Here’s a simple recipe for chicken fried rice that’s flavorful and easy to make:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked rice (preferably day-old or chilled)
• 1 cup cooked chicken (shredded or diced)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup peas and carrots (frozen or fresh)
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional)
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 green onions, sliced (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Rice:

   • Use chilled, leftover rice if possible; it prevents the dish from becoming mushy. Break up any clumps before cooking.

2. Cook the Eggs:

   • Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
   • Add the beaten eggs and scramble them until just set. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

3. Sauté Aromatics:

   • In the same skillet, heat another tablespoon of oil.
   • Add the onion and garlic. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.

4. Add Vegetables and Chicken:

   • Stir in the peas, carrots, and cooked chicken.
   • Cook for 2–3 minutes until the vegetables are tender.

5. Combine Rice:

   • Add the rice to the skillet. Stir everything together and break up any lumps.

6. Season the Dish:

   • Drizzle soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), and sesame oil over the mixture.
   • Stir well to coat the rice evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.

7. Finish with Eggs:

   • Add the scrambled eggs back into the skillet. Mix well to distribute the eggs evenly throughout the rice.

8. Garnish and Serve:

   • Garnish with sliced green onions and serve hot.

Tips:

• Use high heat while stir-frying to give the rice a nice smoky flavor.
• Add chili sauce or sriracha if you like it spicy.
• Experiment with other proteins like shrimp, pork, or tofu for variety.

Enjoy your homemade chicken fried rice! 🥢

"Magic Sand," also known as hydrophobic sand, is a fascinating substance that repels water, making it look dry even when submerged. Here's how to make it at home:

Materials Needed:

• Clean, dry sand (play sand works well)
• Water-repellent spray (silicone-based or fabric protector like Scotchgard)
• Baking tray or shallow pan
• Aluminum foil or parchment paper (optional, for lining the tray)
• Gloves and a well-ventilated area for safety

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Sand:

   • Spread a thin layer of clean, dry sand evenly across a baking tray or shallow pan.
   • Ensure the sand is free from debris or moisture.

2. Apply the Water-Repellent Spray:

   • Shake the water-repellent spray can as per the instructions.
   • Evenly spray the sand with a thin coat of the water-repellent spray while wearing gloves.
   • Stir the sand with a stick or spoon to ensure all grains are coated.
   • Apply additional coats for better water-repelling properties, stirring between each application.

3. Dry the Sand:

   • Let the sprayed sand air-dry completely for several hours or overnight.
   • Alternatively, place the tray in a warm, dry area to speed up the drying process.

4. Test Your Magic Sand:

   • Place the treated sand in a bowl of water and observe how it repels water and stays dry.
   • You can pour the water off, and the sand will remain loose and dry.

Tips:

• Safety: Use the spray in a well-ventilated area or outdoors. Avoid inhaling fumes.
• Experimentation: Try different types of sand or sprays to observe variations in the results.
• Storage: Keep your Magic Sand in a sealed container to maintain its water-repellent properties.

This DIY project is simple, fun, and a great way to explore hydrophobic science!

This is a "No Parking" sign with additional details:

• Loading Zone: This area is reserved for loading and unloading activities.
• Time Restriction: The restriction is in effect from 6 AM to 9 PM, Monday through Friday.
• Arrow Direction: The arrow indicates the direction where the restriction applies.

Essentially, parking is not allowed in this zone during the specified times, but vehicles actively involved in loading or unloading may stop temporarily.

Can someone park in this zone on a Saturday?

Yes, based on the sign, parking is allowed in this zone on Saturdays (and Sundays) because the restriction applies only from 6 AM to 9 PM, Monday through Friday. Outside these times and days, the "No Parking" restriction does not apply.

Stocks pay out dividends on a schedule set by the company, typically on a quarterly basis, but some pay monthly, semi-annually, or annually. Here's a breakdown of how and when dividends are paid:

Key Dividend Dates to Know

1. Declaration Date

   • The company announces its intention to pay a dividend.
   • Includes the dividend amount, record date, and payment date.

2. Ex-Dividend Date

   • The most critical date for investors.
   • You must own the stock before the ex-dividend date to receive the dividend.
   • If you buy on or after this date, you won’t get the dividend.

3. Record Date

   • The date the company checks its shareholder records to determine who is eligible for the dividend.
   • Usually 1-2 days after the ex-dividend date.

4. Payment Date

   • The day the company pays the dividend, either as cash deposited into your brokerage account or reinvested if you’re enrolled in a DRIP (Dividend Reinvestment Plan).

Typical Payout Schedules

• Quarterly: Most common, especially for U.S. companies (e.g., Coca-Cola, Microsoft).
• Monthly: Some REITs (e.g., Realty Income) and high-yield funds pay dividends monthly.
• Semi-Annually/Annually: Common for international companies and some U.S. firms.

How to Check a Stock’s Dividend Schedule

• Company’s Investor Relations Website: Check for dividend announcements.
• Financial Websites: Yahoo Finance, Dividend.com, or Seeking Alpha often display upcoming dividend dates and history.
• Brokerage Account: Many platforms list ex-dividend and payment dates for stocks you own or are researching.

Example Timeline for Quarterly Dividend

• Declaration Date: January 2
• Ex-Dividend Date: January 15
• Record Date: January 16
• Payment Date: February 1

If you buy shares before January 15, you’ll receive the dividend paid on February 1. If you buy shares on or after January 15, you won’t.

Would you like help identifying dividend schedules for specific stocks or learning how to find this information on your brokerage platform?

To identify the dividend schedule for specific stocks and track important dates like the ex-dividend date, record date, and payment date, here’s what you can do:

1. Using Your Brokerage Platform

Most brokerage platforms provide detailed information about the stocks you own or are researching, including dividend schedules.

Steps:

1. Log in to Your Brokerage Account: Examples include Fidelity, Schwab, E*TRADE, or Robinhood.
2. Search for the Stock: Use the stock's ticker symbol (e.g., KO for Coca-Cola, MSFT for Microsoft).
3. Find the Dividend Section: Look for tabs or sections like "Dividend History" or "Dividends & Income."
4. Track Dates: Platforms will typically list the next ex-dividend date, record date, and payment date, along with the dividend yield and payout.

2. Financial Websites

You can look up dividend schedules for any stock on the following sites:

Yahoo Finance

1. Go to Yahoo Finance.
2. Enter the stock's ticker symbol in the search bar.
3. Navigate to the "Historical Data" or "Dividends" section.
4. View past and upcoming dividend information, including yields and dates.

Dividend.com

1. Visit Dividend.com.
2. Search for the stock by name or ticker symbol.
3. Check details like dividend yield, payout frequency, and ex-dividend dates.

Nasdaq

1. Go to the Nasdaq Dividend Calendar.
2. Search for your stock.
3. Review upcoming payout information.

Seeking Alpha

1. Visit Seeking Alpha.
2. Search for the stock ticker.
3. Go to the “Dividend” tab for payout history, upcoming dates, and yield grades.

3. Tools for Notifications

If you want reminders about dividends:

• Set Alerts in Your Brokerage Account: Many platforms allow you to set alerts for upcoming ex-dividend or payment dates.
• Use a Dividend Tracker App:
  • Simply Safe Dividends
  • TrackYourDividends.com
  • DivTracker (for mobile)

Example: Checking Coca-Cola’s Dividend Dates

1. Ticker: KO
2. Steps:
   • Search for KO on Yahoo Finance or Dividend.com.
   • Navigate to the "Dividends" section.
   • See that Coca-Cola pays quarterly, with an average yield of ~3.1%.
   • Example schedule: Declaration Date (Dec 15), Ex-Dividend Date (Dec 31), Payment Date (Jan 15).

Let me know if you'd like assistance looking up a specific stock's dividend schedule!