Rent

I saw a production of “Rent” this past weekend.  The theatre department at my school put it on.  WOW, do we have some talent here!  They sounded amazing together.  I came close to crying many times throughout the show.  For those of you who haven’t seen it, Rent is rock musical about a group of friends, most of whom are dying of HIV AIDS.  It follows a year in their life, chronicling their journey with each other and the disease.  Like most modern musicals, it makes you think and reflect.  I watched as one girl pole danced, another started a lesbian relationships, a third watched his gay partner die.  I just wanted to run up on stage, hold each one in my arms and ask “WHY? Why are you doing this to yourselves? Go back home! Go to college! You can have a wonderful, prosperous life.  You don’t need to be rebellious!” 

How tragic that this is very prevalent in American society.  We’ve told people that truth does not exist and whatever feels right to them is the correct path.  We’ve led them straight to their deaths; we should feel intense shame.  Every time you treat someone’s sexual struggle with anything less than empathy and sincere love, you have helped push them down a path you don’t want them to go.  Please don’t misunderstand me.  I’m a firm believer in personal responsibility.  People need to own up to the responsibilities of their actions.  But that includes us.  I’m sick of people pointing a finger at gay communities while failing to examine their own hearts.  

If you have ever prayed for God to break your heart with the things that break His, you should not allow your heart to feel disdain and anger at people who are hurting.  Even if it is of their own doing.  The prodigal son received censure only from his brother.  His father’s arms were held open for the day when the prodigal would return.  

Blessings,
Em

p.s. Here are my two favorite songs from the musical!

Good in Hollywood?

I never thought I’d say this, but I am very impressed with Beyonce!  For those of you who haven’t heard about what happened at the VMA awards, watch this video. This is just another story that proves that there still is a lot of good going on in our country!

So why am I impressed with Beyonce?  According to Celebuzz, later on that night Beyonce’s video won Video of the Year (ironically enough).  When she rose to give her acceptance speech, this is what she said:

“Thank you. I remember being 17-years-old, up for my first MTV Award with Destiny’s Child and it was one of the most exciting moments in my life. So I’d like Taylor [Swift] to come out and have her moment.”

Taylor then was able to thank her fans.  I’ve never been very impressed with Hollywood.  They have continually drug down the morality in our society, instead of encouraging our culture and building it up.  But the respect and character that Beyonce showed was amazing and inspiring.  It was what Hollywood needs.  It makes me wish I was a fan of hers (or at least her genre of music).  I want to support her and send a message to hollywood that says “This is what I want to see more of!”  Anyone have any good recommendations of Beyonce songs/albums that would make a good buy?

It’s America

Happy Independence Day!  I’m off to celebrate my freedom with relatives I haven’t seen in awhile!  I wanted to leave you all with one of my favorite songs to commemorate this day and our wonderful country.  Rodney Atkins really got it right with this tune.  I listen to it (or watch the video) and can place real names and faces of individuals I know in it.  Forget, for a few minutes, corrupt politicians and bustling cities full of crime.  This song says what America truly is.

legacy of fun

I believe that humans tend to stereotype the generations that have come before us.  Has anyone else noticed this?  We give those we deem “older people”  5 stars for being people who did the right thing and were good, honest citizens, but don’t believe they can relate to who we are today and how society now functions.  But if you study history, you see people who overcame obstacles much bigger than we currently deal with.  They have left us a legacy, and its not only of hard-work and pride, but of fun, as well.  History is full of people who were far more talented than most stars today.  I’d love to see someone from my generation do this.  This video was an impromptu performance taped at the Mayo Clinic (I do not know why they were there.)  This couple was married 62 years at the time of the performance. (I’d love to see any of my generation make THAT, too!)  Enjoy!

what I’m for

College was a huge stretcher for me.  I loved it–really, I did.  However, as much as I enjoyed the challenge, by the end of the year I have to admit there were things that I was tired of.  I was tired of always being on the defense. It seemed like every professor believed differently than I did when it came to . . . well, everything.  I don’t make a habit of starting arguments just to state my beliefs.  If I’m going to debate you, its because there is a vital, important reason the argument needs to be exposed.  That almost never happens in college.  So when I claim to be on the defense, its more or less watching what I say so I don’t appear to agree.  Example: I’m not a feminist, but I had to try to join the discussion in my Women’s Studies class without sounding all excited about the movement (that would be deceitful and lying) or being a mean jerk and cutting apart the beliefs that are very close to the other womens’ hearts.  I’m grateful that I was able to make friends with people whose views differ from mine.  But the mental game got wearing.  I was tired of trying to figure out other people’s beliefs and have them try to figure out mine.  I wasn’t the only student who didn’t feel it necessary to wear my heart on my sleeve over issues of gay marriage, abortion, capital punishment, feminism, media power, religion, etc. etc.  When you first meet people, no one cares, but over time, these issues start to come up.  I’m not ashamed of what I stand for; these issues would eventually come up with my friends and I found ways to say where I stand.  But I got sick of it.  I heard a song I’m going to share on the radio recently, and I was honestly amazed.  The message isn’t that rare.  Its just a guy stating all the little things in life that he stands for.  We’ve all done that.  But there’s this catch-phrase, of sorts, that amazes me:

You don’t have to guess what I’m against if you know what I’m for.

Wow.  Its simple, but yet so profound.  And it hit me with a huge force.  So maybe you and I disagree on some major, touchy issues. But if you examine the little things, those issues that actually make life what it is, I’ll bet we agree on a whole lot more.

I was only able to find a live, accoustic version of this song.  Normally I don’t like to play those, because the musicians always hit some wrong notes, but Pat Green did a decent job.  Please ignore the mistakes and listen to the powerful message!

Blessings,
Emily Grace

piano man

I can’t believe my last post was 11days ago.  And it wasn’t even a “real” post, just some cheater picture.  I logged on today and find that WordPress has a whole new look to it’s dashboard.  I’ll have to learn all the new gadgets now.  I’m kind of excited about it.  It’s renewed my vigor for blogging. 

I am sorry for the neglect.  I was getting lazy, then finals hit, I was sick for awhile…bla, bla, bla.  I can come up with many excuses, but honestly I could have found the time. 

But hey, I need to tell you about a book I’ve discovered!  The Piano Man by Marcia Preston.  This story is amazing. Part of me was drawn to it because I’m a musician, I admit.  The story is about a violinist who has given up his past life of symphony music and is playing piano in a bar.  However, he is a recipient of a heart-transplant.  The smoke and alcohol aren’t really what the doctor would recommend.  Read about how this man finds his beauty (music) once again.  To quote from the book’s synopsis, the moral is how the character’s “grow to understand that life’s most beautiful music still comes straight from the heart.”

It has inspired me to start working on my lacking piano skills once again.  Of course, I’ve now had the following song in my head all weekend.  The book really does compare to the lyrics of this well-known ballad. 

 Blessings,
Em

close your eyes and dream . . .

Hands

Look around you.  Doesn’t it seem our world is just falling to pieces?  The war, the famine, the hatred, the insecurity, the stress, the disease, the depression.  It’s all beginning to rule us.  Nothing is black and white anymore; everything has becoming intensely complicated.  And sadly, so much is out of our control.  There’s nothing we can do; it’s completely out of our hands.

That’s why I love the song “Hands” by Jewel.  It’s a reminder that, one person at a time, we can change the world.  We can make it a better place.  How?  By doing what we can.  By stepping up to the plate in those few circumstances where we still exhibit control. 

The world is, as they say, going to ‘hell in a handbasket’.  And it’s our fault.  Humanity has screwed up.  Big time.  But if we band together, we can accomplish so much.  There are ‘a few good men’ still left over.  Civilization depends on those who consider themselves in that group to rise up and take a stand. 

We need to join hands and work side by side.  Ignoring our differences and preferances, we must make sacrifices for others.  Cast off this selfish, prideful attitude of “it’s all about me” and pay attention to those around us.

My favorite line this song is in the chorus, when Jewel says, “My hands are small, I know, but they’re not yours, they are my own.”  We don’t have to give much, just what we have.

I challenge you, as I’m challenging myself, to look in your community and find that spot where your hands are needed.  Then, all across the globe, let’s join hands.

Hey, Jude!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqXYwNDrU8k

I’m having trouble uploading this as a video, but it’s worth linking, so please head over and watcht his!  It’s so adorable!  I promise it will make your day.  Get ready to smile!

Love,
Em

A new experience

I got to register for classes at my college yesterday!  It was my first time signing up for college and was SO EXCITING.  I was disappointed that some of my classes I wanted were full, but I guess I’ll just take them next semester.  Now I’m all excited to go to college.  I’m even more ready to be done with this joke they call High School.  I always thought I’d hate my freshman/sophomore years of college due to generals–why am I re-taking everything I just spent four years of High School learning?–but actually, due to taking College in the High School and Post Secondary Enrollment Option, I have some core subjects out of the way (like English 101 and math) and other generals I can take fun and interesting classes on.  For example, I had to take a “critical thinking” course and one of them was Musical Thinking and the effects on our culture.  I can’t believe that’s a CLASS.  I hope it’s really as interesting and fun as it sounds.  I love education and I love learning, and it was SO encouraging to be able to get interested in it once again.  Man, this Senior Slums stuff really kills.  I want to learn something interesting and useful again, not the same ol’ same ol’ crap that leaves me lazy and bored.  I’m totally ready to move into my dorm–that I don’t yet have–tomorrow. 

But I still have to get through this summer, first.  It’ll be a good summer, though.  I’ll keep busy and I have a lot of fun with my summer jobs.  This year I’m going back to my Bible camp as Media Coordinator.  So, just a warning, you’ll probably hear a bunch of stuff about that.  You’ll get all my cute stories kids do and stresses and pictures, etc.  It’ll be fun.  I’m also hoping to do some Freelance Writing.  This week I’m having a friend design business cards for me to send out.  I’m realistic enough to know that, as my first attempt, I won’t get too much publicity and work, but I have to start sometime.  Why not now?

And, back to my college register . . . the best part is that I have no morning classes and Friday is completely empty!!!  As a High School-er it’s hard to fathom such luxury, but I home schooled for four years and I remember having four day weeks one year.  It was pure bliss.  I actually learned more that year than I think I ever have. . . not necessarily because of the schedule, though.  It was just good curriculum–and the curriculum happened to give three day weekends.  What could be better?  I’m hoping that maybe I can use those Fridays to write. . . maybe I can keep my freelance business going, then.

Well, that’s my life.  Sorry I bored you with a journal entry, today.

Your Excited almost-college-student,

Em