Robin Williams

Robin Williams' death has been plastered all over the newspapers, magazines, and every other headline for a while now. I would like to take this opportunity to add to the many articles that have been written commemorating his work and character.
As a child, one my first experiences with Robin Williams was Jumanji. To be honest, I was quite unsettled by all of the craziness that went on in that film, but I remember liking that man because I remembered him from Hook as well. And then I saw him in Mrs. Doubtfire. The more I saw him, the more I liked him. His characters always portrayed a determined, loyal, caring man who ended up finding out more about himself through trying to protect his loved ones. This was so important to me because I value family so much. He was always fighting for his family. And he made me laugh even though the concepts were serious. He showed me that growing up didn't mean that I couldn't have fun anymore or that I couldn't still have adventures. He gave me fresh eyes to look upon the world and see that just because I'm a grown up I can still grow.
Robin accomplished making many people smile and laugh and cry and hope. It is unfortunate that he is no longer able to make more movies to continue sharing his ability, but it is important to remember that just because he is gone, it doesn't mean that his memory can't live on. His goodness will live on in his work and will continue to bring the same hope he brought to me to many other kids throughout the ages.
Robin Williams is dear to my heart, just as he is to millions of others' as well.

Spring break

This spring break, I went to New York to visit family and while I was there, I toured colleges. First, I saw St. John's and that was my first college tour ever. I was impressed with the campus security, by other than that, everything else set the bar for the other colleges. I toured Fordham after that and I was blown away. I loved the architecture and the enthusiasm of the students. The dorms were so cute and the cafeteria smelled so good. Then I saw Manhattan and I realized that I am looking for a medium sized school rather than small, as Manhattan was. Then, I visited my cousin, who attends NYU, and she gave me an unofficial tour. I also realized I want to go to a less urban school. I still want city, but not incorporated. Then, before I headed to the airport again, I went on Columbia's campus and it was gorgeous. 

One thing I'm looking forward to in May is the end of the year, just getting through finals and finishing this year. It has been quite stressful and I can't wait for it to end!

Snow Globe

         Pixar shorts are perhaps one of the most effective sources of entertainment created, but  a common favorite among these shorts is the adventures of a snowman caught in a snow globe. This is so popular among children because kids love to imagine themselves living inside of a snow globe, and think about how quaint such a life would be. Now, it may be impossible for a person to live inside a snow globe, but their memories do. This is why snow globes are so fascinating. Snow globes seem like a useless, dust-collecting object that just sits on a shelf, but they hold memories and feelings that come swirling back to the owner many years later. A snow globe may seem like a bauble to someone passing by, but to others, snow globes hold a deeper meaning of memories and sentimentality. 

Snow globes come in many different sizes and styles. Some are small and simple while others are large and ornate. Some are average sized and intricately decorated, others have a simple photo slot. Still more have cheap pieces of styrofoam while others have better quality glitter. Snow globes are unique all the way down to the memories they hold; those are what make a snow globe in a glass window of a store different from a snow globe on a shelf at home. Memories also come in different forms. Some can be fond and have happy feelings, while others may stir up negative feelings or cause pain. Others can be short little images, or they can be whole events in great detail. In many ways, snow globes and memories are similar, and a snow globe often serves as the tribute to a memory.

Snow globes are popular mementos because of their creativeness and tendencies to compile the best parts of a location or attraction. When paying close attention to a snow globe, little details and fun facts are realized. A snow globe of Arizona may have a large mountain, saguaro cactus, state capital building, hot air balloon, and even a relevant song, such as "Here Comes the Sun," to remind the owner what the best parts of Arizona are. A snow globe of Disneyland may have the most popular roller coasters, a princess castle, fireworks, cleverly dispersed Mickeys, and the tune "It's a Small World After All" to commemorate the splendor of the Magic Kingdom. Such snow globes are made for typical experiences that everyone has, but many snow globes are made to celebrate the intimate, personal life moments that are unique to those experiencing them. An enchanting, mythical, magical fairy snow globe, enclosing a young girl with wings tucked inside, holds the memory of a summer filled with giggles and picnics and tea parties with an aunt and her favorite niece. A complicated, delicate, greatly detailed scene of a quaint, little garden with a basket swing hanging from a tree holds the memories of a young girl. She sneaked into the guest bedroom that her grandparents slept in when they visited and listened to the classic tune as the music box in the base spun, and the light bounced off the twinkling glitter flakes as they swirled around the scene. A snow globe of fragile glass and sparkly glitter may seem more like a hazard than a decoration, but inside that snow globe live three happy penguins, gliding and playing in the soft "snowy" flakes, reminding the owner of her joy filled thirteenth birthday and her obsession with penguins. Snow globes can be generic with happy, commercial memories, but they can also be the keepsakes of treasured times from long, long ago. 

Just like the snowman in the Pixar shorts, it is important to remember not to get stuck in the snow globes. While walking down memory lane is sweet once in a while, living in the moment is just as entertaining and satisfying. In movies and books, one often sees an elderly character whose life revolves around his glory days, and this character either helps the protagonist realize that the present is a gift that deserves to be lived in, or he helps him more fully appreciate the gift of the life he is are given. The elderly are often thought of as only ever talking about how good they had it when they were young, or what they wish they would have done differently, but some try in vain to offer pearls of wisdom to the youth about what they learned when they were younger. Humans are not meant to live in the past, but to appreciate it, visit it, and make more memories that soon become those worth visiting. Snow globes offer the perfect balance that serve as a quiet reminder of past times, shyly sitting on a shelf, waiting for the next time to be held and shaken again as a sweet reminder of a fun memory. 

Memories and snow globes go hand-in-hand because of their similarity in description and relationship to each other. Memories are tied to snow globes, and in turn, snow globes evoke those memories when gazed upon. A snow globe may appear to be a simple little ball of glass, water, and "snow," but it is so much more when more closely analyzed. Memories are otherwise forgotten without these nifty devices that require no other aid than being placed on a shelf or in a box to be found later. Snow globes are the magic behind what makes memory lane so fantastical. Because of the innocence of a snow globe's intentions of keeping memories alive and the effectiveness in which they perform this task, snow globes are quite an interesting device to study and rediscover.

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A teenager myself, I somewhat understand what it is like to live in a world where teens are expected to act like adults, yet treated like kids. Many people know at least a couple teens that are moody and broody, tending to be anti-social and halt all attempts at conversation. Many also know teenagers that are overachievers and don't need to be reminded to do homework and fold their laundry. Then there are the teenagers that lounge around in as little clothing as possible and often opt out of brushing their teeth and tending to basic hygiene. Society tends to group teenagers like so, and those of us that don't fit one or find ourselves belonging in all three at once, begin to lose our minds at the impossibility of belonging to something.
That's another issue about society and teenagers we face today. It is uncanny how a sense of belonging is so damn important. From finding a clique of friends to sitting in the same spot at meals everyday, teenagers must have their own place, and, oh, how we get territorial...
I will use myself as an example here, so gather 'round, children.
I found my little group of friends on my first day of high school. I was the only person attending from any of my previous schools and I was panicking at the thought of eating lunch alone on the first day, in a bathroom stall, much like the beginning of the movie, Mean Girls. When lunch rolled around that day, I was determined to not let my fear get the best of me. I saw several other girls looking around for a good table to sit, so I decided to ask if I could sit with them. I did and they accepted and I found us a table. Once we sat, several more of their friends joined us and we all introduced ourselves. The next day, we sat at the same table in the same places, and the day after was similar. We remained close friends for the rest of the season, and then the semester, and then the year, and the next year, and the next. We became a group of best friends, and the funny part is, with each new area we marked as our own for our meals, we all sat in the same place everyday. On several occasions, a mix-up would occur and the monotony would be broken. Chaos ensued. Lesson learned.
So why is it that teenagers feel the need to have their own things and places and stuff? A sense of ownership is important to everyone, at least on some level. The movies generally portray teenagers to be reclusive around their families, but sneak out at night to go to parties, and have "DO NOT ENTER" on their doors. It's their room, so stay out. We all want our own place in this world, and I think it starts with claiming things, like toys or places.
I often find myself wondering which category I fit into, or if I fit into any, or if I fit into all. I can be broody when I want to, and I can get all my homework done and do chores without being asked, and sure, I can feel like lounging around in sweatpants.
I do know one thing about myself: I love my music. My earbuds go with me everywhere, and depending on the music I listen to, they determine my mood too. That is why I fit into at least one of those categories, the one about being quiet and listening to music. I may not have drastic mood swings, but they are noticeable changes in energy.
Earbuds and Mood swings.
It's a start.