Today's Good Friday. I've always observed traditional practices during Lent... not this year. To start with, it's not that easy to observe Lent after moving to the U.S. (also, I am part of the workforce now), but I have modified it a bit where I can still attend mass, do the confession, etc. I also abstain from doing something (usually shopping, eating meat) beginning Ash Wednesday and during the season's 40-day duration.
I am from a devout Catholic family. We attended mass regularly, I attended Catholic school from kindergarden through college, my brother was an altar-server, my sister and I were members of "Hijas de Maria" and the children's choir. I was even secretary of the Religion Club in high school. That's right, a club with a lot of praying involved.
Even with that background (which was pretty common if one was raised in the predominantly Catholic Philippines), I always considered myself a liberal Catholic. Liberal in the sense that I (to a certain extent) support pro-choice; I support birth control and contraception; I am all for same-sex marriage. Our mother always respected our beliefs, and gave us the right to walk our own religious paths. I chose the liberal path, taking with me the Catholic "essentials:" the 10 Commandments, knowing the 7 capital sins, support of charity and social justice. I may sound simple-minded and even naive, but it works for me.
So why is this Good Friday different from previous ones? You know when you've been in a long-term relationship and you want to take a breather for awhile... just to take in everything and assess the status of your relationship? That's how I feel right now as a Catholic. It's like you've been together for so long and you're just together because it's convenient and comfortable. Of course, this has been triggered by the whole "Catholic abuse scandals." It just made the question in my head all the more unavoidable: "Am I really a part of that church?" But FYI, I am still a believer, I don't think my relationship with God has changed. It's more like, "do I really want a middle man in our relationship?" Moreso, a middle man who tells you to follow all sorts of things while they sweep all sort of (kinky) things under the rug.
Am I just jumping the Anti-Catholic bandwagon? I don't know. It's one of those "hating-the-establishment" sentiment that I'm feeling right now. Should I explore other organized religion or be a "Cafeteria Catholic?" I really don't know.
One things for sure, I know I'll still end up going to Easter Sunday services. It can't be helped... especially when mom's around.
Showing posts with label Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Life. Show all posts
Friday, April 2, 2010
Monday, November 17, 2008
A Trimester's Gone By...
It has been a while since I last posted. I'm happy to share to my reader(s) --- myself, that I am still around and able to write. So what's happened in the last three months?
- I've started my third term in my graduate (but not-quite graduate) program
- Summer's over!
- TV's fall season has started: The Office is back!
- The beast, that is, the credit collapse, has reared its ugly head
- The US is $700B poorer
- Tina Fey was the break-out star of the presidential campaign
- We've elected Barack Obama as the 44th Prez (yay!)
- Prop 8 passed (Hwaaah!)
I've also seen a couple of movies, finished anime a couple of anime series along the way. Saw a band play in Napa. Signed up in Facebook (I don't know why)... and many more that are probably not-so interesting. Anyway, I'm back. Just thought I should pop in and say hello.
- I've started my third term in my graduate (but not-quite graduate) program
- Summer's over!
- TV's fall season has started: The Office is back!
- The beast, that is, the credit collapse, has reared its ugly head
- The US is $700B poorer
- Tina Fey was the break-out star of the presidential campaign
- We've elected Barack Obama as the 44th Prez (yay!)
- Prop 8 passed (Hwaaah!)
I've also seen a couple of movies, finished anime a couple of anime series along the way. Saw a band play in Napa. Signed up in Facebook (I don't know why)... and many more that are probably not-so interesting. Anyway, I'm back. Just thought I should pop in and say hello.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Movie Review (DVD): Half Nelson
What is a "Half Nelson"? After finding out that no one was named "Nelson" in the movie, I seriously wondered what the heck "Half Nelson" meant. So I quickly ran to the internets to look for answers.
According to this forum entry, a "half Nelson" is a wrestling term "when a wrestler who is behind his opponent, passes one arm under the corresponding arm of his opponent and locks the hand on the back of his opponent's neck. A struggle between two opposing forces ensues". It's a wrestling term? How did I not know that?
Anyway, in the movie, Dan's (Ryan Gosling's character, who is a middle-school history teacher) class lectures were pretty much about "half Nelsons", and I think really, he's just talking about himself. He is battling his own "half Nelson", so to speak. LOL. How long can I go on with "half nelson-ing" this entry to death, I don't know... but me likey. And you know who else me likes? Super-cracked-up hottie Ryan Gosling.
OK back to the movie review: I like this movie. It was kinda slow, but I did not find it dragging. The whole movie was like prepping it's audience for some kind of payoff at the end (i.e. some sort of redemption), which never came. I think this made it more raw and realistic (but then, who wants/expects movies to be realistic nowadays?). The movie was unlike most movies with the "teacher of inner-city kids" tag on it --- no contest was won against the private school, the school didn't get prettier, no special award from the city was given. He was the cool teacher, he taught outside of the prescribed curriculum, his kids seem to like him but that was it. He pretty much left it to the kids if they want to make something of his class. I thought his purpose was more self-serving, teaching was his therapy, the school was his rehab. He found an ally in Drey, one of the kids in school and a budding crack dealer herself, if anything, she needed someone who could help her get out of the crack-dealing cycle in her life. What she got is a crack-using mentor. In the end, all the half nelson-ing within Dan pretty much made him give up. How can he talk someone into leaving Drey alone, when he has nothing better to offer Drey?
Like I said, I'm not much of a "thinking" movie-viewer, but this made me think (at the risk of making my head explode). In the end, I was rooting for Dan and Drey, that they may find a better path for themselves.
Ed's note: The pic posted is very self-serving. Me happy.
According to this forum entry, a "half Nelson" is a wrestling term "when a wrestler who is behind his opponent, passes one arm under the corresponding arm of his opponent and locks the hand on the back of his opponent's neck. A struggle between two opposing forces ensues". It's a wrestling term? How did I not know that?
Anyway, in the movie, Dan's (Ryan Gosling's character, who is a middle-school history teacher) class lectures were pretty much about "half Nelsons", and I think really, he's just talking about himself. He is battling his own "half Nelson", so to speak. LOL. How long can I go on with "half nelson-ing" this entry to death, I don't know... but me likey. And you know who else me likes? Super-cracked-up hottie Ryan Gosling.
OK back to the movie review: I like this movie. It was kinda slow, but I did not find it dragging. The whole movie was like prepping it's audience for some kind of payoff at the end (i.e. some sort of redemption), which never came. I think this made it more raw and realistic (but then, who wants/expects movies to be realistic nowadays?). The movie was unlike most movies with the "teacher of inner-city kids" tag on it --- no contest was won against the private school, the school didn't get prettier, no special award from the city was given. He was the cool teacher, he taught outside of the prescribed curriculum, his kids seem to like him but that was it. He pretty much left it to the kids if they want to make something of his class. I thought his purpose was more self-serving, teaching was his therapy, the school was his rehab. He found an ally in Drey, one of the kids in school and a budding crack dealer herself, if anything, she needed someone who could help her get out of the crack-dealing cycle in her life. What she got is a crack-using mentor. In the end, all the half nelson-ing within Dan pretty much made him give up. How can he talk someone into leaving Drey alone, when he has nothing better to offer Drey?
Like I said, I'm not much of a "thinking" movie-viewer, but this made me think (at the risk of making my head explode). In the end, I was rooting for Dan and Drey, that they may find a better path for themselves.
Ed's note: The pic posted is very self-serving. Me happy.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
On my Calendar: January 2008
It's the beginning of a new year. I was able to escape the exhausting duty of putting out end-of-year lists and it is such a relief. First of all, I am the only one who reads this blog and listing 2007 favorites will all be for naught; second, I do not think I am capable of putting one together. I enjoy reading end-of-year lists and I greatly admire all the bloggers and writers who coherently express their thoughts on why a movie, a book, or an album make it to their lists and I don't think I am not that confident with my opinions yet.
To kind of make up for that (well, I don't really owe anyone... but myself, I guess), I decided to do a monthly calendar update... just a list of things of what I'm up to for the month, really. So pretty much bore-enducing stuff and a quick peek at how boring my life is.
1) School. I'm back to school again... but this time it's serious, well, I have to be anyway, otherwise that'd be loads of money down the drain. I have three classes, two nights a week, two different institutions of higher learning.
2) Work. I still have two jobs, I am still on the fence if I should keep the second one. It's more of a drain to my resources than it is contributory, so we'll see. I've cut a deal with the regular job so I can leave early for school, they can take it off my pay, that's fine.
3) Extra-Curricular Activities. Volunteer Work - I give two hours of my time to the local SPCA. I help provide some TLC to rabbits and other critters. I love it. I'll post more about it someday.
How sad is my life? Well, I don't know, that's relative. Some people think I don't have one, but I am pretty happy with hit. Granted, I don't really go out much anymore, except for movies and dinner, but I think I'd rather see a movie and try out new spots to eat at than go out and get drunk (I'll go out, once every six months probably). I think I'm getting old.
Anyway, I did see The Kite Runner. I like it, although I can honestly say the book was better. I am still jonesing to see No Country for Old Men. Saw Juno last month, it was great, although the first 15 minutes was kinda Gilmore Girl-ish in the witty banter department. Saw Atonement last month as well, what a beautiful movie! James McAvoy is HOT! The girl who played Briony did such a great job, I'm sure she was channeling Nicole Kidman when filming... you can just feel the iciness. They did a great job adapting the screenplay, so I'd say I like the book and movie equally. On DVD, I have Hard Candy (checking out Ellen Page), saw Nanny McPhee (very cute), saw Transamerica (Felicity H. got robbed!), The Queen (Helen Mirren was good, but the movie was as boring as the Royals), will re-watch Eternal Sunshine..., I still have Kinky Boots, Lives of Others, and Eragon in my stack. I hope I can go through all of them.
Best "thing" of the month (I know, January's not over yet, but I don't think anything can surpass my love for this): THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: PHANTOM HOURGLASS on DS! OMG! It's such a great game. Love it! Love it! Love it! I bought the DS for my mom so she can play the brain games, but I might have to keep it now... sorry nanay! Also, can't wait to try Super Mario Galazy on Wii... heard so many great things about it, I'm sure I can't get past the first stage, but who cares? Mario is now in the effing galaxy! With effing goombas!
Anyway, that's it for January, I think.
To kind of make up for that (well, I don't really owe anyone... but myself, I guess), I decided to do a monthly calendar update... just a list of things of what I'm up to for the month, really. So pretty much bore-enducing stuff and a quick peek at how boring my life is.
1) School. I'm back to school again... but this time it's serious, well, I have to be anyway, otherwise that'd be loads of money down the drain. I have three classes, two nights a week, two different institutions of higher learning.
2) Work. I still have two jobs, I am still on the fence if I should keep the second one. It's more of a drain to my resources than it is contributory, so we'll see. I've cut a deal with the regular job so I can leave early for school, they can take it off my pay, that's fine.
3) Extra-Curricular Activities. Volunteer Work - I give two hours of my time to the local SPCA. I help provide some TLC to rabbits and other critters. I love it. I'll post more about it someday.
How sad is my life? Well, I don't know, that's relative. Some people think I don't have one, but I am pretty happy with hit. Granted, I don't really go out much anymore, except for movies and dinner, but I think I'd rather see a movie and try out new spots to eat at than go out and get drunk (I'll go out, once every six months probably). I think I'm getting old.
Anyway, I did see The Kite Runner. I like it, although I can honestly say the book was better. I am still jonesing to see No Country for Old Men. Saw Juno last month, it was great, although the first 15 minutes was kinda Gilmore Girl-ish in the witty banter department. Saw Atonement last month as well, what a beautiful movie! James McAvoy is HOT! The girl who played Briony did such a great job, I'm sure she was channeling Nicole Kidman when filming... you can just feel the iciness. They did a great job adapting the screenplay, so I'd say I like the book and movie equally. On DVD, I have Hard Candy (checking out Ellen Page), saw Nanny McPhee (very cute), saw Transamerica (Felicity H. got robbed!), The Queen (Helen Mirren was good, but the movie was as boring as the Royals), will re-watch Eternal Sunshine..., I still have Kinky Boots, Lives of Others, and Eragon in my stack. I hope I can go through all of them.
Best "thing" of the month (I know, January's not over yet, but I don't think anything can surpass my love for this): THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: PHANTOM HOURGLASS on DS! OMG! It's such a great game. Love it! Love it! Love it! I bought the DS for my mom so she can play the brain games, but I might have to keep it now... sorry nanay! Also, can't wait to try Super Mario Galazy on Wii... heard so many great things about it, I'm sure I can't get past the first stage, but who cares? Mario is now in the effing galaxy! With effing goombas!
Anyway, that's it for January, I think.
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