Find the Light

Disney's Frozen has taken the nation by an (icy) storm. Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff, and the trolls have all won our hearts. The entire movie has won over the country, with it's incredible musical numbers, strong story line, and great characters, it's no wonder the movie has remained on top. 

I was watching Frozen this weekend with my roommates and a few of my SAI sisters, all of enjoying the movie for all it's worth, including a heavy discussion of it's subtext. The feminist inside me cheers for Elsa and her refusal to approve of her sister's marriage. I appreciate that Kristoff respects Ana and her life, despite how he feels about her. The movie, for the most part has had a lot of positive feedback, but it's also had some negative whiplash. Some of which, I can handle, and some of which just gets under my skin. 

As much as I love Elsa's anthem, "Let It Go", I'm frustrated by the fact that Disney found need to make her look so sexy. 

It's not that I'm not okay with women feeling empowered, obviously. If you've watched the film closely, you know that before Elsa creates her own outfit/style, she dressed exactly like her mother. My only problem, and I do mean only problem is that Elsa's new out includes a very high slit, and focus on her hips as she struts through her brand-new ice palace. I could have done without that one little detail. Other than that, I cheer for Elsa, thinking "get it girl!" "wow!" "You're amazing" and "good for you."

"Let It Go" is a great song for young girls, and I believe that Frozen as whole, is healthy for them. Anna is quirky and fun, with plenty of human error inside of her, from a temper to snoring, and a huge appetite. Many people have accused Elsa of teaching children to be disobedient or to be disrespectful. All I can hear in this song, and believe me, I have listened critically, is that it's important to move on, and to explore our talents and personality. Elsa teaches that it's okay to be different, even if it's not what everyone else had in mind for you. 

Let's go ahead and just state the obvious; that Elsa and Anna teach about true love, and sisterly love. Anna was willing to die for her sister, how many of us are willing to do that? The pair, despite their differences, are there for each other. 

My favorite lesson in Frozen is one that I haven't seen a lot of people post or discuss.

We're only saying that love's a force that's powerful and strange
People make bad choices if they're mad or scared or stressed
But throw a little love their way, and you'll bring out their best
True love brings out the best                     -  "Fixer Upper" 

You can't even argue with that logic. The trolls, without even knowing what has happened between Anna and Elsa, have explained why Elsa has behaved the way she has for years. She's scared and stressed, and now she's lashing out at people.

There are very few children's movies that offer such a large moral background, of love and respect for people. The fact that for the first time, the movie doesn't with wedding or implied wedding is a positive image for children everywhere, not just the girls. That Kristoff and Anna provide mutual help for the other helps to show an ideal relationship, and that the pair started off as friends gives sets an excellent example of how relationships should go.

Is Frozen perfect? No, I still won't let go of my issue with Elsa and her "sexy hips". But I think in regards to self-love, self-image, healthy relationships both romantic and platonic, and overall good vibes, this movie does the job.

We as Christians, and as Catholics, struggle with finding the Light in the media all around us. Lucky for us, Frozen isn't a struggle to find healthy values and strong morals. The Light is staring us right in the face, we don't have to dig for it. We don't need to go digging for something negative when there is so much positive around us. We just need to throw a little love towards negative Nancy's in our lives, and focus on the positive all around us.

I've been struggling all semester with being positive. I've felt overwhelmed, scared, frustrated, stressed, and hurt. And I think a large part of that has been that I've focused on it. Luckily for me, April is a good month. And it's a great time to start focusing on the positive again. So whether's it's while watching a children's movie, singing a song, or the entire way you live your life, let's try and focus on the Light of Christ this month, and the months to follow.

Totus tuus,

LeAnn

Brand Stinkin' New

So, I haven't formally introduced them yet, but I have a lot of new this semester, and considering how serious my last few posts have been I thought I would lighten the mood and share a little about myself.

I moved in with Katie and Jessica, my two new roommates, in August, and have not regretted the move at all. We live in a house, with Jessica's dog and my crazy cat.  And let me tell you, there is never a dull moment.  They're both older than me, we are all in SAI (Sigma Alpha Iota), all have a music background, and most importantly, we love Grey's Anatomy.  And really any trashy but not too trashy TV shows.  Thursdays were recently declared roommate nights, and it was such an entertaining time.

My next level of new is my feline friend who now shares a bedroom with me. Severus is just my dream kitty. Yes, Severus as in Severus Snape, from Harry Potter.  He's maniac generally after 8 pm, and playful around 7:30 am when I'm trying to make myself presentable for classes every morning. He's definitely an interesting addition to my every-day life.

My third new is my Pittsburg family. Don't get me wrong, they aren't all new to my life but the group as whole is. We have this broad group of friends that make up what one of my closest friends, Myka, likes to call our family. We took a family photo at our first football game of the season two weeks and I just had to share it.

Aren't we just a fun looking bunch of Gorillas? Because we totally are! 

My final new, and one I am just crazy excited about, is my first Little in SAI. I have the honor of being Miss Makayla King's Big! And I'm extremely excited to get be that person for her. She's part of the previously-mentioned family. She's so sassy and fun be around, and also loves Grey's Anatomy, so we know shes's a keeper. 

There's so much going on, between homework and practicing for lessons and wind ensemble. Twenty-three hours worth of classes, choosing and preparing my pieces for junior barrier, and designing more documents than I can count. Add in marching band, Homecoming nominations, a cat, a Little, and of course, time to relax. And that is just on the weekdays.  

But on top of that, I'm having the best semester I've had so far. The memories being made this semester have all been so positive, I love my classes and cannot get enough of the challenges being put in front of me. Bring it on Fall 2013, because I'm ready to win. 

Live a little, laugh a lot, and of course, love tons.

Totus tuus,

LeAnn