The Metal Man: A Poem by Ananya S.

The Metal Man

You gaze upon me with disdain;

I have disappointed yet again.

You think I don’t try hard enough, but the truth is

There is only so much I can do.

For I am not a superhero

Nor am I a wizard or magician.

I cannot toil endlessly, urged on by you

Because I am not a metal man.

Though my heart may beat like clockwork

And my expression remain unchanging

Do not assume, even for a second

That I am beyond human.

For the heart that beats holds passions

Secrets lie behind my eyes

I yearn for freedom only as a human can

Because I am not a metal man.

~Ananya Swaminathan

Decisions: A Poem by Ananya S.

Decisions

It’s coming.

Run, run through the forest

As fast as you can go.

Just don’t get caught.

You must keep moving

Or it will catch you

And trap you forever

In the palm of its hand.

But be warned for ahead of you lies

A fork in the road.

One path leads to safety eternal,

Another betrays the wanderer,

A third path never ends

And always keeps you running.

One path is covered with flower petals

And beckons with birdsong and light.

Another path lies shrouded in mist and darkness,

Gloomy, forbidding, and daunting.

The last path appears simple and plain

With dirt, shrubs, and small animals.

But who knows if light ends in dark

Or if the darkness ends in light?

What appears simple could be more complex,

For looks can be deceiving.

Or maybe they aren’t after all;

Maybe light will lead to light

But no one knows the right path,

And no one can be sure.

The decision is yours.

You can never turn back, so –

Choose wisely.

~Ananya Swaminathan

PS4 or Xbox One?

PS4 or Xbox One

With black Friday soon approaching many of us gamers are looking to buy the flagship consoles from both Sony and Microsoft.  With both the PS4 and Xbox One having been released for a year, the decision of which one to buy is difficult. Both consoles are great and are legendary in the gaming industry.  Personally I think cost is going to play a big factor into which console someone will buy. The PS4 is $100 cheaper than the Xbox One. But you have to realize the Xbox One comes with the Kinect system which is why the price is higher.  With black Friday these prices may go down since the consoles have been out for a while.  When I had the opportunity to test both consoles I really did like both. The only thing that I liked better was the PS4 controller and that is what made me like the PS4 better ultimately. Now that may be a bit biased as I own a PS3 and am familiar with the layout of the controller while the Xbox controller is very new to me.  It brings me to the second most important factor. Most likely if someone owns an Xbox 360 they will stick with the Microsoft gaming console family. Just as if someone owns a PS3 most likely they will buy a PS4. This is usually to you being used to how the consoles relate to each other throughout the different generations.   Call us fan boys but we really love our consoles and stay loyal to them!  Now whichever console you buy is totally up to you, but you should actually test them both out just to see what you like. Do not get a console just because you heard that everyone is buying that one.  Personally I really want the PS4 but when I realized I would have to pay to play online I decided just to stick with the good old PS3! Hope you make your decision wisely when buying and enjoy the holiday shopping season!

Aman Tomar

Logic: Under Pressure Album Review

Logic: Under Pressure Album Review

Robert Hall, better known as the Maryland-based rapper Logic, has been on the rise for a couple of years now. Ever since the first Young Sinatra mixtape, his fans have yearned for more. With his commercial debut Under Pressure, Logic gave fans everything they could have hoped for-and then some, as he poured out his soul into this album. In his song Nikki, he discusses his addiction with nicotine. Later, he talks about his relationship with his crack-addicted father in the second half of the title track, Under Pressure. His soul searching is refreshing, as rap has become incredibly superficial with the majority of rappers writing verses about going to the club or doing drugs. Rapping about real things makes him special, as his storytelling at some points in the album makes him seem like a young Eminem. However, as Logic delves into his issues on the album, he does not lose touch with the things that made him such an admirable artist to start. His lyrical skill continues to shine through with verses like the speedy lines at the end of the Bounce. Also, his clever beat production continues, as he turned an intricate guitar solo into an entire beat in the title track, while he used a series of beat drops in Bounce to create a hip and fun track to dance to. Overall, this album was a pleasure, and I definitely recommend the album to any lover of great rap.

Aditya Nadkarni

The Amazon Echo

The Amazon Echo

The Amazon Echo is Amazon's latest gadget. It is a Siri without the need of an iPhone. I recently stumbled upon this nifty device on YouTube where Amazon demonstrated its abilities. It is a cylinder that is extremely smart! The Amazon Echo is both a device that listens to you and responds to you. It is like a new member to any family. The Amazon Echo can be programmed to work on commands such as a name. You can set a certain name for it and whenever it hears that name it will wake up and listen to your command or question. The cool thing about it is that it can tell a lot of things such as spelling of words, facts, and play songs just to name a few. It is able to do all this through it being connected to the cloud. It is such a great value not only because of the features it has but because of its price. The price is only $99 for Amazon Prime members while non members have to pay $199. In both conditions it is a great device for the value considering all the things it can do. I think I will end up getting Amazon Prime just to buy the Echo but there is a downside to it. Since it is being offered at such a great price Amazon has made the Echo invite only. They will only sell to the people they invite to try out the device which is a big downside.  If anyone is interested in the Echo I would suggest watching Amazon’s demonstration video either on YouTube or Amazon.com. If you’re able to get your hands on the Echo I would strongly suggest buying it!

Aman Tomar

iPhone 6 Plus Review

iPhone 6 Plus Review

Having owned the iPhone 6 plus for close to two months I want to give my impressions on it. The iPhone 6 plus is a great phone, it certainily keeps up with cunsomers expectations from Apple. For me I used to be an Android user and what made me make the switch to iPhone was the simplicity of it. The new ios8 is great on the iPhone 6 plus with its easy to use design and very responsive interphase. The main issue I was having with my Android phone was freezing. The new A8 chip in the iPhone 6 plus makes the device run very smoothly and so far I have not expierenced any lag or freezing issues. The phone is great it certainly complies to Apple's standards. The iPhone 6 plus is also great as it has such a big screen. It certainly replaced my kindle for me and now I often use my iPhone to read e-books. Its like a laptop and phone all in one device. All though it does have many good features with its big screen it also makes it have a downside. Now I have not had any probems with the phone bending in my pocket like others have claimed but the big size makes the phone very noticible. Yes it may not be the best phone to have around school as the teachers will easily catch you! If you can be responsibile and not use it during class that should not be a problem. I also love the accessories available for the iPhone 6 plus. It is such a great phone and there are so many cases for it, its so customizable! As a user I would recommend getting a glass screen protector to protect your phone. The screen is so big that it can be easily damaged. Personally the screen protector I got was one from gorilla glass and I really recommend that one as it is high quality and will certainly protect the iPhone. So far I really can not say anything bad about the iPhone 6 plus. The only downside is the cost which is a little on the high side as with all Apple devices. If you shopping for a new phone I really suggest looking at the iPhone 6 plus as it will not disappoint you.

Aman Tomar

Review of Young Sherlock Holmes: Black Ice by Ananya S.

Review of Young Sherlock Holmes: Black Ice

Sherlock Holmes has seen it all: strange murders, insane yet creepy villains, and terrifying plots that threaten entire nations. He’s been kidnapped and nearly killed on multiple occasions. Surely, there’s no way Sherlock’s sleuthing can get any more dangerous – so he thinks. However, everything changes when a dead man is discovered in a room next to Sherlock’s brother, Mycroft…who is found holding a knife. Naturally, the police assume Mycroft has killed the man, but Sherlock knows better; now, he must only prove his brother’s innocence by finding the true culprit. Sherlock’s investigation takes him from the dark corners of London to snowy Moscow, Russia – from old friends to old enemies. As he begins to piece together the truth, he realizes that a trap is slowly being drawn around him…

Black Ice proves to be rather different from its predecessors, Death Cloud and Red Leech. For instance, Sherlock spends much of the novel without his companions, Matty  aand Virginia and more time around adults, such as his brother, Mycroft, and his tutor, Amyus Crowe. The novel explores the theme that evil has many faces in addition to themes of loyalty and betrayal – nothing is ever as it seems. In terms of plot, the case is intriguing, but there is a little too much fighting; it almost feels like the novel is about how Sherlock escapes his captors than how he saves his brother from an unjust death. Lastly, Sherlock is developed based on his relationships with his elders, rather than his relationships with characters his age, as in the first two books. This shift provides a look at a different side of him as the novel takes on a slightly darker tone. Overall, Black Ice is an intriguing and exhilarating follow-up to Red Leech, even if there is a little too much fighting.

~Ananya Swaminathan

Review of Young Sherlock Holmes: Red Leech by Ananya S.

Review of Young Sherlock Holmes: Red Leech

Sherlock Holmes is at it again. While eavesdropping on a conversation between his brother, Mycroft, and his tutor, Amyus Crowe, Sherlock discovers that one of the world’s most famous assassins might be a mere bike ride away from him. Intrigued, he decides to investigate the address in question. However, Sherlock’s minor investigation proves to have consequences when the criminals decide to kidnap his best friend, Matty, after discovering them on the premises. In order to save Matty, Sherlock, Amyus Crowe, and Crowe’s daughter, Virginia, journey to America. Gradually, they find themselves entangled in a plot that threatens the fate of the entire nation – a plot that must be kept secret at any cost…

Andrew Lane once again creates an intricate plot that includes a lot of action and suspense. He skillfully develops the characters of Sherlock and Virginia as well as the relationship between them. Lane also introduces Sherlock’s love of the violin in this book, which refers to the adult Sherlock’s violin-playing in the Conan Doyle books. However, Matty remains relatively undeveloped; consequently, his only purpose in the novel appears to be rescuing Sherlock from the dangerous situations that Sherlock manages to get himself into. Additionally, the main antagonist seems similar to that of the first book in the Young Sherlock Holmes series, Death Cloud, in a few notable ways. For instance, in both books, the villain’s plan threatens the well-being of an entire nation. Furthermore, both antagonists suffer from physical deformities and health issues. Despite these similarities, Red Leech remains different enough from the Death Cloud to be a nice read and a satisfying sequel.

~Ananya Swaminathan

Review of Young Sherlock Holmes: Death Cloud by Ananya S.

Review of Young Sherlock Holmes: Death Cloud

Sherlock Holmes is an intelligent fourteen-year-old who leads an ordinary sort of life. As his mother is ill, his father serves in the army, and his brother pursues a career, Sherlock is sent away to the countryside to live with his aunt and uncle. Here, Sherlock meets an eccentric tutor named Amyus Crowe, and his life takes an extraordinary turn. During an outdoor lesson with Amyus Crowe, Sherlock stumbles upon a body. His interest piqued, Sherlock finds an overwhelming desire to solve the mystery behind the body and the strange “cloud of death.” Sherlock’s curiosity takes him from country fairs to dark corners of London as he pieces together a murderous plot that threatens his best friends…and the whole of Britain.

Death Cloud by Andrew Lane is a suspenseful read filled with red herrings. Its riveting plot keeps readers interested until the very last page. Additionally, Lane includes interesting character development; when characterizing Sherlock, he doesn’t focus too much on the strengths or weaknesses of the character. He instead tries to offer a more balanced portrait of Sherlock. Lane also makes Sherlock more relatable to today’s teenagers. Furthermore, Virginia Crowe, Amyus’s daughter, is portrayed as modern in terms of her views on gender equality, despite the fact that she grows up in a time period when women are expected to wear dresses and become housewives. Overall, Death Cloud is a thrilling start to Andrew Lane’s Young Sherlock Holmes series.

~Ananya Swaminathan

Flying by Ananya S.

Flying

Floating, breathless

Above a world that never rests

Emboldened by the eagle’s cry

Reaching out to stroke the sky

A vast blue bowl all around

Shadow dancing on the ground

Gently nudged by playful winds

Silence shrouds the worldly din

Cautiously tasting the pure air

Unchecked by worries, troubles, cares

Exploring this new world I see

And returning to a part of me

~Ananya Swaminathan

Advice for this new school year (for new middle school & high school students) from Ananya S.

Advice for This School Year

Whether you are in middle school or high school, here are a few tips that might make your school year a bit easier:

1)    Don’t procrastinate: Procrastination leads to stress and unhealthy habits such as sleeping late or not at all. Additionally, it’s quite hard to break out of the habit of procrastinating once you begin it. If a teacher gives you two weeks to do an assignment, it’s probably because it’s simply too much work to complete in one night…so don’t save it for the night before it’s due! This is not to say you should work on it every single day you have, but you should at least space it out over the course of six or seven days, if not all fourteen. And you never know; something unexpected could happen on the night before your assignment is due. Maybe your computer crashes, or you get a lot of homework to complete that night. Whatever the case, it’s best to be prepared! 

2)    Do your homework: …and do NOT underestimate its value! Homework, while annoying and tedious, is a gift. Usually, homework is graded for completion. This means that you can earn points simply for doing the assignment. These points can boost your grade. Furthermore, homework provides good practice for assessments; by doing your homework, you increase your chances of performing well on quizzes and tests.

3)    Ask for help: This is very important! If you find yourself struggling with a particular concept or subject, ask a trusted peer or adult for help. Many people would be willing and able to help, and you could clarify anything you have doubts about. Also, ask questions during class to increase your understanding of the topic being discussed. If you feel uncomfortable about asking a question in front of your peers, try to talk to your teacher privately before or after class.

4)    Relax: In the midst of crazy schedules, quite a bit of homework, and extracurricular activities, try to set aside some time to unwind and have fun. This can be anything from fifteen minutes a day for your favorite manga to an hour a week for an episode of a TV show – but set aside a little time for yourself to catch a breather. It gives you a small break and helps to keep your stress levels under control.

~Ananya Swaminathan

Poems by Sagar Rawal

Food for Friendz by Apoorva Goel

Food For Friendz

Working to help out the Food Pantry during their summers, instead of sitting around, is a group of South Brunswick High School students who go by the name “Food For Friendz”.  The group was started in the summer of 2012 by former middle school students.  The idea for the group came from a game that involved selling lemonade.  The objective of the lemonade stand game was to learn how a company works, how to get the highest profit, and finding the perfect lemonade recipe. Using lemonade stand game as the base, one of the members came up with the idea of Food For Friendz. 

This picture was taken at the Independence Day Fireworks on July 4th, 2014.

Top row from left to right: Apoorva Goel, Sumedh Kamath, Saket Shah, Ritu Patel, Sukriti Prashar. 

Bottom row from left to right:Abhik Khanna, Nikhil Jadav, Daksh Prashar, Shreya Agrawal, Ishika    Khanna, Nikita Jadav, Richa Patel. (Absent: Shivam Agrawal).

 Along with our siblings, we now raise funds for the South Brunswick Food Pantry at township events such as the Independence Day Fireworks, Beech Woods Park concerts, and National Night Out by providing services to the public. At certain events, we sold both, Indian and American, refreshments.  Some of the members decided to take a step up in the creativity factor and put on henna and face-painting.

 

Top left: Shreya

Top right: Ishika

Bottom right: Apoorva

Face-painting and henna.

This summer, our group raised a total of $1,012.38.  It was a great success, as much as it was fun! Not only did we get to help people in need, but we got the chance to meet new people, including the mayor! If you ever see us, be sure to stop by and gain the opportunity to help the Food Pantry!

Missing Robin Williams by Sagar Rawal

Missing Robin Williams

By: Sagar Rawal

Upon hearing the tragic death of Robin Williams, it got me thinking about why I was upset. The answer presented itself all around me as well as in my memories. Even my super reserved mom was sad at his passing away because he has been such a large figure in my childhood and her first few years in the U.S. I remember growing up watching his movies on my old CRT TV. From him I crafted my own style of humor copying his jittery excitement in Flubber, his over-the-top jokes in Aladdin, and his sarcasm in Mrs. Doubtfire. I’ll always remember him for his amazing ability to make others laugh, but I think his real legacy lies in the seriousness of his movies and jokes. He always dealt with thoughtful subjects in his movies, like heartbreak, the extent of parental love, and even honesty. All masked in a blanket of humor Robin Williams taught character and encouraged friendliness through humor. Undoubtedly because of his movies I have been able to make some amazing friends. Robin Williams taught me how to make jokes to lighten moods, deal with tense subjects, overcome sorrow, and most of all, that happiness is a choice. Although he could find joy in himself, I certainly think he was proud in the happiness he gave to others. We may mourn him in our hearts but I think we should also take this time to celebrate his outstanding career as well, and as a nod to him go see his last movie post-mortem, Night at the Museum 3 and laugh with him one last time.

A Tale of Two Cities review by Ananya S.

Review of A Tale of Two Cities

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness…” So begins Charles Dickens in one of his more famous novels, A Tale of Two Cities. Focusing on the effects of the French Revolution on an Anglo-French family, Dickens’ novel is filled with adventure, suspense, and danger.

At seventeen years of age, Lucie Manette is reunited with the father she never knew. He had mysteriously disappeared before her birth and was found to have been unjustly imprisoned. Finally together again, they set out for England and make the acquaintance of Charles Darnay. Darnay and Lucie eventually fall in love and get married. Lucie’s father is happy for them; however, he realizes there is something oddly familiar about Darnay – something familiar and sinister…

Madame Defarge runs a wine shop with her husband – but there’s more to her than that. She also runs a spy network where all members are referred to as “Jacques.” Madame Defarge, cruelly wronged by a French noble, decides to take revenge on all of the French aristocracy by supporting and engineering movements of the French Revolution. Her desire for revenge, however, remains unchecked by compassion and humanity; when she discovers Darnay’s secret, she decides he must die, and his family must perish with him…

While Dickens creates an engaging plot, some of his characters are not well-developed. For instance, both Lucie Manette and Charles Darnay are portrayed as good, noble characters; however, they seem to lack insecurities, major flaws, and other traits that make characters more believable. Despite its flaws, Dickens’ novel includes a complicated and refreshing plot. Additionally, the author’s tone serves to provide wry commentary on the historical period which the novel portrays, giving the book a few light moments amidst the overall darker tone of the French Revolution. To reiterate, although some characters are one-dimensional, the complex plot and author’s tone make A Tale of Two Cities a satisfying read.

~Ananya Swaminathan

Shruti R. Patel....Funny

Laugh!!! It’s Joke Time!!!

1.      Teacher: Akhil, name an animal which is found in South Africa.

Akhil: A lion.

Teacher: That is absolutely right! Now, name another animal.

Akhil: Another lion.

2.      Jerry: Why are the blood groups of people different?

Bred: So that mosquitoes don’t get bored of drinking the same blood all the time.

3.      Gillian: Why did the Tennis player bring a tray to practice?

Tony: I don’t know.

Gillian: Because it was his turn to serve.

4.      Lucy: Daddy, what are four grapes and two grapes?

Daddy: Can’t you solve this simple addition problem on your own? Didn’t you do a similar problem in class?

Lucy: No, the teacher always uses bananas.

5.      Jennifer: Why didn’t you call me yesterday?

Maya: I did but each time I tried, your phone was busy!

Jennifer: Impossible! I was sitting with the receiver in my hand.

6.      Father: How was school today, Greg? Did you like it?

Gregory: It’s hard to like a place that’s haunted, Dad.

Father: Haunted! What do you mean?

Gregory: It’s my new teacher. She keeps talking about the school spirit.

7.      1^st Man: Why are your hands in my pocket?

2^nd Man: Sorry, I’m wearing an identical pair of trousers.

8.      Teacher: Johnny, did you cheat from Amy’s test?

Johnny: Yes, but how did you know?

Teacher: In one answer, Amy wrote, “I don’t know.” And you wrote, “Me neither.”

~ Shruti R. Patel

House of Silk Review by Ananya S.

Review of The House of Silk

It is winter 1890, and Sherlock Holmes and his good friend, Dr. Watson, are relaxing by the fire. Suddenly, they are interrupted by a mysterious man who appears – a client. The man, Mr. Edmund Carstairs, proceeds to tell Holmes and Watson about The Flat Cap Gang, a criminal group in Boston. The gang had murdered a man and destroyed several precious paintings. Carstairs, wanting justice, had hired police to track the gang down; all of the members were subsequently caught, except for one…and that one member wants revenge… Intrigued by Carstairs’ story, Holmes and Watson are drawn into the darkest corners of 19^th-century London. Slowly, the case itself only becomes more confusing as the stakes are raised higher; eventually, Holmes comes to hear of the “House of Silk.” Despite many warnings, he and Watson investigate the mysterious and dangerous name; however, the consequences of their curiosity could prove to be fatal…

The House of Silk, by Anthony Horowitz, is a satisfying albeit dark novel. The mystery is very well developed, with clues subtly slipped into the text. Horowitz includes many unexpected plot twists, but none of them seem far-fetched, and all fit with the storyline. Additionally, Horowitz has a good grasp of the Holmes-Watson dynamic; this, along with his tone, makes The House of Silk feel like an authentic Sherlock Holmes story. Overall, The House of Silk is a dark yet enjoyable read.

~Ananya Swaminathan 

Honesty by Shruti R. Patel

Honesty 

 “If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.”   - Mark Twain

It is said that honesty is the best policy. However, how many of us are honest? We tell little white lies, but we don’t realize the significance of honesty. This remarkable and profound quote conveys an important message that we can connect to and apply in our everyday life. When you lie, you have to remember your own falsified story the next time. In contrast, the truth has only one version, without any gray shade. You don’t need to remember the truth because it is the reality and it does not alter or exaggerate in any way. However, on the other hand, lies are based on self-fabricated and imaginary excuses; therefore, they are forgettable. Also, it is difficult to keep them straight. If you are lying, you must know exactly what you have to say. If you forget, people may doubt you and it can destroy their trust in you. White lies don’t last long and it is tough to keep track of them. Ultimately, the light of the truth shines. The quote gives us an understanding that lying is much more difficult than telling the truth because when you lie, you have to not only make up a story, but also remember to stick with it, so that you are not caught. Telling the truth does not require any memorization because you simply inform what you know. Lies hurt more than truths. To hide a lie, you must tell more lies and there is a greater possibility that you may forget the lies. This quote by Mark Twain is noteworthy; we should give this quote consideration and live accordingly. Imagine a world where everyone is honest and truthful. Our world would be more productive and efficient and our society would be ideal. Honesty is a traditional value with a great legacy. So, let’s start developing integrity and honesty in our life!

Let’s be honest!

~ Shruti R. Patel

review of Born Confused by Simran B

Born Confused Review by Simran B.

Plot Summary:  Dimple Lala is just a 17 year old girl in New Jersey, struggling with the one question we all face during these teenager times. Who am I? She is caught in between two different worlds, trying to find the perfect balance and harmony between them. She feels as she is too Indian for the Americans, and not Indian enough for her own heritage. As the book progresses, Dimple realizes that it doesn’t have to be an either-or choice. She understands that she can be both, and discovers the balance she was once looking for. She understands that she doesn’t have to be embarrassed to express her Indian culture, and realizes that being different is perfectly fine.  

Along side with the issue of trying to discover who you are, Born Confused deals with the issue of trying to live up to your parents’ expectations. This issue is a crucial part of the book, as at the beginning Dimple fails to understand what her parents truly want of her. Albeit, as the book continues on, Dimple develops a closer relationship with her parents, and realizes they are not all that different from her, and can surprisingly relate to what she is going through.

At the same time, the books hits on the issue of maintaining relationships, as Gwyn, Dimple’s best friend suddenly just assumes that Dimple has a perfect life, due to still having parents that are still together and love each other, and as to having an intact family. However, Gwyn fails to see that while this is true, all of this does not equal to a perfect life. As I mentioned before, Dimple is going through some tough times of her own, such as the “identity quest” to discover who she actually is and how she fits inside this world. This issue of maintaining relationships, and the way that Gwyn suddenly jumps to the conclusion of Dimple having a perfect life, is a fantastic way to incorporate the message of “things aren’t always what they seem, especially if you are looking in from the outside”.

Now, while there are several other key points in the book, these are only three of them. (After all, how can I tell you the others? That would just be spoiling the book for you! You’ll have to read the book to find out the rest!)

Overall, Born Confused is a wonderful book of a typical teenage struggling with several issues in her life and trying to deal with them all. While the book is a bit lengthy (500 pgs), and takes a while to take off, it is filled with enriching detail, and is one that will keep teenagers engaged. Once the book takes off, you will definitely get hooked, and will just want to keep reading! Now, what are you waiting for? Go ahead, grab this book of the shelves, and start reading!

*A side note* While reading this book, keep your mind open, and be prepared for the unexpected!

Love Knows: a poem by Simran B.

Love Knows...

Love knows no reasons,

Love knows no lies.

Love defies all reasons,

It has no eyes.

Love knows how to speak,

Love is antique.

Love knows how to sing,

It is said while wearing your wedding ring.

Love knows how to comfort,

Love is as sweet as yogurt.

But, love is not blind.

Love sees but doesn’t mind.

Love enables one to see,

Love is quite a beauty.

~Simran B.

Lovely Nature: a poem by Shruti R. Patel

Lovely Nature

Once I was strolling down a road in the lap of nature,

I saw birds chirping melodious songs,

And bees humming on flowers,

Deer running all around with joy,

And leaves giving tiny ants a ride,

The light rays of the sun spreading everywhere,

I saw flowers blossoming on trees,

Colorful butterflies flying around in the air,

And also leaves emerging on top of the trees,

A cool breeze making the plants dance joyfully,

How wonderful is nature!

Peep out the window,

Notice how great is its beauty!

Respect nature. Appreciate nature. Nature is our greatest gift. Nature makes us forget all our sorrows. Nature smiles at us and makes us smile as well. Nature showers its love on everyone.

~ Shruti R. Patel

Temple Run 2 review by Simran B.

Temple Run 2 Review by Simran B.

“Run! Run for your life!”

In the game, Temple Run 2, this saying is taken quite literally. The objective of the game is to escape from “demonic monkeys” who want to eat you, since you are playing as an explorer that has just stolen an idol. To escape, you have to keep running. Although, since this is an endless running game, there is no end to the temple. The game is over once the explorer falls off the temple or until the explorer is eaten by the monkeys. While running, you can collect coins (by tilting your device left or right), use power-ups  and jump over (and slide underneath) various objects. You also have “objectives”. There are three “objectives” per level. To complete a level, (and maybe gain a gem or some coins), you have to finish the objectives. The more objectives you complete, the higher your level number will be. Also, those coins I mentioned earlier? Coins are extremely helpful. Through the coins you collect, you can purchase and upgrade your power-ups or abilities, unlock new characters, and do much, much more! So, what are you doing, still reading this? Download this app, and start running!

book review from Ananya S.

Review of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (book)

It’s been a year since Lucy and her older brother, Edmund, have last visited the magical land of Narnia. As Peter is preparing for college and Susan is in America, the two siblings are forced to stay with their obnoxious younger cousin, Eustace. One of Eustace’s favorite pastimes, in fact, is mocking Edmund and Lucy about the “imaginary” land of Narnia…until a painting on the wall comes to life. Finding themselves on the ship of King Caspian, Edmund, Lucy, and Eustace (the latter not so enthusiastically) join the crew on a journey to the end of the world.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is, however, largely Lucy’s and Eustace’s book. It is through them that Lewis explores his most significant themes, such as temptation, change, and faith. Eustace, originally annoying and selfish, is tempted by cursed gold and transforms into a dragon. After observing the crew’s support and his cousins’ compassion for him in his cursed state, he vows to become more helpful and considerate. Lucy, meanwhile, discovers a book of spells; one of these spells could make her the most beautiful girl in existence…but would ultimately lead to the destruction of worlds. As we discover Lucy’s inner conflicts and insecurities, we are also exposed to her unwavering faith in Aslan, the creator of Narnia; when the ship is in its darkest hour, it is Lucy who saves the crew with her belief in Aslan.

Through thorough characterization of Lucy and Eustace, C. S. Lewis, the author of The Chronicles of Narnia series, explores the ideas of loyalty, temptation, faith, redemption, and (ultimately) of growing up. Overall, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is both an interesting beginning to the adventures of Eustace in Narnia and a satisfying conclusion to those of Lucy and Edmund.  

~Ananya Swaminathan

Review of Candy Crush by Ananya Swaminathan

Review of “Candy Crush”

“Candy Crush” is one of the most popular games available on phones, Apple gadgets, and Facebook.  As I find it an enjoyable game, I play it often; however, it is not without its faults.

The objective of “Candy Crush” is to clear the jelly from the board, bring down all the ingredients, or score a certain number of points, all within a given number of moves.

On the plus side, “Candy Crush” has a good balance of moderate and difficult levels, which make it challenging but not too frustrating. Additionally, the game requires some planning to create power-ups, which makes it more fun than if the power-ups were randomly generated. However, (even though players usually need a strategy to win), “Candy Crush” is relaxing rather than stressful. It’s a good pastime for those who have 5-10 minutes to spare.

On the downside, “Candy Crush” can get boring after a while. Even though the individual levels vary, the general idea remains the same, which can be tiresome to gamers who seek large amounts of variation. Furthermore, the game focuses on the repetitive task of making three, four, or five of a candy in a row. Some may find this tedious. Overall, however, “Candy Crush” is an enjoyable game, albeit unoriginal (much of it has the same idea as “Bejeweled”); it’s fun to play with others or individually when you have a few minutes to spare.

~Ananya Swaminathan

Today by Shruti R. Patel

Today

There is no tomorrow,

It’s only an excuse,

There is only today,

The time we cannot lose.

Why wait for tomorrow?

Do it today,

You will have more time that way.

One who leaves it to tomorrow

Later weeps in sorrow when left behind.

He alone will be the one,

For help he will find hardly one.

So work if you have time.

It is in no way a crime.

When today your work is done,

Next day you will find yourself

Ahead of everyone!

My advice to you: Today is the day. Don’t procrastinate.

~ Shruti R. Patel

Freshmen tips from Shruti R. Patel

How to Survive Freshman Year in High School

Dear middle school graduates,

I have a lot of advice for future freshmen. First of all, enjoy your time in high school. There are various opportunities for students and numerous clubs to spend your time in something you are interested in. There are so many sports you could get involved in as well. Don’t hesitate to participate in extracurricular activities and social school events such as the school dance or the Homecoming game. Do something that will make your time worthwhile. Teams at the high school are like one big family. Sports give you opportunities to make lifelong friends and learn to work as a team. For those of you who love music, join the marching band because they are incredibly talented! You can also choose to audition for one of the school musicals; they always turn out to be amazing and very entertaining. There’s something for everybody at the high school; you just have to figure out what fits your interests best. When it comes to academics in the high school, you always need to try your best and do what is expected from you. Don’t think that freshman year doesn’t count towards anything. College looks at all four years of high school and freshman year also counts towards your overall GPA. If you don’t do well freshman year, you may not meet the GPA requirements to be a part of National Honors Society or you may not be able to get into your dream school. Always work hard because in the end, you won’t regret it. Another thing is to form a good rapport with your teachers. They are always willing to help if you are struggling and they will prepare you for the road ahead. So respect your teachers; they’re there to make you succeed. Don’t let high school flash before your eyes. Participate in spirit week, powder puff, go to black and gold night, and above all, have fun! Volunteer in your community! The more you volunteer, the better you feel about yourself and the better of a chance you have to make it into National Honors Society. Study hard, be a good person, get involved, and make the most of what you have. Don’t just sit there and watch time fly by; stay active. Good luck to all of you; I know you all will be great!

From,

Shruti R. Patel