In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: This is the simplest choice and cuts out the calories found in many mixers. Because this option requires absolutely no other ingredients, you won’t need to worry about having a stocked refrigerator or pantry—just pour and enjoy!  There are a couple of common ways to enjoy vodka straight. You can drink it very quickly, as a shot. Or, you can put it over ice and sip it (this is called "on the rocks"). For even fewer calories, consider brands that market a lower calorie vodka. Skinny Girl Cocktails makes a few different reduced-calorie vodkas.  A 1 1⁄2  fl oz (44 mL) serving has 75.6 calories, compared to typical vodkas which have 96 calories per 1 1⁄2  fl oz (44 mL) serving on average. This can definitely add up! Do note that most reduced-calorie liquors achieve lower calories by reducing the proof. So, you would need to drink more to achieve the same effects as regular liquors. But, depending on the reason for your alcohol consumption, this may not matter to you. Flavor-infused vodkas are flavored vodkas without any extra calories. Many brands of vodka sell infused varieties, including Absolut, Belvedere, Burnett's, and Gray Goose, and it’s been a trend for years in the vodka world to come out with different flavors of infused vodkas.  Infused vodkas can make for a more flavorful and interesting experience when drinking vodka straight and can also eliminate the need for various traditional higher-calorie mixers like juice. Many of the infused vodkas sold in stores are infused with things you might expect, like lemon or berries or cucumber. But there are also exotic infusions like horseradish, bacon, and smoked salmon.  It’s also very easy to make your own infused vodka! You can use most types of fresh fruits and vegetables. Some people even infuse their vodka with coffee beans or candy, like toffee. Simply place your flavor in a canning jar and pour vodka inside. Wait a few days and then strain the liquid out and voila: flavored vodka!  You can make your own delicious watermelon-infused vodka. Fresh watermelon or watermelon-flavored candy will do the trick. Diet Coke and other diet sodas are popular mixers that add zero calories to vodka. Other common options are plain water, soda water, light cranberry juice, diet iced tea, diet lemonade, and lime juice.  Because the calories in vodka tend to be pretty standard across the board (unless you opt for reduced-calorie vodka) the only way to have a cocktail without a lot of calories is to be mindful of what you mix in with your alcohol. Sugar is the main culprit for calories in mixed drinks. This is why so many of the options for low-calorie mixers are low in sugar or have switched out the sugar with a sugar substitute like Stevia or Sweet'n Low. There’s even sugar-free Triple Sec. If you’re using mixers that do have a fair bit of calories, simply use less. It may end up tasting different that you’re used to, but it can still be delicious. However, using a small amount of a caloric mixture doesn’t have to affect the taste. In fact, a traditional vodka martini uses dry vermouth but uses so little that it doesn’t make the drink very high in calories.
Summary: Drink straight vodka. Try flavor-infused vodkas. Combine vodka with low-calorie mixers.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Preparing for each stage in a confrontation can help you avoid eventually ending up in a physical fight. Avoiding a serious fight should be your main goal, so you need to be bigger and more aware of the situation than your opponent. The stages of conflict include:  The wind up. This is the initial argument before the fight erupts. It might start out relatively harmless but escalate quickly and unexpectedly. Verbal threats. When the arguing brings in the threat of physical confrontation, try saying "I'm going to _____". Shoving or other prodding behavior. Attempts to get you to escalate a conflict into a full-blown fight usually start not with punches or kicks but with nose-to-nose intimidation tactics and shoves. It's still possible to walk away at this point without getting into a full-blown fight. The full-blown fight. You've stopped arguing and started throwing punches. Each of the lead-up steps above are opportunities to end the argument. One will inevitably lead to another unless one of you backs down, so try to back down. Actual physical confrontation should be your last line of defense.  If you're in the middle of an argument, calm it down by lowering your voice. Macho dudes in a bar can escalate stupid things quickly but be ready to hug and buy you a drink by apologizing and distracting them. If you're calm, they'll cool down. If you're being ambushed by an attacker, you need to get where people can see you and help you. It's less likely that you'll be grievously harmed if you're on a busy street corner where people are passing by. The confrontation has less of a chance of escalating in public. If you've got a long walk home from the bus or train station at night after work, consider meeting a friend near the metro stop and walking together. Staying in groups is the safest way to avoid these kinds of situations. If you must walk alone, gloom onto another group of walkers and stick close by. You don't have to know them to find safety in numbers. Concealed handguns, mace, or pepper spray are all handy defense devices you should consider having at the ready. Knives and guns are dangerous weapons many consider useful, but can also be used against you if you're unprepared to use them yourself. Be very cautious and smart if you choose to carry a weapon and take the proper certification classes to make sure you know how to handle a weapon safely. Never carry one illegally.  Most states that respect individuals rights have CCW permits available for law-abiding citizens. You can also get a small personal alarm keychain that will emit a high pitch siren like a car alarm when its pin is pulled, similar in design to a grenade. Consider taking a self-defense class if you live in a dangerous area and are concerned for your well being.
Summary: Understand the stages of a fight. Take all verbal or directional paths to non-confrontation. Avoid walking alone. Arm yourself.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Although the focus of your undergraduate degree is not vital, you should choose a field that is relevant to economics to begin your education. Focusing on economics right away will help prepare your for advanced schooling and your eventual career. Complete your undergraduate with a high GPA, shooting for the best grades you are capable of. Focus on economic courses, but try to get strong grades in all of your core classes as well. Study for the GRE and receive at least a 800 in the mathematics portion of the test. Prepare for the GRE well beforehand and take the exam as seriously as an application. You can retake the exam if your scores aren’t satisfactory. Choose a school that best suits your needs and apply to the school as early as possible. Apply for any scholarships that are available, and then enroll and complete your master's degree in two years. Take note of the subfields you enjoy the most - microeconomics? Macroeconomics? When you apply for a Ph.D, it'll be important to choose a specialization you want to know more about. Although pursuing a master's degree is not essential to your doctorate program career, taking two years and spending the money could be worth it in the long run. Do this throughout your undergraduate and master's degree programs, and curate the relationships with as much attention as possible. Learn from these professors and illustrate your continual commitment to the field of economics. Ask them questions as often as possible and spend time with them during their office hours. By studying hard and communicating well with professors, you will be able to build relationships that will not only help your studies and focus, but also help with letters of recommendation later on.
Summary:
Receive an undergraduate degree. Take the Graduate Records Exam (GRE). Complete a master's degree in economics. Develop meaningful, professional relationships with at least two professors.