From Jenna’s Dream Journal (2)

(Here are more dreams from young Jenna!)

February 3, 2000:

I dreamt that I was at school, and we did our normal things that we usually do every morning. Then it was time for our bee on the Southeast States and Capitals. I got sick in the middle of it.

 

February 13, 2000:

(I made a note that I was 19 in this dream. I dreamt this at age 9.)

I dreamt that we had a family reunion at my house. We also invited good friends of ours. When we were waiting outside a car drove up. A woman came outside and a 20 year-old boy that looked a lot like Lance. I just stared there at the boy and then I fainted. The boy and his mom rushed to my side (so did my mom). My mom could not carry me inside so the boy did. He carried me all the way to my bed. Everyone then went downstairs except the boy. He knew a way to wake me up. He kissed me. I did wake up. I asked him why he kissed me, and he said he kissed me because he loved me the moment he saw me. I said that I did too. When we went downstairs we walked close to each other. When it was bedtime the boy had nowhere to sleep, so I let him sleep in my bed with me. He was delighted to. While we were in bed, he told me that he was really Lance from NSYNC, and he was madly in love with me. I said I was too. The next day Lance asked my parents if he could take me horseback riding. They said yes. We went horseback riding. At the end he kissed me. We had many adventures together. In the end, we married.

 

November 6, 2000:

My class was doing a class trip to this one museum. It was pretty boring. Then we came across a sign. “The chute and chair flight that was under construction is now open!” My friends and I went up the stairs. My brother was ahead of me. We came to the front then. We went up this little ramp, but there wasn’t any air power to shoot you out. My brother went and did it. When he landed on the chair, I heard a voice call to him. “Where’s your sister? I have to talk to her.” I called down, “I’m coming!” So I flew down and landed gracefully on the chair. I saw a cute boy looking at me in a surprised look. “That was so cool! I wouldn’t be able to do that!” As I was coming down, he caught me. “That was beautiful! You’re beautiful!” He kissed me.

 

(I sure was a romantic, even back 13 years ago!)

Jenna

(I think I wrote this poem when I was in 6th grade. I found it in a little poetry portfolio in one of my middle school folders. That would date this either 2001 or 2002.)

Jenna,

Observant, calm, intuitive,

Sister of J.T. and daughter of John and Nancy,

Lover of mornings that are filled with serenity, books that lure you into their pages, and her admirable family,

Who feels content when curled up under her warm cozy sheets, dejected if sorrowful news reaches her ears, and blissful when it seems that luck is on her side,

Who needs privacy, an unending supply of books, and honorable friends,

Who gives thoughtful advice, her attention to whoever’s speaking, and companionship,

Who fears suffering, the end of something that should last forever, and loneliness,

Who would like to see peace between all countries, Orlando Bloom in person, and the end of hateful words and gossip,

Resident of St. Charles, Missouri,

Thomas

I was 7 in this picture, not 11 or 12 when I wrote this poem, but I thought I would share a picture of younger me anyway.

 

<3 Me

Siren

A siren reclines on on a wave-battered rock
In the middle of the ocean
Alone

Trailing her fingertips through the restless waters
Torrid like her heart
Threatening an oncoming storm

She gazes at her reflection
Large, luminous eyes
Full, shapely lips
Flowing dark hair
What every man would desire

Her voice
A sweet melodic symphony
That would steal the heart of any who listen
Capturing his soul
Hopeless to escape

All those men
All those hearts
All those disappointments
Have left her heart a hardened fortress
Nigh impossible to penetrate

A siren reclines on on a wave-battered rock
In the middle of the ocean
Alone

<3 Me

Underwater

Going through the motions as if
Under some spell
And strange influence,
Reeling from the sense of
Detachment now present,
Every time hopeful for a
Discovery of something meaningful.

<3 Me

Sass in Sicilia: Paulina’s Strength

Faith and trust in women and relationships have a large impact on the plot and character development in William Shakespeare’s play, The Winter’s Tale. King Leontes of Sicilia and his queen, Hermione have a cooperative and successful partnership initially with his admiration of her wit and power of persuasion. Then the provocation of a handclasp between her and his childhood friend, King Polixenes of Bohemia, spirals Leontes into a pit of paranoia convinced Hermione is a treasonous adulteress. She maintains a steadfast conviction of her innocence during the trial and defends herself courageously until she faints upon hearing of her son’s death. In addition and perhaps more so, Hermione’s closest confidante and attendant Paulina shines forth as a strong figure throughout the play with the ability to influence and shape Leontes into a more sympathetic character.

From her strong entrance demanding to visit the queen in prison, Paulina is described as “a worthy lady, / And one who much I honor” (2.2.5-6) by the jailer. She is relentless and fierce in her defense of Hermione, constantly brainstorming new ideas to present to the king in an effort to make him see reason. No man is too powerful or privileged for her to stand up against. Well aware of her strengths, Paulina asserts, “I’ll use that tongue I have. If wit flow from’t / As boldness from my bosom, let’t not be doubted / I shall do good” (2.2.50-52). She has a firm understanding of the value of well-prepared words.

Leontes is incensed by Paulina’s unrelenting defense of Hermione and appeal to his heart by involving their newborn child he does not believe is his own. He is consumed by his false ideas so much that an oracle delegated from the gods has no truth or merit in his eyes. No one is willing to stand up against him except Paulina. It is she that reports Hermione’s death. She rails against him, shouting, “Thy tyranny, / Together working with thy jealousies / … O, think what they have done, / And then run mad indeed – stark mad! For all / Thy by-gone fooleries were but spices of it.” (3.2.179-180, 182-184). With her words, Paulina begins to incite Leontes’ guilt and reconsideration of his accusations.

Sixteen long years pass, and still Paulina remains by King Leontes’ side. Grief and pain have wracked him steadily.  Paulina maintains the strong voice of feminine reason, echoing and supporting the memory of Hermione in her counsel. As Leontes is being pressured to remarry, she asserts that no woman on earth could equal his late wife and requests the power to control who he would be with. His acquiescence is an indicator of how he has transformed over time in regaining respect for women. In an astonishing revelation, Paulina presents Hermione returned to life, and Leontes is overwhelmed with joy and surprise. Paulina replies wittily, “I like your silence, it the more shows off / Your wonder” (5.3.21-22). Her steadfast resolve to see justice fulfilled and honor restored make her an inspiration for all.

 

From Jenna’s Dream Journal

(Hello everyone! It’s been a while I know! My life has been more busy lately, and just last weekend I had a birthday extravaganza! My birthday was last Saturday, April 13th. I had quite a fantastic time, and already this new year of life for me is off to a pretty great start! There are daunting aspects as well, but c’est la vie.

I wanted to share a few dreams that I recorded in my dream journal when I was a lot younger, in case you were interested in delving into the fascinating subconscious mind of a younger me.)

 

August 2, 1999:

I was near a castle when the guards found me. They put me in a peanut butter jar. Then they put me in the kitchen. The Prince came in the kitchen because he was hungry. He almost ate me. Other people came in and almost ate me.

 

August 3, 1999:

I was in college. After a while, I could choose my career. I could be a singer, writer, or a actress. I couldn’t decide. Then I asked if I could do all of them. They said I could do one at a time.

 

August 4, 1999:

I was an ice skater and so was Tara from my school. We had to find out who was better. The winner got to spend a vacation with Tara Lipinski. When Tara was up, she scored 7.9′s only. When I was up, I scored all 9.9′s. I was the winner.

 

August 26, 1999:

I dreamt that I went to Aunt Cindy’s house. My mom was there too. We had lots of fun. Uncle Gary was not there. One day we went to a concert. We saw NSYNC. We were up front. Lance was always standing and looking at me. Then we went home and went to bed. The next day, it was time to go. So I packed. When I was in the car I checked my things. When suddenly, “I forgot my bra!!!!!!”

 

October 10, 1999:

I dreamt that we got a cd order form in the mail. We did not know but JT ordered some. Then they came in the mail. We were surprised. He ordered a Britney Spears for me!

Private Paradise

Let us create our own private paradise

 

Where the incessant drone of car horns

Is replaced with the lazy hum of insects

Where the shouts from people across the streets

Are replaced by the calls of birds

Where the buzz of a fan in a sweltering office

Is replaced with the drops of rain pattering through the leaves

 

Let us create our own private paradise

 

Finding nourishment for ourselves through the fruits of the land

Wearing nothing but the skin we were born with

Enjoying the soft earth as our bed

Making music through the movement of our entwined bodies

 

I will be your Eve

 

Let us create our own private paradise

 

 

<3 Me