Baguettes, français, and bad Mexican food – oh my!

“If I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own back yard.” – Wizard of Oz

Last spring I took a film class that focused a lot on feminist theory and criticism of the movie industry. One of the films that we had to critically look at was The Wizard of Oz. A lot of the focus of the criticism was that the film sent the message to women and children that they’re better off staying at home than going out in the world. This criticism made a lot of sense to me. I’ve always disliked the character of Dorothy since she was so childish (dumb?) and helpless in the movie. So it made sense to me that the message of the film would be as equally debasing to the female psyche.

But after now having been away from the US and my family and friends for five months, I’m starting to feel like I’m in Oz myself. I’ve made myself a (sometimes odd) cast of new friends throughout this time, I’ve got some direction of sorts (my yellow brick road), and I’m seeing places like I’ve never seen before! And I won’t deny that I feel helpless and things are sometimes out of my control. Perhaps these are generally the only parallels I have with the Kansas native. Of course there are times when I feel like I’m trapped in the witch’s castle and I want dearly to go home. Just this past week I've been hit by a bit of homesickness and longing just for one day back at home. (Okay, maybe there was a little bit of obsessing over home today since I did spend multiple hours trying to find the ideal/cheapest flight back to the States.) However, most of the time I feel like I’m on a great adventure with friends and hopefully growing as a person.

I can’t believe that I’m able to see this film through a different perspective, again. But at least this time it’s my own. I’ll certainly continue to go further than my backyard, but I think I’ve learned a lot about what my heart wants.

-Maria