It is still the first week in January and I’ve got great plans. I’ve been thinking about seeing. There are lots of things to see, unwrapped gifts and free surprises. The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies cast broadside from a generous hand. But- and this is the point- who gets excited by a mere penny?…. It is dire poverty indeed when a man is so malnourished and fatigued that he won’t stoop to pick up a penny. But if you cultivate a healthy poverty and simplicity, so that finding a penny will literally make your day, then, since the world is in fact planted in pennies, you have with your poverty bought a lifetime of days.

Annie Dillard got it right.

I think there are times in our lives where things get over-complicated, where we’re overwhelmed with school, work, friends, choices we’ve made, and all that. This year has been interesting, to say the least, and there have been those days that are great, and others that weren’t. I made some good choices, though I feel that I might have made more mistakes than good choices this year. In that, I guess I can find solace in the idea that experience is the greatest teacher.

I cleared my apartment the week of finals. Should have probably spent a bit more time studying, but once I started, I couldn’t stop. Plus, it was a great excuse to not study. I found out that I was a hoarder! I had all these empty boxes for my things that was just taking up a huge amount of space, CDs that were already on my computer. Then there were the books that I would never wear and the clothes that were long forgotten in my closet. So, I gave the books away, sold my clothes at Trendy Exchange and Plato’s closet, giving the rest away to D.I. My roommate burned the CDs on his computer and then got rid of them, and I threw away all those boxes.

Having the clutter gone was amazing. There is something appealing to the life of simplicity, of having less. More is definitely not less, and less can definitely be the more. I hope that I focus more on the important things in life this year. Rather than focusing on the material, the physical, I’m learning more and more that life comes as you make it, and you take each step and each day and find joy in it. Too often, I’m worried about the world around me, letting the world act on me, and reacting to it. Doing so makes me lose my ability to choose, because I get so blinded by things that don’t really matter.

This year is the year. 2012. A Dragon year, which means I’ve survived two cycles in the Chinese Zodiac calendar. Are things going to work out perfectly? Probably not, no. But, I’ve learned that attitude is what matters most. You know, I wasn’t really supposed to be alive now. It was only with the miracle of medicine and surgery that I’m alive today. Babies with transposition of the great arteries don’t really have the highest rates of survival. So I guess complicated things like surgery are good sometimes! I deviated. The point is, this is a new year, and I can do exactly what I want to do with it.

At the end of the day, I’m just grateful for life and all that it has afforded me. I’m grateful for my parents and friends, for the people who make my life all the better for just being in it. The lessons that I learn from those around me are invaluable, though sometimes it takes awhile for it to sink in. I’m looking forward to the new year ahead, for the possibility of adventures and stories that are bound to come with it. I just hope, and I guess it is up to me, that I make the right choices that will enable me to make the most out of the time I have.

Back to Dillard’s quote: Here’s to making a year where finding a penny will literally make my day, where life will be great whether it is simple or complicated, where happiness will come from the little things that make all the difference.

Happy 2012!

I'm not. But... 

Walking around the streets of Spain and Portugal, we've seen a lot of homeless people around. We always try and drop a coin or two in their cup or hands, but it's heartbreaking to see so many of them around. I've read a few studies that talk about how these people are more a victim of circumstance or anything. But, that's beside the point. They're human, and we are too.

 

Took a shot of this guy basking in the sun after seeing him shivering on Christmas Eve in the cusp of a store window. Thankfully it warmed up a bit.

I really hope that I never take for granted just how blessed I am.

I was just emailing my teacher about this, since we talked about that, and the concept of egoism and altruism in class, about how people detach themselves from seeing people suffering, and not recognizing the humanity in them, and putting themselves on a pedestal above others.

He said, "My concern is always with people who feel like they have it all worked out and who don't ask the hard questions about their heart and their intentions.  The rest of us who struggle with the altruist and egoist in ourselves, are right where we should be--in a struggle, asking the tough questions of ourselves and others, and not becoming easily settled on ethics.  I know I struggle all the time, and hope that especially during the holiday season I am a little more inclined than usual toward the good and the selfless."


I hope that I am too. Christ would have wanted it, and I want to be like Him. 


Next time you walk by a homeless guy, search for that coin in your pocket, please? 

I've had the opportunity to view some of the most beautiful and moving art over the past few of days at the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya in Barcelona, and the Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid. 

A huge part of the collection includes paintings that portray the life of Christ, including the story of His birth. The paintings are absolutely gorgeous, so I figured that it'd be fun to see the story through some beautiful, inspiring art.

I hope that I hope you enjoy these paintings as much as I did, and have a wonderful time contemplating the birth of the Savior during this Christmas season.  

The Annunciation by Fra Angelico

"And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.... And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: .... that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word."

The Visitation by Rafael

"And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?"

The Adoration of the Shepherds by Raphael

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.... Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger... the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger."

The Holy Family with St. Anne by Rubens

"And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ... And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age.. And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem."

The Adoration of the Magi by Rubens 

"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.... When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh."


Hope you enjoyed this, Merry Christmas!

Have a bucket list?

I do, and I've just added one that's right at the top of it.

I was watching a movie on my flight titled The Way. It's this man who decides to finish his son's pilgrimage trip on "The Way of St. James," or Camino de santiago, after his son dies in an accident at the beginning of the trip. As a side note, the Way is apparently the path that Saints carried the body of James from Jerusalem to Spain after he was martyred.

Having not ever taken the time to experience life, to travel, to learn more about himself, he finally does. One poignant quote in the movie is during a flashback when he's arguing with his son about his choices, and remarks that life is about making choices to live, to which his son responds, "you don't choose a life, you live one."

It's one of those movies that touches you, that really gets you thinking about your priorities in life. It's a tale of forgiveness, and friendship, and trust.

I'm young, I have a lot of choices to make, and I want to live a good, worthwhile life. I would love to take this trip. I think sometimes, it's nice to take a break from life and take a little trip away from the world. Sure, I'm young, and perhaps I have a lot less to worry about right now. But, it's in these times, when you take a little step into the unknown, to really try and find yourself, that life takes the way that you need to go.

Anyone want to go with me?

We went over to my professor's house last night to watch Shadowlands. It's a movie based on the life and relationship between C.S. Lewis and his wife, Joy Gresham. It was an amazing movie and well worth the time, especially if you're anything of a fan of Lewis'.

But, one of the things that really stood out to me in the movie was a side story, where Lewis was having a bit of a problem with one of his students. The student in question was sleeping in class and didn't seem very interested in his classes. What Lewis finds out through, when he visits the student, is that the student reads at night. Why? The student responds:

"It's the only thing breaks me concentration. All night sometimes. When I start a new book, my hands are shaking. My eyes jump ahead... Does he feel the way I felt? Does he see what I've seen?"

I love reading. I love holding a book that I haven't read before, with its crisp pages and  paper smell. People keep telling me that a Kindle's great. I guess I'll have to try it someday. But, you understand what I'm talking about, right? When you delve head first into a book and pop out a few hours later, refreshed because you've just spent a few hours in Narnia, or been inspired to learn something new. I have this dream that one day, I'll have a house with a huge room just for books, a house library, with bookcases and shelves full of books from Archer to Ayn Rand, from Picoult to.. Zafon. There'll be a big glass window that will let the sunlight in, and soft couches that you can sink into.

A guy can hope, can't he?

"....succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.” (D&C 81:5.)

And I'll tell you who you are, so said the food critic Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin.

Just attended a lecture on food culture in Europe. If you know me well, you know I love to eat. So, instead of writing a post on the virtues of an education(though it's finals feel), I'll write about the joys of gastronomy, which might tempt you to cook or bake instead of studying. If that's your impulse, I say go for it.

Have you ever taken a bite of a juicy cheeseburger, where the cheese is perfectly melted, with that perfectly toasted bun with a little brown on top? Then there are the sautéed onions, or crisp bacon or lettuce that soak up the juices of the meat as it flows from the heart of the burger.

What about that peach cobbler that's fresh out of the oven? There's that crispy exterior, but a moist center with the peaches and cinnamon sugar syrup.

Food, I think, is part of the essence of life. I remember that when I was on my mission, a bad day with three good meals was great, a good day with three bad meals was ok, but a bad day with three bad meals was devastating. My Mom is always complaining that my Dad and I live to eat while she eats to live.

Food makes us who were are. Whether or not we can enjoy the different cultures and cuisines, whether we can appreciate both the bitter and the sweet. Whether we're adventurous or dull. The europeans know and love their food, it is part of them.

I'm glad that I live to eat. There is artistry in the culinary arts. The presentation, the flavors, the texture and colors. One day, I hope that I get to have my own little cafe and cook and eat, cook and eat.

Let's just hope I don't clog those arteries.

Funny how a lot of the books I've been reading seem to revolve around the theme of experience. Not just the day by day things though. Maybe it's because I feel somewhat like what they talk about. 

In a recent play that I read, C.S. Lewis is teaching a crowd about life, about experience, about suffering. He said: 

Isn’t God supposed to be good? Isn’t God supposed to love us? And does God want us to suffer? What if the answer to that question is yes? ’Cause I’m not sure that God particularly wants us to be happy. I think he wants us to be able to love and be loved. He wants us to grow up. I suggest to you that it is because God love us that he makes us the gift of suffering. Pain is God's megaphone to rouse a deaf world. You see, we are like blocks of stone out of which the sculptor carves the forms of men. The blows of his chisel which hurt us so much with are what makes us perfect.

 Life throws a lot of things at us. We have good days and bad days, we have triumps and trials. As I start to loom back at the year behind me, I realize that Ihave been blessed. There have been so many good things that have happened, from friends, to work, to school and all that. But, I've also had my fair share of disappointments and pains, and especially now, with finals round the corner! :)

But, honestly, when were the times that I learned the most? It wasn't whenh things were the most comfortable, I didn't really need to learn anything I guess. I'm not saying that I learned much right during that trial or hard event. But, looking back, I see the things that I was to learn. Sometimes, the hardship ior heartache has come from someone's actions, but more often than not, of my own volition.

Here's the thing though. I have come to learn that every trial that I am given is a gift, a gift to change and improve and be better, to learn more about myself, about what I can handle and can become. God loves each one of us and wants us to be happy. That's why Lewis was right. Suffering is a gift, and if used right, the pain that comes from it will grow from a tunnel of darkness into an even brighter morning. 

Check this out.

I attended a lecture about fish about a month ago that was absolutely fascinating. Funnily enough, the theme for my blog next year comes from the lecture. Look out for it in exactly a month.

But, nature really is amazing.

If you thought you were cool, think again.

Can you do this?