Your Music Describes You Written by: Sneha Narayanan

Your Music Describes You

Written by: Sneha Narayanan

Music helps you relax subconsciously. After facing the reality of life, just kicking back and listening to your favorite songs helps you return back to your true self, not the person the society changed you into that day. School and work makes a lot of people stressed, tired, and even frustrated, myself included. However, when I sit in the bus and put those earbuds in my ears, I slowly relax, finally, enjoying my day. Music is my companion, When I am home alone, music keeps me safe. I don’t think there is one day that goes by for me without a source of music going in my ears. There isn’t one type of music that I listen to. I listen to a variety of songs that inspire different parts of me and makes me be who I am. Music has incorporated itself into my life, making me who I am as a person.

Review of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2 by Shweta Murali

Review of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2

The highly-anticipated movie The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2 finally released on Friday, November 20, and unfortunately it was quite a disappointment to me. Being an avid fan of both the movies and books (Team Peeta all the way), the movie was not as engaging and intriguing as the previous three. I thought it would be the best because it is, sadly, the last movie of the series, but in my opinion it was not nearly as good as the others. The movie started off where Part 1 left off, with Katniss treating the injuries Peeta caused her. It continued to build on the love triangle between Katniss, Peeta, and Gale, as well as Katniss’s plot to kill President Snow. There is, however, one event towards the end of the movie that was upsetting, but also provided some sort of action, but you will have to wait to see it yourself (No spoilers here!). Movie makers, specifically those targeted towards young adults, have recently began splitting movie finales into two movies a lot more than they have in the past. This is to increase revenue, prolong the movie, and increase anticipation. I am usually a fan of this, as seen previously in Harry Potter, Twilight, and The Hobbit, but to me it was not the best choice for The Hunger Games. Although the anticipation of waiting for part 2 made it better for me, I think that Mockingjay would have been better off as one movie. In addition, while I do love the couple of Katniss and Peeta, I believe that too much time was spent on the development of their relationship rather than the action taking place in Panem. However, despite its faults, I certainly do not regret going to see Mockingjay, Part 2. There has been no movie like it before and I do recommend that people see it, just do not bring your hopes up.

-Shweta Murali

Predictions for the Yankees and Mets Offseason by Faiz Syed

Predictions for the Yankees and Mets Offseason

Faiz Syed

            The Yankees and Mets both had successful 2015 seasons.  The Yankees could have played better towards the end of the season but they did make the playoffs for the first time since 2012.  The Mets had an incredible year, making it to the World Series game.  After watching many Yankees and Mets games this season, I have analyzed the team’s needs and I have come up with some effective ways that both teams can address their needs in order to be better teams in the next season.

            The 2015 Yankees team was far from perfect but they did improve from the 2014 team that did not make the playoffs.  One thing that I observed was that second base is a huge issue for the Yankees.  The last time the Yankees had an all-star second baseman was in 2013 when they still had Robinson Cano.  With Robinson Cano, the Yankees were able to win the 2009 World Series.  For the past year, the Yankees had had Stephen Drew at second base.  In my opinion, Stephen Drew struggled mightily and was one of the Yankees wink links in the batting order.  His low .201 batting average reflects his poor play at the plate.  In previous off seasons, the Yankees had spent a large sum of money to fill in holes in their roster.  I don’t believe that this will change this year.  I believe that the Yankees are going to spend big money to secure a quality second baseman.  Daniel Murphy and Ben Zobrist are both free agents this year.  They both played in the World Series match.  I think that the Yankees will sign one of them to fill in the need at second base.  Another need that the Yankees have is a utility infielder who can pay as a designated hitter and be able to play first base.  The Yankees struggled to win games towards the end of the season, and this was after first baseman Mark Teixeira got injured.  Mark Teixeira has been injured in the past multiple times, and the Yankees should invest in a backup first baseman in case he gets injured for a long period of time again.     Along with Stephen Drew, Chris Young and Chris Capuano will enter free agency. 

            The Mets had the second best season out of all of the teams in baseball this year.  They played great in the post season and made it all the way to the World Series. However, the Mets can potentially lose two of their best players as Yoenis Cespedes and Daniel Murphy are entering free agency.  Usually players who are free agents after playing in the World Series matches expect teams to pay high money for their services.  I believe that if these players demand more money than the Mets are willing to pay, the Mets will likely turn elsewhere to find replacements. The Mets are going to spend their money wisely and not waste too much of it on one player. Luckily for the Mets, there are some free agents available who play the same positions as Daniel Murphy and Yoenis Cespedes. I think that the Mets will most likely pursue free agents Asdrubal Cabrera and Howie Kendrick as they will probably be looking for less money than Yoenis Cespedes and Daniel Murphy.  I think that the Mets should also look to trade away Michael Cuddyer and sign a younger and less expensive outfielder.  A team looking for a veteran outfielder would be willing to pay more money for him, and this could allow the Mets to spend more money on another player that they need.

Miss Telall Nov 6 edition

11/6/15

Hello loyal SBPL readers, it’s your favorite advice columnist- Miss Telall, with two more entries. If you’re having issues or just want to talk, she’s always up to offer advice, so be sure to email her at MissTelallSBPL@gmail.com, and check the SPBL blog for a reply addressing your problem. All entries are always ANONYMOUS, and no problem is too big or too embarrassing for Miss Telall to tackle!

Dear Miss Telall,       Gym class. The words strike fear in even the most well-adjusted of students. Unless you’re physically fit, this is 88 minutes of torture. I always spend the period trying to hide my pouring sweat, hoping I won’t miss the ball, and praying we won’t be forced outside in either the freezing cold, or the sweltering humidity. How do I learn to enjoy gym??                                   Sincerely,    Pit Stains and Gym Pains

Dear Pit Stains and Gym Pains,        Ah, the eternal struggle- gym class is notoriously tough for the majority of students- so don’t ever feel self-conscious if you’re feeling uncomfortable! We’re all learning to deal with some of the same emotions. So, to address your points one by one: The Sweat: Stains, as a fellow bucket-sweater, let me just tell you: at some point, it becomes tiring to be constantly worried about being judged for bodily functions you can’t control. Don’t let worry over what other people might think make you feel bad! Everyone sweats! Now, if the sweating and damp clothes starts making you feel uncomfortable, try investing in some moisture wicking clothing. Clothes designed to keep you dry, as well as darker shades and looser fits will keep you feeling cool and comfortable! The Skills: Not everyone is talented at sports. Let me repeat- you are not alone. No one expects you to be a sports superstar! Focus on improving yourself for yourself and trying your hardest. Honestly, letting go of performance fears will make gym much more enjoyable. And, when you’re not constantly stressing, you will see some real progression in skill set! The Weather: The weather isn’t something anyone can control- staff or otherwise. So just move around a bit more and bundle up in cold weather, and take it easier in cool clothing during hot weather. Always- this from a veteran gym-er- keep water, jackets, and shorts in your locker. Check the weather so you’re always prepared! And NEVER hesitate to tell a teacher if you feel sick.       Overall, just try to remember that everyone’s in the same boat! Don’t worry about how other people might judge you, and just focus on the best effort you can give to stay healthy- that’s the main goal of school gym. Have fun!                                     Sincerely,                                   Miss Telall

Dear Miss Telall,      All of my teachers, friends, and relatives are asking me continuously what careers I’m interested in, as I’m struggling to make an adequate decision. I’m not even sure what subjects I enjoy really. However, I’ve always had an interest in science- particularly physics- and have recently become very interested in psychology. Do you have any ideas about what career path I should choose, and where I can find out about different careers? By the way, I’m a senior in high school.                                   Sincerely,                                    Career Confused

Dear Career Confused,         First off, don’t let all the questions about careers and interests result in a panicked state. Most people are just trying to ask you what you’re interested in. If you’re really struggling about making a final decision, consider the activities which you’re a part of and what classes you’ve taken. Make a choice to learn about the career through the courses you’ve taken, especially the fields which you are interested in. Additionally, you can reach out to people, like your guidance counselor, teachers, and parents. You can even seek out people in the fields that interest you. Ask questions to professionals within psychology and physics such as what they love about their work, what they don’t like so much, and about their life/career balance.          Explore the idea of what your life would be like within these different careers- really visualize it. Don’t be afraid to change your mind, as you are allowed to adjust your course, and start over at anytime. And while you’re at it, be sure to ask more than one person for advice. Be prepared to think critically about the advice they give you. Additionally, evaluate your strengths and weaknesses. What are you truly good at? Explore career opportunities within these fields.         And that’s a wrap! Miss Telall would love to hear from you some more, so be sure to ask us questions!                                    Sincerely,                                  Miss Telall

What’s The Use of Art? by Faiz Syed

What’s The Use of Art?

            Art has been an essential key to the survival of humans ever since their beginnings in the Paleolithic age.  In the Paleolithic times, art allowed people to articulate skills, messages, and observances to other humans.  In modern times, art allows humans to visualize phenomena of the past, and to predict the changes of the future.  It captures the skills and technologies used in the present to ensure that these skills and technologies are not lost in the future.  The great value of art can be seen by the great precautionary measures that the French government took when the oldest art in the world was discovered in the Chauvet-Pont-d’Arc cave.  These early paintings in the cave were drawn during the Paleolithic time and they now serve to help historians and archaeologists analyze and greater understand the way of life during that time period.  The use of art to articulate ideas helped generations build on ideas of the past, and the use of art to visualize the past, document the present, and predict the future makes it valuable to societies of any age.

            Paleolithic paintings such as those discovered in the cave at Chauvet, are important in many ways.  During the Paleolithic age, such paintings allowed people to improve the technologies of the past.  Paintings allowed Paleolithic people to document their skills and technologies in an easy way for new generations to acquire knowledge of the same technologies and skills.  New generations would acquire this skill through mirror neurons.  Mirror neurons in the brain allow humans to mimic actions that they see.  When new generations of Paleolithic people saw paintings of the technologies of the past, the mirror neurons in their brains allowed them to retain the skills of their ancestors by mimicking them. This allowed technologies to be passed on for generations.  An example of this can be seen in the painting of multiple people hunting animals with bows and arrows at the Lascaux cave.  This painting of the bows and arrows would ensure that the skill and use of the bow and arrow is passed on to the next generation. 

            Paleolithic paintings are also important to historians who use them as one of the only ways to picture the life and traditions of the Paleolithic people.  There is little archaeological evidence that exists of this time period, and this results in heavier emphasis on Paleolithic art to give historians more knowledge of the time period.  For example, many of the paintings at Chauvet depicted animals.  One of these examples is a painting of a bison.  Historians use this painting to guess that bison were important to the Paleolithic people, and because they were hunters, there is a chance that bison was one of the animals that they hunted for food.  These Paleolithic paintings provide great examples to modern day historians about Paleolithic life.  The French government recognizes the importance of the cave art, and that is why they closed off the Chauvet cave to the public. They also took precautionary measures to preserve the art in the cave, even when the movie, Cave of Forgotten Dreams, was being filmed about the art in the cave.  

            Werner Herzog, the director of Cave of Forgotten Dreams, ascribes great value to art, and especially to Paleolithic art.  He views art as amusement, and as a means to view the lives of people from the past.  In his director’s statement, he says that when he was twelve years old, he bought a book about the caves of Lascaux so that he could see the lives of people before the “domestication of animals and before the invention of agriculture.”  Werner Herzog’s view of art is one of art’s many values: its ability to show people the lives of people from the past.  It creates images in people’s minds about distinctions of the world of the past and that of the present.  However, art can also be used to predict the world of the future.  There are paintings that depict the painter’s ideas of the world of the future.  These two reasons, of viewing the past and the future through art, is a main reason why many people go to visit art museums.  Many people want to be able to see the lives of the people from the past, and to see how the future will change. 

            Art played an important role in the development of human societies and technologies ever since the Paleolithic period.  It allowed humans to visualize technologies and skills of the past, and allowed them to think of ways to improve upon technologies of the past.  Art has helped the human race develop new skills and has helped them become more technologically advanced over time.  Art is a very important part of the human race and always has been.  Although many artists are not well compensated for the art that they create, they do it because it is necessary for humans to improve and because many people with artistic talents enjoy creating art.  Because of the ability of art to help improve the skills and abilities of the human race, it is one of the most important parts of the human culture.

Book Review: The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau Joshua Liao

Book Review: The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

Joshua Liao

                The Testing, by Joelle Charbonneau was a recent read that I came across while searching through a library’s banned book collection. A couple chapters into the book, I could not figure out how in any way it had been banned. Then in a shocking turn of events, I found out exactly why. The main character of the book is Malencia Vale (Cia), a bright young student from Five Lakes Colony in the United States, years into the future. Due to her high test scores in school, she was chosen to participate in the Testing, a complex assessment composed of four parts. Those who passed would earn themselves a spot in the prestigious University. Cia cautiously approaches the testing, along with three other kids that have been chosen along with her from Five Lakes. Her first test, we find out, is not something that the test makers throw at her, but from her assigned roommate.  Cia passes the test and survives, while her roommate ends up hanging herself. The first part of the Testing assesses Cia’s knowledge of math, history, and science- basic standard assessments. The second part turns dangerous, as the examinees are forced to distinguish between a pile of poisonous and non-poisonous plants. The catch is that they have to eat the ones that they deem non-poisonous. In the third round of the testing, Cia is put in a group filled with liars and cheaters and told to work together with them. In a stunning display of brilliance that is worthy of your time to understand, she outsmarts her competitors and moves on to the last part of the test. There, she is united with Thomas, a boy who came from Five Lakes and one that Cia also happens to have a crush on. Together, the two teenagers make the long journey to the finish line. The entire story was vivid and engaging, if a little grotesque at some points. It combines a Hunger Games-like atmosphere with a more science-based explanation. There are secrets at every turn that make you want to continue to keep on reading. It is clearly written, and the plot is not too confusing so the book flows nicely. The suspense and surprise is constant - there are almost no dull moments in the book. If there is ever a time where you need a page turner to pass the time, this is the way to go.