The Jungle Kid

By Monica Patel

Tall Trees hover over hungry predators

In constant search for food.

You can hear the rumble in the heart of the jungle.

Lions and Tigers attacking their prey,

Flesh and blood just perishes away.

This is a place, spontaneous and rare,

A place where truth is shunned,

And armored with Dare.

In the midst of the chaos, the jungle gives birth to a passionate soul-

The Jungle Kid.

The jungle kid you see

Has found a place in her habitat where she can be free.

She swings on the branches and dances to the rain music that plays,

Ignites her own fire,

In substitute for the absent sunrays.

She’s not equipped with weapons and swords to fight

But strapped with compassion and courageous might.

Her laughter overpowers the loud roars

Her peaceful stroll kills the chase,

The tempers rise of the starving animals

While she smiles, remains full of grace.

She is unstoppable, and will not be defeated

It’s the survival of the fittest,

In which case, The Jungle kid has clearly succeeded.

Who Says Short Can’t Be Powerful?

By: Uzma Bawany

Being South Asian, I’d long ago accepted my fate. Mom is only 5’1 and dad, well when Mom is that short, Dad’s height won’t make much of a difference.

We can’t label and stereotype, but we also can’t deny that most of us have been gifted with the common genes that accommodate South Asian women—being short.

To me, height always meant power. If you Google the term height to power—you’ll get a bunch of scientific jargon about Doppler velocity and power spectra. To me, growing up, I felt the taller you were, the more powerful. Basketball players, my favorite teachers, great politicians, they were all able to tower over a crowd; their height demanded that they be heard.

Maybe I had always attributed one to the other because I knew every time the school bells rang I’d have to make sure I made it through before the herd arrived. I was always trampled on in the halls. I gave up. I knew I wasn’t going to grow anymore. Though over the years I learned that I wasn’t trampled on because I was short, it was because of the way I carried myself!

Confidence is key! If you showcase your “short” comings, this can be on any front (personality, attitude, height, skill set) then people will take notice of it. Don’t walk into an interview and tell them you stink at something—then apologize before hand. Don’t drag your feet through the halls and make yourself a target for a trample–

Talk and walk with confidence! You’ve got to be comfortable in your own skin!

And don’t think that just because you don’t fit the supermodel physique you can’t pull off the latest fashions. Here are some clever fashion tips that give the illusion of length.

Go Monochrome: When you wear a different color top than bottom, you visually cut your body in half Instead try wearing a monochromatic outfit in a single shade of shirt and pants or shirt and skirt. This creates a long, lean line that adds the illusion of height to your figure.

Black is Back: Dark colors, add the illusion of height. A black top and slim black pant with some carefully chosen accessories and moderate to high heels, gives a long, lean sophisticated line that’s perfect for a variety of occasions.

Long/Straight Pants: You’ll appear to be taller if you wear a pants length that covers the shoe. Avoid Capri and flare pants—which make you appear shorter

High-waisted is no longer 70’s: High-waisted pants can add the illusion of height and greater leg length. Avoid hip pant styles if you’re shorter in stature.

Toss the Fat Belts: Thick, bulky belts tend to cut the length of your body. Opt for a thinner belt if you wear one at all. Also avoid belts with too much detail or color. You want to maintain a clean, simple line.