Problem: Article: Flight numbers, hotels, car rentals, and restaurant reservations are all key pieces of information to manage and maintain. You may also want to include directions to your hotel, the car rental company you are using, as well as directions to the airport for your return flight. If you will be using airport transportation to get to your hotel, include information about fees and hours of operation. It’s helpful to list all of the things you want to do on your trip. Even if it's more than you think you can manage, create a list of everything you'd like to do. Research local events, holidays, and observances of the places you're traveling to as well. You may be able to witness or experience a cultural event that other travelers don't get to experience.  Be conscious of the amount of time you will spend at each stop. Certain destinations, like the Museum of Modern Art, can be an all-day endeavor. If you’re traveling with one or more people, be sure to get feedback and ideas for your destinations. Match your stops to specific locations on a map and note their locations. Try and map them sequentially to efficiently use your travel time. You’ll most likely be traveling from adjacent cities as you travel. For each activity, estimate the length of time it will take to get to there, and how long you will be there.   Be sure you have local maps for the areas you will be exploring. It is also helpful to obtain schedules for bus and train services and numbers for local taxis. Make sure that the maps are up-to-date. Cities and other areas change often. A road that existed 10 years ago may no longer exist today. Do you want a trip with days spent at four star restaurants and nights spent in five star hotels? Or are you more interested in finding local favorites and rustic B&Bs? Your vacation is as expensive (or inexpensive) as you want it to be. It ultimately comes down to what you can afford.  A spreadsheet program like Microsoft Excel can help create an organized and portable budget and itinerary.  Alternatively, consider using a budgeting app or website. The downside is that this may not be as portable, especially if you don't have Wi-Fi access. Don’t hesitate to give yourself a free day or two. You can use this free day to explore, or take some time off to rest. Ultimately your itinerary is a guide to keep you on track while visiting. If you miss a reservation, it isn’t the end of the world. Consider asking around about a local favorite to eat at, find a local market, or see if there’s a museum or oddity nearby.  Consider having some back-up plans. For example, if you make a reservation, have a few other places to eat at in mind, just in case you miss it. Never lose sight of the fact that your trip is supposed to be an enjoyable and fulfilling experience.
Summary: Collect the important information for your trip. Make a list. Map your stops. Create a budget. Stay flexible.

Problem: Article: Diamonds are cubic, while other similar stones like quartz are hexagonal. Look down at the point of the crystal and count the number of sides. If there are 4 sides, there’s a possibility the crystal is a diamond. If there are 6 sides, it means that it’s likely a quartz crystal.  The visual test is a quick way to rule out other gemstones but is not a definitive test. If you see 4 sides in the crystal, use additional methods to verify that it is, in fact, a diamond. Corundum is another kind of crystal that's slightly less hard than a diamond. Purchase a cheap piece of corundum or buy a mineral testing kit that includes corundum. Hold the corundum firmly against a table and scrape the suspected diamond against the corundum. If it creates a visible scratch, the crystal is a diamond. If it doesn’t create a scratch, then it is a different mineral. The Mohs Hardness Scale scientifically rates crystals by hardness. Diamonds are a 10 on the scale while corundum is rated a 9. This is why it creates a scratch when you rub the two crystals together. You can purchase a diamond tester online. Check the device to see if it has a full battery by making sure that the green light is on. Then, press the tip of the tester against the suspected diamond. If it makes a noise and lights up, the mineral is a diamond. If it doesn’t, then it is a different kind of gemstone.  Diamond testers use thermal and electric conductivity to determine whether your gemstone is a diamond. Cheaper diamond testing devices may not be as accurate as more expensive models. #*Read customer reviews before you make your purchase.
Summary: Look down at the top of the crystal and count the sides. Scrape the crystal against a piece of corundum. Use a diamond tester instead of using a scratch test.

Problem: Article: . Use a paper towel or silicone brush to cover the inside of the pan with a thin layer of butter or shortening.  Add about a teaspoon of flour and shake the pan so the flour begins to stick to the grease. Tilt the pan on its side and tap the pan. Turn and tap until the entire bowl is evenly coated with flour.  Greasing the pan not only ensures your cake will pop out easily, it helps the cake climb the sides of the pan and gives your it more volume.  Turn the pan over and tap gently to remove any excess flour. If you are baking a chocolate cake, you may want to use cocoa powder to prevent a white film that may be left by the flour. By radiating heat from the center of the cake and not just the sides of the pan, the heating core ensures your cake bakes evenly and the middle, sides, and top of the are all done at the same time.  You can use a core shaped like a nail, placing the "head" of the nail on the bottom with the spike pointing upward, or one that is shaped like a long, narrow plug, with the opening pointing up.  You can bake this cake without a heating core, but the depth of the pan means you may over-brown the exposed top and sides of your cake.  A heating core may also prevent your cake from deflating or sagging in the middle. Use a spatula to make sure the batter is even, but be careful not to touch the sides and scrape the grease off the side of the pan. If you use a plug-shaped heating core, don't forget to fill the core with cake batter, too. Fill it a little higher than the level of batter outside the core. The plug-shaped bit of cake will fit into the hole created by the core once it's removed. Bake on the middle rack. You may want to place the round bowl in a standard 8 inch (20.3 cm) cake round pan to make sure it stays level in the oven.  Test the cake by skewering near the center (but not inside the heating core) with a toothpick or kebab stick. If the stick comes out clean (a few crumbs is ok), then the cake is ready.  If the cake is done, the sides should be just starting to pull away from the pan and the center should feel springy when you press it with your finger. Removing the heating core (if you use the core shaped like a plug) can speed up the cooling process. If the top of the cake is raised above the pan, use a knife to carefully trim it flat. Give the pan a little shake to feel if the cake has released the pan and is moving easily. If it seems to be sticking, stick it in the oven for an additional 2-3 minutes. Otherwise, place the cooling rack on top of the pan. Holding the rack against the pan, carefully turn them upside-down, together, so the rack is on the bottom you can lift the pan off the cake.  You can loosen the sides by gently running a knife around the edges.  Allow the cake to cool for at least an hour. Frosting or slicing a cake before it has cooled can ruin your cake and will cause your icing to melt.
Summary:
Grease the the pan Grease and place the heating core in the bottom of the pan. Pour the cake batter into the pan. Bake the cake in an oven heated to 350 °F (177 °C) for 30-40 minutes, or as instructed by cake recipe. Place the pan on a cake rack and cool for 10 minutes. Remove the cake from the pan.