INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Transfer the ice cubes to the pitcher and pour cold water over them. Stir the water to help chill it faster, and transfer the pitcher to the refrigerator until you're ready to add it to the absinthe. It's important to chill the water, because you don't add ice cubes directly to the absinthe. You can also use a glass beverage dispenser or an absinthe fountain for the ice water. An absinthe fountain is a special beverage dispenser on a pedestal that makes it easier to slowly pour the water into the absinthe. You can buy an absinthe fountain online, and possibly from a bar and restaurant supply store. Absinthe is prepared by adding between 3 and 5 ounces (89 and 148 ml) of water to 1 ounce (30 ml) of absinthe. Using a larger glass will prevent spills and give you room to stir the drink. You can use any type of glass to prepare the absinthe, including a wine glass, old fashioned glass, Irish coffee glass, or a tumbler. There is also a special type of glass that's designed specifically for absinthe, called a Pontarlier glass. It has a special well at the bottom so you can pour the absinthe without measuring. Specialty glasses like this can be purchased online, or through bar and restaurant suppliers.

SUMMARY: Combine the ice and water in a pitcher. Choose a glass that can hold at least 8 ounces (237 ml).

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Listen to music with English lyrics. Find a few favorite English songs and continuing listening to those songs until you understand the meaning of each one. If you don't know where to find English music, look for an English radio station that streams online. Check YouTube and other video websites for English music videos. Learn who some of the most popular English musicians within your favorite genre (pop music, rock music, etc.) and find several of their songs. Watch the characters' actions to help yourself understand the context behind the English they speak. You can also turn on subtitles in your native language to help yourself follow along, but turn them off if the subtitles prevent you from focusing on the English words you're listening to. Listen to English podcasts, especially podcasts designed to help people learning English as a foreign or second language. Watch the "Top Videos" on YouTube or other video hosting websites with English content. Visit websites that legally host free episodes of English shows and watch a few. Try to understand who the characters are and what the show is about. Practice speaking English when you're alone. Consider recording yourself when you speak English, then listen to that recording later. You can also practice singing aloud in English or reading short paragraphs of text written in English. Speaking in English more often can help you improve your pronunciation. Recording your spoken practices can help you identify areas you need to improve. Record someone who speaks English well as that person reads the same text. Listen to his or her recording, then listen to your own recording and compare your pronunciation. Travel someplace where native English speakers gather. Listen to them speak English and try to understand their conversations. Visiting a country where people speak English will give you more opportunity to listen to English conversation, but if this isn't an option you can consider, try visiting somewhere in your own country where English tourists gather. Be polite. Don't stare or make the people you're listening to feel uncomfortable, and try not to listen to every detail. Focus on identifying the general topic of each conversation and pick out several unknown words to look up later. Find excuses to talk with others who speak English. This includes native English speakers and others who are still studying the language. Look for unexpected opportunities to speak English. For example, if you meet an English-speaking tourist who is lost, try to give that person directions in English. If possible, find several friends who only speak English and do not speak your native language. You will be forced to speak English if you want to talk with these friends. Become friends with others learning the language, too. These individuals might be able to sympathize with you, and you can encourage each other through the learning process.

SUMMARY: Listen to English music. Watch videos, shows, and movies in English. Talk to yourself. Listen to English speakers. Speak with English speakers.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Use a butter knife or similar tool, like popsicle sticks or a spatula. Add just enough wax to lightly cover the target area. As you do, spread the wax down in the direction that your hair grows. For example, with your calf, spread it from your knee down to your ankle, not the other way. With each application, apply it in a fast, clean motion in order to spread it as thinly as possible. Dragging it too slowly over your skin may result in thicker deposits, which will be tougher to remove. This may take some practice, so consider making an extra batch just in case you mess up. Use cotton muslin strips of an appropriate size for the area you're waxing, or slightly larger. Set it over the wax, with at least a couple inches (about 5 cm) remaining clear of the wax at one end, so you have a tab that's easy to pull. Then gently rub the portion that's stuck to the wax in the same direction that your hair grows, without pressing directly down into your flesh. Do this two or three times. Alternately, you can cut up an old t-shirt or other cloth and use strips of that. If you do, just make sure the material isn't too stretchy. You want something nice and firm for easy removal. The free end should be in the direction of your hair growth. For example, with your calf, it should be pointing toward your ankle, not your knee. With one hand, use your fingers to pull the surrounding skin away from the fabric, so it's nice and taut. Then, with the other, take the fabric's free end in between your fingertips. Quickly pull the fabric free of your skin in the opposite direction that your hair grows. For example, with your calf, you should pull the strip up toward your knee. As you do, try to keep as straight as possible. Avoid pulling it off at an angle that's different from the one in which it was applied. Tear it off like a bandaid, in one quick, clean motion. Apply more wax and strips as needed to wax all of the intended area. Depending on how large an area you're waxing, reheat the mixture if it cools off or hardens to the point that you can't spread it easily. Once you're done, wash your skin with warm to hot water. If needed, apply more wax to the same area and use a second strip. After that, use a tweezer to pluck any remaining hairs. Your skin will probably be too sensitive for a third waxing. Use soap if you want when washing, but it isn't necessary. All you need is warm water, so stick with that if you used scented oil and want the smell to last. If your skin feels dried out afterward, apply baby oil after washing to rehydrate it. The fabric can also be cleaned with hot water, so you can use them again..

SUMMARY:
Spread the wax. Apply your fabric. Strip the fabric from your skin. Repeat if necessary, then clean up.