Write an article based on this "Note large, strong objects you can hide behind in a classroom. Ask a teacher if you can practice barricading a door. Identify good places to take shelter if you’re in the hallways or outside. Identify classroom objects you could use to defend yourself. Take self-defense classes if you can."
article: In a lockdown situation, where you’re sheltering in a classroom, you can protect yourself even more by hiding behind solid objects. Look around your classrooms and note thick tables that you might be able to turn over and crouch behind, or large cabinets you could hide behind.  Avoid hiding behind objects made of plastic, like bathroom doors, or thin materials, like cabinet doors. If you do find yourself hiding in a classroom, stay on your hands and knees. Try not to let any vital organs touch the floor, like your heart or lungs, just in case the shooter comes in. Bullets tend to ricochet along the path of the floor, so anything on the floor is at risk. If you can impede the shooter’s access to your room, there’s a good chance they’ll move on. Take note of large objects you can use to block the door, like desks, tables, or movable cabinets.  You can also wind and secure a belt around the door knob, then pull it tight to prevent the shooter from opening the door. Only do this if you or the teacher can stand to the side of the door to pull the belt taut. Practice moving tables against the door or holding the knob with a belt when you’re at home, or also ask a teacher if you can practice in their classroom after class. Remember that in a school shooting situation, you’ll likely have other classmates and teachers to help you secure the door. There are many outdoor areas where you could hide in the unlikely event of a school shooting. As you’re walking to class, look around for a couple of good hiding spots. Take note of areas outside of the school as well.  If you’re in the hallways, you could shelter in a nearby classroom or janitorial closet. Avoid hiding in a restroom, as bathroom stalls provide very little protection don’t typically have windows. If you’re outside, try hiding behind a large tree, a concrete building or pillar, or a car. Hide near the front of the car, as the engine will stop bullets while the trunk will not. There are many everyday classroom items that you can use as defense weapons in case of an extreme emergency. Noticing things in your classroom that you can easily grab and throw will make you feel more prepared and safe in case of a shooting.  Good objects to use to impede a shooter include heavy textbooks, fire extinguishers, and backpacks. If a shooter is entering your classroom, you can throw these objects at them to distract them and throw them off balance, giving you a window to escape. It’s very unlikely that you’ll ever have to fight off a shooter, but if you want to feel even more prepared, try a few self-defense classes. Sign up for classes as your local gym or community center, looking in particular for courses that show you how to defend yourself against a shooter.  Listen carefully in class and take the lessons seriously. Work hard to perfect your skills until they’re second nature so that you feel safe and confident in case of a dangerous situation. Remember that you should only try to fight or disarm the shooter if you’re an adult or older teenager, or if you truly have no other option, as you may be putting yourself in the line of fire.

Write an article based on this "Figure out how much time you have. Plan your route. Set a budget. Explore train options. Apply for the necessary visas. Obtain a passport. Book your train tickets. Pack only the essentials."
article: Some routes take longer than others. You will need at least eight days to make the journey. If you want to stop and visit other cities along the way, set aside additional time. You will first have to travel from London to a European city that has direct trains to Moscow. You will then travel from that city to Moscow. In Moscow, you will board the Trans-Siberian railway and travel to Beijing via one of two routes.  Consider traveling to Moscow from a European city, like Paris or Berlin, that has direct trains to both Moscow and London. You will travel from Moscow to Beijing via Manchuria or via Mongolia. Keep in mind that there is often only one train per week on these routes. The cost of the trip will depend on what European city you stop over in, how long you stay in that city or in Moscow, and what class of train tickets you purchase. Research the costs of train tickets, hotels if you plan to stop over, and food and drink on the trains to help structure your budget. For example, tickets from Moscow to Beijing cost anywhere between 500 and 900 Euros, with first class tickets costing the most. There are multiple options for trains between European cities. Once you decide where you will board the train to Moscow, you can begin researching specific trains and routes. Things to take into consideration include cost, length of trip, and available class compartments.  First class tickets are the most expensive, and often include a sleeper car. You can also purchase a second class ticket that does not include a sleeper car. All of the trains going from Moscow to Beijing include dining options. The type and availability of food on trains between London, Europe, and Moscow varies. You may need visas to visit the countries along your journey, depending on your nationality and the route you travel. Once you plan your route, research each country's visa requirements online. Then, apply for the visas well in advance of your trip. You will likely need the following visas:  You will need a transit visa in Belarus, where most trains pass through on their way from Europe to Beijing. Unless you are a Russian citizen, you will need to obtain a Russian tourist visa. If you are not a Chinese citizen, you will need a Chinese tourist visa. You will need a valid passport to travel from London to Beijing. If you already have a passport, make sure it is still valid and does not expire before the end of your trip. If necessary, renew your passport. If you do not currently have a passport, apply for one at least six months before your trip. Reservations are required on the trains between Moscow and Beijing. While some train types for the other legs of your journey may not require reservations, it is usually a good idea to book ahead of time to guarantee a seat. For example, trains like the Eurostar and Thalys, do require reservations and are quite popular. Try visiting www.bahn.de to view timetables and fares for train travel in Europe. A lighter suitcase will make for a more efficient journey. Try packing five or less changes of clothes. You should also make sure you bring maps and guidebooks for any city you stop over in, reading materials, a journal, a flashlight or headlamp, snacks, and proper outerwear depending on the season. You might also want to wear a money belt to hold your currency, passport, and/or credit cards.

Write an article based on this "Have realistic expectations and stop making comparisons. Communicate with your partner. Explain your fears to your partner. Think about your personal goals for the future. Remember why you are with your significant other."
article:
Understand there is no such thing as a “perfect” relationship. Every relationship has its stumbling blocks, but every relationship also has its unique, wonderful aspects as well. If you are comparing your relationship to someone else’s or to a relationship on a TV show or movie, then it is important to stop doing this.    All couples will argue. Not airing conflict is not healthy to a relationship, after all. Differences of opinion are to be expected between two people from time to time. All couples have something they do not like about their partner (whether they are willing to admit it or not!). Mature couples understand that, as long as their partner’s behavior is not a violation of their values, there will always be something unpleasant or annoying about their partner they have to accept. Keep lines of communication open with your partner to avoid surprises/trust issues on both sides. Be honest about your fears so that your significant other can help you work through them.  Be specific about problems that you need to address and how they make you feel. You could say, “Last night you asked me when we could get engaged. It made me feel very pressured.” This is better than, “You always pressure me about marriage!”  Show empathy to your significant other by actively listening to them and paraphrasing back what you hear. For example, if your partner says, “I don’t know if you’ll ever want to get married,” you could say, “You’re worried that I don’t want to marry you.” This will help you better understand where your partner is coming from.  Apologize if you’ve made a mistake or hurt their feelings. Take responsibility for your behavior causing their pain. For example, “I’m so sorry I didn’t call you last night. I realize now that I had you worried.” Remember that there is no weakness in apologizing. Apologizing demonstrates humility, warmth, and trust. If you need help better communicating as a couple, couples counseling may help you learn how to better communicate with each other. Look for a counselor who is trained in couples therapy to help you. While it may upset your partner to know that you are afraid of committing to them, it is better than keeping them in the dark. Keep in mind that you are not doing anything wrong by staying in the relationship as long as you are honest about your fears of commitment. The other person has the ability to leave the relationship any time they wish. Hopefully, you have been doing some of your own inner work and have an understanding around why you are afraid to commit.  You could say, “I really care about you, but I have noticed that the closer we get, and the more in love with you I am, the more I feel like I want to push you away. This isn’t because you are doing anything wrong. It is because I am afraid.” Try asking for understanding. You could say, “I know this is probably upsetting for you, but I hope you can understand where I think this is coming from. I am afraid to rush into things after my previous relationship. Do you think you could help support me and help me feel less afraid?” Consider what you would like your life to look like five or ten years down the road. Does this vision include a committed, long-term relationship (married or not)? Would you like to have a family? Discuss your ideas with your significant other.  If you and your significant other are discussing a deeper commitment to each other (such as moving in together or marriage), and you feel like it is moving too fast, talk to them. You could say, “I know you are ready to take this step, but I am feeling anxious about it. Would you be willing to wait to help me get comfortable with this idea?” Ask your significant other what amount of time would be appropriate. Keep in mind that it is also important to work on your commitment issues during this time and think about whether or not this is the person you really want to be with. Do not just remain in the relationship and hope for a sign. Remember what compelled you to choose them and why you remain interested. It may be helpful to create a list of things you love about them.  Keep the list in a safe place that you can easily access in times you are feeling anxious or ready to run. Your words about how much you value this person may help keep you grounded and centered. Share your list with your significant other. They will find it very touching to know how much you value them.