| How to Keep in Touch with a Friend Posted: 15 Oct 2018 05:00 PM PDT Over time, friends and acquaintances can grow apart. Although you may not be as close as you once were, it is still important to maintain a connection with people who you care about. There are so many easy ways to stay in contact with your friends, from a simple phone call or writing a letter to tagging each other in funny pictures on Instagram. EditConversation Help EditScheduling a Phone Call - Commit to regular phone calls. You and your friend will likely have busy schedules, but you can make plans to call each other regularly. Work out a time that is best for both of you via text or email, first.[1]
- Once you make a commitment to call, make sure you stick to it.
- Make sure you are aware of fees or usage charges with your phone provider. These will vary based on carrier.
- Pick a time to call that works with your schedule. Since your planned calls will have to coordinate with both schedules, pick a time where you know you'll be free to talk. This might mean calling while you're on your commute to or from work. If you're really busy, you might even call from the gym or while you're cooking dinner.
- Make sure this is a time where you can devote some attention to really listening and talking.
- Try out video calling for a face-to-face conversation. Most smartphones have video calling capabilities, which allow you to see and be seen by your friend during your conversation. Some phones, like iPhones, have built-in apps for video chatting such as FaceTime, but there are also apps such as Skype which will allow you to call any smartphone for free.[2]
- Video chatting will let you feel like you're in the same room with your friend. You can also show them your surroundings and let them feel like they're there with you!
EditKeeping in Contact Via Text - Keep an ongoing chat for updates about each other's lives. Having an open text message chat with someone is a great way to keep in touch. You can both reply when you have free time, and you'll keep each other updated on your day-to-day life.
- In this case, neither of you will feel pressured to respond if you're too busy. You can just text a response whenever you have a free moment!
- Chat using online apps. Apps such as WhatsApp, Skype, WeChat, or Facebook Messenger can allow you to remain in contact throughout the day. Sending funny pictures, quick updates about your day, or just letting them know what's going on can help you remain close.[3]
- These apps are particularly useful if your friend or friends live in foreign countries because they won't charge you per message for "texting" to a different country.
- Start a group chat if you have multiple friends you'd like to keep in contact with. If you have a group of 3 or more friends who like to keep in touch, you can start a group chat to send text messages to each other where everyone can see them at once. There are even apps such as GroupMe that work via WiFi and data to avoid costly messaging fees.[4]
- Make sure to also maintain personal friendships with the members of your group chat by taking the time to text or call them individually on occasion.
EditUsing Mail and Email - Write an email. If you have their email address, you can write a 'letter' online and send it to their virtual inbox. Writing an email is longer and contains more information than a text message, so you can update them on more of your life and ask them questions about how they're doing.[5]
- To start an ongoing chain of emails where you respond to one another over time, include some questions at the close of your email for them to respond to.
- For example, you could ask "How is your family doing?" You can also ask more specific questions about your shared interests, such as "Did you see the football game on Sunday? What did you think about the quarterback's performance?"
- Write letters for a more traditional approach. Everyone loves to receive mail that isn't a bill or advertisement. Grab some blank paper, a pen, and write a letter to your friend to update them about your life. You can write at any time of the day and mail your letter knowing that they will have plenty of time to respond without interrupting their busy life.
- The general setup for a letter is to include a greeting, some personal information about your life, and ask questions for them to respond to in their reply.
- Mail a quirky greeting card to surprise them. Cards are inexpensive and easy to find, and a great way to let someone know you're thinking about them. Simply add a quick message, sign your name, add your stamp, and drop it in the mailbox![6]
- You can opt to send cards out regularly for holidays and/or birthdays.
- Send a small gift if it reminds you of your friend. A book, craft, or even a gift card that your friend will like will let them know that you care. Postage for a larger gift will be a little bit more expensive than a regular envelope, but you can also look into using Amazon to send a gift to a friend's address directly.[7]
- If you aren't interested in sending gifts or can't, you don't have to. There are many other ways to keep in touch!
- It's not necessary to do this frequently. You could save a small gift that you found to send for their birthday or a special holiday.
EditUsing Social Media - Tag your friend on Facebook to let them know you found something they might like. Facebook allows users to tag friends in pictures, videos, and posts that they come across. If you think they might like something you've seen, tag them or share it with them! [8]
- You can also send posts directly through the Facebook Messenger app, which is more private and does not allow other people to see that you have tagged them in the post.
- Share Tweets that you think your friend might like. Twitter allows you to send direct messages, which are another form of chat. You can share tweets and thoughts directly with your friend in the app. On Twitter, they can also retweet and respond to your tweets, as long as it's under 280 characters!
- You can also tag them in replies to Tweets by using their username and the "@" symbol.
- Tag your friend in memes on Instagram to make them laugh. Instagram allows you to share posts with friends directly within the app, in addition to allowing members to "tag" other users in posts that they might enjoy. You can also share personal photos and videos of your daily life. This is a great way to get visual updates on your friend and interact with their posts.[9]
- Start a Snapchat streak to send daily pictures. Snapchat is a messaging app that allows you to send pictures that disappear after a set amount of time. You can add fun filters to your pictures and send quick Snaps to your friend to let them know what you're up to throughout the day.[10]
- Snapchat notifies you with a fire emoji when you have sent snaps back and forth multiple days in a row. Keeping the "streak" going for long periods of time is a fun activity and gives you incentive to keep snapping.
- Share Pinterest pins with each other to get inspired. If you and your friend share a common love of cooking, baking, or arts and crafts, you might enjoy creating a collaborative board on Pinterest. This can give you ideas for activities to do together when you're able to see each other. You can also tackle some pins on your own and compare results![11]
- Reach out when you have free time, but don't feel obligated to devote a lot of time to texting, calling, or emailing with friends. Sometimes, you will have other priorities.
- If possible, make plans to meet in person on a regular basis, such as once per year or every few months.
- Your friendship might go through different stages of communication, but remember that your friend cares about you no matter how often you might talk.
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations
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| How to Hang a Skateboard on a Wall Posted: 15 Oct 2018 09:00 AM PDT Skateboards can be fun to ride but they can also be used as unique wall decoration. Whether you want to hang up a retired skateboard or one that you use regularly, there are ways that you can do so attractively, creatively, and conveniently. EditHanging a Skateboard Deck with Fishing Line - Remove your skateboard's trucks. Turn your skateboard on its side. Use a pair of pliers to hold 1 of the bolts on 1 of your trucks in place. Insert the tip of a screwdriver into the corresponding screw on the top side of the board. Twist the screwdriver until the screw is completely out. Repeat this 3 more times to remove 1 truck, and then remove the other truck using the same method.[1]
- Feed a piece of fishing line through the holes in your deck. Locate the 2 screw holes closest to 1 end of the skateboard deck. Then, cut off or so of fishing line with a pair of scissors. Hold the deck with the underside facing you and feed 1 end of the fishing line through 1 hole. Then, feed it back towards you through the other hole.[2]
- The screw holes in your deck are there because they previously allowed screws to hold the deck and trucks together.
- Tie a knot with the ends of the fishing line. Fishing line can be slippery, so make sure to tie a knot that will hold, such as a granny knot. Don't tie it too close to the holes in the deck, but instead provide a little slack between the knot and the deck to make hanging it easier.[3]
- Hammer a nail into the wall and hook the fishing line on it. Hold a nail against a point on your wall where you'd like the top of the deck to be located. Then, use a hammer to carefully hammer the nail into the wall.[4] Stop once the head of the nail is almost, but not quite, flush against the wall. Hang the fishing line on the nail between the nail head and the wall.
- If you're hanging multiple skateboard decks, you may want to use measuring tape and a pencil to find out where on the wall the boards should be hung in order to be evenly spaced out.
- Hang the fishing line from wall hooks to avoid making holes. Instead of hammering a nail into the wall after you've tied a knot in the fishing line, use a pencil to draw a horizontal line on the wall that's level with the floor where you'd like your skateboard to be hung. Press a command hook, or something similar, onto the center of the line. Then, hang your fishing line on the hook.[5]
- If you can't make holes in your walls, this may be a great alternative.
EditUsing Wall Mounts to Display Skateboard Decks - Drill a hole in the wall and insert a wall anchor. Use a drill to drill a hole in the wall where you'd like your deck to be hung. Then, insert a plastic wall anchor into the hole to ensure that it effectively holds the weight of the deck.[6]
- Secure your deck display to the wall with a screw. Your deck display should come with a screw. Hold the display against the wall and line up the hole at the center with the hole you drilled in the wall. Use a drill or screwdriver to screw the screw into the wall through the hole in the display.[7]
- Twist the bolts towards the wall and slide your board onto the display. Once the display is secured to the wall, twist the 2 bolts that came with the display on each of the posts sticking out from the display. Then, align the 2 screw holes nearest to the end of your deck with the posts and slide it on.[8]
- Twist the T nuts onto the display. Twist the 2 T nuts that came with the display onto either post until they're snug against the deck. This should securely hold the deck in place and keep any part of it from touching the wall.[9]
EditUsing a Rope to Store a Skateboard on a Wall - Cut a piece of thick rope. Get a strong, durable rope that won't break over time under the weight of your skateboard. Opt for a rope that's at least in diameter for best results. Use a ruler or measuring tape to measure about {{convert|25|in|cm|} and use a sharp knife to cut the rope at this point.[10]
- Tie a knot on each end of the rope and burn them. Tie a simple knot each end of your piece of rope and pull the ends tight. Carefully hold a lighter just under 1 end for a couple of seconds to burn it, and then repeat this process of the other end. This should help to keep the ends of the rope from fraying.[11]
- Mark where you want to hang the skateboard on your wall. Use a pencil and a ruler to mark 2 horizontal lines on your wall. These lines should be equal in height but about apart.[12]
- Push screws through the knots and screw them into the wall. Push a screw through the center of 1 of the knots and screw it into 1 of your marked spots with a screwdriver. Repeat this on the other side. Then, you can hang up your board vertically on the rope by 1 of its trucks.[13]
- You may hurt yourself if you aren't familiar with working with tools. Be careful, and make sure to ask for someone's help if you need to.
- Take safety precautions when handling fire to prevent injuries and other fire-related accidents.
EditThings You'll Need EditHanging a Skateboard Deck with Fishing Line - Pliers
- Screwdriver
- Fishing line
- Scissors
- Hammer
- Nail
- Measuring tape (optional)
- Pencil (optional)
- Hooks (optional)
EditUsing Wall Mounts to Display Skateboard Decks - Drill
- Wall anchor
- Deck display
- Screw
- Bolts
- T nuts
EditUsing a Rope to Store a Skateboard on a Wall - Rope
- Ruler or measuring tape
- Sharp knife
- Lighter
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Screws
- Screwdriver
EditSources and Citations EditQuick Summary
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| How to Make Successful Traveling Plans Posted: 15 Oct 2018 01:00 AM PDT Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, every trip needs a little planning. Things like flights and hotels have to be booked in advance to make sure you get the itinerary you need. Travel planning doesn't have to be stressful, though. As long as you allow yourself plenty of time to look around, compare prices, and make sure you have everything you need before you leave, you can plan a great travel experience. EditStarting Your Plans - Start planning 3-6 months in advance. The further away you want to go, the sooner you should start planning. International trips can take months to plan properly. Likewise, trips during high seasons, such as summer or over the holidays, need to be booked further out than trips during low seasons.[1]
- As a general rule, give yourself 6 months to plan an international trip, 3 months to plan a domestic vacation, and at least 4-6 weeks for a trip like a long weekend.
- Some major destinations such as resorts may require a deposit well in advance. As soon as you decide on a destination, contact them to figure out if they require a deposit, and how far in advance you need to pay it.
- If you are planning a last-minute trip, be mindful that you will need to be flexible in where you go and exactly what your vacation will look like. You can certainly plan a successful last-minute vacation, but it often takes more maneuvering.
- Set a travel budget. Before you do anything, you need to know how much money you will have at your disposal. It's easy to overspend when you're traveling if you don't plan ahead, so start your planning by breaking down how much you want to spend on transportation, food, lodging, sightseeing, nightlife, and any other activities you hope to include in your trip.[2]
 - Your budget breakdown will vary significantly depending on your trip. If you're going abroad, for example, a lot of your budget may be dedicated to transportation. If you're planning a food tour, you may be spending a lot on meals but relatively little on attractions.
- If you want or need to go to a specific destination, the going rates in that location will factor into establishing your budget. You may be able to find a hotel in Des Moines for $60/night, but you won't get that same deal in New York.
- Remember to plan for little things like taxis or ride shares around town, the cost of boarding your pets, foreign transaction fees, baggage fees, and different sales tax rates in different regions.
- It's wise to set aside about 10% of your overall vacation fund as an emergency fund for unforeseen circumstances. Forgetting your sunscreen at home, having to take a taxi because you missed the last bus, and ordering an extra drink at dinner all add up. Have an emergency credit card in case you need it, but try to avoid relying on credit cards to curb the potential for overspending.
- Choose a destination that fits your available resources. Available resources include not only your travel budget but also things like how many vacation days you have or how close you must be to a client's office. It's tempting to go above and beyond when planning your dream trip, but you'll have the most success if you pick a destination where you have the time and money for fun once you get there.[3]
- If, for example, you want to take an international trip to Paris but you only have 2 vacation days, Paris probably isn't the right destination at this time. You can always choose to wait until you have more vacation saved up or choose a destination that doesn't require such a large time commitment for both transit and tourism.
- Likewise, if you are meeting a client with offices downtown, don't stay in a far-off suburb to avoid the city noise. It can often take a lot of valuable time to commute in the morning -- and that's time you could be using to prepare for your meeting.
- Pick a vacation destination that you will enjoy. If you're traveling for pleasure, look for a destination that will be enjoyable for everyone going. Think about your interests and the interests of the people traveling with you, and consider destinations that work for everyone.[4]
- Consider the age groups traveling with you. If you're bringing kids, look for a destination that has kid-friendly activities. If, for example, your child loves dinosaurs, check a destination's natural history museum to see if it has an interactive exhibit on the subject.
- If you and your travel companions like outdoor activities, check the predicted forecast for your destination well in advance to make sure you can participate in the activities you enjoy. Most weather websites and almanacs provide seasonal weather trend information.
- Consider the physical abilities of yourself and your travel companions, too. Your aging parent may want to see the history in Philadelphia, for example, but if they have limited mobility, the relative lack of things like elevators and escalators might make it difficult to visit popular destinations.
- Obtain a visa for international destinations if necessary. If you're going abroad, you may be required to get a passport, visa, get certain immunizations, or provide fingerprints before you depart. Check the website of your intended country's consulate or embassy to see what is required for you to enter the country. Visas may take weeks or even months to finalize, so check early in the planning process.[5]
- Different countries may have different entry requirements. That's why it's important to look for your destination country's embassy for your home country. This will give you information relevant to you.
- Even if no immunizations are required for entry, it may be advisable to get them if you are traveling to a high-risk area. Check with your country's department of public health or disease control to see what immunizations they recommend for your intended destination.
- Book babysitters, house sitters, and pet sitters, if applicable. If you have kids or large pets like dogs and cats that aren't coming with you when you travel, find someone to watch them before you book your plans. Whether you have your kids stay with their grandparents for a weekend or drop off your dog with a friend, booking early ensures that you won't have to change your plans if you can't find the help you need.[6]
- Even if you don't need full-time care for kids or pets, it may be worthwhile to book a house sitter. This person can check your mail, water your plants, and generally just make sure that your home is in order while you're away.
- For small pets like rodents and fish, you may be able to ask your house sitter to feed them and clean their bowl or cage while you're gone. These pets don't necessarily need to stay with someone full-time while you're away.
EditMaking Reservations and an Itinerary - Shop around for deals on transportation. Things like cruises, flights, trains, and even car rentals can be drastically different depending on where you book them. Check the company's website directly to look for any specials. You should also check at least 4-5 aggregate sites like Kayak.com, Booking.com, or Trivago to get an idea of potential price ranges.[7]
- When traveling to a different country, local aggregate booking sites may offer better deals than the ones you find in your home country. Check local listings to see if you can grab a better deal.
- To get the best idea of how pricing varies, compare itineraries that are the same. Check the same dates and destinations on different sites to see where you can really find the best deals.
- If you're traveling as a representative of a particular company or organization, they may have an in-house travel site or travel booker that you are required to use. Check with your company's administrative department to see if that's the case.
- Check the availability for different accommodations. Sites like Kayak.com, Booking.com, and Trivago are great to check for deals on hotels. It's worth considering other accommodations, though, too. Sites like Airbnb and VRBO let you book rooms, houses, and apartments directly from the current occupants. These can be great if you're traveling for long periods or want amenities like a full kitchen to save on meals out.[8]
- Likewise, if you're planning on staying in a hostel, hostel-booking sites usually have better offers than hotel booking sites. HostelWorld.com and HostelBookers.com are two options with extensive listings.
- If you're going camping, check your site well in advance. Popular campsites like Big Bend National Park in Texas can run out of permits months in advance. Don't assume you can just show up at a campsite and set up your tent. You often need to reserve a spot on site.
- Think about different routes you can take to get to your destination. Flights directly into Washington DC are often expensive, for example, because the DC airports are close to public transportation, hotels, and attractions. Flying into Baltimore is often more affordable, and still puts you a 20-minute train ride away from DC.
- Book transportation and accommodations 2-5 months in advance. If you still haven't booked your transportation or accommodations within 8 weeks of your intended departure date, you need to do so now. The longer you wait, the more expensive these will get. You also run the risk of the flight you want selling out or the hotel being fully booked.[9]
- For international trips, you may need to book further in advance, especially if you are flying or taking a cruise. Try to book at least 4 months out from your intended departure date in these cases.
- Trips taken during popular travel times should also be booked further in advance. If you plan to go to Boston for St. Patrick's Day, for example, expect hotels to fill up months in advance.
- Some modes of transportation don't require you to book as far in advance as others. A train, for example, may only require a reservation the week before your departure. Check your carrier to see their suggested booking time frame.
- Make meal plans before you go. You don't need a restaurant reservation for every meal when you're gone, but you should think about meal plans before you go. Think about how often you want to eat out, and how you want to handle things like snacks. For example, if you have kids, you may want to pack some sandwich bags and get a full-sized box of their favorite snack. That way, you can take these to go instead of spending on snacks every day.[10]
- Think about what meals may be included with your accommodations. Does your hotel offer free breakfast? If not, you may need to adjust your budget to include breakfasts.
- If you're staying at an all-inclusive resort or on a cruise, check with the resort to see if you need to book meals in advance. At some resorts and on some cruises, you have to make reservations for a certain seating time, even if the meal is included in your price.
- Consider your flight, too. If you have a long-haul flight where a meal is included, let the airline know about any dietary restrictions you may have at least 1 week before you depart. This way, you can ensure you get the right in-flight meal for your diet.
- Set a daily itinerary before you leave. You don't need to plan out every second of every day, but schedule time for the things you really want to see and do. Researching and planning these before you leave allows you to see and do more of what you want. It also gives you the opportunity to make reservations or book tickets and tours for things that sell out in advance.[11]
- Your daily itinerary doesn't have to be elaborate. It may be as simple as "Breakfast: 9-10, Acropolis tour: 10:30-12:30, explore the city after the tour ends." Just make sure you include those things that are really important for you to see and do.
- If you're traveling for business, your itinerary may have to be more formal. Check with your company or client to see if you need to submit a formal itinerary for your meetings and activities.
- Leave some room in between activities in case things run long or you have any unexpected delays. You don't need to plan every minute of every day, just make sure you have time to fit in those things that are really important for you to see or do.
EditGetting Ready to Go - Pack appropriate clothing for your destination and trip. Check the weather at your destination 2-3 days before you depart. This will let you know what type of clothes you need to bring. In addition, consider the nature of your trip. Will you be expected to wear a suit for a conference, or will you be able to lounge in a bathing suit on the beach?[12]
- The duration of your trip will also influence how much you pack. You likely won't need 12 pairs of underwear for a weekend getaway.
- Try to pack light, sheddable layers such as shirts, light sweaters or cardigans, jackets, etc. This way, you can add on or remove a piece to suit the weather without having to pack entirely different outfits for different temperatures.
- Check to ensure you've packed your essentials. No matter where you're going, there are some things that are essential to pack. Check the night before you depart to make sure you have your essentials ready to go in your travel bag. Some easy-to-forget essential items include:[13]
- Mobile phone charges
- Socks
- Underwear
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Deodorant or antiperspirant
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- An umbrella
- Make sure your electronics are compatible for international trips. If you're going abroad, make sure you bring electronic items that are compatible with your destination's power sources. You can use an adapter or converter for dual-voltage items, but you need to make sure the items are compatible with your destination's voltage.[14]
- For example, in the US, appliances are 110 volts. In the EU, they're 220 volts. If your electronic has a plug or printing somewhere on it that says "110-220," this means the item is safe to use for both voltages.
- If you use an electronic item with incompatible voltage, it could short circuit your item and permanently damage or destroy it. It is also a fire hazard.
- Even if your item is safe for both voltages, it probably doesn't have a plug for both. You need an adapter or converter to plug into the wall outlets at your destination. Different countries have different outlets, so check online and buy your adapter before you depart.
- See your doctor for health concerns and prescription refills. If you're going on a long or international trip, it's a good idea to schedule a visit with your doctor before you go. Ask them to get a refill for any prescriptions you need to take with you. Give yourself enough time to get the prescription filled before you leave for your trip.[15]
- Ask them about any vaccinations they may advise for your destination, and talk to them about any preventative medications you may need to take while traveling. If, for example, you're going to a place where malaria is common, you may be given a preventative pill.
- Make an emergency kit. Hopefully, you won't need your emergency kit when traveling, but it's always a good precaution. Leave your kit in a separate place from items like your passport. That way, if your passport gets stolen, you still have the copies in your kit. Your emergency kit should include:[16]
- 2-3 color copies of your government-issued ID or the information page of your passport
- A copy of your visa, if applicable
- Copies of your transportation and accommodations bookings
- A list of numbers for anyone important back home
- Enough cash to get you to your local embassy or emergency services (enough for a taxi ride from one end of your destination city to the other should be enough)
- An extra dose of any regular medication you take, as well as a few over-the-counter medications like pain relievers, antacids, and antihistamines.
- Pass your itinerary along to a friend or family member so that someone else has your information in the case of an emergency.
- Remember to take some time to relax and enjoy yourself. Travel planning can be stressful, but the travel, itself, can be an amazing experience.
EditSources and Citations
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