how do you normally apologize?

It depends on the person, and how well they are able to receive an apology. I prefer to apologize to someone directly, admitting that what I did wasn't right, taking full responsibility for it, and promising that I will never do it again. And then I'm very careful to not make the same mistake again. But if it's someone who can't or won't accept an apology graciously, who will take my apology as an opportunity to bash the hell out of me and scream at me or launch into a long lecture, then I usually keep my mouth shut. Unfortunately some of the people closest to me are like that, so I don't dare apologize to them, even though I want to. It's sad, but I just don't think I can take any more of the abuse that I get whenever I tell them I'm sorry for something.