A Change of... Art?

When I was a little kid, I would decide that I liked something based on how it piqued my interest. A book was good if it held my attention and music was worth listening to if it was fun to sing along to. Movies were great if they were entertaining and paintings were marvelous if they were colorful or just simply pretty. I don't know if it has anything to do with growing up or not but lately I've had a change of heart.

Ever since the beginning of senior year I've learned to appreciate art for more than its' face value. Maybe it's because I had finally started opening my mind and allowed myself to feel what the artists were trying to say... instead of just simply studying it. There is a monumental difference between studying what you are supposed to see with a cold analytical eye and embracing what you naturally feel as a response with your heart.

Now I've found that lately when I see a movie or read a book, it has to be more than simply entertaining. Sure, entertaining movies and books can be good; but not great. I've found that in order for me to classify something as "amazing" or "phenomenal" the piece of art has to make me feel something. It has to touch my soul in some way or affect me either emotionally or spiritually.

The book "Everything is Illuminated," movies like "Invictus" or "Gladiator" and the music from "The Phantom of the Opera" have all brought me to various emotional/spiritual heights. And that is what makes art so astronomically phenomenal. It makes us relate and can actually stagger us to the point of stillness. It stimulates us to genuinely contemplate and to feel something in a world that has become so violent and desensitized.

For a moment, art gives us a connection with its creator. When we read, or watch, or listen... we feel a little piece of what the artist felt and can see the spark of their passion. And at the core, that connection is the true nature of art. It's a piece of the artist; evidence that they were here, that they existed and felt and had a soul. Every time we read or watch or hear something that makes us feel... it's evidence that we are here feeling too and that our hearts are answering theirs. And every time we write or make music or draw something of our own... it creates the evidence that we were here, we felt something, and that we have a soul.

So I'm here, writing to you...

Reflections on 2009

2009. This has been quite a dynamic year, at least for me anyway. This was a year of transition: from the last half of our senior year in high school to the first semester of our freshman year in college. It really is unbelievable that so many things have happened this year. In Spring there were AP tests, track meets (at Yale!), prom, and most of us couldn't believe that high school was almost over already. Then there was graduation; where we said goodbye to high school, teachers, and most of the people we've spend the last 4+ years with.

The summer was one to remember. We couldn't wait to go to college, but still crammed in as much fun as possible before we had to leave. There were parties and get-togethers. I remember some beach days... and like 30 people in my living room playing Taboo. And then we went to college where we met a ton of new people, had different classes (some of them excruciatingly difficult!), and found ourselves in a whole new realm of possibility. We were free to do whatever we wanted... stay out all night, join a team or club, go out partying... and all of this without a curfew!

Reflecting on this year I realize that I've learned a lot. I've come a step closer to finding myself, what I want, and appreciating life. So I've compiled a bunch of random things I've learned in '09:
1) Not everything works out the way you might have planned.
2) It's okay to change your mind(Whether you realized that you don't actually want to be a doctor or that maybe a relationship isn't the right thing for you right now. It's ok)
3) All of the stupid HS drama has no significance in the real world.(In fact, you probably won't keep in touch with half of the people from HS)
4) If a guy acts like he's genuinely not interested... he's not interested. End of story.
5) Even if you find yourself in a bad situation, it's your responsibility to make it a learning situation so you don't make the same mistakes.
6) Actions really do speak louder than words. (Whether it's your roomates surprising you on your birthday, a friend taking care of you when you're sick, or your lab partner buying you a cupcake for helping him study until 4am ;)... it's true)
7) There is a fine line between "not being superficial" and "not trusting your instincts."
8) Sometimes a kiss is just a kiss... sometimes it means more than that.
9) Never let a minimum wage job dictate your life (especially if it's one where you sprain your wrist scooping ice-cream!)
10) Your roomates can become like a second family to you (picking up on eachothers phrases, cuddlycoos!, or wondering "Where's Karen?")
11) Just because you aren't "with" someone doesn't mean you don't still love them.
12) Your family really does miss you when you are away at college (mom makes all my favorite foods when I'm home... and the cat follows me everywhere)
13) Something you read in class might just change your outlook on life.
14) Lady Gaga is the best for study breaks!... and your RA (along with the guys across the hall) can hear you singing "The Sound of Music" during late hours of the night
15) This year was just the beginning of a new chapter of our lives...

Happy New Year everyone! I hope this year brings you amazing experiences, good health, and happiness.