Monday, January 7, 2019

How to of the Day

How to of the Day


How to Learn Basic Ballet Moves

Posted: 07 Jan 2019 04:00 PM PST

Ballet is an art that helps you express yourself through movement. It's also a technical form of dance that builds on the basics. If you're interested in ballet, start by learning the 5 basic foot and arm positions. After those, you can progress onto moves like plié and relevé. Take a beginner's class to make sure you're learning good form and technique, and practice at home so that you can master the basics.

EditSteps

EditMastering the Basic Positions

  1. Start with first position. First position is arguably the easiest basic ballet position. Stand with your feet together, ensuring your heels touch. Then, turn each leg outward so your feet are perpendicular to your torso. Keep your heels together, but allow your feet, calves, and thighs pivot until your feet form a straight line parallel with your shoulders. The end stance is first position.[1]
    Learn Basic Ballet Moves Step 1 Version 4.jpg
    • Your whole leg from your thigh to your feet be turned outward. The end result will turn your feet in a straight line on the floor, with your heels in the middle.
    • First position for the arms looks like you're holding a beach ball in the middle of your stomach. Keep your fingers about apart, and tilt your hands just slightly toward your face.
  2. Move into second position. Second position is similar to first. Instead of your heels touching, though, move your feet about hip distance apart. Make sure your feet still face opposite directions, and that your legs turn out along with your feet.[2]
    Learn Basic Ballet Moves Step 2 Version 4.jpg
    • Second position for the arms is like the first position arms, but open. Take your first position arms and open them at the elbows to about the width of your feet. Tilt your palms slightly toward you.
  3. Transition to third position. For third position, start in first position. With your feet still facing opposite directions, slide one foot directly in front of the other. Touch the heel of your front foot to the instep of your back foot, and bring your front calf directly in front of your back calf.[3]
    Learn Basic Ballet Moves Step 3 Version 4.jpg
    • Third position arms can best be thought of as a combination of first and second position. Start with your arms in first position. Open just one arm up to second position, leaving the other arm in first position.
  4. Open to fourth position. Begin in first position, then bring one foot in front of the other, making sure the toes on each foot still point in opposite directions. Position your forward foot about in front of your back foot, and line the heel of the forward foot up with the toes of the back foot.[4]
    Learn Basic Ballet Moves Step 4 Version 5.jpg
    • Unlike in other positions, your feet do not touch in fourth position. Getting your spacing right can be tricky. Look up pictures of fourth position online and watch video tutorials to give you an idea of how your feet should be positioned.
    • For fourth position arms, start with your arms in first position. Bring one arm up above your head, maintaining the bend at the elbow. Face the palm of your raised arm downward and hold it just in front of your head.
  5. Finish in fifth position. Fifth position uses the same foot directions as fourth, but your feet are positioned much closer together. Start in fourth position and bring your feet in close together, stopping when they are about 1-2 finger widths apart.[5]
    Learn Basic Ballet Moves Step 5 Version 5.jpg
    • As with fourth position, turn your legs out along with your feet. Avoid bending them at the knee. Hold them as tall and straight as possible.
    • Fifth position arms are an extension of fourth position, as well. Bring your arms into fourth position. Then, bring your lower arm up above your head to meet your raised arm. Make sure to leave just enough space between your fingers so that they don't touch.

EditLearning Additional Moves

  1. Add movement to first position with a plié. A plié is one of the most basic moves in ballet. Start in first position. Then, slowly bend your knees until they are about as wide apart as your big toes. Hold this position for a second before using your legs to quickly and gracefully push your torso back up. Finish back in first position.[6]
    Learn Basic Ballet Moves Step 6 Version 4.jpg
    • As you plié, pay close attention to your form. Keep your back straight and tall, and your heels planted on the floor. This movement will engage your quadriceps on the way down, and your knees and glutes on the way up.
    • A plié is the starting and finishing motion for many jumps. That's why you don't just straighten your legs when coming out of one. The force that you use to drive up your upper body will eventually drive your jumps and pirouettes.
    • There are two types of pliés. Beginners should start with a demi plié as described. As you master your craft, though, you'll move onto the grand plié, where you bend until your thighs are parallel with the floor.[7]
  2. Use a tendu to transition between positions. A tendu, or battement tendu, is a stretch that helps you move from one position to another. Start in fifth position with your legs straight and your muscles pulled up. Take your front foot and push it into the floor, then immediately slide out to the front before bringing it back to fifth position.[8]
    Learn Basic Ballet Moves Step 7 Version 4.jpg
    • Once your foot is back in fifth position, push it back into the floor, then slide it out to the side. Make sure your knee does not bend through this process. As you bring your foot back in, place it in fifth position behind your stationary foot.
    • Complete the tendu by pushing your foot into the ground then sliding it back behind you. Bring your feet back to fifth position. Your stationary foot will now be in front, allowing you to switch feet and practice the tendu flow on your other foot.
  3. Come up on the balls of your feet for a relevé. A relevé is a basic move taught to most beginning ballet dancers. For a basic relevé, start with your feet in first position and one arm holding onto your barre. Use your calves to pull your heels upward until you're standing on the balls of your feet. Then, slowly release your calves to bring your heels back to the floor.[9]
    Learn Basic Ballet Moves Step 8.jpg
    • While relevé is used in pointe, beginners should not try going all the way onto their toes. Instead, support your weight with the balls of your feet. This is called a demi-pointe.
    • As you practice more, you can combine your plié and relevé. Start by going into your plié, then use the driving force as you come back up to bring you into relevé.
  4. Try a basic sauté when you're ready to learn jumps. A sauté is generally used as an exercise for beginners to help them master small, simple jumps. To sauté, start in first position. Bend into a plié, then push your legs into the ground as you come up, giving you lift enough to jump a little way off the ground. Straighten your legs as you jump, then bend softly back into a plié as you land.[10]
    Learn Basic Ballet Moves Step 9.jpg
    • Often, as you practice, you will do several sautés in a row. Practice sautés in groups of at least 5 to help you master the flow of launching and landing in plié. Landing in plié is an important part of this jump, as it cushions and protects your knees.
    • Moving from plié to sauté will be similar to moving from plié to relevé, but with a bit more force as you come up. That added force is what will get you off the ground.
    • Sauté, literally translating to jump, is often combined with other positions to create specific jumps, such as sauté arabesque.

EditPracticing Your Ballet Skills

  1. Buy or make a barre to practice at home. A barre is a simple rail to help you keep your balance when doing warming up and practicing new moves. Position the barre at a comfortable height, just at or above your waist. You can buy a barre online or from some sporting goods stores. You can also use PVC pipes to make a freestanding barre for your home.[11]
    Learn Basic Ballet Moves Step 10.jpg
    • A sturdy barre will be necessary for most beginners to help them keep balance as they improve their technique and muscle memory.
    • A typical ballet barre has a lower and an upper barre attached to the same wall or frame. The lower barre is usually from the floor, and the upper barre is from the floor.
    • If you don't want to invest in a home barre, talk to local dance studios to see if they have open hours. Often, you pay a small practice fee for open hours in exchange for free time to use the shared studio space and equipment, including their barre.
  2. Go over the port de bras basics each day. Mastering the position and movement of your arms, known in ballet as port de bras, is often the first exercise for beginners. Take some time each day to flow through the basic arm positions. These include not only the arms complimenting each foot position, but also:[12]
    Learn Basic Ballet Moves Step 11.jpg
    • En avant (forward). For this, hold your arms out directly in front of your torso, bending them at the elbows to round them slightly. Face your palms in toward your body, and keep your fingers close but not so close that they touch.
    • En haut (high up). Bring your arms up from en avant and hold them above your head, keeping your shoulders flat. Keep your elbows round and your fingers just slightly apart.
    • En bas (below). Carefully and intentionally bring your arms down directly in front of your hips from en haut. Face your palms inward toward your legs, keep your elbows round, and maintain spacing between your fingers. Then, bring your arms back up to en avant and repeat the flow for at least 5 or so minutes.
  3. Practice your basic foot positions every day after doing port de bras. Whether you're taking classes or just exploring your interest in ballet, practicing the basic positions is essential. Set aside at least 15 minutes every day to practice your positions in front of a mirror. [13]
    Learn Basic Ballet Moves Step 12.jpg
    • Hold each position for a few seconds at a time to evaluate your form and correct your stance, if necessary.
    • Don't get discouraged if your positions aren't perfect at first. These take a lot of time to learn and even longer to perfect. Keep practicing, though, since these positions serve as the starting point for many basic moves.
  4. Attend a beginners ballet class to ensure you have the correct form. Whether you hope to become a prima ballerina/ballerino or you're just dancing for fun, an instructor is a necessity for a ballet beginner. Home practice is important, but only a teacher can build your correct your technique and help you move past basic skills.[14]
    Learn Basic Ballet Moves Step 13.jpg
    • Attend open houses at local dance studios to get a feel for different teachers and their different styles.
    • Keep looking until you find a teacher with whom you click. Ballet is a difficult art to master, so you may be with your instructor for a long time. Look for someone who will both nurture and challenge you.
    • Even if you have experience in other forms of dance, you should start with a beginner ballet class. Ballet is highly technical, and other forms of dance may not fully prepare you. Your instructor will let you know if they think you're prepared for a more advanced class.

EditTips

  • In addition to practicing moves, learn about ballet through reading and watching videos. The more you understand about the technique and theory behind each movement, the better you will be able to perform it.
  • Don't give up. Becoming a ballerina/ballerino is a very long process, so don't expect to be perfect from the start.

EditWarnings

  • Do not try pointe or use pointe shoes as a beginner. Pointe can be dangerous for the inexperienced dancer. Your ballet instructor will let you know when you are ready for pointe.
  • Do not force your body into a position it cannot hold. It takes time to build the strength and flexibility for certain moves and positions. Allow yourself to build up the muscle memory gradually or you could risk hurting yourself.

EditRelated wikiHows

EditSources and Citations


Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found


How to Make Candied Ginger

Posted: 07 Jan 2019 08:00 AM PST

Candied or crystallized ginger is a delicious treat that is very easy to make at home. Peel and slice the ginger root before cooking it until it's tender. Then crystallize the ginger in sugar in a saucepan and coat each piece in more sugar. You can store the candied ginger for up to 3 months in an airtight container, which means that you will always have a sweet snack at hand!

EditIngredients

  • of fresh ginger
  • of water
  • of granulated sugar, approximately

EditSteps

EditSlicing and Cooking the Ginger

  1. Choose a young, fresh ginger root to make the candied ginger with. Look for a ginger root that is tender and firm. Avoid any ginger roots which feel papery, as this means that they are old.[1]
    Make Candied Ginger Step 1 Version 4.jpg
  2. Grease a cooling rack and line a half sheet pan. Use a non-stick cooking spray to lightly coat the cooling rack. Then line the half sheet pan with a sheet of parchment paper.[2]

    • A half sheet pan is .[3]
  3. Wash of fresh ginger and peel it using a spoon. Wash the ginger root first under cool, running water. Then scrape the skin off with the edge of a spoon using strong, downward strokes.[4]

    • You can peel the ginger whole, or you can break lobes off and peel each one individually.
  4. Slice the ginger into ⅛ in (3.2 mm) thick slices. Use a mandoline to evenly slice the entire ginger root. Place the ginger into the handguard, and push it down the runway to create the slices.[5]

    • Alternatively, if you don't have a mandoline, use a paring knife to slice the ginger as thinly as possible.[6]
  5. Cook the ginger in of water for 35 minutes. Place the ginger slices into a saucepan, and turn the stovetop burner on to medium-high heat. Cover the saucepan as the ginger cooks, and leave the saucepan over the heat until the ginger is tender.[7]

    • A 4-quart saucepan is the best size to use for cooking the ginger in the water.
    • Use a fork to check if the ginger is tender.
  6. Drain the ginger and retain ¼ cup (60 ml) of the liquid. Put a colander into a large bowl, and transfer the ginger pieces into it. Lift the colander up and gently move it around to drain the water from the ginger. Use a measuring cup to reserve some of the liquid.[8]

    • The rest of the cooking liquid can either be discarded or kept to make a ginger infused tea.[9]

EditCandying the Ginger

  1. Weigh the cooked ginger and measure out the same weight of sugar. Place the ginger onto a set of kitchen scales, and remember the measurement. Remove the ginger from the scales, and measure out the exact same amount of granulated sugar. This will most likely be approximately of sugar.[10]

    • Keep the remaining granulated sugar, as you will use this to coat the ginger when it has crystallized.[11]
  2. Bring the ginger, cooking liquid, and granulated sugar to a boil. Place the ginger, sugar, and ¼ cup (60 ml) of the cooking liquid into the saucepan. Adjust the stovetop to a medium-high heat, and stir the ingredients as you bring it to a boil.[12]

    • Use a wooden spoon to stir the ingredients.
  3. Cook the ingredients over a medium heat for approximately 20 minutes. Once the ingredients start boiling, reduce the heat down to medium. Let the ginger cook until the sugar syrup has almost evaporated and looks very dry, and then remove it from the heat.[13]

    • Continue stirring the ingredients frequently as they cook.
    • The sugar syrup will be recrystallizing by around 20 minutes.
  4. Coat the ginger pieces in the remaining sugar on the half sheet pan. Use a slotted spoon or a serving spoon to take the ginger from the saucepan to the half sheet pan. Use tongs to thoroughly cover the ginger pieces in the extra sugar.[14]

    • A slotted spoon or a serving spoon will help to drain any excess syrup off the ginger pieces before they go onto the half sheet pan.
    • You can keep any leftover syrup to mix it into refreshing drinks or to drizzle over ice cream. If you prefer it to be slightly thicker, simply boil the syrup for a few more minutes.[15]
  5. Transfer the ginger to the cooling rack and let it cool for 2 hours. Use a fork or tongs to spread out the pieces. Make sure that none of the pieces are sticking together.[16]

    • The cooling time of 2 hours is approximate. Check that the candied ginger has hardened before you store it.
  6. Store the candied ginger pieces for up to 3 months. Place the ginger into an airtight container. Keep the container in a cool, dark place such as a pantry.[17]
    Make Candied Ginger Step 12 Version 3.jpg
    • Make sure that the pieces are completely cool to touch before you store them, otherwise, they won't keep well.
    • You can keep the sugar that falls away from the ginger pieces and onto the half sheet pan. This can be used for sweetening coffee, topping ginger snaps, or sprinkling over ice cream.

EditTips

  • There are many recipes that can be enhanced with the addition of candied ginger. Try adding it to banana bread, citrus salads, granola bars, muffins, cakes, and homemade jam just to name a few.[18]

EditThings You'll Need

  • Cooling rack
  • Half sheet pan
  • Parchment paper
  • Spoon
  • Mandoline or paring knife
  • 4-quart saucepan
  • Fork
  • Colander
  • Measuring cup
  • Kitchen scales
  • Wooden spoon
  • Slotted spoon or serving spoon
  • Airtight container

EditRelated wikiHows

EditSources and Citations

EditQuick Summary


Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found


How to Read Between the Lines

Posted: 07 Jan 2019 12:00 AM PST

Reading between the lines, or interpreting the hidden meanings of what people say, is a skill that you can learn. While you may not always be able to figure out exactly what someone might have meant, you can get a good idea. Make sure to look at the big picture when reading between the lines. Pay attention to their words, their body language, and the situation.

EditSteps

EditAnalysing What People Say

  1. Listen carefully. Listening closely to what people say is essential to reading between the lines. Develop your listening skills and practice them regularly.[1] Some good listening techniques include:[2]
    Read Between the Lines Step 1 Version 2.jpg
    • Smiling and nodding to show you are paying attention.
    • Using neutral statements to encourage the person to keep talking, such as "yes," "I see," and "go on."
    • Rephrasing what the person has just said to ensure that you have understood them. For example, you might say something like, "It sounds like you are saying that you don't think I am a very good listener. Is that right?"
  2. Take notes so that you can analyze them later. Taking notes on what someone says will allow you to return to the information later and analyze it. Write down anything that seems important or that you'd like to come back to. However, taking notes might not be practical for every situation.
    Read Between the Lines Step 2 Version 2.jpg
    • For example, taking notes during a job interview is acceptable, but taking notes during a conversation with a friend may seem strange to the other person.
  3. Notice what the person does not say. What the person leaves out may be as important as what they include. After the conversation, consider whether they left out anything that you think is important.[3]
    Read Between the Lines Step 3.jpg
    • For example, if a coworker avoided talking about their progress on a special project, then they might be struggling with the project.
    • If a friend changes the subject when you attempt to talk to them about a recent fight you had, then they might not be ready to talk about it.
  4. Ask for clarity. After the conversation, it is fine to ask the person about anything that was unclear to you. Be honest if you don't understand something or if you want more information about something they said.
    Read Between the Lines Step 4.jpg
    • Try saying something like, "I am interested in the way you described your process for this piece of art. Could you tell me more about that?"
    • You can also simply say, "I didn't understand what you said about about the homework. Can you please explain that again?"
  5. Reflect on the things the person said. After the conversation, reflect on what was said. Ask yourself some questions to identify things that seemed important or that might have a hidden meaning. Some good questions to ask yourself include:
    Read Between the Lines Step 5.jpg
    • What stood out about the conversation? Was there anything about it that was bizarre or uncomfortable?
    • What was the main focus of the conversation?
    • What seemed to be the most important subject for the other person?
    • Did we arrive at a solution or compromise? If not, did the other person suggest a way for us to do that?

EditInterpreting Body Language

  1. Note the person's facial expressions. The way that someone looks at you can say a lot about what they are thinking. Pay close attention to the person's facial expressions while they are talking and listening to you.[4]
    Read Between the Lines Step 6.jpg
    • For example, if the person is smiling and making eye contact, then they are likely interested in you and what you are saying. However if the person is looking away or around the room and not smiling, then they are probably not interested.
  2. Look at how they're sitting or standing. The way someone positions themself in relation to you can also give you clues about their attitude. Check the position of their body while you are talking to them.[5]
    Read Between the Lines Step 7.jpg
    • For example, if the person is facing you and leaning in towards you while you are speaking, then they are likely interested in what you're saying. However, if they're turned away from you and/or leaning back, then they might not be interested.
  3. Watch their hands and arms. Hand and arm position is another good way to read between the lines as well. Note where the person places their hands and arms to determine how interested they are in the conversation.[6]
    Read Between the Lines Step 8.jpg
    • For example, if the person has their arms crossed, then this is a good indication that they are not interested.
    • If their hands are on their hips, then they might be feeling impatient.
    • If their hands are resting on their lap or to their sides, then they are likely feeling relaxed and content.

EditConsidering the Situation

  1. Think about the circumstances. Along with the things that the person says and they way they use body language, the circumstances of a conversation may also provide helpful clues about the person's feelings. Consider the circumstances of the conversation to decide if any of their words or body language might be due to that.
    Read Between the Lines Step 9.jpg
    • For example, if you tried to pitch a new idea to your boss while she was trying to finish something, then she might have seemed uninterested. However, she might have a different reaction if you pitch the idea under better circumstances.
    • Or, if you tried to talk to a friend about a fight with another friend while she was in the process of getting ready for a big date, then her attention was likely elsewhere and she might have seemed uninterested in what you had to say.
  2. Examine the timing. Choosing the best time to have a conversation can also make a big difference in how the person responds to you. Reflect on how well you timed the conversation as well.
    Read Between the Lines Step 10.jpg
    • For example, if you had a conversation with your boss at the very end of the day, and you noticed that they gave curt answers and seemed impatient for you to finish, then this could just have been due to their desire to wrap up the day.
    • Or, if you spoke with a friend after they had just woken up, then this could explain why they weren't paying close attention to what you were saying.
  3. Reflect on any other relevant factors. Before you decide what the person's reaction to you might have meant, make sure to consider other possible factors in how they responded to you. Some questions you might ask yourself include:
    Read Between the Lines Step 11.jpg
    • Is it possible that they were having a bad day?
    • Does this person react to other people the same way?
    • Could the person's body language mean anything else?

EditSources and Citations


Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found


How to Hide Your Diary

Posted: 06 Jan 2019 08:00 AM PST

A diary is where you keep all of your deepest, darkest secrets so it needs to be hidden where no one else can find it. If you're keeping your diary at home, hide it in creative spots where no one would think to look. If you plan to take it to school, try disguising it as a book. You can also keep a diary on your computer if you want to protect it with a password. Just remember to play it cool if someone sees your diary so you don't make them suspicious. It's for your eyes only, after all.

EditSteps

EditHiding Your Diary at Home

  1. Hollow out a book if you'd like to hide your diary on a bookshelf. By disguising your diary inside of a book, it will blend into the rest of the books on your shelf. Choose an old book that you no longer want, then brush Mod Podge along the edges of at least half the pages to glue them together. Using a box cutter, cut a rectangle out of the pages inside that's big enough to hold your diary.[1]
    Hide Your Diary Step 1 Version 3.jpg
    • You can also buy a used book from a bookstore if you don't want to ruin any of the ones you already own.
    • There are a lot of videos and tutorials online on how to make a hollowed-out book that you can follow along with.
    • To make sure your diary isn't discovered, pick a book that you know your parents or siblings won't want to borrow or read.
  2. Put your diary in an empty container if you want a creative hiding spot. Your room is likely full of possible things to hide your diary in that no one would ever suspect. For example, place it inside an empty tissue box with a few tissues on top or put it in an empty shoebox in your closet on the top shelf.
    Hide Your Diary Step 2 Version 3.jpg
    • The trick is choosing a spot that no one else would look in. For instance, the bottom of your art supply box is great if you're the only one who uses it, but not good if your sister borrows it sometimes.
    • Pick a container that completely camouflages your diary so you can't see any part of it. Make sure that your diary doesn't affect how the container looks, either. If the tissue box is bulging out from the size of the book, for example, your siblings may suspect something is hiding inside.
  3. Hide your diary underneath or behind things to keep it out of sight. Think of places where your family is unlikely to look. For example, unless you have siblings who borrow your clothes or parents who put your laundry away for you, a dresser drawer can be a very secretive spot. Set your diary at the very bottom of the drawer, then pile your clothes on top so it's completely hidden.[2]
    Hide Your Diary Step 3 Version 3.jpg
    • Put your diary in one of the top drawers of your dresser or desk if you have younger siblings who are more likely to get into bottom drawers.
  4. Tape it under a chair or table if you don't have young siblings. Little kids, especially if they're at the age where they're still crawling, can easily find something stuck to the bottom of a chair, desk, or table. If you don't have siblings or if your brothers or sisters are older and bigger, those spots are safer. Use enough tape so the diary is secure and won't fall down.
    Hide Your Diary Step 4 Version 3.jpg
    • Use strong tape, like duct tape or packing tape, if your diary is heavier.
    • Avoid taping your diary underneath your bed. That's an obvious place to hide it and it will likely get found.
  5. Stash your diary under a loose floorboard if you live in an old house. Older homes often have hardwood floors where some of the boards are loose, so you're able to lift them up slightly. If you have a board in your room that you can raise enough to slip a book into, this is the perfect hiding spot. However, make sure you can get the book back out first.[3]
    Hide Your Diary Step 5 Version 3.jpg
    • For extra protection, place a rug over top of the floorboard.
    • Be careful not to pull too hard on the floorboard when you're placing your diary inside. You don't want to damage the floor.

EditProtecting Your Diary at School

  1. Keep your diary in a notebook to blend in with your school supplies. Everyone will think you're just writing down what the teacher is saying, when really you're writing in your diary. Choose a very plain notebook or composition book so it's not noticeable among your other books.[4]
    Hide Your Diary Step 6 Version 3.jpg
    • If you have a set of matching notebooks, use a similar one for your diary. For example, if all your notebooks are cat-themed, don't make your diary a neon striped notebook. Go with another cat-themed one.
    • You can even fill the first couple pages with fake notes so if someone opens it, they'll think it's just your science notebook, for instance.
  2. Disguise your diary with a boring book cover so no one wants to read it. Pick the dullest, most uninteresting book you have that also has a removable cover. Remove the cover and wrap it around your diary. Make sure your diary is the same size of the original book so that the cover fits perfectly and doesn't look misplaced.[5]
    Hide Your Diary Step 7 Version 3.jpg
    • Good options for boring covers are old textbooks or classic novels that most of your classmates wouldn't want to read.
    • Pick a book that's realistic for you to be carrying around if you're taking it to school. For instance, your dad's book on how to fix plumbing problems might be super dull, but your friends will probably ask why you have it, drawing unwanted attention to your diary.
  3. Make a fake diary if you want your friends to stop trying to find yours. Trick nosy friends by creating a pretend diary. Keep it somewhere that they can see it, like on your desk, so they think they've found the real deal and won't look for your actual diary.
    Hide Your Diary Step 8 Version 3.jpg
    • Design your fake diary to look as realistic as possible. You can even write "My Diary" on the front.
    • Write a few pretend entries in your fake diary so it's convincing if they open it up. Of course, don't include any real secrets though!

EditMaking a Secure Electronic Diary

  1. Keep your diary on your personal laptop so no one else can get to it. Never keep your diary on a public computer or online where someone could find it. The best spot is on the desktop of your laptop.
    Hide Your Diary Step 9 Version 3.jpg
    • If your parents or siblings use your laptop sometimes, set up a different login for them. You can create a guest login so they don't have access to your personal files.
  2. Save your file under a fake name in a rarely used folder. Give your diary a name that disguises what it actually is. Then save it in a folder that no one would ever look in, like the system folder under the "My Computer" tab.
    Hide Your Diary Step 10 Version 3.jpg
    • For example, instead of naming your file "My Diary," name it something like "Biology Homework" instead.
    • On some computers, you can hide entire folders, too. Right-click on the folder, then select "Properties." There will be a box labeled "Hidden" or something similar that you can check. Now no one can see the folder.[6]
  3. Protect your diary with a strong password. Set the privacy controls on your laptop so a password is required for you to log into the computer. If you type your diary in a Microsoft Word document, you can password-protect that specific file, too.[7]
    Hide Your Diary Step 11 Version 3.jpg
    • To password-protect a document, click "Preferences" on the main menu, then "Personal Settings" followed by "Security." Select "Password to Open" to require someone to know the password to even open the file.

EditKeeping Your Diary a Secret

  1. Avoid writing in your diary when there are other people around. Try not to let anyone see you writing in your diary. If they do, they'll know you have one and will probably want to read it or attempt to find it when you're not looking. Only take out your diary when you're completely alone, just to be safe.
    Hide Your Diary Step 12 Version 3.jpg
    • If your diary is disguised, like in a notebook, you can write in it around other people as long as no one is close enough to see what you're writing.
    • When you're at home, wait until your parents leave or until everyone else goes to bed before you break out your diary.
  2. Act natural if someone sees you with it so they don't get suspicious. If you get caught with your diary or writing in it, don't panic. Pretend like it's just any old book, like a notebook for school. Calmly close it, tuck it away, and change the conversation.[8]
    Hide Your Diary Step 13 Version 3.jpg
    • If someone asks what you're doing, say something casual like, "Oh, nothing, just finishing up algebra homework for tomorrow. Cute shirt! Where did you get it?"
    • Avoid acting nervous, tripping over your words, or fidgeting. These are all signs you're lying and the other person will likely suspect you're hiding something.
  3. Write in a secret code so no one can read it except you. This will make writing in your diary more complicated but adds another level of protection in case anyone finds it. Invent your own code or language to write in by mixing up letters or even including numbers. Keep a key, which explains how to read the code, somewhere safe, like in a locked drawer.[9]
    Hide Your Diary Step 14 Version 3.jpg
    • One example of a code is the reverse alphabet. "A" is now "Z," "B" is now "Y," "C" is now "X," and so on. So for instance, you'd write "boy" as "ylb" or "love" as "olev."
    • If you're fluent in a language other than your native one, you can write in that. For example, if all of your friends speak English but you're also fluent in Spanish, keep your diary in Spanish.
    • A good place to keep your key is on your phone in the notes app. Don't write the key in your diary because, if someone finds your diary, they'll then be able to translate everything.

EditRelated wikiHows

EditSources and Citations


Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found


No comments:

Post a Comment