The document provides advice from university students Alison Shiu and Geoffrey Abbot on common questions about preparing for and attending university, such as whether you need to know your career path, tips for extracurricular activities, managing homework loads, and adjusting expectations. They emphasize that university is a time for exploration and self-discovery rather than having all the answers figured out.
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Sharkbait fall issue 2012
2. TABLE OF CONTENTS CREDITS
FEATURES PRESIDENT:
-Tali Voron
The Possibility of No Future - --------3
University Advice ------------- --------4 SUPERVISOR:
Ms. Perry
CURRENT EVENTS
SENIOR EDITOR:
Lite and Brite Day----------------------6
-Danny Arkadyev
Halloween/Haunted House------------7
EDITORS:
FOOD -Shelly Abramovich,
- Huda Majeed,
Featured: Panini-------------------------8 -Shany Lahan,
Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe ---8 -Yonit Levin,
-Tali Voron
5 Foods That Have Deceived Us All 9
COLUMNIST:
-Jackie Shiu
-Kopika Kuhathaas
ENTERTAINMENT
-Mika Roitenberg
The Music Column : Classic Rock--10 -Edith Barabash
-Elinor Fridman
Spirit of Punk-------------------------- 11 -Cindy Chau
-Danny Arkadyev
Overused Words ---------------------- 11
-Hanna U.
Do Pick Up Lines Really Work? --- 12 -Shelly Bard
-Ilia Korchagin
He Said She Said--------------------- 13 -Karin Kazakevich
PHOTOGRAPHERS:
-Gal Ziskind,
-Katherine Rajschmir
-Andrew Sirihongsuwan
LAYOUT/DESIGNER :
Genesis Rosario
2
3. FEATURES
The Possibility of No
Future: Homeless at 19
Written By: Kopika Kuhathaas
Imagine having to
consider the possibility of being home-
less at the young age of 19. Miles
Kirsh, a 19-year-old severely autistic for our son and are completely de- She also states: I cant be-
teen from Thornhill, was in the most pleted. We have spent more than lieve it takes this kind of pressure. But
dreaded scenario for families that care $750,000 on support, education, inter-
for children with disabilities. From Sep- people need to know this is happen-
vention and treatment, and have been
tember 5th, Kirsh has been living in a across North America to see many ing. Im doing this so other families
home for individuals with developmen- experts in the field. But we cant do it dont have to.
tal disabilities. The home is located in anymore.
Barrie, Ontario and costs $400/day for Unfortunately, situations like
placement. However, on October 1st The marriage of Miles par-
the emergency funding that covers his ents slowly buckled due to the stress this are nothing new for Ontarios fami-
placement ran out. of caring for their severely disabled lies.
son. Following their separation, they
Due to his condition, Kirsh sold the Kirsh family home to provide
needed to be transferred to the group for Miles future. Miles was diagnosed
home. Unfortunately, he functions at with autism at the age of 2. Since
the level of a 3-year-old and is hardly then, the Kirsh family has done ev-
verbal. Kirsh responds to unfamiliar erything possible to raise Miles, and
and tense situations by shrieking, bit- under no circumstances wanted to rely
ing himself, slapping surfaces, ripping on governmental funding. Now that
his clothing and occasionally destroy- Donna has, the government has failed
ing anything near him. His aggressive her.
and self-harming behaviours only
continue to grow and develop, as well
as his insomnia. His plight is the worst Kirsh says she loathed the
possible circumstances for families idea of contacting the media about her
that care for children with disabilities. sons situation but believes she had no
alternative.
After only ten days in the Bar-
rie group home, Donna Kirsh, Miles
mother, was told that Miles funding Kirshs dangerous behaviour
would run out on the 1st. She claimed includes banging against the window,
she was assured that Miles would and grabbing the steering wheel while
never be out on the streets. Luckily,
in the car. His tendency to wander off, He only earns his freedom and exis-
Ontarios Social Services Ministry has
stepped in. They are working to keep and the mounting expenses is what tence who daily conquers them anew.
Kirsh in the group home until finding led Donna to get help.
him permanent home care. Mean- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
while, the Barrie group home has re- (1749 - 1832)
Donna explains to Toronto
duced its rate to $80/day.
Star, Community agencies told me
We are in an untenable po- to do what I had to do; without media
sition, says Donna Kirsh to Toronto intervention, I believe wed still be in
Star. We have advocated endlessly crisis.
3
4. bot are two enthusiastic students with going into university, I joined Youth
very different university experiences Action International, Intermural Fris-
University Advice and are hoping to help answer some bee, and a comparative Health Care
What Is It Really Like? of your questions. Systems club. Dont join a club unless
you want to, but clubs gave me a lot
Jackie: Do you have to know what job
Written By : Jackie Shiu of work experience. It looks great on a
you want going into university? resume because it shows you can bal-
University - a word that can ance school and work. If theres some-
Alison Shiu: No, definitely not. I find
make you cringe or feel absolutely thing you want to join, go for it.
that its important to go in with an open
thrilled! Even though most of us cant
mind. Ive changed mine and I know a
wait to leave home and become inde- Geoffrey Abbot: I would recommend
lot of people that changed what they
pendent individuals, we all have ques- doing whatever you want to do. Dont
wanted to do.
tions. Deep down inside, we are all a do things you feel forced to join. Uni-
bit scared; we are basically choosing versity is the time to figure out what
Geoff: No, not at all. If you dont know
what we want to do with the rest of our you want to do and who you want to
what you want to do, university is the
lives. There are millions of questions be. I have only done Intermural Foot-
place to be. University is where youre
running in our heads. It seems like just ball. Do the things that interest you.
going to learn a lot of things about
yesterday we were kids and had no yourself, and youll figure out who you Jackie Shiu: Would you be able to
clue what we were going to do. How are. have a job during university?
can we possibly know what we are
going to do with our lives now? Is it Jackie Shiu: What do people want to Alison Shiu: I know people that do,
normal to be nervous? see on applications when you apply? but personally, I could not imagine
having a job in university. It can be a
Absolutely! Alison Shiu, a Alison Shiu: It obviously depends on
lot of work, depending on your work-
third-year McGill University student what school youre applying to. Some
load. Some people need to pay for
working towards earning her Bachelor schools will strictly look at your marks,
their education, so they dont have
of Commerce, says. She is majoring in but most will require something sup-
much of a choice. Its a big responsibil-
Accounting and has already achieved plemental, which talks about your ex-
ity, but if you can balance school and
an internship at an accounting firm. tra-curriculars. They want to see that
work, you should look for a job.
Yes, its nerve-wracking to be apply- you have other passions that you are
ing and going to university. You are committed to. Ultimately, your marks Jackie Shiu: Would summer school,
anxious during the whole process. are really important. private school, or online courses, be
recognized in university?
University is a place to discover what
Geoffrey Abbot: Its fine if you want to
you want to do. No one goes in know- Alison Shiu: You have to check be-
get involved in extra-curricular activi-
ing exactly want they want, Geoffrey fore; dont enroll in anything until you
ties, but dont let it affect your marks. If
Abbot explains, also third-year McGill know for sure. The misconception is
you want to get scholarships, then you
University student. He is majoring in that people think it doesnt count if you
definitely need extra-curriculars. How-
English, with a double minor in Cana- do one of those classes, but they do
ever, your grades are most important.
dian Studies and Music. Geoff took a matter sometimes.
year off to work after graduating high Jackie Shiu: Would you suggest join-
school, and went to university the fol- Geoffey Abbot: You should check
ing clubs or sports in university?
lowing year. Right after high school, I with the university first to make sure it
applied to five different schools, but I Alison Shiu: Definitely, its a great is okay.
deferred my acceptance to all of them. way to get to meet people. You make
Jackie Shiu: How much homework
Instead, I worked full time, and I made friends that have similar interests, and can you expect every day?
a lot of money, which is a good thing are a lot like you. Its a good way to
to have in university. develope a school and a life balance; Alison Shiu: Youre going to have
you have other things that you can do homework every single day. It de-
Alison Shiu and Geoffrey Ab- besides academic work. Personally, pends on your program; some depart-
4
5. ments dont give as much homework environment. In your future, youre
as others. You have to manage your going to remember university as a
time properly, set time to do home- small milestone in your life, Abbot
work, and set time not to do home- shares. Youll have it all figured out
work. eventually.
Geoffrey Abbot: You might be doing
homework all the time, or you might
Its a lot of pressure. Some-
not do homework at all. I know peo-
times we feel like we have to know
ple that do not do homework, so they
everything about ourselves by the time
cram before an exam. Everyone has
we leave to go to university. However,
different study habits, but if you want
its not like that at all. University is just
good grades you have to commit at
one of the many chapters in life. It
least 8 hours a day and work hard.
might be one of the most challenging
Jackie Shiu: Is University anything things youre going to do, but its also
like you expected? one of the most rewarding.
Alison Shiu: I didnt go in with any
expectations really. However, I thought
university would be one of these things
where you just learned so much, and
you would get so many jobs because
you knew a lot, but its not. You do Life is indeed difficult, partly
learn a lot, but people think that since because of the real difficulties we must
they go to university, they are genius- overcome in order to survive, and part-
es. In truth, you dont get treated like ly because of our own innate desire
that at all. Also, I thought that because to always do better, to overcome new
I did so well in high school, I would do challenges, to self-actualize. Happi-
well in university. Unfortunately, its not ness is experienced largely in striving
like that. A lot students will have their towards a goal, not in having attained
marks drop tremendously from high things, because our nature is always
school. Dont set your expectations too to want to go on to the next endeavor
high.
Albert Ellis, Michael
Geoffrey Abbot: So far, it has not Abrams, Lidia Dengelegi, The Art &
been like I expected it to be. I thought Science of Rational Eating, 1992
it was going to be so much about ac-
ademics, but Ive gotten so much out
of everything I have done outside of
school. Im still figuring university out,
but we shall see about next year.
University is just a step towards the
next step in life. Dont think its the
most important decision in your life.
Alison explains. Yes, youre scared.
Youre going to be in a completely new
5
8. cousin to the typical sandwich. When prosciutto, brie, arugula and other
FOOD
made properly, these cute, portable, ingredients I cant identify due to the
flatbread sandwiches will almost liter- speed at which I consume them. If
ally cause your mouth to cave in on youre in the area, Fusaros Kitchen
itself due to the massive amount of (294 Richmond Street West) is the
flavours. perfect place to grab these Italian
sandwiches. Listen to what they put in
The magic of the Panini cer- their Otto Panini: grilled chicken, oven
FEATURED FOOD tainly lies in the countless ways you roasted peppers, spinach, and provo-
can customize it, and shove it in a lone need I say more?
Writtend By: Cindy Chau Panini press. Prepared to enter your
stomach, every individual Panini The satisfaction a Panini has
Panini just one more reason why it comes out perfectly suited for you. the potential to provide you reaches
would be awesome to be Italian Although most Paninis are made with far deeper than the lettuce-dominated,
ciabatta or focaccia bread, sliced sweet-onion-sauce-soaked submarine
Okay, so I like food. To be
bread will do just fine. Throw in your sandwich weve all had for lunch be-
more specific, I like Italian food. I
dream team of ingredients, grill it, and fore. Honestly, the change will do you
mean, when I start thinking about what
youve got your very own pocket of good.
I would like to have in my last meal,
love.
85% would consist of pizza, pasta,
focaccia, tiramisu and Panini! If that seems like a bit too
much work, there are a few diners and
When people ask me what
bakeries that make Paninis fresh to
Paninis are, nine times out of ten there
order. For example, St. Phillips Bakery
will be a point at which I exclaim, Its
(2563 Major Mackenzie Drive) is my
just really good, okay?
favorite local place to get a Panini;
Think of it as the cool, Italian theyre gigantic, and jam packed with
HOMEMADE HOT CHOCO- Steps:
LATE RECIPE 1. In a pot, add milk and turn
By: Jackie Shiu your stove on medium low heat.
2. Add the cinnamon stick and
Got the fall blues? Well heres ground nutmeg. Dont add too much
a simple and delicious hot chocolate nutmeg. Remember that a little goes a
recipe to get you in the autumn mood! long way!
3. Stir with a whisk every so
Warm and Cozy Hot Chocolate Reci- often to prevent film forming on top of
pe: the milk.
4. Let the milk mixture simmer
for 5-10 minutes.
Makes 2 servings 5. Next, add sugar and cocoa
powder into the pot and whisk togeth-
Ingredients: er.
2 cups of milk (I used 1% milk) 6. Taste to see if you need to
1 cinnamon stick or 1 teaspoon of add more sugar or cocoa powder.
ground cinnamon 7. Lastly, pour the hot chocolate
A pinch of ground nutmeg (optional) into a mug and add desired amount of
Quarter cup of white sugar marshmallows.
Quarter cup of unsweetened cocoa
powder This drink is easy and it will definitely
Marshmallows (optional) get you into the fall spirit! Enjoy!
8
9. Five Foods That Have De-
ceived Us All PRETZELS: So next time youre tempted to reach
When comparing fat content, pretzels into that snack cupboard, think twice
Written By: Edith Barabash &
may be a better option than chips, but about exactly what youre putting into
Elinor Fridman
that doesnt mean theyre good. In your body.
fact, they are nutritionally empty. One
You come home from a tiring serving provides nearly a quarter of
day at school and naturally, you are the sodium a person needs each day.
famished! You open up your snack Although the salt adds flavour, it takes
cupboard hoping to indulge in a de- away nutritional value.
licious treat. Looking inside, you see
the numerous options, but how many
of those are really good for you?
In this day and age, people strive to
be healthier; to change their lifestyle
for the better. But how can they do that
when the foods that they consume
on a daily basis are actually bad for
them?
This article is designed to blow
the lid off of the top five foods you
thought were healthy, but really arent.
6 Foods You Thought Were Healthy
GRANOLA BARS: but Arent | Healthy Eating | Eat Well
This might come as a shocker to you, | Best Health.Womens Health &
but granola bars arent the guilt-free; Lifestyle Magazine for Canadian Wom-
trail mix that you were hoping to eat. en. Web. 02 May 2012. <http://www.
The proteins, fibers and vitamins besthealthmag.ca/eat-well/healthy-eat-
that the package claims it is full of is ing/6-foods-you-thought-were-healthy-
nothing compared to the abundance but-arent?slide=6>.
of sugary syrups and chocolate chips Contributor, Msnbc.com. Are You Go-
that the granola bar is loaded with. It ing to Eat That?Msnbc.com. Msnbc
is highly processed, and packed with Digital Network, 30 Nov. 2007. Web.
artificial ingredients that dont make 02 May 2012. <http://www.msnbc.msn.
it any better than a chocolate bar or com/id/22027686/ns/health-
cookie. RICE CAKES:
Considering the fact that they are very
light and tasteless, many people de-
lude themselves into thinking that rice
cakes are the ideal snack. They dont
have much fat and cholesterol, and
are only 40-50 calories, so what could
be so bad about them? But thats just
what they are: empty calories. Their
nutritional value is virtually nil. Fla-
voured rice cakes only add to the fat,
so why not just snack on a carrot?
FROZEN YOGURTS:
MUFFINS: Making up for the lack of fat is the sug-
While muffins are okay in small quan- ar content; frozen yogurts are nearly
tities, the average store-bought muffin drowning in it. The Canadian Nutrient
contains about 500 calories and 20 File states that you might as well have
grams of fat. It is generally thought ice cream; the amount of calories and
that they are a better alternative to a sugar is approximately the same. Not
cupcake, but their size and fat content to say that you should stock up on the
make them worse for you than you ice cream, but having it in reasonably
may think. sized portions is fine.
9
10. -Since Ive Been Loving Youby
ENTERTAINMENT
Led Zeppelin
-Hotel Californiaby The Eagles
-Bohemian Rhapsodyby Queen
The Music Column; Classic ment, Beatlemania makes its very first
Rock Edition debut in America. -My Generation by The Who
Good old rock; it is known as -Walk This Way by Aerosmith
by: Mika Roitenberg
the Golden Age of music, and the
greatest time for music in history. -Welcome to the Jungle by
The year: 1964. The notorious Guns n Roses
Originating from a jazzier ancestor of
Ed Sullivan Show is about to start film-
rock & roll, classic rock is the root from
ing its live debut. Silence plagues the -Stairway to Heaven by Led
which garage rock, punk rock, and
room as feelings of anticipation corrupt Zeppelin
even psychedelic rock branched from.
your mind from deciding whether this
Music finally gained respect because
is the best day of your life, or simply -Angie by The Rolling Stones
of the simple (but soulfully complex)
the best day in history.
tunes that classic rock introduced to
-Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts
The magnitude of the crowds the world. Renowned bands and art-
Club Band by The Beatles
excitement oozes from their souls; the ists such as The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix,
thought of meeting the revolutionaries Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, The Doors, -Another Brick In The Wall by
of all time in just a matter of moments and The Rolling Stones, helped shape Pink Floyd
is simply not comprehensible to an or- this genre of music, and are even lis-
dinary mind such as your own. The fan tened to in the present day. Although -(I Cant Get No) Satisfaction by
girls behind you have hairstyles ever hatred surfaced from other genres, The Rolling Stones
so slightly resembling that of Audrey classic rockers still managed to create
Hepburns in a photo shoot from last their iconic music. -Come Together by The Beatles
months issue of Glamour Girl.Ded-
Even though I have a very -Black Dog by Led Zeppelin
icated tears are streaming from their
biased opinion, as I myself am pas-
faces; if all their tears were to be twist- -Dazed and Confused by Led
sionate about this genre, I believe
ed together to make a transparent and Zeppelin
that anyone has the potential to listen
thin string, the entire audience would
to some high-quality, classic music.
be able to floss their teeth for a month. -Layla by Eric Clapton
Expertly organized, this list contains
Suddenly, the oversized live (arguably) the best classic rock songs
sign lights up and the teary-eyed of all time - a must listen to for all
crowd goes wild; the high frequency ages. Take the time to listen to these
screams of the girls behind you are songs with an open mind, as these
simply too loud for your eardrums to melodies are very different from the
handle. The Beatles gracefully step modern music that most of todays
onto the stage, and at that very mo- society is accustomed to.
10
11. Spirit of Punk: What You Felt, #OverusedWords TOP 5 a bundle of personal belongings car-
But Never Said ried by a traveler or swagman. It can
By: Hannah U. also be traced back to the middle
ages when Scandanavians used the
By:Ilia Korchagin Every year, the English lan- word svagga, which means to sway
guage experiences new words that are unsteadily, but later transformed to
If we really think about it, we
overused in our daily lives, especially mean hanging loosely, or heavily. By
know more about punk music than we for teenagers. For example, I remem- the nineteenth century, it just meant
give ourselves credit for. Bands like ber last year, the famous overused stolen goods, until today, when people
Green Day and Sum 41 are very well- words, (also a phrase) was:cool story use it to describe how they look. If one
known; they are the epitome of punk bro. We do it unconsciously. We hear does have swag, it means that they
after all! The style, clothes, hair, angst; these overused words everywhere we are cool.
everything about punk runs a specif- go, and they end up in our system.
ic course and is generally universal. Sooner or later, you will be using those Blessed- Lately, I have been see-
Some may disagree and say that hair words and not even realizing you did. ing everyone tweeting things theyve
spiked in all directions isnt exactly However, where do these words really done and how blessed it was. For
attractive, but its more the spirit of come from and how were they creat- example, had a #blessed nap, drank
punk that relates to everyone.Ste- ed? To answer these questions, I did a #blessed cup of apple juice, and
reotypically, punk is music one listens some research to give you some back- more. Blessed was first used to de-
to if they want to do their own thing, ground knowledge about our lovingly scribe something that is heavenly, but
be unique or prove that good music worn out words. lately, it has been used to describe
doesnt have to come from virtuosos.. how good something is. It is inter-
Think about it: how many times have LOL- Dont lie, I bet youve even esting how words change meanings
adults gotten away with doing certain said this word once out loud. LOL when they become used by different
stands for Laugh out Loud, although people.
things because they are/were adults.
when people actually write it while
Youth getannoyed when authority fig-
instant messaging, they are not even Eh- We use eh a lot, here in Can-
ures do not carry out promises, lead-
smiling. Surprisingly, LOL was claimed ada, eh? The first thing a person from
ing to the feeling that everyone has to be first invented by a man named another country thinks of when they
had before;angst: a clever mixture of Wayne Pearson in Calgary on a BBS think of Canada, is our beloved inter-
anger, and the simple, yet occasional in the early to mid 80s. A BBS was jection. Our over usage of eh was
nuisance of the reality known as be- a kind of a chatroom that was used invented many decades ago, and even
ing a teenager. Being a teenager is once. Then, when GEnie, which was though we get mocked for it in the
great, but can be overshadowed by one of the biggest online services at United States, we are still loyal to it.
this problematic angst. So in the UK the time was opened, Wayne spread Its part of our Canadian identity!
and the United States, kids stopped the acronym of LOL to GEnie. How-
letting angst get to them and found ever, back then, the people who ac- Using overused words is not
another outlet. That outlet happened tually used LOL actually laughed out always a bad thing. Sometimes, these
to be music. Everyone played mu- loud. Smiling or having a small giggle words are fine to use, like blessed, eh,
sic how they wanted it, dressed how wouldnt work. So if you are an LOL or LOL. It is crucial to learn when to
they wanted, and thought what they user, youd better use it wisely! use them appropriately, because not
wanted. No one disagreed and oddly all words go with a certain situation,
enough, many people felt the need for YOLO- After the breakthrough of just like LOL shouldnt be used when
freedom of expression until it became Drakes and Lil Waynes hit song The you are not even laughing. Therefore,
a movement. What happened though? Motto, the world was introduced to now that you know all of this back-
YOLO, which stands for You Only ground information, you know what
Why did punk decline and vanish from
Live Once. This is found in the chorus you are saying when you are speaking
the mainstream? Did kids just feel
that goes like this :Now she wants a to a friend, and happen to have one
better about their lives all of a sudden?
photo, you already know though, you of these overused words burst out of
Of course not. Punk was great for a only live once thats the motto BEEP your mouth.
while but bands split up, members YOLO. Drakes words meant that we
died, and kids simply lost interest. should take chances and do things
However, the spirit is still here. It has that we never did before because we
reincarnated into AFI, Black Flag and only have one life to live. However, his
MSI to become the punk our genera- audience was abusing YOLO as an
tion is around for. Listen to some good excuse to do stupid things.
old and new punk and see if anything
thrills you. Maybe the lyrics will change Swag- Today, swag is used to de-
your outlook on things, or maybe you scribe how someone presents them-
will realize that theres more to music selves. Yet, did you know that it was
than fancy degrees and auto tune. used for 200 years as a term describe
Good luck and have fun exerting your a thiefs stolen goods or valuables? It
spirit of punk. is also the Australian word that means
11
12. Do Pick Up Lines Really As you can see, if you decide to resort
Work? Outcome? FAIL to pick up lines you will likely be faced
with rejection. Instead, try using the
By: Edith Barabash and Elinor
classical method of getting to know the
Fridman
Are you from Tennessee? Because girl and making her fall for your wit and
youre the only ten I see! charms the old-fashioned way.
Humankind has changed
No. (Sina Tokhy)
drastically over the years. During the
Talk to her! If you have confi-
Stone Age, a caveman would compete
Yes I am from Tennessee. dence in yourself, she is sure to notice
for the affections of a woman using his
(Jesse Levy) you. If you are still having difficulties
superior chest-pounding skills, and all
Get away from me! (Anonymous) with impressing the girl you like, sub-
women would swoon at his manliness.
mit your question to sharkbait.slss@
As we moved forward to the 50s,
Outcome? FAIL gmail.com, where your problems will
men would impress women with their
be anonymously answered by the He-
immaculately gelled hair and smooth-
You must be in the wrong Said, She-Said columnists.
talking. Once again, women would
place. The Miss Universe contest is
blush at their masculinity. Through the
over there.
years, our manly, smooth-talking men
have evolved into a new, slightly less
*Giggle, giggle* (Subaanki
resourceful kind of species.
Srikanthan)
Since creativity has seemingly
Fail. But Im flattered. (Saira
been drained from our generation,
Gokal)
men have resorted to any means
possible to get a girl, including using
Nice try. (Chelsea Moray-
pick up lines! However, do they really
niss)
work? What are girls really thinking
when guys use these tactics?
Whats happening? Im
scared. (Anonymous)
We decided to go undercov-
er and explore these very questions.
You arent hot enough.
Here are some of the responses:
(Anonymous)
Outcome? FAIL
Did it hurt? (Did what hurt?) When
you fell from heaven?
If I liked the guy I would say
it did hurt, but when I saw you my
pain went away. But pick up lines are
stupid. (Raji Gandhi)
Is this a joke? (Freya Piech-
atzek)
12
13. He Said, She Said.
Dear He Said and She Said,
I find that whenever I talk to someone over text or facebook chat for example, there comes a point when their only
response is a smiley face. I never know how to respond! What do I say? What does it mean? Id love to know how to get
out of that situation, itd be a great help! Thanks!
Smiley Face
What would I honestly do in this situation? I Dear Smiley Face,
wouldnt reply at all. If you are having a conversation with We all know the feeling; it really does suck. When
someone and they choose to drop a single smiley as a both parties arent putting in equal effort, the conversation
response, clearly they dont have the time or effort to com- can die off fairly quickly. If you tend to send animated and
municate with you. It does matter in what context the smiley excited messages, its only natural that you expect a certain
was sent, but in the majority of cases, just dont respond. It degree of enthusiasm from the other end. Being the kind
may be difficult if the person you are talking to is someone of person that inserts every emoticon available into every
you are really interested in, but I think you have to stay single text I send makes me very picky about the kind of
strong. There is only so much you can do. If you do really messages I receive. First, think about how willing you are
want to talk to them though, responding with a question that to put effort into a conversation with someone who wouldnt
is remotely connected to what was being discussed earlier do the same for you. If its still worth it, then try to make
is the best way to go about it. Sometimes sending some- light of the situation. Send a different emoticon and initiate
thing that is completely off topic can come off as slightly a smiley war, or introduce a new topic that might be more
desperate, unfortunately. So if your choice is to send some- interesting. Remember not to make a big deal out of things
thing, even though I dont recommend it, send something that probably dont mean very much. What might be upset-
that relates to a previous conversation. ting to you can be perfectly normal to someone else, so be
Sincerely, He Said familiar with who youre messaging and what their person-
ality is like.
Hope this helps!
Sincerely She said.
Dear He Said and She Said,
Im going on a first date soon and I have no idea where to go! There are so many options but I dont know whats
appropriate. What do you suggest?
Anonymous
Going on a first date is an exciting, yet First dates can be romantic. They can be exciting. They
nerve-wracking endeavour. What tends to make this ad- can be nerve-wrecking. But if not properly planned, they
venture the most mind-boggling is choosing exactly where can be downright horrible! One of the largest contributing
to go. With so many options, it really comes down to who factors to how the first date ends is the setting, and with the
you are going with, and what you both are interested in. myriad of options available; what to choose can be a gruel-
Asking someone out to something as simple as coffee is a ing task. Of course, the first thing that comes to mind is the
great way to get to know each other better. Even going out generic dinner- and-a-movie night. While this is simple and
for a walk through the neighbourhood is a good opportunity effective, sometimes a fresh idea can make a big differ-
to connect with your date. These scenarios work well for ence. Even the old-school bowling date is great if youre
someone you dont know very well or havent been friends looking for something fun and casual. If you want a classier,
with for a long time. However, if you want to ask out a beau sophisticated night out, go to the theatre or an art gallery.
that you have been friendly with for a long time, a more of- If youre feeling adventurous, plan a hiking trip. With all the
ficial date setting would be better suited to the occasion. A options available, youre bound to find the perfect place for
typical dinner and movie is very effective, as it allows for a your first date!
great chance to talk and then enjoy each others company. Good luck,
Personally, my favorite types of dates are the ones where Sincerely, She said.
you are doing something fun, like mini-golf, or laser tag.
You get to have a blast doing something active. Exercise
and dating: seems like a win/win!
Sincerely, He Said
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