The widow sits alone. She rarely leaves her home. She doesn't feel like speaking to the outside world, she is still speaking to the one she lost. Her hurt is seen in her eyes. How can life ever be the same again?
The there's me. A commoner, a passerby. I'm done with this year. I'm ready for a fresh start. I am throwing out everything I don't need and leaving behind what I regret, what troubles I had. But how can the widow? How can the childless? I can think positively but for these people, the wound will still be there on January 1st. There are so many families that have lost loved ones in 2011. It's important to keep them in our prayers and remember, instead of simply moving on with our lives.
I know, it's from the Muppets, but regardless, it's a sweet song.
While Hollywood is full of people setting negative examples for our generation, Victoria Justice "shines" with talent and humility. In an interview, she talks about how she sees her example on young girls and how important it is to not fall into the typical crowd of drugs and dress as she gets older. She also thanks her parents and sister for picking up their lives and moving across the country so she could fulfill her dreams. Anyway, Victoria sang this on her Nickelodeon show, "Victorious" and I loved it! So here it is :)
One of my mom's Christmas gifts was "The Help" on dvd. We watched it this afternoon and it's my new favorite. There are so many different character perspectives, each one with it's own situation and reason. (I'm not great at reviews so bear with me please) The story is set in 1950's Alabama. The main character, Skeeter, returns home from college hoping to pursue journalism. She begs her mother to tell her why the maid she had grown up with wasn't around anymore. Skeeter's mother, who has cancer, chooses to focus on finding her a husband. She lands a job writing a dinky column about cleaning- something she knows nothing about. When Skeeter realizes the ladies club is pro-segregation, she tries to interview the maids and get their perspective on how they are treated by their employers. The white employers attend ladies clubs and parties, but neglect their children. When Skeeter finds out what really happened to the help that raised her, she writes a book about the truth of what the women have gone through. Another maid who is being abused by her husband, finds friendship in a woman being rejected by the ladies club because they think she is a cheater. There are so many wonderful stories written into this plot, it's must-see! My favorite quote is throughout the movie when the maid tells the young girl she is raising, "You is kind, you is smart, you is important"
Honestly, I wasn't excited for Christmas until the very last minute. Yesterday I went shopping with my oldest sister and bought something special for everyone in my family. I wanted to find something that stood out for each person, and I think I accomplished just that. (I also tried very hard to shop on a budget which started out great but I'm still proud of myself!) People were insanely rude on the road too which had me gripping to the side of the car and shutting my eyes the whole time. Today was a lazy day. My mom wanted me to go out shopping with her, but I was so worn and the thought of going out again and on the day before Christmas wasn't that appealing. (Plus she was going to leave at 6 AM-this girl doesn't function until 8) Anyway, today was a lazy day. By noon I'd watched enough teen mom reruns that I could take and I played Mario Party 6 with my sister. Then I wrapped and wrapped and wrapped presents. My Dad was dissapointed I didn't go to church tonight for the Christmas Program. I stayed home and helped my mom bake which was so nice to just have some time with just her for a change.
I live in dreamland often. I think about when I'll get my chance to bring someone special home for Christmas. I dream about when i can buy my own kids gifts and read them the stories of the Nativity and see thier faces light up on Christmas. Right now I feel stuck between kid and adult. Although I am an adult, I still feel like a kid at home, but now I know realities. I see greediness, I see poverty, I see emptiness. Christmas isn't the same as when I was a child. But I'm praying it'll still be just as special and important to me and us tomorrow, and all year round.
I'm not really crafty. At all. I can't even wrap presents nicely. But after stumbling on pinterest and seeing really cool homemade glitter globes, I decided to try to make one for myself-AND IT WORKED! It was really awesome and I'm def. using it in the future. This picture has terrible quality but it's a fun experiment. Here's the website I used to make it: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Lava-Lamp-with-Household-Ingredients
I've been at home in between semesters and have had time for WAY too much tv lately. If I get up early enough, I catch the Magic School Bus. (Which I could still watch and laugh at!) I've been thinking about which videos from my elementary days I would show my own classroom. My top favorites are Bill Nye, The Magic School Bus, and the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving episode.
Anyway, my mom comes in the room, and I go, "Mom! Dolly Parton did a voice over on this episode! (It's the holiday recycling episode where Wanda recycles her toy nutcracker and the kids make a new bus) We get into a conversation about how Dolly's character shows a little too much (if you know what I mean) and even though it's not right for tv, I never cared when I was 5. I got the real meaning of the episode (i.e. recycling and reusing.) And as much as it irks me, (and maybe it's just me), tv was so much more exciting. Now it seems that it's either all about fun or all about learning. (Although I'm looking for some shows that have both) I used to watch Zoom and make crafts and play the word games. But I look back at some of my favorites shows and go, "WHAT?" Last night I dreamed I met a man who had his head chopped off and they replaced it with a dog's head. Exactly like the labs in trench coats on Sesame Street that I haven't seen for 15 years! Even now they kind of creep me out just a little bit. A few days ago, my cousin and I went back into our past and put in a VHS copy of Puff the Magic Dragon. (Good lesson, but a little weird) Although I'm still singing "Weave Me the Sunshine". My cousin who is 6, laughed at the sneezes on Honalea.
Okay end rant. I guess I just miss being a kid, and it's that media issue again.
There are places and events that I read about that seem very exciting, beautiful, and breathtaking. One of these is the Loi Kratong, or The Festival of Lights. In Thailand, Buddhists celebrate this holiday by sending lotus shaped lanterns onto the water or into the sky. The lotus flower allows water to drip off of it, symbolizing that sins can fall onto our bodies, but if we live peacefully, the sins do not stay and they fall off. The lanterns are sent into the water and symbolize bad luck leaving. So beautiful!
