INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If you really like this boy, tell him that. Figure out what you want this note to achieve. Do you want him to give you his number so you can text him? Ask for his number in your note. Do you want to hang out with him after school? Ask him to come over to your house to watch a movie. Figure out what you want to achieve with your note and writing it will become so much easier.  Be honest with yourself as well. Don't tell him it's okay if he doesn't like you, you're okay with just being friends if that's not true. Make sure whatever you put in your note is truthful, otherwise you're starting off on the wrong foot. It’s also okay to say you don’t know what to say. Telling him “I don’t know how to tell you this, but I really like you” is very endearing and he’ll be flattered that you were even brave enough to try. There’s no right way to tell someone you like them, so you can feel free to be as creative as you want. Try writing a poem to let him know how you feel.  Your poem doesn’t have to rhyme if you don’t want it to. There are many different types and lengths of poems, so fool around and see which one feels right for you. If all else fails, go back to the classics. You can’t go wrong with a little “Roses are red, violets are blue, this poem is stupid, but I still like you.” If you have trouble putting what you feel into your own words, use somebody else’s. Include a quote from your favorite movie or book or add a song lyric that makes you think of him. It doesn’t matter what you say, as long as he gets the idea that you like him. Use your note to express things you might be embarrassed to say in person. Compliment his hair or his clothes or his personality; whatever it is that makes him attractive to you, tell him. Even if he decides that he’s not interested in you, he’ll still appreciate the compliments. If you and your crush are already friends, chances are you have at least one inside joke. Include that joke in your note; these details are unique and specific to your relationship and he’ll appreciate that you thought to include it. Your love letter doesn’t just have to be a letter. If you feel self-conscious explaining yourself in words, try explaining yourself in song. Make your crush a mixed CD or playlist of all the songs that make you think of him. If you’re artistic, draw him a picture of you and him together.  Whatever you decide to give him, make sure you include some kind of note with your name on it. You wouldn’t want to give him a gift and make him guess where it’s coming from. The note with your gift doesn’t have to be highly detailed. It can be as simple as To Jack, From Jill. The gift is what you’re explaining yourself with, so the note accompanying it can be very low-key.

SUMMARY: Be honest with what you want. Structure your note like a poem. Use quotes. Compliment him. Add an inside joke. Include a personal gift.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Using an appropriate face painting paint, color in the face red. Keep hair off the face. These represent the ladybug's "spots". This represents the division between the ladybug's wings. Stop at this step if you are simply face-painting, especially for children. The following steps are only suitable if you are also applying make-up as part of fancy costume preparation. Use black eyeliner and mascara to darken the eyes. If you have glittery paint (gold/red/light colors), apply to eyelids for a sparkling look.

SUMMARY: Paint the face red. Draw neat, round black spots on each cheek. Paint a neat black line down the center of the face. Finish up if face-painting only. Prepare the eyes.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: You may be playing with your hair without realizing it. If you are trying to change a behavior you must stay present and aware of all your behaviors. You have prepared yourself to make a change and now you have the opportunity to follow through with your intent and gain confidence.   Slowing down and limiting the number of tasks you try to simultaneously perform will help you improve your awareness. Tell yourself things like, “Okay now, remember I am wide awake and paying attention and I’m not going to play with my hair.” Set a start date and identify all the action steps you will be taking to stop your habit. A well-laid plan will increase the likelihood of your success. You will have goals to achieve and ways to accomplish them. Don’t leave anything up to guess work. You know what you want, and if you don’t know how to get it, you can and will figure it out. Realize that playing with your hair is a common affliction, but it may have developed into an addiction. Most behaviors are measured on a continuum, which ranges from slight to moderate to severe addiction. If playing with your hair has become an uncontrollable habit that causes problems in your personal life, then perhaps it’s time to do something about it.  Although you should rely upon a professional to render an official diagnosis, you can evaluate your behaviors and decide the level of care and action you would like to take. There may be instances when others may disagree with you and want you to take stronger action. On one end of the scale, you find mild cases that resolve on their own or require simple strategies to stop the habit. On the other end of the scale are conditions such as trichotillomania, a disorder that involves repeatedly pulling your hair out from your head, eyebrows or eyelashes. This extreme condition can leave a person with bald spots and skin irritations that interfere with daily life. This would affirm that you have an addiction and definitely need help to control or eliminate the behavior.  Extreme hair playing is oftentimes associated with other disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), depression and anxiety. It may be necessary to seek treatment for these other conditions, which may result in solving your hair playing addiction. There are multiple resources available to you through groups such as, the American Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Association. Help is available and could be the best thing you’ve ever done for yourself.  Introspection is the process of directly attempting to access your own internal processes. When you figure out how and why you react the way you do to people and things around you, you will solve many personal struggles. Only you can do the work that it takes to find the answers to these questions. Analysis can be difficult, but it can put you on a clear path toward change. Getting the help you need is a brave and courageous thing to do. It will contribute to your desire to live a full and happy life. With the right tools, you can make that happen. Every small success and large success is an accomplishment, and represents that change is happening. Identify those things that you find rewarding so you will be ready to celebrate. When you enjoy the intrinsic and extrinsic rewards of your hard work, it will motivate you to continue. If you make it successfully through a particular event that would normally cause you to play with your hair, congratulate yourself. Even the smallest change is important to recognize.

SUMMARY:
Stay alert and aware of your behaviors. Design a plan for change. Determine the level of your affliction and need for help. Seek professional help if you are struggling with making a change. Reward yourself when your plan is working.