From A Movie Point-of-View

How many of you watched the golden Disney classic, Mary Poppins? I won't be surprised if most of you did and the others haven't.

I grew up watching that live-action 50s musical film starring Julie Andrews and Dick van Dyke, and just recently I watched it again. Now that I realize it, this movie is probably one of a few that still leaves fond memories in my mind - ones I remember even till now.

Basically, the plot is simple: it's 1910 in London, and the Banks family is looking to hire a nanny to care for their two children, Jane and Michael. When Mary Poppins, practically perfect in every way, steps into their lives, along with a little help from her charming old friend Bert, things begin to take a twist for the good of not just the kids, but even the entire Banks household themselves.

How it still manages to retain its charm even up to today is pretty obvious: it's one of those movies that had Walt Disney's touch to it. In fact, the movie did so well that it won five out of the thirteen Academy Award nominations it had received, including Best Actress for Julie Andrews (TRIVIA: she was originally intending to act in My Fair Lady, which was the Disney film's biggest contender in the awards, but the role was given to screen siren Audrey Hepburn) and Best Song for the very lively Chim Chim Che-Ree.

But I'm not here to discuss the entire length of the movie. What I am focusing on is the movie's central theme: the importance of family.

Mr Banks is an officer working for the Dawes, Jones, Mousely, Grubbs Fidelity Fiduciary Bank (yes, I know, it's quite a mouthful) and like most working adults, works from 9am to 5pm. (Presumably, since he's always home at 6pm) Also, like most working adults, he has little time to actually care for the children. Mrs Banks, however, doesn't have the time to do so either, as she's actively involved with the infamous suffragette movement that was fighting for women's rights in that time period. Hence, the family's need for a nanny. It's been mentioned that they've already gone through five nannies, and all of them have given up trying to control the kids.

But Jane and Michael are just like ordinary kids: they want to have fun, and as much fun as they can. Most parents would do whatever they can to make time for the children, but unfortunately for these two, Mr Banks is a man of discipline. Not to the extent of caning the children, but he's never given them any time to go out and play. The few songs he sings give him the impression of a man who takes things seriously - including how important it is to educate the children on the world.

Even Mrs Banks is powerless to persuade him. He is the master of the house, and that cannot be disputed. (Ironic, isn't it, as she's part of the suffragette movement but can't even speak her mind to her own husband)

Mary Poppins is quite the contrary. Hence, Mr Banks' disagreement with her methods. But if it wasn't for Poppins' steadfastness, she wouldn't have stayed with the children for long. And if it wasn't for her, the Banks family would never have come together.

The Banks family's situation mirrors family life in the modern world. With parents stuck in a pursuit for material wealth, they abandon their children without any care. Day in and day out, all modern parents think about is putting food on the table, giving the best that education can offer, and run in and out of their home to make ends meet.  What about the kids, neglected at home, without any love from their parents? It's worse if their parents are stern disciplinarians or are abusive to their children, or if the children themselves fall prey to the dark side of life.

Which has happened all too frequently.

Jane and Michael have to thank Mary Poppins for keeping them safe. But for most of us, we don't have a nanny like her to look after us. Some parents rely on our grandparents (I was cared for by my grandmother whenever mum and dad were away, but thankfully I live in a tight family) to look after us. Others rely on maids. And when all else fails, parents go to their relatives. But even so, the news continues to publish sad stories of domestic violence, child abuse and other related cases almost every day. Who can you really trust?

It's a grim world we live in.

While Mr Banks finally managed to turn things around (thanks to both Mary and Bert) and start enjoying life with his family - he took them out to fly a kite - real parents can't afford such a luxury. Time is not on their side, not like it used to be. They've become slaves to their jobs, and the young ones are always the ones who suffer, whether they know it or not. They don't know what to do without their parents to guide them. And this is why so many have already fallen victim to the vices of life.

It's high time these parents be enlightened. Else, how many other children are going to suffer?

Plans?

Not really sure yet.

First there's Convention coming up around the 16th or 17th. That's 5 days of fun and learning at the LSC that I can't wait to join up for.

Then there's free guitar lessons over at the FGA. So I'm thinking, 'Why not?' If, of course, I can get my own guitar or lend one from someone.

Then there's work. Planning to go Maxis, but... I need to call the person in charge soon, or maybe I won't have a place anymore.

Of course, there's more FT activities to be held next year, like the one I planned to do this year. Hopefully, if time permits then I will definitely go for them.

So that's it for now. If anything else... I might consider.

Cheers all.

Thoughts: Forgiving II

"To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you."
~ Lewis B. Smedes

This quote rings truth.

Forgiving releases a lot of weight from one's shoulders. But it's not just them who will be relieved. You too benefit from forgiving.

To bear ill will against someone is only going to be the death of you. You pour in so much malice, so much energy, so much thought into hating someone that you don't realize you're actually trapping yourself. It's like going into a cage full of lions, and then locking yourself in with them and throwing the key away.

How would you feel if, somehow, you and your closest friend suddenly had a terrible row and the both of you would not forgive each other? If you were in the wrong, but you failed to admit your fault on your part, how would you feel? And if you regretted and begged for forgiveness, but none was given, how would you feel then?

I know a few of you who are in such a position, or instead may be the offended party. Isn't it time for the bridges to be mended? How long are you going to poison your heart and mind? To what extent will you finally give them forgiveness?

You may tell me it doesn't affect you at all. Does it now? When you look back at your life and realize you'd made the mistake of not forgiving someone for something he/she has done wrong AND could have been easily forgiven, now that you're the wiser? What would you have to say to yourself?

Heed my warning. Let bygones be bygones. Even when it hurts, grant them forgiveness.

Here's a true story (from the Reader's Digest): a woman from the Phillipines by the name of Anna once celebrated Christmas with two orphan kids - seven-year old Orly, and ten-year old Virgie. They had so much fun in the three days they were to stay with them, that her parents called the orphanage to ask for an extension. They got three extra weeks. What fun!

Soon enough, there was talk about adopting them. Young Anna soon realized that with them permanently in the family, all the attention would go to them. She wouldn't have any of it. So she did the unthinkable (for a child of age 11, it seemed a good idea): she began to sideline herself from the family. The ploy worked, and both the orphans went back to the orphanage. The both of them called and called, begging to be adopted, but it was too late. Anna's father feared she would isolate herself again. They never got to adopting them. They didn't dare.

It wasn't until years later that Anna found out about those calls. In her words, "the guilt cut through my insides. I wondered how my immaturity changed their lives." I can't imagine how their lives would have changed, for better or worse.

Anna tried tracing them, but to no avail. It seemed as though they disappeared from the face of the earth.

Anna sums it all up in her final paragraph:

"My only hope of making contact with them is if one day,... a man would in some vague way recognize me. Maybe he would approach and tell me that I seem familiar. I'd look into his eyes and say, "Why yes, we've met. I'm from the family that promised salvation but never followed through." And I'd tell him, "Orly, I'm sorry. I am so, so sorry."

Think about it. Cheers all.

"When you forgive, you in no way change the past - but you sure do change the future."
~ Bernard Meltzer

Thoughts: Forgiving I

"My desire is to be a forgiving, non-judgmental person."
~ Janine Turner

That is what I hope to be one day. It's not an easy path, but I'll get there.

But it's hard to forgive someone, isn't it? We justify ourselves that he/she is in the wrong and I am right. But if a person doesn't make any mistakes, he isn't a mortal anymore - he's God!

I'd say, in terms of faith, God didn't make us perfect for a reason. It's so that we learn from our mistakes and use that experience to make things better in future. In terms of science, logical reasoning needs to mature over time, and thus mistakes we make are only signs that our minds are still growing.

(Correct me if I'm wrong in any of these topics)

After all, to err is human and to forgive is divine. It's best to have at most one enemy than only one friend. Besides, if you and your enemy are the last people alive, how do you expect to rely on each other to survive?

Cheers.

Thoughts: Open Day

Today's the day when parents come to school to meet their children's respective class teacher and talk about their overall performance in the recent mid-year exams, as well as their conduct and performance in school.

But while many parents (my mum included) were seen walking around the school grounds to the classes where their son(s)/daughter(s) were, some students had to have aunts or uncles or siblings or someone else (and even no one at all) to take their report cards and listen to the teacher's evaluation.

Shouldn't parents be there in the first place? After all, Open Day has its significance.

I don't know. It makes me wonder.

Thoughts: Questions to Ponder

Watched Jack Neo's "I Not Stupid Too" yesterday (from the date of this posting) and had some thoughts at some of the tear-jerking moments.

At the moment, I can only think of this:

Child Negligence
It is indeed our responsibility - well, I mean parents - to take care of one's children. To shower them with love, affection, care and to teach them the meaning of becoming a responsible person when they become adults.

But what if we neglect their needs? What if we just ignore them, too busy with our own work to spend some quality time with them? Or when they do something wrong; do we listen to them first or act out according to the judgment of others or yourself? How do we know we are right?

Like in the movie, when the young boy was caned for stealing, he told his parents he was just saving up "to buy an hour of their time". Why is it only at the last minute when we realize our mistakes?

Think about it.

CNY Day 2

Well, it's already Day Two. So freakin' fast?

Man, Time flies. ><

So far so good, I'd say. Good food, the company of relatives, laughter and joy, some angpau (though in small numbers this time) and everything else that makes CNY fun.

Oh, and some good couple hours of sleep in the afternoon. The weather seriously makes one sleepy. Haiz.

And already the festivities are coming to an end. Zoinks!

Ah well. Enjoy it while we can, that's what I say.

Cheers for now!

Family Comes First

When I typed this post I had just come back from helping my mum out with some work. Mind you, the notes I publish are all scheduled posts. So the original post which I typed was done at about 11.43 pm on Friday, the 26th of November 2010 AD. Yes, you read right. And believe me, as tired as I may be now, I can't say that I'm glad I helped her out.

Most times, kids would usually gripe when their parents ask them for their help with something, be it a chore or something involving their work. I admit I did complain before, but now I see the big picture: when we help our parents we shouldn't see it as something that hinders us or is an annoyance. Instead we should be happy to help them, because we're technically repaying a bit of the deeds they've done for us as a child growing up. We always end up taking our parents for granted, and we never really show them gratitude for taking care of us since our birth. It's high time we changed that.

Why should we be complaining anyway? When we're young, it's normal to do it because we don't know about the burdens we carry. But as we age and we learn and mature, we should recognize that our parents did all their best to give us what we have today. Let's not take into account those who were abused by their parents. I will address that in a later post. The fact is, our parents worked so hard to do all they can to give us a good life, good education, and loads more. Now that we're older, we should do all we can to repay their kindness and their care for us. Be it treating them more nicely, buying lunch and dinner everyday, or maybe taking them somewhere for some quality family time, we need to show them our thanks for their love and affection, and all the sacrifices they've made for us.

Family comes first. It's good that we have Father's and Mother's Day celebrations. But we need to make every day Family Day. Think about it.

Cheers!