Pirates of the Caribbean 2

Went to watch Pirates 2 last night. After reading some reviews, I didn't expect much - which was good I guess. Some excellent swash-buckling scenes especially the 3-way sword fight. That was nice. The lines were not as witty as the first movie, but no doubt there were still some good ones though a lot more cheesy lines this time (unfortunately). As usual Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow is the highlight of the movie. There are funny moments, though the comedy on the whole seems more slapstick than witty lines and good comic timing. However, they did end the movie well - it leaves you wanting to watch the third one to know how it concludes.

There were a couple of intesting moments that manage to tickle my staffworker antennae. One was a very short exchange between 2 pirates while one is reading the Bible (though upside down)
Pintel: You know you can't read.
Ragetti: It's the Bible, you get credit for trying.
Pintel: Pretendin' to read the Bible's a lie! That's a mark against [points to the sky]
I guess that does represent some people's view of the Bible. Somewhat shrouded in superstition though. But then some are superstitious in their views about God and are willing to have things (like a copy of the Bible or a crucifix) to be on the safe side.

In another exchange, someone makes a comment about what is the point of looking forward to the afterlife. This life is cruel and so why should the afterlife be any different. I know these came from the movie, but are probably opinions held by some people.

I think one can come to either conclusion - superstition or real cynism if our search for God is still covered in our own selfishness and an unwillingness to really encounter truth. Having a superstitious view of God reveals a preference to be in charge of our own lives, but having items or doing rituals as 'insurance' (just the case). The cynism I guess is harder to break. But sounds more like an inability to reconcile a loving God with suffering in the world. I wonder whether this stems from prefering God to rule the earth according to our own ideal values.

Truth is meant to set us free and give is abundant life and hope. Reading the Bible is no more a thing done so that we can tick the box, but an excitement that continues to reveal who God is and let us in more on this Truth. And with Jesus, yes there is still suffering in this world, but Jesus understands because of His own suffering, and we can have hope of a better place to go to after this life. Otherwise, life just seems too futile.

My new favourite cafe

Simply Paris is a small and wonderful cafe at the top of Cuba St. Its got a simple French menu, complete with French staff, fantastic selection of cakes and desserts and great hot chocolate. The staff are friendly and easy going and happy to cater to your needs. I wish I could speak French so that it would make going to that cafe just that tad more authentic. But I do highly recommend it! It is just fabulous!

Up in smoke...

How strange. When I found out that the Sarawak Club, a place that I haven't frequented since coming to NZ 12 years ago burnt down 3 days ago, I felt really sad. It felt some some part of me, or my story, has gone as well. In reality, I am no longer a member of the club. My membership came under dad's till I turned 21, and being in NZ, it made no sense for me to be a member (considering the costs!). But I frequently went to the Club as I was growing up.

I learnt to swim there when I was 6. And subsequently went swimming there very often. It was convenient for my parents, and my cousins and I went there often during our school holidays. Meal were easy cos we just need to sign our orders and it got charged to our parents account! I always ordered Ribena 7-Up (7-up with a splash of Ribena) and enjoyed eating a chicken wing before dad picked me up. I had a number of favourite dishes there such as tomato mee and quail and even fish & chips! Later on, I had my squash lessons there (they had the best squash courts in Kuching). We often had dinners (with friends or extended family) at the restaurant there too and when I returned for my grandmother's 88th birthday in 2001 and had a kind of family reunion, all of us rang in the New Year there - all four generations of the family - dancing away with each other. Mum had her swimming lessons there too. And thats when I discovered the fun of swimming at night. My bro had badminton lessons there. And dad has (or now had...) his name on the board for scoring a 'hole-in-one' when they had a golf course.

Memories... of a place I have not been to for many years, and has changed much with the renovations over the years. But yet, after learning that the place has gone up in smoke, it has still created a sense of loss.

the Gizmo Project

check this out!! Its fantastic!

schoc-olate

Went to the new-ish shop on Tory St last Friday - Schoc - together with Gina and Kirsten. It was nice! The hot chocolates there are not cheap - well, the gourmet ones anyway at $5 a cup. And there are 4 flavours -dark choc, chilli dark choc, orange and cardamon white choc and lavender and orange dark choc. I reluctantly ordered the chilli dark choc drink. I had a chilli hot choc from another cafe before and didn't particularly like it. But this one was so much better! I think I'm beginning to warm up to it.

Also we tried some (well one diff flavour each) of their chocolates.... ohhhh.... just divine. I had the liquor cherry one which kinda looks like the one in the picture. Such a treat. I would definitely recommend the place if you want to treat yourself. Its not set up like a cafe, but there is a small bar-like setup with stools if you want to drink in the shop or slightly further in there is a couch. But careful, the chocolates at the counter looks delicious (and actually is!) and is very tempting!

Self-inflicted...

I have enrolled for my next paper and the material has arrived today. I have enrolled for MB722 Holy Spirit (with Carey Baptist College) and am doing it by distance. I am looking forward to it, but a bit overwhelmed by it at the same time. Last semester I did a paper equivalent to a stage 1 uni paper and found that really challenging. This is equivalent to a stage 3 uni paper, so I'm cringing already! Also, I had 3 other friends doing the paper with me, but not this time. So I will have to be very disciplined and hopefully be at the 8th floor of the library a bit more, and not just when I have assignments (of which there are 3!) .

I am looking forward to it as I don't think I have an good understanding of the person and work of the Holy Spirit at all. So I look forward to understanding more about the role of the holy spirit in the OT, a Biblical understanding of the doctrine of the holy spirit and an insight on current scholarship on pneumatology. But I'm pretty sure this is not the last you will hear about it!