Morning Mummy...
My Mummy has the best bolster... Hopefully she doesn't see me snagging it too *shifty eyes*
Me, on Mummy's lap.
Deep in thought.
Here's a big smile for you, Mummy...
The babies are luscious, adorable little darlings.
P/S: I want my own little Atticus Riley and Maia Sybella. I am so counting the days... *chuckles*
Note: I am not a difficult person to please, I just have high expectations.
Review no.1: Angels and Demons
I looked forward for this movie, because I liked the book, very much. It was a literary masterpiece if you asked me, next to The Da Vinci Code.
I went for the movie with a friend, and throughout the drive back, I was left explaining the why-s and what-s.
The crucial parts were left out, the plot was flawed, making the movie predictable and uninteresting.
For example, the executions of the four cardinals. I remember them (according to the book) with much more gore (not that I watch horror movies, I despise them. I watched ONCE when I was much younger and I was frightened, to my very marrow. I will tell you my life's story some other day.) and the chase to stop the deluded murderer was much more intense. The movie concentrated so much on Robert Langdon explaining that the pursuit to stop the perpetrator was shrunk to the last 10mins.
The nerve they had to categorize this movie as 18PL. *shakes head in disgust* Unbelievably pathetic.
Rating: 2.5/5
Review no. 2: Night At The Museum 2 - Battle Of The Smithsonian
I recalled laughing, a considerable amount, during this movie. The jokes were not too great (Great would be Bill Maher or Steve Martin), it was alright.
This was meant to be a light-hearted watch, squeeze a few laughs out of you and that's about it. (Seriously, artifacts coming to life at the stroke of midnight? Very Cinderella-ish if you ask me.)
However, I thought that the singing cherubic angels were adorable. So adorable.
Rating: 3/5
That's right, I am publicly declaring it.
I am wrapped in a coccoon of love, my relationship brought to a new level of commitment and it is safe to say, my heart is not only flooded but it is overflowing with love.
I not only want to be faithful to You alone all the days of my life - I want You, all of You. This life I am living, it is worth nothing if it is not spent serving You. Serving you is not a sacrifice, but it is a pleasure. It is never a burden, it is a joy.
---------------
"One thing I ask of the Lord
This is what I seek
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to seek Him in His temple.
For in the day of trouble
He will keep me safe in His dwelling
He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock
Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me
At His tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy
I will sing and make music to the Lord."
Psalm 27:4-6 (New International Version)
---------------
I am at a loss for words, words justifiably do not suffice, will never do. What can I say? I am a woman in love, in love with love Himself, not where I can go to be loved, Love is Him.
Ahhh, nothing in the world, here or beyond, could beat this...
P/S: My dearest Worship team,
It has always been my heart's quest to bring a new sound to heaven, the sound of His worshippers raising up an anthem of praise to Him, with arms stretched and hearts abandoned, to be found just lost in loving Him.
Last Sunday, that was the prelude. I am believing Him for immeasurably more than I could ever ask or imagine, looking forward for the greater days ahead, serving alongside you.
Thank you. I love and believe in all of you.
Girl: *thinks to herself* I am the luckiest girl alive to have such a guy. He loves me to bits, despite my imperfections.
At a corner, two other girls gossipping over cups of coffee watches the above girl (slightly heavy, pleasant-faced rather than strikingly pretty) with a hunk (tall, dark and handsome, the works). They bend low and the following conversation develops.
Girl A: OH. MY. GOODNESS... Total babe at your nine o'clock.
Girl B: *turns around* *starts to hyperventilate* *fans self* He is so totally drop-dead gorgeous. What is that pudgy thing doing walking arm-in-arm with him?
Girl A: Are you blind? Isn't it obvious? She is his girlfriend, of course. My heart is crushed to a thousand bits and pieces. *clutches heart and moans loudly*
Girl B: That guy has got issues. Can't he see that there are more desirable women in the world? Heck, even the back of my heels look better than her. Plus, that arm of hers? It's the size of my thighs, both glued together.
---------------
Sound all too familiar? I am convinced, 'Love is blind' is a catchall phrase, used so often that its meaning has been degraded and tarnished.
At a corner, two other girls gossipping over cups of coffee watches the above girl (slightly heavy, pleasant-faced rather than strikingly pretty) with a hunk (tall, dark and handsome, the works). They bend low and the following conversation develops.
Girl A: OH. MY. GOODNESS... Total babe at your nine o'clock.
Girl B: *turns around* *starts to hyperventilate* *fans self* He is so totally drop-dead gorgeous. What is that pudgy thing doing walking arm-in-arm with him?
Girl A: Are you blind? Isn't it obvious? She is his girlfriend, of course. My heart is crushed to a thousand bits and pieces. *clutches heart and moans loudly*
Girl B: That guy has got issues. Can't he see that there are more desirable women in the world? Heck, even the back of my heels look better than her. Plus, that arm of hers? It's the size of my thighs, both glued together.
Girl A: *sighs dramatically* Love is blind...
---------------
Sound all too familiar? I am convinced, 'Love is blind' is a catchall phrase, used so often that its meaning has been degraded and tarnished.
Where I am concerned, there is no such thing.
There is, however, choosing to love blindly (read: Choosing).
To throw in another recommendation, I think I have a better, more appropriate phrase for the above scenario, it is called choosing to love unconditionally.
One too many times, we equate loving blindly to loving unconditionally. Or, I believe that most are just unaware of the existence of the latter.
Point to highlight here is, the illustration (For the record, I do not speak like that. I find it most improper, and bimbotic to converse in such a manner.) was to emphasise and make a distinguishment, between loving blindly and loving unconditionally.
To love unconditionally is to love someone for who he/she is on the inside, loving them for the very core of their soul, beyond physical attractions and worldly possessions. To love unconditionally is to love with reckless abandon, forsaking your own wants and making your loved one's desires your own. To love unconditionally is to want to spend your days with that person because you know in your heart, you have met your other half. That person who brings out the best in you, the person who goes through the roughest waves of life with you and emerges through it soaked wet and drained, but still clenching your hand in his.
Ultimately, it is the person whom God has ordained for you, and you know it.
Contrary to popular belief (or rather, misinformation), to love unconditionally is not to overlook flaws, to ensconce in a fantasy bubble of happily-ever-after, two perfect kids, a perfect cat and dog with Prince Charming.
In loving unconditionally, it is to realise that to love a person is to love him/her as a whole; not ignoring the bad, but embracing the good.
I was with someone who loved me on days where I was flying on a foul mood, days where I had a huge pimple sticking out (from my already pepperoni pizza-like face), days before I discovered the magical powers of a good foundation and concealer, days before I discovered the Holy Grail of make-up items: the MASCARA, days where a huge argument would ensue and I would give him the cold treatment for days, days when I would don the most hideous or plain clothes.
He loved me not only on the good days, he loved me even more so on the not-so-good days.
That, is not blind love my Dear Readers, it is unconditional love.
Whereas, to love blindly is to be carried in a faraway fantasy of a bed of roses relationship, where only fun and fun alone is welcomed. Anything else would be considered vile. To love blindly is to love without wanting any ties of commitment. To love blindly is loving for temporal purposes such as companionship and once the novelty wears off, the search for another takes place. To love blindly is to be immersed in infatuation. To love blindly is to place yourself on intended jeopardy, at the expense of your career, family or hurting the other party (and yourself) as the aftermath. (Note: This is disparate, worlds apart from fighting for what you believe in. I would explain it in another piece.)
While loving blindly, the mind's default mode would be on cloud nine, where everything would just seem like (to borrow from Powerpuff Girls) sugar, spice and everything nice.
The moment reality hits and it usually hits hard, your divorce lawyers are the happiest people alive, and the shoulder (and ears) of your faithful friend lent to cry on (the one you have deserted, while being so engrossed playing house or model future daughter-in-law) becomes your most treasured belonging.
I think the biggest difference between blind love and unconditional love is this: Blind love offers fleeting joy and comfort, unconditional love offers both joy and comfort, assurance and most importantly, security (Not in monetary terms, but more valuably, emotional terms.) for a lifetime.
There is, however, choosing to love blindly (read: Choosing).
To throw in another recommendation, I think I have a better, more appropriate phrase for the above scenario, it is called choosing to love unconditionally.
One too many times, we equate loving blindly to loving unconditionally. Or, I believe that most are just unaware of the existence of the latter.
Point to highlight here is, the illustration (For the record, I do not speak like that. I find it most improper, and bimbotic to converse in such a manner.) was to emphasise and make a distinguishment, between loving blindly and loving unconditionally.
To love unconditionally is to love someone for who he/she is on the inside, loving them for the very core of their soul, beyond physical attractions and worldly possessions. To love unconditionally is to love with reckless abandon, forsaking your own wants and making your loved one's desires your own. To love unconditionally is to want to spend your days with that person because you know in your heart, you have met your other half. That person who brings out the best in you, the person who goes through the roughest waves of life with you and emerges through it soaked wet and drained, but still clenching your hand in his.
Ultimately, it is the person whom God has ordained for you, and you know it.
Contrary to popular belief (or rather, misinformation), to love unconditionally is not to overlook flaws, to ensconce in a fantasy bubble of happily-ever-after, two perfect kids, a perfect cat and dog with Prince Charming.
In loving unconditionally, it is to realise that to love a person is to love him/her as a whole; not ignoring the bad, but embracing the good.
I was with someone who loved me on days where I was flying on a foul mood, days where I had a huge pimple sticking out (from my already pepperoni pizza-like face), days before I discovered the magical powers of a good foundation and concealer, days before I discovered the Holy Grail of make-up items: the MASCARA, days where a huge argument would ensue and I would give him the cold treatment for days, days when I would don the most hideous or plain clothes.
He loved me not only on the good days, he loved me even more so on the not-so-good days.
That, is not blind love my Dear Readers, it is unconditional love.
Whereas, to love blindly is to be carried in a faraway fantasy of a bed of roses relationship, where only fun and fun alone is welcomed. Anything else would be considered vile. To love blindly is to love without wanting any ties of commitment. To love blindly is loving for temporal purposes such as companionship and once the novelty wears off, the search for another takes place. To love blindly is to be immersed in infatuation. To love blindly is to place yourself on intended jeopardy, at the expense of your career, family or hurting the other party (and yourself) as the aftermath. (Note: This is disparate, worlds apart from fighting for what you believe in. I would explain it in another piece.)
While loving blindly, the mind's default mode would be on cloud nine, where everything would just seem like (to borrow from Powerpuff Girls) sugar, spice and everything nice.
The moment reality hits and it usually hits hard, your divorce lawyers are the happiest people alive, and the shoulder (and ears) of your faithful friend lent to cry on (the one you have deserted, while being so engrossed playing house or model future daughter-in-law) becomes your most treasured belonging.
I think the biggest difference between blind love and unconditional love is this: Blind love offers fleeting joy and comfort, unconditional love offers both joy and comfort, assurance and most importantly, security (Not in monetary terms, but more valuably, emotional terms.) for a lifetime.
OH. MY. GOODNESS...
*pants*
I had to catch my breath after listening to him. By God, it was unbelievable, surreal.
The hairs on my back were on frigid mode, gallantly standing, a proclamation to the goosebumps I had all over me.
I am gonna listen to it all over again, be blown away, and I hope this time there won't be any more tears welling up in my eyes.
(I tried hard, but the water works trickled down my cheeks. I tilted my head backwards even, to blink back the tears, I couldn't help it.)
Being away on a road trip and spending some quality time with the people I love is refreshing, blissful and relished.
However, I was very much burdened to write a piece on religion, for whatever the reason it is not made known to me yet. It was on me throughout the three days, like a niggling itch on my back where I cannot reach.
To those of you who have been readers of Chatty Lass (and for any new visitors who are observant enough), I think I have made my religion no secret, devoting 19 articles to it thus far.
I am not going to shout on the mountain tops that Christianity is the way to go, bashing up other religions along the way, nor am I going to insist on converting you by laying out the goodness and 'benefits' of what I believe in.
To make things clear, my belief is not based on what I can gain or stand to benefit, it is way more than all of those selfish desires. More on that later.
In my opinion, I think that religion consists (or should consist) of a balance between objective truth and subjective experience. One cannot exist without the other.
If any person (or teachings in a religion, for that matter) has tried to convince you that by being careful to adhere to all the laws and fulfill all the requirements in a revered Holy Book, you are indubitably granted full access to heaven, I would suggest to you that you are most probably not gonna end up there anyways.
Why? Because we are humans. Laws and rules are meant to confine us within a certain parameter, shape us as decent people with intrinsic values. Every once in awhile, we falter and we get sidetracked. That does not mean we should be damned to hell. It is not, at any point, meant to be the central basis of who we are.
Likewise, good works alone are never enough to place us on a sure road to eternal bliss. Why? Same case scenario will happen, a day will come where tiredness and weariness supersedes everything else.
Now, why should religion maintain an equilibrium of truth and personal experiences?
I will state my reasons laced with examples.
If a religion was made up of 100% objective truth, or based very strongly on teachings alone, the world will have a rapid influx of Pharisees (or Yahudi, for Islams).
If a religion's fundamentals are from 100% subjective experiences (or again, based strongly on that), self-made interpretations or claims for self-gratification will occur.
I may seem harsh or cynical here, but I believe what I am saying is the truth, nothing less and nothing more.
On my part, what I believe in, it is not religion to me. Theoretically, when I am asked of my religion, a Christian will be my reply.
Declarations of love for my Saviour are never for the sake of religious requirements, because the focal point of my belief is not as a religion, it is a relationship of love. That is how it is to me.
It transcends all the selfish desires and self motives, I am able to write the 19 articles because He is my life testament.
A religion should never be just teachings, requiring of you to be better. It should compel you to want to be better, not out of fear and trepidation, but out of love.
However, I was very much burdened to write a piece on religion, for whatever the reason it is not made known to me yet. It was on me throughout the three days, like a niggling itch on my back where I cannot reach.
To those of you who have been readers of Chatty Lass (and for any new visitors who are observant enough), I think I have made my religion no secret, devoting 19 articles to it thus far.
I am not going to shout on the mountain tops that Christianity is the way to go, bashing up other religions along the way, nor am I going to insist on converting you by laying out the goodness and 'benefits' of what I believe in.
To make things clear, my belief is not based on what I can gain or stand to benefit, it is way more than all of those selfish desires. More on that later.
In my opinion, I think that religion consists (or should consist) of a balance between objective truth and subjective experience. One cannot exist without the other.
If any person (or teachings in a religion, for that matter) has tried to convince you that by being careful to adhere to all the laws and fulfill all the requirements in a revered Holy Book, you are indubitably granted full access to heaven, I would suggest to you that you are most probably not gonna end up there anyways.
Why? Because we are humans. Laws and rules are meant to confine us within a certain parameter, shape us as decent people with intrinsic values. Every once in awhile, we falter and we get sidetracked. That does not mean we should be damned to hell. It is not, at any point, meant to be the central basis of who we are.
Likewise, good works alone are never enough to place us on a sure road to eternal bliss. Why? Same case scenario will happen, a day will come where tiredness and weariness supersedes everything else.
Now, why should religion maintain an equilibrium of truth and personal experiences?
I will state my reasons laced with examples.
If a religion was made up of 100% objective truth, or based very strongly on teachings alone, the world will have a rapid influx of Pharisees (or Yahudi, for Islams).
If a religion's fundamentals are from 100% subjective experiences (or again, based strongly on that), self-made interpretations or claims for self-gratification will occur.
I may seem harsh or cynical here, but I believe what I am saying is the truth, nothing less and nothing more.
On my part, what I believe in, it is not religion to me. Theoretically, when I am asked of my religion, a Christian will be my reply.
Declarations of love for my Saviour are never for the sake of religious requirements, because the focal point of my belief is not as a religion, it is a relationship of love. That is how it is to me.
It transcends all the selfish desires and self motives, I am able to write the 19 articles because He is my life testament.
A religion should never be just teachings, requiring of you to be better. It should compel you to want to be better, not out of fear and trepidation, but out of love.
Blah
After the image overhaul,
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
When in doubt, add colour. =)
I am a cheerful person, usually, and only when situations have grated on my nerves am I a sarcastic and furious lass, ranting relentlessly.
But, I always remember to keep my anger in check, my heart in the right place.
Life throws curveballs all the time, it is how we respond to it which determines the person that we are. Either, a respectable person with values implanted so deep that waivering is not an option or a person who gives way to cowardice, whose life is dictated by the words of others.
You take your pick.
Lessons we can all benefit from:
But, I always remember to keep my anger in check, my heart in the right place.
Life throws curveballs all the time, it is how we respond to it which determines the person that we are. Either, a respectable person with values implanted so deep that waivering is not an option or a person who gives way to cowardice, whose life is dictated by the words of others.
You take your pick.
Lessons we can all benefit from:
- Wisdom and maturity does not come with age
(Well, in some instances)
Just because an individual has lived a couple of years or so more, does not automatically result in him or her possessing wisdom and maturity. I have come across some who are pretty young, but with way more maturity than some of the older ones put together.
Thing is, immaturity shows the lack of character in a person. That is how I would surmise it. - Life is not meant for making impressions.
Many times, good impressions. To me, I live by (to borrow from movie Yours, Mine and Ours), 'Life is not meant for good impressions, it is for freedom of expression'.
Simply translating to, you do not have to bust your butt trying to impress people higher up the food chain. The minute you try to be someone other than yourself, you lose life's essence: your individuality, the foremost thing that makes you unique. - Live not to be a legend, live to leave a legacy.
The above is also one of my other life mantras.
When I am in that 4' x 8' box, I do not want to be remembered as the person who studied hard, achieved good grades and was the daughter every person alive (pun intended) wish to have.
I want to be remembered as a person who was a character of her own, a paladin for values and principles I held onto, enriching the lives of those whom I've come across, while never forsaking my ultimate goal: Championing the cause of Christ Jesus' kingdom.
Albert Einstein died a genius, heralded as a legend. I think that Mother Teresa's legacy trumps over his brilliant brain, on any given day.
Applied to my situation, the name I am leaving behind might not be synonymous with cleverness and good works, but hopefully it is symetrical with having lived life to its fullest. - Fake pretence gets you virtually nowhere in life.
Once the novelty of it wears off, that is. According to today's breed of homo sapiens, that happens pretty soon.
Unless you are prepared for a life where you would be honeying your every word, lying in fact through clenched teeth, I would suggest for you to start being honest. - Don't be a dyed-in-the-wool, sore loser.
There are some days you win, some days give others a chance. Heck, it is not even wrong to throw in a raincheck every now and then.
Besides, is it all that nice being Ms or Mr Perfect all the time? Forever getting a perfect CGPA score?
Because from what I see, and hear (from impeccable sources), it can be quite lonely at the top.
P/S: While completing this piece, my fume died down. Writing is therapeutic.
For starters, I do not read graphic novels (a term I coin for comics). I am not a fan of them, and I know hardly any worthy information enough to carry off a conversation with any graphic novel fan.
If I have to be dead honest, the only reason I decided to catch this movie is because of the stellar cast. My gaze and concentration were particularly locked on Hugh Jackman for pretty much the entire movie. But, I think he is facing rather stiff competition in maintaining dominion over my bawling for him. There is a new contender, who made me go all moony: His name is Taylor, Taylor Kitsch (That's him right there *points to the poster*, second from left)
I shall stop my perverse ramblings, though my legs are still in a Jell-O state (Stunning physique, to-die-for looks and pleasing accent, twice over. How much better can my day get?) and get straight to the point (I am usually pertinent, so cut me some slack today, alright? *smiles*)
I think, it is not a bad film. Really. It is better than X-Men: The Last Stand, by a mile. However, the riding of the plot could be well improved (The climax took long enough to come, I had to wait till the last 40mins.). It didn't kick in the breathless feeling I get when I watch a superb movie, where I would exit the cinema going, "Wow! That was amazing. Let's go watch it again...".
Giving kudos where it is due, I will hand it to the spectacular visual effects (except Wolverine's bones-turned-adamantium claws. They looked fake.).
Overall, an action-packed movie with some dry jokes, under-developed cast and good graphics.
Rating: 3/5
