Problem: Article: This doesn't mean that you should be happy if your mother-in-law criticizes you less than ten times an hour. However, it does mean that your spouse's family is not your own, and that his parents, siblings, and other family members may have traditions, beliefs, and perspectives that are quite different from what you grew up with. Your family probably seems just as weird to your spouse as his family seems to you; maybe his father isn't as much fun as yours, but he can be just as kind. Know that you're not going to have the amazing time that you expect to have with your own family, but believe that you can manage to have some fun if you don't expect amazing things to happen. Get used to the fact that your spouse's family is quite different from yours, which can include everything from their religion to their love or hatred for watching football during the big meal. You can't change your in-laws, but you can change the way you approach the ways in which they are different from your own family. Don't tell raunchy jokes if they are conservative, and don't talk about how much you love your gun if they are liberal. Remember that, while you are still family, you are still technically the outsider, and you should be the one who has to adjust to what they think is normal. The sooner you accept that you and your in-laws are different people, the easier it will be to stop being frustrated. This may be hard to remember when you're fighting with your mother-in-law about the right way to bake an apple pie, but in the end, the two people in front of you, however annoying or unpleasant they may be, have raised your spouse. They must have influenced him in some positive way and have given him some positive traits -- it's impossible to not be influenced at all by your parents, isn't it? The next time your in-laws annoy you just remember that they are the parents of your spouse, however imperfect they may be. Nothing will set the tone worse than complaining about the fact that you have to spend time with your in-laws in front of your spouse. How is this supposed to make him or her feel? Sure, your relationship with your in-laws may not be perfect, but if you already agreed to spend time with them, then what's the point of making a big stink about it? This will only make your spouse feel worse and will make him or her either lose faith in his or her family, or turn on you to defend his or her parents. Either way, it leads to no good. Think about it: how would it make you feel to hear your spouse criticize your own parents? Sure, you're aware of their flaws, but you love them with all your heart. At the end of the day, you'll go home -- or retire to the guest bedroom -- with your spouse, not with your mother and father in-law (thankfully). This means that you should stay on the same team as your partner, trying to make things as easy as possible for everyone and not turn on each other or pick fights. In the end, your partner is your best ally, especially during the holiday season, so don't turn on him because you're so unhappy about being where you are.
Summary: Adjust your expectations. Accept the differences. Remember that your in-laws made your spouse. Don't complain about hanging out with them beforehand. Remember that you and your spouse are on the same team.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If you can't find any molasses, use brown rice syrup instead. Mix just enough for the recipe. For example, if your recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of balsamic vinegar, use 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of molasses. Stir everything together with a fork. Give your substitute a taste. If it tastes too sour, add some more molasses or brown rice syrup. If it is too sweet, add more lemon juice.

SUMMARY: Mix equal parts of lemon juice and molasses in a small bowl. Add a dash of soy sauce. Make any adjustments, if needed. Add the mixture to your recipe in place of the balsamic vinegar.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Bathroom policies will vary from school to school, teacher to teacher, and grade to grade. If you do not understand the bathroom policy, ask your teacher or professor to explain the rules and procedures to you. If you can not remember the restroom rules, ask your teacher to remind you of the rules. If you can not comply with any part of the bathroom policy, set up a meeting with your parents, teacher, and principal to discuss the concern and develop a solution you can all agree on. In elementary, middle, and high school, you may be required to ask for permission to use the restroom. In college and graduate school, most professors will let your come and go from the classroom as you please. When you do get up to use restroom, leave and re-enter the room quietly and discretely. If you are an exchange student, ask your host family, roommate, teacher, or professor to explain the country's cultural norms regarding using the bathroom at school. Before asking to use the bathroom, make sure it is a convenient time for you to ask this question. Ask yourself, "Is it a good time to talk to my teacher and leave the classroom?" Avoid asking your teacher to use the bathroom when they are in the middle of giving instructions, during the middle of a lecture, or during a lesson. Do ask your teacher to use the restroom during independent work times, when you have finished all of your class work, or after you have completed a test. If it is an emergency, remain calm and ask your teacher immediately. When it comes to asking to use the restroom, each teacher has a different policy. While some teachers prefer the traditional method of raising your hand to ask for permission, other teachers find this practice disrupting. Instead, they insist that their students use a special hand signal. Raise your hand, wait patiently to be called on, and ask for permission to use the restroom. "May I please go to the restroom, Mr./Mrs/Ms. ____." Raise your hand with the special signal (perhaps crossed fingers) and patiently wait for a response. If your teacher is fine with you using the bathroom, they may nod their head "yes." If your teacher would like you to wait, they may shake their head "no" or raise a finger to signal "wait a few minutes, please." Your teacher may respond in one of three ways: "yes," "no," or "not right now." If you don't receive the answer you were hoping to hear, you must respect your teacher's answer. If it is an emergency, tell your teacher it is an emergency and you can't wait to use the restroom. If your teacher says "yes," thank them and exit the room. After using the bathroom, return to the room quietly. If your teacher says "no" or "in a minute," ask again in a little while.
Summary:
Determine your teacher's restroom policy. Choose an appropriate time to ask if you may use the bathroom. Ask to use the bathroom. Respect your teacher's answer.