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restaurant host and freelance writer.

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December 22, 2005

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August 4, 2014

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"Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living, and, above all those who live without love" - Albus Dumbledore

Hi, I'm Laura. I'm a senior in college & I'm slowly deciding what I want to do with my life. I love Harry Potter, coffee, writing, and sleeping (amongst other things). I'll never claim to know everything, but I'm confident in my ability to help people with their problems. Feel free to send me an inbox question; I'll get back to you!

A few thoughts I've gathered from my teenage years (and being on this site for most of them!):
1. If you Google song lyrics, the song will come up 99% of the time.
2. Dress to fit your body type, and buy the size that fits. If you're a size 6, squeezing into a 4 won't make you look skinnier. It makes you look fat when you aren't.
3. You will never regret waiting to lose your virginity.
4. There is such a thing as a stupid question, but we're all allowed to ask them.

BU 2014 :)

wicked awesome conversations

^my forum, liven it up a little?

advice

Ok so i am 13 5'2' and 120 lbs. My mom said that I need to lose 15-20 lbs before we go to Hawaii in March. but I love junk food. Any tips on how to give up junk food?
P.S.- If I lose it I get a designer swimsuit. So plz hlp!

OKay first off, your weight is fine. Exercise will just tone up your muscles.

As for giving up junk food (which WILL probably help you lose weight, if you still think you need to) first switch to baked versions of the things you're eating. Baked Cheetos taste EXACTLY the same has regular ones, and they're much better for you. Ask mom to buy less junk. Get healthy and tasty alternatives to junk food, like:
- baby carrots with peppercorn ranch
- sliced apples and peanut butter
- fresh vegetables
- lowfat granola bars
- trail mix

Meals are easy to make healthier versions of too. Bake or grill chicken instead of frying it (marinate it in something like lemon pepper or honey mustard marinade first). Use less cheese when you have tacos or chicken parmesean. Dab off excess grease off a pizza before you eat it (and put lots of veggies on it too). Eat a salad before dinner- you'll eat less of the main course AND get your vegetable servings!

hope I helped & have fun in Hawaii! :D

15/f. i'm 5'3" and i weight about 135. i want to loose like 15-20 pounds. but my mom wont let me. my dad says it wouldnt hurt. i need advice on what to eat or do, no diet pills or anything because i dont want my mom knowing but any specific foods should i eat? i know most of the usual fruits, veggies, noo beef or junk food. but anything in specific or any specific workouts? thankss!

Your mom probably doesn't want you to lose weight because she's worried that it could develop into an eating disorder, because it's so common at this age. Tell her that you want to inprove your health and you'd feel better about yourself if you lost a few pounds. Let her know (and remind her periodically) that you'll do it the healthy way, by eating. Just improve WHAT you're eating- whole wheat bread instead of Wonder bread, ask Mom and Dad to buy healthier snacks, 1% or skim milk instead of whole, etc. And beef is okay to eat, just trim away fat first and use lean hamburger.

Your BMI is roughly 23.9 right now, which is healthy. I think the best thing you could do is just excerise moderately most days, like running or walking. Go walking with friends... its so much fun, you forget you're exercising!

By exercising, you'll tone up your muscles, release endorphins, and feel better about yourself in general. This, combined with better eating habits, will put you where you want to be.

hope I helped, and good luck! :)

im 14. i have a dry t-zone, but it gets oily when i use moisturizer. i use cetaphil moisturizer and it doesnt seem to actually like...absorb into my skin. so i usually wind up putting my makeup on when my moisturizer isnt even completely dry. i know this causes my makeup to be splotchy. (i use bare minerals ) i was wonderin if there were any good moisturizers that sound good for me?
also, if u know some good makeups, that would be appreciated as well.
thanks!

I use Clean and Clear Morning Glow Mosturizer. It's only $7 at Target, Walmart, etc. There's a few different moisturizers that are usually sold next to each other, ones without skin brighteneres, for example. They all work really well.

Once you get a moisturizer that actually absorbs into your skin, your makeup shouldn't be splotchy anymore.

Great foundations are Dream Matte Mousse and pure.Makeup, both by Maybelline; and Clinique... I don't remember the exact name, but it's sold in a little jar. If you get that one, the skincare consultants will help you pick the best type for your skin.

hope I helped! :)

It`s me .. again about the iPod lol.

I just wanted to say [ THANKSS ] for answering all of my lame questions about it. I finally updated it. =] Now, I have another little favor. I exidently .. [ somehoww ] got pictures on it.

I`m excited because I never knew howw but now, I want to delete them because I don't like the ones that are on it.

My question: How do I delete my pictures & how do I upload new ones? Thanksss.

"Part of a Compilation" Confusion, Clarified With Screenshots:
- Step One : http://i13.tinypic.com/2ufyauw.jpg
- Step Two : http://i10.tinypic.com/49bo6s4.jpg

This doesn't really matter, it's just annoying to me if some artists are under compliations and may explain why your music wasn't there :)

Photos:

When you plug in your iPod and click on its name in the source list, there's a "photos" tab (along the top) it'll say something like, sync photos from... or something (I don't have a photo-ready iPod, but I've fixed my friends; so I don;t know the exact wording.) So anyways, you uncheck whatever folders are checked (they're usually under my pictures). If you wanna add just some photos from your computer, make a folder in my documents, copy them to that folder, then check that folder under the "Photos" tab in iTunes.

:)

ive been wearing a ton of mascara lately. i dont feel pretty without it. but now ive noticed my eyelashes are thinner and WAY shorter. no matter how much mascara I wear it seems like they just fell out.

is this possible? how do I get my long pretty eyelashes back?!

I'm sure its possible, but it's probably just your eyes playing tricks on you.

Use a nice mascara like Maybelline Great Lash, not some cheap dollar store one that will clump like there's no tomorrow.

And when you take it off, be gentle. Use baby oil and water- I think it helps condition your lashes, and gets rid of every last bit of mascara without hardly any rubbing at all.

Any codes to unlock websites. Proxys don't work at my school? What can I try?

If your school's tech department is that teachnologically advanced, they've surely got a way of checking what you've been doing. MY school does that, and proxys WORK on our network, besides the obvious ones like unblockmyspace.

Any other method that would get you onto a forbiden website would be considered hacking. And for most school districts, that constitutes permament suspension of computer privledges. Which pretty much equals eduation suicide since you do so much work on the computer. Don't risk it by hacking the network... unless you're an information technology major, in which case you get extra credit for it :) but seriously, don't.

Hi. I asked you a question before about my iPod but now i have another. My old question:

http://www.advicenators.com/qview.php?q=464823

Anyways, I got all of my songs on my Library & everything and I added a few new songs. The problem is, when I click to update, my songs don't show up on my iPod. I just have all of my old songs.

What's wrong with it & how can I fix it? Please help.

Make sure your iPod's software is up to date. iTunes will tell you when you hook up your iPod if it needs an update or not. Then, check to see if the music you added is "Part of a compilation" (right click->get info->Info; it's in the bottom right corner) If it is, the music was added to your "compliations" list (it's near artists on the music menu)

If not, just try updating your iPod again, making sure all the songs you're trying to add are checked. As another option, you can disable automatic updating and manually manage music. This will allow you to add just the songs you want but your iPod will no longer add new songs when you connect it to your computer (although right now, your iPod's not doing this anyways!)

To enable manual updating, just click your iPod's name in the source list and select "Manually Manage Music" (if you don't get how to do this, I can make a couple screenshot tutorials for you).

Good luck :)

If all this still isn't working for you, feel free to ask me more questions or IM me. Screenname's on my column :)

i have an ipod nano, the white one that came out like last year and i heard that the ipod battery dies after like 150 charges.. is this true? if not, when does the ipod battery die?

They don't "die", per se. After a set number of charges, the battery stops being more efficient. It can no longer charge to its full capacity and will die sooner than... what's the battery life now, 24 hours? You'll gradually see it lasting 23 hours, 22 hours, etc.

Cell phones are the same way. Eventually, they won't hold a charge and you get a new one. iPod batteries last quite a bit longer, at least in my experience. I've had my iPod mini for almost two years now, and the battery still lasts 8-10 hours, easy. And I use it constantly.

Most likely, you won't even notice it's dying at all, since most people charge their iPods everytime they add music. You'll probably get a new iPod (whether it be from replacing the evetually obsolete nano, having it run over by a car, dropped in a pool, or crushed) long before a short battery life becomes an issue :)

ok this is like totally weird but i lost my ipod IN MY OWN HOUSE!!! i tried retracing my steps but i can't find it. and i know i had it like 2 hours ago and i never left the house. i have no idea where i put it. does anyone have any ideas how to find it. this is really akward but i always loose my things

HEEELPPP!!!!

Retrace your steps again. And this time, look under every possible seat cushion, under every end table, and any surface big enough to hold an iPod. Look in the fridge if you've eaten anything from it. Bread drawer, microwave, under the bed, in the bathroom, everywhere.

Also, look in the last place you'd look, like the vegetable crisper. I've found the TV remote there more than once!

It'll turn up eventually. It's somewhere in the house, like you said. Most likely, someone'll be vacuuming and be all, "Whaaa? why is there an iPod under the couch?"

good luck! :)

Does anyone know any good flavors of vitamin water? I've only tried lemonade. And is it actually good for you?

I know its not the greatest... but it keeps me from drinking soda, which is worse for you I'd imagine.

I personally like orange orange, dragonfruit, and revive (the lemon-lime one)

Before you get all excited that you get to be sarcastic by saying use google or something, I tried that and I got nothing.
There was a song on the radio and the guy singing it kind of had a high voice. I remember two words of the lyrics: "solar eclipse" or something with eclipse. Also the chorus had the guy saying a word that sounded like "heeeeee". Does anyone know what this song is?

"Eclipse" by Thrice, perhaps?

ok so i have a lot of zits lately
and i barely EVER got them!!!
and i got this really ad one on my nose
and the type where its under the skin and its hurts REALLY bad
i dont wanna get pro active cause i dont want to have to spend that kind of money when it only works on some people
and i have this clean and clear fighting pimples all day stuff- that doesnt work
and i have this neutroguena rapid clear 8 hour thing and it doesnt work either
i dont know what to use!!!
but i want it to go away
anyone have good stuff that i can use??
that like you can buy at walgreens or jewel
something like that!!
not that you have to order and all the trouble =]

Clean and Clear Advantage works really well. I use it daily and it starts working in a day by making zits a LOT smaller and less red. For a cleanser I recommend Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash. It's incredibly gentle and doesn't irritate my skin at all.

If these breakouts keep up and don't go away, your regular doctor can give you antibiotics for cystic acne (theyll destroy the bacteria causing them and prevent excessive scarring) as well as stronger treatments like Retin-A micro.

What exactly is trans fat? I've heard that it's a kind of fat that just sticks to you and is impossible to lose. How badly does it affect weight and health? Should I amke sure everything I eat has trans fat? I'm worried that it'll build up and I'll get fat, and I won't be able to lose the weight.
Thanks

Trans fats occur naturally, but in very low amounts. They're mostly man-made by hydrogenating oils. Almost anything with "Partially-hydrogenated" in the ingredient list has trans fats to some extent. Peanut butter has very few, but the natural alternative is much better for you.

Trans fats are used to make a product's shelf life longer. Ever wondered why a granola bar lasts three years? Trans fats don't go bad as quickly.

Bottom line, they're not good. Eating a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fruits, veggies, whole grains, etc. is fine. What little trans fats you consume (like, from a PB&J sandwich as opposed to fried chicken) won't hurt you that much. But the amount the average person eats is far too high. Try to eliminate trans fats altogether. This job will get easier by the end of 2008 (or 2007, I don't remmeber the date) because the government will require all foods to have trans fats on the nutrition label.

-http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2003/503_fats.html
-http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4776

Why is it that even though my internet is working for explorer and AIM, but when i try to buy a song of Itunes it says that it can not connect or that my internet isnt working and dont say firewall is blocking it because my firewall is disabled.

thanks =)

Well first off, don't EVER disable your firewall, unless you're installing a program. No offense, but that's a stupid thing to do. Just make iTunes an exception instead. This is very easy to do with Windows Firewall. Other firewalls, I'm sure it's very easy too, but Windows Firewall is what most people use, I believe because it's free. Also make sure you don't have two firewalls because that screws up your computer.

Disconnect& reconnect your internet modem. Restart your computer. Run virus scans. Clsoe other programs since iTunes often slows your computer to a crawl. Call 1 800 MU APPLE to make sure your account works.

EDIT: Turning off the firewall opens up your computer to getting more viruses that can (and probably will) screw up your computer even more. If you wanna run your computer with a live internet connection and no firewall, be my guest!

WHEN I TRY TO IM SOMEONE, IT WON'T LET ME!
What is wrong!?!?! i tried shutting off my computer, & coming back on, but it still won't work. Whats goinig on?

Firewall problem?
Computer Virus?
Server issues?
Blocked by the person you're trying to message?
Faulty internet?

You should really be more specific... what program are you using? Can you sign on at all?

where can i find more of these?

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b232/paige712/hahaha.jpg

Thanks so much

http://www.ponandzi.com/

=)

what are some good places for tote bags? like i wanna use one for school to hold some of my books for school. i'm looking for one that has pockets inside and is sturdy. big enough to fit like 2-3 binders. and is cute! also everyone has them from like hollister, american eagle... but i want one that like no one else has! thanks so much =]

I got a messenger bag from Delia's. It's incredibly strong & holds all my textbooks and supplies. The particular style I got isn't big enough for my master notebook (a 3 inch binder chock-full of paper) but it holds everything else. There were other styles that could easily hold binders though.

Victoria's Secret has really nice tote bags as well.

I was just at my eyedoctor today, and I got a pamphlet saying that you can try a free sample on in the office. I'd ask whoever you get contacts from about it.

thank you for your response =]
thats what you replied to my question. but do you know a website where a can get like a free trial sample for freshlook color contacts? lol. thnx again

-http://www.acuvue.com/acuvue_colours.htm
(print out certificate)

-http://www.freshlookcontacts.com/freshlook/tryafreepair_pg1.jsp?prod=0

I don't know if that's what you meant.. but I don't think there's many legit sites that are just gonna GIVE you lenses. You could go blind if you put unclean lenses in your eyes, and they'd be held liable. Best bet is to go to an eyecare professional and they'll know a lot more. Plus, they can recommend brands and styles that are good for you eyes. While you're there, get an eye exam done if possible. They're not painful; the glaucoma test is just uncomfortable for a second, but you'll need it to get a prescription for contacts. You'll need one even if you dont have actual prescription lenses.... hope that makes sense.

does sunsilk anti poof 24/7 creme make your hair really straight? like is it a straightening creme? what sa good straightening shampoo & conditioner & creme.? thanks

Sunsilk is a great product. I straighten my hair everyday, and I use the pink one for moisture. The purple one doesn't straighten curls much, but it works fine for moisturizing.

I've used tons of conditioners that I loved. So, basically get one that you like the smell of and is designed for frizzy and/or dry/brittle hair. Which, by the way, is most of them. Pantene Smooth and Sleek, Garnier Fructis, Sunsilk, Herbal Essences, Bed Head, the list goes on and on. Whatever one you decide, leave it in for at least two minutes otherwise it just works as detangler.

Straightening products. There's more of those than people in the United States (slightly exaggerated, but you get my point). To weed through 93275678687 products before you grow old, I'll narrow it down for you. You'll want a shine serum like Garnier Fructis, John Freida, or Paul Mitchell. These'll tame flyaways and make your hair smooth and sleek. Then, apply a straghtening cream like Loreal Hot, Sunsilk 24/7, or Bed Head. These two together should be enough to keep your hair straight. If you're paranoid about breaking hair and/or have extremely stubborn hair, you can also mist your hair with a heat protecting spray like VO5 or Tresemme.

Lastly, make sure your straightener gets really hot! Not too hot, but if you use it on a low level, you'll go over the same spot more times than you really need to.

do you know where to get a freshlook contact lens free sample?

I was just at my eyedoctor today, and I got a pamphlet saying that you can try a free sample on in the office. I'd ask whoever you get contacts from about it.

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