Raise the temperature of the kiln to 850F (455C) for 12 hours. This will produce "bisque" or "unglazed pottery." This initial firing removes the physical and chemical water so that the piece can be glazed without returning to mud and breaking. Ranges of temperature are referred to as "cones" in the ceramics world. Allow the temperature to drop and remove the pottery 48 hours later after the temperature has completely cooled. Keep in mind that glaze will run. Cover the bottom of your pottery with wax to shield it from sticking to the kiln shelf itself. If you want more precise lines, paint with "bisque stain" and then cover with a clear glaze. If your surface isn't smooth, use a 100 grit sandpaper or a kitchen paring knife edge to make it so. Then sponge the entire surface of the pot to remove any dust left from sanding to provide a clean surface for the glaze to adhere to. Glazing takes on a number of forms. You can dip, brush, sponge, or etch -- just to get the list started. Use wax to keep the bottom from getting glaze on it during firing. You can also buy glazes in liquid or dry form. If you want to be a real pro, eventually you can make your own. Depending on your clay, the size of the object, and the glaze, you may need a kiln that hits 2500 Fahrenheit (1148 C). Overnight, warm up your kiln at very low heat. Spend two hours at low heat (an increase in temperature of no more than 200F per hour) and then two hours at medium heat (an increase in temperature of no more than 300F per hour). Finally, finish at high heat (an increase in temperature of 300 to 400F per hour) until the required temperature has been reached. It may have rested on the bottom of the kiln in an awkward position, forcing it to lose its flat bottom. Smooth it so that it sits without wobbling on a surface such as a table or shelf. Add felt onto the bottom of your object if you so desire. Then, admire your finished product!
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One-sentence summary -- Place the pottery in an electric kiln. Paint your object with glaze. Reheat the pottery to melt the glaze and seal your object. File down the bottom of your object.

If you're going to be somewhere your child will get motion sick, try to skip foods that can cause nausea. For instance, spicy foods or greasy foods can often cause a child to feel sick. Even too much sugar can cause nausea. Try to stick to bland foods if you know you're going to be somewhere your child may get sick, such as the car. If it's a fairly short trip, you can just avoid eating right beforehand. If your child needs a snack, try something that isn't too harsh on their stomach, such as crackers and water. In the car, the best place to help prevent motion sickness is in the front seat. However, if your child is under 13 years of age, they should sit in the backseat, where the middle seat is the best, as it still allows them to see out the front. However, keep in mind that laws vary by country and state about when a child can sit in the front seat. If you're traveling by plane, pick a seat right over the wings, preferably by the window. Your child can stare at the horizon, and the wings are the most stable part of the plane. You can use medications to help prevent motion sickness before it starts. However, keep in mind that most of these medications will make your child sleepy. If your child is over two, you can use Dramamine, designed to help with motion sickness. If your child is over six, you can use Benadryl, which is an antihistamine that may also help. Always read the label first to check for medications your child is allergic to. In addition, it's always best to talk to your child's doctor before giving them a new medication. Acupressure bands are stretchy bands that go on your child's wrist. They have a small piece of plastic on one side that's supposed to go on the inside of your child's wrist. The plastic presses on a pressure point that can help with nausea and motion sickness. Put these on your child before you get in the car. They should be about half an inch above the wrist crease, with the plastic point on the inside of the wrist. No remedy is fool-proof, so your child might still get sick. It's a good idea to be prepared with zip-top plastic bags or paper bags (for vomit), air freshener, wipes, washcloths and water (for a compress), and towels to clean up any messes. Also, be sure to have a change of clothes on hand for your child. If your child is prone to throwing up, consider placing a towel underneath them to help catch vomit. If your child is under 3, don't give them a plastic bag to throw up in. Make sure to use paper. However, zip-top bags are still good for holding soiled clothes.
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One-sentence summary -- Avoid foods that will cause nausea. Pick the best seat for your child. Try medications. Use acupressure bands. Pack a clean-up kit.

Assimilating to a culture's ways is a very important part of feeling like you fit in and feeling "at home." Embrace their traditions and etiquette to get a feel for their way of life and to truly experience the country. However, if something doesn't make sense to you, don't do it! You still have your own mind. No culture is better than any other, and therefore their way of life doesn't necessarily have to be adopted. Take traffic rules, for example. If you see a pedestrian timidly crossing the street, you may wish to resist that Brazilian influence growing inside of you and let him or her pass. Never compromise safety or your happiness just to fit in. Going to Brazil on your own can, at least initially, be very daunting. To make the transition easier, find other expats to help pad the culture shock. They are going through the same thing, or have at one point or another. They can point you to all the wonderful "bits of home" they've cultivated. Brazil is huge and multicultural you'll be able to find certain comforts (brand names, certain foods, etc.) if you know where to look. In addition to expat friends, you need native friends, too, to show you the ropes. They'll know all the happening spots, the best places to get food, and show you a side of the country that expats aren't able to. They'll be the ones that give you the most memorable stories, too. Don't know where to start? You can meet people hanging out at cafes, clubs, at futbol games, or through your students if you teach them your language. What's more, some families love taking in foreigners. Next time a friendly looking older woman smiles at you, initiate a conversation just by saying hello and asking her name. You may be a few minutes away from a home-cooked meal! Many expats take trips back home often, or at least take many opportunities to travel. The pollution may get to you if you're in a bigger city, so you'll literally need some fresh air! Listen to your body and mind when are things starting to get to you? It's then that you need to take a break from life that way you can come back rejuvenated and ready to go. If Brazil does start getting to you, sleep on it. Don't write it off quite yet. Sometimes homesickness seems like it's staying forever, but it can be fought through. The rewards, stories, and memories will be virtually limitless if you stay!
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One-sentence summary --
Embrace what you approve of. Look for expat communities to be a part of. Make friends who are locals. Take a breather when you need.