about

My name is Laura and I'm 28 years old. I live in Illinois and work as a licensed veterinary technician. I am a runner, bookworm and obviously, an animal lover.


I've been on this site since '05. I take hiatuses, but I'm never gone for good. I enjoy giving advice and I've made such lovely friends on this site that I couldn't imagine giving it up!

chat it up yo.


ps. here's my bestestestest friend.
I love him. You will too :)

advice

i just bought an ipod touch, and i was wondering if anyone could give me some helpful information about it, like experiences you had with it, and things i should be careful and stuff, i know the basics, but yeah, i just want to know any helpful information you have, about apps, itunes, ipod touch, etc. :)

thanks!

I recently bought an iPod Touch as well, and I LOVE it. I'm always on it and I'm pretty much addicted. I would probably be typing this answer on it right now if it wasn't across the room charging XD


I've dropped mine, though, and it didn't break. Like, I was running on the treadmill and dropped it on the belt while it was moving and it survived, so the person who dropped theirs must have meant the wood floor under their bed or something...


Anyways, the Apps are really cool. I'm always updating my Twitter or checking the weather or finding movie times for my friends and I, etc.


All in all, the iPod Touch is great and I can guarantee you will love it. It's really easy to get used to, just mess around with it :)


-Laura (17-f)

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ok so i thot (im gonna make up names) melissa* was my best friend but she thot emma* was her best friend emma* thot jessica* was her best friend and no i thinks im there bff but anyways melissa* said shes my best friend now because emma* was being mean w/ jessica * jessica* is being a meany and being just soooo mean 2 melissa* because jessica* thinks melissa did sumthing but melissa told me she didnt so i dont no who 2 beleive help me?

Plain and simple: don't get involved.


Trust me, it will only cause much more drama and a ton more fighting. Just stay out of it and let your friends work it out.


-Laura (17-f)

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im 14/f and theres this guy i like and i feel stupid about he cause we dont even know each other at all like weve never even said a word to each other befor i want to get to know him better but hes reallyshy and dosnt talk much to people he dosnt know what should i do??

Talk to him. Introduce yourself!



Here are a few links I think will help you:


http://www.advicenators.com/qview.php?q=541093
http://www.advicenators.com/qview.php?q=548311


Good luck!


-Laura (17-f)

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15/f
so one a two days ago me and my mom and dad were downstairs looking at her new truck (there divorced) and we live in apartments and we were in the open garage and this hot guy my age walked past us and was looking at me the whole timeee he walked past us and my dad like gave him a death stare because he was "checking me out" and i had never seen him before and then yesterday me and my friend went swimming at the pool and he showed up by him self but he was looking at me like the whole fricken time! like all day. and then his hot friend came. and they were like trying to impress me, you could tell. but he continued to look at me!
but he never talked to me.
sooo should i introduce myself or what?!
ughhh and why do you think he was staring at me the whole time?!?!
im so clueless!
helppppppppp/

Talk to him! What have you got to lose?


Just go up to him and start up a conversation. Get to know him, learn about him, and let him do the same for you. :)


-Laura (17-f)


EDIT: Because he's a guy and you're a girl and he was interested in you.

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15/f.

I need a zebra print bikini!! Preferably 30 dollars or less. And I need it from some sort of store that I can actually go to conveniently. Online is not an option. If anyone knows stores that sell zebra print bikinis, let me know!

I want something like this:

http://www.busysummer.com/zebra-bikini-p-42.html

Pac Sun has them! I saw a girl there buying one and it was adorable :)


They're also having a sale on bathing suits since summer is ending.


-Laura (17-f)

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Im going to lake george for a week in august, what should i bring?

Start with the obvious: clothes. Bring enough outfits (and undies!) for each day that you are there, plus one extra outfit and a few extra pairs of underwear. Also, make sure you bring a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt, too, just in case. Make sure to bring gym shoes, too.


Then, make a list of toiletries you're going to need, like your toothbrush, face soap, deodorant, etc and check them off as you pack them.


Finally- bring the extras. Some stuff I just brought with on my vacation that can be considered "extra": a book to read, cell phone and/or iPod chargers, hair straightener, etc.


Have fun! :)


-Laura (17-f)

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Let me just start out by saying that I am in a comitted relationship with my boyfriend and I trully love him a lot. But there's this other guy that I met at my new job and he sortve developed a crush on me. Now I'm not the type to cheat on anyone so that's out of the question. My boyfriend has no idea of this because if I tell him he'll flip out and possibly end it =(.. But this other guy he's really fun to hang out with he's funny and outgoingg and I just have a good time with him ..I just don't know what to do. I don't wanna leave my boyfriend for this guy because that's like leaving the one you love for the one you like..but then again I enjoy being with this guy ? What can I do ?

As somebody said below, this new guy is just that: new. It's normal to have an infatuation with a new guy who you enjoy being with. But if you REALLY loved your boyfriend, you wouldn't even think twice about it.


It's fine to like this guy, but it's not fine to hide it from your boyfriend and question your relationship over it. I think you should stick with your boyfriend and just be friends with this new guy.


-Laura (17-f)

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Alright, so does anyone know a good makeup foundation that does not make your face look shiny?
Every time I put on foundation, it's fine till four hours later when it starts making my face look oily and shiny. It's really annoying. My face is normal when it comes to how oily it can be. But when I don't wear makeup it's not nearly as bad as when I do. I would like one that you can find at your local CVS, Walgreens& preferably one that doesn't make breakouts happen.
Any suggestions!? :) thanks.

Cover Girl has great foundation. I use their "Clean Makeup" foundation and I love it. It makes my skin look really nice if I'm going out and feel the need to look pretty. haha.


Another suggestion: have you tried oil absorbing sheets? They come in a little pack that you can keep in your pocket, and you can just pull one out when you're fixing your hair in the bathroom or something. I highly suggest in investing in a pack, because they too, are wonderful.


-Laura (17-f)

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alot of girls are asking me out and i like some of them but i dont wanna go out with them...dunno why..ive never had a gf but 13 ppl have asked me out this year, why dont i want a gf??am i afraid?

also, what do u do when your REALLY bored at home?

You're probably not ready. You're only 13, it's no big deal. I don't think you're necessarily "afraid", but maybe you're just not interested in relationships yet. It's totally ok, and in time, you WILL be ready and you will want a relationship. Just enjoy being young right now, cause you're only young once!


As for when you're bored, that's another question and you should ask it separately. Asking two totally different questions at once is against the rules :)


-Laura (17-f)

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Im going to be a sophomore in high school, and im a girl. I wanna try out for the cross country team, but haven't run like all summer! What is a good work out routine to get me in shape? Like not only running, but for my abs and my legs and arms, ya know? THANKS

Ok, the person below was a bit extreme. They were right with the idea of starting out slow, but DON'T start out with running 2 miles. If you haven't run all summer, you need to get your body used to it again.


Start out running half a mile a few times a week for 2 weeks, then increase to an entire mile. THEN run two miles. DO push yourself, but know your limits.


As for the abs and other body parts, try Yoga. I'm not kidding. I started doing Yoga and I love it. It also really helps tone you up and make you stronger.


Also: make sure you're eating healthy. Eating healthy foods will help improve your performance AND give you energy to work out in the first place :)


Good luck and if you need any more help, send a question to my inbox!


-Laura (17-f)

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kay so this guys asked me who i liked on aim then he went away and his away message was all lovey. do you think he likes me?

There is no way we can tell from this. Try this?:


http://www.advicenators.com/qview.php?q=506340


-Laura (17-f)

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i have a friends sleepover but my mom wont let me go because u never know what would happen what should i do?

I agree with the columnist below. Have the parents of the person hosting the sleepover call your mom, or come over to your house to discuss it with her.


This will make her more comfortable, because she will know the parent that will be present and supervising the sleep over.


-Laura (17-f)

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there is this girl at my school that is a total bitch to everyone including me. she is really rude to me and my friends and says bad things about them to me. it bothers me alot but i just keep my mouth shut. i want to stick up for myself but i want to be the bigger person and blow up on her. should i keep quiet or say something?

Neither. Don't blow up, but don't keep quiet. Talk to her, but be firm. Let her know that her being a huge bitch is completely unnecessary and totally NOT cool with you or anybody.


That's really all you can do, though. She's probably just really insecure and bored with her life, so she tries to mess with other people.


-Laura (17-f)

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Do you usually use pads or tampons? Do you know any brands that work good?

Pads are better for younger girls and usually, younger girls use them. Once we get older though, most of us switch to tampons because they're easier.


As for brands- Kotex is good.


-Laura (17-f)

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Ok, so I'm in 6th grade. I'm a girl. I just got my first boyfriend and I like him a lot. I kiss him a lot and he seems to enjoy it and everything, but I'm totally scared that if I frenched him (my first time and his) I would be really bad. I know guys care about how good their girlfriend kisses and it's really awkward whenever he tries and I just break into it and say "Let's not rush into that yet" and he completely respects it, but is still wanting to. How do I break the fear? Does it just come naturally when you're ready or what?

You just have to give yourself time. Don't feel like you HAVE to do something you're not ready for, because you don't. Eventually, you'll feel comfortable enough with him (and yourself), and you will be ready to take the kissing to the next level.


Honestly- you're still young, so don't rush it. You have plenty of time left for kissing ;)


As for how to be "good" at it or whatever, just go with the flow. Chances are that he's going to be just as nervous as you, so don't worry. Just do what feels right and go with what he's doing. Don't worry; you'll be fine!


-Laura (17-f)

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Hey ,

My name's dajana and i would like to know how to get curves.. right now i do have abs but i would like that hour glass shape upper body.. what would be some good exercises or eating habits or anything to would make my body have more curves especially in my stomach area?

thank you tons :)

Start by adjusting your diet. Cut out junk food and pop. Find healthy alternatives (fruits for snacks and a healthy drink instead). Also, make sure to not skip meals, because it messes up your metabolism. Stick to having 3 meals a day, with small (and healthy!) snacks in between.


As for exercising, start out slow. Maybe do the treadmill like, 2 days a week to start? I suggest taking up Yoga. It really helps tone (if you pick good work outs) and it's really fun :) So, maybe you can do something more intense (like running, biking, swimming, etc) 2 days a week and then do Yoga on a different day, one day a week. Then, build it up. Do Yoga twice a week, do cardio 3 times, etc.


You can also try doing specific exercises after you do the cardio. Like, sit ups for your abs, push ups for your arms, squats for your butt, etc. It's really all up to you.


Try making a workout plan. Once you get into a regular work out routine, then throw in the exercises. Pick one day where you do ab work, one day where you work on your legs, etc.


Have fun, good luck, and if you need more help, send a question to my inbox :)


-Laura (17-f)


EDIT:
You should start seeing some results instantly: you'll feel better and have more energy. As for physical results, that will take time. But be patient, it's worth it to feel good AND look good :)

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It's this boy at my scool that likes me, and I want to go with him, but he flirts with a lot of girls.

If he really likes you, it shouldn't matter and he should stop doing it.


Test it out, see how he acts when you two are officially together. If he keeps flirting with others girls, tell him to stop it. If he stops, then he's worth it and you should stay with him.


-Laura (17-f)

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ok, so yesterday I went to davids bridal and found 2 dresses I really like. I tried on the first dress, and it was pretty when I looked in the mirror, but inside I felt like it was just another wedding dress, and I didnt feel like myself....but the 5 girls that were with me all really loved it and thought it was beautiful.

THEN, I tried on a beautiful princess looking dress, with lots of tulle in the skirt, and the top was a beautifully beaded Halter. Not only did I think I looked pretty, but i FELT beautiful in it, I couldnt stop smiling!!

Then I asked the others what they thought...

every single person preferred the 1st dress over this one.




Yesterday when I tried on those two dresses, the pretty poofy princess dress made me feel the prettiest, and I basically had my mind made up that thats the one I wanted for sure.

Then I texted a picture of it to jay and melissa. my fiance's mom and dad.

Jay, He said he liked it and asked me to email it to him. So i emailed him 2 pictures.....

One of my favorite, the poofy princess one...

A pic of my 2nd choice, the other dress I tried on...just added it to the email to show them.


I thought everything was great....

Until I got an email from melissa.

She said, "I like the 2nd dress better..."

It really upset me because i felt like everyone preferred the 2nd dress over my favorite....

The other dress was pretty when I looked in the mirror, but I felt so uncomfortable, and felt like just another bride. I considered it a dress that people would forget what it looked like as soon as the wedding was over....

The poofy dress made me feel like a princess, and I know people would remember that dress for days....

So I'm stuck. should I go with a dress that everyone likes to see me in and thinks I'm pretty,but not really feel like myself?

or go with the dress I feel the best in and have people think I'm not as pretty?

Why did she even have to stress her opinion about the dress she preferred when I clearly stated in the email which one I wanted????

I'm just getting aggravated because she keeps trying to change my mind about almost everything!!!

If she makes me change
My mind and i have to get my 2nd choice dress I'll feel like I'm settling....

:-(

Honestly- go with the dress that YOU want. It's YOUR wedding, and you should pick the dress that makes YOU feel beautiful.


Don't stress about other people's opinions, they can pick out their own wedding dresses and stop worrying about yours.


-Laura (17-f)

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I really want to stop drinking soda but I'm having a really hard time doing so. Usually I'll have 5-6 sodas a week and 99% of the time it's when I'm out. It's really not that much, but soda is so unhealthy for you and I'm trying to get a grip on my diet. Sometimes my dad keeps a 2 liter in the fridge so it's very tempting to have 'just a cup' and ending up drinking 2 more during the day. I don't want to switch to diet sodas either because they're worse for you and 0 calorie drinks like crystal lite contain aspartame which is a fake sweetener that causes a lot of health issues. Any ideas on how to stop? oh & I'm 17/f.

Find alternatives. Drink Vitamin Water, iced tea, Fuze, V8 Splash (delicious! :D) or fruit juice instead :)


Find something else that you like, and put it in the fridge next to the pop so that when you're tempted to drink the pop, you will see your alternative right there.


-Laura (17-f)

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I'm going to be a senior next year and am beginning my college application process. I'm applying to some competitive liberal arts schools and have some questions about the SAT vs. ACT. I took the SAT as a sophomore and got a 2260 without studying really. But then I took two SAT subject tests and did poorly (not terrible, but one i was in the 90th percentile and one i was in the 65th percentile, so not great considering where I am applying). The schools require either SAT and SAT subject tests, OR ACT. My question is, would it be better to take the ACT, which i would probably do well on because that type of reasoning, like the SAT, comes easily to me. Or should i just submit my good sAT scores and not great subject tests scores.

Thank you!

I agree with Jack, I think you should take the ACT. What have you go to lose?


If you did that good on the SAT, you'd probably do well on the ACT. And it would show that you're a hard worker and that you were willing to take both :)


-Laura (17-f)

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