Step 1: Don’t feel like you need others’ approval. Many people fear they will be rejected and this keeps them from talking to strangers in the room. Try to let go of any negative feelings you may have and keep an optimistic attitude when approaching someone. This will give you a confident look.

Step 2: Be prepared before heading into the mingling situation. Think about topics to discuss, and that way you will be more comfortable when you start up a conversation.

Step 3: If you have any discomfort, try to just release it. If you are uncomfortable, chances are the person you are talking to will sense it, and he or she also will feel awkward about talking to you. It is important to remain confident and positive. Think about what type of person you would like to talk to, and try to have an attitude that resembles what you imagine. For example, use confident body language like standing up straight and do not cross your arms.

Step 4: Try to overcome shyness. This again brings us to letting go of any feelings of discomfort. It goes back to a lack of confidence which keeps us from talking to others. Having a confident self-image will make us look appealing to others.

Step 5: Don’t wait for them to come to you. Introduce yourself. Be sure to say your name clearly so the person will remember it.

Step 6: Listen to others with an open ear. People can tell when others aren’t really listening to them, and that can result in hurt feelings. When you talk, you want others to listen as well.

Step 7: Just be yourself- this will result in you feeling comfortable. You know who you are inside and out, so let others see it for themselves as well.

Tips

• Small talk is temporary, and doesn’t have to last all night. If you sense a conversation has a lull, end it by thanking the other person for talking with you and make your exit.

Items Needed

• Confidence
• Strangers

Step 1: Brainstorm for ideas. Surely a neighbor or two has had an ant problem. Ask what they did to get rid of the bugs. Or do some research with a friend to come up with the best ways to clear your house of the ant problem.

Step 2: Make sure all of your food is in a sealed container so the ants cannot get into it. Ants that are hungry will go in other places to find food. They will be following chemical trails that are left by other ants.

Step 3: Get laurel leaves, because they work in keeping ants away from specific areas. Try putting the laurel in a sugar can.

Step 4: Use chalk to keep ants away from the kitchen. Ants move away from any lines of chalk. Plan these chalk lines with caution.

Step 5: Corn meal also works. This is good for homes with pets or children, as this ingredient is not poisonous. Ants will carry it home to eat it, but cannot digest it. Put corn meal in areas where ants are likely to roam.

Step 6: Boric acid also is beneficial in getting rid of ants. It also is safe for humans to use. Or you can pour about one tablespoon of maple syrup, or anything sweet that ants attract to on a flat plate or saucer.

Tips

• Sprinkle boric acid around syrup so ants have to walk through it to access the syrup. You can even use a Q-tip to ensure distribution of this powder so the ants are more likely to come in contact with it.
• The ants’ skeleton is on the outside, also known as exoskeletons.

Items Needed

• Ants
• Maple syrup
• Boric acid
• Laurel leaves
• Q-tips

Step 1: Find a bicycle rental company and get your bike. There are options ranging from three hours to seven days, so it really depends on your schedule.

Step 2: There are many bike paths and racks around Amsterdam’s historic canals and other locations, which makes for an exciting and affordable way to see this city’s beautiful landscapes and attractions.

Tips

• Most bike rental facilities require at least two passengers.
• Bike locks and maps are generally included with bicycle rentals.
• Bikes are maintained at high quality to ensure safety of its riders.
• Children’s seats and bells also can be included if desired with the bike rental.

Warnings

• Be careful when riding in unfamiliar territories, especially when children are participating.

Step 1: Visit the Web site for Keyboard Commands (see Resources). There are other similar pages, but this one has been found to be the most useful.

Step 2: Work with trial and error with some of the commands found on that page. Try these commands on email, blogs and any writing programs such as Microsoft Word to ensure it works properly.

Step 3: Bookmark the page so you can locate it easily for a quick reference when you need to look up a foreign word or punctuation mark for your letter.

Tips

• If you wish to use something that doesn’t seem so amateur, see the other Resources included.
• Try magnifying the Web page so you can read the text more clearly and make sure you are seeing the correct marks.
• Print out the page you found most resourceful. That way, you will have it at your fingertips and won’t have to revisit it on the Web when you need it.

Items Needed

• Computer
• Printer

Step 1: Have any friends who have complained of a stiff neck or back? How did they resolve the problem? Try the methods they used to see if it really worked.

Step 2: Find a buddy to help you with your knots because it will be difficult to do this yourself. Get comfortable, and have your friend place their hands on your shoulders and gently squeeze to determine how tight your shoulders are. Have them locate your spine, because they will not want to apply pressure there, or on the shoulder blades.

Step 3: Using the elbow, lean into the top part of the shoulder. He or she should ask you if you feel enough pressure, so advise them if you need more or less pressure at this point.

Step 4: Make sure to keep the lines of communication open, alerting your friend if you feel any pain or discomfort, or if your friend is not being affective to your back knots. Give guidance while the knots are being worked out.

Tips

• Make sure your friend is careful during this massage session; you do not want to end up worse than before this method started.
• If your knots do not go away, it might be beneficial to see a chiropractor to make sure it is nothing serious.

Items Needed

• Friend to work out your knots
• Comfortable place to lie down