Beautiful Confessions April 4, 2008
Posted by brandy in brookem is awesome!, it happened this week, it's a good thing, lists, people i like, question of the day, the J.O.B., youth.trackback
I recently asked my class “what is beautiful?” here were some of my favourite responses:
- “trophies”
- ” me when I’m being nice to new people and showing them things like where the bathroom is”
- “sparkly earrings and swirly bracelets”
- “the sun when it looks like a fire”
- “a big bowl of popcorn that I don’t have to share”
- “Luke Skywalker and how he always beats bad guys like Darth Vader because Darth Vader is bad and Luke is always gonna be good because he’s a good guy and he has the right light saber”
- “baby monkeys who kiss their mama”
- “100% on my math test. Not the easy one we did on even and odd numbers, but that hard one we did before”
- “strawberry lime margaritas served by shirtless men with great personalities who give free massages and sell designer shoes on the side at reasonable prices”
The last one might have been mine. What would you say is beautiful?
good lord I am jealous of your job.
Beautiful: without sounding like a creep/pedofile, I think the most beautiful thing in the world is girls aged like, 9-13, who are doing something active and enjoying themselves and their lives and they’re just happy…. especially in the summer when the grass is really green.
Flowers of all kinds, cumulus clouds, the sea, sparkling snow, long blond hair (sth I’ll never have!), soft skin, blue eyes and …
A nice and golden Chardonnay, in a sweating glass on a warm summer’s evening, sitting on the warm veranda stones and no sound except the crickets and no light except the stars and the lightening bugs, the smell of sun cream on my skin, his hand in mine.
I would get such a kick out of being a teacher. I love little kid’s answers
What was mini-Walter’s answer out of curiosity?
Mini-Walter said “oreos, chocolate pudding and cats who sleep alot”. Oh Mini-Walter, how I adore you.
The sky right before a storm
My mom
new babies
pregnancy
smiles
happy people in love
God, I am so sappy…
Those are all so great!
The look of peaceful sleep.
The first moment of calm after feeling overwhelmed.
A warm sunny day after a cold winter.
A genuine smile.
Smiling eyes.
People who help not because they have to and simply because they can.
i was wondering about that last one! lol
Whoever said the thing about Luke Skywalker? I want to meet this child. It makes me very happy that there are children in the upcoming generations who know and appreciate Star Wars more than High School Musical.
Here’s my list:
-A new box of crayons
-Bookshelves filled with hardcover books
-The smell of the first rain of the summer
-Babies sleeping
-Children using their imaginations
-The sun rising on an incredibly misty morning
-The sky right before a huge thunder storm (I know Yummy Sushi Pajamas already said this, but it really is beautiful).
Ok, that’s all for now..I’m kind of a sap, too. Damn.
smiling babies
dogs with their head out of the car window and their ears flopping in the breeze
violets in the lawn
haha, your kids sound freakin’ adorable
I need to spend a week with these kids. They sound cute as buttons!
Some of my list…
-The sun’s rays shining just right on a coffee table
-A perfect sunset
-The ocean. Always the ocean.
-Babies taking naps
-Lake Tahoe, in it’s entirety
-Pretty much Jude Law. Or, the other night I saw Paul Walker and thought he was pretty delightful too. Mmm.
And of course, your last one that you added in too.
xo
Oh and woot!, I have a tag just for me!
Here’s mine!
-A fresh blanket of snow on Christmas
-Your pets head resting gently in lap when they can sense that something has happened to make you upset
-A child’s honesty and laughter
-A family coming together after years of being apart
-Spring
Every friday is beautiful to me.
The smell of pine trees on a crisp mountain morning.
The sun on my face, my feet in a river.
My dog when she puts her head in my lap, sighing with contentment.
My mom’s laugh.
A warm, quiet evening, wind in the trees, stars in the sky.
The multi-tonal blue waters of the Caribbean.
lfar- I get what you are saying. I like that age too because girls are independent but not really cynical about life yet.
Katrin- Dear goodness- your whole paragraph was beautiful. I found myself sighing in agreement with all of it!
YSP- The sky right before the storm- I totally agree. Why is it that everyone loves this one so much??
Maggie- “the first moment of calm…” THAT ONE? I LOVE. I have a feeling that’s going to be something I appreciate even more today at 3:10pm when the bell goes and school is done for the week. Thank Jesus.
Michelle- Well, I felt like I needed to include mine and I certainly couldn’t share them with the children.
SM- Dude. There are TWO Star Wars geeks in my class and they are hilarious together. Yesterday the one boy told me that his ‘dream’ is to grow up so he can get a really big tattoo of Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader fighting on his back. Honestly, I might have laughed for a good 5 minutes.And if you are a sap, then I am too because I was nodding along with all of yours.
DOK- Love yours! Especially the one about the dogs. I always love seeing that!
Deutlich- They are adorable when they are not being monsters.
brookem- I thought you deserved one
Also, babies taking naps? That one is so lovely. I just thought of it and felt sort of sleepy and comfy all at once.
Great day! Kids are great…
What is beautiful to me???
Standing in church on Sunday during the alter call/ invitation and watching the deaf man getting on his knees at the alter and praying silently, but not silently… He signs his prayers to God. That is beautiful.
Amber- Spring! I’m totally down with that one, which is funny because if you ask me what my favourite season is, I will never say spring. It’s like I forget about it until it’s here and then do a ‘oh yeah! this season is pretty great.’ For some reason I always think “spring= mud” and forget that spring also equals warmer days and prettier coats.
notperfectdotcom- I’m so with you on this. Friday at 3:10pm. That’s the most beautiful time of the week.
Dingo- Ahh dog lovers rejoice! I find that I get so much more pleasure being around dogs than cats. Perhaps because I find cats require so much more work to gain affection? Either way, I get what you are saying. Dogs are pretty wonderful.
Keri- Oh man! That made my eyes sort of watery! And that does sound like a beautiful thing to see. Man. I love that!!
friday afternoon cocktails that really take place on friday morning. oh wait did you say beautiful? or impossible?
…the innocence of a child.
which this post sums up perfectly. happy weekend! xo, b
seeing that my bookshelf was so full that I had to get a second one
John Krasinki
seeing proof that true love really does exist and feeling that you should keep waiting for it
the smell of the ocean and the power of the waves lapping onto the beach
the feeling that your life is FINALLY headed in the right direction and knowing that you did it all on your own
That is beyond cute.
…..your boss giving you a glowing review, one month before your official review
…..a warm breeze, flowers and buds on the trees because it means spring is here!!!
……lying in a hammock watching the sun set.
have a great weekend! xoxo
turning on the radio and catching the start of your favorite song and then singing to it out loud and proud!
Also, turning on the radio and learning you just missed hearing Mariah Carey…phew!
I concur with teh sparkly earrings and swirly bracelets (and that last one too, duh!)
my list:
Maggie’s sleep face
the snowy moutains first thing in the morning
the ocean
true love
Beautiful is when my dog gives me these sad, weepy eyes and curls up as close to me as possible. Chokes me up every time she does it!
I think baby monkeys who kiss their mamas are beautiful too!
That is so darn precious. I adore children. For serious.
the perfect questions that kids sincerely ask..
and baby monkeys, obviously!
Skywalker kid is my fave.
-My nephews
-Lee Pace
-Today
…sincere i love yous that you can feel–and see.
…cats all curled up, paw over head, in the exact position that i would be if i could be, in the sunshine.
…waves crashing on a beach at night when all you can really see is the foam.
…when i’m brave.
…my grandma’s hands. gosh, i miss her.
…those moments when you see a man hold a door open for a woman, or take her hand to help her up the stairs or out of a car, and you feel like you’ve intruded on something so intimate and sweet that you feel privileged to have witnessed it.
…uninhibited laughter from girls who believe in themselves, even if just for that moment.
…the Orlando temple at night, all lit up. i don’t think i’ve ever had a building take my breath away like that.
…writing that makes me think and feel and wonder and inspires me to do more of my own. basically, this post.
This POST is beautiful. Seriously! And I’m not trying to make a pun because I actually wrote “this post is so beautiful” and then realized I had simultaneously answered your question. And I will toss in the smell of freshly-cut grass as an extra beautiful thing too.
Sweet! That is the fun thing about working with children, or even just hanging out with them, they can give you a different perspective on things.
My list includes any and all sunsets, especially those with a lot of colors and those I have seen in the Carribean, my nieces’ smiles and their laughter, sparkly fresh snow (yes I can still say that even after a HORRIBLY long winter), white sandy beaches, the snuggling of my cat in my lap when I least expect it.
How SWEET! I love seeing little kids’ complicated responses to simple questions.
What is beautiful:
-The clock striking four on a Friday!!
-When my boyfriend brings fresh wisteria in from outside so the kitchen will smell nice, and when he buys me something he knows I have been wanting, just because
-A new magazine waiting in the mailbox when I get home from a hectic day
I totally second that whole bowl of popcorn you don’t have to share. Amen, kiddo. Amen!
Giggling infants, and bunny snuggles, kisses, and farts. Lying sprawled on the living room floor with wine, listening to good music. And maybe a sucky one or two that you’d never confess to.
I meant sucky one or two songs. I’m just missing entire words now.
beach sunsets while on vacation holding a drink in my hand.
Lazy weekends, sitting on the porch on a warm summer evening, ice cream, hugs, laughter.
LOVE your site…
beautiful? the lingering thought of the thing of beauty even after my eyes are closed.
Ah this list is so cute!
Beautiful is laughing for no reason and waking up to the sun in the window.
I think it’s so cool that your class has two fellow Star Wars geeks. I think little Walter is a guy I could hang with.
For me, I will add only a couple of things: the hushed quiet of a Redwood Forest, standing under the majesty of a 2,000 year old matriarch. The look in a woman’s eye when she wants to do nothing but be with you (you know, should I ever actually experience that again). And, of course, your writing Brandy – and, by extension, you. Keep it up.
hahaha I read that last one and went, “What kind of child would say that?!”
)
Hm…what is beautiful? Ewan McGregor. Naked. Or in a nice suit. Or dressed down looking scruffy. Or in a kilt. Standing in a clamshell.
Keri at #16 – Wow. there is something so moving about people just being themselves without inhibition. I think that’s what I found beautiful about that image.
There are so many things (some mentioned above, others not) so I’ll say where I go to FIND beauty these days, maybe because I get a similar sense of the beauty in people expressing themselves, as well as looking at physically beautiful things…. websites like thesartorialist.blogspot.com facehunter.blogspot.com and dublinstreets.blogspot.com
This is easy!
Old people holding hands
Freshly cut grass
That rainy smell
Glitter
Healthy long hair
Nice eyes
Nice hands
This whole post made me smile. I think that people IN LOVE is beautiful. Sunrise is beautiful. A really great granola parfait is BEAUTIFUL. My litte sister when she sleeping lol. Sweat and working hard is beautiful. People helping people is beautiful. Laughter is beautiful…ic ould go on and on…
I love the one about Luke Skywalker. What a beautiful post Brandy!
I think falling in love is beautiful – blissfully and gloriously in love. The sound of laughter is my most beautiful sound.
The sun peaking from dark clouds on a gray day; the first flowers at the end of a long winter; waking to see the face of someone you love; a glass of iced tea on a hot summer day; a man with a fabulous chest (or hands or hair or eyes…); talent passionately displayed; creative ideas; and oh so many more.
(my daughter anytime and place… but that is so sappy!
)
Your blog is so happy!
I am going to say something cliche, but it is the truth…beautiful is someone who can truly be who they are despite who or what is around. Someone who has confidence but doesn’t think they are the best in the world. Someone who is anything but self-centered and has no prejudices and really just someone who can truly, be as they are.
Wow – can I just say your students rock?
Things that are beautiful:
-Sunsets
-Elderly people still in love
-Babies, anything and everything about them
-My husband, right before he wakes up
-Friendship
-Cupcakes, in any variety
* Kids – of all ages
– A 4 year old who can not be bribed into friendship with talk of a rocketship birthday party
– A 3 year old’s blonde ringlets that shine in the sun
– A 2 year old whose face lights up when he smiles at me
– A 1 year old whose tiny hand clasps my little finger and doesn’t let go
Oh and at the risk of sounding like a copycat – “100 % on my math test”….
Anne- Friday afternoon cocktails sound beautiful to me.
bb- Aww sweet. Hope you have a good weekend too!
Beth- I second John Krasinski. In fact, his smile and all of George Clooney are the only reasons I went to Leatherheads this weekend.
Ashley- A great review? Good for you!
Evans- I’m going to come out here and say that old school Mariah Carey is perhaps one of my favourite things to sing to in the car. I know. I KNOW. I’m going to hell.
Kathryn- Aww. Yours were so sweet I just sighed with happiness when reading them!
Nilsa- See, that’s why I’m a dog person. A cat just can’t do that as well as a dog.
poodlegoose- Yeah, that one made me giggle. I suspect that was only said because we had just read a book on monkeys, but either way it was still adorable.
Tiff- Is there anything cuter than a baby monkey? I think not.
Elisabeth- I need to google Lee Pace. Also, I love you for saying ‘today’. Good answer!
drbolte- “those moments when you see a man hold a door open for a woman, or take her hand to help her up the stairs or out of a car, and you feel like you’ve intruded on something so intimate and sweet that you feel privileged to have witnessed it.” THAT? Was beautiful.
Jess- Aww thanks! I’m down with the grass smell too. C’mon summer!
Nicole d- Ohhh talk of the Caribbean… I think I need a holiday.
Valerie- A boyfriend who brings fresh wisteria? That IS a good thing.
PJ- Yeah, I sort of loved that one. Anything that involves not sharing is good to me.
The Lisa Show- I knew what you meant for sure. And I’m absolutely with you. Because when it comes to bad music, I’m pretty sure you and I are in a league of our own.
Clearlykels- Okay, now I’m for serious- I need a holiday.
Larissa- Ice cream? That I will be able to have today. Not the holiday, but ice cream yes. I suppose happiness for me today is going to be found on top of an ice cream cone.
mandythompson- Beautiful! I love that idea. And welcome!
katelin- Ahhh!! I can’t wait for that to happen.
geekhiker- I don’t even think the Star Wars geeks even know about High School Musical, which makes me love them even more. And your list? Was lovely. And I would even say that even if I wasn’t on it.
Um…Yum!- Your comment made me laugh out loud.
Zosia- Wasn’t that a brilliant one by Keri?? She wrote more about it on her blog- go check it out! And thanks for throwing in some links, I’m always looking for new places to check out.
Wondy- I love you for writing ‘glitter’. Amen lady.
Chelsea- I liked yours. Especially sweat and hard work, because I can completely agree with that one. And you know, the parfait one too. There’s something about seeing all the layers that really makes me happy.
Rosanna- Agreed!
Exception- Hey, sometimes sappy is good! (Like when you talk about your daughter, or anytime that it involves a movie monologue and Ryan Gosling
)
Ashley- It is happy lately isn’t?? I’ve been thinking about that… as for what you say ‘beautiful is’… that’s definitely someone I aspire to be.
Semicharmed- Great list! And cupcakes?! Yes. I agree. I 100% agree.
aRbit- Ha! Great list. Reading yours made me thankful that I work with kids.
My dog’s wag
a. you crack me up
b. new clothes or shoes that are yours, all yours!
uuhhh…the hot guy at work (see post for deets on this one, lol)
cute baby photos
a project you’ve poured many an hour into completing
….so many more, but i’m stumped right now!
Suebob- I had to read this three times because I kept reading ‘my dogs wang’. Which was… weird. Besides the obvious, who says ‘wang’ anymore anyway?
libby- Going to read about the new guy right now!
awww those kids are too cute. I read the last one and thought – oh my.. that kid sounds like she’s been hanging out with me and my girls way too much
beautiful to me..
oh gosh- really good music. harmonies and all. amazing voices *sigh*
also, really good Me Time at home.. bubble baths and candles and wine.. a good book, long drives with awesome songs.. the works
I love that love for Star Wars is universal/multi-generational!
My best friend since the age of 9, sitting on the floor of her livingroom, playing with her 2 kids.