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Choose the right steel alloy. Choose a comfortable length of steel bar. Choose a comfortable thickness.

Most steel bars are either hot-rolled or cold-rolled; a cold rolled bar is shinier than a hot rolled bar, but is also harder to bend. Stainless steel is even harder to bend. The stronger the steel, the more the bend will approximate a "V", while the weaker the steel, the more the bend will look like a "U." Most strongmen who bend steel bars prefer to work with lengths of five to seven inches (12.5 to 17.5 cm). (A common strongman feat was bending a 60-penny nail, which is 6 inches [15 cm] long.) The shorter the bar, the harder it is to bend, as shorter lengths give less bending leverage than longer lengths; however, some prefer a six inch (15 cm) bar to a seven inch (17.5 cm) bar because of the way the stock was formed. You can buy steel bars in the optimal length for hand-bending from some online retailers or buy longer bars either online or from your local hardware store and cut off a piece of the desired length. To cut the steel bar, use a pair of bolt cutters, preferably about 24 inches (60 cm) long. Wear safety goggles when cutting, as short pieces can travel at high speed when cut from the larger bar stock. Grind or file off the cut end to smooth it. Thicker bars are harder to bend than thinner bars. Doubling the diameter quadruples the amount of force required to bend the bar; it takes four times the torque to bend a 3/8-inch (9.6 mm) bar as it does a 3/16-inch (4.8 mm) bar.

Get your supplies ready. Drill a small hole about 1/4 inch (.64 cm) from the bottom your craft sticks. Drill another hole about 1 inch (2.54 cm) from the other end on each craft stick. Paint the sticks with acrylic or tempera paint (optional). Lay your craft sticks side by side and measure the length and width. Prepare your image. Set the photo over the sticks. Gently trace lines along the photo. Flip the photo over and number the spaces. Cut the photo into strips. Prepare your adhesive. Apply the photo strips to the craft sticks. Stack the sticks in order with the holes aligned. Thread the bottom of your fan. Thread the top of your fan. Secure your knots.

You'll need a power drill, a dozen craft sticks, paint and brush (optional), a photograph (optional), a craft knife, glue, water, and embroidery floss. Do this for the rest of your craft sticks. Make sure all the holes are drilled at the same spot on all the sticks. Use caution when cutting with a power drill. Wear eye protection and do the cutting on a flat surface. This will be the top of your fan and will spread out more than the base. Allow them to dry thoroughly. You may find that some colors, particularly reds, will need 2 or even 3 coats. Make sure the sticks are touching, without any gaps in between them. Enlarge a photograph or cut a magazine photo to the size of the sticks you measured. Make sure your image is the exact same size of the sticks when touching. The image should completely fit over the sticks. If sticks are still visible at the sides, you should enlarge or cut a bigger image. If your photo hangs over the side of the sticks, you need to trim the image down. Use a craft knife to score the picture lightly along the sides of each stick. This will help keep them in order after cutting. Make sure you're numbering the back of the photo and not the picture itself. Use a craft knife to ensure a neat, straight cut. Hold a ruler tightly against the cutting line and slide the knife along the edge of the ruler, pressing hard enough to cut through the picture. Be extremely careful when using the craft knife. In a small container, mix equal parts of craft glue and water. You'll need to brush the glue mix on the back of one picture strip. Center the strip on a stick, and brush a thin coat of the mixture on all sides of the stick and picture. Repeat this for the remaining strips and sticks. Let them dry completely. You can check to make sure your image is correct, by spreading the sticks back out to see if they're in order. Tie a knot in embroidery floss or 1/8-inch (.32 cm) ribbon. Thread the other end through the holes that are 1/4 inch (.64 cm) from the bottom of the sticks. Tie a knot to secure the bottom of the fan. Spread the tops of the sticks so they lie next to one another and tie a knot in the floss while the fan is open. Add a dot of glue to the knots and let them dry completely before opening and closing your fan.

Cut a piece of heavy cardstock paper into your preferred shape. Place the paper face down on a table. Spread glue onto the top half of an oversized wooden craft stick. Attach the glue stick to the back of the cardstock on your table. Cut another piece of cardstock to match and glue it to the back of your fan, optional. Let the glue dry completely.

You can leave it square, cut it into a circle, round the bottom and make the top taper for a spade shape, or cut it into a heart. The side of the fan that will be hidden should be facing up at you. Make sure to keep glue off the part of the stick that will extend out from the piece of cardstock. Ensure that a good portion of the stick is extended out from the paper, so you will have a handle to hold. This will hide the stick and create a sturdy double-sided fan. Be sure to spread glue onto the back of the handle, as well as around all edges of the fan. Once it's dry, you can use your fan or embellish it.

Paint your fan. Attach decorations. Shape your fan.

You can use a tempera or acrylic paint to decorate your craft sticks or paper. Note that if painting the paper, it's easier to paint before folding your fan. Let your paper or sticks dry completely before using. Using glue or double-sided tape, attach bits of ribbon, lace, buttons, feathers, stickers or beads. Make sure not to add items that are heavy, since they could tear your fan. You can easily make your fan take on a whole new shape by making a few simple cuts. While your paper is folded like an accordion, cut into the top or sides of the folds. Keep your cuts small. When you open your fan, you'll see the small cuts across all the folds.

Place a sheet of 8-inch-by-11-inch (21.6 cm by 27.9 cm) paper, wallpaper or cardstock face down on your work surface. Lightly draw fold lines across your paper. Accordion fold the paper. Fold on the next line. Continue to fold your paper back and forth. Gather the bottom of the paper. Bind the bottom of the folded strip with strong tape. Open the folds at the top of your fan.

You can use larger paper, but this size is easy to find and work with. Set the paper in portrait orientation, meaning it's taller than it is wider. Practice with plain or scrap paper when you start learning. You can then switch to more decorative papers once you're comfortable with the technique. Using a pencil and ruler, draw vertical lines 3/4 inch to 1 inch (1.9 cm to 2.54 cm) apart. These should go straight from the bottom to top of the paper. For larger wall fans, move the lines apart in proportion to the paper size. Smaller fans could have smaller folds, which will make the fan seem more detailed. Fold on the first line, bringing the right side of the paper toward you. Use a bone folder to press the crease firmly. You should now see a peak. You should it in the opposite direction of the first fold, creasing the fold with the bone folder. You should now see a dip in the paper, or a valley. You'll start seeing these dips and peaks. They should alternate between these mountains and valleys. You should be grasping the gathered portion between your fingers, while the vertical pleats of the paper extend up and out. The paper fans out. Alternately, you could glue each fold to the next. Place the glue along the bottom of the fan where you've gathered it. If you are using glue, let it dry completely before opening the fan. You can now use the fan or embellish it.

Purchase an Apple or Android smartphone or tablet if you don't have one. Download the PayPal Here App onto your device. Open the App. Update your business information by following the prompts. Follow the app's instructions for setting up a payment plan. Input the customer's purchase amount. Have your customer sign their signature directly on your smartphone.

PayPal allows you to receive credit card payments on your Apple or Android device. This is especially convenient for people and small businesses that receive most of their payments on the street such as food trucks, small street vendors, etc. In the U.S., PayPal takes a 2.7% fee for every mobile card swipe. The rate is slightly higher if you manually input the card number or scan it with your phone's camera (3.5% + $.15 per payment.) The app is available for free in the Apple Store and Google Play Store. Install the app on your device. You'll be asked to log in with your PayPal account. The App will confirm your address and phone number. It will then offer to mail you your free Card Reader attachment. Use the confirmation code you were emailed to complete the signup process. You can choose to include your location, website, and Facebook. This information will appear on your customers' receipts. The simplest option is to input each sale individually, but you may also want to create a list of individually-priced products to choose from. When a customer is ready to pay, plug the PayPal Card Reader into your device's audio jack. You should receive a "Card Reader Connected" notification. Select "Card" on the next page. Swipe your customer's card through the card reader. The card should be positioned so that it is upside down with its strip is facing away from you. When swiping, use one smooth, quick motion, ensuring that the entire magnetic strip passes through the card reader. If you don't have your Card Reader yet, you can still take credit card payments. You will be prompted to enter the card information manually or scan it using your phone. Click "Complete Purchase" to finalize the sale and receive payment. Offer to email the customer the receipt.

Place a payment button on your business's website. Log in to your account from the PayPal home page. On your account page, select "Merchant Services. Select your desired button. Select "Save Changes" at the bottom of the page.

If you haven't already, first create a PayPal business account as described in Part 1. Your customer will be able to click on the payment button on your website and easily make a payment using a credit card, a debit card or a checking account. PayPal also allows you to send invoices with a "Pay Now" button linked to PayPal that allows your customers to pay instantly. Use the "login" bar in the top right. You'll need to input your email address and the password you chose for your account. " You'll see a button that says "Create payment buttons for your website." Click this button. Using the drop-down menu, you can select a variety of messages for your button - "Buy Now," "Add to Cart," "Donate," and others. Enter the required information about your product or service, then click "Create Button." If you're selling a product, you'll need to know the cost of shipping and any associated tax so this can be added onto your invoices. At the bottom of the page, you'll see additional options for tracking inventory and customizing your PayPal features. You'll then be taken to a page that contains a box of HTML code. Copy and paste this code into your website's HTML to create a button on your page. To do this, you'll need the ability to edit your website's HTML code. If you don't know what HTML code is (or you're not confident enough to edit it), consult one of our many guides on the subject, several of which are listed here: HTML How-To Articles If you employ a web developer, send him or her the HTML code in the body of an email - he or she will be able to add the button to your website.

Open a PayPal Business Account if you haven't already. On the next screen, select "Create New Account. Use the "Specialized Solutions" tab where applicable.

Begin by visiting the PayPal home page and click on the "Business" tab at the top of the page. Then click on the "Get Started" button in the center of the page. You can also sign up for just a personal account on this page. " Follow the instructions to set up your merchant account. Once PayPal verifies your information, you are ready to accept credit card payments on your website or by telephone, mail or fax, e-checks and e-mail payments. You'll need to provide a valid email address and basic information about your business to create an account. If you do not run a business but still want to use PayPal to collect funds, click on the "Specialized Solutions" tab in the top right of the "Business" page to select the best option for you. There are options for Non-profits, Digital Goods, Education, Political Campaigns, and Government and Financial Services. Choose the category that best describes you. If you do not fit in any of the above categories, call the toll-free number to talk to a specialist who can help you set up your account.

Obtain a valid email address and a PayPal account associated with that address. Tell your employer which email address you used for your PayPal account. When your employer has paid you, log into your personal PayPal account. On the next page, provide your payment information.

If you're an independent contractor, this is all you'll need to receive remote payment online. This option is especially useful for freelance workers operating online. Many businesses that use freelance employees prefer this method of payment for its ease in one-time payments. Your employer will also need a PayPal account for this method. Check with your employer if you're not sure whether they accept this form of paying. If the person making a payment does not have a PayPal account you can still request money from them. After you log in to your My PayPal page, click Send and Request. On the next page click Request Money and enter the person's email address and the amount requested. On the next page add a note if desired. Then click Request and PayPal will send the request and notify you when the payment arrives. This is all you have to do when you want to be paid. An employer who uses this method of payment will provide their own payment information. From your "My Account" homepage, select "Withdraw." On the next page, you'll have several options for getting your money. You can: Transfer money from your PayPal account to a bank account (for free). Request a check be mailed to you (for $1.50.) Request a PayPal debit card (for free). Withdraw cash from an ATM (for $1.00). Note: You should also receive an email at your PayPal-associated email address when you're paid. This email should contain instructions for retrieving your money. Depending on the method of payment you selected, you may be asked for your bank account number, address, or other contact information. If you transfer your money to a bank account, allow 3-4 days for processing. If you request a check or a debit card, allow 5-10 days for it to arrive.

Take your child to the dentist if they have tooth pain. Visit the dentist if the tooth is loose because of an injury. Go to the dentist immediately if tooth fragments remain. Get emergency treatment if the socket bleeds longer than 15 minutes. See the dentist if you notice signs of an infection.

Normally, your child won’t experience pain from a loose tooth. If their tooth is painful, it’s possible that they have tooth decay or an injury. Just to be safe, take your child to the dentist to make sure they’re okay. The dentist may decide to pull or treat the tooth themselves. Try not to worry because it’s likely that everything is just fine. If you know your child has experienced a mouth injury, they may need dental care. Your dentist will examine your child’s mouth to figure out if the tooth is loose because of the injury or because it’s time for the tooth to fall out. Then, they’ll help you decide how to treat the loose tooth. They may recommend you go ahead and pull the tooth, but they might also recommend alternative treatments. You likely won’t need to worry about this, but it’s possible for the tooth to break off as you remove it. If this happens, your child needs immediate care because the fragments could cause pain or lead to an infection. Take your child to the dentist to get the fragments removed. Fragments occur more often after a tooth is injured. It’s totally normal for the socket to bleed after you pull the tooth, so try not to worry. However, the bleeding should stop after about 15 minutes of pressing gauze into the socket. Check the bleeding after 15 minutes. If the socket is still bleeding, go to the doctor, an urgent care center, or the emergency room so a doctor can help. A dentist or doctor can help stop the bleeding, so don’t worry. Your child likely won’t develop an infection, so try not to worry about it. However, you need to take them to the dentist immediately if you notice signs of a possible infection. The dentist will help them get the treatment they need to feel better. Go to the dentist immediately if you have the following symptoms: Fever Pain Bad breath Unpleasant taste in your mouth

Let your child wiggle the tooth to see if it’s ready to be pulled. Ask your child if the tooth hurts to make sure the nerve is dead. Check for bleeding around the tooth to make sure it’s safe to be pulled.

Have your child use their tongue or their hands to gently grip the loose tooth and try to wiggle it back and forth. If they’re able to move the tooth easily, then it may be ready to be pulled. If the tooth doesn’t move easily, trying to pull it before it’s ready can cause unnecessary pain, bleeding, and infections. If the tooth does not easily move around easily, wait a few days and then try testing it again. When a tooth is ready to be pulled, the nerve will dissolve and only a small thread of gum tissue will hold the tooth in place. As your child wiggles their loose tooth, ask them if it hurts at all. If it does, then the nerve may still be attached and the tooth isn’t ready to be pulled yet. Your child may feel some slight discomfort in their gums when they wiggle their tooth, but it shouldn’t cause them any pain if it’s ready to be pulled. You may also see a permanent tooth appearing near the loose tooth, which is totally normal. In addition to the nerve dying away, blood vessels that were attached to the tooth will dissolve as well when the tooth is ready to be removed. While your child wiggles their tooth, check their gums to see if there’s any blood. If there is, then it’s too early to try to pull the tooth.

Ask your child if they want you to pull the tooth. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water. Give your child assurance so they’re relaxed and calm. Wipe the tooth 2-3 times with a cotton ball or gauze to avoid slippage. Hold a piece of sterile gauze pad between your thumb and index finger. Grasp the tooth firmly and pull with a slight wiggling motion to remove it. Press a sterile piece of gauze over the tooth socket to stop the bleeding. Rinse out your child’s mouth with saltwater to sterilize it.

Talk to your child about pulling their tooth to settle any fears or anxieties that they may have about it. Explain to them that their tooth is loose and will fall out soon, and ask if it’s alright for you to gently pull it out. If your child wants the tooth to fall out on its own, then let them wait. If they’re ready for you to pull it out, you can do it without them being afraid. Abruptly pulling out a tooth can scare your child and cause unnecessary pain if they struggle. Some children are excited about their teeth coming out, but many have anxieties about potential pain or bleeding. It’s important that you wash your hands thoroughly to prevent infections. Turn on your faucet, let the water warm up, and hold your hands underneath the stream to get them wet. Add a few drops of hand soap or rub a soap bar between your palms and work the soap into a lather by rubbing your hands together. Then, rinse off the soap and dry your hands to remove dirt and germs from the surface of your skin so you don’t introduce them into your child’s mouth. Dirty hands can cause an infection or illness and should never enter your or your child's mouth. If you have a pair of sterile rubber gloves, it might be good to wear these as well to further reduce the risk of infection. You need your child to hold still for you to take out their tooth, so before you begin, tell them that everything will be okay and that it will be over before they know it. If it helps, you can promise them a reward or a treat if they’re able to stay calm while you pull out their tooth. For example, you could tell your child that the tooth fairy will come to take their tooth and leave them a present, or you could promise them some ice cream after you pull out their tooth. This is a very formative time for your child, and you don't want to do something that will cause your child to associate the experience with fear, pain, or panic. Take a cotton ball or a piece of gauze and rub the front and back of the tooth you plan to pull to dry it off and make it easier to grip. Wipe the tooth gently and calmly explain to your child that you’re about to pull their tooth and will be over quickly to settle any anxieties that they may have. If your child sees that you’re calm, then they’re more likely to relax. If you don't have a cotton ball or gauze available, a tissue will work, too. Just make sure it’s clean! Use sterile gauze to add an extra barrier between your hands and your child’s mouth and to provide you with extra grip to hold the tooth. Take about a 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) long strip of gauze and place it between your thumb and index finger so both of your fingertips are covered by it. If you don’t have any sterile gauze, you can use a strip of clean paper towel to help you grip the tooth. Using the gauze pad, grasp the tooth at its base, where it meets the gum. Gently pull the tooth and slightly wiggle it to help work it free. Continue pulling and wiggling until it pops out. Try to pull it out as quickly as you can to keep your child from getting anxious and moving around. If the tooth is loose enough, it should pop right out with little trouble. If it doesn't come out after a firm pull, it isn't ready yet. Don't continue to pull on a tooth that isn’t ready to come out or you could hurt your child. Wait a few days and then try again. Even if the tooth was very loose, there will still be some bleeding. Take a fresh, sterile piece of gauze and compress the tooth socket with your forefinger and thumb. Have the child bite on the gauze piece for 10 minutes or so. This will help to control the bleeding and promote quicker wound healing. Take 1 cup (240 mL) of warm water and dissolve 1 teaspoon (5.69 g) of table salt into it. Have your child swish the solution around in their mouth for about 30 seconds and then spit it out in the sink to wash the open wound left after pulling the tooth to help prevent infection. Have your child swish saltwater in their mouth once a day for the next 3-4 days to keep the wound clean. Make sure your child doesn’t swallow the saltwater or it could make them ill.

Include this person in the planning. Be understanding. Set expectations. Seek out affordable or free things to do. Be a generous gifter. Avoid going out with this person.

Whether you’re planning an outing, a group trip or going in on a gift for someone, make sure to include this person from the beginning. If they are a part of the planning, they’ll be able to tell you what their budget is and what they are able to contribute. For example, let your cheap sibling be the first to know if you’re thinking of doing a group gift for your parents. If they want a less expensive option, they are able to suggest ideas themselves. If you had an expensive gift in mind that you’re set on, realize it may be a priority to you, but not to the other people involved. Understand that they may not be willing to contribute as much financially to the gift, but allow them to put in what they can and help in other ways (like organization and communication). Understanding lessens feelings of resentment for everyone involved. Sometimes, people are unaware that they are doing something wrong. Maybe they assumed an invitation out meant an offer to pay as well. Make sure when you plan to hang out with this person that you set clear expectations from the beginning. If you're eating out together, ask your server for separate checks at the beginning of the meal. If you're going out as a group, let everyone know in advance that the bill will be split equally per person. If you're hosting a "bring your own [fill in the blank]" party, let the person know everyone is expected to bring something. If they’re prepared upfront, they don’t have an excuse for cheap behavior. If expectations have been set, and the behavior continues, you may have to confront the problem directly. If the cheap person you’re dealing with is a good friend or family member, avoiding them isn't an option. It’s not about what you’re doing, but who you’re doing it with. Plan low or no-cost activities with your cheap friend. Take a hike or some other physical activity. Watch a movie at home. Go to a park. Cook together. Look up free things to do near your city. If you want to do something with this person that you don’t think they'll be willing to pay for, consider giving it to them as a gift. This gives you the opportunity to enjoy time with your loved one without money becoming an issue. Let’s say you’ve always wanted to take a trip with this person, but you know they won’t include it in their budget. Treat them to a short getaway for their birthday. This takes the pressure of money off of both of you. It is important that you don’t expect an equivalent gift in return. Your friend can give you a thoughtful gift without spending the same amount of money. Don’t let yourself get too hung up on price tags. If the cheap person is a colleague or an acquaintance, your best option may be to avoid going out with them altogether. You’ll be a more pleasant co-worker if you’re not carrying resentment. Suggest bringing your lunches from home and eat together in the breakroom. Tell them you need to save money, and aren't able to go out.

Plan your approach. Have a solution prepared. Visualize an ideal outcome. Be ready for anything. Confront the person while calm. Don’t talk down. Address the behavior only. Use “When you, I feel” statements. Reevaluate the relationship.

Confronting people about money related issues can be difficult. Preparing yourself in advance will result in the best outcome. Know what you’ll say in advance. This prevents you from going on and on, straying off topic or saying things you don’t mean. You're not calling out your friend just to make them feel bad. The best way to get a solution, is to suggest one yourself. You can try, “We’ll take turns choosing where we go. You can choose the next outing.” Reassure them that you don’t have to spend money to have fun together. Go through the conversation in your head. Include how you think they’ll respond. Picture the positive outcome that you hope to get from the confrontation. If thinking about confronting this person brings up negative emotions, you may not be ready to confront them yet. Confrontations, no matter how tactful, don’t always end well. Prepare for a stubborn friend to get angry or remain in denial. Know how you’ll respond if the confrontation takes a bad turn. Emotional confrontations rarely go well. If you allow yourself to get upset and start lecturing the person, they are likely to respond emotionally simply because of your approach. When stating your complaint, don’t include your opinions or judgements. It comes off as condescending. You don’t want this person to feel like you are insulting their character. Stay focused on the unwanted behavior, not the person. A helpful technique often used in therapy is “When you [unwanted action], I feel [emotional response]” statements. This approach allows the person to see the direct effects of their behavior. It also shows that you are coming from a genuine place of hurt, not simply complaining about them. For example, “When you never offer to pay for the check, I feel like you don’t value our friendship.” Or, “When you ‘forget your wallet’ every time we hang out, I feel like I’m being taken advantage of.” If you’ve approached the problem with maturity and tact and still get bad results, then consider whether this person is a positive addition to your life. If you still consider this person a valuable part of your life, then you must learn how to cope with this problem in your life long term. If this person brings nothing but negativity and hardship to your life, then end communication with them. You can rest assured that you did your part in trying to resolve the problem.

Do not hold your hamster when he is sleeping. Do not lift him up high up off the floor. Avoid making kissing noises when you are holding him. Do not scruff your hamster or pick him up by an appendage. Do not punish your hamster.

Hamsters tend to sleep very deeply. In the wild, they will burrow deep into the ground where they can sleep relatively undisturbed. If you wake him up suddenly to hold him, he will likely interpret this as trouble (e.g., a predator) being nearby. If you would like to wake him up, do so gently. For example, you can speak softly to him. You can also gently ruffle your hand in his bedding. Hamsters are very prone to injuries from falling, so you should keep your hamster fairly close to the ground when you are holding him. Do not lift him more than 12 inches (30 centimeters) off the floor. If he tries to make a run for it, keeping him close to the floor lessens the likelihood of injuring himself if he jumps. Consider holding him when you are lying back on the floor, which would keep him even closer to the ground. Talking to your hamster in a calm and soothing voice will help him feel more comfortable with being held. However, kissing noises can actually be frightening to him. Scruffing your hamster to pick him up can put immense pressure on his head. This pressure may be enough to cause his eyes to prolapse. You should also never pick up your hamster by one of his appendages. Not only would this likely injure your hamster, but he would also be even more disoriented by being lifted in the air by his legs. Hamsters do not know how to make an association between actions and consequences. Therefore, punishing him by yelling at him or physically punishing him will only lead to your hamster seeing you as the enemy. A firm 'no' should be the strongest punishment you use. Blowing in his face, particularly when he bites you, should be enough to deter him from doing the action again.

Do not handle him right away. Place your hand in his cage. Entice your hamster with treats.

If you just brought your hamster home, chances are he will need a little time to get used to you before he will enjoy being handled and held. Wait at least 12 to 24 hours before trying to hold him. Crouch near your hamster's cage and speak to him in a soft, friendly voice. You can also get him comfortable with your presence by simply reading a book or watching TV in the same room as him. Make sure your hamster can see you and knows you are a friend, not a predator. In the wild, hamsters are grabbed only by a predator, so your hamster will need to learn that you are not acting as a predator when you hold him. Start by placing your hand in his cage and leaving it there for him to investigate. So as not to startle your hamster, hold your hand limply in his cage. It would also be helpful to hold your hand as a clenched fist initially. You can unclench your fist, with your palm facing upward, as he becomes more comfortable with your hand. Hamsters have a tendency to nibble as a way to test their environment. If your hamster starts to nibble at your hand, gently pull your hand away. Jerking your hand away will startle him and may make him more reluctant to approach your hand. Your hamster may be very wary of your hand. If this is the case, try placing treats in your hand to encourage him to approach you. When he is comfortable accepting treats from your hand, he will be more amenable to you picking him up. Ideal treats are those that your hamster would normally eat in the wild. For example, you can treat him with fresh, rinsed vegetables (e.g., broccoli, cauliflower, carrots) and fruits (e.g., bananas, berries). Make sure to chop the treats in small pieces before feeding them to your hamster.

Wash your hands. Let your hamster see your hand. Cup your hamster in the palm of your hands. Lift your hamster out of his cage. Hold your hamster in your lap or close to your chest. Place your hamster back in his cage.

Hamsters rely on their noses to navigate their environment, and strong smells can cause them distress. Washing your hands before handling your hamster will help him feel more comfortable. Use an unscented soap—a fruit-scented soap may make your hamster see your hand as food. Washing your hands is especially important if you have more than one hamster. The scent of another hamster on your hands could make the hamster you are handling feel like he is being attacked. In the wild, hamsters have few defenses other than running. Any sudden changes in your hamster's environment can be very alarming to him, so it is very important that he can see your hand approaching him. When you place your hand in your hamster's cage, leave it there for at least a few seconds so that he can acclimate to it. It is very important for your hamster to feel secure in your hands when you hold him. When he climbs into your hand, cup your hand under him to support him. Cup your other hand so that he can rest comfortably and securely in the palms of both of your hands. If your hamster does not want to climb in your hands, consider using a scoop. Allow him to walk into the scoop before lifting him up. You can them transfer him from the scoop to your hand when you have him out of the cage. You can also use a 1-liter plastic soda bottle, cut in half, like a scoop. Place the bottom half of the bottle in your hand, and let your hamster crawl into it. He will feel the warmth of your hand, but will not be able to bite your hand through the plastic. Make sure the bottle's edges are smooth. With time, your hamster will become more comfortable with being held and you will not need to lift him with a scoop. Being lifted up can be very disorienting and frightening for your hamster. Before lifting him up, face him towards you in your hands. This will give him a frame of reference and will make him less likely to jump, as you lift him up. Lift him up slowly and gently. Be aware that your hamster may start biting your hand as you lift him up. His bites will likely not be enough to break the skin but will serve as more of a warning signal that he is feeling alarmed. If he starts to bite, gently blow a puff of air in his face. The hamster will take a step back and blink, wondering what he just smelled. This gives you time to free your hand from his grip. Keeping your hamster close to your body as you hold him will keep him safe. It will also prevent him from trying to run or jump away. Because your hamster is not used to being held, he will probably not want to be held for long periods of time. If he seems agitated or is trying to bite you, gently lower him back in his cage. Gently lower your hamster back in his cage. Hamsters can easily injure themselves if they fall, so you should lower your hamster until he can easily walk out of your hands and onto the bottom of his cage. You can spread out your palm and allow him to simply step off your hand. Hold him for a short period of time initially (less than a minute), then work your way to longer stretches of time as he becomes more comfortable with being held.

Open Facebook. Tap ☰. Scroll down and tap Settings. Tap Account Settings. Tap General. Tap your name. Edit your name. Tap Review Change. Select a display option. Enter your password, then tap Save Changes.

It's a dark-blue app with a white "f" on it. This will open your Facebook News Feed if you're already logged into Facebook on your phone or tablet. If you aren't logged into Facebook, enter your email address (or phone number) and password to continue. It's in either the bottom-right corner of the screen (iPhone) or the top-right corner of the screen (Android). It's near the bottom of the page. Skip this step on Android. This option will take you to your Account Settings page. It's the top option on this page. You should see this near the top of the screen. Tap the First Name, Middle Name, or Last Name field, type in your preferred name, and repeat for the other fields as necessary. It's a blue button at the bottom of the screen. Facebook will display variations of your name at the top of the screen; tap an option to select it as your name's appearance. You'll enter your password in the text field above the Save Changes button. Doing so will change your Facebook name.

Go to Facebook's website. Click . Click Settings. Click the General tab. Click your name. Edit your name. Click Review Change. Select a display option. Enter your password, then click Save Changes.

Go to https://www.facebook.com in your preferred browser. This will load your News Feed if you're already logged into Facebook. If you aren't already logged into Facebook, enter your email address (or phone number) and password before continuing. This icon is in the upper-right side of the Facebook page. Doing so prompts a drop-down menu. It's near the bottom of the drop-down menu. This option is in the upper-left side of the page. It's at the top of the General page. Replace the name(s) in the First, Middle, and/or Last fields with your preferred name(s). This blue button is below the name section. Clicking it brings up a pop-up menu. Facebook will display variations of your name at the top of the page; click an option to select it as your name's appearance. You'll enter your password in the text field above the Save Changes button. Doing so will change your Facebook name.

Try the Rapid Prompting Method (RPM) for developing communication skills, especially for nonverbal autistic people. Consider Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) to teach social skills. Consider behavioral therapies such as ABA, with caution. Try Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help with anxiety and depression, which often accompany autism. Try Sensory Integration Therapy and a sensory diet to help with sensory issues. Consider complementary and alternative treatments. Watch for fake therapies and false claims.

Rapid prompting involves continuously asking questions to the autistic person, and letting them answer using writing, pointing to a letter board, speaking, or whatever works best. It encourages the autistic person to communicate and engage with the world more. RDI focuses on developing skills such as theory of mind, independent thinking, consideration of others, and more. It is a long-term therapy. Behavioral therapy can teach rote tasks using extrinsic rewards, and can be useful for concrete skills such as hand-washing, listening to the word "stop," and tying shoes. Unfortunately, there are many stories of goals that involve compliance, forced normalization, and abuse. Choose therapists carefully and make sure the focus is on teaching your loved one skills, not on forcing them to conform. CBT is a form of talk therapy that can help identify distorted thoughts, such as "Everybody will laugh at me if I flap my hands" or "I am a burden to my family," and evaluate their accuracy. An occupational therapist can work with you and/or your loved one to provide strategies to meet the autistic person's needs. A sensory diet is a set of activities to do at home, like climbing trees, finger painting, swinging, blowing bubbles, et cetera. It can help meet the autistic person's needs and acclimate them to various stimuli. It can also be a lot of fun. The therapist can also help redirect harmful stims (e.g. hitting one's head) towards ones that fulfill the same need without causing harm (e.g. hitting a pillow, applying deep pressure to the head). There is no scientific evidence that any of them are helpful at all, some involve specific risks, but certain people find them useful. The following is a list of treatments that fit this category and examples of what they may involve: Energy therapy - reiki, acupuncture, Therapeutic Touch Alternative medical systems - aromatherapy, homeopathy Manipulative and body-based method - deep pressure, acupressure, hydro massage Mind-body intervention - auditory integration, meditation, dance therapy Biologically based therapy - using herbs, special diet, and vitamins Always consult a doctor before making a major change to your own or a loved one's diet or lifestyle. Some alternative therapies, such as chelation therapy or MMS, are potentially deadly. If the autistic person is upset by the therapy, or fails to improve, find a new therapy. From common snake oil peddlers to certified BCBAs, there are people who will distort truths and support ideas that can harm you or your loved one. Trust your instincts, don't let fearmongering make you panic, and don't continue a therapy if you think it is upsetting you or your loved one too much. Therapy should not be extremely painful or distressing. A therapist should take the patient's unhappiness seriously. 40 hours per week of therapy is as intense as a full-time job. This can be overwhelming. Small children do not have adult attention spans. Your child will be fine with 1-2 hours per day or less, and there's no rush. Transparency is a reasonable request. Therapists should not prevent you from witnessing a situation, or dodge your questions. People who claim to cure autism are not being honest. Autism is probably genetic, not caused by vaccines or parasites. Your instincts matter. If a therapist is telling you to ignore your gut feeling, that you're being irrational, or that you would intervene if you saw what they were doing to your loved one, this is a problem.

Seek professional help. Understand that every autistic person is different. Consider medications. Consult with your health care provider to ensure your loved one is receiving the proper treatments for their individual needs. Consider comorbid conditions.

Health care providers rely on behavioral symptoms and/or written questionnaires during routine checkups. There are screening tests that can also be done during these visits. If your doctor does not regularly screen for autism, ask for her to do so. There is no one-size-fits-all approach for autism. Tailor treatment to the individual's needs. Stop asking "What do autistic people need?” and instead ask “What does this specific person need?” For example, one autistic person may have excellent self-care skills and above-average school performance, but need sensory integration therapy and social skills training. Another might be highly social but unable to care for herself and in need of counseling for depression. While there is no cure for autism, some of its challenging aspects and comorbid conditions can be helped through medication. Anxiety Elevated energy level Self-injurious behavior Inability to concentrate Depression Seizures Severe outburst of anger or aggression Many autistic people also experience comorbid disabilities/health conditions, such as anxiety disorders, epilepsy, digestive issues, depression, ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, and more. These are all treatable.

Treat your loved one with kindness and respect. Talk to your loved one often to encourage communication. Presume competence. Be transparent about what's going on.

Autistic people can undergo tremendous amounts of pressure to perform "normally," and the best way to help them is to respect them. Make it clear that you will listen to them. If they feel supported at home, they will communicate and adapt better, and feel happy. Children learn to understand speech by hearing others speak, and talking to an uncommunicative person will encourage them to open up (even if the conversations are fairly one-sided for now). If you know what their special interests are, start conversations about them. Read their body language as you talk to them. For example, if you ask your daughter "Did you play with your friends today?" and she squeals happily and waves her arms, this is her answer. This communication is a stepping stone and should be encouraged. Act with the assumption that your loved one can hear and understand you, even if it doesn't look like it. Treat them like they are fundamentally good and intelligent. Positive expectations can help them bloom. If your loved one is in the room, assume they can hear what you're saying. If you talk about how hard it is to live with an autistic child, they'll worry that they make your life worse by existing. Save your adult fears for when the children are out of the room. Let them know that they're autistic. This can help them have words for their experiences, and dispel any confusion that they're "broken" or "bad." Let them know that they're just different, that this is okay, and you love them for who they are.

Find the serving size at the top of the label. Take the servings per container into account when reading daily values. Use the serving size and number of servings to calculate how to modify the daily values.

Serving size refers to how much of an item you are intended to eat in a single meal. Every number listed beneath “total fat” is calculated based on the amount contained in a single serving. So if the saturated fat on a label is listed at 6 grams but the number of servings is listed as 3, it means that there are a total of 18 grams of saturated fat in the container. Serving sizes are paired with the metric amount for each serving. This is helpful if you're trying to figure out how healthy a serving will be compared to how filling it is probably going to be. Knowing the servings per container is essential to understanding the rest of the numbers on a food label. When a label lists percentages for fat, cholesterol, sodium, or protein, they're referring to the percentage in a single individual serving. So if a jar of salsa has 10% of your daily serving of sodium but there are 20 servings in the jar, then the entire jar contains 200% of your daily recommended sodium intake. Knowing how you're going to use a food item is going to inform how you interpret the daily values. For example, if you're going to use an entire can of pinto beans in a chili recipe, and you know that there are 4 servings in the can but you're feeding 2 people, multiply each daily value by 4 and then divide by 2 to figure out how much fat, sodium, or cholesterol each person is going to consume. Using the serving size to interpret daily values is important because most people don't measure out specific servings when eating; knowing how much fat or sodium is in an entire package is easier to conceptualize for a lot of people.

Note how many calories are in each serving. Read the fat content in a serving and check what types of fat are present. See how much cholesterol each serving has. Check the sodium content of the food. Look at the total carbohydrates contained in each serving. Check how much fiber you can get from a serving. Read the sugar content and check for added sugars. Note how much protein is in each serving. Check the vitamins and additional nutrients listed at the bottom.

A calorie is a unit of energy, and can come from a variety of different sources. How many calories you consume in a day determines how much energy you provide for your body. If you consume too many calories on a daily basis, you can gain weight as the energy is converted to fat. If you eat fewer calories than your body needs, you can burn fat and lose weight. Ingredients that are calorie-dense, like butter, oil, or sugar, tend to be bad for you. Foods that tend to have a low caloric content are usually good for you, like avocado, celery, or corn. Empty calories refer to calories that are low in nutritional value, like pizza, soda, or sausage. The next row on the label is fat, and it is accompanied by 2 different types of fat underneath the total number content. Fat helps provide cell development and stores energy in the body. It is found in a lot of plants and animals, and isn't necessarily bad for you if you don't have too much of it. Saturated fat refers to fats that come from animals. They are worse for your body than unsaturated fats. Trans fats are a kind of unsaturated fat found in oils. They are especially bad for you, and you should avoid foods with a lot of trans fat in them at all costs. Cholesterol is a fat-like material that occurs naturally in your body. You need some forms of cholesterol to regulate hormones, but too much cholesterol can increase your risk for heart disease. Avoid foods with high cholesterol values whenever you can to keep your heart happy and healthy. There are 3 main types of cholesterol: HDL, LDL, and VLDL. They refer to the density of the cholesterol. Your body needs some HDL to keep your liver healthy, but LDL and VLDL should be avoided. Red meats and junk foods tend to be high in cholesterol. Under cholesterol, you can find the sodium content in a single serving. Sodium is found in salt, and your body needs less than 500 milligrams a day. Too much sodium can cause your blood pressure to rise, which can increase your risk of stroke, heart failure, osteoporosis, and cancer. Stay away from foods that are high in sodium whenever you can. If you're trying to cut down on sodium, consider cutting soda and junk food out of your diet completely. Try to consume less than 20% of your daily value in sodium every day. Carbohydrates are nutrients that produce calories. They generate fuel for the nervous system and muscles, and help your body metabolize fats. Carbohydrates can be bad for you if they come from a source that is high in fat, sodium, or cholesterol (such as some pasta dishes, pizza, or dairy products). Eating too many carbohydrates can put you at risk of weight gain and type 2 diabetes. Not eating enough carbohydrates can result in hypoglycemia or energy loss. Fiber is a nutrient found in fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes. Fiber helps your digestive tract and aids in the burning of fat. Eating fiber is a good way to promote a healthy diet, and foods that tend to be high in fiber are usually very good for you. Aim to consume at least 20-30 grams of fiber every day. Fiber can also counteract high cholesterol levels if you consume enough of it on a daily basis. There are fiber supplements that you can take to artificially raise your fiber intake every day. There are 2 types of sugar, natural and added sugar. Natural sugars are found in fruit and dairy products and aren't bad for you in small amounts. Added sugars are harder for your body to digest, and should be avoided whenever possible. Natural sugars usually come in foods that are high in fiber or protein, while added sugars are can lead to weight gain, heart problems, or type 2 diabetes. Added sugars are only listed on some food labels. To make sure that there are no added sugars, look for the phrase “sugar free” printed on a container or check for corn sweetener, high-fructose corn syrup, or sugar in the ingredients list. Protein is a nutrient that promotes muscle growth and health. It is often found in meat, but also appears naturally in nuts, legumes, and eggs. Protein also helps the immune system and aids your body's metabolism. Don't focus exclusively on a food's protein content though, since a lot of high-protein foods often come alongside high fat, sodium, or cholesterol contents. Try to get protein in foods that are also low in carbohydrates or calories. Seafood, vegetables, and lean meats are all excellent sources of protein. You can increase your daily protein intake by mixing protein powder into shakes if you want to get enough protein without increasing the amount that you're eating every day. Under the protein or fiber, you'll see a black bar separating another set of ingredients. These are vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that are found in the food. The most common inclusions are vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron. These nutrients are good for you, and if the list under this black bar is longer, then the food is probably healthy for you. Vitamin A helps promote vision and keeps your immune and reproductive systems operating at a healthy level. It also helps your lungs, kidneys, and other organs functioning normally. Vitamin C helps repair body tissue and promotes healthy skin. Calcium keeps your bones healthy and strong. It also helps blood clot and makes it easier for muscles to contract. Calcium consumption is important when you're young. Iron transports oxygen in your blood and helps to convert nutrients into energy. If you're iron deficient, you could become anemic.

Interpret daily values based on the recommended caloric intake. Eat less than 100% of your daily value in fat every day. Keep your cholesterol as low as you can and opt to consume foods high in HDL. Aim to consume under 60% of your daily value in sodium. Keep carbohydrates to 45-65% of your caloric intake. Get at least 25 grams of fiber every day to promote digestive health. Keep sugar under 5% of your daily caloric intake and avoid added sugars. Get 25-35 grams of protein per meal from a healthy source. Know that 5% of a daily value per serving is low and 20% is high. Get at least 100% of your daily value in vitamins and minerals. Use the table at the bottom of larger containers as reference. Limit how often you consume foods with added sugars or high fructose corn syrup.

2,000 calories is the recommended daily amount for women and 2,500 is the recommended daily amount for men. Each daily value percentage is based on these caloric intakes. You may want to consume more calories every day if you're using more energy than the average person, but you may want to consume fewer than 2,000 calories if you're dieting. Change the way you interpret the daily values based on how many calories you're trying to consume every day. If you're trying to cut down on calories, 20% of your daily value in fat is high. If you're trying to consume more calories every day, 20% may be on the lower side. Keep your fat intake under 100% of the recommended value. 65% is a healthy number to shoot for, but you may want to consume a little more if you're low on energy or trying to build muscle mass. Saturated fat should account for less than 7% of your daily caloric intake. Butter, oils, pastries, and red meat tends to be high in saturated fat. Avoid eating these foods more than once a day. Try to only consume around 65% of your daily value in cholesterol and try to eat foods that are low in LDL or VLDL. HDL foods include fruit, fish, beans, and whole grains. Consuming a single fast food meal or large steak can single-handedly send you over 100% of your daily value in cholesterol. An easy way to consume good cholesterol is to replace red meats with fish and use olive oil instead of salad dressing. Your cholesterol intake should never exceed 300 mg a day. 20% of your daily value in sodium (per serving) is considered high. This means that with 3 meals in a day, you should keep your sodium intake under 60%. If you can't, try to avoid exceeding 100% of your daily value (2,300 milligrams). Pizza, hot dogs, breads, and processed meats tend to be extremely high in sodium, so avoid these foods whenever you can. Avoid adding salt to meats and eggs when you're cooking. Adding salt to a dish is the easiest way to go over 100% of your recommended daily value. If you eat 2,000 calories a day, avoid getting under 900 or more than 1,300 calories from carbohydrates a day. If you don't eat enough carbohydrates, you'll feel lethargic as your blood sugar drops. If you eat too many, you can gain weight and feel bloated throughout your day. Vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products are excellent sources of carbohydrates. You need at least 25 grams of fiber every day to come from the food you consume. An easy way to reach this goal is to consume at least 1 serving of whole grains with every meal that you eat. Fruit and vegetables tend to be high in fiber as well. While 25 grams is 100% of the recommended value, 30 grams of fiber is a good goal if you eat more than 2,000 calories a day. Sugar can be tricky because you want some natural sugars in your diet, but added sugars should be avoided at all cost. Most fruits contain a little natural sugar, and can provide a healthy snack or side dish. There is no daily recommended value for sugar. Added sugars include artificial sweeteners and corn syrups. Look for “sugar free” on food containers to ensure that you're eating food with no added sugars. This label doesn't mean that there isn't any natural sugar in it though. Proteins do not have a daily value listed because where they come from is more important than how much protein there is. Generally speaking, the threshold for protein intake is generally 25-35 grams per meal. Get your protein from sources that are low in cholesterol and fat, like fish, grains, beans, and vegetables. Protein is essential when it comes to promoting healthy muscle growth and maintaining a good energy level throughout your day. When it comes to nutrients, 5% or less is considered low and 20% or higher is considered high. This means that an item that lists its fat content at 4% can be considered to be low fat. However, if there are 6 servings in the item and you plan on eating the entire thing, the fat content will suddenly become high (at 24%). Keep in mind that you do not need to consume 100% of a daily value of bad nutrients to stay healthy. 100% of a daily value is a limit, not a goal. Trans fat and saturated fat are listed separately under fat because they're especially bad for you. Avoid these fats whenever possible. Vitamin A, C, iron, and calcium are all good for your body. 100% of the daily value in these nutrients is a minimum, not a threshold. Dried fruits, nuts, grains, yogurts, and vegetables all tend to be high in these nutrients. You can also take supplements to make sure that you get at least 100% of these nutrients every day. On boxes or cans with bigger labels, there is a section all the way at the bottom that contains footnotes on the total recommended amounts of each item on the list. The column on the left is based on a daily diet of 2,000 calories, and the column on the right is for 2,500 calories. The 2 biggest offenders when it comes to unhealthy ingredients are added sugars and high fructose corn syrup. Check the ingredients list for these items when scanning a food label and try to avoid them whenever possible. The ingredients list will literally say “added sugars.” The word “sugar” is used to refer to natural sugars and aren't necessarily bad for you. Less than 5% of your daily caloric intake should come from added sugars.

Get an apple and a pen.

This pipe is considered "pure" because all you need to make it is an apple and stick-like device, such as a pen, with a tip sharp enough to poke a hole in the apple. Make sure the apple you use is fresh. A soft apple could collapse while you're trying to bore the holes. It's ideal to use the type of ball-point pen with a tip you can unscrew so you can take out the ink well. Otherwise, you may spill ink all over the apple. Once you take out the ink well, screw the tip back on. Don't use a pencil. It's likely to break inside the apple while you're trying to make a hole with it.

Get an apple, a knife, a spoon and a pencil.

For this method you will need a few extra supplies, but the pipe is easy to make and the result looks more neat.

Evaluate the form and structure of the text. Describe the author's writing style. Look for patterns in the text. Assess the effect of the author's word choice. Read aloud to highlight syntax. Consider the point of view from which the passage is told. Ask questions to uncover deeper meaning.

When you're looking at the basic form and structure of a piece of writing, consider how that affects the telling of the story. Ask yourself if the story could have been told in another format and how it could have been told from a different perspective. For example, you may be close reading an epic poem. The poem tells a story, but the fact that it's written in poetry rather than prose may detract from the story rather than enhance it. You might also consider whether that particular form or structure is unpopular or uncommon. If the text is written in some rare form, that may make it less accessible and detract from the story or the message the author is trying to convey. Consider also any disruptions or differences between the author's use of the form and the traditional form. Any deviations from the standard may be intended to set a particular tone, or they may serve a purpose within the writing itself. If you notice this deviations, think about whether they help or hurt the piece. Great authors have a distinct personal style that they bring to their work. Beyond that, a particular style may lend itself more to one type of story than another. Punctuation, sentence length, and paragraph structure are all part of the writer's style. For example, Ernest Hemingway wrote direct, concise sentences. His writing style lent itself well to the action-packed stories that he wrote. However, that sort of writing style might not work very well in a romance novel. Assume that every aspect of the author's writing style was carefully and deliberately chosen to serve the story as a whole. Ask yourself how the style works with the subject matter and theme of the work itself. Poets and fictional prose writers are more likely to use patterns and repetition to reinforce themes in the work or make particular details stand out. Patterns can also be used to evoke a particular mood in the reader. When you identify patterns, ask yourself why the author employed that particular pattern. Judge whether it actually serves the purpose the author intended, or whether it's distracting. You may also notice patterns in non-fiction writing, in terms of a particular item or event that keeps coming up over and over again. Out of all the tools in a writer's toolbox, word choice can be the most powerful. Particularly if the author has used an unusual or archaic term, think about why that particular word was chosen over any other. For example, suppose you're close reading a passage in which the protagonist has entered a library. The author refers to the volumes on the shelves as "tomes" rather than "books." This word evokes an entirely different image in most readers' heads. Ask yourself if that image is in keeping with the overall feel of the book itself. Word choice and language in dialogue is used to create characters and tell you something about their personality. In a good piece of writing, the characters won't all talk in the same way. They'll each have their own rhythm and verbal tics, just as real people do. Think about how the language of the characters helps build those characters into individuals, and if the characters are dynamic or flat. Syntax is, generally, the way a piece of writing is arranged using grammar and punctuation. You'll notice this more when you read aloud than when you're reading silently. Reading a passage aloud gives you a better sense of the rhythm and flow of the words. Just be sure to pay attention to the punctuation so you know when to pause. If you notice any unusual sentence structures, think about what effect this is meant to have on the reader. You might also notice an abrupt change in sentence structure, such as a one-word sentence. Typically the change is intended to emphasize or draw your attention to something. Think about what your attention is drawn to and why that might be important. Particularly if you're reading poetry or fiction, someone is telling you a story. Who is telling that story, and why, and what their limitations are, can impact the story itself. If you're reading a story written in first person, think about the narrator and their reasons for telling this story. Separate aspects of the story they would know from other parts of the story that are merely speculation or conjecture on the narrator's part. Ask yourself whether the narrator is reliable, and why or why not. If you're reading something written in third person, determine whether the narrator is limited or omniscient. If you have an omniscient third-person narrator, consider whether knowing the inner thoughts and motivations of all the characters helps or hinders the story. It can also help your analysis to imagine the story being told from a different point of view. For example, how would the story of "The Great Gatsby" be different if it was told from Daisy's point of view? Questions that start with how and why are some of your most valuable questions as you explore a text more deeply with close reading. Don't take anything as assumed, or trust it just because that's what you were told by the author (or the narrator). Don't worry about getting the "right" answer to these questions. While there may be an interpretation of a text that is commonly (or even universally) accepted, that doesn't make it the only correct interpretation, as long as you can support your interpretation with information from the text. You may have access to the author's interpretation, and what they intended when they wrote the text you've read. However, the author's interpretation is not the only interpretation. It's perfectly legitimate for you to get something different out of the text than what the author intended.

Determine the author's purpose. Research the author's background. Look for connections to other things you've read. Relate the text to larger philosophical questions.

Every author who sits down to write something – be it a work of non-fiction, a poem, or a work of fiction – has a reason for doing so. They have information they want to convey to you, or a story they want to tell. Sometimes the author's true purpose is obscured within the writing itself. For example, fiction writers may use an allegory or satire to make a political point or say something about society. Understanding who the author was and the time period when they were writing can help you better analyze the text and place it in context with other works. The author's background can be important in evaluating your own reaction to the work. For example, historical attitudes about gender, sexuality, and religion may seem strange or even offensive to modern-day readers. As part of your research into the author's background, you should also try to find out what other authors they were associated with. You may want to read some of the work of those other authors to better understand how your author's style developed and evolved. Different pieces of writing often borrow ideas, images, and themes from other works that came before. If you're reading something written more recently, you may find connections to films or television shows as well. Think about the purpose behind those connections. Consider whether the connection was intentionally made by the author, or was just circumstantial. Sometimes authors connect to pre-existing works as a short-cut to build a particular mood or image in the reader's mind. For example, if you're reading a short story about a mad scientist who is designing a theme park, one of the characters might mention Jurassic Park. Assuming you're familiar with Jurassic Park, you already have a fully formed image in your head that the author didn't have to create from scratch. A text that is a candidate for close reading typically is one that speaks to a particular aspect of existence and of the human condition. After you've gone deep into the text itself, bring it back out into the world and think about what it contributes to human understanding. Ask yourself what the text as a whole causes you to think or wonder about. In some cases, it may be that after reading the text you're left with more questions than you have answers. If you're tasked with writing an essay or other paper on the text, this sort of big-picture thinking can help you find the theme for your paper.

Read without any background understanding. Identify the main ideas or themes. Take notes as you read. Monitor your reaction to the text. Look up any words you don't know. Formulate your initial reaction to the text.

When you close read, you start with the text itself. While you may already be familiar with the author, close reading requires you to initially view the text in isolation. Try to put anything you already know about the history or background of the text to the side. For at least your first few readings, don't consider anything outside the text. If the text is short, it’s best to read it at least 3 or 4 times. Read it through once, as you normally would, for comprehension. Then you're ready to dive into a close reading. After a quick read-through, you should have a general idea what the text you just read is about. You may want to jot down a few words that describe the main idea or theme of what you just read. You might also notice a particular image or idea that recurs throughout the text. A recurring image may have symbolic meaning. Make note of these as well. If the text is short, you can take notes during your second read-through. If it’s long, you can take notes as you read the first time. Go slowly and annotate the text as you read, underlining key words and making notes in the margins. If something is confusing to you or doesn't make sense, put a question mark next to the line. You may also want to jot down a thought or question that you have about it. Make notes in the margins (or on a separate sheet of paper if you're reading from a library book) discussing your thoughts and reactions to the text as you read. Think of yourself as in a conversation with the author of the text. Be careful not to highlight or underline too much. If you find yourself thinking that everything is important, stop and read through it again to find the purpose of the work before you start annotating. As you're reading, the text will make you feel a certain way. Keep tabs on how the text is making you feel, and dig into why the text is affecting you that way. You might also make notes if it brings up things in your own life. For example, if you are reading a passage about a young woman attending university for the first time, it might bring up memories of your own first days of school. Depending on how that experience was for you, the passage may make you feel wistful, anxious, or nostalgic. Some passages you read may stir up feelings of anger or resentment based on your religious, political, or ethical beliefs. Note these as well. Later on when you're putting the work in context, you can evaluate the author's intentions or reasons for including those passages in the work. Having to guess at the meaning of a word can destroy your understanding of the text. Particularly if you're reading something written hundreds of years ago, words used may have a different meaning than they do now. Be sure to specify the meaning based on the context of the work. Some words also may have different meanings depending on the context in which they are used. In some disciplines, such as sociology or law, you may encounter common words that are actually terms of art that have a specialized meaning within that field. Keep a list of words you have to look up so you can refer to it later. This can also help you increase your vocabulary. At this point, you'll have a general reaction to the text as a whole. You may like it or dislike it, or you may have a more emotional reaction to the subject matter. In some cases, you may find that you enjoyed reading something that you ordinarily wouldn't have been interested in. You can use deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, or a mixture of both. Take note of your process and the reasons behind your reasoning when considering how to react to the text or parts of it. Dig into your reactions and think about why you had the reaction you did. For example, you may have related to the subject matter personally. It may be something you know a lot about or have strong feelings about. If your reaction is based on something outside the text, such as your personal feelings or beliefs, you may want to put that aside while you analyze the text itself. You can come back to it later when you're putting the work in context.

Evaluate your level of risk for colon cancer. Obtain the testing package. Collect the required number of stool samples. Store the stool sample at room temperature. Send the stool sample back to the lab. Book a follow-up appointment to review your results.

Everyone is eligible for colon cancer screening beginning at the age of 50; however, if you have a family history of colon cancer, or a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, both of which increase your risk of developing colon cancer) you may be eligible to begin screening earlier. Don't wait to discuss this with your doctor — even if you are still young, it is important to notify your doctor if you have any risk factors. See your doctor at age 50 to begin self-screening, and earlier if you believe you have additional risk factors (in which case your doctor will let you know at what age you are eligible to begin). The first thing you will need to do in order to self-screen for colon cancer is to obtain the at-home stool testing package. You will need to visit your family doctor to obtain this, and she will explain the procedure to you during this visit as well. One stool test is called the Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT). This looks for blood in your stool that is not visible to the naked eye. It is the most commonly used self-screening test for colon cancer. Another stool test option is called the Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT). This is almost the same as FOBT, except instead of detecting blood via heme it detects it via antibodies directed at human hemoglobin. The final self-screening stool test option is called Cologuard. This evaluates both for the presence of blood in the stool, as well as for DNA that has been correlated to a higher risk for colon cancer. It is quite new and therefore not currently recommended as the standard of care; however, studies indicate that the new Cologuard test could potentially have a greater ability to detect colon cancer than either the FOBT or the FIT tests. Once you have the package at home with you, you are ready to begin testing at the time of your next bowel movement. Take note of how many stool samples you will need. Some self-screening packages request three samples, often each the size of a smear on a piece of toilet paper. Others ask for only one sample, but it may require the whole bowel movement to be packaged and sent into the lab. One way to collect bowel samples more easily is to place a piece of plastic wrap over the toilet bowl, allowing it to hang just above the water level. After your bowel movement, you can then collect the stool sample (in the required amount) before flushing the rest down the toilet. Ensure that no urine contaminates your stool sample. It is important to store your stool sample at room temperature until you have a chance to return it to the lab. This should be done within seven days following the collection of your stool sample. After you have collected your sample and placed it in the appropriate areas of the packaging, you will need to return it to the lab for analysis. The address of the lab should be listed on the side of the package — normally, you can return it to any medical lab in your area, or to the hospital lab, whichever is most convenient for you to get to. After the lab has finished analyzing your stool, you will want to go in to see your family doctor again to review the results of your stool test. Depending on whether the result is positive (suspicious for possible colon cancer) or negative (not worrisome), your doctor will help you to plan your next steps, if any further investigative steps need to be taken.

Take comfort if you receive a negative result. Proceed with a colonoscopy if you receive a positive result. Understand that a positive stool test (the self-screening test for colon cancer) does not necessarily mean you have cancer.

If the result of your stool test comes back as negative for blood (or DNA), you can take confidence in knowing that your risk of colon cancer at this time is very low. Of course, no test is perfect, so there is always the slight possibility of a testing error, but more likely than not you are not at risk. Your doctor will advise you to proceed with your life as normal. No further testing will be indicated at this time. The stool test is generally repeated every one to two years for people 50 and older, in order to ensure regular screening. Make a note to yourself to follow up with your family doctor again at this time for a repeat stool test. If the result of your stool test comes back positive, you will need to proceed with further investigations at this time. The next step is a colonoscopy, which is where a tube is inserted through the anus all the way up your colon so that your doctor can directly visualize the walls of the colon and look for any suspicious lesions or polyps. If there are any, these can be biopsied at the time of the test and evaluated under the microscope for the presence of cancer. If your colonoscopy shows nothing suspicious, you are in the clear and safe to go on with life as normal. If your colonoscopy reveals colon cancer, you will need to consult a medical oncologist (a cancer specialist) about how best to treat you colon cancer. It is important not to get overly worried about a screening test. This is because the purpose of the screening test is not to diagnose cancer, but rather, to figure out who is at a higher risk and as such needs to have a colonoscopy (which is the official diagnostic test). If you test positive for blood in your stool, there is a chance that you have colon cancer, but it is not diagnostic. If possible, try not to worry too much until you have followed through with the actual colonoscopy. Also, the good news is that, if you receive regular screening, colon cancer can be caught early in the stages where it can be treated and cured (90% of colon cancers caught early are able to be cured).

Add hooks to a wall for a permanent solution. Hang necklaces from a key holder. Use decorative knobs on a piece of driftwood for a rustic look. Try a jewelry tree to hang a few necklaces. Cover cork board with fabric for an option that won't damage your walls. Secure branches together for a natural look. Frame necklaces in a drawer or shadow box to make them easy to move. Arrange shower hooks on a towel rod for a quick solution. Use a pocket organizer to keep necklaces separated.

If you don't mind adding holes to your wall, you can simply screw hooks into the wall. Space them at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart horizontally, so your necklaces don't get tangled. You can even hide them somewhere, such as behind a hinged mirror or behind the clothes in your closet. Measure your necklaces so you know how long they are. That way, you leave enough space between rows if you need more than one row. You can find key holders at big box stores, thrift stores, and home organization stores. One usually consists of a small plaque with hooks at the bottom to hang keys from. Since the hooks are already built in, all you need to do is hang up the key holder and put your necklaces on it. Place the holder somewhere convenient, such as in your bathroom or closet. Find decorative drawer knobs at home improvement stores, flea markets, and/or big box stores. Screw them into a piece of flat driftwood in a row about 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart. Hang the necklaces on the knobs. This hanging method is decorative, so you can simply hang it on the wall by your bed or closet. If you don't have more than 5 or 10 necklaces, a jewelry tree can be a good option. You can find these at craft stores, big box stores, or online. They have branches where you can hang your necklaces as you go. This option usually doesn't work for more necklaces because jewelry trees usually don't have enough branches to hang them all individually. You can also create your own jewelry tree from tree branches. Gather tree branches from your yard. Arrange them in a heavy, pretty vase. You may need to add glass beads to the vase to weigh the branches down. Choose a piece of sturdy cork board. Stretch fabric over it one way, and attach it to the back with thumbtacks or staples. Stretch it the other way, and secure it to the back with thumbtacks or staples. Smooth out any wrinkles and secure the fabric at the corners. Add thumb tacks to the front to hang your necklaces from. Place the cork board on a vanity or dresser, and lean it against the wall for easy placement. Pick up some branches from your backyard or a nearby park. Use yarn or zip-ties where 2 branches meet to secure them together in an arrangement you like. Hang the branches on the wall, and hang your necklaces from the branches. Paint an old drawer or shadow box in a color you like. Cover the inside panel with cork board, and then decorate the cork board with fabric or paint. Use pins or thumbtacks to hang your necklaces from, and hang the drawer or shadow box on the wall. Alternatively, screw or glue in knobs to hang necklaces from. Screw a towel rod into the wall or a door. Hang s-shaped shower hooks on the towel rod, and spread them out evenly. Place your necklaces on the hooks, lining them up by style or color. A pocket organizer is a piece of fabric with pockets in it and a hook at the top. Place a necklace in each pocket, arranged by color or style. Hang the organizer in an easily accessible place. Some of these organizers have zippers on the pockets, making the organizer a breeze to take with you on trips.

Pick a decorative tray for an easy way to lay out necklaces. Organize necklaces in the cardboard boxes the jewelry came in. Hide more expensive pieces in individual jewelry boxes.

Choose a large decorative tray that's wide enough to hold your necklaces length-wise. Lay them out in a row in the tray, organizing by color or style as you go. The tray doesn't need to be made for jewelry. Try using a vintage serving tray, for instance. No matter where you buy jewelry, you often end up with small cardboard boxes. Use paperclips to attach them together. Set 2 bottoms side-by-side, and put the paperclip over the joined edges. Lay the boxes out in shallow drawer or tray. Place a necklace in each jewelry box. It's fine to let costume jewelry be out in the open, but you should protect more expensive jewelry from dust and damage. Place each necklace in its own jewelry box, and put the boxes away for safe keeping. You can also use jewelry boxes that have individual spaces for necklaces. Many of these are decorative and will look lovely sitting on a dresser or vanity.

Separate necklaces with plastic straws for a cheap organizer. Add inserts specifically for jewelry for an easy solution. Organize your beaded necklaces with spice jars. Place your most used necklaces in a teacup on your dresser.

Cut a straw down one side with a box cutter or craft knife to create one long slit. Thread one side of the necklace through the slit so that side of the necklace is held in place by the straw. The straw will help keep the necklace from tangling with other necklaces. Lay the necklaces out flat in the drawer. Line the bottom of the drawer with a piece of velvet to keep the necklaces from sliding around. Fasten the ends shut so the strands aren't loose. Find trays with long slots in them that you can lay in the drawers. Your necklaces can go in the trays, keeping them safe and organized. You can even use plastic silverware dividers for this purpose. Spice jars usually have just enough space to fit a single necklace. Put one necklace in each jar, and place them in your drawer. Place a non-skid surface underneath to keep the jars from sliding around. Some spice jars are magnetic, so if you prefer, you can use the magnets to attach them to a mirror or metal surface instead of putting them in the drawer. Stick to beaded necklaces, as delicate necklaces might get tangled up in the jars. Grab an old teacup from your kitchen, and place your everyday necklaces in it. Alternatively, if you have a deeper drawer with extra space, you can line multiple teacups up in the drawer. Place a necklace in each cup to keep them organized.

Take an Epsom salt laxative if an osmotic laxative or stool softener doesn't work. Use an oral over-the-counter stimulant laxative for serious constipation.

Epsom salt contains magnesium, which can act as a laxative. To use it as an oral laxative, dissolve 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) (30 g) of Epsom salt in 1 cup (240 ml) of water or juice. Drink the juice immediately. You should pass stool within 30 minutes to 6 hours. Avoid taking more than 1 Epsom salt laxative in a day because you can overdose on magnesium. If you've tried other remedies or laxatives without being able to pass stool, buy a laxative stimulant that contains bisacodyl or senna-sennosides. These stimulate your bowels to contract so you can pass stool. You should only take 1 dose of stimulant laxatives a day and don't use them for more than a day or two in a row. Always try other constipation therapies before reaching for the stimulant laxative. Stimulant laxatives can cause dehydration and dependence if you use them too frequently.

Drink water throughout the day to soften your stool. Drink prune, apple, or pear juice to relieve constipation. Sip hot herbal tea containing senna to produce a bowel movement.

Although daily water intake varies from person to person, it's important to drink more water than you usually do, especially if you're increasing the fiber in your diet. Staying hydrated helps the fiber work better and prevents the stool from becoming too hard. Drinking warm water and clear soups can also help to fight constipation and keep you hydrated. These juices contain sorbitol, which is a sugar alcohol that has a laxative effect. Drink a glass or two of these juices throughout the day. They'll also help you stay hydrated. Choose juices that don't have added sugars or sweeteners. Buy an herbal tea that contains senna leaves or powder, which is a natural laxative. Drink a cup of senna tea 2 times a day until you pass stool. It usually takes between 6 and 8 hours for the tea to take effect.

Eat high-fiber fruits and vegetables throughout the day. Avoid eating foods that take longer to digest.

Leave the skin on apples and pears to get even more fiber in your diet or eat dried fruits like prunes, figs, and raisins. Eating fiber-rich produce, such as berries, oranges, carrots, greens, and broccoli, can add volume to your stool. This makes it easier for your body to push the stool through your intestines and relieve constipation. Don't eat foods that contain little or no fiber while you're trying to relieve constipation. These can slow digestion and make it harder to pass stool. Try to eliminate these from your diet while you're constipated: Chips or fried foods Processed food, such as fast food or frozen meals Meat, especially sausages or hot dogs Dairy White bread and pasta

Teach a Doberman to respond to its name. House train a Doberman Pinscher. Socialize a Doberman Pincher as early as possible. Socialize adult dogs that are fearful of strangers.

This is an important first step for further training. Begin calling your dog by its name as soon as you adopt it. Even though the dog won't understand that you are talking about it right away, the repetition over time will help it to learn that you are talking about it. Pick a name for your dog that is easy to say. This will allow you to teach the dog its name more easily. This is an important bit of training that is key to having a happy and healthy relationship with your pet. House training a dog is a bit different than teaching commands. Dogs instinctually want to keep their bathroom spot separate from where they sleep and eat. Because of this, house training a dog is more about showing the dog the boundaries of home and bathroom than directing the dog when to go to the bathroom. The key to house training is taking your dog out on a regular basis. When you first begin training your dog, there will probably be accidents between trips outside, as the dog is not used to the routine yet. However, over time the dog's system will adjust to the regular intervals between trips outside. If a dog goes to the bathroom in the house, immediately take it outside to finish its business. The important part of this is taking the dog outside immediately. A dog doesn't have the ability to make a connection between going to the bathroom inside and being taken outside unless these things happen basically simultaneously. Dobermans, like all dogs, need to be socialized at a young age. This means that you must take your puppy to parks, dog-friendly stores, and other places your pup will meet new people. You want your puppy to constantly be meeting new people, so that it understands that this is a normal, and pleasant, part of life. If your puppy goes with little socialization, he or she will not be friendly to other dogs in the future. This will prove to be a major problem. If you adopt an adult dog that has not been socialized you should begin remedial socialization with them. This means that you need to start with the basics to get them used to people and animals out in the world. Start by building trust with the animal. It needs to trust and follow your commands in order to be trained how to respond to strangers and other animals. Once you have bonded with your adult dog, then start doing short excursions into public. You should keep your dog away from actual contact with strangers and animals at first, simply letting the dog see that others out in the world mean it no harm. Gradually introduce the dog to new people. Get a friend to help with this training. Have the person stand near the dog in a non-threatening position, but not so close that the dog could actually make contact. Have your helper use a kind voice and hold treats for the dog, so that it gradually goes to the helper on its own. Also introduce your dog to other dogs. This is a delicate and gradual process, in which the dog first needs to see and smell the other dog before being allowed to get close enough to make contact with the other dog. This may take quite awhile if your dog is aggressive to other dogs. Over days, and probably weeks, gradually expose your dog to the sights and smells of other dogs.

Training a Doberman to sit. Training a Doberman to come when called. Teach a Doberman to heel.

Get your dog into a standing position and position yourself in its line of sight. Focus the dog's attention on a treat in your hand. Raise that hand in front of the dog’s nose to let it get the scent, then to above its head level. When you hold the treat above the dog’s head, most dogs will naturally sit to get a better view of it. Give the dog an immediate treat and praise. Follow the routine of treat and praise and say “good sit” when the dog is performing the behavior. Your pup may be slow at first, but more treats and praise will speed up its response. Make sure that you do not praise the dog until its actually sitting. If you praise halfway through the sit, the dog will think that is what you want. Also, make sure that you do not praise it for getting back up, or you will get that behavior instead of the sit. If your dog does not sit with the treat technique, you can use your leash and collar. Stand next to the dog, facing the same direction as it. Place a little backward pressure on the collar to encourage a sit. You may even need to encourage the sit by adding a little gentle scoop behind the dog’s hind legs. Gently lean the dog backward with the help of the collar while doing this. As soon as it sits, give the dog immediate praise and reward. Praise natural sitting behavior. Look for times throughout the day when your dog just sits on his own. Praise that behavior, and pretty soon you'll have a dog that sits for attention instead of jumping or barking at you. The “come” is used whenever you want your dog to come to you. This command is potentially life-saving, as it can prevent your dog from running off if he gets loose. Begin by getting your dog’s attention. You want to make it run toward you. Use praise and your “happy voice” to encourage the dog to move toward you. Once the dog comes, give immediate praise. Pair the behavior with the verbal command. As your dog begins to realize it will be rewarded for coming to you, start giving the verbal command “come.” When it responds to the command, reinforce it in praise by pairing it with “good”: “good come!” Move the training to more public spaces. Because the “come” command could save your dog's life, it must learn to respond to it even when it's distracted. Move the training sessions from your home or yard to a public park. There are more sights, sounds, and smells demanding his attention there. Give enormous rewards. Because this command is so important, the praise you give for performing it should be extravagant. Responding to the "come" command should be the best part of your dog's day. Take your dog on regular walks with a leash. This is important not just for training, but for its physical and mental health. Depending on what breed of dog you have, the dog may need a lot of exercise to keep it happy and in shape. Discourage pulling. Most dogs will pull on the leash when they're learning to take walks. When it starts pulling, stop immediately. Don't take another step until the dog comes to your side and focuses its attention on you. Change directions. An even more effective method is to walk in the opposite direction and encourage your dog to come with you. Once it has caught up, praise and treat it. Make it fun to be by your side. Your dog's natural impulse is to chart its own course and investigate its environment. You need to make walking by your side more appealing that that. Use an enthusiastic voice when changing directions, and lavish the dog with praise when it comes back to your side. Pair the behavior with a verbal command. Once the dog walks consistently at your side, you can give the behavior a name, like “heel" or “let’s go.”

Get an appropriate collar. Focus on reward-based training. Be a strong leader. Practice consistent training.

A young Dobie will not need much more than a collar. As your dog ages, however, you will notice its strength increase. For most females dogs this is not a problem, but for the deeper-chested males you may need to purchase a head collar. A head collar is best because it establishes dominance. While using the head collar, you walk right next to your dog's head. The head collar is much like a horse halter. Instead of constantly pulling the collar and being dragged the Gentle Leader, a great brand of head collar, only needs a quick, sharp pull to control the dog. Most dogs take a while to get used to the head collar, but if you are doing it right it will not hurt them. Make sure you follow all the instructions given to you when you purchase the head collar. Gentle leaders are available at your local pet store. Pinch collars are also effective, but establish a bond based on fear. These should be used as a last resort. Solid training will eliminate any need for a pinch collar. Give your dog a reward when it does something correctly instead of punishing them when they do something wrong. Reward-based training helps your dog create a positive link between the desirable action and getting a reward. The dog then learns what actions go with what cues and carries out the actions in order to earn a reward. This is a humane and highly effective training method. Dobies have a strong food drive but overfeeding can lead to health and behavior problems. Try toys instead, because food aggression is common with Dobies. When your dog does misbehave, because all dogs misbehave sometimes, try to get to the bottom of the behavior. If you know why the dog is doing bad things, you can possibly alleviate the problem, and thus the bad behavior. If all else fails, get rid of temptation for the dog. Move items it destroys or eats out of its space, so that you are not setting the dog up to fail. Doberman need firm handling. Many people take that instruction as an excuse to be mean to their dog. Firm handling just means that the Doberman is a fairly dominant dog, and needs to be taught right from wrong at an early age. Teach your Doberman that you are its leader when it is a puppy, because being bossed around by a large dog isn't fun. Dogs can detect and reflect the emotions around them. So if your dog is behaving well, don't go overboard on the reward, because your dog can sense your happiness. When you dog is not behaving well, don't punish your Dobie horribly. It knows you're unhappy. Don't be scarce on discipline. Dobies should respond well to a firm "no". The scold should be directed at him/her, so at the dog and point at them. Dobermans don't respond well to physical punishments, and hitting or physically punishing your dog is animal abuse. Do not deliberately stare a dog in the eye, especially if they may be aggressive. This is considered hostile, and you may inadvertently be challenging the dog to a fight. The key to training is teaching your dog through repetition. Tell your dog what you want it to do and never give it any mixed signals. This can be harder than you would think, so pay attention to your actions as much as your dogs.

Chop the oysters. Combine the oysters with reserved liquid and water. Bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes. Add salt. Separate the liquid. Add the soy sauces. Boil and simmer for another 10 minutes. Use now or save for later.

Drain the shucked oysters and reserve the liquid. Use a sharp kitchen knife to rough chop the oysters into smaller pieces. Use a container of pre-shucked oysters for this recipe instead of fresh oysters. The actual oysters will be filtered out of the sauce later, so you do not need to worry about cutting them into precise sizes. Making them smaller can help release the flavor faster, though, which is why chopping the oysters beforehand is generally a good idea. Place the chopped oysters in a small saucepan with the reserved oyster juice and 1 Tbsp (15 ml) of water. Place the saucepan on the stove and heat it on high until the liquid reaches a steady, rolling boil. Stir the contents of the saucepan occasionally to prevent the oysters from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Reduce the heat to medium-low, allowing the liquid to drop to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 10 minutes. Keep an eye on the saucepan during this time. You do not need to stir the mixture inside, but you should make sure that the liquid remains at a steady simmer. Adjust the heat settings as necessary. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Sprinkle in 1/4 tsp (1.25 ml) of salt and stir well to combine. Pour the contents of the saucepan through a sieve or strainer. Save the liquid and discard the solid ingredients. If you want to save the cooked oysters, you can do so by transferring them to a plastic or glass container with an airtight lid. Place the container in the refrigerator and store the oysters for up to four days. Pour the liquid portion of the mixture back into your saucepan after filtering out the solids. Add 2 to 4 Tbsp (30 to 60 ml) light soy sauce to the mixture and stir well. Pour 1/2 to 1 Tbsp (7.5 to 15 ml) dark soy sauce into the mixture and stir it in, as well. Using both light and dark soy sauces will give the taste of the oyster sauce more depth, but if you only have one type of soy sauce on hand, simply use a full 2-1/2 to 5 Tbsp (37.5 to 75 ml) of that soy sauce, instead. If you aren't sure about how much soy sauce to add, start by adding a smaller portion. Taste test the results and add more soy sauce if you want a stronger flavor. Return the saucepan to the stove and heat it on high until the liquid reaches a rolling boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue cooking for another 10 minutes. Keep the lid off the pan this time. The oyster sauce should thicken as some of the liquid simmers away, but the thickening process will be hindered if you keep the lid on. Let the oyster sauce cool for a few minutes before you use it. If you want to save the sauce for later, pour it into a plastic or glass container with an airtight lid and refrigerate it for up to one week.

Reserve the liquid from a can of oysters. Combine the canning liquid with soy sauce. Dissolve the sugar. Adjust the seasonings as needed. Use now or store for later.

Collect 4 tsp (20 ml) of canning juice from a can of shucked oysters. Pour this liquid into a small bowl. You will not need to use the oysters for this recipe. You can discard them or use them for another recipe. Transfer the oysters to a plastic or glass container with an airtight lid and refrigerate for up to one or two weeks. Pour 8 tsp (40 ml) of soy sauce into the bowl of oyster juices. Use a whisk to thoroughly mix the liquids together. You could use light or dark soy sauce, or a combination of the two. Alternatively, if you do not have any soy sauce, you could use teriyaki. Sprinkle 1 tsp (5 ml) of sugar into the liquid and whisk rapidly until the sugar is fully dissolved. Taste the oyster sauce. If necessary, add another 1 tsp (5 ml) of oyster juice and/or another 1 tsp (5 ml) of sugar. Mix well. You can add more soy sauce, as well, but do so carefully to avoid making the mixture too salty. Neither the saltiness of the soy sauce nor the sweetness of the sugar should be too overpowering. The oyster sauce can be used immediately, but if you want to save it for another time, pour it into an airtight plastic or glass container and refrigerate for up to one week.

Soak the mushrooms and flax seeds. Heat the vegetable oil. Sauté the ginger. Add the mushrooms and sesame oil. Add the salt and soy sauces. Combine with the water and sugar. Cool. Blend in the flax seeds. Heat gently for 5 minutes. Serve it now or use it later.

Place the mushrooms and flax seeds in separate bowls. Pour water over the contents of both dishes and allow them to absorb that water for a full four hours. Place the mushrooms in a dish and pour enough cool water inside to cover them by a full 1 inch (2.5 cm). Soak for four hours, drain the water, then rinse with running water. Cut the mushrooms into strips and set aside. Place the flax seeds in a small bowl and pour 1/4 cup (60 ml) water over them. Let soak for four hours. The flax seeds should absorb the water during this time. Pour the vegetable oil into a medium saucepan or deep skillet. Warm the oil on the stove over medium-high heat. Scatter the sliced ginger in the hot oil. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the ginger turns golden-brown. Remove the ginger from the oil when ready. Set it aside temporarily. Toss in the prepared mushrooms and drizzle in the sesame oil. Reduce the heat to medium, and stir-fry for several minutes until the sesame oil becomes fragrant. You should only need to cook these ingredients for a minute or so before the heat draws out the scent of the sesame oil. Stir-fry the contents of the pan for 30 to 60 seconds, blending the seasonings in thoroughly. If you do not have both light and dark soy sauces, use 2 Tbsp (30 ml) of whatever soy sauce you have on hand. Pour the water and sugar into the pan and stir them into the rest of the contents. Cover, and let simmer for a full 10 minutes. Watch the contents of the pan. You do not need to stir the mixture, but you need to make sure that it remains at a gentle simmer for the full 10 minutes. Adjust the heat settings as needed to maintain that simmer. Remove the pan from the stove and transfer the mixture inside to a large bowl. Allow it to drop to room temperature. Pour the cooled mixture into a blender. Add the flax seeds, as well as the pre-cooked ginger, and pulse the ingredients together until texture becomes smooth. You won't be filtering out any solid ingredients for this recipe, so any visible chunks left behind need to be very small and hardly noticeable. Pour the pureed sauce into a saucepan and return it to the stove. Cook, stirring constantly, over low heat for roughly 5 minutes. Essentially, you're just heating the sauce through during this step. You don't want it to boil or simmer. You can serve the vegan oyster sauce now or pour it into a plastic or glass container with an airtight lid. Refrigerate it for up to one week.

Head to meals later in the day if you’re in Italy. Order 2 courses in Italy. Ask for “il conto” when you’re ready to pay at a restaurant in Italy. Don’t tip your server if you’re dining in Italy.

In Italy, it’s normal to go to lunch around 1:00 in the afternoon and dinner around 8:00 in the evening. If you’re wanting to truly blend into the culture, don’t arrive at the restaurant any earlier than these times. Keep in mind that most Italian restaurants close between lunch and dinner. If you order every single course option, you’ll likely have way too much food to eat. It is completely normal in Italy to choose 2 or so different courses to order and to pass on the rest. Keep in mind that the portions for each course are smaller than in the United States. In Italian culture, it’s seen as rude to drop off the check when it isn’t asked for. Make sure to ask for the check when you want it. In Italy, it’s appropriate to subtly raise a hand, make eye contact with your server, and say, “Il conte per favore.” This means, “The check, please.” In Italy, tipping the server is unnecessary and gratuity will never be added to your bill. In most instances, you’ll stand out as a foreigner If you tip the server. However, if you’re at a nice restaurant and you feel like you’ve been treated extremely well, consider tipping 10%. It’s socially acceptable and recommended that you tip 18-20% at restaurants in the United States, whether or not they’re Italian.

Ask for bottled water and/or wine by the glass or bottle to drink. Start with “antipasti. Order your first course, or “primo,” of pasta. Order your second course, or “secondo” of meat. Ask for a side dish, or “contorni. Ask for a dessert, or “dolchi. Drink your “caffè” last. Order “digestivi” to help you digest your meal.

At meals, it’s most common to order water and/or wine to drink. Most Italian restaurants have both flat and sparkling bottled water, but not tap water. They’ll probably have red, white, and sparkling wines available for you to choose from. When eating at a restaurant in Italy, the server will likely ask you, “Da bere?” which means “To drink?” Answer with something like, “un litro di aqua naturale,” which means “a liter of flat water. ” In Italian, “antipasta” means “before the meal.” This is similar to an appetizer and often includes cured meats, cured cheeses, fried vegetables, olives, or toasted bread with tomatoes (“bruschetta”). Order antipasti before any other courses. Once you’ve decided on an appetizer at a restaurant in Italy, the server may ask, “Che facciamo?” meaning, “What are we making?” Respond with something like, “Per antipasto facciamo un carpaccio.” This means, “For an appetizer, let’s make a carpaccio.” Next, choose a pasta, risotto, or soup from the “Primo” section of the menu. There will likely be many different pasta dishes to choose from that come in a variety of shapes and are served with a variety of sauces. In Italy, the server may say, “Per primo?” meaning “For your first course?” to which you can reply something like, “Per primo facciamo spaghetti alla carbonara.” After pasta, you’ll most likely order red meat, poultry, or fish as the second course. The second course typically doesn’t come with any sides. Choose a meat from the “Secondo” section of the menu. If eating in Italy, your server may ask, “Per secondo?” which means “For the second course?” You may say something like, “Per secondo facciamo, una bistecca alla fiorentina.” ” Following the second course, you’ll be served a side dish of your choice, often served with a salad. At this point, order vegetables, potatoes, or any other side listed on the menu. A server in a restaurant in Italy may get your side dish course by asking, “Salata, contorno?” which means, “Salad, side dish?” In response, say “Si grazie, un insalata e patatine fritte.” This means, “Yes please, a salad and french fries.” ” You’ll probably be offered dessert at this point in your meal. This is often a fruit selection, but tiramisu and/or other sweet treats may also be on the menu. Make your selection and tell the server what you want. If you’re in Italy, the server will likely say, “Poi un dolche?” to which you can reply, “Si, un tiramisù.” If you want coffee after your meal, there are a few different ways you can have it prepared for you. Either order a “normale,” which is an espresso shot, or a “macchiato,” which means coffee with a drop of milk. You can also order a “lungo,” meaning “long” coffee, which is similar to a normale but is brewed with twice as much water, making it bigger and more diluted than an espresso shot. “Digestivi” is a beverage that typically contains liquor and fruit juice. Order and drink it after your last course if you want to do like the Italians do and settle your stomach.

Say “brews-keh-tah” when you want Bruschetta. Pronounce gnocchi like “nyoh-kee. Say “mean-ehs-tron-ih” when ordering minestrone. Order a “marg-eh-rita” pizza, not a margarita pizza. Pronounce every syllable when you aren’t sure.

Many make the mistake of pronouncing bruschetta like “brewshhetta.” However, “ch” in Italian sounds like a hard “k.” If you’re ordering bruschetta as your antipasto, remember to enunciate that hard “k.” ” Sometimes people think that gnocchi is pronounced like “nookie.” While it’s true that the “g” is silent, this isn’t quite right. Say “nyoh-kee” if you decide to order these potato dumplings as your primo. Instead of saying “minestron-ee,” pronounce this word with a softer emphasis on the last “e.” There are no silent vowels on the end of Italian words, but this doesn’t mean that they’re harsh-sounding. While the spelling of this Italian pizza is the same as an alcoholic beverage you may be familiar with, their pronunciations are a little different. Don’t include the “r” in the second syllable if you choose to order a margarita pizza. As a good rule of thumb, it’s best to pronounce every syllable of each Italian word if you have no idea how to say it. This will increase your chances of saying it correctly and/or being understood.

Pick your paper. Fold the note into a heart. Embellish the envelope with stickers or stencils. Paint the envelope with watercolors.

Before you can even start writing your letter, you need to decide what stationery to use. Notebook paper is always a safe option, but it’s not the only one. If you recently went on a trip with your family, use a postcard from that location. Or if you have special stationary that you really love, use that instead. To do this, write your note on a 6” by 6” piece of paper (or any square-shaped paper). Fold the paper twice over so your paper is divided into four equal quadrants. Fold the top point down to meet the crease in the center. Fold the bottom point up so it touches the top point. Fold your right side to meet the crease in the center and then do the same with the left side. Flip the heart over and fold the top points down. If you’re passing your note in an envelope, feel free to gussy up the envelope as well. You can add stickers or use stencils to write your crush’s name out. If you want to be funny, try cutting out your crush’s name using letters from a magazine and taping them to the envelope so it looks like a ransom note. Keep in mind that he might not like stickers as much as you do. Less is usually more when it comes to decorating your note, unless you want the note to look over-the-top on purpose. If the note is serious in tone, it's probably best to keep it simple: just write his name in plain letters on the envelope. To make your envelope a little more colorful and fun, try painting it. To do this, all you will need is your envelope, some paint and a brush. Try painting wavy lines in different colored stripes. When painting, make sure to keep your brush flat and drag it across the surface. Let the envelope dry before you put your letter inside.

Be honest with what you want. Structure your note like a poem. Use quotes. Compliment him. Add an inside joke. Include a personal gift.

If you really like this boy, tell him that. Figure out what you want this note to achieve. Do you want him to give you his number so you can text him? Ask for his number in your note. Do you want to hang out with him after school? Ask him to come over to your house to watch a movie. Figure out what you want to achieve with your note and writing it will become so much easier. Be honest with yourself as well. Don't tell him it's okay if he doesn't like you, you're okay with just being friends if that's not true. Make sure whatever you put in your note is truthful, otherwise you're starting off on the wrong foot. It’s also okay to say you don’t know what to say. Telling him “I don’t know how to tell you this, but I really like you” is very endearing and he’ll be flattered that you were even brave enough to try. There’s no right way to tell someone you like them, so you can feel free to be as creative as you want. Try writing a poem to let him know how you feel. Your poem doesn’t have to rhyme if you don’t want it to. There are many different types and lengths of poems, so fool around and see which one feels right for you. If all else fails, go back to the classics. You can’t go wrong with a little “Roses are red, violets are blue, this poem is stupid, but I still like you.” If you have trouble putting what you feel into your own words, use somebody else’s. Include a quote from your favorite movie or book or add a song lyric that makes you think of him. It doesn’t matter what you say, as long as he gets the idea that you like him. Use your note to express things you might be embarrassed to say in person. Compliment his hair or his clothes or his personality; whatever it is that makes him attractive to you, tell him. Even if he decides that he’s not interested in you, he’ll still appreciate the compliments. If you and your crush are already friends, chances are you have at least one inside joke. Include that joke in your note; these details are unique and specific to your relationship and he’ll appreciate that you thought to include it. Your love letter doesn’t just have to be a letter. If you feel self-conscious explaining yourself in words, try explaining yourself in song. Make your crush a mixed CD or playlist of all the songs that make you think of him. If you’re artistic, draw him a picture of you and him together. Whatever you decide to give him, make sure you include some kind of note with your name on it. You wouldn’t want to give him a gift and make him guess where it’s coming from. The note with your gift doesn’t have to be highly detailed. It can be as simple as To Jack, From Jill. The gift is what you’re explaining yourself with, so the note accompanying it can be very low-key.

Give him the note in the hallway. Stick the note in his locker. Send the note electronically. Send the note anonymously.

If you frequently pass your crush in the halls, plan on giving him the note during that time. You won’t have too much time before you have to get to your next class, so you won’t have to worry about standing around and talking awkwardly. If you’re too nervous or anxious to pass the note yourself, give it to a friend to pass on. Make sure you choose a friend that you trust, just in case they decide to read the note themselves and tell others what it says. You could also give him the note in class. He’ll probably be thrilled to have something to do (other than focusing on the lesson and studying, of course). Just make sure it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. You don’t want your teacher to find it and confiscate it, or worse, read the note out loud. If you don’t want to give the note directly to your crush and you feel weird asking someone else to do it, slide the note through the slots in his locker. Just make sure you’re putting the note in the right locker. If you feel that you couldn’t possibly give your note at school, try sending it through e-mail. Some people believe that e-mail is not romantic, but that’s actually not the case. As long as you’re being honest and sharing your feelings, your crush won’t really care how you send them over. You can also send your note as a text or Facebook message. Whatever medium you feel most comfortable using, do that. If you’re absolutely convinced that you couldn’t possibly send your crush a letter with your name on it, try leaving your name off. Your crush won’t know who his secret admirer is, but some people like a mystery. Just know that if you want to actually pursue a relationship with your crush, you’re going to have to come clean about it eventually.

Inspect the interior of the car. Examine the upholstery on the front and back seats. Inspect the air conditioning system.

Check everywhere, even in places that are hidden from you view like under the floor mats and seats. Look for any traces of moisture or mildew. Use your hand to feel around in places you can't see. Make sure they are mold free and are not moist when you touch them. Let the automobile sit in the sun with the windows rolled down to dry out. Brush away any loose mold from the upholstery. When the A/C is running, water condenses and attracts dust, spores, pollen, and other germs. This later forms fungi and causes a mildew smell that can be treated. Use an odor remover spray to treat your car's A/C every year. Spray the odor remover into the A/C vents to eliminate odors caused by stagnant water, bacteria, and mildew.

Use a shop vacuum to suck-up any moisture. Absorb the moisture with anhydrous calcium chloride. Leave the car windows open to let the car air out.

If you do not own a shop vacuum, you can rent one from most home improvement stores. These machines work great to suck-up moisture that lies deep within fabrics. This product comes in white granules and works to absorb moisture. It can hold double its weight in water and liquefies as it absorbs moisture. Here is how to properly use anhydrous calcium chloride: Put the granules in a waxed cardboard container that has perforated holes. Place the container in an enameled pot to collect the liquid that drips away from the container. Leave the pot in the automobile until only liquid is let in the container and then refill it. This is a helpful tip to consider when there is too much moisture for you to get rid of on your own. The heat from the sun will warm up the inside of the car and work to evaporate some of the moisture left behind on seats, the floor and anywhere the mold smell originates.

Spray the designated areas with an air freshener. Sprinkle baking soda inside the car where the moisture and mold is. Shampoo the floor and mats. Go to a car care professional.

Spray each spot a few times, and allow it to seep into the area where the mold smell is. This will help to remove mold odor from within your car. Do not over saturate the area with air freshener. If you do, blot the area dry. Allow this to seep into the carpet. After about two hours, vacuum the excess baking soda with a portable handheld vacuum or shop vacuum. It is perfectly safe to use laundry detergent on your car floor's and upholstery to remove stains, mold, or any other culprit causing unpleasant smells. Remove any stuck-on grim or substance with a putty knife or spatula. Mix two tablespoons of laundry detergent with eight ounces of water into a spray bottle, and get the affected areas wet. After allowing the cleaning solution to set for a few minutes, begin blotting up the area by padding it with a white wash cloth. Soak up the remaining moisture with a shop vacuum when done. Check the extent of the damage. Mold or mildew that has soaked through to the padding of cushions needs to be cleaned by a detailing company that has access to fumigation. Call around to your nearest car care professionals to ask about pricing. This service could be expensive.

Keep the inside of the automobile clean. Keep the interior dry. Keep rugs and carpets dry. Improve the air quality inside the automobile.

Food and debris that fall in your car can provide favorable conditions for mold and mildew to begin growing. Regularly vacuuming and shaking off car floor mats can be a great way to prevent mildew growth. Moisture nurtures mildew which is the cause of musty odors. It is important to maintain a dry atmosphere in the automobile. Wipe up any spill immediately. Remove wet floor mats and allow them to air dry before returning to the car. Allow the automobile to replenish stagnant air with fresh air by leaving the windows down. In the case of flooding or major spills where the carpet has been saturated, be sure to address the problem right away to prevent mildew growth. The carpet needs to be cleaned, deodorized and dried completely. Consider a professional cleaning for major saturation. Mildew and mold odors will return if there is poor air quality. It is important to have moisture control, proper ventilation, and make sure contaminated air is removed. Roll your car windows down occasionally to allow new air to flow in. Keep up with annual A/C maintenance.

Practice good posture Speak slowly and clearly to show self-assurance. Use your hands when you talk. Wear clothes that make you feel good about yourself. Keep your makeup subtle if you wear any. Spray on a little perfume, cologne, or body spray before you leave the house.

to show confidence. By practicing the physical act of appearing confident, you will actually start to feel more confident. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, hold your chin up, relax your shoulders, and breathe deeply. This will naturally make you seem more attractive to anyone who's around you. The more you practice good posture, the more natural it will feel. Speaking slowly gives other people the impression that you're confident and knowledgeable. You will also seem more authoritative if you slightly lower your vocal range as you speak. When you're telling a story, think about each sentence and how it relates to what you're saying. Don't be afraid to leave a pause between sentences while you're speaking. It seems more confident than using filler words like "um" or "like." People who are more physically engaged while they're speaking seem more confident than those who do not. Gesture with your hands to emphasize strong points. Think about how to use your body to convey a message. For instance, you could lean forward and rest your hand on your chin when you're interested in what someone else is saying. No matter what you look like, you'll be the most attractive when you're happy with how you look. Wear clothes that make you feel comfortable. If you wear makeup, play up the features that you like the most. Alpha males are attracted to confidence, and wearing too much makeup can make you seem insecure. Keep your makeup natural-looking on most of your face. If you do go bold, emphasize one feature of your face at a time. For instance, if you wear a bold red lip, opt for a subtle smoky eye and subtle eyeliner. If you go for a dramatic winged liner and dark eyeshadow, try pairing it with a nude lip and a little blush. Smelling good can make you seem more attractive. A little goes a long way, though. Spritz a little of the fragrance on your wrists, then touch your wrists to your neck to transfer the scent.

Focus on your own goals. Encourage him to be independent. Be supportive. Challenge him when he needs it. Ask him for a commitment.

Keep your alpha man interested by having your own interests and goals outside of him. You’ll both have more to talk about at the end of the day if you’re busy pursuing your own career or hobbies. If anyone tries to keep you from pursuing your own interests, remove yourself from the situation and find someone who will appreciate your independence. Most alpha males need time every so often to hang out with their friends or to pursue their hobbies. Show him that you appreciate who he is by encouraging him to do these things. If he loves to fish, ask him if he'd like to take the weekend to go on a fishing trip while you visit your family. If you know his friends have a poker night on Thursdays, consider taking a class on Thursday nights. That way, he can still enjoy his time with his friends, and you won't be sitting at home waiting for him. An alpha male can run the risk of feeling like he’s alone at the top of the pack. Let him know it’s you and him against the world by offering a supportive shoulder whenever he’s feeling stressed. If you know he’s had a long day, call and order his favorite take-out and make some time for just the two of you. Try saying something like, “I know you had a big meeting today. How did it go?” A lot of alpha males are used to strutting through life without ever being challenged. If you feel like he’s wrong, let him know. He might be surprised at first but he’ll respect you more in the long run. Try not to challenge him in front of other people. No one likes to feel embarrassed, especially alpha males. Wait until the two of you are alone to talk about something you didn’t like. You might say something like, “I know you were annoyed that the food took a long time to come out, but I didn’t like that you were rude to our waiter.” When you're ready to take your relationship to the next level, don't assume that he will automatically know. Specifically tell him that you like him and you're interested in being exclusive with each other. If he agrees to a committed relationship, set aside some time to celebrate! If he seems reluctant to commit to you, say something like, "I'm sorry you made that decision. I hope you find what you're looking for," then move on with your life. You deserve someone who will give you their undivided attention.

Give him time to make the first move. Be confident but not cocky. Flatter his ego by complimenting him. Make him feel needed. Help him come up with fun date ideas. Try new things together.

Alpha males are defined primarily by their dominant characteristics. If he’s really an alpha, he’ll want to feel like he’s in control of the chase. If you catch his eye at a party or in a club, smile at him to let him know you’re interested, but let him be the one to come to you. If he asks for your phone number, don't ask him for his. That way he'll have to be the one to call or text first. If the two of you are hanging out and having a good time, let him ask you out for a second date. Every situation is different, so if you think he's interested but he doesn't ask you out, go ahead and ask him out instead. If you want to attract a top-tier mate, you need to know your worth. By valuing yourself, you’ll show him that he should value you too. Show him that you're confident by accepting compliments without deflecting them and talking about your accomplishments. Just as you know your strengths, you should also be humble about your weaknesses. You don’t have to tell him what they are, but don’t act like you’re too good for him. Make him feel like he’s number one by telling him all the things you like about him. Building up his ego will make him want to have you around. Try saying something like, “I love how you’re always working to better yourself,” or “It’s so much fun to watch you work the room at a party.” Appeal to his inner provider by making him feel like you need him. Ask him to help you with small things that you have a hard time with or don’t enjoy doing, like opening a jar that’s stuck or calling to make reservations at a restaurant. There’s no need to pretend you’re weak to attract your alpha male. You can be strong and confident while still needing him. Think of things that play to his strengths, then ask for his help. Alpha males like to make decisions, but that doesn't mean they'll always want to be the one with a plan. Let him know a few things you'd like to do, then sit back and enjoy as he makes it happen. For instance, if there's a movie you really want to see, let him know you'd be interested in going to the movies for a date. Spontaneous dates can keep things fresh. If the weather's nice, ask him if he'd like to eat lunch in a nearby park. Most alpha males enjoy regularly trying something they've never done before, just to keep life interesting and challenging. Take a day trip to a nearby museum neither of you have ever visited, try out a new restaurant, or hike to a hidden waterfall just outside of town.

Inspect any recently purchased items. Keep your closet area clean. Keep your clothing clean. Store clothing in airtight containers. Use cedar. Use natural, food-based repellents. Periodically check your clothing.

Especially if the item came from a secondhand store or a friend, regardless of the fiber content of the item, you should make sure there are no signs that the item is infested. It is possible that stray caterpillars could be attached to the clothing and end up hatching in your closet. In the United States, most infestations come from webbing clothes moths, but you should still inspect for both. Look for patches of silk webbing and feeding tube which webbing clothes moths leave behind. Casemaking moths' cases will change to match the color of the clothing they're eating. For this reason, you should always look for numerous, suspicious small holes as this your best warning sign for an infestation. Frequently clean your closet from top to bottom; moths like to live in places where it's dark and they're undisturbed. Move things around: move your clothes out, wipe things down with detergent-soaked clothes, and vacuum the floors and drawers. You might think that your clothes, particularly those made out of cotton and manmade fibers, will be okay as long as your wool is stored separately. But moths like to eat the tiny detritus left behind from human skin, like sweat, as well as food particles. Make sure your clothes have always been washed before they return to your closet space. You can use vacuum sealing, ziplock bags, or even plastic containers with airtight lids to store your wool garments when you're not using them. This is particularly helpful in the spring and summer months. You can also line these spaces with anti-moth paper, cedar, or even mothballs to make them extra secure. Most if not all of these items should be available from Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, or Walmart. Be careful: storing clothes in an airtight container can only keep new infestations from happening; if your clothing already has eggs on it, they'll hatch and eat the clothes anyway. Be sure you've properly cleaned your clothing first. Make sure the containers are also dry, as are your clothes, to prevent mold. The strong smell of cedar helps to camouflage your clothes from moths. You can invest in cedar furniture to store clothing, but if that's too expensive, cedarwood hangers, cedarwood blocks, and even oil diffusers that use cedarwood's aromatic oils are affordable solutions. JCPenney, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Amazon will all carry them. There has been some limited evidence suggesting that Eastern Red Cedar (actually a juniper) contains an aromatic oil that, over time and with a sufficient enough concentration, will kill small moth larvae. However, a closet would provide too much air circulation to be lethal to larvae, and would probably only serve as a deterrent for the adult moths. Eastern Red cedar is only effective for a few years. After a while, the aromatic oil contained within the wood will evaporate, rendering it ineffective in a fight against moths. It's long been thought that certain herbs and food products could protect your clothes from moths. The theory is that, for the same reason that cedar is effective (a very powerful odor), moths can be similarly kept at bay by other strong odors. In a recent experiment, researchers found that cinnamon, cloves, and lavender were all effective at keep moths from eating clothing. You can make sachets or put out a bowl of scented oil in your closet. Some aromatic herbs, like bay leaves, eucalyptus, lemon peel, and mint proved to be ineffective in the experiment, so be careful about which herbs you use. Beware that some of these scents are very difficult to get out of clothing, in case you or loved ones dislike or have any allergies to these plants. Whether you're trying to prevent an infestation from occurring for the first time, or trying to prevent one from recurring, you should check your clothing throughout the year. Look for signs of an infestation, which generally amount to suspicious and multiple holes in your clothing. Although this is particularly important during the months your clothes are not stored in plastic containers, it's also important to check at least once after you've stored them: adults live for about 75 to 80 days, and eggs hatch into larvae after 4-10 days. If moth eggs managed to make their way into the storage item and go unchecked, you may come back to ruined clothing months too late. Moving and shuffling your clothes around during this process is actually very helpful because moths do not like to lay their eggs in places that are frequently disturbed.

Locate the source of the infestation. Clean your clothes. Clean your closet. Use pheromone moth traps. Use mothballs. Iron your clothes. Freeze your wool. Fumigate.

You first step is to figure out where your moth infestation originated. Look for holes in any garments made out of animal fibers to try to find out where the moths have been leaving their eggs, since it's the larvae that feed on them after they hatch. Commonly what will happen is that someone buys a piece of secondhand clothing that's already been infested, thus transferring the infestation to their own closet. Depending on the source's financial and sentimental value as well as the extent of the infestation, you may either decide to have the item cleaned and repaired, or it may be more cost effective and safe for the rest of your wardrobe to simply dispose of the infested items. For items that are made of wool or animal products, this means taking them to the dry cleaner's. Let the workers know that you want the clothes cleaned specifically for moths so that they'll use chemicals that will kill moth eggs. Everything else needs to go into the wash with hot water, preferably around 120° Fahrenheit (roughly 49° Celsius), to be sure that any stray caterpillars are destroyed. Finish this process off by drying them in the sunlight, which is known to kill larvae. After you've found the source and gotten your clothes cleaning underway, you need to clean your closet. Moths' eggs can end up in a whole host of places: your floor, the tops and bottoms of shelves, and even the ceiling. Do a thorough job of vacuuming and dusting, especially in the corners and any carpeted areas. Moth eggs can hide in carpet and under furniture, so it's very important that you thoroughly vacuum everywhere. Although you do not need to use a special spray for solid, wood surfaces where dusting is easy, there are special sprays that you can buy to use on your clothing and carpet to repel and kill moths. ContainerStore.com, GreenFibres.com, Lakeland.co.uk, and RoullierWhite.com all sell sprays ranging from $7.50 to $18.60 per bottle. These traps lure male moths to powder that contains the pheromones of female moths. This powder sticks to their wings and gives the male moths the false appearance of female moths. With both male and female moths confused as to who to breed with, the breeding cycle can be effectively ended. Mothballs are an effective way to kill moths. They contain naphthalene, which is made from crude oil or coal tar, and turns from a solid to a toxic gas. When it's inhaled, it reacts with cells, breaking them down and damaging tissue. Items like coats that have pockets can be protected by putting mothballs in the pockets. Be careful: using mothballs around small children and pets is potentially very dangerous, especially if ingested. Clothing that has been stored with mothballs should be washed afterward to prevent anemia (when blood doesn't carry oxygen through the body) caused by naphthalene vapors. If you develop a headache, nausea, dizziness, or vomiting after being exposed to mothballs, discontinue using and dispose of the mothballs. High temperatures will kill moth eggs and larvae. So using an iron, which applies direct, high heat to your clothing, will kill moth eggs and larvae clinging to your clothes. It is perfectly safe to iron your wool clothing unless the garment's tags say 'do not iron' or 'dry clean only.' If the clothing item can be ironed, set your iron to the 'wool' setting, use a steam heat, and press from the inside with a pressing cloth between the iron and your clothes. Sub-zero temperatures will kill any larvae or moths in any of their developing stages. If you live in a place that gets cold enough, you can leave your items outside for the day. Otherwise, you can pack them into the freezer for a few days without needing to pack them into plastic bags. Make sure if you've washed your clothes first that they are completely dry before freezing them or else you risk moisture turning into ice crystals on the cloth. Some sources indicate to freeze your clothes in plastic bags for a week to be sure any pests are completely dead. If all other efforts to rid your closet of a moth infestation fail, you can always turn to a professional pest control service for help. There are usually 24-hour emergency call out services available that you can use to book a last-minute appointment. While this method will most likely be the priciest, it will also probably be the most thorough. Reach out to a local fumigator by looking up pest control in your phonebook or doing an online search using keywords like "pest control near me." Try finding a number of services to compare pricing, and look to websites like Yelp or Angie's List for customer reviews. Be aware that if you choose to go with fumigation, they will most likely be using commercial pesticides. You and any children or pets you have may need to avoid any areas that have been fumigated for a day or more.

Place your fountain in the shade. Fill your fountain with water and plug it in. Add in a preventative product.

Direct sunlight enables more rapid algae growth. Help minimize algae proliferation by keeping your fountain in a shady or covered area. If a completely shaded area is not available, a partially shaded area may still help slow algae growth. Also consider placing a cover such as an umbrella or awning in the area near your fountain to help provide shade if no natural shade is available. Once you’ve put your fountain where you want it, fill it with clean tap water, from a garden hose, for example. Then, connect your fountain to a power source by plugging it into an electrical outlet. You can also opt for chlorinated water instead, as it will act as a disinfectant and prevent unwanted biological growth. The best time to start using algae prevention products is right after you have set up or deep cleaned your fountain. Commercial products are available online as well as at home improvement and maintenance stores. If you are concerned about the health and safety of wildlife using your fountain, look for animal-safe products. Most products found in pet stores and hardware stores will be animal-safe, but it is important to check the labels. Common products include Algae Shield and SeaKlear. If wildlife is not a concern, such as with indoor fountains, a cap of bleach may also work as a preventative measure. Before applying an anti-algae agent to your fountain, check the manufacturer's instructions to make sure that the product you purchased will not damage your current fountain setup. Product instructions will vary by product, but often all you need to do is add the product to the water on a regular basis to the running fountain.

Scrub your fountain. Use an algaecide. Replace your pump.

If you find that your fountain has developed noticeable algae, the first thing you need to do is thoroughly scrub the individual components of your fountain. Take your fountain apart and clean each surface using soap and hot water and allow to air dry before reassembling. Wipe down the fountain with distilled white vinegar or a solution of 1 cup of bleach per gallon of water before soaping and rinsing the fountain. Rinse bleach thoroughly. Unlike preventative treatments, algaecides are meant to kill off existing algae growths within a fountain. Algaecides are available in home improvement stores as well as online and specialty retailers. Check the algaecide bottle to see how to properly use the product. Check the bottle to see how much product should be added to the water and at what frequency. Non-metallic algaecides work better in fountains as they are less likely to stain. If heavy algae growth continues for extended periods in your fountain, consider replacing the pump to get better water movement and circulation. You may be able to do this yourself, or you may want to call in an expert depending on the size of your fountain and your level of experience. Fountain pump systems can differ greatly. Check with your manufacturer to see what components your fountain requires.

Change your fountain water monthly. Clean your water pump. Submerge the pump. Deep clean your fountain.

Changing the water helps eliminate current living algae and prevents buildup in your fountain’s pump system. Completely empty your fountain of cold water and allow it air dry before filling the fountain. If possible, rinse down your fountain and wipe away any buildup or residue from the fountain surface as well as any decorative features such as stones before refilling it. The pump is responsible for cycling water through the fountain, reducing algae's ability to grow. Scrub the pump's parts with a sponge or a firm-bristled toothbrush and distilled water. If you need to open the pump in order to get at interior parts, follow the manufacturer's instructions. All pumps are different, and what works for one pump may not work for another. The pump cannot function unless it is entirely underwater. Keep the pump submerged to keep water cycling through and prevent algae from building and growing on the surface. It is common to have to add water to your fountain for the first several days after setting it up in order to ensure the pump stays submerged. Your fountain should receive a deep cleaning every two months. Turn off and drain the fountain and wipe it down with a fountain cleaning solution, which may be available from a specialty retailer or online, or dish soap. Opt for dish soap if you are looking for a product that is friendly to animals such as birds and small mammals that may make use of your fountain. Go over the fountain with a toothbrush to scrape off algae and other organic matter. Be sure to thoroughly rinse the fountain after using soap, as it may damage the fountain if left on its surface. Clean the fountain's tubes using pipe cleaners, such as can be found at any hardware or craft store, to scrub out the pipe interiors.

Dig a square, level hole where you want your brick column to go. Make a frame that's 4 inches (10 cm) longer and wider than the column will be. Fill the frame with concrete Remove the wooden frame and dry-lay the first course of bricks you'll be using. Trace the outer and inner edges of the course, then remove the bricks.

This is where the footing, or foundation, of your column will be. It's important that you build the footing down into the ground as opposed to on the surface so that your column is stable. The depth and dimensions of the hole will depend on several factors, like the size of your column, how much weight it will support, and the kind of ground you're building on. If you're not sure, do some research online or consult with a professional mason. As a rule of thumb, the hole should be at least 12 inches (30 cm) deep. Make sure the hole is at least 4 inches (10 cm) longer and wider than your column will be so you have enough room to build the footing. Verify that the bottom of the hole you dug is level before you proceed. If it's not level, your brick column won't be either, so you'll want to level it first. Cut a wooden plank or stud into 4 pieces—1 piece for each side of the frame—and nail them together to make a square frame. Then, place the frame in the hole you dug so it's laying flat on the bottom of the hole. Since you'll be using the empty inside of the frame to make your footing, make sure the frame is 4 inches (10 cm) longer and wider than your column will be when measured from the inside edges of the wood and not the outside edges. For example, if you want to build a concrete column that's 24 by 24 inches (61 cm × 61 cm), you'd want to make a frame that's 28 by 28 inches (71 cm × 71 cm) when measured from the inside edges of the frame. and let it dry completely. Once you've poured the concrete, take a piece of wood and drag it across the surface of the frame to scrape off any excess concrete and smooth out the surface so it's level for your column. Then, wait for the concrete to dry. How long it takes for the concrete to dry will depend on the type of concrete you use. Some concrete can take weeks to fully cure, while others are designed to dry in a few hours. If you want to speed up your project, try using a fast-setting concrete mix so you can pour the concrete and start working on your column all on the same day. Alternatively if the column isn't load-bearing or very tall, you can later bricks and more in an area 18 inches (46 cm) deep and 4 inches (10 cm) wider than the column. Dry-laying your bricks is just arranging them on the footing in the pattern you'll be using without actually securing them to the footing with mortar. Simply take all the bricks you'll use for the first course (the first layer of your column) and lay them on top of the footing so the ends are touching and they form a square or rectangle. Don't put a brick in the center of the course since the center of your brick column will be hollow. Also, leave a 3⁄8 inch (0.95 cm) space between each neighboring brick so you can connect them with mortar later on. When the bricks are centered on the footing, there should be 4 inches (10 cm) of footing extending off of each side. Use a pencil to trace all around the outer edge of the course and then along the inner edge of the course so you're left with 2 rectangles or squares, 1 inside of the other. This will give you an outline to use when you spread the first layer of mortar on the footing. When you reach a gap between the bricks, just draw a straight line across the gap to the next brick as if the gap wasn't there.

Spread a 3⁄8 inch (0.95 cm) layer of mortar inside the lines on the footing. Lay the first course of bricks on top of the mortar. Repeat with the second course of bricks, but rotate the pattern 180 degrees. Continue adding courses and rotating the brick pattern after each course. Check the column with a level after every other course. Add a strip of 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) thick wire mesh after every fourth course. Smooth out any hardened mortar joints after every fifth course.

Use a trowel to apply the mortar to the footing, and try to stay inside the reference lines as much as possible. However, it's OK if you go outside of the lines a little bit—you can always scrape the mortar off later before it dries. Don't apply any mortar to the center of the footing, which is outside of the outline you drew. You only want to apply mortar where you'll be laying bricks. The center of the footing is where the inside of your column will be, which will be hollow. Take the same bricks you used to dry-lay and mark the footing and set them on the mortar in the same pattern you did before. Before you lay each brick, spread a 3⁄8 inch (0.95 cm) layer of mortar on the end that will be joined with the next brick in the pattern. When you're finished, all of the bricks should be connected with mortar and evenly spaced apart. You want to make sure that you're applying an even layer of mortar to each brick so that your column has a uniform, balanced appearance when it's finished. Make a weep hole in the base layer of bricks by coating a pencil with vegetable oil and inserting it into one of the bottom mortar joints. Pull the pencil out once the mortar is dry. This helps drain any moisture that may accumulate inside your column. First, spread a 3⁄8 inch (0.95 cm) layer of mortar on top of the first course of bricks using the trowel. Then, take the same number of bricks as you used for the first course and place them on the mortar in the same pattern, just rotated 180 degrees. This will give your brick column the alternating pattern that is typically used in brick structures. For example, if you're staring down at your first course of bricks and there are 2 horizontal bricks on top, 1 vertical brick on each side, and 1 horizontal brick on the bottom, you would lay the second course of bricks so there are 2 horizontal bricks on the bottom, 1 vertical brick on each side, and 1 horizontal brick on top. The number of courses you add depends on how tall you want your brick column to be. Just remember to always rotate the pattern 180 degrees after each course of bricks you lay. Make sure you maintain a consistent thickness with the mortar you apply between courses and bricks. If the bricks aren't level, you want to catch it early on so you don't compound the issue and realize your column is off once the mortar is already dry. To check if the column is level, hold a level against each side, including the top. If something isn't level, tap or push the bricks into the right position with the butt end of your trowel and then check them with the level again. Run strings in each corner of your column from the bottom to the top and make sure they're straight with a level. This way you can make sure your bricks are straight and level as you build them up. Don't add another course until you're certain all of the existing bricks are level. Wire mesh will add extra support that can help your brick column withstand heavier loads. To add the mesh, cut a strip that's as long and wide as the column. Then, apply a thin layer of mortar over the top course of bricks and lay the mesh over it. Finally, apply another thin layer of mortar over the top of the mesh before adding the next course. You can find wire mesh online or at your local hardware store. When you finish laying every fifth course, test all of the mortar joints on the column by pressing your finger into them. If any of the joints resist minimal pressure, they're hard enough to be smoothed out. Just take a jointing tool and go over those joints with it to scrape off the excess mortar. When you're finished, the joints should appear flush with the bricks. Make sure you do this after every fifth course. Otherwise, some of the joints could harden too much, and you might not be able to smooth them out. Use a masonry brush to clean your bricks as you build up so they look neater.

Add a layer of mortar and wire mesh before the final course of bricks. Lay the final course of bricks, but add an extra brick in the center this time. Smooth out any remaining joints before the mortar dries. Top your brick column with a capstone if you want a polished finish.

Apply the mesh as you did throughout the rest of the column. Just spread a thin layer of mortar over the top course, put down the mesh, and top it with another thin layer of mortar. Don't skip this step. You'll need the wire mesh to help support the final course of bricks, which will have an extra brick in it. Since this will be the top of your brick column, you want to cover the hole in the center so it's not visible. To add the center brick, wait until you've put down the first 2 bricks in the final course. Then, lay the center brick and finish the rest of the course. If there are any joints you haven't smoothed out yet, wait until they harden to the point where they resist minimal pressure. Then, use your jointing tool to scrape off the excess mortar so they're flush with the bricks. Be careful you don't wait too long or the mortar could dry and you'll lose your chance to smooth out the joints. A capstone can be brick, concrete or stone, and it's put on top of a brick column to give it a nice, finished appearance. If you're interested in adding a capstone to your column, get one that's around 3 inches (7.6 cm) longer and wider than the column. Then, spread a layer of mortar on top of the column and center the capstone on top of it. You can also make a brick capstone by using bricks that are larger than the ones you used in your column. Cut your bricks in half and lay them with their sides facing out for added strength and visual appeal.

Fill a dish with clean water. Remove any food scraps with water. Place the sponge on a paper towel.

Before you microwave your dish sponge, you need to saturate the sponge with clean, warm water. Fill a dish with 1/4-1/2 cup (59 - 118 ml) of clean water. Rinse your sponge in warm water and ensure that any food scraps are removed. Then, place your sponge in the dish of water. Let the sponge sit for 5-10 minutes, until most of the liquid has been absorbed. Once your sponge has absorbed the water, place the sponge onto a clean paper towel.

Place the sponge in the microwave. Microwave on high for 1 minute. Let the sponge cool before using. Use your sponge.

Whether you've chosen to use lemon-water or plain water, the remaining steps are the same. Simply place your sponge (either in a bowl of lemon-water or resting on a paper towel) inside your microwave and close the door. Set your microwave to its highest setting. Then set your timer for 1 minute, and press start. Depending on your specific machine, you may want to microwave your sponge for up to 2 minutes. When your sponge comes out of the microwave, both the sponge and the liquid inside of it will be very hot. Allow the sponge to cool for at least five minutes before handling it. After the sponge has cooled, simply wring it out and it is ready to use. There is no need to rinse it. Repeat this method approximately once a month, or any time you feel your sponge needs disinfecting.

Squeeze some lemon juice into a bowl. Fill the bowl with water. Soak the sponge in the lemon-water.

If you'd like to eradicate any funky smells from your sponge (along with germs) you may prefer to use the lemon-water disinfectant method. Begin by squeezing the juice from half a lemon into a clean, microwave-safe bowl. Next, fill your clean, microwave safe bowl with fresh water. You want the total amount of liquid in the bowl to be just enough to cover the sponge. Rinse your sponge in warm water and ensure that any food scraps are removed. Then place your sponge in the bowl of lemon-water. Wait for at least 10 minutes, allowing the sponge to absorb the liquid, prior to microwaving.

Microwave the egg on high for one minute. Make sure the egg is cooked before serving it. Remove the egg with a slotted spoon and place on a plate. Salt and pepper the egg to taste.

Place the mug in the microwave, and cover it with the microwave safe lid. Then, close the door and microwave the egg for one minute on high. Open the microwave door and remove the carefully lid. The egg white should be firm, but the yolk should still be runny. If the egg white still appears runny even after 1 minute, close the microwave door and add 15 seconds. Check the egg again, ensuring the egg white is not runny. Now that the egg is done, remove the lid carefully, and remove the mug from the microwave. Use a slotted spoon to gently place the egg on a plate or in a bowl. Add a dash of salt and pepper to your perfectly poached egg. Serve as desired.

Get a microwave safe mug and lid. Fill the microwave safe mug with ½ cup of water. Crack the egg into the mug Ensure the egg is completely submerged in water.

Most plastic, glass, or ceramic mugs and lids will say “Microwave Safe” on the bottom. Use a mug and lid that specifically says microwave safe. Do not use metal materials or foil in the microwave. Using a measuring cup, measure out ½ cup of water. Pour the water into the mug. . Using the side of the mug, tap the egg firmly once or twice to break through the shell, taking care to not break the yolk. Pry open the egg halves, and let the egg fall into the mug of water and make sure to prick the yolk with a fork to prevent mess. If the egg is not submerged in water, use the measuring cup to add another ¼ cup of water. The egg should be submerged now.

Reward yourself when you meet a homework goal. Treat yourself before you start working, too. Work with a motivated study buddy. Determine when and where you work best. Set some SMART homework goals. Remind yourself of why you’re in school in the first place.

Rewards can be a powerful motivator! Whenever you accomplish a goal—even a little one—take a moment to reward yourself. Your rewards don’t have to be anything elaborate or fancy. It could be something as simple as watching a funny 5-minute video after completing a short reading assignment. Give yourself bigger rewards for bigger accomplishments. For example, you might go out for pizza with a friend after handing in an important paper. You don’t have to save all the rewards for when you’re done working. Sometimes it can help to give your mood a lift before you get down to a task. Take a few minutes to enjoy a favorite snack or check your social media. Just make sure you limit yourself to a specific amount of time (like 10 minutes, for example) so that you don’t end up getting totally distracted and wasting a few hours. Working with a friend can make homework more enjoyable. You and your buddy can also help keep each other on track. Make sure you choose a friend who is serious about getting their work done so that you don’t end up goofing off and distracting each other. Doing homework with a friend doesn’t necessarily mean collaborating on the same assignments. You can just spend time together while you each do your own work. Check with your teacher first before working together with a friend on an assignment. They may want you to do the work by yourself. Some people work best when they first get up in the morning, whereas others feel more energized in the late afternoon or evening. You might also find that some study environments work better for you than others. Experiment to figure out what works best for you. For example, if you’re a morning person, try doing your homework right after you eat breakfast. If you tend to get distracted while working at your desk at home, experiment with doing your homework in the library or a coffee shop instead. Some people also find it helpful to change their routine from time to time. If you find yourself getting bored, try working at a different time from usual or finding a new study space. Setting specific goals can help you stay motivated and make your work feel more manageable. To get the most from your goals, make them Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART). Write down your goals and be sure to celebrate whenever you achieve one, no matter how small! Setting vague goals can lead to frustration. Instead of saying, “I’m going to get all my homework done this week,” try something more specific—e.g., “I’m going to work on my English essay for 1 hour every day this week.” Even if you’re not that excited about the classes you’re taking right now, looking at the big picture and setting some personal goals for yourself can help. Think about the ways that doing well in school will help you in the long run. For example, maybe you want to get good grades so you can get into your dream college, or possibly you’re working towards an exciting career. Doing a good job in your classes can also be its own reward—knowing that you worked hard and did your best is a great self-esteem booster!

Take care of your physical needs before working. Find a quiet and comfortable work space. Put away your phone and other distractions. Energize yourself with water and healthy snacks. Take frequent breaks while you work. Switch between different tasks to help you stay sharp.

It’s hard to concentrate on homework if you’re tired, hungry, or uncomfortable. Try to get plenty of sleep if you know you’ll have to do a bunch of homework the next day, and don’t try to work on an empty stomach or with a full bladder! If you feel physically tense, do some yoga or light stretches before you begin to work. Doing breathing exercises can also help you feel more comfortable and alert. If you’re not already in comfy clothes, get changed before you start working. This may mean joggers, sweatpants, pjs, shorts, underwear, or even being completely naked. It's your choice. Your environment can make a big difference in how well you focus on your work. Before you begin doing your homework, find a spot that is quiet, well-lit, and gives you plenty of space to spread out. You’ll want a place where you can sit comfortably, but don’t get too comfortable. If you do homework in bed or on a cozy couch, you may be tempted to fall asleep! If you have to work at home, ask anyone who lives with you to give you a little quiet time while you do your homework. If you’re constantly looking at your Facebook feed or checking your Instagram notifications, you won’t get much work done. Put your phone in a place where you can’t get at it easily, like inside your bag or in a desk drawer. Turn off notifications if they distract you. If you can’t resist messing around on your phone or visiting time-wasting websites on your computer, consider installing an app or a browser extension that blocks tempting apps and sites. Don’t try to work with a TV or radio on. If you listen to music while you do your homework, choose something that’s quiet and not too exciting, like some gentle classical music. While you study, keep a bottle of water and some snacks on hand. Staying hydrated and eating healthy foods can help you wake up, focus, and stay alert. Choose foods that can help boost your brain power, such as: Whole grains Healthy proteins, like fish, beans, or nuts Blueberries Leafy greens You’ll get burnt out and lose focus quickly if you try to work too long without a break. Try working for an hour to an hour and a half and then taking a 15-minute break. This will give your tired brain a chance to rest and recharge. During your breaks, you can go for a walk, have a snack, do a little meditation, or even put your head down for a quick power nap. You can also use your breaks to reward yourself with a fun video or a quick game on your phone. If you’ve reached the point where you can’t stand to look at your assignment any more, take a break and then try switching to another task for a while. This way you can give your brain a break (and get some variety) while still being productive. For example, if you’ve been working on an essay for an hour or two, take a break and then switch to doing some math problems. Don’t try to do more than one task at once, though. Trying to multitask will disrupt your focus and cause you to make more mistakes.

Create a daily work and study schedule. Prioritize your assignments and do the most urgent or difficult ones first. Break your assignments down into manageable pieces. Try a productivity app to help you stay organized.

When you’re in school, it can be hard to stay on top of all your obligations. Setting a consistent schedule for yourself can help you stay on track and make all that work feel more manageable. Set aside specific times each day to do your studying and homework, and stick to the schedule as closely as possible. Setting a schedule also makes it easier to avoid procrastinating. Make sure to schedule in time for breaks and relaxation, too! It may be tempting to put off big, difficult assignments for last and do the easy ones first. However, letting the more important tasks wait will ultimately lead to panic, frustration, and missed deadlines. Look at all your assignments and decide which ones are most important or urgent and which ones you can put on the back burner for now. Make an ordered list of all your tasks. Try to prioritize ones that are due soon, count towards a major part of your grade, or seem like they will be the most complicated to complete. Put assignments that aren’t due for a while or that you know you can finish quickly and easily at the bottom. Large or complicated assignments can feel overwhelming if you try to approach them all at once. Instead, break them down into smaller chunks and approach them one piece at a time. This will help big tasks feel much more manageable—plus, you can reward yourself for each chunk of the assignment that you complete! For example, if you’re writing a big paper, you might break it up into pieces like doing the research, composing a bibliography, writing an outline, drafting the introduction, and so on. If you a hard time staying on task and organizing your time, productivity apps can be a big help. Try downloading an app like Todoist, Hours, or Any.do to help you keep track of deadlines, create to-do lists, and monitor how much time you’re spending on each assignment. Productivity apps are helpful for some people, but they’re not for everyone. Make sure you don’t spend so much time worrying about the app that it starts to cut into your homework time!

Make or buy a belt. Buy a small toy dagger. Wear brown shoes.

Though your costume is almost finished, you will need a few more accessories to pull of the classic Peter Pan look. If you have a brown belt, cinch it across your waist over the green tunic. You can also tie a length of brown fabric or a rope at your waist if you don’t want to buy a belt. Peter Pan carries a small dagger at his side in a holster attached to his belt. Buy a small toy dagger at a Halloween store or a costume shop. If it doesn’t come with a holster simply keep it at your side tucked into your belt. Since it's a toy, there’s no chance of it hurting you! Don’t use a real knife. Even if you want to pull of a great costume, it’s not worth the risk of accidentally poking yourself! You can also make a dagger out of cardboard and paint it to look like a knife. Wear a pair of brown or tan shoes with your costume, preferably moccasins or short boots. If you don’t have the perfect pair of shoes, don’t worry too much: people will be so impressed with your costume that they probably won’t be looking at your feet.

Buy a pair of green tights or leggings. Buy a green shirt. Use a pencil to mark the shirt. Cut along the lines.

The tights are the easiest part of the costume to plan. If you don’t already own a pair, go to a store like Walmart and H&M and buy a pair of dark green or greenish-brown leggings or tights. If you are buying nylon tights, try to purchase ones that are opaque instead of see-through. If you feel uncomfortable wearing leggings or tights, buy a pair of sweatpants or linen pants with a skinny fit. You can also wear green cut-off shorts if you don’t want to wear long pants. If you don’t already own one, buy a large shirt in a yellow-green color. Make sure that the shirt is a little large and fits like a tunic, ending midway down the thigh. Make sure that you or whoever the costume is for tries on the shirt before you purchase it. The tunic is an iconic part of the Peter Pan costume, so a short or tight shirt won’t look as good. You can buy a regular T-shirt or polo shirt, or a shirt made from linen or another similar material for a more earthy feel. Peter Pan’s tunic is known for having a zig-zag cut along the bottom and the sleeves, giving it a playful look. Try on the shirt and use a pen to draw a large zig-zag pattern near the hem of the shirt and around the sleeves. If you are happy with the size of the shirt, make the zig-zag pattern close to the edge of the fabric. If you feel the shirt is too big, draw the zig-zag higher up, so that you will be able to cut the shirt to the length that you want. Also draw a V along the neck of the shirt if it’s not already a V-neck. Lay the shirt down flat on a table and use a sharp pair of scissors to cut along the lines you drew on the shirt. Try to cut crisply and cleanly so that the shirt doesn’t look frayed or ragged. Try the shirt on again and look in a mirror. If you notice that the zig zag looks uneven, take the shirt off again and refine the cut.

Assemble your supplies. Cut out a rounded triangle. Cut a long slanted triangle. Make copies of the shapes. Sew the large triangles together. Line up the brim pieces. Sew the brim pieces to the cap. Glue in the feather.

The cap is the most work intensive aspect of the costume since you will have to construct it yourself. You will need a yard of green felt, a pair of scissors, a needle or a sewing machine, green thread, a hot glue gun and a red feather. You can buy all these supplies at Hobby Lobby, Michaels or another art supply store. If you don’t want to sew, you can do a no-sew version of the cap by simply taking a green beanie and flipping up the edges. Glue a red feather to one side of the beanie to create a perfectly good Peter Pan cap! Draw a triangle with a pen onto the felt. The shape should be roughly the size of the cap as seen from the side, so make sure to make it large enough for your head or the head of the person the costume is for. Don’t draw a perfect triangle, instead make the top tip of the triangle curved as opposed to straight and off-center as opposed to directly centered. To estimate what size the triangle should be, hold the cloth up to your head to get a good idea. Since the hat isn't going to be fitted snugly to your head, you just need to get an approximate estimate. Draw another shape that is roughly the shape of a knife blade, starting out as rectangular and ending in a pointed tip. This will be the brim of the hat. Make sure that the length of this section is about a ½ inch longer than the length of the rounded triangle you just made. Cut it out with a pair of scissors. Take the rounded triangle and the slanted piece of felt and lay them down on the remaining felt. Use a pen to trace around these shapes. Cut out the shapes with scissors to create identical copies of the shapes you already made. Line up the larger triangles by putting one triangle over the other. Use a needle and thread to sew using straight stitches.Sew the two pieces of fabric together along the sides of the triangle about 1 centimeter (0.4 in) from the edge, leaving the bottom open. You can also Use a Sewing Machine to sew the two pieces together. You are sewing along what will be the inside of the hat, so don't worry if your stitches aren't perfect. After you finish sewing the body of the cap, flip the cap right-side in to hide your stitches. Then one of the long slanted pieces of felt and place it so that it’s just overlapping the bottom edge of the cap on the inside. Pin the strip where it overlaps around the bottom of the cap. Do the same on the other side for the other piece of fabric, making sure that the thick ends are next to each other and the thin ends are touching. Using a needle and thread or a sewing machine, sew the brim piece along the bottom edge of the cap where you pinned it. Also sew lengthwise along the overlap where the two thick sides of each long triangle meet. After you are done sewing, remove the pins. Then flip up the pieces to make the brim! Take a red long feather and stick it into one side of the hat in the brim. Make sure that the feather is pointed at a jaunty, 45 degree angle. When you are satisfied with the way it looks, glue it in place using the hot glue gun.

Redistribute your shells into your houses. Play using the normal rules. Continue playing rounds in this way until one player has no shells left.

You can extend Congkak by picking up the shells in your storehouse and redistributing them into your houses. Place seven shells into each house beginning with the house that is closest to your storehouse. If you have more than 49 shells, then put the extras into your storehouse. If you have less than 49 shells, then some of your houses will have fewer than seven shells or may even be empty. Empty houses are considered “burnt.” If a player drops a shell into a burnt house, then that seed goes straight into his or her opponent’s storehouse. Play your next round of Congkak just like you played the first round. Observe all of the same rules as you play, but you do not need to count up the shells at the end of each round. Just collect your shells and redistribute at the end of each round. You and your opponent can continue to redistribute the shells and play Congkak until one of the players has no shells left. The player with all of the shells at the end of the game is the winner.

Familiarize yourself with the game board and pieces. Understand the object of the game. Set up the game. Decide who will go first.

The congkak board consists of two rows of seven holes called the houses and two bigger holes called the storehouse or home. Each player uses the side of the board that is closest to him or her. Each player starts the game with seven shells in his or her houses. The object of the Congkak is to move your shells into the storehouse that is situated on your left-hand side. You move your shells by picking up all of the shells in one of your houses and depositing one into each of the houses to the left of the space. The first person to empty all of his or her houses is the winner. You may also put one shell into your storehouse, but do not put any shells into your opponent’s storehouse. If you drop a shell into an empty house that you own, then you get to take all of the shells from your opponent’s house that is across from your house and put them into your storehouse. Place the Congkak board on a level playing surface between you and your opponent. You should each have 49 shells or Congkak seeds each. Before the game starts fill your seven houses with seven shells or Congkak seeds. Make sure that your opponent does the same. Both of you should leave your storehouses empty. Take a moment to decide who will take the first turn. You can determine who will go first by flipping a coin, allowing the youngest player to go first, or letting the person who won the last game you played together go first.

Scoop up all of the shells or seeds in any house on your side. Take another turn if you deposit your last shell into your own storehouse. Skip a turn if you deposit your last shell into one of your opponent’s empty storehouses. Collect your opponent’s shells if you deposit your last shell into one of your own empty storehouses. Count up the shells in your storehouse.

Then drop a shell into the next house and continue depositing one shell into every house in a clockwise fashion. You should also drop a shell into your storehouse each time you pass it, but do not deposit any shells into your opponent's storehouse. If the last shell that you deposit falls into your own storehouse, then you get to take another turn. In this case, you may scoop up the shells from another of your houses and deposit them into other houses. Empty storehouses on your opponent’s side of the board will create an obstacle for you. During a turn, if you drop your last shell into one of your opponent’s empty houses, then you lose a turn. Try your best to avoid your opponent’s empty houses so that you do not lose any turns. The goal of Congkak is to have the most shells in your storehouse at the end of the game. During a turn, if you manage to drop your last shell into an empty house on your side of the board, then you get to collect the shells that are opposite that house. Take the shells from the corresponding house on your opponent’s side of the board and put them into your storehouse. After you and your opponent have both emptied your houses, the game is over. To determine a winner, count up the shells in your storehouse. Whoever has the most shells is the winner!

Let the scene's emotions guide you. Incorporate humor. Play the opposite. Stick to one overarching emotion. Keep your voice in control. Focus on your character's needs.

When acting, it's important to lose yourself in a scene to an extent. Emotion is very fluid. As you act out a scene, try to let the emotional resonance flow through you naturally. Allow your emotions to be fluid. If you try to constrict or control the emotional arch of the scene, your performance may feel forced. Try to really get inside your character's head and experience what that character is feeling. This will be easier to do if you have, as we discussed earlier, truly made an effort to get to know your character. It is very hard to try to sustain or control emotion. While you should be aware of yourself and your body, you may find yourself suddenly being struck by a line. If you find your voice wavering or getting upset, go with it. Allow yourself to embrace your emotional response in any given scene. Humor can be a great way to shake up an emotional scene. As so many actors and actresses play up the drama, you can stand out in a scene by playing up the humor. Even in dark moments, there may be slightly humorous lines embedded in a scene. Try to focus energy on moments of levity rather than glossing over them. Your audience will appreciate a laugh between the tears and respond well to an actor who can deliver funny lines with ease. When playing an emotion, try to shake up the scene by playing that emotion in a non-obvious way. That is, play the opposite. This may make your character's emotions feel more intense for an audience. If your character is angry, you may be inclined to yell or raise your voice. However, what about stone cold anger? You can instead convey anger through silence or quiet words. If your character is sad, maybe portray him in a manic light. Your character is trying to mask his sadness by appearing resilient and cheerful. When it comes to an antagonistic character, avoid playing the character as openly malevolent. Instead, play the character as polite, friendly even. Oftentimes, villains that appear cheery can be even scarier to audiences than outright angry villains. This may not work every time. You may want to do some trial and error in rehearsal to see if playing the opposite works. It's a technique worth trying, however, if you're acting out a dramatic scene. A scene should be somewhat self-contained. When acting out an emotional scene, do not try to change your character's emotional reaction too much in the course of that scene. Try to stick to one, overarching emotion and concentrate on that for the entirety of the scene. If your character is sad, play him as sad. If he's happy, play him as happy. You can change your tone, and the manner in which your character is playing an emotion. However, you should try to center yourself on one key emotion. When acting out a dramatic scene, you may be inclined to overact. Oftentimes, you lose control of your voice and end up shouting or talking too loudly. Try to be aware of the volume of your voice and keep your tone even and in control. Even if your character is supposed to be angry, shouting too loudly can be a bad idea. You'll have a hard time controlling the tone of your voice, and how you're delivering the lines, if you're screaming on stage. Keep your voice somewhat quiet and even. Paying attention to physicality can help. If you feel your voice is inadequate when it comes to conveying drama, you may unconsciously raise your voice. However, tune into the physical when you feel you're not delivering in a scene. Do something with your body to convey feelings of anger, sadness, and frustration. This will help you feel like you're portraying your emotions effectively, lessening your need to overexert your voice. In an emotional scene, focus on what your character needs in that moment. Why is this moment important to your character? Focus less on the scene's significance to the overall story arch and more on its significance to your character. If a character is arguing with someone else, do not focus on arguing against the other character. Instead, think of it as your character arguing for that particular relationship. Your character wants his relationship with this person to play out in a certain way. That's the fulcrum of the emotion in this scene. Getting to know your character can really help here. If you perform a scene and feel so-so about your job, spend more time reviewing the work and getting inside your character's head. This can give you more insight into your character's needs, allowing you to channel them while acting.

Use reverse psychology. Think of past sad experiences. Go through the physical motions of crying. Use stage lights to trigger tears.

Crying on cue can be a challenge for many actors, but a lot of emotional scenes require crying. If you're struggling to find a way to bring tears to your character's eyes, try using reverse psychology. Thinking as your character, think to yourself, "I'm not going to cry. No matter what, I won't let them see me cry." In real life, you've probably had an experience when you've tried to holdback tears. Channeling the desire not to cry, despite needing to, can help trigger tears on stage. You can also consider moments that made you cry in the past. If you know you have to cry during a scene, spend some time thinking of sad moments before stepping onto the stage. It may help to do a free write on the topic of sad moments, jotting down the saddest moments you can recall. This will give you a stockpile of sad memories you can use in the event you need to cry on cue. You do not have to focus solely on your own personal experiences. It may be too stressful to channel personal experiences. Instead, try to think of a moment from a book, movie, or TV show that made you cry. Crying is very much a physical reaction. If you go through the physical motions involved in crying, this may trigger actual tears. Consider what you do when you cry in real life. Maybe you start to breathe heavily, sniffle, and make small sobbing sounds. Start to engage in these actions. You may find that, in response, your body produces tears. If you're really in a bind to make yourself cry, you can look at the stage lights. Bright stage lights may irritate the eyes, resulting in tears. Many professional actors use this trick if they're struggling to cry in a particular scene.

Consider the context. Think about the character's internal struggle. Identify exclamation points. Watch for physical action.

Before acting out an emotional scene, take a minute to familiarize yourself with the context of that scene. Understanding what's happening around a scene can help you better understand your character's motivation and emotions. Read the scene in full. If you have the time, read the full script from which the scene is taken. This will give you a sense of what is at stake in this moment. Consider the character you're playing. What is this character feeling during this scene? How does this character's past, present, and future come into play during the scene? What is the context of this moment? If a character is yelling, arguing, or crying, there was obviously some buildup to this point. Try to look for the complex underlying layers of a character in a dramatic scene. For example, a character may be crying at his father's funeral. He is sad, of course, but there may be other factors at play. What was the character's relationship with his father like? What emotions might the character be experiencing? What memories is he recalling in this scene? For best effects in a dramatic scene, think about character over situation. Audiences are familiar with a variety of sad and dramatic scenarios. What makes a drama interesting is a particular character's reaction to that scenario. Consider your character's emotional investment in a given moment. If your character is arguing with someone else, why is that character drawn into this argument? What is going on in the character's head on a deeper level? A good experiment to help can be a free write in which you write from a character's point of view. Try to imagine how that character is feeling in this moment. Pretend you're the character, writing a diary entry after the scene took place. Really dig deep, considering the character's past and present, and try to write how you imagine the character feels. Audiences get bored with drama for the sake of drama. If you can show why this dramatic moment matters, in context of a specific character, this will ground your audience. They may respond more favorably to your performance. While scanning your scene, take note of exclamation points that appear in the writing. Actors are often unsure how to handle exclamation points. Do they signal that your character should talk louder? Do they signal excitement, anger, fear? The answer depends on the scene's context. You should understand the use of exclamation points, and how you should read them, going into a scene. An exclamation point usually indicates a line should be delivered with slightly more force. However, the added force can stem from a variety of reasons. A character may be overjoyed. However, she may also be frightened or angry. Read the scene in full to get a sense of how to deliver a line with an exclamation point at the end. A line like, "What a beautiful day!" can be read several different ways depending on context. If your character is exhausted after having a long fight with her mother, it likely indicates frustration. You could read the line with a sarcastic tone. If the line is delivered during the main character's wedding day, it may indicate joy. You can deliver the line with an upbeat, excited tone. Actors often get so caught up in portraying the emotion of a scene they forget the physical action in the stage directions. Physical action can often carry a lot of emotional weight in a scene. A character may, for example, touch his or her face when talking, indicating he or she is nervous. Make sure you read the scene for physical action and incorporate that action into your performance. A lot of physicality goes into a scene. What the characters are doing in a scene speaks volumes. Read stage directions carefully and see how your character moves. Maybe your character keeps rearranging furniture nervously while talking, for example. Make sure to incorporate this into your performance. You should also strive to pay attention to your body, even if there are not specific stage directions. In acting, you'll use your entire body to convey emotion. How might a character stand if he's feeling tense? How might a happy person gesticulate? Keep character emotions in mind and try to use your body to reflect what a character is feeling.

Follow up with your doctor. Avoid fasting and starvation diets. Take your medications as directed. Have surgery, if necessary. Take it easy for two weeks after surgery. Take medicine to dissolve gallstones if you can’t have surgery. Ask if you qualify for shock wave treatment. Discuss the risks and benefits of a gallbladder cleanse with your doctor.

Depending on your history and severity of your gallbladder disease, your doctor will suggest a treatment plan. Your treatment plan can include watchful waiting, diet modifications, medication, shock-wave therapy, or elective surgery. Fasting and starvation diets can make your illness worse because they make your bile even more likely to turn into gallstones. You might need to get IV (intravenous, or into your vein) fluids so you don’t get dehydrated. If you have an infection in your gallbladder, you will need antibiotics. Take them exactly as prescribed. Your doctor may also give you pain medication to make you more comfortable. Use these only as directed, and don’t take more than your doctor tells you to. Cholecystitis often comes back and can sometimes be severe, so you may need surgery to remove your gallbladder. When you have surgery will depend on how serious your symptoms are – sometimes it will be within two days of seeing your doctor, but other times you may be able to wait a little while. If a tumor is causing your gallbladder problems, you will need to have it removed. Most gallbladder surgeries are done with small instruments and cameras through tiny incisions (laparoscopic surgery), so you won’t even have big scars. You don’t need your gallbladder! Other parts of your body can take over your gallbladder’s job once it’s removed. You should be able to return to your normal activities in about two weeks if you have laparoscopic surgery. In the meantime, take time off of work to rest. Don't drive for the first week. Incorporate slow walking into your day after a few days of rest, and gradually increase your activity. Start eating a normal, healthy diet when you get home from the hospital. Ask your doctor if you have any specific questions about recovery. Ask your doctor for recovery guidelines if you have open surgery. Open surgery requires more extensive recovery than laparoscopic surgery. If you can’t have surgery for some reason, ask your doctor about medications. The medications ursodiol (Actigall) and chenodiol (Chenix) can dissolve some kinds of gallstones, but this can take months or even years to work. Your gallstones might also return once the treatment is stopped, so this options isn’t the best choice if you can have surgery instead. Only about 15% of people with gallstones can successfully use shockwave treatment, called extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy. This uses painless shock waves to break up stones while you sit in a bath. Ask your doctor if this may work for you. It’s most effective if you have only one gallstone that’s smaller than 2cm in diameter. Alternative medicine practitioners suggest a gallbladder cleanse to break up gallstones – a mix of olive oil, herbs, and fruit juice (there’s no set specific recipe). There’s no data showing these work, and they may be risky to your health. Talk to your doctor first if you're interested in trying one.

Participate in diagnostic testing. Moderate alcohol. Eat a low-fat, high-fiber diet.

Go to the hospital prepared to participate in testing. You will probably have a blood sample taken, and they may look at your gallbladder with an ultrasound machine or CT scan. Do these important tests as soon as your doctor recommends it. You may also need a HIDA scan – a test that watches how bile moves in and out of your gallbladder. This involves injecting radioactive dye into your body. Tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney problems before this test. A procedure call ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) can both diagnose and remove gallstones. It does not remove your gallbladder. Limit your alcohol consumption to less than 1 ounce (30 milliliters) per day. Drinking this small amount is not harmful, and some women may even see a slight reduction in gallbladder disease when drinking this small amount of alcohol every day. Eating fatty foods raises your risk of getting gallstones. Eat healthy by limiting the fat in your diet, and eating a lot of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Base your meals on whole grain pasta and rice with fresh vegetables. Eat low-fat proteins like salmon and skinless chicken. If you eat red meat, choose lean cuts and only have small portions. Keep a regular meal schedule and don’t skip meals. Fasting can increase your risk for gallstones.

See your doctor if you have pain after eating. Get emergency medical care if you have severe abdominal pain.

The most common indication of cholecystitis is pain after you eat, especially after eating a large or fatty meal. The pain is usually in your upper right abdomen. See your doctor if this occurs regularly or suddenly. The pain can sometimes also be felt in your right shoulder, between your shoulder blades on your back, or in the center of your abdomen just below your breastbone. It may also feel tender when you touch your abdomen. Pain can last from a few minutes to hours. You may also have nausea, vomiting, or a fever (a temperature of 100.4°F/38°C or higher). Cholecystitis is often caused by gallstones that block the bile duct and cause bile build-up in the gallbladder. It’s important to see your doctor to resolve the problem and prevent complications like gallbladder rupture. Seek emergency care if you have stomach or abdominal pain that is so severe you can’t sit still or get comfortable. This can be a sign of a serious illness that needs prompt treatment. Have someone drive you to the hospital, or call emergency services for help. If you get a high fever of 104°F/40°C or higher, or the whites of your eyes turn yellow, call for emergency care. If you have acute symptoms, you need to go to the hospital immediately for a prompt diagnosis and to receive intravenous fluids. A surgical consultation is also necessary. Although you may not need immediate surgery, inpatient care and initial supportive care are necessary.

Be open and honest. Give your teenager his own voice. Discuss the “What Ifs. Let your teen know that you believe and trust in them.

Don’t be afraid to be completely open and honest with your teenager about the concerns and expectations you have for him. Make sure he understands that he can come to you with any questions he may have. Explain that you understand that he is more grown up now, but that his food allergies are still something that he needs to pay careful attention to. Listen to him when he tells you his concerns about privacy and about having his independence. Even though you may really want to get your points across, it is important to not dismiss these concerns. Privacy and independence are very important during teenage years and if you ignore these needs, your teenager will be more likely to tune you out. ” Let your teenager know what to do in certain situations by discussing “what ifs.” Let him know what to do if he forgets his medicine or if one of his friends won’t stop pressuring him to try a new type of food. What if an allergic reaction happens when he is away from home and around his friends? By discussing these potential situations, it can help you and your teen to better understand these concerns and anxieties about their food allergies. This may also help to build trust between you and your teen by helping you to see that your teen may already know the answers to some of these “what if” questions. By displaying your confidence in your teen, it will help him to follow the guidelines he needs to follow when it comes to his food allergies. Letting him know that you are confident in his ability to handle things on his own, lets him know that you are willing to work with him to keep him safe when he is away from the comfort of his own home.

Role play. Help your child to know the steps that need to be taken when an allergic reaction does occur by practicing an emergency situation. Listen to your child’s preferences when it comes to eating in certain situations.

Using role-playing to prepare for situations can make the preparation a little more fun for you and your child. Prepare for common situations like ordering out in a restaurant or telling a friend that your child cannot have a certain type of food when it is offered to him. This is especially helpful as the child gets older. Work with your child to create a plan for a school event or a friend’s party by understanding what makes him feel comfortable and uncomfortable in certain situations. By including him in the process, he will be more likely to follow the plan that is laid out.

Help your child to constantly read labels, check the ingredients that are in food and remind him to always carry his medicine with him.

By modeling these behaviors to your child, it will get him in the routine of always doing these things whether he is at home or away from home. He will become comfortable with these routines and it will not feel like a challenge to complete them every time he eats.

Help your child to feel that he is normal and that his food allergy does not make him different. Be mindful of how you speak about your child’s allergy.

No child wants to feel weird or different from his friends. Help him realize that his allergy is not a big deal by making sure he will not have to read labels or talk about his allergy in front of his friends. Make a food plan for your child before he goes out with his friends and discuss it with him so that he knows what he will be eating in advance and won’t have to think about it while he is out. For younger children that are not your own, speak with the parents who will be in charge of your child while he is out. Inform them of his food allergy and be very specific about what he can and cannot eat. Also make sure your child is well aware of what to do in case of an attack when he is out by himself. Food allergies can cause some children a great deal of anxiety. This is why it is important to always remain calm when talking about their allergy and to use a matter-of-fact tone when conveying information about the allergy.

Open programs you commonly use. Open the Novabench website. Click Download for Free. Click Personal Use. Select your operating system. Install Novabench.

In the theme of testing your video card as accurately as possible, make sure any programs you frequently use are open. For example, if you usually have iTunes and a web browser open while working, open those programs before you run your benchmark test. Go to https://novabench.com/ in your computer's web browser. Novabench is a program that has some free aspects, one of which includes assigning to your video card a score that you can use to compare your video card's performance to the ideal score. It's a green button near the top of the page. This is on the left side of the page. Below the Personal Use, click the operating system for which you want to download the installer. This will prompt the installer file to begin downloading onto your computer. You may need to specify a save location or click Save File before the file will download. Double-click the downloaded file, then click through the on-screen prompts until you've installed Novabench. On a Mac, you'll drag the Novabench app icon onto the "Applications" folder icon to begin the installation process.

Remember your video card's name and score. Open Novabench's score page. Click (show all). Bring up the "Find" search bar. Enter your video card's name. Press ↵ Enter. Review the GPU's score on the benchmark page.

You'll need to know your video card's full name in order to find it on Novabench's score page, and you should remember the score your video card received to compare it with the average score for your video card. Go to https://novabench.com/parts/gpu in your computer's web browser. This link is just above the search box near the top of the page. In most web browsers, you can press Ctrl+F (Windows) or ⌘ Command+F (Mac) to open the page search text box in the upper-right side of the page. You may have to click the text box before proceeding. Type in the name of your video card as specified by Novabench. Doing so will locate your video card on the Novabench page. In some cases, typing in the full name of your video card will take you to that result on this page. If so, you don't need to press ↵ Enter. You'll see the score to the right of the video card's name. Ideally, your computer's benchmark score will be at or above this score. For example, if your GPU's score is higher than the one noted on Novabench's page, your video card is running above average. If your GPU's score is significantly lower than the one noted on Novabench's page, you are either running too many programs at once or your video card is beginning to fail.

Open Novabench. Review your video card's name. Click Start Tests. Allow Novabench to run tests on your computer. Pay attention to the FPS value. Review your video card's score.

Click or double-click the Novabench app icon, which resembles a speedometer on a dark-blue background. You can also type novabench into Start {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/0\/07\/Windowsstart.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/07\/Windowsstart.png\/30px-Windowsstart.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":460,"bigWidth":"30","bigHeight":"30","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of a Windows icon.\n<\/p><p>License: <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Public_domain\">Public Domain<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"} (Windows) or Spotlight {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/e\/ea\/Macspotlight.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ea\/Macspotlight.png\/30px-Macspotlight.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":460,"bigWidth":"30","bigHeight":"30","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of a Mac icon.\n<\/p><p>License: <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"} (Mac) and then click or double-click Novabench in the search results. Novabench may open automatically after the installation completes. You'll find your video card to the right of the "Graphics" heading in the middle of the Novabench window. You'll also see your video card's temperature here. Keep an eye on this—if you notice a huge spike in temperature during the benchmark test, your video card may be inadequately ventilated or cooled. This button is in the middle of the window. Novabench will run a few diagnostic tests before proceeding to the GPU (video card) test. During the GPU test—which resembles a 3D animated scene playing out—look at the "FPS" number in the upper-left side of the window. If the FPS is below 30, your computer's video card is struggling to render the test. An FPS value below 60 indicates that your computer won't handle some high-resolution video games. Below the "GPU" heading, you'll see a three-digit score. This is your video card's current score under your computer's current circumstances. Now that you have the score, you can compare your video card to the video card's average score on Novabench's website. A score of below 400 to 500 indicates that your video card can't handle hefty operations such as intensive HD video editing, high-quality gaming, and so on.

Try blind writing. Make a mind map. Attempt "rolestorming". Try meditation. Remove limitations. Discuss things in a group.

When trying to get past a writing block or a brainstorming lag, take at least ten minutes to sit down and write. Force yourself to write for the full ten minutes, no matter what comes of it. The act of putting pen to paper will stimulate the part of your mind that generates ideas. Mind mapping is a brainstorming strategy that allows you to map out different tangents of thought to stimulate new ideas. Get a piece of paper, poster board, or whiteboard and write your goal in the center. Write subtopics and related thoughts around the goal, and continue branching out from them to develop your train of thought. For example, a mind map about the environmental goal "Going Green" could branch into subtopics such as "Reducing Waste", "Eco-travel", and "Global Warming". For a fresh perspective on a topic, attempt "rolestorming". Picture yourself as someone else (e.g. a parent, friend, colleague, or partner) and imagine how you would approach a scenario as them. You can extend this brainstorming technique to famous people or historical figures (e.g. Albert Einstein, Bill Gates). To open your mind to new ideas, try meditation. Find a peaceful place to sit quietly and focus on the question at hand (e.g. "How can I promote my new business on my limited budget?"). Bring a pen and paper to jot down ideas, and meditate for about 30 minutes, or until a good idea comes to you. To avoid worrying about the time, set an alarm on your phone to signal the 30 minute mark). Remove the limitations that may be hindering your brainstorming progress by approaching the subject as if there were no obstacles. While this process may not yield feasible solutions right away, it will open your mind to possibilities you would not look at otherwise. For instance, when planning a surprise party, you might overlook certain venues because of financial constraints, such as an expensive French restaurant that your friend would love to try. By allowing your mind to go there during brainstorming, you might get the idea to simulate the restaurant and meal for a house party. Group brainstorming sessions can allow you to develop your thoughts by feeding off of the ideas of others. If you are working on a group project or collaboration, schedule brainstorming time in a quiet location with few distractions. If you are working on your own project, ask friends or colleagues if you can bounce ideas off of them and get their input.

Exercise on a regular basis. Maintain a healthy sleep schedule. Eat healthy.

Exercising can raise your focus for 2-3 hours, upping your brainstorming power. It can also boost your mood by raising serotonin levels in the brain, and increase your overall productivity. To keep your mind in top shape, get at least thirty minutes of exercise a day (e.g. walking, running, bicycling), preferably before you sit down to work out ideas. Make sure to get adequate sleep to reach your full creative and intellectual potential. Lack of sleep can cause loss of focus, lapses in memory, and may contribute to depression. The required amount of sleep for optimal functioning is: 9-11 hours a day for children 8.5-9.5 hours a day for teenagers 7-9 hours a day for adults Eating a well-balanced, healthy diet is integral to improving brain function. Try to infuse your diet with "smart” foods that aid with cognitive function and improve concentration. These foods include: Fish Whole grains Nuts Dark chocolate Blueberries

Do something out of the ordinary. Watch lectures. Experience music.

A new experience can offer exactly the change of perspective you need to stimulate new ideas. Do something out of the ordinary to get out of your routine and provide inspiration. For instance, if you live in the city, plan a camping weekend for a change of pace. For inspiration, look to motivational speakers by attending lectures or watching TED talks. Check the websites for local universities to see listing of scheduled lectures that might provide you with the proper inspiration. Visit www.TED.com/talks to browse a large library of motivational talks by topic. Music can complement your brainstorming sessions, or be the inspiration for your ideas in and of itself. Try to listen to a wide range of music to vary your musical experience (e.g. if you're a fan of classic rock, make an effort to listen to jazz or R&B music for a new experience). Look online or in local newspapers for concerts or smaller performances near you.

Wear safety glasses while working with metal. Hold the drill perpendicular to the piece of steel so the tip is in the divot. Drill slowly and apply firm downward pressure. Pulse the drill when you’re close to breaking through the other side.

Before you start drilling, make sure you have eye protection to stop any metal shrapnel or sparks. The slivers of steel the drill can toss up are sharp and could cause damage to your eyes. Consider wearing a long-sleeved shirt and closed-toe shoes before working with metal. Find the divot you created on the steel and place the drill bit in it. Make sure you hold your drill straight so you don’t make a crooked hole in the steel. Use a low RPM setting and keep a steady pressure as you push the bit through the metal. Start and stop drilling often to give the steel a chance to cool down and lubricate the area. Drilling at a faster speed could damage the steel or the drill. Use light, but steady pressure when drilling smaller holes so you don’t break your drill bit. If you’re working with a softer steel, stay consistent at a medium speed so the metal shavings don’t melt. Keep all your clothing away from the drill bit so it doesn’t get caught. Keep a firm grip on the drill, but ease off a bit of the pressure. Squeeze the trigger on the drill in short bursts until the bit goes through the other side. Keep the drill bit spinning while you pull it out from the hole. The drill may catch on the steel and try to spin in your hands. Keep your face away from the drill in case this happens.

Clamp the steel to your work surface if it’s lightweight. Mark the spot you want to drill with a pencil. Make a divot in the steel with a hammer and center punch.

Use plastic clamps or metal C-clamps. Tighten the clamp or vice to your workbench so the metal is secure and will not move while you try to drill. If the clamp is loose, the metal could spin while you drill it and cause you harm. If you’re working with a heavier piece of steel, you do not have to clamp it down. If you’re drilling through a painted surface, put stir sticks or shims between the clamp and your piece of steel so the clamps don’t dent or scratch the metal. Measure out where you want to place the hole in the steel. Take the diameter of the drill bit into consideration when you place your hole. Make a dot on the steel with a pencil to mark where the location of the hole’s center. Use a permanent marker if pencil doesn’t show up on the steel. Place the tip of the center punch on the mark you’ve drawn on the steel. Use a hammer to tap the punch slightly to make a small dent. This helps keep your drill in the right spot rather than it moving around while you try to make the hole. Use a nail if you don’t have a center punch.

Drill through the metal again with the larger drill bit. Let the drill bit cool down before removing it. Wipe away any excess lubricant and shrapnel. Use a metal rasp to file and smooth the hole.

Repeat the process with a drill bit for the size you want the final hole. Place the center of the bit in the existing hole and slowly drill through it again, lubricating the metal when necessary. Pulse the drill bit when you reach the end of the hole. For very large holes, gradually work up towards the diameter you want. It may take 3 or 4 different bits before you have the hole size you want. If you see smoke while you’re drilling, either slow down or use more lubricant. Some drills may have a level built into their body, but if not, use a level to make sure you’re drilling your hole straight. The steel and the drill will be hot to the touch by the time you’re finished. Give the bit at least 5 minutes to cool before changing it to a larger bit or putting it away. Use a shop cloth or a brush to wipe away any residue from drilling. Throw the shrapnel in a sharps container or separate bin. Make sure the steel is completely dry and free of debris when you’re finished cleaning it. Never wipe the metal shrapnel with your bare hands since it is sharp and could cut you. Use a medium or heavy rasp on the surface of the steel to remove any sharp edges around the hole. Work lightly so you don’t damage the rest of the steel. If your rasp fits inside the hole you drilled, you can also smooth the inside of the hole for a clean and uniform look.

Use a sharp bit. Use a drill bit half the diameter as the size you want to start. Work with a drill press for larger pieces of steel. Use 30 weight oil and water in a spray bottle or a lubricant oil on the drill bit.

If you're only drilling a few holes through steel, you can use a regular high-speed steel bit. If you're drilling a lot of holes, or through hardened steel, then a cobalt steel bit or black oxide bit is a better choice. Most drill bits are sold in a set with multiple sizes. If your drill bit is dull, it's not difficult to sharpen the drill bit yourself. Place the drill bit in your drill and tighten it so it’s held firmly in your drill. The smaller drill bit puts less pressure on the metal and allows you to drill larger holes easier later on. For example, if you want the hole to be 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) at the end, start by drilling a hole that’s 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm). Drill presses are heavy duty machines that make sure your drill bit goes straight through the metal with the most accuracy. See if there is a workshop around you where you can use their drill press or purchase one for yourself. There are 2 different models of drill press that you can purchase. Choose a bench drill press for a compact option that will fit right on your workbench. Pick a floor model drill press if you plan on frequently working with larger pieces of steel. If you plan on offering metal fabrication services to others, consider getting a drill press for the most accuracy. WD40 is for getting water out of rusted bolts. Place the lubricant on the end of the drill bit and on the sheet of steel you plan to drill. This helps protect the drill bit and the metal to make a smooth cut. Spray the steel periodically while you’re drilling to keep it lubricated and reduce friction. Look for a 3-in-1 oil with a telescoping spout so you can lubricate the drill bit as it’s running.

Use natural fertilizers before planting and before your rose’s first bloom. Apply natural fertilizers every 4 weeks during high growth season. Stop all fertilization 35-40 days before the first frost date.

For new and small rose plants, it’s best to use organic fertilizers to avoid burning their delicate roots. Add nutrients to the soil before planting your rose bush, and after you first plant them, with natural fertilizers. Wait until after they bloom the first time before using any chemical fertilizers. In early spring, before roses come out of dormancy and start to bloom, using natural fertilizers is the best way to get roses accustomed to new nutrients in the soil. Look for fertilizers labeled organic at a local garden supply store, or use the recipes in the homemade fertilizers section. To keep a steady amount of nutrients flowing into your roses’ soil, use natural fertilizers every 4 weeks from early spring until 3-4 weeks before they enter dormancy. Work whatever fertilizer you choose into the upper soil levels. Spread solid or granular natural fertilizers in a circle around the top of the soil about 6 in (15 cm) from the base of the bush and work it into the top 2 in (5.1 cm) of soil with a small cultivator. Liquid natural fertilizers can be poured in a circle about 6 in (15 cm) from the base of the bush. Applying fertilizers too late in the growing season could cause young, soft growth that’s easily damaged by the first frost. To encourage your roses to begin preparing for winter dormancy, stop fertilizing them 35-40 days, or 6-8 weeks, before the first frost. In many areas, this will be around mid-August. Use the first frost prediction for your exact region to be sure.