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Show AggieLife Page 8 Clothing Sale 'Unbearable Lightness' hits heavy topics Everything Must Go! 2 Weekends Only — Aug 30th through Sep 8th "Unbearable Lightness" Store Hours: Thur-Fri 2-6 pm Sat 10 am-4 pm Grade: A+ 35 W 100 S (in the Thatcher Young Mansion) Classified a s in The Statesman & online are Free to students!! www.utahstatesman.com/classifieds Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012 r Summer has come to an end, and with it probably a huge chunk of leisurely reading time. In honor of the many books I voraciously consumed these past few sunny months, I thought I'd start the year out with a book review for you all. If you've read any of my reviews or my personal blog before, you'll know I tend to pick up a book where I know I'll be able to relate to the words on the page. You'll also know, I am an avid over-sharer. One of my favorite reads since May was "Unbearable Lightness," written by Portia De Rossi. First of all, Portia and Ellen Degeneres are my all time favorite Hollywood Couple. I love Ellen's show and have followed almost every Portia show from Ally Mcbeal to Arrested Development and Better of Ted. They're one hilarious, loving, power couple, and I knew I would devour Portia's writings. "Unbearable Lightness" is a memoir Portia wrote detailing her years of struggles with body image as a young model and actress. Born and 930 N. Main Logan, Ut 435.753.9755 G76-116 27 6:vecia( ar(deit 42-ici IES RECYCLE! Paper of ALL TYPES (junk mail, phone books, printer paper, newspaper, magazines, etc.) Cardboard & Paperboard (cereal boxes, cracker boxes, packaging, etc. NO PIZZA BOXES or other greasy paper) Tin & Steel Cans (soup cans, vegetable cans, chili, canned fruit, etc. No foil please.) Aluminum Cans (soda and juice cans. No foil please.) Plastic Containers & Lids Numbered 1-7 (please make sure the plastic has a recycle sign with the numbers 1-7. Remove lids from containers. Containers ONLY please, no plastic sheets, bags, bubble wrap, plastic wrap, etc.) Ink Jet Cartridges & Cell Phones (please place in a resealable boggle) Please DO NOT put plastic bags, glass, pizza boxes, styrofoam, clothing, or garbage in the recycling dumpster! EC ENVIRONMENTAL DEFI For more information about off campus recycling call: 435-716-9755 or visit: recycle.loganutah.org IN SERVICE raised in Australia, the beautiful blonde aspired to be recognized and become successful and was signed to a modeling agency at the young age of 12 years old. She learned early that her looks, including her body weight, would determine her success in the field. Around the beginnings of her modeling career, she began to develop unhealthy eating habits from starving, to binging, purging and overexercising. After moving on to an acting career, which led her to move to the United States, she continued her self loathing and unhealthy patterns. On top of her extreme obsession with her weight, Portia was also keeping a secret - she was a closeted lesbian in an industry not yet accepting of the unconventional. Now, I know I said I relate to this book, but it is not about my sexuality. I started modeling at 15, and though I never starred on a hit TV show about lawyers in mini-skirts, I developed an uncanningly similar self image. When I read the first few chapters of the memoir, I actually had a lot of unpleasant flashbacks. She wrote the book in the vernacular and way of thinking she possessed when she was ill. Reading those words- the negative self talk, constant criticism, and extreme concern about what others thought of her struck a chord with me. Portia seemed to be living the dream. She was on a hit television series, was beautiful, and appeared to have all the confidence in the world. Often, those with low self image are excellent at giving off the opposite vibe. But though she played a confident, sexy lawyer on TV, she spent her days counting calories, exercising and wearing her body to a mere 86 pounds. Eventually, after surpassing the compliments about her self control and slender frame, those closest to her knew something was very wrong. Visiting her family in Australia over the holidays, her odd patterns were impossible to overlook. After indulging at a family dinner, she did jumping jacks in front of relatives, including her only brother, to burn off the holiday feast. Later, her brother watched her obviously extreme gym worked out and broke down in tears, expressing his fear that she was killing herself. Fortunately, the book ends on an extremely positive scene. Her wife Ellen stayed up all night reading the memoir. "Babe, you were crazy," Portia wrote of her wife's words. "But I'm not anymore," she replied. She concludes by painting a picture, first showing images of herself at her very thin and frightening frame, in between each shot she wrote her doctors diagnosis when she hit rock bottom. She had osteoporosis, cirrhosis of the liver and lupus, among other critical diagnoses. After she came out about her sexuality and finally found love, Portia said Ellen changed her life and saved her. Instead of hating herself, she now has a love and passion for life, including her work, horseback riding and the outdoors. One in three female college students has an eating disorder. I recommend girls and guys struggling to overcome these issues read "Unbearable Lightness," and seek help from the amazing resources we have on campus like Counseling and Psychological Services on the 3rd floor of the Taggart Student Center (I should be their PR rep at this point.) Portia completed years of therapy on her journey through recovery. The main message here, in my opinion, is there is hope for a full recovery. Portia did it, and I did it too. I haven't counted calories in years and now I love food, but in a healthy way. I hope at least one person reading this, maybe a sophomore girl, like I was when I began recovery, will see the light at the end of the tunnel and go toward it. The grass really is greener on the healthy side. -Natasha Bodily is a super senior majoring in journalism. She worked as a model in New York City for five years and loves to write in hopes of inspiring and helping others. To read more of her writings, go to www.tashahope. blogspot.com . Emails can be sent to natashabodily@gmail.com |