The Ophelia Syndrome (applied to school)

So, I was talking with my dear cousin today, and he was expressing his frustration with teachers. They say they want creativity, but in reality... they don't. You have to abide by their rules and guidelines. He has one teacher who really does want students to think outside of the box and asked them to read an article about the Ophelia syndrome. Ophelia, Hamlet's lover, followed Hamlet, went insane, and eventually committed suicide (although this matter can be debated). Those who don't think for themselves and blindly follow have this so-called Ophelia syndrome.

This conversation reminded me of reactions of several friends in some of my elementary education classes. Sometimes the teachers give us vague assignments on purpose and want to see with what we can come up with us. They want us to think creatively. This freaks many of my fellow classmates out--"What??? Things are not spelled out for us???" Heaven forbid we have to think for ourselves and get creative. And these are future teachers... oh boy...

No wonder our school system is going downhill. The ones who enjoy school can abide by the rules, and eventually some of them become teachers. Often they don't realize that not everyone likes following the rules.

People are different, and all learn differently. Surprise!

We like to party!

The end of the semester can bring many unpleasant things... finals, papers, projects, decisions, good-byes, etc.

However,I am looking forward to:

• General Conference!
  
• Semiannual GC breakfast party and GNO
• Homemade Cafe Rio
• Homemade brownies
  
• My last EVER BYU choir concert (April 10-11: Get your tickets ASAP!)
  
• Easter
• My birthday
  
• Spring weather and outside studying/napping
  
• End-of-the-year parties!

What unseen adventures are awaiting us???

Feel free to add to the list. :)

Boys, boys, boys...

So... the most unusual thing is going inside of my head at the moment. I actually don't want to play "hard to get" with a particular boy. I want to show interest. Weird, I know...
I have some pretty good clues that he at least thinks I am cute. There has been flirtation and flattery but little else.

However, I am not a forward girl, and I do not want to be one of "those" girls.

So, there's the dilemma. How do I show my interest and convince him to take me out without letting him know this. He needs to be a man, and I at least need to let him think he is "being a man."

Problem: He's not in my ward or classes, and so I never just run into him.

Advice here or elsewhere is gladly welcomed.

My ears! My ears!

Well, I have definitely become a choir snob. I can't help it. The past 3 years of music theory, music history, choir, and voice lessons have trained me well. HEAR. THIS. PITCH. and MUST. BE. IN. TUNE.

Consequently, church choirs on many levels often drive me nuts. I sit there and try and remind myself to not judge. They are singing with feeling. Don't analyze them. God doesn't care--Their singing is just as acceptable as in-tune singing.

However, I CAN'T HELP IT! I just really appreciate in-tune choirs with singers who have breath support. Out of tune singing can really disrupt the experience. Magical things happen when choirs are exactly in tune.... literally. You probably have no idea...

Disclaimer: I am not claiming I always sing in tune because I don't. This also is irrelevant to the fact I have not sung in a ward choir or stake choir this past year (actually I did once). I just have too much other stuff on my plate on Sundays. Plus, I like a break from choir.

Dancing

Pardon the blogging spree, but I have one more thing to say.

I am strongly attracted to men that can dance.
Especially Latin dancing... *Sigh*

They make me melt...

A balanced life

So, I have a lot of things on my plate this semester between extracurricular activities and school and church and my social life. It's definitely a balancing act.

Sometimes I feel like as a result I master none of it, but I love it all. I don't excel in any particular one thing. It's hard because there will always be someone better than you... especially at BYU.

Nonetheless, I do enjoy it all--dancing, singing, teaching, performing, loving, socializing, running, etc.

So, the question is... is it better to focus on a couple things and excel or to sample them all?

I am probably in the middle somewhere, which is probably ideal. Perhaps being closer to the excelling end would be nice though.

However, on a positive note, I have realized (based on my own observations and others' compliments) that I have a strong willingness and desire to try new things. I face new things with a positive attitude, and I love to try new things and face new situations. I never realized until recently that not everyone has that desire. I consider it a great blessing!

Oh the joys of running

Seriously... I love running.

I just had a good 3 mile run and pushed myself more than I have in a long time. It felt AMAZING! I really needed it physically and mentally. It cleared my mind and now I am ready to tackle life.

I just had to share my joy. The end.

Indecision

Last night I couldn't decide what pie to make... so many options! Turtle cheesecake, Oreo cream pie, strawberry pie, blueberry sour cream, peanut butter pie, tin roof sundae pie, grasshopper pie, etc. I finally picked two pies, and I am dang excited to make them. I am particularly excited to make Strawberry Smoothie Ice-Cream Pie, a recipe from Southern Living--a magazine with amazing recipes! Of course, you can't go wrong with a simple Mint-Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Pie either...
Yum Yum! Pie day is going to be AMAZING!

I also don't know where I am living next year... And when people ask me and worry for me, I get more worried. Either a) I can't live with my cousins, b)I am gonna live in a dump, c)or both. Maybe I'll luck out... maybe.

And I don't know what I am doing this summer. Social life or money???

Big decisions stink. P.U.

Oh the things you will find in a backpack of mine... an addendum

In my drama 352 class today, we played a game in which everyone put an item from their backpack in the center of the room. Then we each grabbed a different item from the pile and made up a story about it.

I put in my tuning fork. A few people thought that was really cool. Why do I have a tuning fork in my backpack they asked...

Someone also put in a tampon. FYI, there are 2 boys in my class. Someone made up a story about using a tampon to stop a nosebleed. People were pretty impressed with that idea. Been there, done that. Well, not that usage of a tampon, but I've had many discussions of that usage.

Someone else had a Spiderman figurine... Go figure. We are el eders.

People came up with some fun stories. Someone used headphones as a defibrillator. Someone else claimed a nighttime occupation as a Ninja in order to explain the possession of To-Go Advil.

Theater... fun stuff.

Sweet harmony

1st thought: I used to love to sing 1st soprano. They always had the melody... what more could I want? And those high, soaring notes--absolutely lovely!

However, psychologically high notes are "harder" (I am trying to change that thought pattern). I always got stuck as a 2nd soprano.

Recently, I realized I love singing 2nd soprano. I love the harmony--it's what makes the melody so great anyways. Without it, the melody is boring. 2nd sopranos are the best because they are in the middle of it all--between the higher and lower notes.

Now, I say: I don't want the melody... give me that sweet harmony!