I want to donate money to some institutions to help their goals. Which ones do you recommend?

I want to donate money to some institutions to help their goals. Which ones do you recommend?
I want to donate money to some institutions to help their goals. Which ones do you recommend?

It’s wonderful to hear that you want to share with others! What are some of your passions or concerns? The Libraries subscribe to a resource called GuideStar (BC access only: bit.ly/bc-guidestar) where you can find key information about thousands of non profit organizations. Included in the database are important details such as key organizational players and financial data. Have fun exploring!

Is North Dakota an actual state?

Is North Dakota an actual state?
Is North Dakota an actual state?

Yes, North Dakota is an actual state. A conflict between the U.S. and ND constitutions had many believing that ND was not a state. However, the issue was resolved during the 2012 election. In 1989 Rand McNally left both Dakotas and Oklahoma out of a road atlas to save space, but I don’t think that’s directly related. bit.ly/bc-rand

When will the democrats get it together for the presidential race.

When will the democrats get it together for the presidential race. Its like watching Game of Thrones but in real life.
When will the democrats get it together for the presidential race. Its like watching Game of Thrones but in real life.

As my distant cousin the Magic 8-Ball often says, “Cannot predict now.” There are certainly many contestants. If by “get it together,” you mean have a single consistent message, the late great Will Rogers said it best: “I am not a member of any organized political party. I am a Democrat.”

How many people answer these questions?

How many people answer these questions?

Many. My helpers had a meeting recently and it filled a conference room. They also reach out to experts in the library and on campus for lots of questions, and I have other helpers who do the printing and such. No Wall is an island, but I absolutely couldn’t do what I do without lots of help.

Will I become the future secretary general of the United Nations?

Will I become the future secretary general of the United Nations?

My cousin the magic 8-ball is better at predictions. I’m good at support. My recommendation would be to take a look at the biographies of past secretaries general (bit.ly/un-secretaries) to understand some pathways to that position (e.g., diplomatic service, university professor, foreign affairs ministry, UN Committees, UN employment), and get to work. I fully support you in this endeavor, and look forward to having a friend in high places!

Why does that banner in the lobby say “help to keep ‘Bill’s’ products safe”?

Why does that banner in the lobby say "help to keep 'Bill's' products safe"?
Why does that banner in the lobby say “help to keep ‘Bill’s’ products safe”?

The literal meaning is products from Microsoft, the company Bill Gates founded. Why it’s phrased that way on the banner is anybody’s guess. Light humor? Good security practices are really about keeping yourself – your identity and access to your private information – safe. Bill’s products will be just fine.

Where are you from? I’m from Colombia!

Where are you from? I'm from Colombia!
Where are you from? I’m from Colombia!

Welcome to BC! I’m from right here! I’m not sure where my constituent materials all came from (oak cabinetry, concrete, brick) but they were all assembled right here in 1984, and my library assistants discovered that I was more than an inanimate structure in 2017.

Why do the Red Sox suck?

Why do the Red Sox suck? #redsux
Why do the Red Sox suck? #redsux

Because baseball is a game of inches. Because draft picks. Because pitching. Baseball giveth, and baseball taketh away. Don’t worry, they’ll rock this town again.

Can you name all the states in Mexico?

Can you name all the states in Mexico?
Can you name all the states in Mexico?

Here they are: 1. Distrito Federal 2. Chihuahua 3. Sonora 4. Coahuila de Zaragoza 5. Durango 6. Oaxaca 7. Tamaulipas 8. Jalisco 9. Zacatecas 10. Baja California Sur 11. Chiapas 12. Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave 13. Baja California 14. Nuevo Leon 15. Guerrero 16. San Luis de Potosi 17. Michoacan 18. Campeche 19. Sinaloa 20. Quintana Roo 21. Yucatan 22. Puebla 23. Guanajuato 24. Nayarit 25. Tabasco 26. Mexico 27. Hidalgo 28. Queretaro 29. Colima 30. Aguascalientes 31. Morelos 32. Tlaxcala

How to overcome anxiety, self-doubt & not believing in yourself

How to overcome anxiety, self-doubt & not believing in yourself
How to overcome anxiety, self-doubt & not believing in yourself

Talk to someone! When you’re having self-doubting and anxious thoughts, it’s easy to feel like you have to rely on your own understanding alone — but that’s not the case! Speak with your family, friends, and other members of your support system for a dose of reality when you’re feeling down on yourself. Don’t be afraid to speak with a professional counselor too; dialectical behavioral therapy has been particularly useful for some of my more anxious assistants. bit.ly/BC-counseling

How to overcome childhood trauma

How to overcome childhood trauma
How to overcome childhood trauma

I’m so sorry you experienced childhood trauma. What has a way of sticking with people for years is not so much the trauma itself, but the strategies those heroic little child-selves created to protect themselves from the trauma. Those strategies were absolutely brilliant & served their purpose well at the time: you survived. Adults no longer subjected to the trauma need new strategies that won’t interfere with adult relationships & situations, at the same time that they need to recognize (and celebrate!) the remarkable self-preservation accomplishments of the child-self. There are many different avenues of healing; almost all of them begin with some form of therapy. If you are a student at BC, avail yourself of counseling (bit.ly/BC-counseling). If you aren’t, begin with your primary care physician – you may need a referral for insurance purposes.

How to score higher on SAT? How are you?

How to score higher on SAT? How are you?
How to score higher on SAT? How are you?

Practice & Study. The official College Board study guide for 2020 is available for a modest price via most booksellers, as are many, many other print and online guides such as Khan Academy, Princeton Review, and the SAT Prep Black Book. The Khan Academy online version is free, and was developed with the College Board. You can also take an SAT prep course, but gains are modest, given the fees & exaggerated promises: bit.ly/sat-prep-results. I’m fine, thanks for asking!

To be honest which school is better? BC or Brandeis?

To be honest which school is better? BC or Brandeis?
To be honest which school is better? BC or Brandeis?

“Better” for schools is not really an objective thing, despite the attempts of the people who do rankings. “Better for people who study X” is a little more knowable. But it still ultimately comes down to where you personally feel comfortable, because a very short time after college you’ll begin to find that people are more interested in what you’ve done than where you went. Brandeis has some really fine, upstanding walls, though..

Recipe for a happy life?

Recipe for a happy life?
Recipe for a happy life?

As a wall, I’m most content when I’m living in the moment and appreciating what’s around me. Our busy lives often get us thinking (and stressing) about the future rather than just seeing what’s in front of us. For me, the practice of this mindfulness leads to greater contentment and happiness in the day-to-day. If you’re interested in reading more about this, check out Jon Kabat-Zin’s ‘Full Catastrophe Living’ at RA785 .K33 1990! I hear therapy really helps personalize your path to happiness, too… 🙂