That Girl from Derwent dwells on the value of religion this Christmas.
That Girl from Derwent has learned a few more things about prejudice since moving up North.
That Girl From Derwent reckons if you're going to be offensive, you should find a better reason.
That Girl from Derwent considers why it is that some words have wider implications than others.
To start things off, I'd like to confess to being a devout follower of all things Disney and a strict believer in the fact that someday my prince will come and away to his castle we'll go. Being brought up, or rather, bringing myself up on Disney cartoons, Bollywood films, and fairytales, I feel totally justified in believing that a singing duet leads to both everlasting love and a perfectly choreographed dance number in the mountains of Switzerland (influences of Bollywood).
If you think that's bad, a few months ago I was worse: a hopeless romantic to unhealthy proportions, I believed that life was all about finding that one significant other to complete my duet. The things Disney can do to a girl's mind!
I have nothing against satisfying hormonal urges, but the hopeless romantic in me began to develop some unwelcome cynicism.
When I first came to university in England, I was a little bit surprised to spend nights at the high romantic spots of York (Toff's, Ziggy's and Gallery's) and watch make-out sessions and one night stands manifesting themselves around me. To quote a fairly popular song: where was the love? I have nothing against satisfying hormonal urges, but needless to say the hopeless romantic in me began to develop some unwelcome cynicism. I discussed this with friends, one of whom recommended that I join the facebook group "Disney movies gave me unrealistic expectations of love". But are facebook groups really the answer? No. In fact, they never are. I realised that joining the group would mean accepting that my expectations of love were, in fact, unrealistic. I know they might be a tad exaggerated, but surely love can't be so different to a magic carpet ride?
Upon rethinking all my favourite Disney movies, I grew to realise that there was so much to them that I'd never noticed before. As a little girl and then a not-so-little one, these films taught me that the focus of my life would be to fall in love, sing the appropriate number of songs and live happily ever after;What I never realised was that they also talked about pursuing individual goals and aspirations, fighting for what you believe in, seeing inner beauty, fighting evil with good, etc etc etc. Love, as it were, came in all different ways and forms. While Aladdin and Jasmine fell in love, their lives were about self-development, exploring the world and challenging society's expectations. In other words, none of the stories are solely about actively pursuing love or even waiting for it - they are about daring to follow your dreams. Love is an added, albeit very significant, life-enhancing bonus.
With this newfound balanced approach to life, a few friends and I have decided that the most perfect way to spend Valentines Day will be to devote a night to all three original Star Wars films. Not only to (maybe) celebrate Han and Leia's love, but also to revel in the fact that even Luke Skywalker can be single, but happy.
Though we might throw in some Aladdin too. Because lets face it, at the end of the day, everyone wants that magic carpet ride.
Hear hear hear!!
"Because lets face it, at the end of the day, everyone wants that magic carpet ride."
Obv.
ROFL.
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