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Saturday, October 25, 2014

The Plum On The Back Theory


So I've been wanting to update on here, but I wasn't sure what I wanted to write about!
But then I remembered. I made a list of topics to talk about when I started. (I make a lot of lists.)

So today I shall be telling you about my favorite life philosophy. I call it The Plum On The Back theory. And then I can use this as a reference in the future, and you'll know what I'm talking about!

It's from the best manga out there, called Fruits Basket (*distant cheering*). Quick-ish synopsis: Torhu Honda, the most optimistic, open-hearted, sweetest, sees-the-best-in-people person, recently lost her mother in a car accident. She ends up living on her own in a tent, working her way through high school to keep a promise made to her mom, when she's discovered by Yuki and Shigure Sohma. She learns the Sohma secret, that there are 13 members of the family cursed by the Chinese Zodiac; whenever they're hugged by a person of the opposite sex, or they're weak and sick, they transform into their zodiac animal.

She moves in with three of the Sohmas; Yuki (year of the rat), Shigure (year of the dog) and Kyo (the extra year of the cat.) and she slowly meets all of the family and a lot of seriously sad, happy, sweet, dramatic and hilarious things happen and it basically unleashes full fangirl mode when you read/watch it (or listen to the radio drama!) . Highly HIGHLY recommend it, it is incredible!



Okay enough synopsizing and fangirling. Back to the point of this. The POTB theroy.

Here's the quote from the series. (This won't make as much sense out of context, but bear with me. I'm trying!) In this episode/chapter Torhu has been noticing the misunderstood jealousy between two of the characters, Kyo and Yuki. They're envious of each other. . . Lots of backstory. Anyway, she's making rice-balls (IMPORTANT theme!!) when she has a revelation:


"Maybe the reason you don't see it [his good qualities] is that it's stuck to your back. What I mean is, a person's admirable qualities - they're just like, say, a pickled plum on a rice ball. In other words the person is the rice ball and the plum is stuck to their back. So, all over the world you can have rice balls made with all sorts of wonderful ingredients, all different flavors and shapes and colors, but since they'd be stuck in the middle of everyone's back, someone could have a plum and not even know it. They'd look at themselves and think "I'm so plain, nothing but white rice," even though it isn't true because, turn them around and, sure enough, there it is. There's the plum. So if someone is jealous of somebody else, well, then, it's probably because it's easier to see the plum on someone else's back than it is on your own. Yup. I can see it. I can see it very clearly, Kyo. You don't know it but you have a great big plum on your back."


Isn't that just fantastic?! I just love this analogy! It combines food with seeing the best in people, even when they can't see it themselves.

The scene gets better when Kyo, embarrassed to be so complimented, scoffs and says, "That's ridiculous," but then a minute later grudgingly tells Torhu he can see the plum on her back too.

And there's my post! Woo! Thank goodness for lists! And remember that you have a perfect plum on your back!

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

September Limerick

So as I was laying in bed last night, I was thinking about how September is over now. (Happy October!) I'm a little sad to say goodbye to my month, but it was an amazing month and I honestly can't wait for the adventures to come in October (another favorite month).
We visited SIX states in the month of September, stayed in two pretty big national parks, I turned 18 and all the perks of birthdays, and too many adventures, funny conversations, and perfect moments to count.
So, while I was trying to fall asleep last night, I came up with a limerick about my month (limericks seem to be the only sort of poetry I can remember the format of!) I wanted to share it here:

I find there is nothing grander,
Than the jolly month of September, 
When the leaves all transform,
And the autumn storms do storm,
My month, I will always remember.

So here's to another lovely month of autumn!! Happy October everyone and I hope that this month is as fun as last month!