[CE] How holy is this?

Just when you think there’s enough forms of abuse, there’s sexual abuse by priests! If you want to read click here

An international group for victims of sexual abuse by Catholic priests has asked the International Criminal Court to prosecute Pope Benedict XVI and three other senior Vatican officials for crimes against humanity.

Despite how there’s only the prosecution of Pope Benedict XVI and three other senior Vatican officials that are being investigated, I’m pretty sure this lasted for years, even the previous centuries. This will definitely be a major blow for the Roman Catholic Church. Such a scandal will definitely lose the people’s trust to walk into a church with no insecurities.

But this is the first time the sexual-abuse scandal has been brought to an international jurisdiction, marking a new approach by victims and rights groups.

This is definitely confirms what I stated before.  Just like other reportings of abuse from other cases, similar scandals are always covered up in some way or no one would believe the claim. I don’t go to some form of church myself, but a scandal like this can cause other people who do go doubt in and lost their trust in what they believe. And I’m pretty sure priests in every religion aren’t allowed to be in a relationship; moreover, are allowed to take part in some scandal such as this.

The three other Vatican officials the group is asking that they be investigated are Tarcisio Bertone, the cardinal secretary of state; Angelo Sodano, his predecessor; and William Levada, a US cardinal.

Well, good luck with getting out of this situation guys.

The Roman Catholic Church is struggling to deal with rising anger and a string of lawsuits after thousands of child abuse claims in Europe and the US.

Well this event wouldn’t end as soon as most scandals. In fact, it’ll last for a pretty long period of time, especially when Xenophon, an Australian senator, reported a similar scandal 50 years ago.

             

       Well now this scandal has been reported, I do wonder if anyone will be trustworthy enough to continue to attend church, or even take part of any religious holidays. Who knows, the people could even convert to a different religion. I’m pretty disgusted of how all these abuses were covered up as much as fifty years and how these priests can continue to live on and practice what they pretty much soiled. Is there really anyone we know we can trust?

[BC] Draft (of Horror)

      Throughout my childhood, I constantly earned praises from my mother for every little accomplishment, from reading a difficult chapter book to award certificates from good behavior in school. Her warm smile and joyful eyes were always worthwhile whenever I worked hard on accomplishing my goal. Although I knew that I would need to work harder after elementary school, I wasn’t fully aware that one day, my efforts were not enough to lose her smile.
      At the beginning of middle school, her praises were still frequent, but she continuously warned not the “let down my guard” and work harder. When I received my first failing grade on a test, my mother and I had a conversation and she suddenly recalled how difficult her life back in her home country, Vietnam. As she tells her tale of her perseverance in effort to take care of her siblings and getting an education, she motivated me to work harder. She was my role model, no matter how unsuccessful the life she now lives, as she continues to work in a business she knew wouldn’t earned a lot of money, living with my father who doesn’t take part of any household duties other than working and picking me up from the day care.
      My mother’s characteristics were part of my goal, my future. She was a role model to her younger siblings, despite how little success she gained over the past twenty years. She sacrificed her education in effort to take care of me, took up a job she knew that the money that was earned will be towards the bills, but made effort to save up for my college funds. She also was independent; never did she asked anyone for help in paperwork unless necessary or asked her family or friends for money. She never stray her path to a life under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The scars on her arms, the strain on her muscles, and the bags under her eyes are all what remain for the rest of her life. However, after all these years, she still maintains her warm smile whenever she praises me.
        As I was growing up, I became involved with school clubs that motivated me to more active community services and interacted with other teachers for career advice. I immersed myself with volunteer work by tutoring elementary kids in order to improve my efforts to become a role model for my younger brother. I sacrificed my effort in getting a summer job in order to take care of my brother while my parents work. I endured one of my most emotional moments of my life that could’ve changed my life: losing my mother.
        Whatever it may be for her future, I want to continue her efforts. I want to improve both my and her lifestyles and give her something she deserved to have after all these years. I may gave a career that is different from what she wanted me to have, or a lifestyle she may disapprove at first, but I know she’ll be proud of my efforts. Although my goals aren’t fully determined, but I want to live my life knowing that I can do anything on my own.

[FREE] Princess Mononoke (1997)

Since last week’s post was about Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away (2001), might as well post another movie review on his previous works. Whenever I hear the term “epic”, then I’ll pretty much be expecting something amazing. Before I looked up the movie online, I agree that Princess Mononoke (1997) deserves that term. Even in our current time, the film still gained recognition as one of the highest grossing movies until Titanic was released in Japan. It’s also the second longest animation film to this day! And no wonder; this film is definitely worth to watch!
Here's a trailer :

Princess Mononoke is a period drama set specifically in the late Muromachi period of Japan but with numerous fantastical elements. The story concentrates on involvement of the outsider Ashitaka in the struggle between the supernatural guardians of a forest and the humans of the Iron Town who consume its resources. There can be no clear victory, and the hope is that relationship between humans and nature is cyclical.

Want to read more? Here's the link from Wikipedia

Just like Spirited Away, I absolutely recommend watching this amazing animation. This film gives viewers the relationship between man and nature that’s pretty much similar to what we have today. As we continue to advance in technology, our sense in nature also gradually decreases. Despite our petitions to preserve what’s left of Mother Nature, Mother Nature itself is steadily diminishing. The film shows how god-like animals such as the wolf gods continuously defend the Forest as Irontown continues to wage war against both Mother Nature’s creatures and humans.

Although there are some minor inappropriate graphic scenes (severing limbs), I would guess there are some age limits. Other than the plot, this film (and the rest of the Studio Ghibli’s films) has an amazing soundtrack. If you love instrumental soundtracks like me, this film has some great tunes . With both Miyazaki’s and the wonderful music from Joe Hisaishi, this film (along with the rest of the work and future works) demonstrates the true essence in animation originality.

[RE] Being Happy With Love

        Well, it’s not much of a response, but it did brought some interest for me.  This was from Taylor Clark's blog.

 i LOVE the way i can be having the WORST day of my LIFE and simply talking to YOU completely CHANGES my mood 

I think quote was in this post was focusing on love; I can understand this as more of a friend’s view. I can definitely relate to the worst day of my life (or perhaps of the year) so it’s understandable that if you’re talking to someone, it’ll help you feel a lot better.  Sometimes, I do rant too much about my day but if my friend is nice enough, it’ll be acceptable (maybe?).  

        Although people tend to talk to their friends to hopefully a lot better than before, other people also talk to their family. Most of the time, after a bad day, I would talk to my mother (if she isn’t busy) and afterwards, we would talk about our embarrassing moments and laugh at each other. 

   

        There is also the original purpose of the original blog: lover. I’m sure a lot of couples talk to each other about both their good and bad days and will definitely feel better about it at the end. 

  

        The quote can go different ways, whether it’s your friends, family, or lover. Either way,  expressing your feelings about that day will definitely be much better than bottling up all those negative feelings and “blow up”.

Actually, there’s also the case where some people express their bad days in writing, such as in journals or diaries and just talk about to no one. Sometimes expressing your emotions in writing from, such as what I am doing now (not really) is another way to may yourself better. Just hopefully, you’ll keep in appropriate when it comes to blogging.    

[RE] Hmm...Hello again.

Since I can relate with Damien's post (not completely), I’ll start my responsive post about his post. For the most part, I do agree I will be more active in blogging now that I have the same teacher again (which means I can express my love for food again) and that there are a lot of things to worry about now that we’re seniors.

Not only do we have the SATs/ ACTs, but on top of that we need to work on getting our statements for college written and completed soon. Luckily Sutherland will be including the UC personal statements in our assignments

I definitely agree all the above statements. Honestly, I was a bit nervous to be having Sutherland since I need to get serious about UC personal statements for college applications (no offense, Mr. Sutherland) However, I am also grateful for having his class again. Two years ago, I was pretty much of a wreck when it comes to expressing my opinions to others, much less on a blog; however I am (somewhat) more confident whenever I blog. To those who are starting out blogging, it’s a great way to express whatever you like, just be appropriate for the public and your fellow classmates please. (:

I'm just hoping that writing about my problems will help to sort of relieve my stress, like the feeling when it feels like weight has been lifted off your shoulders

I agree with Damien that blogging does in some people’s way, relieve them of stress from our daily lives in school. With rules and school regulations, we cannot regularly express our opinions out in general public due to possible inappropriate language, but posting blogs is a great way to deal with what’s going on with our lives. Writing is basically our everyday freedom use!