about

I'm Jack/Jamie.

I'm 28 years old. I graduated from Michigan State University with my Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. GO GREEN! Now I'm a high school chemistry teacher in New York City living with my husband in a small studio apartment we pay way too much money for.

I've been on this site for 14 years as of March 23, 2020.
You may have seen me as CuxMiBeckNow7, but I've since shortened my name.


my forum
My FAQ






Here is my Recommended Columnist of the Decade for the 2020s:
Laura!




--Jack

advice

Juices do have a lot of sugar, so I always buy the bottles that say 'No Sugar Added', but I read in a magazine that drinks are actually how a lot of people gain weight. For example, sodas, iced teas, lemonades, juices, etc. I like having apple juice & orange juice. I'm not sure what to do about the whole sugar thing. Would it be okay to have a cup or two of juice a day?? My throat is always dry between meals & I dislike having water all the time. Any suggestions?? Oh & I also drink milk regularly. Thanks!!

It is very true that having pop and iced teas, etc. helps you gain weight. I don't think its wrong to have a glass or two of apple/orange juice a day. The negative effects of the sugar actually are outweighed by the good effects of the fruit.

Although you don't like drinking water all the time- you really should. You should be having eight 8 oz. glasses of water per day.. that's 64 oz. You don't have to drink only water though- but your body needs at least those 8 glasses.

And I've heard that you should have 24 oz of milk every 24 hours. This is especially true for girls- because they are more apt to get osteoporosis later in life- and they need strong bones.. Drinking milk helps.

Kudos to you! [I feel like Camille (WoahThereBabe) has got me caught onto saying this!]

--Jack
(15/m)

[view]

I have two really great friends. Rachel and Megan. Rachel is like EXACTLY like me(we like the same stuff,same everything) and have the same "moral standings". But Megan is exact oppisite of me. She has pretty much no morals at all.
Well one day in Volley ball we had to choose partners and i automaticaly go for Rachel. And in Science, and History and Math i do the same thing. Idk why but i really don't ever pick Megan, and i feel horrible about it. I just don't like the way she goes about things. She is a bad student(gets C's and D's and sometimes F's) and Rachel and I are straight A's.
I don't know how to envolve Megan and idk if she is even like a friend to me.
How can i envolve her. And in your opion am i being a bad friend? I don't want to be that way anymore. HELP

You know what- honestly- you're looking out for yourself in school [like with the science example] and that is perfectly alright. If you don't want to be partners with a C student- then you shouldn't have to. I have straight As, and you say you do to. I know how you feel when it comes to wanting to get good grades. Its important for college to get good grades. Sure- its nice to hang out with your friends- but why should your friend bring you down. I'm sure people are going to disagree with me- but like I said- looking out for yourself in school is actually the smartest thing you can do.

Maybe try to hang out with Megan a little more outside of school/volleyball. She might feel left out- but don't feel like you have to work with her in school- especially if you want to succeed- no matter how greedy or selfish that sounds. Maybe get a tradition going with you, Rachel and Megan. See a movie every week? Have a pizza and movie night?

And I certainly don't think you're being a bad friend. =D

--Jack
(15/m)

[view]

I was wondering If I could get some feedback/advice on my college essay. School is out and won't be back till after I apply to some schools so I can't get an english teacher to read it and I think its kind of personal and I would rather not my parents read it. so here it is.. thanks!:



Walking into my child development class, it took less than a few minutes before a child was calling for my attention. These eager to learn, bright-eyed 3 year-olds came in during October to learn from me, and left in May teaching me more than I could ever as for.
Before taking Child-Development, or even before high school, I was very unsure of myself. Looking back, I see my old-self, an awkward pre-teen trying to fit in and be that ‘pretty, popular girl’. I knew I would never have the most expensive clothes, the biggest house or be the most beautiful, and that killed me inside.
During class I was taught to build their self-concept. I often said to myself, “How can I teach these kids confidence, when I don’t even feel it myself?”
I have grown to believe the statement, “You can learn many things from children.” Those 3 year-olds, no matter what got in their way that day, whether they had a runny nose and didn’t feel like coming, or they were upset because someone broke their favorite toy, they were always open to whatever was presented to them. They accepted each other with value as an individual. One particular instance that really stood out to me was between two of the boys this past spring. Calvin, a shy blonde-haired boy, was crying under the jungle gym. Without hesitation, Josh the oldest and most outgoing boy, approached Calvin, asked him what was wrong, and asked him to play. I found this instance particularly special because these two children have never played together or befriended each other before. Josh, without hesitation, saw an opportunity to help someone, and acted. This act was not uncommon in my preschool either. The dozen energetic children I worked with were the most accepting, non-judgmental people I have ever seen. Not only did each and every one of them treat each other with respect and patience, but they took in us as their ‘teachers’ and put their full trust in us.
Angela Schwindt had said, “While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.” With that, if they could live me unconditionally, why couldn’t I? I began accepting others and seeing others for their gifts over their flaws. Most importantly, I began to believe in myself and develop my own self-concept. I stopped worrying about whether I was having a bad hair-day or if my outfit was perfect because none of that mattered to them. I was perfect the way I was. With this I had a high level of confidence and broke out of my shell. From them I learned to live, and to teach others to love as well.
Those sometimes overwhelming, but always loving 3 year-olds are the main reason I live my life the way I do today, and the main reason why I love, and always will want to continue teaching. “He who teaches children learns more than they do.”

Hello.

Honestly- I think that is as good as you're going to get it. I think it is very well written and it is well organized. You definitely gave examples- which is always good! And you didn't linger on the examples- you clearly stated what the example was and gave enough background and then said the deeper meaning of it.

I think it is also the perfect length- any longer and it might have been torture =X. But, any shorter and you may not have been able to get your words out.

Maybe try going through again and using a thesaurus where you believe that you might like better word choice.

Overall- I give it an A-!

--Jack
(15/m)

[view]

i'm going to cedar point and i'm the type to go on big rollar coasters....i want to take my camera and some money w/ me. but i dont know how to hold the camera and the money. i cant put them in my pocket cause it'll fall out. i dont want a dumb fanny pack or somtin..any ideas?

Maybe you could wear a pair of pants/shorts with cargo pockets. Cargo pockets are pockets that either button, zip up, or have vel-cro to shut them. Trust me- if you put your camera and money in one of these type of pockets- it will stay in there.. not even the Top Thrill Dragster can pull them out. =D.

If you have a friend that doesn't like to ride "big rides" then have them hold onto it. Some rides even have boxes where you can put your stuff into- and it is kept safe for you. Not all rides have this- I think that The Millennium Force and the Dragster DON'T have them.

Like Camille [WoahThereBabe] said- you can use a messenger bag- and put it into the boxes when you have one- or stuff it down your shirt [trust me- it won't come out if you do this and your shirt is tucked in and staying like that =D].

Have fun!
--Jack
(15/m)

[view]

Hey!

So i'm graduating in 2008 ( this june) and on my AIM profile i have like "Senior Class of 2008

Graduation is not the end; it's the beginning. ~Orrin Hatch


The tassel's worth the hassle! ~Author Unknown


The fireworks begin today. Each diploma is a lighted match. Each one of you is a fuse. ~Edward Koch



The future lies before you
Like a field of driven snow,
Be careful how you tread it,
For every step will show.
~Author Unknown


Your schooling may be over, but remember that your education still continues. ~Author Unknown


You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.
You're on your own.
And you know what you know.
You are the guy who'll decide where to go.
~Dr. Seuss


Those are a few good ones from http://www.quotegarden.com/graduation.html


"School's out, Memories past, Don't ever doubt, Our friendship will last."


--Jack
(15/m)

[view]

does anybody have any tips on writing a good song?

Don't write about something that you haven't experienced.

I've found that writing songs is much like writing poems; if you have experienced what you're writing about- it makes the passion and meaning much deeper- and therefore sounds/looks better.

So, write with passion and about emotions.


http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Song


That should really help!

--Jack
(15/m)

[view]

so since your boy i sort of need some advice from you. i like this one guy and he said that he likes me too. but that was at the beginning of the summer. we would talk on the comptuer but everytime i would say something about hanging out he would just say idunno. but this other girl would ask him and he would say yah just call me up. Then i figured whatever ill just make the plans and tell him if he wanted to come her could. then he would of course have something on that day and couldnt. and now i havent talked to him in about 2 weeks or so. i am so confused about him and dont really know what to do. i need a guys point of view. anything would be a big help. please =]

Hello.

Thanks for asking to my inbox- I appreciate it! =D


Anyway- if he's reluctant to hang out with you- he might:

-Not want to hang out with you because he doesn't like you.
-Not be able to hang out with you at the time you ask him- and then realizes that he can- and is only able to hang out with someone else [its a possibility- though its a stretch].
-Not have the courage to hang out with you because he likes you too much.

I think the 3rd option is very common. He could very well like you- and he just can't strike up the guts to hang out with you because he's too embarrassed. Maybe try talking to him and asking him to be honest- and then ask him what's up. You will be surprised the way a guy will open up to you when its just you two alone. Guys aren't as anti-sensitive as girls make them out to be.

Good luck!
--Jack
(15/m)

[view]

i have tried and tried putting a picture up on my advice column but it keeps saying its too big

i have to make the picture like TINY TINY to make it actually work and rawrr its making me mad
all of my pictures are jpg's

is there anything i can do?

i don't want to download any programs =P

thanks in advance!

You don't have to resize it, necessarily.

You can, like Camille [WoahThereBabe] said upload to a hosting site:

-www.photobucket.com
-www.tinypic.com

And it will give you a URL of your picture.

Go to Profile settings: http://www.advicenators.com/settings.php and in the "URL of a picture of you" box- put the URL in- and it will show up in your column.

If it isn't the right size you want- then you can resize in Paint, using the "Stretch/Skew" option under Image- and you can just do 90% and 90% for the Vertical/Horizontal.. Don't do different numbers or your picture will be screwed up.
Just keep resizing until you get the size you want.

--Jack
(15/m)

[view]

hi,i was wondering about how much a ER doctor makes in a paycheck a week or two weeks.please answer.
thanks : )

ER doctors are on salary pay, not hourly pay. Meaning they don't get paid for how many hours they work- but more for showing up and doing the job:

sal·a·ry /ˈsæləri/ [sal-uh-ree]
–noun, plural -ries.
a fixed compensation periodically paid to a person for regular work or services.


So it really depends on where they work.

http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Physician_%2f_Doctor%2c_Emergency_Room_(ER)/Salary

That website has a really nice graph that will help you. If you're looking to become an ER doctor- Chicago looks like the place to go =D.
And kudos to you for wanting to become one- if that's what you want =D.

--Jack
(15/m)

[view]

i heard that americans can shoot people if they are tresspassing on their property. if its true, i have a few questions:

1.can you shoot someone without warning?
2.what if you are renting the place? you just live there, and you dont own it. can you still shoot someone?
3.what if you are at your freinds house, and youre freinds not in? can you shoot the person trespassing?

thanks a lot. british fella.

I don't believe this is true. But its quite funny [because I've never heard of such a thing]. Shooting someone anytime [unless you're a policeman or you're in a hostage situation where the only way you can survive is by using self-defense and shooting the one holding you hostage] is illegal. You will go to prison- especially if you kill them.


1. Even if you could shoot someone trespassing- you would probably have to give them warning.

2. If you were renting the place- its not actually yours- so even if you could- you wouldn't be able to shoot a trespasser.

3. No- its still not your property- and again, even if you could- you wouldn't be able to.


Trespassing is punishable by law- especially if there are signs posted like "Private Property- No Trespassing". It results in fines... and shooting someone isn't the punishment =D.

--Jack
(15/m)

[view]

hi,how do i say to my girlfriend 2 dress nice so she can meet my parents with out been rude?..im 17 by the way

Just flat out tell her, "Please dress nice- because my parents will be super impressed if you do! Don't worry- I'll dress nice too!" Something like that. If you don't tell her something straight up- she won't know. She can't read minds, you know =D. Besides- she probably already assumes to dress nice- as most girls do anyway =D.

--Jack
(15/m)

[view]

I went out with a lad who treated me horrbile and now he is say he still loves me and he going out with my firend and i don't know what 2 do should i get back with him or not..??

stuck..

No. Just because he says he "loves you"- doesn't mean he does. If he treated you like crap- he doesn't love you. I repeat- HE DOESN'T LOVE YOU! He's only saying that because he wants to get back with you- why? So he can treat you like crap again. I despise people like this.

I hope you realize that if you go out with this guy again- he will, like I said, treat you how he did before. There are plenty of genuine guys out there that won't treat you horribly in any way. They will respect you- and will TRULY love you- not claim to.

--Jack
(15/m)

[view]

Ok well i got an interview has anyone been to a mcdonalds interview or work at mcdonalds do you what sort of questions they ask or what there gonna do lol i'm so NERVOUS !!! xD


Much Love !

Hey- I don't work at McDonalds- but my sister recently started working there.

She was incredibly nervous for her interview- as it was her first one. She said it only took 5 minutes- but its different for every McDonalds, I assume.

Here are a few tips:

-Make eye contact
-Smile
-Have a firm [not too wobbly, but not too tight] handshake
-Explain everything more than you normally would
-Don't be rude
-Smile [Yes, I realize I already said this]
-And most importantly- thank them for their time.


Basically since it's McDonalds- it won't be too much like a regular job interview. Basically simple questions like how you're doing in school, what your extra curriculars are, etc.

Just relax and think of it like a normal chat- only don't use slang terms- adults don't understand/appreciate slang.

Good luck!
--Jack
(15/m)

[view]

Is there any way I can put some text on my pictures that i have on my computer??
But i dont want to use paint because the picture will go all wierd. Lol.
I have Windows XP If that helps.
Anything will do.
[= Thanks in advance! =]

http://www.blibs.com/editor/

Go there- and you can do a lot of editing with your pictures- like putting text on them. It does practically everything. And it doesn't ruin your pictures- and its free!


Kudos to Camille [WoahThereBabe] for introducing me to this site =D. [She actually posted like 2 seconds before me- so know that I didn't copy her- lol]

--Jack
(15/m)

[view]

welll, I have liked this boy named josh for a long time, we've been on& off since like the begining of the year (06), he liked me the first two semeseters& I didn't like him, then I realized I did& stuff, so we dated for a week in january& I broke it off because his best friend lied to me& said he cheated on me, I don't know why but I now found out he lied, like a week ago. but anyways on to my point, he has dated three other girls now, (abby, nikki,& alex) abby is his most recent ex,& after he& nikki broke up he went out w/ alex,& then he dumped her& we of course started talking again,& he told me he would ask me out in 1O days& when they 10th day came he didn't ask me out& he said it was because he "didn't want a girlfriend", but he really met abby that night through a mutal friend,& he liked abby I guess, but him& abby just broke up a few days ago& when I found out I ended it w/ my current fling because I am like inlove w/ this kid, & today I was just sitting at the computer& he called me, he just talked to me for like 45 minutes, it was great- do you think that because he called me he likes me or wants to start talking again? because he literally had not talked to each other since him& abby started dating, which was a month ago, maybe two. :/ do you think he likes me again? or atleast he wants to be friends..

I think Josh is a player. Straight up. Not even kidding. He's told you over and over that he will ask you out or whatever- but then goes out with someone else. Seriously- he's playing with your emotions- and any guy that does that isn't worth it. Really- there are plenty of guys out there that you would probably consider WAY BETTER than this Josh guy. I suggest you find one that won't play with your heart.


Anyway- I think that he may want to be your friend again for calling you. I certainly don't think that calling someone means that you like them. Going above and beyond normal friendship things means you like someone- not calling them.

Maybe give Josh one more chance and if he can't stop toying with your emotions- then you should find someone new. Remember- everyone deserves second chances- but not third and fourth.

=D
--Jack
(15/m)

[view]

My brother is turning 16 soon and im having trouble finding a gift for him. (Since your about the same age i figured id ask you)

What are some things that guys would like for a present?
(he's really into sports like soccer & track if that helps)

Hey- I'm not really a gift-buff person [as in I'm not really great at gift ideas]; so here are some links that have gifts that your brother might like:

http://www.gifts.com/recipients/teen-boy/music-lover/ohMr14a176icp
http://www.gifts.com/recipients/teen-boy/sports-fan/ohMr14a456icp
http://www.gifts.com/recipients/teen-boy/video-gamer/ohMr14a75icp
http://www.gifts.com/recipients/teen-boy/cards-games/ohMr14a76icp
http://mensfashion.about.com/od/shopping/tp/5pracgifts.htm


Again- there's always money =D.


If you and your brother are close- maybe spend the day together- see a movie or something.

Thanks for asking to my inbox!
--Jack
(15/m)

[view]

15/f
Guys: if you like someone a lot, would you definitely ask her out... at some point?
Also, I sometimes ignore guys I like (immature, yes)... do guys ever do that if they like a girl?

Hello.

If I like a girl a lot- yes- I will probably ask her out at some point. I actually have a problem with falling for my good friends =X.
I think most guys are like me. And I think its pretty common to ask out a good friend.


Onto your second question- I think that is very possible. I, in fact, have done that. Its really out of embarrassment. I might avoid them because I don't want to slip up and say something- or I don't to be tempted do anything. I don't think its entirely immature- because embarrassment means you're growing and becoming mature.

--Jack
(15/m)

[view]

what do you do whe nyour best friend tells you that she does not want to be your friend anymore. Then a couple years later you see her and she trys to be your friend again. Can you tell me what to do.

Well- if she's the one that both ended the friendship and is trying to start it back up again- then it obviously means that she might have realized that she still wanted to be your friend. Or maybe she wants something from you. I'm going to go with the first, not the latter.

Give her a chance- I mean- maybe she realized she messed up. Maybe she really cares about you and still wants you as a friend.

Don't shove her off- there is a reason that she is coming back to you. She might really need a friend right now. Who knows- maybe to ease the pain you could ask her why she is interested in being your friend again- but not in a bitchy tone- you don't want to offend her.. maybe she has really good reasoning to everything. Let her explain herself before you judge what you want to do.

=D
--Jack
(15/m)

[view]

ok...what if your friend doesn't want to be your friend anymore because they no you like them? that would crush my heart for him to not be my friend anymore...help...what do i do???

Hmm- well since I've been through this before- I'll just let you in on what happened after she found out for the 4th time on Valentine's Day last year [2006]. So I told my best friend Leah that I liked her- and she just couldn't take it anymore. She told me that I needed to "get over [her]". Harsh- I know. So basically we didn't talk for like 3 months after that. It was torture; not being able to talk to the girl I liked, MY BEST FRIEND, for 3 months. Seriously- nothing has been as bad as that for me- except the death of my great-grandmother- but that's another story.

Anyway- somehow- it worked out and we are STILL friends to this day. I have no idea how.. seriously- we've been through a lot together- and I'm not just saying that because I want to sound cool or anything. We really have been through a lot. Its a surprise to me that we're still friends- because if I had gone through everything with someone else- I wouldn't still be their friend. Something is special about mine and Leah's friendship.. I haven't quite figured it out.

Alright- sorry for the ranting, but I think its necessary to build up for what I'm about to say.
If they know- well- they know. You can't go back in time and change that they know. But if he finds out and doesn't want to be your friend- you have to accept that. I know- that is probably going to be the WORST ever- but I have BTDT [been there, done that] and that is the only plausible thing left to do. He may not want to stop being friends completely- he may just need some space. That's how Leah was. So- just give him his space until he's ready to talk [remember- this took 3 months for me- it may be more or less]. When they are ready to talk [if he even wants to] just take it slow and don't seem really desperate. If he never makes an effort to talk to you again- well- truth be told- he probably just can't take it. There are plenty of other guys out there.. trust me =D.

But seriously- the chances of him not wanting to be your friend anymore are slim to none, because if he was that type of person, why would you be friends with him, and why would you like him?


Good luck! If you need further help- my inbox is ALWAYS open. Remember- I'm here to help!

--Jack
(15/m)

[view]

I am a poet who likes to write about romance, relationships, break-ups, that kind of mushy stuff. But all of it's toward no one.

But anyway, onward towards my question:

How can I use that poetry to... how do I put this... change the mind of a girl I like about wanting a boyfriend? I've been told my poetry is beautiful, I've even put tears to people's eyes. But I've never used it for personal gain before.

What I want is for her to eventually to go out w/me; but she's still not ready for that because her parents don't want her to date, and she's suffered from bad break-ups before, and I don't want to hurt her.

So what I really want to know is should I just plain ol' ask her out? Or romance the day? You know: give her a poem to read, flirt w/her, gaze at the stars w/her, spend time w/her to slowly get her mind set before I ask her out. Or should I even ask her out at all and just spend the day together?

Hello. Wow- this is a TOUGH question.


Hmm...


Well- first- while I think about what to say- I'm going to thank you for asking me into my inbox. Honestly- this is a tough question- and I think its great you confide in me to help you. Thank you so much! You don't know how much that means to me!


So- I think its great that you are a poet that [it seems] is very deep enough to bring people to tears. That's fantastic. Is that going to be your career? I would like to read some of your poems sometime =D. Anyway.. I think you should definitely write her a poem. Do you know how many girls would KILL to have something like that done for them? A lot of them would! Score one for you, buddy! I think you should romance the day. Girls love that kind of stuff.. as long as its sincere =D. Since you say that she has suffered bad breakups before- maybe in the poem- say something about how not all guys are the same- and some can break your heart- but then another one comes along and they can mend it- and take it back to what it was, or something like that. Maybe say that sometimes the best companion [for lack of a better word] is right in front of your face- you just don't realize it. Just write subtle clues about how you're that guy that won't break her heart- and how you're right in front of her already [I'm assuming you're friends].

So on your hangout-date-thingy, I think you should find out what she likes to do [maybe ask her mom or something]. I think any girl would like star-gazing. Hmm- I think I'll use that one day- thanks! =D.

Honestly- its your choice as to whether or not you want to ask her out- but I say go for it.. you don't want to miss out on something that could be really great, do you?


If you need further help- I'm always here =D.

--Jack
(15/m)

[view]

<<< Previous Advice Column
Next Advice Column >>>
eXTReMe Tracker