6.15.2012
5.02.2012
Timeline
So I was looking through my old photos on my computer from when I first got it four years ago. I have pictures of my apartment in Pasadena, to the pictures of having finals in school, to the days of my graduation, to the places I've vacationed and visited with friends and the mission trips I've went on with church. Then I went through my facebook timeline, which kept track of my social network life from 2006 onward. 7 years of my life are archived on Facebook! Then I read through my journals since I was a high school kid to just reflect back on what I was thinking and going through. It's funny... because the things I used to be so concerned about in high school are so trivial. (HAHA... I chuckled to myself) Can you tell I was in a very reminiscent mood?
Anyways... throughout all this I realize that my emotions, my thoughts, my experiences, the people I am around and are close to, and the things I am doing are continuously changing. People come in and out of my life, styles come and go, career paths and experiences are here now and gone tomorrow. Throughout all this the only person that remains constant in my life is Jesus. That all throughout my life He has been there with me. Throughout all the troubles and joys, times of heartache and happiness, He was there. Whether I knew it or not, He was there. At this moment and as I move forward with my life, He will always be with me for eternity. That gives me the greatest comfort. That everything in the end will be okay. Not necessarily in terms of circumstances, but okay because I know who I will be going through those circumstances with.
The thing is... I fret, I worry, I freak out, I become anxious, thinking... What if things don't work out? What if life doesn't go according to my plan. But... it's okay! Things rarely worked out the way I wanted, but always turned out for the better, because our Father knows best. I have to realize I don't know what's best for myself and God in His infinite wisdom knows best and is in control. He knows me better than I know myself and is always with me.
Don't scramble. Stay inside the pocket.
Anyways... throughout all this I realize that my emotions, my thoughts, my experiences, the people I am around and are close to, and the things I am doing are continuously changing. People come in and out of my life, styles come and go, career paths and experiences are here now and gone tomorrow. Throughout all this the only person that remains constant in my life is Jesus. That all throughout my life He has been there with me. Throughout all the troubles and joys, times of heartache and happiness, He was there. Whether I knew it or not, He was there. At this moment and as I move forward with my life, He will always be with me for eternity. That gives me the greatest comfort. That everything in the end will be okay. Not necessarily in terms of circumstances, but okay because I know who I will be going through those circumstances with.
The thing is... I fret, I worry, I freak out, I become anxious, thinking... What if things don't work out? What if life doesn't go according to my plan. But... it's okay! Things rarely worked out the way I wanted, but always turned out for the better, because our Father knows best. I have to realize I don't know what's best for myself and God in His infinite wisdom knows best and is in control. He knows me better than I know myself and is always with me.
Don't scramble. Stay inside the pocket.
2.12.2012
My Commute and Internet
So lately I've been driving out to Santa Monica from my home and it's 2 hours each way! Eek!
I spend the time listening to music, dancing, doing body motions, pondering about life, most of the times hating life that I'm stuck in traffic! I make myself a music mix to pass the time that are usually super random. In the past I've made mixes with To Live and Die in LA by Tupac and the next song be a praise song. I don't do that anymore, it's just odd. I also used to take photos of interesting license plates. I stopped doing that too since it's really kind of dangerous switching multiple lanes in traffic and trying to get behind a car and pulling out my phone to take a picture of it. One of my co-workers was friendly enough and sympathized with my commute that he made me a CD with The Moth podcasts. If you don't know The Moth are true stories told live and some of them are really interesting.
But that got me thinking... I can make myself audio sermons to listen to on my commute! As I was searching through what sort of sermons I could put on my mix, I came across desiringgod.org and found sermons on Work & Vocation! What better way to go into work than listening to a sermon about WORK! But as I was doing this... the thought came into my mind, "The internet is awesome" We really have access to so many great resources and articles you can read on the Christian faith. If you wanna know about something... look it up on Google! If you want recommendations on books... look it up on Google, then buy it on Amazon! I was just so surprised that I was able to get these audio sermons so easily. If it wasn't for the internet I would have to go out and buy it. Granted, the internet can be used for just as much bad as it can be used for good. There's definitely alot more junk out there than good stuff since anybody can post anything about anything (like this entry). But internet in and of itself I don't think is a bad thing. It's what we do with it and what we use it for that makes it bad or good. We can save that discussion for another blog entry.
But back to my commute story, I'm now thinking about audio books. I know it's not the same as reading... But really I think the amount of time I spend in traffic I can probably get through the entire Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings series in a month.
Ok! Ok! Enough babble for one night.
I spend the time listening to music, dancing, doing body motions, pondering about life, most of the times hating life that I'm stuck in traffic! I make myself a music mix to pass the time that are usually super random. In the past I've made mixes with To Live and Die in LA by Tupac and the next song be a praise song. I don't do that anymore, it's just odd. I also used to take photos of interesting license plates. I stopped doing that too since it's really kind of dangerous switching multiple lanes in traffic and trying to get behind a car and pulling out my phone to take a picture of it. One of my co-workers was friendly enough and sympathized with my commute that he made me a CD with The Moth podcasts. If you don't know The Moth are true stories told live and some of them are really interesting.
But that got me thinking... I can make myself audio sermons to listen to on my commute! As I was searching through what sort of sermons I could put on my mix, I came across desiringgod.org and found sermons on Work & Vocation! What better way to go into work than listening to a sermon about WORK! But as I was doing this... the thought came into my mind, "The internet is awesome" We really have access to so many great resources and articles you can read on the Christian faith. If you wanna know about something... look it up on Google! If you want recommendations on books... look it up on Google, then buy it on Amazon! I was just so surprised that I was able to get these audio sermons so easily. If it wasn't for the internet I would have to go out and buy it. Granted, the internet can be used for just as much bad as it can be used for good. There's definitely alot more junk out there than good stuff since anybody can post anything about anything (like this entry). But internet in and of itself I don't think is a bad thing. It's what we do with it and what we use it for that makes it bad or good. We can save that discussion for another blog entry.
But back to my commute story, I'm now thinking about audio books. I know it's not the same as reading... But really I think the amount of time I spend in traffic I can probably get through the entire Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings series in a month.
Ok! Ok! Enough babble for one night.
11.10.2011
Currently:
Remember Xanga had a "Currently Reading" blurb? Well here is a list of some Currently's in my life.
Currently Reading:
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
Currently Wanting to Read:
The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller
Currently Listening To:
Christmas Music! A Very She & Him Christmas and Oh For Joy by David Crowder Band.
Currently Watching:
Modern Family
Currently Interested In:
Flag Football
Currently Thinking:
Oh My Gosh! it's almost 2012!!
Currently Wishing:
For a pick in Turkey Bowl
Currently Wanting:
to Snowboard
Currently Needing:
Sleep!
Currently Inspired By:
Colorful Baskets with Cool Patterns. (random... i know)
Currently Feeling:
Simple and Happy
Currently Reminiscing About:
past two Mississippi Trips.
Currently Thankful For:
Friends
Currently Reading:
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
Currently Wanting to Read:
The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller
Currently Listening To:
Christmas Music! A Very She & Him Christmas and Oh For Joy by David Crowder Band.
Currently Watching:
Modern Family
Currently Interested In:
Flag Football
Currently Thinking:
Oh My Gosh! it's almost 2012!!
Currently Wishing:
For a pick in Turkey Bowl
Currently Wanting:
to Snowboard
Currently Needing:
Sleep!
Currently Inspired By:
Colorful Baskets with Cool Patterns. (random... i know)
Currently Feeling:
Simple and Happy
Currently Reminiscing About:
past two Mississippi Trips.
Currently Thankful For:
Friends
11.09.2011
10.24.2011
Jonathan
Growing up I remember not liking my name, because it was so common and I always had this desire to be unique.
In grade school I remember there were 2 other Jonathans in my class and I was Jonathan Pa! "Pa" for the first two letters of my last name. The other was Jonathan "Po". Not only was it bad enough that there were three Jonathan's in class, There was another boy whom we shared the same initial of our last name. I didn't like that one bit because in our little cubbies mine would be labeled "Jonathan Pa", not even Jonathan Park, but Jonathan Pa! What the heck teacher?!? couldn't you just add two letters to "Pa"?
Then I got into middle school and high school and there was another fellow named Jonathan Park. I could call him my arch-nemesis in some ways, because we share the same name and were always being compared. At this point Jonathan with the full last name written out would not suffice to distinguish us. In middle school friends would use our physical features to distinguish between us. One was called Jonathan Park "Tall" the other called Jonathan Park "Short". Take a guess which one I was? Yep... Jonathan Park "Short" was me!
Then in high school my height caught up to him and there wasn't so much of a disparity to distinguish each other between "short" and "tall". So people started distinguishing us by another physical feature. There was Jonathan Park "buff" and Jonathan Park "skinny" Guess which one I was? Yep!.... Jonathan Park "skinny" was me!
For some reason we were always compared because we had the same last name, which I really didn't like. I always got the crappy end of the label! But we are worlds apart. To show how different we are, he went to a military college, while I went to art school. I always felt that we were polar opposites. Only thing we shared in common was our name. Funny thing is that at the end of graduation they give a picture from all the grades you attended the school district in the yearbook and my 7th grade picture is a picture of him!
Anyways... now I've gotten to really like my name and proud that my parents named me Jonathan. And also proud to bear the last name Park. More so I understand that my identity is not bound by the name I was given. Although there are thousands of other Jonathan Parks, there still really is only one me. I looked up the name Jonathan and it means "God's gift". I like how Jonathan is a biblical name and I also really like who Jonathan was in the Bible. Jonathan was David's BFF (best fwiend foeevah!) Jonathan could have sought kingship for himself because his father being King Saul would have made him the natural heir to the throne. But Jonathan had a right understanding of God and His will, and helped David escape and protect him from his own jealous father. He had the spiritual eyes to see things beyond merely the physical. He could have sided with his earthly king and Father Saul. He instead chose to side with His TRUE King and Father God.
Some other notable Jonathan's are:
Jonathan Edwards – great theologian in the 17th century during the Great Awakening!
Jonathan Barnbrook – awesome British graphic designer.
Jonathan Ive – Senior VP industrial designer for Apple. (All those pretty Apple products is because of this guy!)
Jonathan Foreman – lead singer and songwriter of Switchfoot.
Jonathan Taylor Thomas – voice of young Simba! (hahaha!)
If you've read thus far... Please blog about your name!
In grade school I remember there were 2 other Jonathans in my class and I was Jonathan Pa! "Pa" for the first two letters of my last name. The other was Jonathan "Po". Not only was it bad enough that there were three Jonathan's in class, There was another boy whom we shared the same initial of our last name. I didn't like that one bit because in our little cubbies mine would be labeled "Jonathan Pa", not even Jonathan Park, but Jonathan Pa! What the heck teacher?!? couldn't you just add two letters to "Pa"?
Then I got into middle school and high school and there was another fellow named Jonathan Park. I could call him my arch-nemesis in some ways, because we share the same name and were always being compared. At this point Jonathan with the full last name written out would not suffice to distinguish us. In middle school friends would use our physical features to distinguish between us. One was called Jonathan Park "Tall" the other called Jonathan Park "Short". Take a guess which one I was? Yep... Jonathan Park "Short" was me!
Then in high school my height caught up to him and there wasn't so much of a disparity to distinguish each other between "short" and "tall". So people started distinguishing us by another physical feature. There was Jonathan Park "buff" and Jonathan Park "skinny" Guess which one I was? Yep!.... Jonathan Park "skinny" was me!
For some reason we were always compared because we had the same last name, which I really didn't like. I always got the crappy end of the label! But we are worlds apart. To show how different we are, he went to a military college, while I went to art school. I always felt that we were polar opposites. Only thing we shared in common was our name. Funny thing is that at the end of graduation they give a picture from all the grades you attended the school district in the yearbook and my 7th grade picture is a picture of him!
Anyways... now I've gotten to really like my name and proud that my parents named me Jonathan. And also proud to bear the last name Park. More so I understand that my identity is not bound by the name I was given. Although there are thousands of other Jonathan Parks, there still really is only one me. I looked up the name Jonathan and it means "God's gift". I like how Jonathan is a biblical name and I also really like who Jonathan was in the Bible. Jonathan was David's BFF (best fwiend foeevah!) Jonathan could have sought kingship for himself because his father being King Saul would have made him the natural heir to the throne. But Jonathan had a right understanding of God and His will, and helped David escape and protect him from his own jealous father. He had the spiritual eyes to see things beyond merely the physical. He could have sided with his earthly king and Father Saul. He instead chose to side with His TRUE King and Father God.
Some other notable Jonathan's are:
Jonathan Edwards – great theologian in the 17th century during the Great Awakening!
Jonathan Barnbrook – awesome British graphic designer.
Jonathan Ive – Senior VP industrial designer for Apple. (All those pretty Apple products is because of this guy!)
Jonathan Foreman – lead singer and songwriter of Switchfoot.
Jonathan Taylor Thomas – voice of young Simba! (hahaha!)
If you've read thus far... Please blog about your name!
10.04.2011
Note to Self:
1. Do not go grocery shopping when hungry.
2. Do not write emails when pissed.
3. Do not listen to John Mayer when sad.
4. Life is Unpredictable.
5. Add to this list.
2. Do not write emails when pissed.
3. Do not listen to John Mayer when sad.
4. Life is Unpredictable.
5. Add to this list.
9.19.2011
Let's Get Physical!~ Physical!~
I realize that I spend way too much time in front of a computer and sometimes hate the fact that we live in a digital age. My job consists of me staring at a computer screen for hours moving my mouse around and typing away responding to and composing emails. Lame-O! I sometimes wish I was a designer before the invention of a computer. Those designers were dope! Although it took forever to create something, they physically moved type around and mix paints, had to manipulate images by hand and compose their work by drawing. Nowadays, we manipulate images using Photoshop, we illustrate using Illustrator (moving pixels around) Even photography is all digital. Although the process was long and grueling there is something to be said about physically making something and creating a work of art.
Even with books, I'll be really sad if my kids grew up never having to buy a physical book and if they carry around an ipad or something of that sort where millions of books can be stored into one device. The smell of paper, the physical turning of the pages, the breaking of a spine, the texture of the cover and the pages will all be lost. Also, it would be impossible to have a pop-up book on a digital device! The bookshelves would not be filled with various shapes, colors, designs, and designs of spines, but made up of an ipad or a kindle! WAH!
I'm sure the generation before ours thought the same and never imagined music being digital. But there is also something to be said about having a record. To pull out a record, place a needle on an LP and having to switch sides to listen to the entire album through is so much more cumbersome than to click "NEXT" with a mouse. But there is a beauty in a record that I can't really explain that is so nice!
I also thought about going to the gym. We are getting physical excercise by simulating what one would do if our work and labor was actually physical. Like if I was a farmer, I would proabably be doing alot of heavy lifting I just hope all of this is not lost in the future. Let's get Physical! Physical!~
Even with books, I'll be really sad if my kids grew up never having to buy a physical book and if they carry around an ipad or something of that sort where millions of books can be stored into one device. The smell of paper, the physical turning of the pages, the breaking of a spine, the texture of the cover and the pages will all be lost. Also, it would be impossible to have a pop-up book on a digital device! The bookshelves would not be filled with various shapes, colors, designs, and designs of spines, but made up of an ipad or a kindle! WAH!
I'm sure the generation before ours thought the same and never imagined music being digital. But there is also something to be said about having a record. To pull out a record, place a needle on an LP and having to switch sides to listen to the entire album through is so much more cumbersome than to click "NEXT" with a mouse. But there is a beauty in a record that I can't really explain that is so nice!
I also thought about going to the gym. We are getting physical excercise by simulating what one would do if our work and labor was actually physical. Like if I was a farmer, I would proabably be doing alot of heavy lifting I just hope all of this is not lost in the future. Let's get Physical! Physical!~
Thus Far
See that guy on the way right wearing green with the stupid smirk on his face?.... Yep. That's me!
I was browsing through the old GNC website and came across these archived photos. The photo above was taken in 2005 when I was fresh out of HS. It was my first retreat at GNC as an 18 year old kid. I was arrogant, naive, ambitious, and excited. Some of the best combination of traits you can put together for disaster. haha! Anyways... I tried to remember what it was like and all the things that I was going through at the time and questions I had for my future...
At that time in my life I was praying for three things.
1. Church. Which one do I go to?
2. Art Center. Is this where I am supposed to be? Am I ready?
3. Girl. I like! Should I pursue?
In hindsight is 20/20... But seeing how all these unknown things at the time played out, it brings me such clarity and joy to how much God works in our lives and how sovereign He is. Even in the little details. All of these things were unknown to me and who knows what the future holds, but it's all in God's hands and as Phil Wickham's song suggests, we are safe in His arms! [insert body worship here]
9.17.2011
Absolutely Unlovable, Yet Absolutely Loved
What I find amazing about the gospel are the three words:" God Loves Me" We hear that phrase all the time. And people throw it around so flippantly you begin to think “uh… yeah ok… whatever” You can also think, Uh duh! God loves everyone and not think of it as that big of a deal. I don’t know about you, but the more I think about that statement, as cliché as it may seem, the more it starts to resonate in my soul.
First of all, why SHOULD God love you or me? If you try and think really hard, there is no reason why He should. Does He love me because I’m so awesome? Nope! Does he love me because I'm so good-looking? Nope! Does he love me because I'm so athletic? Nope! Does he love me because I'm so smart? Nope! Does He love me because I'm so artistic? Nope! Oh! I know! He must love me because I'm kind-hearted and obedient! Nope! Try again! I'm not even any of these things, but try and think REALLY hard why He should love you? You can't come up with an answer. God is not impressed with anything we do. Whatever accomplishments we find impressive, He doesn't. He doesn't look at Kobe Bryant scoring 81 points in a game and say "WHOA! You are sOoOo athletic! I now love you!" Or He doesn't look at how "good" you are and think "WOW! I love you!"
In fact, when I begin to think deeper I come to see that I am despicable. Despicable ME! If I TRULY looked and gazed into my own heart, it would shed light how unloveable I really am. Inside lies all my pride, all my insecurities, all my hate, all my lusts, all the wicked things I’ve committed in the past, and all the things I did and will continue to commit to directly offend God. You may also think... God can never love me!! I've done so many horrible things! I've raped, I've stole, I've killed, I've this, I've that!
The wonderful thing about God is that He doesn't see me when he looks at me, but sees Christ. His righteousness and beauty becomes my righteousness and beauty. Through faith, Christ takes my sins, I gain His righteousness. Unfair huh? Why should someone who did nothing wrong die for it? And why should someone who did EVERYTHING wrong gain? I don't get it either, and I'll spend my lifetime trying to understand it, but it leaves me at sense of extreme gratitude and a magnificent sense of self worth and humility! Tim Keller really put it well in that the gospel is the only thing that gives you a great sense of humility AND confidence! Nothing else can do that. I am humbled knowing that I did nothing to earn my righteousness and I am completely undeserving of it, but I am confident in knowing that all of my failures and sins (as great as they are) have been paid for! I no longer bear the guilt of my sins and I don't have to beat myself up because there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
It really doesn't get any better than the gospel! All glory and honor and praise be to our God!
First of all, why SHOULD God love you or me? If you try and think really hard, there is no reason why He should. Does He love me because I’m so awesome? Nope! Does he love me because I'm so good-looking? Nope! Does he love me because I'm so athletic? Nope! Does he love me because I'm so smart? Nope! Does He love me because I'm so artistic? Nope! Oh! I know! He must love me because I'm kind-hearted and obedient! Nope! Try again! I'm not even any of these things, but try and think REALLY hard why He should love you? You can't come up with an answer. God is not impressed with anything we do. Whatever accomplishments we find impressive, He doesn't. He doesn't look at Kobe Bryant scoring 81 points in a game and say "WHOA! You are sOoOo athletic! I now love you!" Or He doesn't look at how "good" you are and think "WOW! I love you!"
In fact, when I begin to think deeper I come to see that I am despicable. Despicable ME! If I TRULY looked and gazed into my own heart, it would shed light how unloveable I really am. Inside lies all my pride, all my insecurities, all my hate, all my lusts, all the wicked things I’ve committed in the past, and all the things I did and will continue to commit to directly offend God. You may also think... God can never love me!! I've done so many horrible things! I've raped, I've stole, I've killed, I've this, I've that!
The wonderful thing about God is that He doesn't see me when he looks at me, but sees Christ. His righteousness and beauty becomes my righteousness and beauty. Through faith, Christ takes my sins, I gain His righteousness. Unfair huh? Why should someone who did nothing wrong die for it? And why should someone who did EVERYTHING wrong gain? I don't get it either, and I'll spend my lifetime trying to understand it, but it leaves me at sense of extreme gratitude and a magnificent sense of self worth and humility! Tim Keller really put it well in that the gospel is the only thing that gives you a great sense of humility AND confidence! Nothing else can do that. I am humbled knowing that I did nothing to earn my righteousness and I am completely undeserving of it, but I am confident in knowing that all of my failures and sins (as great as they are) have been paid for! I no longer bear the guilt of my sins and I don't have to beat myself up because there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
It really doesn't get any better than the gospel! All glory and honor and praise be to our God!
7.21.2011
Titanic
I watched the movie Titanic again. The movie first came out in the theaters when I was in 5th grade and what a contrast watching it then and watching it now. In fifth grade all that was going through my mind was “Whoa! This movie is PG-13 and it shows BOOOBIES!!~” hahaha. What a dork! But watching it now I had all these thoughts running through my mind and I can appreciate it a bit more.
The Grandness of Titanic
It is a pretty amazing feat to build a luxury liner and a ship of that magnitude. The grandness of the ship was truly remarkable and amazing. I can’t believe all the resource and man power that was poured into building a ship that size to travel across the Atlantic from South Hampton to New York.
The Hubris
It really wasn’t an iceberg that sank the Titanic. As magnificent as the ship was, it was the arrogance of the claim that a ship is “unsinkable” that made the ship sink. I mean… really? C’mon! What ship that a man builds is unsinkable? It’s funny because when the iceberg hits this “unsinkable” ship, the designer then goes on to say in the movie….”This ship will go down. It is a mathematical certainty”. I believe that the desire to impress the world and marvel at the speed of the Titanic by pushing it’s engines is what made the Titanic sink.
Women and Children
On the Titanic, the life boats were for the women and children. The men were left behind on the ship to sink with it. I really wonder if this would be the case today in this day in age. A question that arises of those who take the position that there is no distinctions between gender, how would this play out? With gender roles being blurred, who gets left behind and who goes on the lifeboat? For me if I were on that ship with my mom, dad, and sister, as much as I hate the cold and as freezing the water may be, my mom and sister are going on the lifeboats, while my dad and I stay behind. I would not allow my mom and sister to die on the ship while I myself go safely to shore on a lifeboat. That’s just ridiculous!
The Difference between Jack and Cal
Cal cannot see Rose for who she is. He doesn’t know where her passions lie, nor where her heart is. Primarily because he’s just not concerned. He is oblivious because everything for Cal goes towards his selfish ambition to get what he wants, never the other way around. In his mind he thinks that he can buy his way to her heart. But this is how he views every aspect of his life. He says that “He makes his own luck” as if he can buy his way through life (even getting on a lifeboat). Also, when things don’t go his way, he cannot bear to see things go right for someone else. That’s why he tells Jack that he always wins when Rose goes on that lifeboat without them. In his heart, if he can’t have her, neither can Jack.
I also can’t believe how selfish Rose’s mom is forcing her to marry someone like Cal. She cares more about that luxurious lifestyle and her status more than the well-being of her own daughter.
Jack on the other hand sees Rose for who she is. The good, the bad, and the ugly. He even tells her that she’s a spoiled brat, but underneath all that she is this amazing woman. Jack cares for the well-being of Rose, more than he cares for himself. To Jack, Rose is a treasure to be cherished and he is thankful to have her and considers himself lucky. He says that “Winning that ticket was the greatest thing that happened to him, because it lead him to her” or something along those lines. He understands that he is not entitled to anything, but grateful for the air he has in his lungs and that life is a gift.
I also thought about the difference Cal and Jack is that one offers SECURITY, while the other offers ADVENTURE. It’s interesting because these two guys are on both extreme ends of this spectrum. Cal on one hand is extremely financially secure but Rose says that she felt trapped, feeling as her life has already been lived out and even attempts suicide! While Jack is poor as a joke, but lives life day to day not knowing what the day has to offer.
An Ocean of Secrets
In the end of the movie, the old Rose says that a woman is an ocean full of secrets and she looks to her granddaughter and tells her that she hasn’t even told her grandfather her story. I think about that and I can believe it. I understand that everyone has their secrets and somethings are better left unsaid. That’s fine. It’s just somewhat frightening to me if this is true that it’s an OCEAN full of secrets and not a lake, or a pond, or a puddle. The metaphor of an ocean is just so vast and deep and wide. I also think… Girl!~ how many secrets can you have? I don’t know about you, but if I was that grandfather, I would’ve liked to have known if you were once engaged to someone and on your boat ride, you left him and fell in love with another guy, who died rescuing you.
Now Time to Watch the Sequel!! Can’t WAIT!!
The Grandness of Titanic
It is a pretty amazing feat to build a luxury liner and a ship of that magnitude. The grandness of the ship was truly remarkable and amazing. I can’t believe all the resource and man power that was poured into building a ship that size to travel across the Atlantic from South Hampton to New York.
The Hubris
It really wasn’t an iceberg that sank the Titanic. As magnificent as the ship was, it was the arrogance of the claim that a ship is “unsinkable” that made the ship sink. I mean… really? C’mon! What ship that a man builds is unsinkable? It’s funny because when the iceberg hits this “unsinkable” ship, the designer then goes on to say in the movie….”This ship will go down. It is a mathematical certainty”. I believe that the desire to impress the world and marvel at the speed of the Titanic by pushing it’s engines is what made the Titanic sink.
Women and Children
On the Titanic, the life boats were for the women and children. The men were left behind on the ship to sink with it. I really wonder if this would be the case today in this day in age. A question that arises of those who take the position that there is no distinctions between gender, how would this play out? With gender roles being blurred, who gets left behind and who goes on the lifeboat? For me if I were on that ship with my mom, dad, and sister, as much as I hate the cold and as freezing the water may be, my mom and sister are going on the lifeboats, while my dad and I stay behind. I would not allow my mom and sister to die on the ship while I myself go safely to shore on a lifeboat. That’s just ridiculous!
The Difference between Jack and Cal
Cal cannot see Rose for who she is. He doesn’t know where her passions lie, nor where her heart is. Primarily because he’s just not concerned. He is oblivious because everything for Cal goes towards his selfish ambition to get what he wants, never the other way around. In his mind he thinks that he can buy his way to her heart. But this is how he views every aspect of his life. He says that “He makes his own luck” as if he can buy his way through life (even getting on a lifeboat). Also, when things don’t go his way, he cannot bear to see things go right for someone else. That’s why he tells Jack that he always wins when Rose goes on that lifeboat without them. In his heart, if he can’t have her, neither can Jack.
I also can’t believe how selfish Rose’s mom is forcing her to marry someone like Cal. She cares more about that luxurious lifestyle and her status more than the well-being of her own daughter.
Jack on the other hand sees Rose for who she is. The good, the bad, and the ugly. He even tells her that she’s a spoiled brat, but underneath all that she is this amazing woman. Jack cares for the well-being of Rose, more than he cares for himself. To Jack, Rose is a treasure to be cherished and he is thankful to have her and considers himself lucky. He says that “Winning that ticket was the greatest thing that happened to him, because it lead him to her” or something along those lines. He understands that he is not entitled to anything, but grateful for the air he has in his lungs and that life is a gift.
I also thought about the difference Cal and Jack is that one offers SECURITY, while the other offers ADVENTURE. It’s interesting because these two guys are on both extreme ends of this spectrum. Cal on one hand is extremely financially secure but Rose says that she felt trapped, feeling as her life has already been lived out and even attempts suicide! While Jack is poor as a joke, but lives life day to day not knowing what the day has to offer.
An Ocean of Secrets
In the end of the movie, the old Rose says that a woman is an ocean full of secrets and she looks to her granddaughter and tells her that she hasn’t even told her grandfather her story. I think about that and I can believe it. I understand that everyone has their secrets and somethings are better left unsaid. That’s fine. It’s just somewhat frightening to me if this is true that it’s an OCEAN full of secrets and not a lake, or a pond, or a puddle. The metaphor of an ocean is just so vast and deep and wide. I also think… Girl!~ how many secrets can you have? I don’t know about you, but if I was that grandfather, I would’ve liked to have known if you were once engaged to someone and on your boat ride, you left him and fell in love with another guy, who died rescuing you.
Now Time to Watch the Sequel!! Can’t WAIT!!
6.22.2011
Freedom of Choice?
I’m starting to believe that our lives may be already written out for us. If you proposed this idea to me, even just about a year and a half ago I would dispute it strongly. But the more I think about things that happen in my life and about who I am, and about the lives of others, there are so many more things that have shaped and made me who I am that I have absolutely no control over.
I can argue that I’ve made the choice to be me, that I’ve made my decisions in life that determine who I am. To a certain extent I can say it’s true, but on the other half of that equation I have to admit that there are many things I have no choice over that makes me who I am. I didn’t even get to choose my name.
At birth, here are some things that have already been determined about me:
—Parents. I am born to my mom and dad. Everything has been passed down to me. Whether it be their genes, their values, their work ethic, their morals, their values, their beliefs, their character, whether I agree with them or not, I still have been shaped by them. (Thank God my mom is not Britney Spears or my father is Charlie Sheen! Can you imagine? Eek!)
—Time Period. My life from birth to death is in between the 20th and 21st Century and the technology and the events that occur during this time frame all shape my way of thinking. The fact that you’re reading this and I am even able to post this on the internet is because we live in this time period. It would have never happened if I was born let’s say the 17th Century. The word “blog” didn’t even exist and I would probably be sharing my thoughts on a letter and it would take a galloping horse for you to receive it.
—Location of Birth. I am born and live in the United States. We can clearly see the cultural differences of someone born in another country. I could have been born in Africa or Asia or Europe or South America and my life would be completely different.
—Gender. There is an identity in gender and I did not get to choose whether to be male or female. I won’t comment too much about this, but my life would be vastly different if I were a girl. What if I was hot?!~ I wonder... Let's say I was born a girl and I can see myself, would I have a crush on her? Or a crush on myself? Weird! HAHA
—Birth Order. I’ve been reading about this and it’s so interesting how our birth order determines our personality. Being the eldest child, there are characteristics that come with that and from research it seems to suggest that the first child is awesome! haha :P
Another point I would like to add are friendships and relationships… I did get to choose whom I want to be friends with, but there are people that I've met that I did not get to choose to meet. There are people that come in and out of our lives and that initial encounter was out of my control. Looking back on my relationships it seems like, when two people meet for the first time it happens along the lines of “We were in the same class” or “We attended the same church” and it’s not like I chose for them to be there at that time.
I don’t know why I write all this. And I don’t want to sound fatalistic and suggest that we have no choices in life, but I just believe that there is a sovereignty that guides and that there is an author to our lives and the events that take place in history.
Goodbye!~
I can argue that I’ve made the choice to be me, that I’ve made my decisions in life that determine who I am. To a certain extent I can say it’s true, but on the other half of that equation I have to admit that there are many things I have no choice over that makes me who I am. I didn’t even get to choose my name.
At birth, here are some things that have already been determined about me:
—Parents. I am born to my mom and dad. Everything has been passed down to me. Whether it be their genes, their values, their work ethic, their morals, their values, their beliefs, their character, whether I agree with them or not, I still have been shaped by them. (Thank God my mom is not Britney Spears or my father is Charlie Sheen! Can you imagine? Eek!)
—Time Period. My life from birth to death is in between the 20th and 21st Century and the technology and the events that occur during this time frame all shape my way of thinking. The fact that you’re reading this and I am even able to post this on the internet is because we live in this time period. It would have never happened if I was born let’s say the 17th Century. The word “blog” didn’t even exist and I would probably be sharing my thoughts on a letter and it would take a galloping horse for you to receive it.
—Location of Birth. I am born and live in the United States. We can clearly see the cultural differences of someone born in another country. I could have been born in Africa or Asia or Europe or South America and my life would be completely different.
—Gender. There is an identity in gender and I did not get to choose whether to be male or female. I won’t comment too much about this, but my life would be vastly different if I were a girl. What if I was hot?!~ I wonder... Let's say I was born a girl and I can see myself, would I have a crush on her? Or a crush on myself? Weird! HAHA
—Birth Order. I’ve been reading about this and it’s so interesting how our birth order determines our personality. Being the eldest child, there are characteristics that come with that and from research it seems to suggest that the first child is awesome! haha :P
Another point I would like to add are friendships and relationships… I did get to choose whom I want to be friends with, but there are people that I've met that I did not get to choose to meet. There are people that come in and out of our lives and that initial encounter was out of my control. Looking back on my relationships it seems like, when two people meet for the first time it happens along the lines of “We were in the same class” or “We attended the same church” and it’s not like I chose for them to be there at that time.
I don’t know why I write all this. And I don’t want to sound fatalistic and suggest that we have no choices in life, but I just believe that there is a sovereignty that guides and that there is an author to our lives and the events that take place in history.
Goodbye!~
6.21.2011
Tumblr and Now This
Hello!
So I decided to start a blog. Yes I have a Tumblr, but Tumblr is very much image driven and although I love the story telling aspect through imagery, it's not much of a writing community. So... this is where I will write and tumblr is where I will share what I think are "cool" images and things I come across. Oh I love the internet! So many possibilities!
So I decided to start a blog. Yes I have a Tumblr, but Tumblr is very much image driven and although I love the story telling aspect through imagery, it's not much of a writing community. So... this is where I will write and tumblr is where I will share what I think are "cool" images and things I come across. Oh I love the internet! So many possibilities!
Pride
It’s interesting the types of clients I encounter. Sometimes you come across a client who think they know what they are doing and they tell me exactly how to design. They tell me their “brilliant” concept, they order me to use certain colors, they tell me how it should look, what typeface it should be in. These are the worst types of clients you can have. Because they really are not the client, they are the designer. And you have to ask them why they hired me in the first place, when they think they can do everything themselves and are unwilling to reason. And although they do not know much about design, they think that they do and that’s the worst part.
I thought this was just common in the area of the visual arts, because for some reason people think that they are brilliantly creative because they took an art class in college or own photoshop. But I talk with my dad and he tells me stories about how his patients tell him how to treat them. They diagnose their own problem, they give themselves a prescription and the solution, and they order him to carry out the task. And that's just ridiculous. Cause what do they know right?
But I also think this is how alot of us treat God and is our attitude towards Christ. Rather than have Him tell us what’s wrong with us, we diagnose our ourselves. We order Him around. Or worse, we say there is nothing wrong with us. Rather than have Him save us, we try to do good things to try and save ourselves. And we consider ourselves brilliant for doing so.
I thought this was just common in the area of the visual arts, because for some reason people think that they are brilliantly creative because they took an art class in college or own photoshop. But I talk with my dad and he tells me stories about how his patients tell him how to treat them. They diagnose their own problem, they give themselves a prescription and the solution, and they order him to carry out the task. And that's just ridiculous. Cause what do they know right?
But I also think this is how alot of us treat God and is our attitude towards Christ. Rather than have Him tell us what’s wrong with us, we diagnose our ourselves. We order Him around. Or worse, we say there is nothing wrong with us. Rather than have Him save us, we try to do good things to try and save ourselves. And we consider ourselves brilliant for doing so.
Content & Form
My bookshelf consists generally of two types of books. One being on the subject of design and the other on Christianity. While the books on design tend to look great with every page being so visually well thought out and a pleasure to look at with even the portfolios and margins being considered, many of the books on Christianity look really boring and may even go as far to use the word hideous. Insensitive to eyes of the reader, the book cover is an eye sore, and even inside the pages, the text is typeset usually too big and the margins nearly bleeding to the end of the page. But what I absolutely love about these books and why I keep them on my shelf is it’s content. The content is SO rich and wonderful! I tend to lean heavily on how something looks, for it’s my job to interpret content and give it form for someone to engage in. But I truly believe that content is king! Ideally I would want the form to look great and the content to be great, but in the end content wins. I can look at a piece of design and it may look great! It may make me want to drool and engage in it immediately. But if it’s not saying anything or pointing to a greater idea, it’s just eye candy.
That same idea goes for people. For they always say not to judge a book by its cover. The exterior is merely a facade and not always a true representative of one’s character. Martin Luther King Jr. said it best when he said he had a dream that people would not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. And if I’m honest with myself, I make judgements all day everyday based on how people look, without really getting to know somebody for who they really are. And that my friend, is absolutely foolish. For I may be passing up diamonds in the rough, and exchanging it for fool's gold.
That same idea goes for people. For they always say not to judge a book by its cover. The exterior is merely a facade and not always a true representative of one’s character. Martin Luther King Jr. said it best when he said he had a dream that people would not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. And if I’m honest with myself, I make judgements all day everyday based on how people look, without really getting to know somebody for who they really are. And that my friend, is absolutely foolish. For I may be passing up diamonds in the rough, and exchanging it for fool's gold.
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