Remember: Expansive

- Just because you don't look like "everybody else" does not mean you are not beautiful. Have you read Song of Solomon lately? Did Solomon talk about how his beloved bride had the latest hairstyle, the chic clothes that everybody was wearing, or the Christian Louboutin shoes? No. He said she was unique. She was different. She was not like the other women. Being yourself will make you stand out to the right people who want to know you for who you are on the inside, not what accessories and clothes and dyes you can put on yourself to blend in with the crowd. Think about the most remarkable people you know - what is it that draws you to them? Is it what they look like? Or is it the unique and fascinating person that shines in their words and actions? It's your personality and God-given interests and styles that are beautiful and truly attractive.

- "But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat" (1 Cor. 8:8). You are not a horrible person because you ate a cheeseburger. You did not "fail" because you drank regular Coke instead of diet. You are not a slob because your body needed you to stay home and rest a while instead of go to the gym. Certainly it's important to take care of your body; but don't fall into the trap of saying "oh, I'm such a horrible person, I ate _________". Horrible people commit crimes and destroy families and communities. Eating a few brownies does not make you horrible.

- Food is in itself neither good nor evil. The culture of fitness and nutritious eating in our society has imposed an incredible amount of guilt on us for the food choices we make. From gigantic calorie labels on vending machines, to prohibitions of super-sized sodas, to frightening PSAs about obese children and the problems they face, we are constantly indoctrinated to believe that foods like cookies, pizza, chips, etc. are not just "bad for you," but that it's borderline wrong to eat them. You are told that you have to perform a "penance" of exercise or abstinence in order to make up for the "sin" of eating the forbidden food. Please remember that that isn't true. Maybe the cookie isn't the best food choice you could eat, but as long as you're eating everything in moderation, you will be fine, and you haven't done anything wrong. Don't let society keep you down with guilt.

- Be big. Be a big person. I don't mean be famous, or ambitious, or busy; I just mean to let yourself reach out and explore a lot of different things. Don't be so preoccupied with your body that you shrink down into a small, anxious, self-absorbed woman. Reach out into the world around you and be expansive. Read something new; learn a new skill; meet a new person; think about something in a new way. Try a clothing style or food that you've never tried before. Visit family in a place you rarely go. Don't let society press and squeeze you into a little, tight, size-zero version of who it thinks you should be. Break free. Be free and open to hear the Holy Spirit's voice and the voices of your family, your true friends, and the people out there that God has prepared for you to meet and love. The world is a big place - let yourself be big enough to take it all in.

Celebrating Jane Porter

Okay, since I just finished watching Tarzan on this lovely Friday night, I'm going to geek out a bit.

I think that, out of all of the Disney heroines available to those of us who have by virtue of age found ourselves in mentorship and parenting roles, we do not pay nearly enough attention to Jane Porter from Tarzan. 

- Jane has no nasty rebellious attitudes. Jane and her father are probably one of the most adorable parent-child pairings in all Disney. They not only mutually depend on each other, but they have a great deal of friendship and respect for each other, too. When Jane first meets Tarzan and she is overcome with shock and curiosity, she doesn't sit on a rock and sing a solo about how her restrictive world has just burst open; she runs straight to her father and pours out her whole story, with all the enthusiasm of a trusting little girl. And speaking of trust, when Jane begins to feel attracted to Tarzan, she doesn't get all mopey and withdrawn like other Disney princesses do. She trusts her father enough to talk with him about it and seek his advice. He may not be the wisest or most sagely father in the world, but he loves her very much and does his best to encourage her and give what advice he can. Their relationship is definitely one that I wouldn't hesitate to let my daughters (or sons!) watch.

- Jane is content to let the protecting men in her life ... well, protect her. Jane never tries to evade her father's authority or strike out on her own. He is the one who is leading the research team, and she follows him. When he gives advice, she listens to it. Later, during the ending music sequence after she and Tarzan are (married? It's a bit ambiguous because they're living in a jungle devoid of any other humans besides her father), she lets Tarzan lead the way through the vine and branch pathways because he knows them much better than she does. She possesses a submissive spirit - she cheerfully accepts that her father and husband are bigger, stronger, and more experienced than she is, and she is willing to place herself under their protection.

- Nevertheless, Jane is courageous and energetically pursues her dreams. Jane is an artist and scientist, brave enough to travel alone with her father and another man to uncharted Victorian-era Africa. She doesn't mope around about how she doesn't fit in with the other girls or how she's never found true love - she doesn't have time! Until she meets Tarzan, her energy is focused on discovering wildlife, experiencing a new country, and enjoying and drawing the beautiful things she sees. She actually has much bigger goals than most of the other Disney princesses do - and by cheerfully accepting her role as a woman under the protection of her father and husband, she goes much farther in her life than the princesses who rebel and fight against their authority.

- Jane is mature, open-minded, and willing to learn about what's important to others. How many girls would be willing to take the time to get to know a dirty feral man in a loincloth and teach him, not things like to dance or to eat oatmeal correctly, but to speak? To walk upright? And not just to teach him concepts, which could be done with self-righteous condescension; but to take time to actually talk to him, learn from him, and explore his culture and lifestyle, which would be horrific to a proper Victorian lady but vitally important to him? It's easy to fall in love with a gorgeous Prince Eric or a brilliant Flynn Rider; but it takes a thoughtful, mature woman to fall in love with a Tarzan.

***

I know she's not a Disney princess, and Tarzan will never get as much attention as the more lucrative girl-oriented princess movies; but you can take Frozen and stick it in your icebox - if I had to choose one of the Disney women to be a model for my hypothetical daughters, she would be my choice any day!

***

Your geeky friend,
Vicki

Dream Casting: Return of the Native

It recently came to my attention that there is only one movie version ever of Thomas Hardy's novel Return of the Native. Why in the world is that? I had to read it for the first time this semester as part of an English literature class, and while I approached it with some trepidation due to its reputation as an immoral book, I came to thoroughly enjoy it and love the characters.

Probably the most important theme that I took away from the book was how fragile the marriage relationship can be, and how many people it can affect when a marriage breaks down. Both of the young couples in the book married against the advice of their parents and peers, and the eventual breakdowns of their relationships not only destroyed their own lives, but harmed and even killed other members of their families and communities. The key, though, was not that the characters were horrible people who were wantonly looking for affairs outside of their marriages (with the exception of the wicked Wildeve). Most of them were victims of emotional decisions, not being careful whom they spent time with, and seeking satisfaction from their spouses that they could not provide. This book was a great example of how good people can make poor choices that lead them to situations they never thought they would be in.

And soooo, because this was such a good book, I was very disappointed to discover that its only movie adaptation was made back in the 90's and is generally agreed to be pretty lousy.  :-P  So a couple of weeks ago, while I was bored in another class, I put together my own casting for a new version. If you're familiar with the book, let me know what you think!

***

Clementine "Clym" Yeobright

Tom Hiddleston

idealistic, thoughtful, altruistic, self-sacrificing, attached to his mother

Eustacia Vye Yeobright

Keira Knightley

beautiful, mysterious, fiery, depressive, frustrated

Damon Wildeve

Richard Armitage

handsome, indolent, selfish, passionate, amoral 

Thomasin Yeobright Wildeve

Carey Mulligan

innocent, optimistic, loyal, gentle, domestic

Diggory Venn

Jeremy Renner

mysterious, intelligent, loyal, manly, courageous

Mrs. Yeobright

Emma Thompson

genteel, educated, philosophical, stubborn, dramatic

*** 

Now, casting Jeremy Renner as Diggory Venn would be a bit of a risk, because casting him in a period drama would be severely against type; but I picked him for two reasons - firstly, because he looks fairly close to the way I envision Diggory in the book, and secondly, because Diggory's character has some similarities to Hawkeye in Avengers. Diggory is a loner who lives at the edges of society, watching the other characters and quietly interfering in their lives to guide them toward doing the right thing (or, at least, the best choice at the time). He has a sort of magical quality about him, and he is definitely a strong, silent type like Hawkeye. So I think this choice might work.

Also, Carey Mulligan doesn't typically play "good girl" roles, but with her babyface and high voice, I think she could portray Thomasin if she put her mind to it.  :-)  And can you imagine the universe imploding when Emma Thompson and Tom Hiddleston played mother and son??

Have you read the book? What did you think of it? What do you think of my casting?

~ Vicki

Exemplary Manhood in Film: Luke Skywalker

If I had to choose one film example of a man who exemplifies what it means to be a strong and honorable gentleman, I would most likely choose Luke Skywalker.

Just in case you aren't familiar with Star Wars, Luke Skywalker is a restless farm boy who gets caught up in an intergalactic civil war; and while training to become a Jedi (a peaceful warrior and practitioner of a forbidden religion), Luke learns from his mysterious master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, that he is not just a farm boy, but the son of the evil Empire's most powerful warrior, Darth Vader - and he is also the one who is destined to break the Empire's power and rescue the galaxy. The original Star Wars trilogy follows Luke's journey as he teams up with the reckless smuggler Han Solo and the courageous Princess Leia to confront his identity, choose his destiny and fight to save and protect the people he loves.

I believe that Luke Skywalker is one of the best men and best examples of honor, loyalty, virtue, and chivalry that I have found in the modern movie era.

***

Luke's character is built on his complete, sacrificial devotion to doing what is right. He is constantly under attack by the dark side, facing trials ranging from the murder of his adoptive parents, to being forced to stand prisoner and watch his friends attacked, to being handed a lightsaber and told to kill his own father to save his sister. Yet even when everything around him is crashing down (literally) and there seems to be no hope, Luke casts away the lightsaber and offers himself to die rather than break one rule of his conscience. He is a man of honor.

He is also a man of chivalry. There are many differences between Luke and his daredevil friend/partner, the space smuggler Han Solo; but one of the most marked is the difference in their treatment of the beautiful, intelligent and headstrong Princess Leia. In the beginning, both men are attracted to Leia, but where Han goads Leia with arguments, makes crude comments and tries to dominate her, Luke protects her and treats her with respect and kindness. Leia is a much stronger person than Luke is, and he isn't afraid to let her step up and use her strengths, even to protect him; but he always puts her needs first - whenever there's a chasm to be crossed, Luke holds the rope while Leia holds on for the ride; whenever there's a fight, even if Leia finishes it, Luke always pushes her to safety and does his best to fight it first.

At the beginning of Return of the Jedi, the final Star Wars movie (for now), Leia is trying to rescue Han from the repulsive Jabba the Hutt when she is caught and enslaved. At no point does Luke's chivalry shine clearer than here. Despite Leia's famously scanty attire, not once does Luke think of humiliating her further or doing anything other than rescuing her and continuing to treat her with dignity. He is a true gentleman.

In the end, it turns out that Leia is Luke's twin sister who was separated from him at birth, to keep them both safe from their father, the evil Darth Vader. But because he has protected and respected her all along, the only thing he changes after finding out is to make sure to give her affectionate hugs more often.  :-)

***

I will never endorse the people who claim that you can preach the Gospel from Star Wars, because that is completely untrue and in fact very blasphemous. However, that being said, Luke does have some character qualities that have inspired me in my Christian walk.

For one thing, as a man who was chosen before birth to fulfill a noble purpose, Luke is constantly being targeted for destruction by the forces of evil. Does that sound familiar to you? As Christians, we have been chosen by God to serve Him, rescue others and fulfill His purposes here on earth; and we, too, are constantly being targeted by Satan and the world. Luke is tempted both blatantly and subtly to turn to the dark side, yet he never gives in. I am a daughter and a warrior of God, equipped with His power and protection to stay squarely on His side - with so many more resources at my disposal than Luke has, do I fight as hard as he does to steer clear of sin?

For another thing, Luke is true to his character and dreams even when others tell him how he should live his life. From the moment that Luke begins training as a Jedi, he is surrounded by people telling him what to do; yet while he does help his friends pursue their goals, he doesn't sacrifice his convictions - he goes to rescue his friends when Obi-Wan and Yoda urge him to complete his training first; he puts himself in danger to save his father when his friends tell him to stay away; and when everyone around him declares that it is his destiny to kill Vader, either to save the galaxy or to rule it, Luke declares that he will not. Nor does he give up his personality - even when he's busy keeping up with the fast-paced, no-nonsense Han and Leia, Luke doesn't hide his more thoughtful and idealistic personality. I would love to learn to use my God-given personality to minister to others, instead of trying so hard to talk, act and be like my friends.

***

In this series on exemplary manhood in film, Luke Skywalker stands out, and not just because he's the only sci-fi/fantasy character I will be honoring. Luke stands out because, despite being younger and weaker than most of the people around him, when it comes to his heart, he is the purest and most courageous of them all. When my sons are old enough to handle and ignore the Eastern-religion influences of the Star Wars films, I will definitely be introducing them to Luke Skywalker and encouraging them to grow up as good, kind, and strong as he is!

Exemplary Manhood in Film Series

I love movies.

The first "adult" movie I remember watching was Errol Flynn's The Adventures of Robin Hood, which I watched when I was about 9 years old. I instantly fell in love with Errol Flynn and remained that way for about four years - I can still quote The Sea Hawk, Captain Blood, They Died With Their Boots On, and Robin Hood almost entirely from memory.

I love good movies in the same way that I love good books - not only do they allow me to escape to another world and rest my mind for a little while, but frequently, while I'm there, I find new ways to think about things and themes in my life.

One theme that I have searched for in movies and books ever since I was a young girl is the theme of exemplary manhood - which is a philosophical way of saying that I look for male characters who exemplify qualities that I will be looking for in my future husband, and that I want to nurture in my future sons. Men who are courageous, honorable, upright, chivalrous, loyal, and committed to doing what is right.

Just like in real life, these good examples are not easy to find. Movies are full of slimy villains - but even worse, they are also full of "heroes" who are devious, liars, selfish, or immoral. That is why I've decided to do a short blog post series honoring my favorite characters who are truly and indisputably good - not perfect, and certainly not flawless; but men who do what's right (when possible, men who love and follow the Lord), who love and protect their families and friends, and who live intentionally for what they believe.

The characters I will be honoring are:

Luke Skywalker

(Star Wars)

 

Captain America

(Captain America: The First Avenger and The Avengers)

Gilbert Blythe

(Anne of Green Gables book/TV series)

 

Father Barry

(On The Waterfront)

Colonel Brandon

(Sense and Sensibility)

 

Colonel Joshua Chamberlain

(Gettysburg)

This list is certainly not comprehensive - I know there are many more heroes out there who are just as thoroughly good as these, but this will get us started, and if I think of more as I go along, I'll add them in too. And of course, suggestions are welcome - just keep in mind that I'm not as well-versed in movies as many of you are.  ;-)

I hope this will prove to be an enjoyable and thought-provoking series!

Hugs,
Vicki

Movie Review: Frozen (2013)

So, I went with my brother John to see "Frozen" in the theaters today, and had so many thoughts about it that I thought I'd do a rare movie review. I've tried not to include any spoilers!

(Plus, I just really wanted an excuse to post some pictures of the characters, because they were so cute!!)

Plot: Elsa and Anna are the two princesses of Arendelle, a mythical northern land of beautiful countryside, warm summers and delightfully frosty winters. They are normal, happy girls in every way - except that Elsa was born with the ability to create snow and ice and to freeze everything she touches. When she almost kills Anna with an ice blast, a healing troll warns that she must learn to control her growing powers, or one day she will hurt someone. Elsa's parents decide to shut both girls up in the castle and keep them away from anyone or anything that might cause Elsa's secret to come out.

But when Elsa's turn comes to take the throne, she gets into an argument with the feisty and vivacious Anna, and accidentally unleashes her powers on the kingdom, plunging the entire world into the depths of an eternal winter. Horrified, she flees into the mountains to hide herself forever alone. It's up to Anna and her accidentally acquired companions (Prince Hans, Kristoff the ice seller and his reindeer Sven) to track down her sister and ask her to return, to save the kingdom and bring back summer.

----------

High Points:
- The ANIMATION. Disney has truly surpassed itself with the animation in this movie. The scenery in particular is breathtakingly colorful and lifelike, with some of the best ice, snowstorms, and roiling oceans that I've ever seen in any film.
- The costumes. Frozen is set sometime in the late 1800's in a land much like Norway, and the costumes reflect period clothing fairly well. Their clothing is detailed and beautiful, from the embroidery on Anna's dresses, to Elsa's velvet and tulle gowns, to Kristoff's fur parkas and boots. I also fell in love with both Anna and Elsa's hair, which worn in soft, flowing braids for much of the movie.
- The characters. Some of the characters in this movie were stronger than others, but on the whole, I really liked them. They reminded me of people that I know, especially the confident, extroverted, warm-hearted but ridiculously klutzy Anna. Just be aware that one of the characters is not exactly the way they seem on the outside ...

Could Be Better:
- The storyline. This movie is slow to get started, choosing to cover the backstory more extensively than most Disney films do; and it almost feels like there are two or three climaxes, rather than one clear goal point that the story is aiming for.
- The music. Disney has sometimes gotten away with mixing musical genres in the past, but this movie's odd combination of traditional Norwegian folk songs, choral singing, Broadway-style songs, and jazz does not feel quite right. The "best" song in the movie, musically, is Elsa's powerful Broadway-esque solo; while Anna's songs, while mostly lighthearted and sympathetic, are almost identical to Rapunzel's "When Will My Life Begin" song from Tangled.

Possible Concerns:
- Elsa's magic is basically sorcery, more in the style of a Disney villain than Belle's rose or Rapunzel's hair. It was a little disturbing to me when she used her hands to conjure up snow and ice and create things out of thin air. This power is an integral part of her character, and not treated as something dark or bad, except when she uses it to hurt others.
- Parts of this movie are a little more violent than recent Disney movies. No one is killed, but it could be upsetting for younger viewers.
- Frozen is an agenda-driven movie, which I will cover in more detail in my review below. The men are inept and far less intelligent than the women they follow around, and the lesson of the movie is accepting inborn differences in others which may seem scary to the people around them. The themes of shaming the family, being forced to live alone, and **SPOILER** Elsa finally exploding into a rebellious and flamboyant acceptance of who she is, strongly suggest to me that Frozen is promoting the acceptance and inclusion of people who are homosexual.

Vicki's Vote: 3/5

----------


I saw the trailer for this movie several months ago and immediately fell in love with the Nordic setting and sweet-faced characters. Frozen is loosely based on the fairytale The Snow Queen; but while the original fairytale was based on Christian themes of faith and good triumphing over evil, this movie is operating for the most part on a very different set of morals. Let's start with the bad things about this film, so we can end on a happy note.

I can't lay my finger on any one thing in particular that gave me the impression that this movie's object of sympathy was gay people, but that was my strong impression leaving the theater. Part of it may have been the portrayal of Elsa's magic as something she was born with and couldn't help, but was being forced to hide; another musical event (which I can't describe due to spoilers) occurs later in the film and also reinforces the idea of throwing off society's expectations and being yourself, even if you have to do it alone. Elsa's musical mantra for the beginning portion of the movie is "conceal, don't feel", her father's advice that if she hides and controls her magical powers, she will not feel them and perhaps they will go away. She is then made to live alone in her room - a physical closet, if you will. These themes are very similar to the themes of Mulan: repressing one's true identity, shaming the family if this identity came out, and ultimately proving society wrong when the identity is finally openly embraced without negative repercussions. However, Mulan's tomboyishness is a different matter than Elsa's sorcery.

I really didn't like Elsa's magic powers. I'm used to magic in Disney movies, but this magic felt more sinister. Without giving too much away, Elsa's capabilities do get stronger as the movie goes on, and she does use them as a weapon at times. Her character is painted in a sympathetic light and I did like her and feel sorry for her, but to put it simply, she is an undisguised witch - much more in the line of Jadis the White Witch from the Chronicles of Narnia. Whom I didn't like either.

John and I were also disappointed with the portrayal of men in this movie. Both of the main male characters, Hans and Kristoff, are always playing catch-up with Anna and clearly can't match her strength and intelligence. She really doesn't need either of them at all. They're certainly sweet and lovable for most of the movie, but none of the women rely on them or even respect them. I think the movie really could have benefited from showing some teamwork between the men and women, rather than solely showing strong women dragging confused men around. Just my opinion.

However, if you'd still like to see the movie, take heart, because there were a lot of good things about it too.

Firstly, as I mentioned, the characters and animation are ridiculously wonderful. I'll try not to give out spoilers, but the turning point of the movie involves a lot of ice; and this ice is so beautifully animated that you could believe it was real. Definitely the same with the richly colored and detailed costumes as well. And the characters, although they had some character flaws, were all rather lovable and well written - frightened, guilt-ridden Elsa; feisty, adventurous Anna; intelligent, handsome Hans; and kind, practical Kristoff. Even the comic relief characters, Sven the moose and Olaf the talking snowman, are much less annoying than many Disney foils of the past (read: gargoyles) and even made me laugh.

Additionally, the secondary theme of the movie is the one that is explicitly stated by the characters; and that is "True love sacrifices." The characters explain to each other that true love is giving up your own needs and wants for those of the other person - obviously, this is the most Biblical of statements, and it is a lesson that all of us need to be reminded of. The focus of the love in this movie is less on romantic love and more on general love, too, which is interesting and unusual for a Disney film. (As a bonus, though, there is a song about romantic love in the middle of the movie that is rather profound and actually gave me some things to think about ... definitely didn't expect that!)

So in short, I felt a little bit gypped by the rough storyline and disappointing themes, but at the same time, I got far more than I paid for in gorgeous visuals and fascinating character interactions. I would say to take this movie with a grain of salt; but if you're old enough to know what's right and wrong and would like to see a movie with strong themes of love and sacrifice, then by all means, go ahead and check it out!

For love of Star Trek

I love Star Trek.


I've sampled other sci-fi fandoms - I very much enjoy Star Wars, am interested in the BBC Sherlock and don't mind all the wild-eyed pictures of David Tennant as the Doctor. But no show, no fandom will ever be to me what Star Trek's original series is.

I already eloquently declared my love for Star Trek in an earlier post, which I would encourage you to read. There are a lot of good things going on in Star Trek, and it always leaves me feeling inspired, warm and fuzzy.

So today, I would like to share a few of those warm fuzzies with you, by inviting you to partake of my favorite fan tributes to Star Trek TOS. Please enjoy.

***








(This video is set to a song by the singer P!nk, whom I definitely do not endorse; but this song is clean and it fits Bones and Spock very well.)



This one is one of my favorites - too awesome!!






*Happy tears* :'-}



Dear Scotty ... :'-}



The great Captain Kirk, in all of his ... *ahem* ... glory.



Bones' most epic moment!!



One of the most painful moments in motion picture history. Still makes me cry every time I watch it. :-(



And to close, my favorite part of my favorite episode. Because they are all selfless, courageous, and committed to each other's friendship. And that is why I love the show.

***

I hope you enjoy!!! Have a wonderful Thursday, my friends!

Love, Vicki

The Gift of Voting

I was so humbled and convicted as I stood in my polling place this morning - John and Heather and I voted in a really old building that was full of old flags, memorials, and plaques honoring veterans from our university; and as I waited in line and looked at those names and faces, I felt horrible for all of the apathy and disinterest I've felt leading up to this election.

Friends, the right to vote is an American right, yes; but it is also a huge gift. Our soldiers and veterans have given us this gift. It can feel empty to toss around the word "sacrifice" because we use it so much; but that word means loneliness, hunger, weariness, pain, and death for the ones who make that sacrifice for us. Generations of young men and women just like us have slept in fields and foxholes, slung muskets and rifles across their aching shoulders, run their fingers over the worn-out picture of someone a million miles away - all so we can stand in line and complain to our bored neighbors about how much we hate both candidates.

For their sake, get out and vote today. Make their sacrifice worthwhile. It doesn't matter so much who you vote for, as long as you raise your voice through the ballot and accept this gift of having a hand in your own government.

They died for this day.

~ Vicki

Why I Love Star Trek

Source: Uploaded by user via Victoria on Pinterest

I fell in love with Star Trek right around the same time that I began this blog. During Christmas break last year, my brother John came home from work one day with an armload of old Star Trek TOS videos that someone had donated to our local thrift store. We'd heard about the uber-geeky show and the backs of the video boxes looked interesting, so we whiled away the long snowy vacation days with Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and the rest of the Enterprise crew.

As I grew more and more enthusiastic about the series, my family wondered ... why? Why was their intellectual-bordering-on-stuffy daughter/sister suddenly enamored with a cheesy show that primarily consisted of cardboard props and lots of gold rickrack?

Well ... here's why.  :-)

***

- Kirk, Spock, and McCoy represent a classical literary threesome - strength, logic, and emotion - and so they are very easy to identify with. I identify strongly with Spock. Like him, I often feel like a different person inside than outside, and that I am somehow different from people around me; and like Spock, I tend to use my differences as a kind of shield to keep people from coming inside and seeing the real me. Yet, like Spock, my true desire, underneath it all, is to be understood and loved by someone for that "real me" inside my shell. It was Spock who first drew me to Star Trek.

- The Enterprise is such a wonderful collection of all different kinds of people, with all different kinds of jobs, working together on a mission of peace and exploration. It doesn't matter what you can do; there's a place for you on the Enterprise - mechanics, historians, researchers, nurses, technicians, transcriptionists, computer scientists. Thinking about Starfleet is like dreaming of sailing to distant shores, or taking flight. It's another one of those things that keeps me dreaming big and remembering that there are bigger things out there than the mundaneness of daily life.

- I love the very hippie element of this show that dares to show nonviolent characters, Spock and McCoy in particular, as still being strong, masculine, and courageous. Of course there were situations where they had to use force to save lives, but Spock is opposed to violence whenever possible and McCoy refuses to kill or to allow any person to die in his place - I am nonresistant in my beliefs, and I love it that two of my favorite characters share my conviction (well ... sort of).  :-)

- Another reason I love the show is, like Bonanza and other TV shows of the period, it didn't shy away from difficult or unhappy themes. Sure, it got cheesy sometimes, but it also produced some really heartrending moments as it featured stories about love, duty vs. emotions, the limitations of science, the value of all life, acceptance of people who look and act differently than you. There are also running commentaries on 60's politics, if you listen carefully - my sister and I watched "Return of the Archons" last night, in which the Enterprise crew has to bring freedom to a country that allegorically resembles the Soviet Union.

- I love the interactions between the characters on the show. Each of the top three officers has a very different relationship with each of the other two, and their interactions are, by turns, fascinating, touching, frustrating, and comical. Their interactions with the rest of the crew are not shallow, either - it's always neat to watch Spock's logic join forces with Scotty's common sense, or to watch the emotional McCoy clash with stubborn Nurse Chapel. I love personal interactions, and that's primarily what the show is about.

- Star Trek also takes such great care to be scientifically accurate, and to make sci-fi predictions based on things that might actually happen. I can actually interpret Dr. McCoy's medical jargon because it's accurate (the only area of science I feel capable of interpreting). And of course, they use 1960's versions of iPads, memory cards, Bluetooth, biometric identification, and Skype - how awesome is that??

***

I'm sure that I'm identifying myself as hopelessly geeky with this post, but hopefully you won't think worse of me for it.  :-)  It is definitely a little out of my uber-artsy personality to be so enamored with such a science-geek show, but it's so cool that I can't help myself ...

What is your favorite show? Geek out sometime and tell me why you love it! I'd love to know!  :-)

Live long and prosper!!!
~ Vicki

College 101

Hooray! It's that time of year again - the time when a brand-sparkling-new crop of freshmen and transfer students walks wide-eyed onto college campuses across the country, maps in one hand and water bottles in the other. Some of my blog friends are included in that number - as is my very own little sister, *sniff*. I would like to say welcome, all of you, to the wonderful world of college, and may all of your academic pursuits be successful and enjoyable!

A dear blog friend of mine asked that I would share some of my insights about college with all of you ... so, I've written this post about four times, trying to keep myself serious about it. Because really, the most important thing I've learned about college so far is that you look really cool if you hang out on the floor of an ultramodern lecture building and knit something funky. Seriously.

But there are a few serious things that I've learned about college so far; and so here is Vicki's Not-So-Essential Checklist for Your University Success.

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Things You Should Have:

- A Tough Backpack. Make sure you don't buy a cheap $20 backpack from Wal-Mart, unless you're fortunate enough to be in classes that don't require textbooks; because if you frequently have to carry textbooks around with you, your lining will be tearing out by the end of the semester. (Yup, learned that from experience.)

From here

- Warm, Comfortable (Snow)boots. If you're attending college north of the Mason-Dixon Line, this is a must. Winter lies smack-dab in the middle of the academic year, and at least half of each semester will be spent in cold weather. If your feet are cold, you'll be miserable on long walks across campus; so make sure that you have a warm, non-blister-rubbing pair of boots, whether for rain or snow or both.

- A Lightweight Laptop. At some point, you'll need to bring a computer with you to class or work; and trust me, carrying a 14-pound clunker around with you is bad news for your posture.

- Camera. Seriously! There is so much about this time in your life that you'll want to hang onto forever - be able to capture it visually!

- Reliable cell phone and decent plan. Always be able to get in touch with people if you need to.

- Mechanical pencils. Don't mess with regular lead pencils - just don't. Mechanical pencils are so much quicker to "sharpen", which you'll be glad for in the middle of a timed exam.

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Things You Should Do:

From here

- Get involved. Try to get involved in at least one or two student organizations on campus, and I mean really get involved. It's a community of people who are interested in the same thing(s) that you are, rather than just the random people you'll meet in your classes (or meet in your dorms ... I keep forgetting that some people actually are brave enough to go to college away from home).

- Work hard ...  Even if you don't need the money, it's good to get a campus job to build your resume and make connections. Work hard and do your best to overcome the "college student" stereotype of laziness and not caring. Your bosses will value you and you'll be given chances to advance and get good references.

- ... But don't work too much.  Be careful not to take on so many hours that your grades suffer - I've had semesters like that, and it's not good.

From here

- Utilize your academic advisors. Don't be too proud to go to them with your questions. They really are there to help you, and most advisors really do care about their students. Your advisors can be your best friends on campus.

- Keep courage in your hard classes. Attend study sessions, grit your teeth and hang on. It'll be over soon.

- Don't be afraid of people. You'll be surrounded by people who are nothing like you, at least on the surface. They'll all seem more confident, more worldly-wise, prettier or more handsome - or, they'll be tattooed and pumping death metal music through their Skull Candy headphones. But unless you're alone in a dark library at 2 a.m., don't be afraid of them. Be courageous and talk to new people that you normally wouldn't talk to. You'll be surprised to find how much you have in common with them - and you'll be surprised at all the cool friends you'll make!

- Don't be afraid of professors. They may seem imperious and frightening at first, but don't be afraid of them. They're human, they have their quirks, and most of them will like you if you work hard and stay engaged.

- Ask for directions or advice if you need it. Upperclassmen love to be needed.  :-)

From here

- Keep your heart with all diligence. There will be lots of attractive people of the opposite gender all around you; but use your head, your Bible, and your parents or mentors when you're evaluating them. Have some ideas in mind of what you're looking for in a future spouse, and don't waste time on people that don't measure up. On the other hand, don't be unrealistic - Mr. Darcy doesn't go to college, but lots of nice Christian guys do.  :-)

- Be frugal. College is expensive - don't waste money or spend it recklessly. Of course you can have fun and spend within your means, but don't go crazy.

- Shop around for your textbooks. Depending on your major, your textbooks can cost almost as much as your tuition for a semester, if you buy from the campus bookstore. Sometimes the time you save by buying at the bookstore is worth the extra money, but if you can shop around, do. Try Amazon, eBay, or Barnes and Noble, or use a service like SlugBooks.com.

- Know where to go to get help. Know the phone numbers for your campus police and health centers, and know where both of them are located. Campus can be a dangerous place, and you should be careful and watch out for your safety.

From here

- Find a good church in the community, especially if you're away from home. I haven't found a church yet, and even though I live at home, I sorely miss the spiritual support and encouragement of other men and women my own age.

- Limit your time online during the semester. Do your homework!

- Hang onto your love for learning. Don't let classes turn into a job and a chore, even if they're in a subject you don't particularly like. Remember how privileged you are to be here. Remember that this is an adventure and one of the best times of your life, and cherish every day and every hour you're here.

But most important of all:

Source: Uploaded by user via yulie on Pinterest

- Be yourself! College is the only place in the world where you can be as quiet or flamboyant, mainstream or offbeat, stylish or geeky, conservative or liberal, athletic or musical or fluffy or bookish or whatever you want, as much as you want. Don't feel like you have to change or hide yourself just to fit in. Hold onto your interests, your personality, your favorite clothes, and especially your faith. Remember that college is the place to expand on who you are and learn more about God's plan for you - not the place to take on everyone else's looks and personalities and become molded to society. Don't be afraid to stand out! Don't be afraid to follow your dreams and walk close to God in the midst of apathy and wantonness! You will shine brightly like a star, and the Lord will bring you likeminded friends who support you in your quest.

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Hopefully some of this tips will be helpful to you ... there will be a short quiz on the material next week.  ;-)  If you have any other questions or if there's anything about college you're just dying to know, leave me a comment and I'll try to be as helpful as I can.

Welcome again, freshmen and transfers! I'm so excited to have you in college!!

Lots of love,
Vicki

In Praise of Beauty

Have you noticed that so much of our 21st-century world is ugly?

We haven't followed the 1960's science fiction predictions that everything would be gray, symmetrical, and practical (yet), but even so, the appreciation of simple beauty is sadly lacking in our modern society. Look around us: cars, wires, computers, cameras, phones ... the cities are dirty and full of crime ... the clothes that are popular are all sassy, flirty, tight, short, baggy, shapeless, superfluous, or overdone, never simply beautiful ... the radios pump out acidic metal music with angry lyrics ... love affairs are short, painful, and full of childish insults and excuses for leaving.

Modern life in America can be so ugly. Sometimes, I like to think about some of the things in life that are as beautiful today as they have been for generations.

Like the powerful beauty of a pure, godly woman. Think about what that looks like - not a woman who is so passive and submissive that she has no force or power, but a woman who is beautiful in her strength. A woman who courageously embraces purity, virtue, holiness, and femininity and actively makes them part of her life. A woman who is gentle and nurturing, yet unwavering and unyielding in her faith and her convictions - a woman who does not let the world tell her how to look or how to act, but is strong in her beauty because she knows that she was created by and for the glory of God.

Like true love - love that is not made to last for a spring break fling, or a semester-long time-filler; but love that is meant to last for a lifetime. Love that not only embraces the times of laughter and joy and companionship, but the times of sickness, the times of poverty, the times of conflict and misunderstanding. Love that is so strong and abundant that it reaches out to welcome the beautiful responsibility of children into a marriage, and doesn't cut off blessings by only thinking of teenager-like fun and excitement. Love that carries on even as the years fall away - love that follows both hearts into the grave, yet continues to grow as a sheltering plant that blesses generations to come.

Like the beauty of nature, from the wild, violent expanses of the oceans to the gentle green plains of the prairies. The things that man makes are so uniform, just variations on the same themes over and over - but the things that God has created are infinite in their variety, their colors and shapes and sounds and smells. Nature is always fresh, always changing and growing, full of the beautiful things that our technology-saturated souls crave. Nowhere can we truly understand the richness and creative joy of our Lord until we let Him lead us through the beauty He has created.



Like good books that expand our minds to depths beyond the stale Twitter feeds of our daily existence. Old, dusty books with hand-woven fabric covers and fragile brown pages that still remind us in their gently archaic language of faith, conviction, standing up for what is right and accepting our places as men or women in God's plan ... or even lavishly illustrated reprints, offering sacred places to rest in worlds that still believe men are men, women are women, and every Christian has a mission to touch and change the world.



Why do we spend so much time thinking about what is ugly? Crime, sin, confusion, heartache, weakness, and strife? Why don't we sometimes follow Philippians 4:8 and think about the things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy? The world is still a beautiful place if we will only open our eyes to see it!

Love,
Vicki

Simple and Real

I've learned a lot of things during my first year at four-year college. 

I've learned how much I love knowledge and learning; I've learned how much I love big old lecture halls and complicated essays and professors that ask me to give my opinion; I've learned how to analyze statistics and conjugate the past subjunctive of Spanish verbs.

I've conversed with people from all walks of life, ranging from conservative Christians to liberal pagans. I love walking by the bell tower as the autumn leaves fall down out of the crisp blue sky; I love curling up in a leather chair in one of the student gathering places and watching the snow fall outside; I love walking into the shiny new buildings as the spring blossoms nod gently on the trees. I love college and I love the person that it is making me.

However, there is one huge, overarching truth that I have learned from college - and it has been surprising to me.

College has taught me that I love things that are simple, and I love things that are real.

Sewing. Gardening. Babies. Little white country houses. Heirloom farms. Old quilts. Fabric-bound books. Good manners. Mothers and sons. Fathers and daughters. Calico dresses. Old fiddles and violins. Potlucks. Simple country churches. Real Bible preaching.

I love all of those things so much more than I ever knew I did. They're so simple, yet so real. When you strip away all the layers of philosophy and dogma and hypothesis and debate in the world, you're left with these things. Things you can feel with your hands and your heart.

These are the things that I want to surround myself with as I continue to grow up and build my life. Yes, I love to learn; yes, I love theories and debates and logic; yes, I'm learning some things that will be useful in my career. But all of this college fluff isn't what's real. Theories change and twist and fade - God and His Word and the beauty He created do not.

I want to have a little house with yellow curtains in the kitchen windows, and a garden and some cats ... I want to marry a man that I love and trust, and I want us to have children, and enjoy them through the sunshiny smiles and the late-night temper tantrums ... I want to grow and build and teach with my own hands and my own voice. To build - that's the operative word. To make things that exist in the real world, not just on a computer chip or book page. I want to create and give and leave things for my children to enjoy.

Simple things. Beautiful things. This is the greatest lesson college has taught me so far.

Love in Christ,
Vicki

Disney Randomness

Yes, I am aware that I am too old for Disney, and that I should be attempting to divulge great wisdom and encouragement to you on this blog, and that it's only Wednesday and I don't yet have my weekend license to be frivolous ...

... but I just felt like Disney tonight.  :-)

Oh yes - these are just my personal choices. Absolutely no offense to your own favorite characters.  :-)

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Vicki's Top 10 Disney Heroines

 10. Perdita

 9. Aurora

8. Belle

 

7. Maid Marian

 6. Mulan

 5. Jasmine

 4. Snow White

3. Rapunzel

 2. Pocahontas

 1. Jane 

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Vicki's Top 10 Disney Heroes

10. Woody

 9. Dodger

 8. Bernard

 7. The Beast (NOT his human form, Prince Adam ...)

6. Prince Philip

 5. Tarzan

 4. Robin Hood

3. Basil

 2. Aladdin

 By far #1 - Flynn Rider

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Vicki's Top 10 Disney Sidekicks, Jokesters, Background Characters, and Comic Relief
(yes, Tangled gets three entries ...)

10. The drunk old guy in the diaper

 9. Tito

 8. Little John

 7. Jasper and Horace

 6. Sebastian

 5. Maximus

 4. The Genie

 3. Lumiere

 2. Pascal

 1. Clopin 

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Vicki's Top 10 Most Awful Disney Villains

Really Awful:

5. Ratigan

 4. Frollo

 3. Jafar

 2. Maleficent

 1. Ursula 

Awfully Funny:

 

5. Sid

 4. Gaston

 3. Amos Slade

2. Medusa

 1. Cruella de Ville

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Semper Disney ...

:-)  :-)  :-)

Love,
Vicki