Once upon a time... in Hollywood.

"Once upon a time..." Every fairy tale starts that way, right?

When I was little, I remembered some nights when my grandmother was around, she would tell me stories about princesses and kingdoms, about princes and warriors. Even if your family did not tell you bedtime stories about princes and princesses, you were exposed to them nonetheless. Is it too hard to ask for a knight in shining armor? Or, for guys, where is that damsel in distress? I can see your face reading this right now, all scrunched up with indignation. Who is this girl, telling me that I have my head up in the clouds?

Many people today profess to be realists. We live in today. We are independent people. When we have dreams, we make things happen. Is that correct? As a self-professed realist, I share those thoughts. However, I realized that there is a different kind of fairy tale that my subconscious is slightly more inclined to clasp to. This kind of fairy tale doesn't usually start with the stereotypical "Once upon a time..." Some of them do start that way, but these few instances are aberrations from the norm. This kind of fairy tale usually starts with a drum rhythm and the flashing lights of blue and gold, showing a sign that say "20th Century FOX" or a lady in greco-romanesque outfit. Today, I want to talk to you about Hollywood influenced movies and TV series: why I am calling it the modern day fairy tale and the effects it have on the population in general. Also, I will be taking some examples from some of my favorite movies.

Movies are just like books, in the sense that they tell a story. They give people more of the instant gratification of knowing a story within the constraints of two hours rather than reading paragraphs and paragraphs of clusters of words. I love watching movies! It enables me to retreat from my daily activities into two hours of a world apart from mine. When you are watching an epic fantasy movie like Lord of the Rings, your mind would not make the inference that events depicted in the movie might come true in your life tomorrow. (It is a sad fact of reality that our world do not have elves and hobbits.) However, when you watch a romantic comedy set in 21st century Seattle, it is so hard to not hope something worth a Hollywood movie will happen to you tomorrow. Hence, what started out as a two-hour retreat from a hectic week turns out to influence values and morals and expectations in everyday life.

Movies are basically modern day fairy tales due to the aforementioned fact. After hearing the story of Snow White or Sleeping Beauty, little girls want to be princesses, and be whisked away by a prince. When they grow up, they will have embraced reality--finish school, get a job, etc. But somewhere in the deepest parts of their hearts, they will still be waiting for the perfect man to save

them from a "boring" life. After life beats the crap out of them, they will "settle" for a man less than perfect, but they will always still have that feeling of emptiness and longing. They will be longing for their happy ever after.

In this sense, movies have the same effects as fairy tales. Take, for example, one of the movies on my DVD rack, You've Got Mail, starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. The movie is a typical warm and fuzzy romantic comedy, with a long-lasting effect on reality. Meg Ryan's character found a man online with whom she shares a connection. However, she was already in a relationship at that time. What if a woman watches this movie and think to herself, "There might be someone better out there," even when she's already in a relationship? Also, having an emotional connection with someone other than your significant other is just so wrong. It's stupid, actually. Anyways, back to my point, what if every time this woman is in a relationship, she asks herself, "What if the love of my life, my soulmate, my happy ever after is still out there?" No wonder we have high divorce rates.

One movie that was released recently, and I happen to enjoy very much, is The Proposal, starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds. Is it okay to be in a relationship with a ruthless, cruel, disrespectful and abrasive person because you might think that after spending time with this person, they will change and becomes less of a jerk? What if they never change? What if that is their natural disposition? Then you're pretty much screwed. (For people that might be offended by the word usage, I didn't find any phrases that is poignant enough to communicate the thought.) It's really sad to see people get into real life relationships with the mindset that "I will change him/her." One day they'll wake up and realize that it's an impossible mission, and they're.. well.. stuck.

Hollywood does not only give us unrealistic expectations, it also presents us with values that, in my opinion, can be really stupid. (Pardon me, I have zero tolerance for stupidity.) Movies like The Ugly Truth (Sadly enough, I actually have seen the movie. The movie makes me sick.) share a unique perspective on love and relationships. After meeting a person with whom our character experienced a "spark," instead of trying to get to know the person, the question that engulfs the character is: how soon can I have sex with this person? What the heck!? It disgusts me that today's media equates sex to food. If you're hungry, then eat! Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

It gives me no pleasure to "bash" movies I love to watch, but in all honesty, I have to say that most of these movies set unrealistic expectations and values to life. A lot of the times, I get caught up with the emotions and romance and tension of movies, but then, once in a while, I step back and think: I don't want to live like them. Do you?

There's no such thing as a happy ever after. There's no such thing as the perfect man or woman. These things exist only in fairy tales, whether they are created by the Grimm brothers or Nora Ephron. My one explanation on why I think we love these fairy tales so much is because we are created with a desire for wonder, adventure, and romance. Believe me, true wonder, adventure, and romance cannot be experienced through living out Cinderella or 27 Dresses.

Just another princess movie

The last thing I'm going to do is talk about the controversy of an African American princess getting turned into a frog. I think some people are just too uptight about the issue. Please keep in mind that these Disney princess stories are all based on fairy tales, and The Princess and the Frog is a fairy tale. Anyways, I did not plan on talking about this discussion.

I want to talk about the movie. The night The Princess and the Frog came out in theaters, I went and saw it with my friend. Much to my dismay, the movie did not give me the fairy tale satisfaction that the other Disney Princess movies have given me in the past.

So. First of all, the animation effects, music, and cinematography was great. I don't really have any problems with that. I feel like Disney have always excelled in that area. Also, the story and the depiction of the princess story is very Disney. I like that the story challenged people with dreams, that things might just work out in a different way... The movie teaches people to dream big, but also enjoy life. I like that.

The problem I have with this movie is the element of occultism, if I can explain it as such. There were instances where the necromancer shown in the movie used blood rituals to seal the deal with his "friends on the other side." It referenced the "friends on the other side's" thirst for wayward souls. The necromancer also was depicted using a voodoo doll to inflict harm on someone.

Is this something we want children to see? As I was thinking this in the movie theater, I saw that two families got up and left because their kids were crying. Personally, I think that the movie should not have been rated G for General Audience. I think that it is best to be rated PG or PG-13 so that adults can supervise and explain the elements that might be challenging morally and spiritually.

But who cares. It's another happily ever after, right?

The Ugly Truth

After the day I had today, I seriously need to write this down - for my sake, more than for the sake of others. If I do not write it down and own this, I will seriously convince myself that it's normal. The truth is it's not normal. The ugly truth is I have a problem.

Oh my, I'm sure everyone reading this have quickly jumped into premature conclusions. "Is she...?" "She struggling with this?" The ugly truth you are about to read may not be what you expected... then again, it might be what you expected.


The question I pose for everyone to reflect on is


How do you cope when the storm hits you?


Everyone copes with storms in life differently. Some ways are beneficial, some not harmful but may be destructive, others completely disastrous. Some people cope with drugs, others cope with alcohol. Some cope with sports, others cope with hobbies. No matter what people use to cope, they are looking for whatever it is that will make them feel better - albeit temporarily.


For me, there are two things that become my means to feeling better. One more than the other.

Can you guess what it possibly might be? Yes, my coping mechanism is shopping. And yes, it can potentially be very dangerous to my financial health.

I just bought a new blue sweater dress, a Kat von D eye shadow pallette, Bare Minerals foundation, Bare Minerals powder, and Bare Minerals lipstick. Seriously? Seriously?! Seriously. I only needed two out of all those things I ended up purchasing.

Yesterday was horrible. It's easy for people to say not to worry and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It's different this time. This time, it's just pitch black. I don't see any light. I don't even know what direction to step in. It's pitch black... and I am alone. Do you know how frustrating this is? I wanted to throw a tantrum, but I am too tired and drained to be able to throw one. Today is a total blur of numbness. Physically, I am a lot better than I am mentally and emotionally. And I was hoping shopping would make me feel something.. anything... Maybe a hint of happiness?

The cause of my frustration and depression will not be discussed. Sorry. But it's fair to say that it is crippling. I remember my homeroom teacher in 11th grade was told to describe me, and he described me as a person who loves life. Today I was challenged to ask myself: where did that girl go? Is she still anywhere inside of me?

Anywho. The ugly truth is out. Shopping is my coping mechanism, and it can be dangerous. And I realize that.

It's funny how God answers you using your own metaphors and your own language. God revealed to me that he is holding my hand. Yes, I'm in the tunnel. Yes, I can't see where I'm going or where the light is. But God is there holding my hand and, because I know that he has the full perspective, I know it's going to be alright.

What is your coping mechanism? How do you deal with the storms in life? Honestly. Life is always going to be tough. There will be the happy moments, but there will also be the frustrating and depressing moments in life. The question is how do we cope with those frustrating times? Are we going to run to something that gives temporary happiness, or do we run to something that gives peace in the midst of the storm?

"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Phillipians 4.13

Observations from a Disney Classic

Out of all of the Disney classics, I would have to say that I like Beauty and the Beast the best. I like the movie because it doesn't just portray a heroine that sits back and let her fairy tale ending get handed to her on a silver platter. Needless to say, the Sleeping Beauty might be my least favorite Disney Princess movie. Beauty and the Beast tells the story of Belle, who made choices that affected her happy ever after.

After church today, my roommates turned Beauty and the Beast on. Of course, I was compelled to sit and watch with them. I think this time, though, I saw the movie through a different set of glasses. The following observations I gleaned from today's viewing of the movie does not, however, change my feelings about the movie. Just to let you know in advance.

Observation #1:

It pains me to think that there are people like Gaston in the world, people that are too disillusioned with who they think they are that they live their lives in a dream world... and then they force people to succumb to that world and its rules. Honestly, if I see a guy as absurd as Gaston, I would punch his face. A quick note for all the boys out there: don't propose and prepare a wedding on the same day. She might say no. And, if she's me, she might punch your face.

Observation #2:

A lot of times, girls get caught up in the dream of living in a world where magic, prince charmings, and fairy godmothers roam around free. I'm not doubting that if Belle had chosen a different path, to not be so taken by the enchanted castle, she would have found herself living a different life. Looking at her strong will, that alternate future probably won't involve a Gaston, but it wouldn't involve a cursed prince and an enchanted castle too. I think every little girl fall into that bottomless pit. We are all told to dream and wait for the perfect man to come. Pretty much the embodiment of Snow White's song, "Someday My Prince will come." I think it's unfair for the men in our lives when they have to live up to the expectations of the perfect Prince Charming who will give us magic, romance, and adventure. That's a pretty hard job to accomplish.

Observation #3:

I feel that Beauty and the Beast can be a tad bit misleading at times, especially for the ladies out there. I'm afraid that too many girls watch the movie and leave thinking that they'll be able to turn the beast into a gorgeous man or take any gross frog and kiss him into a prince. So the girl grows up and meets a man that isn't perfect. The man is pretty much like Beast - arrogant, temperamental, and rude. But subconsciously, she has always clung to the notion that she will be able to change him. Therefore she will be determined to tame the wild. Then... after she has successfully tamed him into the perfect husband, she'll wonder where the wild, adventurous "beast" she fell in love with went. Ironic, huh? This whole train of thought started from the scene where Beast was transformed back to a man. Honestly, I think that Beast looked better as a beast than as a man. Although some would say that he's the exact same person and that it shouldn't make a difference, it will be different. He views himself differently, and she doesn't see the beast she fell in love with. Of course it's different.

Oh my. It's funny how these random thoughts come into my head.

The Properties of Being a Woman

So, as some of you know already, I get bored at work sometimes. And what do I do? I surf the web. The usual destinations would be Facebook and YouTube... and my newfound interest, Urban Dictionary. I was bored today and so I looked up "women" on Urban Dictionary. I'd like to know how some people attempt to describe or portray women... I ran into this one and would love to share it with you.

WOMEN - A CHEMICAL ANALYSIS ---------------------------
Element: Women
Symbol: Wo
Discoverer: Adam
Atomic Mass: Accepted at 53.6 kg, but known to vary between 40 & 200 kg
Occurences: Copious quantities in all urban areas

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES:
1. Surface usually covered in painted film.
2. Boils at nothing; freezes without known reason.
3. Melts if given special treatment.
4. Bitter if incorrectly used.
5. Found in various states from virgin metal to common ore.
6. Yields if pressure applied in correct places.

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES:
1. Has a great affinity for gold, silver and a range of precious stones.
2. Absorbs great quantities of expensive substances.
3. May explode spontaneously without prior warning and for no know reason.
4. Insoluble in liquids, but activity increases greatly when saturated in alcohol.
5. Most powerful money reducing agent known to man.

COMMON USES:
1. Highly ornamental, especially in sports cars.
2. Can be a great aid to relaxation.
3. Very effective cleaning agent.

TESTS:
1. Pure specimen turns rosy pink when discovered in the natural state.
2. Turns green when placed beside a better specimen.

HAZARDS:
1. Highly dangerous except in experienced hands.
2. Illegal to possess more than one, although several can be maintained at different locations as long as specimens do not come into direct contact with each other.