Sometimes inspiration comes from unusual places, like a child

When I was younger, I was totally naive. To be honest, I am still pretty naive. My parents did all they could to teach me how to survive in this crazy world. Over the years, I have come across one thing my parents didn't completely drill into me, my relationship with God. I attend "Breakaway," every tuesday night. I had no idea how much stronger my friendship with God would become. But that's not quite the point of my blog. Today, I wanted to talk about one of my hero's, one of my inspirations. His name is Logan. He is a 13 year old boy that lives on a small ranch in Nebraska. He is known as the "sky angel cowboy." One year ago, he called into the radio station I listen to (89.3 KSBJ, a christian radio station in Houston). He wanted to let the world know what God had taught him that day. His story was about a baby calf he had to put to sleep. He was so distraught that he asked God "Why?" He explained what God told him. He said that God lost his son, just like he lost his calf. He said that God was there for him and that he understood Logan's pain. The words he spoke, the confidence he had was incredible. I broke down into tears the first time I heard this. It hit me really hard, this boy was more "in tune" with life than I was. I couldn't believe how mature this kid was. It blew my mind. Any day I am feeling down, I play Logan's interview and it lifts my spirits. It sounds silly that one of my hero's is a child, but we learn things from people we would never have expected. That's just life. We don't always have to teach those younger than us, sometimes we can learn a thing or two from a child (they normally look at life with a more open and innocent mind, and that is usually the kind of advice I need). I am posting Logan's interview in case someone else is seeking the inspiration I needed, from an unusually young "therapist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCdZwitrNoY

The secrets behind: The Wizard of Oz

I've grown up reading "The Wizard of Oz." I know many of us know it as a cute children's story, teaching you the power of courage, love, and knowledge. But, this book was not meant to be just a cute childrens story. I discovered this in my History 106 class, and then on re-reading the story, found the details my professor had mentioned. The author, L. Frank Baum, wrote this story in 1900. This was during the industrial revolution, when farmers began suffering from lowered prices and wars with the railroads. Baum wrote this story to show the farmers suffering. Each of the characters stands for a person of the time period.

Dorothy= the commoner (because she is from Kansas).
The Tin Man= an industrial worker (with no heart and rusting because of depression).
The Scarecrow= the farmer (no wit to see their horrible situation or choose an appropriate political party).
The Lion= William Jennings Bryan (had a loud "roar" but little power and never followed through in running for presidency).
The Good Wiches (North and South)= the "magical" potential the people of the north and south had to make things better.
Wicked Witch of the East= Eastern bankers
orginal text: silver slippers= the silver standard, yellow brick road= the gold standard
(both were being heavily disputed at the time).
Emerald City= Washington
Wizard= President (reveals his little power to control things).
Wicked Witch of the West= West Coast Elite (killed when water is poured over her, symbolizing the drought).
The monkeys= The indians attacking the commoners or little people (who are represented by the munchkins).

I was very interested to see all of these attributes as I read. There are many different interpretations of the historical context in this book, but it reinforces the ideas that many childrens stories from earlier times could be read by adults in a significantly different manner. I personally agree with this interpretation of the historical aspects of the story, though I had never before even begun to imagine that one of my favorite childrens stories was actually a historical tale of suffering.

Which Fairytale character would I be?

As many of my posts have seemingly been about, I was thinking today about which fairytale character I would want to be. It's just that we have been talking a lot about fairytales, and I've always wondered who I reflect the most. I personally believe that I would want to be Belle from "Beauty and the Beast" (maybe because my prom dress was very similar to the dress she wears at the end of the Disney movie) because of her ability to see throught the Beasts outer facade and actually fall in love with his warm and kind heart. I also admire her attempts to stand up to the towns people to protect her "crazy" father and the Beast. She seems to be one of the strongest of the fairytale women, though that may only be the interpretation present through the movie. Many of the main characters in other fairytales are such "push-overs," hardly ever having their own thoughts. I can understand why feminists have a problem with how they percieve women as some kind of door mat to walk all over. Though I don't particularly agree with changing the stories because I grew up with fairytales and I love them just the way they are (even if many of the princesses seem, well, "blonde" sometimes).

Fairytale Remakes

Yesterday, I was listening to my soundtrack from the Disney movie "Enchanted," and I realized something. Many of the Disney fairy tales were mirrored in this movie. The princess (Giselle) is from a faraway kingdom, where her evil "step-mother" tries to get rid of her so she can rule (slight undertones of "Cinderella"). Giselle cleans an apartment she later finds by singing for the animals to come help her (like "Snow White"). The dance at the ball between Giselle and Prince Charming resembles the final dance in "Beauty and the Beast."

I then began to consider all of the different movies I have seen, wondering how many others mirror classic fairy tales. My favorite of which is "Sydney White," a modern college version of "Snow White." The main character, Sydney White falls in love with Tyler Prince, while conflicting with the evil Rachel Witchburn. Sydney must also help seven guys having trouble finding a place in college (and living in a dump).

Another popular remake is one of "Cinderella," called "A Cinderella Story." As the title obviously states, this story is about a high school girl, Sam, whose father dies and she is left to live with her evil-stepmother and two evil-stepsisters. She is left to do all of the cleaning of the restaurant and lives in the attic of

the house. She isn't allowed to go to the big school halloween party, but she does anyway, dressed in a very Cinderella-like ball gown. She falls in love with Prince Charming and loses her sneaker at the ball. It all ends happy ever after.

The last movie I came up with was "Aquamarine," the tale of a mermaid who makes her way to land during a storm. She meets to 12 year-old girls and they help her to find her one true love. Her father rules the seas and continues to make storms to pull her back to her family. She is able to have human legs during the day, as long as they don't get wet, and at night she turns back into a mermaid. In the end, she meets her prince charming, at the envy of a jealous girl trying to send her back to the ocean so she can have the guy all to herself.

Children's Literature crossword puzzle

This past week in class, it has been fun to learn about the different history behind children's literature and common known authors that changed the industry. I've also like looking into the different versions of some of the most common fairytales. I made a crossword puzzle to go along with what we have learned in class, and who know, it may help you study later on.


http://www.armoredpenguin.com/crossword/Data/2008.01/2418/24183904.155.html

Outside Reading List

Outside Reading List

Book 1: The Wizard Of Oz
Author: L. Frank Baum
Picture Book?: No
Posting date and/or number: 1/29, #6

Book 2: The Truth About Stacy (From the Babysitters Club Series)
Author: Ann M. Martin
Picture Book? No
Posting date and/or number: 2/7, #10

Book 3: Amelia Bedelia
Author: Peggy Parish
Picture Book? Yes
Posting date and/or number: 2/15, #15

Book 4: Kirsten Saves the Day
Author: Janet Shaw
Picture Book? No
Posting date and/or number: 2/20, #17

Book 5: Fudge-a-mania
Author: Judy Blume
Picture Book? No
Posting date and/or number? 2/28, #22

Book 6: The Berenstain Bears and the Missing Dinosaur Bone
Author: Stan and Jan Berenstain
Picture Book? No
Posting date and/or number? 3/5, #25

Book 7: Mr. Paint Pig
Author: Richard Scarry
Picture Book? Yes
Posting date and/or number? 3/21, #31

Book 8: Green Eggs and Ham
Author: Dr. Seuss
Picture Book? Yes
Posting date and/or number? 4/1, #38

Book 9: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
Author: Bill Martin Jr, Eric Carle
Picture Book? Yes
Posting date and/or number? 4/7, #41


Book 10: Oh The Places You'll Go
Author: Dr. Seuss
Picture Book? Yes
Posting date and/or number? 4/16, #46

Daddy's Little Princess

Do you ever hear those songs on the radio about a dad and his daughter? I love listening to them. Most of the time, they perfectly describe the relationship I have with my dad (it gives me a great selection for that father/daughter dance at my future wedding - which at this rate will be never). Anyways, there is one song in particular that moves me. It's called "Cinderella" and it's by one of my favorite songwriter/singer: Steven Curtis Chapman. I recently found this video for it on youtube.com that I thought was simply amazing. The first time I watched, I wanted to run home and dance with my daddy like I was five again. Every time I go home to visit, I wish I could turn back the clock and be the "little princess" I used to be. Now my younger sister fills that role, but she has always acted much more mature than I did when I was her age. My family constantly teases me that I act like the youngest sibling, not the oldest. I always laugh at them. I just don't want to let go of my "inner childhood." I don't think I ever will be able to get rid of the little girl obsessed with Disney princesses (I mean my dorm room is covered in Disney posters). In my opinion, no one should ever lose sight of their "inner childhood." It is what keeps me from going insane. Knowing that I can give myself a few moments alone to just let lose, and go crazy.



Oh, and back to my song, I am posting the link to the video and song below because I think every girl should watch it.



http://youtube.com/watch?v=hDwsQ5H_gAY