To be considered for a Microsoft MVP award, you must first be nominated by either a current MVP or a current Microsoft employee. Therefore, the more connections you make with people in these categories, the more likely it is that you'll be noticedand, hopefully, nominatedby one or more of them. If you attend tech conferences, you're sure to run into people who fit into one of these categories. Don't be shy about introducing yourself and giving an "elevator pitch" that lays out your MVP-worthy credentials. You can search a list of all current MVPs (which number 3223 as of June 2019) at https://mvp.microsoft.com/en-us/MvpSearch. If you manage to sufficiently impress a current MVP or Microsoft employee, they may choose to submit your name as a nominee to the awards committee. This is an achievement in itself, but it's also only the first step toward the coveted MVP award. There's nothing inherently wrong with asking to be nominated, but use your own best judgment about whether this is a good idea. Some potential nominators may be fine with this tactic, while others may take offense. Most people in these categories will know how to go about nominating you. If not, direct them to the nominating portal at https://mvp.microsoft.com/en-US/Nomination/nominate-an-mvp. Be sure to thank your nominator personally and profusely. After all, they've done you a great service! If you pass an initial screening after being nominated, you'll receive a request for supporting documentation from the awards committee. They're looking for tangible evidence that you deserve an MVP award, so be sure to make a great case for yourself! The initial screening, along with the entire decision-making process for MVP awards, is intentionally cloaked in secrecy by Microsoft. They simply don't want potential recipients to know exactly how the process works. You might do the following to support your case: list the conferences you've spoken at, and estimate the number of people in attendance at your sessions; tally up your YouTube tutorials and the number of views; identify your written work in your contribution areas; and point out several of your best-received message board answers. After your supporting documentation has been reviewed, it's possible that a member of the awards committee will contact you with follow-up questions. Answer fully and truthfully, while also showing the confidence to tout your achievements and your passion for sharing your expertise. They may, for example, want further clarification on the topics of some of your conference panels, or they may want to know more about your views on a particular Microsoft product in your area of expertise. The awards committee frequently deals with a backlog of nominations, so you should expect the entire process (from nomination to final decision) to take 90 days or more.

Summary: Network with current MVPs and Microsoft employees. Secure a nomination for an MVP award. Provide documentation that supports your nomination when requested. Answer any relevant questions posed by the awards committee.

In order for decals, tape, skins, and stickers to apply smoothly, all of the surfaces on your laptop should be clean. Use water and avoid using surface cleaners. Use a damp, not soaking, towel to wipe down the surfaces to which you will be applying any kind of decoration. Wash your hands to help ensure the laptop stays clean after wiping it down. Use a dry towel after the wipe down to ensure the laptop is completely dry and ready for applying decals. Using washi tape is a popular way to customize your keyboard. Washi tape is a type of decorative masking tape that is safe to apply to your keyboard. It comes in dozens of patterns that you can mix and match. You can buy washi tape at many craft stores. It is also available online from many vendors. Cut strips of tape the size of individual keys, and stick them to the keyboard. You may want to gently write the corresponding letter on the tape. Sometimes washi tape is quite thin. In that case, you might be able to see the lettering through the tape anyway. Skins cover the entire back (behind the screen) of the laptop with an elaborate image. Skins are great when you want a single, dramatic image. Many websites sell pre-made laptop skins or even allow you to upload your own images to be made into skins. You can also make your own laptop skin by buying sticker paper and printing the image you want onto the sticker paper using your computer's printer. Apply the skin by by slowly peeling one edge of the skin back and sticking it to one edge of the laptop. Then, slowly peel the back of the skin away a little at a time while smoothing the skin down with a straight edge (a credit card will do the trick). Individual stickers can be used on your laptop to provide personalization and customization. Decals can be purchased from a variety of online stores. Decals are often vinyl. Vinyl decals are easier to remove than ordinary stickers. Remember that stickers that look upside down when the laptop is closed and facing you will look upright to everyone else when the laptop is open. Ordinary stickers may be very difficult to remove, so be sure you want them before you stick them on.

Summary: Turn off your laptop, then wipe it down. Decorate your keyboard using washi tape. Decorate your laptop using a skin. Use individual decals and stickers to customize your laptop.

Stick the meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat. Wait for the reading to determine if your meat has finished cooking. Sanitize the thermometer with hot water and dish soap after you take the reading. Pull the meat away from its heat source while you take the measurement so it doesn't affect your reading. Measure the temperatures of steaks, chops, or roasts until they are at the correct temperature. This includes beef, pork, lamb, or veal. Once the meat is at temperature, let it rest for 3 minutes. Don't eat rare steaks if you have a weak immune system. Break apart larger chunks of ground meat to make them cook faster. Make sure ground meat is browned all the way through before consumption. Every cut of poultry needs to be cook thoroughly since it can cause food poisoning when consumed raw. Make sure the poultry is an even color throughout and that the juices inside are clear.
Summary: Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer before serving. Cook red meat to 145F (63C). Make sure ground red meat is above 160F (71C). Prepare poultry to 165F (74C).