Falling in love with someone can be more complicated as we age and change relationships, bringing our past lives in tow. When a relationship has to take account of someone else's children as well, it can be a difficult decision for you to make and should not be one that is taken lightly. Coping with someone else's children, especially when you are not used to raising children, can be an abrupt and disruptive change in life circumstances, although it can also be really rewarding. This article discusses the things that you need to address before saying "I do" to a man who has children already. Steps

1. Consider how you feel about children. If you have never had children, what is the reason for this? Did the opportunity simply pass you by or don't you really want to have children? If you don't want or don't like children, this is already a warning signal - you will not be able to simply dismiss or ignore your intended's kids, and you won't be able to keep him away from his kids (at least, not if you're smart). On the other hand, if you like children but the chance has never come up before, this is a positive sign.
2. Consider how your children will cope blending with a new family. If you have children of your own who still require your care, it is important to think through how you will facilitate their passage into a new family. It is important to let them spend time with your new man's children, so that they can get to know one another. This will also allow you to observe how they get along, and it provides an opening for you to hold a conversation with them later.
3. Address any doubts that you might be feeling. The initial advice is that if you do have any doubts, it is either not the time to marry, or maybe it will never be the time to marry this man. These are the sorts of questions you need to ask yourself:
   
   
   • Can I manage a relationship that comes with children?
   • Can I cope becoming a step parent to someone else's children?
   • Is this something I can enjoy in the long-term (because it is for the long-term)?
   • Do I like the children? Do they like me?
   • Can I cope with any physical or emotional disabilities that any of the children have? Am I willing to take on the responsibilities that such care entails?
   • Am I willing to put in the time needed to teach, nurture, and raise these children as my own? Or at least to allow my man to raise his children and stay out of his way as he does so?
   • Is this love enduring enough to cope with the initial upheaval learning to parent new children will cause?
   • Are there other sources of support to help me and my proposed new spouse?
   • Will their mother be able to help or is she ill, absent, gone for good? Or, is she resentful and spiteful, and likely to make this hard for me?
4. Be very honest with yourself. Love doesn't overcome a lot of challenging parental arrangements. You must be able to walk into this with your eyes wide open, expecting some resentment from the new children, from your own children (if any) and possibly from other people linked to the relationship, including the ex-wife, grandparents, and siblings of your husband-to-be.
5. Consider the children first. While you may be feeling starry-eyed and blissful, the children may be wary and even dreading what's to come. Remember that his children were a part of his life before you were. And remember, too, that it's not going to be fair to make his children feel "less than" if and when you and your man choose to have a child of your own. There are a lot of very complex emotions and mechanisms that will come into play, particularly if your man is not the custodial parent of his children and your prior children live with the two of you - when they come to visit every other weekend, it's very likely they will already feel, not so much like guests, but more like intruders in the home. Any children that are the result of your marriage are their half-siblings - the prior children may love their sibling, but very much resent you. You must be prepared to cope with that, as well as policing your own instinct to see his children as threats to your own children. It sounds easier than it is in practice.
6. Trial run things. It might be easier to test the waters by spending time together for a longer period rather than rushing into marriage. Even living together might be an option for you if that feels okay. Time will give you the opportunity to see if you are managing and it will let the children see that this new arrangement could work, giving them time to get used to it. On the other hand, time could also reveal that it isn't going to work, so be prepared for that possibility too.
7. Be sensible, not selfish. When there are children involved, the complexity of having a romantic relationship increases manifold. Unlike when you were younger and children were not part of the romance equation, the romance now is fringed by the need to take into account what works for every person involved, not just for the two people in love. Despite the romantic notion shown in movies of large families melding together, the realities are much harder; more costly, more prone to friction, more likely to not work out. As such, it is really important to be sensible and not selfish in the decisions that you reach.
8. If you do decide to go ahead, embrace the decision fully. If you have answered the questions, faced the doubts, and addressed the possible challenges, you have done the hard preparation work. Be conscious that the road ahead will not be smooth running but if you have taken the time to do the groundwork and you are fully aware of what might be ahead, it should be a journey filled with love, dedication, and the determination from both you and your spouse-to-be that this is going to work.

Tips

• Spend a lot of time talking through these issues with the man you would like to marry. Both of you are equally responsible for a balanced, healthy and fully informed decision here.
• If you want to have more children with this man, it is important that he is on board before you marry, and that both of you have discussed the challenges that this may present for existing children and for your finances, space, and lifestyle. Also take into account your age, your potential spouse's age and the age differences with existing children. While it might feel romantic now to want to have more children with this man, if this means children holding back both of you in your 50s and 60s from a less heavily child-responsible life, it may not appear so rosy. You need to face these issues well in advance and not simply "feel the love".
• Where possible, it is also important to involve the children in making decisions about their lives ahead. Listen to them and learn from them.
• Remember that children have no choices at all, they must simply deal with the decisions of the adults responsible for them. Think about how powerless you would feel in their position, and behave with care, compassion, and concern for them first. You can always choose what you wish to do, where you want to go. They must do as they are told.

Warnings

• It's all too often that children of a previous marriage are as heartily resented by the new spouse as the new spouse is resented by those children. The difference is that, as the new spouse, you have much more power than they do. Be kind and understanding.
• Don't assume that you will instantly step into the parental role in their eyes. Instead, assume the bearing of a kind and compassionate friend. Do not try to discipline these children - let your husband discipline his own children. By the same token, you should take responsibility to discipline your children, rather than handing over the parental reins to your new man.
• Don't force your kids to call your new man "dad," especially if their father is still alive, whether or not he is involved in their lives. Don't force your new man's kids to call you "mom," either. Don't refer to him as "your dad." You will confuse them. It doesn't matter if their other parent is a convict, a druggie, a drunk, or an uninvolved jerk - both your and your man's kids will have complex, conflicted feelings about all of you at all times. The kids may love both of you and want to call you mom, dad, whatever - but doing that may make them feel like they are betraying their other parent. Don't push it - just let things happen naturally and at the kids' pace.

Related wikiHows

• How to Include Stepchildren in a Wedding
• How to Raise a Child from Another Relationship
• How to Understand the Struggles of Forming a Step Family
• How to Understand and Maintain Family Cohesion

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If you're using Safari right now, you could be open to a malicious attack via your autofill feature, which is enabled by default.[1] The autofill feature on the Safari could be letting a malicious site find out your personal details, such as your full name, where you work and live down to the city and state or province, and your email address. It's a problem disclosed recently (July 21, 2010), so if you're one of the 83 million users of versions 4 and 5 of Safari, you need to act now![2][3] Steps

1. Open your Safari browser. If you have versions 4 or 5, proceed to disable your autofill. (You can check the version by clicking on "Safari" in the browser bar, letting the menu drop down, then clicking on "About Safari". A box will pop up showing you your current version.)
2. Staying with the Safari drop-down menu, go to "Preferences".
   
   
3. Click on the image that says "Autofill". The autofill box will open out in your browser.
   
   
4. Uncheck the autofill box. In the autofill box, uncheck the box marked "Using info from my Address Book card".
   
   Prior to unchecking, still enabled.
   
   This is how it should look after unchecking the first line.
5. Click the close button (small red circle upper left hand corner) and you're done. If you want, check to see that it worked by opening the autofill box one more time. The unchecked box should remain that way.

Tips

• This autofill feature works even if you have never entered data on any website because it draws the information from your personal record in the local operating system address book.
• This is an example of the auto-complete feature, which is different from the autofill feature. This autofill feature is not the same as the normal auto-complete data feature that remembers your text after typing it into a form.
• If you have other versions of Safari, it's probably wise to do this as a precaution, until further information is known.

Warnings

• It can take mere seconds to lift all of your personal information via this breach in Safari's browser.

Things You'll Need

• Safari browser

Related wikiHows

• How to Clear Safari Search History
• How to Delete Cookies Using the Safari Web Browser
• How to Change Your Start Page on Safari
• How to Use McAfee SiteAdvisor in Safari
• How to Block a Website in Safari
• How to Clear Safari's History on Mac OS X
• How to Add a Bookmark in Safari

Sources and Citations

• Jeremiah Grossman, I know who your name, where you work, and live (Safari v4 & v5), http://jeremiahgrossman.blogspot.com/2010/07/i-know-who-your-name-where-you-work-and.html - research source
• Safari browser

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"Most important advice: just lace up your shoes, and get out the door. After that, it’s cake."
~ Leo Babauta, Zen Habits
Running can prove to be great exercise and a fantastic way to relieve stress. If you find yourself becoming bored with it, however, below are some ways to find your way back to enjoying it again. Steps

1. Listen to music. Take your MP3 player or other portable music device and use it with headphones while running. Listen to some of your favorite, upbeat music to help keep you going while taking your mind off of your heavy breathing and how much farther you have to go.
   • Check out How to Create an Exercise Music Playlist if you're not sure how to get started.
2. Switch it up. Run in different locations. Don’t always run around one track, your neighborhood, or on a treadmill. Having a change in scenery can be refreshing and enjoyable. You may want to scope suitable areas out beforehand, just to be on the safe side.
   • Try different running techniques, such as changing speed, running up and down hills, long runs, tempo running, cross country running, etc.[1]
   • Give barefoot running a go and see if you enjoy the change. Make sure to find soft areas to run on.
3. Don’t run too hard. While it can be good to push yourself, know your limits and don’t go past them. Keep your pace at a good speed, and don’t go too far or too long. Repeatedly killing yourself will cause running to become something that you dread rather than something you enjoy.
   • Avoid competitive running when you're just in it for fun and fitness. Who are you really trying to beat?!
   • Put away the stopwatch. Learn to judge your pace by how it feels rather than by what the stopwatch is telling you.[2]
4. Use mental training skills to overcome your mind-speak that suggests you stop.
   • Rehearse yourself through your motivation problem by stating the desired outcome (running half an hour every day); detailing the challenges that your mind keeps coming up with (feeling too tired, worried about unmade dinner, feeling sore, etc.) breaking the challenges up into a series of actions to let you break through the mental barriers.[3]
   • Rehearse running over and over in your mind to bring into line with the way that you act and think. End up by focusing on the good feelings that arise at the end of each running session.[4]
   • Reward yourself. It's a good idea to treat yourself after a run, to give you something additional to look forward besides the high from exercise.[5] It might be a coffee at a favorite local cafe, or a special show you'd like to watch. Keep it simple and enjoyable.
5. Stretch. Several of the most common injuries that hinder runners can be prevented by stretching and exercises to increase muscle balance. Illio-Tibial (IT) Band syndrome, Patello-Femoral syndrome, and shin splints are all caused by such imbalances in strength and flexibility between different muscle groups. Prevention is possible with proper stretching and simple strength training exercises.
6. Run properly. On the same note, use good running form. Technique can make the difference between a miserable and an exhilarating running session. Advice and feedback from experienced runners is always helpful, and running clubs exist for all levels of runners. Make sure you have proper running shoes, too. Anything that makes running more comfortable is likely to make it more enjoyable. Different people have different needs for support, impact cushioning, etc. Many shops that specialize in running shoes can offer advice on a shoe that will best complement your body and gait.
7. Run with friends. Having other people around can help the workouts go by faster, makes it more fun, and will provide accountability to ensure you are keeping up with your workouts.[6]
   • If none of your friends are runners, find a group of people to run with. Check out local stores that specialize in running gear and advice. They will often organize running groups that you can join.
   • Take your dog running with you. A canine pal can be an enormous source of motivation, with the added benefit that both of you get much needed exercise.
8. Have rest periods. Another important means for ensuring that you continue to enjoy your running experience is to build in adequate rest periods, to give your running muscles a break. If you are a sporty person, intersperse your running with swimming, bike riding, etc., to shake up the routine but stay consistent with the days that you run. This gives your running muscles a break and helps to keep running an enjoyable activity for you.[7]
9. Learn to listen to yourself. Know the difference between the usual run-of-the-mill aches and pains that you can push past and real injuries that need attention. Eat well, and sleep well. If you're having a day where your emotional self is really out of whack, think about whether or not a run will clear your mind or just make things worse. Get the balance right, and you'll continue to enjoy running.[8]

Video Tips

• Running isn’t for everyone. If you have joint problems, or just can’t seem to enjoy it no matter what you try, consider another workout. There are tons of ways to get good exercise and stay healthy - and there is definitely something for everyone, but it may take a little exploring.
• Eat an energy bar if you're feeling low on energy with some water or a caffeinated drink about half an hour prior to running. This will help improve your energy levels.[9]

Things You'll Need

• Good quality running gear – get properly fitted for shoes and remember that expensive isn't necessarily the best
• Interesting running routes
• MP3 player

Related wikiHows

• How to Be Great at Cross Country Running
• How to Burn Fat by Running
• How to Breathe While Running
• How to Begin Running
• How to Avoid Cramps While Running

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Being exposed to high levels of microwave radiation can cause health problems, such as cataracts and burns.[1] While most microwave oven leaks are considered to be too small to create such significant health risks,[2] a microwave that is leaking radiation could cause unknown health risks and isn't likely to be as efficient as it should be. In this tutorial you will learn how to check your microwave for radiation leakage, and no special tools or experience are required. Steps Wireless Netbook method

This method works best because microwaves and wireless networks operate on very nearly the same electromagnetic frequency (between 2.4 and 2.5 GHz).

1. Unplug your microwave from the power socket. For wall switches, remove the whole electric plug from the wall socket (power point) rather than simply turning off the switch.
2. Check that your netbook has a working 802.11 wireless card and is on your local network.
3. Place the netbook in the microwave. Do not turn the microwave on!
4. Close the microwave door.
5. Ping your netbook. If the ping is answered, the microwave leaks radiation. If the packets time out, everything is fine.

Cell phone method

This method is demonstrated in the video below.

1. Put your cell phone in the microwave. Shut the door.
2. Do not turn on the microwave!
3. Dial the number of your cell phone. If it rings, you have a leak. If it doesn't ring, your microwave oven is fine.

Fluorescent light method

This method only works for large leaks.[3]

1. Find a fluorescent tube.
2. Darken the room.
3. Hold it against the edges of the microwave oven's door when the oven is in use. While normally it is not recommended to use the microwave with nothing inside it, in this short experiment, it is best not to add anything to the oven. If your microwave oven is pre-1980s, however, add a glass of water.
4. Check for a reaction. If there is microwave leakage occurring, the bulb will glow.

What to do next

If you find a leak, or you still believe that there might be a leak even if these tests have not proven anything to your satisfaction, here are some suggestions for what to do next.

1. Check the hinges, latch, center door panel, and seal of the door. If microwave radiation is leaking, it is usually as a result of worn or broken elements on the microwave oven's door. Any of the following signs could indicate leakage:
   • Look for cracks on the hinges or seals
   • Look for worn seals
   • Look for dents or breaks in the door itself.
2. Take the microwave to a professional repair shop for testing and fixing. Note that the FDA in the USA does not certify any home leakage protectors, which can sell anywhere from around US$10-50. In fact, the FDA states that it has tested a number of these and found them inaccurate and unreliable, and says that they should be used only for an approximation of leakage.[4] The reality is that proper testing requires expensive equipment using a radio-frequency radiation probe, which is not only expensive but also requires technical training to operate. Such sophisticated testing devices used by public health authorities to measure oven leakage are far more accurate, as well as being periodically tested and calibrated. Hence, the FDA recommends the following:
   • Don't operate an oven if the door does not close firmly or is bent, warped, or otherwise damaged.
   • Contact the oven manufacturer, a microwave oven service organization, your state health department, or the nearest FDA office for checking any leakage issue you are concerned about.

Video Tips

• Microwave ovens emit non-ionizing radiation in the form of radio waves in the 2.4 GHz frequency range, which are called microwaves. This radiation is not the ionizing radiation caused by the decay of radioactive elements or isotopes (X-rays and gamma rays) and is emitted only when the microwave oven is switched on.[5]
• Microwaves have three characteristics that allow them to be used in cooking: they are reflected by metal; they pass through glass, paper, plastic, and similar materials; and they are absorbed by foods.[6]
• Many people simply refuse to use microwave ovens for fear of the unhealthiness of the food cooked in this manner. If it really bothers you, don't own one. There is still much study to be done to determine accurately what constitutes a safe level of exposure to microwave radiation.[7]
• If your microwave is very old, recycle it. If freecycling or donating a leaking microwave, leave a clearly taped note on it that you think the oven is leaking, so that people receiving it can make a decision to repair or recycle.

Warnings

• Do not turn the microwave on while the netbook or cell phone (mobile phone) is inside.
• The most dangerous thing about using a properly maintained microwave is burning yourself if you don't handle the cooked items properly.[8]
• Microwaves operate by exciting a magnetron (radio frequency generator) with high voltage typically around the 2 KV range (2,000 Volts, 0.5 Amps), this is deadly voltage and current. This can kill you.
• The Method Presented is not fail safe and should not replace a competent technician using proper equipment to test for leaks!

Things You'll Need

• Microwave oven
• Netbook or cell phone or fluorescent tube
• Repair store if there is a problem

Related wikiHows

• How to Clean a Microwave
• How to Install a Microwave
• How to Use a Microwave
• How to Choose a Microwave Oven

Sources and Citations

• http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/16/stupid-netbook-tricks-diy-microwave-shield-testing/ – research source for netbook method
• Bill Beaty, http://amasci.com/weird/microwave/voltage3.html – research source for fluorescent light method
• FDA, Microwave Oven Radiation, http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/ResourcesforYouRadiationEmittingProducts/Consumers/ucm142616.htm -- general research source

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Did you know that puncture wounds account for 5 percent of the admission reasons for children going to emergency centers?[1] Puncture wounds occur when a narrow, pointed object such as a nail, tack, stick, or other similar sharp object pierces the skin. These wounds tend to be narrow and can be quite deep if the object was driven into the skin with substantial force.

Puncture wounds require different care from other wounds. Read on to learn what you need to do.

Steps

1. Treat immediately. Provided a puncture wound is attended to quickly, it will usually not become serious. If left unattended, however, infection introduced through the puncture site can become life-threatening for the patient.
2. Reassure the patient. This is especially important for children and for people who don't cope very well with pain. Help them to remain calm while you treat the wound.
3. Remove the object (small objects only, Never remove anything larger than 1cm in depth or 1cm in width, this must be done by a doctor).
   
   
   • Make sure that there are no splinters or other pieces of the object remaining in the wound if you can. If you don't get everything out, infection is more likely.
   • Do not remove the object if there is major bleeding. The object may be helping to close off and clot severed vessels. Removing it will remove the clot and cause more extensive bleeding. In this case support the object and minimise movement until medical assistance arrives.
4. Permit the wound to bleed for a few minutes, this will flush the wound of any bodies. Puncture wounds usually do not bleed profusely.[2] If bleeding is not severe, allowing the wound to bleed for about 2 minutes will help to cleanse the wound.[3]
5. Stop the bleeding. Use direct pressure to the wound -- apply this using a clean cloth bunched up in your hand. The bleeding should stop within a few minutes.
6. Clean the wound. Use salt and warm water to clean the wound.
   • Make sure that the cleaning has not revealed any other embedded objects. Dirt or other objects can remain embedded in the skin if not removed. If this is the case seek medical assisstance.
7. Bandage the wound if it requires protection. Because puncture wounds do not tend to be very large in size and are not prone to bleeding, you may not need a bandage for it. However, puncture wounds to the feet or other places that get dirty may require a bandage to prevent the entry of more dirt, etc.
   • Allow the wound to dry thoroughly before covering it with a bandage.
   • Use a porous adhesive dressing. Change daily to ensure that the wound stays healthy and dry.[4]
8. Know when to see the doctor. The following symptoms suggest that you need medical help:
   • Swelling
   • Redness
   • Pus
   • A concern that debris remains in the wound
   • Tetanus vaccination is not up-to-date (see next step).
9. Seepage from a puncture wound is normal, this is the body expelling infection along with plasma. so long as the discharge does not smell or become thick, then there is no cause for concern.
10. Get a tetanus shot if needed. Use the following guidelines to determine if the patient needs a tetanus shot (and contact your doctor for advice):[5]
    
    
    • If more than 10 years have passed since the patient last had a tetanus shot.
    • If the object causing the injury was dirty or rusty (or you are not sure whether or not it was dirty), and more than 5 years have passed since the patient last had a tetanus shot.
    • The patient is not sure when the last shot was.
    • The patient has never received a tetanus shot.

Video Tips

• Small puncture wounds are usually not very serious and do not require professional medical attention.

Warnings

• Be sure to watch for signs of infection around the wound site until it heals. Symptoms such as redness, swelling, throbbing, red streaks or pus may indicate an infection.[6]

Things You'll Need

• Salt
• Bandage

Related wikiHows

• How to Create a Home First Aid Kit
• How to Treat Shock
• How to Stop Bleeding
• How to Decide to Use a Tourniquet (Home Remedy)
• How to Call an Ambulance
• How to Attend to a Stab Wound

Sources and Citations

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Put aside your anger and actually be nice to someone, no matter how mean you feel you have become. You can become "one of the nicest people" you'll ever meet, but bear in mind that you are the only one who can make this significant change. Here are some steps to put an end to your meanness. Steps

1. Find the root of your anger and defensiveness. Are you mean to people because you like them, you're jealous of them, or you can't seem to find their good points? Do you feel as if you're "getting back at the world" for having treated you badly? In reality, it doesn't work that way--you get back what you put out and meanness will rebound on you. Instead, learn to let go of anger and resentment; seek professional counseling if you can't do this by yourself.
2. Turn any insult, mean comment, or unkind statement that you are about to say into a compliment. While trying to turn over a new leaf, you will find the mean voice continues to pop into your head. Instead of letting it speak for you, however, balance it with your thinking voice that can translate the mean words into compliments or kind statements. For instance:
   • "You are so annoying" turns into "You are so confident in yourself all the time, it's great."
   • "That's an ugly shirt" turns into "That's a really interesting pattern on your shirt."
   • "You're so loud and bossy" turns into "You always know what you want out of life, I wish I had that strength of purpose."
   • "You are such a know-it-all" turns into "You're always concerned about me putting my foot in it but you must let me make my own mistakes sometimes."
   • Instead of turning away, give a hug.
3. Adjust your negative criticism. Try using the sandwich-style-style critique instead of being blatantly negative about someone's actions or words. Start with a compliment about the person, then say something "constructive" about what has gone wrong or bothers you, then end with another compliment. Other ways to adjust your preference to say things negatively include thinking through how this comes across to others:
   • Ask yourself: "If I say this, will it really have a positive effect, or could it have a negative one?. Will I hurt this person, If I say this, or act this way?"
   • Check yourself. When you are talking to people, think "Am I saying this in the nicest way I can?"
   • Is it how you would like someone saying something to you?
   • Know the difference between assuming that you know better; even where you do, nobody wants their nose rubbed in superiority.
4. Keep other people's feelings in mind, all the time. It's an old but true phrase: If you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all.
   • Put yourself in other people's shoes. How would you feel if other people treated you the same way?
5. Don't judge people before you discover what they're really all about. First impressions can often be misleading, and couched in your own biases. Get to know people before you decide you don't like them.
   • Remember that people are different. What might be funny to you might be offensive to someone else.
   • Give everyone the benefit of the doubt. Let them have a second or even third chance.
6. Realize that the world doesn't revolve around you, and you aren't the only one with strong feelings or problems.
   • Consider the reason why you don't like someone. Could it be possible that they are a lot like you, and the things you don't like are the things you do too?
7. Take mental notes from people you know who are nice. Notice the differences between what you both say and do to other people. Put into practice some of the things you have learned and see how differently people respond to you.
8. Lend a hand or a shoulder to someone who isn't at the top of your favorites list. Make that effort and see what you get back - maybe nothing, or just maybe you'll discover your best friend.
   • Offer to help. If you see someone struggling or doing anything, offer to help, even doing something as simple as carrying a bag of groceries. Offering help will take you out of your comfort zone initially but you'll end up feeling good about yourself when your help is accepted.
9. Use a reminder prop to pull back your attitude. Wear an elastic band around your wrist. When you feel you are about to say something mean, give the band a snap to discourage yourself.
10. If you are still having trouble accomplishing this task, surround yourself with others who can help you. While the process can be challenging, seek support from friends and family who can guide you to slowly alter your personality. The best way to ultimately change this habit is to be held accountable for your actions by people you trust.

Video Tips

• Before doing anything quickly ask yourself: "Will this thought/action/comment make the world a better place for me, or anyone else?" If not - don't do it and save yourself the repercussions. There's no point expending effort in making yourself or others unhappy. Ever.
• Tell yourself constantly that you're a nice person so that your mind begins to accept that you are. Change your behavior accordingly to fit these new standards. Thinking you're one of the "good people" instead of a "bad person" can really make a difference to how you act. Your mind will react positively.
• Resist judging people if they are not nice to you. You shouldn't judge people anyway. There is always someone nice inside everybody, even those whose insecurity causes them to be mean to you.
• Like all habits, this one will be hard to stop. With perseverance, however, your defensive meanness will change.
• Smile. A smile will let people know that you are pleasant and inviting. If you smile at someone, look them in the eye.
• Ask people how they are doing. Take the time to ask someone how things are going in their lives, without being nosy or intrusive. If they seem resistant to talking, just let them know that you're always around to talk to, and that you want them to be alright.
• Be a good listener. Listen when other people are talking to you.
• Be courteous, patient, observant, and considerate. And be positive. Don't be negative or critical. Keep looking for the positive in any given situation.
• Be humble. The key to being nice is remembering that you are not "better" than someone else. You're an individual, but everybody has their struggles, and being nice to one another makes life better for everyone.
• Be sincere. Don't be nice as a means to an end. If you just want to be nice so that you can gain preferential treatment, it's quite the opposite of being nice -- it's deceptive, shallow and cruel. Be nice because you want to look back on your life and know that you were a nice person, no matter what.
• Don't lie. You will go on to do good things if you refrain from lying.

Warnings

• If you live your life being mean to everyone, you're only going to end up lonely. Nobody wants to be around mean people.
• What goes around comes around. If you are a mean person, others will probably be mean to you as well.
• Being mean isn't logical, and will therefore cause you to lose each time.
• Don't spread rumors; they are not only pointless but they confirm that you're behaving as low as you can go.
• Don't be so arrogant as to assume that you have a role in changing another person for the better. You can be constructive with suggestions but don't try to change them to something that they're not capable of being, or don't want to become. It's very likely that there is something deep within you that needs the change more than the other person.

Related wikiHows

• How to Stop Envying Famous People
• How to Stop Taking Things Personally
• How to Get Through Tough Times
• How to Let Go of Painful Memories

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A five gallon bucket full of zipper cream field peas.Whether you drive to a U-pick produce farm, or raise them yourself, picking field peas can be a unique outing, the rewards of which are great on the dinner table. For those not familiar with the name field peas, other common names include cowpeas, or black-eyed peas. Here are how fresh field peas are picked. Steps

1. Home garden crop of zipper cream peas.Grow, or locate, a U-pick produce grower that allows customers to pick peas in their field. You will want to learn a little bit about the different varieties and their characteristics:
   • Black-eyed peas - these are usually harvested and used dry, rather than fresh and succulent from the garden. A cousin of the black-eyes are pink-eyes, a popular, easy-to-grow field pea common in the south, where they are often called "purple hull peas."
   • Crowder peas - these are usually a green pea that is tightly packed in the shell.
   • Cream peas - these are a lighter colored pea, with a milder flavor than the above mentioned varieties.
   • Zipper peas - these have a fibrous vein along the length of the shell, which, when pulled, makes splitting the shell much easier.
2. Prepare yourself for your outing in the pea patch. You may find the weather very warm during the field pea season, so consider wearing light colored clothing and a broad rimmed hat. Other things you might take along to wear or carry once at the farm include:
   • Sturdy boots
   • Long pants
   • Sunscreen
   • Sunglasses
   • Hampers, bags, buckets, or other containers for your peas.
3. Enter the field and select a row of peas to pick. Peas are usually planted in rows about 3 feet (91.5 cm) apart. Look for rows that have lots of mature peas, and remember that it is more efficient to pick peas by row, rather than randomly wandering around, so that you can keep track of which pea vines have been harvested. Staying between rows also reduces damage to the plants.
4. A five gallon (19 liters) bucket is great for pea-picking.Step carefully to avoid damaging the pea vines, which often overlap the rows and can be entangled, making travel difficult. Keep your container close by. Use a container that you can set on the ground and that won't overturn easily.
5. Here you can see a mature pea compared to two that are not yet filled out.Choose the peas which are fully matured and pull them from the stems. Most field peas have a series of bulges visible through the shell, indicating fully formed individual peas inside.
6. Holding the plant stem prevents damage to the pea vine when picking the peas.Hold the stem of the plant and pull the peas free of the plant. You can gather several in the plucking hand, then toss them into the bucket to make your efforts more efficient.
7. Here is an example of an insect damaged pea.Watch for peas which have obvious insect damage. If you have a choice, choose clean, well-tended fields for your pea-picking expedition.
8. About one gallon of peas will yield around one quart when they are shelled.Pick the desired amount of peas and carry them home. Keep them in a cool, shaded place until you are ready to shell them.
9. Rinse the peas under lots of fresh water, then transfer them into a clean container for shelling. A large, shallow bowl works well for this step. Find a comfortable place, have a seat, and shell away; you will soon learn that picking the peas is only half the work!

Video Tips

• The larger pea in the photo is mature, the smaller useful only as snaps. Avoid pulling peas which are not mature unless you desire snaps with your peas.
• Be careful with the blooms, as these are the next crop of peas and can be easily knocked off.
• Shell and either cook or freeze fresh field peas as quickly as possible to preserve their quality. You can also make pea puree for freezing or refrigerating.

Warnings

• Field pea fields are home to many insects including spiders, wasps, and bees.
• Watch for venomous snakes if they are native to your area. Ask the farmer for advice on the potential for snakes.
• Avoid fields where herbicides and insecticides have been applied. Again, ask the farmer.

Things You'll Need

• Suitable clothing, insect repellent, and drinking water
• Container for picking

Related wikiHows

• How to Plant with Two Row Planters
• How to Grow Beans and Peas
• How to Practice Sustainable Agriculture
• How to Make Risotto With Peas and Parmigiano
• How to Buy Peas in the Pod

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When outside temperatures climb into the triple digits (over 40ºC) for a period of several days or even weeks, this prolonged period of excessive heat is known as a "heat wave". Heat waves are often accompanied by high humidity.[1] While there is also no universal definition of a heat wave, (as people used to a hot climate may already be acclimatized to a period of high heat, whereas the same heat visited on people in a usually cooler climate can cause severe disruption and heat deaths due to people not knowing what to do to minimize the risks),[2] the real issue is the health and safety impact of prolonged heat and high humidity.

Notorious for causing widespread power outages, hundreds of heat-related illnesses, and even deaths, heat waves are perfectly survivable provided you take appropriate precautions. In general, our ability to regulate high temperatures is impacted by our health, age, and the quality of our shelter. This article is aimed at helping you to cope when the summer heat takes a turn for the worse.

Steps The dangers of a heat wave

Not everyone fully understands the difficulties produced by heat waves. If you're fit, healthy, and have access to air-conditioned respite, a heat wave can pass by fairly uneventfully. However, there is a risk for everyone and it's important to be aware both for yourself and for others whom you might be taking care of.

1. Understand why excessive heat causes problems for us. Heat pushes the human body beyond its limits and in the case of extreme heat and high humidity, evaporation is slowed and the body has to work extra hard to maintain its normal temperature. Problems occur when a person is over-exposed to heat or overexert themselves. Those most likely to be impacted negatively by excessive, prolonged heat include the elderly, young children, sick persons, and those who are overweight and unfit. It is important to recognize that over-exposure to heat can be fatal. Possible health problems include:
   • Heat cramps – these are muscular pains or spasms that occur as a result of heavy exertion. Although heat cramps are the least severe of heat health problems, they are a warning sign that your body is not coping well with the heat.
   • Heat exhaustion – this occurs typically when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where bodily fluids are lost through heavy sweating. The blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs. This results in a mild form of shock. If this goes untreated, the victim's condition will worsen, the body temperature will continue to rise, and heat stroke might occur.
   • Heatstroke – the victim's temperature control system which produces sweating to cool the body simply stops working and the body temperature can rise high enough to cause brain damage and death. A victim in this situation needs to be cooled quickly. Note that sun stroke is usually applied as another term for heat stroke.
2. Learn how to recognize the environmental conditions that exacerbate the dangers of a heat wave. If you are aware of what makes a heat wave even more dangerous, you can take precautions to limit your exposure to it, as well as keeping an eye out for others who might be affected by it. Things to pay particular attention to include:
   • Stagnant atmospheric conditions and poor air quality (smog, pollution).
   • Living in an area that is heavily asphalted or covered in concrete - asphalt and concrete store heat longer and gradually release this heat during the night, producing higher nighttime temperatures known as the "urban heat island effect".
   • A prolonged period of excessive heat, especially when combined with excessive humidity.
   • Read the Heat Index. This will show a number in degrees Fahrenheit (F) or degrees Centigrade (C) and it tells you how hot it feels when relative humidity is added to the air temperature. Exposure to full sunshine can increase the heat index by 15 degrees!

Surviving a heat wave

Surviving a heat wave is a combination of recognizing that you, your family, and your community are at risk during a period of prolonged heat and knowing what to do to reduce the risks. As part of this, it is important to also keep an eye out on people for whom you are personally responsible, and for helping members of your community where possible.

1. Prepare your home for the event of a heat wave. There are some easy but key things you can do to make your home a safer place to be during a heat wave:[3]
   • Check that your window air conditioners are snugly installed; if not, insulate around them. Check that the air conditioning vents are also properly insulated.
   • Install temporary window reflectors (for use between windows and drapes), such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard. These will reflect heat back outside.
   • Weather-strip doors and sills to keep cool air in.
   • Cover windows that receive morning and afternoon sun. Use drapes, shades, awnings, or louvers. Outdoor awnings and louvers can reduce the heat that enters a home by up to 8 percent.
   • Keep storm windows up.
2. Dress appropriately for indoors. Indoors, it is important to remove any heavy clothing and to wear as little as modesty and laws permit! Suitable clothing includes:
   • Loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
   • Natural fabrics (cotton, linen, hemp, etc.)
   • Avoid wearing polyester and flannel as these fabrics will hold in sweat, causing you to stew in the humid air.
3. Dress appropriately for outdoors. When outdoors, it is important to cover up. Still adhering to the loose-fitting, lightweight and natural clothing suggestions in the previous step, cover up as much skin as possible to avoid sunburn.
   • Protect your head and face by wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
   • Consider wearing clothing made of synthetic sports fabrics that are designed to wick away perspiration.
   • Avoid dark colors as these absorb the heat; light colors reflect it.
4. Stay indoors as much as possible. Keeping out of the sun is the best way to reduce your exposure to the heat. In addition, find non-strenuous activities to do inside.
   • If your home isn't air-conditioned or cooled with a water-evaporation system, consider spending the warmest part of the day (or even night) in public buildings such as libraries, schools, movie theaters, shopping malls, and other community facilities. Many of these are specially opened by public authorities during a time of a heat wave, so check for extended hours. There are even local cooling centers opened in some places to help people cool down.
   • If your house has more than one story, or you live in a multi-story building, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine if the air conditioning is not available. You can put makeshift beds downstairs during the heat wave if needed; ask the concierge to sort out something for residents if you are part of a condominium.
   • Put on a fan. Circulating air can cool the body by increasing the evaporation rate of perspiration. A fan can help move the air around your house and will be useful for pulling in relatively cool air at night, but do not rely on a fan to keep cool during the day. A fan will not prevent heat-related illnesses when the temperatures are over 98.6ºF (37ºC). A cool shower is a much more effective way to cool off.
5. Stay hydrated. Be sure to drink lots of liquids, especially water.
   • Avoid or minimize alcoholic, carbonated, and caffeinated beverages as these can dehydrate you.
   • Drink more than you think you need. You need to replenish the liquid removed by sweating and sweating is a key part of keeping you cool.
   • Persons who have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease; are on fluid-restricted diets; or have a problem with fluid retention should consult a doctor before increasing liquid intake.
   • If you're sweating a lot, be quick to replace lost salts and minerals as well as water. Fruit juice or sports drinks with electrolytes are good choices, but do not take salt tablets unless directed to by your doctor. Taking calcium supplements, however, is a good idea.
   • Drink cool (but not icy cold) liquids to help lower your body temperature. Try to keep water refrigerated prior to drinking, if possible.
6. Eat lightly. Hot foods and high-calorie or high-protein meals raise your body's metabolism and its temperature, which is the opposite of what you need to stay healthy during a heat wave. Think fresh fruits and vegetables, cold salads, etc. and be sure to eat light, well-balanced and regular meals. Some good things to try would include:
   • a fruit salad
   • a salad
   • a watermelon, mint, and raspberry salad
   • healthy snacks
   • Spanish gazpacho.
7. Take steps to practice appropriate heat wave behavior. When exercising, working, or performing exerting activities, keep these things in mind:
   • With exercise, pace yourself - this is not the time to take up running. It may, in fact, be time to stop running for a while, unless you can do so at night when the temperatures have cooled down. If you wish to exercise outdoors but aren't acclimatised to the temperature, start slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Pay close attention to how you feel. If your heart is pounding and you're short of breath, stop immediately, go into a cool environment to rest, and drink plenty of fluids.
   • With work, avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. Use a buddy system when working in extreme heat, and take frequent breaks. If your main work takes place outside, it is likely that your workplace will arrange to find shelter, alternative work, or alternative working hours when the heat is less oppressive. If you work for yourself in the outdoors, change your working hours to the early morning where possible, to avoid the day's heat.
   • Breathe through your nose to avoid water escaping through the mouth. It will help to keep your body hydrated longer.

Looking after others

1. Look out for signs of heat stress and exhaustion in all members of your family and others close to you. Be vigilant and explain to them the importance of taking steps to minimize the effects of heat during a heat wave.
2. Never leave children or pets in parked cars, even for brief periods of time. The temperature inside the vehicle can rise to 120ºF (49ºC) or more within minutes, enough heat to kill someone very quickly.
3. Check on neighbors, family, and friends, especially those who are elderly, sick, or not able to take care of themselves without assistance and those who live alone. If you know that a neighbor lives alone and is at risk of health problems from heat (especially where they do not have air conditioning), try to contact family members to come and help. If that is not possible, your local emergency services might be able to help but if you can ease the burden on them by taking care of such a person yourself, that is the better option.

First Aid for heat illnesses

1. Understand what heat related illnesses are and how to identify the symptoms, such as heat cramps, which are painful spasms in the muscles of the arms, legs, and abdomen.
   • Heat exhaustion is a serious condition and should be treated as soon as possible. The symptoms of heat exhaustion include:[4]
     • Pallor
     • Cool, clammy skin, sweating
     • Extreme fatigue, weakness
     • Nausea
     • Dizziness
     • Light-headedness
     • Vomiting
     • Fainting
     • Complaining of feeling hot
     • Thirst
   • Heatstroke is an emergency. Anyone exhibiting the signs and symptoms of heat stroke should seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms include:[5]
     • Red, flushed skin - may become pale
     • A body temperature of 106ºF (41ºC) or higher
     • Seizures
     • Extreme headache
     • Rapid breathing
     • Rapid pulse
     • Sweating ceases
     • Confusion
     • Unconsciousness.
2. Check out the following articles to know what to do in the event of heat injuries:
   • Save the Life of a Person Suffering Heat Stroke
   • Treat Heatstroke
   • Recognize Symptoms of Heat Stress
   • Stay Hydrated During the Summer
   • Stay Cool Using the 'Ice to Wrist' Method
   • Get Rid of Sunstroke
   • Treat Heat Illnesses and Heat Rash
   • Treat Sunburn Using Natural Products.

Video Tips

• Don't undertake difficult, hot travel or movement during the daytime. If you must travel, the best time is by night, when it is much cooler.
• Keeping a hand fan with you, especially if you go outside, is a good idea. It can be a lifesaver in a hot bus!
• Look at your urine to tell if you're dehydrated. Normal urine should be clear colored, or light yellow. If the color is any darker, you may be dehydrated.[6] During a heat wave, drink 1 liter of water every 2 hours.
• If you plan to be out and about during a heat wave, some cities may open designated cooling centers at various locations to visit if you feel overheated. Water, air-conditioning, and first-aid stations are typically provided.
• Always pay close attention to those who are at higher risk for heat-related illnesses. They include:
  • The elderly
  • Infants and young children up to the age of four
  • Those who perform strenuous activities outdoors (i.e. sports coaches, athletes, campers, etc.)
  • Overweight and obese people
  • People with certain health problems, such as heart disease, respiratory illnesses, and compromised immune systems
  • The homeless.

Warnings

• Heat waves and "heat storms" (a prolonged and severe heat wave) are to be taken seriously. Use common sense.
• If there is a drought going on in your area, observe all relevant laws and guidelines, such as not watering the grass or filling up swimming pools. Where you are legally obliged to reduce water usage, you may end up paying severe fines or even prison time if you fail to cooperate. Listen to the news, especially news about the heat wave, for any laws passed to combat a drought.
• Drinking or eating icy cold or frozen things (i.e. ice cream, slushy)can be counter productive because it cools your body core only, fooling your body's temperature control mechanism.

Things You'll Need

• Self-powered radio - some have the weather band for monitoring weather related matters.
• Self powered flashlight
• Generator

Related wikiHows

• How to Cool Down a Horse After Hard Work
• How to Cool Your Cat Down in the Summer
• How to Cool Yourself Down on a Hot Day
• How to Cool Yourself Without Air Conditioning
• Stay Safe in the Sun

Sources and Citations

• FEMA, Are you ready? Extreme heat, http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/heat.shtm – government public domain research source.

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Twibbons are small overlays that can be added to your Twitter avatar photo or image to display a cause or interest that you believe in, follow, or promote. A number of Twibbons have a "use-by" date, however, if they relate to a time-specific event. Or, you might simply want to rotate causes, or free up your avatar image again. This article explains how to remove the Twibbon. Steps

1. Return to the Twibbon homepage. This is located at http://www.twibbon.com.
2. Sign in. You can sign in using your Twitter name if wished - the link is at the top right hand corner of the page.
3. Go to the "My Profile" link. This is located at the top of the page. This will take you to the "My Profile" screen.
4. Look for the button that says "My history" in the toolbar at the top of the page. Click on it. This is where you will find the "avatar history" retained since you joined Twibbon.
5. Go through your different avatars. Select the one that you want restored and click on "revert". The avatar image you have selected will restore.
6. Check your Twitter account to see your new avatar. Be patient if the avatar image does not revert on Twitter - it may be immediate, or it can take up to 24 hours for this change to come through.

Alternate method

1. Change your original avatar by going to Twitter. This can be found at: http://www.Twitter.com.
2. Go to "Settings".
3. Click on "Profile". The first option will be "Picture". You have the options to "change image" or "delete image". Choose whichever you prefer.
4. Place your new avatar on Twitter. The Twibbon will have been removed because you have removed the avatar image that carried it. Upload either your original avatar or a new one, as wished.

Tips

• If you experience any problems, contact the Twibbon support via email support@twibbon.com or tweeting @twibbonsupport.

Things You'll Need

• Twitter account
• Twibbon account
• Recognizable identity

Related wikiHows

• How to Use Twitter
• How to Change Your Twitter Account's Icon
• How to Create a Twitter List
• How to Change Your Background on Twitter
• How to Manage Multiple Twitter Accounts With Splitweet.Com

Sources and Citations

• Twibbon blog, Removing a Twibbon is Easy, http://blog.twibbon.com/removing-a-twibbon-is-easy - research source
• http://www.twibbon.com - research source

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The definitions of the three verbs assure, ensure, and insure overlap enough to make them synonyms in some cases. This article may assure you of their proper usage, ensure that you know how to use them, and insure you against being accused of poor grammar. Steps

1. Use "assure" when you want to set someone's mind at ease. It is the same as "reassure".
   • I can assure you that I am not dead.
   • "Stand firm in your refusal to remain conscious during algebra. In real life, I assure you, there is no such thing as algebra." (Frances A. Lebowitz)
2. Use "ensure" when you want to provide a guarantee that something is certain or secure.
   • To ensure your cooperation, we have posted armed guards throughout the facility.
   • "To win the War, to overcome the enemy upon the fields cannot alone ensure the Victory in Peace. The cause of War must be removed." (Haile Selassie I)
3. Use "insure" when you want to provide a guarantee against a risk of damage or loss. This is generally done through the payment of a premium. It indicates the assumption of liability.
   • Tippecanoe Mutual will insure your vehicle for accidental damage or theft.
   • "Humankind has become so much one family that we cannot insure our own prosperity except by insuring that of everyone else." (Bertrand Arthur William Russell)
   • An example of all three in one sentence: As your representative, I assure you that I will ensure you can insure your home.

Tips

• In some instances, "assure" and "ensure" are interchangeable.
• In some instances, "ensure" and "insure" are interchangeable.
• This article is based upon American usage in the United States.
• "Insurance" is not the same thing as "assurance" in Great Britain. Assurance applies to something that will definitely happen. For example you can assure yourself that you will die one day. Thus financial assurance is used when "assuring" yourself against death not insurance, however this is often used wrongly and people tend to talk about insuring themselves against death. Even commercial industry gets this wrong, perhaps on purpose so as not to confuse and already confused population!

Things You'll Need

• Dictionary

Related wikiHows

• How to Improve Your Grammar
• How to Use Stunk or Stank Properly
• How to Use "A" and "An" Correctly
• How to Use Than and Then
• How to Use There, Their and They're

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Sometimes you screw up so badly that the person you hurt doesn't want to be around you, but they don't want you completely out of their life either. So you end up "in the dog house"--that is, resentfully ignored. Here are some steps you can take to get out of it. Steps

1. If you're getting the silent treatment and aren't sure why, confront them. Sometimes people get upset and they don't know how to express their dissatisfaction except to avoid interacting with you. Other times, they think you should know by now what you have done to upset them, so it requires no explanation. Either way, the sooner you can talk about it, the sooner it can be water under the bridge. Don't just hear what the other person is saying when you encourage them to speak about what's bothering them. Be a good listener.
2. Swallow your pride and apologize. Really apologize. That means understand what you did wrong, why it was wrong, take full responsibility for it (no excuses, no explanations, no "I'm sorry but") and make amends.
3. Make silent peace offerings. Wash the dishes or do the laundry without being asked. Buy them a flower and leave it next to their alarm clock or coffee maker. Fold a Dollar Into a Heart and put it in their pocket.
4. Suggest (and/or specifically plan) activities for the both of you to do that you know the other person particularly enjoys. Be proactive. Make all the arrangements yourself thus assuring the other person your sincere interest.
5. Be comically sweet and apologetic. Do things that are shamelessly humble, so the person who's mad at you won't be able to resist laughing. How about serenading her when she comes downstairs in the morning? Or writing "I'm sorry" with frozen hot dogs across his car dashboard? The fact is, if someone cares for you, they can only stay mad at your for so long, and humor is a great way to disarm them.
   • While you probably can't afford to bring on the circus, this video does offer some ideas to bring back the smile to your loved one's face.
6. Let things slide back to normal. But remember that "normal" now encompasses a change in the behavior that got you the dog-house visit in the first place. "Normal" isn't static and neither is a relationship. In order for us and a relationship to grow and flourish change in negative behavior is imperative. If you've kept up your end of the bargain in that sense, the other person shouldn't stay angry and expect you to jump through hoops forever. Some people, however, enjoy the power that being angry with someone brings. If you're in the dog house a lot, and you find yourself constantly changing your behavior to please them, you might be in an unhealthy relationship. See How to Recognize a Manipulative or Controlling Relationship.
7. Consider breaking your chain. If they get you in the Dog House, perhaps there is something wrong in your relationship.

Video Related wikiHows

• How to Make Up with Your Partner After a Fight
• How to Fix a Huge Argument with Your Girlfriend
• How to Apologize
• How to Recognize a Manipulative or Controlling Relationship
• How to Smooth Talk Your Way out of Trouble

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If you watch The Big Bang Theory, you may have seen the episode where Sheldon explains how to play Rock Paper Scissors Lizard Spock.[1] This version is known as a five weapon expansion, invented by Sam Kass.[2] In this version, Spock is signified by using the Star Trek Vulcan salute, and the lizard is shown by shaping the hand into a sock-puppet mouth. Steps

1. Know how to play rock, paper, scissors. This is the basis of the game.
2. Learn how to form the hand shape for each weapon. The hand symbols are as follows:
   • Rock - form a fist.
   • Scissors - hold the hand out, with the pointer and middle finger separated; all other fingers must be in.
   • Paper - hold the hand out, extend all fingers.
   • Lizard - have the fingers out and cupped, thumb below them to look like a sock-puppet mouth.
   • Spock - perform Spock's traditional Vulcan salute!
3. Learn how each "weapon" in the game triumphs over another weapon. Each method can be remembered as a "rap", in the order that follows with the images:
   • Scissors cut paper
     
     Scissors cut paper
   • Paper covers rock
     
     Paper covers rock
   • Rock crushes lizard
     
     Rock crushes lizard
   • Lizard poisons Spock
     
     Lizard Lizard poisons Spock
   • Spock smashes scissors
     
     Spock smashes scissors
   • Scissors decapitate lizard
     
     Scissors decapitate lizard
   • Lizard eats paper Lizard eats paper
   • Paper disproves Spock
     
     Paper disproves Spock
   • Spock vaporizes rock; and as always, rock crushes scissors.

Video Things You'll Need

• Partner

Related wikiHows

• How to Play Rock, Paper, Scissors
• How to Win at Rock, Paper, Scissors
• How to Cheat at "Rock, Paper, Scissors"
• How to Create a Church With Your Fingers
• How to Play the Finger Game

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Evaporated milk "ice cream" will look much like the real thing. Don't have an ice cream maker? Looking for a sneaky way to feed your kids some extra calcium? Here's a proven "Mom" recipe that fits the bill. Follow these directions and you'll have homemade evaporated milk "ice cream". Ingredients

• 2 cups evaporated milk
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 envelope unsweetened drink mix, such as Kool Aid

Steps

1. Pour evaporated milk into a mixing bowl.
2. Chill the evaporated milk until almost frozen. When you see frozen edges around the bowl, you know that it is ready to whip.
3. Chill the beaters in the freezer while waiting for the milk.
4. Remove the chilled bowl of milk and the beaters.
5. Whip the partially frozen evaporated milk until it is nicely fluffy.
6. Add sugar and Kool Aid and whip until the mixture is stiff.
7. Spoon the mixture into a resealable container.
8. Freeze for 3 to 4 hours.
9. Fill ice cream cones or serve as a simple dessert.

Things You'll Need

• Mixing bowl
• Measuring cups
• Freezer

Related wikiHows

• How to Whip Evaporated Milk
• How to Make Ice Cream
• How to Make Lime Cream Sherbet
• How to Eat Ice Cream

Sources and Citations

• Mom. She probably found the recipe on the back of the Pet Evaporated milk can. This is a TNT family recipe.

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Building your own shoe insoles can save money and help recycle items you no longer need, such as cardboard or an old exercise mat. As an added bonus, if you want to vary the insole size to accommodate your own footwear needs, making your own enables you to do so. This article provides several ways to make shoe insoles, letting you choose the one that suits your needs best. Steps Cardboard Method

1. Remove the old insole from your shoe. Shake off any dirt or surface grime.
2. Place the old insole over cardboard. The cardboard needs to be thick and preferably have a "cushioned" feel to it - old cartons are good.
3. Trace the insole shape with a pencil. Once you have the shape right, you can go over the outline with a marker to make it easier to see.
4. Cut out the insole design. Use scissors that are sharp enough to cut cardboard easily.
5. Repeat. Make two insoles for each shoe. This will allow you to air one insole and insert the other, extending the life of both insoles.

Yoga Mat Method

1. Trace a flip flop or shoe that is your size onto the smooth side of a yoga or exercise mat. Use a mat that you no longer want; if you can't find one, look in a charity store for throwaway mats. Keep the rest of the mat in your craft cupboard for other uses.
2. Cut out the design that you have traced.
3. Flip over the cut insole. Trace it again on the smooth side to create the insole for the opposite foot. Cut out this insole. Now you have both a right and a left foot insole.
4. Trace and cut out four more for both the right and left. This means that you'll have a total of five cut-outs for each foot.
5. Stack the cut-outs for each foot. Place the textured side up.
6. Glue four of the layers together, using a hot glue gun. Glue a little, then press. Then glue a little more, and press. If you try to glue the whole layer at once, it'll start to dry before you push the layers together.
7. Leave to dry completely. Once dry, you have new insoles!

Video Things You'll Need

Method 1:

• Cardboard from a carton or similar heavyweight, durable cardboard with some give
• Pencil
• Marker
• Scissors, sharp, or craft knife
• Cutting surface, such as a cutting mat

Method 2:

• Old yoga or exercise mat
• Marker
• Scissors, sharp
• Hot glue gun

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• Keep Your Shoes from Stinking
• Clean Superfeet Foot Insoles
• Remove Uppers from Shoes
• Sew a Scented Shoe Stuffer
• Pick out Shoes
• Choose Comfortable Shoes

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Unrequited love is love that is not returned. Whether you are the one who loves or is loved, it can be a painful experience. This article will offer some guidance for dealing with unrequited love, which has haunted and inspired people throughout history. Steps If Your Love is Unrequited

1. Accept that romantic love isn't usually a conscious decision. So, if a person knows that you love them, but doesn't feel the same way about you, don't view it as some kind of betrayal or deliberate withholding. They might want to love you, but simply don't, for reasons they don't understand, and may never understand. Sometimes the feeling just isn't there. Try not to take it personally.
2. Eradicate any sense of neediness. If you're feeling upset, depressed, or bitter, it's probably because you feel you need that person's love in order to be happy. But, the research on happiness says that all you need is a healthy dose of optimism. You may also find that it's a sense of neediness (which you may be conveying without even realizing it) that's turning off the person you love, perhaps by making them feel like they are on a pedestal that they don't want to be on.
3. Distance yourself. You won't want to, but staying close to someone you want but can't have just isn't healthy. Don't tell the person or anyone close to them what you are doing, as they might try to convince you otherwise. Just try to get away for a while. Don't call them, don't go places where you know they frequently visit, and make yourself scarce. If you must have some contact (such as work) respond to messages slowly after a few days. Only call back when you have a good excuse to get off the phone after a few minutes. Take the time to reflect on your situation and learn more about yourself.
4. Enjoy being single. Dealing with unrequited love is a lot like getting over a break up, except you feel a sense of loss over something you never had. Still, you have to learn how to enjoy life without someone, which can be hard in our couple-centered society, but it's do-able.
5. If you want to stay friends, follow the steps in How to Deal With Being Dumped when You Want to Remain Friends. While you weren't dumped, you were rejected, and following that advice will help preserve your friendship with this person.
6. Practice unconditional love. If you feel that you really, truly love this person, then perhaps you can love them unconditionally. You'll know you've reached that point when you can genuinely feel happy for them, even if that happiness does not include you. With unconditional love, there's no sense of loss, because it's about deriving all your happiness from the act of giving - not from receiving.

If You Are the Recipient of Unrequited Love

1. Consider whether you are blocking out their love. Sometimes we feel undeserving or suspicious because of our past experiences, but if you reject love just because you can't trust someone, you're selling yourself short. See How to Receive Love if you feel this might be your conundrum.
2. If you're sure you don't love this person, be firm. Don't let the person believe that you're on the fence, that if they just do this or that they might be able to convince you to love them. The longer you wait to tell them, the harder it is to do. One thing you can say is "I don't feel the same way about you as you do about me. I don't know why, but I'm sure that's how I feel, and I don't believe it's going to change." They might be angry, bitter, depressed, but they will recover most quickly if you convey that this is non-negotiable.
3. Reduce contact or end the friendship if the boundaries can't be clarified or upheld. If the person is attracted to you as more than a friend and can't seem to put that attraction aside, it's probably best to take the friendship down a notch. Keep contact casual, conversations short, and get-togethers brief. If the friend continues to press or yearn for a romantic relationship when you've made it clear that you don't want one, if they constantly trash talk your significant other (without good reason), or if they let their own significant other demean you, then perhaps the friendship isn't worth keeping, and this person should just be more of a friendly acquaintance.

Tips

• In retrospect, you may discover that what you thought was love was really just infatuation.

Related wikiHows

• How to Fall Out of Love
• How to Get Over a Break Up
• How to Stop Being Needy
• How to Stop Feeling Like Your Life Isn't Good Enough

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If someone has been spamming you or hassling you out on Facebook, you can block them so that they can't find or see your account. This article shows you how to block people or application invites, to make sure that you're able to continuing enjoying your time on Facebook. Steps Privacy Settings Method

1. Go to "Account". Click on "Privacy settings" in the top right corner. Click on the Privacy tab that opens up.
2. Look for the "Block Lists" tab at the base of the page. Click on the highlighted link "Edit your lists".
3. Type in the name and email of the person you'd like to block.
   • Facebook will warn you that once you have blocked a person they cannot be your friend on Facebook and won't be able to interact with you (except for applications and games both of you use).
     
     
4. Click on "block this user".
   • A list of people with the same name will appear. Click on the person you wish to block.
   • A small line will appear that reads "person's name" and a live link "unblock".
     
     
   • The blocked person will not be able to see your profile. When you are searched for by this person, your name and details won't show up in their search results.

Profile Method

1. Go to the profile of the person you wish to block.
2. On the bottom left, there is a link that says "Block/report this person". Click on it.
3. Select block on the dialog box that appears.
4. Click "Submit".

Tips

• You can also block application invites. Simply key in the friend's name and you will automatically ignore any future application requests from that friend. To block invites from a specific friend, click the "Ignore All Invites From This Friend" link under your latest request.
  
  

Warnings

• Avoid randomly blocking people. Just because Facebook lets you block people doesn't mean you can abuse it and block random people for no reason. It can also be upsetting to a friend who works out what you have done if there's no reason for it, and a lot of drama could start.

Things You'll Need

• Facebook account

Related wikiHows

• How to Create a New Facebook Group
• How to Add Friends on Facebook
• How to Avoid Being in a Facebook Relationship With Your Boyfriend
• How to Avoid Having Your Pictures Shown in Facebook Ads
• How to Avoid Wasting Time on Facebook

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Summer beer festival season is a great time to discover new beers and to enjoy the festive spirit. From the World Beer Festival to the Great American Beer Festival (GABF), there is a festival to be held almost every weekend somewhere in the world. Beer festivals are quite a bit of fun, but that fun can be spoiled if you find that you have overdone the drinking. In order to get the most out of attending a festival, while being responsible and not being annoying, the following steps will help you enjoy attending a beer festival. Steps

1. Eat just prior to entering the festival. Give yourself time to get the flavor of the food out of your mouth or you will be tasting food-flavored beer, and continue to seek out food for the duration of the festival. Most festivals have pre-arranged agreements with (on-site) food vendors that allow for at least one or two low cost food items to be available for purchase from each vendor. Typical beer festival fare of turkey legs, pizza, nachos and different sandwiches will give your stomach a much needed buffer between beer and alcohol absorption. Take time to enjoy your food; this will also help to cleanse your palate between flights of beer.
2. Try to come close to drinking equal parts water and beer. If you have four two ounce servings of beer, try and drink that same amount of water before moving on to another flight of beer. Most festivals provide either bottled water or some other way of obtaining water specifically for this purpose. You will undoubtedly use the restrooms more frequently, but in the end this will keep you from becoming dehydrated and could help reduce the chance of suffering a hangover later on.
3. Have a list of beers and a plan. Almost all beer festivals provide lists of both breweries and the beers that they plan to bring along to vend at the festival. Get hold of that list and start planning what flights you might want to try. Some festivals also provide a site layout–this makes finding your favorites that much easier. Try some of the following (as long as the requisite brewers are in attendance):
   • A Belgian flight
   • A pale ale flight
   • A hop flight
   • A German flight
   • A wheat flight
4. Remember to balance your taste buds. Don't start a tasting session with a beer with an IBU (international bitterness units) of 90 and expect to be able to taste anything but hops from then on. Start lower and work your way up. Your taste buds will thank you.
5. Make sure you actually taste the beers. Too often attendees at festivals look at those festivals as a four hour kegger. To enjoy the festival and create a lasting impression in your mind, and to retain a happy memory of the beers you drank (that you should be able to find after the festival), take your time to actually taste the beer. Tasting hints to consider:
   • Aroma - Since half of taste is actually our olfactory perception, take time to smell the beer. Make a mental note of what you can smell.
   • Appearance - Although most festivals pour in two ounce portions, you should be able get a good idea of the look of the beer. The head retention, color, cloudiness, etc.
   • Taste - When tasting, it is recommended that you drink only half of the sample initially. Make a note of the different properties of the beer (bitter/sweet/tart, etc.).
   • Mouthfeel - What did the beer feel like? Thick, chewy, silky, fizzy? The texture will have an effect upon your perception and enjoyment of the beer.
   • Second look (overall) - Finish the beer sample. Did you note any changes from the first taste to now? Did the beer breathe differently or did you experience a flavor that was not present during the first swallow? Many beers (especially ales) are very complex and can't be fully appreciated with a single taste.
6. Keep a record of your favorite beer rather than trying to quaff down more of them. Most festivals have too many beers to possibly learn in the short period of the festival. If you find a beer that you really like, write it down and stick the information in your pocket. Plan to buy it later to enjoy it in the comfort of your home.
7. Most importantly, have yourself a designated driver or some plan to avoid having to drive after the festival. Pay a neighbor's kid, go as a group with one person designated to drive, take a taxi or a bus.

Video Tips

• Bring along a small bag or wear pants or shorts with ample pockets. Festivals are notorious for giving out swag and if it's a beer or brewer that you like, then it would be nice to have something to remember the beer by.
• Bring a pen and note pad to take notes or write down addresses or websites.
• And finally, have fun, make some new friends, find a new favorite beer and hope that those pictures don't make it to Facebook. Cheers.

Things You'll Need

• Swag bag
• Cash (for festivals that only accept cash, or where it's easier than credit)

Related wikiHows

• How to Enjoy the Taste of Beer
• How to Brew Your Own Beer
• How to Cool Beers Without a Fridge
• How to Chug a Beer
• How to Brew Antioxidant Rich Beer

Sources and Citations

• Original source of article: http://beer.cellarmonk.com, Original source, shared with permission.

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Tasseography is a grand name for the enjoyable art of tea leaf reading.[1][2] Although most people use teabags nowadays to make tea, this change of preference need not deter you from practising what is perhaps the most homely of all the methods of divination.

In common with many divination methods, the origins of tasseography ("tasse" is the French word for cup) seem to have been Chinese, having developed the Chinese method of divination based on reading and interpreting the appearance of the insides of bells. When they were turned over, the handle-less Chinese teacups not only resembled bells but were also more easily transported.

This article provides the basics to help you begin reading the tea leaves. Be aware from the outset that the slant you place on interpreting the leaves will very much depend on your spiritual background, divining traditions and psychic intuition.[3]

Steps

1. Select an appropriate teacup. The following aspects of the cup are important:[4]
   • The teacup should be wide, shallow and have sloping sides.
   • It should be white or pale on the interior. Cups with patterning on the inside are not suitable for reading tea leaves.
   • Use cups, not mugs or narrow cups -- the latter make it hard to see.
2. Select the appropriate tea leaves. Fine leaf tea leaves are the best; larger leaves are all right but might be harder to read. If you prefer a certain scent over another, that might also have a bearing on your enjoyment of reading tea leaves. In addition, some scents might connote different spiritual meanings for you.[5]
3. Prepare the area. It is important that the reading take place in a comfortable and quiet space. The way in which you make it comfortable is entirely up to you but it is important to remove distractions and to improve the ambiance:
   • Turn off electronic media such as the TV, cell phones, take the phone off the hook, computers, etc.
   • Use a small table or coffee table to sit around. Add a pretty tablecloth to enhance the appearance.
   • Helen Farley recommends saying a prayer for protection, especially when reading for strangers, to ward off any bad energy.[6]
4. Make the tea. The tea must be made using loose tea leaves obviously! Do not strain the tea when pouring from a teapot; if making straight in the cup, simply add the leaves direct to the cup and pour the hot water over the top.
5. Serve the tea as usual. The person who is asking the question needs to drink the tea and it is that teacup which will be read from. Ask the person to drink until there is about a teaspoon of liquid left in the cup.
   • For people who don't like tea, simply drop a teaspoon or so of tea leaves into a cup they have chosen with a teaspoon of liquid.
6. Ask the cup holder to prepare the tea leaves. There is a deliberate ritual involved here, in order to make the most of the reading:[7]
   • Ask the person to think of the most prominent questions.
   • Have the person swish the cup to the left three times, holding it in their left hand.[8]
   • Ask them to turn the cup upside down on the saucer, gently. This will allow the liquid to drain out.
   • Still with the left hand, have the person turn the cup three times to the left while upside down on the saucer.
   • Have them hold their hands on the cup in that position, think about the important questions again for a count of seven.
7. Turn the cup over so that the handle faces the person seeking the answers.
8. Understand the time line and placement of the tea leaves within the cup.[9]
   • Images near the top (rim) are close time while images near the bottom are distant, images to the right of the handle are in the future, while those to the left are in the past. The distance from rim to base represents approximately 6 months.
   • Images near the handle are images related to home life and family. Images on the opposite side represent work or people other than family or friends.
   • Images at the base of the cup can represent either something very far away, or something of ill omen. The context will determine which is applicable.
   • The rim represents the joyful parts of your life.
   • Images on the left of the handle can represent either the past or people you already know. Images to the right of the handle can represent the future or people you're yet to meet.
   • A big clump of tea leaves with no discernible image might augur trouble on its way. If it is opposite to the handle, the trouble will likely be not of your making but if it is under the handle, it is considered to be of your making.
   • If there remains a drop or two of liquid tea that didn't come off with the draining, these are considered to be tears. It might indicate past or future sadness, dependent on the context of the rest of the reading.
9. Read the tea leaves. To do this, you will need to refer to the meanings of the symbols (images) found in the tea leaves. Once you understand these basics and, after practising the technique often, you will soon become adept at reading the leaves, even for images not set out in this article.
   • The most common images and their meanings can be found in this wikiHow list: wikiHow:Tea Leaf Symbols List.

Video Tips

• If you live in a household in which coffee is the staple drink, then use coffee grains by all means.[10] Whether you are using tea or coffee, however it is necessary to make the brew the traditional way: tea in a teapot and coffee in a jug.
• Avoid using tea with too fine a leaf.
• If using coffee grains, allow the grains to fall to the bottom of the jug.
• It helps if the teacup is "bowl shaped".

Warnings

• Do not use a strainer!
• If your reading turns out bad, don't worry, remember to take everything with a pinch of salt. You're the one in charge of your destiny by making sound and sensible choices using your intellect and experience. On the whole, this is meant to be fun.

Things You'll Need

• Loose tea leaves (coffee grains can be substituted, see above)
• Teacup
• Kettle
• Saucer
• Tea pot/coffee jug

Related wikiHows

• How to Look for Teaching Work in Japan
• How to Make Iced Tea
• How to Brew Gaiwan Tea
• How to Make a Green Tea Face Mask
• How to Grow an Herbal Tea Garden

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Socrates is considered the first major western philosopher along with his pupil Plato.[1] Socrates lived a simple life in Athens, and after being both a stonemason and soldier, he became a philosopher.[2] Socrates invented the Socratic method of inquiry which sought to highlight people's ignorance; however, this didn't go down well and Socrates was executed in 399 B.C.E. at the age of 71.[3] Steps

1. Begin by reading some of Plato's dialogues. The dialogues pit Socrates against notable Athenians, from sophists, politicians, poets, and wise men. These dialogues will teach you a lot; start by reading some of the early Socratic dialogues, like Ion, Laches, and Euthydemus. In the early dialogue, the format is much the same--with Socrates asking a question to the interlocutors, and having them replying "yes" or "no" until their ideas are shown to be false. At the end, Socrates makes a long speech, giving his own ideas and thoughts. In the middle and later dialogues, Socrates' speeches are much longer, like in The Republic.
2. Don't change your life immediately. Try to do it gradually. If you change straight away it'll be a shock to your system and you'll find it even harder. If you want to succeed, do things bit by bit, so as to build up a resistance or strength before going the full mile and discarding everything. (You don't necessarily need to give up everything, just lead a simple life, although if you want to truly be like Socrates you should give up everything.)
   • Wear simpler clothes.
   • Eat plainer foods.
   • Do not waste your money on material things.
3. Follow Socratic principles and ideals. The Socratic method of investigation should be the main focus of your beliefs. The Socratic method follows this basic pattern: Socrates asks someone a question, like "What is holy?". The interlocutor will then give a big speech on what he thinks it is without ever giving a true answer. Socrates then asks the interlocutor to answer "yes" or "no" to his questions. By this method, he shows the inconsistencies or irrationalities in the person's thinking. To learn more about the Socratic method, look at How to argue using the Socratic method.
   • Question everything.
   • Do not merely take something at face value, or do something because someone says so, whether it is one person or a hundred.
4. AthensIf you truly wish to live like Socrates, then you need to devote yourself entirely to philosophy and searching for the truth. Socrates gave up all work to dedicate himself to questioning others. This might be difficult in these modern times, but not impossible.
   • Make sure you ask anyone you meet who is willing to answer philosophical questions.
   • Like Socrates, dissect their answers until you prove that they are on shaky ground.
5. Make sure where you debate with others is in a public area. This is so that many people will be able to see. Socrates used the Socratic method in public in order to teach many others through the interlocutor's mistakes and to humble the usually rash characters that Socrates debated with. It is best for you to debate with the arrogant, as you'll be doing them a favour by proving them wrong.
6. Never be afraid to voice what you think, or more importantly the truth. Even if it makes you an outcast and hated, it is important to stick with your thinking and the truth. Fear is not an emotion a philosopher should have and a philosopher should never follow the majority when they do evil, a principle advocated by Socrates. While this made him a laughing stock in Athens, his memory has been revered and his teachings followed by the greatest philosophers ever since.
7. Never fear death. Socrates once opined that "Death may be the greatest of all human blessings". Socrates believed in an afterlife and often described scenes from heaven which often had double, allegorical meanings. If you are an atheist though, Socrates philosophy of metaphysics catered for this. Just remember that death is a release from everything that is evil and painful, to a place of eternal rest.
8. Show humility. As a philosopher, you are going to get a lot of stick. People just hate to be proved wrong and the fact that Socrates' philosophy is centered around showing how wrong everyone is, you're bound to have clashes. If you practise humility, it will ensure that you have a lot of admirers who will be drawn to you for your stoic calm and inner strength, which is an admirable quality. From here, you can spread your philosophy to a more sympathetic and interested audience who won't storm off in anger at being corrected.
9. Remember the Socratic paradoxes. These are:
   • No one desires evil.
   • No one errs or does wrong willingly or knowingly.
   • Virtue - all virtue - is knowledge.
   • Virtue is sufficient for happiness.
   • The phrase "Socratic paradox" can also refer to a self-referential paradox, originating in Socrates' phrase, "I know that I know nothing". Socrates believed that the first step towards wisdom is knowing that ultimately you are ignorant; if you want to be a philosopher, remember that you know nothing.
10. Stick to your principles even in face of death, as Socrates did, as described in Phaedo. Socrates showed no fear or distress at the fact he had been wrongly accused, and even refused to flee from prison when he had a chance, as he believed that, that would break his social contract with the people and it would seem as if he feared death.
11. Who am I?Be sure to "know thyself". This is much harder than it seems and only you will be able to find that; the unexamined life is not worth living. Nobody else can help you there–it is all up to you.
12. Meet distinguished or influential people. Using the Socratic method, show how those that originally thought they knew much are lacking. This will give you more of a profile and experience. If you can disprove a university professor at Oxford who lectures in Ethics, then you will know that you are getting somewhere. In fact, Socrates debated primarily with people who were considered wise and just by Athenians of the day. There was an oracle who claimed that Socrates was the wisest man ever. Socrates tried to disapprove the oracle, but ultimately failed. He concluded that he was wise because he knew that he knew nothing, whereas all the people who were considered wise, thought they were wise, but were not.
13. Remember that truth is the most important thing ever and you must do all you can to find it. The Socratic method is one path to find truth. Only by having knowledge of right and wrong can you ever be wise and therefore good. The Socratic paradox-All virtue is knowledge; that is, knowledge of good and evil.

Tips

• Benjamin FranklinStick to your principles at all times and if you are faltering, read a quote or passage from a philosopher like Plato; Benjamin Franklin is another good philosopher to read.

Warnings

• You may suffer from loneliness, abuse, and perhaps the danger of death; especially if you embarrass powerful people or show the masses their faults. Socrates said to the people of Athens, "Most excellent men, are you who are a citizen of Athens, greatest of all the cities and the most famous for wisdom and power, not ashamed to care for the acquisition of wealth, when you neither care for the perfection of your soul."

Things You'll Need

• Copies of Socrate's texts (books, e-books, or online texts)
• Simple clothing and lifestyle

Related wikiHows

• How to Prepare for a Socratic Seminar
• How to Argue Using the Socratic Method
• How to Express Your Feelings on Philosophy
• How to Express Your Feelings on Philosophy
• How to Become a Western Philosophy Guru
• How to Learn the Philosophy of a Genius

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Whether you are just a beginner, or someone who has spent a number of years learning French, it is important to keep your language skills well honed, and to find ways to improve these skills as often as possible.

If you have at the very least a basic knowledge of French, then you can follow these steps to advancing your knowledge of a language that is spoken in 57 countries and territories around the world.[1]

Steps

1. Work on your pronunciation. Smooth flowing French means continual practice at acquiring a good accent. Good pronunciation helps to ensure that you are easily understood and will enable you to enjoy speaking the language more fluently. Ways to improve your pronunciation include:
   • Listen to native French speakers and repeat what they say. Watch a good French movie and imitate your favorite actor's accents. Listen to native French speakers on your iPod or MP3 player as you're traveling to work, and repeat what they say (when appropriate).
   • Sing French music. Download your favorite songs and sing along. Music is an excellent method by which to perfect accent, and most times, you won't even notice the effort involved.
   • Ensure that you have a good French teacher. If you're not studying as part of your college curriculum, take up French classes after work, or on the weekends. Your teacher should be able to help correct your pronunciation by picking out your weaker points and giving you specific exercises to improve your intonation, inflexion, and sound linking.
2. Revise your grammar constantly. Even though you have already learned certain grammar points, it continues to be important to revisit your grammar learning until the individual points become second nature. This can be made a lot more fun and engaging if you use multimedia to assist:
   • Use your iPod or MP3 player to listen to grammar drills. Do this while exercising, traveling, relaxing on your bed, etc.
   • Use computer games and exercises to improve your grammar. There are many games and exercises available for free online, or you can purchase CD-Roms for your computer. Do a search of "French grammar games", "French spelling games", "French verb games", etc., and see what suits your interests most. Look for games that French speakers play - these will be an excellent way to improve your French.[2]
3. Increase your vocabulary. As with your native language, aim to make learning vocabulary a lifelong learning process. While learning vocabulary gets easier the more you do it, and the faster you are able to work out meanings by context and association, it can be helpful to continue learning vocabulary as a discrete exercise in its own right. The best ways to do this include:
   • Keep a notebook for writing down words you discover when reading, etc. You can choose to look them up later rather than constantly interrupting a good read with dictionary hunting. It is helpful to use categories for the words, such as travel, clothes, body, fashion, car, movies, etc. to make finding the words easier, and to provide contextual association in your mind.
   • Make use of Post-It notes to write down the names of household items.
   • Create a scrapbook. Cut out pictures of items by theme and add the French words to them. A craft exercise on the one hand, a French lesson on the other!
   • Use events that interest you to provide intrinsic motivation for learning new words. For example, if you're a soccer (football) fan, why not watch the games in French, and learn the words in French?[3]
   • When you learn a new word in your native language, look it up in French at the same time.
   • Read the instructions accompanying your appliances and software in French. Most manuals now come in a range of languages, making it easy for you to learn new technological or technical terms quickly, with the ability to cross-check with the English version.
   • Aim to learn 5 new words every day - that amounts to 35 new words a week, 1820 words a year!
   • Buy a visual dictionary in French. It does not need to have any English in it, although bilingual visual dictionaries do exist. This is an inspiring and very useful way to learn a wide range of vocabulary and is particularly helpful for technical terms that you might need for work, or for a hobby.
4. Find French books in your favorite genre Surround yourself with the language. Whether it's books, radio, the Internet, or TV, every form of media will open up your learning possibilities and enhance the experience for you. If there isn't much French in your area, download podcasts. You'll find yourself understanding things much better and remembering words that you haven't seen in a while if you mix up the media approaches to learning.
   • Read French as often as possible. Reading will expand your vocabulary and broaden your immersion in the language. You will learn easily while reading because you're enjoying yourself. Just be sure to pick books that interest you, fiction or non-fiction.
   • Many DVDs now come with the option of French. Switch to French when watching - whether it is dubbed or subtitled, you're still learning using an engaging medium.
   • Listen to French radio stations. There are hundreds of stations broadcasting in French and many of them can be easily accessed online.[4] You can also check out what French options are available on foreign language stations in your location.
5. Find a conversation partner. Plenty of French speakers would like to improve their English in return for helping you with your French. It's great practice, and a native speaker can easily set you straight on all sorts of details that never appear in textbooks. You can practice with a conversation partner in a number of ways:
   • As pen-pals over the Internet using email, chat clients or IRC;
   • Using social networking clients (use Twitter, etc., only in French);
   • Get onto a French wiki and edit only in French and communicate with the other people on the site in French;[5]
   • Talk with French pals using software like Google Talk or Skype; or,
   • If you find somebody in your area, have conversations regularly, in person.
   • Most importantly, don't just talk. Remember to also perfect your French listening skills. Being a language that is spoken quickly, with much liaison, listening for understanding French well is a vital skill.
6. Go French for the weekend. Grab a buddy who has a more advanced level of French, or someone who is a native French speaker, and aim to speak nothing but French with them for a day or two over the weekend. Go shopping, dining, and having fun--all in French.
7. Travel. Visit a French speaking country and soak up the language and culture all at once. Don't just limit yourself to France or Belgium - if you live in North America, Quebec is on your doorstep, and with there are many other French speaking countries, regions, and cultures around the world in Africa, the Pacific, the Caribbean, etc. It's a good excuse for a vacation and a learning experience!
   • Book into a language school in a French country or city. Try to live with a local family so that you speak French all the time.
   • Look for volunteer work, or casual work. Working is an excellent way to improve your ability in another language quickly. If you get to work in a busy industry, such as waiting or cooking, you will be compelled out of necessity to improve your French very quickly.
   • Teach English as a Second Language in a French-speaking country. You will need to have a good grasp of both languages for this one, and as you teach, you will definitely learn!
8. Naturally, it's best if in French but it's important to start somewhere! Understand that language learning is also cultural learning. While learning and improving your second language skills, it is equally important to improve your cultural understanding.
   • Read French history. Read widely, because French history extends well beyond France.
   • Learn as much as you can about French cultural works, such as art, fashion, and movies.
   • Dine on French food occasionally, or learn to make your own. Read up on French cuisine and history.
   • Learn about French politics. Again, don't focus simply on France but remember to look at other French-speaking countries.

Video Tips

• A French-English dictionary is vital. Purchase a good quality version as soon as possible and use it frequently.
• If your French is good enough, you may switch to a French-French dictionary.
• Check out reputable media sites for French learning activities, such as the BBC.
• Stay focused on your progress. Sometimes it might seem that the learning is not going anywhere but persevere; your mind is storing away the learning diligently.

Things You'll Need

• Internet access
• Up-to-date grammar books
• Up-to-date dictionary
• Notebook
• DVDs, books, other media
• iPod or MP3 player, free French podcasts
• Travel ideas
• Pals to speak French with

Related wikiHows

• How to Speak French
• How to Learn French
• How to Tell Time in French
• How to Count to 50 in French
• How to Discuss Flowers in French
• How to Learn French from Scratch

Sources and Citations

• Free French dictée -- http://www.ladictee.fr/
• Wordreference, http://www.wordreference.com -- a good online English-French and French-English dictionary, including forums where you can ask questions

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