Have you ever had to wait in line at a store and found yourself avoiding eye contact, whether with employees or other customers? You may hope it is easier to meet new people or feel at ease at a party. 【小题1】 This article will show how to reach out to others and start potential friendships.

●Stop worrying about the outcome.

【小题2】 But not every conversation will lead to a new friend. It is completely normal to feel nervous about the idea of striking up a conversation with someone you don’t know. For many people, it can be difficult to overcome the fear of saying something wrong. Remember that real conversations can lead to increased self-confidence and lasting friendships.

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Remember that being true to yourself is more important than what strangers think. Who you are is no less important than who anyone else is. Every person has their own story and journey, and yours is just as important as anyone else’s. 【小题4】

●Don’t share too much too quickly.

It can sometimes be easy to share a little too much information about yourself, especially if you are excited or anxious when engaging with strangers. 【小题5】 Remember that you are simply striking up small talk with someone, not trying to turn them into your instant best friends.

As people in southern Florida prepared for Hurricane Irma, many included four-legged family members in their plans. Even with the best plans, though, pets can get lost in a natural disaster. Animal rescue organizations like ASPCA see an increase in lost animals after storms.

Some pets get frightened and run away. Others hide in places where their owners can’t find or reach them. Then, in the confusion of an evacuation, they get left behind. “We strongly suggest families should not evacuate without their pets. If it’s too dangerous for you, it’s too dangerous for your pet,” says Tim Rickey, vice president of Field Investigations and Response at the ASPCA.

An owner’s first and best defense against losing a pet is to have the animal microchipped (植入芯片) and registered. The cost of a microchip is around $50. Any vet (兽医)can put the microchip under the pet’s skin. Owners can then register the pet with the company that makes the microchip. There’s also a “universal” database (数据库)that will search all of the different chip companies. The human just has to provide contact information for the pet in the chip’s database, and then keep that information current. “All too often, people change phone numbers or they move, but they don’t remember to update their pet’s information,” Rickey says.

Other ways Rickey recommends depend on an owner’s knowledge of their pet. Does Fido or Fluffy tend to make a run for it when they get frightened? Then it might be time to buy an extra-strong leash and collar, and keep an extra-close watch. If your pet prefers hiding, create a safe shelter for them that is also easy to be found. That way, you’ll know where to look first in case everyone needs to make a quick getaway.

How to Keep a Diary

A diary is a way of writing down your memories, but it has other benefits as well. Keeping diaries is beneficial to your mental health and it helps you become a better writer! 【小题1】

【小题2】 Many people find it helpful to plan a right time to write each day. It’s good to write before bed or in the morning. Of course, you can write your diary at any time! It’s up to you!

Give your diary a special purpose. During some time of your life, you may not feel like there’s much interesting going on, which can make you harder to write something in your diary. You may devote your diary to a specific purpose.【小题3】

Write about thoughts and feelings, not just events. For example, your favorite band will come to your city.【小题4】 You can also write how the sound of the musical instruments makes your whole body feel like shaking and how excited and happy you are when they play your favorite song.

Use your diary for creative writing. When you write your diary, don’t worry too much about the rules of spelling and grammar. You don’t worry how other people think about your writing either! 【小题5】 Indeed, a lot of diary writing is just like that. Don’t be afraid, however, to use your diary to write more creatively. Some people even write their own songs in their diaries.