Synthesis

While flying an Allied fighter plane from Paris to England, American ATA pilot and amateur poet, Rose Justice, is captured by the Nazis and sent to RAvensbruck, the notorious women's concentration camp. Trapped in horrific circumstances, Rose finds hope in the impossible through the loyalty, bravery and friendship of her fellow prisoners. But will that be enough to endure the fate that's in store for her? 

"TELL THE STORY!"

-- Rose Under Fire, by Elizabeth Wein.

The sequel to Code Name Verity, Rose Under Fire is a story that needs to be told. Just like Hamilton, there are events that need to be told, but aren't.

"You have no control: Who lives, Who dies, Who tells your story?"

-- Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story (Hamilton)

History is so unbelievably important. I apologize (a lot) for being a nerd about history, but I really do love seeing how everything works together, how it all comes together to specific points in time. I love seeing the effects of history on modern society, especially the history of America and how there are attitudes that were prevalent in the Revolutionary Era that are still affecting us today.

For me, history is what created modern society. History is what brought us to where we are, and history is what will get us to where we plan to go.

In Moana, there's a scene in which Maui defines "wayfinding."

"...and knowing where you are by knowing where you've been."

The line stuck out to me when we were watching it in the theater and it made me think not just of history in the big picture, but also where I am personally.

Moana made me emotional because I was so unbelievably jealous.

Yeah, I know, right? But first, there's Lin Manuel Miranda and not only did he compose some of the songs for Moana, he SINGS in We Know the Way. He loves words and I have seen enough of him to know he loves singing. This man not only knows what he loves, he's doing what he loves.
Moana is born into her position. Her way of life is set -- it's later that she finally decides to do what she was destined to do (although she also knew about that, so). She seeks "freedom" but really, she never does anything that she's unsure about. She knows that she's a daughter of the chief, that the ocean chose her, that she is to help Maui restore the heart of Te Fiti. She knows who she is. (part of why I love I am Moana so much -- the song itself brings in all of these elements AND the history of her culture and how important that is in defining her)
Even the villains know who they are.

I REST MY CASE

I don't know who I am (other than being kind of weird regarding jealousy and animated characters). I don't know if people are going to tell a story about me, or if I'm to tell other people's stories (I really hope it's the second one). How should I even begin to define myself? How do I move forward from here? Where am I?

I'm running through uncharted waters, but I still have hope. Who knows how far I'll go?