PAST "AL's ADVICE" Dear Aladdin, I'm in love with a boy who's my friend too. I really like him...a lot. But I don't know what to do. Help me! Truly, A Girl in Love Dear A Girl in Love, You need a woman's opinion here. You've got to decide if you're willing to jeapordize your friendship for the sake of a possible romantic relationship. If it turns out he doesn't like you back, you risk losing your easygoing friendship with this boy. You can try a couple of subtle ways to get him to hint him in on your feelings. For example, invite him to the market to taste-test baklava. If he suggests other friends, say, "I thought it would be fun with just you and me." Or, lightly suggest attending the next ball together. If he responds positively, great! If he looks alarmed, laugh and say you were only joking. I'm sure you can think up plenty more on your own. Just remember, if he seems uncomfortable or unsure, make a joke of it. He'll never know if you're serious or not until you make it known. Love, Jasmine -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hey, Al! I am 16 and have been an Aladdin fan since i was a little bitty munchkin. How do I stop my friends (especially my boyfriend) from picking on me because I'm a teenager and still have a crush on Aladdin? Sincerely, Distressed Teen Dear Distressed Teen, I'm flattered, but you can't help how you feel. Don't change for your friends--or your boyfriend--but you also don't have to make your fan-ism obvious. Tone it down a little while you're around your pals, and change the subject if they start teasing you. Or, smile and say, "Yup, that's me." Sometimes making a light joke about yourself will show others it's not such a big deal. If your friends and your boyfriend continue to tease you mercilessly and hurt your feelings, then have a talk with them. Let me tell you, there are other teens out there in your same position. Oh, Jasmine's here... Um...I don't understand the whole course of this conversation. What is wrong with liking Aladdin? Excuse me, but that is nothing to be ashamed of! I know Aladdin's trying to be nice, but you should just be strong against your friends. Not mean, but strong. Oh, and Aladdin's mine. Got it? *wink* ~~Al and Jas. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Aladdin, I am currently working with a group of people in my age group but sometimes I have a really hard time fitting in. I really enjoy my job but I feel excluded from everyone else. Sometimes I get an impression that some people don't like me for no reason. I'm being myself but I would like to feel more included. Do you have any advice? ~Outcast Dear Outcast, First off, it's great that you enjoy your job. Not that many people do! Take Jafar for instance--he hates being the royal vizier. As for the people in your group, there are some things you can try to feel more included. You already said you're being yourself, which means you already completed the first step. Don't be too pushy or overly friendly. Smile, contribute, and let your personality shine through. I would also suggest trying to get to know your co-workers outside of work. Invite them out for a magiv carpet ride or for a stroll in town. Even if you don't become the best of friends with them, you should at least feel comfortable working with them. If they still seem cold around you, finish the project your group is working on, and then consider switching. You can't force people to like you. And if they really are that cold, you probably don't want them as friends anyway. (Think Jafar.) Hope it helps, Aladdin P.S. In the meantime, try spending time with other friends. :) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Aladdin, I'm in love with a wonderful guy but he doesn't know I exist. What can I do to get him to fall in love with me? Signed, Lovesick Flower Dear Lovesick Flower, This one's tough. I myself had a problem trying to get the person of my dreams. I'm going to assume that you don't have a magical genie to help you out like I did. The first thing I have to say is: Be yourself. Or, as Genie likes to say, "Beeeee yourself!" I learned my lesson the hard way. Don't try to change to make someone like you. Chances are, he'll either love you for who you are, or they he isn't worth your time. That said, it doesn't hurt to take up an "interest" in your guy and his hobbies. Does your love enjoy a certain kind of music? Or sport? Or even food? Try striking up a conversation with him about that. Or, find a mutual friend to introduce the two of you. Relax, smile, breath, and drop the occasional hint or two. If you need help, turn to my scene on Jasmine's balcony. There, you can learn how NOT to act!!! Hopes this helps. Good luck, Aladdin -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Aladdin, I'm having such a hard time balancing school and all my activities. I just want to quit everything! It's too much work, and I'm stressed all the time. Signed, Too Much Dear Too Much, Hey, Aladdin here. Too Much, I hear you. Can you imagine struggling to get enough food to live, dodging the guards, rescuing a princess, AND saving Agrabah?? It's enough to make a person want to jump off a balcony. Anyway, think about your ulterior motives for working so hard. To please your demanding father? To prove to yourself that you can do it? What you have to do is--oh, hey, Jasmine. Too Much, this is Princess Jasmine. All I want to say is, don't work so hard because of everyone else. Work for yourself. For example, I would not marry a prince just because my father said so. I knew I had to marry for love, and that's what I did. Thanks, Jasmine. Okay, Too Much, you heard the princess. As for me, I also suggest maybe cutting back a little on your activities. Realize your priorities and stick to those. Oh, and a nice relaxing bowl of baklava might help, too. Sincerely, Aladdin (AND JAS!)