not willing to give him or her another chance. Recognize a problem relationship. You do not want to kick someone out who does not deserve it. Everyone can be difficult sometimes, and a friend who's causing problems may simply be going through something. However, some relationships are simply toxic and better off ended. How do you feel when you hang out with this friend? Do you and your friends always feel drained afterwards? Do you dread inviting this person to social events? How does this friend treat you? Bad friends are very self centered. A bad friend routinely hurts other people's feelings without feeling remorse. They rarely acknowledge when your feelings are hurt, and want to win arguments more than they want to resolve a situation. If your friend has been difficult for a long time, it may be time to end the relationship. While everyone slips up from time to time, if the behavior has been ongoing for awhile, the friendship may be better off ended. Confront the friend. If you decided a direct conversation would be best, have one. Get together with the problem friend and explain to him or her why you're ending the relationship. Use "I"-statements, which are statements designed to focus on personal feelings over objective judgements. "I"-statements can feel less judgmental as you're not placing an outside judgement on the situation. You're simply stating your feelings. You begin with, "I feel..." and then state your emotion. From there, you explain the action that led to that emotion. Lastly, you explain why you felt the way you did. You may be inclined to say something like, "We don't want to be friends with you because you gossip about us when we're not there. That's mean, and we don't like it." As this sounds hostile, rephrase the statement using an "I"-statement. For example, "I feel hurt when you talk about me and other friends behind our backs because I feel like you should confront me directly when you're upset." Taper off contact gradually. If this friendship has not been going on for too long, gradually tapering off contact may be easier. You may not feel you owe this person a direct confrontation. You can be less direct with this approach. Simply don't invite this friend to group gatherings. If he or she asks you to hang out, say something like, "Sorry. I'm really busy this week." Do not engage too deeply with texts or online contact. Try to keep things surface level with somewhat generic responses like, "Cool!" or "Okay." The acquaintanceship will eventually fizzle out. However, in the event the friend asks you what is going on, you may want to gently explain you simply do not want to be friends anymore. Make a plan for awkward situations. These can occur if you run into the friend again at school or a social event. If you're from a small school or community, this is very likely to occur. You and your friends should all know how to deal with awkward situations when they arise. You do not need to be scathing. You may feel inclined to get revenge, especially if the friend hurt you. It is a bad idea, however, to be rude or confrontational when seeing a former friend. Just strive to be happy and in a good place. This is enough to get back on a bad friend. If you see him or her in public, be polite, but do not engage. Show the friend you are all doing better without him or her. Hopefully, your friend will learn how to treat people better. Be firm in your decision. It's normal to miss someone you were once close to. You may experience feelings of regret or unhappiness after cutting out a friend. However, remind yourself of why you ended the relationship. Why did you and your friends decide you did not want to be around this person? While there were probably good times, the bad times likely outweighed the good. Allow yourself to miss the friend, but work on being comfortable with your decision. You ended the friendship for a reason. Try to keep all the reasons in mind when you feel sad. Give yourself time to grieve the loss. You can't expect yourself to end a friendship and walk away without sadness. You and your remaining friends should allow yourselves to feel sad in the aftermath. You can try to take action to help yourselves process. You can all, for example, write goodbye letters to the friend. These should not be letters you intend to send. They are just a means to vent your feelings. You may also want to plan a ritual. You and your friends can look through old pictures of the former friend together, for example, or watch movies and listen to songs that spark memories. Consider your former friend's perspective. This can help you forgive and move on. While difficult people are frustrating to deal with, oftentimes negative people have difficulties of their own. Try to see how and why your friend may have treated you poorly. Consider times you were mean to other people. Ask yourself why you behaved this way. Chances are, you probably were not feeling good about yourself when you lashed out. Your friend may have issues with his or her own self esteem. It's not okay for anyone to treat you poorly. However, have some compassion. Understanding someone's actions better can help you take the mistreatment less personally. Make sure you're not part of a clique. If you and your friends made a decision to kick someone out, this may be a sign your group is turning into a clique. While having a friends group can be great for social development, cliques should be avoided. Friends groups are brought together by common interests. You form friends groups with people you enjoy being around. However, with cliques, you do not usually have common interests with your friends. Instead, you come together as a means to gain control and power. Does your group have a leader? If so, does this leader try to maintain control over the group? Do you feel like you have to follow the rules of the group without making your own decisions? If so, you may be part of a clique. Do not engage in bullying. If you feel like your group is a clique, kicking someone out can be a form of bullying. Bullying can have serious consequences for the target. If your group kicked someone out needlessly, take action to stop the bullying. Address bullying when you see it occurring in your group. Raise concerns about how you treat others. For example, "It's not okay for us to all send mean texts to Marguerite. I don't want to participate." Reach out to people in your school who are kind and compassionate. Form friendships with those who take your side when you stand up to bullying. This can help you form a healthier, more inclusive friends group. | Get together as a group to talk. Identify the specific problems that you have with the person. Listen to everyone's input. Find out what your friends want to do. Decide if you want to end the relationship permanently. Recognize a problem relationship. Confront the friend. Taper off contact gradually. Make a plan for awkward situations. Be firm in your decision. Give yourself time to grieve the loss. Consider your former friend's perspective. Make sure you're not part of a clique. Do not engage in bullying. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Recycle-Tetra-Paks | How to Recycle Tetra Paks | Before recycling your Tetra paks, check to make sure your local recycling center is equipped process them. If they are, you can put Tetra pak cartons in with your regular recycling and it will be taken care of. If Tetra pak recycling is not available in your area and you would like it to be, you can contact Tetra pak and Waste Management to request that your city be added. | Check to see if your community can recycle Tetra paks. Tetra paks require a special process to be recycled. To check if there is a Tetra pak recycling facility in your area, log on to http://www.recyclecartons.com/ and pick your state. Place Tetra paks in your recycling if your area participates. There is no special sorting required for Tetra paks if your local recycling facility can process the packaging. Simply include it in your regular recycling bin to be picked up as normal. Ship your cartons for recycling if there's not a facility near you. Even if your local recycling facility doesn't support Tetra pak, you can still recycle your cartons through the Carton Council. Save up at least 30 cartons, then visit https://www.recyclecartons.com/refreshed-recycling/ to get the shipping address. Contact Waste Management and Tetra pak to add your area. If there are no facilities available near you, you can contact your local Waste Management branch and Tetra pak to request that your area be added. Adding a new recycling branch can take time, so mail in your cartons or repurpose them in the meantime. Plant seeds in empty Tetra paks to start your garden. Make sure you thoroughly wash your empty Tetra pak, then punch a few holes in the bottom and fill it with soil. This waterproof container is a great place to start seedlings for your garden! Store craft supplies in your Tetra paks. Tetra paks are the perfect place to store craft supplies. Cover them with pretty paper to make an attractive pencil or crayon holder. The container can also be used to hold paint brushes or organize buttons, spools of threads, or any other loose items! Attach velcro to a Tetra pak to make a reusable food container. If you're looking for an eco-friendly way to store your leftovers, attach velcro to the flaps of a Tetra pak. The watertight container will help keep your food fresh in the refrigerator. | Check to see if your community can recycle Tetra paks. Place Tetra paks in your recycling if your area participates. Ship your cartons for recycling if there's not a facility near you. Contact Waste Management and Tetra pak to add your area. Plant seeds in empty Tetra paks to start your garden. Store craft supplies in your Tetra paks. Attach velcro to a Tetra pak to make a reusable food container. |
https://www.wikihow.pet/Bond-With-Your-Rabbit | How to Bond With Your Rabbit | To bond with your rabbit, start by opening the cage, sitting quietly on the floor, and letting the bunny explore the room on its own. Next, offer the rabbit some of its favorite treats and wait for it to approach you rather than lunge for it. When your rabbit seems comfortable and ready, pick it up gently and place it in your lap or hold it in your arms. Be sure to support the bunny's back and hindquarters when you're holding it and use a firm grip without squeezing the rabbit. | Listen to your rabbit's vocalizations. Rabbits have a surprisingly broad range of vocalizations, which help them communicate everything from pleasure to loneliness to fear. Listen to the sounds your rabbit makes when you approach him and adapt your interactions to better meet his needs. Tooth-clicking, contrary to what you might assume, is a sign of comfort and contentment. A rabbit may click his teeth while being petted, the way a cat purrs. Other rabbits make this sound simply when feeling safe and content in a cage or home environment. If your rabbit is clicking his teeth, it's a good sign that he likes and trusts you. Snorting could be interpreted as either a cry for attention and affection, or an indication of displeasure or distrust. In some rabbits, snorting may also be a sign of a respiratory infection, especially if the rabbit has discharge from his nose. If you believe your rabbit is snorting because of a respiratory infection, it's best to have a veterinarian examine him to rule out any illness. Whimpering or squealing is typically a sign of pain or fear. If your rabbit whimpers or squeals when you pick him up, you could be handling him wrong, or it's possible that you haven't earned his trust yet. Tooth-grinding is a sign of pain, illness, or anxiety. If your rabbit grinds his teeth, you may be holding him wrong in a way that causes discomfort, or he may be sick and in need of veterinary care. As a precaution, you should take your rabbit to the vet if he begins to grind his teeth. Grunting is a sign of displeasure or fear. If your rabbit is grunting at you, it means that he feels threatened and does not want to be handled. It's best to avoid reaching for your rabbit's food, toys, or litter box when he has grunted with disapproval at you. Screaming indicates extreme pain or fear of death. If your rabbit starts to scream when you handle him, he may be injured, or he may believe you are going to harm him. As a precaution, you should have a veterinarian examine your rabbit if he starts to scream. Observe body language. Just as your rabbit's sounds can tell you a lot about his mood or feelings, so too can your rabbit's posture and body language. Learning to differentiate between a rabbit that feels lonely and a rabbit that does not want to be handled can help you build up your relationship with your furry friend. Look at your rabbit's ears. Rabbits have exceptional hearing, but they also use their ears to communicate body language cues. If your rabbit's ears are back flat against his body, it means he's letting down his guard and feels safe. If they're pulled forward, it means he has heard or sensed something that may or may not be concerning. One ear forward and one ear back usually means your rabbit has noticed something going on around him, but hasn't quite decided whether that activity is alarming or not. If your rabbit has his hind legs stretched out behind his body, it indicates that he is relaxed and comfortable. Having his legs behind him means that he cannot leap to run away or attack, which indicates that your rabbit trusts you and feels safe in your home. If your rabbit's body is tense, it is a sign that he is frightened or anxious. Perhaps something you've done has scared him, or perhaps something in your home environment is putting him on edge. Take note of how your rabbit behaves around you. In addition to sounds and body language, some rabbits will communicate their needs or dislikes by acting in response to human touch. Nudging a person with the nose is a rabbit's way of saying that he wants you to pay attention to him or pet him. Licking a person is a sign of great affection. Rabbits do not lick people for salt; rather, the behavior is purely communicative, and is an indication of tremendous trust and appreciation. Flopping down in front of a person is a sign of great trust and contentment. If your rabbit exposes his inner eyelid (in the corner of his eye) while being handled, it means he is very anxious or frightened. It's best to avoid handling your rabbit if he responds this way to your touch - at least until you've earned his trust a little more. Create a comfortable space. Your rabbit may be resistant to your affection because he does not yet feel safe in your home. You can help your rabbit adjust by creating a quiet, comfortable place for him in which he will be safe from any other pets in the house. You may even want to keep your rabbit's cage in a separate room that will allow him to feel safe from commotion and disruption, although such a location may reduce your rabbit's interaction with people, and could end up causing him to have a harder time adjusting to your home. Choose an area in your home that will allow for daily interaction with and observation of the people in your household, but is still removed enough that your rabbit won't feel frightened by the chaos of day-to-day life. Be sure to keep the room your rabbit lives in at a comfortable temperature. Most rabbits need a stable temperature between 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5 to 21.1 degrees Celsius). Anything higher or lower than that range could prove fatal for your rabbit. Keep your rabbit's cage out of direct sunlight. Providing adequate shade will help regulate his environmental temperature and keep him from overheating. Give your rabbit room to play. Exercise is an important part of a rabbit's life, and playtime is often the best exercise. If your rabbit's crate isn't big enough to allow him to jump and run around in, build a little enclosure (preferably indoors) for him to run and play in. Play areas should be rabbit-proofed. Remove any electrical cords and other household objects that you don't want your rabbit to chew on. If it is an outdoor area, be sure that the enclosure is completely fenced in and that your rabbit will not be able to hop out of the enclosure. Supervise your rabbit any time he is outside of his cage. Rabbits are curious animals and can easily get hurt or find their way into dangerous places. Feed your rabbit a proper diet. One of the best ways to ensure your rabbit likes you is by feeding him the things he needs the most. Rabbits need a constant supply of grass hay, like timothy grass (Phleum pratense) or brome grass (Bromus), to ensure gastrointestinal health. Give your rabbit a pellet food formula with a minimum of 15 to 19% protein content and 18% fiber content. Rabbits over six months old should be given between 1/8 and 1/4 cup of pellet food per five pounds of body weight daily. (So, for example, a ten pound rabbit should be given between 1/4 and 1/2 cup of food every day.) Feed your rabbit fresh leafy greens. Dark leaf lettuce, turnip greens, and carrot tops are often preferred by rabbits. Your rabbit should get a minimum of two cups of leafy greens per six pounds of body weight. (So, for example, a 12 pound rabbit would receive a minimum of four cups of leafy greens each day.) Ensure that your rabbit has constant access to fresh, clean drinking water, either from a rabbit bottle or a sturdy bowl that won't be easily tipped over. Give your rabbit plenty of toys. Rabbits love to play. You can buy toys specifically made for rabbits, or make your own at home. Rabbits typically need toys that allow them to chew, dig/burrow, and hide. Empty cardboard boxes make excellent starter toys, but you can get as creative as you want while making or buying toys to enrich your rabbit's play time. Be patient. Let your rabbit out of the cage to run around and explore. You may find your rabbit wants to hide somewhere dark, like under a couch, bed or dresser at the beginning. But rabbits are curious little creatures. They will not be able to resist the temptation of coming out to explore their new home. Just give the rabbit some time. When your rabbit feels brave enough to come out for a look around, sit quietly (on the floor is best) and let your rabbit come to you. Rabbits are super cute and fluffy and the human being tends to want to hold, cuddle and pet the rabbit. Remember, they are prey animals and for the first day or two they don't know if you are going to eat them or not! So let your rabbit come to you first. If the rabbit sniffs or nudges you with his nose, do not move away. This is a good sign that your rabbit is starting to trust you Know how to hold your rabbit properly. It's an easy step to overlook, but an important part of bonding with your rabbit includes learning to hold him properly. Failure to do so can make your bunny uncomfortable, and may lead to him squirming and struggling to get away. This can be painful for you and for the rabbit, as any kind of thrashing could cause neck and spine injury to the rabbit. Be gentle but firm. Don't squeeze the rabbit, but make sure that your hold on him is firm enough that he won't fall or squirm out of your hands. Use the minimum amount of restraint necessary to keep him safely in your arms. Support the back and hindquarters. This is a crucial part of properly holding a rabbit and should not be overlooked. Let the rabbit come to you. If your rabbit isn't comfortable being handled yet, he certainly won't enjoy being grabbed and pulled out of his cage. Instead of removing him from his little home to spend time together, let him come to you. Leave the door of his cage open and wait until he feels like coming out to explore. Give yourself alone time. This is particularly important if you recently adopted your rabbit, as he'll need time to adjust and grow comfortable to the people and place that make up his home. Withdraw into a quiet, closed-off room. It should be just you and your rabbit, with no other animals and nothing to distract your bunny. Offer the rabbit treats. These can help disarm an anxious animal, and they're good for your bunny, too. Aim for healthy treats like a baby carrot, a tiny slice of apple or banana, or a small spoonful of oats. Let your bunny eat a piece of the treats off the floor, then try to feed him out of your hand. Make this a daily practice until your rabbit gets comfortable being around you. Repetition and routine are the keys to familiarity. Don't rush the rabbit. If your rabbit is new to the household and isn't comfortable being handled or petted, don't force it on him. That will only traumatize him and could cause him to be fearful of you in the future. In fact, some rabbits never become accustomed to handling, because of their status in the wild as prey animals. If your rabbit won't let you touch him, there are other ways you can bond with and soothe your nervous bunny. Use a soothing voice to calm your rabbit. Talk to him often, and let him get used to the sound of your voice. Let it get used to your voice. Rabbits are social creatures and they get bored sitting in cage all day. Sometimes, just by talking to your rabbit, it will lay down and gently grind its teeth in approval! Never yell at your rabbit. They can't be disciplined or trained like other pets. They won't understand why you are yelling and you will only scare your rabbit if you are loud. Offer your open hand for your bunny to sniff. If he's not used to being around you, he may need to get accustomed to the way you look, smell, and sound before he's comfortable being handled. Never make any sudden movements around your rabbit. This could frighten him and send him running back into his cage. Try mimicking your rabbit. Some rabbit owners may not be comfortable trying this at home, especially in front of other people. But some rabbit specialists advise that pretending to wash your face and head the way your rabbit does can be disarming to a new, frightened rabbit. Seeing his human act the way he does might help him get comfortable in his new home. Adjust to his schedule. Remember that rabbits are most active around sunrise and sunset each day, and spend much of the afternoon resting. If you want to initiate playtime or bonding time with your bunny, do so during the time of day when he's most active and most likely to want to play. | Listen to your rabbit's vocalizations. Observe body language. Take note of how your rabbit behaves around you. Create a comfortable space. Give your rabbit room to play. Feed your rabbit a proper diet. Give your rabbit plenty of toys. Be patient. Know how to hold your rabbit properly. Let the rabbit come to you. Give yourself alone time. Don't rush the rabbit. Try mimicking your rabbit. Adjust to his schedule. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Help-a-Fallen-Fledgling | How to Help a Fallen Fledgling | If you've found a fallen fledgling, don't touch or disturb the bird since its parents are likely nearby. Parents usually kick fledglings out of the nest to teach them to be independent, so it's normal for a fledgling to be on the ground. If you see the fledgling moving, shaking its wings, or chirping, give it space and monitor it for a few hours to see if its parents are around. If the fledgling is visibly injured or covered in bugs, contact a local wildlife refuge that specializes in birds to pick it up and take it to a care center. Avoid picking the fledgling up and putting it back in its nest since its parents will likely kick it out again. You can check in on the bird every day for a few weeks to make sure it's healthy and safe. | Determine whether or not the bird is a fledgling. Depending on the bird's age, it may or may not need your help. Juvenile birds fall into 3 categories: hatchlings, nestlings, and fledglings. Hatchlings and nestlings are baby birds and have no visible feathers on their wings or body. Neither hatchlings nor nestlings will survive for long out of the nest. Fledglings, on the other hand, have feathers and can survive on their own. It's very common for nestlings to be found hopping on the ground as they're just learning to fly and forage for food. Although it's normal to feel worried for a fledgling hopping about on the ground, the fledgling might not actually need any help at all. Make sure that the fledgling’s parents are feeding it regularly. Position yourself 20–30 feet (6.1–9.1 m) away from the fledgling and watch the nearby treetops. Sooner or later, 1 of its parents should swoop down with some food. You may have to wait awhile. In some cases, parent birds may only feed their fledglings once every 4 hours. If the parents are not feeding the fledgling, try moving a little farther off. The adult birds may not approach if you're too close. Leave the unharmed fledgling on the ground as it learns to fly. As long as the parents are observing and frequently feeding the young fledgling, it's being well taken care of and needs no help from you. For many species of birds, fledglings can spend as long as 1–2 weeks on the ground as they learn to fly. To the casual observer, it can appear as though a fledgling is in trouble even when it's not. The best thing you can do is leave the healthy fledgling alone. If you're concerned about the fledgling's safety and health, check on it every 1–2 days to make sure it's still alive and flapping. Do not place the fledgling into a nearby nest. Even if you see a nest in a nearby tree, do not put the fledgling into it. It's more than likely that the young bird will just jump back out of the nest. Or, if the fledgling's parents are in the nest, they may kick it back out a second time! Furthermore, the next may not even belong to the fledgling's family or may have been constructed by a different species of bird altogether. Do not give the fledgling any food or water. Although the young bird may appear small and hungry, resist the temptation to care for it and give it food. Its parents are likely nearby and will be bringing it food from time to time. Similarly, do not try to give the bird water with cupped hands or a water dropper. Finally, don't pick up the fledgling bird and carry it to a source of water—it could easily be lost or eaten by a predator if you relocate it. If a young bird accepts food from humans too many times, it may imprint on humans and struggle to form social bonds with other birds. Protect yourself from overzealous parent birds. As fledglings flop on the ground while learning to fly, their parents are often observing from up in a nearby tree. Some species of birds—crows, for example—are very protective of their vulnerable young. If the parents think you're threatening their fledgling, they are likely to swoop down and attack. If 1 or 2 grown birds swoop down at you, avert your eyes and move away, and avoid traveling near the fledgling in the future. If you can't help but walk through the area that the protective birds are patrolling, carry an umbrella with you to keep the birds from pecking at your head and face. Inspect the fledgling to determine whether it’s injured. Walk towards the fledgling until you're less than 3 feet (0.91 m) away. Crouch down and inspect the young bird for any signs of injury. These can include a drooping wing, visible broken bones, or any signs of blood. Also watch the bird as it moves. If it holds its wings against its sides and doesn't show signs of pain, it's probably not injured. A seriously injured fledgling may have flies buzzing around or, if it's in very bad shape, have a few maggots crawling across its body. Call a wildlife rehabilitator if a fledgling is injured. Wildlife rehabilitators are trained professionals who know how to care for orphaned or hurt fledglings. Also call a rehabilitator if the fledgling doesn't seem to be injured but appears to have been abandoned by its parents. The rehabilitator will inspect the fledgling and, if needed, can take the bird to a wildlife care center. If you live in the United States, you can find a website for wildlife rehabilitators in every state online at: https://secure.mediapeta.com/peta/PDF/WildlifeRehabilitatorsbyState.pdf. If you live outside of the U.S., contact your local government or animal-control center and ask about wildlife rehabilitation personnel. Place a fledgling on a low tree branch if it’s in immediate danger. In some situations, you won't have time to wait for a wildlife rehabilitator to arrive on the scene. For example, if feral cats live in the area where the fledgling has fallen or if you see a hawks circling, the fledgling is in immediate danger. Gently slide your hand beneath the fledgling, lift it up, and place the fledgling onto a low tree branch or sturdy bush. It's a good idea to still call a wildlife rehabilitator after you've placed the fledgling into a tree. Keep housecats and other pets indoors until the fledgling moves off. Domesticated animals can be dangerous to fledgling birds that are unable to fly. Housecats especially would enjoy toying with and eventually killing a defenseless fledgling. So, if the fledgling is within ⁄ 4 mile (0.40 km) of your home, keep all pets indoors for up to 2 weeks, or until the fledgling has flown off. If you have neighbors with housecats, advise them to keep their pets indoors for the same amount of time also. | Determine whether or not the bird is a fledgling. Make sure that the fledgling’s parents are feeding it regularly. Leave the unharmed fledgling on the ground as it learns to fly. Do not place the fledgling into a nearby nest. Do not give the fledgling any food or water. Protect yourself from overzealous parent birds. Inspect the fledgling to determine whether it’s injured. Call a wildlife rehabilitator if a fledgling is injured. Place a fledgling on a low tree branch if it’s in immediate danger. Keep housecats and other pets indoors until the fledgling moves off. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Cat-Proof-Your-Toilet | How to Cat Proof Your Toilet | To cat proof your toilet, try placing a bowl of fresh drinking water in the bathroom so your cat is less tempted to use the toilet. Or, you can set up a motion-sensor noisemaker or sprayer next to the toilet so your cat gets startled every time it goes near it. Additionally, try to remember to keep the toilet seat down at all times so your cat can't access the water. If your cat has figured out how to lift up the toilet seat, you can install a babyproofing mechanism on it to keep it closed. | Keep the toilet lid down at all times when it is not in use. This includes training those members of the household who prefer leaving up every part of the toilet lid. It will stop the cat from getting into the bowl and no more drinking of the toilet water. Consider leaving reminder signs asking everyone, including yourself, to keep the lid shut. Remind people of the consequences otherwise––getting a nose rub from a kitty that has stuck its face into the bowl water. Use a babyproof mechanism for the cat that lifts the lid. If your cat is smart or simply persistent, you may need to use a babyproofing toilet seat lock to keep the lid locked down. If this is the case, be sure to show everyone in the house how to open and close this item. They're very simple to use and don't cost more than a few dollars. The lock should be washed regularly, to prevent germ build-up. Keep the bathroom door shut. Make the bathroom off limits to your cat. This isn't always ideal, unless you are all used to keeping the door shut. Moreover, there may be an occasion when your cat needs to be in the bathroom, such as for a bath or if it suddenly vomits a fur ball and you'd rather save the carpet than the bathroom tiles. However, it can be a good fix for most of the time. Consider a door that shuts itself automatically. This could be done by weighting the door or using a special lock. Lure the cat away from the toilet corner. Keep a bowl of drinking water in the bathroom but at the opposite side form the toilet. Provided it's in an easily accessible spot, the cat will usually prefer the easier and more dignified option of the water bowl. Get a motion sensor statue that makes noise. Place it right by the toilet area, so that when the cat crosses to go there, it gets a fright from the awful noise made by the motion sensor creature. This may wear off in time, although it might provide fun fodder for YouTube videos in the meantime. Be sure that your cat is getting adequate water. Always keep its water bowl filled near the food supply and if possible, especially if you live somewhere hot, have several bowls around the inside of the house, and the outside, if relevant. The cat that can access sufficient water won't be so fascinated by the toilet bowl. Unless, of course, it's become a bad habit. | Keep the toilet lid down at all times when it is not in use. Use a babyproof mechanism for the cat that lifts the lid. Keep the bathroom door shut. Lure the cat away from the toilet corner. Get a motion sensor statue that makes noise. Be sure that your cat is getting adequate water. |
https://www.wikihow.com/React-when-a-Coworker-Is-Fired | How to React when a Coworker Is Fired | Your coworker being fired can make things a little awkward, but if you offer them friendly support and avoid gossiping, you should avoid any extra complications. Instead of saying things like “Maybe it's for the best” or giving them advice, try to offer genuine support. For example, say something like, “I'm sorry. Let me know how I can help.” You should also avoid discussing their departure with your boss or coworkers, since this might come across as disrespectful or rude. If you hear rumors about why the person was fired, try to ignore them. Instead, focus on your work until things settle down. | Offer real support. Many people will feel the urge to ignore the situation or offer platitudes. Resist this. The last thing your colleague wants to hear is that their firing must have a silver lining or is somehow “for the best.” At the same time, though, don't ignore the situation. They will appreciate positive words of sympathy or, even better, offers of concrete assistance. Rather than telling your co-worker, “Don't worry, you'll get a great job soon,” try a something simple and empathetic. “I'm sorry” or “Let me know how I can help” is much better. Make a real offer to help. Can you help their revamp their resume? Maybe he'd/she'd like you to give him/her a mock interview? Or would they just like to get together for coffee? This can make more of a difference than words. Don’t make light of the situation. While offering affirming words, avoid at all cost jokes, dark humor, or a response that minimizes the situation. Your co-worker has just been fired. They are probably distraught and possibly angry or in shock. One of the most unfeeling things you can do in this situation is to make light of it, because this could make it seem like their emotions don't matter. Saying, “You're lucky to get out of this dump,” for example, or joking about how much free time he'll/she'll have is tactless. Respect the space, as well. Try to read the body language from them – you may see that they are having a hard emotional time. In that case, don't pain him/her with a long conversation or press him/her to go out to lunch or other things. It's okay to try to help your coworker focus on the silver lining in the situation, as long as you don't minimize any stress or sadness they're feeling. For instance, you might say something like, "I'm so sorry that this happened to you, but I'm really glad that working there together gave us a chance to meet and become friends!" Don’t offer advice. Another natural response to seeing a colleague fired is to want to “fix things.” Resist this urge, too. In a way, getting fired is like experiencing a death in the family. Your co-worker will too busy coming to terms with the loss to appreciate your opinion about how she/he should start up her/his own business or change fields. They will also not want your would-be advice about getting a better job. Rather than saying, “You know, there's lots of jobs in health care – maybe you can get one there,” keep it concrete and helpful. Try something like, “Let me know if I can do anything. I'd be happy to look over your resume or read your cover letters.” If your coworker asks you for advice about what they should do next, ask questions like, "What do you really care about?" and "Ideally, what do you want to spend the next few years working on?" Keep the conversation focused on her. Being empathetic requires you to give priority to another person's feelings, and to listen to them. You are trying to offer emotional support to a co-worker and perhaps friend. Don't make the conversation about you. Don't recount a story about a time when you were fired and how you managed. Remain focused on her. Ask your co-worker questions like, “How are you doing? Are you alright?” Avoid sentences that start with I or my. For example, “Once when I got fired…” or “Once I used to work at Company Y…” Follow up when the time is right. Give your co-worker some time and space to come to terms with her firing before contacting her again. Try sending a short email – “Hi Jane. I'm really sorry that you left XYZ, Ltd. How are you doing? Please let me know if there is anything that I can do to help you.” Make sure to be understanding and not prying. Don't go into the reasons for their firing unless they bring it up. Avoid discussing the situation with your boss. Unless she/he specifically brings it up, do not discuss your co-worker's firing with your boss until the dust has settled. This is probably a stressful time for him/her as well, and he/she will likely be busy planning the transition period before someone else is hired to take over the position. It may be hard, but hold your tongue. Avoid gossip. Sometimes you can foresee a firing – a co-worker has a history of poor performance, bad relations with co-workers, or has had a falling out with the boss. At other times, it can be completely unexpected. In either case, resist the gossip that will likely be swirling. Stay quiet and focus on your work if you hear that a co-worker has been fired. Don't speculate at the water-cooler and don't try to pry from anyone, your former co-worker, your office mates, or you boss. Moreover, don't believe rumors that you may overhear. Let the dust settle. Don't horn in on your former co-worker's responsibilities too soon. Even if she/he had easier tasks, a nicer office, or better parking spot, don't be tempted to ask for these soon after her/his termination. Let things settle down. Your boss will likely have a plan for you and the co-worker's replacement, and could see your haste as in very poor taste. Perform better and more reliably. Be careful, particularly if you sense that your co-worker's firing may be the start of a round of layoffs. Evaluate your work. Are you meeting expectations? Are you a valuable employee or an expendable one? Even if the termination was isolated, focus on the work in front of you. A firing can cause chaos and place added work on everyone who remains. Try to be even more attentive to your tasks and to the quality of your work. Your boss will appreciate your performance. It may even pay off in a promotion in the long run. | Offer real support. Don’t make light of the situation. Don’t offer advice. Keep the conversation focused on her. Follow up when the time is right. Avoid discussing the situation with your boss. Avoid gossip. Let the dust settle. Perform better and more reliably. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Boost-Self-Esteem | How to Boost Self Esteem | To boost your self-esteem, value yourself by setting aside time for self-care, like getting plenty of exercise, gaining a new skill or hobby, or taking a bubble bath or an afternoon walk. In addition to practicing self-care, set your sights on accomplishing something to help you feel more confident and successful. For example, clean your closet, run an errand you've been putting off, or set a long-term goal like losing weight or learning a new skill. When you accomplish your goals, reward yourself with a special meal or a small gift to congratulate yourself on your hard work. While boosting self-esteem can require a lot of individual work, you'll also want to surround yourself with people who are positive, supportive, and kind since they'll be more likely to help you feel good about yourself. | Take care of yourself. Raising your self-esteem first and foremost means setting aside time and attention for yourself. Showing that you value yourself is a first step in learning to see how others value you. Make sure that you do things like: Get plenty of exercise Develop a daily routine for yourself that makes you feel good, such as taking a bubble bath at the end of the day or going for a walk in the afternoon. Gain a new skill or hobby, develop a talent, or just learn about subjects that interest you. Feel good about where you live! Set aside time to clean and decorate your home, even in simple ways. Eat healthy. To feel good, you need to be well-nourished. This means eating a balanced diet. Some nutrients, such as vitamin D and vitamin B12, can even give your mood an additional boost. Good sources of vitamin D include salmon, dairy products, and fortified juices. Good sources of vitamin B12 include liver, fortified cereals, and dairy products. Take time to do things you enjoy. Low self-esteem can cause a great deal of stress. If you set aside time for things that you like doing, however, you can relieve some of this stress and connect with your sense of self-worth. Read a book, use a musical or artistic talent, go to the movies or a game, spend time with friends—whatever you enjoy! Accomplish something. Problems with self-esteem are often tied to feelings that you are unsuccessful. A good antidote for this feeling is setting and meeting a goal of accomplishing something. Even small accomplishments will make you feel more confident and successful. Doing things to improve the appearance and comfort of your home can be a great place to start: cleaning your home, clearing out a closet, decorating, etc. Taking care of low stress, low stakes tasks like running errands or going to the grocery store can also make you feel good about accomplishing something. You can also set your sights on accomplishing long-term goals, such as lowering or eliminating debt, learning a new skill, losing weight, etc. Dress well. While image should not be your primary motivation, considering your appearance can have a positive effect on your self-esteem. This doesn't mean that you need to buy expensive clothes, however. Dress in whatever clothing you have that makes you feel confident, and your inner feeling will project outwards! Give yourself rewards. You can show that you value yourself if you let yourself have something special now and then. Giving yourself a reward shows that you care about everything you do, especially if the reward comes after working really hard at something. Rewards don't have to take the form of material things. You can also reward yourself with experiences. For instance, you could go to a concert after completing a big project at work or school. Spend time with good people. If you want to boost your self-esteem, then surround yourself with people who are positive, supportive, and kind. Avoid people who are negative, mean to you, or seem to hold you back. Practice kindness. If you are struggling with feeling good about yourself, try doing something nice for someone else. You will feel good that you helped someone out. Showing that you care about others also boosts your expectations that others should care about you. Try: Practicing random acts of kindness, such as paying for a stranger's meal. Visiting a friend or relative who is sick. Helping neighbors with yard work. Volunteering for good causes in your community. Make positive lists. Taking time to consider positive aspects of your life can be an instant boost to your self-esteem. By surrounding yourself with good thoughts, you will push negativity out of your mind. Try making lists of: Things you are thankful for Your good qualities (such as kindness, patience, and thoughtfulness) Strengths or talents you may have (such as a good work ethic, intelligence, artistic or musical abilities, skills in an academic or professional area, etc.) Try a mutually complimentary exercise. Sit down with a friend, family member, or someone else you trust. Take turns offering each other compliments or describing good qualities that the other person has. This simple exercise will boost your own self esteem and the other person's Keep a “positive scrapbook. ” Make a collection of things that celebrate you and your good qualities. These might include photographs, letters, awards, souvenirs of places you have been, and other reminders of positive things in your life. Make sure to add to keep adding to it, and look it over when you feel like your self-esteem needs a boost. This doesn't have to take the form of an actual scrapbook. Any kind of collection will do, such as a box or display shelf. Make a self-esteem calendar. Take a calendar, and for each day, schedule a small thing you can do to make yourself feel better. These can include things like “Make my favorite meal,” “Call my friend,” or “Go for a walk in the park.” Check off the things you accomplish each day, and reflect on how you feel afterwards. Turn negative thoughts around. Problems with self-esteem often arise due to some external stressor or crisis. While you might not be able to prevent this, you can have some control over how you think about things. When you feel negative thoughts popping up, stop and turn them into something more positive. When you think something self-critical (such as “I'm so stupid”), ask yourself questions like: “Is it true? Would I say it to/about someone else? Do I gain anything by thinking this? What would I gain if I stopped thinking this way?” Focus on subtly rephrasing thoughts so that they put more emphasis on how to view a situation positively. For instance, instead of thinking “I won't let myself be so distracted at school any more,” try saying to yourself “I am going to develop my work ethic.” Try this simple exercise. Fold a piece of paper in half. On one side, write any negative thoughts you may have about yourself. On the other side, write a corresponding positive thought to replace each negative one. Accept some failure. No one can succeed at everything all of the time. Failure is a part of life. You can, however, recognize and feel good about your effort when you try hard at something. You can also think about how you can learn from mistakes. For instance, if you don't do well on an exam (even if you studied hard), take a moment to recognize your effort. You probably did better than if you hadn't studied at all, and you can review your mistakes to find out how to improve in the future. Listen to yourself. Your body and mind often suggest what you need to do, and listening to your needs can help you feel better. This might mean something as simple as getting more sleep if you feel tired. However, listening to yourself also means trusting and following your thoughts and instincts. For instance, if you find yourself constantly thinking about moving to be closer to family, that might be something important for you to do. Don’t compare yourself to others. Life is often very competitive, but it is important to set standards for yourself rather than trying to match everyone else. Recognize that everyone isn't the best at everything, and that each person has individual strengths. If you feel like you want to improve some aspect of your life, make a goal of doing it for yourself, and don't worry about what others do or think. For example, if you want to develop your abilities in a sport like basketball or tennis, set a goal that you think would be a personal improvement, rather than just trying to match or beat someone else. Find support. If you feel you have a problem with self-esteem, you don't have to handle it alone. Good friends and family will be happy to make you feel better, spend time with you, and share your good qualities. You can also find a support group or counselor in your area to work with and find ways to develop your self-esteem. Identify the source of the problem. Knowing what causes you to feel low self-esteem can help you combat the problem. Sometimes, specific causes can be hard to identify, but common triggers include: A high-stakes situation, such as a major project at work or school Significant changes in personal or professional life, such as the end of a relationship or the loss of a job A crisis, such as illness, injury, financial problems Bullying Negative perceptions of body image | Take care of yourself. Eat healthy. Take time to do things you enjoy. Accomplish something. Dress well. Give yourself rewards. Spend time with good people. Practice kindness. Make positive lists. Try a mutually complimentary exercise. Keep a “positive scrapbook. Make a self-esteem calendar. Turn negative thoughts around. Accept some failure. Listen to yourself. Don’t compare yourself to others. Find support. Identify the source of the problem. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Tutor-Online | How to Tutor Online | To tutor online, try applying through an online tutoring company like eTutor, TutorVista, or Growing Stars. You can also set up your own online tutoring service by finding clients and dealing with payments on your own. Whichever route you take, choose a subject or field that you have a lot of knowledge and expertise in. Also, since you'll be tutoring online, you'll need to have a computer with internet access, a microphone, and a webcam so your clients can see you. If you're looking for an online platform to tutor on, try using Skype or Google Hangouts. | Determine whether you want to work for yourself or others. There are several online tutoring services that hire tutors. You can also set up your own online tutoring service and work for yourself. If you have never tutored online before, it could be helpful to work for another company for a little while to become accustomed to the format. Then you can branch out on your own. Reliable companies include tutor.com , eTutor , TutorVista , InstaEDU , and Growing Stars. Decide what you are qualified to tutor. You should only tutor in a subject or field in which you have plenty of experience and expertise. You should also be able to explain both very basic concepts and more advanced concepts in your area clearly. If you are applying for an online tutoring job with another company, be aware that many of them have certain requirements, such as having a bachelor's degree. You should be prepared to offer a list of qualifications to your prospective clients, even if you don't have formal education credentials. For example, if you want to tutor people in how to run a successful blog, you should be able to provide your blog's unique hits, your advertising revenue, your number of subscribers, etc. Do not attempt to become a tutor in a subject or field in which you don't have appropriate credentials or relevant experience. Not only will you not do a good job, you could open yourself up to lawsuits for misrepresenting your services. Decide on your rate. What you can reasonably charge will depend in large part on your qualifications. Obviously, someone with a college or graduate degree can command a higher fee than someone who lacks those credentials. Similarly, someone with an extremely popular blog with thousands of unique visitors a month could charge more for tutoring others on blog development than someone who doesn't have the same professional experience. Private tutors usually charge anywhere from $15-$85 an hour. You may also prefer to charge a set fee per session or even per “package” of sessions (e.g., 4 a month). Whatever you choose, make sure that all your charges and fees are laid out clearly for your clients. Don't surprise them with additional fees or charges later. If you will also need your clients to purchase additional supplies, such as workbooks, make sure that those costs are included in your fee or clearly communicated to the client. Draw up a curriculum or a training plan for your tutoring. The simplest way to do this is with a word processing tool or a spreadsheet. Software programs that allow you to make mind maps and charts can also come in handy. You should be prepared to address common issues in the subject or area in which you want to tutor. For example, if you want to tutor English language, you should probably prepare several lessons about grammatical basics such as subject/verb agreement, pronoun/antecedent agreement, etc. There are many teacher-training resources online that could be helpful to you as you develop your curriculum. Harvard's “Harvard Bridge Tutor Program” includes lesson plan templates and sample questions and answers. An online search for “tutor lesson plans” will produce many helpful resources. Your curriculum also needs to address outcomes, or how you know whether you have been successful or not. For example, will you use quizzes or tests? Self-report measures such as the student performing better in her/his classes? You must have a set of benchmarks so that you can gauge your students' progress. Develop a script according to the curriculum. Make notes of important things that you want to say or demonstrate. You don't have to stick to a script throughout your lessons, but having some ideas down on paper and memorized will really help your flow and make sure you don't miss anything vital in your sessions. It's important that you be familiar enough with your material that you can improvise and redirect your lessons according to the students' individual needs. Remember that as a tutor you must go at the student's pace, not the one you've pre-planned. Plan to be flexible. Gather all associated material that you may require. Because of the online format, you may need links, video or audio clips, articles, and photographs as instruction tools. Make sure you're familiar with them all before you begin your lessons; nothing slows an online tutoring session down like the tutor needing to figure out a software or website before they can show their students It can be helpful to create a “notebook” (such as a Google Doc or a OneNote binder) with all of the important links, videos, and online resources organized by subject or student. That way, you will have ready access to them during each session. Ensure that you have a reliable internet service and appropriate technology. Tutoring online requires a fast and reliable internet connection. You will also need a computer that is fast enough to handle memory-intensive applications such as video conferencing and virtual classrooms. You will also need some sort of A/V equipment. The most basic is a headset with a microphone. You may also prefer to use a webcam so that your clients can see you. Choose a suitable online platform for delivery. The ideal solution may depend on what you want to teach. You can choose from a variety of free and paid audio and video conferencing tools. You can do basic lessons using simple platforms like Skype or Google Hangouts and Google Documents , or you can research more elaborate conferencing platforms to up the ante on the interactive portions of your presentations. Consider an application that provides a virtual “whiteboard,” such as Idroo, Scribblar, or Talk and Write. Paid platforms that allow videoconferencing and even group conferences include Webex , Gotomeeting , and Wiziq. Skype allows you to share your screen with other people, which can be very helpful if you are tutoring someone in how to use a computer or do technical tasks. Other places that allow you to share a screen include join.me and screenleap. Set up a payment service. The most popular way of sending payment online is PayPal, which allows you to accept payment from people worldwide. They charge small fees per transaction, but for convenience and reliability it's a great choice. You can send invoices to clients through their web portal. PayPal also has a set of “merchant services” that will allow you to accept credit cards on a personal website or through a mobile device. It's important to ensure that you are paid before your tutoring session. It can be very difficult to track down deadbeat customers if they fail to pay after you've completed your session. Run some practice sessions. Before you go “live” with real students, it's a good idea to practice your tutoring skills with some obliging friends. If you can, choose friends who are not very familiar with the subject(s) you want to teach. This way, you'll know if you are adequately explaining your topics. Run these sessions just as you would live online sessions with paying clients. Use the same software, spend the same amount of time preparing and teaching, and answer questions the same way you plan to when you start offering your services. Ask for honest feedback. Encourage your friends to let you know what didn't work well, or any area where they think you could clarify or perform better. Don't take criticism personally; this advice will help you ensure that you offer the best possible product to your clients. Provide your contact information. You may want to create fliers or business cards that include your contact info to leave around your neighborhood. Good choices include coffee shops, libraries, and bookstores. Make sure you ask permission before posting fliers or leaving business cards. Provide alternate methods of communicating, such as an email address and a phone number. Make sure you thoroughly proofread your materials before posting them. Nobody will want to hire a tutor whose ads contain typos. Create a database of potential learners. You can start by finding tutors within your personal network and through recommendations, and then expand to building a following online. One way to build a network of recommenders could be to offer a “free” lesson to interested parties, such as teachers or parents. That way they can see what clients are getting, and will be more comfortable recommending your services. Run an ad on craigslist. Craigslist is a huge online platform that reaches lots of people in your area. Ads are usually free. Post a listing that clearly describes your services, availability, contact information, and rates. Craigslist has a “lessons & tutoring” section of their website under the “Services” category. Post your ad in this section for the best exposure. Sign up on freelancing platforms. There are several websites where you can sign up as a freelancer available for hire. Create a profile, explain your skills, and market your services. Popular freelancing websites include Upwork and College Recruiter. Some freelancing websites, like guru.com, freelancer.com, and upwork.com, also post requests from clients looking to hire people for certain types of work. You can search these websites for potential tutoring clients. Prepare to answer questions. Most potential clients will want to interview you before hiring you. They may do this over email, phone, or request an in-person meeting if they live in your area. You should be prepared to answer the following types of questions: What kind of training or credentials do you have in your subject or area? Have you tutored before? Are you experienced with different learning styles? How would you help me with _____ issue? What is your availability? How much do you charge? Do you offer discounts? Do you have any references? Create a tutoring schedule. For each student you work with, you'll want to set up regular appointments at times that work for both of you. Make sure you can stick to your schedule; just because you're providing online tutoring doesn't mean you should be any less reliable than an in-person tutor. Maintain frequent contact with your students. Communicate the tutoring schedule to potential learners through e-mails, advertisements, and social platforms. Consider starting an email list or Facebook group where your different students can communicate with each other, as well, and feel a sense of camaraderie through their studies (particularly if they're all studying the same subject). Make sure that your communication doesn't suffer just because you're not face to face. | Determine whether you want to work for yourself or others. Decide what you are qualified to tutor. Decide on your rate. Draw up a curriculum or a training plan for your tutoring. Develop a script according to the curriculum. Gather all associated material that you may require. Ensure that you have a reliable internet service and appropriate technology. Choose a suitable online platform for delivery. Set up a payment service. Run some practice sessions. Provide your contact information. Create a database of potential learners. Run an ad on craigslist. Sign up on freelancing platforms. Prepare to answer questions. Create a tutoring schedule. Maintain frequent contact with your students. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Be-Okay-with-Having-a-Communist-Friend | How to Be Okay with Having a Communist Friend | Even if you have different beliefs, you can still be okay with having a communist friend if you agree to disagree when it comes to politics. Although you may not understand their point of view, try your best to treat them based on the respect they deserve as a person. To improve your friendship, look for common ground and focus on what drew you to one another in the first place. You can also learn about your friend's beliefs by reading books like The State and Revolution by Lenin. As you learn more about Marxist theory, try to distinguish the theory of communism from communist dictatorships. That way, you can see that a real communist wouldn't support things like tyranny and dictatorships. | Agree to disagree. The best part about making friends is understanding each other. If your friend is communist and you uphold a different ideology, you can still get along very well. Politics will just be one area where you won't meet eye to eye. Understand that you don't have to agree with your friend in order to get along. Show respect. If someone doesn't share the same beliefs as you do, they don't deserve to be criticized or scrutinized. Set aside their beliefs and treat them based on the respect you feel they deserve. Friendships should be void of harsh treatment of one another. Respect can focus on things such has hard work, treatment of others, their abilities, and characteristics. Focus on the better aspects in your friendship and find common ground. Arguing about communism is not going to create a strong bond. People offer other interests aside from politics. Figure out what drew you to that person in the first place, such as school, sports, or work. The best friendships are well rounded. Support your friend if other people pick on them. No one needs to be bullied for what they believe. If your friend receives harsh treatment from others who oppose Communism, stand up for your friend. That will be the best thing for your friendship, and it will open the eyes of others. Ask your friend about her or his beliefs. Learning from one another is essential to any relationship, and friends should have a lot to offer. Inquire about your friend's Communist beliefs. Ask open ended questions that start with what or how , and let yourself refrain from any interruptions or judgement. Learn about communism. Communism is a theory, and when you focus on the errors of those who falsely practiced that theory, you prevent yourself from learning. Read some easy fundamental Works like "The Communist Manifesto" and "Value, Price and Profit" by Marx, but also some good Texts that show the humanistic and libertarian core of communism, like Oscar Wilde's "The Soul of Man under Socialism". Read some good introductions, like Bini Admczak's "Communism for Kids", Michael Heinrich's or David Harvey's introductions to "The Capital" or Etienne Balibar's "The Philosophy of Marx". Be careful with the sources you seek; propaganda and biased journalism exists to create fear and hate at times. Separate communism from tyranny and dictatorships. A common misconception people hold about communism is what we've seen in the past. Most countries that have attempted to execute a communist economy have resembled more of a dictatorship or a tyranny. A real communist does not support a dictatorship of rulers over the population. Consider the Marxist theory. This theory states that all governments in human history have been a class dictatorship, meaning that the state is under the command of the interests of one social class. This is why communists refer to capitalism as the "dictatorship of the bourgeoisie (capitalists)" and refer to socialism as the "dictatorship of the proletariat (workers). Modern communists refer - in according with the intention of Marx - to capitalism as the dictatorship of capital, i.e. of a blind and automatical-moving power, that was created by men but is now out of control. States are than not simply under the command of the interests of capitalists, but have to respect the rules of capitalism in order to fulfill their tasks. On the other side, "dictatorship of the workers" means the end of "dictatorship" itself and the end of classes. Marx described communism as "free association" of free individuals, in which the free developing of each one ist the condition for the free developing of all. Also against a work-fixation of traditional communists, Marx saw in communism the wind of work as a heavy and alienating task, the end of the "kingdom of necessity" and the begin of the "kingdom of freedom". Research the core beliefs of communism. Go online and read books about communism. You will not be sacrificing your own beliefs by educating yourself on the subject. You might be interested to see that communism can be made up of several differentiating political parties similar to what the United States has. Also, communism shares a lot of views that are not necessarily political; communism cares about the environment in a similar way the USA and other countries do.. Try to debunk a political theory. Achieving this by slandering the personal life of the person who supports such theory is called an ad hominem. This is a common logical fallacy so be careful. Understand your own beliefs. In order to have a good discussion, you must be informed. Learn more about your beliefs. A lot of times, our belief system can be influenced by our surroundings and become innate; however, that natural feeling towards a belief system does not always insure we will be properly informed. Moreover, politics is a huge subject that can change and present new information daily. Listen with interest and reply without sarcasm. A discussion can turn in to an argument quickly, and the best way to avoid that is by listening like a good parent or student. Listening to someone does not mean you are submitting to their beliefs. Also, when you reply, speak kindly and intelligently. We enjoy a lot of political analysts who use sharp and sarcastic delivery in both monologues and dialogues. However, all that is done for entertainment. In the real world, sarcasm is not received well by all and is taken offensively by a lot people. Leave out harsh judgments. Your friend doesn't hold communist beliefs just to anger you. If you start feeling angry during a conversation with your friend, ask yourself where the anger is coming from. It might not actually have its source in your friend's beliefs. Distinguishing your vulnerability before hand can help you avoid certain specific topics. If ever you feel the discussion may have triggered you, be kind enough to ask to change the subject. Realize you cannot impose your beliefs on others. Having a discussion with your friend is meant to open up friendship and share ideas. If you enter discussions with hopes of manipulating the conversation and influencing your friend's beliefs, then nothing well will come out of it. Ignore any thoughts of changing how your friend views the world. Even if you are passionate about the subject, that doesn't give you the right to impose upon your friend. Listen to each other. A successful dialogue happens when individuals create new ideas together. The creation and problem solving can only happen with good listening. When your friend is discussing a point, don't interrupt. Give the person time, and don't counter argue by repeatedly stating but but but ; using that word immediately negates what was just said, like it didn't even matter. If you wish to get along, you should treat each other's ideas as though they do matter. Admit when you are wrong. If discussions lead to arguments all the time, then something must be changed, and someone must be wrong. If the discussions lead to an argument that you keep bring up over and over again, chances are you can be wrong for trying to manipulate the discussion. Try to refrain from confusing facts for opinions. Facts should speak for themselves--whether you like believing them or not. Opinions are arguable, so when you feel the discussion is getting very opinion heavy, refrain from being stubborn on a certain point. Admitting you're wrong is fine around friends. If you feel admitting you are wrong is some kind of defeat or concession to your friends beliefs, then reevaluate why you have discussions with your friend. | Agree to disagree. Show respect. Focus on the better aspects in your friendship and find common ground. Support your friend if other people pick on them. Ask your friend about her or his beliefs. Learn about communism. Separate communism from tyranny and dictatorships. Consider the Marxist theory. Research the core beliefs of communism. Try to debunk a political theory. Understand your own beliefs. Listen with interest and reply without sarcasm. Leave out harsh judgments. Realize you cannot impose your beliefs on others. Listen to each other. Admit when you are wrong. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Remodel-a-House | How to Remodel a House | To remodel a house, plan on staying somewhere else during the renovations, if you can, so you can have everything worked on at once. Otherwise, you can stay at home and do the renovations one room at a time, but keep in mind that it will take longer and be more expensive. Either way, you'll want to start by coming up with a budget so you know how much you can spend on things like appliances, flooring, and plumbing. Once you've got a budget, you'll probably want to hire a contractor to help oversee all of the renovations. Additionally, if you'll be doing major structural changes, you'll need to hire an architect to help you plan those. | Look at magazines and websites to find inspiration. Do some research to get a clear vision of what you want each room to look like. Spend some time browsing design magazines and websites. Tear out pictures of ideas that you like, or digitally save images that appeal to you. Try to figure out a theme early on and stick to it. For example, think about whether you want your kitchen to be modern, traditional, or eclectic. If you admire a friend's home, ask them if they'd mind telling you where they shopped or found inspiration. Figure out your budget. Home renovations can get very expensive quickly. To avoid the stress of overspending, create a detailed budget and stick to it as closely as possible. You can contact your bank about securing a home equity loan to cover the costs. Contact professionals and visit stores to get an idea of prices. You'll want to estimate costs for items like: Appliances Flooring Lighting Plumbing Electrical work Installation costs Furniture Accessories Payment to any professionals you hire Hire an architect if you are doing major structural changes. If your renovations are simple, you might be able to handle them yourself. But if you plan on knocking down walls, adding plumbing, creating new windows, or moving a staircase, to name a few changes, you'll definitely want to work with an architect. Contact several architects to find one that you want to work with. Before you hire an architect, make sure to ask to look at their portfolio. You want to make sure that they have experience handling projects similar to yours. You should also ask for a quote about how much their work will cost. Work with an interior designer if you want help decorating. An interior designer can really bring your ideas to life. Hiring a designer is a great idea if you want someone else to shop for things like furniture and accessories. Meet with a few designers to find one that you feel comfortable with. Take some time to look through each designer's portfolio. Choose one who has created rooms that you really like. Make sure to get a quote for how much each designer's services will cost. Find a contractor if you would like someone to manage the project. Look for a general contractor if you have a large or complex project. They will supervise all workers, get the necessary building permits, and oversee all elements of the remodel. If your project is smaller, consider a specialty contractor who works on installing items like counter tops and bathroom fixtures. Whichever type of contractor you need, meet with a few candidates before hiring anyone. You should also ask for a projected budget and timeline. Ask family and friends for recommendations. You can also read online reviews to see if other customers had a positive experience. Weigh the pros and cons of a DIY renovation. Once you start pricing the services of professionals, you might be tempted to go the DIY route. Before you make that choice, consider several factors. For example, if you don't have the necessary skills, you might end up doing costly damage. Also consider your timeline. It will likely take you much longer to do the job than a professional. Decide if that is a major factor in your decision. If you decide that you want to do the work yourself, make sure that you do so safely. Do not attempt to rewire your house, for instance, if you don't have that sort of experience. However, you can paint the walls in your living room yourself without any prior experience. Don't be afraid to hire a professional only for the things you really need. For example, you might hire someone to install your appliances, but choose to decorate on your own. Make a timeline and plan to stay organized. Figure out a reasonable timeline. For example, it is unreasonable to expect a full kitchen renovation in a day. It's much more likely to take at least 2 weeks. Pick a target date, but be prepared for setbacks. For example, sometimes items you purchase might be on back order. If you hire professionals, check in with them at least once a week to check on their progress. If you are doing the work yourself, resist the urge to multitask. If you start on the bedroom before the bathroom is done, you'll end up with 2 projects, which is harder to manage than just 1 at a time. Keep your current layout for a cost-effective remodel. If you want a totally new kitchen, you might think it makes sense to do a complete overhaul. However, keeping your current layout can save you a significant amount of money. When possible, try to leave major fixtures and appliances where they are. For example, you might think it would be nice to have your sink on a different wall. But that would mean ripping out old plumbing and installing new pipes. Instead, ask yourself if you can live with just having a new sink installed in the old spot. Similarly, it can be very expensive to create new spaces for your range or wall oven. Choose granite counter tops for the most popular choice. Keep the resale value of your home in mind as you make renovations. Many buyers prefer granite counter tops, so if there is a chance you will sell or need home equity in the future, granite is the smart choice. You can choose from a variety of shades, from light to dark. Make sure to price several different cuts of granite. Oftentimes, a $25 slab will look just as good as one that costs $45. Choose laminate for a more affordable option. If you have an average sized kitchen, you can expect to pay $500-$1200 to have laminate installed. Granite would cost about $3,000-$3500. Keep in mind that they typically don't last as long as granite. Laminate likely won't last more than 10 years, while granite can last for over 100 years. Select non-name brand cabinets to stay within your budget. Cabinets can quickly become one of the most expensive parts of a remodel. Name brand cabinets cost significantly more than mid-range cabinets, but offer the same quality. What's most important is that you choose a solid wood front for the doors and drawers. Laminate particle board is cheaper, but won't hold up well. You can expect to pay between $100-$300 per square foot for cabinets, depending on the materials you select. Make sure that the shelves are made of at least.5 inches (1.3 cm) thick furniture grade plywood. Talk to your supplier about getting a warranty for your cabinets. Many will offer one. Look at a variety of appliances to find ones that fit your space and budget. Unless you are a serious chef, you probably don't need top of the line appliances. Instead, look for mid-range products that have excellent customer reviews and warranties. You can compare models online, but it might be most helpful to go to a store so that you can get a feel for what you want. Most importantly, make sure you have enough space for what you choose. Measure both your space and appliances carefully. You should look at a range of: Refrigerators Ovens Cooktops Microwaves Dishwashers The features you choose are really up to you. If you want to increase resale value, go for energy efficient appliances. These are typically quiet and cut down on electric bills. Add special features that will increase resale value. Most home buyers are looking for similar features. To make sure that you get the most money out of your remodel, consider adding some or all of the following features: Extra storage space, such as a pantry or lazy Susan Recessed lighting Tile back-splash Energy efficient appliances Identify the purpose of your remodel. Ask yourself several questions before you begin this renovation. For example, identify if you are updating to modernize the plumbing and fixtures or simply to make a style change. The former will be more expensive, so budget accordingly. Also, make sure to keep in mind what you actually need. While Jacuzzi tubs are popular, for instance, you don't need one if you don't enjoy a long soak. If you are working with a professional, ask them for advice on what sort of fixtures are most appropriate for your space. Take into account whether you want this room to stay in the same style as the rest of the house and plan accordingly. For example, if the rest of your house is ultra modern, you probably don't want to choose a rustic look for your bathroom. Choose between custom built or more affordable store-bought accessories. If you want a luxurious bathroom that is your sanctuary, custom built fixtures might be the way to go. That way, you can have the corner soaking tub and the standalone rain shower. But if you're looking for function over style, consider getting store-bought fixtures, like a bathtub. They will be much more affordable. Visit a store that sells fixtures and spend some time deciding what you want to focus on. For example, if you want a free-standing tub to be the focal point of your room, allocate extra money for that feature. Pick porcelain for a long lasting tile. Natural stone tiles have become very popular for bathroom floors and shower walls. However, if you choose porcelain as your material, you can save a lot of money. Also, porcelain is incredibly long lasting, so you'll be getting the best value for your money. Many porcelain tiles are now made to mimic the look of natural stone, so you can have the best of both worlds! Install recessed lighting to brighten up the room. Bathrooms are often small, so it's important that your lighting helps highlight the space you do have. Recessed lighting throughout the ceiling can help make the room seem brighter. Try to add 1 or 2 of these fixtures in the shower, as well. You might also want to consider some bright lighting around the mirror, which can make it easier to see any makeup you're putting on. If you can, add a window to your bathroom. This feature adds a lot of resale value. Choose a wall hung toilet for an affordable space saver. Wall mounted toilets are increasingly popular for good reason. They save a lot of space, as the tank is inside the wall. Also, the toilet is hung from the wall, leaving the floor underneath clear. This makes it a breeze to clean underneath! Keep in mind that while the toilets are relatively affordable, installation can be expensive. You might be able to DIY if you have any knowledge of plumbing. Use small tiles for a safer shower floor. Smaller tiles (about 1 inch (2.5 cm) will give you more traction. Choose smaller tiles to make your shower floor more slip-proof. You can choose tiles similar to those in your bathroom floor to create a cohesive look. Maximize space by creating several storage spaces. Because bathrooms can be small, storage space is often limited. When planning your renovation, make sure to include several separate storage areas. For example, you might include a linen closet for storing extra towels. Large medicine cabinets and under sink storage are also great ways to add storage space. Consider adding a ledge in your shower where you can store products like shampoo. Select new flooring to update the space. The floor is the part of the room that is most likely to show wear and tear. Once of the best ways to refresh a room is to install new flooring. If you've had carpet before, consider changing to hardwood or laminate floors. If you choose carpet, make sure it reflects your lifestyle. For example, white carpet probably isn't a wise choice if you have small children or a playful puppy. Visit a flooring store to look at samples and get a feel for what materials cost. For example, laminate is less expensive than actual hardwood. You could compare the 2 to see what works for you. Paint the walls to make the room feel like new. Painting is probably the easiest way to give a room new life. For a bedroom , try to stick with cool tones such as blue. This will create a soothing environment. Feel free to be creative in your living space. For example, you could have a gray room with 1 red wall to create a dramatic accent. Purchase new furniture to modernize the room. Whether you're looking for a new dining table or an updated sofa, furniture will help make your newly redone room feel like home. Spend time browsing design magazines to get a sense of what you like. If you're working with a designer, provide them with plenty of clippings before they shop. For the kitchen, look at tables, storage racks, and bar stools. You might price couches, end tables, and lamps for your living room. For the bedroom, consider headboards, dressers, and nightstands. You might want a new table or buffet for the dining room. Your furniture should fit your lifestyle. For example, if you have a large family, consider a long dining table with a bench on 1 side to accommodate several people. If you and your partner love movie night, a comfy sofa might be your priority. Accessorize the room for an easy update. If you don't have the budget for a complete remodel, add accessories to any room for an easy update. In the living room , add new picture frames, lamps, and area rugs. You could add a new end table to your bedroom. For your dining room, you might display decorative plates on the walls. To jazz up your table, add new place mats and napkins. Mirrors are a great way to make a small room look larger. To fill a large room, consider purchasing some oversize pieces, such as a long table or sectional sofa. Redesign the lighting to add mood and ambiance. Harsh overhead lights can make a room feel less homey. Try adding several table and floor lamps to a room to make it feel more welcoming. You can also add a chandelier or pendant to give your room an interesting new focal point. | Look at magazines and websites to find inspiration. Figure out your budget. Hire an architect if you are doing major structural changes. Work with an interior designer if you want help decorating. Find a contractor if you would like someone to manage the project. Weigh the pros and cons of a DIY renovation. Make a timeline and plan to stay organized. Keep your current layout for a cost-effective remodel. Choose granite counter tops for the most popular choice. Select non-name brand cabinets to stay within your budget. Look at a variety of appliances to find ones that fit your space and budget. Add special features that will increase resale value. Identify the purpose of your remodel. Choose between custom built or more affordable store-bought accessories. Pick porcelain for a long lasting tile. Install recessed lighting to brighten up the room. Choose a wall hung toilet for an affordable space saver. Use small tiles for a safer shower floor. Maximize space by creating several storage spaces. Select new flooring to update the space. Paint the walls to make the room feel like new. Purchase new furniture to modernize the room. Accessorize the room for an easy update. Redesign the lighting to add mood and ambiance. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Unit-Plan | How to Write a Unit Plan | Before you write a unit plan, start by writing clear goals for what you want your students to get from the unit. Then go online to get a standard unit planning template, which can help you work through a plan to meet those goals. One thing you'll need to do is look at the learning standards for your state, and figure out in your plan which lessons should address which standards. You'll also want to outline the major concepts to be covered and decide how much time you can spend on each concept, given the unit's time frame. | Adopt unit plans to create connections for your students. At its most basic level, unit planning ensures you are linking each lesson plan to the next. As you develop a unit plan you'll support key concepts and learning goals with a carefully mapped structure. Use unit planning to weave key concepts and learning goals together over time and between or among disciplines. Consider overlapping lessons with fellow instructors to provide longer spans of time for study and practice. Diversify your instructional approach to help meet the needs of more students. You may use unit plans within your specific course. Unit plans are also an excellent way to forge interdisciplinary connections. Developing a multi-lesson unit structure provides you with a framework for presenting overarching themes in a variety of ways. Students with diverse learning styles will benefit, and you will be able to explore different ways of teaching without veering off course or running short on time. Plan for longer periods of time so you're forced to pace yourself. Planning out several units over the course of a term, or even the entire year, will help you recognize what you can and cannot accomplish during a given period of time. Once you've recognized your limitations you can prioritize key concepts and learning goals. Map units to provide yourself with clear guidelines. Understanding your broad goals gives you the freedom to have fun developing unique and engaging lessons that will help your students meet these goals. Define your objectives. Writing a clear goal for each lesson and activity will help focus the learning of your students and your teaching. For example, if you're planning a history unit on the Great Depression, you may want students to understand 1) the root causes of the Great Depression; 2) the efforts taken by Herbert Hoover to address the Depression; 3) the accomplishments of Franklin Roosevelt and the New Deal; 4) challenges to the emerging New Deal order; and 5) the influence of World War II in ending the Depression. Use these five goals to plan lessons and activities that will meet these goals. Follow a standard template for preparing a unit. Normally, these begin with objectives, but also include standards addressed, materials, lessons, assessments, resources, and accommodations for all learners in the classroom. The templates provided at the end of this article may be useful for course planning. Survey your resources. Take some time to review what resources are already available to you. Often, there are good resources already in use and taking the time to use a previous lesson or learning methodology will save a lot of time in the long run. Consult experienced fellow teachers; many times they will be willing to share plans and ideas. Study the state standards and become knowledgeable about the actual content/subject matter of your unit plan. Forty-two states and the District of Columbia use the Common Core State Standards, with Alaska, Indiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia retaining different systems. You will be held accountable for meeting these standards; clearly understanding how your unit addresses state standards will make it easier for you and your school to report on outcomes. List in sequential order the major concepts in outline form to be clear on what concepts you are planning to teach within a given time frame. This exercise will help you understand how much material you can realistically fit into a unit and how you should allocate your time. Remember to leave room for adjustment. You may find that in practice, a given concept takes more or less time to convey than anticipated. If, for example, you have four weeks to address the five Great Depression unit goals outlined above, you may opt to begin with three lessons on the Depression's root causes and end with two focused upon the influence of World War II in ending the Depression. In between, you might allocate roughly a week to each of the other three goals, but leave a "float" day or two built into the schedule. Plan supplemental assignments for "float" days that, while enriching, are not required material for meeting state standards. You'll be well-prepared if you do need the lessons, but you'll retain the capacity to sacrifice this material in favor of spending an extra day on a key learning goal. Plan and create your assessment tools. After reviewing what resources you can pull from, creating a diversity of assessment tools to evaluate learning is next. Both formative and summative measures should be in place to ensure a broad evaluation of the objectives is met by all students. Formative assessments monitor student learning to provide ongoing feedback. These tools help you understand how well students are grasping course material so you can make adjustments as you go. Formative assessments typically have little or no point value -- they are meant as a check for the instructor and not as an assessment of student performance. A formative assessment tool for our Great Depression example might be a request that students submit two key points gleaned from a lecture on the First Hundred Days of the New Deal. Summative assessments evaluate student learning and are typically given at the end of an instructional unit. These tools typically have high point value as they do gauge student performance. A summative assessment tool for our Great Depression example might be a research paper on a topic of the student's choosing. Pick and choose the lessons. Given the time and the needs of your students, select what fits their learning styles and approaches that will garner their curiosity and interest. Variety will ensure that diverse needs are met. Our unit on the Great Depression, for example, might mix periodic lectures with examination of primary source documents, conversations about images of the Dust Bowl, audio recordings of some of Franklin Roosevelt's "Fireside Chats," and viewing of the film The Grapes of Wrath. Have benchmarks in place. Once the unit has begun, have benchmarks to maneuver through the unit. This will help keep you on track for time and ensure that learning objectives are being met. Formative assessments can provide useful benchmarks. Plan points at which you will commit to move onto new material even if student understanding remains incomplete. Spending too much time on one segment of your unit sacrifices the others. Start your unit planning by considering your goals for the year. Starting with your broadest "road map" will provide important insight into how you should allocate your time. What state standards are you required to fulfill in this course? What are your district's course curriculum requirements? What are your students' specific needs and learning styles? Consider broad factors such as demographics and past assessment data, but also trust your instincts as you consider the dynamics of your student population. A broad "road map" allows you to circumvent common pitfalls such as running short on instructional time. When planning a post-Civil War U.S. history course, for example, if you begin with the understanding that you'll end the course in 2001 you can plot out a series of units that will enable you to reach that goal. Develop a series of essential questions that will guide your students toward understanding of course content. These questions will form the superstructure of your course content. Identify key content, skills, and vocabulary. What will your students need to know when they exit your course? Develop ways of assessing your students to determine whether they are learning this information. Remember to diversify your assessment tools; some students will respond better to certain forms of assessment than others. Design a structure that will place these essential questions in a proper learning sequence. Now you have your units, and can focus upon specific lesson plans. Determine what materials you'll need to properly teach these concepts and skills. Refer back to your superstructure as you plan distinct units. Remember to leave room for adjustment; some units will proceed more smoothly than others. Generally speaking, however, too much preparation is better than not enough -- plan with the understanding that you may need to trim extra detail. A wise approach will focus on key concepts and then supplement with supporting material that can be sacrificed if necessary. Work with fellow teachers to meet key standards and goals across disciplines. One of the greatest benefits of unit planning is the latitude it offers for developing interdisciplinary strategies to meet student needs. By planning ahead, you'll set a structure in place that gives students the opportunity to view broad concepts from many different angles. A history teacher undertaking a unit on the Great Depression, for example, may opt to combine forces with an instructor in a related field such as economics or political science. He or she could also travel further afield and coordinate lessons with a science instructor. The history of the Dust Bowl will gain new life from the scientific insight a biology or earth sciences instructor brings, while the science teacher's students will better understand soil science, erosion, and air currents due to the context provided by their study of Dust Bowl history. Find useful partners. A good interdisciplinary relationship will involve two or more instructors eager to work together to meet student needs. Ensure your colleague(s) will contribute similarly to the overall unit planning workload. Think creatively about how your disciplines overlap. Scientific research, for example, includes research, reading, and writing -- all hallmarks of English and language arts instruction. If you are a language arts teacher, consider coordinating with your school's biology teacher to coordinate lessons on research and analytical writing with a unit that will require students to write a research report on invertebrates. History or social studies teachers may coordinate with language arts instructors so students are studying the history of the Civil War at the same time they read The Red Badge of Courage. Following our Dust Bowl example, a science instructor's lesson on meteorology and air currents could lead to a predictive study of where students expect dust might have blown during the 1930s. The students might then share this information with their history teacher and determine the accuracy of their predictions. When embarking upon an interdisciplinary unit, ensure you coordinate assessment tools as well as lesson plans. Our imaginary science teacher and history instructor would need to be in communication with each other to determine how well their instruction was translating into important learning outcomes. Expand your students' exposure to key concepts and learning goals. Interdisciplinary coordination can provide your students with longer spans of class time for study and practice. Working together may allow you to spend multiple periods one day focused upon a larger-scale science project, while another day you'll use extra time on a language arts component of the interdisciplinary plan. Approaching the same subject from different angles helps students view concepts in a broader context. Instead of seeing that invertebrate report in isolation, they will understand it as a way to put broader research and writing skills into practice. Students who feel more confident in one subject than another gain the advantage of recognizing the links between their area of confidence and the skills they've previously found challenging. | Adopt unit plans to create connections for your students. Diversify your instructional approach to help meet the needs of more students. Plan for longer periods of time so you're forced to pace yourself. Map units to provide yourself with clear guidelines. Define your objectives. Follow a standard template for preparing a unit. Survey your resources. Study the state standards and become knowledgeable about the actual content/subject matter of your unit plan. List in sequential order the major concepts in outline form to be clear on what concepts you are planning to teach within a given time frame. Plan and create your assessment tools. Pick and choose the lessons. Have benchmarks in place. Start your unit planning by considering your goals for the year. Develop a series of essential questions that will guide your students toward understanding of course content. Refer back to your superstructure as you plan distinct units. Work with fellow teachers to meet key standards and goals across disciplines. Find useful partners. Think creatively about how your disciplines overlap. Expand your students' exposure to key concepts and learning goals. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Into-the-London-School-of-Economics | How to Get Into the London School of Economics | The London School of Economics is one of the world's leading universities for social sciences. Due to the university's prestige, entry requirements are naturally very high. For undergraduate programs, you'll need A to A plus grades in your A-levels or International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. If you're an international student, you'll need to speak fluent English, since your course will be taught in English. You'll also need to stand out from the crowd as an ambitious, gifted, and hard-working student. You can demonstrate these qualities in your Universities and Colleges Admissions Service application, where you'll have to write a personal statement explaining why you're suitable for your course. This is also an opportunity to detail your knowledge, experience, and passion for your subject. Additionally, you'll need an academic reference from a teacher to support your application. | Form relationships with mentors familiar with LSE or your field. Networking can help put you a step ahead of other applicants. Reach out to teachers with expertise in subjects that interest you most. Ask them about career paths, programs of study, and for advice about choosing and applying to universities. For instance, if you're interested in politics, talk to your contemporary history or politics instructor. Tell them you're interested in a career in politics, and ask them about practical applications that involve your interests. If you know anyone who went to LSE, such as a teacher or family friend, pick their brain about the university's culture and application process. Try to form long-term career goals. You don't have to stress about planning out your entire life when you're still a teenager. However, it helps to have an idea of what you want to do and which programs of study will help you achieve your goals. Reflect on your interests, ask your mentors for advice, and choose career options related to your passions. Suppose you're interested in economics and history, and love volunteering to tutor younger students. You could specialize in economic history or a similar program, pursue graduate studies, and become a college professor. Research LSE and potential programs as much as possible. Every university has a unique culture, and every admissions department has its own set of standards. Dig deep into LSE's website to learn about life there and what kind of students they accept. Spend as much time as possible reading about LSE programs of study, which each have a website packed with information. You'll apply to a specific program at LSE, and you'll need to demonstrate your knowledge of that program in your personal statement. The more you research that program, the better your chance of creating a competitive personal statement. Participate in activities that relate your academic interests. Extracurricular activities can make you a more rounded applicant. LSE prioritizes activities that help hone skills relevant to your intended program of study or long-term career goals. Leadership roles, such as the president of a club or student government, can also help give you an edge over other candidates. If you're interested in international relations, model UN would be a great activity. A future business leaders club, math club, debate team, and tutoring other students are all activities that look great on applications. Meet or exceed LSE's academic requirements. LSE's academic standards are rigid. Typically, successful applicants earn A to A+ marks on the General Certificate of Education (GCE) A-level or International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IB). LSE evaluates candidates based on a host of other criteria, so keep in mind excellent grades won't guarantee entry. If you're an international student, LSE provides nation-specific academic requirements. Choose a program of study. When you fill out the UCAS (Universities and College Admissions Service) application, you'll need to enter your intended LSE program. Choose a specialization that motivates you, and take the time to thoroughly research it. In your personal statement, you'll need to explain why you want to enroll in that program at LSE. Your program might have additional application requirements, such as a writing sample. Check your potential program's website for specific requirements. From Economic History to Politics and Philosophy, there are 40 undergraduate programs at LSE. Find a complete list of undergraduate programs here: http://www.lse.ac.uk/Programmes/Search-Courses?query&f.Study+Type%7Ctype=undergraduate. Craft a personal statement that conveys passion for your program. You'll enter your personal statement into a field on the UCAS application. At least 80% of your statement should focus on your academic interests and why you've chosen your program of study. Be specific, clear, and demonstrate that you are knowledgeable about your field and how your chose program functions. For instance, don't write, “It's always been my dream to study at LSE. I love history, and I've always wanted to become a historian. I especially love ancient Rome.” This example is informal, isn't specific, and LSE doesn't have an ancient history program. A well-crafted personal statement might include statements such as, "My fascination with complex systems laid the foundation for my decision to specialize in modern economic analysis. During my internship with HSBC, I witnessed firsthand how the interaction of myriad variables weaves the fabric of our global economic tapestry." Choose a reference who's familiar with your academic and personal achievements. You'll enter your reference's professional email address on the UCAS application, and they'll be asked to write you a recommendation. Your reference should be a tutor or teacher who knows you academically and personally. Be sure to ask them before you submit their information on UCAS. They'll need to describe your academic achievements and articulate that you are able to surpass LSE's rigorous standards. It's okay to be nervous about asking someone to be your reference. The most important thing is to give your reference plenty of time to draft a recommendation. Ask them at least a month before you submit your application. Register with UCAS and submit your application before the deadline. You'll need to enter your personal details, education history, reference, personal statement, and other information on the UCAS application. LSE does not accept undergraduate applications mailed to the school. The deadline for 2018 entry is January 15, 2018; the deadline for 2019 is January 15, 2019. Avoid waiting until the last minute. Try to submit your application as soon as possible. Register and submit your application here: https://www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/register. Track your application and wait around 8 weeks for a decision. After submitting your application, you can track its status on the UCAS website. You'll be notified of a decision by March 31 of the year you've applied. If you don't make it through the initial assessment, you'll receive notice within 2 to 3 weeks. Take the UGAA, if necessary. Competitive students with unconventional qualifications, such as certain international diplomas, are asked to sit for an Undergraduate Admissions Assessment (UGAA). It's typically used to evaluate students who don't have sufficient standardized test scores. LSE will let you know the location of your closest authorized test center. The test is required for anyone asked to take it. A passing grade doesn't guarantee entry. Submit your application and supporting documents on the LSE website. Graduate applications are processed through the graduate studies page on the LSE website. You'll enter your personal information into the application form and upload your supporting documents through the web portal. Register and complete your application here: https://evision.lse.ac.uk/urd/sits.urd/run/siw_ipp_lgn.login?process=siw_ipp_app&code1=ONLINEAPP&code2=2018. Upload a scanned copy of your official transcript. Get an official copy of your undergraduate transcript from your alma mater. Scan it and upload the digital copy onto the application portal. Standards for undergraduate marks are high. If you studied in the United States, you'll need a GPA between 3.5 and 4.0 out of 4.0. Choose 2 academic references. Your references should be professors who are well-versed in your undergraduate academic performance. Good choices include your thesis chair or academic adviser. Ask them ahead of time, then submit their professional email addresses on the graduate application. Write a clear, concise, and specific personal statement. Similar to an undergraduate application, your graduate personal statement should focus on your program of study. However, it needs to be even more specific. You need to demonstrate that you have a solid foundation in your chosen field and know exactly what your research will encompass. Find a list of graduate programs here: http://www.lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse/Graduate/Available-programmes. Summarize your professional experience in a CV. You'll upload a digital copy of your CV on the application portal. A competitive CV (curriculum vitae) includes work history that relates to your program of interest. Relevant internships and other experience can help put you ahead of the game. Submit any supporting documents required by your program. Your program might require GRE or GMAT scores, a research proposal, a sample of written work, or other additional documents. Check your chosen program's website for guidelines. You'll still submit any additional documents on the graduate application portal. Track your application and wait for a decision. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so there's no specific deadline. You'll be able to track your application on the LSE website after submitting it. You should get your decision within 6 months. Check LSE's educational requirements for your nation. LSE provides requirements for nations across the globe. Find your nation's required educational qualifications here: http://www.lse.ac.uk/study/informationForInternationalStudents/countryRegion/Home.aspx For example, a United States diploma alone isn't sufficient. You'd need to complete 5 AP courses in order to meet LSE's education requirements. Meet English language requirements. If English isn't your first language, you'll need to demonstrate your English fluency. LSE accepts several qualifications, including the International and European Baccalaureates, GSCE in English, and the TOEFL Test. Make sure your reference attests to your ability to live abroad. In addition to discussing your academic credentials, your reference must also convey that you can adapt to life in another country. Ask your reference to include this information in their recommendation. Tell your reference about experiences that have prepared you for life abroad, such as trips you've taken by yourself or a summer school program you completed in another country. If English isn't your first language, your reference should also mention your English fluency. Assemble your UCAS or graduate application. International students complete undergraduate and graduate applications just like UK residents. File an undergraduate application through UCAS, and submit a graduate application through the LSE website. Include all required supporting documents and, if applicable, submit your application before the deadline. Apply for a Tier 4 Visa upon acceptance. You'll need your acceptance offer to apply for a student visa. File your application on the UK visa website: https://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/home/welcome. You'll then book an appointment to submit your application at an authorized visa center. | Form relationships with mentors familiar with LSE or your field. Try to form long-term career goals. Research LSE and potential programs as much as possible. Participate in activities that relate your academic interests. Meet or exceed LSE's academic requirements. Choose a program of study. Craft a personal statement that conveys passion for your program. Choose a reference who's familiar with your academic and personal achievements. Register with UCAS and submit your application before the deadline. Track your application and wait around 8 weeks for a decision. Take the UGAA, if necessary. Submit your application and supporting documents on the LSE website. Upload a scanned copy of your official transcript. Choose 2 academic references. Write a clear, concise, and specific personal statement. Summarize your professional experience in a CV. Submit any supporting documents required by your program. Track your application and wait for a decision. Check LSE's educational requirements for your nation. Meet English language requirements. Make sure your reference attests to your ability to live abroad. Assemble your UCAS or graduate application. Apply for a Tier 4 Visa upon acceptance. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Reduce-Excess-Stomach-Acid | How to Reduce Excess Stomach Acid | To reduce excess stomach acid, try drinking an herbal tea like ginger or chamomile. Avoid caffeinated drinks, spicy foods, citrus fruits, and sauces with vinegar, which can make your symptoms worse. Instead, eat a balanced, healthy diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meat. Try to eat your meals slowly to help your body digest the food, and avoid large portions, which can lead to bloating. If your symptoms don't improve after a few days, visit your doctor so they can prescribe you medication. | See a doctor if necessary. If you make the lifestyle changes suggested above but see no change in symptoms, it's time to see a doctor. Long-term GERD can cause esophageal injury and is associated with other severe health problems. Prolonged inflammation and repeated injury can also increase the risk of developing esophageal cancer. Don't hesitate to seek medical treatment if lifestyle changes don't fix your stomach acid issues. Ask your doctor for medication recommendations. Medical treatment for GERD is broken down according to severity of symptoms. Many of medications are available over-the-counter (OTC). You should still consult your doctor to ensure a proper treatment regimen. If he or she can write you a prescription for an OTC medication, you might even be able to get it covered by insurance. Follow the dosage and timing instructions carefully for each different drug to prevent potentially severe side effects. For mild to moderate GERD: Take antacids as needed (Tums, Maalox) to neutralize acid if your symptoms occur once weekly or less. They provide relief within minutes, but only last for about one hour. Take surface agents (sucralfate/Carafate) to protect esophageal and stomach lining and promote healing. Take histamine 2 receptor antagonists (Zantac, Pepcid) to decrease acid secretion. For severe or frequent (2 or more episodes per week) GERD: take proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole, lansoprazole, esomeprazole, pantoprazole, dexlansoprazole, rabeprazole) to prevent acid secretion in the stomach. Some of these are available OTC, and the standard dose is one pill daily for 8 weeks. Side effects include: bacterial infections and diarrhea, anemia and osteoporosis, and interactions with other medications. Discuss the option of an endoscopy. In a screening upper endoscopy, doctors use a camera on a flexible tube to look at the throat, esophagus, and stomach. During the procedure, they might take biopsies to assess inflammation, check for H. pylori (a type of bacteria), and rule out cancer. Discuss whether your symptoms call for an endoscopy with your doctor. Be open to surgery if your doctor recommends it. Rarely, GERD symptoms don't respond to any medications, in which case you may need surgery. One surgical approach (fundoplication) wraps the upper part of the stomach around the esophagus, then sews it in place to reinforce the esophageal opening. A second approach wraps a string of magnetized beads around the point where the esophagus meets the stomach. This closes the lower esophagus, but lets it expand when swallowing so food can get through. Young people who will suffer from life-long GERD symptoms can also consider surgery. Try natural remedies. There hasn't been much research done on natural remedies for acid reflux. Though these remedies aren't fully accepted by the medical or scientific communities, they may help relieve symptoms: Baking soda - ½ to 1 teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water may help to neutralize stomach acid Aloe vera - drinking aloe juice may sooth the burning sensation Ginger or chamomile tea - these are thought to reduce stress, relieve nausea, and help with digestion Licorice and Caraway are both herbs that many suggest may help symptoms DGL (Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice Root Extract) chewable tablets: a supplement available at most health food stores Mastic (Arabic gum): a supplement available at most health food stores Avoid debunked natural therapies. You may have heard that peppermint can help with acid reflux, but studies show that peppermint oil actually makes it worse. Another common belief is that milk can relieve symptoms. While it's true that milk will neutralize stomach acid for a little while, it stimulates more acid production in the long run. Increase your salivation. Studies suggest that increased salivation can neutralize stomach acid. You can increase your salivation by chewing gum or sucking on lozenges. Just make sure they're sugar-free to prevent high calorie intake. Consider getting acupuncture. It might look scary, but studies have shown that acupuncture can improve symptoms of regurgitation and heartburn. The mechanism at play here isn't fully understood, scientifically, though. Eat a balanced, healthy diet. In general, a balanced diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat/fat free dairy. It also includes lean (low-fat) proteins, such as poultry, fish, and beans. Your diet should also be low in saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, sodium (salt), and added sugars. The USDA has many resources available to learn more about how to create a balanced diet. Achieve and maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI). In medical terms, a healthy weight is defined by something called a body mass index (BMI). The BMI estimates your appropriate weight range according to height and sex. A normal BMI is 18.5-24.9. BMIs below 18.5 are underweight, from 25.0-29.9 are overweight, and above 30.0 are obese. Use a BMI calculator to find out your BMI. Adjust your diet and exercise to bring your BMI into the "normal" range. Count calories to lose or maintain weight. Checking nutrition labels for calories is a simple and efficient way to manage your weight. Make sure you stay within the recommended calorie range for your dietary needs every single day. You can estimate your daily calories needs by multiplying your weight in pounds by 10. So, if you weight 180 lbs, you should eat 1800 calories daily to maintain your weight. Note that this number can vary depending on your gender, age, and daily activity level. For a more accurate number, use a calorie calculator. The healthiest rate to lose weight is at about one pound per week. A pound of fat is about 3500 calories, so decrease your daily intake by 500 calories. (500 calories x 7 days/week = 3500 calories/7 days = 1 lb/week). Use a calorie tracking website or phone app to help keep track of what you're eating. Avoid eating large portions. Eat meals slowly, and take small, thoroughly chewed bites for efficient digestion. Large, poorly chewed bites will add to how much time it takes for your stomach to break down food. You'll over-eat as a result. Eating quickly can also make you swallow too much air, which can lead to bloating. It can take up to 20 minutes for your stomach to signal your brain that you are full. Because of this, people who eat quickly tend to over-eat. Avoid foods that make GERD symptoms worse. Unfortunately, there are no specific foods that have been scientifically proven to cure GERD. You can, however, avoid foods that have been shown to make it worse: Caffeinated drinks (coffee, tea, soda) Caffeine-like chemicals (chocolate, peppermint) Alcohol Spicy foods (hot peppers, curry, hot mustards) Acidic foods (citrus fruits, tomatoes, sauces and dressings that have vinegar) Large amounts of foods that cause bloating and gas (cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, legumes, dairy, and high-fat foods) Sugar or sugary foods Maintain a regular exercise schedule. The American Heart Association recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate activity at least 5 days per week. Or, you can combine 25 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity 3 days a week with moderate- to high-intensity muscle-strengthening twice a week. If that sounds like more than you can manage, something is always better than nothing! Do your best to get as much exercise as you can. Even going for a short walk is better than sitting on the couch! The more calories you burn through exercise, the more calories you can eat! Many calorie-tracking programs help you keep track of how exercise affects how much you can eat on a day-to-day basis. Avoid straining or exercising vigorously, especially shortly after eating. Depending on the size and type of meal, your stomach takes 3-5 hours to digest and empty its contents. To avoid reflux, let most of that time pass or eat smaller meals before participating in such activities. Don't lay down after eating. Laying down after a meal can exacerbate the symptoms of GERD. Wait 2 hours after a meal before lying down or going to sleep. Elevating the head of your bed may also help reduce GERD symptoms at night. Avoid bad habits that make symptoms worse. If you smoke or use any other tobacco products, you should quit as soon as possible. Alcohol can also make acid reflux worse, so either cut it out of your diet or cut back significantly. Finally, avoid lying down soon after eating. If you can't do that, try sleeping with your head elevated by several pillows. | See a doctor if necessary. Ask your doctor for medication recommendations. Discuss the option of an endoscopy. Be open to surgery if your doctor recommends it. Try natural remedies. Avoid debunked natural therapies. Increase your salivation. Consider getting acupuncture. Eat a balanced, healthy diet. Achieve and maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI). Count calories to lose or maintain weight. Avoid eating large portions. Avoid foods that make GERD symptoms worse. Maintain a regular exercise schedule. Avoid straining or exercising vigorously, especially shortly after eating. Don't lay down after eating. Avoid bad habits that make symptoms worse. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Hold-a-Handstand | How to Hold a Handstand | To hold your handstand longer, make sure you kick all the way up with your non-dominant foot, so that your body is straight, not bent. You should also squeeze your legs and glutes to create stability. To make sure your base is as stable as possible, keep your shoulders over your hands and locked tight by your ears. If you need to keep your balance, try shifting your weight through your fingers and palms, or walk forward and back on your hands to counteract your swaying. To pinpoint what exactly you can do to improve your form, try filming yourself. | Get into your handstand using the proper technique. The first thing to do if you want to be able to hold your handstand is to use proper technique when you get into the handstand position. If you don't start off with a strong foundation, it will be difficult to hold your handstand for very long. Here's what you will have to do: Stand up straight with your arms up over your head, as if they are glued to your ears. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart. Step forward with your dominant leg. Think of this as being halfway in the lunge position. Tip your body forward while keeping your back straight. Your non-dominant leg should go up first. Plant your hands down on the ground, shoulder width apart. Lift your dominant leg all the way up to meet your non-dominant leg. Straighten your legs and keep your back and body straight. Make sure to kick all the way up. One way to hold your handstand longer is to make sure that you kick all the way up with your non-dominant foot when you begin the handstand. Most people think that they're kicking up all the way when they go into the handstand, when in fact, they're only going up about 80-85% percent of the way. This is because they get scared that they're going to fall forward. However, if you aim to kick all the way up so that your body is straight, or even so that your feet are kicked up over your body a bit, it'll be much easier to stay straight or to adjust your body a bit than if you did not kick up enough. Have someone film you doing a handstand or just watch you do it to tell you if you're really kicking up as much as you can. You can also practice doing a handstand about a foot in front of a wall, so that the worst thing that will happen if you kick up too much is that you touch the wall with the tips of your feet. This will also give you a better sense of how far up you can really kick. Press your fingers into the ground to maintain a strong grip on the ground. You may think that all of the power lies in your wrists, when in fact, what's most important is that you press into your palms and the pads of your fingers to gain your strength, almost as if you're pushing the floor away while gripping it at the same time. If you put all the pressure in your wrists, then you're likely to injure yourself while also making it much more difficult for yourself to stay balanced. If you put too much pressure in your wrists, then you will lose your balance and fall back on your feet. Shift your weight on your fingers and hands to stay balanced. The trick to holding a handstand isn't staying perfectly still once you get your body up there, but in knowing how to use your body to adjust in small ways to keep your balance. One way you can hold your handstand is to counteract the way your body is moving with your hands. If your legs are falling forward, over your head, then you can press into your fingertips a bit more to help move your body back to center. If you feel yourself falling down to the standing position, then you can press a bit more into the bottom of your palms to adjust your body to be straight again. You can also even walk on your hands slightly to counteract the direction your body is falling. If your legs are falling over your head, you can walk your hands forward slightly; if your body is falling backward, then you can move your hands back down a bit. If you feel your body listing to the side, move your hands over to that side. Use your hands to balance the direction of your body, and you'll be able to hold the handstand for longer. Avoid arching your back. Another thing you want to avoid is arching your back. Not only can this cause injury, but it can lead you to fall forward, because arching your back will make your legs move over your head. Instead, focus on keeping the part of your body from your shoulders to your waist straight. You may not think you're arching your back when you really are, so you can ask a friend or a spotter to check for you. Keep your toes pointed. Keeping your toes pointed will keep your body balanced and will keep your feet fully in line with your back and body. If your feet are flexed, it'll be harder to control them, and they'll be more likely to fall over your head a bit. Instead, focus on keeping nice, pointed toes from the moment you get up into the handstand until the second you come down. Squeeze your butt. Another thing you can do to hold your handstand is to squeeze the muscles in your butt, so that your butt is flexed while you do the handstand. This will keep your strength centered and will make it easier for you to maintain control over your handstand. You can practice doing this when you're standing up, first, to get the hang of it before you go into a full-on handstand. If you've forgotten to squeeze your butt, you can do it once you're in your handstand and feel yourself losing balance. Squeeze your legs together. Another thing you can do to hold your handstand is to make sure to squeeze your legs together. Ideally, there should be no or very little space between your legs, and they should be parallel to each other. Keeping your legs together can keep you from letting one leg fall over or fall down, leading you to lose your balance. However, you can also keep your balance by putting your legs into the splits — but that should be purposeful. Remember to breathe. A lot of people freeze up when they go into the handstand position, because they get nervous or want to hold their concentration. When this happens, many people forget to breathe and just let out all of their oxygen. Well, if you don't do this, you won't stay up there for long, and you'll be making it much more likely for yourself to get dizzy. Make sure to take nice deep breaths, in and out, using your diaphragm, and focusing on breathing just as much as you focus on keeping your body straight. If you breathe purposefully, you'll feel in control of your body, and you'll feel like holding a handstand is much more manageable. In yoga, for example, purposeful breathing is the key to any pose, especially the handstand. Keep your arms locked by your ears. You should check to make sure that your arms are locked by your ears. If they're too far apart, not parallel, or even too far above or below your ears, then it'll be hard to hold your handstand for very long. The next time you do a handstand, check to make sure that your hands have the proper form. This can help you maintain your handstand for longer. Keep your shoulders over your hands. Another thing you should do if you want to hold your handstand is to make sure that you've kept your shoulders over your hands. Having your shoulders over your hands can help you maintain your balance, and ensure that your body is pretty much in a straight line, from your arms all the way down to your legs. Most people tend to place their hands a little bit above their shoulders when they do a handstand, so you should be vigilant about keeping them in line. Do a split to stay balanced. Some people think it's harder to stay up if they keep their legs together and instead prefer to put their legs in the split position in order to maintain their balance. If you have one leg over your head and one leg behind it, it can be easier for you to shift your balance by moving one leg slightly down or the other leg slightly up to keep your body even. Sometimes holding a handstand with both feet together can be a bit of a challenge because both of your legs feel “stuck” together, and they tend to fall or stay up as a unit, which can make it harder to control your balance. Practice doing your handstand against a wall. Another thing you can do to practice holding your handstand is to do it against a wall. Leave about half a foot to a foot of space between you and the wall, and kick fully up into your handstand, so that you know you have some support if you fall over. If your legs fall forward too much and touch the wall, just gently push them away from it again. This can help you gain confidence in holding your handstand and can show you that nothing bad will happen if you fall out of it. Practicing against a wall can also be more efficient because you don't have to start from scratch every time you fall over; if your feet touch the wall, you can just lightly kick them back up over your head instead of falling down. Try doing a vertical caterpillar. Crouch down next to a wall, facing away from the wall. Walk your hands forwards as far as you can reach. walk your feet up the wall as high as they can go. Walk your hands up closer to the wall. Walk your feet up again. Hold this for as long as you can. It will improve your arm strength and your abs. Practice basic skills on a balance beam. If you're a gymnast, then you should already be familiar with the balance beam. You don't have to practice a handstand on the balance beam to improve your balance. In fact, just walking on the balance beam, standing on one leg at a time, pivoting, or even doing a cartwheel on it, or a round-off off of it, can get you more in touch with your balance, and can help you see how to move your body to stabilize your position. Just spending an hour a week on a balance beam can really work wonders on your balance, whether you're a gymnast or not. If you're not a gymnast, then you can practice balancing on a narrow surface, such as a concrete bench, as long as you have enough room to move safely. Build up your arm strength. You may have a hard time holding a handstand simply because you lack arm strength. Your biceps, triceps, and forearms are crucial for holding up your body weight and helping you maintain a strong handstand. If you want to build up your arm strength, you can try a number of exercises in order to make them strong. Here are a few exercises you can try: Holding a handstand against a wall for 10 seconds, for 5 repetitions at a time. Holding a handstand against a wall and doing shoulder touches. Hold your handstand, and then lift up one arm quickly and touch the shoulder on the same side of your body with it. Then, repeat this with your other hand. Do this about 10 times on each side for 2 repetitions. The plank position. The plank position is a yoga pose and is the starting position for the push-up. Get on the ground and push up through your palms, so that your back and legs remain straight, and hold the position for at least 10 seconds. Repeat this 3 times or transition into doing 2 sets of 5 push-ups. Build up your core strength. Your core, or your abs, is essential to holding a handstand, as well as maintaining any balancing pose. If you want to be able to hold a handstand, you can work on strengthening your core so you have a more solid foundation to work with. You can work on doing a daily arm and core workout to get stronger for your handstands. Here are some exercises you can try to build up your core: The basic sit-up. Simply lie on your back, raise your knees, cross your arms over your chest, and reach up toward your knees, and then back down to your back. Do 2 sets of 20. The banana. For this exercise, you can lie on your back, lifting your hands up over your head and raising them a few inches off the ground while doing the same with your feet, until your body is in a “banana” shape. Hold this position for 10 seconds and repeat this exercise once. The bicycle. Get on the floor with your hands behind your head and neck, and “cycle” your legs up in the air. Raise your elbow to the opposite knee as it moves toward your head, and repeat with the other elbow. Do the bicycle for 30 seconds at a time. | Get into your handstand using the proper technique. Make sure to kick all the way up. Press your fingers into the ground to maintain a strong grip on the ground. Shift your weight on your fingers and hands to stay balanced. Avoid arching your back. Keep your toes pointed. Squeeze your butt. Squeeze your legs together. Remember to breathe. Keep your arms locked by your ears. Keep your shoulders over your hands. Do a split to stay balanced. Practice doing your handstand against a wall. Try doing a vertical caterpillar. Practice basic skills on a balance beam. Build up your arm strength. Build up your core strength. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-an-Intrusive,-Needy-Mother-in-Law | How to Deal With an Intrusive, Needy Mother in Law | To deal with an intrusive, needy mother-in-law, set healthy boundaries that you and your spouse agree on. If your mother-in-law tends to pop over unannounced, tell her that you have a “call ahead” policy for all guests to make sure it's a convenient time for a visit. Explaining that you ask everyone to do this can help you avoid conflict. When planning visits, use specific times and dates, like telling her “You can come over for lunch at noon, but we have to run errands around 3.” Another way to keep healthy boundaries is to avoid accepting or lending money, which can lead to power struggles and conflicts. If your spouse doesn't help you enforce these rules, remind them that they have to have your back. | Learn to pick your battles. It's not worth getting upset every time your mother-in-law asks about something personal or gets on your nerves. Try to stay calm and ignore minor grievances. Save your energy for when she oversteps boundaries in more significant ways. For example, if you had her over for dinner and she says, “Well the chicken's alright, but I would have seasoned it more,” just let it slide. Tell her, “Thanks for the tip!” Enforce your boundaries calmly and firmly when necessary. Stick up for yourself, but don't be disrespectful or shout. When you need to tell her to back down, try to keep your tone neutral and matter-of-fact. Do your best to keep your cool to avoid escalating the conflict. Suppose she keeps asking about personal topics, such as why you don't go to her place of worship or how many exes you have. Tell her, “I'd rather not discuss that topic. Let's talk about something else.” If she comes over without calling ahead, tell her, “Now isn't a good time. We've talked about calling ahead to make sure it's convenient, and you'll have to come over another time.” Assert your authority politely if she tries to run your home. If she tends to take over whenever she visits your home, ask her to sit and relax. Thank her for wanting to help, but stress that you have everything under control. For instance, if you invite her over for dinner and she tries to take over in the kitchen, say, “Thanks for offering to help, but I can handle it! Have a seat and relax. I don't like to put company to work!” If she insists on helping, you could give her a simple task to keep her out of the way, like chopping veggies or making the salad. Stand up for yourself if she repeatedly disrespects you. If she continues to criticize you, pester you about private topics, and invade your personal space, tell her to stop. You still shouldn't shout or get angry, but make it clear that you won't tolerate further disrespect. Say, “We've discussed this before, and I'm not comfortable with the way you continue to interfere with my household. I've tried to be cordial, and I want to keep the peace, but this has to stop.” Explain your feelings to your partner. Respect your spouse's relationship with their mother, but explain your needs for personal space and autonomy. Make your needs clear, and name specific issues that need to be addressed. Keep your tone positive, and remind your spouse that you don't blame them for their mother's actions. For example, say, “I understand you're close with your mother, and I don't want to get in the way of that. However, I need boundaries. It's not okay for her to come over unannounced or criticize my parenting skills.” Bring up your feelings as soon as possible. You'll have an easier time handling issues without conflict if you address them sooner rather than later. Tell your spouse you understand they’re in a tough position. Let your spouse know that you get how rough it is being in the middle of the conflict. Emphasize that the relationship between you and your spouse is separate from the conflict between you and your mother-in-law. Say, “I get that you're in a tough position. I don't want you to feel like you have to choose between me and your family. I love you, and these issues shouldn't drive a wedge between us.” Work with your spouse to come up with clear boundaries. In addition to explaining your needs, ask your spouse how they envision their mother's role in your lives and how best to deal with the issues you are facing with them. Work with them to find middle ground that satisfies you both. For example, your spouse might not mind if she pops in unannounced, and wants her to be a close part of your lives. You could have her over for weekly dinners to satisfy your spouse's needs, and require her to call ahead before visiting. Compromise with your partner, but make your needs clear. Tell them, “I'm happy that you're so close with your parents, and I want to support that. But I'm your partner, and I need your support, too. Maintaining our privacy doesn't mean you can't have a close relationship with your mother.” Ask your spouse to have a conversation with their mother on their own. Once you've come up with solutions, your spouse should have a talk with their mother alone. Bear in mind it's your partner's responsibility to address problems with their parents. If they're hesitant, explain that they need to take the lead, just as you would if there were an issue with your parents. Say, “You need to be the one to tell your mother to give us some space. If you ever have an issue with my parents, then I'd need to take the lead. Be assertive but respectful. Tell her that we're not shutting her out, but we need to set boundaries.” Remind your spouse that they need to have your back. From establishing boundaries to handling criticism or disrespect in the moment, your spouse should defend you. Married partners' primary loyalties are to each other. Make sure that your spouse takes the lead in enforcing boundaries and responds to their mother before you have to. This may be more effective than you saying something. If your mother-in-law puts you down, your spouse should calmly say, “Please don't insult Sam like that. When you disrespect my spouse, you disrespect me, and it's not okay.” If your partner doesn't have your back, tell them, “We're a team, and I'm hurt that you didn't defend me when your mother insulted me. I don't want to put you in the middle, but you need to stick up for me.” Tell her that all friends and family need to call ahead before visiting. You and your spouse could tell your mother-in-law that you have a “call ahead” rule for all guests. Phrasing it in general terms could make her feel less targeted and help you avoid a conflict. Your spouse could tell her, “You shouldn't feel like we don't want to spend time with you. We just prefer that our friends and family call ahead to make sure it's a convenient time to visit.” Use specific times and dates when you plan visits. If your mother-in-law tends to overstay her welcome, specify start and end times when you make plans. When time's up, let her know politely but firmly that it's time to go. For example, say, “You can come over for lunch at noon, but Sam and I have to run errands after 3 p.m.” Meeting on neutral turf is also a good way to prevent in-laws from overstaying their welcome. Instead of having them come over, meet them at a restaurant or park. Don’t loan money or accept support from your in-laws. Staying out of each other's finances can prevent conflicts over money. Furthermore, if you borrow money or accept support from your mother-in-law, she might seize the opportunity to exert authority. For example, suppose you borrow money to pay for something for your child, such as tuition. Your mother-in-law could bring that up when you ask her to stay out of your parenting decisions. Explain your parenting rules to her clearly, if you have kids. When she babysits, let her know what and when your kids should eat and when they nap or go to bed. Tell her which TV shows, movies, and other media are off-limits, and note if they need to do homework or any other tasks. Since they've already raised kids, in-laws sometimes don't respond well to long, detailed lists of instructions. Try quick, relevant guidelines, such as, “Please don't let the kids watch TV or play video games unless they've finished their homework," or “Billy needs to take his allergy medication at 7 p.m. Please make sure he takes it.” Keep in mind your mother-in-law might not always stick to your parenting style. It's best to brush off minor issues, such as if she feeds your kids ice cream against your wishes. If you have a disagreement about parenting, make sure the kids aren't within earshot. Don't allow your mother-in-law to verbally undermine your authority in front of the kids. Giving her opportunities to watch your kids can help her feel needed. If she feels that she plays an important role, she might back off from trying to take over other aspects of your life. However, if she frequently goes against your wishes when handling the children, then you may not want to have her watch them anymore. Spend time with her only if your spouse is present. Keeping the peace doesn't mean you need to be best friends with your mother-in-law. Limit your contact with her when your spouse isn't present, especially if she routinely belittles or criticizes you. For example, if you're dropping off your kids at her house, say hello and be cordial, but don't stick around all afternoon. Say, “Well it's been nice chatting, but I've got to get going. I should be back for the kids around 5.” Avoid complaining about her to your children or other in-laws. Venting to your husband or a trusted friend is one thing, but don't talk badly about your mother-in-law to your kids. Additionally, don't complain to any siblings-in-law or any of your spouse's other relatives. You don't want your mother-in-law to hear that you've been talking about her behind her back. Your siblings-in-law might complain to you about their mother, but it's wise to avoid contributing the conversation. | Learn to pick your battles. Enforce your boundaries calmly and firmly when necessary. Assert your authority politely if she tries to run your home. Stand up for yourself if she repeatedly disrespects you. Explain your feelings to your partner. Tell your spouse you understand they’re in a tough position. Work with your spouse to come up with clear boundaries. Ask your spouse to have a conversation with their mother on their own. Remind your spouse that they need to have your back. Tell her that all friends and family need to call ahead before visiting. Use specific times and dates when you plan visits. Don’t loan money or accept support from your in-laws. Explain your parenting rules to her clearly, if you have kids. Spend time with her only if your spouse is present. Avoid complaining about her to your children or other in-laws. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-the-Centre-of-Attention | How to Become the Centre of Attention | If you want to become the centre of attention in a social situation, practice your storytelling skills. Start by finding a copy of a favorite speech or monologue from a well-known storyteller, and tell the story over and over again in front of a mirror. You want to be as accurate as possible, so take cues from the original storyteller and imitate any mannerisms like pauses or changes in volume, as this will help you with pacing. By telling the story repeatedly, you'll start to notice your own voice develop. With that voice, you'll be able to tell a story from your own life with just as much intensity. Just remember to keep your personal stories simple and truthful so your audience can relate to them. | Stand in a central position. If you are at a party or another type of social setting, you'll receive more attention if you stand in a prominent place. If you're in a social setting with friends or people you know, ask them to join you in the center of the room. This will help you appear friendly and connected; new individuals will be drawn to you and your friend group. Move locations every 15 – 20 minutes. Many people tend to pick a single location at a social event and simply stay put; however, you will attract more attention and meet a larger variety of people if you do not spend too long in any one location. Vary the types of locations that you spend your time in. Talk with someone next to the food table, go outside and have a conversation, etc. This will allow you to meet new people, and you will not wear out your welcome with any one social group. Initiate conversations and keep things light. A great way to place yourself in the center of attention is to reach out to other individuals around you; bring them into a conversation or game. Reach out to new people and use light conversation and humor to keep the situation friendly and fun. Bring new people into your group. Don't just spend time by yourself or with your friends. As long as you are the one starting conversations, you will remain the center of attention. Use humor appropriately and sparingly. While humor can be an excellent way to bring together a group of strangers, and to make yourself the center of attention, too much humor will start to feel abrasive. Become a good storyteller. People love a good story, but even the most fascinating subject can be boring if the teller doesn't know how to keep an audience's attention. Try listening to podcasts like The Moth, which is all about sharing stories, watch stand up specials from comedians like Ellen DeGeneres or Louis C.K., and even check out presentations from legendary businesspeople like Steve Jobs, Sheryl Sandberg, and Richard Branson. Pay attention to pacing, where they pause for emphasis, how they build up to the climax. Watch gestures and body language. Practice your skills by choosing a short children's story or getting a copy of a favorite speech or monologue from a well-known storyteller. Stand in front of a mirror and practice telling the story over and over again. If it helps, you can start out by replicating the storyteller's performance, pausing where she paused, raising your voice where she did, etc. By telling the story repeatedly, your own voice will begin to emerge. Think about your own life and what stories you have to tell. If you don't think you have any good stories, think about if there are any favorite family stories you might share. It is particularly important you pay attention to length with these stories — often first time storytellers leave in too many boring details and their stories become far too long to hold anyone's attention. Practice this story in front of a mirror, in front of trusted friends and family, and even video tape yourself so you can watch your performance and see where you need to tighten up the story, or if you are mumbling or looking at the floor instead of at your audience. Keep personal stories simple and truthful. Make sure there is a clear beginning and end, and remember your audience. If your story involves your college roommate's crazy sex life, you may not want to share it with your great-grandma. Incorporate voices, facial expressions, gestures and actions. Pay attention to the tone of your voice. The sound of your voice can be a factor in whether or not you command attention. Learning to speak from your diaphragm may help you keep people's attention when you speak and may even cause them to like and trust you more. To speak from the diaphragm, first learn diaphragmatic breathing. Inhale, allowing your belly to fill with air and rise, then exhale and allow it to fall. Your throat will relax and you will be able to better project your voice and have a deeper, more resonant sound. Take an acting or singing class to develop your breathing and speaking skills, or work with a voice coach. Learn to read the room. Going into a business function with the same stories and presence as you would bring to a sports bar might make you the center of attention — but not in a good way. Learning to read a room and adapt to the environment is an important skill to learn so you can be the center of attention in a positive way. Try to get a sense for the overall vibe of the room — do people seem tense, relaxed, worried, aggressive, bored? — and adapt your style for the situation. For instance, if you're at a dinner party and everyone falls into a tense, awkward silence, you might break the tension by telling a funny story or even calling attention to the situation: "Well, this is awkward!" If the group seems reserved and the gathering is somewhat formal, save your wild stories for another time, even if you know they kill. Listen to what other people are talking about and try to chime in with something relevant. If you notice people are bored — looking at their phones while you are talking, glancing away, etc. try engaging them by asking questions and listening closely. People are drawn to good listeners, and once you learn what does excite them, you can focus on that. For instance, you may realize that your hunting stories aren't going over well because you're speaking to a group of vegans. Use this new knowledge to take the conversation in a direction that is more relevant to the interests of the crowd. Enjoy yourself! People who are overly concerned with their social image often come across as clingy or personally insecure. One of the most important steps to being the center of attention is simply to enjoy yourself and act naturally in any interpersonal settings. Try new things to see which you enjoy—other people will notice this and consequently pay attention to you. These activities could include: Ask someone to dance Help the host prepare food Initiate a lawn game or party game. Step back from the center of attention from time to time. It can be emotionally and physically draining to be the center of attention all the time, so be willing to step back and let others shine. People will see this as a generous act, and one that includes others in the conversation. When you have an opportunity, try asking others questions that will help them open up and lead to further conversations. Try asking: “Who do you know at this party?” “Tell me a little about what you do for work?” Listen to the opinions of the people around you. Sometimes, to leave a lasting, good impression on a group of people, it's important to keep quiet and listen. This shows that you have a sincere interest in the people you are with — fellow party attendees, etc. — and will show that you care about others. It's important to ask questions, too. You will seem more socially engaged and thoughtful if, rather than drawing all of the attention to yourself, you try to bring others into the spotlight as well. Develop friendships rather than seeking out crowds. While being the center of attention in a large, crowded setting can be fun and gratifying, it's also important to have lasting friendships in your life. Find individuals with similar interests, and focus on cultivating friendships built on mutual respect and shared interests. Invite friendly individuals to hang out again. Once the party or social gathering has ended, the crowd will dissipate; at this point, you can reach out to people you've spoken with and invite them to participate in an activity that interests both of you. If you met several people that you'd like to see again, invite them all to an activity together. This way, you'll be able to introduce your new friends to one another, and still maintain your status as the center of attention. Look your best and dress professionally. The best way to begin drawing attention to yourself is to do so nonverbally; if you dress more professionally you will appear to have more authority, and your office mates and coworkers will be visually drawn to you. Try: Wearing chinos instead of jeans Wearing a dress or skirt instead of jeans Wearing a jacket, or a more formal shirt Take the initiative in your job. More attention will be devoted to you if you offer to lead projects, start new developments, or offer solutions to significant problems. Rather than sitting back and letting others handle the majority of the innovating and leading, step up to the plate yourself. This will place you into the center of attention, as it shows leadership skills. As long as you do the work well, you should be positively noticed by your boss. Engage with other employees and your supervisor. This may seem like common sense, but many employees barely talk with the people in their office, and instead go through the day with as little communication as possible. Face-to-face time will increase your time as the center of attention. Although you shouldn't detract from your own or other employees' productivity, do try to engage coworkers in friendly (work-related) conversations. Organize workplace events outside of the office. This will help you draw attention to yourself, and will give others the impression that you are a social, outgoing individual. Try proposing events like: An office or company happy hour at a nearby restaurant. An office picnic, potluck, or cookout. An office sports game, like softball or volleyball. | Stand in a central position. Move locations every 15 – 20 minutes. Initiate conversations and keep things light. Become a good storyteller. Pay attention to the tone of your voice. Learn to read the room. Enjoy yourself! Step back from the center of attention from time to time. Listen to the opinions of the people around you. Develop friendships rather than seeking out crowds. Invite friendly individuals to hang out again. Look your best and dress professionally. Take the initiative in your job. Engage with other employees and your supervisor. Organize workplace events outside of the office. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Perform-the-Tahajjud-Prayer | How to Perform the Tahajjud Prayer | To perform the Tahajjud prayer, start by waking up in the middle of the night after midnight and performing Wudu by cleansing yourself. Then, find a quiet and clean place where you can pray, like your bedroom. When you're ready, perform at least 2 rakats, or cycles, of Salah. After you finish your rakats, add in a few of your own prayers to the Tahajjud. When you're finished praying, go back to sleep until morning. | Arrange to wake up after midnight. After praying the Isha prayer and before going to sleep, make arrangements to wake up during the night before the Fajr prayer (for instance, you may want to set an alarm clock or have a family member agree to wake you). Though the Tahajjud can be prayed at any part of the night, if possible, it is best to pray it after midnight, especially during the last third of the night. The time two-thirds of the way between Isha and Fajr is a good time for Tahajjud. This is because Allah descends to the lowest heaven during the last third of the night, asking, "Who is asking me, so I can give to him? Who is calling upon me, so I can answer him? Who is seeking my forgiveness, so I can forgive him?'" If you make an honest effort to wake up and perform the Tahajjud but accidentally sleep through the night, don't feel guilty. According to ahadeeth, Allah records your genuine intention to perform the Tahajjud and grants you sleep as an act of mercy. You will be rewarded as if your intention had been fulfilled. However, if you make a conscious decision to abandon your intention to pray Tahajjud without good reason, for example through laziness, then it may not be overlooked. t Wake up and perform Wudu. Wake up during the night at the time you've chosen. Once you wake, perform Wudu, the ritual ablution Muslims use to cleanse themselves before they pray or handle the Holy Quran. Traditionally, performing Wudu means using clean water to wash oneself in the following four ways: Washing the face Washing the arms and hands up to and including the elbows Wiping the head (Masah) Washing the feet up to the ankles Note that many Muslims (including the Prophet Muhammad [pbuh]) also choose to wash their mouth and teeth with a miswak before the Tahajjud. If you have discharged mani earlier in the night, whether during sexual intercourse or a wet dream, then the Ghusl full-body ritual cleansing must be performed. Go somewhere clean, quiet, and dignified to conduct your prayer. This is done because Allah's names are pure, so, whenever possible, Muslims are encouraged to speak of Him in clean, holy places as a form of reverence. Wearing your normal prayer clothes, sit down on a prayer mat and face the Holy Kabah in Mecca as you would for your obligatory prayers. To be clear, you don't need to be anywhere special, like a mosque or a lavishly-decorated room in your house, to pray the Tahajjud. All that's needed is a spot that's clean which can even be in your room. Remove all worldly worries from your heart. At the time for prayer, calmly focus and reflect on the glory of your Lord. Do not worry about fleeting worldly problems that are ultimately meaningless in comparison to His infinite wisdom and mercy. Calm yourself and forget your worldly problems, hopes, and fears. Ignore any negative, distracting thoughts or feelings. Close your eyes and focus your attention on your heart as you begin to achieve a heightened state of spiritual awareness. Make your intention to pray known. As you start your prayer, make a definitive mental declaration to yourself that you are about to perform the Tahajjud. Decide that you are going to complete the Tahajjud in the specific way you have chosen, including how many rakats and which surahs you will recite. Also decide why you are saying the Tahajjud — for instance, to glorify Allah, thank Allah or ask for His forgiveness. You don't have to make this declaration out loud — Allah knows your thoughts, so your intentions will be clear to him as long as they are clear to you. The Tahajjud is typically performed by repeating multiple rakats (cycles) of Salah , the ritual that Muslims use for their required daily prayer. For the Tahajjud, the rakats are usually performed in pairs, so you'll also want to decide exactly how many rakats you intend to perform at this time. See below for more information. Perform two rakats. To begin your Tahajjud, start by performing two rakats (cycles) of Salah. Salah begins by standing and reciting verses from the Holy Quran. Then, the person praying continues by bowing low with his hands on his knees, then prostrating on the ground with his forehead, nose, and palms on the floor and his elbows raised, sitting on his knees with his feet folded under him, and finally standing and reciting "Allahu Akbar." This description of Salah is a generalization — if you're not sure how to perform Salah properly, learn this fundamental Muslim skill before attempting the Tahajjud. Emulate the practices of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) who used to recite the following surahs after each rakat in Tahajjud: After reciting the Al-Fatihah the first rakat, recite the surah "Al-Kafirun". After reciting the Al-Fatihah for the second rakat, recite the surah "Al-Ikhlas". Repeat rakats as you wish. Generally, two rakats is seen as the minimum necessary for a proper Tahajjud. However, it's possible to repeat as many more as you wish. For instance, according to the Hadiths, the Prophet Muhammad frequently prayed up to thirteen rakats. Tahajjud rakats are performed in pairs and eight rakats is seen as a good number by many Muslims. In other words, most people will say two, four, six, or eight rakats, though more is not discouraged. If you are able to, then reciting long surahs such as Al-Baqarah, An-Nisā' or Al-'Imran are highly commended, even if you can manage them only from time to time. Following in the example of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), if you notice dawn approaching while you say your Tahajjud, you may end by performing one rakat as Witr (an optional pre-dawn prayer said before the required Fajr). Add your own prayers (dua) after the rakats. After you've completed the number of rakats you set out to pray, you may add your own dua as long as they're sincere, respectful, and done in complete devotion to Allah. These may be offered in extended prostration in your own words and language. You may want to offer additional thanks and praise to Allah, pray for strength and guidance, or make a special request for help. For instance, you may ask for blessings for a friend who is suffering through difficult times or help with your own worship or simply spend a few moments thanking Allah for a blessing that He granted you the previous day. Prayers should be offered with humbleness, fear, hope and patience. This is an ideal time to ask for forgiveness for your mistakes and sins as Allah is especially open to our repentance at night according to many ahadeeth. Acknowledge each of your wrongdoings, however big or small - you may feel that some are insignificant, but Allah may still decide that a penalty is due. Sincerely promise not to repeat your sins and ask Allah for forgiveness. Use the fear of displeasing Allah to drive yourself to become a better Muslim. Never lose hope of Allah's mercy for the Qur'an tells us more than 70 times that Allah is the Most Forgiving. Any prayer you offer will be heard, and, if Allah wills, your prayer will be answered in kind. Go back to bed, if you become too tired to complete the Tahajjud. Because the Tahajjud interrupts your normal sleep, it's not unlikely that you may be somewhat tired when you attempt the prayer. If, however, you're so tired that you find yourself forgetting what you're saying as you recite your prayers or you doze off in the middle of your Tahajjud, don't attempt to complete the prayer. In this case, according to several ahadeeth, Allah notes your sincere willingness to complete the Tahajjud. You may go back to sleep without any need to be embarrassed or ashamed, but try to better prepare yourself next time, perhaps by going to bed earlier. Read scriptural passages about Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)'s observance of the Tahajjud. To gain a greater understanding of the unique importance of the Tahajjud prayer, you may want to consult any of the numerous references to the prayer in Islamic scripture. Most notably, the Tahajjud is mentioned in the Quran and discussed at great length in numerous ahadeeth. However, it is also discussed in the work of Islamic scholars throughout the history of the religion. To start, try reading Book 21 (Prayer at Night) from Sahih Bukhari. No less than 70 ahadeeth in this book describe the habits the Prophet (pbuh) regarding the Tahajjud, which gives an indication of its significance in the life of a good Muslim. Commentary on the Tahajjud is also offered at multiple points in the Quran, including Surat 17:79 and Surat 39:9. Consider saying the Tahajjud with your family. Muslim families are encouraged to pray the Tahajjud in communion with each other because both Muhammad (pbuh) and his wife Aisha recommended that husbands and wives should say the Tahajjud together. Performing the Tahajjud as a family allows you to come closer to each other in devotion to Allah and to show solidarity in your worship. If you're interested in trying this, ask your spouse and/or children to join you before the first night you plan to say the Tahajjud together, then, if they need your help to do so, wake them up and celebrate Allah's infinite greatness and mercy in quiet prayer together. Children over the age of ten should be gently encouraged to develop the habit of praying Tahajjud when they are ready, but if it is too difficult for them to wake in the night then no blame should be apportioned and they should not be admonished, as long as they are up for Fajr and complete all their obligatory prayers correctly. Encourage your children by reminding them of the rewards that are available for completing voluntary acts of worship like Tahajjud, and warn them of the consequences of not making the sacrifices that Allah expects and deserves. Generally, families that pray the Tahajjud together make exceptions for members that need their sleep, like small children, the sick, and the elderly. Emulate the practices of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). All Muslims are encouraged to live in emulation of the life of Muhammad (pbuh), Allah's Messenger and the Seal of the Prophets. If you're looking for guidance in performing the Tahajjud, you may want to study the ways Muhammad (pbuh) performed the Tahajjud and try to work these habits into your daily life. By striving to emulate the Prophet (pbuh)'s Tahajjud practices, Muslims can work towards the perfect ideal represented by him and, in doing so, become closer to Allah. As noted above, Book 21 from Sahih Bukhari is a great place to start if you're looking for information on Muhammad (pbuh)'s Tahajjud habits and practices. Make the Tahajjud part of your routine. As an optional prayer, the Tahajjud certainly isn't something that any Muslim should feel compelled to do and there is no punishment for missing it. However, many Muslims choose to practice the Tahajjud on a regular basis (if not every night) when they are able. Like all forms of prayer, saying the Tahajjud brings you closer to Allah. In addition, the Tahajjud is often associated with Allah's gifts of forgiveness and redemption, making it a great way to seek correction for each day's minor failures, sins and imperfect actions. Remember that Allah appreciates regular acts of worship, so if you start praying Tahajjud, try not to give it up. If you're interested in making the Tahajjud a regular part of your life, you may want to try setting a recurring alarm to wake you up during the night or even having a predetermined area in your house for performing this prayer. If you are unable to commit to praying Tahajjud every single night, then try build up slowly by establishing the habit of saying just two or four rakats two or three times a week, whatever you can manage, with the aim of building up over time. | Arrange to wake up after midnight. Wake up and perform Wudu. Go somewhere clean, quiet, and dignified to conduct your prayer. Remove all worldly worries from your heart. Make your intention to pray known. Perform two rakats. Repeat rakats as you wish. Add your own prayers (dua) after the rakats. Go back to bed, if you become too tired to complete the Tahajjud. Read scriptural passages about Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)'s observance of the Tahajjud. Consider saying the Tahajjud with your family. Emulate the practices of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Make the Tahajjud part of your routine. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-Emoji-Shortcuts-on-an-iPhone | How to Use Emoji Shortcuts on an iPhone | In the Messages app, type a word that describes an emoji, tap the emoji button, then tap a highlighted word to replace it with emoji. | Open the Messages app. This is the app that has a green icon with a white chat bubble. As of iOS 10, your iPhone can suggest emoji to replace words you type into Messages. For example, words like “pizza” and “tornado” can quickly be replaced by pizza and tornado emoji. Tap a conversation. Tap the text box to open the keyboard. Type a message. Don't send it yet, just type it into the box. Tap the emoji button. It's the smiley face at the bottom left side of the keyboard. Tap a highlighted word. If your iPhone detects a word it can replace with emoji, that word will be highlighted in orange. Tapping an orange word will immediately replace the word with its corresponding emoji. For example, if you tap the word “plane,” the airplane emoji will replace the word “plane.” If you don't see any orange words, it means there are no emoji associated with what you've typed. Tap the arrow to send the message. It's the green button with a white arrow. The recipient will now receive the message with an emoji in place of the original word. Open your iPhone’s Settings. It's the app on your home screen with a gray gear icon. Tap General. It's near the bottom of the first screen. Scroll down and tap Keyboard. You'll have to scroll about halfway down to find it. Tap Text Replacement. This option may be called “Shortcuts” in some versions of iOS. Tap +. It's at the top right corner of the screen. Type your desired emoji into the “Phrase” field. The emoji you enter here will appear when you type your shortcut. Type a text shortcut into the “Shortcut” field. This is the text you'll type to make the emoji appear. The shortcut should be at least 2 letters long, and not a combination of letters you use often. Try something like qq or xzx. Tap Save. It's at the top right corner of the screen. Your shortcuts are listed in alphabetical order. To edit a shortcut, tap it, make your changes, then tap Save. To delete a shortcut, tap Edit at the bottom left corner of the list, then tap the red minus (-) sign next to the unwanted shortcut. Type the shortcut in any app. You can use emoji shortcuts virtually anywhere on your iPhone, including the search bar, Messages, Mail, social media posts, and the Notes app. Tap the emoji. When you type the shortcut, the emoji will appear above the keyboard like a word or spelling suggestion. Tap it to replace the shortcut text with the emoji. | Open the Messages app. Tap a conversation. Tap the text box to open the keyboard. Type a message. Tap the emoji button. Tap a highlighted word. Tap the arrow to send the message. Open your iPhone’s Settings. Tap General. Scroll down and tap Keyboard. Tap Text Replacement. Tap +. Type your desired emoji into the “Phrase” field. Type a text shortcut into the “Shortcut” field. Tap Save. Type the shortcut in any app. Tap the emoji. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-an-Inversion-Table-for-Back-Pain | How to Use an Inversion Table for Back Pain | To use an inversion table for back pain, start by pushing back on the handles until you're horizontal. Stay in this position for at least 2 minutes to allow your blood flow to change before moving on. Next, push back to a 45 degree angle, and raise your hands above your head to create more spinal traction. Use your inversion table several times a day, or whenever you feel intense back pain. | Secure your inversion table on a flat surface. Ensure that all the joints, straps and pivot points are correctly connected. Do this every time you use the table in order to avoid a serious accident. Read your inversion table instructional manual thoroughly before attempting to use the table. It will support your body weight, so it is important that all the steps are done correctly. Make sure you have a friend with you when you use the inversion table for the first time, in case there are problems. Wear athletic shoes when you use an inversion table. They will give you an extra firm support when the table locks into place. Never use the inversion table with bare feet. Step into position, with your back toward the table. Raise your feet onto the steps one at a time. Lean forward with a straight back to pull up the lever and lock your feet in place. Place the straps over your body. Inversion tables differ in how they secure your body in place. They may have an ankle bar, body strap or other device, so make sure all the safety gears are locked in place before inverting yourself. Grasp the straps on either side of the table. You will push off these straps to invert your body. Return to a horizontal position for 1 to 2 minutes when you start to come up from your inversion. This will allow the blood flow to adjust. Slowly return to the starting position before unhooking yourself and getting out. Use an inversion table as part of a treatment program recommended by your doctor. Inversion therapy is rarely used to treat chronic pain, so it is only useful for mild relief. Anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, an exercise routine, epidural injections and even surgery may also be used to treat your condition. Use gentle movements whenever you use an inversion table. This will keep you from further injury or pain. Secure yourself in the inversion table. Push back on the handles until you are horizontal. Stay there for one to two minutes to allow your blood flow to change before continuing. Push back further to a 45 degree angle. Breathe deeply and stay there for one to two minutes. Raise your hands above your head to create a better environment for spinal traction. You should feel comfortable that you are steady in the table before doing this. Continue working up to five or more minutes at a 25 degree angle for one week. Try it twice per day to help your body grow accustomed more quickly. Increase your angle by 10 to 20 degrees per week, until you are comfortable with an angle between 60 and 90 degrees for one to five minutes. Use the inversion table three or more times per day, or whenever you are feeling intense back pain. Inversion tables will only provide temporary relief, so you may need to do it more often to get a good benefit from it. You do not need to do a full 90 degree inversion. Many people do not invert more than 60 degrees, and others use a 30 degree angle because it is more comfortable and you still see benefits. Keep a journal of your pain levels so that you can adjust your routine according to what is working. Choose the angle, time and number of repetitions per day that work best for your condition. | Secure your inversion table on a flat surface. Wear athletic shoes when you use an inversion table. Step into position, with your back toward the table. Place the straps over your body. Grasp the straps on either side of the table. Return to a horizontal position for 1 to 2 minutes when you start to come up from your inversion. Use an inversion table as part of a treatment program recommended by your doctor. Use gentle movements whenever you use an inversion table. Secure yourself in the inversion table. Push back further to a 45 degree angle. Raise your hands above your head to create a better environment for spinal traction. Continue working up to five or more minutes at a 25 degree angle for one week. Increase your angle by 10 to 20 degrees per week, until you are comfortable with an angle between 60 and 90 degrees for one to five minutes. Use the inversion table three or more times per day, or whenever you are feeling intense back pain. Keep a journal of your pain levels so that you can adjust your routine according to what is working. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Prepare-for-Summer | How to Prepare for Summer | To prepare for summer, try on last year's clothes and bathing suits to see if they still fit so you can see what needs to be replaced. In addition to updating your clothing, pick up a new bottle of sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Since summer is typically a time to unwind and relax, make a list of books you want to read or enroll in a summer course for fun. If you'd prefer to have a more productive summer, consider getting a part-time job, which can help build your bank account and your resume. | Unpack your summer clothing. Bring brightly colored prints and lightweight fabrics to the forefront of your wardrobe. Try on your summer clothes to see what still fits you, and take stock of any key items you might need to replace. If your summer clothing has gone untouched since last summer, make sure to wash anything that smells musty before wearing it out. While you are rotating your summer clothing, see what you are willing to part with and donate it to a local thrift store. You may even find some summer clothing at the thrift store to bulk up your wardrobe. Purchase a new swimsuit. To get yourself into the summer spirit purchase a new swimsuit that best represents your personality. You don't have to buy a two piece or even what is trending at the moment. Find a swimsuit that you will be comfortable in and will confidently wear out in public. If you don't own or can't find your sunglasses, make sure to purchase a new pair of those as well. Look for sunglasses that offer UV protection, or even visit your local ophthalmologist to get prescription sunglasses. Pick up a new bottle of sunscreen that is best suited for your skin. There are so many different types of sunscreen, it can be overwhelming to find the right one. Try and look for a sunscreen that has at least an SPF 30 protection. If you have fair skin, you may need a stronger SPF level or a sunscreen that has zinc in it to properly protect your skin. Sunscreens can be greasy and clog your pores. If you have acne or sensitive skin, look for sunscreens that are manufactured by your favorite soap companies like Neutrogena or ones that are oil-free. Some sunscreens even double as bronzers. If you want to protect your skin, and give it a golden glow, look for sunscreens with bronzer or tanning agents in them. Minimize your makeup routine to unclog your pores. When you sweat, your makeup can easily crease, flake off, and even clog your pores. Wearing less makeup will allow your pores to open and naturally produce sweat to keep your body cool. If you want to wear makeup, opt for items that are waterproof. Even though it is a little more expensive and harder to take off, wearing waterproof makeup will prevent your mascara or liquid liner from running down your face when you sweat or take a dip in the pool. Soak up some sun poolside or in your backyard. Cold winters and rainy springs can seriously deprive you of vitamin D, so grab a towel or a chair and enjoy the sunshine. Just make sure to lather on sunscreen to keep your skin from burning or being damaged. Getting time in the sun can be fun and refreshing, but only if you do not get burned in the process. Wear an SPF 30 sunscreen to protect your skin, and re-apply it every 2 to 3 hours. If you have particularly sensitive skin, consider sitting under an umbrella or wearing a large, floppy hat to protect your head and face. You can still feel the positive effects of basking outside even if you are not direct in the sunlight. Write out a personal summer reading list. Summer is a great time for you to unwind, relax, and read a good book. It is an easy activity to bring with you to the beach, to a coffee shop, or even to the park. Grab a pen and a piece of paper, and jot down some book titles that you have been wanting to read, but haven't had the chance to. Once you have made that list, visit your local bookstore or go online and purchase your top literature choices. If you have access to a public library, go and check out books from there. This will allow you to catch up on your favorite book series, and save you some cash. Enroll in summer courses that are both fun and informative. Instead of lounging in the sun the whole summer, challenge yourself by enrolling in summer courses. These can be strictly education related courses that will get you ahead or catch you up in your schooling, or the courses can be on something fun that you have always wanted to learn. Go online or ask an authority figure at your school to see what summer classes are offered. You can retake that history class you did not do so great in, or you can get ahead and enroll in an advanced math class. Some of the classes may even be offered in the evenings, or online. Check with your local community center, or newspaper to see what seasonal courses are available. Maybe you want to learn how to play the guitar, brush up on your swimming skills, or even take an art class and learn how to paint beautiful landscapes. Apply for a summer job so you have extra spending cash. Having a summer job is an easy way to earn a little cash over the summer, and build up your resume. If you are planning to go on vacation or attend a lot of ticketed events, you may just need the extra summer cash. A lot of businesses and companies hire part-time workers during the summer to offset the influx of summertime customers. This is especially true if you live near a popular vacation spot like the shore. Check the classifieds section of your local newspaper, and see what businesses are hiring. If you have a friend who is also looking for a summer job, see if you can find a place that is hiring for multiple positions. Working with a friend will help pass the hours, and give you both something to look forward to when heading to work. Join a local gym or pick up a physical activity. Summer is a great time to start being more active, and develop a healthier lifestyle. You can join a local gym, or you can pick up a seasonal sport like badminton or volleyball. If gyms and seasonal sports don't seem appealing to you, take a walk or a bike ride through a local park. Do something that will get you moving, and something that you will enjoy. Grab a friend or a family member to join you. Developing a healthier lifestyle does not have to be a solo act. You can just as easily go on a walk with a friend as you can alone. Having someone workout with you will also hold you more accountable until you develop the habit. Cook some healthy summertime recipes. Instead of just opting for instant meals or junk food, print out some healthy recipes to cook this summer. Find recipes that you think will complement the activities you plan to do throughout the summer. Recipes that involve a lot of fruits or vegetables will seem cool and refreshing in contrast the warm weather. Sweet and spicy barbeques will go great with large family gatherings. To find some summertime recipes, visit your local library to check out some cookbooks, or go online to popular websites like The Food Network. Search in advance for movies, concerts, or other events. Music festivals and major blockbusters thrive during the summer months. These can be easy and inexpensive experiences to have with family and friends. You can attend a fireworks display, or go and see a concert in the park. Look up the events ahead of time, so you do not miss out. A lot of local parks will host early morning or evening music concerts for free. You can mostly likely find a calendar of events with your local community center or through your local newspaper. Go on websites like Fandango or Movie Tickets to see what movies are coming out this summer. You may even be able to pre-order tickets to venues you think will sell out quickly. Schedule a day-trip to somewhere close by. If you are operating on a tight budget this summer, but still want to get away, plan a day-trip with a couple of friends or family members. Day-trips are great if you want to explore neighboring towns or your entire state, and you really only need a reliable car and a full tank of gas to do this. If your friends go with you, have everyone chip in for gas money. This will cut down on traveling costs for you, or for whoever else is driving. Budget and schedule a vacation to somewhere special. Sometimes the summer months are not enough of a vacation. Sometimes you need to physically go somewhere and experience something new. Start budgeting and planning your special summer getaway a few months in advance. Planning your vacation early will not only save you money on transportation costs and lodging costs, but it might also guarantee that you get to participate in certain activities that need to be booked ahead of time. Spend some quality time with your family and friends. Summer is a good time to catch up and make new memories with family and friends. Don't be quick to plan a summer centered on yourself. Spending time with the people you love can enhance an experience. Instead of routinely going to the cafe or to the park to read a book, invite a close friend for coffee, or gather some family members in the park for a picnic. These will be memories you can look back on fondly as the summer ends. Pencil in some lazy days for yourself. While it is good to make plans ahead of time, do not overbook your summer. Schedule in some personal lazy days for you to stay home, binge-watch television, play video games, or whatever it is that you want to do. The summer can go by extremely fast once you develop a routine, so make sure to take some time to relax as well. Your lazy days don't have to just be for yourself if you don't want them to be. Maybe you want to chill at home with some friends and have a movie night, or maybe you want to take your dog to the park to play. Just do something that will give you the needed time to relax. | Unpack your summer clothing. Purchase a new swimsuit. Pick up a new bottle of sunscreen that is best suited for your skin. Minimize your makeup routine to unclog your pores. Soak up some sun poolside or in your backyard. Write out a personal summer reading list. Enroll in summer courses that are both fun and informative. Apply for a summer job so you have extra spending cash. Join a local gym or pick up a physical activity. Cook some healthy summertime recipes. Search in advance for movies, concerts, or other events. Schedule a day-trip to somewhere close by. Budget and schedule a vacation to somewhere special. Spend some quality time with your family and friends. Pencil in some lazy days for yourself. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Call-New-Zealand | How to Call New Zealand | Before making an international call to New Zealand, consider the time zone difference to ensure that you're not calling too late. If the person you're calling is likely to be awake and available, dial the exit code of the country's you're calling from. For example, dial 011 if you're calling from the United States. Then, dial 64, and the area or mobile code without the initial zero, followed by the 7 digit phone number. If your call starts going through before you finished dialing, hang up and check to see if you misdialed, or if the phone number already includes the area code. | Consider the time zone. New Zealand's time zone is GMT+12. This means it runs 12 hours ahead of United Kingdom time, 17 hours ahead of New York, and 2 hours ahead of Sydney. Try to avoid calling in the middle of the night. New Zealand is on GMT+13 instead from the end of September to the beginning of April, due to Daylight Saving Time in the southern hemisphere. If you're not certain how to calculate the time in New Zealand, look online. Dial your country's exit code. Also called an international access code, this signals the phone line that you're about to dial an international number. Use the exit code for the country where you are currently located, not for your country of origin. Within India, the United Kingdom, and many other countries, the code is 00. Try this if you don't want to look up the code or cannot find one for your current location. In the United States and Canada, the code is 011. In Australia, the code is 0011. Look up another country's exit codes on this website. If multiple exit codes are listed, you will have to dial the one for your international call carrier, or company who provides your phone's calling plan. Dial 64. Enter 64, the country code for New Zealand. This is the same no matter where you are calling from. Dial the area code or mobile code for the person you intend to dial, skipping the initial zero. The area code directs your call to a specific region of New Zealand, or to a specific mobile phone carrier. If the area code you are given begins with a zero, do not enter it; this is the "trunk code" used only for calls made within New Zealand. If the phone number you have for your contact is 8 to 10 digits long (not including an initial zero), the area code is already included. Otherwise, look for your contact's location on this list of area codes, or search for their town name and area code online: For mobile phones, you'll need to know your contact's mobile provider. You may then look up the company's mobile code by clicking this link. 3: Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill, Nelson, Timaru, Westport 4: Wellington 6: Napier, Hastings, New Plymouth, Palmerston North 7: Hamilton, Rotorua and Tauranga 9: Auckland and Whangarei Dial the 7-digit phone number. Dial the 7 digit phone number of the contact you're trying to call. If the phone call begins to go through before you've finished dialing, you may have made a mistake. Hang up and try again, or see the troubleshooting section. If the phone number is 8 or more digits long, it may have the area code included. Make sure not to enter the area code twice. If you are using a "voice over internet" service, try skipping the exit code. Some VoIP services, or voice over internet protocol, allow you to make international calls without including your country's exit code. Try entering the number as described above but without dialing the exit code. Make sure international calls are enabled on your phone plan. Your phone plan may block international calls. If no international phone calls are going through, you may need to call your company and alter your plan details. Keep in mind that international calls are usually more expensive than local or in-country calls. If you plan to make international calls frequently, you may wish to choose a plan that has a reduced international price rate. Find other methods of contact if a toll free number won't go through. Toll free numbers in New Zealand begin with 508 or 800 (0508 or 0800 if dialing within New Zealand). Because these calls are not actually free for international customers, many companies block international calls on their toll free numbers. Try contacting the company by email, or see if you can find a regular number for them that does not begin with a toll-free code. | Consider the time zone. Dial your country's exit code. Dial 64. Dial the area code or mobile code for the person you intend to dial, skipping the initial zero. Dial the 7-digit phone number. If you are using a "voice over internet" service, try skipping the exit code. Make sure international calls are enabled on your phone plan. Find other methods of contact if a toll free number won't go through. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Heal-a-Split-Lip | How to Heal a Split Lip | To heal your split lip, try using a cold compress, like an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables, to reduce any swelling. You can also mix warm water with a tablespoon of salt and dab the solution onto your lip to help reduce inflammation and prevent infection. While your lip is healing, try to avoid licking or touching the wound, since this can dry it out and introduce bacteria. You should also avoid particularly salty, spicy, or citrusy foods, which will sting your lip and may cause it to swell up. If your lip is split deep enough that the 2 sides don't easily meet, seek medical help, since it might need stitches. | Wash your hands. Before you touch your face or injured lip, place your hands under warm water for at least 20 seconds and lather them up with antimicrobial soap. If you are outside and without water access, run an alcohol wipe over your hands before proceeding. This minimizes the germs that could transfer from your fingertips to the cut. Wash the wound with water and mild soap. Place your lip under the faucet and let the water run into the split area, cleansing it of dirt or debris. Apply a bit of microbial soap to a cotton swab or ball and gently dab the injured area. Wash the soap away with water. Avoid scrubbing the split spot or you may cause it to break open further. Be aware that lip wounds that are not properly cleaned are more likely to scar or require further treatment. Place a cold compress on the split. If your mouth or lips feel swollen or bruised , put a small ice pack on the area for a few minutes until the swelling begins to subside. If you can't find an ice pack, a bag of frozen vegetables or a clean hand towel run under cold water have the same effect. Give children a popsicle to suck on to numb the pain and minimize bleeding. The cold should also minimize bleeding, so that you can take a closer look at your injury. If the wound does not stop bleeding after a few rounds of cold compresses and mild pressure, then reach out to your doctor. Avoid putting an ice cube directly on your lip, as it can damage the surrounding skin. Likewise, don't hold a cold compress to your lips for more than a few minutes at a time. If you're concerned about possible debris in the wound, especially glass, don't apply any pressure to the area. Assess the injury. Now that you can see clearly into the split area, get in front of a mirror and try to assess the depth and extent of the injury. If the cut is very deep and you are worried about it not closing properly, or if you're having trouble speaking because of it, then contact your doctor for advice. If you decide to treat the injury yourself, then reassess it every day. If the split seems severe, consider seeing a doctor or plastic surgeon immediately. The split will most likely heal quickly, and from that point on, any scarring will be difficult to get rid of. Dab on a topical analgesic ointment. Once you are satisfied that the split is clean, protect the area from infection by applying a small amount of analgesic or antibiotic ointment. Place a pea-sized amount of the ointment on a cotton swab and then apply it to the split. Reapply as directed on the package. Apply a liquid bandage or suture strip. If the cut is shallow enough for you to treat, then purchase a plastic skin bandage kit or a box of sticky suture strips. Both of these are designed to hold wounds closed. If you're using a liquid bandage, shake the bottle and swipe on a thin layer onto the injured area. Apply a second coat after the first one dries. The liquid bandage will be flexible enough to accommodate your split healing and should last for a week. Keep the applied layers thin or they will peel off. While these methods typically work well for healing split lips, they can be difficult to put on yourself. It's best to seek medical attention if you want the best cosmetic result. Seek emergency treatment. If the split is deep enough so that the two sides cannot easily come together, then you may need stitches. If the split is located in the corner of your mouth and continues to bleed without stopping after ten minutes of pressure, then a doctor should assess the injury. The same goes if you are concerned that an object or debris may be located in the wound. If the split was caused by an object injury or if you're concerned about possible debris in the wound, see a medical professional ASAP. There's a chance that you might need to get an x-ray or tetanus shot. Dab with a saline-soaked cotton ball. In a small bowl, place a cup of lukewarm water and a tablespoon of salt. Dip a cotton ball or swab into the solution and then apply it to the injured lip. It will sting or burn slightly. Repeat as desired. The salt will help to reduced inflammation and counter infection in the split area. Apply a turmeric paste. In a small bowl, place three teaspoons of turmeric powder. Add teaspoons of water until a thick paste forms. Use a cotton swab to apply this paste directly onto the split. Let it sit for 3-5 minutes and then rinse off with cool water. The turmeric helps to kill off any nasty bacteria in the wound. Avoid irritating foods. Be aware that as your lip heals it will be particularly sensitive to salty, spicy, or citrusy foods. Stay away from orange juice or hot wings, for example, unless you want to experience some stinging. Eating these items may also cause the lips to swell up again, which can extend the healing process. Keep your fingers and tongue away. The more that you lick the area, the more that it will dry out and crack. You may also create a cold sore within, or next to, the split. Try to avoid the temptation to pick at or explore the injured area with your fingers, too. You could deepen the wound or introduce it to harmful bacteria. Talk with your doctor or dentist. If the cut begins to redden or increases in soreness after your initial treatment, then reach to your doctor, as you could have an infection. Or, if your teeth are increasingly painful, then talk with your dentist, as you could have sustained a dental injury. A medical professional can also help you if you are suffering from persistent mouth dryness and cracked lips. Apply a zinc-based cream to your lips. For many, cracked lips are the result of too much sun exposure. When you're doing yard work, construction, or other tasks out in the heat, coat your lips with a zinc-based product to ensure protection. Using diaper cream on your lips also has this same protective effect. Apply lip balm. After your lip has healed, buy a non-medicated, beeswax-based, unflavored lip balm and apply it frequently. It's even better if the balm contains lanolin or petroleum. Some lip balms even have an SPF rating and can help protect your lips from dryness caused by sun exposure. Increase your water intake. To keep your entire body hydrated, and avoid cracked and split lips, drink at least eight glasses of water per day. To promote healing of a split lip, boosting your water intake up by a few glasses might even help. Use toothpaste and mouthwash for dry mouths. There are many dental hygiene products that are specifically made to eliminate or at least reduce mouth dryness. Using these products can help prevent you from getting cracked lips. Use a humidifier. Winter and cold weather can create dry conditions that will cause your lips to crack. These cracks can then turn into deep splits. To counter this pattern, use a humidifier in your room at night. Or, install a humidistat device on your interior heating and cooling system. This is especially a good idea if you are a known mouth-sleeper, which can dry out your lips even more. Monitor your medications. If you suffer from continue split lips, it could be that your medications are to blame. Read all of the warning labels for your meds, looking for any cautions against dryness. If you see something that concerns you, talk with your doctor about medication alternatives. For example, some acne medications dry up the moisture and oils on your entire face, including your lips. Take a multivitamin. Split lips are often a sign of a vitamin deficiency. To counter this problem, take a quality multi vitamin each day that contains iron and zinc. B9 (folate) and other B vitamins can also promote skin healing. Try out a few different vitamin combinations, with the guidance of your doctor, to see what works the best for you. | Wash your hands. Wash the wound with water and mild soap. Place a cold compress on the split. Assess the injury. Dab on a topical analgesic ointment. Apply a liquid bandage or suture strip. Seek emergency treatment. Dab with a saline-soaked cotton ball. Apply a turmeric paste. Avoid irritating foods. Keep your fingers and tongue away. Talk with your doctor or dentist. Apply a zinc-based cream to your lips. Apply lip balm. Increase your water intake. Use toothpaste and mouthwash for dry mouths. Use a humidifier. Monitor your medications. Take a multivitamin. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-a-Neighbor%27s-Dog-from-Barking | How to Stop a Neighbor's Dog from Barking | To stop a neighbor's dog from barking, start by letting your neighbor know that you can hear their dog, and it's disrupting your day-to-day life. You can even offer your neighbor some helpful suggestions, like giving the dog more exercise or taking it to obedience training. If your neighbor isn't open to helping with the situation, try some creative solutions, like blowing a silent dog whistle whenever the dog barks or, if the dog barks when it sees movement, increasing the height of your fence or foliage. | Talk to your neighbor. Many people jump straight to drastic measures instead of simply talking to the neighbor about their concerns. Unless you're on bad terms with your neighbor, the best way to solve this problem is usually to just talk to him or her about it. You could casually approach your neighbor next time you see him or her outside, or write a note asking to set up a time to talk. Your tone at this point should be friendly and be respectful, yet firm. Don't make legal threats; you may have to do that later, but for now, try to keep things civil. Assume your neighbor is unaware of the problem. Say something like, "I knew you'd want to know that Sadie's barking is audible to us at night, especially since our bedroom faces your yard." Explain that the barking is having a negative effect on your sleep, concentration, and so on, and that you would like to work out a good solution. Thank your neighbor for hearing you out and making a change. Most considerate neighbors will do their best to accommodate you right away. Make helpful suggestions. It's possible your neighbor is well aware of the issue but isn't sure how to get the dog to stop barking. If you're pretty sure you know what the problem is, there's nothing wrong with making suggestions. This is especially effective if you're a dog owner, too. You can commiserate over how tough it can be to get a dog to stop barking. Here are a few common problems you might consider bringing up: Dogs kept outside commonly bark from boredom; this is especially true for energetic breeds like German Shepherds, terriers (including Pit Bulls), and guard dogs like Dobermans and Rottweilers. Suggest that the dog needs more exercise. Some dogs are very excitable and nervous, and they bark at everything that passes. Obedience training can be very helpful. You might want to provide the names of a few well-rated training schools in the area. Dogs also bark when they're either too cold or too hot. Many people have the misconception that dogs' fur keeps them warm in subzero weather; it's not the case unless the dog is a husky. If you've seen the dog shivering or looking miserable in the heat of the day, tell your neighbor the dog could be barking because it's uncomfortable. Try to agree on a concrete solution. Rather than expecting your neighbor to put a stop to all barking, it might be more feasible to agree on a practical solution that works for both of you. Here are a few solutions that might apply; you can adapt them to your situation as necessary: See if your neighbor will agree to take the dog inside during certain hours, such as between 10 pm and 7 am, or when there are a lot of triggers to barking, such as when children walk home from school. If barking during the day is a problem because the dog is left outside, see if the neighbor will agree to install a dog house where the dog can take shelter during the day. Discuss a certain date by which the dog house will be installed. If the dog has a behavioral problem and the neighbor agrees it needs to be addressed, see if he or she will set a certain date by which the dog will start attending obedience classes. Block the dog's view. If the dog barks every time it sees movement, blocking its view of your movements might help. Increase the height of your fence or close off areas where the dog sees movement. If the dog is being set off by your cats or other pets moving in the yard at night, this might be enough to quieten the dog. Try to look at things from the dog's perspective when the dog is outside. See if there is anything outside in particular he is barking at, such as rabbits, squirrels, another dog, or something else disturbing them. Then think about whether there is a way to reduce this trigger. See if your neighbor will put up something that blocks the dog's view on sides of their yard that aren't on your property line. Get backup from other neighbors. If your neighbor ignores your requests or doesn't make a change after you've asked politely, it can help to get neighbors involved. Talk to other people who live nearby to see if they're also being kept awake by the dog. You can then talk to your neighbor again as a group. This time your requests are likely to be taken seriously. If you don't want to gang up on your neighbor, ask the other neighbors to contact the dog owner individually. That way he or she won't feel bullied. Best case scenario, the neighbors will be able to put their heads together to come up with a good solution that doesn't leave anyone feeling ostracized. However, if the dog owner is unreceptive and the barking continues unchecked, you may have to change tacks and get authorities involved. Research your town or city's anti-barking laws. Look online at your town or city's codes, by-laws or dog legislation. There may be a code against unruly pets or incessant barking at night; many places have legislation or regulations in place that deals specifically with dogs and/or noise. There might also be a code covering ignoring requests from neighbors. Often neighborhood or civil dispute centers produce small briefs on dog issues, as they're rather commonplace complaints. See if a precedent has already been set in your neighborhood. You may want to share your findings with your neighbor to give him or her one last chance to change before you call the authorities. If you're pretty sure it won't work, move straight to the next step. Call the relevant authority to report a noise complaint. Find out what town hall/council/municipal office or other relevant authority to call so you can file a report on your neighbors for a noise complaint.The authorities will talk to the dog owner and assess the situation. They will usually inform you of the outcome. If nothing changes, call again a few days later. You might want to ask if anonymity is an option when you file the report. In some cases, this may not be an issue for you, especially if it's plain-as-day that you're the one pointing the finger thanks to previous attempts. However, if you have various upset neighbors, maintaining anonymity may be useful to prevent retaliation of any sort. Some jurisdictions will act on anonymous complaints, while others require your name and address but won't reveal this to the neighbor complained about. Check the public or private status of making a complaint before making it. Call animal control to report abuse. If you believe the barking is a result of neglect or another form of abuse, you have the right to call animal control. If the dog is being severely abused it will be confiscated from the owner, but in most cases, animal control won't take the dog away. Instead, they'll come to assess the situation and try to educate the owners as to how to properly care for the dog. If the dog is left outside during extreme heat or cold, this would be considered a good reason to call animal control. If the dog looks underfed or dehydrated, you can call animal control. Get other neighbors to file the same complaint. If the authorities get multiple calls about the same dog owner, they'll be more likely to take action quickly. There's definitely strength in numbers in this situation, so rally as many people as you can to remedy the situation. Sue the dog owner in small claims court. Even after getting the authorities involved, some stubborn dog owners won't comply with requests to quiet the dog. If nothing else works, you can sue for nuisance in small claims court. The goal will be to make a case that the dog's barking is preventing you from enjoying your own home. If you win, the dog owner will have to pay a small sum of money. Prepare to sue by doing the following: Try to negotiate with your neighbor, so you can show the judge that you made an effort. Decide how much you want to sue for. An attorney can help you figure out a dollar amount. Gather witnesses and other proof, like photos or recordings. | Talk to your neighbor. Make helpful suggestions. Try to agree on a concrete solution. Block the dog's view. Get backup from other neighbors. Research your town or city's anti-barking laws. Call the relevant authority to report a noise complaint. Call animal control to report abuse. Get other neighbors to file the same complaint. Sue the dog owner in small claims court. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Find-an-Airport-Career-Job | How to Find an Airport Career Job | To find an airport career job, first think about what type of job you'd like to do, whether it's in customer service, security, or something more plane-specific like pilot or air traffic controller. Then, research the job to see if it requires any skills or qualifications and, if so, complete the necessary training. Positions like custodians or maintenance workers are entry level jobs, while certain security jobs only require a high school diploma and a background check. | Find a job you would enjoy. The first step in finding an airport job will be to examine what jobs are available in the air travel industry. Since the field is rather large you will have plenty of positions to choose from. Take your time and look for jobs or careers that you feel are appealing to you and your professional interests.. Most jobs at an airport will focus on customer service. Airports offer positions for security workers. Many airports feature shops or restaurants and may offer positions in them. You might want to work directly with airplanes or assisting runway procedures. Flight attendants work directly with passengers during the flight. For a comprehensive list of air port careers check on-line at websites like http://www.avjobs.com/ or http://www.airlinejobfinder.com/ Research which skills or training the job requires. Once you have found an airport job or career that you are interested in you will need to discover what training, qualifications, education, or skills it might require. These requirements will vary drastically between positions and doing a little research can help you gain an understanding of what your chosen position might require from you. Some airport jobs such as pilot or air traffic controller will require years highly specialized and rigorous training. Custodians or maintenance workers are responsible for the upkeep of the airport and are generally great entry level positions. Some security positions with the TSA only require you to pass a background check, have a high school diploma and be a US citizen of at least 18 years of age. Obtain any necessary requirements of the position. After you have determined which position you would like to pursue in the air industry you will need to set out to obtain the skills or education required by it. If you already have these skills you might want to consider how up to date they are and seek refresher courses if needed. Some positions at airports will offer on the job training, such as the TSA Other positions with airports will require you to receive training or education through an outside organization, such as is required of pilots or other specialists. Write your contact information. An important part of any resume is to include your full and accurate contact information. Although this may seem obvious it can be the case that an important point of contact was omitted, causing you to miss a job offer if the employer selected you for an interview. Include the following contact information: Your full name. Your address. Phone numbers. An email address. Any websites that you have created that have contact information or highlight your relevant professional skills. Include past employers on your resume. It is considered standard procedure to include a list of your past employers over a period of ten years. This will demonstrate that you were able to be committed to some form of employment during this time and can also demonstrate your skills and capabilities. Make sure your list is complete and contains the following details about your past employers: Full name of the employer The date you were hired and the date you left. Where that employer was located. Focus on your roles and responsibilities with that employer. Detail your skills, qualifications, and education. Your employer will use your resume to judge if you are a good potential candidate for the position you are applying for. In order to demonstrate this you will want to include any relevant skills and qualification to the position as well as your current level of education. Presenting these details in your resume will help your chances of landing an interview. Include the name and address of all colleges attended. Detail any degrees including majors and minors that you obtained from those colleges. List any skills that you might have and that are relevant to the position. Some positions require specific qualifications or certification that should be included in your resume. Prepare a list of references. Although the airport you are applying to may not require you to do so, preparing a list of high quality references can be a useful step to take. References will be able to verify your character, work ethic, and qualifications to an employer. By having contact information for your references ready you will be able to provide them quickly should you be asked to do so. References will be included on a separate page, not on your resume itself. Only include references that you feel will give you a good review. Make sure your references know that you are including them. Include the full name and contact information of each reference. List what your relationship is with you reference. Apply for open positions. After your resume has been completed and it is up to date it's time to begin applying to open positions at the airport. Try to submit an application to any open position that you have an interest in and are qualified for. Stay positive and persistent as you follow the application process through to an interview. Keep a list of which positions you have applied for, where you applied and when you applied. Stay positive and upbeat even if you don't ear back after applying. Apply to as many open positions as you can to increase your chances of getting an interview. Arrive early. Arriving early to an interview is a simple step that you can take to allow you to do your best during the process. Make sure to leave yourself plenty of time for the commute to your interview and plan on arriving at least ten minutes before your scheduled interview time. Plan your travel route out before hand to avoid getting stuck in traffic or arriving late. Arriving early can demonstrate punctuality to you potential employer. Having a few extra minutes will allow you to relax, calm down, and focus before interviewing. Stay confident. Although interviewing can be a difficult and stressful process, expressing confidence can go a long way in helping you secure the position. Try to keep some of the following things in mind to help you appear confident and enthusiastic during the interview: Offer a firm handshake, holding it for around two seconds and make eye contact when greeting your interviewers. Use good body language, avoiding things like fidgeting, scratching or constantly adjusting your clothes. Practice your interview. Practice makes perfect and interviews are no different. Getting some practice in can help to you to stay calmer during your actual interview and represent yourself how you want to. Knowing what you want to say and how you want to say it can also help you feel more confident, improving your chances of getting the job. Try using mock interview services. Practice your responses to questions you expect to be asked. Think of how you want to represent yourself and how you might do that with your responses. Think of some questions to ask your interviewer. Interviews should go both ways, allowing your interviewer to better understand you and allowing you to better understand your potential employer. Don't be afraid to ask a few well thought out questions during your interview as this can demonstrate interest in the position. Take some time to research the position and airline you might be working for. Avoid asking any questions about salary. For example, you might inquire as to where they think the company or airline is heading in the future. Follow up with a thank you. After your interview it can be a good idea to send your interviewer or contact a short thank you message. Sending this message can indicate that you are serious about the position, courteous, and can help make an impression with the interviewer. Send your thank you within 48 hours after your interview. Keep your thank you message short. Thank the interviewer for their time and consideration. Let your contact know that you enjoyed meeting them and are happy for the opportunity. | Find a job you would enjoy. Research which skills or training the job requires. Obtain any necessary requirements of the position. Write your contact information. Include past employers on your resume. Detail your skills, qualifications, and education. Prepare a list of references. Apply for open positions. Arrive early. Stay confident. Practice your interview. Think of some questions to ask your interviewer. Follow up with a thank you. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Check-an-AC-Compressor | How to Check an AC Compressor | Before you check your home's AC compressor for damage, shut off the power so you don't shock yourself. Once the power is off, unscrew the face plate and electric access panel from the AC unit so you can take a look inside. Then, look at the wires and compressor, which will look like a cylindrical tank. If the wires are frayed, call an AC and heating specialist to repair them, which will be cheaper than replacing the compressor. However, if you see damage to the compressor itself, you'll likely need to replace it. | Turn off the power leading to your air conditioning unit. It's important that your power is off so that you don't shock yourself when checking the compressor. Many central air units will have a power shutoff switch on the wall next to the unit. Find the switch and switch it to the off position. If there is no switch, find the circuit breaker that controls the power to the area of the house where the AC unit is. Flip the circuit to the off position to turn off the power. You can unplug the AC to shut down the power if it's a window unit. Unscrew and remove the faceplates from your AC unit. To inspect the compressor, you'll have to remove the faceplates of the unit to see the internal components. One side of the unit will have a faceplate that has ventilation holes and screws attaching it to the unit. Use a Phillips head screwdriver to remove the screws and place them in a safe place for later. Repeat the process on the top of the unit as well. Once all the screws are removed, you should be able to pop out the faceplates to reveal the inside of the unit. Remove the electric access panel if you have one. Once you remove the faceplate, you'll need to remove another panel to unveil the wiring of the AC unit. Use a screwdriver and loosen the screws on the access panel, just like you did AC the faceplates. Once they are removed, pop out the access panel to reveal the unit's wiring. Look for damage to the wires and compressor itself. The compressor will look like a cylindrical metal tank. Examine the compressor and make sure that none of the wires are frayed or damaged. If you do notice frayed or damaged wires running from the compressor, the wires are likely what's causing it to fail. Take notice of the compressor itself. If there is visible damage to the compressor, you will most likely need to replace it. If you need to repair your compressor's wires, you should call a certified air and heating specialist to replace them. This will be cheaper than replacing the compressor itself. Look for burnt or damaged terminals on the compressor. The terminals are the metal nodes that the wires connect to and are usually on the side of the compressor. Make sure that there are no burns or damage to the terminals. If there isn't visible damage to the terminals or wires, you'll have to test the terminals with a multimeter to make sure that they still can hold a current. Wait for the unit to cool down. Touch the top of the AC unit with the palm of your hand. If the unit is still warm, it may throw off your multimeter settings. Wait until the AC unit completely cools down before trying to test the voltages. Remember to make sure that there isn't any power running to the unit or you'll shock yourself. Purchase a multimeter and set it to continuity. There should be a dial on the front of your multimeter. Set this dial to continuity so that you can test each individual terminal to determine where the fault is. Continuity tests whether there is an electrical flow between the terminals. If there is no flow, it's likely that the terminal is broken or damaged. Find the terminals marked C, R, and S. Your compressor should have three terminals on it or in the access panel. The terminals should be marked C, R, and S. These letters stand for common, run, and start. Place the red pin on C and the black pin on S. Place the pins on the black and red wire from your multimeter onto the terminals. Once you place the pins on the terminals, your multimeter should have an ohm reading of less than 30. Anything significantly above this reading indicates that your compressor may be broken. Place the red pin on C and the black pin on R. Repeat the process, this time checking the continuity between the common and run terminals. Again, the continuity should read under 30. Put the red pin on R and the black pin on S. The final test is between the run and start terminals.The continuity between these terminals should be under 30. Purchase a new compressor motor if your ohm readings are high. If your ohm readings are above 30, it means that your compressor motor is likely faulty and you'll need to get it replaced. A heating and air specialist may be able to repair the broken compressor motor instead of having to buy an entirely new compressor. Purchase an entirely new compressor if your ohm readings are low. If your ohm readings are near 0, it means that the connection between your terminals is faulty and you'll need to get a replacement compressor. If you want to make sure that this is indeed the case, refer to a heating or air specialist to get a second opinion. Turn off your vehicle. Turn off the engine so that the moving parts under your hood are stationary. If your engine or internal parts are hot, wait for them to cool down before checking your compressor. Open the hood of your car and locate your AC compressor clutch. The compressor clutch will usually be located under your hood on the left side near the front of your car. It will look like a cylindrical metal piece with tubes and wires running from it. Examine the compressor for damage. Compressors are prone to rust on older vehicles. Check the compressor itself for holes or rust damage. You should also check the tubing and wires to make sure that they aren't disconnected, frayed, or damaged. If they are, you can replace them more cheaply than it would cost to get an entirely new compressor. Disconnect the wires running from your battery to the AC compressor. There should be wires running from the top or side of the compressor. The white wire is your live wire that carries electric current, while the black wire is your ground wire. Press on the sides of the plastic fittings and pull on the wires to remove them. This should reveal the contacts that you'll use to test the compressor. Insert the multimeter pins into the plastic fittings to get a reading. Set your multimeter to continuity and place the pins on the contacts. Setting the dial on your multimeter to continuity will test if current is properly running through your compressor clutch. Replace the coil if the reading is below 3 ohms or above 5 ohms. If you get a reading of 0 ohms, it means that your wires are bad and you'll have to get them replaced. If your reading is over 5 ohms, it most likely means that you have a bad coil, and your diodes will need to be checked by a mechanic. Connect your AC compressor clutch to a 12-volt battery to see if it engages. Connect your negative, or black battery cable with the grounded contact in the compressor. Then, attach the black wire to the negative side of the battery. Connect the positive, or red wire, to the positive side of the battery. Touch the metal end of the wire to the live compressor clutch wire. This should engage the clutch back and forth. If the clutch does not move or make a noise, it means there is an issue with the contacts or the clutch itself. | Turn off the power leading to your air conditioning unit. Unscrew and remove the faceplates from your AC unit. Remove the electric access panel if you have one. Look for damage to the wires and compressor itself. Look for burnt or damaged terminals on the compressor. Wait for the unit to cool down. Purchase a multimeter and set it to continuity. Find the terminals marked C, R, and S. Place the red pin on C and the black pin on S. Place the red pin on C and the black pin on R. Put the red pin on R and the black pin on S. Purchase a new compressor motor if your ohm readings are high. Purchase an entirely new compressor if your ohm readings are low. Turn off your vehicle. Open the hood of your car and locate your AC compressor clutch. Examine the compressor for damage. Disconnect the wires running from your battery to the AC compressor. Insert the multimeter pins into the plastic fittings to get a reading. Replace the coil if the reading is below 3 ohms or above 5 ohms. Connect your AC compressor clutch to a 12-volt battery to see if it engages. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Vignette | How to Write a Vignette | A vignette is a short piece of writing usually no more than 800 to 1000 words long. It focuses on a specific theme, such as spring or a garden, and can take different forms, including a letter or short story. Your vignette can concentrate on anything you like, whether it's an object, person, or a mood, like happiness or mourning. Vignettes are usually very descriptive, so you should try to use all of your senses when talking about something when you're writing one. Avoid including too much context or the back story about a character, since your vignette should create an atmosphere in the present moment it's focused on. Your vignette should also feel urgent when it's read through, so leave out unnecessary details or information that doesn't contribute to its main theme. | Understand the purpose of a vignette. A vignette should express a certain moment, mood, aspect, setting, character, or object. Most of all, it should be short, but descriptive. In terms of length, a vignette is typically 800-1000 words. But it can be as short as a few lines or under 500 words. A vignette will usually have 1-2 short scenes, moments, or impressions about a character, an idea, a theme, a setting, or an object. You can use the first second, or third point of view in a vignette. But most vignettes are told in just one point of view, instead of alternating points of view. Remember you only have a short amount of space on the page for the vignette. So don't waste valuable time confusing your reader with many points of view. The vignette form can also be used by physicians to create a report on the status of a patient or a procedure. In this article, we will be focusing on a literary vignette, not a clinical vignette. Don’t feel restricted to one structure or style in a vignette. A vignette is an open form. This means you do not need to write within a certain structure or a specific plot. So, you can have a clear beginning, middle, and end, or you can skip beginnings and endings altogether. A vignette also does not require a main conflict or a resolution of a conflict. This freedom gives some vignettes an unfinished or unresolved tone. But unlike other traditional storytelling forms like the novel or the short story, a vignette does not have to tie up all the loose ends. In a vignette, you are not limited by a certain genre or style. So you can combine elements of horror and romance, or you can use poetry and prose in the same vignette. Feel free to use simple and minimal language, or lush, detailed prose. Remember the one rule of the vignette: create an atmosphere, not a story. Because there is limited space in a vignette, it's important to show, rather than tell the reader. So avoid inserting backstory or exposition into a vignette. Focus instead on creating a snapshot in the life of a character or a certain setting. A vignette can also come in the form of a blog entry or even a Twitter post. Usually, shorter vignettes are more difficult to write, as you need to create an atmosphere in very few words and evoke a reaction from your reader. Read examples of vignettes. There are several great vignette examples, varying from very short to long. For example: The publication Vine Leaves Journal publishes vignettes, both short and long. One of the submissions from their first issue is a two-line vignette by the poet Patricia Ranzoni, called “Flashback”: “ the softness from dialing the phone/is like lifting the lid to my music box. ” Charles Dickens uses longer vignettes or “sketches” in his novel “Sketches by Boz” to explore London scenes and people. The writer Sandra Cisneros has a collection of vignettes called “The House on Mango Street”, narrated by a young Latina girl living in Chicago. Analyze the examples. Whether the vignette is two lines long or two paragraphs long, it should communicate a certain emotion or mood to the reader. Look closely at how the example vignettes use tone, language, and mood to evoke emotions in the reader. For example, the two-line vignette by the poet Patricia Ranzoni is a successful piece because it is both simple and complex. Simple in that it describes the feeling you might get as you dial the number of someone you are excited to talk to. But complex in that the vignette ties the excitement of dialing a number to the excitement of lifting a music box. So the vignette combines two images to create one emotion. It also uses “softness” to describe dialing the phone, which also connects to the softness of the lining of a music box, or the soft music that plays from a music box. With just two lines, the vignette effectively creates a certain mood for the reader. In Cisneros' “The House on Mango Street”, there is a vignette called “Boys & Girls”. It is a longer vignette, four paragraphs long, or around 1,000 words. But it sums up the young narrator's emotion towards the boys and girls in her neighborhood, as well as her relationship with her sister, Nenny. The narrator uses simple, direct language to describe the separate world of boys and girls in her neighborhood. Cisneros finishes the vignette with an image that sums up the narrator's feelings. Someday I will have a best friend all my own. One I can tell my secrets to. One who will understand my jokes without my having to explain them. Until then I am a red balloon, a balloon tied to an anchor. The image of a “balloon tied to an anchor” adds color and texture to the vignette. The narrator's feeling of being weighed down by her sister is perfectly summed up by the last image. So the reader is left with the feeling of being held down or tethered to someone, just like the narrator. Create an association diagram. An association diagram is also known as a clustering technique. You will create a cluster or group of words around a theme or idea. Take out a sheet of paper. Write your main topic or subject in the middle of the paper. For example, “Spring”. Moving out from the center, write down other words that pop into your mind that relate to “Spring”. For example, for “Spring”, you might write “flowers”, “rain”, “Spring break”, “new life”. Don't worry about organizing the words as you write. Simply let the words flow around the main topic. Once you feel you have written enough words around the main topic, start to cluster the words. Draw a circle around words that relate to each other and draw a line between the circled words to connect them. Continue doing this with the other words. Some of the terms may end up uncircled, but these lone words can still be useful. Focus on how the words relate to the main topic. If you have clustered together several words that relate to “new life”, for example, maybe this may be a good approach for the vignette. Or if there are a lot of clustered words that focus on “flowers", this may be another way to approach “Spring.” Answer questions like: “I was surprised by…” or “I discovered…” For example, you may look over the clustered words and note “I was surprised by how often I mention my mother in relation to Spring.” Or, “I discovered I may want to write about how Spring means new life.” Do a free-write. A free-write is a chance for you to let your thoughts flow on a piece of paper. Write whatever comes into your mind and don't judge what you are writing. Take out a piece of paper, or open a new document on your computer. Write the main topic at the top of the paper. Then, set a time limit of 10 minutes and start the free-write. A good rule of thumb for the free-write is to not lift your pen from the paper, or your fingers from the keyboard. This means not re-reading the sentences you just wrote or going back over a line for spelling, grammar, or punctuation. If you feel you have run out of things to write down, write about your frustrations about not having anything else to say about the main topic. Stop writing once the timer is up. Read over the text. Though there may be some confusing or convoluted thoughts, there will also be sentences you may like or an insight that may be useful. Highlight or underline sentences or phrases you think may work in the vignette. Ask the six big questions. Take out a sheet of paper or open a new document. Write the main topic of the vignette at the top of the document. Then, write down six headings: Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How? Respond to each question with a phrase or sentence. For example, if your topic is “Spring”, you may answer Who? with “my mother and I in the garden”. You may answer When? with “A hot summer day in July when I was six years old.” You may answer Where? with “Miami, Florida.” You may answer Why? with “Because it was one of the happiest moments of my life.” And you may answer How? with “I was alone with my mother in the garden, without my sisters.” Look over your responses. Do you have more than one or two phrases for a certain question? Is there one question you had no answer for? If your answers reveal you know more about “where” and “why”, maybe this is where the strongest ideas for the vignette are. Decide on the style of the vignette. Maybe you want to do a freestyle vignette where you create a scene or describe an object. Or perhaps you'd like to use the format of a letter or a blog post for the vignette. For example, a vignette about “Spring” could describe a scene in the garden with your mother, among the flowers and trees. Or it could be in the form of a letter to your mother about that day in Spring, among the flowers and trees. Add sensory details. Focus on the five senses: touch, taste, smell, sight, and sound. Could a certain detail in the vignette be stronger with a description of the smell of a flower or the softness of the petals of a flower? You can also add figurative language to strengthen the vignette, such as similes, metaphors, alliteration, and personification. But use these sparingly and only when you feel like a simile or metaphor will highlight the rest of the vignette. For example, the use of the red balloon attached to an anchor in Cisneros' “Boys & Girls” is an effective use of figurative language. But it works well because the rest of the vignette uses simple language, so the image at the end of the vignette lingers with the reader. Condense the vignette. A good vignette should have a sense of urgency. This means cutting out details like what the character ate for breakfast or the color of the sky in the garden unless they are essential to the vignette. Only include scenes and moments that add urgency, and remove any details that slow down the pace of the vignette. Look over the first two lines of the vignette. Does the vignette begin at the right moment? Is there a sense of urgency in the first two lines? Make sure your characters collide with each other very early in the vignette. See if you can edit the vignette so you set a scene in the least words possible. | Understand the purpose of a vignette. Don’t feel restricted to one structure or style in a vignette. Remember the one rule of the vignette: Read examples of vignettes. Analyze the examples. Create an association diagram. Do a free-write. Ask the six big questions. Decide on the style of the vignette. Add sensory details. Condense the vignette. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Smoke-a-Brisket | How to Smoke a Brisket | Before smoking brisket, buy meat that is fresh and has some fat marbling in it. Prepare it by trimming the fat to 1/4 inch thick and rubbing it with spices before leaving it in the refrigerator overnight. Get your grill ready by spreading out the hot coals and placing soaked hardwood chips over them. Then put the meat on the grill with the fat side up and cook it while maintaining the grill temperature at 200 °F. When the inside temperature of the meat is 185 °F, remove it from the grill and let it rest before slicing. | Buy a fresh piece of meat. Since you are taking the trouble to smoke a brisket, start with the freshest piece of meat you can find. A good piece of brisket should be deep red. It should be tender and spring back to the touch. Make sure it has a fresh, clean smell. Try to ensure the brisket you buy has not been frozen. Frozen brisket makes for a less tender finished product. Lift the brisket. If it feels stiff or flops over, either it has been frozen or it is no longer fresh. Make sure the brisket has good marbling. Briskets turn out fall-apart tender because they are laced with fat, both inside and out. Choose a piece of meat with a good "fat cap" - the white layer of fat at the tip of the brisket - and plenty of marbling all over the meat. The only part of the meat without much fat is the flat section. The fat should be bright white. If it looks yellow, the meat has likely been frozen or is not fresh. Choose the right size. A brisket between 8 and 12 pounds will feed a large party. Smaller briskets may cook too quickly, so avoid going below 8 pounds. Larger briskets cook too slowly and become tough after staying in the smoker for so long. Start the night before. The brisket has to sit in the refrigerator overnight to tenderize. If you smoke it without taking this step, it will not be as flavorful. Trim the fat. If the fat cap is too thick, the brisket will not cook as evenly. Trim it back to ⁄ 4 inch (0.6 cm) to ensure the smoke can penetrate to the meat. Choose to use a rub or a marinade. A rub is composed of dry spices that are rubbed into the meat, while a marinade tenderizes the meat with wet ingredients. You can buy a rub made with pre-mixed spices, or make one yourself using your favorite seasonings. Mix salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and pepper in a bowl. Add brown sugar if you want the meat to have a sweet barbecue taste. Pour the mixture of the meat and rub it in. You can buy a marinade made with pre-mixed oils and spices, or make your own using salt, spices, olive oil, vinegar, maple syrup, and brown sugar. Mix the marinade in a bowl. Place the brisket in a large baking dish and pour the marinade over the meat, making sure it is covered on all sides. Refrigerate the brisket overnight. Wrap the brisket in plastic wrap if you are using a rub, or if you're using a marinade, cover the baking dish. Place the brisket in the refrigerator and allow it to tenderize overnight. https://downshiftology.com/recipes/brisket-dry-rub/ Let the brisket come to room temperature before cooking. Plan to remove the brisket from the refrigerator a few hours before it is time to cook it. This helps the brisket begin cooking faster when you place it in the smoker. Get the smoker or grill ready. Smokers cook meat slowly with indirect heat, allowing the fat from the meat to soften and distribute through the tissue, making it tender and delicious. This effect can be achieved using a grill if you don't have a smoker. Use the "indirect heat" method of cooking on a grill by either pushing all the coals to one side and cooking on the other, or only lighting one side of a gas grill. Place hardwood chips that have been soaking in water for at least 1 hour over the fire. These produce the smoke that flavors the meat and the moisture that keeps it from drying out. Add a drip pan below where the meat will sit, since a fair amount of fat will drip off while it cooks. Place the brisket on the grill. Set it fat side up, not directly over the heat. Let it smoke for 1 hour and 15 minutes for every pound of meat, rotating it 180 degrees in the middle of the cooking cycle. Keep the lid on the smoker when you are not rotating it. Maintain a grill temperature between 200 and 250 degrees, the closer to 200 the better. Consider basting the meat while it cooks to keep the meat moist and add extra flavor. Baste no more than once an hour, since smoke gets released every time you open the lid. Remove the brisket from the smoker when it's finished cooking. The brisket is finished when it reaches an internal temperature of 180 degrees. Keep cooking it until the temperature rises to about 185, then remove it from the smoker and set it on a plate. Slice the brisket against the grain. This ensures the meat stays tender and does not fall apart. Slice the meat as thin or as thick as you like it. Serve the brisket. It is wonderful on its own with barbecue sauce, but you can also serve it on sandwich buns. | Buy a fresh piece of meat. Make sure the brisket has good marbling. Choose the right size. Start the night before. Trim the fat. Choose to use a rub or a marinade. Refrigerate the brisket overnight. Let the brisket come to room temperature before cooking. Get the smoker or grill ready. Place the brisket on the grill. Remove the brisket from the smoker when it's finished cooking. Slice the brisket against the grain. Serve the brisket. |
https://www.wikihow.com/React-When-a-Boy-Asks-You-Out | How to React When a Boy Asks You Out | It can be nerve-wracking when a boy asks you out, but by knowing how to graciously accept a date or politely turn it down, you'll do just fine. Take a deep breath after he asks you to calm your nerves, since you don't want to get flustered. Then, give him a straight answer, which is only fair to him. If you want to accept the date, smile and say something like, “I'd love to go out with you.” You could also respond by suggesting a location if he didn't say any, like a quiet coffee shop or cafe. If you want to turn him down, be polite by acknowledging his effort before clearly saying no. For instance, try saying, “I really appreciate you asking, but I'm just not interested.” Alternatively, you might say, “Thanks for asking, but I'm not looking for a relationship right now.” | Remain calm. If you've been waiting a long time for this particular guy to ask you out, it's easy to get flustered or overly excited. Instead, remain calm while letting him know that you're excited about the date. Smile and tell him you'd love to go on a date. Give him a straight answer. It can be tempting to play hard-to-get when a guy asks you on a date, but you should try not to. If he had the courage to ask you out, you should give him a straight answer as soon as possible, instead of playing hard to get. For example, you should say something like “I'd love to go out with you!” instead of “Well, let me check my calendar and get back to you.” It is okay to agree to the date but tell him you have to check to see when you're available, particularly since you might be busy. Say something like “I'd love to go out – I think I'm free next Friday but let me check my calendar.” Suggest somewhere you can focus on each other. If he doesn't ask you to go on a date to a specific location, you can respond to his date request by making a suggestion yourself. This has the double benefit of letting him know you're excited about the date and making sure you go somewhere where you feel comfortable. Examples of good first date places are quiet coffee shops or bars. Try to avoid going to the movies on a first date, or going out to eat. You can't talk in a movie so you won't know anymore about him after the date than you did before. Trying to eat a meal and talk at the same time is also difficult. Confirm your plans. It's a good idea to confirm the plans you've made for your date the night before or the afternoon of the date. It lets him know you're looking forward to the date. It also prevents you from showing up at the wrong place or at the wrong time. Respond in a timely manner. If you're on an online dating site, you know that people you might be interested in can become unavailable really quickly. So if a guy you're interested in asks you out, respond as quickly as possible. You can say something like in your message back like “Thanks so much for messaging me. I'd love to go out!” Meet quickly. For the same reason that you don't want to wait too long to respond to the date request, you don't want to wait too long to go out, either – he might get snapped up by someone else. When you message him to accept the date, make a suggestion for a date and time for it. For example, you can say something like “Thanks for asking me out – I'd love to go out! How's Friday night at 8?” Avoid having extended online conversations. The whole point of a date is to get to know someone better. It can be tempting, once you've been asked out, to ask him a bunch of questions. Save it for the date – where it's easier to read body language and get a sense of what kind of guy he is. Unless you've established that you both love phone conversations, refrain from calling him before the first date except to discuss meeting logistics. You can do this through the dating app or website where you met. Meet in a public place. Because accepting an online dating request means going out with someone you've never actually met, choose a public place to meet. This ensures there are people around during your date should anything go wrong. Acknowledge his effort. If you get a date request – online or in person – from someone you're not interested in dating, you should start by acknowledging his effort. It can be really scary to ask someone out, and he went out on a limb by doing so. For example, you can say something like “Thank you so much for asking/messaging me! I know how hard it is to take that first step.” Give a clear response. Once you've acknowledged his effort, you need to clearly say no if you're not interested in going out with him. Don't say maybe and don't say you have to think about it if you don't. For example, you can say, “I really appreciate you asking me, but I'm just not interested.” Be honest. You might be tempted to make an excuse when you turn him down to ease your rejection. However, doing this can leave your “no” open to interpretation, so try to be as honest as possible. For example, don't say "I'm seeing someone" if you're not or "I'm not looking for a relationship" if you are. The fact that you have an online dating profile suggests you are looking to date and makes these responses sound hollow. You might also be turning him down because you're just not interested in men. Be honest about it if that's the case. Don’t just ignore him. If you get a date request online or in person, don't just ignore him. Make sure you that you give him a response, even if it's short and sweet. You can ignore this rule if you get a date request from a total stranger or if the request itself is overly aggressive or sexually explicit. | Remain calm. Give him a straight answer. Suggest somewhere you can focus on each other. Confirm your plans. Respond in a timely manner. Meet quickly. Avoid having extended online conversations. Meet in a public place. Acknowledge his effort. Give a clear response. Be honest. Don’t just ignore him. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Split-Pea-Soup | How to Make Split Pea Soup | To make split pea soup, start by bringing dried peas to a boil and letting them simmer, stirring them occasionally. While the peas are simmering, sauté onion, carrots, celery, and a bay leaf, then add them to the peas. Cook your soup for 45 minutes if you like your vegetables firm, or up to 2 hours if you prefer them mushy. About 30 minutes before your soup is done, add cubed, cooked ham if you want. Just be sure to puree your soup before you add the ham if you want your soup smooth. Finally, add salt and pepper to taste before serving. | Sort and rinse the peas. Because peas are a natural product, the package may contain small stones, dirt, or pea pod fragments. Sift through the dried split peas with your fingers and pick these out. Once you're left with just peas, rinse them in a fine mesh strainer to clean off dust. Soak the peas (optional). Split peas cook relatively quickly, so soaking is not necessary. That said, you can speed up the cooking time by soaking them in a covered pot of water for four hours, or overnight. Chop the vegetables. Chop up the carrots, onions, and celery, plus other vegetables if desired. Chop finely for a thin soup, or into ¼ to ½" (6 to 12 mm) chunks for a more stew-like meal. Optionally, save half a carrot to grate over the top of the serving bowl. Simmer the ham bone or hock (optional). If using a leftover ham bone, trim off and discard the fat. If using a smoked ham hock, leave as-is. Either way, you have two options when adding it to the soup: Simmer the ham in a pot of water, skimming and discarding the foam. Cook for about one hour before you start boiling the peas. Alternatively, cook the ham in the same pot as the peas. This is faster, but adds less meaty flavor. There's also some risk of overcooking the peas to mush, as the meat can take 1–2 hours to become tender (falling off the bone). Add more flavor to vegetarian soups. If you aren't using ham, boost the peas in some other way. Garlic and peppers add strong flavor, while tomatoes have a good, meaty texture. Use vegetable stock in place of all or part of the water, perhaps with a splash of wine (red or white). Try additional herbs such as rosemary and thyme. Acidic ingredients such as tomatoes and wine can make the peas take longer to soften. These are most likely fine in small amounts, but you can add them late in the cooking process if you want to be safe. Bring the peas to a boil, stirring frequently. Bring 8 cups (1.9 L) water to a boil, preferably in a thick-bottomed pot to prevent burning. Add the peas and bring to a boil again. Stir frequently to prevent burning and sticking to the bottom. If you simmered the ham, add the peas to the same pot, or substitute ham stock for some or all of the water. If you didn't prepare the ham in advance, add it directly to the same pot of water. Cover and let simmer. Stir occasionally to make sure the peas don't burn. Sauté the vegetables. Heat oil in a large frying pan until it shimmers. Add onions and cook until softened and glossy but not browned, 3-5 minutes. Add the rest of the vegetables, the bay leaf, and any other herbs you're using. Sauté another 5 minutes. This will add more flavor to the soup. Add the vegetables to the soup when desired. Recently purchased split peas may be ready in 45–60 minutes, depending on how mushy you like them. If they've been in storage for a while, they may take up to 90 minutes or even 2 hours. Aim to add the vegetables about 30 minutes before the peas are finished. (When in doubt, add them 20 minutes after the peas started simmering.) Add the bay leaf and other herbs immediately, plus a pinch of salt. Despite kitchen rumors, the salt will not lengthen the cooking time. You don't need the salt if cooking the peas with a ham. If you like soft, mushy vegetables, add them immediately. Deal with the ham. When the peas have begun to fall apart slightly but still have 30 minutes of cooking left, remove the ham bone or hock. Allow it to cool enough to handle it. Cut off any remaining meat, cube it, and return it to the soup. Discard the bone. If you plan on blending the soup, leave the ham out until you're done blending. Blend the soup (optional). If you're serious about having a smooth soup, you can use a blender or hand mixer to puree the soup. Remove the bay leaf before you do. Skip this step for a thick, chunky soup. If transferring to a standing blender, only blend small amounts at a time. Hot soup can easily blow the lid off the blender. Add salt and pepper to taste. Sea salt or Kosher salt gives a lighter salt flavor, but any salt is fine. Serve hot. Remove the bay leaf before serving. Serve with fresh bread, cornbread , or biscuits to make a simple winter meal or side dish. Sprinkle with grated carrot or croutons for extra flavor and crunch. | Sort and rinse the peas. Soak the peas (optional). Chop the vegetables. Simmer the ham bone or hock (optional). Add more flavor to vegetarian soups. Bring the peas to a boil, stirring frequently. Cover and let simmer. Sauté the vegetables. Add the vegetables to the soup when desired. Deal with the ham. Blend the soup (optional). Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Be-Best-Friends-With-Your-Teacher | How to Be Best Friends With Your Teacher | It may be difficult to become friends with one of your teachers while you're a student, since teachers need to maintain a professional distance from their students. However, if you want to get to know your teacher better, try offering to help with classroom tasks. This will allow you to spend more time with your teacher as well as learn more about the subject they teach. Outside of the classroom, try joining any extracurricular activities your teacher leads. This will allow you to talk to your teacher about topics other than schoolwork. | Participate in class. It's your teacher's job to make sure you begin to understand the world around you. Your social and academic education is a long process, and all of your teachers play an important role in providing a basis of knowledge that you'll continue to expand upon for the rest of your life. In order to learn anything, let alone befriend any of your teachers, you need to participate in their classes! Pay attention during class, and always put forth a serious effort to understand what your teacher is sharing with the class. At the very least, come to school prepared to learn, with the books and writing utensils you need for each class, and your homework assignments complete. Never skip class! Also try try try not to be late! Teachers often do not like the students who are constantly late because it shows you do not care about taking part in your education. Be inquisitive. If what your teacher is saying doesn't make sense, ask questions about anything that is unclear. Believe it or not, teachers usually like when students ask questions. Your curiosity indicates you've been listening, and that you're ready and willing to learn. Further, your questions will help other students better understand the content as well. Feel free to ask questions that expand upon the content in class. For instance, after a lecture about what stars are made of, ask something like "Why is it that some stars in our sky are brighter than others?" Catch your teacher after class to ask for personal insight. Say something like, "Miss Markey, I've really been enjoying the section we've been studying on the night sky. Do you have a favorite place to look at the stars?" Offer to help with classroom tasks. If you have a favorite teacher that you want to get the chance to speak with more often, ask how you can be more involved in the classes you have together. Tasks you may be able to help with are dependent on the classes you're taking. For instance, if your teacher teaches science, offer to come to class a few minutes early to help setup the experiments for that day. This will allow you to get to know your favorite teacher better. You'll also likely wind up learning more about the subjects they teach, and may find that you share some of your teacher's interests. It's alright if you don't have any ideas about how to be more involved in. Ask your teacher how you can contribute by saying something like, "Is there any way I can dive deeper into this material with you? I'd be happy to help set up for our next class!" Join extracurricular activities your teacher leads. You may have one or two teachers that you especially admire. If a teacher you favor coaches an athletic team or advises a club at school, consider joining. In the classroom, conversation should focus mostly on the content that is being taught. Extracurricular activities offer a great way to learn from your teacher about things other than academic subjects. Outside of the classroom, you and your teacher will get the chance to talk more about other things that are important. These conversations may even prove to be equally important as the discussions held during class. For instance, these conversations might touch on facing challenges and finding creative solutions to address them, or working hard to achieve personal goals. Ask general questions as well as specific ones. Ask something like "How can I make my drawing look more realistic?" or "Have you ever tried to learn something that was really hard at first? How did you get better?" Be positive and polite. An esteemed and much-loved author once said, “Babies, be kind.” Believe it or not, he was talking to adults, but the advice holds for kids of any age. Perhaps the best way to initiate a friendship with someone is simply being polite! If you each have a moment when you pass one another in the hallway, stop to chat. Ask something like "What's the next thing you're looking forward to?" You may even learn something new and interesting about your teacher. You can keep it simple too. A quick “see you tomorrow” on the way out of class lets your teacher know you're glad to be in their class – and that alone is significant. Ask questions outside of class. In the most literal sense, "getting along" doesn't mean much more than communicating in a way that both you and your teacher enjoy. Good communication is based on clearly sharing one's thoughts and needs with one another, and listening enough to understand what the other is saying. Don't hesitate to ask your teacher questions about life outside of the material you're learning in the classroom. For instance, if you've been wondering about how to approach a certain issue with one of your friends, say something like “Can I ask you about something that's not related to class?” Your teacher will likely be happy to talk to you about whatever. Find out what they’re interested in. One of the best ways to enrich your relationship with another human being is by learning more about them. The best way to do this is to ask! For instance, ask your teacher questions like “Why did you decide to become a teacher?” or “What do you like most about teaching?” Not only do these sorts of questions lead to quality conversations, you'll also come to recognize the sorts of things and ideas that your teacher values. Thank your teacher. At the conclusion of a course, thank your teacher by saying something like, “Thanks for teaching us this year. I appreciate your willingness to learn and grow with us.” This pertains to both the teachers you became friends with, and those you don't. Chances are, you will likely think of some of your teachers years after you took their classes. It may be easier to convey your gratitude in a letter. Remember that your teacher will likely be happy to hear your appreciation. Include an illustration if you're feeling creative - it may even end up on the wall of your teacher's office. In the future, whenever you're back in town, make a point of visiting old teachers. They will immensely appreciate this gesture, as it indicates that you value the impact they made on your life. Imagine yourself becoming a teacher. It's totally alright if you have no intentions of being a teacher when you grow up. Either way, picture yourself as a teacher. Remind yourself that your teacher chose to make a career of sharing new ideas and information with kids like you. Chances are, watching you learn is deeply rewarding for them. Ask yourself: If you were a teacher, what sort of relationship would you want with your students? Don’t worry if your teacher corrects you. Remind yourself that your teacher has a job to do. If they take that job seriously, that means they'll need to correct and even discipline you and other students from time to time. For instance, if you make an error in class and your teacher points it out, don't let it bother you. It's not an attack on you personally, they're simply teaching you by pointing out something that is incorrect. Similarly, if you're caught passing a note or otherwise not paying attention, don't overreact. Your teacher is not attacking you, they are simply bringing your attention back to the classroom. Apologize after class and know that your teacher will forgive you. Address any issues. If it feels like you and a teacher don't get along, stay calm. Sometimes, personalities clash. Simply fulfill your responsibilities as a student and don't worry too much about a teacher that is unfriendly. If a teacher is aggressively mean or rude to you in any way, tell both your parents and/or a guidance counselor. If you feel the need to do so, request a meeting with the teacher and another adult. This can be helpful to discuss any potential problems and create a more comfortable atmosphere for both you and your teacher. Keep it professional. Think of your relationship with your teacher as your first “professional” relationship. For the rest of your life, you'll need to be able to interact with other people, and you won't necessarily enjoy everyone you interact with. Understand that you don't need to be friends with someone to have a healthy relationship with them. Focus on paying attention in class and behaving, and your teacher will likely recognize your efforts. Respect boundaries. You may find yourself getting along particularly well with one of your teachers. Recognize that their position as a teacher, and yours as a student, requires that certain types of relationships are illegal. More specifically, you cannot become romantically involved with your teacher. Ethics and morality aside, a romantic relationship places your teacher's career at risk, and may even result in criminal proceedings. Do not attempt to flirt with your teacher. This places them in an uncomfortable position, and is disrespectful to them and your other classmates. If a teacher makes romantic comments towards you, politely point out that you are their student. If you are in any way uncomfortable with what a teacher says to you, tell your parents as well as another school employee. | Participate in class. Be inquisitive. Offer to help with classroom tasks. Join extracurricular activities your teacher leads. Be positive and polite. Ask questions outside of class. Find out what they’re interested in. Thank your teacher. Imagine yourself becoming a teacher. Don’t worry if your teacher corrects you. Address any issues. Keep it professional. Respect boundaries. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Date-a-Scorpio | How to Date a Scorpio | To date a Scorpio, keep in mind that Scorpios tend to be stubborn and stuck in their ways, so avoid trying to change them too much or you could push them away. However, don't be afraid to stand your ground if a Scorpio is being too pushy or demanding since it will actually help you earn their respect. Additionally, plan fun, exciting activities together, like dancing, rock climbing, or skydiving, since Scorpios tend to prefer a thrilling relationship over a predictable routine. | Play the game on their terms. Since Scorpios love to be in control, maintain your own control of the situation by playing to their expectations. As hunters, they love the thrill of the chase, so think of yourself as prey for them to hunt. Present yourself as a prize who is truly worth hunting. Get their attention. Scorpios love to hunt, but they need something to go after. Initiate contact. Flirt a little to taunt them into chasing you, or let them catching you sneaking peeks at them from across the room. Keep it subtle. Spark their interest by indicating your own without throwing yourself at them. Make them chase you. Once they go for the bait, pull back a little and make them work for it. Act a little aloof, but no so much that you come across as cold, bored, or distant. Engage in conversation to show you're interested in them, but hold your best bits back at first to maintain a sense of mystery about yourself. Nix the small talk. Even if you have a million things to say about the weather, use the less-is-more tactic. Whether or not they're right, Scorpios might view your nonstop small talk as the sum total of all you have to say. If and when you do have to resort to small talk, keep steady eye contact and lean in close to indicate that the topic at hand is really just an excuse for you to talk to them. Keep flattery to an absolute minimum. Avoid coming across as easy prey. Even if you already think the world of them, keep that to yourself for now. Scorpios love challenges, so make them think they have a way to go in order to impress you. Argue your points. If you happen to disagree with something they say, say so. Be provocative by challenging what they believe. Keep it friendly, though. Frame your arguments by saying, “Well, I believe …” or “I just think …” instead of stoking their competitive streak too much by flat-out declaring, “You're wrong.” Create an air of intimacy. Scorpios crave real connections and strong chemistry, so improve your chances by making each moment about the two of you and no one else. Either plan ahead to have a one-on-one encounter, or draw them into a private corner if you find yourselves at larger gatherings. Prove yourself to be secure enough to forego the safety net of other people's company. Stroke their ego by showing them that you would rather be alone with them. Create a private bubble around yourselves. Scorpios value privacy, so speak in low tones that no one else can overhear. When you decide it's time to make a move, whether it's simply holding hands or something more intense, do so furtively and out of view of other people. If you want to be their love interest, that means you want to be part of their private inner life, so keep the public displays of affection tasteful and to a minimum. Communicate physically. Let your body do the talking, especially whenever you have to fall back on small talk to flirt with them in the beginning. Lock eyes with them and don't let go. Stand a step closer to them than you would with anybody else. Touch their hand to draw their attention or emphasize a point that you're making. Anticipate their needs. Show how tuned you are to them by helping them out before they even think to ask. If you're sharing a pitcher and you see that they've almost finished their glass, pour them another drink. If you notice that they seem to feel too hot or too cold, ask them if they want to relocate to somewhere more comfortable. Scorpios respond to chemistry, and nothing says chemistry better than knowing what the other person wants before they do. Refrain from comparing them to anybody else. If they strike you as being exactly like your best friend from school years ago, stay mum on the subject. If they make a comment that you heard someone else make just the other day, zip your lips. Maintain the air of intimacy by keeping the focus on the two of you without bringing anyone else into the conversation, even if the comparison is favorable. Resist prying. Scorpios have a tough time sharing their inner private lives, so don't scare them off by coming across as someone who likes to snoop or blab. Since they love to be in control, simply follow their line of conversation. Steer clear of topics that they might consider taboo or otherwise find uncomfortable. If they receive a phone call or text, or if a friend of theirs walks up and whispers in their ear, leave it unmentioned. Keep negative comments to yourself. Avoid speaking ill of others, especially if they're family or friends. Even if you have a valid complaint about your sister or a buddy, remember that your Scorpio will wonder why you shared it with them. Avoid leaving the impression that you're just as likely to speak negatively of them behind their back, too. Concede some control. Expect your Scorpio to want to dictate their own lives and, to an extent, yours. Adapt yourself as best as you can to their vision of how things should be. As you both share your wants, needs, and dreams, judge theirs versus your own to see if they're compatible. The less compatible they are, the more likely that you should probably end things rather than waste time by asking them to change for you. Talk about the future. Ask them what their goals in life are: where do they want to live; what do they want to do for a career; etc. Compare them with your own. If the two of you can each accomplish your respective five-year plans without any great sacrifice, you're good to go. But if you want to open a bakery in your hometown while they want to jet all over the globe as an archaeologist, it's probably best to walk away now, because they're not going to settle. Talk about their expectations of you. Scorpios like to dictate the nature of their relationships as well as everything else. Suss out what they expect out of you as a partner. If you fit their idea of an ideal mate, congrats. If the person they describe doesn't sound a thing like you, call it quits, because they will probably expect you to be this person regardless. Stand your ground when needed. Although you'll have to adapt a bit in order to make things work, don't be afraid to draw lines. Adapt where you're willing to, but stay true to yourself when their demands are too much. Earn their respect by refusing to be a pushover, while ensuring that they treat you how you wish to be treated. Maintain trust. Scorpios have a lot of issues regarding trust, so make earning and keeping their trust a top priority. At the same time, accept that they will probably never share everything with you. Respect their right to keep some private matters to themselves, while proving to them that they're safe in sharing everything else with you. Resist snooping. Stay out of their sock drawer. Leave their cellphones and other devices alone unless they invite you to use them. Even then, refrain from checking their histories to see what your Scorpio's been up to. Be honest. Never lie to them. Scorpios resent being deceived, so if you're uncomfortable with sharing something, it's better to simply keep it to yourself rather than build a wall of lies to hide whatever it is. Consider yourself as equally entitled to a private inner life as your Scorpio considers their self to be. Show your loyalty. If a Scorpio decides to seriously date you, know that they'll take your relationship very, very seriously. Expect them to judge you on how devoted you are to being their partner. Defend your partner when they're falsely accused or otherwise attacked by others. Take your partner's side and consider the aggressor as an unwelcome person in your life, even if they used to be your friend. Avoid flirting with anyone else. Even if you have zero interest in someone who decides to hit on you, don't engage or otherwise humor them. Your Scorpio might misinterpret "being polite" with "being interested." Also, say goodbye to your exes. If you're still on good terms with them, wish them the best in life, but let them know it's time for you to move on for good. Keep their sense of adventure alive. Remember: Scorpios love the thrill of the chase, so now that they've caught you, they need something new to chase after. Avoid falling into predictable routines. Stimulate their love of life and pursuit. Conquer new challenges together. Propose new activities for the both of you to do. Go wall- or rock-climbing. Find a local polar-bear swim and take a midwinter dive into icy waters. Try skydiving. Whatever you choose, it doesn't need to be death-defying or a lifelong pursuit–just something new and exciting. Explore intellectual pursuits as a couple. Join an art program and learn how to paint or sculpt together. Take a walking tour to learn about local history. Go to lectures and museums or even a murder-mystery dinner. Put your brains together and expand your knowledge. Spice up your love life. If you're going to share your fantasies with anyone, a Scorpio is an ideal partner. Any way you can think of to switch things up, they'll probably be game for. However, ease into this, rather than daring them right from the get-go. Coming on too strong too fast may turn them off if they still haven't come to trust you yet. Define your relationship in clear terms. Whether you're interested in a serious romance or a more casual fling, let them know what you want in no uncertain terms. Although Scorpios are eager to meet their soulmate, they will often accept chemistry as they find it, whether it be with a longterm partner or a friend with benefits. Avoid confusion and hurt feelings by asking them exactly what they're seeking from you and by stating your own expectations. Find out why they "turn off. " If they seem to lose interest after the first date or two (or fail to respond to your signals to begin with), they may have genuinely lost interest, or they may be so interested that they've backed off to rethink their strategy, especially if you're already friends with a risk of losing you altogether if things don't work out. If it's the former, accept it, because there's not much you can do to change their mind. If it's the latter, assure them that you really do want to move forward. Weather the storm. Scorpios are prone to mood swings, so brace yourself. When something's wrong, expect them to fly off the handle one minute and freeze you out the next. Stay calm and collected, because what they need is someone who's more grounded. Avoid mirroring their behavior and making things worse. Pursue their silences. When they shut you out, gently probe for the reason why. Scorpios expect such a strong connection between the two of you, they think you should be able to figure out what's wrong on your own. If you have no idea what's up, ask them what's wrong. The longer you let silences grow, the more they might resent your inability to suss out what's wrong on top of whatever was bothering them in the first place. Keep calm. When they rage out, bite your tongue. You don't have to accept what they say or let them win the fight, but ensure that you'll be heard by remaining calm. Avoid being drawn into a screaming match and escalating the situation. Let them get it all out, and then reply with calm, measured responses. Know when to call it quits. Scorpios love to be in control and tend to be jealous and possessive. If this causes them to cross a line, call them out on it. The best ones may be conscious of their behavior and admit when they're unreasonable. If not, walk away if these qualities are too much for you to handle, because your Scorpio isn't likely to change any time soon. At their worst, Scorpios may become physically and/or verbally abusive in their quest for control. Pay attention to how they treat you when you fight or disagree. If they handle you roughly (beyond a playful manner), insult you, or ignore your hurt feelings, take it as a warning sign that they care more about control than about you. | Play the game on their terms. Get their attention. Make them chase you. Nix the small talk. Keep flattery to an absolute minimum. Argue your points. Create an air of intimacy. Create a private bubble around yourselves. Communicate physically. Anticipate their needs. Refrain from comparing them to anybody else. Resist prying. Keep negative comments to yourself. Concede some control. Talk about the future. Talk about their expectations of you. Stand your ground when needed. Maintain trust. Resist snooping. Be honest. Show your loyalty. Avoid flirting with anyone else. Keep their sense of adventure alive. Conquer new challenges together. Explore intellectual pursuits as a couple. Spice up your love life. Define your relationship in clear terms. Find out why they "turn off. Weather the storm. Pursue their silences. Keep calm. Know when to call it quits. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-Fainting | How to Prevent Fainting | When you feel yourself starting to get faint, boost your blood salt and sugar levels by snacking on some pretzels or crackers and drinking a little juice. If you feel overheated, try to stave off fainting by taking off some layers or splashing cool water on your face. You can also drink some water, which will both cool you down and hydrate you. Additionally, you may find it helpful to lie down, breathe deeply, and relax until you feel a little better. Finally, do your best to avoid things that might trigger fainting spells, such as alcohol, certain medications, or phobias. | Get your blood sugar and salt levels up. Simply put, the brain needs sugar and your body needs water. To prevent your body and brain from shutting down, your salt and sugar levels need to be stable. A quick way to do this is to drink some juice and eat a small bag of pretzels. You should feel better almost immediately. It seems a little counter-intuitive that your body needs salt to stay hydrated, but it's true. Water goes where the salt is; if you don't have any salt in your system, the fluid doesn't stay in your blood vessels. Pretzels and crackers also help with nausea, which is a common cause of fainting. Keep cool. Another common reason for fainting is that the body is overheated. If you're in a hot, stuffy environment and start to feel dizzy, it's your body telling you to get out. Consider these ideas to get cooler: Shed some layers if at all possible Get into a less-crowded area (this way you also don't collapse onto others) Get near a window or door for airflow Splash cool water on your face and drink a cold drink Get hydrated with just plain water. Though sugary drinks are great for turning your brain back on when it's running on empty, your entire body needs straight up healthy, pure hydration too, in the form of plain, unflavored water. You probably know if you're getting enough or not. If you faint regularly, it could be because you just don't drink enough. Ideally, your urine should be clear or nearly clear and you should urinate every three to four hours. If your urine is very yellow or you are urinating less frequently, drink more water. If that's too boring for your taste buds, teas and unsweetened fruit juices are good, too. Lie down and don’t get up too quickly. If you're feeling the slightest bit faint, lie down. Stay down for at least 15 minutes. Once you feel better, get up slowly. Putting your body into a vertical position means that in order for blood to get to your brain, it has to fight gravity. When you get up too quickly, that blood immediately drops down and leaves your brain wondering what happened. This can bring on the sense of fainting. If this is the culprit, move slowly, especially while getting out of bed. This goes double if you've just fainted. Whenever you're feeling weak or dizzy, always move slowly and with caution. This is your body telling you it can't keep up with your pace. Give it a break and lie down. Control your breathing. When we're anxious, it's natural to start breathing quickly and even hyperventilate. If this gets out of control, your brain will stop receiving oxygen; you're not breathing deeply enough for it to process what it needs. If you think your fainting may be due to nervousness, concentrating on your breathing and slowing it down may make the urge disappear. Count as you breathe: 6 seconds inhaling and 8 seconds exhaling. After a few rounds, you may find that your anxiety is dissipating. Focusing on your breathing also distracts you from whatever it is that's making you nervous. This is another reason it may be easier to calm down. Try visualization if anxiety is causing your fainting. Pick a place or situation that calms you, like the beach or your favorite park bench. When you feel anxiety coming on, imagine your peaceful scene. Try to imagine your scene in as much detail as possible. Think about sights, smells, sounds, and maybe even tastes. Avoid your triggers. Blood sugar and salt levels, heat, and hydration are very common reasons for fainting and, in most cases, aren't cause for alarm. However, there are a few other things that cause certain individuals to faint. If you know what triggers the urge for you, avoid it. Be sure to tell friends and medical professionals about your trigger so they can be prepared. Many things can trigger fainting, but here are the most common ones: Alcohol. In a few unfortunate souls, alcohol leads to fainting. It's because alcohol expands the blood vessels, leading to a drop in blood pressure. Needles, blood, injuries or related phobias. In some individuals, certain phobias can trigger the vagus nerve which widens blood vessels, slows the heart rate, and drops blood pressure, resulting in fainting. Emotions. Severe emotions, like fear and anxiety, can change breathing and cause a drop in blood pressure, amongst other negative effects that can lead to fainting. Consider changing your medications. The side effects of certain medications include fainting and dizziness. If you've just started a new medication and have just started experiencing the urge to faint, talk to your doctor to switch. It's likely that your medication is the culprit. If your medication isn't vital, consider stopping it to prevent more fainting. Then, schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss switching medications. Fainting is, in general, not serious. However, if you do faint, you may hurt yourself during your fall. This is the main reason it's important to switch medications if at all possible. Get them sitting or lying down. What it all boils down to is that the brain needs blood and oxygen to properly function. If you see someone who's pale and complains of dizziness and fatigue, get them to lie down in an open area - they're probably going to faint. If there's no place for them to lie down, have them sit with their head between their knees. This isn't as good as fully lying down, but it should stave off the urge to faint, at least for the time being. Make sure they’re well ventilated. Someone fainting in a crowd of people is not uncommon, largely because it's so hot and there's no airflow between bodies. If you're with someone who's about to faint, get them in an open area where air can flow and the temperature isn't too hot and stuffy. If you're stuck in a room and there aren't a lot of options, get them near an open door or window. Just a bit more airflow can make all the difference, even if the room is still too hot for comfort. Remove constricting clothing items like ties, belts, and shoes. Get them some juice and crackers. The brain perks up with salt and sugar. It's highly likely they need hydration and energy, so a slightly sugary drink and a small amount of salt is best to get their brain back in the game. Help them drink and eat if need be; they may not have the energy. The salt is actually for hydration. When there's salt in the body, the body then sends water to it. With no salt, water doesn't get processed into the cells it needs to be a part of. Ask them questions about themselves. This will help you assess the cause of the fainting, offer help, and contact their family. Think about the information you'll need after they've fainted, Ask when they last ate, if they are pregnant, and if they have any medical conditions you should know about. Ask for a close relative or friend's phone number. Help them stay calm. A first-time fainter will likely be scared by what they're feeling. They may have blurry vision, be unable to hear properly, and may have a very difficult time standing up. This stage can last minutes before the faint eventually happens or the urge goes away. Let them know that they're likely going to faint, but all will be fine once it's finally over. Assure them that most fainting isn't dangerous. As long as they don't hit their head (which you will make sure doesn't happen), in a few minutes they'll be fine again. Stay by their side and get someone else to call for help. If this person is about to faint, be sure to stay by their side to quite literally catch them if they fall. Do not leave them for help unless you absolutely positively have to. They need you for moral support, too. Instead, flag down someone, even if it's a stranger 50 feet (15.2 m) away. Tell them that the person you're with has fainted and you need them to call an ambulance. You should always call an ambulance, even if the person seems to have recovered, because fainting could be a sign of internal bleeding or another serious medical issue. In addition to calling an ambulance, they may be able to bring some water and a snack. Whatever happens, get down. Even if you skip all the other steps, if you get yourself down to the ground, you'll likely be fine. If you do this consciously, you will not hurt yourself. If you do it unconsciously, you could seriously hurt yourself. Lying down is your number one rule. What was the number one rule? That's right: lie down. It will save you possible injury and your behavior will likely alert those around you that something is wrong. What's more, once you get down, you'll be a lot more comfortable. Alert someone to get help. If you're in a school or a public area, tell the person nearest you that you're going to faint and to get help. After this, lie down. Ideally, someone will come to you with a snack and some water and help you handle the situation when you come to. Get away from objects that could hurt you. You'll likely have about a minute or so (more or less, depending on the spell) of warning that you're going to faint. In this time, try to think about getting into an open area where you can lie down. Whatever you do, get away from stairs. If you faint, you could fall down them, gravely injuring yourself. The same goes for pointy edges of tables and desks. Tense the muscles in your arms and legs. Fainting is generally caused by a lack of blood flow to the brain. Tensing your muscles in your limbs increases your blood pressure, which can stave off a fainting spell. This can be done before a fainting spell and in general, just to make sure your blood pressure is up. Get into a squatting position (holding your balance against a wall, just in case) and tense your leg muscles repeatedly Clasp your hands together in front of you and tense your arm muscles repeatedly. If you're sitting, consider crossing your legs. This is commonly recommended for people who often faint when having blood drawn, for example. Try these a few times - if it doesn't seem to be working, move to a laying down position instead. Consider tilt training. People who faint regularly due to medication sometimes find that they can train their bodies to fight it. One common method is “tilt training,” where you stand up against a wall with your heels about six inches (15 cm) away from it. You keep this position for about 5 minutes without moving. For some reason, it “uncrosses the wires” in your brain, staving off a spell. Try to practice this in larger and larger increments, until you can do it for about 20 minutes at a time without feeling faint. This is a practice you do over time, preventing fainting from coming on - it's not to be used in the heat of the moment. Note that it's not normal to faint regularly from medication. If you or someone you know is experiencing this, talk to a doctor about a medication change. Snack on something salty, like crackers. If you have the energy, grab a salty snack to munch on. Alternatively, ask someone near you to find you a snack (let them know you're feeling faint). And if fainting is common for you, carry around a snack with you for a situation such as this. A bit of juice or water won't hurt, either. Your body needs hydration, and salty snacks and juice or water is the best thing for it. Seek medical attention if you faint more than once. A one-time fainting spell could have been a fluke, but multiple spells could indicate a more serious medical issue. Make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. | Get your blood sugar and salt levels up. Keep cool. Get hydrated with just plain water. Lie down and don’t get up too quickly. Control your breathing. Try visualization if anxiety is causing your fainting. Avoid your triggers. Consider changing your medications. Get them sitting or lying down. Make sure they’re well ventilated. Get them some juice and crackers. Ask them questions about themselves. Help them stay calm. Stay by their side and get someone else to call for help. Whatever happens, get down. Alert someone to get help. Get away from objects that could hurt you. Tense the muscles in your arms and legs. Consider tilt training. Snack on something salty, like crackers. Seek medical attention if you faint more than once. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Keep-a-Fish-from-Dying-While-You-Are-on-Holiday | How to Keep a Fish from Dying While You Are on Holiday | To keep a fish from dying while you are on holiday, make sure to clean its tank within the week before you leave to help the water stay clean while you're gone. Then, set up a vacation feeder, which will automatically release food into the water according to a programmed schedule. Alternatively, purchase a feeder block, or a block embedded with food pellets, from the pet store and place it at the bottom of the tank for up to 1 week. Additionally, make sure to cover your tank with a secure lid so your fish doesn't accidentally get out of its tank. | Plan for the length of your absence. If you are gone a couple of days, most fish should be fine without food. If you are on a month long trip, your fish will require food. Understand the risks. Whenever you leave your fish to travel, there will always be risks. If you have rare and expensive fish, always make sure that you have the proper care plan laid out, and make sure it is as foolproof a plan as possible. Plan according to the type of fish you have. Different fish have different dietary needs. Be sure to know exactly what kinds of fish you have. Carnivores require live food and/or carnivore pellets. Omnivores: A large amount of fish fall into this category. Most fish in this group could be fed a food block(bought from a local fish store). Feeder blocks work by encasing food in a block of minerals that dissolves gradually in water over several days. For omnivores with a stricter diet of pellets and dried foods, use the automatic vacation feeder as described in the carnivore section. Herbivores: These are fish with a vegetable and plant diet. If you can feed them dried seaweed or vegetables, then use the vacation feeder. If they must get fresh vegetables than it would be best to get someone to come over and feed your fish. Know your options. There are several methods of feeding fish during your absence. The length of your vacation will impact your choice but it is always a good idea to have someone check now and then, especially if the electricity goes off in your area (which only a neighbor will know about). Get a vacation feeder and fill the compartments with the correct food for your fish. The feeder will automatically release food into the water according to a schedule that you program into it. This method is only suitable for fish that take pellet and flake like foods, as it will not hold bloodworms and other live foods. Freeze-dried bloodworms are available. Put feeder fish of varied sizes in the tank. It is key to put different sized feeder fish into the tank as the predator will eat some first, and some later, according to size. Do not put live worms into the tank as they will foul up your water. Use a feeder block. Go to your local pet store and buy a suitable feeder block for your fish. It's best to experiment with a few before you go away, as some fish will reject certain feeder blocks. Place the block into the bottom of the fish tank on the day you go away. If you are going away for a long time, organize for someone to come replace the feeder block every 5 to 7 days. Have someone come over and feed your fish. This is the best method, especially if your fish are picky eaters, but make sure that they have enough time to feed your fish, and know how, when and what to feed them. Provide live plants or vegetables. With some fish you could place a large clump of vegetables in the tank with a weight, and they would eat it over time. Even if you don't like zucchini, it's possible your fish will. Combine these methods to care for a variety of fish. It is possible to satisfy two of the groups, as omnivores can eat carnivore and herbivore's food. Still, if you have different groups of fish diets in your tank, all with their own special food, it would be best to get someone who can spend enough time to make sure each group is satisfied. Cover your tank securely. Fish like Bichirs and spiny eels tend to crawl out of holes in your tank, so make sure there are no escape points where the fish could get out. If you have a pond and need to prepare it for the winter, now would not be the time to leave. Get somebody to take care of your fish. Ask around. Sometimes pet shops have services where you pay them to come over and feed your fish. Unknown people have full access to your house. This makes it important that the person you choose is properly vetted or is known to you. If you do not feel comfortable with strangers in your house, ask a family member or a friend. Alternatively, a pet sitting service whose clients have been police verified can be an alternative, although more costly. Talk to your fish-sitter about your fish before you leave. Tell them everything they need to know, especially about how much to feed, and also leave a written instruction sheet for their reference. If you can't find anyone at all to take care of your fish, it would be best not to leave. If you do, you are taking extreme risks, and it is likely your fish won't survive. Keep the fish tank clean. You really don't need to worry about this too much. Before you go on vacation, do a water change within the week before you leave. Make sure that if you have someone coming over to feed your fish they know how much to feed, and won't pollute your water. Clean your tank again soon after you return. Test your water when you come back. Hopefully, nothing went wrong while you were gone, but check for any spikes in ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate. You may have to perform large water changes until your water is back to normal. | Plan for the length of your absence. Understand the risks. Plan according to the type of fish you have. Know your options. Provide live plants or vegetables. Combine these methods to care for a variety of fish. Cover your tank securely. Get somebody to take care of your fish. Talk to your fish-sitter about your fish before you leave. Keep the fish tank clean. Test your water when you come back. |
https://www.wikihow.pet/Treat-Hookworms-in-Dogs | How to Treat Hookworms in Dogs | Hookworms are tiny parasites that infect dog's intestines. If your dog has hookworms, you'll need to take it to a vet to be treated. When you call your vet to book an appointment, they'll probably ask you to bring in a sample of your dog's feces so they can test it for hookworms. Once they've identified the hookworms, they'll provide you with anti-parasitic medicine to fight your dog's infection. Make sure you keep your dog's environment clean by picking up its poop as soon as you can and keeping the floors clean. This will help prevent another infection. | Look for signs your dog has itchy feet. In a heavily infested environment, the very first sign might be a dog that is troubled by itchy feet. This is because of the larvae can move from the ground and migrate through the skin to infect the dog. This causes inflammation and irritation in the paws. Pay attention to bouts of diarrhea. In adult dogs the most common sign is diarrhea, which is also bloody. Diarrhea is usually accompanied by abdominal cramps and signs of discomfort. Diarrhea can be a sign of a variety of medical problems in your dog. If your dog has repeated diarrhea, you should get the dog looked at by a veterinary professional. In adult dogs, the hookworms anchor to the lining of the small intestine and secrete an anticoagulant, which stops blood clotting. This means not only does the dog lose blood when the hookworm feeds and sucks blood, but after the hookworm detaches there is continued blood loss from the site of attachment. This is why the dog's stool is usually bloody. Look for the signs of anemia. When sufficient blood has been lost, the dog becomes anemic. To check for this look at the dog's gums, which should be a healthy pink color. Pale pink, gray, or white are all indications of anemia. Keep an eye out for the signs of exhaustion and fatigue. If anemia goes undetected and untreated, the blood becomes so thin that the heart races and the dog becomes weak. This means that the dog could easily collapse due to slight exertion. The breathing is also often rapid and shallow, and unless treated the animal may die. Look for symptoms in puppies. Puppies can be infected before birth via the mother's placenta, and also through her milk when they suckle. Puppies born with hookworm infections often fail to thrive, grow poorly, and their coats are dull and starry. They may have persistent diarrhea, and can die from blood and fluid loss. Because a puppy's system is so fragile, it's important to take them to the vet at the first sign of any illness. This would mean the difference between life and death. Take your dog to a veterinarian if you suspect hookworms. A hookworm infection needs to be treated by a veterinarian. They will be able to assess whether your dog is infected, the seriousness of the infection, and how best to proceed with treatment. Bring a fecal sample with you to the vet's office. Hookworms are so small that they are difficult to see with the naked eye. Your vet will diagnose an infection by examining a fecal sample under the microscope. This process with be quicker if you come with a sample ready to inspect. When you call your veterinary office to make an appointment, ask them about bringing in a sample if they do not mention it. It takes around two to three weeks before adult hookworms start producing eggs, (which are detected in the feces) so false negatives are possible if the feces are tested shortly after a fresh infection. Follow your veterinarian's suggestions for treatment. Treatment is based on killing adult worms with an appropriate anthelmintic, a type of anti-parasitic medicine. The treatment is repeated two weeks later, in order to kill all the worms once they hatch. Even anthelmintics that are effective against hookworms, do not kill the larvae. Thus two or three treatments every two weeks are necessary, in order to kill larvae that were present in the first round of treatment. Be sure the dog is weighed accurately and the dose is determined according to the manufacturer's instructions. Prevent reinfection. To prevent reinfection ensure the environment is as clean as possible. Unfortunately there is no product licensed to treat larvae that persist in the soil, so prompt picking up of poop is the best preventative measure. For example, concrete runs should be scrubbed down daily with dilute bleach. All fabrics in the house should be vacuumed well and washed, if possible. Understand how dogs become infected. In order to lessen the chances of your dog getting infected, you should understand how your dog could get infected. Adult dogs have two ways of becoming infected: Your dog could get hookworms by contact and then ingestion of infected feces. For example, when the dog walks through feces and then licks its paws. The worms can burrow through the dog's paws to gain entry to the blood stream. This is facilitated if the dog is kept in damp conditions which means the skin of the paws is permanently weakened by dampness. Give your dog a heartworm medication that includes medication that prevents hookworms. Most monthly heartworm medications include a hookworm preventative as well. This means that it is very important to remember to give your dog this medication every month. Products that are effective include: Ivermectin + pyrantel: Found in Heartgard Plus, Iverhart Plus, Tri-Heart Plus Pyrantel + praziquantel: Found in Virbantel Milbemycin: Found in Interceptor and Milbemax Milbemycin + lufenuron: Found in Sentinel, Imidacloprid + Moxidectin: Found in Advantage Multi Fenbendazole : Found in Panacur, SafeGuard Treat newborn puppies. Newborn puppies should be given hookworm preventative medication at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks. This is important, as hookworms are common in newborn puppies. Make sure that you use only products suitable for puppies, such as fenbendazole. Giving repeated medication makes sure that any larvae, which are not killed by the medication, are killed once they hatch. Be sure you have treated breeding dogs. Female dogs that have produced a litter of infected puppies, should be treated against hookworms prior to any subsequent pregnancies. In addition, giving the pregnant female fenbendazole by mouth from day 40 of pregnancy to two days post-whelping can help control the transmission of larvae via the placenta and milk. The dose is 25 mg/kg by mouth with food, once daily. Keep risk factors in mind. Those dogs most at risk of picking up hookworm infection are those living in warm moist environments, as the survival of hookworms outside the dog is more common. Also, dogs kept in unsanitary conditions where they have contact with other dogs' feces, means they are more liable to come into contact with hookworm. | Look for signs your dog has itchy feet. Pay attention to bouts of diarrhea. Look for the signs of anemia. Keep an eye out for the signs of exhaustion and fatigue. Look for symptoms in puppies. Take your dog to a veterinarian if you suspect hookworms. Bring a fecal sample with you to the vet's office. Follow your veterinarian's suggestions for treatment. Prevent reinfection. Understand how dogs become infected. Give your dog a heartworm medication that includes medication that prevents hookworms. Treat newborn puppies. Be sure you have treated breeding dogs. Keep risk factors in mind. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Wear-a-Vest-for-Women | How to Wear a Vest for Women | As a woman, the easiest way to wear a vest is to layer a solid vest in a neutral color, like black or white, over a bright or patterned shirt. When it's cold outside, try a puffer vest over a casual outfit or workout gear for an athletic look that will help you stay warm. If you'd like to go for a softer style, pair a denim vest over a flowy dress or skirt. You can also use vests to dress up an outfit, like layering a faux fur or camel vest over a classic black dress. If you're choosing an outfit for work, stick to vests in conservative colors, like gray or beige. However, if you're dressing up for a night out on the town, don't be afraid to experiment with bright or bold shades. | Layer a solid vest over a patterned or different-colored shirt for a stylish accent. Make your vest the statement piece of your outfit by choosing one that contrasts the shirt underneath. For example, wear a white vest over a dark navy or black long-sleeved T-shirt or a black vest over a plaid button-down. If you're putting a vest over a patterned shirt, pick a vest in one of the colors that's incorporated in the pattern to tie it all together. For instance, if your shirt has gray polka dots, opt for a gray vest. Use a cargo vest to update a T-shirt and jeans. Start with the classic combo of jeans and a plain T-shirt, then top it off with a khaki or olive green cargo vest for a unique twist. If you want a super trendy take, wear distressed denim, like ripped or faded jeans, with your vest. You can also pick a cargo vest with interesting accents, like a sweater hood or studded details around the pockets. Put a puffer vest over workout gear for an athletic look. When it's cold outside, layer a down vest over a long-sleeved workout top and sporty leggings to nail the athleisure trend. Balance out the bulk of the puffer vest by keeping your pieces underneath as sleek as possible, like a fitted shirt instead of a loose sweater. If you're going to work out in your vest, look for one that's specifically designed to wick sweat or that fits snugly against your body when it's zipped up. Wear a denim vest with a flowy dress or skirt for a bohemian vibe. Pair a prairie dress or paisley-print gauzy skirt, for example, with a jean vest to create a whimsical, artsy look. If your dress or skirt are maxi length, meaning they hit at or below your ankles, opt for a vest that's waist-length or shorter to offset the longer layer underneath. You can find denim vests]] in all different colors, like classic blue jean, white, black, or even pastel hues. In warmer seasons, put a denim vest over a sleeveless or spaghetti-strap sundress for a casual-cute outfit. Pair a black vest with an all-black outfit if you want to look slimmer. Wear black from head to toe to make your body look longer and leaner. For example, wear black skinny pants with a black blouse and a black quilted vest over top. Avoid bulky vests, which make you look bigger. Opt for vests in tailored, fitted shapes instead. For a more sophisticated all-black outfit, stay away from black vests in casual fabrics like denim or sweatshirt material. Instead, choose more elegant fabrics, like a wool or soft knit, for instance. Wear a long camel vest with trousers for a classy business look. Put a chic camel vest that hits below the waist over a nice blouse and fitted wool pants if you want a more professional outfit. Pick trousers that are skinny fit or tapered at the ankle to balance out the length of the vest. Play around with textures if you want to add visual interest. For example, wear a silk or sheer blouse under the thick camel vest for a mix of flowy and tailored fabric. Put a faux fur over a nice dress to create an elegant outfit. For a luxurious look, opt for a faux fur vest. Wear a taupe one with a silky midi dress and heels, for instance, or jazz up a simple sheath dress with a pure white faux fur vest. Choose bold jewelry if you want it to stand out. Since a vest will overpower any dainty jewelry, pick pieces that are chunkier and larger so they're visible and eye-catching. For example, wear big hoop earrings with a faux fur vest or a glitzy choker with a quilted vest. Keep it to 1 piece of statement jewelry per outfit so you don't have clashing accessories. For instance, choose either a bib necklace or oversized earrings, not both. Add a scarf, hat, and boots for a cozy fall or winter look. In colder months, accessorize a vest with warm extras, like a flannel blanket scarf or knit beanie. You can also slip on sleek over-the-knee boots or chic ankle booties for a casual chic vibe. If you're wearing boots, opt for slim-fitting pants, skinny jeans, or leggings to tuck inside. This offsets the bulk of the vest, too. Pick heavier scarves, like flannel or wool. Delicate fabrics, like silk, don't pair well with a chunky vest. Belt your vest for a figure-flattering outfit. Accentuate your waist by cinching your vest with a belt at the smallest part of your midsection, which is typically right above your navel. For example, slip a thin leather belt around a classy wool vest or a bohemian rope belt over a cargo vest. Some vests even come with belts or clasps to show off your waist. If you have a straight or boyish figure, use a belt to create the illusion of curves on your upper half. Toss a heavy coat over your vest if you want to add warmth. When it's cold outside, layer a coat on top of your vest. Pick one in a material that's heavier or bulkier than your vest so it fits over it properly. For example, wear a wool peacoat over a faux fur vest or a down puffer jacket with a quilted vest. Opt for a coat in a similar style as your vest to make your outfit look more put together. For instance, go with an anorak jacket over a casual cargo vest instead of a formal camel coat. | Layer a solid vest over a patterned or different-colored shirt for a stylish accent. Use a cargo vest to update a T-shirt and jeans. Put a puffer vest over workout gear for an athletic look. Wear a denim vest with a flowy dress or skirt for a bohemian vibe. Pair a black vest with an all-black outfit if you want to look slimmer. Wear a long camel vest with trousers for a classy business look. Put a faux fur over a nice dress to create an elegant outfit. Choose bold jewelry if you want it to stand out. Add a scarf, hat, and boots for a cozy fall or winter look. Belt your vest for a figure-flattering outfit. Toss a heavy coat over your vest if you want to add warmth. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Fold-a-Scarf | How to Fold a Scarf | To fold a scarf, start by draping the scarf over your shoulders so the ends are hanging down over your chest. Then, bring the right end of the scar over the left end. Next, bring the same end under and over the top of the loop around your neck. Finally, pull on each end of the scarf to tighten the loop so it's snug around your neck. | Spread the scarf on a flat surface. Take your scarf off and lay it down on your work area. Pull the edges until the scarf is completely flat against the surface underneath it. Fold the scarf over on itself. Grab the narrow edge of the scarf at one end. Fold this end of the scarf up and over until it's lined up with the other end. Straighten the edges of the fabric so that they are lined up. To be clear, you want to make a "hamburger fold," not a "hotdog fold." You should be making the scarf shorter , not skinnier. Fold again the same way. Grab the folded end of the scarf. Fold it over the top of the scarf until it's even with the "open" end of the scarf just like you did in the last step. Fold in the same way one more time. Take the folded edge and fold it over the top of the scarf once again. Straighten the edges so that they're properly aligned. When you're done, the scarf should look a little like a small half sheet of paper. Store your scarf. That's it! Your scarf is now ready to store in a closet, cabinet, pocket, or wherever else you may need to stash it. This simple but handy fold should keep it clean and free from wrinkles until you're ready to wear it again. Lay the scarf flat. Ever wondered how clothing stores get their scarves looking so good when they're on display? With this fold, you'll be able to show off your scarf like it's brand new. To start, lay your scarf completely flat, as above. For this method, it's also important to straighten out any tassels at either end of the scarf (and to keep them straight throughout the fold) — this makes the fold look a little more professional when it's finished. Fold in half lengthwise. When your scarf is flat, grab one of the long edges and fold it over so that it's in line with the other edge. Your scarf should now look like one long, skinny strip. Try to keep any tassels straight and flat after your fold. Fold the scarf over on itself. Next, fold the scarf over itself so that both open edges are in line with each other. To be clear, this is a "hamburger" fold, not a "hotdog" fold — your scarf should get shorter, not skinnier. Repeat once or twice more in an "accordion" style. To finish, fold your scarf either back over on itself either once or twice more (depending on how compact you want the finished product to look. Reverse the direction of your fold each time so that the pattern of folds "accordions." When you're done, line the edges of your scarf up so that your tassels hang straight and free past the edge of the fold. This fold style is handy because, in addition to making your scarf look elegant and attractive, the "accordion-ing" folds make it very easy to pick up and throw on in a hurry. Fold the scarf in half loosely. This fold, which looks a little like a hair braid, is a space-saving, visually appealing way to store scarves on an ordinary coat hanger. To start, all you need to do is fold the scarf in half. However, unlike above, you don't need to align the edges with each other — a loose fold will do, as long as there's about the same amount of material on either side of the fold. Slip the ring into the fold. With this fold, you'll either tie the scarf directly to your coat hanger or tie it to a metal or plastic ring and then hang this on your coat hanger. If you want to use a ring, grab one before beginning — specially-made "scarf rings" are sold at many fashion boutiques and specialty retailers online, but you can also use metal binder rings. Regardless of the ring you use, slip the scarf through it so that the ring sits at the folded part of the scarf before continuing. If you're not using a ring, just slide your hanger between the two ends of the scarf and up to the fold. In this case, you may ignore references to rings in the rest of this method's instructions. Twist the scarf until fairly tight. Grabbing your loosely-folded scarf, twist each end in opposite directions. After a few twists, the scarf should be a little firm and "ropey." Continue twisting — you want the scarf to get quite tight. Most scarves should be plenty resilient for this fold. However, if you notice your scarf begin to tear or strain under the stress of the twisting, stop and try a different fold — you don't want to ruin your scarf. Keep twisting. After it's gotten fairly tight, your scarf should begin to curl up on itself with each subsequent twist. Within a few more twists, the scarf should look like a long, knotty, braided lock of hair. The ring should be in the fold at the top of the twisted scarf — if it has slipped, just slide it back to the top. Tie the bottom ends together. Finish by taking the two ends of the scarf and tying them to each other in a basic knot. This should keep the tension in the "braid," ensuring that it stays twisted. Congratulations — you should now have a fairly compact scarf "braid" with a convenient hanging ring that should be a cinch to slide onto a coat hanger along with as many other scarves as you wish. Drape the scarf around the mannequin's shoulders. Like other clothes, scarves are often displayed on mannequins in stores. If you have a mannequin (or a similar round display mount), you can make it "wear" your scarf with this easy fold. Start by laying the scarf over the mannequin's shoulders (or around the back of your mount) so that it hangs down on either side. Note that this style also works for yourself — these instructions may be for displaying the scarf on a mannequin, but you can wear it by simply replicating them. Bring the right side over the left. The scarf should now be hanging down roughly evenly on either side of your mannequin. Grab the end of the scarf on the right and pull it over the end on the left. The scarves should be making an "X" pattern. Bring the end of the scarf under and over the top of the loop. Next, take the right end of the scarf that you moved in the last step. Tuck it up and under the left end. Let the slack fall over the top of the loop you've just made. You should now have a very loose "knot" or tie roughly in the center of the mannequin's chest. Tighten the "knot" as you wish. At this point, you may pull on either end of the scarf to tighten the central "knot." As you do this, for a symmetrical presentation, try to keep both loose ends of the scarf roughly level. | Spread the scarf on a flat surface. Fold the scarf over on itself. Fold again the same way. Fold in the same way one more time. Store your scarf. Lay the scarf flat. Fold in half lengthwise. Fold the scarf over on itself. Repeat once or twice more in an "accordion" style. Fold the scarf in half loosely. Slip the ring into the fold. Twist the scarf until fairly tight. Keep twisting. Tie the bottom ends together. Drape the scarf around the mannequin's shoulders. Bring the right side over the left. Bring the end of the scarf under and over the top of the loop. Tighten the "knot" as you wish. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Sew-a-Shirt | How to Sew a Shirt | To sew a shirt, start by pinning the shoulders of the body pieces together with the right side facing inwards. Next, use a straight stitch to sew along both shoulders before opening up the shirt with the right side facing down, pinning the ribbing to the neckline, and sewing it in place with a zigzag stitch. Flip the shirt over, then pin the sleeves to the armholes right side facing down and stitch them with a straight stitch. Finally, sew down both sides of the shirt and add hems to the bottom and sleeves. | Find a shirt that fits well. The easiest way to draft your own shirt pattern will be to copy the shape of an existing shirt that fits well. While this tutorial only covers t-shirt drafting and construction, you can follow the same basic steps to help draft patterns for other shirt styles. Fold the shirt in half. Fold the shirt in half vertically, keeping the front sides out. Lay the halved shirt over a large sheet of paper. Ideally, you should place the paper over thick cardboard before placing the shirt on top. The cardboard will provide a stiff enough work surface to trace over. Moreover, you'll need to stick pins into the paper, and doing so will be easier to accomplish with cardboard backing. Pin along the back outline. Pin along the perimeter of the shirt, paying special attention to the back neckline seam beneath the collar and the sleeve seam. The pins you insert along the shoulder seam, sides, and bottom hem do not need to be precise since their main purpose is to hold the shirt down. For the sleeve seam, stick the pins straight down through the seam and into the paper. Space the pins no further than 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart. For the back neckline, stick the pins straight down through the seam connecting the back neckline to its collar. Space the pins 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart. Trace the outline. Use a pencil to lightly trace around the entire outline of the shirt. Trace along the shoulder, sides, and bottom of the pinned shirt. After tracing these elements, lift away the shirt and find the holes marking the sleeve seam and neckline seam. Trace along these holes to complete the outline for the back pattern piece. Pin along the front outline. Move the folded shirt over to a fresh piece of paper, pinning along the front outline instead of the back. Follow the same steps used for the shirt back to place the pins along the perimeter and sleeves of the shirt front. The front neckline is usually deeper than the back. To mark it out, place the pins beneath the front portion of the neckline, just beneath the collar. Keep them 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart and straight down. Trace the outline. Trace along the front outline just as you traced along the back outline. Lightly trace the shoulder, sides, and bottom with pencil while the shirt remains pinned in place. Remove the shirt and trace along the pin marks of the neckline and sleeve to complete the front outline. Pin and trace around the sleeve. Unfold the shirt. Flatten out one sleeve and pin it to clean paper. Trace around the outline. As before, insert the pins straight through the connecting seam. Trace around the top, bottom, and outer edge of the sleeve with the sleeve still in place. Remove the shirt from the paper and trace along the pin-marked seam to complete the outline. Add seam allowances to each piece. Use a flexible ruler and pencil to carefully draw another outline around the current perimeter of each piece. This secondary outline will be the seam allowance. You can choose a seam allowance amount you feel comfortable with, but as a general rule, using a 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) seam allowance should give you plenty of room to work with. Mark the pieces. Label each piece by part (back body, front body, and sleeve). Mark the fold line of each piece, as well. The fold line of the front and back body pieces will be the straight, folded edge of your original shirt. The fold line of the sleeve will be the straight top edge of the sleeve. Cut and match the pieces. Carefully cut around each pattern piece outline. When finished, verify that the pattern pieces match one another. When you place the open sides of the front and back pieces together, the shoulders and armholes should match up. When you place the sleeve over the armhole of either main body piece, the actual measurement (not the seam allowance) should also match up. Choose an appropriate material. Most t-shirts are made with knit fabric, but you may wish to choose a knit fabric with a fairly low amount of stretch to make the sewing process easier. As a general rule, though, it will be easiest to duplicate the fit of the original shirt you drafted your pattern from if you use a material similar in construction and weight. Wash the fabric. Wash and dry the material as you usually would before you do anything else with it. By washing the fabric first, you can pre-shrink it and set the dye. As a result, the pattern pieces you cut out and sew together should be more accurately sized. Cut the pattern pieces out. Fold the material in half and place your pattern pieces on top. Pin the pattern down, trace around it, and cut around each piece. Fold the material in half with the right-sides facing in, and keep the fabric as flat as possible when you lay it out. Match the fold of the fabric to each "fold" mark on your pattern pieces. When pinning the pattern pieces in place, pin straight through both layers of material. Trace around the entire outline with fabric pencil, then cut along the outline without unpinning the pattern. After cutting out the material, you can unpin and remove the paper pattern pieces. Cut a length of ribbing for the collar. Measure the full neckline of your shirt with a flexible ruler or measuring tape. Subtract 4 inches (10 cm) from this measurement, then cut a piece of ribbing to that length. Ribbing is is a type of knit fabric with vertical ribs. You can technically use non-ribbed knits for your collar, but ribbing is generally preferred since it has an even greater amount of elasticity. Cut the width of the ribbing to double the amount of your final collar width. The vertical ribs should run parallel to the width of the collar and perpendicular to the length of the collar. Fold and press the ribbing. Fold the ribbing in half lengthwise, then use an iron to press the fold. Note that the right-sides should be facing as you do this. Stitch the ribbing closed. Fold the ribbing in half crosswise. Stitch the width ends of the strip together, using a 1/4-inch (6-mm) seam allowance. Pin the body pieces together. Place the front and back body pieces together, right-sides facing inward. Pin around the shoulders only. Sew the shoulders. Stitch straight across one shoulder seam. Cut the thread, then stitch straight across the other shoulder seam. You should be able to use a standard straight stitch on your sewing machine for this. Follow the seam allowance you marked out on your pattern pieces. If you've been following this tutorial exactly, the seam allowance will be 1/2 inch (1.25 cm). Pin the ribbing to the neckline. Open the shirt and lay it flat at the shoulders, right-sides facing down. Place the ribbed collar over the neckline opening and pin it in place. Point the raw side of the collar toward the neckline and keep it above the shirt material. Pin it to the center back of the shirt and the center front. The collar will be smaller than the neckline opening, so you'll need to gently stretch the collar as you pin it down to the rest of the neckline. Try to keep the ribbing evenly spaced. Stitch the ribbing. Using a zigzag stitch, sew along the raw edge of the collar, using a 1/4 inch (6 mm) seam allowance. You must use a zigzag stitch instead of a straight stitch; otherwise, the thread won't be able to stretch with the collar as you pull the finished garment over your head. Use your hands to gently stretch the ribbing as you sew it onto the shirt. Keep it somewhat taut so that no folds form in the connecting fabric. Pin the sleeves to the armholes. Keep the shirt open and flat at the shoulder, but flip it over so that the right-side faces up. Position the sleeves right-side down and pin in place. Position the rounded portion of the sleeve against the rounded portion of the armhole. Pin the middle of both curves together. Gradually position and pin the rest of the sleeve curve to the rest of the armhole, working on one side at a time. Repeat this process for both sleeves. Sew the sleeves. With the right-sides facing down, sew a straight stitch along both sleeves, connecting them to the armholes in the process. The seam allowance should match the seam allowance you marked on your original pattern. If you're following this tutorial exactly, the amount should be 1/2 inch (1.25 cm). Stitch down both sides. Fold the shirt with its right-sides facing. Sew a straight stitch down the entire right side of the shirt, working from the tip of the underarm seam straight down to the bottom opening. Repeat on the left side of the shirt when finished. Pin down the sleeves and sides before stitching them together; otherwise, the material may shift as you work. Follow the seam allowance you marked on your original pattern. For this tutorial, the seam allowance is 1/2 inch (1.25 cm). Fold and sew a bottom hem. With the right-sides still facing, fold the bottom edge up according to your original seam allowance. Pin or press the fold in place, then stitch around the opening. Make sure that you only stitch the hem in place. Do not sew the front and back sides of the shirt together. Most knits are fray-resistant, so you may not need to sew a bottom hem. Doing so can create a neater appearance, though. Fold and sew sleeve hems. With the right-sides facing, fold up the edge of each sleeve opening according to your original seam allowance. Pin or press the fold, then stitch along the opening. Like the bottom edge, you must stitch around the opening to avoid sewing the front and back together. You may not need to hem the sleeves if the material is fray-resistant, but they'll look neater if you do. Iron the seams. Turn the shirt right-side out again. Use an iron to flatten all the seam. This includes the seams along the collar, shoulders, sleeves, and sides. You may also wish to press the hems, if you did not do so before sewing them in place. Try on the shirt. At this point, the shirt should be finished and ready to wear. | Find a shirt that fits well. Fold the shirt in half. Pin along the back outline. Trace the outline. Pin along the front outline. Trace the outline. Pin and trace around the sleeve. Add seam allowances to each piece. Mark the pieces. Cut and match the pieces. Choose an appropriate material. Wash the fabric. Cut the pattern pieces out. Cut a length of ribbing for the collar. Fold and press the ribbing. Stitch the ribbing closed. Pin the body pieces together. Sew the shoulders. Pin the ribbing to the neckline. Stitch the ribbing. Pin the sleeves to the armholes. Sew the sleeves. Stitch down both sides. Fold and sew a bottom hem. Fold and sew sleeve hems. Iron the seams. Try on the shirt. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Become-an-Event-Planner | How to Become an Event Planner | To become an event planner, start by getting a bachelor's degree in hospitality or communications. Two-year associate degree programs in hospitality, travel and tourism, and event planning can also be a good starting point. Next, plan birthday parties, housewarmings, weddings, and other events for family and friends to get experience, or get an entry-level job working in hospitality or catering. Then, put together a portfolio showcasing events you've planned and start looking for jobs. | Get a hospitality degree. A bachelor's degree in hospitality can set you firmly on the path for a career as an event planner. In fact, some hospitality degree programs offer concentrations in event planning, so research each school's offerings closely. Other degrees, such as communications or public relations, can be a good basis for a career in event planning. One of the strongest skills an event planner must have is communication, so this kind of background can be a wonderful foundation. While a bachelor's degree typically takes four years to complete, there are also shorter, two-year associate degree programs in hospitality, travel and tourism and event planning that can be a good starting point in your training. Even if you don't have a degree that's directly related, you can complete an event planning and management certificate program to transition into this field. Some of these programs allow students to specialize and focus on areas such as wedding, sports or entertainment planning. The kinds of classes you can expect to take as part of your training may include special events marketing, facilities operations, media relations, cost control strategies, event coordination, risk management, economics and professional ethics. Find a mentor. A mentor is someone who can teach, encourage and guide you in your career. Mentorship often develops from a relationship you already have in place or establish with someone you admire. Think about what you want in a mentor. Do you need someone to model professional behavior? Do your financial management skills need work? Are you looking to become a more effective communicator? Approach people you already know who can share their knowledge with you. It may not necessarily be someone in your field; what's important is that you get what you need from the relationship. You may gravitate toward someone as a mentor because he or she is successful, which also means they're busy. Before you ask someone to spend time helping you, think about how you can help them. Offer to pitch in on a project, organize their calendar, run errands--give something of value so that you can get something of value in return. Consider peer-to-peer mentoring. You can find support and encouragement from others who have goals similar to yours. Start a Meetup group or create a club on campus where you can join with like-minded people to share information, accountability and successes. Broaden your search. Alumni groups, networking events and professional organization meetings are all good places to get to know potential mentors. Practice your skills. Chances are your interest in this field stems from skills you already have when it comes to putting together parties and organizing events. Step up now and volunteer to plan birthday parties, housewarmings, weddings and other get-togethers for family and friends. Tons of volunteer organizations have annual events--runs, walks, fundraising dinners--that need to be planned. Reach out to volunteer agencies in your community to find out their needs and offer to take a leading role in putting together their event. Document your practice. Take photos of place settings and decorations to put in your portfolio for later. Make copies of budgets and timelines, menus and invoices. Hold on to everything that shows the work that went into making the event a success. Get feedback. After an event, ask participants for their feedback by having them complete a short (key: short) survey. Make your survey part of your initial agreement. Consider your clients' feedback as compensation for your hard work and have them agree to answer a few questions at the conclusion of the event. Their comments--positive and negative--can be a valuable part of your learning process. Eavesdrop. Listen to what people at the event are saying to one another in conversation. Make note of what people seem to enjoy ("This food is delicious." "The flowers are stunning.") as well as areas of disappointment ("Why isn't there a place for coats?" "We had to park so far away!") Put together a portfolio. Having concrete examples of your work to show prospective employers lends you credibility and supports the impression that you are someone with knowledge and experience. Keep records of any events you helped to plan. Hold on to photographs, sample invitations and professional references from clients and vendors attesting to your reliability and expertise. Put these in a professional-looking binder or case. If possible, scan them and have them available to send to prospective employers via email. Prepare a professional resume on which you include your experience and education. Be sure to list volunteer assignments and professional and student organizations you are a part of. Write an individualized cover letter for each job opening. There is no such thing as a "one-size-fits-all" cover letter. Customize you letter in a way that addresses the specific needs of the organization and how you can meet them. Start networking. Tell everyone you know that you're looking for work and ask them to pass on any leads. You never know who someone else might know or what they might hear about a job opening. Create a LinkedIn account. This social media site allows you to set up an account where you can post your resume, join industry groups and network with others in your field. Keep track of classmates. If someone who was in your program lands a job, ask them how they did it and if there are more openings available at their new place of employment. Have business cards made and keep them with you at all times. Business cards are relatively inexpensive and good to have on hand because you never know where or when you might run in to someone who can help you find a job. Tap into the internet. So much job hunting is done online these days, that it's essential that you visit popular job sites. Also, certain professional organizations or specialty sites list jobs postings in the event management field, which allows you to use to focus your job-hunting efforts. Monster.com, HotJobs.com and CareerBuilder.com are popular pages to check for jobs; narrow your search by using key terms such as "event planner," "event management," "wedding planner," "event coordinator," or "hospitality." The Meeting Professionals International website has an online Career Center where you can search for jobs (careers.mpiweb.org). Also check out specialeventsite.com and careers.nace.net (the job site for the National Association of Catering Executives). Pound the pavement. Research the event planning companies in your area and stop by to drop off your resume. Sometimes a personal approach--especially in this very people-oriented field--can make a difference. Look your best and be professional when you visit. Be sure you know the name of the person in charge so that you can ask for a quick meeting with him or her. If a meeting isn't possible at that time, politely leave your resume and cover letter with the receptionist and plan to followup with a phone call in a few days. Carry your portfolio with you in case you are successful in getting in to meet with someone who could hire you. Consider working freelance or opening your own business. These may be steps you want to take after spending a few years working in the field, or you may be someone who already knows he or she would prefer to work for themselves. Research the competition. See what event planning companies already exist in your area and what they specialize in. If you're able to distinguish yourself from the pack in some way, it can be an advantage in getting established and getting clients. Talk to other freelancers or business owners. There's no need to learn everything the hard way. Tap into the experience of others who can help you avoid some of the pitfalls that can come with working on your own. Keep trying. Finding a job in any field is difficult work. Persistence does pay off, so stay positive and keep at it. Form a support group with friends who are also job hunting. Surrounding yourself with people who are in the same boat as you can lessen your feelings of isolation and disappointment during this process. Celebrate small victories. An interview, a query, a callback--these are all positive things. Even if they don't lead to a job at the moment, they let you know you're on the right path and there's interest out there in who you are and what you have to offer. Apply for certification with reputable event planning associations. You do not have to become certified to work as an event planner. But having that designation could open doors for you and certainly puts you in touch with other professionals who value high standards in the field. A certification is a professional designation given by a trade organization and can only be obtained after you have a proven track record of professional experience and have successfully passed the organization's tests. The most recognized certifications are those offered by the Certified Special Event Professional (CSEP) offered by ISES; the Certified Meeting Professional (CIC), and the Certified Meeting Planner (MPI). Each program varies in the level of professional experience required, so you'll need to contact the organizations individually to find out if you meet the requirements. Consider membership in a relevant trade organization as well; the benefit of belonging to trade organizations is that you'll meet many contacts and find job opportunities through networking and resources only available to members. If you plan to specialize, look for specific trade organizations that focus on your area of expertise. For example, a wedding planner may want to check out a group such as the Association of Bridal Consultants and Weddings Beautiful Worldwide. If you are or have been a student in a recognized event planning course, ask about possible membership discounts, as memberships can be pricey when you're first starting out. Decide what you want to be known for. When you brand yourself, you're choosing how you want to been seen by others in the work world. Your brand incorporates what you do best and who you are. Brainstorm a list of words that describe you--your persona, your outlook, your expertise. Use these to form the basis of your marketing and advertising programs. Establish an online presence. People will be searching for the kinds of services you offer, so you want to make sure you're online in a way that's professional and helpful. Create a Facebook page for your business. Post a professional-looking photo of yourself and post regularly about projects you are working on. Include photos of your events as well. (Be sure to get permission before posting any pictures that feature clients or guests.) Start a blog. A blog can help you establish yourself as an expert in your field. Post small "how-to" articles to help readers, talk about events you've been working on, trends you've noticed and news from your field. Open a Twitter account. Start discussions, voice your expert opinion, made predictions about what will be hot this season--keep it interesting and upbeat. Network. If you want people to know who you are and what you do, you have to put yourself out there. Join professional organizations, attend trade shows and take part in continuing education seminars. These are all great ways to make connections and to spread the word about your services. Consider forming alliances with others in related fields. Ran into an amazing florist? Met a great photographer? Be sure to let them know what you do and stay in touch--they may have business they can send your way and vice versa. Keep chasing new ideas. Some of the basics of event planning never change--you have to be a great communicator, experienced budget planner and flawless with details. But styles change and trends need to be followed so that you can keep the look of projects current and fresh. Keep updating. Read trade magazines to find out what's hot and take new classes and workshops to refresh your skills. Follow fashion. Look at fashion, decorating and food magazines to learn what's in style. See what's popular on Pinterest. Staying up-to-date will help you avoid producing events that feel dated or stale. | Get a hospitality degree. Find a mentor. Practice your skills. Get feedback. Put together a portfolio. Start networking. Tap into the internet. Pound the pavement. Consider working freelance or opening your own business. Keep trying. Apply for certification with reputable event planning associations. Consider membership in a relevant trade organization as well; the benefit of belonging to trade organizations is that you'll meet many contacts and find job opportunities through networking and resources only available to members. Decide what you want to be known for. Network. Keep chasing new ideas. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Homemade-Soup | How to Make Homemade Soup | To make homemade soup, first prepare the stock by simmering chicken or meat bones in a pot of water overnight. For a vegetarian alternative, add finely chopped vegetables to a pot of water and allow it to simmer. While your stock simmers, add spices, such as sea salt, pepper, and parsley. Once your stock is cooked, remove any soup bones and start adding your ingredients, such as vegetables, potatoes, and beans. Allow your soup to simmer for at least 30 minutes or until the vegetables are soft. | Plan out your soup. If you don't have any experience making homemade soups before, clear soups are recommended as a way to learn the ropes, as they offer more room for simplicity. Before getting started, you'll need to figure out what kind of soup you're looking to make. Is it a hearty vegetable soup? A mineral-rich bone broth? Having a good idea of where to go early on will take the stress and guesswork out of the process later on. Gather your ingredients. While this is by no means an exhaustive list of recommended ingredients to have in your homemade soup, it's a good place to start. Potatoes, peas, kidney beans and carrots are great if you're looking to make a hearty broth. Other vegetables like roughly chopped celery, tomatoes and corn can give the soup a richer taste. Aromatics like onions and garlic are highly recommended for their flavour. The smaller you cut them, the more their flavour will inform the rest of the broth. Noodles are great in soups (for instance, chicken noodle soup ) as they tend to embody the flavour of the stock. They're an especially effective addition to a soup that's otherwise lacking in solid substance. If you choose to have meat in your soup, make sure it is pre-cooked, and kept in small enough pieces. You'll also want to make sure the type of meat complements your soup stock. If you're using beans, make sure to have them pre-soaked in water. This will ensure they cook more evenly alongside the other ingredients. Prepare a soup stock. There are multiple ways to do this. Though it depends on the type of soup you would like to make, one recommended method is to make a stock by simmering soup bones in a pot of water overnight. This will extract the minerals and flavour from the bones, giving your soup a hearty and nutritious base to start with. Chicken and beef bones are standard choices for soups, though different bones will each yield their own individual tastes. For a vegetarian alternative, adding finely chopped vegetables to a pot of water and letting it simmer will make a fine vegetable stock for your soup. If you're thrifty, you can use the small, unused remains of past veggie recipes to make the stock. Adding these to cold water and proceeding to simmer will ensure all each vegetable's flavour has a chance to be released. Some dieticians recommend simmering bones for as long as 12-48 hours. This longer process reportedly "breaks the bones down, releases nutrients and minerals, and makes nutrient-rich collagen, gelatin, and glucosamine easier to digest." Oxtail may also be used as a good alternative to bones. If you don't have bones or meat to take it from, you can try asking your local butcher for spare bones to fuel your soup stock. If you want to skip this step, you can purchase a prefabricated bouillon at your local grocery store. Add desired spices to your stock while it simmers. Again, there are a number of ways you can effectively spice up a soup. A tablespoon of sea salt, a teaspoon of peppercorns, and a bunch of parsley are all versatile ways to add zest to a half-pot of soup. Try adding one or two chicken feet to the broth while it simmers. It may not sound appealing, but a chicken foot will add a gelatinous texture to the soup that some may find enjoyable. Start adding your ingredients once the stock has simmered sufficiently. If you made the stock with soup bones, remove them with a ladle. Cut up your vegetables if you haven't done so already. If you're using the recommended ingredients, the potatoes and carrots should be cut into small enough chunks that they'll be able to get consistently soft inside the soup. Add the ingredients in descending order from largest to smallest (e.g: beginning with potato chunks and meat, slowly working to peas and corn.) Working by this process will ideally give all of your ingredients an opportunity to cook relatively evenly. Let simmer for at least half an hour, or until the largest vegetables have gone soft. Stir regularly for optimal consistency. Taste the broth periodically during the cooking process. If you think something is missing, adding a dose of salt and pepper is an easy way to liven up a soup. Serve and enjoy! Distribute your soup into bowls with a ladle. Making a homemade soup can be a lengthy ordeal when you take overnight stock simmering into consideration, but with a little luck and effort, you'll find homemade soup can be one of the most satisfying dishes available. Store excess portions in the freezer. Clear soups are one of the most freezer-friendly dishes around! Put whatever you won't be eating in the next 1-2 days in the freezer, and the soup will stay fresh for a long time. Figure out what kind of thick soup you want to make. A purée, a blended vegetable paste, is the most common form of thick soup. Most often, a thick soup is defined by its thickening agent (I.E: cream) as much as its dominant ingredients. If this is your first time making a thick soup, you may want to stick with making a simple purée; if you're feeling more daring, a cream-based soup can be one of the most delicious things you can make from home. Although the possible choice of ingredients is just as varied as with the clear soup, keep in mind that the base of a thick soup won't complement every ingredient. If you're unsure where or how to start with planning your soup, try looking up a few good specific recipes online. Cream of mushroom soup is a well-loved standard, for instance! Purée ingredients for your soup's base. In the vast majority of cases, you'll achieve the base of your thick soup by puréeing vegetables. Boil the vegetables you want to make your base with. Then, using a food processor or immersion blender, purée your chosen base vegetables until they make a fine paste. Adding this paste to simmering water and stir until the purée is fully mixed. Although the ratio will vary depending on the desired thickness of your soup, using 1 pound of vegetables per 4 cups of water is a good place to start. You can make a meat base by finely chopping or puréeing cooked meat, like chicken. This will yield a much different direction for the soup, and you may find a meat base carries flavour more easily than its vegetarian counterpart. As an alternative measure, you can go without puréeing anything, instead relying on the thickening agent (which you'll add later!) for the soup's texture. A homemade or store-bought meat or veggie stock works in this occasion, although certain ingredients (like mushrooms) make for wonderful cream soups without being puréed. Introduce your desired veggies and aromatics. As with the clear soup, you'll want to give extra time to the larger ingredients you'll be adding to the soup, for the sake of letting everything cook evenly. You'll find aromatics like onions and garlic are particularly useful when it comes to making a thick or cream-based soup. Add a thickening agent. This is the decisive part of making a thick soup. How you decide to thicken the soup will have just as much of an impact as the central ingredients you've decided to put in it. There are several ways to do this: With a roux. A roux is an equal mixture of flour and fat (like butter) that may be used to thicken your soup. Mix both into a saucepan on medium heat and stir until the melted butter has enveloped the flour. Adding this to your soup is the best option if you want a thick soup, but don't want it cream-based. Butter may also be replaced with cooking oil or grease. With starch, like grated raw potato. Use a grater to grate shreds of potato directly into the simmering soup. 5-10 minutes should be enough to produce the consistency you're looking for. With cream or milk. Cream is the essential element in cream-based soups. To make sure the milk doesn't curdle, warm it up in the microwave beforehand. Add your milk or cream to A 1/2 cup of cream should suffice for a quart of soup; up to a full cup of milk will sate a similar effect. If you decide to make a cream-based soup, do not add the cream until just prior to the soup being consumed. With egg yolk. 1 egg yolk per cup of soup should be enough. Beat the egg yolk until it's a mixture. Don't add the egg directly to the liquid; instead, add some of the soup to help warm up the beaten egg mixture before joining it in with the pot. This will ensure the egg yolk mixes properly with the soup. With flour. Although vegetable soups may not stand up to flour, you'll find adding a couple tablespoons of flour will thicken a rich meat soup effectively. Let simmer for an hour. Stir the soup regularly, to make sure the flavours disperse evenly. You may also find it helpful to periodically taste test the soup. If the taste isn't to your liking, adding salt and pepper helps in a dash to improve a soup's flavour. Other seasonings (like parsley and peppercorn) go a long way towards improving a dish. Complete your recipe with a garnish. A garnish may include anything that livens up, or decorates your soup. This is the step that can elevate your homemade soup to restaurant status! A garnish may even be added simply for visual flair. As with the other ingredients in a homemade soup, you are completely free to experiment with whatever you think would give your homegrown recipe some added personality. Here are some examples: A slice of bread or tortilla is a fun and practical addition; the bread will absorb the flavour of your soup and give you something more solid to munch on. A thin meat like prosciutto is a light, but effective way of adding excitement to your soup. Lightly grating cheese like parmesan on a cream-based soup is sure to add flavour to your soup. Moreover, it will give your dish a distinctive visual flair. Even if your soup already consists largely of vegetables, adding fresh vegetables on top of it can add a new angle of taste and texture to the soup. Serve and store your thick soup. While clean soups have a simple charm to them, a well-made thick or cream-based soup can taste like a fine restaurant creation, even if it's made from home. If you're planning on a cream-based soup, it's a good idea to add the cream and stirring moments before eating it. Thick soups don't generally keep as well as their lighter counterparts, particularly those with cream thickeners. For a long-lasting dish, it's actually recommended you don't add thickener to stored portions, instead adding a cream once it's been defrosted. | Plan out your soup. Gather your ingredients. Prepare a soup stock. Add desired spices to your stock while it simmers. Start adding your ingredients once the stock has simmered sufficiently. Let simmer for at least half an hour, or until the largest vegetables have gone soft. Serve and enjoy! Store excess portions in the freezer. Figure out what kind of thick soup you want to make. Purée ingredients for your soup's base. Introduce your desired veggies and aromatics. Add a thickening agent. Let simmer for an hour. Complete your recipe with a garnish. Serve and store your thick soup. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Move-to-France | How to Move to France | To move to France, first you'll need to apply for a tourist visa through your country's French embassy. Then, once you have a tourist visa, you can live in France for up to a year. Before your tourist visa expires, you can apply for a one-year permit to live in France, which you can renew on a yearly basis. However, keep in mind that after one year you'll be required to pay French income taxes and obtain a French driving license. | Contact the French Consulate or the French Embassy in your area. You will need to request paperwork for the type of French visa that you wish to apply for. You'll probably want to start off by browsing the French Embassy's website so that you can ask informed questions when you talk to the embassy officials. Most countries have French Embassies where you can direct your questions. If you live in a larger country, like the United States, each region will have its own embassy. For example, the French Embassy in Atlanta, Georgia, covers U.S residents from the following states: Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Unless you are a citizen of an EU member state, the first step for a move to France will generally be to request a tourist visa. This type of visa will allow you to stay in France for up to a year. When the tourist visa expires, you will be allowed to apply for a one-year permit and renew that on a yearly basis. After one year, you will be required to pay French income taxes and will need to obtain a French driving licence (Permis de conduire) if you wish to drive there. If you are already a citizen of a country in the European Union, you don't need a visa to move to France. EU citizens have the right to live and work in any country within the European Union. Submit your visa application. If allowed, mail the completed visa paperwork to the French Consulate closest to the city where you live. If you aren't allowed to submit your application by mail, you will need to make an appointment at the Embassy to appear in person. Applications may include one or more passport photos, an application fee, a completed and signed visa application form, proof of health insurance, proof of financial support, any other requested documents, and your original passport. Retain at least one personal copy of all paperwork that you fill out in connection with your move to France, as you may need to provide this as identification later. Wait for your visa. The embassy will either notify you that you visa is ready to be picked up in person, or they may send it to you in a pre-paid shipping envelope if you supplied one. Your visa will be an official sticker on one of the pages of your passport. Find a job. When you arrive in France, you'll need to start working. This means that you should either start looking for a job before you leave, or try to find one as soon as you arrive. Either way, you'll need to provide a résumé and cover letter in French to potential employers. These have to be adapted to local standards, which can be different from your own country. Start surfing the internet to find some examples of what professional résumés look like. Whether you want to do it yourself or ask a professional to do it for you, you can review the different options online. If you don't speak French, you could consider looking for a job as a tutor in your native language or as an au pair for a French family. Find a program. One of the easiest ways to get a visa to France is for academic studies. You can apply directly to a French institution for a degree program, or try to find an affiliate program with a university in your home country. Most schools offer overseas study or foreign exchange programs that send students to study at a French university for one or two semesters. Apply to study in France. Complete the application process for your studies. This means either applying directly to a French institution as a foreign student, or applying to an overseas study/foreign exchange program through an affiliated foreign university. You will probably need to pay an application fee, write an application essay, provide official transcripts, and submit one or more letters of recommendation. Apply for a visa. Contact your local French embassy to apply for a visa. Students accepted to French institutions are eligible for student visas such as the Long Stay Visa for Studies, which is required of all students who plan to reside in France for longer than three months. You'll need to make an appointment with the French embassy nearest you, submit your application and all the required documents, and wait to receive your visa once it has been approved. Learn the language. If you are moving to France, you'll want to spend some time learning at least a little bit of the French language. You'll need to be able to talk to people when you rent a property, find a job, order food in a restaurant, and in almost every other aspect of your life in France. Learning the language is crucial. Try hiring a French tutor, taking a class at a university, using an online program like Rosetta Stone, or a fun learning app like Duolingo. If you move to a major metropolitan area like Paris, it is likely that you will encounter people who speak English quite regularly. However, if you are moving to a more rural area, you will need to speak French to get by in your day-to-day life. Decide where to move. The location you move to in France may depend on your job, or it may be a little more open to selection for you. If you can choose, think about where you would like to go to in France. If you want to live in a city with more job opportunities and that may be easier for a foreigner to integrate, consider Paris, Toulouse, or Lyon. If you want a more quaint French countryside experience, consider moving to a more rural location with a smaller population. Find a place to live. You may wish to stay in furnished housing, or if you are shipping some items you may prefer to get an unfurnished flat. There are many options for places to live in France, so consider which one will be the best for you. The Internet can be a good source of accommodations, especially sites that cater to those emigrating to France. Try searching on sites like SeLoger, PAP, or Lodgis. If you want to find a traditional apartment in France, be aware that there are some things to consider. For example, if you don't earn an income that is three times the rent, you will be asked to provide a guarantor (like a co-signer on a loan) who will be legally responsible to pay for you if you aren't able to pay your rent. This person must be someone who earns income in France – so it can't be your parents back in your home country – which can cause problems for people initially moving to a new country. If you are planning on living in France for a shorter period of time (a matter of months, rather than years), you may want to consider renting a place on a website like AirBnb. This option might be a bit more expensive than obtaining a traditional apartment, but it will save you the hassle of searching for an apartment in person when you arrive in France, securing a guarantor, signing up for renter's insurance, activating utilities in your home, furnishing your apartment, etc. Book your flight to France. Search for flights on the Internet and try to find the best deal. Spend some time looking and consider all of your options. You could also go through a travel agent if you are not comfortable booking the flight yourself. When booking your flight, consider things like layovers and travel time. If you are checking a bunch of bags, the more layovers you have the more likely it is that all of your bags won't arrive with you. If you are bringing a pet with you on the aeroplane, you may want to pay a little extra for a direct flight to limit your travel time. Keep in mind that return flights are almost always less expensive than one-way flights. So, even if you don't plan to return to your country of origin, you might want to consider purchasing a return ticket anyway. Get your belongings to France. Ship valuables that you cannot take with you on the plane ahead to France. There are many shipping services you can utilize, but be aware of French governmental restrictions on shipping personal items. These restrictions may vary, but as of 2010 include: Firearms, ammunition, meat, dairy products, plants, narcotics, psychotropic substances, pets, medicine, precious metals, cash, counterfeit items, and wild animals. If you want to bring your family pets with you to France, you will have to make sure your pet's vaccinations (especially rabies) are up to date, have your vet complete a health clearance travel form (and possibly get this form stamped by your country's import/export authority), and ensure that your pet has been microchipped. France may require additional measures to be taken for pets being imported from certain countries. Before shipping any items to France, check with the French Consulate to be sure that you have the updated shipping restrictions. Arrive in France. Once you have travelled to France, you'll have to go through border control and customs to enter the country. The officers will definitely want to look at your passport and visa, but they have the right to request additional documentation before allowing you entry. If you are arriving in France with a pre-existing visa, it will probably save you some time as you go through customs because the governmental authorities will not investigate your documents as thoroughly (since they know you already went through the vigorous process with the Embassy). If you are getting your travel visa when you arrive, they may ask you some questions about your trip, require proof that you will leave the country within a certain period of time, or request to see various documents. So be prepared for this. Apply for residency. Once you arrive in France, you'll need to apply for your permanent resident card, even if you have a visa. To do so, you'll need to mail in your OFII (Office Français de l'Immigration et de l'Intégration) form that you received with your visa and wait to hear back from them. You will be asked to appear in person at the local préfecture to undergo a simple medical examination and to complete your resident application. Once this is complete, you will be granted your resident permit (carte de séjour) which will be good for one year, regardless of how long your visa has been granted for. You may need to bring additional documents to your OFII appointment, but they will notify you ahead of time. You can't submit your OFII paperwork until after you have already arrived in France. Open a bank account. If you're going to be living in France permanently, you should consider opening a bank account at a French institution. This will save you from possibly hefty international transaction fees from using your foreign bank account and bank card while living in France. To do so, you'll need to bring your passport and proof of residency in France. This could be a copy of your rental agreement or something from your school if you are studying in France. You will probably have to wait a week or so for your French bank card to arrive in the mail. Some common banks to use in France include LCL, BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Banque Populaire, and La Banque Postale. Enroll your children in French schools. If you're living in France, you (and your children) are entitled to free education. School is mandatory from ages 6 to 16, so your kids will need to be enrolled. To enroll your children for the first time, you'll need to contact the service des écoles at your local courthouse (or mairie, in French). They will help you find the school nearest your residence that your child should attend. You may also consider an international school for your child, especially if they don't speak French, to ease the transition. However, this type of school may cost money. | Contact the French Consulate or the French Embassy in your area. Submit your visa application. Wait for your visa. Find a job. Find a program. Apply to study in France. Apply for a visa. Learn the language. Decide where to move. Find a place to live. Book your flight to France. Get your belongings to France. Arrive in France. Apply for residency. Open a bank account. Enroll your children in French schools. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-Unrequited-Love | How to Deal With Unrequited Love | To deal with unrequited love, put a little distance between the two of you. You don't have to stop being friends completely, but it may help to see them less than usual. It is also a good idea to avoid listening to songs or watching movies that remind you of your crush. Instead, keep yourself busy with school and friends, or start a new hobby that lets your feelings motivate you to create something amazing. In the future, lower your expectations and just date for fun, as this will take a lot of the stress out of relationships. | Give yourself permission to grieve. Unrequited love hurts. Just because you shouldn't beg or take it personally doesn't mean you aren't allowed to mourn the circumstances. Your hopes for a relationship with this person have been cut short. It's perfectly okay to grieve. Allow yourself to feel your emotions, however they come. Anger, humiliation, sadness—all of these feelings might pop up after dealing with unrequited love. Be gentle with yourself. Don't put too much pressure on yourself to “shake off” what you're feeling. Grant yourself permission to be upset for a few days. Accept their choice. Possibly the worst thing you can do in a case of unrequited love is to beg the person to change their mind. Begging is degrading and will only compromise your self-respect. Keep your self-respect intact and accept the person's decision. Keep in mind that begging someone won't make them love you if they don't. Doing so will only make you love yourself less. If the person relents simply to appease you, it will likely not be a healthy relationship. Pretend it happened to a friend to stop personalizing the situation. Perhaps the most important take-home message of unrequited love is that it doesn't have to be personal. More than likely, the person's failure to reciprocate your feelings has absolutely nothing to do with you and everything to do with them. To help you not personalize the situation, imagine that it happened to a friend. How could you explain the outcome to them? Maybe the person isn't in the market for a relationship or maybe they have a different type. Neither of these reasons has anything to do with your worth as a person. Recognize their pain, too. When you get rejected, you're often absorbed in your own feelings, which means you may not think about how the circumstances impact the other person. Turning you down may have actually hurt the other person, too. Think about it: rejecting someone as great as you probably wasn't easy for the person. Plus, if you are friends, they may have even risked your friendship to turn you down. It takes a lot of courage not to enter a relationship you know is not right for you. The person may have a variety of reasons why they don't want to be in a relationship with you, and you show maturity by understanding their decision. Get some distance from the person. The best course of action for healing after unrequited love is to put some distance between you and the person you care about. Seeing them every single day will only make getting over them that much harder. Press the pause button and avoid seeing them for a while. This means telling them “I need some space…” and refraining from calling, texting, or skimming their social media profiles. If you're afraid that seeing their social media profiles will bring back the pain, unfollow them. Facebook, for example, has an option where you can unfollow a person while still being friends. This way, you can always go back and follow them again in the future. Take them off the pedestal. It's common to idolize someone you love. Unfortunately, this illusion prevents you from seeing the person as they really are. You may be broken-hearted because such a perfect person rejected you, but have you ever considered they aren't actually perfect? Realizing that they are only human—just like you—may help ease your pain. Make a list of any qualities you see in the person that aren't so great. For example, maybe your crush has an annoying laugh or perhaps they aren't all that friendly to the non-popular kids at school. Get support. Reach out to your close friends and family. Talk to them about what happened. Then, fully hear them out and absorb the comforting and encouraging words they offer. They'll remind you just how great you are. Help your loved ones help you by making specific requests. For instance, you might ask a friend to go to the movies with you over the weekend. You might ask your mom or sibling to help you pack up things that remind you of your crush. You might even ask your pals to help you pinpoint your crush's bad traits. Practice self-care. Simply because the person you love didn't return that love doesn't mean you can't pour love into yourself. Go above and beyond to make yourself feel cherished and cared for. Eat healthy , nutrient-rich meals and get plenty of exercise and rest. Fend off stress with relaxing activities, such as coloring, listening to music, or playing with your pet. It can be cathartic to write the person a goodbye letter. Perhaps pretend that you broke up with them or decided they just weren't right for you. Focusing on their attributes that don't fit well with you can help you move on. Try a new hobby or activity. Join a new sports team or get involved in a local club the person you were rejected by has no ties to. It will get you out of your routine, create new patterns for being social, and is a great way to distract yourself as you heal. Cherry-pick your sources of entertainment. This may not the best time to listen to the songs or watch the movies that made you think of your crush. Carefully select which sort of music, movies, and books you consume. Instead of choosing lovey-dovey sources of entertainment (or anything that makes you think of your crush), go for more neutral choices. Keep yourself busy. A full calendar can feel like a life-saver when you're getting over unrequited love. Plus, staying busy can help you distract yourself from thoughts of your crush. Fill your schedule with lots of positive activities, such as studying, spending time with friends, completing projects at home, or taking on a new hobby. Channel your feelings into creative pursuits. When you do get wrapped up in your feelings, use them to create something new. Write that book you've always talked about, pen the words to a song to play on your guitar, or paint a picture to give to your parents. Using your creative skills is a positive and helpful way to release and express your emotions. Set big goals. Focusing on your future as an individual is a great way to move on after unrequited love. Set some powerful personal goals to help you get re-invested in your future. Think about where you'd like to be in the next 6 months or a year. Then, write out SMART goals that help you get there. For instance, you might decide to get a part-time job to help you save for a summer vacation in Europe. Looking for jobs might be one goal, while saving the money might be another. Look for patterns in your romantic feelings. Do you have a habit of falling for people who don't love you back? If you can recall several other cases of unrequited love, you may be purposely seeking out people who are unavailable to protect yourself from forming any attachments. If this seems true for you, consider seeing a therapist. This person can help you clarify the underlying issue in your relationship behaviors and help you overcome the fears and beliefs that contribute to them. Date for fun. When you're ready, get back out there. This time, however, lower your expectations completely. Don't date someone with the expectation that it will lead to everlasting love. Instead, spend time with interesting people just because you deserve it. Have a good time without worrying about where things will go. Challenge yourself to date someone drastically different from your previous crush. For instance, if this person was an artist, try dating a sports fanatic. | Give yourself permission to grieve. Accept their choice. Pretend it happened to a friend to stop personalizing the situation. Recognize their pain, too. Get some distance from the person. Take them off the pedestal. Get support. Practice self-care. Try a new hobby or activity. Cherry-pick your sources of entertainment. Keep yourself busy. Channel your feelings into creative pursuits. Set big goals. Look for patterns in your romantic feelings. Date for fun. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Open-an-eBay-Account | How to Open an eBay Account | To open an eBay account, start by going to the eBay homepage and clicking the “Register” link. On the next screen, provide your full name, email address, and password. Then, submit your information to receive your user ID. You're now all set up to use eBay! Refresh the homepage to see your account menu, which includes your “Settings” and “Collections.” If you want to set preferences, add more personal information, or add your payment data, you can do all of this under your “Settings” tab. | Visit the eBay homepage. To get to the main eBay website, type http://www.ebay.com into your browser's navigation bar or search "eBay" on a search engine. Click on the "Register" link. In the top left corner of the main eBay homepage, you should see text reading "Hi! Sign in or register", unless you already are logged in to an account. Click "register" to begin the account set-up process. Without an account, you can still browse the items for sale on eBay, but you'll be prompted to make an account if you try to buy or sell anything. Enter your contact information on the next screen. On the registration page, you'll be asked to provide your first and last name, an email address, and a password for your account. Make sure to enter a current email address that you have access to. This address will be used to retrieve your password in the event that you forget it. Your password must meet minimum length requirements and use both letters and numbers. You may want to copy this information to a document and save this document in a secure location. Agree to the User Agreement and Privacy Policy by clicking on "Submit". By making an eBay account, you're legally agreeing to let eBay use the information you provide for its own purposes. Read eBay's User Agreement and Privacy Policy for more information. Receive your pre-selected user ID. After you submit your account information, you'll be taken to a "Success" screen. On this screen, you'll be notified that eBay has automatically chosen a user ID for you. This is the name that other eBayers will know you as - when you bid, buy, or sell, other users will see this name. Click "Continue" and you'll be taken back to the home page. If you don't like the username you've been given, it's easy to change it to something you prefer. See the section below for information. Start using eBay! Congratulations - your account is now activated and you can start using Ebay. You will receive an email from Ebay with an official "Welcome" message at the email account you provided. Note that you'll have to provide payment information to buy or sell on eBay. You will be prompted to enter this information if you try to buy, sell, or bid on anything on the site. eBay accepts a variety of payment options but encourages users to use a Paypal account for this purpose. Visit the eBay homepage. If you're not already on the eBay website, navigate to http://www.ebay.com. Open the account menu in the upper left. Move your mouse over the "Hi, (your name)" text in the upper left corner of the page. You should see a menu with options for "My Collections", "Account Settings", and "Sign Out". Click "Account Settings". You will be brought to your account management page. Here, you have a variety of options in terms of providing personal information, setting your own preferences, and more. Click "Personal Information" on the left. On the left hand side of the page, you should see a box of links with "Personal Information" listed at the top. Click this. Click the "edit" link to the right of "User ID". You should see a small table listing some of the information you provided when you made your account. The second row of the table contains your user ID. Click the small "edit" link at the far right of this row. Note that you can edit all of the information on this page, should you choose to do so. Sign in. You'll be asked to sign in to verify that you are, in fact, the owner of the account whose user ID you are attempting to change. Your user ID should be pre-filled in, so all you'll need to do is provide the account password you chose when you created your account. Click "Sign In" when you're done. Choose a new user ID. On the next screen, you'll be asked to provide the new user ID you desire. Keep in mind that you can only change your user ID once every 30 days , so choose carefully! Click "Save" when you're finished. If the name you choose isn't already taken, your new user ID will be put into effect immediately. | Visit the eBay homepage. Click on the "Register" link. Enter your contact information on the next screen. Agree to the User Agreement and Privacy Policy by clicking on "Submit". Receive your pre-selected user ID. Start using eBay! Visit the eBay homepage. Open the account menu in the upper left. Click "Account Settings". Click "Personal Information" on the left. Click the "edit" link to the right of "User ID". Sign in. Choose a new user ID. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Speak-Less | How to Speak Less | If trying to think before you speak hasn't helped you speak less, try paying attention to how long you've been talking. As you speak, check your audience's body language to see if they're paying attention, and stop if they seem bored or distracted. Though it might be uncomfortable at first, learn to be ok with silence, and try not to worry about impressing other people with your conversation skills. | Speak only when it's important. Before you speak, ask yourself if what you're saying is truly important. You should avoid talking when you're not really contributing to the conversation. People tend to listen to those who choose their words carefully. Someone who's always sharing their opinion or telling stories may lose people's interest with time. If you have a tendency to talk too much, you may find yourself constantly sharing information unnecessarily. Avoid speaking to fill empty space. Oftentimes, people speak to fill empty space. You may find yourself speaking in professional situations, such as work or school, to ease your anxiety about silence. Sometimes, silence is okay and you do not need to talk just to fill space. For example, if you and co-worker are in the break room at the same time, you do not have to make small talk. If your co-worker does not seem interested in talking, they may not be in the mood for social interaction. In this case, it's okay to offer a polite smile and let the silence happen. Think about your words carefully. If you talk too frequently, you may say the first thing that comes to mind without filtering yourself. Learning to speak less means learning to think about your words. Before saying something, try to think about the words you're going to say ahead of time. This may help you learn to keep certain things to yourself, leading you to speak less overall. People often reveal information they'd rather keep private through speaking too much. When you think of something you want to add, especially if it's something very personal, pause. Remember you can always share new information later, but you can never make information private again once you've shared it. Be aware of time when you speak. Having a rough sense of how long you've been talking can help you speak less. In general, after about 20 seconds of speaking you're at risk for losing the listener's attention. After this point, tune in to the listener. Look for any cues they're losing interest. Watch body language. The listener may fidget or check their phone if they're getting bored. Their eyes may also begin to wander. Try to wrap it up within the next 20 seconds and give the speaker a chance to share. In general, try not to talk for more than 40 seconds at a time. Any longer than this may make the listener feel irritated or talked over. Think about whether you speak out of anxiety. People often talk too much due to underlying social anxiety. Pay attention to when you're talking a lot. Do you feel anxious? If so, work on coping in other ways. When you find yourself speaking too much, pause and evaluate your mood. How are you feeling? Are you feeling anxious? You can do things like count to 10 in your head or take deep breaths if you're anxious. You can also try giving yourself a pep talk before social events. Remind yourself that it's okay to be nervous, but you should relax and try to have fun. If social anxiety is a major problem for you, see a therapist to address it. Avoid speaking to impress others. In work situations especially, people tend to talk too much to impress others. If you notice you talk a lot, think about whether you're trying to show off. If you tend to talk too much to impress others, try to remind yourself others will be more impressed by what you say than how much you say. Instead of going overboard talking about yourself, reserve your input for moments when you can contribute something valuable to the conversation. Focus only on the speaker. When in a conversation, do not look at your phone or glance around the room. Do not think about things like what you're going to do after work or eat for dinner that night. Direct your attention solely on the speaker. This will help you listen better, as you'll focus on what's being said. Keep your eyes on the speaker most of the time. If you find other thoughts creeping in, remind yourself to return to the present and listen. Maintain eye contact. Eye contact shows you're paying attention. Meet the person's eyes as they talk. Eye contact conveys that you're paying attention and present. A lack of eye contact can come off as rude or disinterested. Electronic devices, like cell phones, can often demand our attention, especially if they make noise or give off notifications. Keep your phone in your purse or pocket when talking to someone so you're not tempted to look elsewhere. Eye contact can also let you know if you're boring someone else. If someone breaks eye contact while you're speaking, you may be talking too much. Pause and give the speaker a turn. Think about what the speaker is saying. Listening is not a passive act. While the speaker talks, it's your job to listen to what they're saying. Try to withhold judgment while you do so. Even if you disagree with what's being said, wait your turn to speak. Do not think about how you'll respond while the speaker is talking. It can help to try to picture what's being communicated. Create images in your mind that represent what the speaker is saying. You can also try to latch on to key words and phrases while the speaker talks. Clarify what the speaker is saying. In any conversation, it will eventually be your turn to share. Before doing so, however, make it clear you were listening. Paraphrase in your own words what the speaker said and ask any questions you have. Do not repeat what the speaker said verbatim. Just rephrase your understanding of what they said. Also, keep in mind that active listening is meant to help you pay close attention to the speaker and let them know you are listening. Do not use active listening as a way to interject or make your opinions known. For example, say something like, "So, you're saying you are stressed about the upcoming office party." Then, follow up with a question. For example, say, "Where do you think this stress is coming from? Do you want to talk about that?" Make sure to be empathetic and non-judgmental as you listen to the speaker. You can express respect and validate their position without giving up your own position. Express yourself when necessary. Do not take speaking less to mean not asserting and expressing yourself. If you have a serious concern, or an opinion you feel is important, do not hesitate to speak up. Part of speaking less is knowing when it is valuable to share. For example, if you're going through a serious problem in your personal life, it's okay to share with others if you need support. It's also important to share if your opinion could be valuable. If you, say, have a strong opinion about something at work, it can be beneficial to share with your boss and co-workers. Do not overdo eye contact. Eye contact is important. However, constant eye contact can come off as too intense. People do tend to associate eye contact with confidence and attentiveness, but overdoing it may make you appear distrustful. It's appropriate to hold someone's eye contact for about 7 to 10 seconds and then look away for a moment. Eye contact may also be less appropriate in certain cultures. Asian cultures may find eye contact disrespectful. If you're meeting someone from a different culture, make sure to read up on social etiquette surrounding eye contact. Keep an open mind when listening. Everyone has opinions and their own sense of what's right and normal. When you're listening very attentively to another person, they may sometimes say things you take issue with. However, while you're listening, it's important to keep judgment behind. If you find yourself making judgments about someone, pause and remind yourself to focus on the words. You can analyze information later. When listening, just focus on the speaker and leave judgment behind. | Speak only when it's important. Avoid speaking to fill empty space. Think about your words carefully. Be aware of time when you speak. Think about whether you speak out of anxiety. Avoid speaking to impress others. Focus only on the speaker. Maintain eye contact. Think about what the speaker is saying. Clarify what the speaker is saying. Express yourself when necessary. Do not overdo eye contact. Keep an open mind when listening. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Wash-Your-Vagina | How to Wash Your Vagina | To wash your vagina, start by cleaning the area around it with unscented soap and water to get rid of any bacteria and yeast. Then, move to your perineum, which is the area between your vagina and anus, and end with your anus so you don't spread germs from your anal area into your vagina. While keeping a cleansing routine is key to vaginal health, avoid douches, scented wipes, and deodorant sprays, which can wash away good bacteria and lead to infections. | Wash the area around your vagina at least once a day. Throughout the day, sweat and moisture can build up in your genital area, providing a good environment for bacteria and yeast. Wash the area daily as part of your regular bath or shower routine to prevent vaginal infections and unpleasant odors. If you are on your period, it's a good idea wash more than once a day during your menstrual cycle. Use plain, unscented soap to wash your genital area. When you wash yourself, use warm water and a gentle, unscented soap, feminine wash or body wash. Harsh, perfumed soaps can irritate your vulva and vagina and throw off your vagina's natural pH balance, possibly leading to infections. Some people can use lightly scented soaps without any problems. However, if you are prone to infections and irritation, try switching to an unscented or hypoallergenic soap. You can use your hand or a very soft washcloth to wash your vulva, but don't use a harsh washcloth or loofah. Scrubbing the area can cause irritation. Spread your outer labia and clean the folds around your clitoris. As you wash, be careful to clean all the creases and folds around your vagina. Gently spread your outer labia (the large, fleshy pads or “lips” on the outside of your vulva) and wipe around the skin folds inside, making sure to wash around the hood of your clitoris and the area outside the entrance to your vagina. Try not to get any soap inside your vagina itself, since this can be drying and irritating. Cleanse your anal area last. Once you're done washing your vulva, move to your perineum (the area between your vagina and anus) and then your anus and the area between your buttocks. Always move from front to back while you are washing so that you don't spread germs from your anal area into your vagina. Washing from back to front can increase your risk of developing a vaginal infection or urinary tract infection. Rinse away all the soap when you’re done. After you've washed your entire genital area, rinse yourself thoroughly with plain, warm water. Make sure to wash away any remaining soap suds, since leaving it there could dry out or irritate the delicate skin around your genitals. If your rinse with a handheld shower jet, take care not to get any of the spray inside your vagina. Forcing water into your vagina can cause irritation, upset your vagina's natural pH balance, or push unwanted bacteria up into your uterus. Pat the area dry with a clean towel after you rinse. Once you're done washing and rinsing yourself, use a clean, dry towel to pat your genital area dry. Don't rub the area, since doing so can cause irritation. You can also gently dry your vulva and groin area with a blow-dryer on a low, cool setting. Stay away from douches, scented wipes, and deodorant sprays. There are a variety of products on the market that claim to promote good vaginal hygiene and keep you smelling fresh. However, these products can cause irritation and wash away good bacteria, potentially leading to infections. Never use perfumed products on your vulva or vagina, and don't use any type of douche unless your doctor recommends it. Avoid using scented bath oils or bubble baths, since these can cause irritation or vaginal infections. Wear cotton underwear to prevent irritation and reduce moisture. Synthetic materials like nylon and polyester keep in moisture and heat around your genital area, creating an environment that's good for harmful bacteria and yeast. To prevent this, opt for more breathable cotton underwear, and change into a fresh pair daily (or more often, if your underwear gets damp or sweaty). Avoid thongs and tight-fitting leggings or pants, since these can trap heat and moisture and irritate your vulva. Try sleeping without underwear or wearing loose cotton boxers at night. Launder new underwear before you wear it. New underwear may have harsh dyes or chemical residues that can irritate your vulva and vagina. Always wash your underwear before wearing it for the first time. When you wash your underwear, use a mild, unscented detergent. You can also use an extra rinse cycle to make sure all the detergent is rinsed out. Wipe from front to back after going to the bathroom. Whenever you use the toilet, gently wipe from front to back—even if you've only urinated. Wiping from back to front can move bacteria from your anal area into your vagina or urethra, putting you at risk of developing a vaginal or urinary tract infection. Avoid toilet papers that contain perfumes, dyes, or lotions, since these can irritate your vulva and vagina. Stick to plain white paper. Clean up with mineral oil after stubborn bowel movements. Doctors don't recommend using wet wipes—even unscented ones—to wipe yourself. If you have trouble getting fresh and clean after a bowel movement, you can make wiping easier by adding a little mineral oil or unscented soap (such as Dove or Cetaphil body wash) to your toilet paper. Rinse off with a little water when you're done, and pat yourself dry. Studies show that using feminine wipes can not only cause pain and irritation, but may significantly increase your chances of getting a urinary tract infection. Get out of wet clothes immediately after swimming or exercising. After you swim or exercise, change out of your wet clothing right away and dry yourself off thoroughly. Staying in wet or sweaty clothing can promote the growth of harmful bacteria and yeast in and around your vagina. It's also a good idea to shower as soon as you can after exercising or swimming to wash away sweat, grime, or chlorine. Change your tampons and pads often during your period. If you have periods, change your pads or tampons frequently. Never wear a tampon for longer than 8 hours to prevent potentially deadly toxic shock syndrome. You should also try to change your pads at least every 3-4 hours, even if you're not bleeding that much. Don't use scented pads or tampons, and stick to products made from 100% cotton if you can. Use condoms during sex and urinate afterwards to prevent infections. If you have sex, you can reduce your risk of getting an STI (sexually transmitted infection) or a bacterial infection by using a condom every time. Ask your partner to put on a condom, or use a female condom to protect your vagina. It's also a good idea to urinate and shower immediately after sex. This can help rinse away bacteria, sweat, and other bodily fluids that might contribute to a bacterial or yeast infections. Try a baking soda soak to reduce excess odor and discharge. Mild odors and most vaginal secretions are natural and healthy. However, if they bother you, you can use a baking soda soak to cleanse your vulva and minimize odors. Fill a bathtub partway with lukewarm water and stir in 4-5 tablespoons (58-72 g) of baking soda. Soak in the tub 1-3 times a day for 10 minutes at a time. A baking soda soak can also help reduce itching and burning if you're dealing with irritation or an infection. | Wash the area around your vagina at least once a day. Use plain, unscented soap to wash your genital area. Spread your outer labia and clean the folds around your clitoris. Cleanse your anal area last. Rinse away all the soap when you’re done. Pat the area dry with a clean towel after you rinse. Stay away from douches, scented wipes, and deodorant sprays. Wear cotton underwear to prevent irritation and reduce moisture. Launder new underwear before you wear it. Wipe from front to back after going to the bathroom. Clean up with mineral oil after stubborn bowel movements. Get out of wet clothes immediately after swimming or exercising. Change your tampons and pads often during your period. Use condoms during sex and urinate afterwards to prevent infections. Try a baking soda soak to reduce excess odor and discharge. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Baileys-Irish-Cream | How to Make Baileys Irish Cream | To make Bailey's Irish Cream, start by adding whiskey, sweetened condensed milk, whipping cream, eggs, chocolate syrup, instant coffee, vanilla extract, and almond extract to a blender. Then, blend everything together on high speed for 30 seconds or until the mixture is smooth. Finally, transfer your Bailey's Irish Cream to a bottle and chill it in the fridge before serving. | Assemble the ingredients. Measure and pour all of the ingredients into a blender. You can also add one additional teaspoon of coffee granules and vanilla extract for taste. Blend everything together for 30 seconds on a high speed. Make sure that the mixture is smooth in texture. Store the cream in a well sealed bottle. Place the bottle in the refrigerator and let it chill. Enjoy Baileys by itself, as an ingredient to a drink, or "over the rocks" (over ice). | Assemble the ingredients. Measure and pour all of the ingredients into a blender. Blend everything together for 30 seconds on a high speed. Store the cream in a well sealed bottle. Place the bottle in the refrigerator and let it chill. Enjoy Baileys by itself, as an ingredient to a drink, or "over the rocks" (over ice). |
https://www.wikihow.com/Shoot-a-Handgun | How to Shoot a Handgun | To shoot a handgun, begin by holding it in your dominant hand with your thumb on the back of the grip and your middle, ring, and pinky fingers wrapped around it. Then, use your other hand to steady the gun and raise your arms so that your eye is aligned with the sight. Next, focus your eye on the target and line it up within the sight. Finally, use the index finger on your dominant hand to pull the trigger, hold it until you take a breath, then gently release the trigger. | Learn the difference between a revolver and a semi-automatic pistol. These are the two basic types of handguns. The handguns you would see in a cowboy movie are revolvers. The cartridges in a revolver are loaded into a cylinder in the middle of the frame of the gun. A capacity of six is most common but some hold five and are designed to fit smaller hands. A semi-automatic pistol has a sliding mechanism at the top of the handgun and a magazine of pre-loaded ammunition in the handle. Operation of each type of handgun differ slightly so it's important to clearly define terms before handling a gun. Revolvers have a revolving cylinder for holding the ammunition. The ammunition is loaded into the cylinder, then the cylinder swings into the revolver and it is ready to fire. After a bullet is fired, the cylinder rotates and lines up the next cartridge in line with the firing pin. Most revolvers can be fired in a double action mode which is pulling the trigger which rotates the hammer until it falls and fires the cartridge. Additionally, the hammer can be pulled back into position before the trigger is pulled, this results in a much lighter trigger pull and improves accuracy. In order to retrieve the spent cartridges, the cylinder is rotated outwards allowing the empty ammunitions to be removed. A semi-automatic pistol advances each cartridge into the chamber from the magazine. It then ejects the empty cartridge after it has been fired. The slide on the top of the gun is used to advance the first shell into the chamber, and can be locked in the back position with a button or pin on the side. The removable magazine is removed and loaded separately. Choose the right handgun and ammunition for your needs. Handguns come in many varieties with a seemingly endless array of ammunition options. Also, consider your body, hand size and purpose of your handgun. You probably don't need a.357 Magnum to try out target shooting at the gun range. Avoid buying an overly large high-caliber gun if you're interested in getting started, and instead get a small-caliber reliable gun, like a.22. Talk to dealers and others experienced with firearms for recommendations. Protect your ears and eyes with proper safety gear. Headphone-style ear protection and earplugs will protect against the noise of the gunshots. Safety goggles will protect the eyes from flying shells, hot gasses and lead particles that are ejected from a semi-automatic handgun. Wear safety goggles even if you already wear glasses. Safety goggles are designed to protect you in a way your glasses won't. Always handle a handgun safely. When handling a handgun, always keep it pointed downrange. Do not use a gun range unless there is an appropriate backdrop and safety equipment. Be careful of all safety consideration while at the range. It is not only important to practice good gun safety, you must be aware of what those around you are doing. Many beginners struggle pulling the slide back with a semi-automatic with just their thumb and forefinger, especially if the handgun has a strong spring or your hands are sweaty. If you need to use the palm of your hand (or your whole hand) to pull back the slide, turn your body sideways to the weapon and keep it pointed downrange. ALWAYS check first to see if the handgun is loaded. ANY time you pick up a handgun you need to check to see if it is loaded. Even when you first bring it home from the store, check to see if it is loaded. If you got it out of the closet for the first time in ten years, check to see if it is loaded. If you just unloaded it, check to see if it is loaded. And, always check any gun that is given to you by anybody at anytime. Failure to do this can result in serious damage to property, injury to people and death! With a revolver, release the cylinder and rotate it to the side. All the chambers should be empty. In a semi-automatic pistol, remove the magazine from the gun and pull the slide back to look into the chamber to make sure there isn't a cartridge in the firing chamber. If there is, racking the slide should eject it. Keep the slide in the back position while you practice holding the gun to be sure it's unloaded and to get used to keeping your thumb out of the way of the slide's action. Carefully pick up your gun, keeping your finger outside the trigger guard, extended straight and flat on the side of the guard. Whenever you handle it, make sure the barrel is pointed downrange, which should be clear of people. Outdoors, always keep your handgun pointed downwards, never up. A bullet fired up by accident will come down and may injure someone. NEVER point any gun at anyone even if it is unloaded, and even as a joke. Pointing a gun at someone is a crime in some states and the stupidest thing you can ever do. There will be times you believe it to be unloaded when it is. Practice holding the gun at the range with the gun unloaded. Hold your weapon in the firing-ready position. Open your dominant hand (the hand you write with) to expose the webbing between your index finger and thumb. Taking the pistol in your other hand, insert the grip (handle) of the pistol into the web of your dominant hand. With your thumb on one side of the grip, keep your middle, ring, and pinky fingers curled securely around the other side just below the trigger guard. You are really gripping the gun only with the middle and ring fingers, the "pinky" is resting on the gun but is not used to grip; neither is the thumb used to grip the gun. The grip should be firm but not tight. If you're gripping it so tightly that the gun shakes, you will not be able to accurate control it. Steady the gun with your other hand. Your non dominant hand should be held underneath the handgun providing support for the weight of the gun. Place your index finger on the bottom of the trigger guard or in front of it, wherever is most comfortable. Make sure all fingers are clear of the slide or hammer. Some older semi automatics have a habit of 'biting' the web between your index finger and thumb. Getting "bitten" by the slide can be very painful as well as dangerous, because you don't want to react to pain and risk dropping a loaded and cocked gun with the safety off. Stand in the proper firing stance. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart, with the foot opposite your dominant hand about a step past the other foot. Lean forward slightly with your knees bent, making sure you're firmly balanced. The elbow of your dominant arm should be almost straight and your non-dominant elbow should be flexed at a slightly obtuse angle. Your dominant arm must be in line with the handgun and pointed at the target. Some shooting matches are done one-handed (off hand). In those events, the stance is more "open" with the gun arm and the body in almost a straight line to as much as about 90-degrees, the dominant foot toward the target. A firm grip on the gun is more important since you are not using the other hand for support. Never aim the gun sideways or with a bent wrist like in the movies. This is extremely dangerous and unsteady! Align the front sight with the rear sight. Ensure that the top of the front sight post is level with the top of the rear sight, and that the rear sight appears evenly centered within the notch of the front sight. This will ensure that the gun is level and that you'll get a good "sight picture" when aiming at the target. It is most common to aim by using your dominant eye and closing the other. For other events where depth perception is important, practice aiming with both eyes open. You will need to learn to ignore the picture from your non dominant eye while still seeing the depth. Develop your sight picture. When shooting, a common confusion is where to focus. On the target? On the sight? On the target? After leveling the handgun and ensuring your firearm is aimed correctly you will need to focus on the target or placing your shot accurately is impossible. Fix the gun on the target. You should see the sharply focused front sight touching the bottom of the blurry, unfocused bulls-eye. Now you place your trigger finger on the trigger. Load the gun. When you're ready to shoot and you've practiced aiming and steadying the gun and developing a good sight picture, load the gun. Keep the safety on when loading the gun (if your gun has one) and remove it when you're in the firing position with your gun pointed at the target. Keep the barrel of the gun pointed downrange the entire time you load the gun! Most shooting accidents happen during loading and unloading a handgun. If the pistol is a semi-automatic, you'll need to load a round into the chamber by pulling back the slide and releasing it. Control your breathing. Shortly before firing the handgun, after you have carefully aimed it, you will need to take a deep breath and hold it. Calm your body. Looking at how the sights will be moving, you will notice that it traces a small figure eight pattern. This is due to the beating of your heart. In order to ensure you can see your aim point, pull the trigger when the sights come to the bottom of the figure eight. By the time you are finished pulling the trigger, the sights should be at the aim point. From the time you hold your breath to the time you pull the trigger should be short but not rapid or hurried. Pull the trigger. Every firearm has a different trigger pull - the amount of pressure required for it to fire. Before you load the handgun, it's a good idea to "dry fire" the handgun, (point the gun down range and pull the trigger while the gun is unloaded). This will help you learn what point in the trigger pull the gun will fire. When you are ready to fire, pull the trigger slowly in one smooth, controlled motion. A common reason for inaccurate shots is trying to anticipate the recoil (jerking the gun right as you think it's going to fire). It may seem counter-intuitive, but for the most accurate shots, try to let the recoil "surprise you" rather than predicting when it will happen. Follow through. Every sport has "follow-through" and target shooting is no exception. As you squeeze the trigger the gun will fire, but don't release the trigger suddenly or relax your posture, your stance or your arms. Be still. Release the trigger after you've taken a breath and prepare for the next shot. Follow-through action improves accuracy and reduces shot variation, just as follow-through does for a golfer or a tennis player. Practice firing several rounds. Take your time between rounds. There is no hurry.It is better to get a few accurate hits than to get many bad shots. You are at the range to get better, not turn money into noise. Unload your weapon and recheck it to ensure it is unloaded. With the gun still in firing position, click the safety back in place (if your handgun has one) and remember to keep the gun pointed downrange while you unload it. For revolvers, check the cylinder to ensure there are no rounds in it or remove any that are. Release the magazine from a semi-automatic pistol and rack the slide to eject any shells that may be in the chamber. | Learn the difference between a revolver and a semi-automatic pistol. Choose the right handgun and ammunition for your needs. Protect your ears and eyes with proper safety gear. Always handle a handgun safely. ALWAYS check first to see if the handgun is loaded. Carefully pick up your gun, keeping your finger outside the trigger guard, extended straight and flat on the side of the guard. Hold your weapon in the firing-ready position. Steady the gun with your other hand. Make sure all fingers are clear of the slide or hammer. Stand in the proper firing stance. Align the front sight with the rear sight. Develop your sight picture. Fix the gun on the target. Load the gun. Control your breathing. Pull the trigger. Follow through. Practice firing several rounds. Unload your weapon and recheck it to ensure it is unloaded. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Apply-for-a-Chinese-Tourist-Visa | How to Apply for a Chinese Tourist Visa | To apply for a Chinese tourist visa, first go online to the Chinese embassy's website and download and complete the visa application. Then, get together your passport, a recent passport photo, and your travel itinerary, which must show your flight arrangements and accommodations while you're in China. When you have your completed application, supporting documents, and fee ready, locate and visit the visa office of your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate to file for your visa. | Ensure the validity of your passport. To get a tourist visa to visit China, you must have a valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity, so if your passport will expire in less than six months, you will need to renew before you can get a tourist visa to visit China. You must have blank visa pages in your passport as well, plus a copy of the data page of your passport (including the photo). Complete a Visa Application Form and attach a photo. The Visa Application form (Form V.2013) can be downloaded on the Chinese embassy website and should be filled out completely. You'll also need to provide a recent passport photo, which you will attach to your visa application. You can get your passport photo taken at shipping centers such as FedEx and UPS as well as membership stores/agencies like Costco and AAA and pharmacies/retail stores like Walgreens and CVS. Additionally, you may get a passport photo from a professional photo studio that offers this service or a US passport application acceptance facility. Consider a multiple-entry visa. If you plan on leaving China and re-entering multiple times throughout your stay, you will need to get a multiple-entry visa. This is true even if you are only planning on traveling to Hong Kong and/or Macau. To apply for a multiple-entry visa, you will use the same form (Form V.2013) as when applying for a regular tourist visa. When you are filling it out, make sure you indicate in Section 2.2 that you are intending to make multiple entries. Apply for special permits, if necessary. If you are planning on traveling to the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), you will need to get a special permit from a Chinese travel agency. Permits usually cost around $30 for a single-entry permit and are valid for three months. If you receive a permit (they are not always granted), you will be restricted to traveling only to Lhasa and parts of Shan Nan. Be aware of any restrictions and make sure you understand them before traveling to these regions. Provide proof of legal stay or residence status if you are a non-US citizen. If you are not an American citizen, you will have to provide the original visa or other official document from the authority in whichever country in which you are currently staying. Provide copies of previous Chinese passports or visas if you were formerly a Chinese citizen. If you used to have Chinese citizenship but have a different citizenship now, you'll need to provide a photocopy of your (now invalid) Chinese passport. If you have had a Chinese visa before and now have a new passport without any Chinese visa stamps, provide a photocopy of the old passport's data page. Provide an itinerary to show your flight and accommodations in China. You will need some kind of document showing your flight arrangements and hotel reservations while you are in China. If you will be staying with a friend, you must have an invitation letter that includes your information (name, date of birth, gender, etc.), information about the visit including the duration and planned sightseeing, etc., and information for the person that has invited you, including their name, telephone number, address, an official stamp, and signature. Locate a Visa Office of Chinese Embassy/Consulate General that serves your area. Visit the Chinese Embassy website to find a location. There are six locations in the US to serve Americans wishing to obtain tourist visas to visit China and one office in England for British citizens. Check the embassy website for offices in other countries. You must either come to the Embassy or Consulate personally or you may entrust someone else or an agent for the application process (a power of attorney is not necessary). You may have to come to the office personally for an interview if the consular officer deems it necessary or you may not have your visa application approved. Submit your application. You will be able to submit your application to the office during regular office hours without and appointment and you will be given a receipt with a pickup date printed on it. You or your representative must appear in person on the pickup date to collect your tourist visa—mail service is not available. Regular service processing time is four days, express service is two to three days (with a surcharge of $20), and rush service is one day and only available in extreme emergencies pending consular officer approval (with a surcharge of $30). Pay the fee. The cost for a tourist visa to visit China is currently $140 for a single entry. You will pay for the visa when you pick it up from the office. You may pay using a Visa or Mastercard, money order, cashier's check, or company check. Cash, personal checks, and online payments are not available. | Ensure the validity of your passport. Complete a Visa Application Form and attach a photo. Consider a multiple-entry visa. Apply for special permits, if necessary. Provide proof of legal stay or residence status if you are a non-US citizen. Provide copies of previous Chinese passports or visas if you were formerly a Chinese citizen. Provide an itinerary to show your flight and accommodations in China. Locate a Visa Office of Chinese Embassy/Consulate General that serves your area. Submit your application. Pay the fee. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Living-in-Fear | How to Stop Living in Fear | If fear is holding you back from what you really want to do, there are a few ways you can help yourself overcome it. Take gradual steps to face your fears so you won't get overwhelmed by them. For example, if you're worried about joining a sports club, you could watch a game from the sidelines first, then talk to the coach about joining, then go to your first practice the next week. You can also talk to your friends or family members about what you're feeling so they can support you and boost your confidence. When you start feeling anxious, try taking some deep breaths to help you relax. If you notice any negative thoughts, try reframing them as positives. For instance, if you think, “I'm not good at talking to new people,” remind yourself that it's a great opportunity to practice your social skills. | Label your fear to reduce its ambiguity. If your fear is vague, the lack of definition could be making it seem larger in your head. Clearly define your fear in simple terms. This might sound like, “I am afraid of being in a relationship because I think I will be abandoned.” You'll need to bring your fear to the surface so you can label it. Talk it through with someone you trust, or journal about it. Defining your fear makes it a little less scary. Plus, once you know what it is, you can develop a game plan to overcome it. Use mindfulness to sit with the emotions brought on by fear. Avoidance is a common response to fear, but it keeps you hostage to what you're afraid of. Rather than pushing away the thoughts and feelings that come along with your fear, accept them and mindfully observe them. The next time you feel bombarded by the fear, sit with it. Notice what you're thinking and what's happening in your body. Let these sensations come and go without trying to push them away or avoid them. Stay mindful by making sure your thoughts aren't wandering away from the fear. If your mind wanders, bring yourself back to the experience at hand. Consider the worst case scenario. Reduce the power of your fear by thinking about the absolute worst thing that could happen. For instance, if you're frightened of humiliating yourself in public, consider what would happen if you did. People might laugh or point, but, eventually, they'll find a new thing to focus on. Chances are, some people might pity you and try to help. Is that really so bad? To prevent yourself from spiralling into anxiety during this exercise, do it in the presence of a close friend or family member who can offer support. Reframe the fear into something more realistic. Identify what you're telling yourself about the fear “I'll embarrass myself” or “I'm going to get mugged if I ride the subway.” Since fear is brought on by automated negative thoughts, identifying those thoughts allows you to challenge the fear portion with rational thought. Question how often what you're worried about actually happens. Where is the evidence to support your claim? Reframe the fear using the new information: “No one ever laughs at assemblies. They probably won't laugh at me.” and “Thousands of people safely ride the subway each day.” Take gradual steps to face what's frightening you. To truly overcome your fear, you must face it head on. Slowly, work your way through the different levels of exposure to your fear. With each level, you will gain more confidence to face the next. For instance, if you're terrified of riding the subway, you might first look at pictures of people on the subway. Then, watch videos. Next, you might go down into the subway (with a friend) and just stand there for a while. Then, you might board the train, but get off after the first stop. Finally, you might ride all the way to work. Do something brave. One of the most powerful ways to combat fear is by doing something courageous. Make a list of actions you can take to feel more brave and empowered. Try to do one weekly to slowly gain more confidence in yourself. For instance, if you fear sharing your writing with others, you might submit a poem or story to a contest or make it public on a blog. Breathe deeply to quell anxiety. If fear has you temporarily paralyzed, activate your body's natural stress response with deep breathing. Draw in air from your nose for about 4 counts. Hold the breath briefly. Then, exhale from your mouth for about 8 counts. Repeat this deep breathing exercise for as many cycles as you need to feel calm. Ground yourself if you lose touch with reality. Fear can make you feel out of touch with the here and now. Ground yourself in the present by reconnecting with your 5 senses. Look around you and find 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 you can hear, 2 you can smell, and 1 you can taste. Ask friends and family for support. Reach out to your loved ones when you are afraid. Talk to them about what you are thinking or feeling. Ask them to help distract you from your fear. Or, make a practical request. You might say something like, “I'm afraid to sleep here alone. Will you stay with me?” Repeat a mantra to remind yourself you're safe and capable. Use a positive affirmation to empower yourself when fear happens. You might repeat statements like, “You're perfectly safe at home” or “This, too, shall pass” to remind yourself you can get through anything. If you're afraid of something like asking someone out on a date or speaking in front of a crowd, embolden yourself by saying, “Feel the fear and do it anyway.” Focus on the good things in your life to boost positivity. Fear can cloud your perspective and make you feel like there's nothing but negativity in your life. Override that by purposely seeking out the good. When you feel fearful, try to identify whatever's going right. For instance, if you feel afraid of public speaking, you might list “good” things like, “I'm dressed well. I prepared all last night for this. My friends are in the audience, so I can look to them for courage.” Spend time in nature to help you feel calm. Go outdoors and get some fresh air to help you calm down when you are afraid. Take your dog for a walk, plan a hike with friends, or take a book to a nearby lake. Get diagnosed by a doctor. If self-help strategies don't help you to stop living in fear, the next step might be to see a doctor. Make an appointment with your family doctor and explain what's been going on. Ask for a referral to see a mental health provider. A psychiatrist or psychologist can diagnose your case and determine if you are experiencing an anxiety disorder like obsessive compulsive disorder or social phobia. A thorough diagnosis can help improve your chances of successful treatment. Participate in therapy to change your thought patterns. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, which is focused on challenging unrealistic thoughts about your fears, is a great choice for treating anxiety disorders. You might also benefit from exposure therapy, which involves gradual exposure to the situations that frighten you. Ask your mental health provider to walk you through the benefits of each type of therapy and help you decide which is right for treating your fear and anxiety. Ease anxiety and obsessive thoughts with medication. Talk to your doctor to see if antidepressants or anti-anxiety meds are a good choice for you. Depending on the severity of your anxiety, a combined course of therapy and medications may help you stop living in fear. Certain chemicals in the brain can become unbalanced and cause feelings of fear to worsen. Psychiatric drugs may help bring these chemicals back into balance so that you can better manage anxiety and live a more satisfying life. Attend support group meetings. Join meetings with others in your area or online who are dealing with fear and anxiety. In support groups, you can share coping strategies and get encouragement from people who understand what you're going through. Ask your mental health provider for recommendations for anxiety support and self-help groups nearby. Confide in friends and family. Ask those closest to you for support when you feel overcome by fear. You might say, "I'm struggling with crowds. Will you sit with me at the concert?" Reach out to your loved ones to help you gain the confidence you need to deal with your fears. Whenever possible, try to make specific requests so they have a clear understanding about how they can help. | Label your fear to reduce its ambiguity. Use mindfulness to sit with the emotions brought on by fear. Consider the worst case scenario. Reframe the fear into something more realistic. Take gradual steps to face what's frightening you. Do something brave. Breathe deeply to quell anxiety. Ground yourself if you lose touch with reality. Ask friends and family for support. Repeat a mantra to remind yourself you're safe and capable. Focus on the good things in your life to boost positivity. Spend time in nature to help you feel calm. Get diagnosed by a doctor. Participate in therapy to change your thought patterns. Ease anxiety and obsessive thoughts with medication. Attend support group meetings. Confide in friends and family. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Pick-up-a-Tarantula | How to Pick up a Tarantula | To pick up a tarantula, it's best to wear gloves and long sleeves to protect against bites, especially if you've never held the tarantula before. Next, move the tarantula to a flat surface and gently pick it up with a pair of foam tipped forceps. You can also place a capture cup over the spider and slide a stiff card underneath to pick it up. If you notice the spider raising its rear end and lifting its front legs, it may be preparing to bite, so be sure to keep it away from your face and any exposed skin. | Dress appropriately. Most species of tarantulas kept as pets are not highly dangerous. However, their fangs can be quite long, and they may have special hairs that can irritate humans. To avoid a bite or other injury, wear gloves, long sleeves, and long pants tucked into your socks any time you have to handle your tarantula. You may also want to wear a face mask. Of course, you can always attempt to pick up a tarantula without protective clothing. Keep in mind, however, that your risk of getting bit or otherwise injured will be higher. Be gentle. Though impressive in appearance, tarantulas are fragile. If dropped or squeezed, they can be mortally wounded. Always be very careful when picking up or moving your tarantula. Use forceps and a capture cup. The best way to pick up a tarantula is to use tools that can protect it, rather than your bare hands. A pair of soft foam-tipped forceps can be used to pick up your tarantula, but be sure not to squeeze it. You can also place a capture cup or bowl over the spider, then slide a stiff card underneath, so that you can safely move it. Just be sure not to accidently clamp the capture cup down on your pet. Move the tarantula on a flat surface if at all possible. It is much easier to handle a tarantula when it is at a safe level free from obstructions. Work on a broad, flat surface, preferably the floor or the bottom of a bathtub, whenever you need to pick up your tarantula. This will also make it easier to safely use a capture cup. Don't play around. When picking up or moving your tarantula, keep it away from your face and other exposed skin. If a tarantula is on you or someone else and seems about to attack, flick it away rather than trying to crush it or pick it up. Squeezing or smooshing a tarantula can trigger its bite reflex, making the situation worse. Acting calmly and speaking quietly around a tarantula is the best way to be safe and avoid bites. Noise may make it feel threatened and trigger its attack reflex. Don't poke your tarantula, or put or pour anything on it. Aggravating a tarantula may make it become aggressive. Never wave a tarantula at someone else, even as a joke. Know the signs of an impending attack: when a tarantula is threatened, it may raise its rear end and lift its front legs. Don't blow on your tarantula, this will also annoy your tarantula and could cause it to run away or attack. Determine your pet's species. Many tarantulas are relatively safe pets. However, some are very dangerous and should not be handled at all. Some species are more aggressive than others, so learn more about the variety that you have so that you can know what kind of behavior to expect. It's important to learn about the difference between Old world tarantulas (these are found in Europe, Africa, Asia) and New world tarantulas (found in North America, Mexico and South America). Most New worlds are more docile and easier as first time pets. However, the Old worlds can be move aggressive, fast moving and venomous. This rule doesn't apply to all of either class but is the general rule. There are also arboreal (tree dwelling) and non-arboreal (ground/burrowing), it's important to know what you are wanting to enjoy in your pet before you buy one. You dont want to get a pet in which you can't enjoy or that you can't properly take care of. A great place to start is "The Tarantula Keeper's Guild." by Barrons. This book is inexpensive but invulnerable with the knowledge you will gain. Keep away from a tarantula's jaws. All tarantulas have fangs and can bite. Many species have fangs up to 0.75 inches long. The puppy-sized Goliath tarantula may have fangs up to an inch long. When picking up a tarantula, avoid getting near its jaws (located at the front of its head). Clean the wound if you are bitten. Normally, an oral painkiller such as acetaminophen will be enough to ease discomfort. Elevating the wound site can also help relieve pain. If you see signs of infection (redness, swelling, pus, etc.) at the bite site, you should contact a physician for an examination. You may be more likely to encounter pain or other problems if you are bitten in a sensitive area, such as your face. If you have a known allergy to tarantula bites, you should be extremely cautious when picking up a tarantula. Seek medical attention immediately if you have an allergy and are bitten, or if you experience signs of an allergic reaction, such as extreme swelling or difficulty breathing. Avoid touching the tarantula's abdomen. Some species of tarantula have special “urticating” hairs with chemical irritants on their abdomens. They will shed these when touched, and can even shed clouds of thousands of them at a time. These can be painful to the touch, cause redness and swelling of the skin, and irritate the eyes and nose. In some cases, they will need to be surgically removed. If you see a tarantula rearing up, get away. Always wash your hands after handling a tarantula. Wearing a face mask and gloves can help protect you from urticating hairs. If urticating hairs do get on your skin, peel them of with tape and take an antihistamine, like Benadryl. See a doctor if necessary. If you get urticating hairs in your eyes, are bitten by a tarantula in a sensitive area (such as your eye), or have a bite wound that may be infected, call a doctor. Medical attention may be necessary to treat these complications. Keep them away from other pets. Even if they are relatively safe to humans, tarantulas can be lethal to other pets, such as dogs. Always keep your tarantula in a safe, secure enclosure. Keeping your tarantula and other pets separated from each other will help keep everyone safe. | Dress appropriately. Be gentle. Use forceps and a capture cup. Move the tarantula on a flat surface if at all possible. Don't play around. Determine your pet's species. Keep away from a tarantula's jaws. Avoid touching the tarantula's abdomen. See a doctor if necessary. Keep them away from other pets. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-a-Madagascar-Hissing-Cockroach | How to Care for a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach | To care for a Madagascar hissing cockroach, keep it in a glass tank that's at least 5 gallons, and line the bottom of the tank with a couple inches of wood chips or peat moss. Since cockroaches prefer a warm, humid environment, keep the tank at 77-82 degrees Fahrenheit, and mist it with water every day. To feed your cockroach, give it fruits, vegetables, and leafy greens twice a week. Also, place a shallow bowl of water with a cotton ball in it inside the tank for your cockroach to drink. | Use a 5 US gal (19 L) tank to house your cockroach. For best results, opt for a simple glass fish tank that you can repurpose as a cockroach habitat. Get a tank with a snap-on lid with ventilation holes to keep your hisser from pushing the lid off. Finally, put petroleum jelly around the top rim of the tank to make it even harder for your roach to escape. This is an appropriately sized tank for a single cockroach, but you can also comfortably store up to 15 cockroaches in a 5 US gal (19 L) tank. If you want to house more than 15, add about 1 gallon (3.8 L) of volume to the tank for every additional 5 cockroaches. This may seem like overkill, but Madagascar hissing cockroaches are very good at climbing, even on flat surfaces. You definitely need to make it as hard as possible for your roach to climb out of its habitat and escape. Make sure the ventilation holes on your snap-on lid are small enough to keep your roach from crawling through them. The holes should be no larger than ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) in diameter. Pour 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) of substrate on the bottom of your tank. Wood chips, peat moss, or sphagnum moss are all good substrates to use for your cockroach. To make the habitat even better, add an egg carton or a cardboard tube to the tank as a hiding spot for your roach. Your roach will particularly enjoy having a stack of egg cartons in the tank that it can hide in. You can buy suitable substrate for your cockroach at any pet store that sells supplies for insects. Maintain a high level of humidity in the tank by misting it daily. Fill a spray bottle with water and spray enough water into the tank every day to cover the substrate. The substrate doesn't have to be completely soaked; just make it lightly damp across the entire surface. Keep the humidity level in the tank between 60% and 70%. Place a hygrometer on the side of the tank to keep an eye on the humidity levels. You can buy a hygrometer at any large pet supplies store. You won't do any harm to your roaches if the humidity in the tank goes above 70%. If this happens, just spray a little bit less water in the tank the next day to return the humidity level to normal. Keep the temperature of the tank between 77 and 82 °F (25 and 28 °C). The temperature in the tank at night can safely dip to about 70 °F (21 °C). However, never let the tank temperature go below 65 °F (18 °C). Use a thermometer attached to the side of the tank to monitor its internal temperature. The best way to maintain control over the temperature of the tank is to keep it in a climate-controlled part of your house (e.g., a room where the temperature is constantly kept at around 80 °F (27 °C)). Ultimately, it will be very hard for you to make the temperature in the tank too high. Madagascar hissing cockroaches can tolerate temperatures as high as 100 °F (38 °C). Put an infrared light in the tank if you want to view your roach at night. Roaches are nocturnal, so they have no special lighting needs during the day. Avoid using an ordinary incandescent bulb to illuminate their tank at night, as this might cause your roach to hide. You can buy this type of infrared light at most stores that sell supplies for pet insects. Place a shallow bowl with water and a cotton ball inside it in the tank. The roach will drink the water out of the saturated cotton ball. You can also use a small piece of sponge if you don't have any cotton balls. Be sure to change the water and cotton ball in the bowl daily. Pour enough water into the bowl to completely saturate the cotton ball while also leaving a small amount of water (about ⁄ 4 inch (0.64 cm)) in the bottom of the bowl. To prevent the roach from drowning, put some small rocks in the bottom of the water bowl, as well. For maximum safety, use chlorine-free water, if possible. Feed your roach fruits, vegetables, and leafy greens twice a week. Some foods that your roach will definitely enjoy include carrots, apples, romaine lettuce, spinach, bananas, strawberries, and oranges. Feed it some pelleted dog food or cat food as well to make sure your roach gets enough protein in its diet. Start off by feeding your roach about 1/4 cup (50 grams) of mixed fruits, vegetables, and pelleted food. If your roach doesn't finish all of this food, shift to smaller portions the next time you feed it. Remove any food that hasn't been eaten after 24 hours. Be sure to wash any fruits and vegetables you feed your cockroach to remove any pesticides that may be on the skins. To give your roach a source of calcium, you can also put a cuttlefish bone, natural chalk, or crushed egg shells in the tank. Handle your cockroach gently to avoid causing harm to either of you. Pick up your cockroach around the thorax (the hard section with the bumps behind the head) and lift it very slowly. Don't jerk the roach upwards, since it may cling to whatever surface it's standing on out of fear. Don't try to hold the roach down either; it has sharp spines on its leg that it may use to scratch you as a defense mechanism. The best way to handle your roach after picking it up is simply to let it wander around the surface of your hands. Don't worry, your roach won't bite! Wash your hands thoroughly after handling your roach. The bodies of Madagascar hissing cockroaches are unfortunately home to a number of mold species that could trigger allergies in people who touch them. Use soap and warm water to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds to make sure they're fully clean. Some of the species of mold identified on hissing cockroaches can also cause infections if they enter the lungs or an open wound. This mold is also found in the roach's fecal matter, so make sure to wash your hands after cleaning the habitat as well. Transfer your roach to a separate container before cleaning the habitat. Make sure this secondary container is ventilated but also secure. Remove the water bowl and any tubing you placed in the tank as well. To keep your roach comfortable, make the conditions in the secondary container as similar as possible to the conditions in its normal habitat. Aim for a container that is about the same size as your roach's normal habitat. Replace the substrate in the tank at least once a week. The substrate absorbs a lot of the moisture that is constantly in the tank, so it needs to be replaced regularly to keep it from becoming too saturated. However, replace the substrate even earlier if you spy any mold in it. If the egg cartons and tubing in the tank look saturated or moldy, replace these as well when you go to swap out the substrate. Wash the entire tank with a diluted bleach solution once a month. Take the bowl, tubing, and all of the substrate out of the tank before you clean it. Rinse the entire tank with warm water, then use a sponge to scrub the inside of the habitat with a 3% bleach solution. You can make this type of cleaning solution at home by mixing bleach and water using a 1:32 ratio. Remove shed exoskeletons and dead roaches as they build up. Young hissing cockroaches will shed their exoskeletons a few times before they reach maturity, so you'll need to be on the lookout for these shells if your cockroaches are relatively young. If you have multiple roaches in the same habitat, check for carcasses and old shells once a day and remove them as necessary. | Use a 5 US gal (19 L) tank to house your cockroach. Pour 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) of substrate on the bottom of your tank. Maintain a high level of humidity in the tank by misting it daily. Keep the temperature of the tank between 77 and 82 °F (25 and 28 °C). Put an infrared light in the tank if you want to view your roach at night. Place a shallow bowl with water and a cotton ball inside it in the tank. Feed your roach fruits, vegetables, and leafy greens twice a week. Handle your cockroach gently to avoid causing harm to either of you. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling your roach. Transfer your roach to a separate container before cleaning the habitat. Replace the substrate in the tank at least once a week. Wash the entire tank with a diluted bleach solution once a month. Remove shed exoskeletons and dead roaches as they build up. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Open-a-Bottle-of-Wine | How to Open a Bottle of Wine | To open a bottle of wine with a corkscrew, start by cutting off the foil with a knife. Once the foil is gone, place the tip of your corkscrew in the center of the wine cork and push it in slightly. If you're using a traditional corkscrew, screw it into the cork and push the lever arm onto the lip of the bottle. Then, push down on the lever to dislodge the cork. If you're using a wing corkscrew, turn the handle to screw into the cork and push down on the wings to remove it. | Score the cork foil with a knife and peel it away. Most wing corkscrews don't come with knife attachments, so use a sharp kitchen knife to score the foil just under the lip of the wine bottle. Pull off the foil cap and discard it. Set the corkscrew in place on top of the cork. Place the tip of the corkscrew in the center of the cork and push down gently. The metal cap surrounding the screw should rest against the top of the bottle, while the wings should be lowered against the neck of the wine bottle. Simply indent the top of the cork with the tip of the screw–it doesn't need to be deeply embedded at this point. Twist the handle clockwise to drill the screw into the cork. Hold the metal cap in place over the bottle's top, keeping your hand below the "wings" that are lowered against the neck of the wine bottle. Use your other hand to turn the handle and screw the corkscrew into the cork. Each time you twist, the wings will extend a bit further upward and outward. Continue turning the handle until the wings are fully extended—that is, perpendicular to the wine bottle and parallel with the table. With the wings fully extended, the screw should be at the ideal depth. Don't continue twisting, or you might drive the screw through the bottom of the cork, which could leave cork bits in your wine! Push down on the wings to pull the cork upward. Set the bottle on a table and use both hands to push down the wings of the corkscrew. As you push them down, the screw will retract and lift the cork. Once the wings are fully down and against the neck of the bottle, the cork will likely be fully removed. If the cork isn't quite free of the bottle yet, give the corkscrew a few wiggles and twists, then pull upward to finish removing the cork. If it still isn't free, twist the screw back down into the cork until the wings are halfway extended, then repeat the process. Cut off the cork foil with the folded knife. The sommelier knife (also known as a waiter's corkscrew or a wine key) is constructed with a folded knife on one end and a folded corkscrew on the other. Open the knife and use it to score the foil just below the lip at the top of the wine bottle. Remove the foil cap and discard it, then close the knife into its recess. Some sommelier knives have a sharp disc, rather than a knife, for cutting the foil. The foil should always be cut just below the lip of the wine bottle in order to prevent any wine from touching it when poured. Coming into contact with the foil can change the taste of the wine. Unfold the corkscrew and insert it in the cork. Position the tip of the corkscrew in the center of the wine bottle's cork, push it in slightly, then begin twisting it clockwise. Keep twisting the corkscrew until you have only one spiral of the screw still visible. This usually takes about 6½ twists. Don't twist too far into the cork, or pieces from the bottom of the cork may end up in the wine. If you don't twist far enough, the cork may break in two when you try to extract it. Dislodge the cork slightly by using the lever arm’s ridges for leverage. Bend the lever arm down toward the neck of the bottle. There are typically 2 indentations or ridges along the inside of the lever arm. Set the ridge closest to the lever arm's hinge over the lip of the bottle, then squeeze inward and downward on the lever arm—the leverage this creates will nudge the cork upward. If the cork hasn't fully released yet, set the ridge that's furthest from the lever arm's hinge on the bottle's lip and repeat the process to continue dislodging the cork. If the cork won't budge, you may not have twisted the corkscrew in far enough. Twist it until there is only one spiral remaining before using the lever. Pull up on the handle to remove the cork. Lift the lever arm back up so that the device is once again in a T-shape, then pull up firmly on the handle (created in part by the lever arm). The cork should easily lift from the bottle with a slight pop. Wiggle and twist the cork a bit as you pull upward if it's giving slight resistance. If the cork doesn't lift out of the bottle, screw the corkscrew in deeper, lift the cork using the lever arm, and try pulling on the handle again. In fine restaurants, sommeliers often remove the corkscrew while the cork is still about halfway in the bottle, then finish removing the cork by hand. The cork is set on the table for the patron to examine for signs of freshness. Cut off the foil that covers the cork. Use a kitchen knife to score the foil just below the lip of the wine bottle. Take off the foil cap and discard it. Work very carefully with the knife. Nothing ruins a nice evening and a great bottle of wine like a deep gash in your hand! Grab a clean 2 in (5.1 cm) screw and a set of pliers. The average wine cork is about 1.75 in (4.4 cm) in length, and you need the screw to be long enough to drive deeply into the cork and yet protrude out of the top of it by about 0.5 in (1.3 cm). Even though the screw should never actually contact the wine, wash it off with soap and water. If you want to clean the screw more completely after washing it off, disinfect it by soaking it in a dish of rubbing alcohol for 1-2 minutes. Even better, sterilize it by placing it in boiling water for at least 5 minutes, or ideally 15 minutes, then letting the water cool. A slightly shorter screw may work, but don't go any shorter than 1.5 in (3.8 cm) in length. Twist the screw clockwise into the cork with a screwdriver. Press the tip of the screw into the center of the top of the cork to make a starting indentation. Then, turn the screw into the center of the cork until there is about 0.5 in (1.3 cm) sticking out. You may be able to do this with only your fingers, but using a screwdriver makes it that much easier. Remember that you need to twist clockwise to drive a screw into a cork, a piece of wood, or anything else. Work carefully to ensure that the cork does not break apart into smaller pieces. Do not allow the screw to pierce the bottom of the cork and potentially touch the wine. If you're using a screw that's 2.25 or 2.5 in (5.7 or 6.4 cm) long, leave 1 in (2.5 cm) protruding from the top of the cork. Grip the neck of the screw with the pliers and pull upward. Clasp the jaws of the pliers firmly around the neck of the screw, just below the screw head. Grab the bottle securely with your other hand, and pull upward with the pliers. Wiggle the pliers back and forth a bit if the cork is giving some resistance. Alternatively, you can use the claw (nail-pulling side) of a hammer, or even a sturdy fork. If the screw pulls out of the cork and leaves it in the bottle, you probably didn't drive the screw deep enough into the cork to begin with. Repeat the process, and try to drive the screw as far into the cork as you can without piercing the bottom of the cork. Use a clean screw-in hook instead of a traditional screw. Any screw-in hook with a screw portion that's at least 1.5 in (3.8 cm) long will work. Twist it in clockwise by hand, so that the screw portion penetrates about 1.5 in (3.8 cm), then pull on the hook portion to remove the cork. Bicycle hooks, which you use to hang a bike from a wall or ceiling, work well for this. The hook portion is usually vinyl coated, which makes them more comfortable to grip and pull on. Before using it, clean the screw-in hook in the same manner as described for a regular screw. Cut the cork foil with a knife tip and peel it away. Use a kitchen knife to score the foil just below the lip of the wine bottle, then remove the foil cap and throw it away. Hold the bottle securely with your free hand, but keep it well clear of the knife tip and blade. Place the wine bottle upside down between your thighs. Sit down on a steady chair and hold the wine bottle in a secure position between your legs. The top of the bottle should be pointing downward, while the base of the bottle should be pointing up. Grasp the bottle near its bottom (which is now facing upward) with one hand to hold it steady. Rap the bottle firmly but carefully with the sole of a shoe. Make sure you hold the bottle steady with your legs and one hand, and use the other to rap the base of the bottle with the sole of a flat shoe. Hit it 2-3 times to start out. With each strike, the cork should dislodge a little. Strike the bottle firmly and evenly across the base. Don't hit it as hard as you can, and don't graze the edge, or the bottle may break. However, if it doesn't seem to be making progress, you may need to hit it harder. Make sure the bottle is in a stable position. Don't just hold it between your thighs; use your free hand to grasp it, too. Check the cork and pull it out by hand when you can firmly grasp it. Take a look at the cork's progress, then continue striking the bottle until the cork has dislodged enough that you can grasp it with your hand and pull it out of the bottle. If you try pulling out the cork and it's still firmly inside the bottle, turn it upside down and strike it a few more times before trying again. Don't strike the bottle until the cork pops out on its own, or you may lose a few glasses of wine! Twist the bottom of the bottle and the cap in opposite directions. Grasp the bottom of the bottle firmly in one hand, with your palm flat against the bottom. Wrap your other hand around the neck and cap. Your index finger and thumb should be wrapped tightly around the cap, while the rest of your hand should be loosely wrapped around the neck. Rotate your hands in opposite directions until you hear the “crack” that indicates that the seal has broken. Some people prefer to grab the bottom of the bottle by wrapping their palm and fingers around the base. Use whichever grip is easier for you. You can grip your entire top hand around just the bottle cap, but this may make it more difficult to get a good grip, especially if you have arthritis or a similar condition. Twist the bottle’s sleeve (or skirt) instead of the cap if it will rotate. Screw-top wine bottles have a sleeve (or skirt) on the neck of the bottle that connects to the sealed cap. In some cases, this sleeve will rotate independently of the bottle. Try gripping just the sleeve (not the cap) in one hand, and the bottom of the bottle in the other. Rotate your hands in opposite directions and see if you hear the “crack” of the seal breaking. Many people find gripping the sleeve instead of the cap easier. However, not all sleeves will rotate independently of the bottle. In this case, you'll have to grip the cap instead. Try a dish towel, pliers, or various bottle-opener gadgets. If you can't get a good grip on the cap, try placing a dish towel between your hand and the cap. If that doesn't work, grip the cap firmly (but not too forcefully) between the jaws of a set of pliers, then twist the cap and the bottle in opposite directions. You can also look in stores and online for bottle and jar opener gadgets. Some are textured silicone mats, while others wrap around the cap or lid like a belt. Try out different models until you find the type that works best for you. If you squeeze too hard with the pliers, you might crush the cap and the top of the bottle. This will make a mess, ruin the wine, and possibly cause injuries from broken glass. | Score the cork foil with a knife and peel it away. Set the corkscrew in place on top of the cork. Twist the handle clockwise to drill the screw into the cork. Push down on the wings to pull the cork upward. Cut off the cork foil with the folded knife. Unfold the corkscrew and insert it in the cork. Dislodge the cork slightly by using the lever arm’s ridges for leverage. Pull up on the handle to remove the cork. Cut off the foil that covers the cork. Grab a clean 2 in (5.1 cm) screw and a set of pliers. Twist the screw clockwise into the cork with a screwdriver. Grip the neck of the screw with the pliers and pull upward. Use a clean screw-in hook instead of a traditional screw. Cut the cork foil with a knife tip and peel it away. Place the wine bottle upside down between your thighs. Rap the bottle firmly but carefully with the sole of a shoe. Check the cork and pull it out by hand when you can firmly grasp it. Twist the bottom of the bottle and the cap in opposite directions. Twist the bottle’s sleeve (or skirt) instead of the cap if it will rotate. Try a dish towel, pliers, or various bottle-opener gadgets. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Line-a-Dress | How to Line a Dress | To line a dress, you'll need to make the lining out of a thin, lightweight material that stretches as much as the dress itself. You should trace and cut out your lining pieces from a suitable material, like thin satin, crepe, or Viole. Sew the pieces together, then sew your completed lining onto the inside of the dress along all edges, including the neckline and arms. If your dress has a skirt, you'll need to sew the bottom of the lining around the hemline. | Purchase a smooth-surfaced cotton blend for your lining. Popular lining options include smooth-surfaced cotton blends such as Viole, Habutai, crepe, thin satins, and Georgette. As a general rule, lining fabrics should be smooth, lightweight, and very flexible. If the dress fabric is sheer, match the lining color to your skin tone or the dress. If the fabric is opaque, you don't have to worry about the lining color. Do not use Negative Weight fabrics, heavy fabrics, taffeta, crinoline, or tulle as a lining. Negative weight fabrics will alter the form, and heavy fabrics will restrict movement and add bulk and weight. Buy the same amount of lining it took to make the dress. You don't need to include any pieces that don't touch your body, like the facings, collars, cuffs, or waistbands. If you have the dress pattern, you can work directly from that. Otherwise, measure the bodice, skirt, and sleeves, and add the totals together to get enough lining fabric. Buy a little bit extra just in case you need more as you cut the pattern. You can find lining fabric at most fabric supply stores. Remove 1⁄8 in (0.32 cm) from the dress pattern for the lining. Trace the lining from the original pattern used to construct the main dress, but adjust the edges by taking away ⁄ 8 inch (0.32 cm). This will ensure that the lining doesn't hang below the hem of the dress in any areas. Transfer any pattern markings, but don't include any extra material for kick pleats. When working without a pattern, trace the lining from the actual bodice, skirt, and sleeves. Add a ⁄ 8 in (0.32 cm) seam allowance to the neckline, shoulders, zipper opening, and armholes (sleeveless dress only). Cut out the lining pieces with sharp scissors. After tracing the lining pieces onto the material, use sewing shears or scissors to carefully cut out each one. Check the lining against the original dress to make sure the hems match up without hanging beneath the hem. Complete most of the main dress except for the neck and shoulders. Before lining the dress, you should follow the original pattern instructions to complete everything except for the outer edges. Leave the edges at the neck and shoulders raw, but finish the bottom hem. For sleeveless dresses, leave the armholes raw, too. Assemble the lining by sewing it together like the dress. Follow the pattern instructions to stitch together the pieces of the lining as though making a separate dress. If you made your unfinished dress on your own, you'll follow the same steps that you did earlier. Every pattern is a little bit different, but this will most likely include sewing the torso and skirt together and then combining them with the sleeves, if your dress has any. Any edge left unfinished on the original dress (neck, shoulders, and armhole) should remain raw on the lining, as well. Leave the zipper opening unfinished, too. If the dress has any kick pleat or slit, you should also leave those edges unfinished. Pin the lining pieces to the dress. Turn your dress inside out and pull the lining on top of it. Use sewing pins to attach the lining to the edges of the dress so that it stays in place. The zipper opening of the lining should match the zipper opening of the dress, if it has one. Pin the lining around the zipper to keep it in place. Stitch along the neckline, armholes, and shoulders. Machine sew the lining to the main dress at the neckline and shoulders using a standard straight stitch. Follow the seam allowance indicated by the original pattern, but keep in mind that the seam allowance of the lining will be 1/8 inch (3 mm) shorter than that of the main fabric. Then, use a straight stitch again on the armholes of the dress. Sewing the shoulders and neck first creates an anchor for your lining to attach to so that you can work with the rest of the dress. For sleeveless dresses, you'll need to follow the seam allowance according to the instructions of the original pattern. For dresses with sleeves, stitch the lining to the dress directly over the matched seams. Pull the sleeve lining through the sleeves and let it hang loosely. Attach the lining at the waist by using a straight stitch. If the dress has separate bodice and skirt pieces, you should stitch the lining to the main fabric around the hemline. Align the lining and main fabric so that the waist lines match. Stitch directly over the existing seams, stopping 1 in (2.5 cm) before the zipper opening on either side. Stitch along the zipper opening with a zipper foot. Change the foot on your sewing machine to a zipper foot, then sew the lining to the dress around the zipper. Start at the top left side and sew straight down. Then, start at the bottom of the right side and sew straight up. Do not get too close to the bumps of the zipper while stitching the lining in place, or you could cause it to warp. Attach any remaining raw edges except for the bottom hem. If the skirt has a slit, stitch the lining to the main dress around the perimeter of the slit. If the dress has a kick pleat, finish the lining with a narrow hem around this area and let it hang free. The bottom hem of the skirt should remain loose. You can also leave the outer edge of the sleeve loose, but if you would prefer secured sleeves, top stitch the outer edges of the sleeve together. Turn the dress and lining right-side out to put it on. Your dress is now complete! You can put it on normally and the lining will protect your skin and add some shape and volume to your dress. Even though the hem of the lining is loose, it shouldn't bunch up or move around a ton since it will hang freely inside the skirt. Sew the lining pieces together to make a duplicate dress. Machine stitch the separate lining pieces together using a straight stitch. Connect the skirt panels, shoulders, and waistline to create a duplicate dress made out of lining. Sew the sides together with a ⁄ 4 in (0.64 cm) seam allowance, but use a seam allowance of ⁄ 8 in (0.32 cm) along the shoulders. Press and hem the raw edges, leaving a small seam allowance. Hem the skirt of the lining with a ⁄ 4 to ⁄ 2 in (0.64 to 1.27 cm) seam allowance. Press the other raw edges with an iron and finish them with ⁄ 8 in (0.32 cm) seam allowance. Finish the neckline, zipper opening, armhole, sleeve opening, and any skirt slits. Pin the lining to the dress, matching the wrong sides to each other. Turn the dress inside-out but leave the lining right-side out. Slip the lining form over the dress form, matching the seams and edges precisely. The only edge that should not match will be the lower hem, since the lining should be shorter than the original dress. Stitch along the connecting seams with a straight stitch. Machine stitch the lining to the dress at the neckline, shoulder seams, armholes, and waist seam. Use a standard straight stitch for all topstitching. Instead of sewing directly over the existing seams, stitch ⁄ 8 inch (0.32 cm) to the inside of each seam. Leave the bottom hem of the skirt loose. If the dress has a slit in the skirt, topstitch the lining to the dress around the slit opening. The sleeve openings can remain loose, or you can stitch them together. Sew around the zipper with a zipper foot. Switch to a zipper foot on your sewing machine, then machine stitch the lining around the zipper. Sew from top to bottom on the left side of the zipper and from bottom to top on the right side. Make sure that you do not get too close to the bumps of the zipper while working. You can hand stitch the lining to the zipper if you do not have a zipper foot with a fell stitch. Turn the dress right-side out to wear it. The lining should be secure, so you can turn the dress right-side out again. You can try on your dress and wear it out on the town! Since you attached the lining with the right side facing out, it will be soft and comfortable against your skin. | Purchase a smooth-surfaced cotton blend for your lining. Buy the same amount of lining it took to make the dress. Remove 1⁄8 in (0.32 cm) from the dress pattern for the lining. Cut out the lining pieces with sharp scissors. Complete most of the main dress except for the neck and shoulders. Assemble the lining by sewing it together like the dress. Pin the lining pieces to the dress. Stitch along the neckline, armholes, and shoulders. Attach the lining at the waist by using a straight stitch. Stitch along the zipper opening with a zipper foot. Attach any remaining raw edges except for the bottom hem. Turn the dress and lining right-side out to put it on. Sew the lining pieces together to make a duplicate dress. Press and hem the raw edges, leaving a small seam allowance. Pin the lining to the dress, matching the wrong sides to each other. Stitch along the connecting seams with a straight stitch. Sew around the zipper with a zipper foot. Turn the dress right-side out to wear it. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Glue-Hair-Extensions | How to Glue Hair Extensions | To glue hair extensions to your head, start by laying one of the hair pieces down and carefully applying a line of glue from one side of the track to the other. Next, blow dry your hair for a few seconds until the glue has a tacky consistency. Then, press the track onto your hair about 0.5-inches away from the root. Once it's in place, blow dry the track on medium or high for 30-60 seconds to ensure the glue firmly attaches to your hair. | Choose extensions made from human hair. Synthetic hair looks unnaturally shiny and won't blend as well into your natural hair color, so it's best to opt for extensions made from 100% human hair. If you can find them, choose extensions that match your hair's natural texture In addition to not looking as good, synthetic hair can actually cause a serious allergic reaction in some people. With extensions, you get what you pay for. You don't have to spend a fortune, but you'll get a more natural result if you save up for higher-quality wefts. Human hair extensions will also last longer than synthetic hair extensions. Select white bonding glue for lighter hair or black glue for dark hair. Your extensions shouldn't show through your hair, but they'll blend more naturally if the glue matches the color of the extensions. Hair bonding glue is generally available in either white or black, so opt for white glue if your hair is light blonde to medium brown, or choose black glue if your hair is dark brown to black. If you're not sure what type of glue to use, you can ask a sales associate at the same place you buy your extensions. Trim the extensions to the length you want. Hair extensions come in lengths ranging from 8 to 30 inches (20 to 76 cm). If you do want to cut them yourself, hold each weft up to your head at about the spot where you think it will lay, and look in the mirror to determine the length you want. Mark this spot with your fingers, then trim them with sharp scissors. If you're adding the extensions just for extra volume, cut them to the same length as your hair. If you want to add length, your extensions should be cut longer than your natural hair. Treat your extensions like your own hair if you color them yourself. You can color extensions made from human hair yourself, but it's best to use semi- or demi-permanent colors because they're not as damaging. Lay them flat and apply the hair color, attempting to match the color to the ends of your hair, rather than the roots. If you want your extensions to look really believable, take them to your hair stylist and have them cut and colored professionally. Do not attempt to dye synthetic hair extensions, as they can be ruined. Wash, deep condition, and dry your hair before applying the track. The hair bonding glue will adhere better to your hair if it's free from any oils, so be sure to shampoo your hair thoroughly. In addition, your natural hair will be hidden under the extensions for as long as you have them in. Deep conditioning your hair in advance will help your locks stay nourished and healthy. Your hair should be completely dry before you apply extensions, so either blow dry it or allow it to air dry. Gently detangle your hair and the extensions with a comb. You'll get a more even application if the extensions lie straight on your hair, so be sure both your hair and the weft are free of tangles. The extensions are made to be treated like real hair, so although you should be gentle, it's okay to comb them the same way you would your natural hair. It may help to lay the extensions flat while you're detangling them. If you have curly hair, it may be easier to detangle your hair before you dry it. Section the top part of your hair and clip it up. Use a rat-tail comb to draw a line on either side of your part, from your hairline all the way back to your crown. This should create a rectangular section of hair around your part. Pin this section up with clips or a hair tie. If you part your hair in the middle, the section should be at the center of your scalp. If you prefer a side part, the section should be off-center. Use your comb to create a U-shaped part above the nape of your neck. Start a little below one of your ears, then follow the natural contour of your head in a U-shape around to your other ear. Leave about 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) Make the part as clean as possible, because you don't want stray hairs getting into your glue. Pull the hair above the part up and clip it out of the way. You should be left with a section of hair 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) above the nape of your neck and stretching from ear to ear. This piece of hair will hide your extensions in the back when you pull your hair up into a ponytail. You'll need to undo the rest of your hair after you apply the first track, so it's best to hold the hair up using a banana clip or a similar technique that's easy to remove. Cut the track the width of the part you just created. Hold the weft against your scalp about ⁄ 2 in (1.3 cm) away from your hairline, then stretch it to the other side to ⁄ 2 in (1.3 cm) away from your hairline. Use your thumb to mark the place where your extension should end as you pull the weft away from your head. Cut the weft with scissors, then hold the extension piece up to double-check the width. You want to leave the extensions at least ⁄ 2 in (1.3 cm) from your hairline because the piece of hair that's left will hide the extensions if you pull your hair back. Lay the track flat on a table and apply a line of glue all the way down. The side of the track with the hair attached should be face-down. Apply the glue in small increments until the entire track is covered. There should be enough glue to coat the weft but not drip off. Blow dry the glue on high or medium for several seconds. This will help the glue become tacky so it will adhere to your hair. If the glue is too wet when you apply the extension, the glue will drip down the strands of hair, causing a messier application. Touch the glue to make sure it's neither runny nor dry. It should be about 60-70% dry when you're finished drying it. Some hair stylists will also apply a strong hold hairspray at this stage and then blow dry your hair. If you're using synthetic hair, make sure your blowdryer is on the cool setting. Press the extension onto your hair about 1⁄2 in (1.3 cm) from the root. The line of the track should run slightly below the part you made near the nape of your neck. Do not apply glue on your scalp. If you apply the extension directly to your scalp, it can stunt the growth of your hair and lead to hair damage. Remember to leave the hair at least ⁄ 2 in (1.3 cm) away from your hairline. If you find that your extension wasn't cut long enough, just snip a little piece and apply it using the same method. Blow dry the track again for another 30-60 seconds. This will finish drying the glue so the extension will stay attached to your hair. To check whether the glue is dry, gently tug on the extensions. If they move, continue drying them. If you opted for synthetic extensions, you may want to use the cool setting on your hair dryer. Draw a part 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) above the first one and apply another track. The width of your sections can vary based on how thick you want your extensions to be. If you're primarily hoping to add volume, space them so they're a little closer. Use the same technique to apply the second extension as you did the first. Continue adding extensions this way until you reach your ears. Once your part falls above your ears, your U-shape will start near your temple, then will reach back towards your crown and circle around towards your other temple. You'll still follow the same application technique, but your extensions will be a little longer since they're reaching further around. This wide U-shape will mimic the natural fall of your hair and should make the finished result look more natural. Place your last extension around the rectangular shape you made at the beginning of the process. Unclip the top section of hair and gently comb it down. This top section of your hair should completely hide your extensions, so you're ready to enjoy your glamorous new look! When you're combing out your hair, be sure not to push the comb into your extensions. Gently comb just along the surface of the hair to smooth it out. Treat your extensions the way you would your real hair. Shampooing your extensions can loosen them up, so you may want to hold off on shampooing your hair until you are ready for the extensions to come out. You should brush or comb them regularly, but be careful when you're combing your hair. Do not place the comb directly onto the glue or you may pull out your extensions, and maybe even some of your own hair. You can heat style extensions made from real hair, although you should limit how much you do so, or your extensions may start to look damaged and messy. Just like with your regular hair, you can spray your extensions with a heat protectant to help prevent damage due to styling. Keep oil away from your scalp. Don't apply conditioner directly on your roots, and avoid putting hair oil near your extensions. Oil will dissolve the glue, making your extensions fall out before you're ready. Don't neglect your real hair. Since your natural hair is hidden by your weave, it can be easy to forget about it. However, your hair may become matted or break off if you don't take care of it. Make sure to wash, condition, and detangle your real hair while you're caring for your extensions. To detangle your real hair, gently lift the extension and comb out the shorter pieces of your own hair. Apply an oil-based solvent when you want to take out the extensions. Saturate your scalp and the bonded wefts thoroughly with scalp oil or silicone spray so the glue completely softens. You can then gently slide the wefts off of your real hair. If there is any glue residue left on your hair and scalp, apply the solvent to a fine-toothed comb and use it to gently remove the glue. You should usually take out your extensions after about 3 weeks, but if you're experiencing scalp pain or excess shedding, take them out sooner. Wait a week or two before you apply new extensions. Overuse of extensions can cause loss of hair due to the pulling and extra weight on the hair strand. Give your hair a break once you take out the extensions. | Choose extensions made from human hair. Select white bonding glue for lighter hair or black glue for dark hair. Trim the extensions to the length you want. Treat your extensions like your own hair if you color them yourself. Wash, deep condition, and dry your hair before applying the track. Gently detangle your hair and the extensions with a comb. Section the top part of your hair and clip it up. Use your comb to create a U-shaped part above the nape of your neck. Pull the hair above the part up and clip it out of the way. Cut the track the width of the part you just created. Lay the track flat on a table and apply a line of glue all the way down. Blow dry the glue on high or medium for several seconds. Press the extension onto your hair about 1⁄2 in (1.3 cm) from the root. Blow dry the track again for another 30-60 seconds. Draw a part 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) above the first one and apply another track. Continue adding extensions this way until you reach your ears. Unclip the top section of hair and gently comb it down. Treat your extensions the way you would your real hair. Keep oil away from your scalp. Don't neglect your real hair. Apply an oil-based solvent when you want to take out the extensions. Wait a week or two before you apply new extensions. |
https://www.wikihow.life/Maintain-a-Healthy-Weight | How to Maintain a Healthy Weight | Maintaining a healthy weight can be difficult, but you make it easier by including plenty of fruits and vegetables into your diet for low-calorie servings of vitamins and nutrients. You should also opt for lean proteins like chicken, fish, or beans to give your body the fuel it needs to build muscle. In addition to diet, engage in moderate-intensity exercise, like a brisk walk or bike ride, for 30 to 60 minutes a day at least 4 days a week. If you can't fit an hour of exercise into your day, it's alright, try splitting that time into shorter, 20-minute intervals throughout the day. | Keep a food diary. Keeping a food diary can give you a better understanding of the number of calories you're consuming each day. Estimate your portions so you can use nutritional information to determine how many calories are included in each of your meals. Keep your food diary for at least a week so you can get a daily average. Take note of days that seem out of the ordinary and try to figure out why you were consuming so much more (or so much less) on that day than on others. This can help you identify triggers that cause you to overeat. Assess your level of physical activity. As with your food, it might also be helpful to keep a physical activity diary for a period of at least one week. This can help you determine your average level of physical activity during the day. Be sure to include daily activities as well as dedicated exercise times. For example, if you routinely walk up three flights of stairs to get to your office each morning, this should be included as physical activity. Cleaning the house or walking the dog also are daily physical activities. You also need to calculate the period of time when you are not active. For example, if you spend four hours a day sitting at your desk at work, this should be included in your physical activity diary. Determine your daily calorie needs. Your daily calorie needs depend on your age, sex, and physical activity level. Use your physical activity diary to determine which general category you fall into: sedentary, moderately active, or active. Look for tables or calculators online that will enable you to estimate your daily calorie needs. For example, you can find a table in the dietary guidelines established by the U.S. government, available at https://health.gov/. Finding a general category will not give you an exact number of calories you must consume each day to maintain a healthy weight, but it will give you a good estimate. If you find that you are gaining weight despite using this estimate, you can adjust downward by 200 calories until you find the right balance. Adjust your caloric intake as needed. While your goal may be to maintain a healthy weight, your weight may fluctuate between 5 and 10 pounds regularly for a number of different reasons that are unrelated to your eating or physical activity level, such as hormones or stress. The key to maintaining a healthy weight is finding the right balance between the calories you're consuming and the calories your body is burning for fuel. You may not be able to maintain your weight simply by consuming the same amount of calories all the time. Revisit your calorie calculations once a month or so and make adjustments as necessary. If you find you're gaining or losing weight, you may want to keep a food and physical activity diary for a week. Compare the week's entries to previous weeks you've done and see if you can identify the differences that are causing weight gain or loss. . Calculate your body mass index (BMI) Your BMI looks at your percentage of body fat rather than simply your weight, which makes it a better way to gauge whether your weight is in a healthy range for you. If your BMI is too high or too low, you should focus on eating and exercising to gain or lose weight, not to maintain your current weight. The easiest way to calculate your BMI is by using an online chart. Make sure you have accurate height and weight measurements before you begin. Measure your waist circumference. Even if your BMI is in a relatively healthy range, your waist circumference may be too large. Carrying excess abdominal fat puts you at risk of developing obesity-related conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes and high blood pressure. If your waist circumference is too high, you should diet and exercise to lose more weight around your midsection. Wrap a tape measure around your waist, just above your hips, while standing. The tape measure should be tight, but not squeezing or pressing into your skin. Make sure it's straight and horizontal around your waist. Take a deep breath in, then exhale and place your finger on the larger number where the end of the tape reaches. This is your waist circumference. You are at risk for developing obesity-related health conditions if you are a man and your waist circumference is larger than 40 inches (about 101 cm), or if you are a non-pregnant woman and your waist circumference is larger than 35 inches (about 89 cm). Eat breakfast every day. Starting your day with a healthy breakfast is the best way to jumpstart your metabolism and give you the energy to focus and perform throughout your day. A healthy breakfast includes sources of vitamins and protein as well as healthy fiber. For example, you might have whole-grain toast topped with a poached egg and a tomato. If you don't have time to prepare breakfast in the morning, you might go with a fruit smoothie that includes a protein boost. You also might consider batching breakfasts such as make-ahead breakfast wraps or fruit salad and putting it in the freezer if your time is limited in the morning. Then all you have to do is heat each portion up for a few seconds in the microwave and you're ready to go. Include plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet. Fruits and vegetables are relatively low-fat food options that are packed with the vitamins and nutrients your body needs. You should aim to have at least two servings of fruit and five servings of vegetables each day. Choose lean meats and protein sources. Poultry, fish, beans, nuts, and eggs are lean sources of protein that will give your body the fuel it needs to build strong muscles. The meat you eat should be broiled or grilled rather than fried. Limit your intake of sugar. Consumption of sugars and saturated fats can cause you to gain weight, even if the rest of your diet is relatively healthy. Be careful about added sugar in packaged foods, especially frozen dinners and pasta meals that you wouldn't consider sweet. Natural sugar in fruit is better for you than refined sugar added to other foods. Try having a medium-sized apple or a cup of grapes as a snack instead of cookies or cakes. Drink plenty of water. The amount of water you need to stay adequately hydrated depends on your size and how physically active you are. Generally speaking, however, you should be drinking at least eight or nine glasses of water a day. To determine how much water you lose through sweat when exercising, weigh yourself before and after your exercise session. For each pound of weight lost, you need to drink a pint of water. Keep in mind that if you feel thirsty, that means you're already dehydrated. Drink water constantly, not just when you're thirsty. Maintain consistent eating patterns. To maintain a healthy weight, it's best to establish a regular pattern of eating at the same times every day. Eating smaller meals every two or three hours may be better than eating three larger meals. Control your portions. Managing portion sizes is important if you want to maintain a healthy weight. This can be especially difficult when eating out, because restaurants typically serve larger portions of food than one person needs. You can control your portions while eating out by splitting a meal with a friend or ordering from the kid's menu. You also can ask the server for a to-go box and split your meal in half as soon as it comes to the table. When eating snacks, choose single-portion containers or take only a single portion out of a larger bag rather than eating directly from the bag. Use government health websites such as https://www.choosemyplate.gov/ , provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to better understand what healthy portion sizes are for various types of food. Try to exercise most days of the week. Ideally, you want to engage in moderate-intensity exercise 30 to 60 minutes a day at least four days a week. You don't have to do this exercise all at once, but you should be consistent and exercise at the same time every day. If you don't have an hour that you can carve out of your day for exercise on a regular basis, try splitting the time into three 20-minute intervals. For example, you might take a brisk walk in the morning, at mid-day, and then in the evening. Include strength training in your exercise regimen. Getting down to your goal weight isn't enough if your muscles remain weak and easily fatigued. Even doing basic bodyweight exercises, such as push-ups and crunches, can help build muscle strength. There are plenty of strength training videos you can find online for free and follow at home. However, if you're new to strength training, you may want to work with a professional trainer first to make sure you're getting your form right. Work physical activity into your daily routine. Exercising regularly is not just about dedicated fitness work at a gym. Many daily physical activities including gardening, cleaning around the house, walking the dog, and other daily chores can also be done at moderate intensity to keep your body active. For example, you might walk up and down the stairs instead of taking the elevator, or park far away from your destination so you have a further distance to walk. Make exercise a social activity. If you have trouble staying motivated to exercise on a regular basis, going for a walk or jog with a friend can help you stay on track. You also might consider joining a gym or fitness club, or taking a new class to learn a new physical activity. | Keep a food diary. Assess your level of physical activity. Determine your daily calorie needs. Adjust your caloric intake as needed. . Measure your waist circumference. Eat breakfast every day. Include plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet. Choose lean meats and protein sources. Limit your intake of sugar. Drink plenty of water. Maintain consistent eating patterns. Control your portions. Try to exercise most days of the week. Include strength training in your exercise regimen. Work physical activity into your daily routine. Make exercise a social activity. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Dishwasher-with-Vinegar | How to Clean a Dishwasher with Vinegar | To clean a dishwasher with vinegar, start by pouring 1 cup of vinegar in a dishwasher-safe container and then placing the container on the top rack of your dishwasher. Next, close your dishwasher and start a hot water cycle. Halfway through the cycle, stop the dishwasher and let the vinegar sit for 20 minutes. Then, finish the cycle and wipe down the inside of the dishwasher with a cloth or rag. | Empty the washer and pull out the bottom washing rack. Once all the plates and silverware have been removed from your washer, you'll want to carefully pull out the bottom washing rack. Pull the rack towards you until it slides out of the dishwasher. Remove any large food debris from the dishwasher drain. The dishwasher drain can sometimes get clogged by larger pieces of food. Locate the drain on the bottom of your dishwasher and remove the food with your hands, before wiping down the area clean with a rag. Regularly clearing the dishwashing drain of food debris will increase the dishwashers efficiency and save you money over time. A clogged drain can cause damage to your dishwasher's pump or scratch dishes. Remove and wash the filter. The filter is a screen that picks up debris from the inside of your dishwashing machine. Filters usually have screws that you need to remove to pull the filter out. Once you've removed the filter, allow it to soak in warm water and mild dish soap for 10 minutes before washing it down with a sponge. Replace the bottom rack and filter in your dishwasher. Once the filter and drain are cleaned out, you can put both of them back into the dishwasher so that it can also be cleaned by the vinegar. Place a container with white vinegar on the top rack. Pour one cup (236.58 ml) of white vinegar into a container or cup and place it on the top washing rack in your dishwasher. As you run your wash, the vinegar will help disinfect your dishwasher. Make sure that the container is dishwasher safe. Sprinkle one cup (180 g) of baking soda into the bottom of the dishwasher. Baking soda will help absorb the unpleasant odors and will leave your dishwasher smelling fresh. Measure out one cup (180 g) of baking soda into a measuring cup and pour it into the bottom basin of the washer itself. Start a hot-water cycle on your dishwasher. Press the high-temperature wash cycle on the front of your dishwasher and let it run. Set an alarm for halfway through the washing cycle so you remember to return to your dishwasher. Stop the cycle mid-way and let the vinegar sit for 20 minutes. Pause your washing cycle and open the dishwasher door. The vinegar and baking soda will start to work away embedded grime and will remove unpleasant odors. Wipe down the inside of the dishwasher once the cycle is complete. Use a dry cotton rag or cloth to wipe down the interior of the machine until it's dry. Performing once a month maintenance on your dishwasher will prevent food debris from building up and will stop unpleasant odors. Wipe down the exterior of the dishwasher and the door seal. The door seal on a dishwasher is prone to getting dirty. Dampen a rag with distilled white vinegar and then run it across the soft white plastic on your door seal. Examine the seal to make sure that you lifted all the dirt and gunk from it. Wipe down the exterior of your dishwasher with the same cloth. Wash your dishwasher with vinegar once a month. A monthly cleaning will keep your dishwasher smelling fresh and will prevent bacteria from growing. If you notice unpleasant odors or your dishwasher stops working even after cleaning it, you may need to have your dishwasher looked at for maintenance. Use vinegar to wipe down the washer's racks and sprayer arm. If you want to remove built up grime or food on dishwasher racks, you can remove them from the washer and wipe them down with distilled white vinegar. Similarly, you can remove the sprayer arm on the dishwasher and soak it in distilled white vinegar. This will loosen up gunk and food particles and make it so your dishwasher runs more efficiently. The sprayer arm sprays down your dishes with water and can be found on the bottom of your dishwasher. When removing the sprayer arm, make sure to read the instruction manual for the dishwasher. Disconnect any energy running to your dishwasher while you unscrew the sprayer arm. | Empty the washer and pull out the bottom washing rack. Remove any large food debris from the dishwasher drain. Remove and wash the filter. Replace the bottom rack and filter in your dishwasher. Place a container with white vinegar on the top rack. Sprinkle one cup (180 g) of baking soda into the bottom of the dishwasher. Start a hot-water cycle on your dishwasher. Stop the cycle mid-way and let the vinegar sit for 20 minutes. Wipe down the inside of the dishwasher once the cycle is complete. Wipe down the exterior of the dishwasher and the door seal. Wash your dishwasher with vinegar once a month. Use vinegar to wipe down the washer's racks and sprayer arm. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-an-Attestation-Letter | How to Write an Attestation Letter | If you're getting a professional license or applying to sit an exam, you may need to write an attestation letter to show that you've met the requirements. You'll need to set out your attestation like a formal business letter, including the recipient's address and the date at the top. When addressing your letter, you generally don't need to write “Dear.” Just write the recipient's name or office. After that, you'll need to name yourself and list the requirements that you've met. For example, write something like, “I, Sally Sunshine, attest that I completed the weekend seminar in Sunny Valley.” If you're writing the letter on behalf of someone else, introduce yourself and your relationship to the person. If you're writing it for yourself, include a sentence at the bottom to declare that all the information you provided is true. | Use letterhead if you have it. Particularly if you are writing your letter in a professional capacity, letterhead from your company or firm is preferred for a letter of attestation. Don't use company letterhead, however, if you're writing in your personal capacity. For example, if you're writing an attestation letter for a former employee to attest to their skills and expertise, you would want to use company letterhead. If you're writing an attestation letter for yourself, don't use company letterhead if the subject of the letter has nothing to do with your work for the company. Choose a readable font. For an attestation letter, you typically want to use a more formal, conservative font such as Times New Roman. This font is available on any word processing application. You can also use a default font, such as Arial or Helvetica. Date your letter. The top line of your letter should be the date you are writing the letter. You may want to post date the letter if you don't think you're going to be able to mail it for a day or two. Write out the month rather than using numerals. If you're using a business letter template through your word processing application, it may insert the current date by default. Include the address of the recipient. Include the full name of the recipient, if known, and their job title. If you're simply writing your letter to a school, company, or professional board, the name of the entity is sufficient. Addresses on business letters are typically done in block format, similar to the way you would write them on an envelope. If you're using a template from your word processing app, it will already have these text boxes set up for you. If you're not using letterhead, the first block on your letter would be your name and address. You would then follow with the recipient's name and address. Provide a subject line. The subject line tells the recipient what the letter is about. This is particularly important if you're not sending the letter to a specific person. Whoever opens it needs to know how to direct it so the right person sees it. The subject line typically will be the reason you're writing the attestation letter. If you're writing the letter for another person, you might use their name as the subject line. For example, you might write: "Attestation Letter for Sally Sunshine." Create your signature block. Skip down a few lines to leave space for the body of your letter, then go ahead and format the area where you'll place your signature. Use a basic closing such as "Sincerely," drop down four lines, then type your first and last name. If you're planning on getting your letter notarized , you'll also want to include a notary block. Search online for a notary block you can copy. In the US, you can typically find these on the website for your state's Secretary of State. Address the letter to the appropriate individual or entity. Typically, you don't need to start with the word "Dear" in the salutation of a formal business letter. Simply type the name of the individual or department that will receive the letter. For example, if you are writing an attestation letter certifying that you have met the continuing education requirements for a license, you might address it "Licensing Board" followed by a colon. Use the name of the specific department or board when possible, rather than addressing it "To Whom It May Concern." If you're writing an attestation letter on behalf of another individual, such as a former employee, try to address it to the recipient by name if at all possible. Introduce yourself if appropriate. Particularly if you're writing an attestation letter on behalf of someone else, use the first paragraph of your letter to explain who you are. Include your relationship to the person and any applicable certifications you have. For example, if you're writing an attestation letter for a former employee, you might begin by describing your job title in the company and how long you've been working there. If you're writing the letter for yourself, you may not need any introduction other than your name. For example, you might write "I, Sally Sunshine, attest that I completed the weekend seminar in Sunny Valley, held October 3 - 7." For that sort of attestation letter, the body of the letter typically would only be a sentence or two. Identify the person for whom you're writing the letter. If you're writing an attestation letter on someone else's behalf, you should provide their name shortly after you've introduced yourself. You may choose to include it in the first sentence, then continue to introduce yourself. For example, if you were writing an attestation letter for a former employee, you might write: "I am Holly Henderson, president of Henderson Motors. I am writing to attest to Sally Sunshine's mechanical expertise." Provide the facts or information to which you attest. The bulk of the body of your letter is made up of whatever information you want to certify through the letter. Depending on your reasons for writing, this may be a sentence, or it may stretch to several pages. Stick to the facts, and keep your writing as clear and concise as possible using active voice. Include a declaration if you're writing the letter for yourself. If you're writing your letter to an organization or entity to certify something about yourself, you typically close your letter with a statement that everything in the letter is true and correct to the best of your knowledge. For example, your last sentence might read: "By signing below, I declare that all the above information is true and correct to the best of my knowledge." This type of declaration is especially important if you're planning on getting your signature notarized. Proofread your letter carefully. The spelling and grammar in an attestation letter can effect how your letter is received. If it has numerous typos and errors, the recipient may not take it seriously. Check your facts as well. When you sign your letter, you'll be certifying that everything in it is true. Double check any numbers, dates, and other figures to make sure they're accurate. Print your letter. If you're mailing your letter, print it on official letterhead or high-quality paper. Avoid using regular copy paper, which can make it look less formal. If you don't have any high-quality paper, you can get a small box at your local office supplies store. Make sure the letter printed cleanly, and the margins are adequate. There should be at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) on all sides of the page. If your letter is more than one page, make sure the pages are numbered. Using "1 of 2" format will help the recipient confirm they have all of the pages. Sign your letter in front of a notary, if necessary. It isn't always necessary to have an attestation letter notarized. In many cases, just your signature will suffice. Contact the recipient to find out if notarization is necessary. Notarization typically is required if the attestation letter has legal significance. For example, if you are sending an attestation letter to certify that you've met the requirements for a professional license, notarization may be required. Send your letter to the recipient. You may have to reach out to the recipient to find out their preferred method of receiving your attestation letter. For such a formal document, you want to mail it if at all possible. However, some recipients may prefer email or fax. If you're emailing your attestation letter, print it and sign it first. Then scan the original document so you can attach a PDF of the signed letter. | Use letterhead if you have it. Choose a readable font. Date your letter. Include the address of the recipient. Provide a subject line. Create your signature block. Address the letter to the appropriate individual or entity. Introduce yourself if appropriate. Identify the person for whom you're writing the letter. Provide the facts or information to which you attest. Include a declaration if you're writing the letter for yourself. Proofread your letter carefully. Print your letter. Sign your letter in front of a notary, if necessary. Send your letter to the recipient. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Ink-a-Drawing | How to Ink a Drawing | To ink a drawing, start by sketching a simple image, such as a cartoon character or an easy shape. Next, erase any unnecessary pencil lines to make the inking easier. When you're ready to start, ink the major lines first, and work on details and background images last. Once you ink the image, go over key lines a second or third time to thicken and smooth them out. Additionally, add some realistic perspective by leaving the lines thin where they face a light source and thickening those that are further away. | Sketch an image. Sketch a picture that you want to finish by inking. While you're first learning how to ink, it will be better to start with simpler drawings with clean pencil line work and fewer details. Cartoon characters, minimalistic images and simple shapes will work best, since they'll allow you to focus on clean inking without worrying about the lines running together. Your sketch doesn't have to be perfect. Just try to get the major lines, focus and proportions right. A lot will change by the time you begin inking. Clean up your pencil lines. Once your drawing has been sketched out, look for places where you can make corrections or erasures to get the pencil lines as smooth as possible. This will make inking over them easier and result in a neater, more distinct final drawing. Don't worry about incorporating too much detail during the sketching phase. You'll be better served if you wait until after you've inked the major lines to start adding extra touches. The pencil lines of your sketch should be precise and clearly defined. Try not to let them run together too much, as this can make inking tricky. Erase pencil mistakes completely so they don't become a distraction. Get in position to start inking. Inking requires a lot of patience, so you want to make sure you're focused and using the right technique. Sit up straight and position yourself squarely over the paper. If the drawing you're inking is resting on a drafting table or another flat surface, try looking down over the paper so that you have an unobstructed frontal perspective. It's okay if you prefer to work at an angle as long as you can clearly see each detail and move your drawing hand freely. The more upright you sit, the better. Otherwise, your back may start hurting during lengthy inking sessions. Your work area should be well lit to promote visibility. Ink with smooth, easy motions of the hand. Grasp the pen firmly in your dominant hand near the tip. Keep the tip of the pen at an angle to the paper, not straight up and down. Hold your hand steady and let your arm guide you over the lines, rather than trying to use the movement of your wrist alone. Relax your drawing hand and arm; too much tension can leave your finished drawing looking rigid and lifeless. Gripping the pen near the tip, close to the paper itself, will keep it more stable than holding it higher up near the middle. You'll make fewer mistakes, and what small mistakes you do make will be less pronounced. Maintaining a sharp angle between the pen and paper helps pull ink out of the pen more efficiently, resulting in smooth, fluid line work. Start on one side and work away from your body. Go over the lines of your sketch, beginning with one side of the drawing and radiating outward from there. Most artists achieve the best results by inking in the direction of their dominant hand (if you're right-handed, starting on the left side of the page and inking to the right, and the opposite for left-handed artists). This will prevent you from running the edge of your hand over fresh lines. After you've inked the major lines, move outward and fill in smaller details and those in the background. This will ensure that the most important elements in the drawing are properly emphasized. Don't just trace over the lines you've already drawn—imagine that you're drawing them a second time, this time with the boldness of ink. When you come to a section of the drawing that's difficult to ink, turn the paper and continue in the same orientation, rather than contorting your hand or trying to ink in an uncomfortable direction. Keep the final image in mind when inking your drawing. If you're just following the same lines you sketched, the objects will look forced and crude. Adjust your ink line work. With your first pass at inking complete, look for places where you line work can be touched up. Go over key lines a second and even third time to thicken and smooth them out. Try adding realistic perspective by leaving the lines thin where they face an imagined light source, and thickening them where they're further away. Tweak your inked lines until you're satisfied with how they look. Use a thin nib (the interchangeable tip of a dip pen) and light ink for the initial outline and thicken lines later as you go. Give the ink a few minutes to dry before you start adding detail or going over lines a second time. Add texture. Finish your drawing by inking small details and embellishments that give scope to its forms and lend an element of realism. Techniques like hatching (drawing a series of thin parallel lines close together), crosshatching (hatching in a grid-like pattern) and stippling (making closely-grouped small dots) can help bring your drawing to life by making it more engaging to the eye. These skills are a unique way of representing depth and texture in two dimensional art. Hatching, crosshatching and stippling are useful when you want to create the effect of texture without having to use an excessive amount of ink coloring in empty space. Don't go too crazy adding textural elements. If overdone, it can end up looking chaotic. Make use of tone, contrast and shadow. Fill in around the edges of objects to provide contrast. Using various layers, thicknesses and shades of ink in different parts of the drawing will allow you to play with the way light is depicted. Ink is advantageous because it can be used to easily manipulate light and shadow, which will help round out the dimensions of the drawing.ref>[v161058_b02]. 2 July 2019.</ref> As a rule, the parts of an object that are furthest from a light source need to be shaded more to deepen shadows, whereas leaving an area unshaded will suggest brightness. The more realistic the drawing, the greater amount of shading and toning it will require. Ink with the completed drawing in mind. Not every drawing will be inked the same way. Before jumping right into the inking process, think about which tools you'll need to properly highlight the contours of the rough drawing you've done. You can also start thinking about how you might enhance the drawing with detailing techniques. Cartoons tend to look better with thick, bold outer lines, while the line work of realistic drawings varies and is often dictated by lighting and perspective. A drawing that you plan on coloring will not need too much interior detail, as it will get in the way. Develop your own style. Figure out which techniques you like most, and which feel best, for your particular art style. Decide whether you prefer to grip the pen tightly or take a loose, free approach; learn how much pressure to put on the paper to make your lines look the way you want them to. Just as everyone draws a little differently, no two people will ink in exactly the same way, either. Your inking methods should closely match and complement your freehand drawing style. Because of the way you naturally make strokes, your drawing and inking techniques should be very similar. Use a pen or brush for different purposes. Select an inking tool that will let you trace, fill, shade and employ other techniques as you please. Most artists prefer pens for conventional line work, as it goes on bold and straight. An inking brush might also be used, especially for filling large areas and when you want to taper the width of a line mid-stroke. You should pick the pen or brush that will let you achieve the effect you're trying to create. Test out different pen nibs so that you'll have a several available to you when you need them. The nib is the interchangeable tip of the pen that comes into contact with the paper and deploys ink. Pens can work as all-purpose inking tools, but a brush can save you time when it comes to shading tasks. Find a suitable ink. It's usually best to experiment with several kinds of ink to find one that you can work well with. If you're using a traditional fountain pen for inking, you'll be able to dip it in an ink of your choice. Inks come in different shades and thickness, and some are better suited for certain drawing tasks than others. For some projects, you might even use more than one type of ink on the same drawing. India ink is a reliable standard choice for artists, as it is dark, waterproof and permanent. If you're using prepackaged or commercial grade pens that contain their own ink, switch them out when you need to change how thick or dark your lines are. Choose a paper that will hold up to inking. Before you start inking, examine and feel the paper you're using. Is it thick or thin? Smooth or rough? Ink will settle into different papers in a unique way. Get in the habit of thinking about paper and ink together.ref>[v161058_b02]. 2 July 2019.</ref> Make sure you're not using a rough, soft paper with a thin ink, for example, or the ink may bleed. Browse your local arts supply store for high-quality papers that are designed specifically for inking. You should also be sure to draw on a flat, solid surface and work at an angle that's most comfortable for you Mix and match your materials. Don't forget that you have the option of playing around with all sorts of pens, brushes, papers, and ink. Some artists prefer a simpler process, and may only ever use one type of each of these materials, but the combinations are nearly endless. The tools and mediums to you decide on will have an effect on the way your finished drawing turns out. Put together an artist's toolkit so that you'll have a greater number of implements at your disposal. Part of becoming a better artist is discovering what works best for your individual style. | Sketch an image. Clean up your pencil lines. Get in position to start inking. Ink with smooth, easy motions of the hand. Start on one side and work away from your body. Adjust your ink line work. Add texture. Make use of tone, contrast and shadow. Ink with the completed drawing in mind. Develop your own style. Use a pen or brush for different purposes. Find a suitable ink. Choose a paper that will hold up to inking. Mix and match your materials. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Distinguish-Between-Social-Anxiety-and-Autism | How to Distinguish Between Social Anxiety and Autism | Social anxiety disorder and autism have a few overlapping symptoms that can make them difficult to tell apart, but by looking for a few key traits, you can distinguish between them. Use social skills to help distinguish between the two. Autistic people can struggle to respond to social cues like facial expressions or tone of voice. People who have social anxiety have the ability to communicate with other people and understand their social cues such as body language and gestures, but the anxiety of socializing makes it difficult for them to interact with people. Additionally, autistic people may exhibit other traits, such as repeating words or phrases, delayed or missing motor skills, and stimming, which involves unusual movements that stimulate the senses. It's also possible to be both autistic and have social anxiety. | Recognize how autism and social anxiety can look similar. Both autistics and people with social anxiety experience social difficulties, and may be happier being alone than being in a group. Shared traits can include... Lack of eye contact Spending more time alone Actively avoiding people at times Avoiding situations that require social interaction (e.g. school or parties) Social awkwardness Only feeling comfortable around a few people Not speaking much; quiet or withdrawn in social situations Isolation Consider the motivation for social avoidance. An autistic person may experience confusion and sensory overwhelm in social situations, and may be less interested in seeking out social activity. (This varies.) A socially anxious person does not experience sensory issues, and withdraws for fear of being judged. Autistic people may also be nervous in social situations. This is usually because they have had bad experiences, such as misinterpretations and bullying. Autistics struggle to guess what others are thinking, which can be stressful, and may result in social mistakes. People with social anxiety can read faces and body language just fine, but may experience cognitive distortions such as "She's laughing because she thinks I'm a fool." Watch for social fears. People with social anxiety may experience out-of-control fears. They may worry about being judged by others, facing embarrassment, and dealing with rejection. These fears are persistent, regardless of whether others are judging them or not. Autistic people may have some concerns about socializing, but these are usually related to past mistreatment. For example, if bullies are stopped and the autistic person makes some good friends, the autistic person won't be so nervous around those friends. Someone with social anxiety may experience physical symptoms of anxiety in social situations; they might feel tense, shaky, nauseous, sweaty, have trouble catching their breath, or feel their heart racing. Children with social anxiety might throw tantrums when forced to face a social situation. Autistic children are more likely to be distressed by unfamiliar people or situations, or sensory overload, which can result in meltdowns (which may look like tantrums) or shutdowns. Look at social skills. Autistic people don't know how to respond to many social situations. (For example, they may not know how to make friends.) They don't have the needed social skills. People with social anxiety have the skills, but become too scared to use them. Their fear of socializing makes it difficult to use the skills they already have. In a social situation, someone with social anxiety might have shaky hands, blush, not make eye contact, and stammer or stutter. Their mind may go blank, making it difficult for them to carry on a conversation. As a result, they may appear to have poor social skills, when the reality is that they're anxious. An autistic person may fidget in social situations. However, this is normal autistic body language , and it helps them be comfortable. They will do it when they are alone, too. Autistic people may have difficulty reading and using tone of voice or facial expressions, not recognize when someone is interested or disinterested, or talk too much or too little. This is not present in social anxiety. Consider autism traits that are not present in social anxiety. Autism is a pervasive developmental disability, and affects areas of life besides socializing. Autistic people will experience most or all of... Atypical development: may hit milestones more slowly, more quickly, and/or out of order Stimming (unusual movements that stimulate the senses) Passionate special interests about a few select topic(s) Sensory issues (under- or over-sensitivity) Delayed, missing, or unusual social skills (e.g. not understanding figurative language or not using gestures when speaking) Speech or vocal quirks, like speaking in an unusual tone or echolalia (i.e., repeating words or phrases) Difficulty developing independence skills, such as cooking or bathing Motor skills delays or difficulties Strong need for routine and familiarity Meltdowns and/or shutdowns when overwhelmed Unusual behavior during childhood (for example, they may not have responded to being comforted, didn't use body language appropriately, or didn't engage in visible imaginative play) Look at the onset. Autism begins prenatally, and is lifelong. Social anxiety is often caused by a sudden or ongoing issue (moving house, traumatic bullying, abuse, etc.). Social anxiety can be cured with proper treatment. Social anxiety can develop at any age, but commonly starts during adolescence or young adulthood. It's not as likely to develop in young children. Autism is usually noticed in childhood, or during a stressful transition (such as moving house or starting college). Late-diagnosed autistics can look back and recognize signs they showed in childhood. Look up what autistics and people with social anxiety have to say about their lives. This can help give a human aspect to the symptoms you read about. It may be easier to relate to stories like "My chest clenches every time a stranger visits my house" than "Nervous around people." Consider the possibility of both conditions. Autistic people often struggle socially and are at risk for being bullied, meaning that they may develop social anxiety as a result. It is very common for autistic people experience one or more mental health disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and others. If you suspect autism, don't rule out anxiety. Make an appointment with a psychologist to get yourself or your loved one screened. A psychologist can administer questionnaires and conduct interviews to help determine the appropriate diagnosis/diagnoses. An autism diagnosis can be hard to get, especially for adults, females, and people of color. Some autistics self-diagnose for this reason. Self-diagnosis grants you access to the Autistic community , but you can't get accommodations without an official diagnosis. Talk to the psychologist if you suspect misdiagnosis. Since autism and anxiety can look similar, it's important to put time and thought into the diagnosis, and speak up if there's a potential mistake. Be open and honest about any concerns. An autistic person may falsely test positive on a social anxiety screening, especially if they are asked questions like "I prefer to be alone" or "Social situations can be overwhelming." | Recognize how autism and social anxiety can look similar. Consider the motivation for social avoidance. Watch for social fears. Look at social skills. Consider autism traits that are not present in social anxiety. Look at the onset. Look up what autistics and people with social anxiety have to say about their lives. Consider the possibility of both conditions. Make an appointment with a psychologist to get yourself or your loved one screened. Talk to the psychologist if you suspect misdiagnosis. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Boyfriend%27s-Parents-Love-You | How to Make Your Boyfriend's Parents Love You | It's natural to want your boyfriend's parents to love you, and while you can't control how they feel, there are things you can do to make a great impression. Before you meet his parents, ask your boyfriend about their jobs, personalities, and cultures so you know what to expect. When you meet them, smile, introduce yourself, and offer them a handshake or hug. You might also offer a compliment like, "You have such a nice home." Ask open-ended questions to get to know them better, like what type of music they like or what your boyfriend was like as a kid. If you're worried about keeping the conversation going, prepare a few questions ahead of time to ask. | Ask your boyfriend about his parents before you meet them. The best way to make a good impression on your boyfriend's parents is to know a little about them ahead of time, so talk to your boyfriend about what to expect. Ask him about basic information like his parents' personalities and what they do for a living, as well as any household or cultural rules you might be expected to follow. For instance, the way you approach the first meeting will be very different if his parents are very traditional and formal than it will if they're laid-back jokesters. Try saying something like, "Hey, Jacob, I'm really looking forward to meeting your parents next weekend. I was wondering, can you tell me a little more about them?" Dress appropriately for the meeting. When you're deciding on what to wear to meet the parents, it's always best to opt for a more conservative look, even if the family is a little more laid-back. Don't wear anything that's extremely tight or that shows too much skin, and avoid clothing with any slogans or graphics that could be offensive, like rude language or sexual images. Consider the setting, as well. You might wear a dress and heels or slacks and a nice shirt if you're having dinner at a restaurant, but you might opt for jeans, a cute top, and sneakers if you're going to a cookout around the pool. If you're in doubt about whether something would be appropriate, try layering. For instance, if you want to wear a pretty dress but it's a little on the short side, you might pair it with leggings or tights. If your favorite shirt is a little low-cut, you might wear a cami underneath. Be on time. If you agree to meet your boyfriend's parents at a certain time, go out of your way to be punctual. Being late to your first meeting might send the impression that you don't value the family's time, or at the very least could make you seem irresponsible. It's a good idea to leave 15 minutes early to make sure that traffic or other unforeseen circumstances won't make you late. Consider bringing a small gift. When you're meeting someone for the first time, especially if you've been invited to their home, it's a nice gesture to offer a small gift. It doesn't have to be fancy, but bringing something along will can show that you want the introduction to go well. Try bringing flowers, sweets, a scented candle, or a bottle of wine, if you're sure they drink. If you're not sure what to bring, ask your boyfriend what his parents might like! Greet them warmly. When your boyfriend introduces you to his parents, it's normal to feel a little nervous, but try not to just stand there silently. Smile and say hello, and offer them a handshake or a hug, depending on what feels comfortable. Be sure to greet or introduce yourself to every member of the family who's present, including both parents, as well as any siblings or grandparents who might be there. For instance, you might say, "Mr. and Mrs. Carter, I've been looking forward to meeting you! And, you must be Terrence's sister Jenny, right?" If you're not sure of everyone's names, you might just smile and say, "Hi, I'm Chris! Nice to meet you!" Be sincere, courteous, and polite. While you're visiting with the family, stay engaged in the conversation. Speak up when someone asks you a question, and listen when someone else is talking. Remember your manners, like saying please and thank you, and if you're dining at their home, offer to help clear the table after the meal. Also, don't be afraid to show your personality—your boyfriend is dating you because he likes who you are, so don't hide that around his family! Try giving sincere compliments to your boyfriend's parents. For instance, you might say something like, "Mrs. Williams, that dress is beautiful!" or "Mr. Teller, I heard you were just promoted. Congratulations!" To avoid making anyone uncomfortable, avoid being overly affectionate with your boyfriend. A light touch on his arm or hand is fine, but much more than that might come across as rude. Ask open-ended questions to get to know them better. When you're making conversations, ask your boyfriend's parents about the things they enjoy, like their hobbies, careers, or places they like to visit. However, try to avoid questions that can be simply answered with "yes" or "no," because these won't necessarily encourage the other person to open up. It can help to have a few questions in mind ahead of time, so if the conversation stalls, you'll have something ready to say. Try asking questions like, "What kind of music do you listen to?" or "I understand you're very active in the church. Are you involved in any outreach programs?" Most parents love asking about their children, so your might ask something like, "Mr. Taylor, what was Josh like when he was a little boy?" Bond over your shared interests. As you get to know your boyfriend's parents better, you're likely to find something that they like that you enjoy, as well. Once you find that, bring up the subject whenever it naturally fits into the conversation, since this will give you a chance to connect with each other. For instance, you might like the same sports team, support the same nonprofit, or watch the same TV shows. If you follow the same team, you might say something like, "Hey Mr. Brown, how about the game last weekend? I can't believe we got a touchdown with 1 second on the clock!" If you can't think of anything you have in common, remember that you have at least one shared interest—your boyfriend! Be respectful of their rules and traditions. When you're around your boyfriend's parents, go out of their way to follow their house rules, the rules they've set for your boyfriend, and any cultural or religious traditions they observe in their home. This will show them that you respect them, which will go a long way toward getting them to love you. For instance, if your boyfriend's parents are very religious and only listen to faith-based music, don't blast loud secular music in their driveway. Similarly, don't encourage your boyfriend to break his parents' rules, or his parents might start to see you as a bad influence. Accept invitations to family dinners and holidays. If your boyfriend's parents invite you to attend family events, it likely means that they see you as a serious partner for their son. If that's the case, graciously accept as many invitations as you can, which will help you get more comfortable with your own place in the family. Of course, if you have a prior obligation, you don't have to cancel just because you've been invited to dinner. However, decline as politely as possible. For instance, you might say, "Thank you so much Mrs. Miller, but I won't be able to come to lunch on Sunday because my Aunt Margaret will be visiting that day. I hate that I'll miss your famous apple cookies, though!" Set clear boundaries. It's not appropriate for you to vent about your relationship to your boyfriend's parents, nor is it appropriate for them to interfere in your relationship. However, this can sometimes be difficult, so it's important to establish healthy boundaries as early as possible. Do this by making it clear if they say or do anything that makes you uncomfortable, and avoid bringing them into any drama in your relationship. For instance, if you and your boyfriend have argued, try to set it aside while his parents are around. If you don't think you can do that, politely excuse yourself and go home, then address the issue with him later. Similarly, if you feel his parents are too involved in your relationship, you might say, "I know you mean well, Mr. Campbell, but it makes me really uncomfortable when you criticize how much time Brett and I spend together." You should also avoid getting involved in problems between your boyfriend and his parents. Treat your boyfriend well. Above all, your boyfriend's parents just want to know that he's loved and happy. Don't bicker or criticize him in front of his parents, and even when they're not around, work to have open communication, trust, and mutual respect so you have a healthy relationship. Over time, if your boyfriend's parents see that you truly adore him, they're almost certain to love you. Have healthy, realistic expectations for the relationship. Although it's nice to have your boyfriend's parents on your side, it's not necessarily essential. If you've tried your hardest and they don't accept you, don't try to force a relationship. Instead, just focus on your relationship with your boyfriend, and give them space. If they never warm up to you, it will be up to your boyfriend to decide whether that's an important factor in his relationship with you. If your boyfriend's parents seem standoffish at first, they might not want to get too emotionally attached until they see that the relationship is serious. Try not to take this personally, and allow them to get comfortable with you on their own terms, no matter how long that takes. In some cases, they might not consider you part of the family until you and your boyfriend become engaged or even married. This might especially true if your boyfriend had a previous relationship with someone that his parents liked very much, like a long-term girlfriend or an ex-wife. | Ask your boyfriend about his parents before you meet them. Dress appropriately for the meeting. Be on time. Consider bringing a small gift. Greet them warmly. Be sincere, courteous, and polite. Ask open-ended questions to get to know them better. Bond over your shared interests. Be respectful of their rules and traditions. Accept invitations to family dinners and holidays. Set clear boundaries. Treat your boyfriend well. Have healthy, realistic expectations for the relationship. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Be-Attractive | How to Be Attractive | If you want to be more attractive, try standing with your arms apart when you're hanging out with others, since open body language conveys attractiveness. You could also try to smile more often, which is a sign you're an open and friendly person. When you're around other people, make eye contact and stand up tall, which will show that you're confident. During a conversation, ask questions about the other person to show you're interested in them. Additionally, let them talk about their interests, since this makes them feel happy and you seem more attractive. Once it's your turn to speak, talk slowly to give the other person time to think about what you're saying, and use positive language, like “I believe in you,” since positivity is attractive. | Embrace a healthy lifestyle. A healthy body is very often considered an attractive trait. This doesn't mean you need to become a body builder or marathon runner. Start by making basic healthy decisions in your everyday life, and take it from there. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can demonstrate maturity and responsibility , which are attractive traits to a potential mate. Studies show that 12% body fat in men, and 20% body fat in women is a good goal to strive for. In men, a 12% body fat ratio increases testosterone levels and boosts immune system. Women have more body fat than men, and at a 20% ratio, a women's curves are more defined. Eating more fruits and vegetables is a great way to become more vibrant while you diet. Fruits and vegetables are loaded with antioxidants and plant-based pigments, which give skin a healthy glow. Get your beauty sleep. No matter how groomed you are, or how much make-up you wear, studies have shown that sleep deprived people look less healthy, more tired, and overall less attractive. Aim to get 8 hours of sleep each night to fight off red eyes, and other symptoms of sleep deprivation. Keep yourself well groomed. Showers solve most problems. Brush and floss your teeth regularly. Comb your hair. Get regular haircuts. Keep your nails clean. Smell nice. Scent is a strong influencer on attractiveness. Personal hygiene is very important. Find your center. Health is a huge contributor to overall attractiveness. You will automatically look more attractive if you look both emotionally and physically healthy. In addition to your diet and exercise, meditation is a powerful tool to relax your mind, lower stress hormones, improve your mood, and clear your skin. Whether it's meditation (focus on your breath), mindfulness (focus on the now), or just paying attention to what is happening in the present moment, these practices will lead you to embody a sense of calm and ease. It's a slight shift with a big impact. Train yourself to be here now and watch how others respond to your aura of grace. Stand with an open torso. Be attractive in your body language. Open body language can be more attractive than any outfit. You can use your body language to convey availability and attractiveness. Don't cross your arms, don't check your phone in front of your chest, and don't hug your purse or hold your glass of wine at your canter. Each of these can convey a closed off, unavailable person. Show your hands. Generally, when we can't see someone's hands, we have difficulty in trusting them. Research shows that a person's most attractive trait is their availability. When you are socializing, show people that you want to connect with them by keeping your posture open and available. Don't put your hands in your pockets, under the table, or in your coat. People may be less likely to open up to you if they can't see your hands. Smile. It's incredible how important, yet simple this one is. When we smile, we automatically become more approachable, more interesting, and friendlier. Smiling is a huge tool in attractiveness. Smile at people you see, most of them will smile back. Maintain eye contact. Good eye contact can communicate more than words. Through eye contact you can express that you are engaged, listening, and in the present. You can show that you care about the individual you are looking at. Avoid looking down or shifting your gaze. This can show that you are uninterested. Sometimes too much eye contact can come off as creepy or weird. Practice holding eye contact for a second longer than you normally would and focus on something, like the color of the persons eyes. This kind of eye contact is more personable. Dress to impress. Wear clothes that fit you well and flatter your figure. Studies have shown that wearing red can increase your attractiveness to a potential mate. Ladies, put on a red dress or wear a little red lipstick. Men who grow a light beard are considered more attractive to some. If you grow facial hair, be sure to keep it well groomed. Stand tall. Keep your head up and your eyes forward. By walking with a confident stance, you will begin to feel more comfortable within yourself. This is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to become more attractive. Simply stand a little taller. Listen first. Encourage others to talk about themselves. Shine the spotlight on them. Give them your full attention and appreciation by focusing only on them. When we let people talk about themselves, it triggers pleasure responses in their brain. Put your stuff away. Don't check your phone. Don't glance at your monitor. Don't focus on anything else, even for a moment. Respond with questions. Ask them about positive things in their life. When they reply, ask them how they are feeling about life in general. Since you've already gotten a positive answer to the first question, you are more likely to get a positive answer to the second one, leading to a positive overall experience with you. Become memorable and attractive through the way you let them express themselves to you. Select your words carefully. The words you use can have a huge impact on how you come across to others. Avoid being negative as much as possible. Prioritize positive words over negative ones. We all associate happy, enthusiastic, and fulfilled people with attractiveness. Say things like: "I believe in you." These four short words can have a huge impact on how people feel both about themselves and about you. "How can I help?" Offering assistance doesn't mean you have to go out of your way to help some, but often we cannot accomplish things alone. Saying this will show someone you are an ally. "Here's what's happening." No one wants to be left out. If you make an effort to include everyone, they will associate a positive connection with you. Share the information you have to become more likable. You can also use this phrase to demonstrate decisiveness in a positive way. "I'll find out." "You're welcome." Somewhere down the road we stopped saying, "You're welcome" and started saying "yep," and "no problem." Saying the former establishes that you have done a worthwhile favor, whereas the latter shows that what you have done was insignificant. Use the former to show a person how much you care. Be playful. Laugh easily. Playfulness, as a personality trait can bring a bunch of positivity to your life and the lives of others. Not only can playfulness help reduce stress levels, but it will also help you appear more confident and comfortable. Take care to tease lightly and play close attention to the other people around you. No matter what your intentions, playfulness isn't attractive if you end up hurting someone's feelings. There is a time and place for playfulness. If you are in a professional environment, where playfulness is generally not encouraged, save it for when you leave work. However, you can still exercise kindness and warmth. Speak slower. Slowing down your speech can actually make you more interesting to others. This gives them a chance to digest what you are saying. Speaking slower also demonstrates confidences and a relaxed state, while speaking quickly might make you look overly excited, eager, or nervous. Especially if you are nervous, practice speaking slow. This will help you remain calm, and maintain control. You are also less likely to stumble over your words if you speak slowly. | Embrace a healthy lifestyle. Get your beauty sleep. Keep yourself well groomed. Find your center. Stand with an open torso. Show your hands. Smile. Maintain eye contact. Dress to impress. Stand tall. Listen first. Respond with questions. Select your words carefully. Be playful. Speak slower. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Chicken-Coop | How to Clean a Chicken Coop | To clean a chicken coop, start by putting on disposable gloves to prevent yourself from contracting germs and wearing a face mask to keep yourself from breathing in the dust. Then, remove the chickens and use a rake or shovel to get all the bedding and droppings off the floor. Once the floor is clear, hose it down and spray it generously with a commercial coop cleaner. Next, allow the coop to air dry, sprinkle diatomaceous earth over the floor to prevent fleas and ticks, then lay down clean bedding on the floor and nesting boxes. | Clean your dropping boards. The dropping boards are the pieces of wood located directly below the chicken roosts. They are designed to catch chicken droppings deposited overnight. You should clean these once each morning. This way, you minimize the amount of time the feces spends on the board before being cleaned. To clean the dropping boards,put some disposable gloves on and scrape the droppings off with a taping knife. You can scrape each board directly into your compose pile, or scrape them all off into a small pail, then dump the pail on your compost pile. If you see poop on the roosts, scrape them clean with your taping knife, too. Evaluate the condition of your bedding. If the bedding is visibly soiled or smells bad, you should dispose of it. You can compost your used chicken coop bedding like pine shavings and hay. If your bedding looks generally good and is free of odors, you can simply set it out in the sun where it will naturally dry. The sun will kill also pathogens, bacteria, and mold. You should remove any noticeably dirty bedding every morning. Replace the bedding. Add fresh, clean bedding to the coop. If you simply took the old bedding out and allowed it to dry after removing the badly soiled bits, place the bedding back in the coop. Check the nesting boxes. Evaluate the condition of the bedding in your nesting boxes each morning. Replace any dirty straw or pine shavings. Add new bedding as needed. To keep your nesting boxes clean, make sure they are located at a height which is lower than your roosts. Otherwise, your chickens will roost (and poop) in the nesting boxes. For the same reason, do not position the nesting boxes directly below roosts. Remove the chickens from the coop. If your chickens are free-range, stick them outside for a bit. If they aren't, put them in a shed or garage of some sort. Chickens cannot fly well, so you shouldn't worry about your chickens escaping. If your chickens have had their wings clipped, they will be even less likely to fly off. Keep the gate to your yard closed and you should be fine. If you have time, you can take advantage of the opportunity you have to get your chickens out of their cages. If you have a partner, you could ask them to clean the chickens while you continue to work on the coop. Remove everything from the floor. Bedding, dirt, droppings, and dirt should all be shoveled or raked out. You should also remove all the tools and items which might be in the coop. Your feeder, waterer, nesting boxes, and roosts (if they are removable) should all be removed and wiped down with a nontoxic household cleaner. After taking out all the bedding and other removables, go back over the floor with a broom and sweep out any bits you may have missed. Check the ceiling for cobwebs at this point, too. Use your broom to remove any you see. Hose the floor down. Once the bedding and other materials have been removed from the coop, turn a high-powered hose on the floor to wash it out. You could use a power washer, though you don't need to. Point the hose toward the floor and move it in a back-and-forth motion in order to ensure you've applied water to the entire surface. The water will help soften up any manure or dirt that is strongly attached to the floor. Go back over these areas with a paint scraper in order to remove them. Allow the water to drain somewhat. If you have a coop which drains poorly, mop up the rest of the water. Apply your coop cleaner. Spray or slosh your cleaner liberally across the surface of the floor and give the floor a good scrubbing. Spray it on the walls if you notice spots of grime, droppings, or blood. Use a stiff-bristled brush on the areas you want to clean, and scrub them vigorously with wide, circular motions. Allow the coop to dry by opening all the doors and windows. If the coop cleaner is not draining out properly, use a mop to absorb excess liquid. Apply diatomaceous earth (DE) to the floor. DE is a fine powder made of fossilized algae called diatoms, and prevents infestations of ticks, fleas, mites, digestive worms, and other pests. With your coop's floor dry and clean of feeders, nesting boxes, and other removable objects, sprinkle some DE across the floor of your coop. The amount you'll need varies with the size of your coop. If you have a large coop, use a large amount. If you have a smaller coop, use a smaller amount. You could sprinkle the DE with a small spoon by scooping some up and then shaking your hand back and forth over the floor, allowing a bit to spill over the edge of the spoon with each shake. Alternately, you could use a duster to apply the DE. A duster sprays the DE out when squeezed, and is useful for getting it deep in the cracks and crevices of your coop. Ensure you use food grade DE. Do not inhale the DE. It can cause inflammation of the lungs. Put down new bedding. New bedding will complete the process of making your chicken coop a chicken home. If you chose to dry the old bedding in the sun rather than discard it entirely, you can bring it back in and replace it on the floor. Invite your birds back in. After you've added the bedding, put the rest of the items you removed -- such as the feeder and waterer -- back inside the coop. Refill the food and water if needed. Finally, bring your chickens back inside. Decide when to clean your coop. While certain maintenance tasks like checking the nesting boxes, dropping boards, bedding should be checked each day and changed as needed, a full-coop cleaning can occur at various intervals. How often you choose to clean your coop top-to-bottom depends on how many chickens you have and how big your coop is. Clean your coop more often if you have many chickens in a small space. You can clean your coop less often if you have few chickens in a big coop. If you detect any foul stink, especially one reeking of ammonia, your coop needs a serious cleaning. Always err on the side of cleanliness when deciding whether or not your coop needs to be cleaned. Some coops can be cleaned as few as three times a year, while others call for cleaning every two weeks. When you get a new flock, clean your coop out before housing them within. Wear disposable gloves. Cleaning the chicken coop can be a dirty business. You should minimize the chances of touching something yucky by wearing disposable gloves. Not only will this keep your hands clean, but it can minimize your risk for contracting germs and illnesses like Salmonella. Disposable gloves are readily available at most gardening or housing supply stores. Using disposable gloves help reduce the risk of spreading bacteria as gloves are thrown away after use. If gloves become punctured during use, put a new pair on to avoid spreading bacteria. Wash your hands with soap after exiting the chicken coop and removing your gloves. Use a designated pair of shoes for cleaning the coop. You probably already have a pair of shoes you wear only when cleaning the chicken coop. If you do not, select your rattiest pair of sneakers and use them exclusively when cleaning the chicken coop. Remove the shoes just before you step into your house. This way, you won't track any of the chicken coop grime into your home. Wear a face mask. Chicken coops can collect dust that you don't want to breathe in. If your chicken coop is mostly enclosed, the problem is compounded. No matter what type of coop you have, however, you should always put a face mask on when you enter the chicken coop. Ear loop masks of the variety worn by doctors tend to be the most comfortable, and effectively cover both mouth and nose. Prevent dust buildup by providing adequate ventilation for your chicken coop. Dress down when cleaning your coop. Wear old shirts and tattered jeans that you don't mind messing up when cleaning your coop. Since you might be kneeling or brushing against the inside of your chicken coop, you should not wear clothes that you would mind getting grimy, dusty, and gross. After you've finished cleaning the coop, change into something clean. Wash the clothes you wore into the coop as soon as possible. Use a coop cleaner. There are many coop cleaners available. Only use cleaners that are nontoxic and free of ingredients like bleach and creosote. Avoid aerosol sprays as well. Try to find a cleaner that leaves behind a pleasant odor when used. You could choose a cleaner from your local farm supply store specifically designed to clean chicken coops, or you could use a household cleaner. If you mix bleach and ammonia (a primary component of chicken feces), you can create toxic fumes, and irritate the lungs and eyes. Make your own cleaning solution. There are many varieties of homemade coop cleaner, all of which contain vinegar and water as main ingredients. For example, you could easily create a pleasant-smelling lavender-mint cleaning agent by mixing half a handful of fresh mint, half a handful of fresh lavender leaves and flowers, and half of a vertically-sliced vanilla bean in a standard-size mason jar of white vinegar. Fill the jar with vinegar and stop when it is 1/4 inch from the top. Let the jar sit for three to four weeks, shaking three times every other day. When the vinegar smell has mostly been replaced with a minty-lavender scent, strain the leaves and vanilla bean out and pour the mix into a spray bottle. An even more basic recipe calls for an equal mix of water and white vinegar. Use a combination of cleaning products. Don't feel obligated to use just one cleaning agent when cleaning your coop. Different cleaning agents often have different strengths. For instance, one cleaner might do well against poop on the floor, while another might do well against dirt and mud. Try a variety of cleaners in order to find which work best for your coop. | Clean your dropping boards. Evaluate the condition of your bedding. Replace the bedding. Check the nesting boxes. Remove the chickens from the coop. Remove everything from the floor. Hose the floor down. Apply your coop cleaner. Apply diatomaceous earth (DE) to the floor. Put down new bedding. Invite your birds back in. Decide when to clean your coop. Wear disposable gloves. Use a designated pair of shoes for cleaning the coop. Wear a face mask. Dress down when cleaning your coop. Use a coop cleaner. Make your own cleaning solution. Use a combination of cleaning products. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Potatoes-Indoors | How to Grow Potatoes Indoors | To grow potatoes indoors, purchase seed potatoes, and cut each cleaned potato in half widthwise. Then, poke 4 toothpicks around the top of the potato, and submerge the cut side of the potato in a full glass of water so the toothpicks are resting around the rim. Leave the potato in the sun until it begins to sprout roots, and then plant the sprouted potatoes root-side down in a container of loamy soil. Keep the soil moist and leave the container in the sun. When the leaves begin to turn yellow, harvest the potatoes! | Buy seed potatoes that have a lot of eyes. The eyes of potatoes are small spots on the skin; this is the part that germinates. One potato with 6 or 7 eyes can yield up to 2 lb (910 g) of potatoes. Alternatively, buy potatoes and leave them near a window for a few days until they start sprouting eyes. Scrub each potato to remove the dirt. Use a vegetable brush and scrub each potato under running water until it is completely free of dirt. Be sure to scrub gently around the eyes, as you don't want to harm them before growing. This will also remove pesticide residue and growth retardant if you aren't using organic potatoes. Cut the potato in half on the long side. Place your potato on its long side on the cutting board; you should be able to roll it like a rolling pin. Cut down through the middle of the potato, as if you were going to make circular potato chips. Be careful not to cut through an eye, because that is what will be germinating. Place 4 toothpicks one-fourth of the way into the potato's skin. Place the toothpicks between the cut end and the top of the potato. They should face out in 4 different directions like a compass. The goal is to have them far enough into the potato, and spaced evenly enough, that they will hold up the potato when you place it into a glass of water. Submerge the cut side of the potato in a full glass of water. Allow the toothpicks to rest on the lip of the glass. Readjust the toothpicks if the potato doesn't rest evenly on the lip of the glass. Make sure the potato is partly submerged in the water, or else it won't sprout. Put the potato in 5-6 hours of sun a day until it starts growing roots. Place the potato and water glass in a south-facing windowsill, or underneath grow lights. Roots should sprout after a week; they'll be long, spindly, and off-white. Change the water in the jar if it gets cloudy. Add water if necessary to keep the potato submerged. Find a 2.5 US gal (9.5 L) pot with a drainage hole. Use a container with at least a capacity of 2.5 US gal (9.5 L). This will ensure that you get a high yield of large potatoes. Be sure to thoroughly wash and rinse your pot before you begin the planting process. Cover the bottom of the pot with 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) of small stones. Your potatoes will need proper drainage to grow. Place around 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) of rocks into the bottom of the container, so that the bottom is covered. Placing small stones or pebbles in the bottom of the pot will ensure that water can get out of the soil and not cause mildew or rot. Alternatively, use a pot with drainage holes in the bottom. Fill the pot about one-third of the way to the top with potting soil. Use a loose, grainy, loamy potting soil to fill your container about one-third full. You will need to keep adding soil as the plant grows, so don't overfill the pot at this point. Acidic sulfur helps potatoes feed, so test your soil and make sure the pH is around 5.5. Add elemental sulfur (sometimes called soil acidifier) to the soil if the pH is above 5.5. Plant your potatoes root side down, 6 in (15 cm) apart. Place the potatoes with the roots facing down into the soil. Make sure the longest sprout is pointing towards the sky. Don't place any of the potatoes next to the edge of the pot. Cover the potatoes with 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) of soil. Potatoes need to avoid exposure to light in order to grow. To accomplish this, cover them with plenty of soil. Position the pot so it gets 6-10 hours of sunlight per day. Keep your container in an area that gets plenty of sunlight, such as near a window. Alternatively, you can use grow lights. Keep them on for at least 10 hours a day to duplicate outdoor conditions. Keep the soil consistently moist. Potatoes need moist soil in order to grow, so check the soil every 2-3 days. If it's beginning to dry out, water it until it's moist but not soggy. Your soil should be as wet as a wrung-out sponge. Add more soil when the plant grows 6 in (15 cm) above the soil. When the potato vine reaches the top of your pot, mound the soil around the plant. As the plant grows upward, potatoes will start to grow on the vine. Potatoes need sunlight on the foliage, but not on the potatoes themselves. Thus, you should keep "hilling" (the process of mounding dirt as the plant grows) until the plant reaches the top of the container. Potatoes should be ready for harvesting in 10-12 weeks, or when the foliage begins to die. Harvest when the leaves of the plant turn yellow for small new potatoes. Once your plants turn yellow or start to die off, your potatoes are ready to harvest. Harvest small new potatoes as soon as the plant turns yellow or dies. For more mature and larger potatoes, wait 1-2 weeks before harvesting. Pull the plant from the container and pick off each potato. Gently dip into the soil with a small gardening tool or your hands, and pull the entire plant out of the container. Pull off each potato with your hands and brush the soil off of each one. Be careful to not cut or bruise the potatoes at this point, as the skin will be tender and easy to tear. Let your potatoes dry for 2-3 hours, then rinse them off. Place your potatoes in a sunny spot and allow them to dry out. Then, scrub them with a vegetable brush under running water to remove the soil and clean them off. Store your harvested potatoes in a cool, dark place for up to 5 months. Store your potatoes somewhere dark and cool, between 45–55 °F (7–13 °C), to avoid deterioration. Keeping potatoes for at least 2 weeks in this state will help them "cure," which hardens the skin and helps them to last longer. Potatoes will last about 5 months in a dark, cool place. If you don't have a root cellar, you can store them in the vegetable bin of your refrigerator. The cold temperature of the fridge will convert the starch in potatoes to sugar, so be sure to use them within 1 week. | Buy seed potatoes that have a lot of eyes. Scrub each potato to remove the dirt. Cut the potato in half on the long side. Place 4 toothpicks one-fourth of the way into the potato's skin. Submerge the cut side of the potato in a full glass of water. Put the potato in 5-6 hours of sun a day until it starts growing roots. Find a 2.5 US gal (9.5 L) pot with a drainage hole. Cover the bottom of the pot with 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) of small stones. Fill the pot about one-third of the way to the top with potting soil. Plant your potatoes root side down, 6 in (15 cm) apart. Cover the potatoes with 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) of soil. Position the pot so it gets 6-10 hours of sunlight per day. Keep the soil consistently moist. Add more soil when the plant grows 6 in (15 cm) above the soil. Harvest when the leaves of the plant turn yellow for small new potatoes. Pull the plant from the container and pick off each potato. Let your potatoes dry for 2-3 hours, then rinse them off. Store your harvested potatoes in a cool, dark place for up to 5 months. |
https://www.wikihow.com/Install-the-Pinterest-%22Pin-It%22-Button | How to Install the Pinterest "Pin It" Button | Go to the browser button webpage ( https://about.pinterest.com/en/browser-button ), click Get our browser button , and follow the on-screen instructions. | Go to Pinterest's browser button webpage. It's located at https://about.pinterest.com/en/browser-button. The browser button can be installed on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Internet Explorer. Click Get our browser button. You'll see this red button on the right side of the page. Doing so will prompt you to follow your browser's instructions for installing the button: Chrome - Click Add extension when prompted. Chrome will refresh the page when the Pinterest button is done installing. Firefox - Click Allow in the top-left side of the page when prompted, then click Install. Safari - Click the download arrow in the top-right side of Safari, then double-click the setup file and click Install when prompted. Internet Explorer - Click Run at the bottom of the page, then click Install. Close Internet Explorer, follow the on-screen setup instructions, and then re-open Internet Explorer. Locate the Pinterest browser button. It's a red button with a white "P" on it; in most cases, the browser button is in the top-right side of the browser's window. If you don't see the browser button, try closing and re-opening your browser. You may need to attempt to install the button again if it still doesn't show up. Navigate to a site with images you want to pin. For example, you might perform a Google search for a topic of your choosing. You typically can't pin images from social media sites (e.g., Facebook). Click the Pinterest browser button. It should be in the top-right side of your browser's window. Clicking this will invoke a page with any compatible content listed. You will have to wait a few seconds before the page populates with results. Click Save on an image. You'll see this button in the top-left corner of a photo when you hover your mouse cursor over it. Clicking Save will open a window prompting you to select a board. If you aren't logged into Pinterest, this window will prompt you to click Log in and enter your email address and password. Click Save located to the right of a board's name. This will add your selected image to the board in question. The next time you open your Pinterest profile, the image will be there. You can also click Create board at the bottom of the window to make a new board. | Go to Pinterest's browser button webpage. Click Get our browser button. Locate the Pinterest browser button. Navigate to a site with images you want to pin. Click the Pinterest browser button. Click Save on an image. Click Save located to the right of a board's name. |
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