janice

I spent hours making a video in Windows Movie Maker using videos I downloaded from my iCloud onto my computer, and everything was fine until it suddenly stopped working today...little yellow icons pop over them and it's saying the files may be corrupted and need to be fixed or removed. The files will play in movie maker, but not in the movie I made. (They're .MOV files, so they should be supported). I'm not sure what's wrong because I haven't changed anything with the files, and it worked perfectly the other day. How can I fix this without having to completely remake the video?

I'm not really talking about terrorism, but rather everyday violent crimes. I'm living in the US right now, and it happens all too often that children are getting abducted, policemen shot in my own city, or people murdered just going out on a hike (and this is just Iowa!). I lived in Norway last year, and this kind of crime was basically unheard of there. I have also spent some time in France and Spain and overall, I felt much safer there (for example, walking alone at night). These are just my experiences, and I know it is hard to generalize an entire country or continent. Just looking for some other people's opinions or experiences :) Thanks

I booked 2 separate flights to get from Des Moines, USA to Oslo, Norway - one with American airlines from DSM to JFK (with a 2.5 hr layover in Charlotte) and then a direct flight from JFK to Oslo with Norwegian Airlines. There will be 8 hours between when I arrive in JFK and my next flight to Norway. I know that there are lots of risks with booking separate flights, so I tried to book it with long layovers. Just wondering, what would American Airlines do for me if my DSM flight was delayed so much that I would miss my flight in Charlotte? Could they put me on a different flight to JFK so I get there in time? I know that they are not responsible if I miss my Norwegian flight, but would they at least try to help me get to JFK before that flight (i.e. get me there NOT 8 hours later than expected)? Help please!!

I booked 2 separate flights to get from Des Moines (Iowa, USA) to Oslo, Norway - a flight from Des Moines to JFK in New York with American Airlines, and another from JFK to Oslo with Norwegian. Doing this saved over $500, and there are 8 hours in between when I arrive in JFK and my next flight, so I should be okay in case of delays. (Even if I do have to buy another flight due to missing one, it's still cheaper than buying the flights all together). My question is, when I get to JFK, will I have to go through security again before getting on my next flight with the other airline? I am taking just carry on baggage, so the luggage won't be a problem. How will I get my boarding pass for my Norwegian flight? If I have the whole 8 hours, it wouldn't be a problem to exit the airport and start all over to check in, but if there are any delays, it would be much faster to not have to go through security again/get my boarding pass. How can I do this?

I'm in my senior year of high school in the US and I am interested in going to college abroad (I've lived abroad before so yes, I know what I'm signing up for). I know that in the US you can apply for college even though you don't have your complete high school diploma yet, just on the condition that you will complete high school. Is that the same for colleges in Europe? (Or more specifically, for foreigners wanting to go to college in Europe?) A few colleges I found online said that you have to completely finish high school BEFORE applying, meaning you'd have to wait another year in-between. Is this the case for most colleges in Europe? Does anyone have experience with this?

I am going to college next year, and want more than anything to go to college abroad. I have spent a year living in Norway before, so I know I can handle living away from home and that it is something I really love. The problem is, I do not know how to finance it without some kind of loan. I have some money saved up, but not much more than one year's worth of tuition at the schools I'm looking at (primarily in Europe, particularly schools in Spain, Netherlands, or Belgium). What kinds of loans are available for US students going to college abroad? And would I get a loan through an American bank or a bank in the country I'm studying in? The schools I've looked at haven't had any information about scholarships or grants through the schools themselves, so it would have to be something outside of that. I just have no idea where to start...

I am 16 and I live in the state of Iowa in America. From August to March my family and I hosted an exchange student from France, and this summer I am going to be living with her and her family in France for a month. Her family speaks fairly little English, but enough to have small conversations. I am great friends with our student and I have skyped with her family several times. Anyways, I have several questions about French culture so that I can be prepared once I get there.

1. How should I expect to be greeted / greet them when I first meet her family at the airport? (I don't know her parents that well, but they are very grateful for me hosting their daughter so we are also kind of like family). Is it appropriate to hug? Will they do that kiss on the cheek thing?

2. How should I dress? They live in a small town in the east of France, and we will be visiting Paris one weekend. What colors are best? Any american styles that wouldn't be appropriate there? What do teens there wear (on a hot summer day)? I am not looking to impress anybody with high fashion or anything; I just want to be comfortable while not looking too much like a foreigner.

3. Are there any customs/behaviors I should be aware of? Like do you wear shoes in the house? Is it rude to decline food? etc...

4. Would it be rude trying to speak to people in English? I speak absolutely no french, and although I will try and learn a few phrases, I certainly won't be able to have many conversations in French.

I am 16 and I got my first job at a fast food restaurant 7 months ago. The people there have been great and overall it has been a good experience. I am going to be travelling all summer, and then in August I am moving to Norway for a year to be an exchange student. I have always been planning on quitting in June, but I am starting to lean towards leaving now. Spring sports are picking up, I have to put a lot of time into learning Norwegian, and I just need a few months of calm before travel craziness starts. My boss is very nice, relaxed, and approachable, but he doesn't have "office hours" really, so you never know when you'll see him. I've never heard of people scheduling meetings with him. How should I go about quitting? Would it be okay to just ask for a minute with him when I see him, or do i have to schedule a meeting? How should I phrase/explain my reason for leaving? How do I start the conversation?

I am a 16 year old girl, and my family and I have hosted an exchange student this year (she is a 16 year old girl like me). It was my idea to have her here, and I was the one who convinced my parents that this was a good idea. I have one older sister, and she left for college this year, so it worked out to have the exchange student move in so I wouldn't be alone all the time. We have become very close, and I have learned a lot from her. It has been wonderful to share my life/culture with her, and vice versa. However, I have been her closest and only true friend this whole experience. She is extremely shy at her school and has made almost no friends and never goes out to do things. Unsuprisingly, she has gotten just too homesick and is going to return to her country in 4 days. Just a week ago, everything was fine, and then I get one text from her out of nowhere with this sprung on me. She never considered how I feel about this...she is very clearly thrilled about going home and giddy with excitement, while I've cried several times about it. I just have so many emotions- anger at her for leaving me, sadness that I may never see her again, happiness for our good memories yet disappointed at how this all ended. I never expected our first time hosting a student to end up like this, and I could really use some advice from other host families. I know that it's her choice and I am respectful of her decision, but I just need some closure on the way this all had to end.

I am a 16 year old girl, and my family and I have hosted an exchange student this year (she is a 16 year old girl like me). It was my idea to have her here, and I was the one who convinced my parents that this was a good idea. I have one older sister, and she left for college this year, so it worked out to have the exchange student move in so I wouldn't be alone all the time. We have become very close, and I have learned a lot from her. It has been wonderful to share my life/culture with her, and vice versa. However, I have been her closest and only true friend this whole experience. She is extremely shy at her school and has made almost no friends and never goes out to do things. Unsuprisingly, she has gotten just too homesick and is going to return to her country in 4 days. Just a week ago, everything was fine, and then I get one text from her out of nowhere with this sprung on me. She never considered how I feel about this...she is very clearly thrilled about going home and giddy with excitement, while I've cried several times about it. I just have so many emotions- anger at her for leaving me, sadness that I may never see her again, happiness for our good memories yet disappointed at how this all ended. I never expected our first time hosting a student to end up like this, and I could really use some advice from other host families. I know that it's her choice and I am respectful of her decision, but I just need some closure on the way this all had to end.

I'm 16 1/2 and I have a doctors physical next week. I am applying to be a foreign exchange student to Norway next year, so I have a very large medical evaluation form that my doctor needs to fill out. I may also need a few shots. Anyways, I feel I am a little too old to have my mom sitting in the room with me. After all, I'm about to live without her for a year while I'm abroad! I don't have anything I'm trying to hide from her, but I am a very independent person and just want some privacy. However, since it's not really a normal physical, I don't know if she needs to be there or not. Like if the doctor tells me I'll need a vaccine, does she need my mom's approval? Could my mom just sit in the waiting room to be there if we need her? Or could she just come in for a few minutes at the end? I haven't had a physical in a long time so this is all new to me. Any advice?

I am hoping to study abroad this coming school year (i will be a Junior in High School). However, a $15,000 tuition for it would be due in just 3 months. I don't think we will be able to get $15,000 that fast. I know banks have loans for cars, college, houses, etc, but are there "personal" loans at most banks? Would it be possible to get a loan for this? Please help. Thanks

I'm a sophomore in high school and due to a very bad illness, in the last two weeks, I've only been at school 3 days. The few times I've gone in, I get all my missing work, and try to catch up. But when I've been sick (feeling really dizzy, sleeping almost all day, constantly coughing) it's hard to focus on my work. I'm trying really hard to stay caught up, but some of these things I can't teach myself. Anyone have tips / strategies for making up large amounts of school work while sick?

I am 16 years old and my dream is to be an exchange student to Iceland. Last year when I was 15 I asked my parents; they seriously considered it, but eventually they said no. My mom was an exchange student to Norway in high school, and we have hosted an exchange student from France before; both were absolutely wonderful experiences. I am very responsible and mature for my age. Ever since they shut down the exchange idea last year, I've thought about it ever since. I even got a job this summer to start saving up money with the hopes to next year go on an exchange. I feel like under the circumstances (my mom having been an exchange student, us hosting one, me having a job and being responsible, still wanting to do this a year later) they should say yes. I brought up the idea again-here are their main arguments:

-Learning Icelandic would be useless.

-I should go instead during college or on a vacation (I've tried to explain to them that I don't want to just be a tourist in Iceland, but they don't understand me)

-I will fall behind in school. (Right now, I am academically at the top of my class. I'm expected to get big scholarships; they worry that a year abroad of sub-par grades and a language barrier that hinders my learning will make good scholarships impossible)

-I may be put with a non-Christian family.

-I'm (still) not old enough.

I have some information of my own to refute their arguments, but any other resources, knowledge, or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

How can I convince my parents to let me be an exchange student?I am 16 years old and I want to be an exchange student more than anything. My dream is to go to Iceland, I have had a special interest in this country since I was in 7th grade. Last year when I was 15 I asked my parents if I could be an exchange student. They seriously considered it, I got my hopes up, but eventually they said no. My mom was an exchange student to Norway in high school, and we have hosted an exchange student from France before; both were absolutely wonderful experiences. I am very responsible and mature for my age (I cook dinner most nights for my family, I am a straight-A student, I always do my chores and follow through with committments) Ever since they shut down the exchange idea last year, I've thought about it ever since. I even got a job this summer to start saving up money with the hopes to next year go on an exchange. But this time around, I'm terrified to even ask my parents. I'm scared they'll say no again. They don't know that I've thought about this every day since they said no last year. I feel like under the circumstances (with my mom having been an exchange student, us hosting one, me having a job and being responsible, me still wanting to do this a year later) that they should say yes. How can I approach them with the subject again? A sincere thank-you to whoever answers :)

I am 15 and just got hired at Chick-fil-A (a slightly nicer fast food restaurant), and they are hosting a new staff dinner party next week. They noted that it is business casual attire. What should I wear for this? I am not normally a fancy dresser so I would like to be as casual as possible while still in appropriate clothes. I also don't want to be overdressed since it is a fast food place, and I don't want to look like I'm 50. Any tips on what to wear? What things are acceptable? Thanks

I just bought a shetland sheepdog last week. He was from a shelter, and he is 3.5 years old. I intended to do agility with the dog, and go on daily walks/runs and occasionally hiking. He is a great dog in many ways (good with our cats, not a barker, has no destructive habits), but I've started noticing he is rather low energy and quite stubborn. His previous owners taught him to sit and lie down, and I try to work on that with him in our backyard. On a very good day, he will listen. But most days, he will act like i'm not even there, and completely ignore all my commands. I also have some very low agility jumps set up, and for the first 5 minutes of training, he does alright. But then he gets very stubborn, when I direct him to a jump, he plants his feet and refuses to move, no matter what I do. Also, he will not run with me, only walk. He does not play with toys, and when I let him outside to run around and play, he waits by the door, and spends all of his free time inside sleeping in this one certain spot. I have 1 week to decide if I want to keep him. I have grown very attached, but I don't want a dog that will always frustrate me by being so low-energy. He has had a hard life, so he might not know how to play. Will he grow out of these behaviors once he bonds more with me/ with professional training? Or is his "not-so-eager-to-please" demeanor likely to always be a part of him? Could he ever excel as an agility dog? (Also, if he is off a leash, there's NO WAY he listens)

I'm 15 and my mom and I have decided to host a foreign exchange student (high schooler, about my age) for the 2014 fall semester. My mom is letting me help out pick a student to inquire about. There are many students who say they ride horses/ like to ride. We live in a small house at a boarding stable ( we do not own the stable, but we keep one horse there). I am worried if we accept a horse rider them they may always want to ride my horse (my horse is difficult and has a unique personality and I'm working on training her). The students didn't say their level of riding so I don't know how experienced they are. What would you guys do? I do want to share my love of horses with others but I don't want to seem rude by not wanting them to ride my horse all the time.

I'm 15 and I have 2 really good friends at the barn where I ride/board at. They are sisters. During the summer we go on long picnic trail rides and do everything together and they lease in the summer. In the winter we don't do much cause it's cold. They are wanting to switch barns because they don't like the stable owner much and one of them wants to leave because the horse she leases is " being ruined" by one lesson girl that rides him. That lesson girl isn't doing much to help the horse, but I wouldn't say she is ruining him. To be honest, my friend isn't an amazing rider either so she isn't " fixing" him either. She is saying she is tired of trying to train him when other riders ruin him. I think they have in their minds the "grass is always greener on the other side". We have such good times at the barn but I think they are focusing on the negative too much. How can I convince them to stay?

Two years ago I bought a dwarf hamster named Rhino, and after having him for a year I bought a second hamster, a Syrian named Mulan. They both lived in glass cages adjacent to each other. A few weeks ago Rhino died of old age. Ever since, Mulan has not been the same. She is very hesitant to eat treats from my hand, she eats and drinks less and has lost weight, and does not enjoy being held or petted (she used to be very social). Could she be "depressed"/anxious because of the other hamsters death? I really don't know what else could have caused it, unless I am subconsciously acting different around Mulan now that Rhino is dead... but I haven't changed anything, so I'm not sure... What do you think?