CATS (is Roxana still on this list?)
[email protected]
I found this at unschooling.com, in a folder about obsessions. It's COOL!
Certainly reminded me of Roxana, whose obsessions led me to my own
(shorter-lived) obsession, which led to me and Holly seeing Cats in London, with a
friend who had never been to any musicals in London (she lives there) and now goes
all the time. A couple of days ago she came to visit, and brought Holly the
CD of a new musical there called Bombay Dreams, and so one influence continues
to have an effect!!
By Angie (Angie) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 11:59 am:
My dd (11) has always let her interests become all-consuming. It's just how
she explores things. By taking her 'obsessions' to the next level, she always
finds new avenues, new experiences...sometimes new 'obsessions'!
Currently, she is truly enamoured(sp?) by the broadway musical "Cats". It is
all she talks about. Every single thing that comes out of her mouth has
something to do with the songs, the characters, or some other aspect of the musical
"Cats". I have to say that this does become rather ....tedious... after a
while, but I encourage it. I have learned more about that musical than I could
have ever wanted to know. I had no idea that the musical was based on a book of
poetry written by T.S. Elliot. Of course now she has all of the poems
memorized, along with learning new words like 'terpsichorean'.
She has made 2 collars, a tail, and 2 wristbands, wearing them everywhere she
goes, and is very busy visiting websites of others who are equally obsessed
with "Cats" (and there are many...) She wants to begin making full scale,
professional looking costumes, and has also become interested in makeup and wig
making. She wants to learn how to knit her own leg warmers (it looks SO much
better if they are knit, rather than crochet!). She has already begun
brainstorming ideas for her own original characters. All of this came about simply because
she watched the DVD at someones house one afternoon. I had nothing to do with
it!
We just happened to find out the other day that the musical is actually
coming to a nearby city in December. Tickets go on sale in 4 days. When we learned
this, she actually broke down and cried tears of joy. I love that she can feel
so passionate about her favorite things. The hard part is to keep other
people from saying "Can't you please talk about ANYTHING ELSE!!!" The joy she seems
to find in sharing her knowledge is worth so much. I'd not want anyone else
to dampen her enthusiasm in any way. Just a year ago, I, myself, might have
said something snarky, but I am learning to bite my tongue and not limit her
spirit with my comments. With unschooling, any interest can become a full fledged
passion, and any passion can become a life altering experience. There is so
much 'learning' taking place in the name of Joy. I can't begin to describe how
wonderful this has been for us. And it hasn't even been a year!
Angie
Certainly reminded me of Roxana, whose obsessions led me to my own
(shorter-lived) obsession, which led to me and Holly seeing Cats in London, with a
friend who had never been to any musicals in London (she lives there) and now goes
all the time. A couple of days ago she came to visit, and brought Holly the
CD of a new musical there called Bombay Dreams, and so one influence continues
to have an effect!!
By Angie (Angie) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 11:59 am:
My dd (11) has always let her interests become all-consuming. It's just how
she explores things. By taking her 'obsessions' to the next level, she always
finds new avenues, new experiences...sometimes new 'obsessions'!
Currently, she is truly enamoured(sp?) by the broadway musical "Cats". It is
all she talks about. Every single thing that comes out of her mouth has
something to do with the songs, the characters, or some other aspect of the musical
"Cats". I have to say that this does become rather ....tedious... after a
while, but I encourage it. I have learned more about that musical than I could
have ever wanted to know. I had no idea that the musical was based on a book of
poetry written by T.S. Elliot. Of course now she has all of the poems
memorized, along with learning new words like 'terpsichorean'.
She has made 2 collars, a tail, and 2 wristbands, wearing them everywhere she
goes, and is very busy visiting websites of others who are equally obsessed
with "Cats" (and there are many...) She wants to begin making full scale,
professional looking costumes, and has also become interested in makeup and wig
making. She wants to learn how to knit her own leg warmers (it looks SO much
better if they are knit, rather than crochet!). She has already begun
brainstorming ideas for her own original characters. All of this came about simply because
she watched the DVD at someones house one afternoon. I had nothing to do with
it!
We just happened to find out the other day that the musical is actually
coming to a nearby city in December. Tickets go on sale in 4 days. When we learned
this, she actually broke down and cried tears of joy. I love that she can feel
so passionate about her favorite things. The hard part is to keep other
people from saying "Can't you please talk about ANYTHING ELSE!!!" The joy she seems
to find in sharing her knowledge is worth so much. I'd not want anyone else
to dampen her enthusiasm in any way. Just a year ago, I, myself, might have
said something snarky, but I am learning to bite my tongue and not limit her
spirit with my comments. With unschooling, any interest can become a full fledged
passion, and any passion can become a life altering experience. There is so
much 'learning' taking place in the name of Joy. I can't begin to describe how
wonderful this has been for us. And it hasn't even been a year!
Angie
Kelli Traaseth
----- Original Message -----
From: <SandraDodd@...>
**I love that she can feel
> so passionate about her favorite things. The hard part is to keep other
> people from saying "Can't you please talk about ANYTHING ELSE!!!" **
YES!
I get this all the time, with my son and his passion for video games. I
even have a friend who worries that he will be a social misfit from me
encouraging his passions. Please.......
I just keep saying that these passions will probably turn into his life
work.
In allowing him to pursue these things I can see his self-esteem returning.
(He was in ps for 5 years.) His excitement for life is so awesome! Take
that a way? Try and get him to be interested in things that *I* think he
should be interested in? I don't think so!!
I think I need to look into that thread, thanks Sandra.
Kelli~
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, June 27, 2003 2:12 PM
Subject: [AlwaysLearning] CATS (is Roxana still on this list?)
> I found this at unschooling.com, in a folder about obsessions. It's COOL!
> >
>
> By Angie (Angie) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 11:59 am:
> My dd (11) has always let her interests become all-consuming. It's just
how
> she explores things. By taking her 'obsessions' to the next level, she
always
> finds new avenues, new experiences...sometimes new 'obsessions'!
>
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