Princess

When things are horrible--just horrible--I think as hard as ever I can of being of princess. I say to myself , "I am a princess." You don't know how it makes you forget.
-A Little Princess
"It's true," she said. "I do pretend I am a princess. I pretend to be a princess so I can try to behave like one."
-A Little Princess

I believe in manicures. I believe in overdressing. I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick. I believe in pink. I believe happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and...I believe in miracles.
-Audrey Hepburn

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Cool Things That Happen At BYU

I know I just posted a couple of days ago, but I have to tell you about the first productive Saturday I've had this semester.
It started off on interesting note, as I thought I'd set my alarm for 9 AM, but it never went off. I woke up around 10:30, which was a problem because I had to take a test, and the Testing Center hands out the last tests at 3. Monica and I also had to go apartment hunting, and visiting hours end at 5. AND I had to get ready for the day and study for the test. I wasn't sure I could finish it all in time.
At 1:45, Monica and I finally set out to take our tests. Funnily enough, we both ended up making an 89. We nearly always get the same score. Not because we're cheating off each other, but because we have the same brain. Seriously. It can be a little freaky for our friends.
After the test, we set off to figure out our futures. I think I really am meant to be a city girl, because I love walking around the town. It's so nice being able to go wherever your feet carry you. Our feet carried us to Wendy's and finally to the Riviera, where we immediately decided we had found our future home. My decision was made the minute I walked through the office door. There were ten TV screens at various places in the lounge, and they were all turned to Friends. As soon as I saw Joey's face, I knew that I'd found the right place.
After finding our future residence, Monica and I returned "home" for a few minutes to prepare for DIVINE COMEDY! I love them very much. You would too, if you were a very nerdy Mormon, like me. I mean, look at this video!

Or this one!!!!


How could you not love them???? Check out more of their videos on YouTube. They do sketches and music videos.
Anyway, Monica and I always get a group together to go to their shows. I saw the "Best of" show in December twice. They're that good. Well, that's not the reason I went twice, but the real reason is a very long story which I am not going to tell. I keep getting distracted. Sorry. I'm talking on Facebook to the  people who I'm in the same room with right now. 
Last night was their first show of the semester. Monica, of course, went early to get us great seats. She was, of course, first in line. The show was, of course, amazing, and because Monica kind of knows one of the guys in Divine Comedy, she got us a picture with the whole group! You can see it on my Facebook. If you're not my Facebook friend, why are you creepily reading my blog? I don't even know you!
The picture was really exciting, but you know what was even more exciting? The group did a parody of Breaking Dawn at the end, and Matt Meese played Jacob. Jacob, of course, frequently takes off his shirt. Although they censored it because it's BYU, he still tore his shirt off and threw it into the audience and...I CAUGHT IT! I CAUGHT THE SHIRT! It was probably one of the coolest things that has ever happened to me. It was extremely exciting. I was told that I could keep the shirt, and so I did. It's hanging in my closet. 
Most of my weekend was spent in the company of the boys from Broadbent 23. I like them a lot. Most of the time. Some interesting things happen over here. Such as this. This is my life. I hope you enjoy it!

I love you all. 
Emily <3

Friday, January 27, 2012

Some Facts About Me

I can't think of anything else to write about, so let me tell you some stories.

I am very short. One time, I was walking to class with my friend Tyler (who is also my FHE dad), and he looked down at me and said "You're very small. Have I ever told you that?" He hadn't. It just served as another reminder that I am a tiny person. At work, my boss calls me Smurfette. I have been called a hobbit four times. The same guy who called me a hobbit also calls me "Small One" every night when we're about to leave. I've always known I was short, but according to the people here I'm abnormally miniscule. I'm 5'2 and I weigh about 107 lbs (on a good day), which I don't think is super tiny, and I don't feel small. Then I'll see myself in a full length mirror and think "Wow, I really do have short legs." It doesn't help that I have a fast, high-pitched voice and the hyperactivity of a ten-year-old. So, yes, I am small. But you know what? I may be small, but my heart is large! Metaphorically speaking! Moral of the story: A person's a person, no matter how small.

Next story: Monica loves Vocal Point. And when I say loves, I mean completely obsesses over. It's actually very terrifying. There's this blog that someone (who does not go to BYU) writes about Vocal Point, and it's really creepy. They know everything about the members. They repeatedly watch Vocal Point videos, and analyze the heck out of them. It made Monica happy at first because it proves that there is someone out there who is creepier and more obsessive than she is. Unfortunately, she now reads it religiously. It's a problem. We're going to send her to rehab. Anyway, every Friday, some of the Vocal Point members perform in Brigham Square, in the middle of campus, and I've seen them perform there twice. Monica hasn't seen it at all. The first time I saw them, I recorded a video, and when I showed it Monica, she had a meltdown. I was afraid. The moral of this story: If I turn up dead, it's because Monica killed me over Vocal Point.

Next story: I'm not going to actually tell this story. What happened was I tried to give someone advice, and I failed. Moral of the story: Never, ever, ever, ever ask me for advice.

Next story: At work, every Thursday we bring food and have a mini-party during break. This week, we had sour gummy worms and chips and dip. We were discussing how everybody is mean to me at work sometimes (see the story on my size, above), and I should sing the "Nobody like me, everybody hates me" song. Then one guy at work told me "Emily, to be honest, I think I like you more than gummy worms." It was probably one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me. Moral of the story: I love my job.

I don't have any more stories, because I don't really do anything with my life. Also, I should do homework.
Lots of love,
Emily <3

Saturday, January 21, 2012

The Thing I Was Going to Do Earlier

You know what blogs are great for? Procrastination.

So earlier this week I was thinking about dating (what else is new?) and I decided to write a blog post about what goes through a girl's head as she's preparing for a date. I didn't write it. Then I thought some more about how funny getting ready for a date is, and I decided to write it anyway. So I am.

I've already talked at length about the different kinds of dates we have up here at BYU. Depending on who you are and the status of your dating life, what I'm about to say could be very wrong. Really, this is what goes on in MY head when I'm asked on a date. This is MY blog, so I think that's all right.
The date I am describing falls into the category of fun date: It is a first date between a guy and a girl who are friends, or at least acquaintances, and it doesn't matter if either side has feelings for the other. They are just going out to have a good time.

Here we go.

It all starts the minute the guy goes to ask the girl out. There is ALWAYS some kind of indication that the guy is about to pop the dating question. Maybe he waits until the two of you are alone and strikes up a friendly but absent-minded conversation. Maybe he approaches you, acting a bit nervous. Maybe he randomly calls or texts you (note: text messaging is the lamest way to ask a girl on a date. If you've asked a girl on a date through texting, I'm sorry, but you are weak! Calls are fine though.)
-At that moment, the girl (or maybe just me) is thinking: Oh my gosh he's asking me on a date! This is awesome! Do I have anything going on this weekend? Of course not! Sweet I have plans! I'm not going to be a loser this weekend!
-Unless of course, the girl doesn't want to go on a date with that guy, then she's thinking: Oh no he's about to ask me on a date. I don't have any plans this weekend. Dang it. Should I say no anyway? No that would be too mean. He's not an awful guy I guess. Oh well, it might be fun!
-(Note: I never think that. If I don't want to go on a date with you, I say no.)
However he brings up the question, he always begins it by asking "Are you free [insert specific day here]?"
-Positive girl is thinking: YES!!!! I knew it! I don't care what we're doing, or when it is, I have a date! It's going to be so much fun! 
-Negative girl: I am free. Crap. 
Then the guy goes on to say what the date is, who's going to be there, and a bunch of other stuff that only matters in that moment because it must be relayed back to various roommates and female friends as soon as the girl gets home.
-That conversation also varies depending on the guy. When a guy I really liked asked me out, I ran into my bedroom and screamed "GUESS WHAT???" to Monica. She knew right away: "So-and-so asked you out?!?!?!" Then we spoke in very loud and excited voices for a while.
-When a guy I didn't like at all asked me out (I said no to that one. I've been told that it's better to say no upfront than go on the date and have a miserable time, because if you say no the guy has time to find someone else who actually wants to be with him and he won't waste his money on such a heartless strumpet) this was my conversation with Monica: "Guess who asked me out?" "Who?" "SO AND SO." "OH NO!!!! I'm so sorry!!! What did you say???" "I said no! I feel really bad, but I just can't do that!!" "Oh it's ok, I would have said no too..."
Let's say the guy asked the girl out 3-5 days before the day of the date. It's probable she will see the guy again before the date, and every time she does she's either thinking:
-I'm going on a date with him in a couple of days. I wonder if he likes me. Probably not. It's just a fun friend date. Do I like him? Oh maybe a little. No, I don't like him. I do? I hope he likes me... Oh what does it matter I'm just going to die alone!
Or
-Oh no there he is. Is he going to try and talk to me? I'm just going to pretend I didn't see him. How am I going to get through this date?
Finally, the big day arrives. 2-3 hours before the date (depending on the activity) the girl realizes she has a date in a few hours, and begins to inwardly freak out a little bit:
-Eeek it's almost time! I look like crap! How am I going to do my hair????
-Eeek it's almost time! I look like crap! How am I going to do my hair????
She gathers up all her bobby pins, flips on her hairstyling devices, and as she's waiting for them to heat up, starts desperately trying to find something to wear.
-All my clothes are ugly! He'll never like me if I wear something like this!
-I know I don't really care what he thinks of me, but I still want to look cute!
The preparation process takes awhile. Sometimes, advice is begged of the roommates. Sometimes clothes or shoes are shared. The make-up must be redone to perfection. Heaven forbid a red spot or dark circle be visible on a date! Eventually though, the girl stands in front of her mirror and decides that she looks pretty darn good. I remember in the Super-Mega-Special Dating issue of the New Era magazine the general authorities said that girls are supposed to look extra nice on their dates, because the guy has really put himself out there asking her out, and he's spending money on her, so the least she could do is look magnificent for him. Believe me, girls spend a lot of time trying to look awesome.
After she finishes getting ready, there's really nothing else to do before the date starts. So the girl thinks some more
-Ok I still have ten minutes before he gets here. I'm just going to sit here and try not to mess my hair/face/clothes up. Oh man I hope this is fun! Speaking of fun, is this a fun date or a serious date? Probably just a fun date. I don't think he like me...does he?
-Ok I still have ten minutes before he gets here. Can I go through with this? Yes, I can, and I'm going to have a good time. I WILL have a good time!!!! (But if I don't, I wonder how I can make this as short as possible...)
Finally, there's a knock at the door. She takes a deep breath, checks the mirror one more time, and opens the door, a big smile on her face, regardless of what she's thinking.

Sometimes the date is good, and sometimes it's bad, but a decent girl, no, a decent human being does their best to make the experience as enjoyable for both sides as possible. Sometimes the girl comes home happy, with a budding crush on her date, sometimes she comes home with any trace of affection obliterated. One time a while ago I finished a date and promptly told my friends "I don't like him anymore!" That was funny. Dates here at BYU are so seemingly meaningless, but sometimes we hopeless romantics have difficulty adjusting to that fact. Still, dates are fun. It doesn't matter if you actually the guy or not. It's just nice to be someone's "date" for an evening. It makes you feel special, and wanted.
It makes you feel like a princess.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Mating Season Part 2

In my last post, I talked a lot about how things are really different this semester. For instance, I went from watching real football to watching Madden football. But not playing. I'm afraid to do that. I'm such a girl. Maybe that's why I don't like girls very much. I already have so much femininity that adding anymore causes a girly-ness overload. Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah. Mating season. Last semester one of my first posts was about the dating scene at BYU, and since then a couple of things have happened to necessitate a revision.

At this point, nearly everyone I know either has a girlfriend/boyfriend or likes someone. People are closer this semester because they've known each other longer, so you would think that more relationships (aka "serious dating") would develop, however, this semester we have to realize that all of the freshmen guys will be going on their missions in a couple of months. It seems pointless to start a relationship with someone when they're going to be gone by next semester, and who wants to wait two years for someone you've only been dating for a couple of months? The curse of BYU is this: you grow super close to people super quickly, and so you feel like you want to be with them forever, but you also realize that it's probably not going to last. Where do you draw the line between fun dating and serious dating? How many times do go out with someone before they become your boyfriend/girlfriend? What about the guys who have girlfriends back home? Will they wait? I can imagine that being a guy at BYU right before your mission can be frustrating, but it's worth it! Missions are great! And BYU is still fun.

I, personally, am not struggling with any deep emotional issues regarding the departure of missionaries. I mean, I'm really, really going to miss my friends, but I don't like anybody right now. That's right, I, Emily Hales, am not desperately pining away for some guy at this current time. It's been awhile, I know. Since this is the case, I regretfully must inform that any dates I go on for the next little bit will all be *gasp* fun dates. I know, I know. Not that I'm a big dater, but I went on one last Friday. It was a "fun" date, and it was actually fun!!! Maybe I was too quick to judge fun dates...Or not. You know, it doesn't matter what kinds of dates you go on, or even if you go on dates! It only matters if you're happy with your life. (Do you like these random pieces of advice I throw into my blog posts? It's cuz I'm a princess.)

So I was gonna do this big thing where I describe what goes through a girl's head as she's being asked and preparing for a date, but I changed my mind. Some final thoughts:

Monica (I'm Actually a Girl) is not, as a matter of fact, actually a girl. She took a personality test, and it rated her masculinity 86% and her femininity 46%. Poor Monica. That's what you get for spending every waking second at a very manly apartment. They're having a Madden tournament at 23 Broadbent (where Monica and I have been hanging out recently). I'm watching. Because I like being a girl.

The Creamery is still out of non-frozen chicken. It's extremely depressing.

Yep. That's my life. It's fun (and chicken-less).
Emily <3

Friday, January 13, 2012

New Semester

This blog is called "My Princess Diary." I named it so because I figured creating a blog is already the most egotistical thing you could do, so I might as well go all the way. With a blog, you're assuming that someone, somewhere, out there on the internet, cares about what you have to say. Luckily for me, a couple of people have told me they enjoyed my blog, and encouraged me to keep posting. I figure as long as there is one person whose day is brightened a little bit my reading my rants and stories, I'll keep writing.

That being said, one of my goals for this year is to write in this blog on a more regular basis. I know I just had a post on Monday, but that was about the "princess" part of the title. Today's post is the "diary" part.

I just started my second semester at BYU. New year, new classes, new schedule. I feel like everything has changed. When I came back from Christmas break, I felt like a different person, which is ridiculous because obviously I'm still me. No matter how many times I've moved, how many different groups of friends I've joined, I've stayed the same. Do you ever analyze yourself? I do. I think I'm good at adapting to change, but I, myself, don't change. I did struggle a bit at the beginning of the year, when I realized that for the first time in my life, I wasn't a smart kid. EVERYONE here is a smart kid. And Mormon. Maybe that's why this semester is different. Last semester, I freaked out a little bit when I realized that everyone here was just like me, only better. This semester, I'm doing better. It's all about self-realization and recognizing that you have something to offer the world.

What I'm trying to say is, if anyone reading this is considering coming to BYU, or has kids who want to come to BYU, do it, but be careful. It can be really detrimental to your self-esteem if you come expecting college to be just like high school. BYU is a completely unique college. It may not be up to Ivy League academic standards, but think about it this way: Out of 11,000 kids who apply to BYU, 7,000 are accepted each year. Mormons are, for the most part, very intelligent and/or hardworking, because from a young age we are taught the importance of a good education. So that's 7,000 Mormons kids who are smart. I'm still getting used to the fact even ditzy girls are intelligent here. And as for the church...these are kids who CHOOSE to go to a Mormon college. They need to sign the Honor Code and get an Ecclesiastical Endorsement. They know what the Word of Wisdom and the Law of Chastity are. That part's pretty cool. Anyway, it's hard to stand out at BYU, when everyone is just like you.

So, prospective student, before coming to BYU, decide who you are and what you have to offer the world. Just kidding. Don't do that, because the truth is you have no idea! I sure don't have any idea. I just did the best I could to find people who accept me for who I am, all the quirks and obnoxiousness included. As far as I can make out, I am Emily-with-the-long-eyelashes. Emily-the-Harry-Potter-and-Disney-nerd. Emily-the-girl-who's-smaller-than-everyone-else. And you know what? I don't mind. I am who I am, and I'm okay with it. College is difficult, and finding your place in the world is difficult, but don't stress. Basically the whole point of this rambling blog is that I think the freshman-ness has worn off. I feel...I don't. Not more mature. Just less willing to stay up until four in the morning, I guess. I feel older, that's for sure. And I love BYU as much as ever. No matter who you are, you can have an amazing time at BYU. Wanna hear something cool? Today I saw Vocal Point (as seen on the Sing Off) perform right in the middle of campus! I was right up close! Here are the videos I took: (my friend Mike [Quotidian Adventures] put them on YouTube for me)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3v8zFyI20c

So yeah. That's my life!
Emily <3

Monday, January 9, 2012

Why the Disney Girls Rock

It's no secret that I adore Disney movies. How could you not? They're the perfect story: a dashing hero, a beautiful and intelligent heroine, various hilarious sidekicks, a truly awful villain, a thrilling adventure, and a bunch of fantastic songs that everyone in the whole world knows. However, it was brought to my attention my senior year of high school that some people think that Disney movies, particularly the princess movies, are *gasp!* sexist!

Last year in English, my teacher, showed us these YouTube videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8xCgC3w1zs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uuk-h2ZYNJU&feature=relmfu

The lesson was that Disney movies are misogynistic because they portray weak and foolish women who make stupid choices in order to get a man, and that they teach little girls bad values. Like how Belle rejected a "determined, goal-oriented, popular man" (Gaston) for a monster. Needless to say, I was upset.  For one thing, no one better criticize my Disney movies around me. Secondly, the videos, and my teacher, are just plain wrong. The real reason Disney movies (and Pixar movies) are so great is that they have layers. When you're five, you like the pretty colors and the songs. When you're ten, you like the jokes and the princes. When you're eighteen, you like the manifestation of the hero's journey and the deeper, political meaning. And the songs. The truth is that while the earlier princesses like Snow White and Cinderella may have just waited around for a prince to rescue them, the more recent ones (that is, those who appeared as part of the "Disney Renaissance" [the era of fantastic and award winning animated Disney movies from 1989 to 1998]) showed a distinct rise in personal strength and feminism. I'm going to explain exactly how the Disney princesses, and the Disney girls in general, not only sing catchy songs and look nice in dresses, but totally kick butt too.
(Note: I'm going to ignore all sequels, because, face it, they're silly.)

Let's start with the girl who ushered in the Disney Renaissance, all the way back in 1989--The Little Mermaid.
Ariel: Ariel seems like a stereotypical damsel in distress, and a poor role model for young girls. Like the video above pointed, she ran away from her father and her family, in order to chase down a guy. She made a deal with an evil woman to give up her best feature in order to change who she was, all for a guy. Sure, you can look at it that way. However, the truth about Ariel's situation is revealed when we see the one scene where her many sisters actually speak. The spend their days doing their hair, playing with makeup, and practicing their singing. In other words, they live meaningless lives full of pampering, vanity, and ignorance. They blindly accept their prejudiced father's command to stay away from the surface. Ariel, on the other hand, can actually think for herself. She wants to learn and see the world. Her deal with Ursula was a last, desperate attempt to leave the stifling undersea world and become her own person. She was thirsty for knowledge and new experiences, but if she had remained in Atlantica she would have remained a powerless child, would have never been given the opportunity to be anything other than a pretty voice. Instead, she goes on land, finds a man who loves and respects her, removes the barrier of racism between the humans and mermaids, and becomes a queen.
Ariel teaches us to follow your dreams and seek out your own answers. She teaches us to be an individual and never stop searching for new knowledge.
Ariel rocks.

The next princess to come along was the title character in Beauty and the Beast (Beauty, that is. Not the Beast).
Belle: She's more than just a "beauty." That she has intelligence and depth of character is the ENTIRE POINT OF THE MOVIE. The Belle "Advice for Young Girls" video was extremely upsetting. Let me go line by line and explain why Belle is an INCREDIBLE role model for kids, and also my favorite princess.
1. She likes to read. Enough said. But I'm going to say more anyway. She likes to REread. Sure, she's a beautiful and desirable girl. She's also a huge nerd. How on earth is it bad to teach girls that they can be smart and pretty? Take care of your body AND your mind, kids. Belle teaches us it's ok to be literate and to stand out from the crowd.
2. She doesn't take any crap from Gaston. The video said "This really determined and goal-oriented man wanted to marry me, but I said no, because I didn't think it was enough of a challenge." Excuse me, but what? Feminists, back me up on this. Gaston was a huge jerk. He ordered Belle to marry him because she was pretty. When she rejected him because of his cruel, demeaning, and chauvinistic attitude, he showed up and tried to get her to marry him anyway! He is the ultimate example of the kind of man modern mothers warn their daughters to stay away from. Belle teaches us to never settle for anything less than a man who treats you like a person, and not like a piece of meat.
3. She sacrifices herself to save her father. Of all the wonderful things Belle does over the course of the movie, I personally think this is the best. It is a fantastic example of personal strength and filial love. Belle teaches us to be selfless, and that it's possible to be pretty, smart, AND brave.
4. She doesn't let the Beast boss her around. She may be a prisoner, but she was not going to be cowed. Even in the darkest of times, she remained strong and brave, keeping her wits about her. Later on, she basically took control of the castle, turning it into a home, exploring every dark corner, and befriending the "staff." Her strength of character even did the impossible: she turned the Beast back into a man. Belle definitely deserved to be a princess. She teaches us to never give up, to make the best of a bad situation, and that whatever life throws at you, you can handle it.
Belle teaches us what it really means to be a woman of indomitable strength and unshakable character.
Belle rocks. A lot.

Disney next came out with the only "princess" (of the six main princesses) to not be the title character of her movie, Aladdin.
Jasmine: The movie, Aladdin, tackled a new set of issues. Jasmine's beautiful prison of a palace embodied the of misogyny and male supremacy rampant in their society. She was not allowed to leave the palace walls, and she had only been saved thus far from an arranged marriage to an awful man because her father--against all odds--loved her. Imagine that! Even though she had to be saved by a man in the end, look at what she did on her own. Like Ariel, she escaped, and unlike Ariel, she wasn't even chasing a man. She just wanted to be free. She was also very aware of her own self-worth and how she deserved to be treated with respect. "I am not some prize to be won!" No Jasmine, you most certainly are not. She also showed a new aspect of Disney princesses--they're aware of the effect they have on men, and they use it to their advantage. She tricked Aladdin into revealing his identity (kind of. Aladdin is a HUGE liar) and she distracted Jafar to give Aladdin time to steal back the lamp. Jasmine is smart and funny, as well as sexy. She shows that she's capable of handling herself in difficult situations, and that women are intelligent enough to make their own decisions about life and love. I have a feeling that princesses in Agrabah were treated very differently in the future.
Jasmine teaches us to stand up for ourselves and demand to be respected for who we are.
Jasmine rocks.

The next Disney movie to feature a woman worthy of this list: Pocahontas. She's not one of the "princesses," but she's a Disney Renaissance woman, and her dad is a chief. That counts.
Pocahontas: This movie, for some reason, is not widely appreciated. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 56% rating. It may be because of the blatant rewriting of history, or the dark truth looming over the seemingly happy ending. Despite the amicable parting of white people and Indians, we all know what happens next. However, many, many others love this movie, and it's easy to see why. Pocahontas herself is such a fun character. Like Jasmine, she faces an arranged marriage that will signal the end to her freedom. The song "Just Around the Riverbend" implies that if she were to marry as she is supposed to, her dreams and her spirit will be crushed. "Should I choose the smoothest course/Steady as a beating drum/Should I marry Kokoum/Is all my dreaming at an end." Pocahontas believes that life is meant to be enjoyed, and her open heart and mind allow her to realize the connections, not just between all the creatures of the Earth, but between two very different and antagonistic civilizations. She is not bound by fear or racism, and ends up saving her people (for a little while at least). She stands up to her father and to her tribe, showing them the error of their ways. It is her strength, love, and lack of prejudice that allows for the movie's happy ending.
Pocahontas teaches us to always see the good in the world, and in other people. She also teaches us to never give up on our dreams.
Pocahontas rocks.

All right, the next movie of importance released during this period is ONE OF THE BEST DISNEY MOVIES OF ALL TIME. I'm talking about a movie most people hate, because it's dark and feels distinctly un-Disneylike. I could go on and on about this movie, how if you watch it as kid's entertainment it's disturbing, but if you watch it as a legitimate movie it's FANTASTIC, how it's an amazing story of the evils of hypocrisy and the the importance of standing up for righteousness, how it is an incredible example of the capacity humans have for good or evil, and an inspirational story of the ultimate triumph of the goodness of the human spirit, but since this post is purely about the Disney women, I won't. Oh, I'm talking about the Hunchback of Notre Dame, by the way.
Esmerelda: Esmerelda isn't a princess. Far from it. But I think she deserves to be on this list. Because she is a commoner and an outcast, she has developed an enormous capacity for compassion and kindness. Her friendship gives Quasimodo the strength he needs to stand up to his tormentor and reclaim his life. On her own, she is pretty incredible. She's smart, tough, and unafraid to speak her mind. She also refuses to compromise her character. While she's tied to the stake, about to burn for her rejection of Frollo, she spits in his face instead of accepting his proposal and ensuring her release. She also self-sufficient and clever during her time as a gypsy. I think people have criticized the movie for having Esmerelda end up with that strong and attractive soldier Phoebus instead of Quasimodo, but I'm okay with it. Quasimodo, for the first time in his life, was free, and needed to enjoy his freedom and his newfound friends. Phoebus also completely deserved Esmerelda. He had a pure heart, refused to murder innocent people on the judge's orders, jeopardizing his own life, and almost single-handedly led the revolution against Frollo's tyranny. But I digress. I just really like this movie.
Esmerelda teaches us to stand up for yourself, and for those that can't stand on their own. She teaches us to have compassion and strength.
Esmerelda rocks.

Quick question: What's the best-loved VHS (among the staff, at least) at St. Matthew's Presbyterian Church Nursery?
Answer: HERCULES!!!!!
Meg: How can you not love Meg? By the time we get to Esmerelda and Meg, we don't even have to question the feminine strength of the Disney women. They are just awesome. Meg, for instance, is street-smart and witty. She totally slays Hercules' heart, and proves herself as a hero when she sacrifices herself to save the only hope humanity had left. I mean, who does that? Someone who is really in love, and someone who refuses to let evil win. You know that quote, "Behind every great man is a great woman"? So true, especially in this movie. Because of Meg, Hercules became a GOD. That's right, her influence on him was so great that he was able to achieve ultimate power and immortality. Even more, he GAVE IT ALL UP to be with her. If that isn't a sign of her awesomeness, I don't know what is! Plus, you know, she's hilarious and doesn't let anything, even being eternally bound to the devil, crush her spirits.
Meg teaches us to keep up hope during the darkest times, and that some things are worth the sacrifice.
Meg rocks.

Ok I'm going to briefly mention a girl who isn't a princess or really a huge character in the Disney universe, but still has something important to teach us. We can find her by popping in our beautiful, old VHS tape of Tarzan.
Jane: Jane is just a lot of fun. She's kind of a ditzy character, but I think that deciding to go to Africa, and to stay in Africa, is pretty incredible. During that era, women never did anything other than sip tea and have babies. Jane is an adventurer, and her boundless love of life and her unquenchable curiosity take her to places that few people, not to mention women, had gone before.
Jane teaches us that we can do anything.
Jane rocks.

All right, I know what you're thinking. "Come on Emily. You're forgetting someone!" No, I'm not. I'm just saving the best for last. Do you honestly think that I could write a novel about how incredible and powerful Disney girls are and leave out the quintessential example of feminine formidability? Here she is, the girl who took her father's armor, ran away from home, impersonated a soldier, lied to her commanding officer, endangered the lives of thousands of men, destroyed the emperor's palace, and...saved us all.
Mulan: Any time any sad, sad person criticizes Disney for only giving sweet and dainty girls happy endings, shove this woman in their face. Mulan is the exact opposite of a delicate princess. She was a klutzy tomboy, who preferred hanging out with the animals on her farm to learning the ridiculous rules for how perfect Chinese brides were supposed to behave. She is a "girl who's got a brain/who always speaks her mind." Seriously, this girl can do no wrong as a role model for our little girls. She cares deeply for her family, willing to risk everything to protect her father. She has a strong sense of justice, and stands up to the unfairness of the male-dominated Chinese empire. Her father had served his country; it was dishonorable to send him back. After she joined the army, she became truly incredible. It wasn't just that she received training and learned how to fight. It's that she gave her all to become the best she knew she could be. Although she was weaker than the men, and unfamiliar with physical combat, she was the one to retrieve the arrow, just to prove that she was able. She became an inspiration to her fellow soldiers, and her growth helped turn a group of ragtag farm boys into a united and efficient fighting team. During the only battle they actually fought, guess who destroyed the Hun army? That's right. Mulan. She realized that brute force wasn't good enough, and that only strategy would save her country. After she single-handedly destroys the worst threat China has ever faced, her ruse is discovered and she is dishonorably cast out. Instead of becoming bitter and turning her back on the people who betrayed her, she returns to the city to inform the army and the emperor that Shan Yu and his most devoted lackeys were still alive, and coming to avenge their defeat. No one believes her, but even now, she does not give up. She is ready to rush in and stop the evil Hun leader, by herself if necessary. Thankfully, Shan Yu shows himself and her honesty is revealed. Her friends, who really knew all along how incredible she was, follow her into the palace to save China once and for all. Again, she risks her life by confronting Shan Yu one-on-one, allowing the emperor and her friends to escape, and again, it is her brilliance that destroys him and saves the country. Mulan was the bravest woman, no, bravest person, in the empire, and I think this movie ought to be required watching for every little girl in the world.
Mulan teaches us that we can do anything. Anything. When it comes to honor, personal strength, patriotism, and bravery, it doesn't matter what gender you are. Don't let anyone tell you what you're capable of. Only you can decide what you can or can't do. Mulan did what she did because she knew that she had to. It didn't matter that she was a woman, and that the physical tasks were harder. She resolved to become as strong and powerful as she needed to be, and it happened. Mulan teaches us that women rock.
Mulan doesn't just rock. She's every girl's hero. Or she should be.

Disney is just amazing. Anybody who wants to criticize the Disney corporation, ESPECIALLY the Disney girls, needs to stop and think. These movies are not about finding a husband or letting others make your choices for you. They're about being the best you can be, and finding the strength to do whatever it takes to create your own happy ending.