Peter Pan Character Sketch

So in case you hadn't noticed... I've been on a Peter Pan kick lately. And by "lately," I mean the last eighteen years of my life. If my life was a book, Peter Pan would be a motif.

I must remember that when I write my memoir.

ANYWAYS.

I wrote this a while back and thought some of you out there in the Bloggerverse might find it entertaining. In Creative Writing last year we got outlines for writing character sketches, and one night I just felt like filling one out for Peter. Some of it is J.M. Barrie canon material and some of it is purely my imagination. I think it's kind of witty in places, if I do say so myself, so here it is.

Name: Peter Pan

Birthplace: London, England

Gender: Male

Appearance: Red-gold hair, green eyes, about 5’1”, skinny, still has all baby teeth, clothes made out of leaves, thin lips, freckles, barefoot, usually semi-dirty

Self image: Simply the greatest thing ever to grace the universe

Age: At least one year older than the oldest child present. (But for real, nearly thirteen. He doesn’t know that though.)

Health: Pristine

Addictions: Adventure and general mischief

Siblings: A nameless little brother, for whom he feels only contempt and a twinge of jealousy (although he’d never admit to that part)

Close Relationships: Tinker Bell, whom he often takes for granted, but actually cares for quite deeply; the Lost Boys, whom he sees as his disciples, of a sort; Hook—he values their rivalry and probably wouldn’t know what to do with himself without him.

Memory of father: Talking about what he was to be when he became a man.

Memory of mother: Lullabies

First love: Tinker Bell. He’s half in love with her but he’ll never know it, being twelve. He would answer that girls don’t have as much fun as boys. Too clean.

Current Home: The Neverland—second star to the right and straight on ‘til morning. Specifically, his hideout under a hollow tree (with the Lost Boys… but naturally it’s really all his). His own quarters w/in the hideout are enclosed by a red curtain and contain a hammock, a variety of stolen pirate swords and treasures, a niche in the wall for Tinker Bell, and several other treasures. 

Ideal home: Why, his current one, of course. If it weren’t, he’d move to his ideal one.

First job: Jobs are for grown-ups.

First memory: His first laugh as an infant (or so he claims. But it’s Peter, so who really knows?)

Worst memory: When Tink died.

Most haunting memory: Nothing haunts Peter Pan. He’s far too forgetful for that.

Favorite music: His pipes.

Least favorite music: Anything that’s not his pipes (unless, of course, he’s playing the instrument, in which place it is again his favorite).

Favorite/least favorite books: Books are for grownups.

Favorite activity: Flying, fighting Hook, taunting Hook, narrowly escaping Hook…

Least favorite activity: Anything boring or grownupish

Recurring dream/nightmare: Who knows? You’ll never get him to admit he even sleeps, much less dreams.

Areas of expertise: In his mind, everything there ever was ever. But honestly, he can fly. And for a kid he’s a sword-fighting prodigy. He would also like me to mention that he’s never lost at hide-and-go-seek.

Knowledge wished: Absolutely nothing. He thinks he knows everything.

Deepest fulfilled desire: Neverland. It’s his island, after all. 

Deepest unfulfilled desire: Honestly, he’s very static. The doesn’t want anything, and there’s nothing he would change. A little boy’s “deep” desires change so randomly day to day that there’s no way to pin one down for Peter.

Prized possession: Neverland. It’s his island, after all. 

Jealous of: No one. Or everyone. Depends on his mood.

Proud of: Himself. His cleverness. His many abilities. His extraordinariness. His ability to fight pirates at age twelve. His shadow. Need I go on?

Most adventurous travel: When you live in Neverland, travel no longer seems very adventurous. Quite the opposite, really. 

Biggest current disappointment: Disappointment is for grownups.

Reason for living: It’s an awfully big adventure.

Possible reason for dying: It’s an awfully big adventure.

The Island Come True

"Thus sharply did the terrified three learn the difference between an island of make-believe and the same island come true." -J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan

Well, gentle reader, I went to college. Sorry I haven't blogged in nearly two months. I shall try to do better. 

I'm not entirely sure what I expected of college, but it's safe to say it's not this. Not that it's bad. I feel like I've had nearly a lifetime in this past month since I got here. I've gone through every emotion from confusion to ecstasy to heartbreak to homesickness, and I don't see this thrill ride of feelings stopping anytime soon. However, God has become my rock more than ever-- He is always here, He always will be here, and He never changes. And that is certainly a comforting thought.

My basic habits themselves have reversed. The first week or so I, a self-proclaimed night owl, reveled in the thought of staying up absolutely as late as I wanted. I didn't go to bed til one at all that week. The next week, all I wanted was to be in bed by ten. Worse, after being disorganized all my life, I have taken to writing to-do lists and cleaning my room everyday. WHO AM I?!?!?!?

I was blessed with a fantastic roommate, Amy, and two wonderful suitemates, Kelsey and Sarah. I didn't fully realize how wonderful they were until one of our first nights here, when the bathroom door on our side of the suite refused to open. With two of us on each side, we proceeded to try and break the door down. After many failed attempts, Kelsey tried to turn the knob again, and it just opened. We must have scared the door into submission. We cheered raucously in our victory... at least until the RA reminded us via intercom that it was quiet hour. J.K. Rowling says in the first Harry Potter book that there are some things you can't do together without becoming friends afterwards, and knocking out a mountain troll is one of them. Well, so is opening a stubborn bathroom door.

As to classes there have been relatively few mishaps. I say relatively because one Friday Amy and I slept until 11:30. Our first class is at 8. If you're gonna go, go all the way. 

In our defense, it only happens every once in a blue moon. No, seriously. That Friday was a blue moon. :)

Last weekend, I had the marvelous opportunity to speak at the God's Girls Rally in Ada, Oklahoma. I got to talk about the book of Esther and it was just wonderful. My mommy flew out to drive Amy and I down, so I got to spend the weekend with her, which was much needed. This whole being away from home thing is fun for a while, but sometimes you just need a hug from Mom.

:'(

Anyways.

I have figured out why people gain the freshman fifteen! It's because nothing in the cafeteria is particularly good except for the ice cream. (That's not entirely true, though. I've had an omelet almost every day since I've been here. I figured out about a week in that if you ask for real eggs, they give them to you. But you have to ask, or else they'll give you the egg from a carton. I felt smart figuring this out so fast.)

I have had two auditions since I've been here: one for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and another for a couple of one-acts. I am not in the musical, but I am in a one-act called The Snow Show. It's all very Charlie Brownish and adorable. I get a great monologue about whether or not I should stick my tongue to a telephone pole. 

One important fact you should know about Harding is that there are squirrels. Everywhere. They are crazy psycho awesome squirrels. They'll run right up to you. You remember the squirrels in The Sword and the Stone when Merlin turns Wart and himself into squirrels and the lady squirrel falls in love with Wart and then he turns back into a human and she cries? That's what the squirrels remind me of.

I'm really wrestling with what I want to do with my life. Obviously, I want to write, but there's not really any money in that, and I have to eat somehow. Teaching seems the logical choice for an English major, but I don't want to do something I don't really love just because I feel like I have no other options. I have no idea what's going to happen in the next four years, and it's a little bit intimidating. I'm glad God knows what's going on, because I have no clue.

Among other things, I have colored four pictures for my wall, four more to send to friends (as soon as I buy envelopes), gotten some of my Christmas shopping out of the way (I'm an overachiever), memorized Mark 1:1-15, read two books, painted my nails multiple times, won second prize at a club mixer for my awesome costume (I was Peter Pan), won a free t-shirt for my correct spelling of "camaraderie," converted Amy and Rachel to watching That Girl, eaten entirely too much Ben and Jerry's (Half Baked, if you wanted to know), drunk (drank?) Mexican coke (aka Coke with REAL SUGAR, in a GLASS BOTTLE), eaten multiple Chick-fil-a Chicken Biscuits, played in the Lily Pond, bought a new Beatles shirt, and caught the Gene Wilder Willy Wonka on television from the beginning. I have not walked under the Bell Tower (alone or accompanied) or touched the pregnant tree.

I think that minus the classes, Peter Pan would have rather liked college. 

To live will be an awfully big adventure.

Light in the Darkness

On Saturday I came back to a scary world.

I came back to a world in which twelve people are now dead, the victims of a brutal shooting at a midnight movie premiere at a Century 16 in Aurora. Fifty-eight more were seriously injured, and most are still in hospital beds hoping for a full recovery.

I'm not old enough to remember Columbine, and I have very little recollection even of 9/11. This mix of surreality, fear, and tragedy hitting me square in the chest is new. I think it's hitting me so hard mainly because it's so close to home. One of my best friends lives in Aurora, and probably would have gone to the premiere had her brother not been at Kamp. Another friend was in the theatre and came out without a scratch. Looking through my saved movie tickets I discovered that a year and a half ago I saw Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in the now tragedy-marked Theatre 9.

All of us have questions, even those of us who aren't directly affected, who haven't lost loved ones, who aren't on the front lines of the tragedy. Why do things like this happen? What possesses someone to brutally murder innocent people? Why twice so close to home? It's enough to scare anyone.

I told you I came back... but I didn't tell you where I came back from.

I came back from a place where God is honored in all things, where people love Him deeply and try to serve Him with their lives. I came back from in-depth Bible discussions. I came back from honesty, friendship, chivalry, and love. I came back from laughter and tears, joy and compassion. I came back from... well, a river in the desert.

I don't know why twelve people met eternity Friday morning. I don't know why it's so close to home. But if there's anything I do know, it's that there is hope, and the world is going to see the need for it a little more today than it did a week ago.

And maybe, just maybe, I'm in the perfect position to show someone that hope.

"Behold, I will do something new, 
Now it will spring forth; 
Will you not be aware of it?
I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, 
Rivers in the desert." -Isaiah 43:19

If This Isn't Nice...

Those of you who know me well know that I'm a little bit of a quote fiend. I actually have a literal list of my favorites, and it's about a mile long. Being a writer, I guess I'm always searching for the right words, and quotes are proof that it's possible to find them, that someone was able to write or say something breathtaking and inspiring that lived beyond themselves.


I came across this one the other day, and it's been on my mind ever since:


"I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, 'If this isn't nice, I don't know what is.'" -Kurt Vonnegut


Even though I like quotes, they don't usually stick in my head for as long as this one has, but I'm thankful this one has stayed. In the last week I have more deeply appreciated several small joys that I wouldn't normally have thought too much about: hugs from my best friends after being gone a long time, conversations that require no effort to keep going, lying in bed and realizing I don't have to get up yet, having time to read a good book. And as it turns out, happiness that's acknowledged becomes even better.


I guess all I'm trying to say is if you revel in your happiness when it comes, your life feels so much happier, even though it's probably about the same as it's always been. Enjoy your life, because if this isn't nice, I don't know what is.

Eight Birthday Beatles a Week

So as not to mess up the mood of the next post, I am doing two posts in one day to accommodate Eight Days a Week. I know I'm behind, but it's Ringo's birthday! So have a Ringo song.

Happy birthday, Mr. Starr.

The Happiest Place on Earth

Hello, gentle reader! I apologize for not blogging direct from California, but we were at the park from opening to closing every day, and there just wasn't time. So, I shall now give you the highlights of our Disneyland adventure in a format similar to this post from last year (which is also a fun post, if you care to go look at it.)

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We met Mickey Mouse first thing Day One, which I thought was rather fitting. His autograph looked the same as last year, which entertained me (though I don't know why... it's not like he would randomly change his signature... hehe.) 

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FLYNN RIDER GAVE ME THE SMOLDER.

"You're so dashing!"
"Girl, he's MINE." 

Yeah. It happened. I mean, he was actually trying to teach Matthew how to do it properly, but I was the guinea pig. I'll take it.
Also, why isn't Rapunzel a short-haired brunette now? I mean, that's what happens in the movie...

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A conversation I had with Ariel:
Ariel: "So where did you come to Disneyland from?"
Me: "Colorado."
Ariel: "So did you swim here?"
Me: "No... it's a land-locked state."
Ariel: "Oh good. People always say yes and I always wonder how."

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We waited in line for TWO AND A HALF HOURS for the new Cars ride. And it was almost worth it.

It's called Radiator Springs Racers, and it was pretty dandy. You get in a car that seats six people and drive around Radiator Springs (did I mention they built the Cadillac-fin-rocks like from the movie? They're HUGE. Whenever Dad posts pictures on Facebook I'll steal them and put them here.) At one point you go past the huge waterfall like in the movie, and it was truly breathtaking. And the animatronics are ridiculous, man. I have never seen ride robots so lifelike. Or big.

So yeah, if you go, ride Radiator Springs Racers.

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When addressing Disney royalty such as the Queen of Hearts or Snow White's Evil Queen, one must use the utmost respect. Otherwise they'll unleash their wrath on you.
For example, the girl who requested an audience with the Queen of Hearts directly before me talked to Her Majesty as if she were a common peasant. The Queen responded by throwing the girl's autograph pen on the ground and shooing her away. Getting the message, I bowed to the Queen called her Your Highness, and politely begged the privilege of an autograph.
.... I still got shooed away afterward, but at least she didn't throw my pen on the ground.

You think she's full of herself, you should see the Evil Queen (straight out of Snow White). Being as vain as she is, she responded far more favorably to my veneration. After I called her "Your Highness," she said, "Finally, someone who knows how to address me! Your Highness! Correct!" After we took our picture she said, "Print out that picture. Frame it. Hang it on your wall. Study it every day and just trrrryyyy to look like this."

It was great. I loved her.

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Where was Peter, you may ask? Well, THE Peter... um... flew back to Neverland a while ago, so if you see a Peter in Disneyland, it's clearly one of his Lost Boys he's sent in his place. The whole "show up when they tell me to" thing obviously wasn't working out for him. The new "Peters" naturally aren't as good, because Peter made especial effort to make sure they wouldn't be. He's so vain, you know.

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When you're celebrating something, you can go to City Hall on Main Street and they'll give you special buttons. Since Mom and Dad were celebrating their anniversary, they got buttons, and EVERYONE wished them a happy anniversary. I mean, EVERYONE. The Jungle Cruise skippers, the people sweeping trash, Pooh Bear and Minnie Mouse, all the princesses, every Cast member we saw. Just another reason Disney is so awesome.

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As a die-hard fan of corny jokes, I love the World-Famous Jungle Cruise, and this trip we had THE BEST skipper I have ever had, ever. Usually I'm inwardly chuckling at the jokes. On Patrick's cruise, I laughed so hard I cried.
Some favorite jokes:
--"Those spiders can grow up to eight feet.... and... legs..."
--"MAN-EATING PIRANHAS! Quick! Women and children, protect the men!"
--"There's a boa constrictor. Sitting in a tree. H-I-S-S-I-N-G. First comes love, then comes... asphyxiation."
--"That limestone over there? Most people take it for granite." *I laugh* "My sediments exactly."
--"That over there is Trader Sam. You know, I went over to his house the other night and I said, 'Man, your wife makes good stew,' and he said, 'I know. I'm gonna miss her.'"
--"You know, Sam was the first one in his family to go to college. He got kicked out for buttering up his professor."
I laughed SO HARD, guys. SO FUNNY.

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I came away with a lanyard full of pins, a messenger bag for college, and a Tinkerbell necklace, but my favorite souvenir of all was a drawing of Tinker Bell from my sweet brother and Dad.
They have Disney artists in a few of the shops, and you can sit and watch them draw. It's really incredible watching how easily it seems to come to them. You can order pictures, and given my connection with Tink, we thought it was fitting.

Lovely artist Carrie drawing my beautiful Tinker Bell

It says "Find the joy in the child that you are," which is a line from the fireworks song, which is enough to make me tear up just thinking about it. It's perfect. :)

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Why do I love Disneyland so much? The nostalgia. The magic. The technical incredibility. The emanating joy. It is, quite simply, the happiest place on earth.

“To all who come to this happy place; welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past...and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams and the hard facts that have created America...with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.”


Mission accomplished, Mr. Disney.

Smorgasbord

Isn't that a great word? Smorgasbord. I'm pretty sure the goose in the old cartoon Charlotte's Web sang a song about a smorgasbord. This post is going to be an informational smorgasbord, a word which here means, "Melissa is going to tell you a bunch of random things about her life the last month she hasn't blogged."


Well, I graduated from high school. You would think that would be a blogworthy thing, but no matter how long I sat here thinking of something to say, I couldn't come up with anything profound to say. It was all very simple: I wore the robe and cap, I walked across the stage, I took my diploma, I turned my tassel. In the course of a mere two hours, the world changed its 18-year-deep opinion of me and decided to consider me an adult. No revelations about the rest of my life, no nothing. It just happened. My world expanded, but I remained exactly the same. I don't really know what else to say about it. Maybe the full significance will hit me later.


The last day of school seemed far more significant than graduation itself. Where graduation is stiff and formal, the last day contained a full spectrum of maturity, from farewell tears to a shaving cream fight. I've already given my sap to the people who needed to hear it, so I'll just say this: D'Evelyn did so much in making me who I am, and I'll forever be grateful for God's awesome plan in getting me there.


Alright, enough deep sappy stuff. Back to my usual overly peppy banter.


Guys, guys, guys. I started watching Doctor Who.
I'm not going to lie, I came in biased. Way too many people had told me how much I would love it before I started watching it, so I figured I would. They were happily correct. I've only finished season one, because I have to get them from the library, because I'm the last person on the planet without Netflix, but yeah. I started watching Doctor Who. And Christopher Eccleston's Doctor is fantastic, by the way.


And they sell sonic screwdrivers at Tradesmart and I want one.


Hey, it's raining! I like rain.


Have I mentioned Disneyland here? Somehow I don't think I have. Blogging has been so spotty. I'm going to Disneyland again soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


So excited. I'm sure I'll blog again. I'm planning on keeping a video diary of the entire trip, but I also said that last year and it didn't happen, so we'll see. I'm beyond excited. Cross your fingers that it's not too crowded for us!


I despise and loathe the weirdness of the spacing, by the way. Blogger has done weird things with my layout and I can't stand it. Facebook changes enough, Blogger!!! Why must you change too?? Harrumph. 

But anyway, I reread Peter Pan this week. I hadn't read it since I was a little kid, and while I've always loved the story,  I didn't realize what a masterpiece of literature it is. There's Biblical allusions and satire and deep symbolism and yeah. I geeked out just a bit. Also, did you know that J. M. Barrie started writing it shortly after the Wright brothers flew their plane? What a time to write about a kid who can fly...


I'm speaking at a girl's rally in September and I found out not too long ago that my topic is ESTHER! It's one of my favorite books of the Bible, so I'm super excited. Did you know that Mordecai is mentioned more times in Esther than Esther is? I find that fascinating. The book ends with Mordecai too-- the last three verses are telling you what happened to him in the end. I'm honestly beginning to think the inspired focus of the book was Mordecai, and then someone just called it Esther.


And finally, in commemoration of the first time the Beatles recorded at Abbey Road Studios fifty years ago today, Eight Days a Week.

(This is one of the songs they recorded.)

So, dear Readers, there's your random update on my life. I'm leaving out everything from the comedic pangs of young love to the Avengers, but there simply isn't time or will power for all that at the moment. You're excellently patient Readers. Return to your normal activities.