Real Woman

This past Tuesday we had an event called The 6th Hour. I think I wrote about the last one but basically it is just a big open mic night for students to perform, well, anything they want. At our last open mic night my friend Luke performed a spoken word poem called 'Manly Man' by the poet Bradley Hathaway. Now seeing as I like poetry, I thought it would be cool to perform a female response or side to this. So, I actually found a poem by a girl named Kristi online entitled 'Womanly Woman', which was a direct response to Hathaway's poem. However, not all of it was quality material so I did a bit of writing, a little adjusting, and came up with my version called: Real Woman.



Here are the lyrics:
I don't want my curly hair (yes! these are natural curls), big brown eyes, slightly a-symmetrical top lip, Vans, booty don't shake too much when I walk confuse anyone. I am a real woman.

I am always dressed to kill, while out shopping, at work, or preparing a meal. I must have at least two pairs of shoes for each outfit. Hair is done, makeup on, nails, a hit.

I am always courteous in public. I smile and greet, confidence is my trick. Never will you see me fart, burp, or spit. The words won't even form on my lips. I am a real woman.

My house is perfectly kept, on top of the chores, have never overslept. I always look good, smell good, taste good for my man. He comes home each day to his biggest fan.

My heart is touched by any love story. When my man neglects me, I start to worry. I try hard to control my monthly emotion, but if you don't back down, I'll start a commotion.

I don't fight or fuss if I don't get my way, my word's enough, it holds much sway. I live out the qualities of Proverbs 31, to make my mark for when my life here is done. I am a real woman. Or am I?

Somedays I don't want to paint the fake face on, sometimes sweats and tees are all I don.
Puppies and bunnies are not that cute, the title mommy I will never recruit.
I'd like a man to journey through life by my side not a step ahead. I believe that bambi was made for us to be fed.
I intend to age gracefully and naturally allowing my gray fro be for all to see the beauty and pain God has trusted to me.

Society tells me all day long that I have defined womanhood completely wrong. But you ask any honest man and he will agree. Ask any honest woman and she too will see that I am a real woman.

Here is Bradley Hathaway's original:

I don’t want my long hair, pretty green eyes, with ( no! I do not have on mascara. ) eyelashes, skinny figure, undersized t-shirt, hip shake too much when I walk confuse anybody. I am a manly man.

Within this sissy frame, obviously rib laden chest lies a heart that beats to the drum of a native American ritual dancing wildness. It pumps an ever cascading supply of untamedness that a herd of wild mustangs have yet to grasp. If danger lurks about, I will seek it out. If adventure abounds, there I will be found. If a damsel be in distress, I will show her who is best. I am a manly man.

Because I don’t flush, and I leave the lid up.

I drive a 1988 Ford Pick-up truck. Girls don’t break up with me, I break up with them first. ( Except the last time, it didn’t really work out like that… ) I don’t shave the hair on my face ( Because I still can’t grow facial hair yet… ) But when I can, I won’t, because beards are tough.

I fart, burp, and spit when I want, not caring who’s nearby. Disrespect my momma, and I will punch you in the eye. I am a manly man.

Or am I? I tell my guy friends that I love ‘em. And sometimes, sometimes I even hug ‘em. Not because I’m gay, but because I love ‘em. And when I watched Bambi, I cried. And when my Mema gets mad, I still run and hide.

Like David, I wanna be a man after God’s own heart. And I’m not there yet, but I’m past the start. And when people talk, I try to listen. A spirit of compassion, that’s my vision. Surely I am a manly man. I want to be loved and have love and give love.

And not just that romantic kind either. Although I am looking for that beauty.
Not helpless, but wants to be rescued. The damsel in distress, man, woman, myth, true. I will fight for her, climb the highest tower for her, love her, share with her, delight in her, be her warrior, her protector.

She will be my crown and I will be hers. My masculinity will be passed down and affirmed to my sons. And each of my daughters will know they are lovely, and deserving of authentic romance.

Society tells me all day long that I’ve defined manhood completely wrong. But you ask any honest man, and he will agree. You ask any honest woman, and she too will see, that I am a manly man.

Budapest

So last weekend I was in Budapest, Hungary. It was great, one because we were the only three tourists I saw the whole time and two because we were staying with Andrea (an old friend) and she made it very easy and comfortable to be there.

The first night we got in a little later so we just went back to her apartment, had some dinner, and hung out.
The next day Andrea was able to take us out and see some sights which included: the Basilica, palace,Fishermen's Bastion, Parliament, and a number of other things. We also went for cake and coffee at this little cafe which was the location of the first pharmacy in Hungary (actually one of the first ones in Europe) and it still has all of the original woodwork. Andrea had a wealth of information about everything so she was the perfect tour guide. That evening we went to an opera, my first. We got seven dollar tickets to the Barber of Seville. Even though our seats were in the last row and I didn't understand a word of what they were saying, I still enjoyed it. First opera in Budapest...no complaints.
The next day we took a day trip to a little village in the hills called Szentandre. It was pretty, full of churches, and a tourist trap, but still enjoyable. I had fun starting random conversations with the shop keepers. That evening we went to an international theatre and saw The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. It was ok but a bit long.
Our last day in Budapest was probably my favorite, our flight did not take off until five so we had some time to kill. We did this by going to the baths. It was awesome! It was in this building that looked like a palace. Outside in the 'courtyard' there were three big baths, which are actually just pools, and then inside there were probably 20 different temperature and mineral baths along with saunas and showers. It was sweet because it was snowing outside and we were running around from pool to pool in our swimming suits. I loved it. Too many men in speedos but when in Europe I guess that is the norm. And, there were old duded playing chess in one of the pools. No joke! The sat by the edge, in the water, and played chess.

Here are just a few photos, I did not get a chance to put all of them on facebook before coming back to school so those may take a while but here are a few.

Are you Hungary?!

Hey everyone, I am off to Hungary today! We leave school around 9 am and we will then take a train to Stuttgart where we will get our flight to Budapest. We will be getting back to school around 10 pm on Sunday evening.

Have a great weekend.