Baryshnikov
I love this…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dm0kT3wJJGM
Arranged
Once in a blue moon I go to Blockbuster movie rental and just explore making it a mission not to rent something with a hit title or big names starring in a corporate cocktail. I want something inspiring that has no stars with no propaganda. Something that can truly inspire me without manipulating me. Last night Isabella had a sleep over with a friend which meant it was my night to take a long hot bath, give myself a face mask, and then curl up in bed with the movie of choice – “Arranged”.
forg
Arranged is a gem of a film. It is a delicate look at two women that are of a young age of 22, just out of college and having a real job for the first time. They were both raised in New York and were well educated – both inside the home and out. They are New Yorkers with all the cultural issues that come with this era. One is a Muslim woman wearing the hijab and the other is Orthodox Jewish.
These two women were elegant, delicate and intelligent as they faced all the temptation of the modern world only to choose their family tradition and agree to their arranged meetings of men for prospects of marriage. Each woman overcame the racist influence of their homes to become friends and help support each other through the extreme different religious choices in each family. They came together because of the similarities and were able to help each other through the hardship of choosing between the “real world” and a world they were raised to follow. In the end, each made a choice that was truly theirs and we the audience were not left feeling sad or helpless for these two women.
This movie was a breath of fresh air for me. I remember as a young girl my cousins and I hiding in a closet in our home as we looked through teen magazine with Luke Skywalker and Princess Leya on the cover. We would pour through each page and giggle over the boys. We were all very shy since we were under the Islamic rule in the house only to see the complete contrast when leaving our nest and out into the real world. My grandmother would spit at the TV when a commercial or shot of a women in a bathing suit of pair of shorts symbolizing the sexual freedom that American women had. Us young girls would hold hands (back in that same closet) and swear we would not end up like our aunts and marry men we wanted and not who the family picked for us. Each and every one of our aunts and grandparents were NOT happily married to say the least and my grandmother and grandfather were first cousins. My grandmother was married off at the age of 13 and we were all not that far off in age when making this deal to stay true to our hearts.
Needless to say most of my cousins had to have family approval and married men that were not really what we had in mind while in that closet. Some are on their second marriage to men they finally got to choose, and some just keep their heads down and do the “right thing” for the family. With this history in mind, I didn’t want to like this movie. I was ready to roll my eyes at the story line but I was pleasantly surprised at the way the story pulled me in and gave even me another prospective on a subject that is too close to my heart. Funny how rebelling can slowly turn into a form of prejudice as well. And then “Arranged” came along and I feel in love with these women, forgiving my own culture for my personal pain.
First Day of School
Isabella just started 6th grade. What happened? She was this tiny little ball in my arms 11 years ago, and now she has a cell phone and says things like “oh Mom, stop”. She is this young woman with sparkle in her eyes. I want so much for her. I want her to have so much happiness and I want to shield her from any pain. I want her to be protected from any sorrow.
We have a ritual for the first day of school. My Mom and I go with her and hang out on the main grounds and I embarrass her by taking pictures. My mother showed up hella early and we all drove to her school in anticipation of a new year. Isabella told me the teacher was really cool and I would like her because she was a hippie. I didn’t realize I was a hippie 
but it really doesn’t matter as long as Isabella likes her. The kids were all running around with their new haircuts and looks of embarrassment because their parents were around.
I ran around the area where the 6th graders stood and took the photo’s I needed for my memories. I tried to be cool, but no way! All I heard was “Mom! Stop!” as we both laughed at my need to be a dork and document the day. I saw one parent standing in the parking lot watching the morning ritual because his child wouldn’t allow him on the grounds. I felt lucky
When Isabella came home I asked how her first day was. Among other stories, she informed me that in her class they will have a “Goddess of the week”. My mother (who was cooking all day in anticipation of her coming home with a few friends) was so relieved that in her Catholic school they would be learning about Goddesses. Wow. Isabella was right. I will like this teacher. :-)