Sorry for the delay - now onto the Questions of the Day!

Well, first off, I believe this is the first post of the new year, is it not? HAPPY 2012 EVERYONE!

Sorry I haven't written in so long... coming back from Christmas vacation I was expecting a lot of catch up.. but opening up my email I never would have expected close to 4 whole pages of new questions!

So let's go through these, see how many we can go through, shall we? ;)
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1) How far is too far with my girlfriend? She wants to go all the way, and I want to too, but I don't want to regret anything. - via email

JAAG: Firstly, if you are asking that question with hesitation, this shows that even you yourself don't really know what you want out of this relationship. If you really loved her and you really did want to go all the way with her, then you wouldn't have second thoughts about doing something that you regret because you know she is the one. Of course, with us adolecents being at such a young age, it's hard to know whether or not we really did find true love. 8 times out of 10, the love you find in high school won't be the one you end up walking down the aisle with 10, 15 years into the future.
Secondly, if you are having doubts, I think you should talk to her about it. Please remember, though: what you are wanting to do is something permanent and cannot be erased. The best protection against a future that you may not be ready for is to not do anything at all and wait. That is my personal moral view on this. of course, I can't stop you from doing what you want, but seriously: if you have doubts, you might need to go back to the drawing board to see what's up. You could save yourself from a potential heartbreak if you find the source immediately.

2) JAAG, there is this guy that I have like forever, but he never liked me back. Now, there is this new girl in my grade, and two weeks in she is already making out with the guy of my dreams. Is he just a jerk or am I just too in love with him to see his flaws? - via email

JAAG: you do realize that both of your questions at the end of your email there both mean the same thing, right? ;) But that's not the point, I guess...
Well, let me be the first to tell you that I have also felt that jealousy too. This is a guy that you have dreamed of dating, the perfect prince to be part of your perfect fairytale. But maybe you have been so busy fantasizing the endless possibilities on how he could sweep you off yoru feet when you should be focussing on the fact that he likes to discriminate against people who are not on the basketball team. If you yourself are a strong believer of anti-bullying, then this should be a big warning sign telling you to drop the crush because he is a jerk. I don't want to make efalse accusations about the girl, either, but it seems to me like they are pretty happy with each other, maybe because they are both jerks themselves (too late :P) any how, MOVE ON. You'll be happier, I promise, when you find someone that likes you back for who you are.

3) I want to introduce my girlfriend to my parents, but everytime I have a free date, she comes up with an excuse. The first couple times, I got that she had a dentist appointment or had to go visit her grandmother in the hospital, but tutoring her sister? She doesn't have a sister! What does all this mean? - via email

JAAG: My mother gave me one important advice when I first told her about my first crush: "When things get really serious, bring him home. If he genuinely wants to meet us, then you can see how much he wants to be a part of your life. However, if he is avoiding the topic of family altogether, then that should be a red flag right there."
OKAY. So she is avoiding the topic of, 'hey, I want you to meet my family..' with absolutely terrible ninja skills. Here's the thing: maybe she is just nervous (that is the absolute weakest benefit of the doubt right there). So ask her. Ask her why she is avoiding this topic (you can start along the lines of, 'I know for a fact that you don't have a sister to tutor...) and gage her response. If you can tell that she is bluffing, maybe you should set up a time for the two of you to understand each other a little more. Ask her why she is doing this to you. Of course, this could lead to a) her telling you that she is sorry for lying, she's actually quite scared of meeting your parents, and you guys will go on saturday; or b) you find out that she has been cheating on you.
From one extreme to another, that's how it will play out. I must say though, unfortunately, option b) is the more likely one. Usually people coming up with lame excuses to avoid something usually means that something is up. Check out the situation, and best of luck!

4) there is this girl that is terribly desperate. she is constantly throwing herself at me and trying to draw all attention to herself. I don't really like her (correction: not at all). how can I politely decline her? - via email

JAAG: This is a tricky situation. How ironic though, for me to be listening to David Archuleta's 'Desperate' on my Windows Media Player while writing this answer out for this question... hmm...
Well, if you genuinely don't like her, I don't think that it is fair for either of you to be in an awkward situation. Go talk to her in private. Tell her, 'Hey, I think you're a nice girl and everything, but I think we would be better off friends.' That will tell her, somewhat indirectly, that you don't share the same feelings for her as she does. But please, don't do this in front of her friends. Catch her alone, make straight eye contact with her, and avoid anything like a hug of consolation or even touching her hand/shoulder, etc. Your words will hit her, but any unnecessary touch to her will lead her to believe that you are lying to her and that now, she should try harder. Make your intent clear, keep your hands in your pockets, and speak with a polite but firm voice. Good luck!

5) My mom doesn't understand my boyfriend. He is really into all the punk music and dresses in all black leather and studs. She thinks that he is a gangster, when really he is the type that wouldn't hurt a fly. How can I convince her to give him a chance? - via email

JAAG: The best way would be to convince both your mom and your boyfriend that you should all have dinner together. Invite him over, and tell your mom that he really wants to meet her. If this is all successful, then when the conversation starts, try to  steer clear of the topic of his clothes or taste of music off to the side for later when both your boyfriend and your mom are warmed up. If the topics ever do come up (which you should prep your boyfriend about), stay calm and don't start hallucinating. Let your boyfriend handle this and just watch from the sidelines. Hopefully your cutie will be able to help your mom see a different side of him!
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The snow has returned, somewhat. Life is also somewhat back to normal.

My @JAAG twitter got an @reply the other day: @JAAG how is everything doing with your beau?

And here is my response to that: Things are okay. They aren't the best, but things will get better. I learned this from listening to Matthew Morrison's "Still Got Tonight" : "It's gonna get much harder / before it gets better baby that's for sure.."
I think with anything, there has got to be a low point somewhere before you realize how special what you have is. Like anything, you don't realize what you got until it's gone.

So yeah.

Anyhoo, thisis me answering five more of your ever so complex questions. Keep sending them in and hopefully I'll get to them one day :) Also, Rest in Peace Tessa. You are greatly loved and will be missed.

STAY OUT OF TROUBLE AND DON'T FORGET TO SMILE. You are all the reason that I still can manage my sanity with all your crazy questions.. ;)

love etc,
rachelrae xx

what did you expect?...5 more questions answered :)

Hello again world wide web. it is your favourite asian here, answering some more questions. also, thanks to everyone for the well wishes in response to my treatment! everything is going quite well, and today my doctor told me that if everything continues to go as planned, i should be able to end treatment earlier than expected! :) cheers to that!

So yes, there has been a mass response to the new Twitter account - thanks for all your questions! Here are 5 more that i thought i should answer... and let me tell you, they are getting better and tougher than ever before!

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1. What is the number one thing i shouldn't tell my girlfriend? she wanted me to start being honest with her. is there anything i shouldn't tell her.. even though she made me swear to be honest? -via Twitter

JAAG: this is a toughie, my friend. what do you tell and what do you not tell? if she asks for specifics (ie have you ever lost your virgnity to someone?) and it will affect you both if you lie, then i guess you should tell her the truth. after all, she deserves to know. wouldn't you want to know that your new gf/bf is not a virgin while you are?
also, i would stay away from topics concerning your ex. it is touchy territory. if she wants to tell you about her experiences, then be a good listener. but don't pry into her life... especially if you know the relationship ended badly. let her come to you if she wants to talk... and stay honest about most things!

2. my girlfriend is obsessed with her looks, and even though i constantly tell her she's beautiful, she refuses to agree. how can i tell her that she is? -via Twitter

JAAG: let me tell you now, it's not your fault that she is reacting this way. i can tell you from experience: as a girl, we usually don't come on as arrogant in terms of looks. heck, even if a girl says to us 'oh, your hair looks good today!' or 'you look so good in that outfit', 8 times out of 10, we will say something along the lines of 'nahh.. that's not true' because we are so emotional and we always have our guard up. now, when a boy comes along and says so, the first couple seconds (ESPECIALLY if we have a crush on you) we will be flattered... but then we'll brush the thought aside, just in case you don't actually mean it. from the boys i talked to, most of the time, especially if you like us back, you do mean it. LEGIT. try writing her a letter and tell her how you feel. be honest and concise and straight to the point. and that is very sweet of you to say that to her! :)

3. my ex and his new girlfriend showed up at a party that i was at and all of a sudden i felt kind of jealous. how can i push those jealous feelings away? -via BloggerMail

JAAG: the former flame, and you being thrown back into it. well, if you broke up with him, why did you break up with the guy in the first place? let that be a reminder to you on why you decided to end things. there is no need for you to feel jealous because you are moving on to bigger and better things. of course, easier said than done, but try to remember this: YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL, AND YOU DON'T NEED PEOPLE LIKE HIM TO BRING YOU DOWN.
now, if you are the one that was broken up with, i can see how you might be jealous. you want to know what she has that you don't. don't feel that way... just remember what i put in all caps up above ^^ and you will be just fine. one day you will find a boy that will accept you for what you are worth.

4. there are two boys that i like, and i sorta told both of them at the same time that i liked them both... so now i'm secretly dating both of them at the same time (thank goodness they go to different schools!) this is getting out of hand i need to know how to pull out of this. how can i do this and keep the friendship going? -via Twitter

JAAG: now this is a situation you should avoid at all possible costs. i'm sorry if this comes across as blunt, but there really isn't anyway for you to hold these friendships together, unless one of them is really, REALLY understanding.
to pull out of this situation, i would first suggest you talking to both of them; separately, of course. tell them what happened and that you are sorry. most times, this would end in both guys getting mad and the girl being left with no one. while that is the most likely and the most hurtful outcome, remember that you hurt them too by going out behind their backs. i hope that one of them is really understanding, but if not, now you know what not to do in the future. start off with being friends with everyone first... and then see where it goes.

5. i have a boyfriend, but recently i've felt more aattracted to girls. what am i going to do? -via email

JAAG: this is an interesting one. of course, i am no expert... but here's what i can offer. teenage life is a very tricky and confusing time. for all you know, this could be a phase... or maybe, this could be an indication to you that things between you and your boyfriend are going to fast, but you don't want to admit it (meaning: you don't really like girls, but you have this as a distraction/excuse typ of thing.)
if you feel that this relationship you are in now is going too fast, talk to your boyfriend about it. maybe you and him can come up with a common gorund. but under all circumstances, especially since you aren't totally sure yet, don't tell him about your feelings towards girls.
now, if you really, REALLY feel that you are truly attracted to girls, then i would suggest you looking into this. do some resaearch, maybe reading a couple reliable sources and see if you match the description. when you are ready, tell a trusted adult. if you aren't comfortable telling osmeone you know, call a help line. these are people that are trained to answer your questions. they can help you get answers and guide you to telling someone you trust.
best of luck!

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okay. as you can tell, these are very complicated questions and very complex answers. you all definitely made me think through what i wanted to say! :) thanks again for trusting me with your lives... i try the best i can to help, so with regards to the five people that asked the five above questions... good luck to you all with what you are going through.

wow, under a week until halloween. what are you all dressing up as? mine is a surprise... and i will tell you all when i post again (hopefully right after my halloween candy hangover) ;)\\

This is a new song that i'm kinda obsessed with by David Archuleta - "Good Place". it's such a sweet song.

now, i have a question for you, fellow readers. i'm kinda in a relationship now, but there is a guy who likes me and isn't really pestering me, but the silence between us tells me that something is up. and that bugs me even more. what should i do? it's you guy's turn to play JAAG, my friends. tweet me at http://twitter.com/JAAG143 or you can email me too :) next time around i will post all the great @replies that I get! thanks, and good luck!

so yes, that wraps up another blogging session. i can't believe i have been blogging for half an hour while my guy is outside playing football. let me tell you now: he is definitely a thousand times more fit than i am. i'm okay. i suck at sports though... but i am a whiz at typing! and wasting time too...

STAY OUT OF TROUBLE AND DON'T FORGET TO SMILE. peace out to all of you, stay safe and eat tons of candy on Halloween for me, aiights? ;)

love and such from your favourite Asian,
rachelrae xx