barbie girl...

On my third birthday I received my first Barbie from my parents. I felt so cool and very grown up. She had long platinum blonde hair, light blue eyes, and a pink shiny dress. In fact on the pink box were the words “My First Barbie.” I ripped open the pink wrapping paper and was extremely exciting to see what was inside. That Barbie became my favorite toy on my third birthday. Since receiving my first Barbie I was enthralled with them throughout my childhood. I made sure that I had the latest clothes, accessories, cars, and homes for my Barbies.

As a girl who used to like playing with and dressing up Barbies, when this song was released I loathed it. I heard this song for the first time and felt as if my childhood had ended. Unfortunately, this song caused me to grow up quickly because it gave me a harsh reality check. This song is like a bad buzzing in my ear any time I hear it. “Barbie Girl” gave an immediate change of attitude towards Barbies. After hearing it, I no longer saw Barbies as being a cool, fun toy.

My interpretation of Barbies switched from childish to the way adults see them. I saw them as being ridiculous and stupid, and thus saw myself as to old and mature for them. After Aqua wrote “Barbie Girl” I never chose or wanted to play with Barbies. I not only loathe this song, but I now loath the whole idea of Barbies. These dolls are just contributing to our media’s influence in losing weight and being beautiful. The media’s interpretation of women is idealistic and unrealistic. According to the media, I am letting everyone down b y being short and having blonde hair. I dislike this song because it contributes to me feeling inferior and “not beautiful.”

stand...

I am sitting on the couch and a tear rolls down my cheek. “I am really sorry,” he says, “I just can’t do this anymore. “I understand,” I hear myself reply. “You do not love me anymore and I am just going to have to accept that,” I say. Then the motivational words of the Rascal Flatts begin playing in my head. When I was dumped by my boyfriend of nearly six months, I definitely felt like a “candle in a hurricane.”

This song entitled “Stand” has been the motivation a hope of faith through the past couple of weeks. This song really relates to my current situation. As I sat there on the couch with him looking back at me, I felt alone and helpless like I had lost my fight. However, while having time to think and be on my own, I have realized that I truly will be alright. I will get through this and life goes on. I might bend until I break because this is all I can take; however, since push came to shove I have tasted what I am made of.

While looking at his hazel eyes and short brown hair that day I realized that I had enough. I could not be with someone that did not love me back. Also, it would not be fair for me to be in a relationship with someone when we both knew it would not go anywhere. As we sat next to each other on that tan couch “I got mad” and I told him that I felt like my heart had been ripped out and that everything he had lied when he said he could see us together forever. Then I got strong and I realized that if he was dumb enough to walk away, I was going to be smart enough to let him go. So I wiped away my tears and wiped my hands and I shook off what happened. Then I decided to get up from the couch and ever since then I have chosen to “stand” and live life.