Little Tidbits From my Crazy Little World
So in case y'all haven't noticed lately- I've been busy. Like not even have time to take the dogs out walking in the morning because of the business. But G-d is good.
Hop On for the Ride~!
First of all- two weeks ago was the first week of Julius Ceasar Shakespeare Intensive. Since that's up in Upland (approximately 1 hour 45 minutes), you can imagine us getting out of the house in the mornings to get there by ten for the first three days and nine for the last two. 'Twas... interesting. But it was certainly worth it, as always. We read-through, blocked scenes, and ran the show a few times. It was a lot of fun, a lot of work; however, no matter what, there's always that beautiful bit of inspiration that Angela gives you. End of the week session of "This Week I Learned..." was led by Angela. It contained answers such as the parents saying they learned how much they needed their sons (many of which who spent the night), and my Shakespeare friends learning how to block, how to say 'Cicero', how to get into character, and how to make an actor's journal. This particular week I learned something- crazy how it finally clicked when applying to something I love so much- that we should learn about our character so much that he/she becomes an inner part of us, because when we get on stage, we should be really in that time period, that place. I don't want to be the Christian who gets on "stage" and totally plays the part, but when getting off it, slips back into normal character only to lose it without His grace.
Oh, and the funniest point of this week: the cheer of the murderers for Julius Ceasar: "Two, four, six, eight, who do we hate? Ceasar!" ;) Oh goodness...
Secondly, my senior graduation is coming up on June 11th. Since each of the seniors get their own slideshow with pictures, I've been busy selecting pictures for this special upcoming day. It's *sooooooooooo* hard to pick 30 pictures for fifteen years of my life!!! Don't say, "Oh, that's not too hard." I'd be too upset with you. Think about it- have YOU ever tried to select thirty pictures of you to show at your graduation??? So after that rather *ahem* strenuous event because there are simply too many pictures that I love of me and of other people and of my family and of my dogs and of... (you get my drift), I had to select a song. That was even harder. I drifted from Nichole Nordeman's Legacy and Brave to Meredith Andrews As Long as It Takes to Matthew West's My Own Little World and The Motions to Rebecca St. James' You Make Everything Beautiful to Steven Curtis Chapman (multiple) and back again to Nichole Nordeman and Rebecca St. James. Ergh! Have you ever realized how wonderful all those Christian praise artists are out there??? Oh, and for those of you wondering if I ever made my decision, let me assure you, I did. I had to=) And you'll have to live with that answer until I post about the graduation sometime after June 11th, as I don't want to be revealing the song I picked yet.
Thirdly, while on the topic of music. I'm attending a TJYC class, mentored by Mrs. Deena Ortiz. Last Thursday, we had a colloquium for The Jungle Book and Thomas Jefferson Education for Teens. TJED for Teens is kind of like a Do Hard Things, which gives you a picture of the low expectations for teenagers and just exactly how to "rebel" against the low standards set for teenagers. One of my most enjoyable chatpers in the books follows along the lines of George Washington having to lead a country either for liberty or tyranny, and we're expected to return our blankets and pillows to the top of the bed. At this point, someone added, "But making your bed is hard!" He was then rejoined by ejaculations, "Yeah! What's the point of making your bed if you're going to mess it up again?!?!?!" We soon had the ladies arguing strongly for a made bed making the room look "so much nicer!" than a messy one. Who won the debate, I really don't know. Care to take a side?
Anywho. Back to TJYC... TJED for Teens had some strong areas. One of my absolute favorite sections was titled Who Are Your Mentors? One of the conclusions drawn: "When we read Einstein or Aristotle or Shakespeare, they mentor us with their ideas, wisdom, stories, and thoughts. Great books even mentor us by their flaws or weaknesses.
"Some of our greatest mentoring can also come from the characters in books. For example, you may have been mentored by Elizabeth Bennett or Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, by Anne of Green Gables, or by Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings... Think of your favorite book or movie and then ponder which of the characters mentored you most. Yoda? Jo? Laura Ingalls? Captain Picard? Most of the movies and books we see/read can mentor us if we ponder and learn the lessons they offer."
Interesting, no? "So," I thought, "who do I want to mentor me?" I think, as being myself a voracious reader, that those who read always look up to the hero and/or heroine of the novel, and try to become more like them. That may be an under or over statement for many. That's just what I find. When I read Pollyanna, I go around saying I"m so glad about such and such a thing that someone asks if I've read that recently. If I've read Pride and Prejudice recently, I go around talking in English accents and saying something along the lines of, "That shirt is tolerably I suppose, but not handsome enough to tempt me." But what would happen if I read books that much of the world implys or acclaims as "popular," "great story," or is "on the New York Times bestseller list," such as the Harry Potter series or the twilight novels? Please don't get me wrong- nothing against those who read/have read them. But I see the impact those mentors make around me in the world. For example, when I was about six or seven years old, I listened to a dramatized version of The Secret Garden over and over and over. You might be surprised how much attitude can rub off just from listening to a spoiled little girl complaining about breakfast porridge night after night after night=) My Marmee had me leave off for a while- which felt like hard punishment. But you know what, Mary Lennox was- and still is- someone I looked up to as a book heroine. The Secret Garden is a beautiful story, but I was too young to realize the impression the whining about breakfast porridge could make on me, even if it was just a voice on a tape.
Connection- music is just the same thing. One thing I've been learning lately is you are what you listen to. My parents have always allowed only Christian music in our home. And there is so much difference! When I go out to a store, and I hear music that spreads a feeling of gloom (for instance) through me, it gives me a gloomy outlook. The whole point- you are what you internalize.
'With all the different styles of music in the world today, the question will arise concerning what types of styles of music are appropriate in the local New Testament Church for the Christian today. We realize that this subject is a sensitive one in which people indeed have different styles and tastes in music they prefer. The Christian must therefore look to the Word of God for principles for music used to praise and worship the Lord, especially the music and performers we place before our people and set as role models for our children.’ -Guidelines for Christian Music
Again, please do not mistake my intentions in my beliefs. These are just the personal conclusions I have drawn.
Fourthly, while still on the topic of music- the piano recital is coming up. Guess what the date is? Also June 11th. Ach! This is supercalifragilistically nuts (for all you spellers of that word out there)! I'm learning a ten-page song called Waterfall by Jon Schmidt. I have it memorized... now just to get it up to speed! Onward! This is one of my favorite assigned songs of all time, and I can't wait to postt and share it with you.
It's a chilly night... strange for usual hundred-degree summers. I'm going to go jump in my neatly-made bed for a good book.
Just so I can practice rebelling against teen expectations and make it again tomorrow=)
Hop On for the Ride~!
Oh, and the funniest point of this week: the cheer of the murderers for Julius Ceasar: "Two, four, six, eight, who do we hate? Ceasar!" ;) Oh goodness...
Secondly, my senior graduation is coming up on June 11th. Since each of the seniors get their own slideshow with pictures, I've been busy selecting pictures for this special upcoming day. It's *sooooooooooo* hard to pick 30 pictures for fifteen years of my life!!! Don't say, "Oh, that's not too hard." I'd be too upset with you. Think about it- have YOU ever tried to select thirty pictures of you to show at your graduation??? So after that rather *ahem* strenuous event because there are simply too many pictures that I love of me and of other people and of my family and of my dogs and of... (you get my drift), I had to select a song. That was even harder. I drifted from Nichole Nordeman's Legacy and Brave to Meredith Andrews As Long as It Takes to Matthew West's My Own Little World and The Motions to Rebecca St. James' You Make Everything Beautiful to Steven Curtis Chapman (multiple) and back again to Nichole Nordeman and Rebecca St. James. Ergh! Have you ever realized how wonderful all those Christian praise artists are out there??? Oh, and for those of you wondering if I ever made my decision, let me assure you, I did. I had to=) And you'll have to live with that answer until I post about the graduation sometime after June 11th, as I don't want to be revealing the song I picked yet. Thirdly, while on the topic of music. I'm attending a TJYC class, mentored by Mrs. Deena Ortiz. Last Thursday, we had a colloquium for The Jungle Book and Thomas Jefferson Education for Teens. TJED for Teens is kind of like a Do Hard Things, which gives you a picture of the low expectations for teenagers and just exactly how to "rebel" against the low standards set for teenagers. One of my most enjoyable chatpers in the books follows along the lines of George Washington having to lead a country either for liberty or tyranny, and we're expected to return our blankets and pillows to the top of the bed. At this point, someone added, "But making your bed is hard!" He was then rejoined by ejaculations, "Yeah! What's the point of making your bed if you're going to mess it up again?!?!?!" We soon had the ladies arguing strongly for a made bed making the room look "so much nicer!" than a messy one. Who won the debate, I really don't know. Care to take a side?
Anywho. Back to TJYC... TJED for Teens had some strong areas. One of my absolute favorite sections was titled Who Are Your Mentors? One of the conclusions drawn: "When we read Einstein or Aristotle or Shakespeare, they mentor us with their ideas, wisdom, stories, and thoughts. Great books even mentor us by their flaws or weaknesses.
"Some of our greatest mentoring can also come from the characters in books. For example, you may have been mentored by Elizabeth Bennett or Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, by Anne of Green Gables, or by Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings... Think of your favorite book or movie and then ponder which of the characters mentored you most. Yoda? Jo? Laura Ingalls? Captain Picard? Most of the movies and books we see/read can mentor us if we ponder and learn the lessons they offer."
Interesting, no? "So," I thought, "who do I want to mentor me?" I think, as being myself a voracious reader, that those who read always look up to the hero and/or heroine of the novel, and try to become more like them. That may be an under or over statement for many. That's just what I find. When I read Pollyanna, I go around saying I"m so glad about such and such a thing that someone asks if I've read that recently. If I've read Pride and Prejudice recently, I go around talking in English accents and saying something along the lines of, "That shirt is tolerably I suppose, but not handsome enough to tempt me." But what would happen if I read books that much of the world implys or acclaims as "popular," "great story," or is "on the New York Times bestseller list," such as the Harry Potter series or the twilight novels? Please don't get me wrong- nothing against those who read/have read them. But I see the impact those mentors make around me in the world. For example, when I was about six or seven years old, I listened to a dramatized version of The Secret Garden over and over and over. You might be surprised how much attitude can rub off just from listening to a spoiled little girl complaining about breakfast porridge night after night after night=) My Marmee had me leave off for a while- which felt like hard punishment. But you know what, Mary Lennox was- and still is- someone I looked up to as a book heroine. The Secret Garden is a beautiful story, but I was too young to realize the impression the whining about breakfast porridge could make on me, even if it was just a voice on a tape.
Connection- music is just the same thing. One thing I've been learning lately is you are what you listen to. My parents have always allowed only Christian music in our home. And there is so much difference! When I go out to a store, and I hear music that spreads a feeling of gloom (for instance) through me, it gives me a gloomy outlook. The whole point- you are what you internalize.
'With all the different styles of music in the world today, the question will arise concerning what types of styles of music are appropriate in the local New Testament Church for the Christian today. We realize that this subject is a sensitive one in which people indeed have different styles and tastes in music they prefer. The Christian must therefore look to the Word of God for principles for music used to praise and worship the Lord, especially the music and performers we place before our people and set as role models for our children.’ -Guidelines for Christian Music
Again, please do not mistake my intentions in my beliefs. These are just the personal conclusions I have drawn.
It's a chilly night... strange for usual hundred-degree summers. I'm going to go jump in my neatly-made bed for a good book.
Just so I can practice rebelling against teen expectations and make it again tomorrow=)