Emese’s Impact Journal (December)

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Title: True To Your Groove, Disney’s Kronk’s New Groove Artist: Disney Record Company 

I think we’ve all been in the position where we feel compelled to change ourselves in order to fit in. In Kronk’s case, he was hired by the maniacal Yzma to be her personal assistant (this all occurred in the first movie, The Emperor's New Groove). Kronk is what’s known as a gentle giant, he has all the brawn but none of the brains. His passion is to cook, and teach the next generation how to speak “squirrel”. Yzma took advantage of his innocence, and forced him to kill the Emperor Kuzco, so she could take over the throne. Lost story short, he realized how bad of an influence she is on him, and help Kuzco defeat her once and for all. After that, Kronk started working as a cook at a restaurant, and helped others around the community. This song, “True to your Groove” is the synopsis of his change of heart. Kronk understood that he shouldn’t have to change himself for the approval of others, and this lesson had stunk with me since my childhood. Unlike Kronk, I’m headstrong, I’m not so easily influenced by others. But there have been times where I’ve been tempted to change myself for other people's benefits. Especially in grade 10, when I was apart of Junior Student’s Council. The majority of my peers were “popular”, they were cooler than I was. I  felt compelled to fit it. So I started dressing like them, and talking like them. I was afraid that if they didn’t like me, then I wouldn’t be able to properly contribute to the council. The line, “He lost his groove, he lost his way, when he fell in with a woman. Who wanted to take over the world” is exactly what happened to me when I started to change myself for others. I essentially lost “my groove”, the thing that makes me unique. This led me to feel sad, and confused. It was as if I didn’t know who I was anymore. Towards the end of this jammin’ song, the lyrics, “There is nothing to prove, don't have to approve, the way that you move. Don't have to be smart or be rich or be smooth. Don't have to make art that could hang in the Louvre. If you just go with your heart, then you'll be true to your groove” essentially means that you shouldn’t be comparing yourself to how others want you to be. There isn’t an accurate measurement of how important or unique you can be. Being yourself is the best present you could ever give any one. If they don’t like you for you, then they are not worth having in your life, (just like when Kronk left Yzma). Kronk has taught me that it doesn’t matter how others perceive you, all that matters is if you are true to yourself. Because of this, I stopped trying to change myself, and accepted the fact that I AM DIFFERENT, and that’s....okay. Nowadays, I follow my heart, with Miraculous, Disney, singing, drawing, and dressing up in a certain style. I don’t care what others think of me, as long as I stay true to my groove, I feel happy. I feel...unique.

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Title: Gotta Have Fun, from Disney’s Sofia The First Artists: Ariel Winter, Darcy Rose Byrnes, Zach Callison

Have you ever wished that you were a kid again? I know I do. Being 17, my childhood seems to have faded away, that there’s no time to have fun anymore. This song reminds me of my mom nagging me to stop doing my homework, and go do something that I enjoy. When that happens, I have no idea what to do with myself. I’ve completely forgotten how to “have fun”. In this musical scene, my mom is Sofia, and I’m Amber. I always feel as though I have to be responsible, and “grownup”. I’m in Grade 12, have a part-time job, applying to University...I’m almost a legal adult. However, when my mom does convince me to have fun, I enjoy myself, to my surprise. The line, “We may be growing, but we’re not grownups yet” really caught me by surprise. Hearing someone else say (or sing it) really opened my eyes as to how caught up I’ve gotten in school, and adult life. The line, “When we get busy, it’s so easy to forget” is exactly how my life is planned out. I become so busy with my life, that I forget to set aside time for just myself. I’m just like Amber, I have school to plan for, and making sure I get top marks in my classes. But when I get taken away from my busy schedule, it feels freeing. Sofia was able to convince Amber, James, and myself to step away from my life and enjoy myself in the moment. When Sofia was revisiting good memories from their past, “Do you remember, last September, when we played musical magic wands?”, it reminded me of all the good times I’ve had with my friends and family. Whether that be at lunch goofing around, playing at the park, going out for ice cream, or just chatting, there were no responsibilities, no worries. Every time I listen to this song now, I have to urge to step away from my desk, and head to my drawing pad and crayons, where I can have some fun. 

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Title: Thank U, Next Otamatone Cover Artist: TheRealSullyG (Originally By Ariana Grande)

Okay, this is probably the weirdest impact journal entry you’re ever going to get. Published in 2018, Ariana Grande newest single, “Thank U, Next” became an instant hit worldwide. The song, meant to symbolize Ariana’s difficult history with relationships, puts a bitter-sweet tone on the way life can throw you pain, but you just have to stick out your chin and go on with your life. If you haven’t listened to Ariana Grande’s song, “Thank U, Next”, I strongly suggest you do so. This weird cover, by using several otamatones (an electronic musical instrument that originates from Japan), really sheds a light on my feelings towards the end of the semester. The lyrics of, “Thank U, next” perfectly describes how I feel about finishing this semester, and this class. I’ve had great memories with this course, and once it ends, I will be remorseful. However, I’ll move on, and focus on the next semester, yet still remember the beautiful memories and lessons I’ve taken away from Studies in Literature. The lyrics, “One taught me love, one taught me patience, and one taught me pain, now I’m so amazing” is exactly how I feel about each of my classes from this semester. My Human Growth and Development class has taught me a “love” for the human brain, and my future career plan. English has taught me “patience”, in how to appreciate a good book, and understanding the hidden messages behind each text. And surprise, surprise, Math has taught me “pain”, because while I do struggle with math, it has allowed me to strengthen my skills in a sector that I thought I would never get good at. In the end, just like Ariana, I’m glad that I was able to have these experiences in my life, for I’ve become a better student because of it. I overcame each course, and quote on quote, “turned out amazing”.

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Title: That’s Not Who I Am, from Disney’s Sofia the First Artist: Ariel Winter, Darcy Rose Byrnes

We all have times where we doubt our purpose in life. We are always comparing ourselves to other people, and their accomplishments. This can lead to one feeling unwanted, useless, a waste of space. In Amber’s case, her step-sister Sofia has a very important role in life, to save all fairy tale characters, and make sure each character gets a happily ever after. Watching her be successful and useful, Amber becomes jealous of Sofia’s accomplishments. Once,  when Sofia is called to a mission, Amber wants to come along, and Sofia reluctantly allows her sister to join her. During the mission, Amber is called upon to solve the conflict. However, she has never been in this position, and ran away from the opportunity. Amber tends to be selfish, and materialistic. However, she sees Sofia’s importance in life, and feels useless compared to her. Throughout the TV show, Amber tires to be a bigger person, but always ends up turning to her selfish ways. It’s as if she wants to help others, but doesn't know how. Amber is the kind of character where she comes off as selfish and egotistical, but has a soft heart deep down. Every time I listen to this song, I think of someone dear to me, who acts the exact same way. They tell me how smart I am, how accomplished I am, and it breaks my heart when they don’t realize how accomplished they are as well. Just like Sofia, I remind them how much they mean to me, and how important they are. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without them. When Sofia says, “You’re the one I’ve counted on, to stand by my side”, it reminds me of how proud I am of this person. The lyrics, “You’re so strong, a natural hero, when you reach deep inside” is exactly how I would describe this person. They have so much potential, that when they do appreciate themselves, I feel like a better person. I always take the time to tell them how proud I am of them. When Sofia says, “That’s just who you are, we all make mistakes” is exactly what I tell this person, that just because they are not perfect, doesn’t mean that they are not special. While they may have flaws, just like Amber, they do have the ability to rise up to a challenge and prove that that is who they are.