animal identities

            The best way to get to know someone is to ask them simple questions, but really dig into their answers. I am conducting a study to see if you can generally understand a person by their answer to the question,"if you were an animal, what animal would you be?"
           This question is very basic on the surface, something that we have all had some kind of discussion over with friends or colleagues as a joking matter.  However, subconsciously, I believe that there is a deeper reasoning behind the answer to this question.  Also, I am hypothesizing that there is a direct correlation to an individual's self esteem and the answer of this question.
          After asking some of my coworkers this question, I have noticed a pattern to their responses;  they will either answer with a common animal,  or they will come up with an exotic animal.  After I asked each person, "Why do you feel you are a ____?" I am always suprised by their reason behind it.
One of my coworkers answered, "I would be a black panther, because I am really sneaky, very independent, and kind of sexual".  The answer may have been a little vague, but behind it you can annotate this response to pull out the more raw material: the person is a girl, so she chose a feline because it is the most commonly related animal to a woman, so the individual is very feminine and proud of it (true, she is in a sorority).  Secondly, her acknowledgment of her 'sneaky' behavior indicates that she is more reserved and likes to assess the situation before she acts.  Lastly, her last remark about her 'sexual' behavior not only supports the feminine aspect that controls her actions, but also her ability to use her sexual appeal to manipulate others around her, and understand the power that she has because of it.  Like a cat, she desires to be feared and respected, but also adored for her natural beauty.
     When I asked myself that question, I came to the conclusion that I am a chipmunk.  Behind my answer is a self analysis waiting to be decoded, and here it is:  I love to have people give me attention, but in away that is adoring, not undressing.  I am innocent, and like to be alone, separated from the rest of the world at times, up in a "tree" is translated as lost in a book where I am left unbothered.  So when you ask someone this question, it can be in a funny atmosphere, or serious, there are so many layers to each individual, and it is your job as a person to uncover the strangers around you for who they really are.

Review on Frozen

You know that a movie is amazing when you walk into the theatre, and the seats are full 2 months after its release date.  I fell in love with the characters in the movie, "Frozen", after seeing it with my best friend and my cousin.  Now I know what you all might be thinking, "That's a movie for children," "I don't like animated movies".  Well, to all of responses I simply advocate that you give Frozen a chance.

Despite its appeal to younger generations, the movie does an admirable job relating to older audiences; there are several layers to the characters that portray the real pain that sisters Anna and Elsa both experience from opposite sides of the spectrum.  While Anna lives a lonely life, ignored and casted away by her sister, she still holds onto the fond memory she shared with Elsa when they were children; the song "Do you want to build a snowman" was upbeat and on the surface shallow, but if you look deeper into the tone and emotion of the song, you can uncover the truth behind the lyrics.  The only real memory Anna has with her sister is of building a snowman, and it may seem like a simple activity, but to Anna it represents her entire relationship with Elsa.  Anna holds onto this for years, hoping that one day her sister and her can rebuild their relationship from the bottom up.

Elsa faces her own struggle in containing her "inner storm"; this struggle is not something she can hide forever, and her loose grip over control of her problem causes her to be exiled into the mountains, where ironically, she has never felt more free.  Elsa's character has faced an entire life feeling like a threat to everyone she loves, as well as her own worst nightmare.  Although it is not really clear if she is the antagonist in the story, I felt that she could have easily been the protagonist.  Her part in the story was all about the theme: person vs. self.  She was born with the gift of magic, until it grew into a curse, and it was up to her to get a grip on her abilities.  I connected the most with her character because she is just like any other girl, (except for the whole ice powers thing), she just wanted to make her parents proud, and be the "good girl" she was always meant to be.  All that pressure was soon to need release at some point, and who else can help tip the iceberg besides a sister?  Am I right?  Anna triggers Elsa's downfall, (although this is not a tragedy, and disney never fails when it comes to providing a happy ending),  the animosity between the sisters can only be poetic for every relationship between siblings.  

Overall, I believe this movie was one of Disney's finest, and I couldn't help but see it twice in theaters.  I definitely recommend anyone of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy the film, definitely bring your family!