INPUT ARTICLE: Article: You will need to clean your ears at least twice a day after the re-piercing. Ideally, you should use a saline solution that is specifically made to clean pierced ears. If you don’t have a saline solution, you can use rubbing alcohol. Apply the solution to a cotton ball or swab and rub it over the front and back of the piercing.  Your re-piercing will likely be unsuccessful if you don’t take care of your ears after it has been done. A saline solution is usually given to you by a professional after a piercing. You can ask a professional if it’s possible to purchase the solution without having a piercing done. Rubbing alcohol may sting a little bit when applied to the piercing. A common reason for piercings closing up is because the earrings have been taken out too soon. Leave your earrings in for at least 6 to 8 weeks. After that, you can choose to wear another pair of earrings. You can leave in the earrings for longer than 6 to 8 weeks. Make sure to immediately put in another pair of earrings after you’ve removed the first pair. New holes will close quickly without earrings to keep them open. Consistently wear earrings for about a year after the re-piercing. Protecting your ears from water, shampoo, and conditioner will help to prevent infection. Use a shower cap when you are taking a shower for the first few months. When you do need to shampoo and condition your hair, do your best not to get product on your ears, and thoroughly rinse the product out of your hair. If you go swimming, use a swimming cap. You should also try to avoid using hair products, like gel and hairspray, for the first 6 to 8 weeks after re-piercing your ears.

SUMMARY: Clean your ears twice a day. Leave your earrings in for 6 to 8 weeks. Don’t leave your earrings out for too long. Cover your pierced ears when you shower or swim.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: To use this method, you should know the length of the triangle’s base and the length of the two equal sides. You can also use this method if you are given line segments representing the base and sides instead of the measurements. For example, you might know that the base of a triangle is 8 cm, and its two equal sides are 6 cm, or you might be given two lines, one representing the base, and one representing the two sides. Use a ruler to make sure that your line is measured exactly. For example, if you know that the base is 8 cm long, use a sharp pencil and a ruler to draw a line exactly 8 cm long.  If using a given line segment instead of a measurement, draw the base by setting the compass to the width of the provided base. Make an endpoint, then use the compass to draw the other endpoint. Connect the endpoints using a straightedge. To do this, open the compass to the width of the equal side lengths. If you are given the measurement, use a ruler. If you are given a line segment, set the compass so that it spans the length of the line. For example, if the side lengths are 6 cm, open the compass to this length. Or, if provided a line segment, set the compass to the segment's length. To do this, place the tip of the compass on one of the base’s endpoints. Sweep the compass in the space above the base, drawing an arc. Make sure the arc passes at least halfway across the base. Without changing the width of the compass, place the tip on the other endpoint of the base. Draw an arc that intersects the first one. Use a ruler to draw lines connecting the point where the arcs intersect to either endpoint of the base. The resulting figure is an isosceles triangle.

SUMMARY: Assess what you know. Draw the base. Set the compass. Draw an arc above the base. Draw an intersecting arc above the base. Draw the sides of the triangle.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Changing a behavior you have built up overtime takes a lot of time and persistence. Remember that change is a process that is not always linear. Don't be afraid to go back to the beginning and re-assess your behavior. At the same time, don't be hard on yourself if you find yourself unsuccessful on your first attempt. The more you practice and work through your passive aggressive tendencies, the more likely you are to successfully change your behavior. If you find yourself getting off track in your attempts to change passive-aggressive behavior, take a moment to pause and reflect on what is happening. If you want to stop acting passive aggressive, you may be wondering what your other options are. A healthier form of communication is known as “assertive” communication. Assertive communication is a healthy, respectful way to address and confront the person or situation that is causing you to become angry.  It involves speaking your mind when you are angry but maintaining respect for the other people around you. Part of assertive communication is acknowledging that your needs as well as the needs of the other person (or people) involved are important. This takes the focus off of you and shows that you are appreciative of the needs of others. Using “please” and “thank you” can go a long way towards seeming respectful of another. Treat the other party with respect, acknowledging that they have a side to the story as well. Remember to think of any actions you would like the other party to take as requests, not demands.  This will help you word your request appropriately.  It is important that you are specific and that you do your best to stick to the actual facts. While you do want to provide factual information, it is okay to include the way that you feel when you are expressing your anger.  You can emphasize words like “I feel like” or “it makes me feel,” which may help prevent the other party from becoming defensive. Ideally, you and the party to whom you are expressing your feelings can collaborate on a solution to the problem that is making you angry.  Unfortunately, you cannot control the actions of others, and you may need to seek a solution on your own. For example, you and your neighbor may brainstorm ways to keep the dog in check, such as keeping him on a leash or in a fence.  If, however, the neighbor refuses to cooperate, you might have to come up with a solution on your own, such as fencing in your own yard. Communication is just as much about listening and reading unspoken messages as it is about speaking openly and directly. Consider what the other person is saying or not saying in response to your own words or actions.  Remember that conversations are 2-sided and that you are speaking with another human who also has thoughts and feelings. Disagreements are not uncommon. Some of the confrontations you encounter may not be conflicts but rather misunderstandings. You usually are not in any danger if you can defuse your anger and make your discussions constructive and positive. It's possible to agreeably disagree and be able to work out compromises that bring "win-win" results to both parties involved. In this way, you are taking control instead of allowing passive aggressive behavior to send issues out of control.

SUMMARY:
Give yourself time to change. Learn about assertive communication. Emphasize that both parties' needs are important. Use respect when communicating. Be clear and specific with requests. Express your feelings. Seek a solution to the problem. Listen and observe. Accept that conflicts are okay.