Pursue your dreams

Yesterday, I took my eldest to Hansel and Gretel performed by the Spokane Children's Theatre. I absolutely love the theatre. I prefer to be performing, but find watching exciting as well.

I have always insisted that I want my children to pursue their own dreams. I may love the theater, and singing, but I would never pressure my children to. I don't like watching basketball at all. If it came to one of my children aspiring to become a NBA player, I'd still support them in their dream.

I explained to my daughter that in a couple years, she will be old enough to participate in theater if she wished. She straight out  told me "I don't want to". I was a small arrow in my heart. I hoped after watching, she would change her mind.  I figured the gingerbread house might change her mind.

We had a good time. I made sure to save some money for concessions, and a souvenir if she wanted one. When it was over, I asked what she thought of the show. "It was okay." She didn't want a souvenir either.

Yep. My heart was officially broken. She said that the song "Put your little foot" was annoying. She said she would rather go to the zoo or chuck e cheese instead.

OK.....perhaps there is some secret part of me that hopes that my children will have the same interests as me. I know there is still room for her to grow into it, but I'd rather encourage her in horse back riding and ballet like she wants (Ironically I'm not fond of horses or ballet).  Afterall, I still have two children who might have an interest when they are older. :0)

Origins: Whimsical Mai, the name

Whilst I'm still pondering about all the wonderful things I wish to share with you, I wanted to take you on the journey of how I came up with with my name "Whimsical Mai". First let me say that I have spent about two months, on and off, rolling ideas in my head over what to be 'called'.


My middle name, is Norwegian; Mai Bente (My_ Bent_ tah).
Up until middle school, I thought it was the coolest middle name in the world. Tween-age certainly did have an effect on my image. During those years, I found a picture of one of the ships my father sailed on,named; you guessed it: Mai Bente. At that point I became resentful that my father wanted me to be named after a ship. Despite my mother's attempts to explain it is a girl's name is Norway; I didn't care. It also belonged to a ship and I didn't want it.

By high school I was ok with the name again, but didn't go boasting about it. Then a turning point took place. As I handed out my senior picture and cards, one of my peers took notice of my middle name in a  way I didn't expect. He grabbed my arm and said "Your middle name is Mai?!" (he pronounced May, although it's pronounced My). I told him, no, it's Mai Bente. Then he told me that he really wanted a daughter to have the middle name May, but spelled M-A-I. I really like that idea, and I like it better pronounced May than My. I've carried that memory with me for a while now.

For my future business I wanted a name that represented me, but also my work. I'm a free spirited type of person when it comes to crafting and interests, so I am really afraid of trying one thing can having to stick to it. I also didn't want something that sounds 'plain'. My mother suggested I name my business "Crystal's Creations." ...but I gag at it, because I know a few people whom have business names like that. It just blends in. I thought of "Crystal's Clayations" which plays on the fact I love working with polymer clay, but I also fought with this one because I didn't want a name that made my main 'business' limited to what I can do with polymer clay (Although there is alot you can do with it).

I wrote down series of ideas and thoughts, and decided that "Whimsical" describes my personality perfectly. Free spirited, fantasy, and enjoyable. I love alitterations so I spent several weeks pondering on ways to play with the word Whimsical, never finding anything satisfactory.

For some reason there are two places I seem to get my best ideas: right before I go to sleep in bed, or in the shower. Both places seem to never be a convenient place to right ideas down (I don't have a bed side table; our room is too small). Nevertheless, when Whimsical Mai came into my mind in the shower, I kept it locked away in my mind long enough to write it down.

I've fallen in love. You know that feeling you get when you find the one? To me, it's not that there isn't anybody else out there (or in this case another name) that suits me well; but rather you stop looking because you've found everything you need and want. I've stopped looking. Whimsical Mai is all I want and need.

Spring is...uh...Where?

I should be an outside person. Look at any fairytale type story and the setting is always at a castle on the green islands of Great Britain or France. Or some woodsy, flower-y place. I love the appeal of waterfalls and small brooks, over-grown moss.  I have vitamin D deficiency (Many people do actually, get tested!). I should be out soaking in sun whenever possible.

But I've never been an outside person. I don't know why. When I get outside, I'm happier. It's just getting myself out the door that seems to be the problem.  My oldest Loves to be outside. Today is a particularly sunny day so I allowed her to play in the front.

Spring just showed up. The crocuses out in the yard are peaking out so I took the opportunity to take some pictures.

 I also took pictures of the clover plant too.

 Lucky I did because after I downloaded them, I went back outside and.....uh....wait? Where did the flowers go???

Oh, this figures. And so does this........

I suppose I ought to take a lesson from my daughter and enjoy spring.

Merlin

Last night the drama of Arthur and Gwen's releationship continued on Merlin, a series on Sy-Fy. The legend of the King Arthur has infactuated me since middle school. When it first aired in America, I was not happy with some of the untraditional approaches to the storyline. CAUTION: Spoilers ahead.

Most obvious is Merlin and Arthur are the same age, which has never been done in the Arthurian Mythology. Also, Guinevere is a Servant to Morgana, whom we find out in the fourth season is actually King Uther's daughter. In traditional tellings, Merlin is a mentor of Arthur, Guinevere is a daughter of a lord, and Morgana and Arthur share the same mother, but Uther is only father to Arthur.

The nontraditional approach works for the writers. After sticking to it, I've discovered the latest variations keep the legend fresh, and interesting. I find the wardrobes very appealing to my fantasy-side, but it does lack authenticity. Actually I would confess I prefer it that way.

Anyway, I noticed last night that the musical score reflecting the romantic interludes between Arthur and Gwen is quite good. I'm excited that the filming of the fifth season is about to start and look forward to more adventures in the Arthurian story.

Welcome to my world...

Ambitious Girl Brings Fantasy To Life.

That's my story in a nutshell. Ever since I was a little girl, I couldn't help day-dreaming my time away. A pencil, paper and scissors was my favorite toy. It still is, in ways. Writing my thoughts of everything I daydream about makes me feel more organized with daydreaming; it helps take it further.

I'm finally coming into adulthood at the age of 26. You would think I should have already been an adult, being married for seven years, and having three kids, etc...but I'm really not. Until this past year I never considered myself a woman. I thought it sounded too grown-upish. I always called myself a lady. *laugh*.

There was no defining moment for me, when I thought "I'm grown up now". With each day it's been "getting closer..." "Almost there." "Hmmm... I think I'm there..." "OK.  I'm there.". I really thought in my mind that I was so far behind my age, but I can safely say I know some 60-year-olds that haven't grown up as well as I have.

But my adulthood will not crowd out my childish fun. Daydreaming, creating, and bringing fantasy into my everyday life is always going to be here. No matter what. It's that creavtiviy that makes my life worth living. It applies to how I raise my children, who my friends are, what my life is about. It applies to what I write about. It applies with how I connect with you; not my readers, but my fellow whimsical wonderers.

Welcome to my world.....Welcome to Whimsical Mai.