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If you can repaint the walls in your room, pick a light or neutral color to help make the space feel bigger and more open. Try using different shades of the same color for the walls, trim, and other detailing. Use a different, bright color for your ceiling, which will draw the eye upward and make the ceiling feel higher. Paint two opposite walls a slightly different color to create more interest and make the room seem longer. Make sure to use a rug that is very large to make your room feel bigger instead of smaller. Stick to a light color or an elongating pattern to keep it feeling open. Try a rug with a striped pattern to help make the room feel wider. Place it so that the stripes are going in the same direction as the longest orientation of the room. A nice light carpet or wood floors in your room may not need a rug at all and will feel bigger without it. However, a dark floor or one that's not in good shape will benefit from a light-colored, large rug to cover it. Make your bed seem new and extra comfy just by adding bedding to it. Layer on several blankets and colorful accent pillows to create a plush place to sleep and hang out. Make your bed the focal point in your room with lots of bedding, then try to keep the rest of your decor more minimal. This will help draw your eye to the bed and make the room seem bigger. Whether or not you have a daybed, arrange your pillows and blankets to act like a couch for extra seating during the day before it transforms into your bed at night. This could reduce the need for other chairs or sofas in your room. Keep windows open to let in natural light to your room, which will make it feel bigger and more pleasant. Add mirrors and several sources of light to brighten it at night or or in low natural light. Use curtains or drapes that are the same light color as your walls, or completely sheer. Keep them pulled back during the day to let the full amount of light in. Place small and large mirrors around your room to reflect light and make the space feel even more open. Use several sources of light, like lamps, string lights, or built-in lights to create a bright and cozy atmosphere. This can be a fun touch to add a girly flare to your room. Choose an area with good lighting. Somewhere by the window would work great. You should also choose an area with paler walls. Place a closet or cabinet full of clothes near this area. Set up a full length mirror just by the cabinet. See if you can find a tailor mannequin online. You can throw a cute dress on the mannequin to signify this is the dressing area. Photos of friends and family members can perk up your room. Get some Christmas lights at a supermarket. Get some cheap clips or clothes pins. Choose a variety of photos you want to display. Hang up the Christmas lights in a series of rows somewhere in your room. Clip photos between each light. You will have a fun, cute addition to your room. Do you have a large collection of sunglasses? If so, you can pick a cute, colorful hanger. Hang it up somewhere in your room, such as the doorknob to your closet. You can hang all your sunglasses from the edge of the hanger. You can also paint a white hanger in a color you like. Some stores may sell hangers with cute designs, like polka dots. Make a trip to the local mall or shopping center. Buy some decorations that speak to your personal style. Is there a band you love? See if you can find a poster of that band. What's your favorite movie? See if you can find a poster of that. Look for stickers or bumper stickers with cute expressions that you relate to. You can put these up on a bulletin board above your desk. You can also look for lamps, rugs, and throw pillows with a color or design you like. | Use light-colored paint. Lay down a large rug. Pile your bed with blankets and pillows. Supplement natural light with additional lighting. Add a dressing area. String photos on Christmas lights. Use a hanger to store your sunglasses. Add personalized decorations. |
The most important part of losing weight is not working out until you collapse — it's your diet. If you burn 500 to 750 more calories than what you eat every day, you will lose 1–2 pounds every week (any more than that is considered unsafe weight loss). There are tons of little changes you can make to cut calories from your diet, from replacing high-calorie dressings with vinaigrette and asking for all dressings/sauces served on the side, eating at the table instead of in front of the tv, skipping cheese and other fatty additions to your salads and meals, using smaller plates, leave off the whipped cream on your coffee drink, and on and on. Protein is required by the body to repair damaged cells and plays a vital role in growth and development. But it can also play a role in weight loss. Diets high in protein tend to make people feel fuller, and when paired with a reduction in carbohydrate intake these diets can help with weight loss. However, it's important to remember that not all sources of protein are good for you: red meat and full-fat dairy products, though high in protein, can also increase the risk of heart disease. Good sources of protein include: Soy protein Legumes and beans Nuts Fish Skinless poultry Lean beef or pork Fat-free or low-fat dairy products While saturated fat leads to the body's retention of visceral fat, causing abdominal girth and excessive weight gain, studies have shown that a diet high in polyunsaturated fat helps promote the production of muscle mass instead of body fat. Polyunsaturated fats can also help reduce cholesterol levels in the body, lowering the risk of stroke and heart disease. Sources of polyunsaturated fats include: Olive oil Soybean oil Corn oil Sunflower oil Salmon Mackerel Herring Trout Walnuts Sunflower seeds Tofu Soybean Foods that are low on the glycemic index (GI) are digested and absorbed more slowly than high-index foods, and when coupled with increased physical activity a low-GI diet has been shown to be effective in losing weight. Foods that are low on the glycemic index include: Beans and lentils Apples Apricots Bananas Carrots Corn Mango Oranges Certain types of pasta Processed foods are often reached for as comfort food. But certain processed foods, like refined grains and refined sugars, increase inflammation in the body, and have been linked to excess belly fat. Some studies suggest that drinking green tea (including decaffeinated green tea) or taking green tea extracts can increase the body's rate of fat oxidation and may decrease overall body fat. The studies used green tea extract, administered by capsule, but dieters may also get some of the same benefits from drinking green tea. Adults typically need around 1,000 milligrams of calcium every day to help maintain muscle and nerve function, and it's necessary for healthy bones and teeth. But calcium may also help prevent the body from storing visceral fat in the abdomen. Though studies have not shown a drastic change in weight due to increased calcium intake, researchers suggest that it may have a small effect in some people. Calcium requires vitamin D to be absorbed into the body; therefore, be sure to get enough vitamin D as well. Sources of calcium include: Dietary supplements Non-fat or low-fat milk and dairy products Kale Salmon Tofu (with calcium sulfate) | Cut back on calories. Eat more protein. Eat polyunsaturated fats. Eat low-glycemic-index foods. Avoid processed foods. Drink green tea. Get enough calcium. |
Keep them in that order. The ace will represent 1 for this trick and will be the very top card on your pile. The cards can be any suit or color. Do this before your audience arrives. The rest of the deck can be in any order. Avoid shuffling after you put the cards on top, though, so you don't mess them up. Be careful not to jumble the cards as you put them in your pocket. You want the ace, 2, 4, and 8 to stay on top. Remember which side of the deck is the top when you hide the cards. If you don't have a pocket, hold the cards under a table or anywhere hidden where the audience can't see them. They can choose 15, but it can't be any number larger than that. Have them tell you their number out loud. You can have them write down the number on a piece of paper, too, if you need a visual. Every number between 1 and 15 can be formed by adding up some or all of the 4 top cards in your pocket. The collection of numbers that sum up to the number your audience gave you is known as its binary decomposition. Instead of trying to add different numbers using trial and error, start by subtracting the largest of your 4 cards from the audience's number. Then subtract the next largest number and so on, until you reach 0. Don't use a calculator or paper to do your calculation. You have to do it mentally for the trick to be impressive. You should know where each card is because you set them on the deck in the order of 1 (ace), 2, 4, and 8. Carefully remove the correct cards. For example, if the number is 10, you’ll need the 8 and 2. The 2 is the 2nd card in your deck and the 8 is the 4th. If you accidentally pull out the wrong cards, you’ll ruin the trick. Once you pull out the cards, arrange them in your hand so that the numbers are visible. Then flip them around so your audience can see them. Explain that the numbers add up to their chosen number. You can also lay the cards out on a table or simply hand the cards to your audience. If you want to repeat the trick, make sure you put the cards back into your pocket in the correct order. | Put an ace, 2, 4, and 8 card on the top of the deck. Slide the deck of cards into your pocket. Ask your audience to pick a number between 1 and 15. Calculate in your head how to get their number using 1, 2, 4, and 8. Pull out the cards that add up to that number without looking. Show the cards to your audience. |
Over the counter supplements are not regulated as drugs but many companies still use the same methods of testing for disintegration rate. If the company has used the USP standards and testing, they will usually label it so consumers will know. Supplements come in many different forms. It is important to know which form you are taking to determine disintegration rate. Standard form usually dissolves within 30 to 45 minutes after ingestion. A standard form would be a tablet that is not coated with gelatin or a gel pill. They can usually be crushed into a dry powder. Enteric coated dissolves once the supplement has reached the intestine. Gel coated usually dissolves within 30 minutes after ingestion. Time release supplements will have the amount of time it takes for the supplement to fully absorb into the body on the label. These will vary based on supplement. Chewable tablets must be chewed or crushed in order to disintegrate fully. | Check for references to United States Pharmacopeia [USP] standards and testing. Check for information on type of supplement. |
Put a large dollop of frosting onto the top of the assembled layer cake. Use an offset spatula to spread the frosting across the top and sides of the cake. The crumb coat should be so thin that you can see through to the cake. The crumb coat will trap the crumbs in the thin layer of frosting. This way, you can easily add frosting without getting crumbs in it. Put the cake in the fridge to chill until the crumb coat firms up. Then remove it and spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake. This layer of frosting should be much thicker than the crumb coat. Spin the cake turntable slowly as you work. This will make it easier to frost the sides of the cake. For very smooth sides, run a bench scraper against them so the frosting level is even. Place the frosted layer cake in the refrigerator and let it chill until the frosting sets. This will make it easier to pipe frosting or add other decorations without the frosting sliding or melting. You don't need to cover the cake as it chills. The frosting will prevent the cake from drying out. Once your cake has been completely frosted, pipe frosting embellishments on the top and sides. If you like, sprinkle cocoa or candy sprinkles over the top. Consider garnishing the cake with flaked coconut, mini-chocolate chips, or chopped nuts. For a botanical look, place fresh flowers on the cake. Remove the flowers just before slicing and serving the cake. Slide a cake lifter or large spatula under the cardboard base for your layer cake. Carefully lift it up in order to move the whole cake from the turntable. Set it down on your cake stand. Then slice and enjoy the layer cake. Use a chef's knife to slice the cake into pieces. For the best texture, cover the layer cake with an overturned bowl or plastic wrap and keep it at room temperature. If you'd rather refrigerate it, store it in an airtight container for up to 1 week and let it sit out at room temperature before you serve it. If your frosting has cream cheese or whipped cream, plan on refrigerating it instead of storing it at room temperature. | Spread a thin crumb coat over the top and sides of the cake. Chill the cake for 30 minutes and frost the top and sides. Chill the cake for at least 30 minutes. Decorate the cake. Transfer the cake from the turntable to a cake stand. Store the layer cake at room temperature for up to 3 or 4 days. |
Use your hands to combine the crumbly mixture. Keep mixing until you have a dough that's smooth and doesn't fall apart. Avoid kneading it too much once it's formed or the gnocchi will be tough. You shouldn't need to add flour to your work surface at this point because the dough is already crumbly. Keep the dough on your work surface and use your hands to shape it into a rectangle that's about 12 inches (30 cm) long and 4 inches (10 cm) wide. If the dough sticks, use a sprinkling of flour to loosen it. Use a sharp knife or bench scraper to cut across the rectangle. Avoid using a serrated knife which could tear the dough. Make 8 to 10 strips that are about 4 inches (10 cm) long. The dough should feel light and airy if you haven't over-mixed it. Move 1 of the strips to the center of your work surface and use the palms of both hands to roll it into a long rope. If you want to make thin gnocchi, roll the dough into a rope that's about 12 inches (30 cm) long. Roll out each of the strips into ropes. If you want thicker gnocchi, roll the rope about 8 inches (20 cm) long. Take your knife or bench scraper and cut across each of the ropes. Make 1 in (2.5 cm) pieces that will become the gnocchi. If the dough begins to stick, sprinkle more flour onto your work surface. Sprinkle flour evenly across a rimmed baking sheet. Place the gnocchi on the sheet and sprinkle more flour over them. Keep them on the sheet until you're ready to boil them. Boil the gnocchi within 45 minutes of cutting and putting them on the sheet. To add texture, press a piece of the dough onto the tines of a fork and roll the dough off as you press gently. For an easier shape, press your thumb into the middle of each piece of dough. If you don't want to add texture to your gnocchi, you can skip this step and begin boiling the pasta. | Knead the mixture into a soft dough. Form the dough into a long rectangle. Cut the rectangle into 8 to 10 short strips. Roll each strip into a long rope. Cut each rope into 1 in (2.5 cm) pieces. Arrange the gnocchi on a floured baking sheet. Make ridges with a fork or press each gnocchi to add a unique look. |
It can be frustrating trying to meet the right guy. It might make you anxious, or even sad. That's normal, but those types of thoughts won't help you to find a boyfriend. Shift your mindset so that you focus on thinking positive thoughts. Release negativity. If you find yourself thinking, "You'll never meet someone", let that thought go. Replace it with a thought like, "I'm proud of myself for putting in effort." Try a gratitude journal. Spend 5-10 minutes a day writing down things you are thankful for. This will help you reflect on the positive aspects of your life. You could write things such as, "I'm grateful that my best friend and I both got cast in the school play" or "I'm glad my parents trust and respect me." Try to spend some time each day reflecting on what you most like about yourself. You can choose any attributes you like! You can give yourself compliments out loud, or you can try writing them down. For example, you might look at yourself in the mirror and say to yourself, "You have a great smile!" You might leave yourself a note on your laptop that says, "You are an excellent writer!" Try hanging a note in your locker that says something like, "You're an awesome singer!" Conquering your goals is a great way to build your confidence. First, set specific goals. Remember to include both long term and short term goals. Then, make a plan to achieve each one. A short term goal could be, "Avoid going out to eat for 1 week." You can accomplish this goal by meal planning and packing lunches to take to work. A long term goal might be, "Get promoted in 1 year." Write down specific ways to accomplish this, such as taking on more responsibility at work. You could try, "Make the honor roll this semester" or "Join a new after school club". Checking each goal off of your list will be a serious confidence boost! In today's society, it is easy to feel like you might be overweight. It can be hard to feel good about yourself when constantly faced with photos of super thin celebrities. Try to remember, these images are often airbrushed. And the ones that aren't are often not realistic for most people. Remember that everyone's body is different. People are different heights, builds, and everyone has a different metabolism. Think about what you like about your body. For instance, "I'm glad my legs are strong enough to let me go on these long hikes that I love." Tune out negativity. Don't listen to negative comments or any type of body shaming. Find a female role model who looks real and healthy. This could be anyone from your mom to Amy Schumer. Sometimes you can boost your confidence by focusing on feeling great about the way you look. Spend some time each day carefully grooming and putting yourself together. You'll find it to be an instant mood booster! Wear clothes that make you feel confident. Do you feel you look best in jewel tones? Find a great ruby red sweater to wear to work. Try a new hairstyle. Have you always wanted to try shorter hair? Go for it! Experimenting with new looks can be a lot of fun and help you feel great. Polish your smile. A great smile is everyone's best accessory. Try using some whitening strips to brighten yours. Don't worry about being trendy. Maybe the latest trend at school is high waisted jeans. Those just don't look good on everyone, and that's ok. Dress for your body type. Ask a friend for advice. You can say, "Do you think this tight sweater is the best look for me?" Be open to feedback. You might dread going to the gym if you don't feel confident about your body. But exercise can actually elevate your mood. Working up a sweat is a great way to feel good about yourself and increase your energy. Meet with a trainer. Many gyms offer a complimentary introductory session with a pro. Get tips on the workouts that are right for you. Try a group class. Grab a friend and hit a spinning or barre class. Head outside. Exercising outdoors can help you get more fresh air and sunshine, which can also boost your mood. Join a team. Tryout for soccer or field hockey. | Think positively. Focus on your strengths. Achieve goals. Build a positive body image. Take care with your appearance. Exercise to boost your mood. |
You can also use a metal headband too, but a plastic one may be safer for young children. It's okay if the headband teeth on the underside, but skip anything with combs that slide into your head. Pick the thinnest headband you can find--around 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch (0.64 to 1.27 cm) wide. If you don't like the color of the headband, wrap ribbon or colorful tape around it. This is not a real stethoscope and won't actually allow you to hear a beating heart. | Get a simple, U-shaped plastic headband for the headphones. |
This is especially important if you’re creating a design that you want to look professional. Make sure you measure out where your holes should be in the leather, and then mark the spot with a marker or pen. Don't make the mark too big – you want it small enough to disappear when you punch a hole through the leather at that spot. You can do this by hand with an awl or with a leather punch. The hole just needs to be big enough for you to get the post of the rivet through. The underside of the leather is usually less finished and will often be a lighter color. Make sure you push your rivet up through the leather from this side, or it will end up upside down. Your rivet post should only extend about 1/8 inch (0.3 cm) above the surface of the leather. You can buy pretty small anvils from most leather working supply stores. You only need an anvil big enough to accommodate the size of the leather you’re working on. Place it on the anvil with the bottom of the leather facing down and the post sticking up. Some rivet caps will make a clicking or snapping noise when you place it over the top of the post. The rivet cap is the part that looks “finished” – it's usually brass or copper and has a convex top. The rivet setter looks like a small metal cylinder, and it has a concave end that allows that cap to fit snugly against it. Place the setter over the cap so that the cap is flush against the setter. You don't want to hit the setter too hard, because that can dent the rivet. Instead, give the setter a few short taps with a soft mallet or hammer. If the rivet has been set, you should be able to pick up the piece of leather without the rivet post or cap falling off. If they do, reset them and give the setter a little bit of a harder bang. | Mark where you want your hole. Punch a hole in your leather. Push the rivet post up through the underside of the leather. Place your leather piece on an anvil. Put the rivet cap on top of the post. Place your rivet setter over the cap. Tap the setter with a soft mallet or small hammer. Check that the rivet is set. |
Some dates are more formal than others. Be sure to show some more skin than you would in the work place and keep a giant smile. Staying confident will help win their heart. Dressing for the occasion. Don't wear a ball gown to go horseback riding and don't wear a bikini to ice skate. Just because you look sexy, that will all go away if you can't participate in the date. Be sure to dress for the date. Don't overdo it. Just because you’re going on a date, don't be overly sexy. Too much make-up or clothes that are too revealing will have the opposite affect and make you look less than desirable. Stay comfortable so that you can show off your confidence instead of fidgeting in clothes that don't fit. There shouldn't be any stress on a date. Be comfortable and confident in your skin, and you’ll become alluring. Be comfortable in your body language. Interact with your date by offering to share foods or lending them a jacket if they’re cold. If you’re trying to force yourself to be someone you aren't, it comes off as confusing instead of confident. You can be quiet sexy, as long as you are sure of who you are. It's tough nowadays but turning your phone off for a couple hours will go much further on a date than you could imagine. Keeps you engaged. There is no need to spend more time on your phone than with your significant other. In order to turn the romance up, turn your cell phone off. Helps portray confidence. If you’re looking at your phone consistently instead of at your date, there's a problem. They will feel underappreciated and unengaged. Looking at them instead shows that you’re confident and will help them feel at ease. Encourages them to put their phone away. If you’re always on your phone, they will be too. Try putting it away for the entire night and they will likely do the same. All-nighters aren't typically a good idea for a date. It makes it harder to focus and stay engaged. If you’re tired, it is ok to say so. Make a point to tell them if you had a good time and then leave. Make them miss you. Keep it classy. All the work you put in to have sex appeal throughout the date can be trashed in seconds if you don't say goodbye. When something is sexually appealing, the chase is part of the fun, so say goodnight and go home. Ensure your date that you had a good time. Even if the date wasn't a home run, be sure to stay engaging all the way to the end. Set a next date. If you had a good time, pick a day that works for you and ask them to meet you again. Being up front about it at the end of the date is much sexier than a next-day text. | Know the occasion. Be yourself. Put the phone away. Know when to say goodnight. |
Apply a glass-etching product to your scratched lenses. It works by removing the anti-glare and anti-scratch coatings on your plastic lenses but leaves the original plastic lens intact. Use a glass-etching chemical on plastic lenses only, never glass. Other specialty products temporarily fill the scratches on your lenses making them less visible but leaving behind a glossy film. Be careful not clean and polish your lenses to the point that you change the thickness of the surface. Any product or procedure that changes the surface of an eyeglass lens can also change the refraction and effectiveness of that lens. Abrasive cleansers, baking soda and toothpaste call all be used to polish scratched surfaces. Waxy products like Lemon Pledge and Carnauba cleaner wax actually fill light scratches with wax. However, the wax will reduce your visibility and require reapplication every few days. You can also try rubbing alcohol or diluted ammonia. After treating your glasses with one of these products, polish them with a soft cloth, ideally one made especially for cleaning glasses. Lenses are delicate and should be treated with care to prevent them from getting scratched. Use an eyeglass case. A sturdy, cushioned case will protect your eyeglasses; place them in a case rather than in your pocket or throwing them directly into your purse. Wash your lenses. Clean your glasses every day with soapy water and dry them with a clean, soft cloth made for this purpose. Stay away from unfriendly products. Some products can harm your lenses and should be avoided. Don't use facial tissues or paper towels to clean your lenses and stay away from anti-bacterial soaps when you wash them. Be careful when using hairspray, perfume or nail polish remover--they can remove the coatings on lenses. | Use a product made especially for scratched lenses. Use a household cleaner. Prevent future scratches. |
Not every shot in cricket can be a scoring shot. When a ball is well bowled, use a forward defensive shot to avoid being called out. Having a solid defense is a crucial part of being a good batsman. Lean your head and front shoulder forward. Take a step with the front foot while keeping the back leg straight. Swing the bat downward and contact the ball as it passes below the eyes. Keep the bat angled so the face is toward the ground. The bat should end up slightly ahead of your front leg and close the side of the pad. Do not follow through. Keep the heel of your back foot off the ground and hold the position to have the best chance to block the ball. This shot is usually played when a full delivery on middle or off stump. It is one of the most common shots and usually the first one learned by cricket players. Depending on the direction the ball travels, this shot can be referred to as a cover drive, off drive, straight drive, on drive, or square drive. Lean forward and step with your front foot. Bend your front knee. This will give you a solid base for the shot. Your head should ahead or level with the front knee and your back foot should be up on the toe during the swing. Swing the bat straight and contact the ball when it is below the eyes. Keep your wrists relaxed and the bat angled to keep the drive low. Follow through should continue on a straight path so that the bat face is toward the sky. This shot is great to use against spinners. When you see a low-bouncing ball on the legside, go to the sweep shot. Lean your head and front shoulder forward. Stride with your front foot so the pad is in the path of the ball. Drop your back knee to the ground. Lift the bat to a high backswing then bring the bat down and across the body. Strike the ball in front of the pad. Roll your wrists slightly when you make contact to angle the ball downward. Follow through. Bring your hands around after striking the ball so they end up near your front shoulder with the bat held high in the air. This shot relies on the speed of the bowled ball as opposed to the power of the hitter. A front foot leg glance is best used to play balls delivered off to the leg side. Lean forward with your head and front shoulder. Shift your weight to your front leg. Bring the bat straight through. Angle the bat face slightly toward your front leg during the stroke. Make contact in front of the front leg pad. Flick your top wrist to glance the shot downward. This shot relies on control and precision to deflect the ball as opposed to a powerful swing. | Play a forward defensive shot. Play a straight drive. Play a sweep shot. Play a front foot leg glance. |
Long Short-Term Memory is one of the most powerful sequence models.Despite the strong performance, however, it lacks the nice interpretability as in state space models.In this paper, we present a way to combine the best of both worlds by introducing State Space LSTM, which generalizes the earlier work of combining topic models with LSTM.However, unlike , we do not make any factorization assumptions in our inference algorithm.We present an efficient sampler based on sequential Monte Carlo method that draws from the joint posterior directly.Experimental results confirms the superiority and stability of this SMC inference algorithm on a variety of domains. | We present State Space LSTM models, a combination of state space models and LSTMs, and propose an inference algorithm based on sequential Monte Carlo. |
You'll find these on either the home screen, in the app drawer, or by searching. " You'll find the search bar at the top of the Google Play Store. If you're in the App Store, tap the search icon in the lower right corner to open the search feature. The app will start to install and appear on your home screen as soon as it's done. | Open the Google Play Store (Android), App Store (iOS). Search for "Skype. Tap the search result that lists "Skype" as the app author. Tap the green Install button or the blue Get button. |
A carpet cleaner is a special machine that looks like a vacuum, but it uses steam and special cleaning solution to deep clean your carpets. If you have many rugs and carpets in your home or if you deep clean your carpets more than once or twice a year, you may want to invest in a carpet cleaner. If you’re not ready to commit, you can rent these machines for a day from grocery stores, hardware stores, or even pet stores. Make sure you get a cleaner that you can easily lift or move. Remember that once you fill it with water, the machine will weigh even more. No matter if you buy or rent a steam cleaner, you will have to purchase the cleaning solution yourself. The cleaning solution is often sold next to the machine itself. You may also be able to find it in the cleaning aisle of the store. You will need to put both water and cleaning solution in the tank. Each brand of carpet cleaner has slightly instructions for this, so be sure to read the manual before you begin. Generally, however, you will add a certain amount of formula to a small tank before adding water to the tank. Some carpet cleaners may also have a separate tank for just water. Once you have filled the tank, you can plug the machine in. Do not plug in the machine before adding the water and cleaning solution. If someone in your home has respiratory issues or if you are uncomfortable with the use of chemicals in your home, you can use a cup of white vinegar instead of cleaning solution in the tank. Be aware that this may void the warranty on the machine, and you may need to do a second cleaning for the best results. You should make sure that the cleaning solution will not change the color of your carpet or leave stains behind. Find a patch of carpet that is usually covered by furniture. Try using the carpet cleaner on that small part. If you notice any discoloration, you may not want to use it on your entire carpet. When you start cleaning, position yourself as far away from the door as possible. As you move the cleaner over the carpet, slowly go across the room. You want to end at the door, so that you can leave when you are finished without stepping on the clean and wet carpet. If the carpet is still visibly dirty, let it dry for a few hours, and go over it a second time. If you start by the door, you may find yourself trapped in a corner. You will have to walk over your clean carpet in order to leave. The carpet will take several hours or even overnight to dry. During this time, make sure that there is as much air circulating as possible. Open all of the windows in the room, and keep the doors open as well. This will prevent mold and mildew from developing in the damp carpet while it dries. If you have pets or children, use baby gates to keep them out of the room while the carpet dries. Use fans and dehumidifiers in the room to help the drying process. These can also help reduce mildew. The water you used is full of chemicals, and you should not pour it down the drain unless told to do so by the manufacturer or store. If you rented your carpet cleaner, the store may ask you to return the cleaner full of the water you used to clean. This is so that they can dispose of the water responsibly. If you own your steam cleaner or if the store does not want you to return the machine full, call your local water treatment facility to ask how you should dispose of the water. | Rent or buy a carpet cleaner. Fill the machine. Clean a test spot. Begin away from the door. Open doors and windows to let the room dry. Dispose of the water. |
When asking a girl out, especially if she is smart, you’ll probably want to ask her when she is alone. This is because a smart girl probably won't enjoy being put on the spot. Asking her alone will give her a bit more space to think about how she wants to respond. It will also show that you are thoughtful, and want to be respectful. If you’re having a hard time getting her alone, try casually asking her if you can talk to her alone for a minute. For example, if you have a class with her, try saying “Hey [insert girl's name], do you have a minute after class today? I wanted to talk to you about something.” Keep it light when you bring this up or she might get worried about what you want to talk about. For example, when you ask her to talk later, you can add in, “Don't worry! It's nothing bad or a big deal at all, I just need to ask you about something.” Keep your tone upbeat and happy. If you know there is something she is particularly interested in, try to make that into a date. You might get by going with a more traditional date idea (e.g. going to the movies), but a smart girl will be really impressed if you can come up with something out of the ordinary. For example, if she is really interested in art, see if there are any art shows or museum exhibitions in your area that you could take her to. If she is really into classical music, look to see if there is a symphony in your area. When you ask her out, try showing her that you really thought about it. For example, say, “I know you’re a big fan of Van Gogh and I heard there is an exhibition at the museum this weekend. I’d love to take you if you’d like to go with me. Maybe we can grab some food afterward. What do you think?” Unfortunately, the hard truth is that you might get rejected. If you do, do your best to hide your disappointment. You will come off more confident and mature if you are able to say, “Oh, alright. Well, I understand. Have a nice a day!” than if you fly into a rage. If she says something like, “Oh, I have a boyfriend, I’m sorry” or “I’m not really interested in dating anyone right now,” you might feel tempted to backpedal and act like you weren't actually asking her out. Don't do this. It will only make you look insecure. Of course, she might also say, “yes.” This is great news, but you should still try to keep your cool. Don't start jumping up and down for joy. Instead, smile and say, “That's great! What time should I pick you up?” You don't want to give her the impression that you were convinced she would say no, even if you were. If you think you’re not quite ready to go straight to asking her out, try suggesting doing something together that doesn't sound like going out on a date. This will give you a chance to spend time together, but will take some of the pressure off because it won't actually be a date. This will also give you a good chance to gauge her interest in you. When you are together, pay attention to the way she behaves. Is she behaving in a way that makes it seems as though she is interested? For example, is she making a lot of eye contact, laughing at everything you say, and casually touching your arm or your shoulder? If so, there is a good chance she is attracted to you. Asking to study for an important test together is a good way to hang out and do something productive without making it seem like it is a date. | Avoid asking her in front of other people. Suggest something you know she will find interesting. Be gracious. Ask her if she wants to study together. |
There are many different types of publications. Where you submit your piece will depend on what type of article you have written. If you write fiction, you will want to submit your article to a literary journal. Start by doing your research. Use the internet to search for literary journals. Look at the website for each journal. Browse some of the past issues. This will give you a good idea of what types of articles that particular journal publishes. Head to the library. Ask the reference librarian to help you find a complete list of literary journals. Make sure that the journal you are interested in accepts unsolicited submissions. If you are a scholar, your article will usually be best placed in an academic journal. These publications are typically categorized very specifically by topic. They also generally require a very rigorous review process. Make sure that your research fits the scope of the journal. For example, if you are a scholar of European history, do not submit your article to a journal that focuses solely on East Asian history. Verify that the publication is peer-reviewed. This means that other scholars will review your work. Be aware that it may take a while to receive an answer from the editor. The review process for academic journals can often take several months. A personal essay is non-fiction. It can be a story about your own experiences. The most effective personal essays are ones that many different types of people can relate to. There are several different types of publications that publish personal essays. Make sure to choose one who's readers might be interested in your story. Many newspapers publish personal essays in the magazine section of the paper. Major papers such as The Boston Globe and The New York Times publish these types of pieces. You might also consider submitting your essay to an online magazine. Popular publications such as Slate and Salon offer their readers essays on a wide variety of topics. Send a pitch to the appropriate editor. For example, if you want to write an essay about politics, send an e-mail to the editor at Slate who works on political topics. An op-ed is an opinion piece. It differs from a personal essay, which might just be telling a story. With an op-ed, you are taking a definitive stance on an issue and trying to persuade readers that you are correct. Op-ed pieces are typically fairly brief. A common op-ed is usually between 400-1200 words. Most newspapers accept op-ed pieces on a variety of topics. You can find specific guidelines on the newspaper's website. Make your piece topical. If your op-ed is timely, it will have a better chance of being published. For example, a piece about veterans services might be appropriate to submit around Memorial Day. You want to make sure that your work appears in a reputable publication. For example, you don't want to publish in a journal or magazine that has a reputation for publishing sub-par material. Do some research before submitting your pitch or article. Try to avoid predatory publications. These are journals who charge exorbitant author fees and will publish almost anything. Academics often feel pressure to publish regularly. It's important not to be lured by promises of publication in exchange for high fees. These publications typically do not have rigorous standards. Fiction writers can also find magazines that will publish in exchange for money. These publications are typically not highly regarded. If you are asked for money before your article appears, consider whether this is the right venue for your work. Some publications that charge author fees are reputable. If you feel a fee is appropriate, make sure that you pay it using the specified method. | Submit a piece to a literary journal. Find an appropriate academic journal. Decide where to submit a personal essay. Propose an op-ed article. Research the publication. |
The old blooms will be at the top and edges of your plant and are attached to green stems. Anything brown or yellow should be removed from your plant so new blooms have room to grow. The old blooms will look dry and withered on top of green stems. Hold the end of the dead bloom with one hand and use your shears to make an angled cut to reduce the risk of fungal infection or disease. You can remove up to one-third of the plant this way. You don't have to be precise with the angle you cut, as long as water is able to run off the end of the stem. Annual pruning will help prevent a bald spot from forming in the middle of your plant. Only make your cuts into the green stems of your plant. If you cut too far down into brown and barren wood, blooms will not regenerate from the stem. If your plant has a bald spot, new blooms will not form in that area. Replace the entire plant if you want it to bloom fully. Lift up the tops of the plant up with one hand while you cut the stems with the other. Plants that grow too close to one another will compete for resources, producing fewer blooms and possibly harming your plant. If you don't want heather to intrude on other plants, you can cut into woody parts of the plant to prevent it from growing in that direction. | Remove old blooms that are withered and yellow. Make angled cuts about 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the old bloom stalks. Don’t cut into the woody area of your heathers or it will not grow back. Lift the tops of the plant to trim the undergrowth and prevent spreading. |
You must paint the boat in the air. You can get the boat out of the water by using an aeroplane wing. Back the trailer down to the water via a boat ramp. Have someone on the boat gently ease the boat onto the trailer using a light pressure on the throttle. Alternatively, you could hire a marina or boatyard to haul up the boat for you. Use a hose to blast off any dirt. If there is algae or hard barnacles on the bottom, take a scour brush and scrub it off. You do not need to use any soap when washing the bottom of the boat. You only need to clean the bottom of the boat beneath the waterline. This is the keel of the boat. Look for the boot stripe, which is an unpainted border between the bottom paint and the topsides of the boat (which are the sides of the boat above the waterline). To remove stubborn or hardened grime, use a power washer. You can rent one at a hardware store. A boatyard may also have one on hand that you can borrow or rent. New boats will have a wax covering on the bottom. To get rid of it, buy a dewaxing solvent from a marine supply store. Dip a clean rag into the solvent and rub away the wax. Rinse it off using a clean, damp rag. Go over the entire keel. If the old paint job is still smooth, you don't need to strip the paint. If there are bubbles, large peeling strips, or ragged chips in the paint, remove the old paint entirely. First, brush on a chemical paint stripper over the old paint job. Use a 2 inch (5 cm) hook scraper to scrape off the paint. If you are stripping the paint, place a tarp underneath the boat to pick up the debris. Only strip paint beneath the waterline of the boat. Do not scrape paint from the topsides of the boat. If you keep your boat at a boatyard, ask the management if anyone there can use a power blaster on the boat. This tool should only be handled by professionals, but it can strip the paint much faster than doing it by hand. Ask for soda blasting on a fiberglass boat or sand blasting on an aluminum or steel boat. Scrub the exterior of the keel with 80-grit sandpaper. It should have a dull “frosty” appearance when you are done. Stir the primer with a paint stick. Prime the edges with a paint brush before filling in the middle with the roller. Make sure that there is an even coating of primer over the keel. You can buy a good boat primer at a marine supply store or online. It may take the primer 1-2 hours to dry completely. Use a fine grit sandpaper to sand the primed surface before you start painting. | Remove the boat from the water. Clean the bottom of the boat. Remove the wax sealant if the boat has never been painted before. Strip old paint if the previous paint job is significantly damaged. Sand the bottom of the boat to prepare it for primer. Apply primer to the keel with a roller brush. Sand down the primer once it is dry. |
FHA loans are available to some first time home buyers who are purchasing single family homes or homes in small multifamily units. A buyer with a credit score above 580 will typically be eligible for a loan with only 3.5% of the purchase price as a down payment on the mortgage. Borrowers with scores between 579-500 are eligible for 90% financing (or a 10% down payment), and borrowers with credit scores below 500 are ineligible. Just as you would if you were buying a car, you should start by checking your credit. That way, you maximize your information and minimize the surprises. Therefore, check your credit score and get a copy of your credit report before you even start to visit with lenders. You can get a copy of your credit report at https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action. You can get your credit score directly from the credit bureaus, or from sites like creditkarma.com or credit.com. As with applying for any loan, the more you can tweak your credit score to adjust it higher, the better. Try and establish a year's worth of on-time payments, reducing your credit utilization to 30% or less than your credit limit, and minimizing your applications for large lines of credit, like car loans. Now that you have your credit report, check the items in your credit report against the standard disqualifiers. The standard disqualifiers are: bankruptcy within 2 years, a mortgage foreclosure within 3 years, late mortgage payments or a credit to debt ratio that is too high.While FHA lenders will review any of these items for extenuating circumstances, these usually disqualify a buyer from loan eligibility. If you have any of these items on your credit report, you should consider postponing your application for an FHA loan If you are turned down for an FHA loan, then you can make adjustments to your financial situation that will increase your chances of approval down the road. For instance, if you have cash reserves equal to at least three months of mortgage payments, a reduced debt-to-credit utilization ratio, or apply for a loan for a home that has a payment that is no more than $100 greater than your current payment, the lender may approve you for the loan where you were denied before. As always, lenders look more favorably upon borrowers who have larger down payments than borrowers with small down payments, as it is indicative of financial stability. | Know the terms. Check your credit score. Know the disqualifiers. Make adjustments. |
Every child is different, but most babies can be weaned from night feedings when they are at least four to six months old. Also note that your baby should at least be 14 lbs (6.45 kg) before you drop a night feeding. Night feedings generally won't harm your baby, so if you don't see a need to drop them, you can wait until your child naturally initiates the process by sleeping through the night. Your child should eventually grow out of the night feeding phase even if you don't assist him or her, but the process will take longer. If you don't know whether or not your baby is ready to stop night feeding, talk to your child's physician. Even though babies will eventually grow out of the need by themselves, it might be necessary to drop night feedings if your own well-being depends on it. For instance, if you've returned to work and your baby's night feedings are making it impossible for you to get enough sleep, you might need to rearrange feedings so that they only occur during waking hours. No matter what, though, you need to make sure that your baby is physically ready to stop night feedings. Do not drop this part of your baby's eating routine if he or she still needs it for the sake of development. Even babies who don't need to eat in the middle of the night may still wake up during that time. Moreover, they may still expect to be fed, even if they don't actually need it. For this reason, dropping a night feed is mainly a matter of breaking the routine your baby has already grown accustomed to. Keep in mind that breastfed babies typically feed more often than bottle-fed babies. With the former, the weaning process may take longer since the baby will naturally wake up more often. Your baby might be waking up in the middle of the night to eat, but there's also a chance that he or she could be waking up for a different reason. In that case, dropping night feeds can become both difficult and impractical. Periods of external and internal transition can cause your baby to wake up in the middle of the night. For instance, if you've just recently returned to work, moved to a new home, or arrived home after an extended family vacation, the shift in attention and activity could make your baby too anxious to sleep. Major milestones can make it difficult for babies to sleep, too. Babies who have recently learned how to sit up may find it more difficult to settle back down. Babies who are teething may experience pain that keeps them awake. | Consider your baby's age. Factor in other circumstances. Understand the habit. Learn about other potential causes of night waking. |
Your reader doesn't need to read about every event that lead to the problem your character is dealing with. They only want to see a snapshot of your character's life. Pick an inciting incident that gets the reader into the plot quickly. This will help you ensure your story doesn't move too slowly. For example, starting with Esther walking to the hospital is a better place to start than when she enrolled in medical school. However, it might be even better to start when she arrives at the hospital. Dialogue breaks up your paragraphs, which helps your reader's eyes move down the page. Additionally, dialogue lets you present what your characters are thinking in their own words without having to include a lot of internal monologue. Use dialogue throughout your story to convey your character's thoughts. However, make sure each piece of dialogue is driving the plot. For example, this piece of dialogue shows us that Esther is frustrated: “But I’m the top student in my class,” Esther pleaded. “Why should they get to examine patients but not me?” It's hard to do mean things to your characters, but your story will be boring if you don't. Give your characters obstacles or hardships that keep them away from what they want. That way, you’ll have something to resolve in order for them to reach their desires. For example, Esther being denied entry to the hospital as a doctor is a horrible experience for her. Similarly, being grabbed by security would be frightening. Use the senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste to bring your reader into the story. Make your setting more dynamic by showing your reader what sounds they would hear, the smells they would notice, and the sensations they’d feel. This will make your story more engaging. For example, Esther could react to the smell of the hospital or the sound of beeping machines. Try to make your readers feel what your character is feeling. Do this by connecting what your character is going through to something universal. The emotions will draw readers into your story. For instance, Esther has worked really hard for something only to be denied it based on a technicality. Most people have experienced a failure like this before. | Begin your story as close to the end as you can. Incorporate dialogue that reveals something about your characters. Build tension by having bad things happen to your characters. Stimulate the 5 senses by including sensual details. Use emotion to help the reader relate to your story. |
"Preview" is a default picture-viewing app; the icon resembles a couple of photos with a circular viewing glass on top of them. If Preview isn't your default PDF-viewing app, you'll need to click and drag your PDF over to the Preview icon and drop it there to open it in Preview. This option is to the right of the "Preview" text. The Format option won't display obscure file formats by default; holding down the Option key when clicking Format bypasses this tendency and gives you the option of saving as a GIF. The "Option" key is nestled between Control and ⌘ Command at the bottom of your keyboard. You can also rename your file and choose a save destination from here. You have successfully converted your PDF to GIF format! | Double-click your target PDF to open it in "Preview". Click "File" in the toolbar at the top of the screen. Click the "Export" option. Hold down the "Option" key and click the "Format" field. Click the "GIF" option to save as a GIF. Click "Save" to save your screenshot. |
You will use 5 of the 6 socks from the pairs to make the blooms for the corsage. Be sure to save the 6th sock so that the mother-to-be can use all 3 pairs for her baby. This design will also be suitable for either a lapel or a wrist corsage after the greenery and ribbon are attached. Start at the base, or toe, of the sock and roll inward. Hold the blooms in one hand and grab the five wires directly below the blooms with the other hand. Twist the five wires together until you reach the ends. Leave about 3” (8 cm) of wire trailing from the sock. Cut off the remaining wire. ” This will make the baby sock blooms look fuller. The blooms will now be facing forward, not upward. Twist the florist's wire together to hold them in place. This will also minimize the sharpness of the wire which could tear the sock or be uncomfortable to wear. | Choose 3 pairs of baby socks. Roll each sock into a rosebud. Wrap florist’s wire around the center of the rosebud. Pull gently on the top of the rosebud to loosen the “petals. Bend the wire at a 90° angle right against the sock fabric. Arrange the blooms. Wrap the twisted wire in florist’s tape for added security. |
Find and tap the gray gear icon on your home screen or in an app folder to open the Settings menu. This option is listed next to a white key icon in a gray square. You can find it towards the middle of the Settings menu. This option is at the bottom of the page. This will prevent your Mail, Contacts, Calendar, and other accounts to automatically fetch data in the background whenever possible. Data fetching automatically updates your account and app data in the background, and fetch data like email notifications and RSS feeds. When Push is enabled, data updates are pushed to your iPad in the background whenever possible, using up your battery. When this option is selected, apps like Mail, Contacts, and Calendars will stop automatically fetching data on a frequency schedule. Automatically checks for updates on a frequency schedule. Manually checks for updates only when an app like Mail or Calendar is in use. This option uses your battery more efficiently. Alternatively, you can select an option like Hourly or Every 30 Minutes here. This will restrict the amount of time your apps periodically fetch new data. | Open the Settings app on your iPad. Scroll down and tap Passwords & Accounts in Settings. Tap Fetch New Data at the bottom. Slide the Push switch to the Off position. Scroll down and select Manually under the "FETCH" heading. |
There are two methods for taking photographs of star trails. You can take one photo or a series of photos. There are pros and cons to each of the following approaches: Take one long exposure shot. In this case, you would use a very long exposure time (sometimes several hours), which would introduce a lot of noise into the picture. The upside is that you would have one single picture of star trails throughout the night. Take a serious of short exposure shots. You can take many shots (sometimes hundreds) over the course of the night and use a program to “stack” the shots. This reduces noise, but requires you to combine hundreds of shots to form on picture of star trails. Bulb mode, also known as continuous shooting mode, is a setting that allows your camera to continue shooting until you remove your hand from the trigger. This is necessary for long exposure pictures, or taking large sets of short exposure pictures. Use a 30 second exposure time when taking a series of images. The ISO setting determines how sensitive the camera is to light. The suggested ISO changes based on whether you are taking a long shot or a series of short shots. For a long exposure shot, set your ISO to around 200. For a series of shots, try setting the ISO to roughly 800. The aperture allows light to pass into the camera. Opening and closing it controls the amount of light that passes through. When taking a star trail photo, you want to open the aperture fully so that the maximum amount of light comes through. Once you compose the shot and set up the camera, all that is left is to shoot the picture. Press down the trigger at the end of the cable. Lock the trigger until the camera has had the desired exposure time or taken the desired number of pictures. Then, release the trigger to stop. If you have a digital camera, you can look at the picture before you leave the site. If the picture looks blurry or has obvious signs of interference, you can retake the shot. Look around for any light sources or other disturbances that could affect your shot. For example, you might be using an electronic device that gives off enough light to affect the shot you took. | Choose an exposure method. Select bulb mode. Set the ISO. Open the aperture fully. Take the picture. Troubleshoot to eliminate noise. |
If using a disposable razor, choose four or five blade razors instead of single blade razors. Single blade razors will drag against your skin more. If you shave with a reusable razor, change your blade after 5 to 10 shaves. Dull and/or old blades are more likely to cause bumps, redness, and contain bacteria. If you are prone to ingrown hairs, try an electric razor or clippers. Hold the razor or clipper slightly away from your skin when you shave. If you are using a disposable razor, you should replace it after it has been used for 5 to 7 shaves. This will keep your skin from getting irritated. Look for razors with moisturizing strips that contain Acai or Jojoba oil. Only safety razors should be used to shave pubic hair. Shave your hair in the same direction that your hair grows. Although you will get a closer shave by shaving against the grain, you will increase your chances of irritating your skin. If you want a closer shave, you can shave against the grain once you have gone over your skin by shaving with the grain. Your skin may be able to tolerate it if you do it this way. Do not pull your skin super tightly as you shave. Shave lightly if you are shaving over acne blemishes. Never try to shave off your acne with the blade. Shaving with the grain will also help prevent ingrown hairs. Rinse your blade after every stroke as well. Be gentle and shave slowly. You are more likely to cut yourself if you are rushing. The razor should be doing the work. You should not have to press the razor down too hard. If you feel like your razor is not working or you have to go over your skin repeatedly, it's probably time to get a new razor or change the blade. Once you are finished shaving, thoroughly rinse your skin with water and pat your skin dry. Make sure all of the shaving cream is gone. If you notice any rough spots or areas with hair remain, you can reapply the shaving cream and shave the area again. However, multiple strokes increases your chance of irritation. Apply lotion or an after-shave balm to your skin once you are finished. Avoid products that contain alcohol or any fragrance as these products can dry out and irritate your skin. Look for products that are moisturizing and are formulated for dry and/or sensitive skin. This step is critical because shaving dries out your skin. Aloe vera is soothing to sensitive skin and can be applied after you get done shaving. If you experience ingrown hairs, razor burn, bumps, and/or cuts after you shave, you must take care of your skin to prevent further irritation. A warm compress can be applied to bumps and ingrown hairs. For ingrown hairs, a sterile needle can be inserted under hair loops to lift the hairs as well. If your skin is consistently irritated after shaving, take a look at the products and razors that you are using. 1% hydrocortisone cream can be used for itchy skin. Apply the cream two or three ties a day. To treat razor burn, look for products that contain Wheat Germ, Yeast Extract, Vitamin E, Soybean Oil, Shea Butter, Jojoba Seed Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, and Silicones. Wait until your skin has healed before shaving again. If your skin does not get any better, you should see a health care professional. | Choose a razor. Shave with the grain. Take your time. Rinse your skin. Moisturize your skin after shaving. Treat any skin irritation. |
You may notice a small backlash from the break up with your friend. Your ex-friend may try and get back on your good side or get back in touch with you. If they do, remind them of the boundaries you set and ask that they respect them. They may be dealing with a lot of anger and may lash out at you in person, online, or within your group of mutual friends. Your ex-friend is just trying to get a reaction out of you or just blowing off steam. Don't respond to this type of behavior at all. It may take some time, but they will accept it. Know that this is probably easier said than done. Remind yourself that you ended the friendship for this exact reason, because you did not want to have to deal with the drama they bring into your life. This behavior is part of the reason they made a fake friend in the first place. Take comfort in the fact that your decision to end things was the correct one. Watch out for the following behaviors: Constant texts, calls, emails, or social media messages. They may say mean things about you to others or try to turn mutual friends against you. Making fun of you or gossiping about you. Making you feel as though you are responsible for their choices or behavior. Even though you were the one to end the friendship, realize that a friendship still ended. You may be feeling a mix of emotions including relief, freedom, guilt, sadness, anger, or hopelessness. Let yourself grieve the end of the friendship and cope with whatever emotions or mix of emotions come your way. One good way to deal with the emotions is to write about them. Spend some time writing all the things you are thinking and feeling about the break up, and why those might be coming up for you. Journaling about what you are going through will help you identify how you feel as well as help you process through the emotions and constructively get them out. Especially if you are in school, you may have mutual friends that you share with your ex-friend. Breaking up your friendship potentially puts these mutual friends in an awkward position. They may feel that they have to pick sides, or they may not know how to act around you in regards to the other friend. In an informative way, talk to them about what happened. Don't gossip, and avoid going into detail if you can. Try something like, “I know you and Ashley are friends and since you and I are also friends, I just wanted to let you know what happened. Ashley and I are not friends any longer. We talked about it and I think we each got to say what we needed to say. I'm only telling you this because I don't want you to feel uncomfortable about it, or put in the middle.” | Stick to the boundaries you set. Ignore rude, immature, or passive aggressive behavior. Deal with the emotions of losing a friend. Address any other friendships it might have affected. |
If you obtain a fresh cutting, it is best to let it dry in a cool, shady spot for about a week. This will allow the wound to heal and prevent infection once it is planted. The leaves of the plant should be exposed to full sun for best results. Make sure it's still getting adequate sunlight as it grows. If you're using cuttings or a farm-ordered plant from a box, take it carefully from its container and replant it flush with its new soil line. If you're using seeds, sprinkle a few into each container and cover lightly with soil. As for seeds, you'll have to wait and see which ones take. In a few weeks, you'll have sprouts and they'll likely need separated. If not, they may not reach their full potential. Consider mixing a small amount of slow time release fertilizer into the lower level of the soil before planting; this may help your plant grow faster. Even a cutting will take up to four months to get a good, strong root system going. However, when it comes to fertilizers, be wary: too much can easily kill your plant. For best results, feed them a little slow-time release, low-nitrogen cactus fertilizer only about once every two months. You may be tempted to do more to see more immediate growth, but it won't help. In other words, only give it a little water when it's practically dry. If your plant is large enough by now to have a climbing pole, keep the climbing pole moist. A dripper would be useful in this situation. Overwatering is possibly the most common reason plants die. Don't be tempted; they don't need it. If you're using a pot, keep in mind how it drains. If there are no drain holes, it needs even less; otherwise the water will just stay in the bottom and lead to rot and decay. | Let cuttings dry before planting. Plant in full sun. Plant flush with the soil line. Fertilize only occasionally. Water the dragon fruit plant in the same manner as a tropical cactus. |
Very large fish will require a substantial fight to land, and you may find it necessary to adjust your drag to wear it down. Try to keep the fish steered away from logs, brush, or other snags to keep him from becoming tangled, where you will almost certainly lose him. Bring it in a bit at a time, letting the gar wear itself out. Don't expend more energy than necessary bringing it in quickly. Never try to force even a smaller gar into the boat while it still has fight left in it. The alligator gar has been known to bite aggressively in self-defense. For very large gar, it may be best to gill gaff them, so that the head (and teeth) can be steered away from occupants of the boat before bringing it aboard. A gill gaff is basically a pole with a sharp hook on the end, for snaring large fish beside the boat. Generally, a partner will hook the fish through the gills and under the backbone, probably wounding the fish mortally. If you want to hook a gar and release it, don't do this. Generally, fishermen don't recommend fishing for gar unless you intend to kill them. Bringing a live gar into the boat, or onto the shore, is extremely dangerous. Removing a treble hook from a mouth full of needle-like teeth requires a very long-nosed pair of pliers. Make sure the fish is beyond exhausted, and that you're wearing protective arm and hand gear if you attempt this. Cutting the line will leave the treble hook embedded in the fish's mouth, leaving it little chance of survival. The alligator gar and many other freshwater predators are increasingly endangered. The best preservation policy with these fish is catch and release, so at least be aware of the difficulties of doing so if you want to hunt gar responsibly. Many southerners will tell you the preferred method of fishing for alligator gars is actually bow fishing, using a compound hunting bow and fishing arrows. Bow-fishing is much more exciting to many, as it combines fishing and hunting. Some fishermen will likewise bring along a .22 to finish off the gar when it gets close to the boat. Be extremely careful and make sure that you're licensed if you're going to fish with hunting gear. Generally, the gar is a trophy fish, given its size and fierce look. It is an edible (some say tasty) fish, but quite difficult to clean. The scales are armor-like and all come off together, though, so it comes off with the right technique. Nail the gar's head to a blank and work a knife from the tail up the backbone, loosening the scales. Cut the head and tail off, and then work your knife down the sides of the fish. The scales should come up like a crust around the flesh underneath. Gut the fish as you would any other. | Assess the fish when you feel the tension on your line. Fight your fish until it is exhausted. Be extremely careful if you choose to release your catch. Consider creative alternatives. Consider taking your gar home for dinner. |
Episodes of impulsive aggression are overwhelming, making it feel impossible to think or behave calmly or rationally. They strain personal relationships, and put you, and those closest to you, in danger of harm. You deserve, and will benefit from, the help of a professional while dealing with this difficult problem. Your therapist will help you to understand the root causes of your anger, and learn to recognize and control it. If you aren't sure how to find a therapist, talk to your doctor about getting a referral. If you are on a medical insurance plan, you can contact your insurance provider for help finding a therapist. No specific medication is prescribed for suffers of intermittent explosive disorder, your doctor may prescribe medication to help with some of the psychological symptoms of the disease, such as depression When an explosive episode begins, you may feel a mounting sense of physical tension. While this tension can be very unpleasant, learning to recognize them will provide you with advance warning of an impending episode. Once you learn to recognize these precursors of rage episodes, you can begin taking steps to control them. Symptoms at the onset of an explosive episode can include: Fast, shallow breathing. Involuntarily clenched fists, or jaw. Rapid heart rate. Racing, difficult to control thoughts, often of an aggressive or violent nature. Feelings of tightness in the chest. While episodes of rage are sometimes unpredictable, others may be associated with specific sources of stress at home, in school, or at work. Avoiding triggering situations will allow you to begin taking control of your explosive episodes. Frustration and stress of any variety can be the trigger for an explosive episode. Think about when you tend to experience moments or episodes of rage. Common examples of triggering events include: Relatively minor arguments with your spouse, parents, or loved ones. Feeling misunderstood, or that you aren't able to communicate your feelings effectively. Feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities at work, at school, or with your family and friends. Stress or pain from coping with another physical or mental illness. Excessive use of alcohol or other mind-altering substance. Do this with the help of your therapist, who has the experience and expertise to help you decide what actions to take when you feel the onset of an explosive episode. The simplest method of dealing with an episode of rage is simply to walk away from the situation causing it. Go somewhere you can feel safe, and focus on breathing deeply, and calming down. Some find it helpful to focus their mind on counting slowly to ten, or repeating a soothing word or phrase to themselves. This helps take the sufferer's mind off of the situation triggering their rage, and gives them time to calm down. Remember that your explosive episodes are unpredictable, and can happen at any time. Think about how you will deal with your anger if an episode is triggered in public, or at work or school, not just what you will do if an episode occurs at home. Rage is an overwhelming feeling, and you may display violent behavior towards those closest to you while undergoing an episode. For their safety, as well as your own, it is essential that you talk to your family and friends about what you're going through. Be honest with them, and warn them that, despite the fact that you love them, your impulsive aggression could lead you to harm them. This will better prepare them for dealing with any episodes they may experience in the future. Understanding your condition will also help them lend more effective support to your efforts to control your anger. Mind-altering substances can have unpredictable effects on the mood of someone suffering from impulsive aggression, increasing the risk that they may experience an episode of rage. If you are finding it difficult to give up using drugs, including alcohol, then you should seek help from your therapist, or another medical professional. | Talk to a mental health professional about treating your anger. Learn to recognize the signs of anger. Learn to recognize what situations or events trigger your anger. Come up with a plan for what to do when you feel yourself getting angry. Keep your loved ones safe by talking to them about your illness. Avoid recreational drugs, including alcohol. |
All dogs have four basic types of teeth: incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. These are found on the upper and low jaws, on both the left and right sides. The incisors are the small teeth running along the front of the mouth. Adult dogs have six incisors on the top and six on the bottom jaw. The two side incisors (next to the canine teeth) are a bit bigger than the middle incisors; on the top these also tend to stick out to the side a bit more. The canine teeth are located behind the incisors, one on each side for a total of four. These are the large, pointed teeth. Premolars come in behind the canines. There are four premolars both on the upper and lower jaw. The fourth premolar on the top is very large. Finally behind the premolars are the molars. On the top of your dog's mouth there are two molars. On the bottom jaw there are three molars. The first one is larger than the other two. Puppies generally have around 28 teeth. For the first two to four weeks, there are no noticeable teeth. Baby canines start coming in after three to four weeks. Baby incisors and premolars start after four to six weeks. By eight weeks, all baby teeth are grown in. For the next three months, there will be no noticeable changes. After five months, permanent teeth will start coming in, usually canines and molars first. By seven months, all permanent teeth will have grown in. If your puppy has all of its permanent teeth, then it is most likely more that 7 months old. Adult dogs will have around 42 teeth. After the puppy stage, age is marked by tooth wear. At one year, teeth are white and clean. By the end of the second year, the white will have dulled and tartar will begin building up. This will cause yellowing on the back teeth. After three to five years the yellowing will increase and be visible on all teeth. There will be noticeable tooth wear. Tooth wear is a natural occurrence, but it can be accelerated by certain habits such as aggressively chewing on hard objects (bones, rocks, sticks) or in small dog's without good dental care. On the other hand, some chewing is great for a dog's dental health. Rawhides or “dental” chews can help dogs break down plaque and material on the teeth. Also understand how disease manifests. By age three, nearly 80% of dogs will exhibit signs of gum disease. This can be seen in the buildup of yellow and brown tartar, inflamed gums, and bad breath. Gum disease is more prevalent in small dog breeds. Food also plays a role in dog dental health. Dry food in strong chewers can help remove some plaque from the teeth slowing tooth decay and loss. There are specially formulated foods specifically for dental health. Your veterinarian can advise you on the proper diet for your dog if you are worried about its teeth. Water additives can also be used to combat teeth destroying and aging bacteria. Worn teeth can look fractured, though regular wear poses little health risk. Excessive wear can damage the root of the tooth, which can require a root canal. | Understand the structure and organization of your dog's teeth. Understand how your dog's teeth grow in. Understand how and why dog teeth wear down and decay. |
Take your scooter to where the ground is wide and flat. Ride your scooter at a comfortable speed and when you feel ready, bend your knees and jump into the air. As you jump, pull the handlebars upward to draw the scooter deck up with you. Keep bending your knees as you land back on the ground and push the handlebars downward slightly. You don't need any ramps or hills to do a bunny hop. Mastering the bunny hop will help you prepare to learn more complex tricks. Put 1 foot on the back of your scooter deck and then kick off with your other foot. Gently lift the handlebars up so that the front wheel is airborne while keeping your other foot off the scooter deck and just above the ground. Use your hands to steer the scooter and swing your foot that's not on the deck to help keep yourself balanced. A manual is a great way to practice your balance and to learn a transition to use between different tricks. Ride your scooter forward and then place 1 foot down on the brake. Position your other foot so that it rests on the deck just in front of the brake. Pull the handlebars up to lift the front wheel and then bounce on the brake so that your scooter jumps slightly with only the back wheel touching the ground. The tire tap also make a good transition between more complicated tricks. Take your right hand off the handlebars and keep your left hand on. Then continue holding onto the handlebars with your left hand while you spin them as far as you comfortably can. When you can't spin the handlebars any further, bring your right hand under your left arm and grab the handlebars with your right hand. Remove your left hand from the handlebars and then complete the rotation with your right hand. Once you have rotated the handlebars by 360°, return your left hand to the handlebars. You can start with either your left or right hand, as long as you complete the barspin with your opposite hand. The basic process is the same. When you first start, practice barspins while you are stationary by standing with 1 foot on the brake and lifting the front of the scooter off the ground. If you want to perform a barspin while you’re riding, do a bunny hop as high as you can and complete the barspin while you’re in the air. | Do a bunny hop to prepare for more complex tricks. Do a manual to ride just on the back wheel of your scooter. Try a tire tap to bounce on the back of your scooter. Perform a barspin to learn the basic maneuver for handlebar tricks. |
Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen. You'll need to install Adblock Plus from within the Microsoft Store rather than downloading it from online. Click the Microsoft Store tile in the Start menu to do so. If you don't see Microsoft Store in the Start menu, type store into the Start search box to prompt it to appear at the top of the search results. It's a tab in the upper-right corner of the Store window. Type in adblock plus, then press ↵ Enter. It's a stop sign with "ADB" written on it. This blue button is on the left side of the page. Adblock Plus will begin installing. If you've installed Adblock Plus using your current account before, you'll see Install here instead. Once you receive a notification that says "Adblock Plus just installed", you can proceed. Click or double-click the Edge app icon, which resembles either a dark-blue "e" or a white "e" on a dark-blue background. It's in the top-right corner of the Edge window. A drop-down menu will appear. This option is in the drop-down menu. You should see a list of your extensions, Adblock Plus included, appear. Doing so enables Adblock Plus in your browser. If this prompt doesn't appear, click the grey "Off" switch below the "Adblock Plus" heading. Once this tab opens, Adblock Plus has been successfully implemented in Microsoft Edge. Now that Adblock Plus is installed, YouTube videos will no longer display ads. | Open Start . Open the Microsoft Store. Click Search. Search for Adblock Plus. Click Adblock Plus. Click Get. Wait for Adblock Plus to finish installing. Open Microsoft Edge. Click ⋯. Click Extensions. Click Turn it on when prompted. Close the Adblock Plus tab when it opens. Watch YouTube videos without ads. |
Stress often occurs when someone is overwhelmed with too many problems or responsibilities. If your friend or loved one wants help coping with their stress, offer to sit down with them and try to pinpoint exactly what's stressing them out. This is an important step towards making their stress feel more manageable. Brainstorm with them about what their biggest stressors are. They'll probably have some ideas of their own, but you can also help by offering your own observations or asking questions. For example, you might ask things like, “How are things going at work? Are you getting enough sleep?” Some sources of stress—like terrible winter weather—may be totally outside of your loved one's control. Others, however, may be more manageable. Help your friend or loved one identify problems that are within their control. Then, work on breaking those problems down into bite-sized pieces so that they seem less overwhelming. Make a list of their stressors and try to pinpoint which ones they can control and which ones they can't. Maybe a messy house is one source of stress for your friend, but the task of cleaning up feels overwhelming. Say something like, “Okay, let's take it one room at a time. How about we start with the kitchen and go from there?” You can also encourage them to drop obligations that aren't really necessary or are causing them undue stress. If you have any positive strategies for coping with your own stress, talk to your friend about them. Don't pressure your friend into trying something or suggest that it's guaranteed to work for them. Just say something like, “You know, when I'm feeling overwhelmed, it really helps me to take a break and go for a walk.” Some good stress-relieving activities include meditating, doing yoga, doing something creative, listening to peaceful music, reading a book, or spending time with friends. Spending quality time with someone you care about is a great way to minimize stress. Encourage your friend or loved one to take a little time off from their worries and do something with you that you both enjoy. For example, you might invite them to go see a movie you've both been excited about, take them to an art class with you, or invite them out for coffee at their favorite café. Physical activity is another great stress-buster, so consider going for a walk or playing a round of squash at the gym. If your friend or loved one is stressed because they have too much on their plate, taking some of the pressure off them can be a big help. If you're able to take over any of their obligations or responsibilities, offer to do so. For example, you might say, “Hey, how about I make dinner tonight so you can relax for a bit?” Don't offer to take on anything that you aren't confident you can handle—otherwise you may cause yourself undue stress! Sometimes, your friend or loved one's stress may be too big for the two of you to handle alone. If you're concerned about their wellbeing and don't think you can do enough to help, urge them to talk to their doctor or a counselor. If you're really worried about them, you could call a local crisis line and ask for advice. They can offer tips on how to help your friend cope or connect you with resources that can help. If you're a minor, talk to a trusted adult about what your friend is going through. You could reach out to a parent, a teacher, or your school counselor or nurse. | Help them identify the causes of their stress. Work with them to find solutions to solvable problems. Share some of your favorite stress-relieving strategies with them. Invite them to do something fun or relaxing with you. Offer to help them with some of their responsibilities. Encourage them to seek professional help if necessary. |
Use the same microwave technique as you did for the milk or dark chocolate to melt the white chocolate. Remember to be patient when you microwave and stir every 30 seconds so as to not scald the chocolate. Stir in the remaining ¼ teaspoon of peppermint oil into the white chocolate. Make sure that you stir the chocolate thoroughly so that the flavor is distributed throughout. Take the melted white chocolate and pour it into the pan. Because you allowed the milk chocolate to set, the layers won't mix. Make sure that the white chocolate layer is around the same thickness as the milk chocolate, using a spatula distribute the white chocolate evenly. | Melt the white chocolate. Stir peppermint oil into the chocolate. Pour the white chocolate into the pan. |
When you have an idea of your budget, criteria and where you want to start looking, it's time to begin trawling through the online listings. If you are not already based in London, this is the most practical and easy way to see what properties are available where, and at what price. There are many big properties websites that collect postings from numerous Estate Agents and independent landlords, such as RightMove and Zoopla. You can also look through the online listings of specific Estate Agents. Bear in mind that good properties go very quickly in London, and you shouldn't rely solely on websites. Emailing a response to a listing on a website doesn't mean that your email will be read or acted on. If you find somewhere you like the look of, be sure to phone up the agent directly. If you are in the area, local newspapers and magazines can be good sources for rental listings. Keep in mind that the rental market moves so quickly in London, that desirable properties can go quickly. If you see something you are interested in, be sure to contact the vendor quickly to arrange a viewing. A good and time-efficient way to find properties is to visit a local Estate Agents in person. If you know what you want you are looking for, being able to talk to somebody face-to-face can be the best way to discover what is available. Building a relationship with an Estate Agent may also help you receive notifications about new properties that fit your criteria before they are listed online. You should understand that there are usually significant fees for working with an Estate Agent. If you are uncertain, find out the fees before you start booking in any viewings. An alternative to working with an Estate Agent is dealing with a private landlord. This can be a riskier option, but it can also be cheaper and more flexible. Private landlords advertise their rooms on websites such as Gumtree and SpareRoom, and will generally not apply the agency fees that an Estate Agent would. If you are just looking for a room in an existing house share, this can be a good way to go. This option is best for single people, rather than couples. Only rent from a private landlord who you trust and consider reputable, and ensure that you have a proper contract and your deposit is protected. Try to use landlords that are registered with a professional body or accredited organisation. In London there is the London Rental Standards. | Search for online listings. Look in local newspapers and magazines. Visit an Estate Agents. Contact independent landlords. |
Talk to your hedgehog any time you hold, feed, or bathe your hedgehog. This helps him get used to your voice and associate your voice with comfort and safety. Always use a calm reassuring tone. If your hedgehog balls up or raises his quills, you may be speaking too loudly. Talk to your hedgehog when you give him a treat. This will help him associate your voice with something positive. Your hedgehog will enjoy the sound of music and find it soothing. Having music in the background helps your hedgehog adjust to his new environment as well. If there is a constant stream of music, your hedgehog will not be as startled by new sounds. If your hedgehog is accustomed to silence, he will be more afraid of sudden noises. If a noise is loud to you, it is probably too loud for your hedgehog as well. Observe the sounds your hedgehog is making towards you as well. If he is purring, he is happy and content. Your hedgehog will become overwhelmed if you introduce too many new sounds to him at once. If you are talking to him, try to talk without the TV or any music in the background. If you are watching TV, just let the television be the only sound that your hedgehog hears. If you have frequent visitors or there are multiple people in your house, your hedgehog will have to get used to their voices as well. Even sounds such as opening and closing doors can be irritating to your hedgehog. | Talk to your hedgehog. Play soft music in the background. Introduce new sounds slowly. |
It's the rainbow “G” icon on your home screen (or in the app drawer). It's in the tab in the lower-right corner. It has an icon that resembles 3 dots. It's near the bottom of the More menu. It's next to an icon that resembles a gear. It's about halfway down the settings menu. It's next to an icon with different sized dots. It's the third tab at the top of the screen. This is where you add different services to Google Home. It's the fourth option under the "Services" tab. This is where you add news sources Google Assistant can use when you ask it for the latest news. It's at the bottom of the list of news sources. News sources are listed under different categories, such as General, Technology, Business, Sports, World, and more. It's in the upper-left corner. This returns to the News menu. It's the blue text on the right above your list of news sources. . There is an icon with two lines to the right of each news source in the list. Tap this icon and drag it to change the order. Put your favorite news sources at the top. | Open the Google app. Tap More …. Tap Settings. Tap Google Assistant. Tap the Services tab. Tap News. Scroll down and tap Add news sources. Tap the checkbox next to your preferred news sources. Tap . Tap Change Order. Tap the icon with two lines and drag the news source. |
Type your destination into the “Where To” box at the top of the screen. From the bottom menu of car options, select the left-most choice under Economy that says, “Pool.” You will see a fare-quote for UberPOOL that you can compare with that of a private ride for the same trip. Occasionally, the cost difference between a private ride and an UberPOOL ride may be very small. ” A command bubble will pop up asking you to confirm your choice. Confirm it, and indicate the number of riders in your party. You can select UberPool for up to two people. You should get your own Uber and use the fare-splitting option outlined in the other method for parties greater than 2. Walk to that spot so you don't keep your fellow carpoolers waiting. You may need to walk up to a block or two from your current location. Keep your belongings tidy in the car, and allow a little extra time in your schedule to pick up other riders. You may be the first person in your car, or you may be a pick up along someone else's route. UberPOOL is able to offer you a cheaper ride option by splitting the costs between multiple riders going in the same general direction. With this in mind, your route may not be direct. Double-check that you have all of your belongings. Uber will automatically charge your portion of the fare to the preferred payment method you have on file. If your trip was great, rate your driver 5 stars and let them know what you liked about the ride. | Open the Uber app. Tap “Confirm UberPOOL. Look at the map for your designated pick-up spot. Expect additional pick-ups and drop-offs en route to your destination. Exit the car when you reach your destination. Tip for excellent service. |
Be sure to take care of yourself physically and emotionally. Take control of your health by eating well, getting enough rest, and exercising regularly. Stop ignoring health problems and address them as soon as possible. Make and keep regular doctor's appointments. Strive to get eight hours of sleep each night. Making time for yourself is not selfish. Do something that you enjoy and do it for yourself. Doing things for yourself can help to re-energize you to accomplish more throughout your day. Take a break from work to meditate or take a walk to clear your head. Find a hobby, such as writing or knitting. Join a club. Good friends help you achieve your goals and support you through tough times. Spend less time with friends that bring you down. Healthy friendships consists of friends that accept you for who you are. Seek out friends that model the qualities that you want to improve upon. Make friends at activities or within organizations that represent issues that you strongly believe in. Learn to do something that you have always wanted to do but you never made the time to do it. Develop a skill to further your career. Becoming stagnant in your career and life is exhausting and demotivating. Take an online course. Take an in-person class. Read a how-to book or article. Learn from your friends or family and share your knowledge with them as well. be yourself | Take care of yourself. Make time for you. Build strong and healthy friendships. Never stop learning. |
Human-computer conversation systems have attracted much attention in Natural Language Processing.Conversation systems can be roughly divided into two categories: retrieval-based and generation-based systems.Retrieval systems search a user-issued utterance in a large conversational repository and return a reply that best matches the query.Generative approaches synthesize new replies.Both ways have certain advantages but suffer from their own disadvantages.We propose a novel ensemble of retrieval-based and generation-based conversation system.The retrieved candidates, in addition to the original query, are fed to a reply generator via a neural network, so that the model is aware of more information.The generated reply together with the retrieved ones then participates in a re-ranking process to find the final reply to output.Experimental results show that such an ensemble system outperforms each single module by a large margin. | A novel ensemble of retrieval-based and generation-based for open-domain conversation systems. |
If your clothes are particularly loose or sheer and you don't plan on wearing a bra, choosing nude-colored pasties will be the least conspicuous. If your clothes are slightly see-through or slip out of place, it will be less obvious. These will be thicker and less visible through light fabrics. Paper or fabric pasties often create more visible outlines through thin fabrics than silicone pasties. These are usually available in lingerie shops and large department stores. If you are not worried about the shape of your pasties being visible through your clothing, disposable or fabric pasties are typically cheaper and stay on better than reusable silicone ones. These can often be found in beauty supply shops and clothing stores. If you are buying pasties with sequins or tassels for a costume, be aware that the heavier they are, the stronger the adhesive you use will have to be. If you are buying costume pasties, choose the lightest design you can find. Even if your pasties seem to fit well and stay in place easily, it's a good idea to wait a few hours and see if the adhesive lasts before wearing them out. If you can move around comfortably after an hour or two without feeling like your pasties have shifted or might be falling off, you can most likely be confident that they’ll stay put when you go out. If your pasties are not staying in place, you may need to try either a different shape of pasties or a different type of adhesive. | Choose pasties in a nude color for minimal visibility. Use silicone pasties when wearing very sheer fabrics. Use paper or fabric pasties when you don’t need much coverage. Avoid buying very heavy pasties that may fall off. Test your pasties at home before wearing them out for the first time. |
Depending on what hemisphere you're located in, the crescent moon will help you identify either south or north. The Northern Hemisphere is the portion of the earth that's north of the equator, while the Southern Hemisphere is comprised of the area below the equator. All of North America and Europe are in the Northern Hemisphere. The northernmost portion of South America, two-thirds of Africa, and most of Asia are also in the Northern Hemisphere. Australia, Antarctica, the southern third of Africa, approximately 90 percent of South America, and some southern islands off the coast of Asia are in the Southern Hemisphere. This method for finding your direction on only works if the moon is in either the waxing crescent or waning crescent phases, which occur approximately seven days in each calendar month. The crescent phases typically occur at the beginning and end of the month. If you're not sure whether there will be a crescent moon on a given evening, there are a number of online calendars that provide the lunar phases for each month. Just do a search for “moon phases calendar” or “lunar phases calendar.” With your gaze fixed firmly on the moon, image a line from the two points of the crescent that tracks all the way down to the bottom of the skyline. If you are in the Northern Hemisphere, the point where the line meets the horizon is roughly south. In the Southern Hemisphere, the point where the line meets the horizon is roughly north. If you are having trouble following the imaginary line down to the horizon, it may help to hold a stick through the tips of the crescent moon as a guide. | Identify whether you're in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere. Locate the crescent moon. Draw an imaginary line from the moon's “horns” to the horizon. |
Start by taking off any cushions you can to make the couch easier to paint. In addition, tape off any areas that you don't want covered in paint, such as wooden legs. Use painters tape to tape off these areas. Keep in mind that you can also do things like pull off the couch skirt to give the couch a different look. Repair any major cracks with glue made for leather or a patch. Other people have had luck using E6000 glue. You will need to sand any repair you make so it is smooth for painting. One way to help keep the paint supple and smooth is to create thin layers, particularly if you're using a paint you made yourself. The thin layers will help keep the paint from cracking, as well. Of course, that means more work overall, but the end result will be better. Don't gob large amounts of the paint on the couch at a time. Create very thin, quick-drying layers. It will take a number of layers to get your couch covered with paint, so be patient. Start with three layers, but you may need as many as six layers to get the couch covered, along with a bit of touch up. Let the sofa dry completely between coats. The paint should be dry to the touch and not have any shiny spots. As you paint the couch, alternate the way you are painting. That is, on one coat, make your strokes go in one direction. On the next coat, make your strokes go perpendicular to the first layer. This process creates a smoother, stronger surface. Some people find a circular motion works better. Test your pattern in an inconspicuous place first before applying it to the whole couch. Once you have the paint on how you'd like, just leave it alone. Let it set for at least two days before you try anything else on it. In fact, do not touch it or move the leather around. Just let it be so the paint has a chance to cure. Some paints can leave the top feeling rough, particularly if they're not made for leather. To alleviate this problem, sand down the paint once it has set. Start with rougher sandpaper and work down to finer paper. Use your hand to decide when the paint is the right texture. Wipe or vacuum any dust that collects as you sand. In some cases, a finish can be helpful. For most leather paints, a finish is necessary. Choose from high gloss, semi-gloss, or matte, depending on the look you want for your couch. Apply a layer of the gloss at the end of the project. Some people find that using wax over a homemade paint can add durability and shine. However, it's not absolutely necessary. | Prepare the couch for painting. Layer thin coats. Use three or four layers. Alternate directions. Let it cure. Sand the paint if needed. Try a finish. |
Look for rubber bands or elastics that are big enough to fit comfortably around your forearm without cutting off your circulation. Just make sure they’re tight enough to stay in place. Folding up sweater sleeves can look bulky and feel uncomfortable. Often, they don't stay in place, and you’ll probably find yourself messing with them after they slip back down your arms. Elastics are the perfect way to keep your sleeves in place all day. Fabric hair elastics are more comfortable and less constricting than rubber bands. Position the band at the same point on your forearm so your sleeves are symmetrical. Then, roll up your sleeve to the same point on your arm as you did with the other one so they’re the same length. Check in a mirror when you’re finished to make sure both of your sweater sleeves match and don't look too bulky. | Find 2 rubber bands or hair ties. Repeat the steps with your other sweater sleeve. |
Those are the oversized, light, rubber balls often used for Pilates. It doesn't matter which size you use. Choose one that you’re comfortable with. You’ll get a bigger contraction with a larger ball. With your back on the floor, roll the ball up under your feet. You want your feet to be on the top center of the ball. Put your full weight between your feet (on the ball) and your shoulder blades. Use your arms to stabilize yourself. This will be your starting position. Bend your knees, pulling the ball as close as you can to your bottom. This will contract the hamstring. Hold for a brief pause and then push the ball back out to your starting position. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions. | Find a swiss ball. Lay on the floor. Lift your hips. Bring the ball towards you. |
The cat and cow pose is a good yoga pose for beginners that can help increase flexibility in your back and core, as well as relaxing your mind and body. Start by coming to all fours on the ground. Make sure your wrists are directly under your shoulders and your knees are directly under your hips. Flatten out your back so that it resembles the flat top of a table and roll your shoulders down and back away from your ears. Breathe deeply. On an inhale, arch your back deeply and lift your head up, opening your chest. Pause. On an exhale, curve your back upward toward the ceiling, tucking your chin down into your chest and curving your shoulders slightly in. Repeat the movement for 5 to 10 breath cycles, maintaining the coordination between breath and movement. When you start yoga or pilates practice, you may not be able to achieve the full extent of the pose. Yoga blocks and rolled or folded towels can ensure you maintain the correct posture and don't force yourself to go too far. For example, the forward fold will increase flexibility in your legs and back. You may not be able to place your palms flat on the floor beside your feet. However, you may be able to place your hands on a yoga block on the floor in front of you. Your body will be different from one day to the next. Have patience and try not to get frustrated if you find you aren't able to go as far into a pose one day as you've been able to in the past. One of the keys to using yoga or pilates for flexibility is to maintain the pose and breathe deeply into the stretch. This relaxes your body and will enable you to go further into the stretch. As you inhale, think about solidifying your strength. On each exhale, release any tension and try to sink deeper into the stretch. Many yoga poses and pilates postures can be strung together with a movement for each breath. The continuous movement will help improve your flexibility as well as increasing blood flow to your joints. Remember to maintain focus on your breath. If you become out of breath, or feel yourself holding your breath rather than coordinating your breath with your movement, slow down. A sun salutation is a vinyasa, a series of yoga poses done continuously with a breath for each movement. There are 12 poses in total in the sun salutation. You'll start in a standing position, in what is known as the mountain pose in yoga. You'll move through the poses fluidly, coordinating your movement with your breath, then end once again in mountain pose. Sun salutations also provide a good cardiovascular workout, and can serve as a warm up for other, more intense stretching or flexibility work. The breath is a central part of both yoga and pilates. Take a few minutes before you begin your yoga practice to meditate on your breath. Inhale slowly through your nose, pause, then exhale slowly through your mouth. You won't notice any significant improvement in your flexibility unless your practice is consistent. You don't necessarily have to practice every day, but you should be able to set aside some time 3 or 4 days a week. Start by practicing for 10 to 15 minutes 3 or 4 days a week. If you enjoy your practice, you may want to add more days, but make sure you can do this consistently. | Loosen up your spine with the cat and cow pose. Choose poses that can be easily modified. Hold poses for several breaths. Engage in continuous movement. Work up to sun salutations. Focus on your breath. Practice regularly and consistently. |
Once you have identified your core strength areas, you can add to those using several market strategies to build a competitive advantage, or to create new areas of advantage. For example, you may have a major strength in terms of product quality. You can further add to this strength by focusing even more heavily on fantastic quality, but also trying to deliver your product faster, and at a lower cost. Cost reduction is one strategy that businesses can pursue to gain a competitive advantage, or to add to their advantage. Most markets have price-sensitive consumers, and being able to offer your product or service at a lower price is a certain way to create value for your customers. Walmart, for example, has a competitive advantage due to its ability to provide low prices. Examine your entire production process. This includes everything from purchasing supplies, to how your workers produce your products, to how your product is sold. Consider investing in technology that can reduce costs. If you own a restaurant, for example, purchasing energy-efficient equipment can reduce your operating costs. If your business has an excellent credit rating compared to your peers, you can finance these purchases at a lower cost. Examine how your workers are producing as well to make sure they are not wasting resources and that they are producing as much as possible. In your particular market, service may be a key factor that differentiates competitors. If your business already has a strength in service, consider doing more to focus in this area. Hiring better staff, improving training standards, managing staff closer, offering rewards and incentives for strong service, and offering more convenient hours of operation can all help generate an advantage. It is important to create a culture of excellent service. If your service advantage is based on a few simple factors (like longer hours), your competition can easily replicate it. If you cannot compete with your peers on location or on price, for example, you can always compete on quality. This is even more true if high quality is one of your strengths. Customers will often pay more or go to greater lengths for an exceptional product. You'll need to first determine exactly what quality means in a particular market. For example, do customers want maintenance-free products, better design, or longer life? What does quality mean to your customers? Look at best-selling products in your market. What aspects of these products make them desirable? Focus on taking your unique talents and background and using these. For example, if you are in the restaurant business, and you spent three years overseas studying cuisine, you can use your experiences and contacts there to establish truly unique recipes. Focusing on hiring the right people, and using higher quality supplies can dramatically enhance the overall quality of your product or service. Look for one or more marketable attributes that you have that can set you apart from your competitors. Then find the segment of the market that finds those attributes important and market to them. For example, do you have the longest battery life? Frequent travelers need this. The lowest price? That's important to lower income customers. Free shipping? If you are the only one offering this it could attract new customers. This process can also work in the other direction by conducting research to determine which things consumers find most important and then developing a niche market for those products or characteristics. For example, people with arthritis have trouble opening cans and jars. You could design a gadget that makes it easier for them and then advertise in medical publications. Make sure your product has both attractive features and benefits. A feature is something that the product has or is, such as a drill that has interchangeable drill bits. A benefit is a positive outcome that the user experiences as a result of using the product, like how using an umbrella keeps you dry in the rain. When a product has both of these, it's much more possible to gain a competitive edge. Forming a partnership or alliance with another company can be an excellent way to gain a competitive edge. For example, assume you are a local equipment supply company. You could approach a local transportation company and offer to provide them with a discount on products in exchange for quicker or more preferential local transportation. In doing so, you can offer your customers their products in a shorter time frame than your peers, providing you with a competitive advantage. | Review your core strengths. Reduce costs. Focus on service. Focus on product or service quality. Differentiate your products and services. Form an alliance with another company. |
The grasses and weeds will go to seed, and offer haven for insects and birds. Wildflowers will bloom, providing nourishment for bees. When you maintain a standard grass lawn, you’re depriving these creatures of their natural environment. You might wish to set aside part of your lawn to leave unmown, or you might decide to mow paths through longer grassy areas. Be prepared to share your reasons with your neighbors, who might at first not realize the benefits of long grass. When people litter, their trash often makes its way to our local waterways, destroying the natural homesites of birds, fish and other wetland creatures. Help out by joining with others in beach or riverside cleanup events. If there's not a cleanup in your area, consider creating one. All you’ll need are trash bags, rubber gloves, and a team of like-minded volunteers. You can select any lake, river, creek, swamp, marsh, beach, or wetland you prefer to help clean. Rather than spraying toxic pesticides that are dangerous to humans, pets, fish and birds, alter the garden environment in a way that causes the pests to leave. This is a more environmentally friendly solution. Try using beneficial insects that can control the pest population, or natural pesticides which have been developed to make the plant taste bad to the pest. You can find these at your local garden store or online. Pesticides include insecticides, herbicides, biocides, fungicides, and nematicides. By planting trees and shrubs that are native to your area, you’ll be working with the local ecosystem rather than against it. Check with your local nursery, or with your state's cooperative extension agency, to learn more about the particular varieties of native plants that might thrive on your property. Planting native plants helps with water conservation. Once established, little or no irrigation should be needed for most well-placed native plants. You’ll be increasing the local biodiversity, establishing native pollinator and songbird habitats in your yard. A ½ inch of rain on a 1000 sq. foot roof produces about 280 gallons of water that you can then use to irrigate your garden, and clean items around your home. Most people use a rain barrel to save their rainwater until it's used for irrigation. You can put a rain barrel directly beneath your gutter, or you can install a diverter that pulls water from your water drainage system. Rainwater isn't safe for drinking; it should only be used for irrigation and cleaning purposes. Saving your rainwater helps protect nature by preventing stormwater runoff from carrying trash, nutrients, and other pollution to your local lakes and streams. Small, diverse plantings that bloom for multiple seasons will help support your local bee population. There are many reasons that bees are vital to your local ecosystem, including pollination of fruit trees and food crops. Examples of favorites among bees include borage, cleome, cosmos, “bee-balm” or monarda, verbena and zinnia. Herbs that bees frequent include rosemary, thyme, mint, basil, and all kinds of sage or salvia. | Stop mowing your lawn. Participate in beach or river cleanup. Stop using pesticides. Plant native trees and shrubs. Catch your rainwater. Plant flowers that bees will like. |
Use a home blood pressure machine or go to a local pharmacy. Put your arm in the cuff and follow the instructions on the digital display. Normal blood pressure should be around 120/80 mm Hg. If your blood pressure is 100/80 mm Hg or lower, go to the doctor immediately. Low blood pressure can lead to shock, which in some cases may be fatal. If you feel lightheaded but can't measure your blood pressure, see a doctor just in case. If your blood pressure is high (around 140/90 mm hg), still contact your doctor. You may have postpartum preeclampsia. Heavy bleeding can lead to shock, which may be the most dangerous part of postpartum hemorrhage. If you notice symptoms of shock, call for emergency medical treatment. Quick treatment is needed. Symptoms of shock may include: Clammy skin Blurry vision Chills Rapid heartbeat, a racing pulse, or heart palpitations Rapid and shallow breathing Dizziness Confusion Weakness or a faint feeling These symptoms, if they appear in combination with other symptoms, may also be signs of a hemorrhage. Call your doctor if you develop these symptoms. If you think you look pale, ask someone else to verify it. Make sure you stand in natural lighting, as certain lightbulbs can make you look paler than you really are. Feeling sick to your stomach or nauseous may also be signs, even if you don't actually throw up. | Take your blood pressure if you feel dizzy or lightheaded. Watch out for signs of shock. Watch out for pale skin or nausea. |
Create body with a curling wand. Separate your hair into small, workable sections and then wrap one section around the wand. Hold it for a couple of seconds and then let the strand go and move onto the next one. After curling all of the sections, separate your curls and tease them by combing your hair towards the root. This will give you even more volume. If you want wavy hair, only wrap the top half of the strand around the wand. with a hair dryer. Put a nozzle attachment on the end of your hair dryer and brush your hair with a boar bristle brush as you blow it dry. This will make your hair lay flat and feel smooth. Take a small section of hair near your hairline, twist it, and pin it back by locking 2 bobby pins in an “x” shape. Continue doing this for most of the hair along your hairline. This way, you can wear the headband solely for decoration and not rely on it to hold your hair back. Choose bobby pins that match your hair color so they don't stick out. | Create volume by curling and teasing your short hair. Blow your hair smooth Pin back sections of hair that are near your face. |
A step-down transformer is a small electrical device that has wires with differing numbers of coils to lower the voltage from a supply to the output. For a simple converter circuit, look for a transformer that's rated for at least 13 V so you can drop the input power lower. Place the transformer on a piece of perfboard, which has a grid of holes drilled into it and is used for prototyping circuits. Connect the transformer to the perfboard using nuts and bolts to secure it in place. You can buy transformers and perfboard from an electronics supply store or online. If you want to raise the voltage, then you can use a step-up transformer instead. Diodes allow electricity to go through them in 1 direction, but they block the current from going the other way. Place the first diode at a 45-degree angle so the positive end points away from you and to the left. Place another diode next to the first one so they form a corner and the negative end points at a 45-degree angle to the right. Form the top of the diamond so the diode on the left has the negative side pointing up and the diode on the right has the positive side pointing up. The diamond pattern of the diodes is known as a bridge rectifier and allows the circuit to transfer the positive and negative outputs of the AC signal. You can buy diodes from an electronics supply store or online. Make sure the diodes are pointing in the right directions or else the current won't be able to flow through them. You can use hot glue to secure the diodes to the perfboard if you want, but it's not required. Choose copper wires with differently colored insulation for the lines that the DC signal runs through. Wrap the end of 1 wire around the left corner of the diamond so it goes around both of the diode leads. Then attach the second wire to the diode leads at the right corner of the rectifier so it's secure. Guide the wires toward the right side of the perfboard so they’re away from the transformer.The leads connected to the left and right carry the DC signal away from the rectifier. Turn your multimeter so the dial points at the “DCV” or “V–” option. Plug the leads into your multimeter and hold the pins against the positive and negative sides of the capacitor filter. The reading on the display will be the DC voltage converted from the original AC supply.You can also attach a DC-powered lightbulb to the wires on your capacitor filter to see if it lights up. If the light stays on consistently, then the converter worked. | Attach a step-down transformer to the left side of a perfboard. Arrange 4 diodes in a diamond shape to the right of the transformer. Wrap wires around the left and right of the diamond. Use a multimeter to check the DC voltage on the wires. |
Sew the first row using a 1/4-inch (0.64-cm) seam allowance and the second row using a 1/2-inch (1.3-cm) seam allowance. Use a straight stitch and a matching thread color for both rows. Do not backstitch. Use a long stitch length and a low tension on your sewing machine. This will make gathering it easier. Place the middle tier into the bottom tier. Find the bobbin threads from your 2 rows of stitching, then pull on them to gather the fabric. Keep pulling until the gathering edge matches the circumference of the middle tier. Knot and cut the excess thread. Cut the excess thread first to make it easier to manage. Tie the threads together, then trim the rest off. Double-check to make sure that the right sides of the tiers are facing each other first. Since the tiers are already tucked inside each other, all you have to do is pin and sew along the top edge with a straight stitch and a 1/2-inch (1.3-cm) seam allowance. Remember to backstitch and to take the pins out when you are done! Fold the seam against the middle tier. Secure it with sewing pins, then sew across it with a zigzag stitch. This will give you a cleaner finish as well as prevent the seam from scratching you. Sew 2 rows across the top edge of the middle tier. Gather the top edge until it is the same circumference as the top tier. Pin and sew the 2 tiers together with a 1/2-inch (1.3-cm) seam allowance and a straight stitch. Fold the seam against the top tier and topstitch it down with a zigzag stitch. The top tier isn't sewn together into a ring yet. You will have to coil the top tier into a ring and tuck it inside the middle tier to check the size. This includes all of the measuring, cutting, gathering, and sewing. When you are done, tuck 1 petticoat into the other with the wrong sides facing in. Sew along the top edge of the petticoat using a straight stitch or a zigzag stitch to hold them together. You are sewing the petticoats with the wrong sides facing in so that you have a clean finish on the inside and outside of the petticoat. For a more colorful petticoat, consider using different colors for each layer. | Sew 2 rows of straight stitches along the top edge of the bottom tier. Gather the top edge until it is the same size as the middle tier. Sew the bottom and middle tiers together using a 1/2-inch (1.3-cm) seam. Fold the seam against the middle tier and topstitch it down. Repeat the process with the middle and top tiers. Repeat the entire process if you want a 2-layered petticoat. |
Make sure your shorts or pants have a lot of stretch in them to be able to move with your body. Yoga pants, exercise shorts, sweatpants, and gymnastic leotards are great options. If you don't own any of these, you can use normal leggings. Find a clear space on the floor to lay out your mat to begin. If you are on a carpeted floor, a mat may not be necessary. Staying hydrated is important for any type of physical activity. Dehydration can also cause muscle fatigue and reduce your ability to stretch your muscles to their full capacity. | Dress yourself in comfortable, flexible clothing. Get an exercise or yoga mat, yoga blocks, and a bolster to use, or any suitable alternative(s). Fill up a water bottle to keep close. |
You'll also need to make sure that you have the appropriate types of storage containers. If you're preparing any type of meal in advance, you'll need to figure out how you're planning to store it safely. Tupperware containers are a great tool when you're making meals in advance. Most keep foods fresh in the refrigerator and many are also freezer and microwave safe. Mason jars are a more artistic and unique way to store food. The screw-on lids provide an airtight seal. This is great for items like yogurt, oatmeal or cottage cheese. Aluminum foil or plastic wrap can help keep foods fresh in the refrigerator. They're not airtight and can leak so make sure to only use these on solid foods-like an egg sandwich. It's nice to be able to pull out a nutritious breakfast right from the fridge; however, you can't store pre-cooked food for days on end. Choose the best option for your meal storage-refrigerator or freezer. Many breakfasts that you'll make might be for the next morning; however, some recipes allow you to make multiple servings that can last you all week. Only make enough servings to last you for about five breakfasts. If you make more you'll need to freeze it. Only freeze items like egg sandwiches, chia seed puddings, smoothies (blend the frozen smoothie to make smooth again), or oatmeal. Items like yogurt won't freeze well. If you're choosing to store foods in the refrigerator, store them above any raw meat or seafood. All cooked foods should be stored near the top of the refrigerator where liquids or juices from raw foods cannot contaminate them. If you're short on time in the morning, even for a quick reheat in the microwave, consider bringing your breakfast to your office instead. Keep your meal cool during transportation to work. This is especially important if you have a fairly long commute. You do not want your food getting too warm this increases the risk that harmful bacteria will grow. Use an insulated lunch bag to pack your breakfast. Place a freezer pack or frozen water bottle in your lunch bag to keep your breakfast cold prior to getting to your office. If you're bringing a liquid to work like milk for your cereal consider putting the liquid in a thermos to keep it at the appropriate temperature. Only juices, milk, non-dairy milk or smoothies need to be kept cold. | Get the right type of storage containers. Choose between the refrigerator and freezer. Pack your breakfast safely. |
Point the gun so that the area where the nails come out of is facing away from you. Then, look at the back of the gun for a small metal rectangle with 2 indentations on the sides and a small hook at the top or bottom. This is the release for the pusher rod. If you’re having trouble finding it, trace from where the staples come out of the gun to the rear area, which is usually a straight line. Place your thumb and forefinger in the indentations on either side of the pusher. Then, push the rod forward and down if the hook is on the top of the rod. If the hook is on the bottom, push the rod forward and up. Once the hook is unlatched, pull the rod completely out of the gun and set it aside. If pushing in one direction doesn't work, try the opposite direction before pulling it out. In most cases, you’ll be able to see the hook on the rod as it unlatches when you push the rod in. Take a row of staples and position them so that the legs are facing down with the staples on top of the rails inside of the chamber. Then, let the staples slide all the way to the front of the gun. If you're going to be using a lot of staples for the project, it's a good idea to fill up the chamber with staples, leaving only about 1⁄4 in (0.64 cm) of space. If you don't slide the staples to the front, they can get stuck when you reinsert the pusher. Position the end of the pusher without the release mechanism inside of the chamber. Hold the rod straight and push it into the chamber, hooking the back of the rod in place at the top or bottom. With some staplers, you might feel some tension while you’re pushing the rod in. This comes from the spring on the rod touching the staplers. Keep pushing the rod until you can hook it into place. To make sure the staples are loaded properly, fold a piece of paper in half or use a scrap piece of wood or fabric. Place it under or inside of the stapler and pull the trigger to release a staple. Make sure the staples are firing smoothly with no jams. Try to test the stapler on the type of material that you’ll be using for your project. | Locate the pusher rod at the back of the gun. Push in on the rod and pull it out to remove it. Load the staples legs-down over the guide rails. Reinsert the pusher until it locks in place. Test the staple gun on a piece of paper or wood. |
Take a moment to picture your idea of God. This can be a specific deity in any religion you feel comfortable with. You may choose to do research on the deity and see examples of images and statues devoted to that god or goddess to help you. You may also imagine your chosen spiritual entity however you please and in a way that makes the most sense to you. Repeat Om 3 times. Focus on the sound and the vibrations in your throat. Breathe out slowly. Be sure that you are relaxed and comfortable. You may wish to pray the rosary. If you are using a japa mala, then hold the beads in your right hand between your thumb and middle finger. If your item has a large bead or a tassel, move your fingers to the left of it. Every time you repeat your mantra, you will move your finger and thumb to the left of the current bead. You will come back to the large bead or tassel again after 108 repetitions. You may then turn the beads around and continue moving across the beads in the opposite direction so you don't pass the large bead or tassel. Speak the sound slowly and clearly in a confident voice. Try to feel your breath and voice coming from your navel instead of just your head. If you are using your japa mala, then you will want to repeat your mantra at least 108 times. If not, repeat your mantra as many times as you want or until you feel like it has had the maximum positive effect for that session. If you are nervous, your voice may shake while you chant. Pay attention to see if your voice is very quiet or too loud. You may need to center and calm yourself to gain control of your emotions and your voice through better breathing. If your throat is tight or you are tensed, then you will need to relax further. for a few minutes. After repeating your mantra, sit quietly and focus on your breath. Let thoughts come and go, gently bringing your mind back to your breathing each time. Know that your thoughts are just distractions and are meaningless in themselves, so don't allow yourself to react emotionally to them. This is your time to be calm and still after practicing your mantra. Chanting mantras, praise worship songs, Bhakti songs, Hindi devotional songs, are all the ways to praise and worship the Divine. Powerful mantras, Maha mantra, and devotional songs, from all over the world, all have the same goal: increasing Love within our hearts and on Earth. Feel free to sing your mantras throughout each day. | Envision the divine. Take a deep breath. Hold your holy item. Repeat your mantra. Respect your body’s signals. Meditate Meditate on Love. |
If you know or are acquainted with someone in the group, use them as your way in. You'll feel more comfortable with someone you already know and it is an instant conversation starter. Tap them on the shoulder or give them a quick greeting to let them know you are there. If everyone notices or if it interrupts the group discussion, apologize and introduce yourself. “I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt. I know John from work and I had to say hello. I'm Jane, by the way, nice to meet all of you.” If you don't know anyone in the group, you can just introduce yourself. This tactic takes some bravery, but those in the conversation will admire you for your courage. Wait for an opening or a lull in the conversation so you don't interrupt anyone. You can choose to introduce yourself to one person in the group or the whole group. “Hi, I'm Jane.” ”How are you?” “Mind if I join?” or “Mind if I sit here?” If you have set yourself up to be naturally within earshot of the conversation and have listened for awhile to the topic, you can use that to be able to interject into the conversation with minimal effort. Make sure you are interested and excited about the conversation, it will show. You'll also want to start with a gentle way of entering into the conversation, such as: “I'm sorry, I couldn't help but overhear...” “Excuse me, were you all talking about...” "I was over here, looking at the movie collection, did I hear you mention..." Once you introduce yourself, you can further the introduction by asking questions or starting a new topic. Make sure you are following along with the flow of the conversation, try not to jump in and change the topic abruptly. When you are just meeting someone, or a group of people at an event, there are several topics you can cover. Ask about the situation: “So how do you guys know the bride and groom?" Ask about or compliment the environment: “This place is beautiful! Do you know who picked it for the event?” Comment or ask about the group: “You guys seem like you've known each other for a long time.” Ask about or comment on an interesting outside topic: “Have you seen that new action movie? What did you think of it?” Start a story of your own “The strangest thing happened to me this morning.” Another way into a conversation that is particularly useful for parties or more active events. Look around to see if there are card games, party games, or a pool table being used that you can use to join in. If you are attending and event where there is music or dancing, ask someone to dance. Once you have joined in on the activity it gives you something to talk about to the other participants. ”Can I get in on the next game?” ”Mind if I join in?” ”Do you guys have room for one more?” | Use a person you know. Introduce yourself. Interject into the conversation. Start a new topic. Join in on an activity. |
One way to see velvet is to use a light directly on your fish. The light will help you see the shimmer of gold or rust that this disease can produce on the scales. Your fish will exhibit other symptoms, such as lethargy, loss of appetite, and rubbing or scratching himself against walls or items in the aquarium. He may also have clamped fins. This parasite can be prevented by adding aquarium salt and water conditioner to your tank on a regular basis. You need to add 1 teaspoon of aquarium salt for 2 1/2 gallons of water. You also need a drop of water conditioner per gallon, though always read the instructions that come with your water conditioner. Only add extra salt when doing water changes, not when topping off a tank. This medication is the most effective against velvet because it has two agents in it that work against the disease. Add 12 drops per gallon of water. You can also use a medication called "Maracide". Continue treating until the fish no longer exhibits symptoms. You should still isolate the affected fish, but you should treat the original tank as well. This disease is very contagious. To isolate affected fish, you need to move them to a separate tank with clean water. You need to provide treatment to both tanks. | Shine a flashlight on your fish. Use Bettazing. Treat the whole tank. |
Everyone grieves in a completely different manner and over a completely unique time period. Don't focus on how long the grieving period should take based on the length of the relationship or anything else like that. Accept that your friend will need to find his or her own way and in his or her own time. This process is likely to continue testing your patience, but you simply cannot force the situation to click. It’ll click when the person is ready for it to. Grief often feels all-encompassing in a way that may make your friend put off going grocery shopping or keeping up with other errands that we all hate to do even when we’re not getting over a breakup. While you shouldn't mother your friend completely, offering to pick up some basic necessities or even help with the laundry can mean more to the person than you might think. By offering briefly to take something even so simple and mundane off your friend's plate, you will help in a way most others won't even offer. While you should allow the friend to work through the pain and sadness in the short term, don't feel as though you cannot have fun together in the weeks and months after the breakup. Especially in cases of long-term relationships and cohabitation, being single again can feel a bit to anyone as though they’ve lost part of themselves or their identity. If you and the friend had standing dinner plans on the same night every week or other common friend rituals, resume them as soon as the friend seems ready. These gestures can reestablish a sense of normalcy that helps the friend move on. Remember that getting over someone isn't a perfectly linear process. Even after resuming fun routines, your friend will still have good and bad days. Resist the urge to push or cajole to get the process back on track. The friend is still seeking a safe, nonjudgmental place in your friendship. This may be the perfect time for you to try out a new adventure together. Sign up for a new experience, like a hot balloon ride, or leave town for the weekend. While not advisable, we all know it's perfectly normal give in to a night or two of too much to drink after a breakup. However, as the immediate breakup turns into the long process of moving on, ensure that your friend doesn't appear to be finding too much solace in drugs or alcohol. In addition to the risks of dependence, a healthy body will help lead to a healthy mind much more quickly, and no one sleeps, eats, or exercises enough when they party too often. Though your friend should not avoid or repress the pain and sadness of the breakup, those feelings often find other outlets in the weeks and months that follow. Channeling negative emotions into positive activities is a process referred to as sublimation. Find out the activities your friend is using to sublimate the hurt feelings and encourage them. The person might be exercising more, taking up painting or an instrument, or even doubling down on working toward a promotion. Offer your friend plenty of positive reinforcement for the productive ways in which he or she has managed the situation. In most people's grieving process, anger comes after the confusion, denial, and sadness involved with a breakup. Anger usually means your friend has accepted the rejection and moved past the immediate loss. While your friend obviously shouldn't be driven to negative or violent action based on his or her anger, being mad alone is not a sign of backsliding. However, discourage your friend from thinking that all women or men are evil or fickle. Not everyone is evil when just one person hurts you. In the absence of being loved and needed by the ex, your friend may seek it in another, ill-advised relationship.. This is a terrible idea for the same reason that offering your friend too many distractions is a terrible idea—distraction versus dealing. Try to dissuade the person from jumping into another relationship if it looks that way, but remember to approach it the same way you approached the person trying to contact the ex. In other words, don't get so invested that you’ll be upset if the person does it anyway, and don't forbid it so harshly that you tempt them to do it to spite you. | Allow your friend to find his or her own path. Help with day-to-day details. Keep having fun together. Watch the person’s alcohol consumption. Focus on what helps your friend feel better. Let the friend get angry. Dissuade the person from rushing into another relationship. |
Make sure you have alternatives if some of your friends can't come to the party. Try to invite people who get along with each other, and avoid inviting people who cause drama or pick fights. Set a limit on how many people will come. Big sleepovers can be fun if you have lots of friends, but can also become extremely chaotic; small sleepovers can be a great way to spend time with a close friend, but may feel a bit lonely if you tend to spend time with more than one or two people. That way, you don't need to be embarrassed by how untidy your house is. Prepare your room (or whatever room you and your friends will be sleeping in) for the sleepover, and clean the bathrooms too, as your guest(s) will be using them. If you're having trouble cleaning up quickly enough, ask your parent(s) or sibling(s) for help. You may want to ask your parents or guardians which rooms are off-limits to guests. Make sure you have everything you need for activities. Recommended items include nail polish, makeup, an iPod, a TV with a DVD player, teenage movies, and phone chargers. Be sure to have lots of food and drinks that fit into your meal plans for dinner and breakfast. When it comes to food, check beforehand to see if your guests have dietary restrictions of any sorts (for example, they have allergies, or can't eat certain foods because of their religion or lifestyle). If your slumber party is themed, consider decorating the space you'll be sleeping in. It's always fun when decorated. Make sure to play music that you and your friends like - and that your parents or guardians allow, if they don't want you listening to certain songs. Cover the windows with black butcher paper. Hang twinkling light strands all around the party area. Scatter inflated balloons that are your favorite colors all over the floor. Its also good when its dark because that means party time! If available, color changing LED lights would also make for a good mood in the room. Use playful colors such as blue, green, and pink. Dancing water speakers also can create this effect and will keep the party exciting. | Let your friend(s) know ahead of time to make sure everyone can make it. Clean your house before the sleepover starts. Get your activities and supplies ready. Decorate your house. |
If you find your skinnies are a little too tight at the knee, look for a straight leg or pencil cut. This will give you a straight cut all the way down and free up your knees! If your skinnies tend to sag at the waist after a few wears, try a pair with a two-piece contour waist. This means that the waist of your jeans is made from two, slightly curved pieces, rather than one straight piece that goes all the way around. This is the worst consequence of skinny jeans. You love the way the jeans fit through your legs but they’re just a bit too tight at the waist and the part of you that doesn't fit into the jeans spills over the top! This easiest way to avoid this is to make sure you have a mid- or high-rise jean. Unless you want to draw attention to your butt, avoid pockets that are overly large. They shouldn't fall lower than the crease between your thighs and butt. If you’re a little flat in the back, go ahead and get jeans with big pockets! They will be more flattering. | Free up space around your knees. Pick a pair that doesn’t sag. Avoid muffin tops. Avoid big pockets. |
Forests in Brazil, Russia, Canada and other parts of the world are being cut down or burned by forest fires every day. 78 million acres of rainforest are lost every single year. Scientists posit that if forest destruction continues at this rate, 80 to 90 percent of rain forests will by gone by 2020. Since forests play an essential part in keeping our planet healthy, stopping their destruction can't happen soon enough. Most forests are destroyed to provide space for agriculture or developments, to provide wood for paper products, or by forest fires that have increased in severity since the advent of global warming. Saving forests must be a global effort, but there are things you can do to contribute, even if you live nowhere near a rain forest. Showing those in your life that you care about trees is a good way to help other people start taking action, too. Many people simply don't realize how important old growth forests are to the health of the planet, including its human population. The more people who understand and care, the more likely destructive practices will be brought to a halt. Spread the word on social media. When you see a story related to the state of the earth's forest, share what you think about it and encourage others to comment. Show that standing up for trees is something you believe in. Since saving trees will require a change in lifestyle, some people oppose the idea. By making it clear that saving trees is something you believe is valuable, you'll be acting as a role model to others. There are many nonprofits dedicated to saving forests across the world, and they are all in need of donations. Find one you trust and consider making a donation. For example, Greenpeace is working to stop deforestation. It has projects around the world aimed at saving forests that are under threat. The Rain forest Action Network aims to educate people and help everyone find a way to play a part in saving forests. Changing your consumption habits and helping local trees are both admirable ways to make a difference, but if saving trees and forests is something you're passionate about, you might be looking for a way to do more. Volunteering or working with a nonprofit working on this vital issue is a hands-on way to take action. You can start by looking at http://arbordaynow.volunteermatch.org/ to find a group in your area where you can volunteer your time. Volunteering with a local group geared toward saving trees is a good way to get familiar with the issues surrounding deforestation. The desire to save trees has inspired heartfelt activism around the world for decades. Look into groups using creative ways to save trees and protest the destruction of forests, like by tree-sitting and blocking logging equipment. Learn as much as you can about what has been done to save trees, and decide how you can contribute. | Learn about the state of forests. Share your love for trees and forests with other people. Donate to a nonprofit working to protect forests. Join a group working to save trees. |
This includes making sure storm windows are installed and closed in place if you have them. Windows should be latched. Open them during the day if the temperature outside is higher than the temperature indoors. Keep your windows air-tight. You may want to purchase removable window caulk or plastic to better seal them. At a minimum, stuff a towel or shirt in front of any noticeable leaks. This will keep the cold air out, and the warmth from the sun will heat your house without cold air coming in. You could also cover your windows with clear plastic sheets. A set of heavy curtains can block heavy drafts of air. Open them when the sun is shining and close them when it's not. Check around the door frame and also under the door. You may want to buy weather stripping or a door sweep. Again, at minimum, make a draft dodger or stuff a towel at the bottom of the door. Check for obstructions (e.g. plants, sheds) that might keep the sun's rays from reaching your house. Remove items leaning against walls on the sunny side of your house. (Ideally, put them back again at night for additional insulation). The closed door makes that room another barrier between you and the frigid outdoors. It also stops air from circulating as much, which reduces heat loss. Home improvement stores sell magnetic register covers to "shut off" forced air furnace registers in unused rooms. That way when the heater does click on, only the registers in the rooms you use will pump out heat. This makes for more efficient use of the heater. Check that all heat registers are adjusted open, especially where plumbing pipes might freeze. Unblock cold air returns in heated rooms (they may be blocked with furniture or rug) so heat can circulate efficiently. Rugs and carpets help prevent heat loss through the floor. They are generally warmer to the touch than wood or stone, and so offer a warmer surface to walk on. A lot of heat escapes through the attic, as warm air rises and cold air sinks. Make sure that your attic has enough insulation. Cooking can help you to keep warm as an activity, through the oven's warmth and by eating something nice and warm after. Bake cookies or a pie. Your oven will help to dry the air and heat the kitchen. The kitchen will be warm while you are cooking, and then you can have a great home cooked meal too! After, leave the oven on and open the oven door to let some heat in the house. Only leave the oven on for ten to twenty minutes, so you don't waste energy. Limit cooking that gives off steam, as this will increase the humidity in the air and make your house damp. Lowering humidity in the wintertime helps you to feel warmer. Water vapor (humidity) has a greater heat capacity (ability to absorb heat) than dry air. As a result, humid air feels colder in winter than does dry air and it takes more heat to make damp air feel comfortable. A candle/candles can produce a lot of heat, just be mindful of where they are placed and do not leave them unattended. A trip to most any grocery store or discount store can provide you with a number of candles cheap! Use a candle heater. It doesn't create as much heat as a fireplace or real heater, but will create warmth very cheaply. The average incandescent light bulb releases up to 95% of its energy as heat rather than light, making it an extremely efficient heat source. Compact Fluorescent and LED lights are not helpful in warming your room, so save them for warmer days and use the money you saved to pay the heat bill. | Close all of your windows properly. Use cheap, transparent shower curtains over the windows that receive sunlight. Put up curtains. Seal your doors. Let as much sun hit your house as possible. Close off any unused rooms. Put down a rug or carpet. Add insulation in the attic and the crawl space. Cook. Light a candle. Turn on some lights. |
This can quickly become fatal and may occur within minutes of your exposure. Symptoms include: Hives Itching Flushed or pale skin The feeling that your throat is closing Swollen tongue or throat Breathing problems or wheezing Weak, fast pulse Vomiting Diarrhea Fainting If you carry an epinephrine injector (EpiPen), give yourself the injection. Follow the instructions in the package. Inject the medication into the outside of your thigh. Do not inject it elsewhere because this will increase your chances of having side effects. Do not use the medication if it has changed color or if you see solid clumps in it. Because anaphylaxis can quickly be fatal, go to the emergency room even if you feel better. Getting checked by a doctor is necessary in case the symptoms start again. Side effects from the epinephrine injection can include skin reactions, fainting, irregular or racing heartbeat, vomiting, stroke, and breathing problems. | Recognize anaphylactic shock. Use your epinephrine injector if you carry one. Go to the doctor, even after injecting yourself. |
When infusing an oil, you will want to choose something that has a mild flavor and accepts the taste of whatever is being cooked in it. Olive oil is widely available and easy to infuse. However, its own flavor can be too strong. Consider using extra virgin olive, peanut, grapeseed, or avocado oils. These oils all have lighter flavors. Choosing a lighter oil will help ensure that your oil has the taste and aroma that you want. Before you start, make sure that you wash and dry your orange to avoid introducing any pesticides into your oil. Then, use a zester, Microplane, or a peeler to grate off the orange peel. The number of oranges used with vary depending on the amount of infused oil you are making. In general, you need about 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of zest for every cup of oil. Avoid removing any pith. Place the orange zest in a small saucepan and cover it with oil. Warm the pan over medium heat for about five minutes or until the oil begins to bubble. Do not let the oil and zest get too hot or it will begin to burn and ruin the flavor and smell. Heating the orange zest extracts the orange oil that will be infused with your other oil. Let the saucepan cool for a few minutes. For a milder infusion, use a slotted spoon to remove the pieces of zest from the oil while it is cooling. If you would like it to have a stronger flavor, leave the zest in the oil while it cools and strain it out before bottling. If you remove the zest during cooling, your oil will have a lighter coloring. If the zest stays in during cooling, you will have a cloudier coloring. | Choose a type of oil. Grate the peel. Heat the oil and the zest. Remove pan from heat. |
One of the best ways to foster a network of customer support online is by listening to what your customers say. Read the feedback that your customers give you and take it to heart. This can mean the difference between a returning customer and a former customer who will tell friends and family not to support you. Respond positively to all feedback, even negative comments. Reply gracefully to bad reviews by saying something like, "We're very sorry you had a negative experience. Please consider trying us again, and if you mention this post I will personally ensure that you have a better experience with us." Thank customers for their reviews and input. If multiple customers are saying the same things, you will need to consider implementing those changes, if possible and feasible. Make sure you like and comment on any customer posts to your social media page. You can also search for people who "checked in" at your business, and like or add to favorites any photographs or updates they shared about your business. As much as you may want to appeal to every single person who views your social media page, that may simply not be possible. If that is the case, you may need to decide whether to keep a generalized social media presence, or one that specifically appeals to your target audience. Never willfully alienate anyone, whether they are a customer or not. However, do recognize that not every single person in your town will find your business appealing. Remember that if you run a specialized business (for example, a vegan bakery), you may simply be unable to tap into some potential customers (like those who do not like vegan food). If you tend to have a niche audience, you can share posts that will appeal to them. As with the previous example, you might share posts about the benefits and the personal appeal of living a vegan lifestyle. You may be hoping that a social media presence will instantly boost your business overnight, and that does occasionally happen. However, overnight success is generally the exception to the rule. You will need to be patient and consistent with your online presence. Recognize that building an online presence and an online following takes time, and you'll likely need to take steps along the way to boost your presence to attract more followers. How long this all takes will vary, depending on your customers, your target audience, and how much time and effort you spend online. Be consistent. Try to post updates every day, and take some time each day to like, respond to, or share customer posts. Be patient. Having an online presence will not hurt your business. It will only help you, but you will only get out of it what you put into it. Search engine optimization, or SEO, involves altering your website and social media platform in order to better promote your business. When you use SEO, your business's website and social media pages will show up higher in the search results when a customer uses Google (or any other search engine) to search for relevant terms. Start by identifying keywords and terms that a customer might search for. You can use plural words, but try to avoid too much repetition (the fewer the keywords you use, the better, so keep it under 1,000 characters). Include any common misspellings of your business name in your keywords, so that someone looking for you will still be able to find you easily. Create meta tags on every single page of your website that incorporate those keywords. You will need to know how to use HTML code to do this, so learn how to code or find someone who knows how to help you. Audit your SEO effectiveness on a regular basis. You can use auditing tools, like DeepCrawl or Search Console, to assess how effective your SEO efforts have been at reaching customers. | Listen to your customers. Specialize your social media presence. Be consistent with your web presence. Use search engine optimization (SEO) methods. |
If you really want to commit to staying off social media, it's best to remove your profile from the network. Don't worry, if you change your mind, this decision can usually be reversed. But, for the time being, it's a good practice to prevent you from getting pulled back in. The majority of social media use comes from mobile devices like phones and tablets. As an extra measure, uninstall your social media apps from your devices. Because with many platforms, it's quite easy to log back in and reactivate your account, completely removing the app is the safest bet. That way, if you’re tempted to reactivate your account, you’ll have several steps in place before you can successfully do so. Hopefully, you’ll recover your sense of resolve to stay off. As a final safeguard to stay off social media, look into an application for either your computer or smartphone that blocks other applications. Such apps are ideal for social media detoxes. You can completely block your access to a certain app or website, or you can limit access for a period of time. Great options include SelfControl and Freedom. Taking a break from social media for one week can show you how much time you spend on this part of your life. You’ll likely find yourself having more free time and more meaningful interactions with others. If the week goes well, do another trial period of two weeks, gradually extending your time away from social media. | Deactivate your account. Delete the application. Download an app that monitors your computer and phone use. Unplug from social media for one week. |
In general, you should use standard white 8.5" x 11" (or A4) paper when preparing a paper in MLA style. Make sure your word processor is set to this paper size before you format your header. The MLA does not specify a single font preference, although classic, simple, easy-to-read fonts are preferable. Times New Roman is probably the standard choice. Font size, however, is specified as 12-point. The same font type and size should be used in both the header and the main body of the text. Making your title large and fancy is not the best here. MLA recommends that you choose a font that has clearly contrasting regular and italics fonts. MLA style specifies one-inch (2.54 cm) margins on all edges of the page. Since your page number should be aligned to the right margin, it should therefore be one inch from the right edge of the page. With the standard header and footer settings used with these margins, your header text will be one-half inch from the top of the page. If your last name is Smith, your header on page 3 will appear simply as "Smith 3". Consult with your instructor if there is another person with your last name in the class. He / she may want you to put "J. Smith 3". MLA style also permits instructors to simply exclude the use of the last name in the header, leaving only the Arabic numeral page number. MLA style leaves it to the instructor / editor / author's discretion whether to include a first-page header or leave it blank. Title pages are not used in MLA format, so your full name will already appear on the first page of text. Simply ask your instructor if he / she has a preference. | Use the right paper. Find the right font. Make your margins the right size. Put your last name and page number flush to the right margin. See if you should skip the first page header. |
The central rotor of your centrifuge will have an even number of holes spaced around its perimeter. Choose a hole and firmly insert a filled microtube. Then, insert a balance tube into the hole exactly opposite the hole containing your solution-filled microtube. Adding microtubes 2 at a time will ensure that you’re adding an even amount of weight to either side of the centrifuge. By adding 1 equally weighted tube on either side of the centrifuge, you’ll keep the center of gravity exactly in the middle of the centrifuge rotor. Insert these new microtubes halfway in between the 2 microtubes you’ve already added. So, if you added the first 2 microtubes at 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock, add 2 new microtubes at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock. Create a system so that you know which tubes are microtubes and which are balance tubes (if the liquids are the same color). You could put a small sticker on top of the sample-filled microtubes, or use a blue marker to color a small dot on top of the balance tubes. You can add as many microtubes as the centrifuge has holes using this system. Continuing the example, after you’ve added microtubes at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock, you could add 2 more at 2 o’clock and 8 o’clock and another pair at 11 o’clock and 5 o’clock. If you have an odd number of microtubes, you’ll need to balance the centrifuge using an alternate configuration. | Insert a balance tube opposite each microtube in the centrifuge. Rotate the centrifuge rotor 90° and add 2 more microtubes. Continue adding equidistant microtubes and balance tubes opposite one another. |
You don't need a clinician to tell you that stress is no fun, but did you know that even a mild stress-induced mood disorder like sub-clinical depression can wreak havoc on your immune system? In fact, the duration of a stressful period has more effect on immunity than its severity.To fight stress, first recognize it and stop trying to battle it alone. Find ways to ground yourself and to let off steam constructively. Sports, exercise, a hobby and spending time with friends are all good ways to counteract stress. You might like to try guided imagery, yoga, or tai-chi; if you have a severe mood disorder, seek counseling and/or medication. Can you change the cause of the stress? Then, do so. In many cases though, stress links back to your job, money, or family. In uncertain times, changing jobs can be difficult, in which case, you must find ways to manage it better. Managing stress that comes from work or family can be done by being more assertive about your needs and setting boundaries. Assertion and boundary-setting include learning to say "no" to tasks that overload your schedule, getting regular "me" time, and avoiding taking work calls when you are relaxing at home with family or friends, or vice versa. Other ways to manage work-related stress consist of working smarter not harder, which means breaking down larger tasks into smaller increments and delegating tasks to others, if necessary. Also, make sure to use workplace resources like trainings and professional development events to counteract detrimental practices that may impact your health and well-being. Getting a higher education can bolster your self-esteem and interest in the world. But it's not for everyone and it's not the only solution. Reading, traveling, taking fun classes, attending guest lectures, and meeting people from other cultures will do the same thing. Or try MOOCs––massive online open courses––these courses offer very stimulating ways of stretching your knowledge and abilities, in your own time. Ultimately, instead of running from new experiences, engage in them, and seek more whenever you can. After all, you only live once. . Whether you choose stamp collecting or kickboxing, hobbies and extracurricular activities are necessary for the pursuit to enjoy life. Hard routines are counterproductive to spontaneity and surprise––leave a little flexibility in your schedule so that it doesn't become routine and humdrum. Do your hobby or activity because you love it, and because it gets you "into the flow", and not for reasons such as keeping up with other people or conforming to unrealistic social standards. Research demonstrates that participating in leisure activities can have a positive impact on your physical and mental health and wellness. Benefits of hobbies include lower blood pressure, less cortisol, lower body mass index and greater perception of physical abilities. Putting your feet up and watching your favorite show at the end of the day is definitely a treat, but since passively watching a story doesn't do much to stimulate your imagination, it can also leave you feeling restless and 'zombified'. For a change of pace, find a book that you can lose yourself in for a while. If you don't consider yourself much of a reader, think outside the box and find something that relates to your hobbies: if you’re a baseball fan, pick up Bill Veeck's autobiography; if you’re a biker, try Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. Keep notes of passages or ideas that really resonate with you. If you keep a notebook in your usual reading spot, ready to jot down such inspirations, you'll soon amass an inspirational collection of ideas that matter to you and may help direct your sense of purpose for years to come. Meditation reduces stress and promotes a calm feeling. Participating in a few minutes of meditation daily can promote a positive outlook and keep you feeling balanced and relaxed. It is important to maintain a good body posture and perform meditation in a distraction-free zone. | Reduce stress. Improve your stress management, if you cannot remove the stress. Learn new things. Find a hobby Read a good book. Practice meditation. |
The following terms will be used throughout the examples, and are common in problems involving algebraic fractions: Numerator: The top part of a fraction (ie. (x+5)/(2x+3)). Denominator: The bottom part of the fraction (ie. (x+5)/(2x+3)). Common Denominator: This is a number that you can divide out of both the top and bottom of a fraction. For example, in the fraction 3/9, the common denominator is 3, since both numbers can be divided by 3. Factor: One number that multiples to make another. For example, the factors of 15 are 1, 3, 5, and 15. The factors of 4 are 1, 2, and 4. Simplified Equation: This involves removing all common factors and grouping similar variables together (5x + x = 6x) until you have the most basic form of a fraction, equation, or problem. If you cannot do anything more to the fraction, it is simplified. These are the exact same steps you will take to solve algebraic fractions. Take the example, 15/35. In order to simplify a fraction, we need to find a common denominator. In this case, both numbers can be divided by five, so you can remove the 5 from the fraction: 15 → 5 * 335 → 5 * 7 Now you can cross out like terms. In this case you can cross out the two fives, leaving your simplified answer, 3/7. In the previous example, you could easily remove the 5 from 15, and the same principle applies to more complex expressions like, 15x – 5. Find a factor that both numbers have in common. Here, the answer is 5, since you can divide both 15x and -5 by the number five. Like before, remove the common factor and multiply it by what is “left.”15x – 5 = 5 * (3x – 1) To check your work, simply multiply the five back into the new expression – you will end up with the same numbers you started with. The same principle used in common fractions works for algebraic ones as well. This is the easiest way to simplify fractions while you work. Take the fraction: (x+2)(x-3)(x+2)(x+10) Notice how the term (x+2) is common in both the numerator (top) and denominator (bottom). As such, you can remove it to simplify the algebraic fraction, just like you removed the 5 from 15/35: (x+2)(x-3) → (x-3)(x+2)(x+10) → (x+10) This leaves us with our final answer: (x-3)/(x+10) | Know the vocabulary for algebraic fractions. Review how to solve simple fractions. Remove factors from algebraic expressions just like normal numbers. Know you can remove complex terms just like simple ones. |
. College academics in the first term will be particularly difficult because it is material that you have never seen before. Plus, you are facing much higher expectations, especially that you are the one responsible for your motivation and success. Unlike high school, college expects you to build your education from the bottom up, rather than regurgitating whatever facts a teacher feeds you. This means much more work than you are used to. Give yourself incentives to study in advance. Don't cash your paycheck until you're finished with that term paper. Celebrate with friends after you've taken the test. Treat yourself to something you've been wanting after you finish your studying goals. Choose your priorities. It is not possible to fit in all the same social, academic, employment, and logistical responsibilities in college that you did in high school. Be realistic about how much time is required to meet your academic obligations and how much you can devote to social activities. . Take a moment to reflect on what you enjoy doing and studying, and what you're genuinely interested in. What are your goals? What are your plans? College is another step on the ladder to the rest of your life. What do you want to do after college, and how will college prepare you for that next step? earn to separate gossip from genuine information. Learn to use observations and evidence to form your own opinions. Attend special events and seminars on campus. Join clubs for students in your major or program. Read a reliable news site every day. You are your own person, and you owe it to yourself to form your own opinions about things. . A big mistake college students make is never forming a relationship with their professors. Forming a relationship with professors can help make your education richer and your network bigger. Go to office hours with the intent of improving your mastery of the course material, and not just to "show your face" in an attempt to suck up, change a grade, or appear more dedicated. Office hours are your opportunity for extra help with ideas and methodologies with which you are having trouble. Arrive prepared with specific questions. Bring your class notes and your textbook. Ask specific questions about the concepts where you need help. Professors will not repeat an entire lecture that you missed. Professors want to help you, but always remember that you are responsible for your motivation and success. Look for a mentor. A mentor can be a professor or staff member who can dispense advice specific to your goals. Start with the professors in the department of your major. There is usually a program advisor who can help you choose classes make recommendations for graduate school. However, do not expect a mentor to secure a job for you after you have graduated. . Everyone studies in a different way. Having a television or music in the background is a bad idea. Some people like to study alone. Some people like studying in groups. Find out what habits work best for you. Ask yourself and answer these questions: How much time does it take an idea to stick for you? Do you need weeks before the light bulb goes off, or days? What kind of a learner are you? Keep in mind that while you may have a preferred way of learning things, this does not excuse you from engaging with other teaching and learning styles. Are you: An auditory learner? Do you learn by hearing something? You would rather have an idea explained aloud than reading in. A visual learner? Do you learn by seeing something? You would rather learn by looking at graphs, reading, or watching a demonstration. A kinesthetic learner? Do you learn by touching something? You would rather build whatever you're reading about, and see it in action. What time of the day do you work best? Do you bust out a lot of work in the morning, or are you a night owl? . If you don't set any academic goal, you might leave college wondering whether you tried enough. Your academic goal doesn't have to be the same as someone else's goal. Try to be realistic about it when you set it; balance it out with other personal goals you may have. Getting through college isn't always about getting a 4.0 or graduating summa cum laude. It's about doing the best you're capable of, given your resources. | Avoid procrastinating Get passionate about something . Talk to your professors Form good study habits Set an academic goal for yourself |
Before you dive into your research, make sure you get the okay from the subject to write their biography. Ask them if they are willing to be the subject. Getting their permission will make writing the biography much easier and ensure they are open with information about their life. If the subject does not give you permission to write the biography, you may want to choose a different subject. If you decide to publish the biography without the subject's permission, you may be susceptible to legal action by the subject. If the subject is no longer alive, you obviously do not need to ask permission to write about them. Primary sources could include books, letters, pictures, newspapers and newspaper clippings, magazines, internet articles, journals, videos, interviews, existing biographies, or an autobiography by the subject. Look for these sources at your local library or online. Read as much as you can about the subject and highlight any key information you come across in your sources. You may create research questions to help focus your research of the subject, such as, What do I find interesting about the subject? Why is this subject important to readers? What can I say that is new about the subject? What would I like to learn more about? Interviewing people will breath life into your research--people you interview can tell you stories that you can't find in a history book. Interview the subject as well as people close to them, such as spouses, friends, business partners, family members, coworkers, and peers. Conduct the interview in person, by phone, or through e-mail. For in person interviews, record them with a tape recorder or a voice recorder on your computer or phone. You may need to interview the subject and others several times to get the material you need. To get a feel for the subject's history, spend time in locations and areas that are meaningful or important to the subject. This could be the subject's childhood home or neighborhood. You could also visit the subject's workplace and regular hang out spots. You may also want to visit areas where the subject made a major decision or breakthrough in their life. Being physically in the area can give you a sense of how the subject might have felt and help you write their experiences more effectively. Contextualize the subject's life by looking at what was going on around them. Consider the time period they grew up in as well as the history of the places where they lived. Do research on the economics, politics, and culture of their time period. Look at the news events happening in the place where they lived or worked. When researching the time period ask yourself: What were the social norms of that time? What was going on economically and politically? How did the social and political climate affect the subject? To help you organize your research, make a timeline of the person's entire life, starting from birth. Draw a long line on a piece of paper and fill in as much of the person's life as you can. Highlight key events or moments on the timeline. Include important dates, locations, and names. You may also include historical events or moments that affected the subject on the timeline. For example, maybe there was a conflict or civil war that happened during the person's life that affected their life. | Ask the subject for permission to write the biography. Look for primary sources about the subject. Conduct interviews with the subject and those close to them. Visit locations that are important to the subject. Study the time and place of the subject’s life. Make a timeline of the person’s life. |
Drink plenty of water to clear up your skin and aid your kidneys in excreting toxins from your body. If your acne is severe, see a dermatologist. If your acne is mild and sporadic, use a concealer when you get spots. Remember, pat in the concealer. Find out what skin type you have, and buy facial cleansers for your specific skin type. Always remove make-up at the end of the day, and wash your face twice (morning and night). Use a good moisturizer so your skin is hydrated. Try to use a moisturizer with sunscreen during the daytime. If you tend to have oily skin, carry oil-absorbing pads with you to blot your skin with every few hours. You can squeeze some fresh lemon onto your fingertips and apply it to any spots you may have on your face. Wash your face twice a day. In the morning, splash your face with cold water for about 10 seconds. Then pat dry with a washcloth or facial sponge. This helps stimulate blood flow and is really good for the skin. Since your feet will be exposed a lot through wearing sandals, make sure they're pleasing to look at. You can have a pedicure done, or give yourself one. Just make sure your feet are clean, hair-free, nails aren't too long, nails are filed, and your feet are moisturized. Be sure to use sunscreen on your feet, too. As for your hands, try putting a clear polish on your nails and keeping them well groomed. If your hands tend to be dry, apply a moisturizer at night and wear white cotton gloves while you sleep (this also works well in the winter). You will wake up with softer, more beautiful hands. Always use sunscreen. You will still tan but you will cause a lot less damage to your skin. Use self-tanning lotion or cream. Many people get skin cancer, even if they just get a tan, not a burn. It is just like regular cancer, and can be fatal, unless surgically (or with a laser) removed. Remain physically active. Go to the gym 3 to 4 times a week. If a gym is not accessible, go swimming, biking, rollerblading, walking, etc. Do whatever works for you and suits your face. If your hair is curly, use a product to define your curls. If you're looking for a new style, go to a hairdresser and ask for his or her opinion. A professional will be able to help you pick a style and color that will suit your face and skin tone. Wash and dry your hair regularly. French braid your hair on both sides of your head before bedtime, then remove the braids in the morning and you'll have instant waves. It's so quick and easy! This is not necessary but if your parents allow it, it could be useful. Use a mascara that is waterproof, which is best for summer and it's likely that you'll be sweating, swimming, etc. Curl your eyelashes before you use mascara, it will make your eyes pop. Apply bronzer to your cheeks, forehead, nose and chin; this will give you a nice summer glow. If you have pimples, dot on concealer and seal it with powder. Now, although makeup can improve the way you look temporarily, you mustn't forget that if you wear it continuously you may not be satisfied with the way you look without it on. | Fix your face. Don't forget the hands and feet. Care for your body. Work with your hair. Apply make-up. |
Shinsplints are often caused by either running (or walking) too much up hills, or on uneven terrain, or on particularly hard surfaces — such as asphalt or concrete. Therefore, alter your course and change the type of surface you run or walk on a regulate basis (every week). For example, switch sometimes to more forgiving terrain, such as grass, sand or a rubberized athletic track. If you run on a track, don't always run in the same direction. This can put an imbalance of forces on your lower legs. Make sure you change the direction in which you run on a regular basis. Alternatively, you might also need to reduce your mileage and the number of times you workout per week. Consider cross training. Mix in entirely different exercises in order to stay fit, but reduce the strain on your shin muscles. Swimming, cycling and rowing are good alternatives and also great at burning calories and maintaining a healthy weight. Losing weight (if you're heavy) can help prevent shinsplints from developing because you'll put less pressure on the bones and muscles of your lower legs when walking and running. Weight loss is best achieved by a combination of regular exercise and eating sensibly (consuming less calories). For most overweight women, consuming less than 2,000 calories per day will lead to 1–2 pounds every week even if you're only a light exerciser. Most heavy men will lose a similar amount of weight at under 2,200 calories daily. Focus on better nutrition. Switch to lean meats and fish, whole grains, low-fat dairy, fresh fruits and veggies and lots of water for the results. Avoid processed foods and sugary drinks, particularly soda pop. Many overweight and obese people get flat feet and tend to over-pronate their ankles (they collapse and roll in), which are significant risk factors for developing shinsplints. Poorly fitting shoes or ones that are really heavy can also trigger the development of shinsplints. The tibialis anterior muscles work to raise your toes while walking, so if your shoes don't fit or are heavy, the muscles can get strained. Therefore, wear stable, supportive lightweight shoes that suit your sport or activity. Aim for no more than a 1/2 inch heel. If you're a serious jogger, replace your running shoes every 350 to 500 miles or after three months, whichever comes first. Get fitted by a shoe salesman later in the day because that's when your feet are at their largest, usually due to swelling and slight compression of your arches. Get an evaluation done at a reputable running store if you're a serious jogger. You may be asked to run over a force plate that's hooked up to a computer, or get video taped while you're running as part of the assessment. Remember to tie your footwear tightly, because loose shoes or flip-flops put more strain / stress on your foot and lower leg muscles. If you are an over-pronator, look into getting supports (orthotics) for the soles of your shoes. Stretching muscles of your lower leg (both front and back) can help prevent shinsplints. If you have shin pain, gently stretch your calves (and Achilles tendons) by wrapping a towel around your toes and then trying to slowly extend your leg while holding on to the ends of the towel. In addition, gently stretch the tibialis anterior muscle by kneeling on a padded floor with your feet together and toes pointed back, then slowly sit back onto your calves until you feel tension in the muscles of your shin. Hold each type of stretch for 20–30 seconds at a time, then relax and repeat three to five times per day or as needed. Alternatively, while in a sitting position with your sore leg in the air, try tracing the letters of the alphabet with your toes. This is a good exercise that stretches and loosens up all the muscles of your lower leg. Focus on these stretches before running, jogging or going for long walks. It will help warm up the muscles and prevent shinsplints from flaring up. The best strengthening exercises to perform when you have shin splints is calf raises and hip abductor strengthening. Research has shown that these are the most effective strengthening exercises for shin splints and preventing shin splints. | Change up your running routine. Lose weight if you're too heavy. Buy different shoes. Stretch your lower leg muscles. Strengthen muscles associated with shin splints. |
The reason you are in high school is to learn, so that has to be your primary focus. If you are balancing a full class load as well as a full practice and game schedule, that can be incredibly tricky. Make sure that both you and your coaches know that your schoolwork comes first. If you know you’re going to be missing class because of an away game, talk to your teachers ahead of time to find out what assignments you’ll be missing. Plan to turn in your assignments early if you’re going to be missing class, or if that's not possible, ask your teacher for an extension. Student athletes often miss class for games, and this makes it easier for you to fall behind. If you feel that you’re not fully understanding your class work, hire a tutor to help you keep up with the rest of your classmates. If you can't afford a tutor, ask your teacher if you can come in for extra help after school. The more you fall behind, the harder it will be to catch up later. You’ll save yourself a lot of time and stress by staying on top of the work. If you have a study hall in school, don't use that time to goof off with friends. Instead, use it to cross a homework assignment off your list. If your teacher gives you time to work on homework in class, take advantage of that time as well. If you’re traveling on the bus to an away game, use the time on the bus to work on assignments or do your class reading. Learn how to multi-task: do your reading while eating breakfast or study for a test while blow drying your hair. | Prioritize academics. Hire a tutor. Take advantage of free time. |
Use the tape on the car as a guide as you begin by applying the corner of the decal to the vehicle. Press the corner into the vehicle firmly, then use a straight edged tool such as a credit card to press more of the decal down in a controlled manner. Keep the decal pulled tight as you press it into the vehicle to prevent bubbling from occurring. Using a straight edged tool helps ensure you apply pressure over the entire decal, which will force out small bubbles. As you apply more of the decal to the vehicle, peel more of the backing off to reveal more of the decal. Peel the backing off a few inches at a time to ensure you can keep the decal straight as you apply it without worrying about other parts sticking. Continue to apply the decal to the car while peeling back more of the backing as you progress. While you may be able to remove the transfer tape immediately upon pressing the decal into the car, it's best that you leave it to dry for a bit of time. Waiting 30 minutes can make removing the transfer tape much easier and reduce the chances that you’ll pull any of the decal off with it. Allowing the decal to sit in direct sunlight will make the transfer tape easier to remove. Do not attempt to speed up the process by using a heat source such a hair dryer, as it may melt the decal. After thirty minutes or so, peel the transfer tape off starting at one corner. Peel the tape back slowly while watching for any areas the decal may peel back with the transfer tape. If the decal begins to peel off with the tape, press the tape and decal back into place firmly, and begin peeling the tape away again from another angle. Be careful not to tear the decal while removing the transfer tape. Slow, steady movements are the best way to prevent damage to the decal. With the transfer tape removed, you will be able to see the decal on the vehicle. It is normal for there to be some bubbling in the decal. Some of those bubbles are easy to remove by pressing a credit card or other flat tool onto the decal and pushing the bubble toward the edge. Be careful not to press a sharp edge into the decal or it may tear it. Small bubbles will disappear on their own over the first few days. | Apply the corner of the exposed decal to the car. Unpeel the backing as you go. Leave the transfer tape on the decal while it dries in place. Peel the transfer tape off. Use a credit card to press out any bubbles. |
The sweet, tangy flavor of duck sauce makes it a great addition to any savory snack meant for dipping. Although it's traditionally used with Chinese cuisine, you can also try it with French fries, roasted vegetables, and chicken wings. With its sweet flavor and thick consistency, duck sauce can make an ideal glaze for meats. Brush it onto chicken drumsticks, pork tenderloin, or ribs before roasting or grilling. Duck sauce can add a tangy, delicious flavor to grilled meat, and makes for an interesting alternative to traditional barbecue sauce. Pour duck sauce into a pan or dish and let the meat sit in it for at least 30 minutes, turning it once so both sides are marinated. If you are grilling something large like a thick steak, marinate at least 1 hour. For a whole chicken, marinate it at least 4 hours. | Use duck sauce as a dip for egg rolls, wonton, dumplings and rangoons. Glaze meats with duck sauce. Marinate meats in duck sauce before grilling. |
Dressings can be used on vegetables, salads, sandwiches, or anything else you like to eat dressing with! Depending on the recipe, use 1 - 1 1/2 cups of olive oil in your dressing. Homemade mayo with olive oil is healthier, tastier, and a lot fresher than store-bought mayo, since it has fewer additives. Slather the mayo on sandwiches or mix it in with your chicken and tuna salads. Use 6.7 oz. (200 ml) of olive oil for this simple homemade recipe. Pesto is great for pastas, seafood or poultry dishes, and sandwiches. You can rub it on seafood and poultry as a marinade, cook with it in your pasta dishes, or spread it on a sandwich. You can buy pesto at your local grocery store or make it at home with 1/2 cup of olive oil. An olive oil dip is great for dipping bread (preferably a sliced loaf of bread or pita bread) or vegetables (assorted vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, and radishes). Whisk the following ingredients in a bowl to make a simple olive oil dip: 1/2 cup of olive oil 1/2 teaspoon of pressed garlic 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes 1/2 teaspoon of parsley 1/2 teaspoon of oregano Salt and pepper to taste | Make a dressing. Make a homemade mayo. Make a pesto. Make a dip. |
The first section is generally called "Facts of the Case." Briefly describe what happened that led to the parties being in Court. In order to be brief, you will need to decide which facts are legally relevant and which are not. Think about who, what, and how. Who did something, what did he or she do, and how did he or she end up in Court over it? These questions should all be answered in your summary of facts. "The Defendant walked into the 29th Street Liquor Store, pointed a gun at the cashier, and demanded money. He was arrested 3 blocks from the store, with the cash in his pocket.” Re-read the case, this time looking for any facts the Court specifically mentions or refers to in any way. If the Court mentions it, it is important and should be included in your summary of the facts. Leave out unimportant dates and disputed evidence. For example, the fact that the Defendant robbed the liquor store on July 16 is irrelevant to the case. You can leave that date out of your summary of the facts. What is the question before the Court? You should state the issue(s) as a question in your brief. For our case, the question might be “Did the police have a right to search the Defendant's trunk?” Your issue statement should also include the specific facts relevant to that issue, for example, “Did the police have a right to search the Defendant's trunk when he was not under arrest and did not give consent?” When there is more than one issue, each issue should be stated separately in your brief. Also include the applicable rule of law. What rule, statute, or ordinance must the court interpret to make this decision? For example, in the case of a search of the Defendant's trunk, which may or may not be legal, the applicable law would be the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution. If more than one rule of law was used, state each of them separately. Also called the holding, this is the Court's answer to the issue question. The holding should be stated as a yes or no answer, with an additional sentence or two to explain the legal principle upon which the Court relied when reaching that decision. For example, if the issue is “Did the police have a right to search the Defendant's trunk when he was not under arrest and did not give consent?” the holding might be, “Yes. The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution does not provide the same protection to a vehicle that it does to a home, and a warrantless search was justified.” | Summarize the facts. Identify the issue or issues. State the decision. |
Rinse two cups of fresh strawberries under cold water and remove their stems. If you only have frozen, gather the same amount, which is about 18 to 20 strawberries, and allow them to thaw. You’ll want your frozen strawberries to thaw so that your juice will be more like a smooth liquid as opposed to a thick smoothie. This amount will create two servings of juice. If you plan to serve more than two people, then double or triple the amount of strawberries as needed. You’ll also need to increase the amount of the remaining ingredients accordingly. This simple strawberry juice will be pureed in a blender, so all of your ingredients can be added at once. Add to your blender the strawberries, a teaspoon of lemon juice, two tablespoons of sugar, a pinch of salt, and two cups of water. Remember, if you’ve doubled or tripled your strawberries, make sure you double or triple the amount of the additional ingredients as well. Salt is optional. While adding salt helps bring out the sweetness of the juice, if you’re trying to limit your salt intake for health reasons or as a personal preference, then it's not necessary to add. The amount of sugar you use depends on taste and need. Your strawberries may already be so sweet that you won't need much, if any, sugar. Alternately, they may not be sweet at all, and you may need more sugar than recommended. Ingredients should be well mixed and pureed. Is your strawberry juice too sweet or not sweet enough? Adjust the taste of your juice as needed. If it's too sweet, then add a little more water. If it doesn't taste sweet enough, you can add more sugar. Add a couple of teaspoons of sugar at a time to keep from adding too much sugar to your juice. This step is optional, but if you prefer the feel and taste of pulp-free juice, pour your juice through a fine meshed strainer before serving. Place the sieve over a juice jug to pour your juice directly into your serving container. You can either chill your juice in the refrigerator for a couple hours before serving, or add a few ice cubes to a glass to serve immediately. | Prepare your strawberries. Put strawberries and other ingredients into blender. Blend for a minute or two. Taste test your juice. Strain your juice to remove the pulp and seeds. Enjoy your strawberry juice. |
If you want to go with white on white, it creates a really pretty headboard. However, you can also experiment with different color combinations to match your room décor. Choose something that matches your style or rotate the curtains and light colors now and then for a different look. For example, you could use sheer pink curtains with purple mini lights, sheer blue curtains with blue mini lights, or even try some multicolor lights behind a sheer black curtain. You can also vary the look of your headboard by spacing out the lights or bunching them up a bit more. Using fewer lights will give your headboard a softer look, while using more lights will make your headboard bright and bold. Try using just one string of lights for a softer look, or, try using three boxes of lights for a brighter look. Another way to customize your headboard is to add some embellishments to the curtain rod. You can choose something that works with your room décor to create a customized headboard look. Some options include: a garland of faux flowers or leaves some strings of beads feather boas a colorful scarf or some long thin strips of colorful fabric | Use different colors. Space the lights out more or less. Add embellishments. |
If you grow Lantana from seed you have harvested, you may not get a plant exactly like the parent plant. When you propagate Lantana from cuttings, the plants you grow will be more predictable. Propagate Lantana cuttings in the spring. Take about five inches of fresh, healthy-looking growth, remove the lower leaves and dip the cutting in rooting hormone or powder. Then insert the lower two inches into a pot with moist cutting compost. Cover the pot that you have placed your cutting in either with a clear plastic bag or an inverted clear plastic bottle with the spout cut off; doing this makes a mini greenhouse of sorts. Make sure the plastic doesn't touch the cuttings; use plant sticks to support the bag and keep it away from the stem if necessary. If you keep your cutting moist, it should root in about a month. After the last frosts have passed you can harden your cutting off and plant it out in the garden. Hardening off means that you slowly acclimatize your cutting to outdoor temperatures. This could mean moving it outside during the day, and then storing it in your garage overnight. If you do grow your Lantana from seed, start the Lantanas off indoors about a month before the last frosts occur. Seeds may take a few weeks to germinate. If you are growing from seeds, fill a pot with potting soil and plant the seeds. Keep the pots in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight. | Be aware of the benefits of growing from cuttings. Prepare the cutting for propagation. Cover your cutting. Keep the cutting moist. Grow your Lantanas from seed if you can’t get a healthy cutting. |
Tear off 2-3 connected towels and triple them over on themselves to form a thick sheet. Run the paper towels under cold water, then wring out the excess moisture. They should be damp but not totally saturated. Quilted types of paper towels will hold up better to wetting and wrapping. Too much moisture can cause herbs to rot quickly. For this reason, it's important that the paper towels not be overly wet. Straighten out the paper towels and lay them flat on the countertop. Arrange the mint vertically in an even row across one-half of the paper towels. If necessary, trim the herbs to fit the width of the paper towel layer. If you need to preserve a large amount of mint, wrap a few smaller bundles individually. Fold the uncovered half of the paper towels over to envelop the mint. Then, roll the paper towels up from the edge with the mint inside. The mint will be pressed against the damp paper towels on all sides, which will provide vital moisture and prevent air exposure. Roll width-wise, going across the stems, rather than lengthwise from stem to leaf. Wrap the mint loosely to keep from mashing or tearing the leaves. Slide the wrapped mint bundle into a plastic Ziploc bag or lidded Tupperware container. Stash the container in the refrigerator, taking it out whenever you need to add a few fresh mint leaves to an appetizer, cocktail or dessert. Mint refrigerated in a damp paper towel will retain its color, flavor and crisp texture for at least 2-3 weeks. If you don't have a separate container to store the mint in, you can wrap the bundle in an extra layer of dry paper towels and stick it in your refrigerator's produce crisper drawer. | Wet a layer of paper towels. Place the mint sprigs flat on the paper towels. Roll the paper towels with the mint inside. Place the mint in the refrigerator. |
Knock on the ends of each line you drew. If the wall sounds solid, you're still on the wood that frames the window, and you can install the rods with screws only. If the wall sounds hollow, you should first install anchors. You could also use a stud finder to determine if the walls are strong enough to install the rod without anchors. Stud finders can be found at any hardware store. Once you are satisfied with the line's placement on the wall, you should mark it. At the end of each line use an awl to punch a starter hole. Awls are common woodworking tools used to mark the beginning of a hole. Don't make the hole too large. It is best to make a smaller hole to help you align the screws later in the process. If you can't or don't want to drill holes in your wall, use adhesive hooks to secure the rod to the wall. Choose hooks that are strong enough to support the rod and curtains. Simply put the hooks where you would put the holes on either side of the window and set the rod in the hooks. To ensure a secure hold of the curtains use traditional toggle bolts. Screw the metal wall anchor into each hole, if necessary, with a power drill and a phillips head drill bit. It should be an easy installation and only require you to fully thread the anchor into the wall. Skip this step if you're installing directly into the wood. If your wall sounded hollow and you don't use an anchor, you could damage your walls. Your curtains could fall out of the wall and potentially injure someone. Hold a bracket against one of holes you punched. If you installed screw anchors, hold the bracket over one of the anchors you installed. Your brackets probably have two screw holes. Place the bracket's top screw hole over the hole or anchor. Hold up the bracket. Tape the bracket firmly against the wall with a couple of strips of masking tape. Repeat the process for the other bracket. This will help you attach the brackets to your walls. You can skip this step if you have a friend to help you hold the brackets. Screw the brackets to the wall with their attached hardware. Remove the tape once the rods are firmly attached to the wall. Many find that it is beneficial to attach the curtains to the rod before mounting them to the brackets. It might be easiest to test the hold of the brackets before thinking about the curtains. Test the hold of the brackets by mounting the rod into the bracket's slot. | Test the walls. Punch a starter hole. Install an anchor. Mount the brackets. Attach the rod brackets. |
Mix a quarter cup of shampoo with equal parts water and add 2–4 tablespoons (29.6–59.1 ml) of oil. Sulfate free shampoos may prevent your scalp from becoming irritated and may stop your hair from becoming frizzy and easily breaking. With cornrows it's important that you capture your hair's natural oils to prevent frizziness. Shake the bottle before applying the solution. You can use grapeseed, jojoba, coconut, or olive oil depending on what kind of hair you have. Coconut oil and jojoba oil work well for all hair types. Almond oil works well if you have dandruff. If you don't have a spray bottle you can use a small bowl. Running your cornrows under warm water will open up your cuticles, and rinse the initial dirt out of your hair. Using a portable shower head can make this process easier. Shake your shampoo solution and apply it generously to your head and hair. If you're using a bowl, take some of the shampoo and lather the mixture in your hands. Once your hands are lathered apply it generously to your hair. Do not neglect your scalp. This area can have a lot of built up dirt and leftover residue from hair products you've used in the past. Use your fingers to gently massage each cornrow until all of them are lathered. You should wash your cornrows every 7-10 days. Washing your cornrows will prevent breakage when you take your braids out. Make sure that you rinse your hair thoroughly—for 3 to 5 minutes—to get all of the shampoo out of it. Leaving shampoo residue in your hair can irritate your scalp. Leaving shampoo in your hair could create residue build-up from the chemicals in your shampoo. | Mix sulfate free shampoo, oil, and warm water in a spray bottle. Run your head under warm water. Spray your shampoo solution onto your cornrows and scalp. Massage the shampoo into your scalp and braids. Rinse your cornrows. |
If you do not have a serious issue that led to your nose bleed, you can perform some first aid at home during a nose bleed to help stop it. To begin, sit down, since it is more comfortable than standing. Tilt head forward so that the blood drains through the nostrils. A towel can be held under your nose to collect the blood. Do not lie down as this can cause blood to pass down the throat. With a finger and thumb, pinch the lower fleshy end of the nose, completely blocking the nostrils. Pinching at this point directly applies pressure at the region where the blood vessels are damaged. This makes the move more effective since it will help stop the flow of blood. Keep pinching the nose for 10 minutes, then release. If bleeding continues, reapply pressure for another 10 minutes. While you do this, breathe through the mouth. Lowering your body temperature can help reduce the blood flow to your nose. To do this, place ice cubes in your mouth. This helps achieve a lower temperature sooner than cooling the external part of the nose. It also will help you retain the lower temperature for longer. This is more effective than placing a cold compress over the nose. Cold compresses placed over the nose are not very effective according to a recent clinical study. You can also suck on a popsicle to achieve the same result. While you have a nose bleed but not on a regular basis, you can try a medicated nose spray if you do not have high blood pressure issues. This medication causes constriction of the blood vessels in your nose. To use, take a small clean cotton ball or gauze piece, add 1-2 drops of the spray to it, insert them into the nostrils, continue pinching the nostrils, and check for bleeding after 10 minutes. If bleeding has stopped, do not remove the cotton or gauze for about an hour, because bleeding can reoccur. Frequent use of this drug, which is more than 3-4 days at a time, can cause addiction and nasal congestion. These sprays are used only if bleeding does not stop on pinching the nose after the first 10 minutes. After bleeding has stopped, you can clean the area around your nose with warm water. After you have cleaned your face, you should rest for a while. This is to help to prevent further bleeding. You can lie down while resting. | Position your body. Compress the nose. Cool yourself down. Use oxymetazoline nasal sprays. Wash your nose and rest. |
Turn on the oven to 400 degrees F (200 C). Let 1 package (17.3 ounces or 490 g) of puff pastry defrost according to the manufacturer's instructions. Lay a sheet of parchment paper onto a baking sheet and set it aside. Ensure that the puff pastry is still cold when you start to work with it. If you let it get too warm, it will be sticky and hard to handle. Sprinkle your work surface with a little bit of flour. Use a rolling pin to evenly roll one sheet of thawed puff pastry. You should roll it into an 11x13-inch (28x33 cm) rectangle. Lay this one on the parchment lined baking sheet and roll out the other pastry sheet to the same size. Remember to turn the pastry as you're rolling it out. This will help keep it from sticking to your work surface. Spread 4 to 5 tablespoons of pesto or Nutella onto the puff pastry sheet that's on the parchment. Try to spread it in a large triangular shape that will be the size of the Christmas tree. Be creative with the fillings. You could also scatter cheese, spread lemon curd, or sprinkle chopped nuts over the pastry. Carefully lay the second sheet of puff pastry over the pastry with the filling. The rectangles should line up. Take a sharp knife and cut out a triangular Christmas tree. You can discard the excess pastry or cook the scraps to snack on. Remember to cut out a trunk shape at the bottom of the tree. Use your knife to cut individual branches on both sides of the tree. Leave about an inch (2.5 cm) of pastry running through the center of the tree. Use your hands to gather each branch and gently twist it onto itself a few times. Do this for all the branches of the tree. Try to twirl the branches in the same direction so the tree looks uniform. Beat one egg in a small bowl. Dip a pastry brush into the beaten egg and gently brush it all over the puff pastry Christmas tree. Bake the tree in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes. The tree should puff up and turn golden brown. Let the puff pastry Christmas tree cool for a few minutes before you transfer it to a serving tray. | Thaw the puff pastry and preheat the oven. Roll the puff pastry. Spread the pesto or Nutella onto the pastry. Cover the pastry and cut out the Christmas tree. Cut and twirl the branches. Brush the tree with an egg wash and bake it. Finished. |
The first step in making paper mache involves preparing your paper. The paper will bind with your glue and help to form the sturdy body of your mask. Take which ever type of paper you wish to use and tear it into narrow strips which will later be laid on your mask, covering the form and creating the mask. Tear the paper into strips. Strips should be around 1 inch wide by 6 inches long. Newspaper is the most commonly used type of paper. Colored paper can be used if you don't plan on painting your mask. When building your final layer, using white paper can help cut down on the amount of paint needed. After you've prepared your paper you will need to prepare the paste which is the other key ingredient in paper mache. There are a few recipes for paper mache that you can make use of. However, all will have the final effect of binding your mask and making a strong material when dry. Try some of the following recipes to make a paper mache paste: Add ¼ cup water to ¾ cup and mix together. Boil 1 cup of flour mixed with 5 cups of water for about three minutes. Mix 1 cup of water with 1 cup of flour and mix them together. Once you are ready to start building your carnival mask, you will need to coat your strips in the paste. The paper will form the body of your mask and the paste will allow it to dry into the hardened final form of your mask. Dip your paper strips into your paste mix, covering them entirely before applying to your mask. Try dipping the strips in one at a time for the best control. | Prepare your paper. Create the paper mache paste. Dip the newspaper strips into the paste. |
If you have a significant amount of paint left, you can return it to the original can; remember, however, that the amount you return to the can has already been thinned, meaning the next time you use it, you may need to adjust the amount of thinner used. Epoxy paints and paints that use a catalyst (two-part paints) cannot be returned to the original can; they must be used entirely or disposed of properly once mixed. Wipe off/out any excess paint. If there is too much paint left in the cup or the spray assembly, you may have to repeat this step a few times. Do this as soon as the paint job has dried; leaving the tape on the surface for an extended period will allow the adhesive to set, making it difficult to remove. | Pour out the unused paint. Rinse the siphon tube and cup with thinner. Fill the spray cup about 1/4 of the way with paint thinner, slosh it around, and spray it through the sprayer until it comes out clear. Remove all masking tape and paper from your work area. |
Lay the cardboard or poster board on a flat surface. Sketch out individual body parts for the marionette. The puppet will need two separate arms, two separate legs and a torso section with the head attached. Decorate the sketched puppet with markers, crayons or paint, and cut out the pieces. Assemble the puppet face-up on a flat surface. Lay the torso piece down first, then arrange the arms and legs on the marionette so that a section of each overlaps with the torso piece. Push a brass brad through each joint in the puppet; punch holes in the paper if it is too thick to be pierced by the brad alone. The joints should remain loose and flexible enough for the limbs to move easily. Lay down two chopsticks or pencils to form a cross. Tape the sticks together where they intersect. Thread a needle with fishing line. Piercing a hole through the cardboard just above the knees and the wrists, knot the line and draw the fishing line through. Knot and cut the line after making each attachment. The length of fishing line extending from each section needs to be long enough to reach the sticks, which should be at least 6 inches (15.2 cm) above the shoulders (longer if the head is large). Knot the fishing line extending from the puppet's shoulders to the center of the cross. Knot each of the four strings connected to the puppet's limbs to an individual arm of the cross. Dot school glue on each knot to keep it from untying. | Draw your design. Cut out the pieces. Lay out your puppet. Create the joints. Create the handle. Attach the strings. Connect the strings. |
Buckwheat pancakes are very similar to regular pancakes, with the main difference being that you use buckwheat flour instead of wheat flour. When the pancakes are cooked, you can garnish them as you would regular pancakes, with toppings such as: Butter Maple syrup Nuts Fruit Soba noodles are made from buckwheat flour, and they're often used in Japanese cooking. You can make homemade noodles by making a dough from buckwheat flour, wheat flour, and water. Once the noodles have been cut, you can boil them like you would regular noodles and serve them with meat, vegetables, stir fries, and other dishes. | Use buckwheat flour to make pancakes. Make your own soba noodles. |
Ants are attracted to sugary, sweet things. If you have a messy home with lots of food particles, especially sweet crumbs, this could lead to an infestation of ants. Ants may also be drawn to water, especially in dry climates. Cleaning your home can help remove the reason for the ants, including the queen, to be in your home in the first place. Take your time to do a thorough cleaning. Look under and behind furniture. Take special care with the kitchen, dining room, and children's bedrooms. Look under the fridge, in drawers, and in pantries for any open or spilled sugary foods or beverages that may attract ants. Ants leave scented trails for others in their colony to follow. Wiping the trail away or even mopping won't eliminate it. Instead, try using vinegar to wash away the scent trail the ants follow to find food or their nest. If you want to help keep ants away, try natural solutions. Line any windowsills or doorways with coffee grounds. You may also want to put cinnamon, crushed eucalyptus, crushed chilis, cayenne pepper, diatomaceous earth, or camphor oil around common entry points in your home to keep ants away. Placing garlic in cabinets and pantries may keep ants away. You can also place natural plants in your home that repel ants. Mint and lavender will help ants avoid your home. Using plants helps reduce any chemical dangers and puts nice plants in your house. | Clean your home. Disrupt the trail. Repel the ants naturally. |
A common length for winter scarves is 60 in (150 cm) because then you can wrap it around your neck multiple times. Keep knitting until the scarf reaches this length, or make it a little longer or shorter if you prefer. Measure the scarf with a soft tape measure once it looks like it is getting close to the desired length. Some patterns will provide an exact number of rows to knit, but with most scarf patterns you can just keep knitting until your scarf is the desired length. in the knit row when the scarf is the desired length. Hold the needle with the stitches on it in your non-dominant hand. Then, knit the first 2 stitches onto the empty needle. Lift the first stitch you knit onto the needle up and over the second stitch, and then knit another new stitch. Lift the new first stitch up and over the stitch you just knit. Continue to knit 1 and lift 1 up and over until you reach the end of the row. When you finish binding off the last stitch, pull the yarn through to create a loop that is about 3 in (7.6 cm) long. Then, cut the working yarn about 8 in (20 cm) from the last stitch. Tug on the loop to pull the tail of the yarn through it. It's important to leave at least 10 in (25 cm) of yarn so that you will be able to weave in the end of the yarn. Thread the tail of yarn through the eye of a yarn needle. Insert the yarn needle into the edge of the scarf near the last stitch. Pull the needle and yarn all the way through the stitch. Then, insert the needle through the next stitch going from the other side of the scarf and pull this yarn taut. Repeat until you cannot sew any further. Then, cut the excess yarn about 0.25 in (0.64 cm) from the scarf. | Continue knitting until your scarf measures 60 in (150 cm). Cast off Cut and tie off the final stitch in the row. Weave in the ends using a yarn needle. |
Medium drivers have relatively balanced stats, meaning they work well on a variety of tracks and can ride both karts and bikes. This makes Birdo versatile on a variety of tracks no matter your skill levels, but she is especially good for beginners. Because she is medium weight, she can push around light drivers, like Baby Luigi. She will, however, still get knocked around by heavies like Bowser. " Each driver has a series of stats that affect their driving. These stats carry over from kart to kart, no matter what you are driving. Birdo is, overall, average in most regards, but she has two distinct advantages: Mini-Turbo: This is the boost you get after a successful drift around a corner. Birdo has one of the highest mini-turbos in the game, though not the highest. Off-Road: Birdo will only lose a moderate amount of speed when off the track. While not as good off road as some other drivers, like Yoshi, her moderately high off-road stat means she can handle the occasional deviation off road without major repercussions. Try and maximize the bonuses given to Birdo by using cars that have high drifting potential (for her Mini-Turbo) and high off-road stats. The best types of cars for her are often the Rally cars and the Control Vehicles. Specifically, you should drive: Best Karts: Wild Wing or Daytripper. Best Bikes: Mach Bike or Sugarscoot. | Know that Birdo is a medium-weight driver. Understand Birdo's defining driver stat is her "Mini-Turbo. Use the best cars for Birdo. |
If you are using either a PDF or a word-processing document, you have a search function that you can use to locate specific keywords or other terms. You'll also want to search for related terms, especially if you talk about a general concept in the text without necessarily mentioning it by name. The point of your index is to make your work more readable and usable for your readers. All of your entries should include the terms or topics readers would intuitively look for. If you have any entries that are too complex or that might confuse your readers, you might want to simplify them or add a cross reference. For example, a bicycle maintenance text might discuss "derailleurs," but a novice would more likely look for terms such as "gearshift" or "shifter" and might not recognize that term. If all the subentries have something in common, you can include this after the main entry to help guide the reader. Usually this will be helpful if the subentries all fall under the same category. For example, you might include an entry in a dessert cookbook index that read "ice cream, varieties of: chocolate, 54; strawberry, 55; vanilla, 32, 37, 56. See also sorbet." Once you have all the entries and page numbers included, you can more easily see which entries are too short and which are too long. You'll also want to look at the length of the index as a whole to make sure it fits the publisher's guidelines. Generally, an entry should occur on two or three page numbers. If it's only found in one place, you may not need to include it at all. If you decide it is necessary, see if you can include it as a subentry under a different entry. For example, suppose you are indexing a dessert cookbook, and it has ice cream on two pages and sorbet on one page. You might consider putting these together under a larger heading, such as "frozen treats." Check every page you have listed in your index and make sure the entry can be found there. Adjust any page numbers as necessary to accurately reflect the content of your book. You may want to run searches again to make sure the index is comprehensive and includes as many pointers as possible to help guide your readers. Go line by line through your index and make sure all words are spelled correctly and all punctuation is correct and consistent. Even if you use spell check, it's still important to go through the index yourself, since some mistakes may slip past spell checkers. Make sure any cross references match the exact wording of the entry or entries they reference. The publisher will have page dimensions and margins to which your index should be set once all the proofreading and accuracy checking is complete. This may be your responsibility, or the publisher may do it for you. Indexes are typically set in 2 columns, using a smaller font than that used in the main text. Entries begin on the first space of the line, with the subsequent lines of the same entry indented. | Use the "search" function to check your pointers. Simplify entries to suit your readers. Include descriptions of subentries where helpful. Trim or expand your index as needed. Check your index for accuracy. Proofread your entries. Set the final dimensions. |
You can buy “sofa savers” for sofas online or at home goods stores like Bed, Bath & Beyond. Put these supports underneath your couch cushions to give them more support and firmness. Measure the space underneath the sofa cushions and cut a piece of plywood to those dimensions. Place it underneath the cushions. You will feel more support underneath the cushions, and the couch should sag less. Flip the couch over and expose the springs underneath the couch. To repair the springs of your sofa, you will need to wear glasses and use a pair of pliers. If you see any springs that are bent out of place (i.e., they look different from the rest of the springs), bend them back with the pliers gently. | Support your couch cushions. Cut a piece of plywood to fit underneath the sofa cushions. Repair the springs. |
Start by reading the poem aloud several times. Take your time and pronounce each word slowly. Be careful not to skip any words or rush through any lines. Each word and line of the poem is important, so spend time listening to how each one sounds. Have a pencil or pen on hand when you read the poem aloud. Underline or circle any words that stand out to you as you read. Sometimes it can also help to listen to the poet read their own work aloud. Check online to see if you can find an audio clip of the poet reading their poem. As you read the poem aloud, notice if it has a certain rhythm to it. The rhythm will be part of the overall meaning of the poem. Think about how the rhythm makes you feel as a listener. For example, you may notice that there are a lot of short, clipped lines in the poem, creating a jumpy rhythm. Or you may notice there are a lot of long lines that flow on into the other, creating a more fluid rhythm. Poems are broken into sections called stanzas. Stanzas can range from four lines to ten lines or more. Some poems have just one stanza and others have multiple stanzas. Look at the poem and count how many stanzas there are. Consider how the stanzas relate to each other or transition into one another. Ask yourself, “Why would the poet organize the stanzas this way?” “What does the structure of the poem have to do with the meaning of the poem?” Poems can also be divided into numbered sections instead of stanzas. Some poems are not broken into stanzas and appear as words scattered on the page. In this case, think about why the poet would divide the poem into words or phrases, rather than lines and stanzas. Notice if certain words rhyme in each line of the poem. Look for a pattern where certain lines contain a rhyme, usually at the end of the lines. Write down the rhyme scheme using the letters “A” and “B” to notate rhyming lines. For example, if you notice the first line and the third line rhyme, you will represent them as “A” in the rhyme scheme. If you notice the second and fourth lines also rhyme, you will represent them as “B.” This means the rhyme scheme will be “ABAB” for the poem. If you notice there are different rhymes in the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth lines of the poem, you will use "C" and "D" to note them. For example, you may have a poem with a rhyme scheme like "ABABCDCD." The meter in the poem is the number of beats, or stressed syllables, in each line. Stressed syllables will sound louder or more pronounced when you read them aloud. Unstressed syllables will sound softer. Listen for the stressed syllables in each line of the poem. For example, you may notice that the first line in the poem has three stressed syllables and the second line has two stressed syllables. This will give the poem a certain meter. Another way you can determine the meter is by scanning the poem. This technique can help you better understand the rhythm and structure of the poem. You will need to double space the poem and have a physical copy of it on hand to scan it. Once you have determined the rhyme scheme and meter of the poem, determine its form. The form is the type of poem it is, such as haiku, sonnet, sestina, free-verse, or limerick. Review different forms to find the one that fits the poem. For example, if you have a poem that is three lines and that follows a 5-7-5 syllable pattern, it is likely a haiku. You may talk about how a haiku is meant to be a snapshot of a moment in time. You can also discuss the history of the haiku and how it has been used by Japanese poets, as well as Western poets, to describe moments in nature. | Read the poem out loud. Listen to the rhythm of the poem. Notice how the poem is separated or broken up. Determine the rhyme scheme, if there is one. Look at the meter. Identify the form of the poem. |
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