Summer Dreaming

I'm choosing to blame the rain for this unquenchable urge to drop everything and fast forward one month and travel to summer. Perhaps in conjunction with the sleepy weather, the lulling sense the last month of school brings, it is quite certain to say that I am ready for summer. It appears that time is standing still, passing ever so slowly, at the pace at which it takes light to reach Earth. (Meaning, very, very slowly.) I have already begun to zone out, for my brain to shut off after a certain period of the day and focusing on nothing more than to sit down, relax, have a good book in hand, a delicious beverage in the other, and receiving a lot of sunlight. The idea sounds so wonderful, in fact, that I am already suffering from the summer dreaming syndrome--I want nothing more than for it to be summer. It's a dreadful diagnosis that when the weekend hits, I have absolutely no desire to do any homework. Especially if peering outside the window, you find a solemn and gloomy scene, with rain droplets falling, a deep gray sky, and a relatively gloomy mood, it doesn't help.

I find summer a mystifying and puzzling thing. On one hand, it has a tantalizing effect; we often find ourselves doing things that we otherwise wouldn't dream of doing. (There has to be a reason why the concept of a summer romance is so attractive and compelling.) The warm days, the shorter nights, and the lighter layers creates such an environmental aura that it produces a form of dream-like sequence. Pictures such as frolicking on the sand, sipping a nice cold drink in an appealing cup (fitting the summer aesthetic), and getting a couple shades darker is often what comes to mind. Wearing lighter clothes, longer and lighter hair, have an undetermined schedule that does not rely on assignment deadlines, and relishing under the sunlight is everything I wish I could do right now. And permit me to mention the prospect of travelling for a moment. The possibilities are endless...not to mention the sights I could see. Summer is such a blissful time of the year. Putting aside the wonderful warm weather, summertime can be a time that everything changes. 

Especially fashion. While I am aware what the magazines say, what the big brands tell you, and what Fashion Week remarks as the summer staple, I prefer to do my own thing, maintaining my own sense of style while adjusting it to adapt to the climate change. With summer virtually on the horizon, this translates to skirt, flowy tops, and sandals! While I am veering towards an influx of skirts this season, I am also impartial to light tops that demurely attract the right amount of attention to the skin, open-toed shoes that displays my (to-be) tanned toes and pedicure, and luscious body-hugging dresses. Oh, the endless possibilities! I, for one, cannot wait to dress in summer attire. 

Savour the Small Moments

Spring Break was over, I was returning to mountains and mountains of school work, there are 8 weeks left of the semester, time is quickly draining the remainder of time I have left to spend with my friends, and I was just barely getting over a cold. Needless to say, I was in no way excited for this last portion of the semester to start. To top it all off, I was feeling a tad under the weather, and so the conclusion to the week had been rather bleak.

Then, while sitting in my room, I suddenly hear a burst of music. At first, I thought it was loud music blaring from the room next door, as it natural for music to exceed the normal decibel level, particularly during late study hours. After listening intently, I deduced that it was not the neighbours next door nor was it my roommate playing her music loudly through her headphones. I peered through the window, asking myself where the origin of this music was coming from. I opened the windows, and to my astonishment, there was a band playing outside the dormitory doors, on a bench. A young man was singing beautifully on the guitar, while he had 3 accompanying violists and a percussionist. The young man was singing a rendition of Billie Jean with violins and drums filling the air, as the stars twinkled in the late evening sky. 

With the vocals growing louder, more and more windows began to open, with curious people peering out of the window, perching their necks to see where this beautiful music is coming from. Laughing quickly to myself, I noticed that some dangled their feet from their windows, while others chose to document this moment via instagram (no judgment, this includes myself). With the audience growing in size, the musicians continued playing. All playing spontaneously, without instruction or command, they desired to play out of the volition of their hearts, displaying their extraordinary talent, ranging from vocals to percussion to strings. With the quintet eerily in sync without ever having a single practice together, the music soared throughout the dorms, with the sound of windows being opened growing quickly ubiquitous. Transitioning in and out between acoustic versions of Thrift Shop, Boyfriend, and Don't You Worry Child, they also began to play instrumental pieces, all of which sprang spontaneously, in the heat of the moment. The pleasing sound of violins filling the air, the tranquil strumming of the guitar produced a sweet sound in the ears of those listening, as the drums kept the rhythm, akin to the constant beating of a heart. 

With a slight breeze blowing across my face as I continued listening to the wonderful music, it did not feel like I was school. The scene unfolding in front of my eyes reminded me so closely of summer, as if I was at an outdoor concert, with my feet perched laxly on the grass, with the summer heat radiating off my skin. I could close my eyes and I could envision myself sitting in the grass under the warm summer sun listening to music. It was one of those moments that did not feel as if I was living in the present moment, but rather felt transported through time. I could see myself lying in the grass, the smell of ocean water lingering in the air, the sun caressing my skin, and aroma of summer dancing in the atmosphere. I felt young and free. 

I do not go to a musics school by any means, but all the students in my midst are abnormally musical, playing several musical instruments. In that moment, I felt that I was a music school, with a group of music lovers gathering outside to play the song of their hearts. Still glancing out the window, I felt privileged to observe such a sweet but beautiful moment. It was a moment. As the music slowly producing a visceral decrescendo, the audience applauded, and I couldn't help but smile. 

Oscars 2013

Putting aside my opinion that this year's Oscars was relatively lacklustre (my apologies to the host, who I believe incorporated inappropriate jokes, lewd comments, and an overall mediocre hosting job), my disappointment that Hugh Jackman did not win Best Actor, and that Les Mis did not win Best Picture (I refuse to believe that due to the fact that it is an adaption, it did not win. That is poppycock; it was a movie tastefully done filled with sincere and genuine emotionally-wrenching scenes.), the attention is always on the red carpet fashion: the dresses. I am a total girl when it comes to beautiful, form-fitting, and body-hugging dresses that accentuate a woman's body. Furthermore, the dresses, the jewelry, the makeup, and the shoes are my favorite part of the Oscars because it sets a precursor to dress attire for the next fashion season. Let's be honest: what Jessica Chastain wore will likely influence some girl's decision for her prom dress somehow. My eyes are always glued to the screen to see what the ladies of Hollywood are wearing. I'm not partial to trends and fads, but I can always count that Oscars are equated with classic, Old Hollywood fashion, making it my favorite show to watch during Awards season. 

1. Amanda Seyfried 

She's always profoundly flawless on the carpet, with her gorgeous dress, sculpted hair that illuminates her lovely face structure, and makeup that highlight her green eyes. Her turnout at the Oscar was not a disappointment. 

2. Charlize Theron
Any woman that pairs a white peplum gown with a face-shaping pixie is fierce in my book. The lovely shape of her dress falling ever so nicely on her sleek frame did not distract me from her impeccable hair cut.

3. Adele
She's always fabulous on the carpet, with a style that is undeniably hers. A beautiful black gown with jewelled details, voluminous hairdo, and her signature makeup. Her cheeky and comical attitude makes her one of my favorite people. I wouldn't mind owning a dress like hers. Absolutely ravishing. Truly outstanding.

4. Jessica Chastain
I just want to take a moment to admire Jessica's Old Hollywood look. With a champange-hued cascading gown, soft curls, and a stunning red lip, her look is undoubtedly my favorite. If I owned her gown, I would never stop wearing it (despite that I have no occasion to wear such a lavish dress). Everything about her look is flawless: her hair, her makeup, her earring, her shape, everything. Ms. Chastain can do no wrong. Whoever said that no one can achieve perfection has clearly not seen her.

5. Alicia Vikander
This Danish beauty emulated Euro chic in this striking turquoise column gown. The details of her dress was dazzling the crowd, as it did not compete with her natural makeup and her soft updo. Her look seize a crowd in an utterly unpretentious matter. A magnificent look I plan to imitate.

Love is Stirring

Happy Valentine's Day, lovely readers!
If you are spending today with a loved one, enjoy and cherish the wonderful moments. If you are not spending it with someone you love, don't fret. It's a single day during the year in which the modern world chooses to dedicate to celebrate love when every day is an opportunity to celebrate love.
I personally don't like the notion that there is a day set aside where the world stops to show how much that special someone loves you, and if they fail to express their love in some fashion, that doesn't he doesn't love you (and for fellas, that she doesn't love you). However, that doesn't mean that one can't get into the spirit. What lady doesn't mind when her man surprises her with flowers and other tokens that she will greatly admire? Or perhaps watch a cute film together while eating a dinner that she made for you? I'm a great fan of romance because I'm a firm believer that it isn't dead. I admire romance in the sense that the smallest moment, a cute moment, and a simple moment can be utterly romantic. To a bystander, sharing a pizza in a quaint pizza shop in a rustic town may be boring or mundane, but it's romantic because you are able to quiet and focus on each other. I think women should still expect romance in their lives because it's not about the guy of their dreams showing up with a bunch of flowers or professing his love on a stage in front of strangers. It's about dancing in the living room when our songs comes on, giggling while preparing a meal together, or simply stroking your hair while drifting in and out of sleep on the couch.

If you desire a little bit of ambience to set the mood or simply to let your mind drift for when your prince will come, here is a list of 50 romantic songs.

1. Ho Hey - The Lumineers
2. Enchanted - Taylor Swift
3. Dream a Little Dream - Glee Cast
4. Lovesong - The Jonas Brothers
5. Lucky - Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat
6. Sugar - Paper Route
7. Nothing - The Script
8. You and Me - Lifehouse
9. Kiss Me - Sixpence None The Richer
10. Wait for Me - Rebecca St. James
11. Why Can't I - Liz Phair
12. Don't Know Why - Norah Jones
13. Love Me Tender - Elvis Presley
14. Don't Forget - David Mead
15. Falling In Love At A Coffee Shop - Landon Pigg
16. Somebody Like You - Keith Urban
17. Come Away With Me - Norah Jones

18. Yo Te Voy Amar - NSYNC

19. That's Amore - Dean Martin

20. Rhythm of Love - Plain White T's

21. Won't Let You Down Again - Matthew Perryman Jones

22. No Puedo Dejarte de Amar (y Reik) - Kalimba

23. If You Ever Come Back - The Script

24. Over the Moon - Rosie Thomas

25. Not Myself - John Mayer

26. Say (All I Need) - One Republic

27. On Fire - Switchfoot

28. Breakeven (Falling to Pieces) - The Script

29. I Knew I Loved You - Savage Garden

30. Baby Shake-em - Brooke Waggoner

31. Begin Again - Taylor Swift

32. Lovers in Japan (Osaka Sun Mix) - Coldplay

33. Before the Worst - The Script

34. One and Only - Adele

35. J'ai Deux Amours - Madeleine Peyroux

36. See It For Myself - Sugar and The Hi-Lows

37. Solamente Tu - Pablo Alboran

38. Safety - Leagues

39. Mi Nina Bonita - Chino y Nacho

40. All I Got - Tyler James

41. You Belong To Me - Jo Stafford

42. Kiss Me - Ed Sheeran

43. As Long As You Love Me - Backstreet Boys

44. Colours - Graffiti6

45. I Feel Better - Gotye

46. Something In The Way You Are - Kimbra

47. Quando Quando Quando - Michael Buble

48. You Got Me - Colbie Caillat 

49. Hold You In My Arms - Rays Lamontagne

50. Haven't Met You Yet - Michael Buble 

In all the festivities of today, remember, just because you don't have a date or someone to spend today with, you are still beautiful, you are still as ravishing as ever, and you are worth the wait. You are loved, because He loved you first. Enjoy today, simply because you are lovely.

Stuck In-Between

As much I like the prospect of having warmer weather, there has been a dramatic climate change in a span of 10 days. One weekend, it was below freezing and so cold that all of southern Virginia stops and watches the fluffy white fluff fall from the heavens. Which subsequently resulted in a campus-wide snowball fight with music blaring out of the windows of someone's car. It was quite amusing and is quite a story to tell, considering that the majority of people who participated in it have never seen snow. They have never seen snow! As a lifelong resident of Canada, I find that so peculiar. What do you mean you've never seen snow? I live in the land of snow. To wrap my mind around that there are people who have never witnessed a snowfall astounds me. It was comforting for me since it reminded me of back home, thus making me a tad nostalgic (or a tad more). The snow continued to fall well into the night and--shocking!--it stayed on the ground, even icing over. I was surprised it had gotten so cold. I went outside and I immediately felt I was home (which brought an amalgamation of feelings ranging from comfort to perplexity). The weekend passed and the snow melted. Then, the next day. the temperature jumped 10 degrees Celsius. It was warm enough to wear a light jacket. It was still rather brisk, with the wind howling and the ominous gray clouds foreshadowing a storm. But still, it was a progressive change from the weekend's wintery climate. The very next day, it was 23 degrees! 23 degrees! I didn't know what to do with myself. A couple of days ago, it was so cold that when the wind lashed against my face, it felt that the wind cut through my skin. Now, it was warm enough to wear a light cardigan with cropped pants and flats. Without tights. My body was in conflict. Being in Canada for so long, it doesn't matter what the month is, my body immediately registers that after a particular month, it is cold and I need to dress up. Judging on the outside weather, I needed to dress a little lighter, but my hands were cold and clammy while I was nearly breaking sweat walking to class. So in times like these, when the weather refuses to be consistent and is erratic, how does one dress? Is it the in-between stages between spring or summer, or is it more a transitional period where one gradually dresses lighter in accordance to the weather? The answers to those questions would be answered if the weather would steadily remain constant, at least to some degree. So, I opted for a much obvious option: dress with fall-like pieces when the weather dips and layer precisely when the temperature begins to rise but will dip again by twilight. Besides, this is the perfect opportunity to dress in bright colors. The scenery is gloomy and the sun goes down near 7 anyway, so a pop of color is perfect. 

 I personally prefer to stick to a classic color palette, but I like to mix things up a bit to refrain from being boring or predictable. While I do have my own sense of style, I do mix prints or incorporate color-blocking. Fashion is fun, and I treat it as such. 

Dry Bones

I know I've said that I was going to write more, but I assure you, I am not abandoning this site, nor am I planning to visit it occasionally. I just didn't factor in the colossal workload the spring semester usually brings. I suppose it's a way to remind that if we want to enjoy the warm weather outside, you need to finish your work first. If my mother wouldn't tell me that I need to buckle down, it would be my quest to keep my GPA high.

Ezekiel 37:1-10 has been ministering to my soul recently and the Scripture fails to leave my conscious. Rather than saying I stumbled across it as if it was a fortunate case of coincidence, it was more I wasn't expecting to come across it. The wonderful of reading the Bible is that no matter how many times you've read the same Scripture or verse, there is a new revelation that falls. A fresh understanding reveals a new way of looking at the Scripture that makes me exclaim, "Huh! I didn't think of it like that before." 

The NIV translation reads as such: 

The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”

I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’” So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.

As always, I like to have a different translation accompany every Scripture I read since it offers more insight and the choice in words a different translation may have can a different effect (such as, in regards to choosing a words for affection, liking someone or ardently admiring). The Complete Jewish Bible, translated from the original Hebrew and Greek, reads as such:

With the hand of Adonai upon me, Adonai carried me out by his Spirit and set me down in the middle of the valley, and it was full of bones. He had me pass by all around them — there were so many bones lying in the valley, and they were so dry! He asked me, “Human being, can these bones live?” I answered, “Adonai Elohim! Only you know that!” Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones! Say to them, ‘Dry bones! Hear what Adonai has to say! To these bones Adonai Elohim says, “I will make breath enter you, and you will live. I will attach ligaments to you, make flesh grow on you, cover you with skin and put breath in you. You will live, and you will know that I am Adonai.” So I prophesied as ordered; and while I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound; it was the bones coming together, each bone in its proper place. As I watched, ligaments grew on them, flesh appeared and skin covered them; but there was no breath in them. Next he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath! Prophesy, human being! Say to the breath that Adonai Elohim says, ‘Come from the four winds, breath; and breathe on these slain, so that they can live.’”

So I prophesied as ordered, and the breath came into them, and they were alive! They stood up on their feet, a huge army!

Both talk of the same thing, but the different translations paints a different picture. I read it and I was blown away at what I realized. God was telling Ezekiel that should you speak to those dry bones to come to life, to breathe life into them, according to my word, they shall. He was telling Ezekiel exactly what to say and all Ezekiel had to was to repeat them and speak them in faith. The following verse says that the bones were coming together. Bones were coming together. Ezekiel spoke the words of the Lord and it came to pass exactly what He prophesied. I sitting on my sofa, with my mouth open and utterly speechless because it wasn't exactly the profundity of the event or how magnanimous the position of Ezekiel was. Rather, I was blown away at the simplicity of it. God was telling Ezekiel that should you speak what I speak, you will see great things follow. It wasn't a mythical process; it was simply speaking forth the words of the Sovereign God. However, what I also gather is that Ezekiel didn't repeat them anxiously, unsure, or muttering it, questioning what would happen. He spoke them in faith, knowing that with every utterance, the Holy Spirit went before him, and wonders followed. I was immediately taken aback that as Christians, we possess the same power. Prophesy with unshakable faith that moves the mountains and shakes the depth of hell and dry bones will come to life. 

And they did. The following clause is what's very important to note. He didn't just say them, full of faith to realize that nothing happened, it was done for nothing, and absolutely nothing followed. He spoke, and it came to pass. Bones were coming together, flesh was covering them, and the dead came to life. 

That is a foreshadow of the power we possess through the blood of Christ and the Holy Spirit. When we speak to dry bones, they come to life. Yet, in the midst of this wild revelation, I also acknowledged another thing: it wasn't in my power that was doing all of this. While I am speaking what the Lord puts on my lips, it is His Spirit that goes forth and accomplishes what is being spoken. With that, I never have to doubt whether what I speak will come to pass. Since the words that I speak are words directly from the Lord, His Spirit goes before me and fulfills what is being spoken. It is His power, not mine. But His power is in me because His Spirit dwells in me. Wow. I don't possess any power, but through His Spirit, through Jesus Christ, I am able to accomplish all things, including commanding dry bones to come life. Because they will. 

 

I hope this will minister to you as it did to me.

Le Nouveau Année

Happy New Year!

The cliche, "times flies by" doesn't seem quite as cheesy when I reminisce on the memories I've made in 2012, the people I've encountered, and the things I've experienced. 2012 was truly a jam-packed year, as it provided fertile soil for many amazing, life-changing experiences occur. Several poignant occasions include Catch the Fire, spending the summer in Europe, going to Florida for Spring Break and subsequently going to Disney World for the first time, going to DC for Kony 2012: MOVE, and getting a car.

I will freely admit that this blog has taken a back seat and on some occasions, performed as the spitting place where masses of pictures agglomerate together and somehow serve a purpose. However, with a new year brings newness, change, and opportunities to bring change, I propose several things, all of which will not just be eloquent propositions, but rather goals to pursue and accomplish. 

I am not a frivolous writer. I rarely will compose a paragraph based on superfluous subjects or that are filled with arbitrary objections. I like my writing to full of purpose, intellectual vocabulary, and a sense of freshness--a new perspective that hovers over the topic of conversation. At the same time, I don't want my New Years resolutions to reflect superficial goals, such as trimming my middle (which, I admit, is one of my goals), but I desire to have something more of substance. So, at the risk of announcing my years goals:

1. I am going to read and to write more. While this is more of a discipline issue than of time management, it is simply taking 15 minutes, 30 minutes, an hour out of my day to simply read, relax my mind, fill my brain with fresh words, give vitality to my syntax. I want to look at my bookshelf and now that I am making progress in completing the list of novels on the bookshelf above my desk as which I glance a great majority of my time. 

2. I am going to cultivate a deeper relationship with God. Not only a deeper relationship and fall deeper in love with Abba, but also develop a stronger relationship with the Holy Spirit. 

3. I am going to make dietary changes. Not as many sweets and cookies (which in my defense, I do not breathe chocolate chip cookies as I do oxygen), and more fruits and vegetables. Make more meals with variety. Change things up a bit so that I will not have to resort to eating out. 

4. Be myself. Cliche, I know, but people can go into being what people expect from you, so you stop doing what's right for you. I'm going to do my own thing that is not going to be determined by what people want, what people conjure ideas about in regards to a particular thing, and privately aspire for me to act/speak/behave. I am simply going to be me. And in being myself, there is a freedom that comes from that.