Miss Telall post for 1/31: Blue in All Black & Crying in Calculus

South Brunswick Public Library’s very own advice columnist, Miss Telall, has come to help you navigate through the travails of life with a weekly advice column open to everyone! Every question and response will be completely anonymous- you have only to send your questions in to MissTelallSBPL@gmail.com, and check the SBPL blog to see if your question has gotten a response! To reiterate, all information will be kept COMPLETELY ANONYMOUS- so trust Miss Telall to handle whatever you throw her way! Be sure that entries are grammatically correct, and ended with the traditional formats shown below. Good luck!

Miss Telall’s FIRST EVER advice entries~

Dear Miss Telall, I’ve never really thought of myself as a shy person. But after middle school, I quit soccer to catch up with school work, and began to sleep late and neglect personal care. I rarely exercise nowadays, and even get out of breath during gym! I’ve gained over 30 pounds, and it’s really messing up my self-esteem because I barely fit any of my old clothes, I look like a slob everyday, and I swear people are treating me differently because of my weight gain. I’m rarely social now, and lost friends, have slipping grades, and feel depressed. How can I get my life back on track?                             Yours till the Sun Flowers,                                     Blue in all Black

To Blue in all Black,             Focus on one goal first of all. Stretching yourself in too many directions will only lead to unsatisfactory success  in a few departments. Spend a period concentrating entirely on schoolwork. When you have stability academically, push yourself to sign-up for a recreational soccer team, or some small classes to get you exercising again. Never feel shame over your own feelings or appearance in life. I absolutely won’t deny that kids can be cruel, and maybe they do judge you on your weight, or clothes, or whatever. The point is, every single person will go through points in time when they do not feel on top of their game. ALWAYS ignore the superficial and the bullies and concentrate on putting effort into yourself FOR yourself. As you see your improvement, and put mental (get some sleep!) and emotional health before all else, you’ll really begin to see those around you who truly care- the type of friends you want to have.        My main point of advice is- if you truly continue to feel depressed, get help right away! Try speaking to a family member, a close friend, a teacher, or your guidance counselor at school! Searching for depression hotlines, or even psychiatric aid is never a point of shame and, in reality, is a practice that should be seen much more often! You’ll streamline a path to feeling good again, and know that you have support around you. Sometimes, confiding in someone else can be the greatest relief. Overall, high school is fleeting- but your mental impression of yourself is not. Outline your goals, and cut out unnecessary wishes that’ll only mess with your self-esteem. Good Luck!                                  ~Miss Telall Samaritans 24-Hour Crisis Hotline: (212) 673-3000

Dear Ms. Tellall, As you know, midterms week is next week, and I’m literally terrified about taking my math midterm. I can’t seem to understand what goes on in class half the time, and I’m not exactly keen on asking the teacher or my parents for any additional help. I need major math help right now! Sincerely, Crying in Calculus

To Crying in Calculus,           Your two goals when studying for a math test include learning the material that was taught, and efficiently remembering the material so that you can use it for future classes. There is honestly no easy shortcut for math; you have to understand the material and practice, practice, practice in order to grasp the concepts. In reviewing for a math midterm, start off by looking over your notes and working through the examples. Then, rework through your homework. If you’re really struggling with the concepts after reviewing everything (and you’ve got a few school days before your midterm), consider going to the Math Resource Center during lunch (here’s a link regarding the schedules: http://tinyurl.com/sbhsmath ) or even the Homework Help Center (where Math Honor Society students tutor). There’s also plenty of websites that help to understand math and work out problems (my personal favorites include Khan Academy and Cool Math). Most importantly, the best resource you can use is math tutoring from SBPL itself! There’s plenty of amazing tutors who are willing to help you out with any difficult problems. Don’t forget to relax as you’re prepping up for this midterm, and next time, be sure to get help right after class! Math teachers are not as scary as they seem; I’m sure your math teacher would be eager to offer help or even provide tutoring after school if he/she learns you’re struggling with the material. And that’s a wrap! Math midterms might be hard, but they’re nothing except for easy when you have the right resources and a study method. Be sure to keep up with Miss Telall for more advice, and if you’re having an issue, share it with this columnist to receive the *perfect* solution. ~Miss Telall

Someday by Annamika Dua

Someday

By: Annamika Dua

Millions of kids everyday are working

towards their hopes, dreams, and aspirations.

But who really knows if they will make it?

People say that our generation is filled with children who

are on their “gadgets” too much,

or don’t know how to talk face-to-face

with another person.

But the thing about this new generation is

that we’re very determined.

Determined to follow our hearts,

and do whatever we want.

All we desire is to find out

what we are truly passionate for.

And we know that someday, we will find what that is.

Someday, our time will come.

Two poems by Harrison Chiu

Dark Places (Self Pity)

By: Harrison Chiu

Slip under the covers,

Throw the cover over your head,

You can hide away for a little bit

Isn’t the darkness warm?

Come down, little child

Come just a little closer

Don’t you be afraid, my darling

Isn’t it comfortable?

Sink down a little deeper,

Shut out a bit more of that light,

Yes, that’s just fine.

Don’t you feel safe?

Come closer, closer my little child

We can stay here forever,

Shut out the rest of the world

It’s a little lonely down here,

So please,

Don’t go.

Snowflake

By: Harrison Chiu

Untouchably elegant,

Blindingly pure,

Impassively remote,

Frustratingly consistent,

Frozenly crystalline,

Bitingly cold,

Numbingly cruel,

Until I melt in your hands.

The Biggest Game on Earth by Joshua Liao

The Biggest Game on Earth

                On Sunday night, February 1^st, 2015, the biggest sporting event of the year will take place in the form of the Super Bowl. One-hundred million people, about a third of America’s population, will gather in front of their television sets to watch the New England Patriots play the defending champions, the Seattle Seahawks. One glance at each team shows how anticipated this game is. Both the Patriots and the Seahawks were tied for the best record in the NFL during the regular season. The Seahawks are the first defending champion to make it back to the Super Bowl in a decade. The last team to do so? The New England Patriots. Both teams are excellent on both sides of the ball. The Seahawks’ strength lies in their defense which happens to be the NFL’s best. Richard Sherman and Byron Maxwell lockdown opposing wide-receivers on the perimeter while lightning fast free-safety Earl Thomas patrols the middle of the field and has enough speed to cover up any rare mistakes by the corners. On offense, the Seahawks have a literal beast of a running back in Marshawn Lynch and the NFL’s best running quarterback in Russell Wilson.

For the Patriots, everything goes back to Tom Brady, returning for his record tying 6^th Super Bowl appearance. No quarterback in history has more Super Bowl experience. Brady has Rob Gronkowski, the league’s best tight end to throw to, as well as a fleet of receivers nearly impossible to tackle. The Patriots’ defense is led by Darrelle Revis widely regarded along with the formerly mentioned Sherman as the best corners in the league. They have a group insanely athletic linebackers, taking away any matchup problems the Seahawks could hope to create. Both teams had few weaknesses on both sides of the ball, as well as some of the best kickers in Steven Hauschika and Stephen Gostkowski. The game will come down to whether the Patriots will be able to stop the Seahawks’ running game and if Tom Brady and his offense keep their turnover count low. As both opposing teams clash this Sunday night, it should be a nail-biter of a game, ready to entertain all 100 million Americans who turned on their televisions to watch.       

Joshua Liao 

Silence by Annamika Dua

Silence

By: Annamika Dua

She sat in the car shocked, not saying a word,

Not being able to believe what had just happened.

Her friends lay next to her, crying as well.

They had just been laughing, but the next second all was gone.

When the car had crashed into the truck, she had heard a snapping noise.

She looked down at her ankle, it was twisted in a disturbing way.

She lay back silent, crying, not knowing what to do.

She heard a siren, coming out of the night,

Relieving her just a bit, but the damage had been done,

The silence had scarred her.

Children of the Future by Harrison Chiu

Children of the Future

By: Harrison Chiu

 “I started doing practice tests early”

I’m sorry for missing your birthday party these years

“I have a writing tutor to practice essays”

I wrote you a letter, black pen on cream-colored paper

“My parents say I’m gifted, more than the other kids”

I made you a gift, every year

“I practiced watercolor painting with my art teacher”

I painted the box a dull gold, the color of sunrise, just like you liked it

“I’m supposed to give something great to world”

I never had the chance to give it to you

 “My grades are not good enough”

I never wore the right clothes, or said the right things

“I’m not good enough.”

But that never mattered to you

“I have enough volunteer hours”

We spent so much time together

“I performed on a stage, in the spotlight”

In the sunlit forests of make-believe

“My future is clear”

And in the blue skies, flying kites and counting clouds

“I live in the future”

But I lost you, left you behind, in the present

I miss you.

Impact of Martin Luther King by Joshua Liao

Impact of Martin Luther King

By: Joshua Liao

As we all sit at home this Monday on Martin Luther King’s day and watch T.V., play video games, or do whatever we do when we don’t have school, I recommend sitting down and taking a moment to appreciate what this man did for us. After all, schools all around the nation are taking a day off to commemorate his death. Look at our society today. Kids of different backgrounds, with different skin colors, and different religions are able to interact with each other and become friends, thanks to the legacy that Martin Luther King left for us. He had a vision of a different world, a society where whites and blacks were allowed to mix, and relentlessly pursued it. King stood up to the threats, the hate, and ultimately gave his life for this cause. King held his pride and his anger in check, standing as a symbol of peaceful protests. He led marches, parades, and gave speeches, all in an effort to convince the American public of the brighter future that they could have. Indeed no one can refute the idea that our lives are not better off with a mixed society. There are African Americans rooted in all parts of our world today from the government to sports and our everyday friends. But to really understand the magnitude of what he did, let’s imagine for a moment that you have an idea you want to tell the world. However, you know that if you did, you’d be putting your life and all those that you love in danger. Would you still try and tell it to others? How about after your house was bombed, your wife and children threatened, and you personally were verbally abused? There are not many individuals who could put up with that and still continue their mission. Martin Luther King Jr. was one extraordinary person that could, showing why he deserves a moment of our recognition and respect today.  

Conscience by Harrison Chiu

Conscience

By: Harrison Chiu

Behind the iron bars set into stone wall,

There sits a stony faced prisoner,

Left in a six by eight cell,

Contemplating his sentence

And perhaps his sin

Who put him in the cell?

If he did wrong

And why did they?

Rather, if he thinks he did wrong

What did he do again?

In the lines of his face

Can they see guilt?

Behind the flashing lights and blaring sirens

There sits a weary policeman

Left a broken, almost-widower

Manning as many shifts as he can

To stop the nightmares

Does he see the people he arrested?

About his wife’s arrest

What about their children?

Shackles not filling empty lives

In the lines of his face

Can they see guilt?

Glorification by Harrison Chiu

Glorification

By: Harrison Chiu

One small moment,

Paused

Then

Rewound, replayed, relived, relieved,

Stretchedextendedretold

Elaborated, embellished with dazzling opulence,

Eventually fabricated

Until it is immortal,

In the golden light of reminiscence

Countless hours of toil,

Ceaseless without cessation never ending

Never reflected upon, constantly looking back,

Constantly looking

Down

Never appreciated,

Never glorified,

Ephemeral

Prices (a poem) by Harrison Chiu

Prices

By: Harrison Chiu

A man in a hanging suit stands at the podium,

A piggish face, lined with sweat

A swollen and quivering mouth, ugly in power

A series of words, flowing from his mouth;

A soliloquy, questioning “materialism’s cost”

A secret, about the “nature of greed”

A veritable “truth about changing times”

A remembrance, of the past “age of values”

A glorious monologue, against the “manipulators of money”

A whisper, about “the power in the hands of the people”

A demonstration, to “show our ability”

A compassionate donation, to all the “cheated mothers”

A kitchen built, for all the “impoverished children”

A seed, planting an “idea of change”

A bitter harangue, denouncing “politicians and bankers”

A vicious diatribe, against “rising prices”

A nod, to the “difficulty of this right cause”

A promise, to “change and make things right”

All for the cheap cost of $19.99, today