On Being Brought from Africa to America (1773)
Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land,
Taught my benighted soul to understand
Thatt there's a God, that there's a Saviour too:
Once I redemption neigher sought nor knew.
Some view our sable race with scornful eye,
"Their colour is a diabolic die."
Remember, Christians, Negros, black as Cain,
May be refin'd and join the'angelic train.
- Phillis Wheatley
Monday, January 26, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Quote from Revolutionary Road
"Come on tell me the truth Frank. Remember that? We used to live by it...and you know what's so good about the truth? Everyone knows what it is however long they lived without it. No one forgets the truth Frank, they just get better at lying."
- April Wheeler
Nina Simone - Wild Is The Wind
Saturday, January 17, 2009
"Its loves illusions, I recall"
A friend recently told me something that has, for better, given me a sense of remote freedom. She reminded me to not live my life thinking that people belong to me, or I to them. And it's true. No one is really mine to keep, to control, or hope to change. Truthfully, I can't say that I've ever had a relationship I've never been possessive of.
If life were fair, relationships would be mutual, and people would give as much as they take. If life were pure, the people I love would love me too. Instead, somewhere between our innocence and urge, things have become messy. I don't know exactly when my relationships started becoming work, and while I believe everyone should adhere to such a principle, I've found that lately I've been working for nothing, if I've even been working at all. Instead I've been holding on to people just for the sake of holding on. For history's sake, I'll tell myself.
When it comes to logic and the quantity vs. quality of things, quality trumps all. At least, its supposed to. But even though there's clearly a right way and a wrong way to love someone and be loved, I've refused to let my conscience be my guide. People just want to go by what they feel. That is why some commitments are just unexplainable. We don't know why we still care, we just care. I guess that's supposed to mean you're alive, and you're human. We feel warm and real for it.
I'm glad life is so much more than that. Its always been easier for me to mindlessly pine than not pine at all...than lose everything I've ever had with someone. I chose to be mindless because, well, the latter is absolutely terrifying. For literally, goodness' sake, I think it's necessary that I let go. In the end its what I owe myself. And I say 'the end', because I know my life is about to change. With working life ahead of me (who knows what and where), I know there are certain people I'm never going to see again but will still want to hold on to. When that time comes around I'll remind myself to let go. I'm still learning though. It's hard. But I'll do whatever it takes if it'll make me more free.
If life were fair, relationships would be mutual, and people would give as much as they take. If life were pure, the people I love would love me too. Instead, somewhere between our innocence and urge, things have become messy. I don't know exactly when my relationships started becoming work, and while I believe everyone should adhere to such a principle, I've found that lately I've been working for nothing, if I've even been working at all. Instead I've been holding on to people just for the sake of holding on. For history's sake, I'll tell myself.
When it comes to logic and the quantity vs. quality of things, quality trumps all. At least, its supposed to. But even though there's clearly a right way and a wrong way to love someone and be loved, I've refused to let my conscience be my guide. People just want to go by what they feel. That is why some commitments are just unexplainable. We don't know why we still care, we just care. I guess that's supposed to mean you're alive, and you're human. We feel warm and real for it.
I'm glad life is so much more than that. Its always been easier for me to mindlessly pine than not pine at all...than lose everything I've ever had with someone. I chose to be mindless because, well, the latter is absolutely terrifying. For literally, goodness' sake, I think it's necessary that I let go. In the end its what I owe myself. And I say 'the end', because I know my life is about to change. With working life ahead of me (who knows what and where), I know there are certain people I'm never going to see again but will still want to hold on to. When that time comes around I'll remind myself to let go. I'm still learning though. It's hard. But I'll do whatever it takes if it'll make me more free.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Slumdog Millionaire
I had so much fun watching this film. I was so engrossed that I sat on the edge of my seat the whole time. I loved the original score http://www.amazon.com/Slumdog-Millionaire-Original-Soundtrack/dp/B001LX0JK6 , made me want to Tunak Tunak.
But in all seriousness, Slumdog had one of the best protagonists I've seen in a movie in a long time. Meet him and you'll be forever inspired to live for what is pure and true.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
Drama, The World That They Live In
I'm watching korean dramas again. Mysoju.com is so awesome!
www.mysoju.com/the-world-that-they-live-in/
This drama has made me realize that I too have a really bad short temper, one which you'll never see, but fyi, its short and its terrible.
www.mysoju.com/the-world-that-they-live-in/
This drama has made me realize that I too have a really bad short temper, one which you'll never see, but fyi, its short and its terrible.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Benjamin Button
Nothing like F. Scott Fitzgerald's short story, but it was just as meaningful nonetheless. Eric Roth wrote a terrific screenplay paralleling his work for Forest Gump. The cinematography definitely would've gone to waste without the bits and pieces of Benjamin's narrative. Sadly, I can't remember a single thing that was said. I hope to see the screenplay up on the web soon.
I have to note that in Fitzgerald's original story, there is no such character named Daisy, though Benajmin does get married to a woman who Fitzegerald describes as "beautiful as sin". I want to assume the name Daisy was taken from Fitzegerald's The Great Gatsby, in which a certain Daisy Buchanan was the love of Gatsby's life. Tragedy in literature makes for great cinematic characters don't they.
And who knows why the story takes place in New Orleans and involves Hurricane Katrina. Fitzgerald's story takes place in Baltimore.
Well, David Fincher took a curious idea and certainly ran with it, ran with it far. I really loved the movie. Audiences will take away exactly two things upon watching the film: the first, that life is to be lived to the fullest, second, that Brad Pitt looks damn good in aviators and leather jackets.
Good night.
I have to note that in Fitzgerald's original story, there is no such character named Daisy, though Benajmin does get married to a woman who Fitzegerald describes as "beautiful as sin". I want to assume the name Daisy was taken from Fitzegerald's The Great Gatsby, in which a certain Daisy Buchanan was the love of Gatsby's life. Tragedy in literature makes for great cinematic characters don't they.
And who knows why the story takes place in New Orleans and involves Hurricane Katrina. Fitzgerald's story takes place in Baltimore.
Well, David Fincher took a curious idea and certainly ran with it, ran with it far. I really loved the movie. Audiences will take away exactly two things upon watching the film: the first, that life is to be lived to the fullest, second, that Brad Pitt looks damn good in aviators and leather jackets.
Good night.
New Year's Eve 2008
It was so great to spend New Year's at church this year. Some of the sisters and I combined our creative forces and planned a party/service in a span of 3 days. Decorations were the best part, especially with a limited budget. Pictures to come. Pictures to come.
I guess I just want to blabber about my night.
So, I've never been behind the mic before in my life, but I ended up MCing. Only fitting (tackling a big fear for the start of a New Year). After a hearty and spicy catered meal (at 9:30pm!), we played a game of Pictionary which included a festive twist. All the clues were the top news, entertainment, and sports headlines of 2008. Sounds like a dud-game but it was a hit. No one was able to recall who won the World Series this year, but somehow people were able to guess the Russia-Georgia war. That's very typical of our congregation. We have a lot of artists, intellects, and newsjunkies. Apparently no baseball fans.
My pastor gave a short sermon about Joshua... I will serve the Lord....a resolution to trump all other resolutions. Then we had this awesome time of reflection, open mic, in which we shared about how God has moved through us this past year through our church, All Nations Chapel. Sharing openly is such an easy thing to do with a small congregation. 'Twas a success. Even some of a big, hunky, intimidating brothers spilled their souls. So encouraging to see what God has done in people's lives.
Then we moved onto paired prayer. I got closer to someone tonight. My favorite.
The countdown itself was so much fun. We had horns and poppers and hats and little champagne glasses for toasting! Poppers are so fun. I wish there were more occasions where poppers are appropriate because they're SO much fun.
We ended the night with cake and corporate cleaning!
Oh we also had an amazing professional photobooth, courtesy of one our brothers. Umbrellas and all. Studio shots!
I hope your night was as glam, meaningful, and fun as mine. Even if you were out getting crazy drunk somewhere, I hope you were with good friends and family! People are so important. I hope the people in your life push you to be better and challenge you to be at your best. I call it tough love, also, my favorite.
Happy Entirely New Year Wow. Tomorrow my family is having traditional ddukgook and watching Benjamin Button.
I guess I just want to blabber about my night.
So, I've never been behind the mic before in my life, but I ended up MCing. Only fitting (tackling a big fear for the start of a New Year). After a hearty and spicy catered meal (at 9:30pm!), we played a game of Pictionary which included a festive twist. All the clues were the top news, entertainment, and sports headlines of 2008. Sounds like a dud-game but it was a hit. No one was able to recall who won the World Series this year, but somehow people were able to guess the Russia-Georgia war. That's very typical of our congregation. We have a lot of artists, intellects, and newsjunkies. Apparently no baseball fans.
My pastor gave a short sermon about Joshua... I will serve the Lord....a resolution to trump all other resolutions. Then we had this awesome time of reflection, open mic, in which we shared about how God has moved through us this past year through our church, All Nations Chapel. Sharing openly is such an easy thing to do with a small congregation. 'Twas a success. Even some of a big, hunky, intimidating brothers spilled their souls. So encouraging to see what God has done in people's lives.
Then we moved onto paired prayer. I got closer to someone tonight. My favorite.
The countdown itself was so much fun. We had horns and poppers and hats and little champagne glasses for toasting! Poppers are so fun. I wish there were more occasions where poppers are appropriate because they're SO much fun.
We ended the night with cake and corporate cleaning!
Oh we also had an amazing professional photobooth, courtesy of one our brothers. Umbrellas and all. Studio shots!
I hope your night was as glam, meaningful, and fun as mine. Even if you were out getting crazy drunk somewhere, I hope you were with good friends and family! People are so important. I hope the people in your life push you to be better and challenge you to be at your best. I call it tough love, also, my favorite.
Happy Entirely New Year Wow. Tomorrow my family is having traditional ddukgook and watching Benjamin Button.
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