Shakespeare – Eva Santiago

Please refer back to my earlier posts and read what this challenge is about so that the later posts make sense

Day 22 Question #22: If you could choose only one famous quote that you would want your children to always remember, which one would it be?

Answer: This answer comes from Shakespeare’s play Hamlet: “Above all: To thine own self be true.” That is such an important and profound quote. We live in an age where our children are bombarded by the media to be everything else but who they really are. Children are sent to public school to learn to conform and fit the mold in order to further an elitist agenda that disregards the unique, amazing individuals that God created.

Just think for a moment, if God wanted us all to be cookie cutter forms of one another why did He create such a diverse human race? Clearly God celebrates individuality while we live in a society that tries to get everyone to fit in the box of conformity. Our young men and women watch TV shows Like CELEBRITY LOOK ALIKE where they pick someone to get a head to toe makeover so they can look like one of the famous Hollywood celebrities. Personally, I have always liked how I look and I’m not at all interested in looking like anyone else. Let’s turn that idea around and have a celebrity do a make over show where they look like the “Average Joe” or “Ms. Plain Jane” I guess that much reality would cause their precious TV ratings to plummet.

To thine own self be true: Thank you Mr. Shakespeare for having penned your words for a generation of people who are willing to sell out just so they can fit in with the crowd. It takes great courage to be yourself in a culture where uniqueness tends to be scorned. That’s one quote my kids have heard for quite some time and I hope they embrace it through out their lives.

11 years ago when we uprooted ourselves and we moved to Las Vegas, I didn’t know what was in store for us here. Lots of things can happen in a short decade. When we first came out here we knew no one and we had no family cheering our decision to move to “Sin City”. As a matter of fact we heard,” You are being irresponsible, you guys are crazy how can you raise a family in such a “sinful” place,” and other not so great comments from so called “concerned” relatives from both sides of our extended families. I even was asked this question several times,” Does everyone in Vegas live on The Strip?” Come on now, seriously?

So here we are settled in, we recently purchased a home in lovely Henderson, which is sandwiched between Hoover Dam and Las Vegas and I’m happy to announce to any nay-sayers from our past, that we are doing well and thriving in this place!

Which brings me to discuss the fact that I am proud to announce that Las Vegas has more culture than it gets credit for. I simply adore The Las Vegas Shakespeare Company. Last year they did Shakespeare in the Park; being that Henderson is filled with wonderful parks, LVSC uses these parks to put on live performances of a Shakespeare play once per year. So this fall’s treat, starting this week end is, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM and I am so excited! This company knows Shakespeare and I am happy that my girls have joined such a dedicated group of talented professionals to work with.

So, if you live in my area head on out this Saturday, October 1st at 7:00 pm to Sonata Park. Then on the 8th it will play in Discovery Park. On the 15th it will be at Lake Las Vegas, and the grand finale will be at River Mountain Park on the 22nd. All performances are free of charge and begin at 7:00pm. So bring a blanket, snacks and experience Shakespeare live because I’m quite sure Shakespeare would be proud with these talented professionals that make up LVSC. See you there!!