Q: As a teen, you will likely start going to more semi-formal and formal events so it’s best to start figuring out some key articles of clothing that will help round out that part of your wardrobe. Most children are allowed to wear just about anything, but as you get older, having more than just casual clothing will be necessary for jobs, parties, and other important functions.  If you’re a boy, start looking into some clothing articles that you may not already have, such as ties, leather shoes, and nice belts. Ask an older male relative or friend for guidance. Your parents may also be willing to buy you some of these items. If you are a girl, consider whether you have some of these basics: sensible, low heeled shoes, blazers, or cocktail dresses. A little black dress is also a great option that’s appropriate for many semi-formal events. There are many stores that sell semi-formal attire for relatively cheap, such as Gap and Forever21. Feel free to ask the store employees for help and some stores may even have specific sections for semi-formal attire.  Knowing what you’re missing from your wardrobe ahead of time will help you while you’re shopping as you’ll have a specific goal instead of wandering around aimlessly. Always browse the sale section as you never know what you’ll find. These stores are often cheaper than malls and you can often find great, unique pieces at a low cost. Sometimes you can even find interesting items such as slacks and suspenders which are now worn less often but can really add a fashionable edge to your semi-formal wardrobe. Just be sure to buy clothes that are still in good condition and aren’t worn out or misshapen.
A: Figure out what you’re missing. Go to the mall. Check out vintage or secondhand stores.

Q: Combine 1¼ cups (300 milliliters) light soy milk, ½ cup (50 grams) frozen blueberries, one half of a sliced frozen banana, 2 teaspoons sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract in a blender. Blend until smooth—about 20 to 30 seconds. Makes 2 servings. Combine 1 cup (240 milliliters) vanilla soy milk, ½ cup (50 grams) frozen blueberries, ½ cup (115 grams) cornflakes cereal, and 1 sliced frozen banana in a blender. Blend for 20 seconds, scrape down the sides of the blender with a spatula, then blend for 15 more seconds. Makes 1 serving. Combine ½ cup (120 milliliters) pomegranate juice, ¾ cup (180 milliliters) orange juice, ¾ cup (180 milliliters) almond milk, 1¼ cups (155 grams) frozen raspberries, and 1 sliced frozen banana in a blender. Blend until smooth. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the blender with a spatula from time to time.  Makes 2 servings. You can also freeze this as popsicles. Combine 1 cup (240 milliliters) cashew milk, 2 sliced frozen bananas, 2 tablespoons almond butter, and a dash of ground nutmeg in a blender. Blend on high until smooth and serve.  Makes enough for 2 servings. You can also use another type of milk instead of cashew milk, such as almond or soy. Combine 1 cup (240 milliliters) coconut milk, 1 sliced frozen banana, 2 cups (400 grams) frozen strawberries, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract in a blender. Blend until smooth and serve.  Makes 2 servings. You can use non-frozen strawberries and bananas, but the smoothie may not be as thick or cold. Combine 1¼ cups (300 milliliters) cold apple juice, 1 sliced banana, 1 peeled and sliced kiwi fruit, 5 frozen strawberries, and 1 ½ teaspoon honey in a blender. Blend until everything is smooth, and serve. Makes enough for 4 servings.
A: Make a soy milk banana-blueberry smoothie. Make a soy milk breakfast smoothie. Make an almond milk summer smoothie. Make a nut milk banana-bread smoothie. Make a coconut milk strawberry-banana smoothie. Make a juice-based strawberry-kiwi smoothie.

Q: Make sure you are using the latest and greatest version of your operating system by checking for system updates. Updating operating system software may cause older applications to break. Frustrating! However, finding fixes for such issues is great for improving your troubleshooting skills! Ask yourself some questions: What frustrates me about my computer? What can I not do with my computer that others can do with theirs? Once you have some answers, you should be able to determine what kind of hardware or software would improve your experience. Even if you decide not to do any upgrades, you’ll still learn a lot about the different possible configurations for your computer.
A: Run system updates. Think about what you might be able to add to your computer to make it better. Browse forums for your specific type of computer to see what sorts of upgrades others are doing.

Q: Once your power source is on, slowly turn it up to reach your ideal amperage. A good rule of thumb is to use 12 amps per square foot of material. (12 amps per every 0.09 square meters of material). Increasing the power too fast or using too much can burn your aluminum wires. You will see little oxidation bubbles start to form on the surface of the anode. The anode will also start to change color, turning brown, then yellow. If you don’t see bubbles forming within about 30 seconds of starting your power supply, turn your power supply off and check your connections. This is usually an indicator that your power supply wasn’t properly connected. If you plan on dying your part, prepare the dye so that it is hot and ready when your anode comes out of the bath. Different dyes will have different requirements, so prepare your dye as directed on the product packaging.  Heating the dye will help increase the amount of pigment your part picks up. However, the dye should not be heated to a temperature over 122 °F (50 °C). Dye can be damaging to pots, so use an old one that you no longer use for food. Once your anode is done in the bath, turn off your power supply before attempting to retrieve it. Remove your aluminum carefully and rinse it with distilled water.  Work quickly if you plan on dying your part. Be sure to wear protective gloves when retrieving and rinsing your part. Let the part sit in the dye for 15 minutes. If you are only dying part of your anode (such as the bow of a key), wrap your aluminum wire around the part you don’t want to dye. Use this as a handle to dip your anode into the dye. If you do not plan on dying your aluminum part, skip straight to boiling the part in distilled water for 30 minutes. You should have enough water to fully submerge your anode. Once your anode is done in the dye bath, remove it and place it in the boiling water for 30 minutes. Set your newly dyed aluminum on a clean towel or rag and allow it to cool completely before handling. Once cooled, the surface should be sealed.
A:
Turn on your power source. Keep the power supply constant for 45 minutes. Mix your dye during the anodizing process. Turn off the power supply after 45 minutes. Place the aluminum part in the warm dye bath. Boil distilled water on a hot plate. Remove the hot metal carefully and allow it to dry.