In my first year as a teacher, I knew I wanted to take my students to the Zoo. As the LA Zoo is probably the closest, it was the Zoo of choice. It was an adventurous undertaking, but I think it is worth it. Here are two of my favorite shots from my first trip…
It is my favorite field trip to do because animals are awesome!
With that in mind, enjoy some of my favorite YouTube animal videos. (And know that I am making up similar conversations for the animals I see today.)
The goat bit starting at 0:12:
“Oh, I think I twisted something. OH BRILLIANT AN INJURY! I’M SO HARDCORE!”
(And the zebras at the end are pretty funny too.)
Sid the Monkey…
This is me in animal form. I quote this everyday.
This bird at the start…
ARE YOU READY TO RECEIVE THE HEALING!?
Finally, this video bit has it all…
The awesome bird at the start, the farting gorilla, the giraffes, the play fighting seals, the cackling birds at 1:18, the beat boxing chipmunks at 3:02, SID!!, the Billie Jean bird at 4:02, and the classic Alan bit throughout.
I have no idea what to write about today. My mental powers are limited.
Therefore, I will tell you about the first thing that came to mind. It is this song that I constantly hum without thinking…
Yes, I find myself humming Once Upon A Dream from Sleeping Beauty.
All. The. Time.
It took me a while to place the song when I first started singing it. I cannot remember the last time I watched this movie (even though it is a favorite of mine.) When I finally figured it out, I was not really surprised; I would be singing a Disney song without conscious effort. After all, this e-card sums up my life:
Seriously though.
According to my baby book, my first complete sentence was “Chain me to the wall, dude.” (Which I believe is inspired by Tito in Oliver and Company. See the 1:50 mark here. Yes, I ad-libbed and added “Dude” at the end.)
If I am ever humming a song in your presence, this is probably it.
I am going to watch a Disney movie now.
Side note: I *almost* put Cinderella’s Castle as the backdrop for this photo. Thankfully, I caught this grievous error and rectified the situation immediately. In case you did not know: This is Sleeping Beauty’s castle at Disneyland, while Cinderella’s Castle is featured at the Magic Kingdom at Disney World.
And yes, I am trying to convert you into a Disney nerd like me.
It is not Monday, but this song is just too magnificent to wait.
This hymn is beautiful to sing any time of the year. For me, however, it is especially powerful on Easter.
It is a classic that I can remember singing at so many different churches. More than anything, it brings back memories of my Great Gram. This song was a staple in the Easter services at her church. It is just not the same without the organ and the choir either…which is why I chose the version below.
Early last week, the small people I work with were inordinately sneezy. They went through about a box and a half of tissues in three days. One girl made sure to inform me (multiple times) that “My mom thinks I have a cold.” With the evidence as it was, I used endless amounts of disinfectant wipes on every reachable surface when my littles were out of the room. Together, we also made sure to keep the hand-sanitizer companies in business.
Despite my best efforts though, my own sore throat began on Wednesday night. That is the point of no return. Once it comes, I must accept the sickness. Thursday was not too terrible. It was just a bit of scratchiness. However, Friday was worse. It was only a minimum day though. I could make it right? It was when I actually arrived at work that I realized how very poorly I felt. We managed the day fairly well though. I think the munchkins knew I was ill; they were quite well-behaved. After they were dismissed, our staff had an appreciation lunch and a training seminar. My poor sick brain was only able to keep me upright, attend to the speaker and oversee the eating of my food. [Please note that intelligent interaction with my co-workers was not on that list.]
Once finished, I headed home. After reading for a moment or two, I fell asleep around 3:30pm.
I woke up from my “nap” around 7:00pm.
That’s when I decided it was official. I was definitely sick.
And I still am. I am better, but still sickly.
Not the ideal way to spend Easter Break, right?
I am quite enjoying it nonetheless. With Easter coming, here is a lovely song that reminds me of the reason I can celebrate.
Savior of the World by Ben Cantelon:
This song came into my life courtesy of Reality LA. I fell in love with it immediately. Lyrically, it is true and powerful. Musically, it is very much my style. Every time it starts, I have to listen to it all the way through. It is amazing.
So take courage and have hope. For…Christ the Lord overcame the darkness. He’s alive. Death has been defeated. For He made us a way by which we have been saved.
Often, we long for something different in our lives. Maybe it is a different nationality [e.g. "I wish I was English / Irish / French...(etc.)"] or a different era (e.g. “I SO should have lived back then!”). It would seem that true contentment inevitably lies elsewhere. Being a part-time optimist, I try instead to appreciate where I am at now. Music is a great example of that mentality.
Yes, there are many musical periods into which I would have fit perfectly: The 1950s, the 1970s, the 1980s, even the classical music eras of centuries past. However, rather than bemoan the fact that I was “born in the wrong generation”, I count it as a blessing that I get to enjoy ALL of musical history in my current lifetime. It is at my fingertips…quite literally, thanks to the digital music age.
An era I am particularly thankful for is the soul music of the ’50s and ’60s. One classic work from that time is Cry To Me by Solomon Burke, a “founding father” of the genre.
I first heard this song as a kid. We had a soundtrack featuring this tune. We listened to this tape quite often growing up and this song was my favorite. And yes, it was the Dirty Dancing soundtrack. The funny thing was when I *watched* the movie, I never heard this song. There were parts we muted or fast-forwarded through, but I managed to hear all the other soundtrack songs in the film. I figured Solomon Burke was on the soundtrack as inspiration…because he is awesome like that. Many years later, when I let THAT scene play a bit longer before fast-forwarding (because that is just what I do), I finally heard Cry To Me in the film. Then all the pieces fell into place. Oh. That is why I never heard it. The song is in THAT scene which I never watch due to my deep-rooted self-monitoring system. I had a good chuckle at the solved mystery…and proceeded to fast-forward.
Given my musical inattention, the beginning of a song is critical to me. If I do not like how a song starts, I often skip over it. This song has one awesome opening. It fits the genre of “soul” to the letter.
I quite appreciate the subject matter of this song as well: heartbreak, loneliness, crying. It is honest; it is relatable.
The small musical details throughout also appeal to me: the perfect blend of instruments, the timbre of Solomon’s voice, the superb backup vocals, the pauses…so well done.
In short, I love everything about this song.
P.S. I generally listen to the song for any Music Monday on repeat while getting my thoughts down. And usually I get a bit weary of hearing it over and over and over and over.
Not with Mr. Burke though. I could listen to it many more times and it will never get old. I hear something different every time in Cry To Me.
Sometimes, there are popular songs that do not quite reach their potential in my book. They have good words and melodies but they are way overdone. They are occasionally too “digitalized”…the computers/machines remove the human connection in the song: it ends up over-synthesized and over-auto-tuned.
That’s how I feel about Rihanna’s We Found Love. Too much digital, not enough reality. (Side note: Apparently I had never heard the opening few seconds of this song because I thought it was a joke at first. But then, I clicked on several different links and found…no. That noise is how the song REALLY starts. Not a fan.)
However, I was conflicted, as I do enjoy the rhythm and some of the lyrics. What’s a girl to do?
They did an acoustic cover of We Found Love. Complete with piano.
Only recently have I discovered that there is something to be said for song covers. Each artist brings out different aspects that they personally hear/see/feel. It is quite a testament to the power of musical arrangement. The same words take on a whole new depth; different instruments convey a different meaning. As much as I love words, the music itself plays just as powerful a role in impacting my heart and mind. I am grateful to have learned this lesson, as I have now found multiple covers of songs that I enjoy as much as (or even more than) the originals. Boyce Avenue played a role in that. (Thanks guys!)
This Rihanna cover by Boyce Avenue was the first song I ever heard from this band. I liked it so much that it led me to discover more. I instantly found multiple covers by them that I liked. They also led me to new artists that I hadn’t heard of before. (That’s a whole different post though ) To top it off, they have original music that was wonderful as well. Yes, I have found a new favorite in Boyce Avenue.
They had a show in LA back in December. I went, managing to get the Sister to come with me. The photo below is one of two that I managed to take. (Per usual, I think my sister has better ones somewhere.) It is rather a miracle to even have one picture, given how focused I was on simply enjoying the experience. Well, and pictures were difficult considering how often I cried. Yes, I cried. Not once, not twice, but three different times during the show. Tears are not my modus operandi, but I could relate to many of the lyrics. It was touching to hear songs I knew in such a different manner. Their original songs were lovely to listen to in person as well. I enjoyed it immensely, despite the photographic evidence that might suggest otherwise.
Your mission this week (should you choose to accept it): Find some covers of songs you love. Experience old favorites in a new light. And perhaps share them with us?
Last week, I commented on a popular song. In particular, I expressed my disappointment with the way some modern young women choose to present themselves, as well as how they manage relationships. The lack of maturity, grace and understanding in the song were disheartening (to put it lightly.)
However, I cannot simply discredit my entire musical generation as immature and shallow. There are numerous artists who are able to impart their wisdom in musical form. One such gifted singer/songwriter is the lovely, incredible Adele.
I am a huge fan of the majority of her music. Today, I like to enjoy Someone Like You (to contrast the petty themes of Want U Back from last week.)
Someone Like You is featured on Adele’s heartfelt break-up album 21. The album demonstrates a huge range of emotions that you can feel when you lose someone: from confidence to doubt, from celebration to mourning. This particular song is musically very simple (piano and her voice), yet it is quite stunning. The tune also conveys a depth of feeling…more of the sad, painful ones: regret, hurt, loss, uncertainty, acceptance of the truth… Adele is able to capture her feelings in a more mature manner than most. It is certain that she grew from her experiences.
Lyrics: I heard that you’re settled down, That you found a girl and you’re married now. (Note that she isn’t a stalker.) I heard that your dreams came true. Guess she gave you things, I didn’t give to you. (Acknowledging that this new woman had qualities she did not + not degrading said woman = maturity.) Old friend, why are you so shy? Ain’t like you to hold back or hide from the light.
I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited, But I couldn’t stay away. I couldn’t fight it. I had hoped you’d see my face and that you’d be reminded That for me…it isn’t over. (Acknowledging that it can be hard to get over someone. Perhaps against her better judgment, she wonders what might have been. She hopes.)
Never mind, I’ll find someone like you. (But then she comes back to reality. Never mind. She’ll find someone with these same qualities that she loved…someone that is meant for her this time.) I wish nothing but the best for you too. (This is how you treat someone you truly love.) Don’t forget me, I beg. I remember you said, “Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead. Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead.” (So very true.)
You know how the time flies, Only yesterday was the time of our lives. We were born and raised in a summer haze, Bound by the surprise of our glory days.
I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited, But I couldn’t stay away. I couldn’t fight it. I’d hoped you’d see my face and that you’d be reminded That for me…it isn’t over.
Never mind, I’ll find someone like you I wish nothing but the best for you too. Don’t forget me, I beg. I remember you said, “Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead.”
Nothing compares No worries or cares Regrets and mistakes They are memories made. Who would have known how bittersweet this would taste? (Regrets and mistakes are important memories made. Yes, it is bittersweet, but she is better because of it.)
Never mind, I’ll find someone like you I wish nothing but the best for you too Don’t forget me, I beg I remember you said, “Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead.”
Never mind, I’ll find someone like you I wish nothing but the best for you too. Don’t forget me, I beg I remember you said, “Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead, Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead.”
I think her words speak for themselves…and powerfully so. Listening to Adele is like having a good therapy session. She helps me understand and acknowledge the feelings that I might otherwise be suppressing. Adele is a songwriter using her power to set better standards. She is able to show her growth from the pain. I think that is one of the best examples someone can set: how to change your life through the trials and tragedies.
That is my prayer this week. Whatever we face, may we see the opportunities for refining our hearts and minds…and be better because of the struggles.
Performance Versions of Someone Like You:
1) Live from Royal Albert Hall – Short Cut and Longer Cut (I love just listening to her talk and explain things. She’s so real. Although, pardon the language )
Have no fear. The title of this post is not spelled incorrectly. In fact, that is actually the title of Cher Lloyd’s song…Want U Back. The words of this song are pathetically telling of our current generation. I thought I’d take another sarcastic look at a popular tune. (It did reach number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 after all.)
As a reminder, I love people, Cher Lloyd included. This is not so much a problem with her, but rather with the song she chose to represent herself with.
First of all, the video.
Is this what women have sunk to? Are we just supposed to be these shallow tramps? To quote Lizzie, “I’m sorry to be hard on any of our sex, but there it is…”
Cher’s music video is, in fact, the second music video for this song. The original was done for her UK single.
As if one was not enough.
Let’s move on to the real problems I have with this song…the lyrics. (Words mean so much to me, which is why I end up over-analyzing them.)
Per usual, the lyrics are in bold and my snarky thoughts will be interjected in italics.
Ugh! Mm, yeah La la la la la, ha ha Ugh! (There was only one semi-intelligible word in there: “yeah.” This is not a promising start.)
Hey, boy you never had much game (First, you should be dating a man, not a boy. Second, him having “game” should not be your top priority. Those glaring issues aside, please do continue…) Thought I needed to upgrade So I went and walked away way way (And you are just assuming that you would have no problem finding a better “upgrade”…egotistical.) Ugh! Now, I see you’ve been hanging out With that other girl in town (Another girl saw past his lack of game…to perhaps the real qualities you should look for? Heaven forbid.) Looking like a pair of clowns clowns clowns (Mocking them…the epitome of maturity.) Ugh!
{Chorus} Remember all the things that you and I did first? And now you’re doing them with her Remember all the things that you and I did first? You got me, got me like this: Ugh! (The maturity continues! This reminds me of the attitudes of many five-year old children I know.) And now you’re taking her to every restaurant And everywhere we went, come on! (Once again, stalking is apparently the go-to thing these days.) And now you’re taking her to every restaurant You got me, got me like this: Ugh!
Boy you can say anything you wanna I don’t give a shh, no one else can have ya (Wow…not caring about his feelings, selfishly wanting him for yourself…a GREAT picture of adult behavior. NOT.) I want u back, I want u back Wa-want u, want u back (Another feature of our generation? The ruination of English grammar and spelling. Is y-o-u really THAT hard to spell?) Ugh! (This sound just makes me increasingly uncomfortable throughout the song.) I broke it off thinking you’d be cryin’ Now I feel like shh looking at you flyin’ (Again with the arrogance and the poor use of English) I want u back, I want u back Wa-want u, want u back Ugh!
Please, this ain’t even jealousy (Jealousy – the state of feeling or showing envy of someone. Sorry to break it to you, but it is the definition of jealousy.) She ain’t got a thing on me Tryin’ to rock them ug-a-ly jeans jeans jeans (Why do women feel it is okay to demean other women? Seriously. We girls need to stick together here.) Ugh! You clearly didn’t think this through (Truth be told…Neither did you in breaking up with him. Oh right, we’re not focusing on your poor choices during your current rant. I do apologize. Continue on…) If what I’ve been told is true You’ll be crawling back like boo hoo hoo (Again with the narcissism. Clearly you are the girl of his dreams…the solution to all his problems.) Ugh!
[Repeat Chorus]
Ohhh, I thought you’d still be mine When I kissed you goodbye uh oh, uh oh (And here we have the philosophy of young people today. If I break up with you, you still belong to me. Oh heavens.) Ohhh, and you might be with her But I still had you first uh oh, uh oh (I have had to mediate many arguments over who had something first and who has rights to it now…usually the dispute is between kids over a toy. The similarities are striking.)
[Repeat Chorus]
Ohhh, I want u back I want u back Wa-want u, want u back
Ohhh, I want u back I want u back Wa-want u, want u back (You want him back. I get the picture. Stop saying it.)
So to review what this song teaches us:
- A girl should only date a guy with “game” (read: swag.)
- If a girl deems her boyfriend unworthy, there will be plenty of other boys to fall at her feet.
- Girls are supposed to be inconsistent in their feelings.
- Proper spelling and grammar are outmoded.
- Mocking other girls is perfectly acceptable, especially when said girl is dating the boy you broke up with.
- Stalking is a natural part of life.
- Whining about wanting someone back is not jealousy.
- A guy will still belong to a girl, even if she breaks up with him. He can NEVER move on…just in case she changes her mind.
- A girl has a right to get back with a guy if she wants to…despite his feelings.
It is rather sad to hear this song and realize that there are girls that feel this way. Yes, I know it’s just a song…purely for entertainment. However, hearing these ideas in a song can justify similar behavior. Life can imitate art. As such, I wish songwriters would use their power to set better standards. Yes, there are good examples in song of how to be an adult in a relationship…how to properly handle a break-up. However, they are sadly not always as popular. There is one woman who is popular AND a bit more mature. Perhaps I shall share her with you. So until next week…Try not to be like the girl in Want U Back. I would appreciate it.
Given my love of it, it makes sense that music played a role in my childhood. There are many songs that I remember jamming to as a kid, so I thought I would take a trip down memory lane today.
Don’t Worry Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin is a song that I distinctly remember…and I am pretty sure we listened to it on an LP. (Yes, my younger years were that awesome.)
I loved this song because it is so happy. You just could not be sad listening to it. I was equally fascinated that it was entirely a cappella. “You mean he made every sound that I hear? Like the background rhythms and everything?” As someone who cannot even whistle, that is impressive to me. Whenever I sing along, I make it a point to sing every part.
Not only did this cheerful song teach me big words like litigate, it reinforced some truths of life:
Don’t worry. Be Happy.
This is great advice because it gives you a positive replacement for a bad habit. Don’t worry. Be happy. This is often easier said than done. I only recently realized how happiness is truly a choice. How often do I chose to be miserable through my thought processes? One way I can deliberately choose happiness is to thank God for my blessings. I start with the things that are physically closest to me, wherever I happen to be sitting/standing/etc. “I thank You Lord for my clothes…that I have means to buy them, that I had time to get them and that they are comfortable and cute (to me at least ) Thank You God for my bed. I know I complain about how old / uncomfortable it is, but I am thankful to have one. I am glad I don’t have to sleep on the floor, that I have a place to curl up in…” It’s always remarkable to me how my attitude can change through the quality of my thoughts.
In every life, we have some trouble. When you worry, you make it double.
This is SO true. Of the many trials I face, I make them worse by trying to plan for every eventuality. A woman by the name of Sarah Young wrote an incredible little devotional called Jesus Calling. It is written as if Jesus himself is speaking directly to you. The following is from the January 16th reading: “You know that this day will bring difficulties, and you are trying to think your way through those trials. As you anticipate what is ahead of you, you forget that I am with you–now and always. Rehearsing your troubles results in experiencing them many times, whereas you are meant to go through them only when they actually occur. Do not multiply your suffering in this way!”
I am only supposed to go through trials ONCE! Yet, I force myself through the mental/emotional experience of them over and over through worry and anxiety. Oh why do I make it so hard on myself?
It will soon pass…whatever it is.
I will be the first to admit that I am not entirely optimistic in the midst of suffering…especially when it comes to a bout of severe depression and/or anxiety. I despair even more because I imagine my life stretched out before me as endless days of misery and pain. 2 Corinthians 4:17 says “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” Light and momentary. I have a REALLY hard time ascribing those words to my painful struggles. It is hard to keep an eternal perspective when the here-and-now is so utterly awful. However, time passes and the next day comes. Sometimes that next day is better; sometimes, it is not. No matter how many days pass though…it always gets better. I have been to very dark, sad depths, but I am not there currently. My life road may lead there again, but it will certainly not remain there. This is a path, not a final destination.
It will soon pass…whatever it is. True that, Mr. McFerrin.
P.S. That music video is hilarious! So weird. My favorite part is the “I’m not worried!” at the very end!
“There are as many forms of love as there are moments in time.” – Jane Austen
I love the way Jane captures this point so succinctly. Using her words as an outline, I present you with another quote…
“There are as many opinions of Valentine’s Day as there are moments in time.”
The feelings towards this day range from resentment to adoration…from ambiguity to obsession.
I have an affectionate ambivalence towards this particular celebration. Most of my holiday spirit is reserved for Christmas; I have very little to spare for the remainder of the year. However, I do like Valentine’s Day as it is a good reminder to give and receive love. I do not consider it “Singles Awareness Day”, nor do I ever become bitter about my current relationship status on this day. I choose to remember Jane’s words as stated above. If I do not have the privilege of currently experiencing the most popular love promoted on Valentine’s Day (i.e. the love of a significant other), bitter jealousy does me no good. Instead, I find contentment in such things that I have. There are many forms of love that I enjoy on a daily basis; I celebrate and savor those loves on Valentine’s Day.
As this certain holiday approaches, a song of True Love comes to mind. It is O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus by Samuel Trevor Francis (please excuse the typos in the video…)
This melody tells of the amazing, overpowering Love of my Savior. It is the most profound Love I will ever experience, but it is often overlooked on this celebration day full of chocolates and hearts. I love this imagery, as it is gives me a visual…an experience to capture God’s Love for me.
May these words be reminder to you this week of He who loves you most of all!
O the deep, deep Love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free! Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me! Underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love Leading onward, leading homeward to Thy glorious rest above! O the deep, deep Love of Jesus, spread His praise from shore to shore! How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, never more! How He watches o’er His loved ones, died to call them all His own; How for them he intercedeth, watcheth o’er them from the throne! O the deep, deep Love of Jesus, love of every love the best! ‘Tis an ocean vast of blessing, ‘Tis a haven sweet of rest! O the deep, deep Love of Jesus, ‘tis a heaven of heavens to me; And it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to Thee!
Side note: There is not a single period used in the punctuating of this song. No matter where I looked for the lyrics, it was the same each time. Every sentence ends in an exclamation mark. As I explain to my little students, exclamation marks indicate excitement and strong emotion. Ergo, this song is not just a bored recital of God’s qualities. It is a passionate, emotional declaration of God’s extraordinariness. Punctuation changes everything!
) To top it off, they have original music that was wonderful as well. Yes, I have found a new favorite in Boyce Avenue.
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) Thank You God for my bed. I know I complain about how old / uncomfortable it is, but I am thankful to have one. I am glad I don’t have to sleep on the floor, that I have a place to curl up in…” It’s always remarkable to me how my attitude can change through the quality of my thoughts.
