Day: September 21, 2011

Humanity Over Cruelty

theycallmedame1 Comment

Hateful, spiteful, repeating
Underneath a persons very skin
Men and women struggle
And it is then that war begins
New information and cultures appear
Illegal feelings and thoughts
The end of life as we know it
Your battle is one quickly lost

Open ones mind and ones thoughts
Verify every fact
Each life can be worth living
Reaching forward, but never back

Creating a false world
Readily defended lies
Up, and up, and up you build
Eventually puncturing the skies
Leave your ignorance, and hate, and carelessness
Take nothing with you at all
You are only as big as your every fear

And even you will eventually fall.

The Ride from Hell

r3t5nomLeave a comment
09a 1978 Lincoln Town Car (E)
Image by Kansas Sebastian via Flickr

Tonight I experienced the ride from hell. After having a wonderful weekend with my mom, my sister, and my friend Joanna it eventually became time for us to part ways. When we were picked up by the Executive town car service at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Los Angeles CA, that is when hell came raining down. Town cars are supposed to be comfortable, relaxing, and contain fresh air, but instead we got uncomfortable, nerve-racking, and the smell had Joanna and I on the verge of gagging.

Read More »

Dreams Really Do Come True.

backinphilly3 Comments

I’m sure a lot of people have seen the numerous articles regarding the Philadelphia Eagles‘ Dream Team accusation, like this interview. As a strong Philadelphia Eagles fan, I stand behind Vince Young‘s thoughts that the Eagles are in fact a dream team. For starters, the Eagles acquired All-Pro cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha to strengthen a weak pass defense.

This pickup was my favorite due in part to my extreme admiration of Asomugha. I remember when NFL Network was covering each team pursuing Asomugha. When the network announced that in fact the Eagles signed him, I started running around my house screaming “WE GOT HIM WE GOT HIM!!!” I ran outside, yelled to my family members, scared my dog because of all the noise, and then pinched myself because I thought it was all a dream. About an hour later, after I calmed down, I realized that the Eagles were taking aim on a prize far greater than anything they had ever accomplished.

Isn’t it beautiful? A roster boasting as much talent as the Eagles is sure to finally capture an NFL championship, right?

Yes, because talent always wins. Hopefully, the Eagles will be able to accomplish what the Miami Heat could not.
Little early huh?

Not 1, not 2, not 3, but maybe none. All Philly needs is one.

You Are My Sweetest Downfall…

yrreskrap2 Comments

I am obsessed with the song Samson by Regina Spektor. Ask my roommate, she knows.

What I love the most about the song is not the beautiful, velvety vocals but the lyrics (to be specific, the meaning behind them).

It tells the story of Samson through the eyes of Delilah, his deceitful wife. Samson was blessed by God with incredible strength (he could even kill a lion with his bare hands). With that strength, Samson fought off wicked people and God was pleased. Samson was good. He was obedient and he loved God. So, God promised Samson his strength as long as he never cut a hair off his head.

Delilah had given into sin by accepting the bribes of the Philistines. Blinded by money, she sought to find Samson’s ultimate weakness and to bring about his downfall. Every night, he incessantly asked her husband where his shortcomings lied. But every night, Samson gave her the wrong answer. After being given the answer, Delilah called the Philistines to her house to attack her husband, just to have Samson fight them off.

Finally, one night, Delilah got to him. She had told him that if he truly loved him, he would confide in her.

and he did.

Samson lost his hair that night and Delilah sold her husband to the Philistines. Tied to a pillar in their palace, Samson watched as the Philistines celebrated with a feast. Samson, deceived, guilt welling up in his chest cavity, prayed to God for one last chance. He asked for forgiveness and he asked for his strength. And for the last time, Samson got up and used his power to break the pillar that he was tied against, killing all inside the building, including himself.

This story is particularly moving to me because it shows how easily mankind can fall into sin’s trap. Everyday, the story of Samson lives on in every one of us. We are the deceived but more often, we are the deceivers.

Once you branch off from the straight path, like a tree that has grown crooked, you can never go back and straighten in out again. The past will always remain in the past. But life’s goal is to turn back once a mistake has been made. You must live and learn. Let the present be something you will never regret.

The Highly Unusual Traditions of TNT

kirbyfullyloadedLeave a comment

“We have had the time of our lives and I will not forget the faces left behind. It’s hard to walk away from the best of days. But if it has to end I am glad you have been my friend in the time of our lives.” Tyrone Wells

Click the links to watch the videos of CIMI tradition! 

Every year, CIMI hosts a variety show on the second to last night.  We call it TNT (Talent or No Talent).  Campers, counselors and instructors alike are welcome to enter the show and perform in front of the entire camp.  Over the years and throughout the sessions, CIMIans have developed their own little traditions that are passed down each summer.

A definite camp favorite would be the famous Watermelon Duel.  Staff members, Straka and Kyle established the first Catalina Sea Camp Watermelon Duel in 2008.  The tradition was continued in the Summer 2011 Watermelon Duel during the second session of CIMI by Wyatt and Garrett.  “This was a tribute indeed,” said Wyatt, “Garrett is Kyle’s younger brother, It only seemed right.”

Campers spell out “WE LOVE CIMI” in Scrabble tiles for the Board Games Carnival

Read More »

Thao & Mirah.

YourcupateaLeave a comment

Thao & Mirah
Sometimes I find myself searching for music that is both relaxing and fun. These two words rarely are put together to describe music, but in the new album, Thao & Mirah, these words describe the sounds perfectly.

Created by San Francisco-based solo artist Mirah Yom Tov Zeitlyn and alternative, rock singer and star of Thao with the Get Down Stay Down, Thao Nguyen, the album is truly unique. Using an array of sounds and tastes every song explores a different sound ranging from classic folk, to indie rock.

Released in April 2011, the collaboration of the two individual talents works perfectly. Full of great guitar and acoustic melodies mixed with delicate and rough vocals the album is perfect album to relax to but also sing along and dance to. I would recommend it to any one.

2:46PM March 11th, 2011

thehungryrunnergirlLeave a comment

In Japan, earthquakes happen at least once a week. There’s a system that predicts earthquakes five seconds beforehand to help you prepare.

On March 11, I was working out in a gym. Suddenly, the power went out and the ground started to shake. I thought to myself, “Well okay, again. No big deal.” But the shake didn’t end, and I soon realized that this earthquake was huge. Personal trainers told me to evacuate. I couldn’t walk. I felt as if my legs lost control. Fortunately, the buildings in Japan were built strong for earthquakes so we were safe, but phones had no service and I couldn’t communicate with my family. It was chaos.

When I got back home after walking for an hour, I turned on the TV. I was shocked out of my wits. Tohoku was destroyed by a tsunami. I saw people on the top of a hospital waving and asking for help. It was absolutely unbelievable. Cars, houses were all gulped by the tsunami.

Why? Why did this happen? Why Japan?

null

A week later, the death toll went up to 6,900 people. I was just shocked. What if I lived there? What if my families and friends were there…?

But in the midst of this heartbreak, there was a one thing that made my happy. I discovered the beauty of Japanese culture.

There was a very little looting. People waited patiently for food despite the length of the line. This summer was all about saving electricity for Tohoku. It was over 90 degrees everyday, but the air conditioners on trains and some parts of shopping malls were off. But nobody ever complained. We had only one thing on our minds: to help rebuild Tohoku, and still today, we are striving for that.

Before the earthquake, nobody was truly patriotic. I was a little bit disappointed how people didn’t appreciate the country. After the quake,  I was very moved and proud of being Japanese. I’ve never seen people working as one for people who are suffering from this disaster.

Please, pray for us.

For more information/photos, click here.