Even Darkness Must Pass

When I was in eighth grade, I had the most incredible English teacher, that impacted my life in many ways. Unfortunately, the best speech I've ever heard didn't come from him. Well, not exactly. One day my teacher showed us a clip from Lord of the Rings where Sam is talking to Frodo. I thought it was ridiculous at first-- how could I garner anything substantial or English-related for that movie? But I was open-minded, so I listened. 

And then I cried.

I felt so deeply moved by a speech delivered by an actor portraying a fictional character in a fictional world. I was shocked at first, until I realized that the little speech we were listening to was movie gold and history in the making. (And it only makes sense, really, that my favorite speech would come from a movie. Movies are everything to me).

Regardless, after wiping my tears, I went back to read the speech later to discover how and why it impacted me so greatly. Obviously, the content transcends the plot of the film and time itself. Take out the words "Mr. Frodo" and endless inspiration can be derived from the speech and applied to multiple situations. But what really makes this speech stands out isn't the content, but the delivery.

When someone believes in what they're saying, you can hear it in their voice. Sam (or Sean Astin) speaks with such emotion and hope that you cannot help but hang on every word. You feel it in your heart. You want them to keep fighting. You want to keep fighting too.

I've read or watched this speech countless times. But it always gets me right wherever I need it most. That's what makes a great speech. 

Sam: It’s all wrong. By rights we shouldn’t even be here. But we are. It’s like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they are. And sometimes you didn’t want to know the end because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something. Even if you were too small to understand why. But I think Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lost of chances of turning back only they didn’t. They kept going because they were holding on to something.
Frodo: What are we holding on to Sam?
Sam: That’s there’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it’s worth fighting for.

[Video of Sam's Speech]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEMdXhfO-Wk

Art Freak of the Week 2- Charlie

Quick Facts

Name: Charlie Maybee

Age: 18

Born: Alexandria, VA

Raised: Woodbridge, VA

Favorite Color: Red

Favorite Artists: Mark Morris and Freddie Mercury

Charlie Maybee is a freshman Dance major living in the artist colony. It is not unusual to find Charlie singing and playing his guitar around the 2nd floor. That, and of course dancing. Charlie has been dancing for eleven years. If you talk to him long enough, he might just start tapping for you. And no, it doesn't matter what kind of shoes he's wearing. He'll still tap and you'll still be thoroughly impressed. Charlie is a breath of fresh air around here, an artist who doesn't have to live at Bowe St. But that's just because he dwells in the dance studio, working just as hard to create another kind of art.

My interview with Charlie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtjqEtcRQ-g

Video of Charlie dancing w/ the Metropolitan Youth Tap Ensemble:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhIpDZE6nZc

From Charlie's Senior Solo

Charlie performing at a Multicultural Festival

The Sound of Silence

Hello,

my name is Marlee,

and I'm a technology addict. 

     I don't really find shame in this fact. I like my phone to stay connected to my friends and family. I like my iPod and stereo because I'm a music fanatic. I like t.v. because I'm a film major and I want to watch shows and movies. I like love my Macbook Pro like it's my child. (God and my parents know it was as expensive as one.) 

     I'm addicted to technology not because I feel like I can't live without it, but because I simply don't want to. When it came to having to choose one of my beloved technologies to go without, I figured the only thing that would be bearable to part from for a day would be my music. I figured it be hard though. I'm constantly listening to some kind of music. 

I hate the silence.

Well--

I hated the silence.

     When it came time for me to face the music, or the lack thereof, I found something unexpected: a sense of calm. For years I have been so obsessed with having a consistent stream of sounds pulsing through my brain, that I'd completely forgotten the comfort simple silence can bring. With the silence my thoughts were clearer, my mind was at ease, and it was easier to be relaxed.

     This little experience was eye-opening for me. Now, that's not to say I'm just going to stop listening to music. That's ridiculous. I love music. I'll probably still listen to it most all the time.

But sometimes. 

On occasion. 

When I need it. 

I'll listen to the silence too.

Photograph of Me and My Sister at Christmas

December. I flip through rejected baby photos.

I stop at one of me and my baby sister.

We're tired, a photoshoot in uncomfortable dresses does that.

We match. I smile. She's bald.

It's baby's first Christmas.

I'm sitting behind her with a familiar evil grin

She slouches in front of me creating a frog-like effect on her face

I'm not holding her. I don't want her. I never did.

The camera is supposed to be on me alone

I only ever wanted to be the only child

But the spotlight can get lonely

And the dresses do look better in twos,

and I'm happy. Baby sister-- I love you,

thank you for giving deeper meaning to my life.

Can you forgive me for making you look like

a troll in your baby photos, and rejecting you at first?

My sister Christina and I at my graduation.

And a special shoutout out to my not-so-baby sister, as today is her 16th birthday!!

Why I'm Here (In College)

In response to Ken Steele's categories for students' motivations for entering college, I have created one that I think fits me a little bit better.

The Ambitious Ones

Those who want to see, know, and do everything.

   I didn't come to college just to have a "college experience." I didn't come to college just because my parents wanted me to. I didn't come to college just to learn. I didn't come to college just to get ready for a career.
   
   I came to college because of all of these reasons. Plus so much more.


   I have always been an ambitious person. I plan on approaching my collegiate experience no differently. During my three or four years at VCU I want to take in all of the experiences that I can while learning and preparing myself for the future.


   I would fit into the category of the "ambitious ones" because I'm not going to be satisfied with my time here unless I know that I consumed as much of the experience as possible. This includes but is not limited to being involved in different clubs, meeting lots of of new people and of course attending class to learn about film- my major and intended career path.


   Pearl Bailey said, "A man without ambition is dead. A man with ambition but no love is dead. A man with ambition and love for his blessings here on earth is ever so alive." I'd like to adapt this quote to my outlook on college life. 


   First of all, I'm a woman. Secondly I don't want to let my ambitions get in the way of being successful in other areas besides academics. Lastly, I think that this quote can apply to me as I seek a balance in everything I'm doing here. Being too much a "scholar" or a "careerist" or a "drifter" or a "conflicted" would likely pigeonhole me into unhappiness. But I have to be sure that my vast ambitions don't become too overwhelming and balance my time between all the things I want to do.

Art Freak of the Week 1- Alex

Quick Facts

Name: Alex Curley

Age: 19

Born: Houston, TX

Raised: Richmond, VA

Favorite Color: Anything grey or neutral & gold

Favorite Artists: Gustave Klimt and Egon Schiele

Alex Curley is a freshman Art Foundation student who lives in the artist colony. I knew he had to be my first art freak after I saw the video of a fashion show that he and a friend put on at their high school featuring their original designs. But then I saw photos of his artwork and somehow became even more impressed than I already was. It is abundantly clear to me that we will be all be seeing much more of Alex's adorable smile and breathtaking artwork after our time at VCU.

My Interview with Alex:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07vWN4dFQRI

Video of the Fashion Show:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6TTqwAtsFw

From Alex's Senior Showcase:

It's artists like Alex that remind me why I wanted to come to VCU. Everyone is so inspiring. And being in the company of these artists is only going to help me grow as an artist.

Art Freak of the Week

When I moved into Johnson Hall a couple weeks ago I was excited. But not just because I was looking forward to the college dorm experience, but also because I knew mine was going to be a little unique. Why? Because the day I moved into Johnson Hall, I also moved into one of VCU's residential villages known as the artist colony. Living on the second and third floor of this old hotel are some of the most creative and diverse individuals I've met since arriving here.

So I'm going to showcase them.

Each week, I will select an "Art Freak" from either the guy (second floor) or girl (third floor) Artist Colony. I will interview them and feature some form of their art. 

Now just to clarify, "Art Freak" is not meant in a derogatory way whatsoever. It's more of a tongue-and-cheek reference to how some "outsiders" perceive the Art majors. Plus, freak rhymes with week, so I just could not resist.

Falling Up

Today, I fell up the stairs. 
I'm always falling up stairs, just never down them.

By Jay Abstract- Abstract Thought

   Aside from the bruised knees and unstoppable flush of red to my cheeks, I've learned to walk away from these incidents relatively unscathed. 


   But it wasn't always that way. When I was just becoming acquainted with the feeling of shame, I was falling all the time. Paralyzed by embarrassment, I'd freeze on the steps with my eyes closed, trying to strain my hearing. If there was the slightest giggle, breath or even footstep I'd hear it. Then when there was no one to face, I'd get up and keep walking.


   Now when I fall up a flight of stairs, I laugh at myself. Or with my friends. Or I don't say anything at all and just keep on my way. This isn't because I'm embarrassed. (If anything I'm just a little annoyed.) But the way that I have overcome this 'shame' is probably a little peculiar. 


   I've begun to think of my falling up stairs as one big metaphor. I don't fall down stairs because in my life I never want to run away from anything.  I fall up stairs because I'm always rushing toward something. I'm constantly overeager to get more out of my life.


   I want to go up in life, not down. Even if it's a trip to get there.

Before I kick the bucket I know that

Someday I want to will...
1. Make a movie
2. Write a novel
3. Fall in love
4. Be close with my sister always
5. Save a life
6. Live in Rehoboth Beach
7. Trace my family's history in Greece
8. Have four beautiful children
9. See a Broadway musical

10. Manage a rock band

11. Have my own talk show

12. Give back to my Grannie in some amazing way

13. Go skydiving
14. Stay best friends with my best friends forever
15. Win an Oscar
16. Create a non profit organization for teens struggling with depression
17. Help my parents have fabulous retirements

18. Make a lot of money. Give it all to my family then to charities that matter.

19. Say everything I want to say
20. Write for Saturday Night Live

21. Learn enough Italian to understand an Opera

22. Learn to Surf

23. Write an autobiography
24. Find a faith that I can love and devote myself to
25. Build a relationship with my Yia Yia
26. Get a Doctorate in something
27. Have my own Wikipedia Page
28. Work with Morgan Freeman
29. Retire to Aruba
30. Make a Difference
31. Be Remembered
But for right now I'd like to...
1. Pass all of my classes
2. Be published in a school publication
3. Make a lot of new friends and keep them
4. Stay in touch with my loved ones at home
5. Join a non-profit organization