Don't-See Movie

I saw Ridley Scott's Kingdom of Heaven last week for class... and it was terrible. Except for Orlando Bloom being rather good-looking, I saw few other redeeming aspects about the film. It is full of action, special effects and gore, but lacks in substance and plot. It's not believable and tries too hard to be politically correct (thus compromising the storyline).

If you've already seen this movie, I'm curious what you thought about it. If you haven't seen it, don't bother.

Poppies Are in Full Bloom

Since late October, I've been seeing poppies pinned to people's lapels. At first, I thought, "How cute. Someone must be making these poppies." Then, it dawned upon me that they must have some sort of significance.

Instead of quietly looking this up on the internet, I embarrassed myself by asking someone. I received a strange look as if the word "Ignorant" had suddenly been tattooed across my forehead. However, I was kindly (almost patronizingly) told that the poppies were symbolic of Canada's upcoming Remembrance Day (November 11).

But how did they come about? And why? That's when I decided that I better use the technology God so graciously gave me... Wikipedia! This is what Wikipedia has to say about the poppies:

The poppy of wartime remembrance is the red corn poppy, Papaver rhoeas. This poppy is a common weed in Europe and is found in many locations, including Flanders Fields. This is because the corn poppy was one of the only plants that grew on the battlefield. It thrives in disturbed soil, which was abundant on the battlefield due to intensive bombing. During the few weeks the plant blossomed, the battlefield was colored blood red, not just from the red flower that grew in great numbers but also from the actual blood of the dead soldiers and civilians that lay scattered and untended to on the otherwise barren battlegrounds. Thus the plant became a symbol for the dead World War I soldiers.

I also found a beautiful poem written by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae for his friend, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, who died during World War I.

IN FLANDERS FIELDS

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

It made me think about Veterans Day in America (primarily in Los Angeles). Yes, we claim to support our soldiers and to remember those who died on the battlefield protecting our freedom. Yet, do we really? Or do we merely celebrate the day because there is no work/school, there are sales at the mall or there is an opportunity to take a weekend vacation? Have we forgotten our armed forces? Have we forgotten the men and women who put their lives on the line everyday so that we can enjoy our liberty?

By no means am I saying that we ought to adopt the symbolism of the poppy flowers (since U.S. soldiers were not on Flanders Fields), but I think we definitely should be more supportive of our soldiers. Why do we cry out against their efforts? Why do we belittle their lives? God has blessed us immensely with these brave men and women, and we ought to lift them up in prayer instead of rallying against them.

I may be physically in Canada at the moment, but I am American at heart.

Will you join me (wherever you may be) on November 11 as I kneel down to pray for our soldiers?

Father-Child Moments

There's something about father-child moments

that always bring a smile and a tear.

During a study break this afternoon, I watched the movie A Walk to Remember. It is a love story of a young couple, and it is a touching storyline. But I was most emotional during moments between Jamie and her dad, and between Landon and his dad. The fathers were not perfect and were not always good at showing love, but when the father and child saw eye-to-eye on matters of the heart, I couldn't help but smile and shed a few tears at the same time.

Perhaps it's nostalgia. Perhaps it's knowing that I'll never get to live those moments.

I will always miss my dad. And I will always long for more memories... more father-daughter moments. Like a little girl, I will always dream of having my dad walk me down the aisle. But in my heart, I know that I am blessed because I had such a wonderful father. Our time together was a mere 15 years, but the simple memories are branded in my heart forever.

Although I want to say that God took my dad away too soon, I know that it is not true. God took him in His perfect timing. I was not left fatherless. God is my Father, and I know with full certainty that He will never forsake me (Joshua 1:5) and will be with me wherever I go (Joshua 1:9).

Thank you, Dad, for being such a great father.
Thanks for the memories.

Thank you, God, for being my Father. Amen.

Must-See Movie

I just saw an awesome film for class last night. I highly recommend it to everyone (except maybe little kids). It's an old movie, but it's so good. I won't dwell on the details, but you should definitely try to see it. It's so powerful.

Roland Joffé's The Mission.

For me to recommend a movie is a HUGE deal. I'm not a movie buff. In fact, I have a tendency to fall asleep during movies, but I stayed wide awake for this entire movie (even though I was exhausted). If anyone sees it or has already seen it, I would love to hear your comments on it.

The Strike is Over!

Follow-up to "I Miss Trash Day!" on October 3, 2007.

Despite last week's speculation that the Vancouver civic strike would last into 2008, the two sides actually came to terms yesterday. Trash pick-up will be reinstated! Yippee! Check out article for details.

Home

This past weekend, I went back to Los Angeles. As the plane descended into LAX, I started getting teary-eyed and sniffly. I think I worried the Australian guy sitting next to me. Then the conversation went something like this:

• Aussie: Are you okay?
• Me (in between sniffles): I just love LA.
• Aussie: But it's so smoggy and polluted.
• Me: Yah, but it's home. (sniffle, sniffle)

It was a wonderful trip back home. I didn't tell most people that I was heading back home because I knew that my time was limited and I had to reserve most of it for family, errands and studying. However, I did get to spend some quality time with Ricky, Tammy, Jimmy, Grace, Danette, Grandma Martha, Karen, and Debbie. It was great! And I enjoyed many people telling me that I looked thinner... feeds the female ego.

I was also able to attend Delta Fellowship on Friday night (photo safari in Alhambra) and CEFC on Sunday morning. As much as I like the church I'm currently attending in Vancouver, CEFC will always be my home church, especially because I was attending before I was even born. It was so nice walking into church, understanding the architectural layout and knowing most of the people there.


For those who I did not get to see and/or who did not even know I was in town, I'm very sorry. I hope to see more people when I return to LA in December.

I arrived back in Vancouver very late last night (nearly midnight). And I woke up this morning at 7:00AM with a fever and nausea. I'm feeling a little better now, but I'm worried about being sick. Please pray for me.

For a good laugh, check out the video below of two Deltans dancing in Alhambra. (Should I post it on YouTube?)

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!

Today is Canadian Thanksgiving! This weekend was the first time I ever celebrated this holiday. On both Saturday and Sunday, I was privileged to share Thanksgiving dinners with some of my extended family. Although I am not Canadian, I still found the weekend to be very meaningful. Here are a few things for which I'm thankful today:

• The opportunity to learn more about God at Regent College.
• Extended family... especially my cousins (and their significant others) here in Vancouver who have made my move easier, and my aunt and uncle from Victoria who have made me feel so welcomed here.
• Friends and family from California (and other parts) who have kept me in their prayers and thoughts during this new stage in life.
• New friends whom I have met during my brief time here so far.
• Health. Even though my health is not as I wish it to be, I have been feeling better here than I was while working in California.
• God's love and faithfulness. During moments of loneliness, anxiety and frustration, He has shown me, in little and big ways, that He has not forgotten about me. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged., for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

So, altogether now... let's sing... "O Canada..." Too bad I (as well as many Canadians) don't know the lyrics. But I promise to learn them before I move back to LA.

What are you thankful for today?