HTML Tables & Text Columns

Hey folks,

I am using very basic HTML code to design a site. I'm an amateur here, and trying to keep it as simple as possible, but am using tables to create a centered page.

My table in question is set up as one row with two columns; the left column, which is wider, is main body. I'm using the right column for a list of links. For some reason, I am not able to align the text in the right column at the top of the column; it's placement horizontally seems to be dictated by the text in the other column. Whenever I add text to the left column, the right column moves down.

It seems like the text in these two columns would be unaffiliated with each other, since they are completely separate columns. Can you help me ensure that I've programmed it that way?

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Brad Jayne