measure your life in love

I know, I know.
How cliche can I get?
But, this title is appropriate in more ways than one:

1. Elon just finished its production of RENT. I will attempt to give you a review of the show, but I might at times be forced to simply just say "AAAAAHHHHHHHHH" because, in reality, that's what my mind was doing as I walked out of McCrary on Sunday night. I've seen the movie for years now, I know the music by heart--I've even watched the last Broadway production on DVD (thanks to my wonderful mother who bought it for me). My point is, I know the show. And I went into it knowing that I would be emotionally affected (I cry at everything, for those of you who don't know me). But there was something about seeing it acted out in front of me, about seeing and literally being overwhelmed by the emotional tension on that stage...all of that coupled with the music and the set and the phenomenal (truly truly spectacular) acting and--I was a mess. I cried, certainly, but I also found myself mentally struggling to pull myself out of being overwhelmed by the show. The odd part was, I was upset for a completely different reason than I expected. I think I've grown a lot since I was first exposed to many of the issues brought to light in the show. AIDS is no longer some fantasy disease, love is no longer something that grown-ups do, and life is now more than simply going to school and surviving. While I'm not affected by disease in the way some of the characters are, I am living with my own demons, my own struggles and issues that have the potential to bring me down...and they do some days, certainly, but I've grown to realize that it's truly about living with, not dying from, these problems. I may not live the same la vie Boheme that the characters of RENT do, but I have my own life, my own way of striving to find joy and success in the world around me, and I've got to do my best to live it.

2. (That was a really long explanation, sorry) Also, yesterday was Valentine's Day! I know that a lot of people "hate" that day because they're single and it seems like a smack in the face, a reminder that you don't have a significant other, but the rest of the world does...which is SO false. First of all, there are plenty of single people in this world, living their lives, embracing the world around them without a romantic interest to distract them from (or to necessitate) their happiness! Dependence on someone else shouldn't determine your happiness on one silly Hallmark holiday. Also, if you are single, you can make the best of Valentine's Day with your friends! Yesterday, a group of my friends on the hall all got together and went to dinner--we were each other's date for the evening, and we had the best time (although I wouldn't really know because I had to leave super early). Celebrate the love that you do have in your life!

3. I just started my job with SPARKS this week! AND, February is Love Your Body month...see, so much love! We're all about promoting healthy body image and self-confidence--we even have cute buttons that say "I <3 My Body" which are surprisingly a big hit with the students here. I can't wait to get more involved with SPARKS and to see what the future holds!

4. I'm done rambling now, I promise :)