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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 you know how the 7th potter book is coming this saturday? well, a while ago i wanted to read the 5th and 6th one to catch up on things. but my friend had them and i just got them back. and there's no way i can read both of them in time. especially since i'm going on vacation this thursday. so does anyone know of any sites with a DETAILED summary of each chapter of the books? it would help me out a lot. thanks!

p.s. especially the 6th one because i saw the 5th movie twice so that helped a bit.

I agree with Jack, there's no substitute for reading the actual books. If you're up to it, re-read book 6 [Half-Blood Prince]; it'd be more beneficial than reading book 5 because you just saw the movie.

Oh, and make sure you've pre-ordered your book! It saves you like 15 dollars if you do :)

how do you make a link when answering a question

You just type or copy/paste the website you want. It creates a link automatically, like this:

www.mugglenet.com
... Okay, that USUALLY works. Just paste in the website if you're referring to it in an answer. All there is to it.

They don't show up as clickable links on your advice column. But you can create clickable links in your about me using this code:

Mugglenet
.. but that code won't work in answers.

If that wasn't what you meant, ask me to my inbox. :)

okay well my 2 very close friends ( both guys) are joining the military so they've been in training basically all summer.. my friend is having a party for them when they come home in august and it's supposed to be a sleepover. there will be 3 girls & 3 guys.. 2 of which are boyfriend & girlfriend. one problem, my mom doesn't agree with coed sleepovers and doesn't think it's necessary. i really want to go because i haven't seen them in so long! nothing would happen because the boys are decent and wouldn't do anything. all we're going to do is watch movies & sleep like an all girl sleepover haha. i already tried telling her that but she still won't go for it.. how to i convince her to let me go!?!?!?

Will your friends parents be there? They really should be- it'll be a good selling point for your mom. Have her meet these guys before the sleepover. Try saying, "Okay, I'll go until it's time to go to bed. After dinner, you can come over and meet these guys. They're decent people and I think you'd be more comfortable letting me sleep over if you knew them first" Parents are overprotective and they're just looking out for you. So don't get too mad with her, you won't get ANYTHING. If she absolutely won't let you, stay really late. Like, one AM, then get a ride home [or drive yourself if you can] and check in with Mom. You won't miss much [just the sleeping] and oyu could come back the next day.

hope that helps. One of those ideas should work, so good luck! :)

I have dark brown curly hair, I love it straight but my hair is getting fried and has so many split ends and I'm losing some of my hair any good ways to restore it? Also, I want to dye my hair blonde but I don't want to fry it again, any dyes that work good on curly hair?

Trim the ends, and use mosturizing shampoo and conditioner [or a color-safe shampoo and a mositurizing conditioner]. As for dyes, it doesn't matter if your hair is curly or not, but blow-dry your hair wavy/straight the day you dye it- it's easier to dye ALL of your hair. I use Garnier 100% Color, and my hair's almost black. Leave the dye on 10 minutes longer than it says to. Oh, and blonde is a really drastic change from dark brown. Dye your hair a light to medium brown first, that maybe light enough for you. Your hair might not turn blonde in one step, you may need two boxes of dye, bleaching [which will DESTROY your hair] or to have it done in a salon. Like I said, try the lighter brown first. It may be enough.

ok..well..i feel really stupid and embarrassed to be asking for advice on this one, but i dont know how to tell my mom i want a bra. cause i wear sports bras...but umm..i need like a real one. haha. and me and my mom arent really open and we dont talk about things like this. and id feel so dumb telling her i wanted one, let aloe go shopping with her..er...

thanks :)

Well, if you're not open with her, why not? This is a good time to start, because you'll want to be able to talk to her about anything. Ask her one day [when you're both in a good mood] if she could take you shopping soon, you want to get back to school clothes, and you need to get some new bras because the ones you have are worn out. Moms know that their daughters are going to need new bras. If you're REALLY not able to talk to her, go with an aunt, or even a friend next time you go to the mall.

You can get fitted at stores like Victoria's Secret for free, or you can do it yourself [but it's harder and getting fitted at the store is easier & more convenient]

Okay.
I am currently reading a book called “After Diana: William, Harry, and the Royal House of Windsor.” And in one of the chapters they were talking about how drunk the Princes get and when they do drugs the Princes’ Royal Protection Officers are told not to watch. And how there family doesn’t care if they get drunk in the different Castle’s (Buckingham, Windsor, Balmoral, Etc.).
So my family is very wealthy and I think it would be so fun to be crazy like the Princes’.
I want to get drunk.
I want to do drugs.
I want to have Pharm Parties.
I want to have huge parties at my house when my parents are gone.
I want to crash my Mercedes.
I want to be the kids in school who everyone wants to party with.
And I know that I won’t get in trouble. Except maybe by the police, but that’s what lawyers are for.

Is it weird to think that?
Or does everyone have a bad streak like that.
Thanks

Cody*

Everyone thinks "I wonder what it's like to be drunk" but most of us have enough common sense not to actually ACT on it. I've seen drugs and alcohol destroy people's lives and people at my school have had best friends killed in car crashes. Why throw away an otherwise promising future just to abuse prescription drugs, crash expensive cars, and get wasted? You'd get caught eventually, and even if you didn't [which I doubt, because being drunk is often hard to miss in someone] why risk it? As for being the kid in school that everyone wants to party with, yeah that's common. A lot of kids want to be popular. But if it's for the other things you listed, it's not worth it. Being popular for the wrong reasons isn't what you want at all.

You need some serious guidance. Talk to your family and guidance counselors [when school starts again] They're here to help you.

i frequently put my self down, and its really hard on me at times. i have very low confidence in myself, and was wondering what are the many ways to build confidence?

and if you know anything about depression medicine that'd be great to hear!

The best way, just STOP. It sounds hard, but I did it. Hate your legs? Stop thinking, "Ugh, my legs are so fat". Think, "Wow, my legs allow me to walk anywhere I want and they're long enough to touch the floor." Focus on things you LIKE about yourself [eye color, the way your hair straightens so easily, etc] and change what you aren't so crazy about [through exercise, diet, hairdye, etc]. It's all a matter of changing the way you think and your perspective on things.

As for depression medication, I know a lot. You should only take it under the constant supervision of a doctor, since these meds are really strong and change things in your brain. Try other methods, such as therapy & a positive attitude, before resorting to medication. Your doctor can determine what's best for you. Seems like all you need is an attitude adjustment, not Zoloft. Good luck!

Hey.
So my girlfriend invited me over to dinner with her parents next week.
She said that her dad was very nosy and would want to know everything about me.
Where my parents work, What im taking in school, Where I want to got to college, Etc.
Its fine with me that he wants to know everything about his daughters boyfriend. I am prepared to answer all the questions except the one about where my parents work. When he asks im going to say, “My dad owns his own company, my step-mom is a Doctor of Environmental Engineering, and she also runs part of her parents Oil Company.”
Is that too descriptive? Should I be like “My dads owns a company and my step-mom works for the Government.”

Thanks

Cody*

I think that's fine. No matter how you say it, it'll spark a conversation. That's all he's trying ot do- get to know you and your family, since guys from good families have more respect for others and such.

I am going to massachusetts wensday, and im coming back monday.
Its like a full week. Tuesday night im sleeping over my nanas to go to massachusetts real early in the morning, like 7.
I am going with my sisters and staying with my aunt.
I am really going to miss my mom and dad and brother and dogs.
what can i do , to become less sad when i leave them.

Call them every night. They'll miss you too. During the day, actually DO things as opposed to sitting around moping and missing your family. I don't know where you're from, but Massachusetts might be a very different environment for you to explore. Not every state has a Dunkin' Donuts every 10 minutes, ya know. Oh, and despite what you may hear, not everyone here is mean. Enjoy yourself and before you know it, you'll be going back home!

Have fun! :)

m/13 so if i saw a girl or a group of them anywhere that i didnt know. if i wanted to know them id go up and say "hey, my names___..... whats yours?" and if they replied id ask where they are from , what school do they go to. i wouldnt be scared or something to try it, its just asking them for their msn or phone number, and i only knew them for a few minutes. would they think i was a weirdo or something? if they gave me their msn id talk to them a bit and say that me and some of my friends are coming to the cinema. want to come? ive seen some random girls i dont know look at me for a while, whispering to each other, but not coming over. any suggestions random conversation starters/topics?

Just go up to her and say hi. If you know one of her friends [or a person she's walking with] talk to that person first. Really, I'd love it if a guy came up to me and struck up a conversation. Doesn't have to be a deep, intense discussion. Talk about where you are. At the movies? Ask what she's seeing, or what movies she's into. [Really? You like the Simpsons too? We should see the movie together next weekend!] Something like that. I've been going out with a guy I met at a friend's party for almost a month now. He got my screenname from a friend [that or he got my myspace from said friend, I don't remember] and it was sneaky, but cute. Not stalkerish. You could do something like that and talk online at first, then ask for her number.

If I gave a guy my number, I'm probably into him, or at least want to be friends. You wouldn't come off as desperate if you asked me to the movies in the same conversation as asking for my number- it shows confidence. Confidence is hot :D

is it true that if men drink mt.dew it will lower their sperm count????

For most guys, yes. It's not enough to notice. My health teacher told me once that if yellow dye 5 does actually reduce sperm count, its impact is less than 1%. Something about lab rats, too- I think it caused a lowered sperm count in mice or something? haha. I highly doublt you're a mouse, since you asked a question.

[http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/fooddrink/a/mountain_dew.htm]
^ for more information on the subject.

It's not something to worry about- the sugar will kill you before the yellow number 5 does. And drinking soda should never be a form of birth control, in case you were considering that as a possibility.

Ok.
so my friend just informed me that
she likes this one guy who is 16 and
shes 14 and she wants to ask him out.
but i happen to know for sure
that he likes someone else.

should i just help her through it
or tell her that he likes someone else
and see what happens from there??

You could try telling her, sure. But she may think you're telling her to make her jealous, or think that YOU like him. How sure are you that he likes someone else? You culd be wrong. I'd let her ask him out anyways. She'll regret not saying anything if she doesn't, and you'll have to hear about it regardless of what happens [he says yes, he says no, she never asks and wonders what could have been]

So prepare yourself for the worst. A pint of her favorite icecream next time she comes over is sufficent :)

hey i heard these songs on random videos.. can you tell me the names of them?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=uRy4ZJoyJWw

http://www.kleep.com/Science/Paranormal/UFO-Caught-on-Amateur-Film.31863

The first one sounds like "Time" by Benny Benassi
[please don't ask how I know]

The second one, I have no idea. Sorry =/

i want to buy a new camera. and here are some things im looking for. (if it doesnt really make sense, just bear with me...:])
-i want to be able to take videos and pictures
-i want to be able to set it to take like a black and white photo, or in sepia, or other cool effects
-cheaper than $150 (even less would be fabulous ;])
-i dont want to have to buy a rediculous crazy camera charger, i would like it to use like regular batteries (like my old camera, but im not sure if thats possible)

if you could find a camera, and send me to a link where i could buy one, it would be much appreciated.
thanks =]

Hey, I have this camera
[http://tinyurl.com/22v46d]
and I love it. It's durable, at least for a camera. I dropped it once [my parents don't know] and it survived :D

It takes pictures in color, B&W, and Sepia. It's got a large screen, a nice and pretty much standard feature now. Also, since it's Kodak, you can do "Perfect Touch" processing right from the camera, you don't even need a computer. This is the reason I now adore it so. You can take a picture at dusk, or inside. You know how those pictures come out darker than it actually is in the room? Well, it fixes that and makes the picture so much better-looking. The only complaint I have is that there's a joystick-style thing instead of regualr up,down,left,right arrows. But you get used to that in about thirty seconds.

If you don't want a Kodak, Nikon also makes good cameras. I've had four, so I know :D Look for a low price, high-megapixel camera and you're all set.

is it true that if you put mascara on your top lashes, you shouldn't on your bottom? i always did, but my bottom lashes are really thin and short, so the mascara just sticks to the skin and it looks gross. i have really long top eyelashes and i'm starting to wear eyeliner on the top lids, not bottom, so would that be okay if i didn't bother with the mascara on the bottom?

i like the way this girls makeup looks

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=20430455

Most people don't bother putting mascara on the bottom. Putting it on just the top looks really good. If you want to define your lower lashes, use eyeliner. But if you don't do ANYTHING to them at all, and use eyeshadow and mascara ONLY on the top, your eyes will appear a lot bigger and more open.

Experiment and decide what works for you. If you really want eyelashes on the bottom, you could always try using fasle ones, but that could look strange if they're really long. Good luck!

is it possible to lose weight in your face? if so, how?

If you lose weight, you lose weight all over. Your face balances out, just like the rest of your body. You can't lose weight JUST in your face.

Remember that some people have rounder faces than others, too. If you mean like, a double chin, yea you can change that by exercising [running and walking burn calories]. If you mean changing a round face shape, no the only way to change that, really, is plastic surgery.

I'd like to know some of the best beauty products you've used (that you absolutely LOVE) and why you love them! =]

Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum. It's worth the price [$18 a bottle] and lasts a really long time. And it smells like apples and makes my hair shiny, sleek, and smooth even on the days it looks like I stuck a fork in the wall socket to amuse myself.

Bath & Body Works lotion/body cream/body butter. Amazing stuff. There's so many scents to choose from, you'll definitely find the one for you. I have really sensitive skin, and I never reacted to any of their products.

Covergirl & Maybelline makeup. It's inexpensive, high-quality, and has a ton of shades to match everyone. I'm paranoid about throwing away mascara every four months, and it's easier to part with half a tube of $6 mascara than $22 department store stuff.

As for perfume, I adore Clinique Happy to Be, Adidas moves, and any body spray from Bath and Body Works [especially for after gym]. For guys I love Axe and whatever Jake wears- Kirra, or something? I love them because they smell amazing, haha. All there is to it.

Hello, I'm not big on shaving legs actually I love my hair on my legs but I've come to realize that it is not sexy. Is it better to shave or to use nair?

I'd say shaving. It's so much easier.

And doesn't smell like an old hair dryer and a funeral home in paste form.

Plus, it's quick, 5-10 minutes. You don't have to wait until the hair grows back really long to use it again [unlike Nair] and is less likely to cause allregic reactions. If you have sensitive skin, a good razor and shavegel are your best bet.

please only answer this if you have dealt with serious acne.

my acne isnt as bad as some people, but i am CONSTANTLY broken out. i cant remember the last time i had a clear face. ive used practically everything and nothing works. well, some stuff works for like a week or two but stops working after that. ive tried clean and clear, proactive, murad, clearisil, biore, neutrogena, st.ives apricot scrub, cetaphil, noxzeema, clinique 3-step, i mean i cant even list every brand ive tried!
ive gone to the dermatologist and they gave me differin & duac. i had to use it for about 6 months and it only worked for about a month.
my mom wont let me take pills. and i cant do accutane.

will somebody please help me! give me a routine to do every morning and night that ahs really cured your face. im up for anything now.

Okay, my routine involves a lot of the things you mentioned. Your problem may be that you were doing TOO much at once, and not sticking with one thing long enough. I consider my acne vastly improved- pretty much nothing besides Accutane CURES acne, just give it a few years and your hormones should even out and everything like that.

Twice a day I wash my face with Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash. I have combination skin and I use the one in the pump bottle. A few minutes later I use salicylic acid spot treatment (usually Clean and Clear Advantage). After this dries, I do my usual moisturizer and foundation. (I don't need concealer for acne anymore!)

At night I use the same face wash, but AFTER I use apricot scrub. Use the regular one, not the one for acne- it's less intense. Then I use Retin-A Micro every other night, since my skin is sensitive. You can get that from a dermatologist. On nights I don't use Retin-A, I use clindamycin- again, from the derm. Differin doesn't work for everyone, so ask your derm for something else. Retin-A worked great for me, and works to actually prevent acne before it starts. Woohoo!

I take cephalexen too. It's an antibiotic, and nowhere NEAR as intense a treatment as Accutane. Short of allergic reactions, the biggest side effects are temporary tooth discoloration [and that goes away] and taking it if you're pregnant.

The biggest thing I've learned is that picking at your zits makes them worse. It may feel as though you're the only one with skin this bad, but you'd be surprised at how many people have acne & cover it up. Plus, acne's always worse to the person who has it. Don't stress- literally. Stress causes breakouts! Most teenagers have it, so don't let it bother you! Good luck with your skin! :)

well me and my bf were making out and he was feeling me up and he was shaking like a lot and he was shaking before too why was he shaking ?

He was either really nervous, or was pinching a nerve in his leg from whatever position he was in.

Being nervous is probably the most likely culprit. If it was just his leg shaking, make sure he's sitting in a different position next time, or whatever. Unless HE didn't notice and didn't seem uncomfortable, then don't say anything. I wouldn't lose sleep over it, its probably not a big deal.

Now that I think about it, he could also have had a massive amount of caffeine in his system. Everytime I drink coffee, about an hour later I have people asking me if I have a neurological problem- so caffeine could be making him shake too.

Most likely it was nervousness. Don't worry about it at all :)

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