Proud to be an American

I recently returned from a trip to Europe! It was spectacular. I got to eat pizza, pasta and gelato in Italy. See the leaning tower of Pisa. Toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain. See a Flamanco dance in Spain. Eat Crepes in France...And so much more that I am very grateful for! However it made me realize what I love about America! 

Here are some of the differences...

#1. The Soda Situation...Really no Dr. Pepper in Europe come on? I guess people just don't drink a lot of soda there because they don't give free refills. 

#2. The Beach...Oh wow. I am just grateful that in America women leave their bikini tops on!

#3.Men wearing capris...Never a good idea. It is just weird.

#4. Smoking! Ick I felt like there was a lot more smokers in Europe than in the U.S. but that could be that we live in Utah! Smoking on the train...Really that was just gross.

#5. The Toilet seat...Um...I just really missed it. It isn't fun to almost fall in the toilet every

time you have to go!

Hehehe! Don't get me wrong I love both America and Europe. I am just grateful that I can vacation there and live here!

Electricity!

Last week I got the opportunity to go to New York City with my mom. New York is one of my favorite destinations because Broadway just happens to be one one of my FAVORITE THINGS! I was able to see six shows...Blithe Spirit, Shrek, Billy Elliot, 9 to 5, West Side Story and Guys and Dolls. I was in HEAVEN!

I loved all of the shows and it is hard to say exactly which one is my favorite but I would say I was particularly moved by Billy Elliot. Billy Elliot is the story of a boy in a mining town in England. The town is on strike and amidst this Billy ends up getting involved in dance. The dancing in this show was breath taking and almost made me cry. My favorite part is when Billy tries out for the Royal Ballet Academy and explains how dancing makes him feel (of course it is done through song!) He describes it like electricity that he can't even control. Everyone has their own thing that makes them feel like Billy describes for me it is singing and performing. Nothing gives me that surge of electricity and energy like that does!

Dreams Really Do Come True!

The Rhett Butler Factor...

I am currently on a mission to finish Gone With the Wind. I started the book in January and still have not been able to finish it (I am only 370 pages in out of 970 WOW!) Not that I haven't been enjoying it, I just have not had very much time to read lately. 

The other day while reading, a light bulb went off. I thought I would share although it is  not very impressive or unique. Rhett Butler is so dang attractive, but why? As you read you are reading from Scarlet's perspective and all she focuses on is his faults so it seems like the reader would not like him at all. WRONG! I think it is that Rhett is HUMAN and just like your average boy/man. He is frustrating and never does quite what you think he will. He puts on this attitude of not caring when he really does. He can be arrogant and teases Scarlet shamelessly. But despite all this you can't help but love him--He is real. He really does care about Scarlet and I think he is a good character despite his faults. It gave me hope to think that boys are really worth it, despite the hassle they can sometimes cause because deep down they really do care.

The Girl I Mean to Be...

As mentioned in my previous post, I have thoroughly enjoyed the Masterpiece Theatre drama Little Dorrit. I have been watching for a few weeks and have fallen in love Dicken's masterpiece. At this point I should probably confess that-I have never read a novel by Charles Dickens. However I do enjoy watching the mini-series based on his books, especially Our Mutual Friend. 

 

Between the Little Dorrit and Our Mutual Friend I have come to really appreciate the complexity of Dicken's characters. He always has the bizare/out there characters that make no sense whatsoever, accompanied by the selfish/wealthy/snotty characters. The most important however is his selfless characters that do anything and everything for the ones they love. In the Little Dorrit this character is Amy, also known as Little Dorrit. She gives her world taking care of her father who lives in debtors prison and is somewhat impatient and selfish himself. She sees the good in him and knows there is a reason to his "madness".  She spends her time brightening other peoples lives such as characters like Pet Meagles and Maggie. Amy has her own troubles to worry about but instead she focuses on the needs of others. She is the most selfless person I can ever imagine!

Ever since I watched this show I have had a desire to become more like Amy. I want to be someone who is WILLING to do all she can to help others, someone who is selfless and is always thinking of others before themselves, and someone who would do ANYTHING for the ones they love. I have a goal to strive continually to be like her!

10 Movies I Love at this Moment...

1. Casablanca

2. Across the Universe

3. Stardust

4. Much Ado About Nothing

5. Emma

6. East of Eden

7. Gone With the Wind (what I have seen so far)

8. Anastasia

9. Australia

10. The Little Dorrit (What I have seen so far)

I Won't Grow Up...

You know something...growing up is over rated. Today as I took the ACT I thought "what is the point?" I realized that my whole high school career had built up to this moment to determine where I would get into college! AH! I would be content to act like a five year old forever, and not having to think about the FUTURE. Such a scary word. As I was in Disneyland this week, I looked around to find that everyone no matter how old became a kid again in the Disney atmosphere. I wish the whole world could be like that! Plus there would be Princesses walking around, which is always a bonus!

I guess the solution to this "growing up" situation is to fly to Neverland! You never know maybe Peter Pan will be flying through my window tonight! Hehehe!