Statistics on the Theme of a Christmas song

I had an interesting experience at a certain nursing home yesterday. Seeing as I am considering entering the field of geriatric research (read: I'm mucking around on an Alzheimer's project my mentor was kind enough to let me join in on), I figured I should probably get over my aversion to the elderly. Hence the nursing home excursion in the first place. But I digress. While we were there visiting with a real peppy lady, a group of young adults came in to sing Christmas hymns. Mind you, they were stressing the hymn part pretty strongly; they were not there to carol. At least, this was the sentiment expressed by the spokesman. I found his attitude rather amusing, and apparently so did this lady, because when asked what hymn she would like them to sing, she went with "Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!" The leader fellow was obviously a little put out, but the rest of his troop promptly burst into such an energetic intro that our recipient had to turn down her hearing aid. Having finished, this fellow again asked if there was a hymn she'd like to hear. Her response: "Over the river and through the woods." Again, the poor fellow was disappointed, but the group was evidently tired of the same 5 hymns in every room and so again obliged. However, as the song progressed, more and more dropped out. By the end, it was my roommate and I who triumphantly brought in the end of the song. Needless to say, we only did one verse of that one.

Which brings me to my point. I was really surprised that people didn't know this little gem of a song. It's pretty short (especially if you only do one verse) and it's pretty simple. Admittedly, it is a little antiquated and, according to Wikipedia, was originally written as a Thanksgiving song, which explains why it isn't often sung. But I was still taken aback to find such a small percentage who knew it. So, being the inquiring scientific mind that I am, I deigned to design a study (read: I asked the people I interacted with today whether they knew the song). The results: no one, apart from my roommate in the original instance, could actually sing the song through one verse.

[Note to the reader: the next paragraph is dripping with sarcasm and hyperbole.]
Although I know you will agree that this study embodies the essence of good science, some caveats do exist (my statistics professor ought to be so proud). I will admit that my sample size is dismally small (n=a dozen and a half or so - I know, real precise) and was selected in a rather biased manner, i.e. only my roommates and academic friends were considered. Nevertheless, I must conclude that I am one of the few left in the population in possession of this knowledge, granted I could only sing one verse with confidence. Thus, I thought I would take it upon myself to disseminate this valuable piece of Americana and enrich your holiday season. I have fond memories of listening to this on a Disney sing-along cassette tape during my childhood and would be miserly of me if I didn't let you in on the creation of your own fond memories.

For those of you unfamiliar with this relic.
♫Hurrah for old techno toys!♪

Tell me this doesn't make you smile?

In other news, despite my above animation, I am looking forward to the termination of my statistics course with great anticipation. Only one more hurdle - the final, which, fortunately but unfortunately, has been divided into 3 parts. Wish me luck!

The Reason For Pitstops

To guarantee at least two minutes to think in this hectic world. ~Samantha

Disney's Got It Right

I absolutely adore this film! Great animation, amazing music, hilarious dialog...what's not to love? And what's more, it has terrific gospel symbolism. They've got practically the entire Plan of Salvation in there. Here's the breakdown:

Mother Gothal: Satan
She is selfish and wants to keep the regenerative power of the flower for herself. Sound familiar? "Give me thine honor." ~Moses 4:1. She keeps Rapunzel locked in a tower, kind of like sin keeps us captive. She is manipulative, convincing Rapunzel that she can never leave - repentance is not an option, we have to remain in sin. She is very patient, willing to wait for the opportune moment to get what she wants. She pretends to love Rapunzel until it is no longer useful for her own purposes. She twist the truth about those who care about Rapunzel - Satan is the master truth-twister. Her most valuable tool is guilt, yet she has no power unless Rapunzel gives it to her. However, she ultimately meets her doom, just like Satan will ultimately fail.

Rapunzel: Us
She is the product of the Sun, a lost princess, daughter of royalty and light. She is endowed with power and virtue that she must protect, that is most precious of all her possessions, analogous to the sacred powers of procreation we possess. She embarks on a journey of self discovery, prompted by small revelations and feelings that there is something bigger out there. As she comes to realize who she is, evidences surface in all aspects of her life. She "sees the light" and her understanding of the world completely changes. Eventually, she makes it back to her true home.

Pascal: Holy Ghost
He is still and small and you really have to be in tune to understand what he has to communicate. He guides Rapunzel in evaluating decisions and is always there for comfort. Whenever Mother Gothal is around, however, he has to hide, just as the Holy Ghost cannot be with us in bad environments. He makes your heart feel warm and fuzzy.

Flynn/Eugene: Missionary/Eternal Companion
Without him, Rapunzel could never have discovered the light aka the gospel nor her true identity. He knew what the lanterns were and what they meant as well as the path back to them. He was also necessary for her to make it safely back home. We can't get to the Celestial Kingdom without a companion. True, at first he is only superficially motivated to help her, but he still respects her and helps to protect her hair and all that it embodies. He comes to care about what is important to her and together they become their best selves.

Other small tidbits of truth:

• The Vikings are just like all the good people in the world that may not necessarily belong to the church. They are still good people with worthy goals and dreams and we can, like Rapunzel, get over our initial fear and aversion and make friends that may turn out to be powerful allies.

• After the lanterns on the water scene where Rapunzel's eyes are opened to the reality of the world, analogous to a significant personal revelation, she is almost immediately plunged into a foggy, dark experience fraught with doubt and uncertainty. It seems that an experience full of light is always followed by a season of more intense hardship and temptation.

• Mother Gothal is constantly shrouded in darkness. She only uses the smallest pieces of light to lure us in, but it is tainted from it's pure white form. Similarly, she snuffs out the small candles that Rapunzel tries to keep lit, just as Satan snuffs out every bit of truth and hope he encounters. She knows what the lanterns are, but uses every tactic to conceal the poignant message they embody. Satan knows, perhaps more deeply than we do, the ultimate Plan of Happiness, but makes every effort to blind us. Mother Gothal powerfully presents the plan of Satan in her last scene. He wants to chain us up and drag us down to Hell where no one will be able to find us ever again. But we should keep fighting him, no matter how bleak the odds seem to be.

• The King and Queen, our Heavenly Father and Mother, were truly devastated at the loss of their precious daughter and never gave up hope of her returning. They continued to send out small tokens of their affection in hopes that she could find her way back. That scene where they are about to send out the lanterns for the eighteenth time is so tender. That tear of his gets me every time. Heavenly Father truly weeps for His children. (Moses 7:28) He will also meet us with a joyous embrace when we return to His presence.

So there you have it, the Plan of Salvation as presented unwittingly by Disney. Go watch it - I bet you'll find even more symbolism. You'll see the light. :)

A Flowery Commentary

“Tra la la la la. Spring is in the air. And I am a flower…with nothing interesting to say.”

Perhaps you will find it interesting; I can’t say for sure.

Anyway, I was contemplating my blossom preferences and have come to some conclusions. I absolutely love daffodils! They are so bright and happy, perky and expressive. Even their name is fun. Go ahead, say it. Out loud. Daffodil. Laugh-o-phil. See? Daffodils are happy things.

 

Crocuses are another lovely creation. Such rich, luxurious color in such a small yet sturdy life form. They save my sanity every year, poking their hopeful heads through the frost. Yes, they seem to say. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Winter is does not last forever (either the season or the semester). I’d like to chat with whoever it was that named them; it seems to be somewhat paradoxical. Crocus sounds like croak, which colloquially implies death. Yet they are the forerunners of life, the burst of vivacity that is spring. Obviously someone did not think that through.

 Other favorites include daisies, pansies, and lilies but I don't have any particular relationship with those at this point. So for now, suffice it to say that SPRING HAS SPRUNG!!

The Grand Adventure

~"It's a play!" "Just a bunch of silliness, really." "I should hope so."~
Finding Neverland

On that note of approval, allow me to present an event of grand proportions that occurred this past week (with a minuscule amount of embellishment).

The Characters (in order of appearance)

Heroic rescuer------------------played by me
Damsel in distress------------------played by Samantha
The Messenger Bird------------------played by my cell phone
The Treasure------------------played by Samantha's sketchpad
The Cave------------------played by the locker
The Beast------------------played by the drawing board
The Labyrinth------------------played by the HFAC

Once upon a time in a land with which we are all very familiar there was a heroic rescuer who was trudging through gulfs of misery and woe when the cry of a fair maiden in dire need of assistance came floating through the air. The rescuer paused, listening, but could not determine the source nor the message of the plea. Suddenly, a little bird appeared on her shoulder with a small envelope containing a message in its mouth. "Help!" it read. "I am in desperate need of a treasure, but it is locked in the belly of a beast and I am unable to retrieve it!" "Never fear!" replied the heroic rescuer. "I shall conquer yon beast! Direct me, fair maiden, [though how the rescuer knew that the maiden was fair is beyond the knowledge of this bard] to this savage creature that I may vanquish him!" "Bless you noble one! You are indeed a heroic rescuer! The beast may be found at the top of a large labyrinth in a cave guarded by many foes. There is a secret combination of magic numbers that will give you entrance to the inner chamber. Get in, retrieve the treasures from the jaws of the beast, and I will forever be thankful unto thee, heroic rescuer. Beware! The way is treacherous! I shall await your return."

Drawing up all her courage, the heroic rescuer plunged into the labyrinth. Alas! So many pathways! How would she ever succeed? Just as it looked that she would be doomed to spend the rest of eternity trapped in this twisting maze of dead-ends and traps, she saw a light ahead. The way to the cave! On she dashed, and in no time she found herself in front of the daunting cave entrance. Mustering her wit, she plunged into the series of magic numbers that would unlock the door. But to no avail! She tried again, with all the precision and agility this heroic rescuer possessed. Again, she failed. No, she thought to herself. I will not be conquered. I have come too far to fail now. Summoning the messenger bird, she sent out a petition for aid. "What is the secret to breaking the spell?" Her wait was agonizing. Finally, the little bird returned with the answer. "You must squeeze the soft spot." Of course! Every challenge, every riddle, every beast has a weak spot. Finally the heroic rescuer succeeded in gaining access to the cave. She advanced cautiously.

The beast's jaws were far more terrible than anything the rescuer could have imagined in her wildest dreams! Fire spewed from the depths, razor-sharp teeth the size of stalactites gleamed with sterling steel menace along the perimeter. Undaunted, the heroic rescuer leapt towards the ferocious creature and snatched the treasure from its clutches. AAAaaaggghhh!! A scream pierced the air as the rescuer's fingers tore along the fangs of the fiend, blood gushing from the wounds. [these injuries may or may not have been caused by the brutal weather's impact on the rescuer's already dry and eczema-infested skin and may or may not have been present before the aforementioned encounter.]

Injured, yet triumphant, the rescuer had one last battle ahead: that with the elements to voyage to the fair maiden's residence. Fighting against fierce cold and raging winds, the heroic rescuer was battered, bruised, and broken. Just as she thought her body was about to succumb, she forged on and finally arrived at the castle. "You have done it! You are truly a noble and courageous soul! [you may have noticed at this point that the characters in this tale are quite dramatic and prone to shout all their verbal exchanges with passionate emotion] Please, accept this token of my gratitude." Whereupon the damsel bestowed upon the heroic rescuer with a goblet of healing beverage made of the exotic and rare cacoa bean. "Thank you my lady," replied the heroic rescuer. "You are most gracious and kind." "From this day forward," declared the damsel, "you shall be knighted 'Fearless Champion!'" With her newly-bestowed title, the now fearless champion dwelt in the castle along with the damsel where they awaited many more dashing adventures.

THE END

Bosom Friends

I realized the other day that there are several things I take for granted. I watched Anne of Green Gables over Christmas and it got me thinking about friendship. I've always wished I had a bosom friend, to take a phrase from Anne, but as yet haven't found a kindred spirit. I've also wished that I had a really good group of chums upon whom I can call and with whom I can have all kinds of adventures. Just as I was thinking this, Samantha came to mind; however, I immediately pushed the idea aside. She doesn't count, I thought. She's my sister, she's supposed to like me. She's supposed to be my friend.

But as I thought about it more, I had to chastise myself a little bit. As far as a group of friends, I realized that I can find that in my immediate family. The funnest times, my favorite times, are whenever I just hang out and play with my family. It doesn't matter what we do, it is never draining and always enjoyable. I can laugh really loudly, be goofy, and say dumb things and they will always love and accept me. I realized that there are lots of people who are not very close to their family at all; some have little, if any, contact with them for one reason or another. Then again, some people have quite a bit of conflict in their home and contend with differences of opinion, personality, and values. Samantha and I have never been enemies. Sure, we've quarreled or had frustrations about this or that, but other than those small squabbles we have been the best of friends for as long as I can remember. We played together as little girls, cooperated as young denarians, and now that we've gotten older, we confide and share in our experiences together as we learn about life. We have similar interests and temperaments which really give us a unique understanding of each other. One thing that has been really important to me is that we share goals and a strong work ethic. Doing well in school and challenging myself academically is very important to me and Samantha helps me with that by sharing that passion and pursuit of excellence.

I'm really grateful that Heavenly Father decided to give me such a great family and such a great friend who also doubles as a sister. I know I'll always have her in my life and we'll always be friends forever. Yeah, forever. :)