Soo Frozen has nestled its way into my life, and I honestly cannot get enough of it.
My baby cousin Connor turned one on February 12th and my family had a party on the 15th, the day of that lovely snow and ice storm. My family braved the storm and made it safe and sound, and there were my baby cousins. There are (as of now) 4 on this side of my family. Ryan and Cora and Aubrey and Connor. They are all 5 years old and under, so I've literally known them since they were born. They all have different personalities, Ryan is very quiet and shy but he is the sweetest little boy you will ever meet. Aubrey is a leader. She is loud and confident, and she LOVES to sing. Cora is a fighter. She is currently cancer free (I hope it stays that way) and she is a little mom. She carries around a baby doll, and a baby bag, and while she is soft spoken, she doesn't let anybody fool her. She is also hesitant to do anything without Ryan. Connor is still young and his personality isn't quite as apparent yet but I have a feeling he'll follow in His big sister Aubrey's footsteps. They also have a cousin named Zoelle, who I met for the first time at this party. Anyways, in order to get the kids to stop running around in circles, the parents put on Frozen. So I volunteer to man the remote, and I get to sit and watch the movie and hang out with 4 year olds. I thought it would be easy and fun! We'd all just kind of sit there until dinner. I was wrong. They got up and we're singing and dancing, and I'm just like what is going on!? But I was impressed! I mean these girls get a chance to grow up with stronger female characters dominating the Disney movie sphere. They started with Princess and the Frog, where Tiana works hard to achieve her dreams, then Tangled comes, and Rapunzel rocks the frying pan, and now Elsa and Anna. These girls are able to express themselves even in the face of segregation. Tiana works two jobs in order to earn money for her restaurant, and nearly loses it due to her "background." Rapunzel has been locked in a tower by an evil witch, and she finally gathers up enough courage to break her own seclusion by going with Eugene, aka Flynn Ryder. Mariam, Laila, and the woman from The Yellow Wallpaper never had those role models growing up. They couldn't really aspire to be more, because there simply was no place for strong women in their societies. Aziza at least has Mariam, as well as Kate Winslet in Titantic to aspire too. In no way are they Disney princesses, but they embody the characteristics that are beginning to become more prevalent. Women no longer need to marry for happiness, but rather they need to discover themselves, much like Elsa did with her powers, in order to be happy. I, myself, have found that I have a lot of power and sway. People value my opinions, and they are willing to follow me. I honestly never saw myself as the leader type until freshmen year where I made a few goals for myself. Before that I was always too quiet, and only had a "quiet confidence." I used to be the one to step up if a solution could not be found first without my input, then I would help solve it. I did that in stage crew too, and now I'm in charge. My biggest challenge is getting people to step up. I have found a slight mini-me in Callie Jaycox, who Spencer Bell has dubbed "The Next Sarah Graff." She does take on roles after I ask her to do things, and she does it well. So I am curious to see how she does. Then there's my brother who would do well in this type of position, because he takes after me. It all just depends on what happens in the next few years. I'm curious to see how I grow and change, as well as the underclass men I've gotten to know, especially in comparison to my baby cousins and Zoelle. I can't wait to see how far they go. For the first time in forever, I am super duper excited to see what is going to come in the next few years with these individuals. I can't wait.
