Approach the manager with confidence and humility. Pride and humility don't coincide, but confidence does. Anyway, Tell your manager something like this: "I realize that my time off made it difficult for everyone and I just want to let you know that for the last week I have put in a great deal of extra effort and time to make up for it. I don't expect a pat on the back...I just wanted to let you know that I don't take this job for granted and I am more than willing to take responsibility for myself. Thankyou for listening." Good luck!

It is good you used protection, and the chances you are pregnant are low. Stress will sometimes delay a period, but if you are more than two weeks late, you might want to take a test.

You need to start with cheap basics that are basically foundations of the meal, that can be varied with different toppings. Keep on hand the following staples: frozen pizza dough, canned pesto & tomato sauces, asian sauces, rice, canned beans, pasta, potatos, frozen veggies and meats, tortillas and spices. These things have a long shelf life and then you can grab fresh ingredients like cheeses, sour-cream and fruits to build on. Casseroles make easy all in one meals, as do soups. Don't forget that a great salad along with fresh bread can make a meal in itself. You might want to buy a slow-cooker and a cookbook for one, because you can basically throw in all the ingredients in the morning and have a delicious finished meal by dinner!

Painting is a great idea. Ask the salesperson at the paint store for advice on specifically covering the paneling. If the paint does not do it for you, consider hanging fabric at least on one wall and get creative!

The hottest girl is the one with the most confidence in herself. Be proud of your accomplishments and walk tall. Don't ever rely on looks to take you through life or hold you back! Having a dynamite personality, various interests and a spunky sense of humor will set you heads above the rest!

Talking usually does the trick. If you only started liking her a week ago, I suggest getting to know her a lot better as a friend first. She will either find you cute or she won't. Be yourself and don't try to impress her in a generic way. A little flattery won't hurt either!

Having a big party sounds fun, but it will be a ton of work and you will be entertaining others, rather than having all the fun. I would consider something totally about you and decadent. The spa or even better Broadway sounds awesome!

The two girls will work it out or not, but it is not up to you to entertain them both by being the peacemaker. It is their problem and not yours. They need to deal with the fact in life that they don't get to pick or have to approve of your friends! Eventually they will learn to get along, or the more stubborn and controlling of the girls will leave because she has decided that you are not worth the trouble. No loss there! Hopefully they will work it out, but if one leaves, then you know the one that stayed was the better friend.

Wow, he sounds perfect! Not really. He is a drug user and is sleeping around with girls he cares nothing for. He actually is blaming the girls for using him for sex or is that your take on the situation? Excuse me, while I laugh...Okay I am composed. Quit making excuses for this guy. Truth is, that if he was not this gorgeous lost boy who only needs a fairy princess (you) to save him, then you would not be giving him a second thought. You want him because he is irresistable as a hot bad boy type. We have all been there! If you want to fall for him and be yet another girl that is "using me for sex" then go ahead. He will probably be adding you to his list while pursuing the next fairy princess. Bad boys do not want to be saved, they just want the appearance of innocent confusion to trap another starry eyed maiden. If you ignore my advice and give him a chance, then at least please keep your pants on for your own sake. I know this is not what you want to hear, but I am obliged to stick to the most likely reality of the situation.

Making a decision out of fear is not the best idea. Desperation to hold onto something or someone always backfires. When you saw her in your boyfriends bed, I am not sure that you "saw the wrong thing." We were not there, but that is not the point. Was it your boyfriend that knowingly put a girl that was willing cheat with him into his own bed? If it was, then that is not respectful. It does sound suspicious. You are going to have to wait to marry, because you are underage and technically a child. In a couple years or even weeks everything could change between you and your guy. Live for the day and enjoy your youth. Being so desperate to tie yourself to someone tells me that you have low self-esteem and need to experience loving yourself unconditionally. What is the "something" that could happen? Do you not trust your boyfriend? Marriage or an engagement has never stopped someone from cheating who wanted to. Don't look at a promise as a safety net. You can only control one thing in life and only then, with much work and that is yourself.

I am truly sorry things are not going well. It is true that even the worst feelings will pass with time, so take it day by day. We all have bad experiences in life, but the important thing is to learn from the bad as well as the good. If nothing else, you are a wiser person now and I know you will carry that into a brighter future.

See your doctor about the new birth-control and ask if it is related and to rule out a potential pregnancy...oops. Also, she/he is probably the best one to ask for advice about your body weight and health. You don't need to diet, you need to eat healthy. No junk food or fast food. No soda! Even diet drinks can really bloat you up and make you look heavier than you are. Watch salty foods..another bloating culprit. Drinking at least eight glasses of water will keep you hydrated, and dehydration slows your metabolism! You can start a small exercise program, and build on it. The important thing is to make exercise a habit. Start by doing five minutes your first day, then add one minute each day. Make it fun! Turn on the music and dance! Practice holding in your stomach and standing up straight to improve posture and tone your abs. Good posture makes you appear thinner! You need to take control of your body and while you are still young! Never starve yourself, and remember to eat a big healthy breakfast to rev up your metabolism. Skipping breakfast will slow it down! Do these simple things and don't ever diet! You can eat as many fruits and vegtables as you like, and lean proteins like fish, chicken, turkey, beans, tofu as you like. Reward yourself for your new life change with anything, except food! Keep me posted and know that I am rooting for you!

Don't worry about the future, just live today. Move on and you don't know what could happen. Maybe he will see you getting on with your life and realize what he is missing. Then again, you may actually find someone you never expected that you would not trade for your old boyfriend. Live your life!

There is always going to be "another girl." The decision to be with and make the relationship work, or to leave now, should not be made based on outside attractions. Others always look promising and attractive, because you have not had them yet, and having a relationship with someone kills that new hopeful feeling of endless possibilities. No one is perfect and everyone lets you down eventually. Stop fantasizing and stick to the facts when it comes to your current girlfriend and think about what it would feel like to lose her to someone else. If you are fine with that, then move on.

Don't be a weenie! Either stay with your girlfriend or don't, but not with the idea of her being 2nd choice! That is just lame! Make up your mind and remember what you could be losing, before trying to have it both ways.

Zero chance if you don't try! 100% chance you will have the time of your life trying, whether or not you make it big! Always, always, always, go for your dreams!!!

Tell her that she is an important friend to you and you don't want to lose that by making her fall in love with you or anything, but if she wanted to live dangerously, you'd give it a try. Say this with a dashing smile and if she rips your heart out, you can always say you were teasing.

First, congratulations on going to college! Most community colleges have an automatic transfer program to four-year colleges. Get an appointment with a career counselor at the community college as soon as school starts and make them your best friend! They will guide you on which classes to take and which are a waste. I don't know about the second question for sure, but I would guess from any location. Call the school or look them up on the web. Good luck!

Start by doing as many as you can against a wall. You will quickly be able to increase the number you do and transfer to the floor in a few weeks. Eat lots of protein and drink lots of water. Good luck, stud!

You need to forgive her no matter what you do. Let go of those resentments that are eating you alive. Do this for yourself, not her. Then, when you are free from the attachment of anger, you will be clear-minded. With a steady mind and an open heart you will be ready to make a healthy decision about ANY woman.

"Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person they are almost indistinguishable. To say something you value deeply to another and to have him or her value it equally by listening to it carefully and apppreciatively is the most universal way of exchanging social interest or demonstrating affection." David Augsburger, CARING ENOUGH TO HEAR AND BE HEARD.


All sincere persons will be given thoughtful examination and reply. Please be specific about your situation as it applies to your question, the applicable information and facts necessary for me to properly assess your situation and give you the benefit of my knowledge and experience, which includes: experience/education with mentoring, relationship study, self help, spirituality, poetry, literature, philosophy, psychology, color theory, teaching, parenting, and debate that will be used to your advantage. I am concerned with offering an objective and realistic perspective more than ratings, because this will help YOU. Artificial sweetness is found in diet soda, not in my advice. If you feel that I did not understand your question or need more specifics to help, please let me know, but while all truth is subjective, questioners should be mature enough to hear answers not necessarily agreed with. If you are only looking for someone to tell you just what you want to hear, then you may not be ready for my advice. I believe in personal responsibility, self and other awareness and your power and ability to recreate and redirect your own life. All our misery and joy begins and ends within ourselves, but our willingness to be open can bring the positive or negative energy we seek. If you or someone you know is open to positive help, the resources and caring individuals needed are available now.

http://www.coolnurse.com/

http://www.4woman.gov/violence/

http://www.childhelpusa.org/about/programs-and-services/childhelp-national-child-abuse-hotline-1-800-4-a-child

drug/alcohol abuse help go here: http://www.4drugabuse.com/addiction-treatment.html

http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/1800-273-TALK(8255)
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service available to anyone in suicidal crisis. If you need help, please dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You will be routed to the closest possible crisis center in your area. With over 120 crisis centers across the country, our mission is to provide immediate assistance to anyone seeking mental health services. Call for yourself, or someone you care about. Your call is free and confidential. -----------------------------------

http://www.kidscrisis.com/

http://www.teenadviceonline.org/gethelp/numbers.html

You can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline, operated by RAINN, 24 hours a day, free & confidential. 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

For info. on birth control etc.
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/

The Girls and Boys Town National Hotline is the only hotline that children and parents can call with any problem at any time:
Open 24-hours a day, every day at 1-800-448-3000

Spanish-speaking counselors available; translation services for 100+ languages

TTY line available for the hearing-impaired at 1-800-448-1833

Counselors can help find services and agencies in the callers' local community

Help at the End of the Line
Callers talk to highly-trained, professional counselors who listen and give "right now" answers. They're sympathetic people who have expertise dealing with these and other problems:

depression

suicide

running away

parenting problems

relationship concerns

physical, sexual, and emotional abuse

chemical dependency

mental health

anger

aggressive behavior

Toll Free
Operated by Father Flanagan's Boys' Home, hotline services are free of charge to every parent and child in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and Canada.

Toll-Free: 1-800-448-3000

http://www.sex-ed101.org/links.html

http://www.anorexicweb.com/anorexicweb.html

Report Child Abuse
Childhelp USA National Child Abuse Hotline
1-800-4-A-CHILD TDD: 1-800-2-A-CHILD



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All our motivations stem from two: Love or Fear. When in turmoil or indecision, ask yourself from which of these you are acting. If you want an honest response outside of yourself, you need to first be honest within yourself. Bless you on your journey!

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