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Hi everyone! I'm a 21-year-old college student majoring in early childhood education.
Gender: Female
Location: Aurora, IL
Occupation: Preschool teacher
Age: 21
Member Since: February 4, 2005
Answers: 9
Last Update: June 14, 2005
Visitors: 3226

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I am 13 and a girl who has never had a boyfriend and I think think this is my chance.There is this boy who has gone to mostly every school I have gone to(were in the same grade).But I think he likes me.Its like he has been drooping clues like he stares at me all the time with this serious look on his face,he saved me one time(if thats what you wanna call it)because I was walking and I wasn`t waching where I was going so I was about to bump into the wall then he said somthing to me then that made me look up,and his friend heeps on looking at me.So how do I figure out if he likes me without talking to him and can you give me information on how to tell if a boy likes you.
(link)
Boys are hard to figure out sometimes, and they don't always show their interest in the same way. You don't say if you're friends with him already or not. If you're friends already, talk to his friends or have your friends talk to him and find out if he's interested. Staring is generally considered a universal sign of interest, though.

Give him little hints that you're interested. Smile at him when you catch him staring at you, make a point out of saying hi to him in the hallway, or touch his hand or shoulder lightly when you talk to him. It's best if you do talk to him, even if just to start a friendship--if he feels comfortable with you, he's more likely to ask you out. All my boyfriends were friends first. It's easier for both of you that way (less pressure).

Thanks for writing, and good luck!
--Jaede


Hi, my mom's moving to this house, and my bedroom is really small, so I have to use a daybed. We're trying to ocean theme the room, so I need ocean bedding for a daybed, and I can't seem to find any. I've tried Google, but all that came up were things describing hotels oceanside with bedrooms. It didn't really get what I meant, I guess. So does anyone know of any websites I can go to or any links to ocean bedding for a daybed? Thanks so much.

x3 Erin (link)
Themed bedding like that is pretty difficult to find, and what you do find is often designed for small children. A couple sites you could try would be FamilyBedding.com (www.familybedding.com/themes/wave) or www.specialtylinens.com (www.specialtylinens.com/calkids/seaside.htm)--they both had some ocean themed bedding that didn't look too childish.

You could also try getting bedding in abstract patterns of blues, greens, and purples. That would give you a "watery" look on your bed that would look lovely in an ocean themed room, and it would be more of a sophisticated look.

Good luck to you!
--Jaede


Ok, I'm on a competative swim team and I already have dry/damaged hair. The chlorine that gets in my hair after every day's practice is killin my hair! What are some brands of special shampoo's that specificly get chlorine out of your hair and where can I find them?
*I havent found anything @ Wal-Mart, Kroger, Publix, or Eckerds* I'll RatE BuncHezzZ! (link)
My favorite brand is Nexxus Aloe Rid clarifying shampoo--it's specifically formulated for getting rid of pool chemicals. Basically, though, you just need to go to your hairdresser or a salon store to get a good quality brand of shampoo/conditioner.

Good luck!
--Jaede


Thirteen/ Female.
I want to be an author, is there an age requirement to be one? Also how can I publish my book?
Thanks,
~K.C~ (link)
There is no actual age *requirement* to be an author; however, at your age, you may find it difficult to be taken seriously by the publishing industry. I would recommend seeking publication first in a teen writing magazine. New Moon (www.newmoon.org) and Teen Voices (www.teenvoices.com) would be two good places to start. This will give you a good track record and let you know what works and what doesn't in your writing.

If you have a manuscript, and are ready to look for a publisher, go to the library and look for the most recent edition of a writing market book. Look for publishers who deal in the kind of writing you do, and be sure to follow their instructions. Do not send out the whole manuscript if they just want query letters. Have someone you trust spell and grammar check any letters you send. Be patient, and prepared for rejections. If you are rejected, rewrite and resend.

Good luck to you!
--Jaede


i have a black silky skirt for graduation and i got a size that is too big for me. i dont have a dryer so i cant shrink it that way.. what are some ways to shrink my skirt because i dont have a dryer.. i tried to put the skirt in hot water for a few minutes and then blow dry the skirt with hot air.. this doesnt work so what are some ways to shrink it? (link)
If it's not 100% cotton (and if it's silky, I doubt it is), then it's not going to "shrink" like that. The best way to fix it would be to have someone take it in. If you don't know anyone who sews, take it to a professional.

If you don't mind having a "quick fix", and know how to use a needle, you can take it in yourself. Pinch the material inward on the seam and pin it. Baste the fold tight to the waist of the skirt, and you should be set. I warn you that this won't look as good as a professional, but it should be fine if you're wearing something over it, and you can always take out your stitches later and let someone else do a better job.

Good luck and happy graduation!
--Jaede


ok so i know im kinda old to be asking this but im 15 and i really want to start using a tampon. i have tried a couple times but it always feels uncomfertable and i can never get it in all the way, only half way. i dont know if im putting it in the right spot. any help would be great! ill rate high (link)
Make sure when you're putting it in that you're angling it back slightly. Also, try opening your legs a little wider. It helped me when I was starting out to stand facing the toilet and put one foot up on the seat while I inserted it.. You might like to try Slimfits--they're smaller than a regular tampon, and a little easier to insert. If none of this helps, talk to your doctor. Good luck!

--Jaede


Omg..what do I do when I want to get my nose pierced and my parents aren't open up to it? Like..it's my dad I'm mostly worried about. He doesn't get it. He's just like "No..it looks ugly I dont want you to do that." But does he NOT understand that at any time I want I can take it out? It may leave a tiny mark but nothing major because my sister has had it done before and she hasn't like worn it in a year or more..and theres no mark unless you look really closely (which isnt bad at all)...

I mean Im gonna be 15 in March and I dont want it for my birthday..but like say if I wanted it for this coming christmas -- how can I maybe get them to consider it?? It's really hard though I'm warning you...

I was talking to my dad today and was like "So..what? you're not even gonna TRY to consider it as something I can do?" and he's like "as far as Im concerned its a no." and so Im like "THEN WHEN WILL YOU CONSIDER IT and really think about it??" and hes like "not now..I dont know."

But hes not gonna let me get it -- bottom line. I am not a spoiled person..and I am not a bad kid at all. I dont smoke anything, I dont do drugs or drink...the most I do is have an attitude or anger problems around the house and Im trying to work on that but I cant when they piss me off and my sister acts like another MOTHER to me (which I dont need right now)...

Should I make a list of what it WON'T do? Like what I mean is -- should I write down on a piece of paper stuff like "1. it wont be permanant...2. I can take it out anytime."...etc.

...and like.. just say all the bright sides about it? Because I really would make a list..I want it that bad and I dont want to wait until I move out because I dont want to get it when I'm older. I want peopel I knwo rto get used to me having it NOW before I get older..ya know?

I'm not doing it to fit in with anybody either..or just to be different than anyone else. I'm simply considering doing it because I want to be different then what I am now. I mean it's not like I'm getting a tattoo where it will be permanant..and it's not like people will point and LAUGH at me..I mean Im not gonna be the only one in the world with it done and if I ghave my ears pieced from liek when I was 7 then I dont understand why I cant have my nose pierced..even when Im 16

I told my dad "well 16 year olds can buy cars and pay bills for those cars but YOU wont let me get a nose piercing?" That kind of made him think..but he still said no.

But anyways..sorry for the longness of this question but if anyoen has been in teh same situation then please help. I really want this. I'd be so happy. =)

Thank You.
-me

(link)
First of all, just don't bring up the subject at all for a few months. This will a) give your dad a chance to think about it calmly and b) show him that you're serious about wanting it, and that it's not just a fad thing. If you can impress him with your responsibility and maturity in that time, so much the better. Next, you'll want to pick your moment--try to catch him in a good mood. Approach him and let him know that you'd like to discuss getting your nose pierced. Definitely make a list of the pros and reasons why you want it. Try to also think of some cons he might bring up and how to counter them. If his only reason is "it looks ugly", you'll be a step ahead here. Don't get defensive--you'll want to stay calm and rational.

Hopefully this helps you out!

--Jaede


I'm a really shy, boring, ugly girl. Don't say I'm not ugly, believe me, I look awful - frizzy hair, horrid skin, big teeth - you'd be sick if you saw me. I don't have a life. I don't ever go out or have fun anymore because the friends I have are so immature and I don't really like going out with them because they always end up bullying me or asking random guys out for me, it's so embarrassing, and the boys say something like, "No way, she's a minger". I can't make more friends because I hate talking so much and I feel sick just thinking about it. I have 2 best ever friends in the world but I moved house and I can only speak to them on the phone, I want to move back because I hate it here - but my mum won't budge. I really want a boyfriend and I'm lonely but I'm so ugly and boring that no guy would ever be interested. Why is it I'm so ugly, what have I done to deserve this? I hate being me. I don't know what to do because I can't change the way I look and I've always been shy. I'm 14 and never had a bf, and I know I'm not the only one who hasn't but I feel ready. No boy would ever like me :/ I don't really see the point in life because I never have fun, every week is the same, and my grades are slowly going down at school because I can't sleep at night any more. I just want to feel loved.. sorry if that sounds pathetic but that's what I feel like. They say there's someone for everyone out there, but I guess some people were made to be single. I don't want to be single, and with Valentine's Day coming up I feel even more depressed. Also if you can help, I really need to 'let myself go', like I want to have fun but I get worried I'll look stupid so I don't do it, how can I stop being scared of everything Sorry I have so many stupid problems but please help :'( (link)
It sounds to me like you have low self-esteem, and those so-called friends of yours aren't helping. First of all, go look at yourself in the mirror, and tell yourself, "I am beautiful and intellegent, and any boy who can't see that doesn't deserve me." You should talk to your counselor at school, and possibly ask your doctor to recommend a therapist for you--I think you're bordering on depression.

As for your friends, either stand up for yourself and tell them not to do those things that hurt you, or (my personal recommendation) dump them and find new friends who like you for you. Join some clubs at school, go out for sports or a play--whatever interests you. Yes, high school is rough, but you'll get through it. Good luck.

--Jaede


i really wanna make money off babysitting but like i wanna do it with friends and alot of times i wanna do it alone but im scared to doit alone and my mom wont trust me to baby sitt my sisters baby (link)
When I started babysitting at age eleven, it was for kids only a few years younger than me (6 & 7 year olds), an hour or two at a time during the day, with my mom right next door. That's a really good way to get your confidence up. I wouldn't recommend sitting for babies until you've been babysitting a while and have some experience. I don't think I was sitting for younger than three until I was fifteen.

Another good way to start is to become a "mother's helper", where you help watch the child and do chores with the mother still in the house. That way, the parent is right there if you get overwhelmed. You could also take some babysitting classes if they're available. Good luck to you!

--Jaede




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