I want to try this on my kids someday. I'm planning to be a sneaky mom.
G.
Monday, 19 December 2011
I told my kids I ate all their Halloween candy
This is a little old but it's super cute and it made me laugh and sigh all at once so I want to share it with you. It's a clip from Jimmy Kimmel Live, a product of Jimmy's challenge to parents to tell their kids that they ate all the kids' Halloween candy and record the children's reactions. Dude, these kids are adorable.
Thursday, 20 October 2011
Changing education paradigms
In my Worldviews and Ways of Life class a couple of days ago, we talked about Christians making a real difference in various areas of life, such as business, politics and entertainment. My lecturer showed us this video clip by the RSA about challenging and changing the education paradigms of the modern Western world. It's a little long, but well worth watching.
I used to and still do love school (no shame in that), and thrived in that environment. But what if my kids don't? And what about all those other kids out there that our mainstream model of education is failing to cater to and support? The video particularly challenged me by making me realise that I too subconsciously think that people who don't do so well at school are "non smart". That's simply not true. They're just people who think differently to the institutionally prescribed and extolled view of the "academic" mind. They need an education system that picks out their talents and enables them to develop their abilities to the fullest.
What is the real purpose of education? Parents are de facto teachers, and if/when I become a parent, I want to be able to teach my children how to live well. I want to teach them the value of knowledge and the importance of pursuing justice and the truth, to instil in them an appreciation for what is good and beautiful, and to encourage and enable them to tap into their innate talents and achieve their dreams. I want to teach them to develop a love for learning and exercise their inherent creativity. I want to teach them to be awake to what they have inside themselves. I want to teach them to flourish as individuals, as human beings made in the image of God. But what happens if the education system of the day conflicts with or undermines all of that because of its uninspired purposes, potentially outdated foundations and generic one-size-fits-all processes?
I guess if/when I become a mother, I'm going to have to work extra hard to be attuned to the education system in which my kids are placed, and try my best to work with their unique personalities and ways of learning to help them become well-rounded, intelligent adults who are realistically confident in their strengths and abilities. I don't want to be constantly suspicious of the education system that my children become subject to, but I also don't want to be ignorant about its assumptions and practices. I hope it works out. I'm sure it will.
G.
I used to and still do love school (no shame in that), and thrived in that environment. But what if my kids don't? And what about all those other kids out there that our mainstream model of education is failing to cater to and support? The video particularly challenged me by making me realise that I too subconsciously think that people who don't do so well at school are "non smart". That's simply not true. They're just people who think differently to the institutionally prescribed and extolled view of the "academic" mind. They need an education system that picks out their talents and enables them to develop their abilities to the fullest.
What is the real purpose of education? Parents are de facto teachers, and if/when I become a parent, I want to be able to teach my children how to live well. I want to teach them the value of knowledge and the importance of pursuing justice and the truth, to instil in them an appreciation for what is good and beautiful, and to encourage and enable them to tap into their innate talents and achieve their dreams. I want to teach them to develop a love for learning and exercise their inherent creativity. I want to teach them to be awake to what they have inside themselves. I want to teach them to flourish as individuals, as human beings made in the image of God. But what happens if the education system of the day conflicts with or undermines all of that because of its uninspired purposes, potentially outdated foundations and generic one-size-fits-all processes?
I guess if/when I become a mother, I'm going to have to work extra hard to be attuned to the education system in which my kids are placed, and try my best to work with their unique personalities and ways of learning to help them become well-rounded, intelligent adults who are realistically confident in their strengths and abilities. I don't want to be constantly suspicious of the education system that my children become subject to, but I also don't want to be ignorant about its assumptions and practices. I hope it works out. I'm sure it will.
G.
Wednesday, 19 October 2011
Tuesday, 4 October 2011
Graduation
Two weeks ago, on Tuesday September 20th, I graduated from university with a BA/LLB (Hons) degree. It was an amazing day. I awoke to see glorious sunshine and a stunning blue sky out my window, which was quite miraculous when I think about it now, because the week leading up to graduation day had been rainy and miserable, and the weather started to go downhill the very next day. Also, I got to graduate with two of my closest friends Liz Fox and Kristy Li, which was an absolute treat (funnily enough, we all graduated with exactly the same degrees). And my family was able to come to the ceremony, which sounds like a given but I feel that their attendance was a blessing anyway.
We started the day off with the graduands' procession from the marquee outside Old Government House at university down to Aotea Square on Queen Street. I was astounded to see so many people wearing baby blue hoods that I had NEVER seen before during my five and a half years at Law School. The procession wasn't as glamorous as I thought it would be: we were constantly barked at and herded by official graduation people whose job it was to ensure we wouldn't straggle, and with my legs being as little as they are I was trotting for most of it. But I got to walk (trot) and catch up with my old friend Max Harris, whom I've known since first year, which was fantastic. We used to live at the same hall of residence in 2006, and through being in the same scholarship mentoring group we formed a study group with two other girls, and we all got into Part II Law (I'm pretty sure his notes helped me pass Law 121). He's currently clerking for the Rt Hon Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias, and it was great to hear that he was doing so well. I was stoked that I got to graduate with him.
When we got to Aotea Square everyone scattered and the mad photo-taking began. We all looked super in our regalia (much thanks to Kristy for showing me how to put my two hoods on, they were IMPOSSIBLE to get right on my own) and everyone was beaming. After a wee while people went off to do their own things. My thing consisted of going to the Politics building on Symonds Street with Liz for a few photos to acknowledge my Arts degree, then heading down to Law School for some classic Davis shots, including the intently-reading-a-law-report shot and the intently-discussing-the-law-in-a-discussion-room shot. Also, Liz had stockpiled some interesting books over the past few months that we used in photos for the laughs, such as "What Can You Do with a Law Degree?", "Running from the Law: Why Good Lawyers are Getting Out of the Legal Profession" and "The Law is an Ass".
Then we had to attend a function put on by the Law School, where I got a photo with my dissertation supervisor Khylee Quince (WIN), Stephen Penk (ANOTHER WIN) and had to listen to a speech given by the new dean (not so much a win). After the formalities ended we were asked to gather outside the marquee for the official class photo. The photographer was a bit of a dork: he yelled at us like we were kids, took forever to take the shots and he tried way too hard to be funny but wasn't funny enough to redeem himself for his yelling and slow shooting.
Next up was epic photo-taking at Albert Park, where the wind had picked up substantially. This was the "Asian hour" of my graduation day. Every year for the two graduation ceremonies, the Korean Law Students Association organises bouquets for its graduating members, and many group photos follow. As a student, I attended these sessions ever since first year, first for seniors I didn't really know, then for those with whom I had actually become acquainted through the years. I remember thinking, 'I wonder when I'll be in those robes, holding all those flowers, taking pictures with all these kids. And I wonder how that would feel.' It was kind of surreal that it was finally my turn, that I was one of the centrepieces of the occasion. Also, people from my Korean university youth group came to say hi and take photos and shower me with gifts, which was overwhelming in a wonderful way. Suddenly I was inundated with flowers and presents and I couldn't really handle it all. I love that gift-giving is a standard part of Korean graduations. I'm going to get into that spirit more in the future when I congratulate people on their big day.
After the hectic photos I had to run down to the Auckland Town Hall with Liz and Kristy for our 1:30pm ceremony. We rushed because we were told that we wouldn't be allowed in if we were late going into our waiting area, but that turned out to be false and I couldn't help but quietly grumble a little. We stood in order of our graduation numbers, and we were given instructions about the order of the ceremony as we waited to go into the main hall. As the minutes passed, I grew a little nervous. What if the new dean guy mispronounces my name horribly? What if I walk weird when I go to shake the chancellor's hand? What if I trip on stage? What if my trencher cap falls off my head as I walk?
But thankfully, none of those things happened. The ceremony was probably one of the highlights of the whole day. We walked into the main hall in two lines, down the centre aisle as family and friends looked and smiled from either side. We then sat in front of the crowd before the stage, listened to some speeches, listened to some musical entertainment and also sang some songs, clapped politely as people got capped, and shuffled to the side when it was our row's turn to head up. It all went by so quickly. Dean calls out your name and degree, you walk to the chancellor and shake his hand as he caps you, put your trencher on as you walk off, go down the stairs to collect your certificate(s), then go back to your seat. Fifteen seconds in the spotlight. The whole ceremony was over in an hour or so. I felt a little strange as I sat in my seat after receiving my certificates. I just stared at them. They felt strange in my hands. Five and a half years of study culminating in two pieces of paper. Wow.
Afterwards we all exited through one of the side doors and formed a sea of chaos along with family members and friends who joined the throng. It was good to see Mum, Peter (Mum's new husband) and my brother Custom, and I had a great time taking photos with them. Mum had gotten her hair done the night before and chose to wear her han-bok (traditional Korean dress); I think she put more effort into looking nice than I did. Everyone split off to do stuff with their families, so I had lunch with mine and afterwards returned to Albert Park for some more photos with people, then headed back to Law School for more photos there (kudos to Steph for being an awesome photographer), then went back to the park to meet up with the crew for dinner. We walked down to Snapdragon Bar in the Viaduct for some good times with food and wine and laughs and resting of sore feet. And that was that, graduation day over.
I reckon this was one of the best days of my life to date. A key milestone that I really enjoyed celebrating with the people I love and care about. Studying at and graduating from university is a magnificent opportunity that not everyone gets, and I feel hugely privileged to have had the chance to accomplish it. I absolutely loved Law School and graduation day was a great way to commemorate my time there. And this is totally cliche but looking back, I can't believe how fast it all went by. Some of the first year kids that came to see me on the day sighed with longing for their own graduations, and I couldn't help saying to them, "Dudes, your graduation will come around so fast that if you realise what little time you actually have left at university your faces might fall off with shock, so cherish these years." I remember being told the same thing when I was in school, and not really believing it. I guess it's something you have to experience for yourself to really get, like so many things in life. Anyway, I'm so stoked that my degree is done and dusted, and I'm really looking forward to getting out there in the real world and having a go at being a lawyer.
A special aside: MVP awards for the day go to Chris Myers for being an amazing photographer and purse carrier the whole day (thanks for taking care of my shiz as part of your deep commitment to making Liz's day fabulous) and to Steph Cadelis for being another amazing photographer and lifesaver (she let me wear her flats on the walk down to the Viaduct because by the end of the day my feet were literally about to burn off with pain). You guys were the best!
Sunday, 7 August 2011
I can't make you love me/Nick of time
One of my favourite artists of all time is Bon Iver. His music is amazing. Every one of his songs touches my soul.
Recently, Bon Iver did a cover of Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me" and a small portion of "Nick of Time". I got chills down my spine after I listened to it the first time. He's admitting defeat because he can't make the person he loves love him back, and while his situation is sad and pitiable, he comes across as being dignified and noble at the same time. His voice is beautiful and melancholic as always, and the piano is wonderful. I think almost everyone out there will be able to relate to the song to a certain degree. No doubt we've all wondered at one point or another why love can't just be easy.
Turn down the lights, turn down the bed
Turn down these voices inside my head
Lay down with me, tell me no lies
Just hold me close, don't patronise me
Don't patronise me
'Cause I can't make you love me if you don't
I can't make your heart feel something it won't
Here in the dark, in these final hours
I will lay down my heart and I feel the power
But you don't
No you don't
'Cause I can't make you love me if you don't
If you don't
No you won't
I'll close my eyes, then I won't see
The love you don't feel when you're holding me
Morning will come and I'll do what's right
Just give me til then to give up this fight
And I will give up this fight
'Cause I can't make you love me if you don't
I can't make your heart feel something it won't
Here in the dark, in these final hours
I will lay down my heart and I feel the power
But you don't
No you don't
'Cause I can't make you love me if you don't
If you don't
No you won't
I found love, darling
Love in the nick of time
A treatfest for the ears and for the heart. Have a lovely day.
G.
Recently, Bon Iver did a cover of Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me" and a small portion of "Nick of Time". I got chills down my spine after I listened to it the first time. He's admitting defeat because he can't make the person he loves love him back, and while his situation is sad and pitiable, he comes across as being dignified and noble at the same time. His voice is beautiful and melancholic as always, and the piano is wonderful. I think almost everyone out there will be able to relate to the song to a certain degree. No doubt we've all wondered at one point or another why love can't just be easy.
Turn down the lights, turn down the bed
Turn down these voices inside my head
Lay down with me, tell me no lies
Just hold me close, don't patronise me
Don't patronise me
'Cause I can't make you love me if you don't
I can't make your heart feel something it won't
Here in the dark, in these final hours
I will lay down my heart and I feel the power
But you don't
No you don't
'Cause I can't make you love me if you don't
If you don't
No you won't
I'll close my eyes, then I won't see
The love you don't feel when you're holding me
Morning will come and I'll do what's right
Just give me til then to give up this fight
And I will give up this fight
'Cause I can't make you love me if you don't
I can't make your heart feel something it won't
Here in the dark, in these final hours
I will lay down my heart and I feel the power
But you don't
No you don't
'Cause I can't make you love me if you don't
If you don't
No you won't
I found love, darling
Love in the nick of time
A treatfest for the ears and for the heart. Have a lovely day.
G.
Sunday, 10 July 2011
Her morning elegance
I recently discovered through a friend a musician called Oren Lavie. He's an Israeli singer-songwriter and his music is beautiful. I like his husky voice, and his simple but wonderful melodies.
My favourite song from his album, "On the Opposite Side of the Sea", is called "Her Morning Elegance". It's like a sweet cup of coffee at a cute little cafe on a sunny day. The music video is really awesome too, very creative stop-motion stuff.
Sun been down for days
A pretty flower in a vase
A slipper by the fireplace
A cello lying in its case
Soon she's down the stairs
Her morning elegance she wears
The sound of water makes her dream
Awoken by a cloud of steam
She pours a daydream in a cup
A spoon of sugar sweetens up
And she fights for her life as she puts on her coat
And she fights for her life on the train
She looks at the rain as it pours
And she fights for her life as she goes in a store
With a thought she has caught by a thread
She pays for the bread and she goes
Nobody knows
Sun been down for days
A winter melody she plays
The thunder makes her contemplate
She hears a noise behind the gate
Perhaps a letter with a dove
Perhaps a stranger she could love
And she fights for her life as she puts on her coat
And she fights for her life on the train
She looks at the rain as it pours
And she fights for her life as she goes in a store
With a thought she has caught by a thread
She pays for the bread and she goes
Nobody knows
And she fights for her life as she puts on her coat
And she fights for her life on the train
She looks at the rain as it pours
And she fights for her life as she goes in a store
Where the people are pleasantly strange
And counting the change and she goes
Nobody knows
I can't stop listening to this song! Have a wonderful day.
G.
My favourite song from his album, "On the Opposite Side of the Sea", is called "Her Morning Elegance". It's like a sweet cup of coffee at a cute little cafe on a sunny day. The music video is really awesome too, very creative stop-motion stuff.
Sun been down for days
A pretty flower in a vase
A slipper by the fireplace
A cello lying in its case
Soon she's down the stairs
Her morning elegance she wears
The sound of water makes her dream
Awoken by a cloud of steam
She pours a daydream in a cup
A spoon of sugar sweetens up
And she fights for her life as she puts on her coat
And she fights for her life on the train
She looks at the rain as it pours
And she fights for her life as she goes in a store
With a thought she has caught by a thread
She pays for the bread and she goes
Nobody knows
Sun been down for days
A winter melody she plays
The thunder makes her contemplate
She hears a noise behind the gate
Perhaps a letter with a dove
Perhaps a stranger she could love
And she fights for her life as she puts on her coat
And she fights for her life on the train
She looks at the rain as it pours
And she fights for her life as she goes in a store
With a thought she has caught by a thread
She pays for the bread and she goes
Nobody knows
And she fights for her life as she puts on her coat
And she fights for her life on the train
She looks at the rain as it pours
And she fights for her life as she goes in a store
Where the people are pleasantly strange
And counting the change and she goes
Nobody knows
I can't stop listening to this song! Have a wonderful day.
G.
Friday, 8 July 2011
Untitled, Anonymous
I don't know what this poem is called, or who wrote it, but it speaks to me, quietly but powerfully amidst the other roaring voices in my life right now.
"왜 울고 있느냐
오늘도 같은 죄에서 넘어졌기에
그렇게 죄책감에 쓰러져 울고 있구나
왜 울고 있느냐
오늘도 나와 함꼐 동행하기 원했으나
그러지 못함으로 자책하며 울고 있구나
왜 울고 있느냐
너도 모르게 자꾸만 교만하여 지는
너의 마음때문에 괴로워 울고 있구나
왜 울고 있느냐
자꾸 유혹에 쓰러지고 죄를 짓게 되어
연약한 네 자신때문에 속상해 울고 있구나
왜 울고 있느냐
내가 너를 씻겨 주었음에도 자꾸만 더러운 모습으로
내 앞에 오는 것이 부끄럽고 미안해서 울고 있구나
울지 말아라, 내 아이야
네가 나를 향해 나아오려는 마음을
내가 알고 있단다
울지 말아라, 내 아이야
네가 연약한 너의 육신으로 인해 괴로워 하고 있음을
내가 알고 있단다
울지 말아라, 내 아이야
네가 나를 닮아가려고 수백번, 수천번
노력하고 있음을 내가 알고 있단다
울지 말아라, 내 아이야
네가 나를 사랑하고 있는 마음을
내가 알고 있단다
나도 너를 사랑한단다
내가 너를 죄로부터 지킬 것이며
내가 너를 악한 영으로부터 지킬 것이며
내가 너의 약한 육신에 힘을 줄 것이며
내가 너의 쓰러진 영혼에 손을 내밀어 붙잡아 줄 것이며
내가 너로 하여금 길을 잃지 않도록 붙들어 줄 것이란다
눈물을 닦아라, 내 아이야
너의 마음을
내가 다 알고 있단다."
"왜 울고 있느냐
오늘도 같은 죄에서 넘어졌기에
그렇게 죄책감에 쓰러져 울고 있구나
왜 울고 있느냐
오늘도 나와 함꼐 동행하기 원했으나
그러지 못함으로 자책하며 울고 있구나
왜 울고 있느냐
너도 모르게 자꾸만 교만하여 지는
너의 마음때문에 괴로워 울고 있구나
왜 울고 있느냐
자꾸 유혹에 쓰러지고 죄를 짓게 되어
연약한 네 자신때문에 속상해 울고 있구나
왜 울고 있느냐
내가 너를 씻겨 주었음에도 자꾸만 더러운 모습으로
내 앞에 오는 것이 부끄럽고 미안해서 울고 있구나
울지 말아라, 내 아이야
네가 나를 향해 나아오려는 마음을
내가 알고 있단다
울지 말아라, 내 아이야
네가 연약한 너의 육신으로 인해 괴로워 하고 있음을
내가 알고 있단다
울지 말아라, 내 아이야
네가 나를 닮아가려고 수백번, 수천번
노력하고 있음을 내가 알고 있단다
울지 말아라, 내 아이야
네가 나를 사랑하고 있는 마음을
내가 알고 있단다
나도 너를 사랑한단다
내가 너를 죄로부터 지킬 것이며
내가 너를 악한 영으로부터 지킬 것이며
내가 너의 약한 육신에 힘을 줄 것이며
내가 너의 쓰러진 영혼에 손을 내밀어 붙잡아 줄 것이며
내가 너로 하여금 길을 잃지 않도록 붙들어 줄 것이란다
눈물을 닦아라, 내 아이야
너의 마음을
내가 다 알고 있단다."
I'm not going to translate this because it'll be poor and won't do justice to the poem. It's basically about a person crying out of frustration, guilt, shame and anger at not being able to live up to the standards that s/he knows is necessary in a life lived with God, and God comforting him/her, saying that He knows his/her heart for God and efforts to become more Christ-like. Ultimately, it's not my own doing that counts, but the fact that God, out of love and mercy, makes me better than I could ever be on my own.
Have a wonderful day.
G.
Friday, 27 May 2011
The best
I'm a small group leader in this youth group at university, called KYCF (Korean Youth Christian Fellowship). I've been attending this group ever since I was a first year, and I'm really stoked that I've been given the opportunity to serve as a small group leader before I graduate this year.
Yesterday we had our weekly youth group meeting, and during small group session, I asked my peeps their prayer requests. Both of them (unfortunately I have a lot of absentees each week) said that they would like to be able to do their best in all aspects of life, all the time. I guess wanting to be your best self and wanting to do your best in everything is a universal desire.
Today, I read an awesome Oswald Chambers quote on this notion of "the best":
The good is always the enemy of the best.
We can always be better, and do better. Let's not be satisfied with "the good". Let's always want and strive for "the best", and no less.
Have an awesome weekend.
G.
Yesterday we had our weekly youth group meeting, and during small group session, I asked my peeps their prayer requests. Both of them (unfortunately I have a lot of absentees each week) said that they would like to be able to do their best in all aspects of life, all the time. I guess wanting to be your best self and wanting to do your best in everything is a universal desire.
Today, I read an awesome Oswald Chambers quote on this notion of "the best":
The good is always the enemy of the best.
We can always be better, and do better. Let's not be satisfied with "the good". Let's always want and strive for "the best", and no less.
Have an awesome weekend.
G.
Monday, 23 May 2011
루아흐 (Ruach)
I don't listen to as much Korean music as I used to in high school, but my iTunes contains some gold stuff. I love this one group called Brown Eyed Soul, and one of the guys in the group, Na Ul, is one of my favourite Korean musicians ever. He has an amazing voice and writes really great songs, and he's a Christian. Actually, I think that the whole group is Christian. It's funny, they'll produce a fantastic album, and sneakily slip in a Christian worship song in the mix.
I recently discovered through Yeri that Na Ul is also a member of another group called Brown Eyes (I suppose the apple doesn't fall too far from the nomenclatural tree), and these guys also do the "make a wicked album and chuck in a Christian worship song" thing. Their latest album has this song called "루아흐 (Ruach)" on it, and it's absolutely wonderful. It's simple (piano and Na Ul's vocals), but beautiful. "Ruach" essentially means "the Spirit of God" in Hebrew. I'll try my best to translate the Korean but I'm afraid it won't sound as rich and poetic in English with the differences in the languages and my terrible skills.
참 많이 어렸죠 너무 어리석었죠
돌아보면 당신의 수많은 그 눈물이
나를 지켜줬던거죠
참 많이 울었죠 그댈 원망했었죠
이젠 알아요
내곁엔 항상 그대가 함께 한다는걸
I was young and foolish
But when I look back I realise
Your many tears had kept me safe
I cried a lot and blamed You
But I know now
That You're always with me
나는 믿어요
귓가를 스치는 바람도
어깨를 적시는 비도 그대임을
참 좋은걸요
이렇게 그대를 느끼죠
많은 시간이 흐른뒤에 알게 되겠죠
내 모든 시작과 끝은 그대인걸
약속할게요
언제나 그대 편이 되어주는걸
I believe
That You are the wind whispering in my ears
And the rain that falls on my shoulder
It's wonderful
I feel Your presence in this way
After much time has passed, I'll know
You are my beginning and end
I promise
That I'll always be on Your side
나는 믿어요
귓가를 스치는 바람도
어깨를 적시는 비도 그대임을
참 좋은걸요
이렇게 그대를 느끼죠
많은 시간이 흐른뒤에 알게 되겠죠
내 모든 시작과 끝은 그대인걸
약속할게요
언제나 그대 편이 되어주는걸
나 영원히
I believe
That You are the wind whispering in my ears
And the rain that falls on my shoulder
It's wonderful
I feel Your presence in this way
After much time has passed, I'll know
You are my beginning and end
I promise
That I'll always be on Your side
Forever
잡아주세요 내 손을 잡아주세요
안아주세요 나만을 안아주세요
Please, please hold my hand
Please hold me, and only me
Yeah, it definitely sounds better in Korean, but that's the best I can do, I'm afraid! I hope that I've conveyed the vibe of the song. The singer has a deep and intimate relationship with a loving and selfless God. He feels God's presence everywhere, through everything, and he delights in God's nearness. Although he's been through some tough times, he's committing himself to being on God's side, because he knows that everything he is and everything he has is found in God. He yearns for God; he's incomplete without Him.
This song illustrates the kind of relationship I want with God, on a sustained basis. I guess it's unrealistic to hope to be on a spiritual high all the time. But I don't think that's what this is. I think it's more a calm, quiet and personal conviction of knowing who God is, genuinely believing in what He's promised to fulfil in my life, being aware of His constant being with me and renewing my commitment to Him daily.
I love this song. Hope you have a great day.
G.
I recently discovered through Yeri that Na Ul is also a member of another group called Brown Eyes (I suppose the apple doesn't fall too far from the nomenclatural tree), and these guys also do the "make a wicked album and chuck in a Christian worship song" thing. Their latest album has this song called "루아흐 (Ruach)" on it, and it's absolutely wonderful. It's simple (piano and Na Ul's vocals), but beautiful. "Ruach" essentially means "the Spirit of God" in Hebrew. I'll try my best to translate the Korean but I'm afraid it won't sound as rich and poetic in English with the differences in the languages and my terrible skills.
참 많이 어렸죠 너무 어리석었죠
돌아보면 당신의 수많은 그 눈물이
나를 지켜줬던거죠
참 많이 울었죠 그댈 원망했었죠
이젠 알아요
내곁엔 항상 그대가 함께 한다는걸
I was young and foolish
But when I look back I realise
Your many tears had kept me safe
I cried a lot and blamed You
But I know now
That You're always with me
나는 믿어요
귓가를 스치는 바람도
어깨를 적시는 비도 그대임을
참 좋은걸요
이렇게 그대를 느끼죠
많은 시간이 흐른뒤에 알게 되겠죠
내 모든 시작과 끝은 그대인걸
약속할게요
언제나 그대 편이 되어주는걸
I believe
That You are the wind whispering in my ears
And the rain that falls on my shoulder
It's wonderful
I feel Your presence in this way
After much time has passed, I'll know
You are my beginning and end
I promise
That I'll always be on Your side
나는 믿어요
귓가를 스치는 바람도
어깨를 적시는 비도 그대임을
참 좋은걸요
이렇게 그대를 느끼죠
많은 시간이 흐른뒤에 알게 되겠죠
내 모든 시작과 끝은 그대인걸
약속할게요
언제나 그대 편이 되어주는걸
나 영원히
I believe
That You are the wind whispering in my ears
And the rain that falls on my shoulder
It's wonderful
I feel Your presence in this way
After much time has passed, I'll know
You are my beginning and end
I promise
That I'll always be on Your side
Forever
잡아주세요 내 손을 잡아주세요
안아주세요 나만을 안아주세요
Please, please hold my hand
Please hold me, and only me
Yeah, it definitely sounds better in Korean, but that's the best I can do, I'm afraid! I hope that I've conveyed the vibe of the song. The singer has a deep and intimate relationship with a loving and selfless God. He feels God's presence everywhere, through everything, and he delights in God's nearness. Although he's been through some tough times, he's committing himself to being on God's side, because he knows that everything he is and everything he has is found in God. He yearns for God; he's incomplete without Him.
This song illustrates the kind of relationship I want with God, on a sustained basis. I guess it's unrealistic to hope to be on a spiritual high all the time. But I don't think that's what this is. I think it's more a calm, quiet and personal conviction of knowing who God is, genuinely believing in what He's promised to fulfil in my life, being aware of His constant being with me and renewing my commitment to Him daily.
I love this song. Hope you have a great day.
G.
Wednesday, 18 May 2011
The habit of keeping a clear conscience
A couple of months ago, my best friend and flatmate Yeri Ahn recommended that I get into the classic Christian devotional book "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers, because it was awesome. I have done so, and as always, she's right. It's basically a book with 365 devotional entries, so you read one per day for a year to get through the book. I'm a bit gutted that I only started reading it from late April, but better late than never, right?
Chambers has some really insightful things to say about God and how to live well as a Christian. I don't know if I agree with absolutely everything he says, but a lot of what he says resonates deeply with me. And he writes very well.
The following bit of the May 13 devotional entry ("The Habit of Keeping a Clear Conscience") particularly spoke to me:
Conscience is that ability within me that attaches itself to the highest standard I know, and then continually reminds me of what that standard demands that I do. It is the eye of the soul which looks out either toward God or toward what we regard as the highest standard. This explains why conscience is different in different people. If I am in the habit of continually holding God's standard in front of me, my conscience will always direct me to God's perfect law and indicate what I should do. The question is, will I obey?
Whatever your conscience dictates, follow it. Better living, everyone.
G.
Chambers has some really insightful things to say about God and how to live well as a Christian. I don't know if I agree with absolutely everything he says, but a lot of what he says resonates deeply with me. And he writes very well.
The following bit of the May 13 devotional entry ("The Habit of Keeping a Clear Conscience") particularly spoke to me:
Conscience is that ability within me that attaches itself to the highest standard I know, and then continually reminds me of what that standard demands that I do. It is the eye of the soul which looks out either toward God or toward what we regard as the highest standard. This explains why conscience is different in different people. If I am in the habit of continually holding God's standard in front of me, my conscience will always direct me to God's perfect law and indicate what I should do. The question is, will I obey?
Whatever your conscience dictates, follow it. Better living, everyone.
G.
Friday, 29 April 2011
Movie ages
I feel kind of old after looking at this chart.
I saw most of these films when they first came out, and none of those times feel like that long ago. But I'm getting braces soon so maybe it can cancel some of my aging out?
Let's hope we can all embrace the inevitable and age gracefully.
G.
I saw most of these films when they first came out, and none of those times feel like that long ago. But I'm getting braces soon so maybe it can cancel some of my aging out?
Let's hope we can all embrace the inevitable and age gracefully.
G.
Monday, 25 April 2011
A softer world: 666
I'm also into this online comic series called "A Softer World". I find them entertaining and thought-provoking. This is one of the thought-provoking ones.
I wonder what, if anything, you can do to fix that.
G.
It's weird and sad how you can become close with people to the point where you can't imagine your life without them, but then over time you can drift apart and practically become strangers.
I wonder what, if anything, you can do to fix that.
G.
Heaven
I'm quite into this web comic series called "xkcd", and here's something that really spoke to the child in me.
I was a Tetris-playing child. This would have made my day.
G.
I was a Tetris-playing child. This would have made my day.
G.
Saturday, 23 April 2011
Fever dream
I recently discovered Iron & Wine, and his music has brought new joy to my life. It's indie, folky and pure gold. I've been listening to this one song called "Fever Dream" nonstop. It's hauntingly beautiful.
Some days her shape in the doorway
Will speak to me
A bird's wing on the window
Sometimes I'll hear her when she's sleeping
A fever dream
A language on her face
I want your flowers
Like babies want God's love
Or maybe
As sure as tomorrow will come
Some days like rain on the doorstep
She'll cover me
With grace in all she offers
Sometimes I'd like just to ask her
What honest words
She can't afford to say, like
I want your flowers
Like babies want God's love
Or maybe
As sure as tomorrow will come
This song makes my heart ache, and it makes me yearn. I don't know what exactly I'm yearning for, but it's something I know will make me feel complete. Maybe someone I can give my heart to.
Listen to Iron & Wine. And have the best day.
G.
Some days her shape in the doorway
Will speak to me
A bird's wing on the window
Sometimes I'll hear her when she's sleeping
A fever dream
A language on her face
I want your flowers
Like babies want God's love
Or maybe
As sure as tomorrow will come
Some days like rain on the doorstep
She'll cover me
With grace in all she offers
Sometimes I'd like just to ask her
What honest words
She can't afford to say, like
I want your flowers
Like babies want God's love
Or maybe
As sure as tomorrow will come
This song makes my heart ache, and it makes me yearn. I don't know what exactly I'm yearning for, but it's something I know will make me feel complete. Maybe someone I can give my heart to.
Listen to Iron & Wine. And have the best day.
G.
Saturday, 26 March 2011
That's what happens
I'm a big fan of the Wondermark comics by David Malki. This is a strip from this past week which I found particularly amusing, called "That's what happens".
So enlightening! Have a great day.
G.
G.
Thursday, 17 March 2011
What kind of soccer it's not
This year I'm studying at Laidlaw College, which is a Bible college out in West Auckland. It's a great place and I've been enjoying all my classes so far. Within the Laidlaw campus there's a small primary school and often I'll pass by their main field and playground on my way to class from the student carpark. The kids are so carefree and little. It seems incredible that we were once like that too.
The other day I was walking past the primary school field during lunchtime and there were a bunch of little kids about to start a soccer game. The group were roughly in two teams, and a small boy was announcing the rules of the match to his small friends in a squeaky voice.
"It's not pulling people's shirts soccer. It's not pinching people soccer. It's... it's not tackling soccer. It's not... It's not..."
I think that we discern from an early age that without rules and boundaries we descend into anarchy. I hope they eventually got to play, and that everyone remembered what kind of soccer they weren't playing.
G.
The other day I was walking past the primary school field during lunchtime and there were a bunch of little kids about to start a soccer game. The group were roughly in two teams, and a small boy was announcing the rules of the match to his small friends in a squeaky voice.
"It's not pulling people's shirts soccer. It's not pinching people soccer. It's... it's not tackling soccer. It's not... It's not..."
I think that we discern from an early age that without rules and boundaries we descend into anarchy. I hope they eventually got to play, and that everyone remembered what kind of soccer they weren't playing.
G.
Friday, 11 March 2011
The Hermitude of Angus, Ecstatic
Last night I went with Geoff to watch this one-man show called "The Hermitude of Angus, Ecstatic". It was a Fringe Festival show, and was, as expected, quirky. But it was also very entertaining.
The show was about this (I think he was homeless and mildly retarded) guy named Angus, who hangs out on his bench at his park. Angus is trying to figure out the "pattern of life" and where he fits into it. His philosophy is that matter is energy slowed down, and energy is love sped up, so to understand the universe he has to understand love, and to understand love he has to understand people. In order to understand people, he has to interact with them. Angus interacts with people that come to his park and sit on his bench, by taking snapshots of them using a hard hat-camera and going through their photos. He also has this cardboard sign that reads, "I hope you're having a really nice day!" Angus loves to dance, to read, and is doomed to die alone at the age of 72 in the same bed that he's had since he was 6-years-old.
There wasn't really a coherent narrative to the play. It was broken up into segments by the turning of amusingly-titled chapters in Angus' big book (e.g. "Chapter Green", "Chapter Retpahc"). And it was all over the place. But the dude who played Angus handled all the different roles very well. As well as Angus, he played Mary, Angus' crazy mother; Conroy, a guy who had an earpiece phone that made it okay for him to be mean to others; Manabohzo, Angus' evil alter ego; Byron, a bum on the street who philosophised about Japanese literature; the Librarian who turned into an ape, based on the theory that all humans were animals; and the Receptionist, who was lovely but also quite annoying, like many receptionists out there actually are. Also, in the middle of the performance, Angus came out of character and started talking about the very real and concerning phenomenon of crop circles. There was also a scene where Angus read a book on cakes and an erotic book at the same time, and he ended up making love to a chocolate cake to R.Kelly's "Bump'n'Grind". Funny, what? Yes.
I really liked Angus' exuberant dancing (he just got SO into it, flailing his limbs about and losing himself in the music), and the fact that we could see Angus' heart on his sleeve (he literally had a red paper heart clipped onto his shirt sleeve). He moved his arm to make the heart beat when he was dancing with his lady friend in one of the chapters of his book, and also when he was listening to his heart. Clever. Manabohzo was hilarious in his vulgarity and total disregard for others. It was interesting because Angus hated Manabohzo and tried to fight him off whenever he could feel Manabohzo trying to take him over. I thought this inner struggle was actually really interesting. I don't know if this was the playwright's intention, but I felt that it depicted a struggle that is present in all of us: we all have our own innate, sinful alter egos deep within us, and we have to suppress them to be good human beings. Also, Angus' life philosophy resonated with me: life is about love, it is about people (community, yo); these form the so-called pattern of the life and are central to its meaning. And the dude playing Angus was a very talented actor, despite the fact that he was a crazy Australian who ended up getting very sweaty and very covered in chocolate cake. A lot of the time he had us all cracking up with just his face. I also enjoyed the narrator's narration, who told us about Angus' life and his hobbies.
This post doesn't make much sense. Exactly.
G.
The show was about this (I think he was homeless and mildly retarded) guy named Angus, who hangs out on his bench at his park. Angus is trying to figure out the "pattern of life" and where he fits into it. His philosophy is that matter is energy slowed down, and energy is love sped up, so to understand the universe he has to understand love, and to understand love he has to understand people. In order to understand people, he has to interact with them. Angus interacts with people that come to his park and sit on his bench, by taking snapshots of them using a hard hat-camera and going through their photos. He also has this cardboard sign that reads, "I hope you're having a really nice day!" Angus loves to dance, to read, and is doomed to die alone at the age of 72 in the same bed that he's had since he was 6-years-old.
There wasn't really a coherent narrative to the play. It was broken up into segments by the turning of amusingly-titled chapters in Angus' big book (e.g. "Chapter Green", "Chapter Retpahc"). And it was all over the place. But the dude who played Angus handled all the different roles very well. As well as Angus, he played Mary, Angus' crazy mother; Conroy, a guy who had an earpiece phone that made it okay for him to be mean to others; Manabohzo, Angus' evil alter ego; Byron, a bum on the street who philosophised about Japanese literature; the Librarian who turned into an ape, based on the theory that all humans were animals; and the Receptionist, who was lovely but also quite annoying, like many receptionists out there actually are. Also, in the middle of the performance, Angus came out of character and started talking about the very real and concerning phenomenon of crop circles. There was also a scene where Angus read a book on cakes and an erotic book at the same time, and he ended up making love to a chocolate cake to R.Kelly's "Bump'n'Grind". Funny, what? Yes.
I really liked Angus' exuberant dancing (he just got SO into it, flailing his limbs about and losing himself in the music), and the fact that we could see Angus' heart on his sleeve (he literally had a red paper heart clipped onto his shirt sleeve). He moved his arm to make the heart beat when he was dancing with his lady friend in one of the chapters of his book, and also when he was listening to his heart. Clever. Manabohzo was hilarious in his vulgarity and total disregard for others. It was interesting because Angus hated Manabohzo and tried to fight him off whenever he could feel Manabohzo trying to take him over. I thought this inner struggle was actually really interesting. I don't know if this was the playwright's intention, but I felt that it depicted a struggle that is present in all of us: we all have our own innate, sinful alter egos deep within us, and we have to suppress them to be good human beings. Also, Angus' life philosophy resonated with me: life is about love, it is about people (community, yo); these form the so-called pattern of the life and are central to its meaning. And the dude playing Angus was a very talented actor, despite the fact that he was a crazy Australian who ended up getting very sweaty and very covered in chocolate cake. A lot of the time he had us all cracking up with just his face. I also enjoyed the narrator's narration, who told us about Angus' life and his hobbies.
This post doesn't make much sense. Exactly.
G.
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
Mere Christianity
A couple of weeks ago I read "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis. It was amazing. I hadn't read anything of his since my Year 6 romp through "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe"; now I'm determined to read everything this man has ever written.
The book is a collection of BBC radio talks that Lewis gave to the British people during World War II. He begins by making a case for the Christian faith and then looks at how a Christian should behave. In this process, he addresses the fundamental tenets of Christianity upon which all denominations agree.
Lewis begins his defence of the Christian faith by appealing to morality and natural law. He says that there is such a thing as moral rights and wrongs of which human beings are innately aware. These rules transcend differences in culture, time and place: they may differ in content across the board, but these differences are not as great as their similarities. They are a real part of our everyday lives: we use them to assert our rights, to argue for fairness and justice, and to discern between what is right and wrong, good and bad. These rules have not been created or contrived by human beings; thus they must have been endowed to man by a higher being.
He then argues that pantheism is incoherent and atheism too simple. He arrives to the person of Jesus Christ, and considers three different reactions to Jesus' claim of being the Son of God/God: that He really was who He said He was, that He was deliberately lying, or that He mistakenly thought Himself to be that which He claimed (which would make him crazy). Lewis says that the latter two possibilities are inconsistent with Jesus' character, and that it is most likely that He was being truthful in saying that He was the Messiah.
Because of its sinful nature, humanity consistently fails to keep the moral law which forms the foundations of life, and Jesus is the answer. By God becoming a man in the person of Jesus, and through Jesus' death and resurrection, humans are cleansed of their sins and can become tight with God again, as He had intended us to be from the start. So Jesus paid mankind's debt by dying for our sins, and thus made reconciliation between us and God possible. God doesn't force this upon anybody, it's up to individuals themselves to accept Jesus out of their free will. Sometimes I think, 'Wouldn't it be easier if God just forced salvation and eternal life upon everyone?' But that's silly. Because that's not true love; it's God loving humans but humans being forced to love God back, and that's not what God wants. Automatism and coercion are not good things, whereas free will and freedom to make choices for oneself are.
Lewis then explores Christian ethics: how Christians should behave. He talks about the cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, temperance and fortitude. And then he talks about the theological virtues of hope, faith and charity. He also looks at topics like forgiveness, sexual morality and Christian marriage. He talks about the triune God and how he thinks time works with God. He says that pride is "the great sin", and that Christians are all called to love their neighbours as themselves. This means that they need to love themselves, and treat others as they would treat themselves. You can love yourself even if you don't like yourself from time to time, and this is how you should behave toward other people. If you act like you love someone, you will come to love them in due course, even though you don't love them to begin with.
So that's the basic outline of the book. It's funny, but it was really awesome to be reminded of the key aspects of what I believe in. I mean, I know what I believe in, but it's so deep and vast and demands all of me that from time to time I need to be reminded of the really important stuff. And I liked how Lewis used lots of analogies and examples to illustrate his points. I also really liked his straightforward, direct style of argument. He'll say things like, "Christianity says X, the world says Y, either X is wrong or Y is wrong because the two ar eincompatible, and these are the reasons why I believe X is right and Y is wrong." And of course he doesn't sound like a self-righteous, sanctimonious prig; he uses his words so intelligently and humbly that it's impossible not to like him.
I want to share with you parts of the book that really intrigued me but I'm afraid I'll end up typing out huge chunks of it here which isn't really what I want to do. So for now I'll just say that I found the chapters on morality and psychoanalysis, sexual morality and forgiveness particularly profound. Lewis says that Christian morality is to do with the moral choices we make regardless of our individual psychological make-up, and it's these choices that turn our central persons into either a heavenly creature or a hellish one, which is what matters to God. He says that our sexual instinct has "gone wrong" and there are lots of reasons to think that obsessing over it and giving into our so-called "healthy" and "natural" sexual urges without restraint is actually a bit warped (he analogises sex to food a lot). He also says that forgiveness encompasses hating the sin but not the sinner, which can amount to punishing evildoers for their evildoings but with a sorriness for them in our hearts and a real hope that they will be cured and made human again in the future. Oh, and I also really liked the chapters titled "Counting the Cost" (God wants t ohelp us to become perfect, as He had always intended us to be - what the wow) and "Nice People or New Men" (he talks about Christians and "niceness"). The chapter on time was also really interesting: the idea that God is outside and above our human Time0line; our past, present and future are all the "now" for Him. These ideas are only the tip of Lewis' wisdom iceberg. And it's a big berg.
I found "Mere Christiainty" a witty, insightful, useful and accessible read. I'd highly recommend it to everyone and anyone, particularly people who are curious as to what Christianity is all about. I'm going to try and read through it a couple more times before this year is up to become a lot more familiar with it, it's a real gem. Please read htis book yourself and then let me know so we can talk about it after I've tackled it again.
G.
The book is a collection of BBC radio talks that Lewis gave to the British people during World War II. He begins by making a case for the Christian faith and then looks at how a Christian should behave. In this process, he addresses the fundamental tenets of Christianity upon which all denominations agree.
Lewis begins his defence of the Christian faith by appealing to morality and natural law. He says that there is such a thing as moral rights and wrongs of which human beings are innately aware. These rules transcend differences in culture, time and place: they may differ in content across the board, but these differences are not as great as their similarities. They are a real part of our everyday lives: we use them to assert our rights, to argue for fairness and justice, and to discern between what is right and wrong, good and bad. These rules have not been created or contrived by human beings; thus they must have been endowed to man by a higher being.
He then argues that pantheism is incoherent and atheism too simple. He arrives to the person of Jesus Christ, and considers three different reactions to Jesus' claim of being the Son of God/God: that He really was who He said He was, that He was deliberately lying, or that He mistakenly thought Himself to be that which He claimed (which would make him crazy). Lewis says that the latter two possibilities are inconsistent with Jesus' character, and that it is most likely that He was being truthful in saying that He was the Messiah.
Because of its sinful nature, humanity consistently fails to keep the moral law which forms the foundations of life, and Jesus is the answer. By God becoming a man in the person of Jesus, and through Jesus' death and resurrection, humans are cleansed of their sins and can become tight with God again, as He had intended us to be from the start. So Jesus paid mankind's debt by dying for our sins, and thus made reconciliation between us and God possible. God doesn't force this upon anybody, it's up to individuals themselves to accept Jesus out of their free will. Sometimes I think, 'Wouldn't it be easier if God just forced salvation and eternal life upon everyone?' But that's silly. Because that's not true love; it's God loving humans but humans being forced to love God back, and that's not what God wants. Automatism and coercion are not good things, whereas free will and freedom to make choices for oneself are.
Lewis then explores Christian ethics: how Christians should behave. He talks about the cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, temperance and fortitude. And then he talks about the theological virtues of hope, faith and charity. He also looks at topics like forgiveness, sexual morality and Christian marriage. He talks about the triune God and how he thinks time works with God. He says that pride is "the great sin", and that Christians are all called to love their neighbours as themselves. This means that they need to love themselves, and treat others as they would treat themselves. You can love yourself even if you don't like yourself from time to time, and this is how you should behave toward other people. If you act like you love someone, you will come to love them in due course, even though you don't love them to begin with.
So that's the basic outline of the book. It's funny, but it was really awesome to be reminded of the key aspects of what I believe in. I mean, I know what I believe in, but it's so deep and vast and demands all of me that from time to time I need to be reminded of the really important stuff. And I liked how Lewis used lots of analogies and examples to illustrate his points. I also really liked his straightforward, direct style of argument. He'll say things like, "Christianity says X, the world says Y, either X is wrong or Y is wrong because the two ar eincompatible, and these are the reasons why I believe X is right and Y is wrong." And of course he doesn't sound like a self-righteous, sanctimonious prig; he uses his words so intelligently and humbly that it's impossible not to like him.
I want to share with you parts of the book that really intrigued me but I'm afraid I'll end up typing out huge chunks of it here which isn't really what I want to do. So for now I'll just say that I found the chapters on morality and psychoanalysis, sexual morality and forgiveness particularly profound. Lewis says that Christian morality is to do with the moral choices we make regardless of our individual psychological make-up, and it's these choices that turn our central persons into either a heavenly creature or a hellish one, which is what matters to God. He says that our sexual instinct has "gone wrong" and there are lots of reasons to think that obsessing over it and giving into our so-called "healthy" and "natural" sexual urges without restraint is actually a bit warped (he analogises sex to food a lot). He also says that forgiveness encompasses hating the sin but not the sinner, which can amount to punishing evildoers for their evildoings but with a sorriness for them in our hearts and a real hope that they will be cured and made human again in the future. Oh, and I also really liked the chapters titled "Counting the Cost" (God wants t ohelp us to become perfect, as He had always intended us to be - what the wow) and "Nice People or New Men" (he talks about Christians and "niceness"). The chapter on time was also really interesting: the idea that God is outside and above our human Time0line; our past, present and future are all the "now" for Him. These ideas are only the tip of Lewis' wisdom iceberg. And it's a big berg.
I found "Mere Christiainty" a witty, insightful, useful and accessible read. I'd highly recommend it to everyone and anyone, particularly people who are curious as to what Christianity is all about. I'm going to try and read through it a couple more times before this year is up to become a lot more familiar with it, it's a real gem. Please read htis book yourself and then let me know so we can talk about it after I've tackled it again.
G.
Friday, 28 January 2011
Never let me go
So on the plane back from LA to Auckland I watched "Never Let Me Go". It's a film based on the novel by Kazuo Ishiguro (for all you law kids who have done Ethics, that guy who wrote "The Remains of the Day", the story about a butler who was so consumed by his role as the butler that he couldn't bring himself to tell his lady butler friend that he loved her as that would be unprofessional). Anyway, I enjoyed the film, and it made me think about some stuff.
The film is about three people named Kathy (Carey Mulligan whom I don't really know much about but liked her performance), Tommy (Andrew Garfield - he's so pretty) and Ruth (Keira Knightley with her unfortunate mandible situation). As kids, the trio grew up in Hailsham, a seemingly ordinary English boarding school. The children are taught in classes, they're made to exercise, fed well and made to create art for the headmistress' gallery. But as is revealed to the children by a young new teacher, they are all destined for the same fate: they are to grow up and donate organs to sick people who need them. None of the children are likely to survive beyond their mid-twenties, as most donors "complete" after their third or fourth donation. Some may grow up to be carers of donors, which would prolong their lives for a few years, before they are inevitably made to become donors themselves and complete after a few donations. The kids aren't shocked by this news, and all accept their destiny. It turns out that the kids don't have biological parents; they have been modelled on exiting persons and created in a lab. Nothing is kept a secret, everything's out in the open and everyone just lives with the fact that this is going on.
At Hailsham, young Kathy develops feelings for young Tommy, but young Ruth gets in the way and steals him from her (passive-aggressively). They all remain friends, and when they turn 18 they move out of Hailsham and into the Cottages, where they are designated to live until they begin donating their organs. Tommy and Ruth are still a couple, and Kathy is the awkward third wheel. But you can tell that Tommy and Kathy get along really well and they have a lot more genuine affection for each other than Tommy and Ruth. They hear about the possibility of donor couples who are in love to defer donations for a few years so that they can spend some time together, but brush it off as rumours. As time goes on, Kathy becomes a carer, and Tommy and Ruth split up before they start donating their organs. They all lose touch.
Years pass by and Tommy and Ruth have completed a couple of donations. Kathy serendipitously finds out Ruth's whereabouts, and reconnects with her. The girls also track down Tommy and the three of them become reunited. They take a trip together to the coast, and Ruth apologises for having gotten between Tommy and Kathy all those years ago. She admits to having been jealous and insecure when she saw the two of them getting along so well as kids in Hailsham. To make it up to them, she gives them the information of the person to speak to about deferring donations as a couple in love. After their trip, Ruth donates for the last time and dies. Kathy and Tommy visit the woman, but it turns out that the deferrals were indeed just a rumour, and there is no way to postpone donations once a donor has begun to donate. Kathy watches Tommy on the operating table, about to donate for the last time. The film ends with Kathy reflecting on her existence and on Tommy.
So yeah, a pretty bleak story. But I thought it had some interesting themes and messages. The first was the idea of "duty before self", similar to the butler story. These characters ultimately didn't question the purpose of their lives; they accepted their role as donors without resistance. They got frustrated from time to time and tried to get around donating for a little bit, but they didn't really do anything to change their fate. Perhaps it was because they didn't know any better? Maybe they thought it was impossible for them to change the system? That their calling in life as donors was a noble thing? I thought it was sad how the characters failed to recognise that they were entitled to normal lives as well, just like the people they were donating their organs to, even though they had been created for that purpose and that purpose alone. They were still human in every sense of the word. I reckon if I had been Kathy, I would've tried to fight my very foreseeable future. I would've tried to run away or something. Maybe I'm not noble enough.
On a related point, the notion of "self-worth and identity" spoke to me. At one point in the film, Ruth thinks she has found her "original" (the person that the donors are modelled on) but after realising that this is not the case, she gets really angry and bitter, saying that they're all modelled on human trash like junkies and prostitutes. In another scene, Kathy looks through a porn magazine to try and spot her original. These characters didn't really know who they were, or what they were truly worth as individuals. They didn't realise they had souls of their own, regardless of the fact that they were created in a lab to function as donors. And I guess a relevant thematic question to the ideas of self-worth and identity is, "What does it mean to be human?"
Another concept that the film addresses is, "What does a significant life look like?" What does it mean to lead a meaningful life? Living to die for the wellbeing and happiness of others probably fits the bill. But if you have no real choice in the matter, is it still significant and meaningful? Or is it just cruel? Who are we to say that one life can be discounted for the sake of a few others?
Finally, "death" (more specifically, impending death) was also another key theme of the film. To me, the fate of the three main characters was shocking because they are all doomed to die so young. I mean, we all know that we're all going to die someday, but for most of us that thought isn't really immediate. It's a far-off, "I'll cross that bridge when I get to it" sort of thing. But for these characters, death was always a very near and real thing, despite their youth. This aspect of the film reminded me of Ecclesiastes 12:1, which says, "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, 'I find no pleasure in them.'" The movie made me think about the importance of keeping our ultimate end in mind and living faithfully, each and every day. Because if you wait until you're old and about to die, it's too late.
I did have one issue with the story though. Tommy didn't exactly reject Ruth's advances, and they did stay together for years. If he really liked Kathy he should've either never gone out with Ruth at all, or ended things sooner. I thought it was unfair how Ruth blamed herself wholly for keeping Tommy and Kathy apart.
Overall, I thought the film was pretty good. The music and cinematography were really beautiful. I'm going to read the book soon, looking forward to it.
G.
The film is about three people named Kathy (Carey Mulligan whom I don't really know much about but liked her performance), Tommy (Andrew Garfield - he's so pretty) and Ruth (Keira Knightley with her unfortunate mandible situation). As kids, the trio grew up in Hailsham, a seemingly ordinary English boarding school. The children are taught in classes, they're made to exercise, fed well and made to create art for the headmistress' gallery. But as is revealed to the children by a young new teacher, they are all destined for the same fate: they are to grow up and donate organs to sick people who need them. None of the children are likely to survive beyond their mid-twenties, as most donors "complete" after their third or fourth donation. Some may grow up to be carers of donors, which would prolong their lives for a few years, before they are inevitably made to become donors themselves and complete after a few donations. The kids aren't shocked by this news, and all accept their destiny. It turns out that the kids don't have biological parents; they have been modelled on exiting persons and created in a lab. Nothing is kept a secret, everything's out in the open and everyone just lives with the fact that this is going on.
At Hailsham, young Kathy develops feelings for young Tommy, but young Ruth gets in the way and steals him from her (passive-aggressively). They all remain friends, and when they turn 18 they move out of Hailsham and into the Cottages, where they are designated to live until they begin donating their organs. Tommy and Ruth are still a couple, and Kathy is the awkward third wheel. But you can tell that Tommy and Kathy get along really well and they have a lot more genuine affection for each other than Tommy and Ruth. They hear about the possibility of donor couples who are in love to defer donations for a few years so that they can spend some time together, but brush it off as rumours. As time goes on, Kathy becomes a carer, and Tommy and Ruth split up before they start donating their organs. They all lose touch.
Years pass by and Tommy and Ruth have completed a couple of donations. Kathy serendipitously finds out Ruth's whereabouts, and reconnects with her. The girls also track down Tommy and the three of them become reunited. They take a trip together to the coast, and Ruth apologises for having gotten between Tommy and Kathy all those years ago. She admits to having been jealous and insecure when she saw the two of them getting along so well as kids in Hailsham. To make it up to them, she gives them the information of the person to speak to about deferring donations as a couple in love. After their trip, Ruth donates for the last time and dies. Kathy and Tommy visit the woman, but it turns out that the deferrals were indeed just a rumour, and there is no way to postpone donations once a donor has begun to donate. Kathy watches Tommy on the operating table, about to donate for the last time. The film ends with Kathy reflecting on her existence and on Tommy.
So yeah, a pretty bleak story. But I thought it had some interesting themes and messages. The first was the idea of "duty before self", similar to the butler story. These characters ultimately didn't question the purpose of their lives; they accepted their role as donors without resistance. They got frustrated from time to time and tried to get around donating for a little bit, but they didn't really do anything to change their fate. Perhaps it was because they didn't know any better? Maybe they thought it was impossible for them to change the system? That their calling in life as donors was a noble thing? I thought it was sad how the characters failed to recognise that they were entitled to normal lives as well, just like the people they were donating their organs to, even though they had been created for that purpose and that purpose alone. They were still human in every sense of the word. I reckon if I had been Kathy, I would've tried to fight my very foreseeable future. I would've tried to run away or something. Maybe I'm not noble enough.
On a related point, the notion of "self-worth and identity" spoke to me. At one point in the film, Ruth thinks she has found her "original" (the person that the donors are modelled on) but after realising that this is not the case, she gets really angry and bitter, saying that they're all modelled on human trash like junkies and prostitutes. In another scene, Kathy looks through a porn magazine to try and spot her original. These characters didn't really know who they were, or what they were truly worth as individuals. They didn't realise they had souls of their own, regardless of the fact that they were created in a lab to function as donors. And I guess a relevant thematic question to the ideas of self-worth and identity is, "What does it mean to be human?"
Another concept that the film addresses is, "What does a significant life look like?" What does it mean to lead a meaningful life? Living to die for the wellbeing and happiness of others probably fits the bill. But if you have no real choice in the matter, is it still significant and meaningful? Or is it just cruel? Who are we to say that one life can be discounted for the sake of a few others?
Finally, "death" (more specifically, impending death) was also another key theme of the film. To me, the fate of the three main characters was shocking because they are all doomed to die so young. I mean, we all know that we're all going to die someday, but for most of us that thought isn't really immediate. It's a far-off, "I'll cross that bridge when I get to it" sort of thing. But for these characters, death was always a very near and real thing, despite their youth. This aspect of the film reminded me of Ecclesiastes 12:1, which says, "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, 'I find no pleasure in them.'" The movie made me think about the importance of keeping our ultimate end in mind and living faithfully, each and every day. Because if you wait until you're old and about to die, it's too late.
I did have one issue with the story though. Tommy didn't exactly reject Ruth's advances, and they did stay together for years. If he really liked Kathy he should've either never gone out with Ruth at all, or ended things sooner. I thought it was unfair how Ruth blamed herself wholly for keeping Tommy and Kathy apart.
Overall, I thought the film was pretty good. The music and cinematography were really beautiful. I'm going to read the book soon, looking forward to it.
G.
Everyone is looking for the same thing
Everyone is looking for the same thing. Regardless of their skin colour, family background, religious beliefs, political views, hobbies, interests, profession, ambitions, hopes, fears and quirks. They're all looking for the same thing.
Everyone is looking for love.
To love and be loved. To know someone inside out and still like them enough to want to be with them, and vice versa. To find happiness through love. We're wired this way. It's not a coincidence that love as a theme is central in our conversations, songs, books, films and poetry. It permeates our beings.
I hope we all find what we're looking for.
G.
Everyone is looking for love.
To love and be loved. To know someone inside out and still like them enough to want to be with them, and vice versa. To find happiness through love. We're wired this way. It's not a coincidence that love as a theme is central in our conversations, songs, books, films and poetry. It permeates our beings.
I hope we all find what we're looking for.
G.
Sunday, 16 January 2011
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
So this is the new year. And I don't feel any different.
It's 2011. I don't feel like a new person, nor have I set my New Years resolutions yet. But I do feel obliged to write up a blog post to commemorate the occasion.
I had a very pleasant New Years. I was in New York, but I didn't attend the Times Square ball drop. I didn't want to wait outside in the freezing cold for half the day, surrounded by 999,999 hyped-up tourists, probably hungry and needing to go to the bathroom but prevented from going anywhere by the sea of people, and wishing I was somewhere else for the whole time apart from the last half hour of 2010. Instead, my friends and I went to the Guggenheim, strolled through Central Park, watched "The Nutcracker", went to MoMA, enjoyed breathtaking views of New York at night time from atop the Empire State Building, had an incredible Korean feast, and drank champagne at a bar before doing the 10-second New Years countdown. Hello, 2011. Not a bad start to the year.
We did go to check out Times Square at around 2:00am. It was empty, and the ground was covered in rubbish and dirty confetti. I generally tend not to get too excited about New Years celebrations because the fuss, glitz and glamour is all fleeting and fake. I reckon the more significant part of New Years is the mindset you adopt in embracing the new year, which is embodied in the goals you set for yourself. I guess you should always strive to improve various aspects of your life regardless of whether or not it's the beginning of the year, but there is a certain meaningfulness to setting New Years resolutions: it's like you get a new start in a way.
Like I said, I haven't set my New Years resolutions yet. I'm going to say it's because I've been caught up in travelling. I'll get onto it when I return home. Last year was a joke, because I wasn't serious about the resolutions I set for myself. But I think this year it'll be different. I have a really good feeling about 2011 and I want to make realistic goals that'll set a positive tone for the whole year and provide me with tangible objectives to work towards. I did make a New Years wish though. I wrote it down on a piece of blue confetti to be placed inside the Times Square ball and released as soon as the New Years countdown was over. I guess it would've gotten trampled under thousands of feet after the big party. But I'm not going to see that as being ominous in any way. I can't tell you what I wished for; I'll let you know if it comes true.
I'm going to spend my last few days in Los Angeles on my own, and to be honest, I'm quite ready to go home. I want to enjoy the summer heat and spend time with the people I love. Man, I can't wait. So far I've not been impressed with LA: 2-hour shuttle ride from the airport to the hotel (that journey was longer than my flight here from San Francisco), scary people out on the street (I walked past this man who was yelling at passers by and talking aloud to himself), and way-too-wide roads (it takes ages to walk around). Hopefully tomorrow will be better.
Happy year of the rabbit, you guys. I hope you're able to keep your resolutions, and that any wishes you make come true. Praise be to God.
G.
I had a very pleasant New Years. I was in New York, but I didn't attend the Times Square ball drop. I didn't want to wait outside in the freezing cold for half the day, surrounded by 999,999 hyped-up tourists, probably hungry and needing to go to the bathroom but prevented from going anywhere by the sea of people, and wishing I was somewhere else for the whole time apart from the last half hour of 2010. Instead, my friends and I went to the Guggenheim, strolled through Central Park, watched "The Nutcracker", went to MoMA, enjoyed breathtaking views of New York at night time from atop the Empire State Building, had an incredible Korean feast, and drank champagne at a bar before doing the 10-second New Years countdown. Hello, 2011. Not a bad start to the year.
We did go to check out Times Square at around 2:00am. It was empty, and the ground was covered in rubbish and dirty confetti. I generally tend not to get too excited about New Years celebrations because the fuss, glitz and glamour is all fleeting and fake. I reckon the more significant part of New Years is the mindset you adopt in embracing the new year, which is embodied in the goals you set for yourself. I guess you should always strive to improve various aspects of your life regardless of whether or not it's the beginning of the year, but there is a certain meaningfulness to setting New Years resolutions: it's like you get a new start in a way.
Like I said, I haven't set my New Years resolutions yet. I'm going to say it's because I've been caught up in travelling. I'll get onto it when I return home. Last year was a joke, because I wasn't serious about the resolutions I set for myself. But I think this year it'll be different. I have a really good feeling about 2011 and I want to make realistic goals that'll set a positive tone for the whole year and provide me with tangible objectives to work towards. I did make a New Years wish though. I wrote it down on a piece of blue confetti to be placed inside the Times Square ball and released as soon as the New Years countdown was over. I guess it would've gotten trampled under thousands of feet after the big party. But I'm not going to see that as being ominous in any way. I can't tell you what I wished for; I'll let you know if it comes true.
I'm going to spend my last few days in Los Angeles on my own, and to be honest, I'm quite ready to go home. I want to enjoy the summer heat and spend time with the people I love. Man, I can't wait. So far I've not been impressed with LA: 2-hour shuttle ride from the airport to the hotel (that journey was longer than my flight here from San Francisco), scary people out on the street (I walked past this man who was yelling at passers by and talking aloud to himself), and way-too-wide roads (it takes ages to walk around). Hopefully tomorrow will be better.
Happy year of the rabbit, you guys. I hope you're able to keep your resolutions, and that any wishes you make come true. Praise be to God.
G.
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