Disney Favorites from my Childhood

After talking about the "ideal Disney Princess" today in class, I thought about why I liked my favorite 3 Disney movies from my childhood.

My brothers and mom exclaim that when I was 3 I watched the 101 Dalmatians over 101 times. I think I loved 101 Dalmatians so much was because of the moral behind it: The parents loved their children so much that they took whatever means to find them. Not only did they have great love for their own children, but for the other 82 Dalmatian puppies that Cruella De'Vil was about to kill. They saved all of them and took them under their wings as their own.Here's a clip from the end of the movie:

The 2nd movie I absolutely loved from my childhood was Pocahontas. I think I like her so much because of the courage she has to stand up for what was right. A new people had come into their land. Both groups of people were afraid of each other. They hated one another for their differences. But, Pocahontas and John Smith were humble and willing to learn from each other. Pocahontas created a peace between the two races because of her love and acceptance. Like her father says in the clip below, "she has wisdom beyond her years."

My last favorite Disney movie was Mulan. It came out when I was about 8 years old. It was a favorite among many girls my age. I think I loved this one so much because Mulan is not your typical princess. She too was brave and courageous. She was strained to act a certain way, but she could not help herself. She loved her father greatly and did not want to see him die in battle. So what did she do? She disguised herself as a man to do something different, to break out of the chains the public had placed on her, all to save her father's life. Her life was of little importance to herself. She knew she could die if someone found out. But she went forth and tried hard to fit in and to be strong. And in the end, she saved China. She was the bravest of all the warriors.In the scene below, I love the impact the music has with Mulan's actions.

Hope you enjoyed the insight to my childhood Disney life!

Skype

One media form I am grateful for is Skype. Without it, I wouldn't be able to see my family who lives far away. The first time I really used Skype was on my mission and it was nice to use it so I could actually see my family as I spoke to them. Now, I use Skype to talk to my missionary brother twice a year, my brothers and their families in other states, and my parents who now live in Korea. I am grateful for this wonderful, useful tool that is part of the technological advances in the media that allows me to see family who is far away.

Cell Phones

Interesting story. So if any of you have read about my previous posts about how we sometimes use our cell phones too much, well, guess what? I was putting my thoughts into actions unconciously by leaving my cell phone at home! Actually, it was kind of weird. Within the last ten years or so, we have gotten so use to carrying our cell phones with us everywhere! Fifteen years ago this was a phenomenon! Now, it's a natural part of life. A couple years ago, there was a guy in my ward who didn't own a cell phone! Now that seemed weird, but fifteen years ago, that was the norm. So interesting to see how time and history has changed over the years. And moral of my personal story, I kind of liked not having my cell phone on me, but at the same time I felt kind of bare. Reminds me of when I went into the MTC. For those three weeks being cell phoneless, I kept feeling phantom vibrates. The things media does to us. :) ha.

Happy Clip!

As I was studying, doing homework I had iTunes playing and this song came on! It just made me happy. :) It's pretty and calming. And I LOVE the title, What Makes You Beautiful. The Piano Guys are amazing as always! Definitely became one of my favorites as I came home back from my mission. Enjoy their awesomeness!

A Media called Learning Suite Messages

I am a TA (Teaching Assistant) for a class. Most of my communication I do with my students if via Learning Suite Messages. This week there was a problem with the test my students were taking at the Testing Center. I messaged all my students on how the problem had been fixed. I received the greatest, funniest message about the error.

My student said, "OH BLESS YOU. I thought I had a serious learning disability, thank you!!" I love people! This message made me laugh right out loud! Funniest thank you I have received about the test.

Hope you enjoyed this random media message for the week!

My Story Matters

One good use of media is being able to spread the word about various wonderful things! Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to intern with the non-profit organization called My Story Matters.

My Story Matters is committed to giving the gift of story (another source of media!) to individuals in need by publishing uplifting, inspiring, and motivational stories of faith, courage, and talent for individuals who could not otherwise do so for themselves. 

Even with this said you are probably still wondering exactly what My Story Matters entails. My Story Matters creates "custom happiness" through writing individual's lives. They will interview an individual, collect pictures from their life, and create a storybook out of it! Why? To help uplift and inspire the individual to see how truly amazing their life is!

My Story Matters has 3 different series. The Fighter Series who are dedicated to young children battling cancer. The Angel Series dedicated to young children who have passed on from this life. And the Gift Series which entails a broad spectrum of stories.

I loved my time with My Story Matters. They motivated me to do greater things with my life. I am constantly supporting their cause whenever I can.

If you likewise have desire to help them, visit their website at: mystorymatters.org . Or even better (with the help of media :) you can donate to their cause at: http://loveutgiveut.razoo.com/story/Mystorymatters?referral_code=share . Or even better yet, when you are shopping on Amazon, use smile.amazon.com and pick My Story Matters as your charity, then Amazon will donate some of their proceeds to them!

Be a Rescuer

Yesterday in my SFL 460 class we watched a video clip about families living in cars because they didn't have enough money to live anywhere else. This clip was powerful to me as it showed me another side of life I had not entirely ever considered before. Afterwards my teacher discussed being "rescuers" and reaching out to those within our reach. This is a goal I gained this summer. This summer I came to realize the passion I have for serving others. Thank you media for teaching me another aspect of life I hadn't know about. I know have a vision, a desire to do good and to help those young teenagers to succeed in life. Hopefully one day we will see my vision to come to pass. But for now, enjoy watching the video clip:

Texting vs. Interpersonal Development

Imagine yourself sitting in a room full of friends. First, ask yourself, why are you there? For me the answer is to have real interpersonal experiences of development. (Interpersonal refers to relating to relationships or communication between people.)

Then imagine one of your friends pulling out their phone. I bet many of you have experienced this. I did, just last night. When this happens, what comes to your mind? Maybe I am unusual, but this is what comes to my mind: Why? What is more important than the people you are surrounded by, in person? I know there are some cases where it is necessary, but there have been far too many times when it was not necessary.

According to CNN, "The number of text messages sent monthly in the U.S. exploded from 14 billion in 2000 to 188 billion in 2010." What does this say about our society? It shows how often we cheat ourselves of interpersonal experiences.

Looking at my own life, I can see how the impact of having face-to-face interaction makes on my interpersonal development. The scenario I presented with you earlier that happened to me last night is interesting to think about. The same friend who pulled out their phone last night is the same friend I spent an hour and half with a few nights ago. That night I really appreciated. We spent that hour and half communicating with one another - getting to know each other better. This was a good experience for me. I felt my interpersonal skills developing as I spent that time with them.


Sherry Turkle, a leading psychologist researcher looking into the effects of texting on interpersonal development stated "that having a conversation with another person teaches [people] to ... to think and reason and self-reflect. 'That particular skill is a bedrock of development.'"

I agree with her 100%. My interpersonal development increases and I grow more confident when I am able to communicate face-to-face with others.

CNN continued by saying, "Part of the appeal of texting in ... situations is that it's less painful — but the pain is the point. 'The complexity and messiness of human communication gets shortchanged,' Turkle says. 'Those things are what lead to better relationships.' ... Habitual texters may not only cheat their existing relationships, they can also limit their ability to form future ones since they don't get to practice the art of interpreting nonverbal visual cues." 

When I am in social situation, I rarely pull out my cell phone to check. I strive to give myself opportunities to have interpersonal development. So my plea to you, is consider those moments you desire to pull out your phone. Is it necessary? Will it diminish your opportunities to develop? Or for others to develop? Ask yourself those questions. Make sure you are not limiting yourself or anyone else from these valuable learning experiences.

Quotes from CNN and Turkle were found at: http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/31/tech/mobile/problem-text-messaging-oms/.

Media about the Book of Mormon

If you have read earlier, postings or know who I am, you will know that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We have something called Mormon Messages and I love them. They are so inspiring and bring the Spirit closer into my life. Here is a recent one I watched about the Book of Mormon, which is another testimony of Jesus Christ and His teachings.

I likewise believe and testify of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. It is a book that has brought me great peace and delight. I know it is truth.

Today I read a mother's Facebook message of her daughter's weekly email as she is serving her mission in Puerto Rico. The daughter said this about the Book of Mormon, "I know this is the truth, and I know that you can know it's the truth too."

If you haven't yet, I encourage you to experiment and try to read the Book of Mormon. As you can see, there are many of us who believe in it's words and truthfulness.

Songs that Enter the Mind because of Childhood

Often when people are getting to know you, they ask, "What music do you like to listen too?"

I never liked this question because unlike most people, my answer was always different. Growing up, music was never a priority to me. If I did listen to music, I loved listening to Disney soundtracks. I also had a lot of church music that my mom would buy for me for my birthday or for Christmas. I did enjoy listening to that music as well, since it was positive, inspiring, and uplifting.

As I am moving into adulthood, I have realized how good it was to listen to that type of music. Often when a song comes to my mind, it is either a Disney song or a church song. They are uplifting songs. Not ones that I wish would get out of my head.

Music can be a positive influence or a negative influence. I am grateful for my mom and for her influence on my good music choices. I don't think she has any idea how she affected me in this way, but I am grateful for the good, positive music I was brought up with.

Songs that come to my mind:
"Dancing bears, painted wings, things I almost remember. And a song, someone sings, Once Upon a December." ~Anastasia

"I see my mother knelling, with my family each day. I hear words she whipsers as bows her head to pray. Her plead to the Father quiets all my fears. And I am thankful, Love is spoken here." ~From the Primary Songbook for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

"I am child of God, heaven blessed. I have grown and truth and righteousness, I will never let my faith grow dim, I will testify of him."

"Rain drops on roses and whiskers on kitten. [...] These are a few of my favorite things. When the dog bites, when bee stings, when I am feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things. And then I don't feel so bad."  ~The Sound of Music