After dinner tonight my brother and I started our usual job of clearing the table, rinsing the dishes, and emptying the dishwasher. Tonight it was a little more exciting then usual, though. Tonight there was leftover ice.
I couldn't tell you where this excitement came from, this fascination with melting ice between our fingers under a hot stream of tap water, but ever since dish-washing became our job rather than Mom's we've liked it. You turn the faucet as far to the right as it will go and make sure it's on a continuous stream instead of a spray. You can't allow the stream to get too heavy, though, or the fun will be over before it starts. Keep it just above a trickle. Hold the ice between your thumb and your forefinger. Watch the dent turn into a hole, into a crevice, into a wide open space. Listen hard for a hint of a crackle, a dying breath. Watch it disappear. Feel the nothingness between your fingers. Swear something was there a split second ago.
That's the weirdest part, really. I can never pin-point the exact moment the ice becomes water. One second there's something between my fingers, and the next there's not.
My brother looks different tonight. He's been complaining of poor vision for months, and his glasses finally came today. He came home with a haircut as well. He looks much older than he is, but then again, he's getting pretty old. As of last month he's taller than me by a good inch. And he's five years younger.
Harding University sent me an application packet today. It's not my first choice, but I figure I better apply anyway in case my first choice falls through. It said "Apply early!" No kidding. Way too early.
I don't know if I mentioned that this was my second to last year as a Kamper. I went to the banquet with a little boy named Ethan. I kinda fell in love with his excessive knowledge of Spiderman. :)
Anyway, in conversation I asked him what grade he was going into, and I figured it had to be fourth or fifth, because he was so stinkin' cute and little. But I was wrong. He's going into SEVENTH.
I remember when seventh grade seemed old. When Lizzie McGuire was in seventh grade. MIDDLE SCHOOL. The land of lockers and multiple teachers. Remember that feeling? Remember thinking algebra had something to do with the order of the letters in the alphabet? Remember not knowing about the existence of bottom lockers? Remember innocence?
I stopped thinking middle school was old in about sixth grade. At that point it was high school. High school's where you really started figuring everything out. That theory disappeared in about ninth grade. At that point senior year felt old.
Guess what guys? I finally feel old.
"Graduate" doesn't sound that old. It just sounds kinda... kinda terrifying. Because in about a year, real life starts.
And I'm sitting here wondering where my childhood went. Realizing how much of it I have absolutely no recollection of. I have a few very vivid memories. Leaving the theater at the beginning of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" because Cindy Lou Who was surely being violently cut to bits by the wrapping machine. Fighting valiantly for my belief in Santa Claus out in the parking lot at my elementary school. Getting a rug burn playing in the foyer after church.
I can picture the sights, smell the smells, tell you exactly what the lighting in the room was like. I remember. That was yesterday. But it was really forever ago. My life's disappearing before my eyes.
But maybe it's not disappearing. Maybe it's melting.
Someday I'll be all gone. The faucet of time will continue to rush down on my life and in a blink, in an indeterminate second, I'll be washed down the garbage disposal into eternity. But you know what? I get a few seconds to let the water run between my fingers and feel the inexplicable joy that is living.
I'm excited to melt my ice.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
You know you've been to Kamp Koinonia if...
- The word "Hummingbird" makes you think of fright rather than a small winged creature.
- You can play "Clocks" and "Heart and Soul" on the piano but you can't play anything else.
-You've been in heated speculative discussions about what the Jewel Hunt theme will be.
-You've wondered how they're planning on using chopsticks in the Jewel Hunt.
-You know who the most beautiful man in the room is.
-You sing "Row Row Row Your Boat" a little bit different than everybody else you know.
-You've heard legends about both the Korean Mafia and the nearby "insane asylum."
-You've been dared to touch the door of the Bear Cabin.
-You know that if you ever go spelunking, the answer is NOT to tie yourself to your spelunking buddy.
-You've ever found it ironic that you take a long hike to Devil's Head at church Kamp.
-You have been marked wrong on one of those "What I Did This Summer" papers for spelling Kamp with a K.
-You find yourself laughing really hard at puns that normal people probably wouldn't find that funny.
-You've heard stories that make your cresh fleep and give you poosegimples.
-You've felt a little bit guilty about holding hands with someone of the opposite sex during a prayer... because you don't have a stick...
-You hope someday you'll meet a man who'll be willing to carry your purse.
-You've cheered at the top of your lungs for a little girl playing "Hot Cross Buns" on the piano.
-You know that no matter how many horrible tragedies befall her, the cat will come back.
-You know the difference between Bret and Bre-tuh-tuh.
-Tornado warnings make you want to sing a certain song.
-The phrase "Byron Clause" fills your heart with terror and foreboding.
-You've literally been sentenced to water torture.
-You've eaten wild raspberries despite being warned that they could possibly kill you.
-You were a little bummed when the lodge remodeled because even though those orange and purple chairs were heinously tacky, they were COMFY.
-If you're a girl, you've been terrified to use the other bathroom even though the sign says it's a girl's right now.
-You've started about a million lanyards and finished none of them.
-You've heard the same orientation jokes for eight years and you still laugh at them. Every. Single. Year.
-You've sat in the same spot for Quiet Time every year for as long as you can remember.
-You know exactly what a napkin check is.
-When people start cheering during a meal you just kinda go with it. Even though you have full knowledge that there's probably no point to it whatsoever.
-You have a VEHEMENT opinion when it comes to which color is better, green or blue.
-It took you a few years of coming to realize that Bret and Julie are brother and sister.
-You know that if you read Scripture in Tom Walker's class, he WILL interrupt you.
-You've been beaten, tortured, chased by a motorcycle, and sprayed with ketchup all in the same night.
-You've walked into the parlor to find at least three people sound asleep. And it's only Tuesday.
-You started shaving your legs immediately after winning the "girl with the hairiest legs" point in Scavenger Hunt.
-You want to be Bret Carter/ Julie Oehlert when you grow up.
-You've randomly started singing devo songs with several other people outside assembly or campfire.
-You owe some of your closest friends in the world to your years at Kamp.
-You have a box of caregrams that you read when you need a little extra encouragement.
-You've been astounded at the eagerness of a boy younger than twelve to lead a prayer or a song, or at the intelligence and relevance of a younger kid during Man to Man/ Woman to Woman.
-You have actually seen chivalry and have faith in its ability to stay alive even in the present world.
-Words people have said to you at the campfire Thursday or Friday have stayed with you for years.
-You know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Christians can have real fun-- in fact, more fun than the rest of the world.
-You've cried over an Underground Church cop and the fact that you couldn't convert them... only to start crying harder, because you realize that in real life you don't care about REAL lost souls half that much.
-A class/assembly has brought you to tears with its relevance to your life.
-You've tasted a little slice of Heaven.
Kamp Koinonia 2011-- Thank you for teaching me how to better fight the good fight! I love you all and you encourage me more than you will ever know this side of Heaven. Somehow we always manage to keep the perfect balance of total silliness and deep spirituality and it always results in the next best week of my life. Stay strong in the Lord. Tan Kalon Agona.
<3
- You can play "Clocks" and "Heart and Soul" on the piano but you can't play anything else.
-You've been in heated speculative discussions about what the Jewel Hunt theme will be.
-You've wondered how they're planning on using chopsticks in the Jewel Hunt.
-You know who the most beautiful man in the room is.
-You sing "Row Row Row Your Boat" a little bit different than everybody else you know.
-You've heard legends about both the Korean Mafia and the nearby "insane asylum."
-You've been dared to touch the door of the Bear Cabin.
-You know that if you ever go spelunking, the answer is NOT to tie yourself to your spelunking buddy.
-You've ever found it ironic that you take a long hike to Devil's Head at church Kamp.
-You have been marked wrong on one of those "What I Did This Summer" papers for spelling Kamp with a K.
-You find yourself laughing really hard at puns that normal people probably wouldn't find that funny.
-You've heard stories that make your cresh fleep and give you poosegimples.
-You've felt a little bit guilty about holding hands with someone of the opposite sex during a prayer... because you don't have a stick...
-You hope someday you'll meet a man who'll be willing to carry your purse.
-You've cheered at the top of your lungs for a little girl playing "Hot Cross Buns" on the piano.
-You know that no matter how many horrible tragedies befall her, the cat will come back.
-You know the difference between Bret and Bre-tuh-tuh.
-Tornado warnings make you want to sing a certain song.
-The phrase "Byron Clause" fills your heart with terror and foreboding.
-You've literally been sentenced to water torture.
-You've eaten wild raspberries despite being warned that they could possibly kill you.
-You were a little bummed when the lodge remodeled because even though those orange and purple chairs were heinously tacky, they were COMFY.
-If you're a girl, you've been terrified to use the other bathroom even though the sign says it's a girl's right now.
-You've started about a million lanyards and finished none of them.
-You've heard the same orientation jokes for eight years and you still laugh at them. Every. Single. Year.
-You've sat in the same spot for Quiet Time every year for as long as you can remember.
-You know exactly what a napkin check is.
-When people start cheering during a meal you just kinda go with it. Even though you have full knowledge that there's probably no point to it whatsoever.
-You have a VEHEMENT opinion when it comes to which color is better, green or blue.
-It took you a few years of coming to realize that Bret and Julie are brother and sister.
-You know that if you read Scripture in Tom Walker's class, he WILL interrupt you.
-You've been beaten, tortured, chased by a motorcycle, and sprayed with ketchup all in the same night.
-You've walked into the parlor to find at least three people sound asleep. And it's only Tuesday.
-You started shaving your legs immediately after winning the "girl with the hairiest legs" point in Scavenger Hunt.
-You want to be Bret Carter/ Julie Oehlert when you grow up.
-You've randomly started singing devo songs with several other people outside assembly or campfire.
-You owe some of your closest friends in the world to your years at Kamp.
-You have a box of caregrams that you read when you need a little extra encouragement.
-You've been astounded at the eagerness of a boy younger than twelve to lead a prayer or a song, or at the intelligence and relevance of a younger kid during Man to Man/ Woman to Woman.
-You have actually seen chivalry and have faith in its ability to stay alive even in the present world.
-Words people have said to you at the campfire Thursday or Friday have stayed with you for years.
-You know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Christians can have real fun-- in fact, more fun than the rest of the world.
-You've cried over an Underground Church cop and the fact that you couldn't convert them... only to start crying harder, because you realize that in real life you don't care about REAL lost souls half that much.
-A class/assembly has brought you to tears with its relevance to your life.
-You've tasted a little slice of Heaven.
Kamp Koinonia 2011-- Thank you for teaching me how to better fight the good fight! I love you all and you encourage me more than you will ever know this side of Heaven. Somehow we always manage to keep the perfect balance of total silliness and deep spirituality and it always results in the next best week of my life. Stay strong in the Lord. Tan Kalon Agona.
<3
Thursday, July 7, 2011
My Hero
I love super heroes.
As a people, as a species, we've always loved a hero. It goes clear back to Greek and Roman mythology. Look at Hercules, Achilles, Aeneas, Odysseus. They were children of the gods, endowed with some sort of power, sent on a mission from heaven. At the same time, though, they were human, prone to human faults and failures.
Flash forward to the 20th century. Superman, Batman, Captain America, Green Lantern, the Flash, Spider-Man, Thor, just to name a few. Each, no matter their source of power, no matter their protective domain, no matter their secret identity, have been burdened and yet blessed with a singular mission...
TO SAVE THE WORLD!!
Is it really any wonder we love them? Yeah. I didn't think so either.
But it does go deeper than that. At least for me it does.
Of course, we love super heroes because they're, well, super. They play with our imaginations. They do everything we wish we could do. They can fly. They have super strength. They can move faster than the speed of light. They're invincible. Who hasn't wished for a super power? I mean, really. You love the idea. Whether you admit it or not, you wish you were a super hero sometimes. Admit it. :)
But we also love them because they're human. They have problems and weaknesses. Batman is literally, 100% human, totally vulnerable (except for his armor, but... that doesn't prove my point so I'm not acknowledging that). Spider-Man can hardly afford to be a super hero. The Hulk and Thor both have to learn to conquer their anger. Iron Man has heart problems, for crying out loud! Even Superman cringes at the sight of Kryptonite. And, of course, whether it be Lois Lane, Mary Jane Watson, Jane Foster, or anybody else, nearly every superhero falls prey to the number one vulnerability: a love interest.
We like vulnerability. We understand vulnerability. Vulnerability makes us think of ourselves.
But really, truly, in our heart of hearts, the central reason we love super heroes is that they're just that. Heroes.
No matter how a hero acquires his power, he chooses to use it for the good of humanity. Sure, for some the choice is easier than others, but they kind of all hold to Spider-Man's philosophy: "With great power comes great responsibility." (Good grief, that was a nerdy sentence.) Mankind must always come first, no matter what other conflicting personal desires he may hold. Self-sacrifice is no stranger to the super hero. Even motives become subject to this strict code of super hero-dom. Revenge and hate must be absent in a super hero's mentality, though it's a constant battle to achieve this pure mindset.
So you place these supers in a very real world, surrounded by very real problems along with the fantastically exaggerated ones. You give them a responsibility, a vulnerability, and a sense of extreme morality. The result is inspiring. Super heroes remind us that maybe, just maybe, we can do it too. Can we swing from buildings or fly or lift cars or summon lightning? Of course not. But we can hold to this higher code of morality. We can use our talents to help mankind. We can stand up for the good of humanity. We can MAKE A DIFFERENCE. And that's encouraging to say the least.
"Kids like Henry need a hero, courageous, self-sacrificing people, setting an example for all of us. Everybody loves a hero. People line up for them, cheer them, scream their names. And years later, they'll tell how they stood in the rain for hours just to get a glimpse of the one who taught them how to hold on a second longer. I believe there's a hero in all of us, that keeps us honest, gives us strength, makes us noble, and finally allows us to die with pride, even though sometimes we have to be steady, and give up the thing we want the most. Even our dreams." -Aunt Mae, Spider-Man 2
Gonna be a hero?
As a people, as a species, we've always loved a hero. It goes clear back to Greek and Roman mythology. Look at Hercules, Achilles, Aeneas, Odysseus. They were children of the gods, endowed with some sort of power, sent on a mission from heaven. At the same time, though, they were human, prone to human faults and failures.
Flash forward to the 20th century. Superman, Batman, Captain America, Green Lantern, the Flash, Spider-Man, Thor, just to name a few. Each, no matter their source of power, no matter their protective domain, no matter their secret identity, have been burdened and yet blessed with a singular mission...
TO SAVE THE WORLD!!
Is it really any wonder we love them? Yeah. I didn't think so either.
But it does go deeper than that. At least for me it does.
Of course, we love super heroes because they're, well, super. They play with our imaginations. They do everything we wish we could do. They can fly. They have super strength. They can move faster than the speed of light. They're invincible. Who hasn't wished for a super power? I mean, really. You love the idea. Whether you admit it or not, you wish you were a super hero sometimes. Admit it. :)
But we also love them because they're human. They have problems and weaknesses. Batman is literally, 100% human, totally vulnerable (except for his armor, but... that doesn't prove my point so I'm not acknowledging that). Spider-Man can hardly afford to be a super hero. The Hulk and Thor both have to learn to conquer their anger. Iron Man has heart problems, for crying out loud! Even Superman cringes at the sight of Kryptonite. And, of course, whether it be Lois Lane, Mary Jane Watson, Jane Foster, or anybody else, nearly every superhero falls prey to the number one vulnerability: a love interest.
We like vulnerability. We understand vulnerability. Vulnerability makes us think of ourselves.
But really, truly, in our heart of hearts, the central reason we love super heroes is that they're just that. Heroes.
No matter how a hero acquires his power, he chooses to use it for the good of humanity. Sure, for some the choice is easier than others, but they kind of all hold to Spider-Man's philosophy: "With great power comes great responsibility." (Good grief, that was a nerdy sentence.) Mankind must always come first, no matter what other conflicting personal desires he may hold. Self-sacrifice is no stranger to the super hero. Even motives become subject to this strict code of super hero-dom. Revenge and hate must be absent in a super hero's mentality, though it's a constant battle to achieve this pure mindset.
So you place these supers in a very real world, surrounded by very real problems along with the fantastically exaggerated ones. You give them a responsibility, a vulnerability, and a sense of extreme morality. The result is inspiring. Super heroes remind us that maybe, just maybe, we can do it too. Can we swing from buildings or fly or lift cars or summon lightning? Of course not. But we can hold to this higher code of morality. We can use our talents to help mankind. We can stand up for the good of humanity. We can MAKE A DIFFERENCE. And that's encouraging to say the least.
"Kids like Henry need a hero, courageous, self-sacrificing people, setting an example for all of us. Everybody loves a hero. People line up for them, cheer them, scream their names. And years later, they'll tell how they stood in the rain for hours just to get a glimpse of the one who taught them how to hold on a second longer. I believe there's a hero in all of us, that keeps us honest, gives us strength, makes us noble, and finally allows us to die with pride, even though sometimes we have to be steady, and give up the thing we want the most. Even our dreams." -Aunt Mae, Spider-Man 2
Gonna be a hero?
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Disneyland Snippets
Disneyland is a hilarious place. So I thought I'd give you a taste of just how awesome it is. :)
"It's time for everyone, I repeat, everyone, to disembark... Any stowaways will be sent to Small World and be forced to ride the ride for the rest of the day." -Cast member on the Columbia
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Davy Crockett canoe dude was hilarious.
"Rule 1: Never stop rowing. Because if you don't row... we don't go. Rule 2: Never stop paddling. Because if you don't paddle... we don't skedaddle."
"Please try to keep the dirty green water in the dirty green river."
He splashed the people coming around the bend on Splash Mountain: "And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why you don't ride that ride with your mouth open."
"We are now passing the Disneyland petting zoo. We taught them a little trick I bet they'll show you all..." *Waves at the people on the shore*... "See, they wave right back."
"If you enjoyed this trip, I'm Brian and this is John David and these are the Davy Crockett Canoes. If you didn't enjoy it, that's alright too, I'm Darth Vader, this is Luke Skywalker, and this is Star Tours: The Adventure Continues."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pocahontas asked where we came from so I told her and mentioned that we drove.
"All that way just to come to see us at Disneyland? I could ask to borrow a magic carpet for your way home. I'll ask Jasmine, she has tons of them."
Brother walked up: "Are you the brother or the prince?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was in line to meet Cinderella and this little girl with her face painted like a cat went up. As she was leaving Cinderella goes, "Make sure you don't eat any mice! Because one of them might be mine!"
As I went up to meet Cinderella, my brother mysteriously disappeared (he didn't want to meet princesses).
Fairy Godmother: "Are we missing someone?"
Me: "Yeah, we apparently lost my brother."
Cinderella: "You lost your brother? Is he a Lost Boy?"
Fairy Godmother: "What's his name?"
We told her.
Fairy Godmother: "What is he wearing?"
We told her.
She walks off shouting my brother's name. I think she would have looked all over Fantasyland for him... he was just hiding in the doorway though. They made him pose for the picture. :)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I love your treasure! Did you tinker it yourself?" -Iridessa the fairy commenting on my friendship necklace
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When I went up to meet Tinker Bell, Vidia was there with her. (If you haven't seen the Tinker Bell movies... I understand. But Vidia's the mean bratty fairy.) They bantered back and forth and when we all went up for the picture Vidia muttered to my dad, "Is there anybody else in your family? I need to get further away from Tinker Bell." Just before the picture went off, she said, "Watch the wings." Teeheehee!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I MET PETER PAN.
And I have a delightful picture that I shall post as soon as I get away from this terrible unresponsive hotel internet connection.
See? Isn't he awesome? Look at him, his tongue's sticking out 'cause he's concentrating too hard.
Anyways...
Peter Pan is perfect. He's exactly how he should be. Whenever you see him in Fantasyland he's always jumping up on railings and walking on them or swinging around a lightpole or just generally acting like all of Disneyland is his own personal playground. Because it is. It's wonderful.
Here's the conversation I overheard the other day when I was too chicken to push up and ask for his autograph:
Random Girl #1: (points at friend) "It's her birthday."
Peter: "So that means she's growing up?"
***awkward silence***
Random Girl #2: "Yeah...."
Peter: "Why would you want to grow up?"
Random Girl #2: "Well there are a lot of things you can't do when you're a kid."
Peter: "Nuh uh."
Girl: "Yuh huh."
Peter: "Nuh uh. Name one thing a grownup can do that I can't."
Girl: "Um... drive a car."
Peter: "HA! Autopia. What next?"
BUT ANYWAYS... Yesterday I finally caught him and asked for his autograph.
Me: "I've been looking for you FOREVER."
Peter: "Forever? That's a really long time. Did you look in the trees? Sometimes I hide in the trees."
All this time we're walking over to this group of rocks by the castle where he hangs out. He finished signing my book and goes "Here's your pen back" and goes to hand it to me. But he kept moving it so I couldn't get it. Such an ornery little boy.
Me: "Can I get a picture?"
Peter: "Sure. But not on my rock this one's mine I was here first."
So Dad goes to take the picture and every time he focuses Peter looks the other direction like he's zoning out. Then he says, "What? Oh yeah" and looks. This happened about three times. The shot was weird so Dad says, "Can she share your rock?" And Peter takes a minute and looks all thoughtful then finally decides, "No, that one's my rock. I was there first. But I can share hers."
I did get my picture. I love him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ariel: "Who has the other half of your necklace?" (my friendship one)
I told her.
Ariel: "Oh how wonderful! Flounder is my best friend. I wonder if he could wear a necklace..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tigger doesn't talk, you know, but in between visitors he was skipping around his little area because he can't sit still to save his life.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The other incredible thing I HAVE to mention is the excitement and warmth of everyone who works in this place. Everyone smiles. Everyone goes above and beyond. We were walking back to our hotel last night and we mentioned Tower of Terror, and a bellhop for the attraction walking next to us perked up. She stood there and talked to us for the better part of half an hour telling us little secrets of the ride and where the Hidden Mickeys are and what the bellhops do after hours. It was close to eleven o'clock at night and she took the time to make our day, even though she was off duty.
The rides are beyond cool... but the people really make Disneyland magical.
"It's time for everyone, I repeat, everyone, to disembark... Any stowaways will be sent to Small World and be forced to ride the ride for the rest of the day." -Cast member on the Columbia
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Davy Crockett canoe dude was hilarious.
"Rule 1: Never stop rowing. Because if you don't row... we don't go. Rule 2: Never stop paddling. Because if you don't paddle... we don't skedaddle."
"Please try to keep the dirty green water in the dirty green river."
He splashed the people coming around the bend on Splash Mountain: "And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why you don't ride that ride with your mouth open."
"We are now passing the Disneyland petting zoo. We taught them a little trick I bet they'll show you all..." *Waves at the people on the shore*... "See, they wave right back."
"If you enjoyed this trip, I'm Brian and this is John David and these are the Davy Crockett Canoes. If you didn't enjoy it, that's alright too, I'm Darth Vader, this is Luke Skywalker, and this is Star Tours: The Adventure Continues."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pocahontas asked where we came from so I told her and mentioned that we drove.
"All that way just to come to see us at Disneyland? I could ask to borrow a magic carpet for your way home. I'll ask Jasmine, she has tons of them."
Brother walked up: "Are you the brother or the prince?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was in line to meet Cinderella and this little girl with her face painted like a cat went up. As she was leaving Cinderella goes, "Make sure you don't eat any mice! Because one of them might be mine!"
As I went up to meet Cinderella, my brother mysteriously disappeared (he didn't want to meet princesses).
Fairy Godmother: "Are we missing someone?"
Me: "Yeah, we apparently lost my brother."
Cinderella: "You lost your brother? Is he a Lost Boy?"
Fairy Godmother: "What's his name?"
We told her.
Fairy Godmother: "What is he wearing?"
We told her.
She walks off shouting my brother's name. I think she would have looked all over Fantasyland for him... he was just hiding in the doorway though. They made him pose for the picture. :)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I love your treasure! Did you tinker it yourself?" -Iridessa the fairy commenting on my friendship necklace
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When I went up to meet Tinker Bell, Vidia was there with her. (If you haven't seen the Tinker Bell movies... I understand. But Vidia's the mean bratty fairy.) They bantered back and forth and when we all went up for the picture Vidia muttered to my dad, "Is there anybody else in your family? I need to get further away from Tinker Bell." Just before the picture went off, she said, "Watch the wings." Teeheehee!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I MET PETER PAN.
And I have a delightful picture that I shall post as soon as I get away from this terrible unresponsive hotel internet connection.
See? Isn't he awesome? Look at him, his tongue's sticking out 'cause he's concentrating too hard.
Anyways...
Peter Pan is perfect. He's exactly how he should be. Whenever you see him in Fantasyland he's always jumping up on railings and walking on them or swinging around a lightpole or just generally acting like all of Disneyland is his own personal playground. Because it is. It's wonderful.
Here's the conversation I overheard the other day when I was too chicken to push up and ask for his autograph:
Random Girl #1: (points at friend) "It's her birthday."
Peter: "So that means she's growing up?"
***awkward silence***
Random Girl #2: "Yeah...."
Peter: "Why would you want to grow up?"
Random Girl #2: "Well there are a lot of things you can't do when you're a kid."
Peter: "Nuh uh."
Girl: "Yuh huh."
Peter: "Nuh uh. Name one thing a grownup can do that I can't."
Girl: "Um... drive a car."
Peter: "HA! Autopia. What next?"
BUT ANYWAYS... Yesterday I finally caught him and asked for his autograph.
Me: "I've been looking for you FOREVER."
Peter: "Forever? That's a really long time. Did you look in the trees? Sometimes I hide in the trees."
All this time we're walking over to this group of rocks by the castle where he hangs out. He finished signing my book and goes "Here's your pen back" and goes to hand it to me. But he kept moving it so I couldn't get it. Such an ornery little boy.
Me: "Can I get a picture?"
Peter: "Sure. But not on my rock this one's mine I was here first."
So Dad goes to take the picture and every time he focuses Peter looks the other direction like he's zoning out. Then he says, "What? Oh yeah" and looks. This happened about three times. The shot was weird so Dad says, "Can she share your rock?" And Peter takes a minute and looks all thoughtful then finally decides, "No, that one's my rock. I was there first. But I can share hers."
I did get my picture. I love him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ariel: "Who has the other half of your necklace?" (my friendship one)
I told her.
Ariel: "Oh how wonderful! Flounder is my best friend. I wonder if he could wear a necklace..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tigger doesn't talk, you know, but in between visitors he was skipping around his little area because he can't sit still to save his life.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The other incredible thing I HAVE to mention is the excitement and warmth of everyone who works in this place. Everyone smiles. Everyone goes above and beyond. We were walking back to our hotel last night and we mentioned Tower of Terror, and a bellhop for the attraction walking next to us perked up. She stood there and talked to us for the better part of half an hour telling us little secrets of the ride and where the Hidden Mickeys are and what the bellhops do after hours. It was close to eleven o'clock at night and she took the time to make our day, even though she was off duty.
The rides are beyond cool... but the people really make Disneyland magical.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Kid Stuff
It's been a full day. We finally walked through the gates of Disneyland at about 11 o'clock, and didn't return to the hotel until a few minutes ago. That's twelve plus hour of Disneyland, ladies and gentlemen.
Ever since we found out we were going on this trip, I've been ecstatic, but there's always been this fear lurking in the empty corners of my mind: "What if I decide it's a place for kids? What if this turns out to be lame? What if I'm (horror of horrors) a grownup?"
My fear was further solidified earlier today when I felt too lame to ask for Peter Pan's autograph. I mean, that's stupid, right? Only tiny kids ask for autographs. Grow up, Melissa.
Rides are fun. Really fun. But I wasn't getting the magic.
Fantasmic! rolled around and we ended our search for a place to watch by giving up. We hadn't staked out a seat and the Rivers of America were PACKED. As we shuffled through endless seas of people I found myself annoyed with how crowded the park was. Annoyed. At the happiest place on earth. I suddenly became aware of how bad my feet hurt.
But we didn't let that break our spirits. Oh, no. We decided to save time and stake out a spot to watch the fireworks. Main Street, however, was nearly as packed as the Rivers of America. After finally finding a place where we had a decent view of the castle, we sat down, only to be told by a Cast member that soon we'd have to stand up to watch the firework show. My feet throbbed in protest.
The lights dimmed. The music began. "The second star to the right shines in the night for you..."
And Tinkerbell flew down from the Matterhorn to cast her magic over Sleeping Beauty Castle.
I really can't describe the feeling that welled up inside me at that moment, but I bawled. I bawled like a baby.
Because it was Tinkerbell. And I believed that it was Tinkerbell. She flew back and forth over the castle and waved her wand and somewhere in that moment I got lost in the magic. I forgot how tired I was. I forgot the gobs of people. I forgot that my feet hurt. All that existed was Tinkerbell. I'm convinced I'll remember that moment for the rest of my life. It was the moment I realized I'm still a kid. And I can keep being a kid for as long as I want to.
So I'm going to gaze at the castle in utter awe and believe that there's a princess inside ready to be awakened with a kiss. And I'm going to believe that Space Mountain is a piece of the galaxy pulled down out of the heavens. I'm going to believe that Mickey will always slay the dragon, and good will always win over evil, and at the end of the day Tinkerbell will always fly over the castle. And I'm going to track down Peter Pan and ask for his autograph.
Because that's what kids do.
Ever since we found out we were going on this trip, I've been ecstatic, but there's always been this fear lurking in the empty corners of my mind: "What if I decide it's a place for kids? What if this turns out to be lame? What if I'm (horror of horrors) a grownup?"
My fear was further solidified earlier today when I felt too lame to ask for Peter Pan's autograph. I mean, that's stupid, right? Only tiny kids ask for autographs. Grow up, Melissa.
Rides are fun. Really fun. But I wasn't getting the magic.
Fantasmic! rolled around and we ended our search for a place to watch by giving up. We hadn't staked out a seat and the Rivers of America were PACKED. As we shuffled through endless seas of people I found myself annoyed with how crowded the park was. Annoyed. At the happiest place on earth. I suddenly became aware of how bad my feet hurt.
But we didn't let that break our spirits. Oh, no. We decided to save time and stake out a spot to watch the fireworks. Main Street, however, was nearly as packed as the Rivers of America. After finally finding a place where we had a decent view of the castle, we sat down, only to be told by a Cast member that soon we'd have to stand up to watch the firework show. My feet throbbed in protest.
The lights dimmed. The music began. "The second star to the right shines in the night for you..."
And Tinkerbell flew down from the Matterhorn to cast her magic over Sleeping Beauty Castle.
I really can't describe the feeling that welled up inside me at that moment, but I bawled. I bawled like a baby.
Because it was Tinkerbell. And I believed that it was Tinkerbell. She flew back and forth over the castle and waved her wand and somewhere in that moment I got lost in the magic. I forgot how tired I was. I forgot the gobs of people. I forgot that my feet hurt. All that existed was Tinkerbell. I'm convinced I'll remember that moment for the rest of my life. It was the moment I realized I'm still a kid. And I can keep being a kid for as long as I want to.
So I'm going to gaze at the castle in utter awe and believe that there's a princess inside ready to be awakened with a kiss. And I'm going to believe that Space Mountain is a piece of the galaxy pulled down out of the heavens. I'm going to believe that Mickey will always slay the dragon, and good will always win over evil, and at the end of the day Tinkerbell will always fly over the castle. And I'm going to track down Peter Pan and ask for his autograph.
Because that's what kids do.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Proton
I bet if I folded myself up so small that a hundred trillion
Of me could fit on the head of a sewing pin
I'd become so invisibly invincible
That no hammer would ever
Be able to crush me
Again.
Of me could fit on the head of a sewing pin
I'd become so invisibly invincible
That no hammer would ever
Be able to crush me
Again.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Guess What I Do For Adventure?
I spent the better part of the morning trying to write something profound... it didn't work. But I feel bad for my poor neglected blog. So here's a hilarious YouTube video. Or at least I think it is.
<3
<3
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