about




My name's Jennifer, but I'm more commonly known as Jen or Sporkster. I love lots of things/people including God; volleyball and soccer, my two favorite sports; and cheese. I also love Pi, but that's a story for another day.

I've been answering questions on Advicenators for over three years now, so I'm pretty experienced with it. I love answering questions and helping you out anyway I can, so if you've got a question, just ask me!

Ask me about: Christianity, athletics, physical fitness, love-life, relationships, friendships, HTML queries, book suggestions, music suggestions, musical theory, history, English (or Spanish) grammar, Paint Shop Pro 8, skin problems, sports injuries, "punk" fashion, nutrition, etc.

advice

Q: I took a reading & listening quiz in spanish & I did really bad on both. I have another reading/listening quiz tomorrow. Can anyone give me advice tips?? I'm not sure how to study for this. We're using the Ya Veras! Gold books but we don't have information to use to study. It's difficult for me to get A's & B's on these. Any ideas?? Thanks!!

A: What sort of things do you need help with? What level of Spanish are you taking?

I can definitely help you with grammar and vocabulary from levels 1 and 2 of any Spanish course, and a little bit from level 3 (the course I'm currently taking).

Do you need help memorizing vocab? Pronunciation of vocabulary? I mean, what do you think your problem areas are?

Once I have a general idea, it will be a whole lot easier for me to help you more specifically.

Please respond.

[view]


Q: Does anyone have any recommendations for some good Healthy Chips? Or healthy snacks? What are some healthy brands of food?

A: Try looking for baked, whole-grain alternatives to normal greasy chips.

The most popular whole-grain chips are probably SunChips. SunChips are 100% whole-grain and come in a variety of flavors, such as original, French onion, garden salsa, harvest cheddar, and cinnamon sugar. I eat them *all* the time, and I assure you: they're really tasty. =D You can most easily find them at Wal*Mart, but I'm sure your local grocery store chain carries them due to their national popularity.

You could also try Garden Harvest chips. They have a full 1/2 serving of fruits and vegetables in each portion, which helps you meet your daily requirements for greens. These are also very tasty, and come in flavors like apple cinnamon, banana, tomato-basil, and garden vegetable. I've only been able to find the banana variety at my local Wal*Mart. However, Harris Teeter (a pretty local grocery store chain) carries all varieties, so if you have a Harris Teeter near you, be sure to check it out.

A single serving of SunChips will contain anywhere from 120 to 160 calories, 5 grams fat with

[view]


Q: So, to make this short, I used to go out with a girl, and now we are not dating anymore. I've moved on and she seemed to as well, (she is going out with another guy) until recently. She's been flirting with me incessantly everyday and I thought the old ignore-her-and-hopefully-she'll-get-the-message thing is not working. I need a way to let her down easily and I don't know what words will do the trick.

By the way:
Go UCoC!

CJ here, and I need help. =D

A: You're asking ME?

I have no clue. Wait. Um...

Tell her, gently, that you've moved on, and that she should too. Tell her that she should probably spend more time with the guy she's currently dating.

That's kinda what I'd do. And if being gentle doesn't work, well...

Be blunt and tell her you're sick of her flirting with you and that she should go away. For good. Forever.

More details, plzkthx?

You could just IM me:

spunktasticjenx3

[view]


Q: Where can I get some plain, black pants? Nothing fancy, and not Dickies. Just plain black pants that are like jeans, but not. Anyone have any idea where I could get some? I'd appriciate it a lot. =) Thanks!

A: If you're a female, then American Eagle has some pretty amazing black cotton pants/jeans for sale. They're about $45, but really worth the price.

You can try looking around on their online store:

http://www.ae.com

[view]


Q: If it was God's plan to have Jesus die, rise again, etc. etc., why does everyone have an ax to grind with the Jews? And wasn't it Romans that killed Jesus?

A: It doesn't matter WHO killed Jesus, the fact is that he was meant to die and did before being raised from the dead by God.

So yeah, Jews, Romans, whoever. Doesn't matter.

[view]


Q: what are some good new bands, i like rock, alternative, indie stuff like that. I already know tonss of bands and have almost 1000 songs on my iPod so im looking for bands most poeple wouldnt know. but any suggestions are useful

thankss.

A: Margot & the Nuclear So & So's
Armchair Cynics
Better than Ezra
Keane
Paramore
The Go! Team
Regina Spektor
Saosin
Tegan and Sara
etc.

[view]


Q: Hey. Well, volleyball tryouts are on the 15th-18th of August, and I am really nervous. There are girls that are going to be trying out who are really good and talented, but this is the first time of me really playing it. Do any of you guys have any tips on how to ease down and become less nervous, and on what to focus on if I want to make the team. Thanks.

A: The best advice anyone could give you is to ALWAYS BE FIRST.

If your coach makes you run sprints, run them as hard and as fast as you can, aim for first place every time.

Work your heart out, honestly. Let it be visible that you really want to make the team, and chances are you will.

If you can't serve well, really focus on that. Most volleyball coaches don't want a player who can't serve accurately repetitively.

Make sure your passing skills are up to par.

If you're a shorter player and can't really jump well (like me =]), you might want to focus on defensive specialties like digging.

I wish you the best of luck! Let me know if you make it!

[view]


Q: In the morning, when I wake up, my stomach is nice and flat. But after I drink something, or even take two bites of food, it pooches out really big. No matter what I eat or drink, its always puffs out, and if like I`m wearing a cute tank top, after I drink water or something it becomes totally unflattering. What should I do?

A: If you're really thin, your stomach will bloat out no matter what.

I'm extremely thin, and I have really strong abdominal muscles, but whenever I eat my stomach also bloats out.

My advice is to eat well before you go out anywhere, try thirty minutes in advance. This will give your stomach time to digest whatever you just put in it, and the bloating will go away.

[view]


Q: hi i was wandering if anyone could help me find a cute middle name.... my daughters first name is gonna be Kylee ( pernounced like (kigh leigh) and i need a cute middle name to match with it. i appreaciate it! Thanks!!
*sarah*

A: Kylee Michelle.

That's what my teachers are naming their daughter.

[view]


Q: Hi :) what are the best kind of shampoos/conditioners you could get for weak/fine hair? what kinds of shampoos/conditioners are bad for your hair?

A: I'd try Garnier Fructis for fine/thin hair.

That's what my friend uses. She's got long, really thin and straight blonde hair.

[view]


Q: anyone know any good bands or songs that sing songs about love?

A: Here's a few off the top of my head

"Yellow" - Coldplay
"Green Eyes" - Coldplay
"A Message" - Coldplay
"The Scientist" - Coldplay
"Hey There Delilah" - Plain White T's
"Rain" - Breaking Benjamin
"Everlong (Acoustic)" - the Foo Fighters
"Punk Rock Girl" - the Dead Milkmen
"Hands Down" - Dashboard Confessional
"Fly Me to the Moon" - Frank Sinatra
"Night and Day" - Frank Sinatra
"Before the Dawn" - Evanescence

[view]


Q: i tried tp put a picture in my profile for my column but it says the file size is too big, how do i get it to fit?

A: You can only upload files that are lower than 15kb in size.

In order to use a photo that's larger than 15kb, you'll have to upload it to a site such as Geocities, Photobucket, etc. Once you've uploaded the pic you want to use, link to that picture in "Profile Settings."

Then you're all set!

If you need additional details/help with uploading your pic, ask!

[view]


Q: ok i have a boyfriend and he has braces and i do too..and i really wanna makeout with him..but what if we get stuck? what do i do!?

A: Trust me, unless you're trying to knock your teeth together, you won't get stuck. I promise.

Kissing is done with lips, not teeth. =D

X3 Jen

[view]


Q: I really would like to learn how to do internet and web design. How do i go with it to learn how to do it???

A: If you really want to get good at HTML, XML, Java, CSS, and other web design languages, I'd suggest buying or borrowing books on those topics.

You can find them anywhere. Barnes & Noble, Books-a-million, the local library, etc.

Also, there are a few websites like lissaexplains.com and peachie.nu which offer already made codes along with tips and hints for making your website better.

Suggested first hosts include geocities, hostultra, and freewebs.

If you need any additional help or explanation, feel free to ask!

[view]


Q: Hey. I need serious help.

ok lately I've noticed that I been eating only when I feel bored and not when I'm really hungry. I'm really scared because I've also gained weight, not alot only 2-3 lbs( im not fat),and I just want to know how can I stop this habit before it gets out of control and I turn overweight or something?

Please help me I rate fives and recommend.

thank you

A: Instead of grabbing junk food, grab some fruit, vegetables, or water.

Lots of people pig out on junk food without realizing the harm they're doing to themselves. It's good that you've noticed this habit and that you're trying to change it. I congratulate you.

Anyway, whenever you feel bored to the point of eating, grab a bottle of water. Grab some celery, grapes, an apple, etc., just not junk food. This will add water, fiber, and nutrients to your diet that you wouldn't get if you were snacking on junk food.

Replace bad with good and you'll be doing great.

[view]


Q: alright kids, well my teeth are horribly yellow, like, becoming greenish on the top of them. i know this sounds totally sick but what can i do to change this. don't say go to a dentist because my parents keeps forgetting. so what are some things i can do on my own for this?

A: First off, make sure you brush your teeth thrice a day with a whitening paste.

Secondly, eliminate staining drinks such as coffee, tea, dark sodas, etc., from your diet.

You can also try whitening strips from Crest.

It would be best for you to see a dentist about this, but I can understand the whole parent issue. Just try to remind them anytime they're near a phonebook and phone.

Good luck with whitening your teeth!

[view]


Q: oaky well me and my bff just got into a huge fight. she asked my one friend if he was Catholic and he said *no im Christian* and she got really upset and called him an effing prejudice. i asked her why and everything escalated and now we arent talking. we got into this big fight about stereotyping and religion. i guess i blew the fight a little bit out of proportion but so did she. now i dont know what to do, i want to keep on tlaking to her but i think its gonna be awkward and we said some mean things, ahh what should i do?

im not going to apologize first bc i didnt really start it.

thanks

A: I think your friend is a little too sensitive.

I, for one, consider myself Christian, not Catholic. I'm not trying to offend any Catholics out there, it's just that I'm not one. Some people don't see a difference between Catholicism and Christianity while some do. Your friend just needs to accept that and get over it.

Your friend shouldn't have to apologize to her, and neither should you. If you'd like to talk to her about what she did, though, that'd be fine.

[view]


Q: Ok. I'm a Christian, but I do not know the Bible cover to cover like some people do. I have 3 friends, who I love dearly, but they are just totally lost and I really want to save them but I have no clue as of how to do that. Like.. Ok.. here's their stories.

Billy 16-years-old: He's a terrible alcoholic who parties all the time and sometimes gets high but he is surely damned to hell because he has committed sexual immortality several times. He is one of those people who doesnt care about the Bible or God and makes jokes about religion at times. So I do not know how to talk to the guy.

Jessica 15-years-old: She's like my best friend but she's like never been to church. I've invited her before several times, but she always comes up with a reason not to go. And here lately we've lost friendship & she has lost herself to starting to drink because of peer pressure and she's became sexually active, so to say. And she's similiar to Billy, doesnt care.

Brittany 15-years-old: She's bisexual and she parties like every weekend and gets soo drunk & she cusses all the time but everytime I mention church or something of the sort, she cracks a joke & says something like, "Gosh you're such a goodie-goodie". And even though she's never had sex, she's did other stuff with girls and guys, so. I really want to help her & even though she goes to church often, she doesnt act Christian-like at all.

I really care for these people because they are like 3 of my best friends, but I have no clue has to how to help them. They are sooo young and if they were to die tomorrow or even today, they would go straight to hell & I really want to share my eternity with them in Heaven. So anyone with any advice, please help.

A: The question is, how are YOU living?

I'm wondering how you gained such friends as these if you condemn their activities like this.

How are you living? Is your lifestyle projecting that of Christ's?

You seem to be an awfully stuck-up Christian. Partying is wrong? Not necessarily. Drunkenness is wrong, immorality is wrong, but partying is not necessarily wrong. Cursing is wrong? Could you procure a verse that states that? Joking about religion is not necessarily wrong. These are all YOUR definitions of sin--search for GOD'S definition of sin.

Also, you are not to judge anyone. God alone is righteous and worthy to judge, so leave it to him.

As for "saving" your friends, you need to live a biblical life. Show them God's unending and unconditional love for them to help them understand their need for a Savior. Be an example.

[view]


Q: um well i am 12 and a girl and my bf is kind of ignoring me. we went out with each other 4 like two years but ever since we stopped txting each other cause it was getting expencive we just stopped talking. Are we loosing our relationship, cause i love him and i mean it?

A: Well, obviously if you've only been conversing by text messaging, there's a problem.

Do you ever seen him in person? Do you ever actually talk to him on the phone? How did you meet him? Is the expense really that much of a factor affecting your relationship?

Honestly, I would advise getting rid of him or at least waiting until you could afford the expenses of romance.

That, or actually meet him somewhere in person WITH an adult or chaperone.

If you'd like to clarify that question a little bit further I could help you alot more.

- Sporkster

[view]


Q: iv been looking on the internet and i cant seem to find some PIANO sheet music for existentialism on prom night by Straylight run
and i really need it
could you help me find it? or give me a link?

A: Check http://www.musicnotes.com

That's the only site I know of, and I'm not so sure they have it.

I'd try checking the band's official site for a sheet music book you can buy.

[view]



<<< Previous Advice Column
Next Advice Column >>>

eXTReMe Tracker