Marvelous Happy Things

"What value will there ever be in life, if we are not together?" (IMDB.com) Becoming Jane  had every part of a typical Jane Austen story- a love interest (poor, unlike some), unappealing suitors, patrons getting in the way of young people's happiness, etc. However, I did not expect the ending, and it wasn't until the movie was over that I realized it was partially based on facts. Tom Lefroy and Jane Austen did indeed meet for three balls and a party, which is recorded in letters to her sister during January 1796 (www.jasna.org). In the movie, Tom tells her to read Tom Jones  by Henry Fielding (who wrote a book that I read for class this semester) in order to "inspire her." The point actually is that she needs to learn more of the world to be able to compete with male authors of fiction. The viewer also sees Jane write some of Pride and Prejudice  as her romance with Tom inspires her. Whether you love Jane Austen or not, give this movie a try!

This is a response to a friend's post of a diagram by The Flawless Project that encourages men and women to say nothing about a woman's bikini. Silence is not love. If you love people, you approach them because you care. Sure, you look great in a bikini. Does that mean it's appropriate for you to tell me to shut up if I don't agree with your wearing it? No. Encourage conversation. Yes, modesty feels old and out of place in today's society. It's more popular to ignore it. Do you want to talk about it constantly? No. Do I want to approach you about it? No. Unfortunately, clothing is a part of our lives. Some people care deeply about their everyday appearances. Shutting up is not the answer. Conversation may seem like it's getting us nowhere, but it's better than silence. I could type pages and pages about the workings of a man's brain, but, instead, I'll give you some resources. For Women Only  by Shaunti Feldhahn and For Young Women Only  by Sh...

Greetings from Spring Break! Here is some encouraging advice from one 20-something to others. 1) Not all of the world is out to get you. I could probably find a statistic that 1 person in the world is out to get you, but I won't try. Probably someone is out there. However, most of us made it into college, and that college did not reject us even though it could have, so there is hope. 2) Adults will respect you if you "do good work." I've heard several chapel messages about doing good work throughout the past 3 semesters, and it's true. Be respectful in class and in work if you are employed. Show through this work that you care and are putting effort into it. Do your best not to complain. Adults will likely take an interest in you. 3) Help a brother or sister out. A friend wants to work in management, and you know someone? Pass along their information! Know what your friends are studying, and if you meet someone in that field, mention them in conversation. It wo...

All facts and quotes in this post are from Rollingstone.com. If you have been paying any attention at all to social media in the last couple of weeks, then you know that something is going on between pop star Kesha and her producer, Dr. Luke. She currently refuses to work with him and wants to "work with other labels and publishing units and receive damages." What's the big deal? She accused him of abusing her in many different ways for 10 years. In 2013, she went into rehab for an eating disorder. She cannot currently record for new labels. Many artists, the majority of whom are female, are supporting her via social media. The prosecution states that she is suing for a "contract renegotiation and money." There doesn't seem to be enough evidence to disapprove that statement. Even if all of Kesha's accusations toward Dr. Luke aren't true, a lawsuit against your employer is a cry for help. She is hurting in some way, and we should be praying for he...

I would argue that Enchanted  is the most realistic Disney fairy tale movie thus far. Yes, more realistic than Frozen . 1) Enchanted  includes live action, while Frozen does not. 2) Robert wonders about Giselle's singing and how everyone knows the same song. "I've never heard this song before!" (IMDB.com) 3) Robert questions the fact that she has only known Edward for a day and wants to marry him (yes, Kristoff does this too). 4) Bystanders assume that the arrival of Narrisa as a dragon is a part of a stage play. 5) Robert and Nancy have been in a relationship for five years, and neither of them question the fact that they are not engaged. Many other reasons are because the majority of Enchanted  is set in "the real world." These are the ones that I could think of. Thanks for reading!

Where did it start for her? How did "I love Muslims" become "we worship the same God?" Every problem has a beginning, usually just a small one. A guy who grew up with me suffered from clinical depression for years, and none of us knew it. He seemed happy on the outside, but on the inside, he was hurting. Dr. Larycia Hawkins' story is extremely important because her thoughts took a gradual progression from compassion to equality. Did Muhammad die for the sins of his people? Did he rise again three days later? Is he an equal part of a trinity? No. Without distinct principles, our salvation is void. We as believers say we have the truth. We must differentiate it from the lies. What do you do with a professor who believes a lie? Tell her the truth.

For the 20-year-old with a One Direction calendar, you can take a deep breath. This one's for you. Entertainment, just like anything else, can either bring people closer together or separate them. A long time ago, people who read comic books were looked down upon. Today, times have changed. Fans of books, music, and movies make their own groups (referred to by most as fandoms) because they are tired of the judgement of others. Some fandoms have alliances or rivalries, kind of like sports teams do. If you talk to a member of a fandom, you may feel like you are talking to a woodland elf or a rainbow. "Why do they keep crying when I mention a doctor?" "Who are Sam and Dean?" "What is a faction?" Ask them why they love what they do. The answers may surprise you. Be friendly to the guy listening to Justin Bieber's new album as he does his homework. Talk to the girl wearing a Halestorm t-shirt. Don't shut them out. Their passion is valuable and ins...