Q: Don't just walk on into a HC Party if you are a norm, and don't crash Norm parties if you're HC.
A: Know your boundaries!

Q: You don't want to recommend someone to a job who isn't serious about taking it. It wastes the company's time and reflects badly on you. Therefore, it's always good to make sure the person really wants the job before referring them. When considering whether the person would actually be a good fit at your company, think about the person's work history, such as their skills and commitment. For instance, does your friend really have the skills needed to complete the job? If not, you shouldn't recommend them. Similarly, if they don't have the experience that one would expect for the job, then you probably shouldn't recommend them. To help with the research, ask your friend for some evidence that they have the skills to do the job. For example, you can ask to see a resume to make sure they've actually done enough to perform well. That is, if you don't know the person very well (if they're more of an acquaintance than a friend), then can you really say how well they would do in the position? Make sure you can say with confidence that the person has the skills for the job. You don't want to risk your own position for someone you don't know all that well. Think about the way your friend acts when they're around you. For example, if they're always late, that could be a bad sign, as they always be late for work, too. Alternatively, maybe you've noticed that they always seem to not have enough money, which could mean they don't manage their money well; that can be a bad sign for how well they manage all aspects of their life, including work. Being friends with someone and working with them are two totally different things. A small, annoying habit as a friend can turn into a much larger annoyance with a coworker. Think about whether you could spend significantly more time around the person before deciding whether to recommend them. If you can't in good conscience say the person is a good fit for the job, you should not offer to put in a good word. You could tell your friend you don't feel like you're in a good position to refer them for the position or simply say you don't think they're a good fit.
A: Ask the person if they're serious about the job. Pore over their work history. Make sure you can actually vouch for the friend. Base part of your judgment on your interactions. Judge whether you could work with the person. Bow out if it doesn't feel right.

Q: Most people could stand to be a little healthier. See if your family wants to get in on the action. Talk to your parents about making healthier changes for the whole family. For instance, you could say to your parents, "I don't feel like I'm at a healthy weight, and I'd like to make some changes. What do you think about getting the whole family involved? I think we could all be a little healthier." If possible, it's best to keep junk food out of your house completely. However, if other people in your house still eat it, then you obviously can't do that. You can ask them to hide it away from you, though. Maybe the rest of the family could have a special cabinet for junk food that you don't go into, or maybe they could keep special snacks in their rooms, when possible. If you can't see it, you'll be less likely to eat it. You're going to not do what you're supposed to sometimes. It's just human nature. The key is to do it in moderation. Try to do the right thing about 90 percent of the time, and you'll be fine. Beating yourself up isn't going to help the situation. It's best if you can sit down to a meal with your family, as you can all enjoy a healthy meal together. However, even just sitting down for a meal instead of eating standing up or in front of the television can help you pay attention to what you're eating and learn not to mindlessly plow through your food. If your parents aren't much into cooking, maybe you can learn a few simple, healthy meals to cook for your family once and a while. For instance, baking fish in the oven is fairly simple, and perhaps you can learn how to boil vegetables. If you're interested, ask your parents if you can take a basic cooking class. Breakfast gives you enough energy to start your day. Plus, when you eat breakfast, you won't be as hungry later. That means you won't be as tempted to snack throughout the day. Include a little bit of protein, whole grains, and a fruit or veggie if you can. For instance, try a bowl of oatmeal with some low-fat yogurt and blueberries. You could also have whole-grain toast with boiled eggs and a side of strawberries. This step is easy, though it can be hard if you're busy or a night owl. Basically, getting enough sleep can help you be healthier and lose weight. If you're in school, you need to get 9 to 11 hours every night. Let's face it, life as a kid can be tough sometimes. You've got school and friends and family to deal with. But stress can also make you gain or keep on weight. You're not going to make stress go away completely, but you can learn ways to cope with it.  One way you can deal with stress is to write about it. Keep a journal, and at the end of the day, write about what's bothering you that day. Just writing it can help take a load off your mind.  You can also try meditation or deep breathing. It's not as crazy as it sounds. Deep breathing is literally just taking a moment to focus on your breathing. Close your eyes. Focus only on your breathing. Breathe in slowly through your nose, counting to four in your head. Hold your breath for four counts, then breathe out slowly. Try to block out any other sensations or thoughts. Continue breathing this way for a couple of minutes until you feel yourself calming down.
A:
Get your family involved. Hide the junk food. Forgive yourself. Sit down for meals. Don't skip breakfast. Get enough sleep. Take time to de-stress.