First of all, if you aren't a Harry Potter fan or are even slightly offended that I'm writing about it, it's ok if you don't want to read this particular blog.
Secondly, it has taken me a long time to finally read the Harry Potter series. I have always stayed adrift of the series. I have read background information, biographies on J.K. Rowling, articles, and, I have talked to lots of readers of the series. I have been able to talk with many readers of the series about Harry Potter as if I had already read the series.
But, like many Christians, I was hesitant to read it. In the early years of the series, I had at least two people give me copies of Book 1, but each time, my husband found the books and he threw them away. He had heard from other pastor friends of his (he's a pastor himself, in case you didn't know that) that the Harry Potter series was of the devil and that anyone reading it was evil incarnate.
As a reader, I didn't believe the same as he did, but I did find myself hesitant to read it still as a result of the "horrible" stories I'd heard about the series. At heart, though, I honestly wanted to read the series. I didn't want to admit it (especially not to my husband), but I've wanted to read the series for a very long time.
This past Spring semester, my students chose to read/study Book 1, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. (For those of you who don't know, in my literature classes, my students always participate in choosing our readings for the semester.) Secretly, I will admit, I was ecstatic. I would FINALLY be able to read the series and there was NO WAY my husband or anyone else would be able to tell me that I couldn't! After all, I was reading it for school/work!
Then I went in for my reversal surgery to have my bag removed as well as 8-inches of my colon. I just knew that my students would read Harry Potter while I was gone and my chance to read it would be gone....again. It really seemed as if "someone" did not want me to read it. Needless to say, that was disappointing to me, but, just before I went in for surgery, I bought the book so that I could read it during my recovery, just in case. And that's exactly what I did.
And do you know what?
Yes, I LOVED it....Imagine my excitement, then, when I got back to class after my recovery period to find that my students had not read/discussed the book yet! The only disappointment from there, as far as the classroom went, is that, because of time constraints, we had to settle for watching the movie rather than reading the book. The class discussions were based on the movie rather than the book. As you all know, movies are NEVER just like the book. While the movie was definitely good, there were quite a few things that were different, left out, or just plain wrong according to the story. Because of that, I found myself frustrated in the classroom discussions. I wanted to discuss the book as did a few avid Harry Potter fans, but the majority were very happy to settle with the movie.
UGH! I'm the first one to say that movies are AWESOME! I LOVE movies!!!! One of my favorite hobbies (besides scrapbooking, reading, or writing) is to watch movies. But when it comes to the discussion of literature, I'd much rather deal with the book over the movie, any day.
Anyway, now that I've got that off my chest, I can finally move on and talk about what I really want to talk about....the Harry Potter series itself......
So, I guess since this is already pretty long, this is "To Be Continued...."
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Forgive one another's Faults
"Disregarding another person's faults preserves love..." Proverbs 17:9
"You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others." Colossians 3:13
Isn't it funny how we've come so very far in the 21st Century as far as technology and other areas are concerned, but yet, people are still highly criticized for being different? People who are different are the people with faults that the verses above are talking about. What is a fault to one person isn't necessarily a fault to another. What's annoying to one person, is plain and simply fun to another.
There are many books and movies and other types of stories available throughout all different types of media that praise the different. For example:
How to Train Your Dragon: Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III is the smallest Viking ever. He's not a NATURAL Hero. He has to learn to be a hero The Hard Way. In spite of his faults, he does succeed in becoming the greatest dragon tamer the Vikings have ever seen. And, yes, he becomes a real hero The Hard Way. (If you haven't seen the movie, it's awesome! It doesn't hurt that my beloved Gerry [Gerard Butler] plays Stoick Haddock, Hiccup's dad!)(Samuel and I are also reading the book. While the book is very different from the movie, it does keep the essence of the fact that Hiccup is different and must become a hero The Hard Way. Samuel and I are enjoying the book just as we did the movie. We decided from the very beginning of reading the book that we weren't going to compare it to the movie; we're reading the book as if it's a whole new story of it's own....and we're loving every minute of it!)
One Night with the King: another one of my favorite movies. One of the reasons King Xerxes falls for Esther in this story is because she's different from all the other girls. It's Esther's difference that ultimately lead to her being where she was "for such a time as this." If she hadn't been Jewish--different, with faults, then she never would have been chosen by the king nor would she have saved a whole nation!
Almost every show on the Disney channel....there are so many! Hannah Montana: my favorite character on that show, the 2nd reason why I love the show, is Rico. He is a very short high school senior. He embraces his differences and has a lot of fun. I just LOVE his laugh! Hannah's brother, Jackson, is the 1st reason why I love the show. Jackson is another very short teenager (although in real life, he's over 30!) who embraces the fact that he's different. It's even the fact that he is so very different that has attracted his new girlfriend this season. (For those of you who are upset with Miley Cyrus, I completely agree, but stay focused with me on my point here. Miley's recent behavior is NOT where I'm going with this!)
I could go on and on and on.....but I'll only talk about one more from the Bible: Joseph. Joseph's own brothers hated him so much because Joseph was different that they plotted to kill him! Thankfully, they only sold him into slavery, but still! It was Joseph's faults that his brothers hated him so much for that ultimately lead to Joseph becoming 2nd in command in Egypt! If it hadn't been for Joseph's differences, he would not have been able to save millions of peope, including his own brothers and father, from severe famine! What his brothers meant for evil, God turned into good!
My point is this: even though we're in the 21st Century and many things have changed over the years and even though there are literally HUNDREDS of stories (I'm SURE you can add several of your own to my few examples) that encourage being different, people are still mocked, ridiculed, sneered at, ostracized, outed......and on and on......
What's up with that?!
I know this couple who are very good friends. They thoroughly enjoy one another [especially in the bedroom] even after more than 20 years of marriage. I have heard some other so-called "friends" say very rude things about this special couple because they don't like the fact that this couple has "evidence" of their love on their bodies. (Let's just leave it at that. I'm sure you all have good enough imaginations to take it from there. Besides, that's all you NEED to know.) I, for one, look at this couple and I Praise the Lord that I know 2 people who still want and desire one another after 20 years, especially in a day and age when there are more divorces than marriages. My Bible says that the bedroom is an honorable place in the confines of marriage. Thank God there are couples out there who demonstrate their love for another......
I, myself, as you very know, am very different. I definitely dance to the beat of my own drum. There has never been a time in my life when I have not been teased about something: my glasses, the fact that I'm chubby, I'm short, I'm loud, I tend to be obnoxious, I can get overly excited--especially during movies and parties, and the list goes on and on and on. I have embraced my differences and I don't spend a LOT of time worrying about whether or not someone thinks I'm crazy. Of course, that doesn't mean that I don't get my feelings hurt sometimes--like when I'm having a low self-esteem day.....
My son, Samuel, is fraught with differences. He doesn't learn the same way his classmates learn. He's like me in that he has a tendency to get overly excited about things. He can't sit still. He loves to play even when it's not the right time or place for it. He's gotten chubby during the past year. He is slow; he's not a fast runner. His sports abilities are also very much like his mother's....he loves to play, but ability is not part of the bigger picture. I hear him talk about being teased. I've even heard his own classmates tease him right in front of me.
I understand that much of the time, teasing is harmless and should not be taken seriously or personally. At the same time, let's face it, there's only so much a person can take before said person begins to wonder if he/she is TOO different and, as a result, develops low self-esteem issues. Some people rise above the teasing, like the examples I mentioned above, and fulfill their true destinies--their true Godly purposes in life. Others withdraw and lose all sense of self.
I so very much want to be one of the ones who rises above and fulfills my God-given purposes in life. I'm trying. I want for my son to do the same. I read these stories--watch these movies--with him all the time and we talk about how these very unlikely different people become real Heroes.
The fact remains, though, that more often than not, we aren't forgiven our faults--our differences. We're mocked, teased, ostracized.....made to feel less than.....
One final thought: it's my understanding that it's people who are different who have made the GREATEST differences in the world and the lives of people of the world......
"You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others." Colossians 3:13
Isn't it funny how we've come so very far in the 21st Century as far as technology and other areas are concerned, but yet, people are still highly criticized for being different? People who are different are the people with faults that the verses above are talking about. What is a fault to one person isn't necessarily a fault to another. What's annoying to one person, is plain and simply fun to another.
There are many books and movies and other types of stories available throughout all different types of media that praise the different. For example:
How to Train Your Dragon: Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III is the smallest Viking ever. He's not a NATURAL Hero. He has to learn to be a hero The Hard Way. In spite of his faults, he does succeed in becoming the greatest dragon tamer the Vikings have ever seen. And, yes, he becomes a real hero The Hard Way. (If you haven't seen the movie, it's awesome! It doesn't hurt that my beloved Gerry [Gerard Butler] plays Stoick Haddock, Hiccup's dad!)(Samuel and I are also reading the book. While the book is very different from the movie, it does keep the essence of the fact that Hiccup is different and must become a hero The Hard Way. Samuel and I are enjoying the book just as we did the movie. We decided from the very beginning of reading the book that we weren't going to compare it to the movie; we're reading the book as if it's a whole new story of it's own....and we're loving every minute of it!)
One Night with the King: another one of my favorite movies. One of the reasons King Xerxes falls for Esther in this story is because she's different from all the other girls. It's Esther's difference that ultimately lead to her being where she was "for such a time as this." If she hadn't been Jewish--different, with faults, then she never would have been chosen by the king nor would she have saved a whole nation!
Almost every show on the Disney channel....there are so many! Hannah Montana: my favorite character on that show, the 2nd reason why I love the show, is Rico. He is a very short high school senior. He embraces his differences and has a lot of fun. I just LOVE his laugh! Hannah's brother, Jackson, is the 1st reason why I love the show. Jackson is another very short teenager (although in real life, he's over 30!) who embraces the fact that he's different. It's even the fact that he is so very different that has attracted his new girlfriend this season. (For those of you who are upset with Miley Cyrus, I completely agree, but stay focused with me on my point here. Miley's recent behavior is NOT where I'm going with this!)
I could go on and on and on.....but I'll only talk about one more from the Bible: Joseph. Joseph's own brothers hated him so much because Joseph was different that they plotted to kill him! Thankfully, they only sold him into slavery, but still! It was Joseph's faults that his brothers hated him so much for that ultimately lead to Joseph becoming 2nd in command in Egypt! If it hadn't been for Joseph's differences, he would not have been able to save millions of peope, including his own brothers and father, from severe famine! What his brothers meant for evil, God turned into good!
My point is this: even though we're in the 21st Century and many things have changed over the years and even though there are literally HUNDREDS of stories (I'm SURE you can add several of your own to my few examples) that encourage being different, people are still mocked, ridiculed, sneered at, ostracized, outed......and on and on......
What's up with that?!
I know this couple who are very good friends. They thoroughly enjoy one another [especially in the bedroom] even after more than 20 years of marriage. I have heard some other so-called "friends" say very rude things about this special couple because they don't like the fact that this couple has "evidence" of their love on their bodies. (Let's just leave it at that. I'm sure you all have good enough imaginations to take it from there. Besides, that's all you NEED to know.) I, for one, look at this couple and I Praise the Lord that I know 2 people who still want and desire one another after 20 years, especially in a day and age when there are more divorces than marriages. My Bible says that the bedroom is an honorable place in the confines of marriage. Thank God there are couples out there who demonstrate their love for another......
I, myself, as you very know, am very different. I definitely dance to the beat of my own drum. There has never been a time in my life when I have not been teased about something: my glasses, the fact that I'm chubby, I'm short, I'm loud, I tend to be obnoxious, I can get overly excited--especially during movies and parties, and the list goes on and on and on. I have embraced my differences and I don't spend a LOT of time worrying about whether or not someone thinks I'm crazy. Of course, that doesn't mean that I don't get my feelings hurt sometimes--like when I'm having a low self-esteem day.....
My son, Samuel, is fraught with differences. He doesn't learn the same way his classmates learn. He's like me in that he has a tendency to get overly excited about things. He can't sit still. He loves to play even when it's not the right time or place for it. He's gotten chubby during the past year. He is slow; he's not a fast runner. His sports abilities are also very much like his mother's....he loves to play, but ability is not part of the bigger picture. I hear him talk about being teased. I've even heard his own classmates tease him right in front of me.
I understand that much of the time, teasing is harmless and should not be taken seriously or personally. At the same time, let's face it, there's only so much a person can take before said person begins to wonder if he/she is TOO different and, as a result, develops low self-esteem issues. Some people rise above the teasing, like the examples I mentioned above, and fulfill their true destinies--their true Godly purposes in life. Others withdraw and lose all sense of self.
I so very much want to be one of the ones who rises above and fulfills my God-given purposes in life. I'm trying. I want for my son to do the same. I read these stories--watch these movies--with him all the time and we talk about how these very unlikely different people become real Heroes.
The fact remains, though, that more often than not, we aren't forgiven our faults--our differences. We're mocked, teased, ostracized.....made to feel less than.....
One final thought: it's my understanding that it's people who are different who have made the GREATEST differences in the world and the lives of people of the world......
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
I love going to the movies
I truly love going to the movies. I would go to the movies every week if I could afford it....or if there was something I REALLY wanted to see.
It's difficult for me to go to the movies, though, not really because of money, but because when I go to the movies, I go TO the movies. (Those of you who know me at all know what I mean!) I honestly THOROUGHLY enjoy the movie I am watching, just as I do a good book I'm reading, or a good speaker, or a good joke. If it's funny, I laugh--OUT LOUD--ok, just loud. If it's sad, I cry--yes, sobbing is typically the real word for it, but who's splitting hairs? If it's action-packed and I'm on the edge of my seat, when we get to the climax, I jump up out of my seat and hoot and holler just as if I'm at a great football game!
Of course I sang every word of every song when I went to see The Phantom of the Opera. Didn't you?!
When I saw One Night with the King in the theaters, I was so caught up in the emotion of the proposal scene, that when the king proposes to Esther, I said, in my normal (whatever THAT is) speaking voice, "You don't have to ask me twice!" (That man, just like my Beloved Gerry [Butler] in The Phantom of the Opera, is H-O-T!)
When I saw Final Destination (the original), I was so scared I had to get up out of my seat and go stand where I could just peek around the corner when I felt I could handle looking!
And, yes, when I FINALLy watched one of The Lord of the Rings movies, I couldn't help shouting out throughout the whole movie all the other stories the movie reminded me of!
When I watch tv shows, I talk to the screen! And that's not just for football games! I will talk to books I read. I'll tell the girl in the story how ridiculous she's being. I even talk to the authors. Take Nicholas Sparks, for example. Every time I finish one of his books, with tears streaming down my cheeks, I'll tell him I hate him for making me cry!
I do the same when I'm reading my Bible, BTW. I talk to God when I read His word because, well, isn't His Word his "word" to me?! (I said that the way I meant it!)
I've had several so-called friends tell me that they'll never go to the movies with me again because I embarrassed them so bad. I've heard conversations on the radio where people are talking about how offensive people like me can be. And don't forget that they now have advertisements at the beginnings of movies before the previews telling people like me to be quiet. When I went to see Ironman 2 with my son on his birthday last month, the guy sitting two seats away from me, at one point, mumbled--loud enough for me to hear, "Just shut up."
I also went to a Michael W. Smith concert last year where I sang my heart out with every single song! I had a BLAST! Sure, I could tell that the guy in front of me found my singing at the top of my lungs offensive, but I was singing with joy to my Lord! My Bible doesn't say I have to sing to Him well! It says to "make a joyful NOISE to the Lord!" I refuse to allow someone else's negative attitude to bring me down or to make me feel as if I have be less than I am or to be someone I am not.
Why is it perfectly acceptable to act like a total idiot yelling and screaming at the top of our lungs at sports arenas, but it's not ok for me to do it in all other areas of my life?!
I gotta say, my friends. If you're one of those who finds people like me offensive, rude, or just plain annoying.....get over it!
The bottom line is this: I've been to a place of a pure living hell in my lifetime...more than once. I have dealt with marriage problems, child loss (3 times), being overweight, loneliness--in other words, true depression. Yes, I admit it....depression that included thoughts of suicide. And that's with God in my life. In spite of dealing with severe depression, I never lost my faith in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, PTL!
With that being said, I have been to the depths of hell and I hated every second I was there. Life was not good when I was there. I do not plan to return that that hell while I'm on this earth--nor do I plan to spend eternity in the real thing!!!!
So if my enjoying life bothers you, either get in the boat and enjoy it with me, or get out of the boat because you are the one rocking it with your negativity!!!! I'd much rather be around others who enjoy life and love Jesus with all their hearts, souls, and minds. God does not want us to live in a state of depression or just surviving day-to-day. My Bible tells me to "Rejoice in the Lord always! And again, I say Rejoice!"
Rejoice doesn't mean to like something and simply say, "That's nice." Rejoice means to be filled with JOY--the JOY of the LORD!!! To shout HALLELUJAH! To sing! To Praise His Holy Name! Glory Hallelujah!
I will say that I do TRY to go to matinees whenever I can to avoid the large crowds in movie theaters or I watch a lot of movies at home--often alone. But when I DO go to the movies, I AM going to enjoy it and I am not going to worry about whether the person beside is enjoying the same as I am or not. We all enjoy things differently and in different ways. You enjoy things your way and I'll enjoy them my way!
Tolerance isn't just for gays, lesbians, blacks, etc., etc., etc.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My parents definitely named me appropriately: Polly Anna. In the book Pollyanna by Elenor H. Porter, the character Pollyanna is someone who always sees the bright side of things even when things look their worst. Yes, even when Pollyanna falls and can no longer walk, she pulls out of her depression to see that life truly is good and well worth living! I want to be someone who can always play the "Glad Game" and always find something good in any and every situation....no matter what.
Know that when I do that even in the midst of trials, hurts, pain, and so on, I am only able to do with the help of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. "The JOY of the Lord is my strength!
"Beautiful"
[Spoken:]
Don't look at me
Every day is so wonderful
And suddenly, i saw debris
Now and then, I get insecure
From all the pain, I'm so ashamed
I am beautiful no matter what they say
Words can't bring me down
I am beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can't bring me down
So don't you bring me down today
To all your friends, you're delirious
So consumed in all your doom
Trying hard to fill the emptiness
The piece is gone left the puzzle undone
That's the way it is
You are beautiful no matter what they say
Words can't bring you down
You are beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can't bring you down
Don't you bring me down today
No matter what we do
(no matter what we do)
No matter what they say
(no matter what they say)
When the sun is shining through
Then the clouds won't stay
And everywhere we go
(everywhere we go)
The sun won't always shine
(sun won't always shine)
But tomorrow will find a way
All the other times
'cause we are beautiful no matter what they say
Yes, words won't bring us down, oh no
We are beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can't bring us down
Don't you bring me down today
Don't you bring me down today
Don't you bring me down today
[ GLEE CAST LYRICS at www.AZLyrics.com ]
It's difficult for me to go to the movies, though, not really because of money, but because when I go to the movies, I go TO the movies. (Those of you who know me at all know what I mean!) I honestly THOROUGHLY enjoy the movie I am watching, just as I do a good book I'm reading, or a good speaker, or a good joke. If it's funny, I laugh--OUT LOUD--ok, just loud. If it's sad, I cry--yes, sobbing is typically the real word for it, but who's splitting hairs? If it's action-packed and I'm on the edge of my seat, when we get to the climax, I jump up out of my seat and hoot and holler just as if I'm at a great football game!
Of course I sang every word of every song when I went to see The Phantom of the Opera. Didn't you?!
When I saw One Night with the King in the theaters, I was so caught up in the emotion of the proposal scene, that when the king proposes to Esther, I said, in my normal (whatever THAT is) speaking voice, "You don't have to ask me twice!" (That man, just like my Beloved Gerry [Butler] in The Phantom of the Opera, is H-O-T!)
When I saw Final Destination (the original), I was so scared I had to get up out of my seat and go stand where I could just peek around the corner when I felt I could handle looking!
And, yes, when I FINALLy watched one of The Lord of the Rings movies, I couldn't help shouting out throughout the whole movie all the other stories the movie reminded me of!
When I watch tv shows, I talk to the screen! And that's not just for football games! I will talk to books I read. I'll tell the girl in the story how ridiculous she's being. I even talk to the authors. Take Nicholas Sparks, for example. Every time I finish one of his books, with tears streaming down my cheeks, I'll tell him I hate him for making me cry!
I do the same when I'm reading my Bible, BTW. I talk to God when I read His word because, well, isn't His Word his "word" to me?! (I said that the way I meant it!)
I've had several so-called friends tell me that they'll never go to the movies with me again because I embarrassed them so bad. I've heard conversations on the radio where people are talking about how offensive people like me can be. And don't forget that they now have advertisements at the beginnings of movies before the previews telling people like me to be quiet. When I went to see Ironman 2 with my son on his birthday last month, the guy sitting two seats away from me, at one point, mumbled--loud enough for me to hear, "Just shut up."
I also went to a Michael W. Smith concert last year where I sang my heart out with every single song! I had a BLAST! Sure, I could tell that the guy in front of me found my singing at the top of my lungs offensive, but I was singing with joy to my Lord! My Bible doesn't say I have to sing to Him well! It says to "make a joyful NOISE to the Lord!" I refuse to allow someone else's negative attitude to bring me down or to make me feel as if I have be less than I am or to be someone I am not.
Why is it perfectly acceptable to act like a total idiot yelling and screaming at the top of our lungs at sports arenas, but it's not ok for me to do it in all other areas of my life?!
I gotta say, my friends. If you're one of those who finds people like me offensive, rude, or just plain annoying.....get over it!
The bottom line is this: I've been to a place of a pure living hell in my lifetime...more than once. I have dealt with marriage problems, child loss (3 times), being overweight, loneliness--in other words, true depression. Yes, I admit it....depression that included thoughts of suicide. And that's with God in my life. In spite of dealing with severe depression, I never lost my faith in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, PTL!
With that being said, I have been to the depths of hell and I hated every second I was there. Life was not good when I was there. I do not plan to return that that hell while I'm on this earth--nor do I plan to spend eternity in the real thing!!!!
So if my enjoying life bothers you, either get in the boat and enjoy it with me, or get out of the boat because you are the one rocking it with your negativity!!!! I'd much rather be around others who enjoy life and love Jesus with all their hearts, souls, and minds. God does not want us to live in a state of depression or just surviving day-to-day. My Bible tells me to "Rejoice in the Lord always! And again, I say Rejoice!"
Rejoice doesn't mean to like something and simply say, "That's nice." Rejoice means to be filled with JOY--the JOY of the LORD!!! To shout HALLELUJAH! To sing! To Praise His Holy Name! Glory Hallelujah!
I will say that I do TRY to go to matinees whenever I can to avoid the large crowds in movie theaters or I watch a lot of movies at home--often alone. But when I DO go to the movies, I AM going to enjoy it and I am not going to worry about whether the person beside is enjoying the same as I am or not. We all enjoy things differently and in different ways. You enjoy things your way and I'll enjoy them my way!
Tolerance isn't just for gays, lesbians, blacks, etc., etc., etc.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My parents definitely named me appropriately: Polly Anna. In the book Pollyanna by Elenor H. Porter, the character Pollyanna is someone who always sees the bright side of things even when things look their worst. Yes, even when Pollyanna falls and can no longer walk, she pulls out of her depression to see that life truly is good and well worth living! I want to be someone who can always play the "Glad Game" and always find something good in any and every situation....no matter what.
Know that when I do that even in the midst of trials, hurts, pain, and so on, I am only able to do with the help of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. "The JOY of the Lord is my strength!
"Beautiful"
[Spoken:]
Don't look at me
Every day is so wonderful
And suddenly, i saw debris
Now and then, I get insecure
From all the pain, I'm so ashamed
I am beautiful no matter what they say
Words can't bring me down
I am beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can't bring me down
So don't you bring me down today
To all your friends, you're delirious
So consumed in all your doom
Trying hard to fill the emptiness
The piece is gone left the puzzle undone
That's the way it is
You are beautiful no matter what they say
Words can't bring you down
You are beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can't bring you down
Don't you bring me down today
No matter what we do
(no matter what we do)
No matter what they say
(no matter what they say)
When the sun is shining through
Then the clouds won't stay
And everywhere we go
(everywhere we go)
The sun won't always shine
(sun won't always shine)
But tomorrow will find a way
All the other times
'cause we are beautiful no matter what they say
Yes, words won't bring us down, oh no
We are beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can't bring us down
Don't you bring me down today
Don't you bring me down today
Don't you bring me down today
[ GLEE CAST LYRICS at www.AZLyrics.com ]
Thursday, May 13, 2010
HOUSE OF NIGHT Series
OK. So after thoroughly enjoying all of the Twilight books--6 times each, including Midnight Sun, when someone told me if I liked that, then I'd also enjoy the House of Night series. So I went online to my book club and purchased all that had been out at the time. (I did buy the most recent one the day it came out even though I hadn't been anticipating it's release as I am the new one from Stephenie that is already pre-ordered on Amazon.com!!!)
I flew through the first book of the House of Night series and I did enjoy it even though I noticed quite a few unforgivable grammar errors. It was edgy and different and was taking a new look at vampires that was definitely fun.
Just in case you're wondering, yes, I've always been interested in vampire stories. I've been a huge fan of the original Dracula by Bram Stoker--the book, not the movie. (The movie made Count Dracula TOO over-the-top sexually charged, even though he obviously is such in the novel. I just thought it was TOO much.) I have read the novel at least 2x during my life-time and thoroughly enjoyed both readings! I hope to read it again one day! I also enjoyed the tv series Dark Shadows--the one that came out in either the late eighties or early nineties. I was terribly disappointed when it went off the air after only a few episodes.
Needless to say, when I first learned of the Twilight series, I didn't want to read the books because I felt that it was TOO much pop culture and I am always leery of anything that is so over-the-top. Of course, I'm now one of those over-the-top folks who squeals like a little girl getting a pony whenever I see anything Twilight!
It was natural, then, for me to want to read the House of Night series while at the same time, not wanting to read it because of the cult phenomenon it already was.
Conflicted much, Polly?
Of course not!
Not!
Back to my point. Since I already had book 2 on my shelf.....wait. I have to take a moment to say something here about this series. I have never read a series that didn't let me know SOMEWHERE on the cover or within the first few pages of the book WHICH book number in the series I was holding in my hand!!!!! Even though each and every book takes a LOT of time reminding me about EVERYTHING that happened in the previous books, may God have mercy on our souls if we DARE to read a book like this out of order in the series! But of course, we're obviously expected to read these books out of order since there's NOWHERE on the book itself to indicate which book number I happen to be reading at the time! (For Heaven's sake, I should NOT have to get on the internet and look up the series to find out which one I should be reading next!!!!)
Since I already had book 2 on my shelf, I went ahead and read it. It took me a little longer to read it than it did the first one. I forced myself to finish it, though, because I'm just that way. Once I start a book, I do try to finish it.
So now, I've been reading the same House of Night book for about 4 or 5 months. (It NEVER takes me that long to read a book. Not even Gone With the Wind takes me that long to read!) And don't ask me which number I'm on--3? 4? I have NO idea. What I do know is that I keep forcing myself to pick it up and read a page or two, but because I'm FORCING myself to read it, I'm not getting anywhere as far as moving through the book. And I don't want to.
Why is Zoey so fickle? If she's the goddess' chosen one, why can't she control her dang emotions?! I realize she's only about 16 or 17 years old, but can't even teenagers at that age control their hormones enough that she doesn't need more than one boyfriend?! Every single boy she meets, we have to read about how HOT he is. And before we know it, she's kissing said boy, but wondering why she's such a skank.
If she doesn't WANT to be a skank, then don't be a skank! Choices, chickadee! Choices!!! I read somewhere that the mom wanted her daughter to be a part of the writing of this series to keep it real as far as young people go. There is such a thing as TOO real, Cast girls. In fact, I HOPE that's not REAL. I hope that's just wishful thinking on the younger Cast writer!!!!
I will be the first to admit that I'm a boy-lover from way back. Yes, I like boys. Always have. That doesn't mean that I'm kissing every one I see or meet! (Maybe a part of that is because I'm overweight and guys don't like big girls, but I seriously doubt that!) I know I talk a lot about a lot of guys and how gorgeous they all are, but I don't go kissing them all--and I wouldn't, even if I did ever get to meet my beloved Gerry (Gerard Butler)! I might HUG him if he let me, now! And if he kissed me, it would be a simple hello peck. I mean, come on!
Now I'm just making myself look like a skank and ruining my whole point! Oh well.
To be perfectly honest, the other part that I'm having a very hard time getting beyond is the whole goddess and then the birdman thing that has risen from underground. Even as a Christian myself, I understand that stories often need to show the good vs. evil in ways beyond God and Satan, but the way this series works in the good vs. evil characters is just too much even for me.
I find myself offended by the obvious "f-you" to Christians in the way that Zoey is for the side of good, but yet she does what Bible-believing Christians know to be sinful acts. It is an obvious statement that one doesn't have to live a righteous life as long as one is for good, being righteous doesn't even factor in to the equation for Zoey. Everything she says and refers to has to with being good.
I have to say this. I just don't believe that being good is what God expects of us. My Bible says that in order to live in eternity with my God, I have to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. It's as simple as that. I don't have to be perfect or do everything exactly right--remember: Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven, but I do have to accept Christ into my heart and TRY to live according to HIS Holy Spirit.
Even though I do own all the books in the House of Night series that are currently available, I seriously doubt I'm going to make it through the rest of them. And I don't feel at all deprived or that I'm missing out on anything....not when I have Dracula or any of the Twilight books I can read.....again!!!!
I flew through the first book of the House of Night series and I did enjoy it even though I noticed quite a few unforgivable grammar errors. It was edgy and different and was taking a new look at vampires that was definitely fun.
Just in case you're wondering, yes, I've always been interested in vampire stories. I've been a huge fan of the original Dracula by Bram Stoker--the book, not the movie. (The movie made Count Dracula TOO over-the-top sexually charged, even though he obviously is such in the novel. I just thought it was TOO much.) I have read the novel at least 2x during my life-time and thoroughly enjoyed both readings! I hope to read it again one day! I also enjoyed the tv series Dark Shadows--the one that came out in either the late eighties or early nineties. I was terribly disappointed when it went off the air after only a few episodes.
Needless to say, when I first learned of the Twilight series, I didn't want to read the books because I felt that it was TOO much pop culture and I am always leery of anything that is so over-the-top. Of course, I'm now one of those over-the-top folks who squeals like a little girl getting a pony whenever I see anything Twilight!
It was natural, then, for me to want to read the House of Night series while at the same time, not wanting to read it because of the cult phenomenon it already was.
Conflicted much, Polly?
Of course not!
Not!
Back to my point. Since I already had book 2 on my shelf.....wait. I have to take a moment to say something here about this series. I have never read a series that didn't let me know SOMEWHERE on the cover or within the first few pages of the book WHICH book number in the series I was holding in my hand!!!!! Even though each and every book takes a LOT of time reminding me about EVERYTHING that happened in the previous books, may God have mercy on our souls if we DARE to read a book like this out of order in the series! But of course, we're obviously expected to read these books out of order since there's NOWHERE on the book itself to indicate which book number I happen to be reading at the time! (For Heaven's sake, I should NOT have to get on the internet and look up the series to find out which one I should be reading next!!!!)
Since I already had book 2 on my shelf, I went ahead and read it. It took me a little longer to read it than it did the first one. I forced myself to finish it, though, because I'm just that way. Once I start a book, I do try to finish it.
So now, I've been reading the same House of Night book for about 4 or 5 months. (It NEVER takes me that long to read a book. Not even Gone With the Wind takes me that long to read!) And don't ask me which number I'm on--3? 4? I have NO idea. What I do know is that I keep forcing myself to pick it up and read a page or two, but because I'm FORCING myself to read it, I'm not getting anywhere as far as moving through the book. And I don't want to.
Why is Zoey so fickle? If she's the goddess' chosen one, why can't she control her dang emotions?! I realize she's only about 16 or 17 years old, but can't even teenagers at that age control their hormones enough that she doesn't need more than one boyfriend?! Every single boy she meets, we have to read about how HOT he is. And before we know it, she's kissing said boy, but wondering why she's such a skank.
If she doesn't WANT to be a skank, then don't be a skank! Choices, chickadee! Choices!!! I read somewhere that the mom wanted her daughter to be a part of the writing of this series to keep it real as far as young people go. There is such a thing as TOO real, Cast girls. In fact, I HOPE that's not REAL. I hope that's just wishful thinking on the younger Cast writer!!!!
I will be the first to admit that I'm a boy-lover from way back. Yes, I like boys. Always have. That doesn't mean that I'm kissing every one I see or meet! (Maybe a part of that is because I'm overweight and guys don't like big girls, but I seriously doubt that!) I know I talk a lot about a lot of guys and how gorgeous they all are, but I don't go kissing them all--and I wouldn't, even if I did ever get to meet my beloved Gerry (Gerard Butler)! I might HUG him if he let me, now! And if he kissed me, it would be a simple hello peck. I mean, come on!
Now I'm just making myself look like a skank and ruining my whole point! Oh well.
To be perfectly honest, the other part that I'm having a very hard time getting beyond is the whole goddess and then the birdman thing that has risen from underground. Even as a Christian myself, I understand that stories often need to show the good vs. evil in ways beyond God and Satan, but the way this series works in the good vs. evil characters is just too much even for me.
I find myself offended by the obvious "f-you" to Christians in the way that Zoey is for the side of good, but yet she does what Bible-believing Christians know to be sinful acts. It is an obvious statement that one doesn't have to live a righteous life as long as one is for good, being righteous doesn't even factor in to the equation for Zoey. Everything she says and refers to has to with being good.
I have to say this. I just don't believe that being good is what God expects of us. My Bible says that in order to live in eternity with my God, I have to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. It's as simple as that. I don't have to be perfect or do everything exactly right--remember: Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven, but I do have to accept Christ into my heart and TRY to live according to HIS Holy Spirit.
Even though I do own all the books in the House of Night series that are currently available, I seriously doubt I'm going to make it through the rest of them. And I don't feel at all deprived or that I'm missing out on anything....not when I have Dracula or any of the Twilight books I can read.....again!!!!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Weight Loss
I'm trying to lose weight---again. I know that what works for me the most is that I need to wait until I'm hungry to eat, slow down when I eat, and actually stop eating when I'm full.
Easier said than done.
I'm learning this week that I have 2 weaknesses: 1. boredom and 2. eating to make others happy. As much as I love to watch tv (Glee and any movie), watching tv isn't getting me anywhere as far as my weight loss is concerned. It's not exactly that I'm bored with what I'm watching. It's that I don't do STILL very well.
And just because there's a HUGE pile of laundry waiting for me to fold it on the couch doesn't help my need to DO something. I'd much rather go in to the kitchen and get some pretzels or graham crackers or something else to eat. But that pile of laundry isn't going to fold itself.
But yet it's STILL sitting there.
My second problem, eating to make others happy, is not an easy problem for me, either. I'm a people-pleaser. I don't like disappointing my friends. It's especially difficult when someone says to me, "I made this [fill in food] especially for you," or "I was thinking of you when I made this [food]." It's bad enough when I hear that, but when what they make is something I REALLY like...? It's over. You might as well add the pound on the scale before I even step on it.
My friends, if you read this, remind me that I have a DVR that will record any tv show I might want to see or I can always just watch the DVD that I probably own. And please don't be offended if I don't eat what you make or bring for me [right away]. Most of the time, I can save it for later!
I am ready to change. It's time for me to be the size I'm supposed to be!!!
Easier said than done.
I'm learning this week that I have 2 weaknesses: 1. boredom and 2. eating to make others happy. As much as I love to watch tv (Glee and any movie), watching tv isn't getting me anywhere as far as my weight loss is concerned. It's not exactly that I'm bored with what I'm watching. It's that I don't do STILL very well.
And just because there's a HUGE pile of laundry waiting for me to fold it on the couch doesn't help my need to DO something. I'd much rather go in to the kitchen and get some pretzels or graham crackers or something else to eat. But that pile of laundry isn't going to fold itself.
But yet it's STILL sitting there.
My second problem, eating to make others happy, is not an easy problem for me, either. I'm a people-pleaser. I don't like disappointing my friends. It's especially difficult when someone says to me, "I made this [fill in food] especially for you," or "I was thinking of you when I made this [food]." It's bad enough when I hear that, but when what they make is something I REALLY like...? It's over. You might as well add the pound on the scale before I even step on it.
My friends, if you read this, remind me that I have a DVR that will record any tv show I might want to see or I can always just watch the DVD that I probably own. And please don't be offended if I don't eat what you make or bring for me [right away]. Most of the time, I can save it for later!
I am ready to change. It's time for me to be the size I'm supposed to be!!!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Low self-esteem day
I am having a low self-esteem day. Granted, it's been coming for several days now, but today has sent me over the top. It very well might be just plain and simple depression, but aren't the two closely linked?!
I am having a VERY hard time with this whole student complaint issue. It just makes me so angry that THIS guy of all students is complaining about me!!! I mean, honestly! I would have bet a whole paycheck that he hadn't read much of anything throughout the whole semester. Of course, at some point this semester, I even commented in class---out loud to the whole class----that I didn't think he'd read anything. Apparently, my comment upset him.
I was thinking this afternoon as I was driving back from Hickory that it is amazing how whenever a person is having a low self-esteem day, any negative comment from someone is magnified a thousand-fold. (More on how that applies to ME, personally, in a few.) So, it hit me that there is a big possibility that the day I was joking around in class about this student not reading much of anything might possibly have been a low self-esteem day for him. Rather than taking it all in stride as I thought he would, he was really hurt and deeply offended.
Rather than letting it go. He has held on to it and has allowed it to really get to him. To the point where he felt the need to go to DR. HINSHAW to complain. I honestly think that his hurt feelings are the heart of his whole complaint about me. But it's been buried in amongst other comments and complaints that he's shared with Keith Mackey. Only one of which has to do with the fact that it took Adrian so long to grade the few assignments students had to do for him during my absence because of my surgery.
Back to me and my low self-esteem day. Because I'm so down and depressed about this student complaint issue, I woke up this morning feeling like I could burst into tears. It didn't get any better as I arrived on campus for graduation this morning. Then, I was sitting with someone who finds it offensive for folks to cheer and make noise as the graduates walk across the stage, so, even though I had fully intended to applaud and shout for many of my students, I only did it for one.
Then, the students who were sitting the closest to me wanted to know why they didn't get the same out of me when they walked across the stage!!! I'm so co-dependent. It just about killed me to think that I disappointed them or made them feel less important than the one girl I DID actually shout and applaud for!!!
Needless to say, I raced out of graduation without speaking to anyone and left campus immediately rather than staying on campus for a little while and getting a little more of my work done.
I was excited about seeing IRONMAN 2 with Samuel and James this afternoon in celebration of Samuel's 9th birthday. Yes, his birthday was May 1, but it's not our fault IRONMAN 2 didn't come out until THIS weekend instead of last!!!! During the previews, I got to see my first look at ECLIPSE and it looks AWESOME!!!!! About mid-way through IRONMAN, I had been THOROUGHLY enjoying the movie, btw, the guy about 4 seats down from me said, "Shut up."
Who else would he have been speaking to if not to me? I gotta tell ya. I know I have a tendency to get carried away when I go to the movies, but honestly, today was a day when I was actually being really good! I'd only hollered really loud and obnoxiously during the ECLIPSE preview and had laughed out loud only a couple of times. So when I heard him tell me to shut up, it really hurt.
After having felt rotten for most of the day up to that point, I was really trying hard to pull myself out the funk I'd gotten in. I was enjoying my time with my son and I was certainly enjoying the movie. How DARE HE insult me?!
It was when I was in my car driving home that I had the epiphany.
This guy's comment in the movie helped push me over the precipice into the vortex of despair that I had been desperately trying to stay out of. I don't blame him. Not really. I mean, honestly, I was already so far off the edge, it only took a feather's touch to send me over. Besides, how was he to know that I was having a low self-esteem day?
Oh dear. Isn't that quite possibly what I did to this student I've been so upset about? What I mean is that it is quite possible that said student was having a low self-esteem day the day I teased him about not reading much of anything in class. I pushed HIM over the edge--maybe. I mean, think about it. This is a guy whose grades have never been that great. His GPA isn't such that he has demonstrated aptitude as one of the best students.
Does that mean he's stupid? Absolutely not. It's been obvious that he's a very smart guy. As far as SCHOOL goes, though, he's as lazy as they come. (Let me see how much deeper I can dig the hole I've dug about all the negative things I can say about this guy.)
What I'm trying to say is that maybe, just maybe, this student who has complained about me this semester has been dealing with low self-esteem issues and I was one of the people who made it worse rather than better. Instead of building him up, I helped tear him down even more.
Exactly how I've been feeling.
The difference between him and me, though, is that he took his frustration and discouraging feelings out on someone else--me--while I will be able to let all of this go and be back to my true "Pollyanna" self after I spend some time reading my Bible and worshipping. OK. And eating some comfort food! I will be able to overcome my feelings of low self-esteem because I know exactly who I am and where I'm going. That doesn't mean I am always full of the joy of the Lord, but it does mean that I do have the full joy of the Lord.
Thus, within a day or say, I'll be fine.
What or who does this student have? Friends and family, I'm sure. But we all know that quite often they're more of a sounding board when we're upset and frustrated about how someone has treated us. These friends and family members can even add fuel to our fire of negativity in their efforts to help.
Only by taking my problems to the foot of the cross can I overcome and experience God's oil of joy. PTL! So rather than being discouraged by the complaints, I am reminded, again, of just how fragile we all are. Even when we think someone is able to handle our teasing, we have to be conscious of the fact that EVERYONE has bad days....and we never know when those around us are having bad days.
This is a lesson I continue to learn and relearn and learn again. It's been hounded into me over and over throughout the years because, for some reason or another, I haven't TRULY learned it....at least, not well enough so that I don't do it again.
The final word is this: 1. Always remember that we don't really know what's going on with[in] the people around us. 2. We need to put ourselves in others' shoes. If we wouldn't like something, then it's pretty much guaranteed that they won't either.
I didn't like having my feelings hurt today during the movie when I was simply enjoying the movie. My student didn't like having his feelings hurt when he was just trying to participate in a college English class.
One final note: to this student as well as anyone else whose feelings I may have inadvertently hurt over the years, from the bottom of my heart, I sincerely apologize. I can't promise that I won't do it again, but I do promise that it won't because I MEAN to do it.
You don't need to apologize to me for hurting my feelings. I know you didn't mean to hurt my feelings just as I didn't mean to hurt yours....
(I sure hope this came across in the positive light I meant for it to! Also, if you don't comment or pick on my about my grammar mistakes, I promise that I won't ever say anything about yours!)
I am having a VERY hard time with this whole student complaint issue. It just makes me so angry that THIS guy of all students is complaining about me!!! I mean, honestly! I would have bet a whole paycheck that he hadn't read much of anything throughout the whole semester. Of course, at some point this semester, I even commented in class---out loud to the whole class----that I didn't think he'd read anything. Apparently, my comment upset him.
I was thinking this afternoon as I was driving back from Hickory that it is amazing how whenever a person is having a low self-esteem day, any negative comment from someone is magnified a thousand-fold. (More on how that applies to ME, personally, in a few.) So, it hit me that there is a big possibility that the day I was joking around in class about this student not reading much of anything might possibly have been a low self-esteem day for him. Rather than taking it all in stride as I thought he would, he was really hurt and deeply offended.
Rather than letting it go. He has held on to it and has allowed it to really get to him. To the point where he felt the need to go to DR. HINSHAW to complain. I honestly think that his hurt feelings are the heart of his whole complaint about me. But it's been buried in amongst other comments and complaints that he's shared with Keith Mackey. Only one of which has to do with the fact that it took Adrian so long to grade the few assignments students had to do for him during my absence because of my surgery.
Back to me and my low self-esteem day. Because I'm so down and depressed about this student complaint issue, I woke up this morning feeling like I could burst into tears. It didn't get any better as I arrived on campus for graduation this morning. Then, I was sitting with someone who finds it offensive for folks to cheer and make noise as the graduates walk across the stage, so, even though I had fully intended to applaud and shout for many of my students, I only did it for one.
Then, the students who were sitting the closest to me wanted to know why they didn't get the same out of me when they walked across the stage!!! I'm so co-dependent. It just about killed me to think that I disappointed them or made them feel less important than the one girl I DID actually shout and applaud for!!!
Needless to say, I raced out of graduation without speaking to anyone and left campus immediately rather than staying on campus for a little while and getting a little more of my work done.
I was excited about seeing IRONMAN 2 with Samuel and James this afternoon in celebration of Samuel's 9th birthday. Yes, his birthday was May 1, but it's not our fault IRONMAN 2 didn't come out until THIS weekend instead of last!!!! During the previews, I got to see my first look at ECLIPSE and it looks AWESOME!!!!! About mid-way through IRONMAN, I had been THOROUGHLY enjoying the movie, btw, the guy about 4 seats down from me said, "Shut up."
Who else would he have been speaking to if not to me? I gotta tell ya. I know I have a tendency to get carried away when I go to the movies, but honestly, today was a day when I was actually being really good! I'd only hollered really loud and obnoxiously during the ECLIPSE preview and had laughed out loud only a couple of times. So when I heard him tell me to shut up, it really hurt.
After having felt rotten for most of the day up to that point, I was really trying hard to pull myself out the funk I'd gotten in. I was enjoying my time with my son and I was certainly enjoying the movie. How DARE HE insult me?!
It was when I was in my car driving home that I had the epiphany.
This guy's comment in the movie helped push me over the precipice into the vortex of despair that I had been desperately trying to stay out of. I don't blame him. Not really. I mean, honestly, I was already so far off the edge, it only took a feather's touch to send me over. Besides, how was he to know that I was having a low self-esteem day?
Oh dear. Isn't that quite possibly what I did to this student I've been so upset about? What I mean is that it is quite possible that said student was having a low self-esteem day the day I teased him about not reading much of anything in class. I pushed HIM over the edge--maybe. I mean, think about it. This is a guy whose grades have never been that great. His GPA isn't such that he has demonstrated aptitude as one of the best students.
Does that mean he's stupid? Absolutely not. It's been obvious that he's a very smart guy. As far as SCHOOL goes, though, he's as lazy as they come. (Let me see how much deeper I can dig the hole I've dug about all the negative things I can say about this guy.)
What I'm trying to say is that maybe, just maybe, this student who has complained about me this semester has been dealing with low self-esteem issues and I was one of the people who made it worse rather than better. Instead of building him up, I helped tear him down even more.
Exactly how I've been feeling.
The difference between him and me, though, is that he took his frustration and discouraging feelings out on someone else--me--while I will be able to let all of this go and be back to my true "Pollyanna" self after I spend some time reading my Bible and worshipping. OK. And eating some comfort food! I will be able to overcome my feelings of low self-esteem because I know exactly who I am and where I'm going. That doesn't mean I am always full of the joy of the Lord, but it does mean that I do have the full joy of the Lord.
Thus, within a day or say, I'll be fine.
What or who does this student have? Friends and family, I'm sure. But we all know that quite often they're more of a sounding board when we're upset and frustrated about how someone has treated us. These friends and family members can even add fuel to our fire of negativity in their efforts to help.
Only by taking my problems to the foot of the cross can I overcome and experience God's oil of joy. PTL! So rather than being discouraged by the complaints, I am reminded, again, of just how fragile we all are. Even when we think someone is able to handle our teasing, we have to be conscious of the fact that EVERYONE has bad days....and we never know when those around us are having bad days.
This is a lesson I continue to learn and relearn and learn again. It's been hounded into me over and over throughout the years because, for some reason or another, I haven't TRULY learned it....at least, not well enough so that I don't do it again.
The final word is this: 1. Always remember that we don't really know what's going on with[in] the people around us. 2. We need to put ourselves in others' shoes. If we wouldn't like something, then it's pretty much guaranteed that they won't either.
I didn't like having my feelings hurt today during the movie when I was simply enjoying the movie. My student didn't like having his feelings hurt when he was just trying to participate in a college English class.
One final note: to this student as well as anyone else whose feelings I may have inadvertently hurt over the years, from the bottom of my heart, I sincerely apologize. I can't promise that I won't do it again, but I do promise that it won't because I MEAN to do it.
You don't need to apologize to me for hurting my feelings. I know you didn't mean to hurt my feelings just as I didn't mean to hurt yours....
(I sure hope this came across in the positive light I meant for it to! Also, if you don't comment or pick on my about my grammar mistakes, I promise that I won't ever say anything about yours!)
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