How to Get Rid of Chocolate Stains

So you’re a chocolate lover. By now you must know that rich, milky chocolate goodness will make an unmanageable mess when spilled. Chocolate contains a high amount of (delicious) fat that will keep working away to ruin your clothing and carpets, so get on that stain removal as soon as possible and as efficiently as possible.

Steps

Removing Chocolate Manually

1. Scrape off any chocolate gently from your garment by using a butterknife. Work on a flat surface as you do this, and be cautious as to not spread the chocolate around further.^[1] Remove as much excess chocolate as possible. Do not rub the chocolate into the clothing further.
   
   • If some chocolate is accidently spread to a new area of the garment, remove it immediately and follow the rest of the cleaning procedure.^[2] Chocolate stains strengthen as they age, thus it is important to remove it as soon as possible.
2. Massage laundry detergent into the stain. After applying detergent directly to the stain, allow it to soak for up to five minutes.^[3] Next, add the clothing into a bucket of cold water. Let the garment saturate completely. While soaking, gently massage the detergent into the stain. The more massaged in it is, the easier it will be to lift the stain.^[4]
   
   • Using hot water causes oily stains to lock down.^[5] Since chocolate is high in fat content, it is important to stick to cold water until you are sure your stain has been removed.
3. Rinse and look again. Rinse your clothing thoroughly. Is the stain still there? If it is present still, but improved, repeat the previous steps. By exposing the stain to detergent again, you will likely have complete success the second time around. When you are satisfied with your stain removal, launder your clothing as normal.^[6]
   

Beating the Stain with a Stain Remover

1. Make your own stain remover. Using one part dish soap and two parts 3% diluted peroxide, mix up your easy stain remover.^[7] The soap will remove grease and fat while the peroxide bleaches away any undesirable color.^[8] This at-home stain remover will double team the chocolate stain to ensure optimal removal.
   • When it comes to choosing a dish soap, try Dawn or Palmolive. Both brands are known for fat removal power by users.^[9]
2. Apply your remover to the stain. Leave on the spot for up to 15 minutes. Be cautious and observe your clothing while the remover is applied. Allowing the solution to sit too long can mean a color difference from the rest of your garment.^[10]
   • It never does harm to don some gloves and massage your stain remover into the stain. Never skip the gloves as hydrogen peroxide can be damaging to the skin.^[11]
3. Give the clothing a healthy rinse with cold water. Repeatedly rinse with cold water. Turn the garment inside out and rinse again, from the back side. This helps push out stain from behind, meaning it won’t turn up after a future wash.^[12]
   • If you’re satisfied with your stain remover, launder your garment again. If it seems no stain was removed at all, try leaving the remover on for a longer period of time.^[13]

Laundering your Clothes

1. Scrape off any excess chocolate. Lay your piece of clothing against a hard surface and use a butterknife or something with a rigid straight edge to scrape away any excess chocolate. Make sure to scrape it off along the circumference of the stain, covering the shortest amount of material. For example, if you are scraping off the stain from the middle of a shirt, scrape it off until the edges of the stain. Do not scrape past the stain itself or you will spread more chocolate.
2. Wash with detergent. Follow the usual instructions in the inside tag of your clothes. Be mindful of certain materials that can only be hand washed or dry-cleaned like wool. Clean whites on the hottest recommended water setting with a bleach. For colors, wash on the hottest recommended water setting with a detergent safe for colors.
3. Look for residual stains. After you have washed your clothes, look for residual stains and repeat the process as many times as possible. Do not place your clothes in the dryer without ensuring all the chocolate is gone. Drying your stained clothes can seal in the stain.

Removing Chocolate from the Carpet

1. Vacuum up any flakes or excess chocolate. Vacuuming the excess chocolate prevents it from being smushed or massaged into the carpet in new locations.^[14] Try using the hose and applying the vacuum directly above the chocolate, to prevent the underbelly of the vacuum from pushing the flakes around.
2. Apply a stain remover with a clean toothbrush. By gently dabbing, not rubbing, apply a stain remover to the carpet.^[15] Be cautious that the toothbrush is cleaner in between dabs to prevent the further spread of the chocolate. Let the stain remover do it’s work by allowing it to sit for five to ten minutes.
   • No stain remover? When working with carpet, try modifying the previously mentioned homemade remover by adding vinegar instead of peroxide.
3. Soak up the stain remover. This can mean by either blotting the stain with a clean towel, or layering paper towel atop the stain and weighing it down with books.^[16] Again, it is important to stress that you must not rub the stain, but rather blot to get the moisture out.
   • Keep blotting with clean, new areas of the towel. Blotting the same corner of the towel repeatedly may push chocolate back into the carpet.
   • If you see the stain still, don’t feel discouraged. Carpet is deep and thickly wound, and it is normal to need to apply the stain removal liquid more than once.
4. Reapply stain remover and blot again. When treating the stain, you will know it is cleaned when the blotting towel is moist, but clean. When you’re seeing a wet towel with no more chocolate from where you have been blotting, you know your stain is lifted.
   • You can amp up the ante of your removing power by applying a one to one mixture of liquid detergent to 3% peroxide.^[17] Use caution when applying peroxide to a carpet. It is high-powered for stain removal but can rapidly change the colors of your carpet.

Video

Warnings

• Laundry detergents and cleaning products are frequently harmful to mucus membranes and skin. Always protect yourself when working with chemicals by wearing gloves if handling, and keeping the mouth closed.^[18]
• If a chemical is put into your eye, rinse your eyeball with water for 15 minutes and call your local physician.^[19]

Related wikiHows

• How to Clean Blood from Walls
• How to Remove Blood Stains
• How to Remove Mold Stains from Wood Floors
• How to Remove Rust Stains from Paint

Sources and Citations

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

from How to of the Day //www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Chocolate-Stains

How to Look Like Marilyn Monroe

The talented, gorgeous Marilyn Monroe has been a sex symbol for generations, and is known for a number of commercial films from the 1950s and 1960s. She was a self-made woman who started out in a series of foster homes and made her way to the big screen. If you want to look like Marilyn Monroe, you have to get the makeup, hair, and style down while maintaining a healthy dose of confidence.

Steps

Getting the Style

1. Wear dresses like Marilyn. Marilyn Monroe is known for her gorgeous, sexy dresses, and if you want to look like her, then you have to get comfortable with wearing them as often as you can. In general, her dresses served to emphasize her hourglass figure, often with a more low-cut look and a belt around her waist. Here are some dresses that you can try for inspiration:
   
   • A halter neck dress. This dress is Marilyn’s most famous, known for its appearance in The Seven Year Itch. This dress was white, with a full skirt with ruffles beneath it, that looked gorgeous when it blew in the wind, exposing her legs.
   • Strapless dresses
   • Dresses with sweetheart necklines to emphasize your bust
   • Red dresses. She is known for her red dresses that match the color of her lips, whether they are strapless, halters, or have sleeves that fall off the shoulder.
   • White or silver dresses with ruffles. Marilyn loved wearing these classy colors, and often wears white strapless dresses or dresses with clear sleeves with ruffles in the skirt. Add some sequins to your dress for a more glamorous look.
   • Though Marilyn mostly stuck to solid color dresses, she sometimes wore dresses with polka dots or red flowers on them. She was also known for wearing stripes.
2. Rock a more casual Marilyn look. Though you may think of Marilyn Monroe as always dressed up to the nines, she liked to look more casual, on occasion. You can’t always be dressed up, and for the days when you feel like having a more casual night in, you can rock her casual style while maintaining your aura of sexiness. Here are some looks you can try:
   
   • High waisted blue jeans paired with a white button-down shirt
   • A thick, woven oversized sweater
   • A jean jacket
   • A simple black turtleneck
   • A black-and-white striped turtleneck t-shirt
   • A simple red-and-white striped collared button-down shirt
   • A high-necked long-sleeved orange t-shirt
   • Black checkered pants
3. Wear shoes like Marilyn. Though her favorite shoe designer was Salvatore Ferragamo, you don’t need to wear such luxurious shoes. All you have to do is wear shoes that Marilyn was likely to wear. She is known for some of the following shoes:^[1]
   
   • Peep-toe high heeled shoes, in cream or white
   • Black strappy stiletto heels
   • Cream ballet flats
   • Traditional cream-colored close-toed heels
   • Chunky black heels
   • Brown heels with white straps
   • Red heels with sequins
   • White kitten heels
4. Wear the right colors. Marilyn wore beige, brown, black, cream, forest green, and white — sticking mostly to champagne colours — while avoiding all bright colours except red. It may also help you to know that her favourite store was Bloomingdales, and her favourite designer was Emilio Pucci. However, you don’t have to wear designer clothes to really look like Marilyn; tasteful imitations will do.
   
   • You can mix it up and wear solids as well as striped or patterned colors.
5. Accessorize like Marilyn. If you want to complete her look, then you should also wear some accessories that are reminiscent of Marilyn. This can help you tie your look together and be sexy and mysterious all at once. Here are some additional features you can try:
   
   • A thick belt worn high around your waist
   • A thin pink kerchief tied around your head
   • Black glasses that are pointed around the outsides of your eyes
   • A white fur wrap to add a touch of glamour to any dress
   • A white, wide-brimmed beach hat
   • White sleeves around your forearms only
6. Complete the look. If you want to look like Marilyn, then you should have everyday Marilyn clothes, if you can imagine such a thing, to complete your look any day of the week. Here are some of the things you should own if you want to really look like Marilyn Monroe:
   
   • The classic one-piece strapless white bathing suit
   • Pencil skirts in different colors
   • A pair of high white slacks
   • A bullet bra to get her 50s “sweater girl” look
   • Items with bows on them
7. Wear the right jewelry. Marilyn knew that no glamorous look is complete without jewels. If you want to look like Marilyn, then you can go for simple, classic jewelry, such as a strand or pearl necklace, a pair of chandelier earrings, or simple studs in the ears with a more elaborate necklace. The important thing is that you look classy but you don’t overdo it.
   
   • Sometimes Marilyn did wear more dramatic jewelry, such as a chunky orange necklace.
   • She was also seen wearing the occasional silver bangles.

Getting the Makeup and Hair

1. Consider dying your hair blonde. Now, Marilyn Monroe herself was not a natural blonde. Though you don’t have to change your color or believe that “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” you can do this if you’re really committed to the Marilyn look. Aim for golden blonde locks before you style your hair the Marilyn way.
   
   • Though her brown-haired days are lesser known, a younger Marilyn did sport her natural brown locks with more frizzy, compact curls, and looked cute and natural. She also did wear her brown hair nearly straight and past her shoulders once upon a time.
2. Get the hairdo. If you really want to have hair like Marilyn’s, then you should get a layered, shoulder length cut, with shorter layers in the front and longer layers in the back. Once you’ve got this look down, you can give your hair extra volume by combing some gel into it while it’s damp and then blow-drying it dry in sections. If your hair is more curly, then you may want to straighten it a bit first.
   
   • Once your hair is dry, you should separate it in sections and spray each section with spray gel, and then set it in hot rollers. Once the rollers have set, you can remove them and brush your hair out, in a forward direction, and then add a bit more hairspray under your layers.
   • Marilyn Monroe didn’t have bangs. However, she did have a chunk of hair in a wave over her forehead.
   • For extra bounce, flip your hair back and then work a bit of styling cream through it.
   • Unlike today’s celebrities, Marilyn Monroe didn’t change her hair style, color, or length every other week. Her hair was pretty much always blonde and curly, falling just below her ears in the front and just above her neck in the back. However, she did experiment a bit with how curly it was, and sometimes had it more coiled and shorter and sometimes a bit longer and more wavy.
3. Have nearly-flawless skin. Marilyn's makeup artist, Whitney Snyder, claims that Marilyn often wore thick layers of Vaseline on her face to both soften her skin and give it a glow. Though this is a bit extreme and can lead to dry skin, she was also said to wash her face up to fifteen times a day, in order to avoid getting any spots. She also used Nivea Moisturizer. If you want to get that Marilyn look, then you should maintain clear, soft skin.
   
   • Marilyn Monroe was a bit on the pale side. If you’d like to stay true to her look, you can avoid getting overly tan. But if you have darker skin, you can rock her vintage look too!
   • For beautiful looking skin, apply some foundation to your face and then cover it with luminous face powder. Marilyn used products by Anita of Denmark and Erno Laszlo, but you can find the products that work best for you.
4. Get the lipstick. To get the Marilyn Monroe signature lips, you should apply several coats of crimson or red lipstick to your lips. The closest lipstick color to the shade that Marilyn Monroe used available today is Guerlain Kiss Kiss Lipstick, #522. Sometimes she wore a darker red shade, while other times she opted for a lighter, more peach-colored red. Find the best lipstick for your skin tone and for the occasion.
   
   • Marilyn Monroe had full, luscious lips. Use a bit of lip-liner to accentuate your lips to make your top lip as full and luscious as your bottom lip.
   • Sometimes, she exaggerated the cleft in her top lip, so you can exaggerate yours, too, with the help of some lip-liner. You can even add a bit of foundation to the center of your top lip for this effect.
5. Get eyes like Marilyn. If you want to get those gorgeous Marilyn Monroe eyes, then you need to apply three shades of eyeshadow to your eyes. Apply one darker shade in the crease of your eye, a lighter one over your lids, and then a very light shade above the lid-crease and to the brow. She often used a light blue or a peach shade on her eyelids, sometimes looking like she was barely wearing any eyeshadow at all.^[2]
   
   • Apply at least one or two coats of lash-lengthening black mascara to your eyes. Marilyn was known for her long lashes. You can even opt for fake lashes for fun, or use an eyelash curler to make those lashes more dramatic.
   • A bit of black eyeliner along the top eyelid can also help emphasize your eyes. Though Marilyn didn’t tend to wear eyeliner on her bottom lid, just brushing a touch of brown eyeshadow below the bottom lid can emphasize your eyes.
6. Get the Marilyn brows. Marilyn Monroe’s eyebrows have a high, dramatic arch and are set fairly far apart on her face. Her brows are pretty thin, though they are a bit thicker closer to her nose, thinning out a bit after the arch, which falls just above the outsides of both of her eyes. Use tweezers to get the dramatic arch of her eyebrows down, which look not curved but like two lines meeting, and use lighter brown eyebrow pencil to fill them in.
   
   • A younger Marilyn had more curved brows, if you’re more interested in that look.
7. Get the fake beauty mark. Marilyn Monroe is known for her gorgeous beauty mark, located a few inches above the left end of her lips. You can use a brown eyeliner to pencil it in. Though you can also buy a fake beauty mark, you’re better off drawing it on yourself. Just take care not to wipe it off and check on your face throughout the day.
   
8. Get the Marilyn nail polish. Marilyn was often seen wearing nail polish that matched her red lips. Apply red nail polish to those nails, making sure you pick a shade that is as close as possible to the color of your lips. You can opt for fake nails or work to develop longer, smooth nails to rock her look.
   
9. Wear Chanel No. 5 perfume. This was said to be her favorite perfume. She once said, “What do I wear in bed? Why, Chanel No. 5, of course.” She was also said to enjoy Fracas and Joy perfumes.^[3]
   

Rocking the Attitude

1. Be proud of your curves. Marilyn Monroe had what was considered a curvy figure in her day and wasn’t afraid to own it. Though her weight fluctuated between about 115 lbs-140 lbs, she was said to generally measure around 37-23-37, at , tall, with a bra size of a 36D. Unfortunately, though you may have heard she would be a size 12-16 today, with today’s sizes, she would be more of a size 4-6. ^[4]She looked absolutely gorgeous at this size, and you shouldn’t try to mimic it, but rather, work to be proud of your body and your curves.^[5]
   
   • Stay healthy and happy with your body by doing at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, whether you’re jogging or doing yoga.
   • Do dumbbell exercises daily to keep your arms toned. Every morning except for Sundays, Marilyn would workout using "bust-firming" moves with her 3-pound dumb-bells.
   • You can try eating like Marilyn on occasion, if you want to see what it was like. She would drink a cup of warm milk with 2 raw eggs whipped together in the milk for breakfast and claimed to eat steak, beef, or liver with at least 10 raw carrots for dinner. During the day she would mostly snack on fruit and veggies. After evening drama classes, she went out for hot-fudge sundaes.
   • Try taking ice-baths, if you can stand it. This will instantly firm up your body. Marilyn did this before her birthday song for John F. Kennedy. She actually took them quite regularly.
   • Marilyn was known for her curves. If you're not curvy yourself, work to create the illusion with your clothes, including padded bras and girdles. For example, a belt cinched in around your waist will instantly give you a sexy, hourglass shape.
2. Have sex appeal. Marilyn Monroe is an icon known for her extreme sexiness. While you don’t have to take it this far, you should work to be a bit playful and sexy, if you want to be more like Marilyn. This doesn’t mean you should wear completely revealing clothes, but that you should show off a little leg or shoulder and not be afraid to flaunt what you’ve got.
   
   • To have sex appeal, you don’t put it all out there at once. You smile, you bat your eyes a little, you look down at the floor to be a bit coy and then straight ahead to show how confident you are. You have to know how sexy you are before other people believe it.
   • Part of Marilyn’s sex appeal is in her mixture of sex goddess aura as well as her innocence. You don’t need to be too forward to be sexy like Marilyn.
   • She was also a bit of a goofball, especially in movies like The Seven Year Itch. Don’t think that you have to be serious all the time to be sexy. Some of her sexiness lies in her silly nature.
   • Work on developing a low, sensual, and breathy voice. Marilyn had a very seductive voice. If you like, you can try slipping some of her sayings, such as, "Isn't it wonderful,” into your daily conversations.
3. Maintain your confidence. To complete the Marilyn look, you have to show how confident you are about who you are and how you look. Don’t worry about what other people think about you and be happy doing your own thing, whether this means dating a baseball player or dancing the tango. The most important thing is that you believe in who you are and don’t let gossip or rumors make you feel bad about yourself.
   
   • Walk with a seductive wiggle in your hips, by placing one foot in front of the other. Use body language to show how confident you are.
   • Keep a smile on your face, even if you’re having a bad day. Work to cultivate optimism and a positive energy will radiate around you, just as it did with Marilyn. She didn’t have the easiest life, but she tried to stay upbeat in spite of the challenges she faced.
4. Don’t let anyone stop you. Marilyn Monroe grew up with a mentally unstable mother who had her living with a series of foster parents; she never knew her father. She began working in a munitions factory after high school, spraying airplane parts and inspecting parachutes, before she was discovered for her beauty. She had three tumultuous marriages and many more affairs, and yet, she continued to perform, to sing, to dance, and to light up the stage. If you want to rock her attitude, then you have to keep going in spite of the hardship.
   • If Marilyn had listened to the people who told her she would be better off as a secretary than trying to make it on the big screen, then she wouldn't have gotten anywhere. Adopt her can-do attitude and know that the sky’s the limit.

Tips

• If you want, try lining your upper eyelid with a thin line of dark brown or charcoal liner. You could also try curling your eyelashes.
• Most importantly, have self-esteem!
• If you can't afford hot rollers, try creating pin curls.
• The lipstick suggested may not entirely suit your skin-tone. Choose one that does. Also, before applying it, you may wish to outline your lips with a lip-liner. Try to use one that matches your lipstick as closely as possible, but make sure it is never any darker.
• Marilyn often wore false eyelashes - these don't suit everybody, but it's worth trying them out for a true Marilyn look.
• Use a brown eyeliner pencil for drawing in your beauty mark.
• Stick to simple, classic jewellery; a strand or pearl, maybe, or a pair of chandelier earrings. Don't overdo your jewellery, however. If you're wearing a necklace, stick to simple studs for your ears.
• Marilyn was known for her curves - if you're not curvy yourself, work to create the illusion with your clothes, including padded bras and girdles. For example, a belt cinched in around your waist will instantly give you a sexy, hourglass shape.
• Try copying her eyebrow shape - ask your beautician to wax or thread you high arched, thin brows. After you've had the initial shaping done, you can keep them that way at home with tweezers. Also, don't forget to fill them in with an eyebrow pencil!
• Bat your eyelashes, often.
• Try wearing diamonds (or, more likely, fake diamonds) for extra glamour.
• Work on a low, sensual and breathy voice. Marilyn had a very seductive voice. If you like, you can try slipping some of her saying, e.g. "Isn't it wonderful.", into your daily conversations.
• Walk with a seductive wiggle in your hips, by placing one foot in front of the other.

Warnings

• Trying too hard to look like Marilyn Monroe in day-to-day life will just make others think you are strange, not sexy
• Don't obsess over changing your figure or personality to be like Marilyn - try to accentuate the aspects of your looks and personality that are already similar to her own
• Just because something suited Marilyn doesn't mean it will suit you

Things You'll Need

• Money, for new clothes
• Hot rollers OR bobby pins, as well as a hairdryer, hairspray and hair gel
• Foundation, finishing powder, three shades of eyeshadow, black mascara and red lipstick
• Marilyn-inspired jewelry
• A dumbbell
• Chanel No. 5 perfume, and a pencil for your beauty mark

Related wikiHows

• How to Afford Clothes and Accessories by Top Designers
• How to Get Curly Hair Using Hair Curlers
• How to Apply 1950s Makeup
• How to Choose the Right Jewelry for Your Skin Tone and Face Shape
• How to Turn a Dull Body Into a Sexy Curvy Figure (Teen Girl)
• How to Apply Perfume
• How to Create Pin Curls
• How to Be Yourself
• How to Apply Marilyn Monroe Makeup
• How to Do Marilyn Monroe Makeup
• How to Act Like Marilyn Monroe

Sources and Citations

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

from How to of the Day //www.wikihow.com/Look-Like-Marilyn-Monroe

How to Become an Astronaut

Even though you warned your parents that you'll disown them if they don't help you become an astronaut, they're still sending you to basketball or soccer camp. Since they're no help, it's wikiHow to the rescue! Keep reading to learn how to start on your path to the next Lagrangian point and literally skyrocketing from there.

Steps

Making the Initial Cut

1. Be a citizen of a country with a space agency capable of sending humans to space. Even if your country does have a space agency, you may be relegated to groundwork and not navigating the skies like you'd prefer. While plenty of countries are getting into the space race in one form or another, Russia, China, and the USA are the front runners.^[1]
   
   • The ESA (European Space Agency) collaborates with other agencies to send its astronauts aboard their rockets. Currently, the ESA is made up of twenty countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.^[2]
   • NASA has had, in the past, astronauts from countries with which they have an international agreement. Namely, Canada, Japan, Russia, and Brazil. For the record, each of these countries does have a space agency.
2. Be the right age. If you're fresh out of recess or fresh out of the senior citizen's discount buffet, you're not astronaut material. The ESA is looking for candidates who are between 27 and 37 years old.^[3] NASA is a bit less stringent; there are no age restrictions, but past astronauts have fallen between the ages of 26 and 46. The average age is 34.
   
3. Be the right height. Fingers crossed for that growth spurt! The ESA accepts candidates who are between 153 and 190 centimeters (that's 5' to 6'2 1/2" for the non-metric folk).^[3] Not too tough, eh?
   
   • As for NASA, they're looking for men and women between 5'2" and 6'3" (157 to 190.5 cm). Six of one, half a dozen of another, really.
4. Pass the physical with flying colors. In order to become an astronaut for NASA, your near and far vision must be correctable to 20/20 in each eye. Yep, getting LASIK is okay. As for your physical health, your blood pressure must not be above 140/90 when in a sitting position.
   
   • Note that if you make it past the first rounds of testing, addition visual screening will be performed. To pass this round, your distant vision refractive error must be "between +5.50 and -5.50 diopters in any meridian" if you do not have a piloting background and "between +2.50 and -4.00 diopters in any meridian" if you do have a piloting background. Also notable is the fact that you may not have an astigmatism that requires more than 3.00 diopters of cylinder correction if you're without a piloting background (no more than 2.00 diopters of cylinder correction if you do have one) or an anisometropia larger than 3.5 diopters (2.5 if you have a piloting background).
   • The ESA has similar requirements. They also stress the need to be psychologically sound. After all, other people are going to be locked in a small room with you for months on end. If you're aggressive, close-minded, or stubborn, you may not be deemed fit for travel.^[4]
5. Speak English. It's not called the International Space Station for nothin'. Fact of the matter is, most people speak it, and you should, too if you plan on working with people of practically every nationality.
   
   • Speaking Russian is a helpful tool, too. Second to English, there is a heavy Russian influence when it comes to space relations. Both NASA and the ESA highly value candidates that are fluent in both languages.^[5][6]
6. Learn how to swim and swim well. Because of that pesky phenomenon known as gravity, day-to-day air living isn't great for simulating the likes of the universe. Some of your training will be done underwater. If you can't swim, you probably won't make the cut.
   
   • NASA will put you through military water survival training and make sure you can tread water for 10 minutes in addition to swimming in a flight suit and being SCUBA-qualified.^[5] So sign up for a pass at your local pool now.

Succeeding Academically

1. Get excellent grades in high school. Get excellent grades in every subject. All of them. Every single one. Astronauts are a smart breed. Math and science are most important, but English, history, and foreign relations have their places, too. It's best to be as well-rounded as possible. Not only for you, but also because the competition will be fierce. You'll be going up against the cream of the crop.
   
   • Alright, so you don't have the power to stop time. Since you're not a machine, concentrate on math and science -- you'll be dealing with those for at least the next decade of your career training.
2. Be a stellar student at a good university. A bachelor's degree in math, physics, engineering, or science from a reputable (accredited) school is required. Don't get distracted by college social life — your grades should be your number one concern.
   
   • Look into the ROTC programs, especially those of the Air Force and Navy at your college of choice. Your ultimate goal in the military is to be a test pilot because they have the most experience flying experimental aircraft.
3. Complete ≥ 3 years of experience work. This can be in the form of professional experience or in the form of a degree. Should you choose to get a degree, know that a master's counts as 1 year of experience and a PhD as 3, regardless of how long it takes you to complete these degrees.
   
   • If you have experience in piloting, you must complete at least 1,000 hours of pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft. Be sure you also have flight test experience.
   • Should you choose to simply get professional experience, get a job related to something an astronaut would have to do. Examples include navigation, piloting, working with computers, chemistry/biology, or commanding a ship. You should also note that teaching is an important part of being an astronaut, and thus teachers (both college and K-12) are encouraged to apply.

Making It Professionally

1. Consider joining the military. While military personnel are by no means considered above regular civilians, it is a means to an end. In the military, you'll get training experience (both physical and mental) and have the opportunity to work with aircraft. Bonus and bonus.
   
   • NASA will give military personnel contracted appointments. They apply and work through a military program that regular citizens do not.
2. Apply for the job. Note that civilians of the US must submit an application through www.usajobs.gov, and all active duty military personnel must submit an application to their respective service (in addition to the website application).
   
   • The last round of hiring ESA did for astronauts was in 2009.^[7] If you'd like to see how you would've fared, tests are available online.^[8] As for NASA, they had their latest round training in Houston as of June 2013.^[5] Keep an ear to the ground for the next hiring round!
3. Be able to complete training. For NASA, training will take place in Texas and will last about 2 years. The ESA will put you through a similar program in Cologne, Germany for 16 months. You'll be working underwater and in simulators in addition to studying space relations and the science behind the technology. There's a heavy emphasis on human mechanics, engineering, and astronomy as well. Both programs will also immerse you in the Russian language.^[5][9]
   
   • As for NASA, civilians who complete the training must remain a NASA employee for 5 years before becoming an astronaut. Military personal will be assigned to a specific NASA duty.

Tips

• Take whatever action you can to always stay involved and on top of the field. Even if it's summer, study up!
• Work out. Strengthen your body, because it will be tested if you get the job. You train underwater, and an extended period in space actually deteriorates your muscles, because weights aren't worth much in space. Stay in top physical condition.
• Don't give up! Stay persistent, and keep your ultimate goal in mind.
• Don't jump to the highest goal, take it in steps and you will make it. Also, study well.

Warnings

• Noting the above, you can't be grossed out easily working as an astronaut. When you're in a rocket, where do you think the excrement goes?
• While one of the perks of being an astronaut are the moments when you can just sit back and enjoy the breathtaking orbital views, if you'd rather focus your attention on that instead of working, this job may not be for you.
• This job isn't for the faint of heart. It's very dangerous. Both the Challenger and Columbia disintegrated, and the Apollo 1 burned out during a normal training, all three accidents killing every single crew member. If you're not harnessed properly, you can drift away into space, or re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. This is not all glamour.
• If you get bad motion sickness, you may want to consider working on planet Earth.

Related wikiHows

• How to Pay Attention in a Dull Class
• How to Calculate GPA
• How to Survive in a Military School

Sources and Citations

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from How to of the Day //www.wikihow.com/Become-an-Astronaut

How to Move to Switzerland

Do you desire to move to the neutral country Switzerland? Switzerland is a country with four languages, extensive history, and plenty to discover. While a beautiful country, Switzerland is notorious as a difficult country to move to, and there are many things to consider before moving. This article will offer some guidance and advice.

Steps

Making Your Decision

1. Determine your motivations for moving. Are you trying to get a better job? To get a better lifestyle? To get a better education? To escape from unhappiness at home? Understand your motives, and evaluate alternatives to see whether moving to Switzerland is the best option.
2. Write down all the reasons you want to move to Switzerland. For example:
   
   • Switzerland is famous for its beautiful mountains. The temperate climate in Switzerland, varying from glacial mountaintops to pleasant Mediterranean climate at the southern tip. Summers tend to be warm and humid, with periodic rainfall, so they are ideal for pastures and grazing.
   • The Greater Zürich Area, which has 1.5 million inhabitants and 150,000 companies, has taken top position in some life quality surveys.
     Switzerland has one of the most stable economies in the world. The Swiss franc remains one of the world's strongest currencies with the lowest inflation rate.^[1]
   • Switzerland remains very open to foreigners and has a diverse population. Resident foreigners and temporary foreign workers make up about 22% of the population.^[2]
   • Religious freedom: Switzerland has no official state religion. Christianity is the predominant religion of Switzerland, divided between the Catholic Church (41.8% of the population) and various Protestant denominations (35.3%). Islam (4.3%) and Eastern Orthodoxy (1.8%) are sizable minority religions.^[3] Greeley (2003) found that 27% of Swiss are atheists.^[4]
   • Switzerland is particularly suited for skiing, snowboarding and mountaineering, which are enjoyed by both locals and tourists.
3. Research Switzerland. Check out books from your local library or bookstore, search the internet, ask around people who have been to Switzerland or know about the country. Be familiar with the country's cultures, traditions, laws, religions, cost of living, climate, language, transportation, etc.
   
4. Make your decision. Moving to another country is a big decision in your life, so be sure to take your time and consult with your friends and loved ones. You must be absolutely convinced that moving to Switzerland is better than staying where you are, and that it is the best country for you to move to.
   

Making It Happen

1. Get your documentation in order. A passport is a must for Americans. You will probably require a passport to travel by plane to Switzerland wherever you travel from if you live in Europe already, a passport may not be required, you may be able to cross the border from another European country unchallenged. Remember Switzerland is not part of the European Union. Get all required legal documents, such as passports, visa and work permits. This is essential, or you cannot gain entry into Switzerland. Visit the Federal Office of Immigration, Integration and Emigration if it helps, for all questions pertaining to visas and regulations. It is very easy to follow and has detailed information in four languages.
   
2. Secure a job, preferably from a large international company based in Switzerland. They will typically help you get a work permit. There are many internet resources that can help you find a job in Switzerland.^[5][6][7] Most Swiss employers are great employers, and many of them are even willing to hire someone with the technical skills they need regardless of language proficiency. (The Swiss languages are German, French, and Italian, each spoken primarily in areas of the Switzerland neighboring the respective countries.) If you work for a company in the US that has an office in Switzerland, you may be able to apply for a transfer. If not, consider looking for such company.
   
   • Know that highly qualified specialists and top executives are awarded work and residence permits, in lieu of the above step. If that applies to you, you may apply for such permit. Be aware that this type of permit is extremely hard to obtain and even harder to get renewed.
     
   • Take advantage of the three month rule: you are allowed to stay in the country legally for up to three months. Ensure that you are entitled to work during the three months. Take small jobs such as babysitting or English teachers, while looking for permanent work during the three month period. If you fail to find permanent work, don't be discouraged, but simply try again. When the three month period is up, leave the country for a while, then return for another three month visit to resume the job search.
3. Establish a budget. Switzerland is the wealthiest country in the world, with an average per-capita income about £28,000 a year,^[8] and is one of the most expensive country to live in. If this does not deter you, you need to bring enough money to get a good start once you arrive, and be very conservative with spending every penny.
   
4. Book your transportation to Switzerland. For example:
   
   • From Britain: Flying is by far the easiest, cheapest, and most convenient way to get from Britain to Switzerland. Travelling by train is comfortable and scenic, but is more expensive and takes more than a day. Trains and buses are worth considering if you are interested in visiting other parts of Europe during the trip.
   • From North America: Several airlines fly direct from North America to Zürich; many other airlines offer flights to Zürich via other major European cities.
   • From Australia and New Zealand: Flying is the cheapest and easiest option. Fares vary significantly with the season: low season runs from mid-January to the end of February and during October and November; high season runs from mid-May to the end of August and from December to mid-January; the rest of the year is considered "shoulder season". So plan to travel during low season if possible. Find the best deal. Travel agents often offer better deals than buying direct from airlines.
5. Convert your currency into Swiss francs. Note that the symbol for the Swiss franc is CHF, which stands for Confoederatio Helvetica Franc; the official name of Switzerland is Confoederatio Helvetica, or Swiss Confederation. Remember, the more money you bring, the better start that you will get in Switzerland. The rate of currency conversion may fluctuate, so keep a look out on the foreign exchange market, as you may be able to get a little bit extra money (especially if you are converting a lot of money).^[9]
   
6. Import your belongings. For example:
   
   • Pets: You may freely import cats and dogs without a permit. Obtain a rabies vaccination certificate from a veterinarian. The certificate must be written in German, French, Italian, or English can contain name and address of animal owner, description of the animal (breed, sex, age, color), confirmation that the animal was submitted to a veterinary examination prior to vaccination and found in good health, date of rabies vaccination, type of vaccine used, name of manufacturer and batch number, & signature of the veterinarian. Certificates in other languages are accepted if accompanied by a legal translation. Guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, mice, aquarium fish, and canaries can be imported without a veterinary certificate. Domestic animals and dangerous animals require import permits from the Federal Veterinary Office.^[10]
   • Weapons: Obtain authorization from your place of origin to import weapons.
   • Cars: You must pay import duty (consisting of customs duties based on weight of the vehicle and engine capacity; 4% consumption tax; 7.5% Value added tax; and 15-Fr for the report) to import a car that you owned for less than six months. Contact is the customs authority^[11] for full details. Cars you owned for more than six months are exempt from import duty and will simply require filling out a clearance request form. Also consider selling your cars and buying a car in Switzerland, or use a bike or public transportation.
7. Pack your luggage. Big items can be imported separately, so pack only what you can fit into a bag, such as books, clothes, personal care items and money.
   
8. Say goodbye to loved ones who will not accompanying you on the move. This is likely to be very emotional, so remember to bring tissues. Hug each other and tell them you love them, and invite them to come visit any time they want. Promise to keep in regular touch, and do so.
   
9. Board your mode of transport, and go to Switzerland. Relax on the trip, and feel excited about starting a new life, in a new country. Do not worry too much about friends or family, as they will come and visit often, and you will make plenty of new friends.
   

Living in Switzerland

1. Look for a house/apartment in Switzerland. Visiting the country will offer you an opportunity to find a place. Real estate agents can help you in the process; alternatively, you can read books and search the internet.
   
2. Have utilities installed, find a school for your children, etc. once you get there.
   
3. Meet new people everywhere you go: at work, in the library, at the gym, at school, or at your hobby club. Check out all the resources available to help you integrate into the community
   
   • http://ift.tt/1iHeVfM - A discussion forum full of good advice about many practical issues], from moving to Switzerland to finding peanut butter and maple syrup. Here you can find a large list of more specific newsgroups and online communities for Switzerland.
   • http://ift.tt/1jt4cXf - A one-stop shop for English speaking ex-pats in Switzerland, full of advice, businesses, addresses. It is perhaps more useful once you have arrived in Switzerland.
4. Obtain Swiss citizenship. Not only will becoming a Swiss citizen help you integrate into the country permanently, you will also be able to start your own businesses, no longer need to re-apply for residence permits when changing jobs, no longer need special permission before purchasing residential property, and be able to move freely within the country. There are two ways to become a Swiss citizen:
   
   • By birth, if both parents are Swiss. Children born in Switzerland from non-Swiss parents do not automatically become Swiss.
   • By naturalization. Make your request to the Aliens Police in the municipality of residence. From there, it will then be sent to the Federal Department of Justice and Police, who will give a principle authorization if you meet the following conditions:
     • You have resided in Switzerland for at least twelve years, three of which are within the five years prior to the request. Time spent in Switzerland between the ages of 10 and 20 years counts double.
     • You are integrated in the Swiss community.
     • You are accustomed to Swiss way of life and practices.
     • You comply with the Swiss legal system.
     • You do not compromise the internal or external security of Switzerland.
     • You are able to afford it. Since Switzerland is a federal country, authorization must then be obtained from the canton and the municipality, which may add further conditions and set the cost of acquiring citizenship before approving it. Some municipalities apply rather open policies, while others will go as far as granting nationality by means of a local population vote. Cost varies according to municipality and canton.

Tips

• Some good books to help you learn more about Switzerland are "Living and Working in Switzerland, A Survival Handbook" by David Hampshire, and "Why Switzerland?" by Jonathan Steinberg.
• Contact the Swiss embassy for more information about relocation to the country, customs, prohibited items, etc.
• Pay close attention to etiquette and local customs. The Swiss have many rules and idiosyncrasies, and most of them are not written down! Important ones to bear in mind include punctuality, cleanliness, no noise at all after 10pm, starting work at 7am, and no work at all on Sundays (including cleaning your house). Do not park your car in others' parking space. Many neighbours will not hesitate to call the police if you temporarily park in their parking space.
• Unless you have strong family connections or a very successful business track record, getting a work permit by finding a job with an international Swiss-based company is the best route to move to Switzerland. You will have to put forth much effort to find a job, and emphasize your desire and willingness to move to Switzerland as soon as possible, preferably within a week or two after getting the job. Swiss employers look for those who are serious about moving to the country.
• Embrace neutrality. Switzerland has a long history of neutrality: it has not engaged in international war since 1815, and was one of the last countries to join the United Nations.
• Learn German, French, and Italian well before moving there. You will increase your chance of integrating into the community if you spend the time and effort to speak the local language; that could be especially difficult in the German speaking part of the country, where many dialects of Swiss-German are spoken, and Swiss-German itself is a spoken-only language.
• You might make more money by moving to Switzerland. Employees in Zurich and Geneva have the highest net wages in the world.^[12]
• The Hello Switzerland website provides plenty of information on moving and relocating to Switzerland, and lots of tips and advice to help you live and work in Switzerland. Expat articles on Hello Switzerland explain Swiss culture and how Switzerland works. ^[13]

Warnings

• If you are fortunate enough to obtain a work permit and stay in Switzerland, be aware that it may be more difficult to integrate into Switzerland compared to other countries. While Swiss people in general are sincere and hard-working, they can be fairly reserved and not very outgoing. Most Swiss people will be happy to talk to you if you ask them a question, but they are unlikely to come up to you and start a conversation, or invite you to dinner. Most foreigners quickly give up on forming strong relationships with the Swiss and instead fall back on the support of their expat communities - where they typically stay. Your chances of integration are much better if you spend the time and effort to learn the local language.
• Do not move to any country without having done the research about the country.

Things You'll Need

• Work and residence permit
• Passport and legal documents
• Money
• A new home
• Tickets for transport (should you need any)
• Furniture (if you are not bringing your furniture over)
• Map

Related wikiHows

• How to Become an Au Pair in France
• How to Become an Au Pair in Spain
• How to Move to France
• How to Move to the Netherlands
• How to Move to Italy
• How to Be Safe in a Foreign Country

Sources and Citations

• http://ift.tt/1GT5JPB

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from How to of the Day //www.wikihow.com/Move-to-Switzerland