From Mao to Mozart

So, I watched this awe-inspiring video called Mao to Mozart which is a documentary of Isaac Stern's visit to China.

You can watch it HERE.

In any case, I found the part where they talked about the cultural revolution especially interesting since my parents actually went through that. It's ironic that the movement is supposed to keep China focused on its own, inner culture, yet by the end of it, nothing really remained. There's no preservation of China's own culture nor is there growth in China's understanding of western culture.

It depresses me so much to see so many talented kids who are just so technical. It's like they don't even understand the meaning of music - and it's not that they can't understand it, but they're just raised to believe that technical skills reign supreme. And although this problem is better in this day and age, it's still very prevalent. I just suddenly feel so...thankful that Isaac Stern visited China. I think it's just such a wonderful opportunity for all those people

'Til Next Time

TM

PS: Visit here and here for a wonderful music blogs.

Cultural Gap

There are some people who immigrated out of their country when they're so young that they don't remember. Then there are those who left their country when they're well into their 20s and 30s. There are struggles in either case. For those who came early, they will identify with their immigrated country. Parents worry and are often disappointed with their children's lack of native culture. But for those who came when they're in their mid 20s or older, they will never be able to truly assimilate into the new culture.

However, perhaps the group who suffers the most is the people who immigrated when they are in grade school - they're old enough to remember their native culture and are able to easily adapt into a new culture. They're the ones who are stuck between, wondering who they really are. Such is the long, long journey of self identification that I will always struggle with.

'Til Next Time

TM

Fruits Basket

I don't know why, but I can never seem to get my fair share of sleep on Saturdays. Something always turns up.

Yesterday, I got dragged into watching a Fruits Basket marathon. It's anime for those of you who've never heard of it. In all honestly, it's really corny. The leading girl, Tohru Honda, is waaayyy too perfect - and that seriously bothers me. I wonder if that indicates that there's something wrong with me since I can't stand perfect people...but anyways I think most people would agree with me that she is too Mary Sue.

The story is cute enough. It's about the Sohma family, who represents the 12 animals of the zodiac and the cat. They miraculously turn into the animals they represent when hugged by the person of the opposite gender, and so, drama ensues...Anyways, it's really sickeningly sweet though, and they have a lot of corny conversation.
For example: "What does snow become when it melts?" Water of course, is not the answer. "It becomes Spring!" Like I said, corny, but sweet.

If you're interested, you can watch it starting from here. Have fun =D

'Til Next Time

TM

Pa-Ching!

So yesterday, or more like this early morning, I was just hanging out with my friend, talking in the car. For four hours. Nothing big.

The thing is, we turned the car on without starting the engine, and it drained all the battery. Lo and behold, when I was about to leave, she couldn't start her car. Worse though, the car was stuck between two other cars so we can't get anybody to jump it. We called the police and a bunch of other people, and basically, the verdict was to wait until morning cause nobody is up at 3 in the morning.

And so, we crashed at the TV lounge, and just when we're about to fall asleep, it started raining. Now that in itself, wasn't so bad, except her car window was rolled down and we couldn't get it back up since the battery died. So with a scissors, plastic bags, and tape in hand, we ran out in the rain to tape her window down, and I realized that that was the first time in college that I heard thunder.

Moral of the lesson: Do not trust two teenage girls with cars. Especially if they know nothing about cars.

'Til Next Time

TM

I just don't understand...

Why is it such a big deal for (most) Christians to stress that God is a "good" God and not a "bad" God? One popular salvation sermon that I hear every now and then progress from something like "God is not scrutinizing you from above, waiting to punish you...He loves you". That's all good and all, but what does it matter?

I mean to say that, if God is a "bad" God, does that destroy his status of God? No, it doesn't. Just like how you can't change your biological parents no matter if they're good or bad, God's status doesn't change either. Why then do people make an argument of God being a "good" God?

Or do they mean to say that they believe in God because he's a good God? Then does that mean if God is a "bad" God, then they won't believe anymore?


'Til Next Time

TM

Easter Break...

So today is Easter, and because of this wonderful holiday I had an off day for school last Friday.

Not that I'm complaining or anything (I really NEEDED that day off especially since I was sick), but what happened to all the atheists?!?! I would've thought that they'd had a field day what with a public college giving a very vague excuse of a 'reading day' so that people can have Friday off to celebrate Easter. I have a feeling that one day, this would be one of those supreme court cases that kids have to study for in their political science class...

Nothing much..just my thought of the day.

'Til Next Time
TM

Jesus - Virgin Birth

Recently, I've started to read the new testament with a friend of mine daily starting from Matthews which narrates the birth of Jesus.

Now whether you know a lot about Christianity or nothing at all, I'm not making a big leap of conclusion in that the fact that Jesus was born of a virgin is a big deal to a lot of people (for obvious reasons), and one of the main indicators that Jesus was the Jesus that was prophecized in the Old Testament. I'm sure that if you googled this particular aspect of Jesus, tons and tons of results will come out.

Today though, something hit me hard. Is born of a virgin all that special?

First of all, we define virgin as "a person who has never had sexual intercourse" according to dictionary.com. And while it's quite impossible back in the old days for people to conceive babies without sex, it's not exactly impossible nowadays what with all the artificial insemination and whatever else technology out there.

Yes, there is a semen involved, and Jesus was technically born of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1 "For that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit."), so that is still one big distinction right there.

But did the old testament prophecy that Jesus will be born of the Holy Spirit? My knowledge is limited...but as far as I know, it was only prophecized that Jesus will be born of a virgin. Which -technically-, according to the definition of a virgin, nowadays, is nothing all that spectacular.

Just a random thought...I am not trying to say that Jesus was bogus or fake or anything of the sort...

'Til Next Time
TM