Reflections on 2015 and thoughts for 2016 by Shweta Murali

2015 has passed by quicker than we can all imagine, and with 2016 just around the corner, many of us are looking forward to starting with a clean slate. Here are some tips to make 2016 the best it can be:

·  Try to stay fit. The most popular New Year’s Resolution is to get in shape, and most people end up breaking this pact by the time Valentine’s Day rolls around. The biggest reason for this is that they set unrealistic goals. Saying you want to lose 10 pounds in a week is highly unattainable and will not get you anywhere. Set achievable goals and work towards them. Don’t starve yourself or work out during all your free time, but try to maintain a healthy body so that you feel good about yourself.

·  Find a new hobby. We need to push ourselves to try something new, and it can be as simple as writing poetry, or as extravagant as learning a new language. Anything you want to learn that you find pleasure in is a great way to enjoy the New Year and feel accomplished.

·  Make a bucket list. Write down a list of things you want to do in 2016. Some examples are 1) watch a sunset on the beach 2) go skydiving 3) run a marathon. It can be anything, from something small to something daring and unbelievable. Just know what you want to do and strive to do it. At the end of the year, when you are able to check off everything on your bucket list, you will feel great.

While we will be upset to say goodbye to all the memories in 2015, just remember that we have a fresh start now. Change is a good thing.

- Shweta Murali

Miss Telall 12/15/15

SBPL readers, it’s your own advice columnist- Miss Telall, presenting two more entries. 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,        Recently, what with all the homework and activities I have to do in school, I never have time to read anymore. I used to read a book almost everyday- now, I barely have any time for myself; and, when I do have time, I find I’ve become too distracted and stressed to really get into a book- there’s just so much to do! How can I regain my love for novels?                                        Sincerely,                                 Losing at Literature

Dear Losing at Literature,       I know the feeling. When you're younger you have so much time to read books, but now that we're older we have to spend our time more wisely. That doesn't mean giving up your childhood obsession with novels. When you get into a busier mindset sometimes you're more distracted and it's harder to concentrate on a book. My advice is to train yourself to get back into the right mindset. Decide that you're going to spend a small amount of time every single day reading a book. It could be 30 minutes or even an hour-  whatever you can squeeze in at lunch time, in the morning, or just before you go to bed. This way, you’ll get back into the habits of an avid reader. That calm mindset you have when you're reading a book is not something you can force. So, find a calm and quiet place that you are not distracted in. I would suggest going to the library-there are many quiet areas specifically made to be comfortable to you when you are reading. Think plush chairs, absolute silence, and general tranquility. On top of where and how you read your books, it's also the important to think about what kind of books you're reading. Ask the library staff for recommendations on topics you are learning about in school or just have always been interested in. The teen room has a great selection of fictions that are especially stocked because they have proved popular with other people. Start to carry that one novel around with you wherever you go-that way when you're bored you can pull it out and start to read. Be realistic! You're different person now with a different time schedule. It's OK to have periods when you can't read as long as you make an effort to do so! Overall, don't see it as a chore- reading is a beautiful and enriching thing, but also something that should be practiced! Have fun!                                         Sincerely,                                        Miss Telall

Dear Miss Telall,         Being an only child, I was raised very dependent on my parents. While some children were already doing things like cooking or cleaning for themselves as teenagers, my mom and dad provided and completed chores for me. That was fantastic, except now I’m almost eighteen, and worried that I won’t be able to do much for myself or live on my own after high school. I need major help!                                        Sincerely,                              Definition of Dependency

Dear Definition of Dependency,         While many kids would have loved to have a childhood with no responsibilities, you are realizing that this lifestyle put you at a disadvantage amongst your peers. However, it’s not too late to start developing the skills you’ll need to live a rewarding, independent life. Put together a detailed list of everything that you need to learn- from cooking to cleaning to managing money.  Decide who can help you in each area (friends, parents, television, the Internet) and figure out a realistic time frame in which you can learn new skills and test them out. Additionally, ask your parents if you can do more chores or help them around the house. They’ll love the extra help, and will teach you how to take care of yourself in the future. Try not to expect perfection as fast as possible. The more you practice (and make mistakes), the more you’ll learn from each experience.                                                 Sincerely,                                 Miss Telall

Holiday Open House By: Riya Sen

Holiday Open House By: Riya Sen

South Brunswick Public Library hosted the spectacular Holiday Open House on Saturday, December, 5th, 2015. Full of games, crafts, activities, and more, the Holiday Open House was organized to support the “Friends of the Library.” As people participated in various games and won prizes in the Hexagon room, I could see joy on everyone’s face.  Every child stopped by the Children’s Area to get a balloon animal, henna tattoo, or creative face-paint and walked out with a smile. Next to the Information desk, kids and parents enjoyed some delicious snacks provided by “Friends of the Library,” and scanned handmade crafts that were being sold. Teen volunteers helped in every corner and a constant buzz of chatter 

filled the library. It felt as if the whole community was bonding and sharing a great time together at this wonderful holiday event!

Kobe Bryant: Basketball Legend Faiz Syed

Kobe Bryant:  Basketball Legend

Faiz Syed

            The 2015-2016 basketball season will be remembered as the one that last saw Kobe Bryant tearing opposing teams apart on the court.  The thirty seven year old basketball legend announced that his twentieth season in the NBA this year would be his last before he retires.  This comes as a great surprise to many basketball fans across the nation.  Even though Kobe Bryant’s legacy is at its strongest on the west coast where his team plays, his dominance in basketball is admired as far away as on the east coast by fans like myself and others.  The news of his retirement leads me along to speculate about the future of basketball without him on the court.  Predicting the future is an easier task once one has analyzed the past, and before too much consideration is given to the future of basketball without Kobe Bryant, I want to share some of my views about Kobe Bryant’s career in the NBA.

            I view Kobe Bryant as the superstar that bridged two eras of basketball history.  When he began his career at age eighteen, Kobe Bryant came into an NBA that was centered on the legendary Michael Jordan.  Kobe Bryant has said that Michael Jordan mentored him when he came into the NBA, and he has also said that he wants to be like Michael Jordan.  Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant only faced each other on the basketball court for a short period of time before Michael Jordan retired from basketball.  Since that point, the NBA has been Kobe Bryant’s league, and he has lived up to his statement of wanting to be like Michael Jordan.  In fact, Kobe Bryant has surpassed his mentor in some aspects of basketball.  Kobe Bryant has scored more points in his career than Michael Jordan.  Kobe Bryant’s 81 points in a single match also surpasses Michael Jordan’s high of 69 points in a match.  Kobe Bryant once came into the NBA with aspirations of becoming like the great basketball players that he competed against, and now young superstars come into the league with hopes of one day playing as well as Kobe Bryant.  I view Kobe Bryant as the bridge between two eras because he acquired knowledge of basketball from the Michael Jordan era and like a bridge, he transported it through his playing style to the modern era, where that knowledge is still alive in those young players who continue to emulate his playing style.

            What I admire most about Kobe Bryant is that not only has he established an acclaimed career for himself, but he has also helped his Los Angeles Lakers team reach the NBA finals seven times.  There is no I in team nor is there one in Kobe Bryant.  He used his brilliant and athletic playing style to benefit his team, and his team has been one of the most successful teams in NBA history while he has played for them.  He has won the NBA finals five times out of seven opportunities and has been the NBA most valuable player once in his career.  He offers coaching advice to younger players on the team and even advises the coaches of the Los Angeles Lakers from time to time.  He also makes sacrifices to help his team win games.  In a recent statement, Kobe Bryant had said that although this season will be his last, he wants younger players to get more playing time than him because they will give the team a better chance to win in.  Kobe Bryant should not only be remembered for being an NBA MVP, but he should also be remembered for being a team player who has helped his team win five NBA championships.

Rithvik Nuti Book Review: The Novice

Rithvik Nuti

Book Review: The Novice

            Fletcher, a disliked and a not so popular teen is about become one of the most well known teens of his age. Starting as an apprentice to a local blacksmith in an unknown village, he becomes the best summoner of his age in the entire kingdom of Hominum. Fletcher, the  main character of the book is an adopted child by a blacksmith  named Brendon. His life was normal, working in the forge from day till night with some breaks in the day until one day, when a creepy looking soldier gives him a summoner’s book. The summoner’s book has all the spells, incantations, scripts, diagrams, and the description of how to summon a demon. Summoning a demon is not a very common skill among people, especially among commoners.

Not trusting his luck, Fletcher tries to summon a demon, and succeeds in summoning a red solomon. This conflict raises the question about his lineage. Is Fletcher really a blacksmith commoner, or is he related to a noble bloodline because only a noble can summon demons as commoners do not have that power in them which it takes to summon a demon. Also, on the same day he summons his demon, Fletcher is charged for a crime he does not commit. This is why, to stay alive, he has to run away from his village to prevent himself from getting arrested. Constantly on the pursuit, he arrives in the major city of Corcillum where the Vocan Military academy for  the nobles is there. In Corcillum, he meets Arcturus,who is impressed by Fletcher and sends him to the best academy in the kingdom, the Vocans. In this school, Fletcher is curious, excited, and extremely grateful for the opportunity he just received and tries his level best to succeeds in the school. However, his tries are suppressed by the noble kids who are present there. He also meets different races such as dwarves, and elves. These cause him to walk on a different and a dangerous path. There he meets Sylva, Othello, and Tarquin.

Now Fletcher has to choose the right friends, and allies to stay alive and succeed in the school. Will he able to do it? This exciting and adventurous book by Taran Matharu is  perfect for anyone who likes young adult fantasy. It has many ups and downs with cliffhangers which will make the reader grip their seats and to not lose interest. The Novice, the first in the trilogy has many realistic social problems. For example, the inequality between the different social classes is an important theme in this book. Also, racism and suppression of  the different and the not so popular races is demonstrated throughout the novel.

This debut novel is recommended for anyone who loves Pokemon, and all the games in that genre. If you are someone who love to read books like Harry Potter, Eragon, The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, and are comfortable reading them, The Novice is a perfect book for you because many of  magical information, demonology, and the spells are included. There were many things I liked in this novel. For example, the book is very descriptive and detailed throughout. This prevents readers from getting confused very often because there is a huge amount of information in this book. For example, the author has a description of every demon, its powers, its feature, who can summon it, how it works, etc,. Also, I loved the cover. It is so eye catching, and so descriptive that the cover itself is gives an insights about what the book is going to be about.It has all the major componenets that on might get confused if they do not see the picture properly. The one thing I did not like about this book is the amount of struggles the character has to face. Due to the class inequality, Fletcher had to face many struggles and a lot of disappointment. Even though it is very inspiring and focuses on the social issues of prejudice, it is a little bit sad to read at some parts. Nonetheless, it is wonderful and a suspenseful novel that teens would love to read.

  

Upcoming Football Match between Jets and Giants Faiz Syed

Upcoming Football Match between Jets and Giants

Faiz Syed

            Sunday December 5 is an important date for football fans who support the local New York teams.  The Jets and Giants will play each other in a football match that takes place every four years.  From what I have observed, most of the football fans in the central New Jersey area support either the Jets or the Giants, and tensions between fans of both teams is common.  Tensions will be even higher prior to and after the match between these two New York teams.   Friends who support the other of the two teams will be found arguing with each other over who they think is going to win the match.

            I have watched both teams play this year, and from what I have seen, it seems as if the two teams should be an even match for each other.  In terms of their records, the Jets have one more win than the Giants, but they have both shared similar elements in their seasons.  Both teams have lost to the Philadelphia Eagles and both teams have also lost to the New England Patriots by just one possession.  Similar results against common opponents is a pretty good indicator that shows that the two teams play at the same level, and this will make the match between the two teams on Sunday even more fun to watch. 

            The New York Jets are coming into the match on Sunday after a victory over the Miami Dolphins.  The Jets dominated the game and should be coming into the game with confidence after their victory.  The Giants on the other hand, will be hosting the match coming off of a tough loss to the Washington Redskins.  The Giants will bring determination with them to the match, hoping not to lose again.  The Jets and Giants will both be looking for a win in the match on Sunday to keep their faint playoff hopes alive, and this game will be a turning point in the season for both teams.