Better Barbie | Teen Ink

Better Barbie MAG

By Anonymous

I don’t have any alumni ties to Brown, though it’s possible I could be the long-lost granddaughter of James S. Miller. Never have I sailed the Pacific Ocean on the back of a humpback whale, nor can I wrap sushi with the skill of former Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. I haven’t done much research regarding podiatry, and chances are I will never win the Michigan Mega-Millions lottery. I am, however, the proud owner of a Little Mermaid Edition Barbie.

At some point in almost every little girl’s life, she becomes engrossed in the Pepto-Bismol-pink world of Barbies, a place I entered at the age of seven. My sister, Hannah, and I decided to take our collection of 11-inch plastic friends for a dip in the pool one sweltering summer day. Hours of giggling resulted from tossing the Barbies as high as we could into the air and watching them dive gracefully into the waves. Three … two … one, I launched my Little Mermaid doll in the same fashion as Apollo 11. We watched her rocket into the sky. I glanced at my sister, who was scrambling through her scorecards to make sure she had the well-deserved “10” ready. My eyes returned upward, anticipating the gymnastic stunts Barbie would undoubtedly deliver to her enraptured audience. Where was she? The crowd was growing restless. Had she landed on the moon?

Utterly bewildered, we combed through the freshly mown grass and woods, but unfortunately, our search bore no fruit. After a moment of sorrow, our tiny attention spans directed us to a different game, and our minds fluttered away.

Over the years, I encountered many of my own quirky adventures. As a field biologist intern, I camped for 15 days on an uninhabited island, purified my own water, surveyed the endangered Piping Plover, tested the water quality of lakes, and found my way out of 70,000 acres of northern Michigan wilderness. My view of the world broadened through travels and encounters with the Costa Rican, German, French, and Australian cultures. I won varsity letters, had my poetry published, and volunteered at a local hospital, and as I grew older, the mystery of the once-beloved Little Mermaid Edition Barbie faded into a misty memory.

One recent fall day, rainbow-colored leaves swirled through the air and the chilly breeze carried its pleasant scent, an amalgamation of bonfire and pumpkin. Upon the rooftop was not good Saint Nick, but rather my dad, cleaning the leaves off our house. Tied to the branch of an ancient oak tree, the tire swing moved my body in a pendulum motion. My dad approached with something dark in his hands. “Eh … does this belong to you, or Hannah?” he said with a look of perplexity painted on his face. I couldn’t believe my eyes: It was the Little Mermaid Edition Barbie! The poor girl – she was an absolute disaster. I affirmed my ownership of the traveler, and took her battered body in my hands.

Nine years had passed since I had seen the almost-world-renowned Olympic diver. I recalled that summer day and smiled as memories flooded my mind. She looked as though she’d been struck by lightning a few times, weathered heavy monsoons, and held onto the gutter for dear life during tornados. Her mangled arm appeared to have been mistaken for a worm by a ferocious momma bird. Leaves, dirt, and other debris were entwined in her once shiny, cherry locks. Her attire was tattered – she seemed to have fashioned herself a Tarzan-esque ensemble. Her ingenuity was impressive; it reminded me of an experience in which I had to craft socks out of a garbage bag and medical tape, then wear them for three days in pouring rain. Nevertheless, one thing stood out as I ogled my long-lost friend: her face.

She wore a radiant smile, a look of contentment, self-confidence, and accomplishment. With head held high and a positive attitude, she had battled life’s unexpected challenges. She knows now what it means to strive and succeed. I realized the world of pink doesn’t fit someone with so much potential, so much passion for learning, so much heart, independence, and creativity. I looked at her and saw myself reflected in her sapphire eyes.

Like her, my dreams lie far beyond those of a Stepford wife, and with the ability to bend and not break, I am ready to step out of my plastic box society, through the Van Winkle gates, and into a world of endless possibilities. I crave the works of Thoreau and Emerson, not mall directories or grocery lists. I desire adventure and the opportunity to study new cultures. I long to write what I want and voice my opinions with my whole heart behind them. And as the Little Mermaid Edition Barbie sits on my shelf, next to musical and athletic trophies, behind silly pictures of friends, and alongside books by Maya Angelou and Lewis Carroll, she reminds me of myself. For this ambitious girl, pink is not enough; she is ready to dive into Brown.



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This article has 139 comments.


on Mar. 15 2010 at 7:35 am
mycheriseamour BRONZE, Esmont, Virginia
1 article 0 photos 2 comments

Favorite Quote:
I think, therefore I am.

I loved it. The figurative language was to die for. And, you're right - "for an ambitious girl, pink is NEVER enough."

on Mar. 8 2010 at 11:34 pm
This is absolutely fantastic- I am writing a speech on Barbie and you have inspired me- the analogy at the end was brilliant- you are a fantastic writer! :)

your momma said...
on Mar. 7 2010 at 7:39 pm
darling, wat does the word alliteration mean???

it's because i forgot

P.S.

dont come late o the house on saturday night!

:)

PlainJane GOLD said...
on Feb. 3 2010 at 7:40 pm
PlainJane GOLD, Notown, Wisconsin
16 articles 0 photos 10 comments

Favorite Quote:
...understand that the heart is as vast and wide as the universe, but that we come to know love best from here, this place of gravity and stability, where our feet can still touch ground.

Beautiful! You are really a great writer, what with your metaphors, etc. It was great! Good luck with Brown!

jp257 said...
on Jan. 12 2010 at 1:45 pm
wow. this was very good and inspiring! it actually gave me chills.

You are an amazing writer.

good luck with getting into Brown!

on Dec. 21 2009 at 6:21 pm
TheUnknownIsBliss GOLD, East Patchogue, New York
12 articles 0 photos 14 comments

Favorite Quote:
I would like to stay out of the box we call "normal".

I also forgot to say. I hope you get into Brown and also be accepted as one of the glittery Barbie pink girls of your past. ;)

on Dec. 21 2009 at 6:19 pm
TheUnknownIsBliss GOLD, East Patchogue, New York
12 articles 0 photos 14 comments

Favorite Quote:
I would like to stay out of the box we call "normal".

Never have seen such constructive writing in my short career of being a writer. It actually makes me think of my childhood which isn't many years behind me. I loved it.

on Dec. 21 2009 at 3:05 am
SerenityMine BRONZE, Not Saying, California
2 articles 0 photos 156 comments
Whoa. I couldn't take my eyes off the screen. Great job.

Mike said...
on Dec. 13 2009 at 6:16 pm
did you write this for Brown U? this is pure genius!! man i wish i could write like that.

haNnxzs said...
on Nov. 30 2009 at 6:43 pm
wheEw! this piece is GOOD thumbs up!

on Nov. 29 2009 at 5:12 pm
ResistMe PLATINUM, New Tazewell, Tennessee
44 articles 0 photos 25 comments
So clever!

And indeed well written!

I had my eyes glued to this.

Something I think any of those sparkle-pink little girls can relate to as they grow older.

This is intense.

So impressive.

I loved it.

:)

reader said...
on Nov. 29 2009 at 11:10 am
this is very impressive. i'm amazed at your work here, and the way the essay flows, subtly incorporates past experiences into one analogy, and uses a metaphor to tie it all together. i hope you get into Brown. :)

:)erica said...
on Nov. 29 2009 at 9:16 am
this was beautifully written. im procrastinating on my homework, and your story had my eyes glued to the page!!! what a wonderful way to spend "not doing my homework" <3

on Nov. 15 2009 at 9:35 pm
spontaneous09 BRONZE, Dallas, Texas
1 article 0 photos 32 comments
I like the analogy. It's inspiring.

on Nov. 7 2009 at 9:40 pm
FlamableFyre DIAMOND, Spartanburg, South Carolina
93 articles 9 photos 107 comments

Favorite Quote:
I don't have ambitions or desires.
Being a poet isn't my ambition,
it's my way of being alone.
~ Fernando Pessoa ~

that was a great essay...i loved it

on Oct. 21 2009 at 6:50 pm
i showed this article to my sister cause she wants to go to brown too. she is officially in 'GRRRRRR!!!' mode because she says that r essay is 'perfect'

i think she is jealus

on Oct. 16 2009 at 5:03 pm
Inkspired PLATINUM, Whitby, Other
26 articles 0 photos 493 comments

Favorite Quote:
"If one will scoff at the study of language, how, save in terms of language, will one scoff?" - Mario Pei
"I write for the same reason I breathe - because if I didn't, I would die." Isaac Asimov

Love this! It's so well written, and such a good essay!

cherish said...
on Sep. 23 2009 at 2:23 pm
i like the last paragraph!

jwonnie said...
on Sep. 13 2009 at 7:41 pm
jwonnie, Katy, Texas
0 articles 0 photos 3 comments
AMAZING! I hope you get into the college of your dream!

on Jun. 25 2009 at 5:21 pm
jessica gonsiewski, Stow, Ohio
0 articles 0 photos 1 comment
Woah, this is AMAZING ! (: