If you are trying to introduce it into an existing conversation among friends, use a short introductory phrase to begin the story, such as: “You know, that reminds me of a story…” or “It’s funny you should mention that, just the other day, I was…” It’s important to get the first laugh as quickly as possible, ideally in the first 30 seconds. Don’t worry about setting up an elaborate, detailed scene or mentioning what happened the night before, unless it’s full of funny details that get to the point. If you can’t tell the story in less than thirty seconds, make sure the first thirty seconds and compelling and entertaining. Don't trail off, don't look away from people and don't stutter. Try to relax and tell the story in a casual tone, like you’re telling it to a good friend. Because you have practiced the story beforehand and gotten used to telling the material well, it should be easy to act like a confident storyteller. Well-timed hand movements and facial expressions can really liven up the details of the story and keep your listener engaged. Don’t forget to also vary your voice and pause before the punchline. As in all comedy, timing is very important and will contribute to a good telling. Don’t be afraid to look your audience in the eye as you delve into the details of the story. Eye contact also indicates you are confident and comfortable in front of your audience. Most listeners will only remember the last part or punchline of a story. If the ending is flat, it will likely ruin the funnier details in the set up. Remember not to laugh yourself. Ideally, you want to leave the audience laughing and wanting more. Desperation, no matter how smoothly it’s presented, is never funny. If your story doesn’t get the big laugh you were hoping for, shrug it off.  Wrap up the story with a smile and say something like: “Well, I guess you had to be there" or "I guess it really can't be translated from the original German". Don’t focus on the story if it doesn’t go over as well as you had hoped. The best way to recover is to laugh at yourself (even if no one else did) and move on to another topic or subject.

Summary: Introduce the story. Be brief. Be confident. Remember to use your hands and face. Make eye contact. Try to end on the biggest laugh. Move on if your audience doesn't laugh.


requently. You should also keep your living area clean and tidy by picking up dirty clothing on the floor and making sure it ends up in the laundry bin. Then, make it a habit to do your laundry frequently, preferably on a weekly basis. This will ensure you have clean clothes available every day and that your living area is not cluttered with dirty clothing.  You should also make a point of washing your bed sheets and your bath towels once a week to ensure they stay clean and free of germs. You should also wash any blankets, rugs, or cleaning rags once a week so they stay fresh and dust free. You may designate one day of the week “laundry day”, such as Sunday, so you always do laundry once a week. . Whether you live in a house, an apartment, or you have a room at your parent’s place, you should make an effort to keep your area clean. This means doing daily cleaning like dusting, sweeping, and mopping the floors so they do not collect dust or dirt. You should also pick up after yourself and put any items you have been using away so they do not create clutter.  You may decide to organize your area if it has become too messy and cluttered. Having a space that is organized will make it easier to keep it clean and tidy. When you are cleaning your area, you should use effective cleaning products. Make sure you use cleaning products to wipe down surfaces and to mop the floors. You should also use carpet cleaning products to clean any rugs or carpet in your area. You can also stay organized and on top of your household chores by making a schedule and sticking to the schedule. A schedule for chores may be ideal if there are multiple people living in your household, such as roommates or siblings. You should assign different chores to each person or rotate chores so they get done.  For example, you may have chores like “cleaning the kitchen”, “taking out the garbage and the recycling”, “cleaning the bathroom”, and “sweeping the porch.” You should then agree to rotate the chores with the people in your home or assign each chore to one person. Try to hold yourself and others accountable for getting the chores done. Working together to do the chores as a team will make them much easier to tackle than having to do them on your own. You should also schedule in “deep cleans” of your home or living area. Doing a deep clean once a month will ensure your home stays clean and prevents the build up of dust and dirt.  Start by decluttering any areas in your home. You should also start high and move your way down, focusing on cleaning your ceilings, your walls, and your baseboards. You may also vacuum your home from top to bottom and wash the windows inside and out to remove dust and dirt. You can also clean any blinds, drapes, or curtains with the brush attachment on the vacuum. You should also dust all surfaces in your home. Move any items on shelves or ledges and make sure you dust the entire surface. Sweep and mop the floors if you have hardwood, focusing on all the crevices and cracks in the floor. You should use a professional carpet cleaner for carpeted floors.

Summary: frequently. Keep your area tidy and clean Make a schedule for household chores. Do regular “deep cleans”.


If you don’t have cornstarch available, use powdered sugar instead. Then, use your hands to smooth and shape the fondant without leaving fingerprints. After you’ve smoothed the fondant, you can dust off the cornstarch with a clean paper towel or even a soft, dry paint brush. Pour a small amount of powdered sugar over the fondant, and spread a light coating over your work surface. Use a brush or your hands to coat the ball of fondant and the counter. Fondant is made of sugar, so adding a bit more won’t change the flavor or texture.  If you find that the fondant sticks to the surface as you’re working, you can add more powdered sugar. Alternatively, you can use a light dusting of corn starch for the same effect. However, you won’t be able to apply more cornstarch after the initial application, since it can give the fondant a gritty texture. If fondant is left in the air for too long, it will harden and go bad. Only knead as much fondant as you can use within 30-45 minutes, and wrap the remainder in plastic to keep it moist and clean. Once the fondant hardens, you won’t be able to use it. Some people keep their fondant in airtight containers and store them in the refrigerator while they work. If you do this, you may have to knead for a longer period of time. Coat 1-2 fingers in a small amount of shortening, and then run them along the tear. Use your fingers to slightly pinch the fondant together and smooth it out. This will help repair the hole and keep it from tearing further. Never use water to fix a tear, as it can cause the sugar in the fondant to dissolve, making the tear worse.
Summary: Coat your hands in cornstarch before handling fondant so you don't leave fingerprints. Dust your fondant with powdered sugar to keep it from sticking to surfaces. Keep excess fondant wrapped in plastic to prevent drying and crumbling. Repair small tears in the fondant by rubbing shortening on the area.