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While it might seem like the only way to be cool is to hang out with the most popular kids you can find, the truth is, being really cool means being friends with a lot of different kinds of people. Take the time to get to know each person you meet, no matter what clique they're a part of. Then, befriend the people you like the most. Being cool is about more than just being popular. Popularity can change overnight and is based on the opinion of others, while being cool means staying true to yourself no matter who else is around. and sharing secrets. If someone starts talking bad about another person while you're around, either ask them to stop, ignore the conversation entirely, or walk away. You'll seem a lot cooler if you're too laid-back to get involved in rumors and other drama. Be careful what you say about other people, too, so you're not unintentionally the source of any rumors yourself. For instance, if your friend tells you in confidence that her parents are getting a divorce, don't share that information with anyone else. Unfortunately, in middle school, you might run into people who are unkind. If you spend time around someone and they put you down or make you feel bad about yourself, try to avoid them as much as possible. Instead, hang out with friends who accept you for who you are and make you feel good about yourself. If you're frequently the target of teasing or physical aggression, tell a teacher or another adult, and stick close to other students as much as possible to help make yourself less of a target. If you need to, find someone who's sitting alone and say something like, “Those kids over there keep messing with me. Is it okay if I sit here for a few minutes so they'll leave me alone?” Some people think that teasing other kids will make them seem cool, but this isn't true. Even if you're a victim of bullying yourself, avoid taking it out on someone who's less popular than you are. Being kind to everyone will make people look up to you, which will make you seem cooler. If you see bullying happening at your school, stand up straight, look the bully in the eyes, and tell them to stop. If you're concerned that this will put you in physical danger, report the incident to a teacher, parent, or another responsible adult instead. If you want people to think you're cool, try being funny! Be willing to laugh at yourself, even if you make a mistake. Also, laugh with your friends when they're being funny, and share funny memes or jokes that you come across. For instance, if you spill something on your shirt at lunch, don't get upset about it. Just start laughing, instead! More than likely, other people will laugh with you—which is way more fun than having people laugh at you!

summary: Be friendly to people from different social groups. Avoid gossip Spend time around people who build you up. Don't bully people to try to get attention. Have a good sense of humor.


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This can be a poster or actual board with pictures on it that show all the steps of an activity in sequence. Especially useful with non-verbal siblings, the pictures on the scheduled will help you communicate by reminding them, through pictures, of what they need to do or remember. A variety of pre-made schedules exist online, for free and through purchase. You can also make your own! Talk with your parents about the materials they feel are best to use. Like picture schedules, these are boards with pictures that represent a variety of choices within a given activity or time-frame. The ability to point to pictures that represent their choice will allow your sibling to have some control and tell you what they want. Do what they want you to do, even if it sounds ridiculous or embarrassing. It presents a great bonding opportunity. Find a simple activity you can enjoy and bond over.  Watch television and film programs with them, and put the closed captions on. Your sibling may want to watch their favorite program repeatedly. Instead of getting annoyed, recognize that they are expressing their comfort and enjoyment with something about the show. If your friends find out and ask what you're doing, you might have to tell them that your sibling is autistic; however, it will only help you in the long run if your friends can learn about autism in a positive way and help support you in dealing with its life challenges. Some autistic children have difficulty with homework and may require help from you. Speak in a gentle tone and don't rush. If they grow frustrated, take a break from homework help and ask an adult to help your sibling calm down. Autistic children normally do awkward things, like failing to respond to a "hello" or saying that their clothes look strange, without realizing that it's rude. There's nothing wrong with taking your sibling aside and explaining that it isn't polite. If they've hurt your feelings, say so. Your sibling is likely to feel surprised and remorseful when they realize they've done something wrong.  Your parents can teach you appropriate ways to handle your sibling during play and in other situations. They want all their children to get along, so remember that your parents can offer advice and encouragement. Be hopeful. Your parents and your autistic sibling all need your positive energy. Having a religious support has been reported to be effective, but what is important is that you embrace the wonderful and unique perspectives on life that your sibling can provide to your family. This is extremely important. Autistic people are often teased because they are unusual. Stick up for your sibling and if they cry, comfort them. Treat them as you would treat your best friend.  If your autistic sibling is slightly older than you, you will probably find their behavior as normal, since you lived with them since you were born.  However, other people will feel sorry for you, saying things like "Oh, I'm so sorry your brother is autistic," while others will dote on them, talk over them, or avoid them. If other people express condolences or say something judgmental, an easy way to make them reconsider is to ask "Why?" For example, "Why are you sorry that my sister goes to the special needs classroom?" is likely to make people realize that they made a rude assumption.

summary: Help them use visual/picture schedules. Give them choice and topic boards. Spend time with them. Help them with homework. Get along with them. Be there for them.


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Tamarind adds a delicious sweet-and-sour flavor to curry, soups, stews, dhal, or chili. A little of the paste goes a long way, so just add a dab during the cooking process. Tamarind is a common ingredient in Southeast Asia, where it is often used in curries. Tamarind adds a tart sweetness to savory dishes, and since it helps tenderize meat, it’s perfect for using as a glaze. Try it on fish, chicken, pork, or ham for a unique flavor with a global appeal.  Try glazing chicken with a combination of tamarind concentrate and orange juice.  Mix tamarind and honey with some hot peppers for a sweet and spicy ham glaze.  Tamarind concentrate can be found at many Asian and Thai markets, and you can also buy it online. Tamarind can help you create your very own world-class cocktail! The sour taste of tamarind helps to balance the smoky flavor of whiskey and bourbon.  You can also try tamarind in a gin cocktail. Tamarind juice may not have any added sugar, but the syrup is usually sweetened, so take that into account when you’re planning the other ingredients in your cocktail. If you’ve ever wondered why your homemade pad thai doesn’t taste quite like your favorite restaurant’s, the answer might be tamarind. This tangy fruit is a popular addition in many Pan-Asian dishes. You’ll get an extra dimension of flavor by adding in a little tamarind concentrate to cakes, caramels, pies, and other desserts. Just mix it in before you cook to allow the flavors to really meld together.
summary: Add tamarind paste to your favorite curry dish or soup. Glaze savory meat dishes with tamarind concentrate. Pour tamarind juice or syrup into a whiskey or bourbon cocktail. Toss a little tamarind paste into stir fry or pad thai. Add tamarind to sweet dishes to boost their flavor.