Ponderings and Large Mammals

Huzzah! I finally finished the great presentation of doom on Wednesday! (quiet cheers as Armand lifts her hands in victory as the "Rocky" theme plays in the background) It is done! YAY!!!!! Anyway, the other night I was reading a section of C.S. Lewis' "The Silver Chair" (procrastination! shocking! gasp! falls over into a heap!) and I was interested by something that Puddleglum the Marshwiggle says. When the evil Witch has captured the four main heroes under her enchantment, and subsequently questioning their knowledge of reality (by asking them to define the sun or a lion [which they are unable to do to the Witch's satisfaction]), Puddleglum's will remains so deeply rooted in the reality he knows and recognizes as truth, that he is able to withstand the stupor that seizes the other characters. Upon breaking the Witch's enchantment Puddleglum says: "Suppose we have only dreamed, or made up, all those things--trees and grass and sun and moon and stars and Aslan himself. Suppose we have. Then all I can say is that, in that case, the made up things seem a good deal more important than the real ones. Suppose this black pit of a kingdom of yours is the only world. Well, it strikes me as a pretty poor one. And that's funny thing, when you come to think of it. We're just babies making up a game, if you're right. But four babies playing a game can make a play-world which licks your real world hollow. That's why I'm going to stand by the play-world. I'm on Aslan's side even if there isn't any Aslan to lead it. I'm going to live like a Narnian as I can even if there isn't any Narnia." What an awesome testament for the existence of a God who is so much greater and more wonderful than we could possibly imagine He could be. If we imagine Him as anything less, we are just deluding ourselves in a false reality such as the Witch's. We can believe in something and Someone so much more powerful. Just some cool stuff to think about.

And then today I went to Ryman art classes and, for the second week in a row, we walked over to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (not that far away considering that we were only at USC) to do drawings of animals. So lately I've been making the acquaintance of a rather angry looking stuffed grizzly bear. He has been a joy to draw, other than my leg falling asleep :) But it is always interesting to see the groups and families that come to the museum to see all of the exhibits. You also get lots of people either watching over your shoulder or as one group of little girls did, sit down next to you and point out that your drawing looks like the bear. :) it was pretty cute. Some children simply need to be rangled by their parents (at one point I stepped back across the room with my teacher and some children stood uncomfortably close to my drawing and the parents did nothing about it!*sigh* anyway, at another point I stepped away from my drawing to view it again and (I didn't even notice until I was walking back towards it) but a bunch of guys were standing a few feet away from it and taking pictures of my drawing with their cell phones...grrrrr......Well, I have done my venting for the day... :)

Happy St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Breastplate

I rise today:
in power's strength, invoking the Trinity,
believing in threeness,
confessing the oneness,
of Creation's Creator.
I rise today:
in the power of Christ's birth and baptism,
in the power of his crucifixion and burial,
in the power of his rising and ascending,
in the power of his descending and judging.
I rise today:
in the power of the love of Cherubim,
in the obedience of angels,
and service of the archangels,
in hope of rising to receive the award,
in the prayers of Patriarchs,
in the predictions of prophets,
in the preachings of Apostles,
in the faith of confessors,
in the innocence of holy virgins,
in the deeds of the righteous.
I rise today:
in Heavens might,
in Sun's brightness,
in Moon's radiance,
in Fire's glory,
in Lightning's quickness,
in Wind's swiftness,
in Sea's depth,
in Earth's stability,
in Rock's fixity.
I rise today:
with the power of God to pilot me,
God's strength to sustain me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look ahead for me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to protect me,
God's way before me,
God's shield to defend me,
God's host to deliver me:
from snares of devils
from evil temptations,
from nature's failings,
from all who wish to harm me,
far or near,
alone and in a crowd.
Around me I gather today all these powers:
against every cruel and merciless force,
to attack my body and soul,
against the charms of false prophets,
the black laws of paganism,
the false laws of heretics,
the deceptions of idolatry,
against spells cast by women, smiths, and druids,
and all unlawful knowledge
that harms the body and soul.
May Christ protect my today:
against poison and burning,
against drowning and wounding,
so that I may have abundant reward;
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ to the right of me, Christ to the left of me;
Christ in my lying, Christ in my sitting, Christ in my rising;
Christ in the heart of all who think of me,
Christ on the tongue of all who speak to me,
Christ in the eye of all who see me,
Christ in the ear of all who hear me.
I rise today:
in the power's strength, invoking the Trinity,
believing the threeness,
confessing the oneness,
of Creation's Creator.
For to the Lord belongs salvation,
and to the Lord belongs salvation,
and to Christ belongs salvations.
May your salvation, Lord, be with us always.

Dracula

You all need to come and see this next weekend! MUST!!!! :)

The Misses Vickers

Super Happy Fun Time!

I'd forgotten how much I love the Getty! While we were at the Getty we visited an exhibit on French Illuminations. Now, you have to understand that for Torrey I did my presentation on The Consolation of Philosophy and thus I have this sort of strange love for all things related to it. So when I saw these, I nearly jumped out of my skin!



Illustrations from a manuscript from "The Consolation of Philosophy." They are just so beautiful, and to actually see them was neat.

Muffins!!

ALGERNON
If it was my business, I wouldn't talk about it. [Begins to eat muffins.] It is very vulgar to talk about one's business. Only people like stock-brokers do that, and then merely at dinner parties.
JACK
How can you sit there, calmly eating muffins when we are in this horrible trouble, I can't make out. You seem to me to be perfectly heartless.
ALGERNON
Well, I can't eat muffins in an agitated manner. The butter would probably get on my cuffs. One should always eat muffins quite calmly. It is the only way to eat them.
JACK
I say it's perfectly heartless your eating muffins at all, under the circumstances.
ALGERNON
When I am in trouble, eating is the only thing that consoles me. Indeed, when I am in really great trouble, as any one who knows me intimately will tell you, I refuse everything except food and drink. At the present moment I am eating muffins because I am unhappy. Besides, I am particularly fond of muffins. [Rising.]
JACK
[Rising.] Well, that is no reason why you should eat them all in that greedy way. [Takes muffins from ALGERNON.]
ALGERNON
[Offering tea-cake.] I wish you would have tea-cake instead. I don't like tea-cake.
JACK
Good heavens! I suppose a man may eat his own muffins in his own garden.
ALGERNON
But you have just said it was perfectly heartless to eat muffins.
JACK
I said it was perfectly heartless of you, under the circumstances. That is a very different thing.
ALGERNON
That may be. But the muffins are the same. [He seizes the muffin-dish from JACK.]
JACK
Algy, I wish to goodness you would go.

A Poem (by me)

The call strikes and the shadows descend,
Morose, like statues they stand,
Through their faint whispers no message they send
A sea of grey tombstones upon the dead land.
The call strikes again yet no one pays heed,
No ringer required for this bell,
All come to witness the hideous deed
And see one more friend sent to hell.
One step on the grass and the earth beneath shakes
A glint from the hand blinds the eyes
Yet not from the shadows a quiver or quake
The moment before someone dies.
A footstep replies from across the straight way,
The ominous call repeats once again,
Time has come finally for one man to pay,
Two shadows face off on the plain.
How long is the wait before it begins?
The terror is strung on the air,
The final result of man's mortal sins,
All passions and hatred laid bare
Four shoulders heave as they're turned back to back
The shimmer of sweat on the brow,
Eyes bright and fierce but compassion they lack,
Sworn to murder with one solemn vow.
Each step that they take seems as long as a year
Time herself has stopped dead in her tracks,
But from the shadows no sorrow nor tear
Swiftly two shadows turn to attack.
A clear shot rings out upon the thin air
Each shadow piously lowers his head
An offers to God one silent prayer,
For the soul of the one who lays dead.
The shadows move not, but fixed in one place,
This ghastly performance now done
No grief do they feel, nor joy at the face
Of death who feels pity for none.
Feelings devoid, the shadows depart,
Leaving one victor to stand,
Nevermore beating one cold senseless heart,
The final curtain, the duel to demand.

Nerves

Oh man, yesterday I had a voice recital and I cannot tell you how nervous I was! I usually do not get nervous about performing in front of others, including when I'm performing in plays (although for Torrey I was nervous about my presentation, but perhaps that was because I was presenting an argument that I created and that my teacher and/or peers could rip apart at any moment) but for some reason I was so freaked out. However once I actually go up to the microphone to sing, all of the butterflies in my stomach suddenly disappeared and I actually had fun! *sigh* I was so happy though once I was done. I felt like I did very well and my voice teacher, my parents, and many other people in attendance said I did a good job, so I'm happy. It was also a pleasure to hear all of the other singers who did phenomenal jobs. Huzzah! Anywhoo, I went to Mater Dei on Saturday to take the SAT tests. Again, I was rather nervous, but this was partially due to the fact that 1) I was taking the SATs, 2) that it was an entirely new campus to me and I had no idea where I was supposed to be (especially since they were having another gathering on the campus, so I followed a large crowd hoping that they were taking the SATs, only to find out a little later that I was in the wrong place *sigh*). At least the atmosphere at Mater Dei was nicer than when I took the SATs at a nearby public high school where every other word was a curse or where there were obscene things written on the desk I was sitting at...yeah....well, I am in the midst of writing a poem so hopefully I will have that to post sometime soon! :)

Which Jane Austen Character Are You?

Apparently, according to a quiz that my friend Jane sent me a while ago, I am Elizabeth Bennet from "Pride & Prejudice"

The first time I took this quiz I was Marianne from "Sense and Sensibility" but after i thought about it, this did not seem to really fit my personality. So I retook the quiz (this time carefully considering each question) and I was Lizzy (which is so cool, because I really love that character). So at the request of some of my friends I am posting a link to the quiz. Which Jane Austen character are you? Find out

Like a Painful Brainfreeze

My sister and I were flipping through the channels on the television the other night while we were waiting for another show to come on and we landed on the CBS show "CSI: Miami." I apologize in advance to anyone who reads this and loves to watch that show, because...well.....
First off, the colors of the show are so overpowering. Everything has a bright orange or yellow tint, but I assume that this is to give the impression that it is hot outside. Still, it almost gives you a headache to watch. We came in about five minutes late, just as the main detective "Horatio Caine" arrived at the scene of the murder. And, I must say I could not help but laugh! A the beginning of EVERY episode, he comes in, asks the coroner some questions, takes his hip sunglasses off, says something dramatic and "profound", puts the sunglasses back on, says something else dramatic and then swoops out of the shot. I cannot comment too much about the other actors on the show (we kept changing channels), but it gave me great pleasure when the entire cast met at the end of the episode and sauntered off into the sunset. I place this in comparison to my current favorite television show (that is still on the air) Numb3rs (CBS, Fridays at 10:00pm).
This show, also a crime-solving show, has good character development; you discover that you can relate to the faults and strengths of each of them. The acting on this show (including even the more minor characters) is great, and the best thing, it actually makes math INTERESTING!!! I know, weird huh...Anywhooo... I just thought I would share my dislike for CSI: Miami and my love for Numb3rs. :)

From Monet to Magritte

Today for my 17th birthday, I went see an exhibit at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art featuring Rene Magritte (and several other modern artists). It was so amazing!! It was wonderful to see so many masterpieces that I had only viewed in text books and to be introduced to many new artists throughout the couse of the exhibit.

"The Red Model"

and
"Le Domaine d'Arnheim"

My sister, father and I then walked throught the permanent collection, which included works by Monet, Sargent, Degas, and Cezanne. It nearly took my breath away! The people in the museum must have thought me to be a little strange because I would either be gasping in awe or smiling and clasping my hands with glee. :)

Grooveage!!!!!

Isn't it so much fun to turn the music in the car up loud and goove as you drive to your desired destination? Yes? But isn't is so much more fun when you have the people in the cars next to you starring and laughing at you while you're doing it? Hey, I don't care what they think. At least it gets people to smile! :)

Music Moves to a Crescendo....

I went to a concert on Saturday. And no, I didn't go and see a band. Rather I went to a night of wonderful classical music hosted by California State University at Fullerton and performed by the University Symphony Orchestra. My violin teacher was performing and my father and I went to go and see her play. Besides the University orchestra, they also had a guest star, a world renown clarinet player by the name of Richard Stoltzman, who played a clarinet concerto by Aaron Copland. It was a very strange piece; shifting between dark and moody to very jazzy movements. The full orchestra began the night with the opening theme to Star Wars and closed it with the end theme. I must say that I love Star Wars and I also greatly admire the musical achievements of John Williams, who along with James Newton Howard, I believe to be among the greatest composers of the cinematic genre. Williams' music is larger than life and, for me, invokes a feeling of triumph or heroism. There was one piece in particular though, that both my father and I loved. It was Fingal's Cave Overture (the Hebrides), Op. 26 by Mendelssohn. When I glanced over at my father during the course of the piece I thought he was falling asleep. I soon discovered that he was actually so enraptured by the beauty of the music, he had shut his eyes to better enjoy its elegant strains.

After a short intermission, we listened to an entire symphony by Antonin Dvorak (Symphony 9 in E minor) which is so gorgeous and made me incredibly happy to listen to (especially knowing the main theme from the second movement on my violin). I thoroughly enjoyed the evening, for I have not been to a concert in a long time and have been listening to too much rock and roll and soundtracks recently :) But after such a concert, I wonder why many people, including myself, do not listen to classical music more often. The passions and emotions that are invoked by classical and orchestral music are incredibly strong and powerful, and the beauty of the music itself is so stunning, it is difficult for me to see why people do not appreciate it and the great composers of the classical genre more. Music is such a wonderful way to express praise for God and express the beauty of His creation. *sigh* I hope to be going to more concerts and hearing my violin teacher play in the near future.

Empty Lines

Lady Philosophy

I finished Consolation of Philosophy yesterday. It is an incredibly eloquent book and presents many ideas to ponder and discuss with others. One of the main themes throughout this book is the futility of worldly fame and wealth. Mankind struggles to attain these worldly pleasures, but individuals must recognize that these ideas and goals are hollow and cannot bring fulfillment. However I believe Lady Philosophy tells it best when she declares to Boethius:
"Alas, what wretched ignorance leads
Mankind on paths astray!
Who looks on spreading boughs for gold,
On vines for jewels gay?
What man sets nets on mountain-tops
For feasts of rich sea food?
What huntsman has the wild goat
Upon the sea pursued?
The very ocean's depths men know
Beaneath the waves on high;
They know which strand is rich with pearls,
Which shores with purple dye;
They know the bays for tender fish,
For shellfish where to try.
But in their blindness they do not know
Where lies the good they seek:
That which is higher than the sky
On earth below they seek.
What can I wish you foolish men?
Wealth and fame pursue,
And when great toil wins false reward,
Then may you see the true!"

May Christ allow us to see the truth in Him.

Blood Red

Upon the advice of a friend, I have decided to post some of my poetry. I don't believe it to be exceptionally brilliant but feel free to give me your opinions. : )

The soft feather like a spark aflame within her bright silken hair,
Creates a luminous aura about her head,
The gay spark’s color made with Divine care
Flowing blood red.
Her sweet and gentle laughter alights and flies above in the sky
As she finds the lovely roses in their soft bed,
In the gentle breeze their petals all cry
Flowing blood red.
As a keen nymph in the forest she utters a beautiful song
She listens to the brook and hears all that it’s said,
Its rust moss is breaking out to prolong
Flowing blood red.
Once she’s away from the celestial essence of the forest
The bleak gray town around her appears to be dead,
Her dress is a brushstroke that’s Heaven blessed
Flowing blood red.
The earth beneath her sinks and then bounces up with each new small step
The tough and barren soil of New England she treads,
Rain comes and melts the terra cotta earth
Flowing blood red.
The radiant colors dance in the darkened sky above the town
As the ink like rain in her light clothing embed,
The color is gushing out of her gown
Flowing blood red.
The drops of rain fall from her wet hair like diamonds from the deep earth
But land in the puddles like light pebbles instead,
Giving the clay earth’s small rivers new birth
Flowing blood red.
The rain begins to slowly stop and then the black night sky is clear
She dances on the flame hued leaves the trees have shed,
They continue falling like water clear
Flowing blood red.
The long day has come to an end and she swings open wide the door
Quick is she to don a nightgown and day dress shed,
Leaving a long scarlet trail on the floor
Flowing blood red.
When her mother sings her to sleep she catches a glint of gold
From the ornament on her bosom she’s reread,
‘A’ letter on her bosom burning bold
Flowing blood red.

*sigh*

I spend almost all day reading. By late afternoon, my mind was getting tired and my mind wandered off as I began to procrastinate (not such a great thing). My eye immediately leapt to my bookshelf where I picked up a copy of one of my favorite books. It was Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. May I say that if you have not had the chance to read this book, please do so. Not only does it give you lots to think about but it is beautifully written. In short, it is about a future where it is illegal for citizens to read books and teaches the people to believe that books are unhealthy for the mind. Thus, firefighters no longer work to put fires out, but instead hunt for the books that people hide and systematically burn them. The story circulates around one particular firefighter named Guy Montag. He grapples with all the ideas that the government has indoctrinated him with. Montag finally discovers the beauty of reading and the freedom it affords to human beings. Once the government discovers that he has been secretly reading and hoarding books, he is forced to run for his life into the wood where he meets up with "The Book People," a band of citizens who have escaped the city and have memorized books. I find it very interesting that Bradbury chooses to have Montag memorize Ecclesiastes and Revelations... This book really gives you so much to think about. I mean, I can't even imagine a world without books, can you? It is such a frightening thought.
p.s. I don't necessarily reccomend the 1960's film adaptation of the book. It is done in traditional 60's styles (gotta love the furniture!) However, the play version (also written by Bradbury) is very good. And hopefully the new film version which comes out in February of next year will be good!

So Amazing.....

Two of my good friends, Steeny and Sarah created this smacking awesome comic the other week. May your sides split.

Hello All!

I acquired my blog last week but I've been busy and thus I have not been able to post. It's hard to know where to begin and what to say, so be prepared for my nonsensical ravings, contemplations, quotes and funny or interesting photographs...Hope you enjoy!

Quote of the Blog

"In western lands beneath the Sun the flowers may rise in Spring,
the trees may bud, the waters run, the merry finches sing.
Or there maybe 'tis cloudless night and swaying beeches bear
the Elven-stars as jewels white, amid their branching hair.
Though here at journey's end I lie in darkness buried deep,
beyond all towers strong and high, beyond all moutains steep,
above all shadows rides the Sun, and Stars for ever dwell:
I will not say the Day is done, nor bid the Stars farewell."
--Samwise Gamgee