Retraining for a Fearless Mind...

Recently, I've been working on my own personal development and changing my mindset to accomplish goals more successfully, as well as with more meaning.  I heard a man by the name of Craig Manning, a sports psychologist and past pro-tennis player, speak in my Sunday School hour at church a few weeks back, and was inspired to reset my mind and focus.  I'm even reading his book, The Fearless Mind, which I encourage everyone to read!  I talk about it non-stop to friends... I've always been a goal-oriented person, but recently I have become more successful.... and here are some thoughts on why.

We tend to focus on what we need to improve in life, rather than our strengths and ways to use those strengths to get better at things.  This provides us with a more negative than positive mindset.  It's easy to be focused on what we need to fix, and this isn't a bad thing.... but we have to retrain our brains just a little bit.  Manning says, "Don't focus on your failures because it reinforces them... Focus on success and things you do well. Every time you start to think if negativity, change it around!  Don't say don't- don't doubt!  Don't feed that.... For every negative it takes 2.91 positive to X that out!"

He's right.

We have to learn to not doubt ourselves, and thinking negatively breeds that self-doubt and deprecation.  I am not always great at this... In fact, last week I received my JPAS scores from the school district and evaluation notes from our administration here at the HS.  I was nervous even though I know I'm working hard and think I'm a good teacher.  When I met with our VP, I had done really well according to the numbers, and more importantly according to her observations.  I only had one pesky marking not reaching the top rank, and it was right below.  However, the first words out to spill from my lips were, "Why I am I low here?  What can I do better - suggestions?"  

Now, it's great to get feedback to help you improve.  It's good to note your weaknesses.  However, why was my first and MAIN focus my weakest area?  The score wasn't even negative either!  However, all weekend I thought about ways I could improve that one area.  Finally, yesterday, I took a step back and reevaluated the results... I am doing great in the classroom.  I don't even need the paper to tell me that!  I know my weaknesses and strengths already, and as I use my areas of strength to push me forward, while not suspending the areas of weakness, I grow in all areas.  I become a better educator and mentor for my students because I gain confidence and experience... and I am focused on the positive energy I can bring to my students.  Heaven knows they need that energy.... 

What is Mr. Manning's assertion?  Well, he suggests we, "Write down three things you did right that day! One thing you can do better."  I think this mindset is helping me move forward, and when I lose that mindset, I take a step back.  Focusing on the positive helps us to have the energy we need to control and reshape the negative or the "not-as-positive."

Here are some other quotes from his lesson that day:

"Get rid of doubts and fears- what CAN you do? What WILL you do? It's faith- application. It's a can-do mindset. Doubt is the adversary's greatest tool."

"How do we change our mindset and muscle memory? Manage your conscience mind and reinforce the right things. At the end of the day, focus on what you did right... What you repeat the most conditions the mind." 

"Repentance is making a commitment to move in a different direction."

"Did the Savior make mistakes? Yes. Did he sin? No. Identify the error and refocus on positive. Change the habit!!!" 

"Are you surrounded about expectations and pressure- negativity? Find a positive focus. Where are you looking for approval? Do we have control over what others think? Recondition the sub conscience- trust yourself and the spirit."

"Do you have the strength to be obedient to the Holy Ghost and trust ourselves?"

"The gospel governs us- the more we understand it, the more control we have!"

"The battle is not yours, but God's!" 

My thoughts: Turn things over to God and let him fight in your corner... Let the Savior be your advocate... He already IS, but we have to tag him in.

"We are all to be on the straight and narrow path, but they are different straight and narrow paths. There is no one ideal person... We don't want to lose the abilities that one person can bring to the table. Be an individual on the path you should be on."

My thoughts:  My favorite thought, I think.... Well, there are so many!  Haha... I LOVE this!  We are all down different paths and we have to be the best on THAT path.  We aren't all bred for the same life-experiences, challenges, or responsibilities. We all have different reasons we're here on earth, and we have to determine what those are for ourselves personally.  

"Being ordinary is doing what the world tells us we should.  Extraordinary is not about being better than others- it's about being true to yourself an finding your own path. Trust in yourself and God- there is not one path. If we think that we play the comparison game and it leads us to ordinary lives..."

My thoughts: I love this too!  We need not compare ourselves to others... We are ordinary when we become what others tell us to become.  We are extraordinary if we find that path for ourselves.  I fought being a teacher for the LONGEST time because my parents were educators and it was what a lot of people thought I should become.  I didn't want to be what THEY wanted!  I'm glad that I took my time in life deciding that I really did love teaching and wanted it for ME and no one else.  THAT is why I am becoming an extraordinary teacher.

All in all, if you need a good holiday read to get your geared on making (and KEEPING) those goals for the upcoming new year, check out A Fearless Mind by Craig Manning, and read some of his notes online.  He is a rock-star at retraining the brain to think successfully.... I am SO blessed to have heard his words and to have been already preparing my mind to accept his words and mindset.  I am a much better person in the past few months in all areas of my life... I am also MUCH happier, and I was already pretty dang happy. :)

*muah*

Song of the Day:  Obsessed with this one... perfect for jamming in the car OR gettin' my lift on! Here is Zendaya with "Replay."  Also, homegirl is a SICK dancer! :)  Check it - enjoy! 

Shakespeare Said it Best

I've been recently creating a school unit based around Shakespeare.  I'm planning to teach English or Theater and I figured that this is a subject that could be used in both.  I wanna talk about his life, time era and the culture.  I wanna talk about his writing structure and word creation and how that relates to Dr. Seuss.  I wanna talk about his plays and sonnets and modern adaptations - i.e. She's the Man, 10 Things I Hate About You, Baz Luhrmann's version of Romeo + Juliet.  I get a bit excited thinking about it, and even more so when creating a good lesson plan...

With that, I admit fully that I am a Shakespeare Nerd!  If you asked me in High School I would have claimed that would never be the case, but... I guess some great teacher in college for to me. It's a good thing too - because now I'm forming my own ways to get to students.  Who knows?  Someone might walk out of my classroom loving Shakespeare - or at least not thinking he sucketh.

I can dare to dream, right? :)

Here are some of my favorite quotes as of late....

 Twelfth Night

Love sought is good, but giv'n unsought is better - Olivia

This fellow is wise enough to play the fool And to do that well craves a kind of wit - Viola

Nay, let me alone for swearing - Sir Andrew
(I think this often... :P)

Taming of the Shrew

Who woo'd in haste and means to wed at leisure. - Petruchio

Julius Caesar

Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once- Caesar

Midsummer Night's Dream

The course of true love never did run smooth. - Lysander

O, when she's angry, she is keen and shrewd! She was a vixen when she went to school; And though she be but little, she is fierce. - Helena

If we shadows have offended, Think but this, and all is mended, That you have but slumbered here While these visions did appear. - Puck

*muah*

Song of the Day: I was watching my daily allotment of PLL as I sit here sick and Mona sings this song... It's called "In the Eye Abides the Heart."  Say what you will about it being "old school," but I fell in love.  It's gonna be a new favorite for now.  Enjoy!

Tuesday Ten: April Showers Bring... Blog Entries.

I feel like Tuesday has just crept on me these past two weeks... I like doing the Tuesday Ten's, but life is a bit crazy right now with school-work, nannying, and an involved church calling. This week, however, I have things listed above in the browser already, so I'm ready to go... I guess that's every week. I'm just sayin' that I'm doin' it - haha!

1 - Dry Humor Magician meets a Kid.... Awesomeness ensues.

2 - Hunger Games Quotes Fridge Word Strips! Love these - want these.

3 - Mario Winans "I Don't Wanna Know" REGGAE mix! I liked this song before... Love it now.

4 - The Pass of All Passes (POAP)! My bestie, Sam, got one last year and I regretted not getting one too! It's legit. You can go to certain Real, Blaze, and Bees games, go to either Seven Peaks or Trafalgars, go to the aviary or raceway, and even ice skate. You get more than you pay for if you use it only a few times... cause it's only $30! I'm down!

5 - Colton Dixon! He's a contestant on American Idol and I LOVE his music... However, even more than that. I love his passion for his faith. He's not afraid to stand up for what he believes in most. About his outward faith he states, "...it is a part of me and I want to share it—no matter what, good or bad outcome. It is me." I like him a lot - and the article below! http://celebs.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981214876

 6 - Salt & Vinegar Chips. I use to hate them, now...

7 - Fashion Star. What a cool show concept! I never would have thought to give it serious thought to watch, but it was on after The Voice, so I just watched it... LOVE the idea that I can buy the clothes right away if I wanted to... So cool! Plus, not all the clothes suck... Score.

8 - David Archuleta spotted during General Conference. Well, Conference in general was a highlight and favorite of my week, but that will get it's own entry... It was that good.

9 - Unscripted interview with Josh Hutcherson, Jennifer Lawrence, and Elizabeth Banks - Hunger Games and Hanson themes are present and thus, I am in love... It's a great "non-interview interview."

Unscripted - The Hunger Games - Complete Interview

10 - David Archuleta's "Forevermore." Here's his most recent music video... Love the sound and the song - I hope it's successful at least on soft rock stations - Haha!

*muah*

The Ravenous Match

I'm in love with The Hunger Games trilogy. 

Oh, wait. You didn't know that?  Hm... Ravenous

We obviously aren't close friends... or facebook friends... or you've never read this blog before... who are you?

Well, in case you DIDN'T know, I'm in love with The Hunger Games trilogy.  Therefore, when my good friend, Spencer, asked if I wanted to go see the first film a few hours before premier time I pretty much all but jumped out of my seat, screaming yes into the phone.  Well, I might have done that, actually... Yep.  I did.

Last Thursday, I geared up after my English Methods class and got my junior mints and honey wheat pretzels (no Diet Coke - I know... I've only had ONE in the whole month of March!  Be proud.) and showed up early enough to get pictures with the movie poster - a legit and necessary tradition - and be there for the drawings (at least Tanner won something).  It was just such a FUN atmosphere.  Everyone was SO excited and you could feel the excitement in the theater. Check out the pictures of me and my friend, Megan, sporting a Katniss-like braid and me in my Katniss's song shirt!  Haha...

After the film, I was reeling.  I really love discussing a film right after I've watched it, and greatly anticipated films I want to talk about even more.  So, as soon as I hopped in the car I was analyzing pieces of the script, creative approach to elements of the set and costumes, each actors portrayal of their character, and the themes of the story.  It enveloped my mind for the next few days and was only sated by my need to do school work and have a successful social life.  Haha!  I finally saw the movie for the second time this past Friday (helping my mom's school with the middle school reward party at Thanksgiving Point cinema) and it was interesting to be able to watch more analytically... well, other than having to listen to the "peanut gallery commentary" coming from about 200 students.  Haha!  That was an experience within itself.

SLIGHT Spoilers Below - You've been warned:

Anyway, for a book to film adaptation it was really strong and well-done.  I know there were pieces I might have liked to see more developed (i.e. Katniss and Peeta's convo about what was going to happen now that they were back and what was expected of them), but I felt they did a good job of picking and choosing what would make the story cohesive for ALL audience members - not only those who have read the books.  I know that some details were slightly changed (i.e. costume colors or designs), but I felt like they did what worked for "Hollywood" and on-camera without taking away of adding too much to the original story.  It was probably the best book to film adaptation I have seen in a LONG time... 

I know they worked really closely with Suzanne Collins (the writer) on the film script, so that's probably why it was so close.  Yes, J.K. Rowling worked on the HP movie scripts, but from my understanding, not as closely or regularly.  I love how involved Collins was in this process, because I think that's what made the huge difference.  It's also great how the actors are all so passionate about the story and the themes... I felt that showed in the acting. I was a BIT worried about their choice for Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) in that his look was different from what I expected, but I knew before he was a good actor and had faith he could pull it off - which, he did in my opinion.  Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) did a great job as well!  I didn't know she was nominated for an Academy Award in the past though for Winter's Bone... I missed that one.

Moral of this tale?  I loved the first movie.  I love the books, and love the first movie... I'm excited to watch the story grow through the next films as well.  Oh - and to read the books again this summer.  Haha!  No, but really...

Yep.  I love The Hunger Games.  

*muah*

Sidenote: I can not read any more reviews of this movie... It tends to happen the author of these reviews, or the comments below are by people who have not read the book and therefore are missing the point... it's rather frustrating. You don't have to read the book first, but don't expect the same power behind the message. Sometimes the messages developed more throughout the trilogy and not only in the first book. Had to get that out there...

Song of the Day:  Since I'm so Hunger Games happy, I've been listening to the soundtrack in my car (really great!) this past week.  I fell in love with a few songs and am sure I'll post a few this week.  The first is Taylor Swift's second song on the album, "Eyes Open."  It's a GREAT running song, let me tell ya!  Haha... Enjoy!

"Tuesday Ten" - Keeps the Bored Busy!

This week there are probably going to be too many videos for some of you... Others will love that.  I simply know that some of my readers are NOT YouTube watching fans... bizarre, right?  Haha!  All the same, each video comes HIGHLY recommended.

1 - Home - Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros Acoustic Cover (Jorge & Alexa Narvaez). I am overwhelmed with cuteness after watching this!  This dad is awesome - He doesn't try to correct her movements, notes, performance, etc. in any of their videos.... SUCH a cool bond!  I wanna end up with a man who makes time for his kids like this and realizes how much it means to a child.  Favorite part is halfway through: "One day I'm gonna whistle?" Oh my word... too adorable.


2 -Every Newsie Shufflin'!  Do you love The Newsies?  Do you love "Party Rock Anthem" by LMFAO?  If you said yes to both (or one) of those questions, you will like love this...


3 - Messy Monday: Ten Ways To Get a Girl to Like You.  I KNOW that this guy kinda appears to be yelling at you, and is a bit young, but I kinda love this video.  He gives legit advice for the most part, and I love his candy bar analogy at #3.... and think #5 is really funny.  Just watch... Some will hate it.  Some will love it.


4 - Katy Perry's Epic Flute Fail.  I died because this is THAT funny... Okay, it is to me.


5 -Misha B - Rolling in the Deep Cover from X Factor UK 2011... I saw this a few weeks back and love EVERY part of it!  I love the remix, the outfit, the giant Great Britain flag chair, the dancers, the lighting... I love it ALL!  Is she not AMAZING?!  I'm so sad she didn't win.  You have to click on the title to watch it because it doesn't have an embedding code, but the two minutes are SO worth it! 

6 - German Man Confused by "Party Pooper!"  I thought this was hilarious... Pretty classic.  My favorite: "Jennifer poops at parties, and peoples knows this?  I poop at parties, but peoples don't know because I close the door."


7- Angry Birds in Real Life... Do you like pigeons?  What about Angry Birds?  If you said no to Angry Birds, you're crazy - even I love that game.  The 17 second video below makes me smile every time - love it...


8 - Footloose 2011: Official Dance Tutorial - Fake ID Line Dance!  I love online dance tutorials - how awesome is it that I can learn to dance from some awesome guys online?!  Love that... I also love this dance! You should learn it too... now we HAVE to go line dancing so that we can use it, right?!


9 - "Coming Soon" Movie Releases... There are quite a few films in February that I am dying to see.  Some of these are the following:  The Vow, The Woman in Black, This Means War, The Lorax, John Carter, Mirror Mirror (I think I'm excited..), and... Hunger Games! Haha... I'm also excited about Act of Valor and Safe House, but they'll have to wait for a bit until I can get a differently rated version.

10 - The Hunger Games Trailer!!! So, sue me.  I'm obsessed with the books and am already getting stoked for a movie that comes out two months from yesterday.  Haha!  If you have not yet read The Hunger Games series, they are WELL worth your attention.  Get on that... and though a very good friend of mine has reseved me a ticket for the day before the film is released, I will gladly go and see it with you again.  Haha!  No, but really...

*muah*

I'm Up to the Challenge!

"I promise you that if each of you will observe this simple program, regardless of how many times you previously may have read the Book of Mormon, there will come into your lives and into your homes an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God." - President Gordon B. Hinckely

This past Sunday, Elder Tate (an area seventy for the LDS church) came to our stake center to give a fireside about the Book of Mormon.  He issued us a challenge to read the entire Book of Mormon before Christmas, and to read it with a purpose.  He encouraged us to pick a topic, such as faith or prayer, and read the BoM with the intention of further our knowledge and testimony of this particular area.  I chose the atonement.  I want to better understand my relationship with my Savior and grow in a deeper understanding of how the atonement works for me.  I know that the atonement is all-encompassing, but sometimes we lose sight of how much in our it truly covers - not only our sins, but our trials, our weaknesses, our internal and physical pains, our fears or insecurities, our heartache or worry, and more.  It is such a powerful gift, and I am still striving to grasp the entirety of all it has to offer me, and how to best utilize those gifts. 

A few other things that Elder Tate suggested, that sill help enhance the experience for us, are to make a playlist that we can listen to of inspiring and uplifting music, and to have a daily devotional with ourselves - aka: meditation and pondering.  I already have a "Sunday Songs" playlist on ITunes, but I'm making one now that narrows down the religious and spiritual songs I have (as well as, piano or orchestral music) to my favorites.  I have chosen a few songs from EFY albums,  I Can Only Imagine albums, songs from Pride & Prejudice or Finding Neverland, MoTab songs... It's more narrow though.  As for the daily devotionals, this is an area I will really need to make an effort to create time for, because I struggle with simply sitting quietly and not "doing."  He did talk about making that daily devotional time also about prayer.  I liked how he asked us to pray to our Heavenly Father and say, "Help me understand your son."

On of my friends put it best when he wrote, 

"The leaders of the Church promise that if you do this challenge, the Lord will teach you where to go, what to say, what to do."  

I know that this is true - I feel the difference in myself and in His guiding powers when I am reading and studying the scriptures.  

President Monson stated, 

"You will be the first generation to rescue your own generation."  

The first step to that is rescuing ourselves, and I truly believe that we can do that through reading and studying the Book of Mormon daily.

THIS is the time to reconnect with your Savior.  If you read, He will listen.  If you ponder, He will teach.  THIS to discover who you really are, while determining who you will become.  Who else will take the Fall 2011, Book of Mormon Challenge?

*muah*

Song of the Day:  This song is SO beautiful and amazing, as is this artist!  I just discovered him, thanks to So You Think You Can Dance and NoiseTrade's free music updates.  If you aren't getting all that free music they give out, you should sign up... for real. Here is Trent Dabbs with "Inside These Lines."

The Hunger Games

My name is Linze Struiksma.  I am twenty-five years old.  My home is in Utah.  I was at BYU.  I escaped graduated.  My favorite color is yellow and I have two webbed toes.  Today, I finished The Hunger Games series.

If you have NOT read these books and are planning to (which you should, because they're amazing!), I give you fair warning that this entry may does included some spoilers - some minimal and some sufficient.  Once read, there is no turning back... You're brain can't erase the words on the screen, so choose wisely.  Also, this entry MIGHT make me look a bit over-analytical and nerdy... I embrace it. 

Remember, I gave you fair warning...

I think I will choose to begin where it ended, and circle back around.

In a matter of moments, a few final chapters, all of the thoughts and emotions I was feeling throughout this series were wrapped up into a little package with a feeling on finality attached.  That doesn't always happen in the conclusion of a series, but I think that this particular one articulated what was needed by the reader.

Answers to all of my questions regarding Katniss and who she really is past the war zone arenas were revealed/confirmed.  All my thoughts about not only the dictatorship of The Capitol, but also District 13 and their duly fascist approach to maintaining life, were voiced.  My feelings about Katniss and her need to truly break before being rebuilt was made manifest. The "love-triangle" between her Peeta and Gale was, in my eyes, resolved... and the feelings that I had about each of those individuals need for the other was pronounced so perfectly.  They were feelings that I had felt all along, but couldn't justify feeling until the ending of the book.

I wanted to give each "player" a chance to win me over... I wanted to see each side of the issue.  Perhaps, just as the governments turned out to be created, neither would be right.  However, I didn't see that... I saw a clear-cut choice for (and by) Katniss inside of my mind, developing and mostly staying the same with each book.  However, comments of friends about one or the other man jarred me a bit while reading the series, and had me looking back to analyze the intent behind actions of each character... It was kind of cool to re-read sections with that mind set, and equally with that analytical take regarding government and human agency.

First, the love triangle.  [For those who haven't read the book, this part will probably appear confusing and moving onto my sections regarding political and social themes might be better - or equally boring?]  You do not have to agree with me on my take... just know that if you don't, you're wrong.  Haha!  No, really... I can see the points others make to a certain extent, but nonetheless, I don't agree.  That being said, I was content and comfortable with Katniss and Peeta's ending together - happy even.  I don't think that there was necessarily a "right answer" between the two of them, but I think her choice was valid.

Some can argue that there was no choice - that the two were forced together through the games and the government/media.  In the ending of the series, they didn't have to choose to be together... She could have gone after Gale, written him, and been with him.  She made a choice, and it was because love had started to form prior to the ending of the series.  Gale made a choice too.  He made a choice to stay away, believing that would be best for her and what she wanted.  Peeta also made a choice.  He chose to be there, and to make an effort to take care of her again.  I believe both choices were made out of love for Katniss, but ultimately one choice landed two individuals together.

I have heard four or five of my friends say that they believe Peeta is manipulative... The thing that strikes me as odd is that I see KATNISS as manipulative.  I mean, her strategy to win the games comes from pretending to love someone in order to gain favor from her mentor and sponsors - someone who was merely being honest about his feelings.  He had no idea she wasn't doing the same.  Also, take to heart the fact that after Peeta finds out Katniss does not in reality love him back (after truly believing she did), he must still allow her to play pretend.  We are not all built to be actors and actresses to that extent...

He is forced through media and an image to maintain a closeness with her - emotionally and physically.  Think about it - this is a SEVENTEEN YEAR OLD BOY!  Imagine the thoughts going through that head.  Add to that, the girl he is in love with holding his hand, kissing on him, and displaying an emotional response to him in public... Then inviting him to sleep with her (even if no sex was involved) in the nights.  Words spill out and honesty is released from the "love stricken" teenage boy, while it remains a vague concept coming from girl.  I would be so emotionally distraught and thinking, "Well, if she's asking me to do emotional, personal, and physical things off camera with her, perhaps I just need to try harder... perhaps I just need to keep letting her know how I feel and she'll see she could feel the same way too."  Except, I would be talking about a boy - keepin' it real.

This might all sounds crazy, but when someone is throwin' out signs, then you state how you feel about the person and they say, "Oh, you're just my friends - I'm not sure I feel that way about you...," are you not perplexed?  I would be.  I have been.

I'm not doggin' on Katniss - that's not my intention - I just don't get the bad rap Peeta gets from people.  I think it all comes down to agency and the fact that both Gale are different people, with different things to offer, and she loves them both for different reasons... Circumstances guide her to each at a different time, and ultimately, a choice is made.  It's not wrong for her... even if it's not right -for you.

In fear of dragging this entry on and on, I will make this next assessment brief.  Who is more brave: Gale or Peeta?  They're both brave - and equally yoked in this aspect.  Again, they just exhibit there bravery differently.  Example:  Gale is more of the "get in your face, stand up for what you believe in man," while Peeta is more of the "talk about it, straighten it out through words man."  Neither is right, but handles situations where lies their strengths.  To me, Peeta truly fought by saving Katniss, because he knew who she could become.  No pun intended, but he saw the fire in her before it was burning.  He knew that most powerful thing for the rebellion would be for her to be there to lead people... and he loved her.  Love is beyond powerful, especially when everything The Capitol was breeding spawned from hate and insecurity.  Cheesy?  Yes.  True?  I think so.

For me, I liked the way Katniss put in the end of the book, "That what I need to survive is not Gale's fire, kindled with rage and hatred.  I have plenty of fire myself."  I'm not gonna lie - I'm probably a mix of both... but I am all about handling situations with the least (or no) amount of violence as possible.

Sidenote:  I think it's interesting that Gale says to Peeta that Katniss with choose that which she can't survive without, and how stung she is by that assumption, yet that's that she does...  I think love is a part of surviving too, though, and she realizes that with her understanding of her feelings for each individual. 

Moving on, I have to take a moment to discuss the themes of Suzanne Collins' (author) work.  For those who have read the books, you can completely see the anti-war themes within the book.  You can see themes relating to power and the use of power within the government.  You realize how controlled the people of the districts and The Capitol are by the government, but also by District 13 and their leadership.  Daily schedules tattooed to their arms, limits on where they can go or what they can eat, and extreme forms of punishment for mild infractions... Killing children in order to gain power (by both Snow and Coin)?  It reminded me slightly of 1984, which is one of my favorite books.  She also touches on social issues - bulimia, plastic surgery, skin color, the importance of economic status, etc.  She begs the question: what is beauty, and how to obtain the right look?

Their society is driven my violence, to the extent that those in the capitol enjoy the Hunger Games and watching children die... until it is their own children and they realize the reality behind the games.  I think that's a problem in our society today.  Obviously we are overridden with violence in films, music, television, games, books, but it's more that we find enjoyment in it... because it's fake, right?  When reality kicks us in the gut and something really DOES happen to kill those close to us, we lash out at the media, claiming it's their fault.  However, are we not asking for it to some extent?  I think we are... 

The media is ever-present in each book... When something bad happens, it is filmed and tweaked.  When something good happens, it is filmed and tweaked.  The media presents things in the manner they wish them to be seen, and makes each "tribute" in the games sustain a particular image... Even Katniss finds herself acting a certain way (holding back emotion, or showing it) when in the games because she knows she is on camera, and must be what the viewers wish in order to receive sponsor's favor.  We do this today as well... We dress, dance, talk, walk, act like those who are portrayed to us as "cool" or "beautiful."  Even when we overcome to an extent our insecurities, and embrace who we really want to be/are, we still emulate who media tells us to emulate... We still ask media to "keep it comin'!" and hope to catch a glimpse of someone from a movie or a show on a magazine, commerical (propos?), or (gasp!) in real life.

It's a vicious cycle... but I admit one I'm a part of each week -watching the Bachelorette or American Idol and gossiping about who on TV reality shows are "hot-or-not."  I'm not ashamed - I DO enjoy it.  However, some people... a lot of people, let it consume who they want to become.  I'm not talking about "dreaming big," because I'm all for that!  I'm talking about people who says, "Ashley is SO pretty and has the BEST legs!  I need to have those legs."  Why?  No, you don't... Media tells you that's hot, but what you are can be considered that too, if you allow yourself to look past the raging signs telling you what to become.  How can you do that when media is ALWAYS right there telling you what to do next, or what to believe in?  How can you do that when everything that you do, every move you make, is made for someone else?

In The Hunger Games media tells people to dye their skin, to celebrate violence, to obey the oppressor, or to the fight the oppressor... It tells you what to believe, and gives you little option to form your own opinion because it's busy shoving it's opinions down your throat - just like many of today's forms of media.  I say this as a woman who wants to be a part of the industry, too. 

Wow - I am a nerd... This is getting FOREVER long!  If you're still reading, you deserve a cookie.

One more thing (though, I might think of more, to be honest - Haha!)...

I am not a crier - you all know this.  However, did I cry when reading the final book?  Laugh all you want (Ken!), but yes... Yes, I did cry.  I get emotional with books, movies, and babies for some reason.  Eh.  Now, you pose the question: where did you cry, Linze?  Let's just say not in the "traditional" spots of the book.  Well, perhaps the second time I cried (yes, I cried twice...) was legit.  I cried when the ending was wrapping up and you found out that Katniss had children - see, this was books AND babies... a double wammy for me, which is so unfair.  Haha!

The first time I cried...?  Nope, not when Prim died, and not when Peeta calls Katniss a mutt (though I did choke up a bit).  When all the tributes left in the end (6) are to vote for if they should have another Hunger Games using The Capitols children in order to even out the deaths they caused over the years to the district's children, I cried at Katniss's response.  She thinks, "Nothing has changed.  Nothing will ever change," and yet still responds, "I vote yes... for Prim."  The thing they had been fighting against, they were about to let happen again... I know rebellion was about more than the games, but they were about to endorse and support the sicklycle cycle that began the rebellion in the first place, and I literally felt sick.

I know it's just a book... but books are never really just books for me.  They're often an escape - and I get invested in the characters.  I didn't want Katniss to defile what she was striving for because of revenge of resignation to defeat.  I wanted her to take this most poignant moment to fight back.  I think she really changes when she chooses to shoot Coin, but at first I was so nervous that the cycle was beginning again... and I wanted her to really win the war.


In the end, through her ability to marry and bring children into the world, I think that is exactly what she does.

*muah*

Song of the Day: I had a friend show me this song the other day when driving home and I felt instantly in love... It's beautiful, and it's called "Paperweight" by Josh Radin and Schuyler Fisk.  Enjoy!