Quote

"Music at its best is not in need of novelty; indeed, the older it is, the more one is accustomed to it, the stronger its effect."

Goethe

Immersion

I am immersed in war. I study WWII from the German/European perspective, the U.S. Pacific Theatre, history of the El Toro MCAS, the Holocaust, interview women who grew up during the Third Reich... Is this strange to anyone? This is literally the only thing I read about. And I love it.

Repeating History

Click on the picture to read the text

We cannot, we must not, ever forget what happened in Europe over 60 years ago, because it could happen again. Anyone, any group, could be the target. It has been said that those who refuse to study history are doomed to repeat it. In this case, those who are attempting to rewrite history are probably planning to repeat it! The hatred is already there, in place, taught to the children from infancy, with promises of glory and honor to those who carry out the plans. Forewarned is forearmed.

In Memoriam: It is now more than 60 years after the Second World War in Europe ended. This is being sent as a memorial chain, in memory of the six million Jews, 20 million Russians, 10 million Christians and 1,900 Catholic priests who were murdered, massacred, raped, burned, starved and humiliated with the German and Russia peoples looking the other way! Now, more than ever, with Iran , among others, claiming the Holocaust to be "a myth," it is imperative to make sure the world never forgets, because there are others who would like to do it again.

The Islamic extremists are bent on the same thing that Hitler and Stalin were. The conquest of the world and the destruction of anyone who doesn't believe the way they do. The rest of the Muslims who say or do nothing about them are as guilty as the extremist.

Find Your Wings

I love dreams, and I love to dream. I always have ideas for the future: something I will do, see, experience, marvel at...and the list goes on. Dreams are an integral part of where I am going. Dreams are an inspirational, almost tangible force that help me hold fast during times when I am overwhelmed or seemingly can't find my way. Dreams remind me what is possible and what I have yet to achieve.

I heard this song for the first time this morning, and it reminded me why I so love dreams. Why I call this blog "Little Dreamer." A reminder to look to the amazing future God has in store, yet fully experience all life brings day to day. It is only then that we will truly live life to the full.

It's only for a moment you are mine to hold
The plans that heaven has for you
Will all too quickly unfold
So many different prayers
I'll pray For all that you might do
But most of all I'll want to know
You're walking in the truth
And If I never told you
I want you to know
As I watch you grow

Chorus: ** I love the chorus and following verse**
I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings

May passion be the wind
That leads you through your days
And may conviction keep you strong
Guide you on your way
May there be many moments
That make your life so sweet
Oh, but more than memories

Chorus

It's not living if you don't reach for the sky
I'll have tears as you take off
But I'll cheer as you fly

Chorus

Puccini

With regards to the passing of opera legend Luciano Pavarotti, I was compelled to listen to my recording of Nessun Dorma. This aria never fails to move me. It elicits such intense passion and beauty, two characteristics that define why I fell in love with Puccini’s work. The music swells in a never ending expression of joyous ecstasy, and each time I listen I find creative inspiration and emotions swell inside which I cannot explain.

Despite the beauty of the Italian verses, I decided to look up an English translation which I have posted below.

The Prince:
No one shall sleep! ... No one shall sleep!
Even you, O Princess, in your cold room, watch the stars, that tremble with love and with hope.
But my secret is hidden within me, my name no one shall know ...
No! ... No!... On your mouth I will tell it when the light shines.
And my kiss will dissolve the silence that makes you mine! ...
The Chorus of women:
No one will know his name and we must, alas, die.
The Prince:
Vanish, O night! Set, stars! Set, stars!
At dawn, I will win!
I will win! I will win!

Concentration

Merely because I feel like sharing, I'm having a hard time concentrating on homework this evening. I feel like I've taken care of so many misc details that I need a break, and I have yet to read a page in Tosh's Pursuit of History. Yikes!

Nothing Earth Shattering

With one week until the fall semester begins, I find that I have just begun to truly relax. It has taken the entire summer to reach this point where I am enjoying the little things and allowing myself to focus on something other than the pressing details or to do list. Why did it have to take so long?!!!

It’s been a while since I have posted on a regular basis. Life has been busy, and I seem to have the idea that if I don’t have something substantial to say then I might as well not write anything at all. However, I decided that even if my post is not earth shattering there’s no reason why I can’t share a random quote, musing, or any other little tidbit of information. Hopefully, I can contribute on somewhat of a regular basis…which would afford a nice respite from the rigors of graduate school. :)

Wedding Memories

Congratulations to Christina & Peter!!!!!!!

Dreams

I have spread my dreams beneath your feet. Tread softly because you tread on my dreams. W.B. Yeats

It's That Time of Year Again

Yeah!! It’s almost time for one of my favorite times of the year. (I am hearing Johnny Mathis voice in my head, "It's the most wondeful time of the year...") Yes, I am passionate about film and am an absolute sucker for the Oscars. In 1983 the Oscars were held on a Monday night, and I made my entrance into this world exactly ten minutes after midnight on Tuesday morning. Given my love of movies, I have always thought there was something prophetic about this connection!! Perhaps, one day I will have the opportunity to grace the stage of the Kodak and wow everyone with an amazing acceptance speech...ah, one can dream. (Isn't this poster amazing?! I am having way too much fun finding quotes from movies I've seen!)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role

Alan Arkin for Little Miss Sunshine
Jackie Earle Haley for Little Children
Djimon Hounsou for Blood Diamond
Eddie Murphy for Dreamgirls
Mark Wahlberg for The Departed

Predicted Winner: Eddie Murphy
If I was voting: Mark Walhberg. Though I haven’t seen the movie, I have heard Wahlberg’s performance was a showstopper.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role

Adriana Barraza for Babel
Cate Blanchett for Notes on a Scandal
Abigail Breslin for Little Miss Sunshine
Jennifer Hudson for Dreamgirls
Rinko Kikuchi for Babel

Predicted Winner: Jennifer Hudson
If I was voting: Jennifer Hudson

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

Leonardo DiCaprio for Blood Diamond
Ryan Gosling for Half Nelson
Peter O'Toole for Venus
Will Smith for The Pursuit of Happyness
Forest Whitaker for The Last King of Scotland

Predicted Winner: Forest Whitaker
If I was voting: Peter O’Toole. After decades in the acting profession, he definitely deserves a little gold guy.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role

Penélope Cruz for Volver
Judi Dench for Notes on a Scandal
Helen Mirren for The Queen
Meryl Streep for The Devil Wears Prada
Kate Winslet for Little Children

Predicted Winner: Helen Mirren
If I was voting: Meryl is my all-time favorite actress, and I would love to see her win another Oscar. Not to mention, she made The Devil Wears Prada.

Achievement in Directing

Clint Eastwood for Letters from Iwo Jima
Stephen Frears for The Queen
Alejandro González Iñárritu for Babel
Paul Greengrass for United 93
Martin Scorsese for The Departed

Predicted Winner: Martin Scorsese – he definitely deserves at least one Oscar on his shelf.
If I was voting: Paul Greengrass or Clint Eastwood. Paul’s movie truly transcended the screen and gave me one of the most emotional movie going experiences of my life. And then there’s the incomparable Clint Eastwood…I just love his style.

Best Motion Picture of the Year

Babel
The Departed
Letters from Iwo Jima
Little Miss Sunshine
The Queen

Predicted Winner: Babel
If I was voting: The Queen

Pride and Perservence

This morning I attended a board break-a-thon at my brothers Tae Kwon Do school, and for the first time in a very long time I was truly impressed with what I saw. To explain, after eleven years of going to testing after testing, countless promotions, and watching numerous demonstrations, I must admit I became accustomed to the various martial artist feats and the more I know about Tae Kwon Do, the more it takes to 'wow' me. (my brothers are, naturally, excluded exceeding my expectations on countless occasions) Yet, for almost an hour I watched one martial artist after another challenge themselves to break a pre-determined number of boards in under three minutes. While this may seem like an easy task, it quickly became apparent it wasn't. The concentration, speed, and timing involved in breaking each board took a great deal of energy, and I was so proud of the perseverance evident in my brothers (and entire school) to stick it out to the end and not give up. I could tell when they had exhausted their energy reserve, yet they chose to not give up and reach their goals. Way to go guys!

On a side note: I have never seen so much broken wood in one place in my life!

Here's To You!

I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to my best friend Christina and her fiancé Peter on their engagement!! For the past year I have watched them both grow in their love for each other and with the Lord. I look forward to expanding my family and welcome another brother into the fold. Here's to the future Mr. and Mrs. Wagenet!

Living Water

I read these scriptures this morning and thought they were so perfect I wanted to share:

2 Corinthians 12:9 -- "And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness...'" and the end of verse 10 says, "...For when I am weak, then I am strong."

God knew I needed this encouragement at this moment!

Love is passion...

This quote from Meet Joe Black is one of my favorite quotes from cinema. I find it beautifully worded and very poignant.

Love is passion, obsession, someone you can't live without. If you don't start with that, what are you going to end up with? Fall head over heels. I say find someone you can love like crazy and who'll love you the same way back. And how do you find him? Forget your head and listen to your heart. I'm not hearing any heart. Run the risk, if you get hurt, you'll come back. Because, the truth is there is no sense living your life without this. To make the journey and not fall deeply in love - well, you haven't lived a life at all. You have to try. Because if you haven't tried, you haven't lived.

Fun & Fancy Free

Well spoken Fred Astaire! This lyric from one of his songs perfectly captures how I have been feeling during the past few weeks. Life without academic pressures is more wonderful than I possibly imagined, and though I have been a college student for 5 and 1/2 years, the breaks grow sweeter with each passing year. (where as the classes seem to have the oppostite effect) I have been seriously praying about the upcoming semester; for peace and that it will be easier than the fall. I have such a strong desire to have a life outside of school, and with family, friends, & church there is plenty to occupy my time when not confined to academic exile. With God, I know there IS a way, and He will show me how to best manage my time.

Frauen

Frauen: German Women Recall the Third Reich has been one of the most influential and inspirational works of scholarship I have ever read. Author Alison Owings, has compiled a selection of interviews with a variety of German women doing exactly what I desire to do as a historian; not pass judgment but provide the women with an opportunity to share their memories.

The more time I spend with these women the more I realize how much they desire to be understood. They have lived with the stereotype of the Nazi loving German for so long that the chance to set the record straight is one they welcome with open arms. I conducted my first oral history interview in October 2005, and since that time I have stayed in touch with my narrator visiting her on several occasions. Each time, though I have never brought it up, she opens up a little more, sharing more memories about her time in Germany. These conversations are not recorded (though how I wish they were) and are the result of both spontaneous reflection or deliberately clarifying information she had previously given. Much of what she shares is confidential, restricting my urge as a historian to include it in my research. I am truly honored I am involved in preserving the memories of women whose stories might otherwise never be told.

A Dream Come True!

Monday night represented the fulfillment of a dream I have had for many years. I SAW BARBRA STREISAND LIVE IN CONCERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Six years ago my best friend Christina and I said if Barbra ever toured again we would be there no matter what...and we were!! The concert was absolutely phenomenal. Her set perfectly fit her vocal talent, and the songs were a fabulous mix of standard favorites and lesser known classics.

Favorite moments include: Somewhere, Don't Rain on my Parade, Music of the Night, Funny Girl, My Man, People, What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?...

Barbra succeeded my expectations and gave me a night I will remember...for the rest of my life!

A Tribute...

Today we lost a great man. Robert Altman's untimely death has stunned much of the film world, myself included, and we mourn the loss of true and original talent. Upon hearing the news, I felt as if I had lost a friend; someone I could count on, who would be there to make me laugh, smile, and remember to appreciate life. Altman's films truly broadened the spectrum of scope and style, pushing the limits always with his signature techniques. Though he is best known for hits such as MASH or Nashville, it is his slower films that captured my attention. His 2002 great, Gosford Park, is one of my favorites, and A Prairie Home Companion is a masterpiece. His honorary Oscar was given in the nick of time, and I was filled with anticipation at the brilliance yet to come.

Today there is sadness at the work left uncompleted, movies left unmade, and concepts left unthought. Thank you Mr. Altman for leaving behind such a legacy. You are missed.

Theme Song

Continuing with my previous post, below are the lyrics to what has become my theme song for the semester. God has used it mightily in my life. (excuse the capitalization -- I copied and pasted from another website)

Came To My Rescue -- Hillsong United

falling on my knees in worship
giving all i am to seek your face
lord all i am is yours
my whole life i place in your hands
god of mercy humble i bow down
in your presence at your throne

i called you answered
and you came to my rescue
and i want to be where you are
my whole life i place in your hands
god of mercy humbled i bow down
in your presence at your throne

i called you answered
and you came to my rescue
and i want to be where you are(repeat)

in my life
be lifted high
in our world
be lifted high
in our love
be lifted high(repeat)

God's Grace IS Sufficient

I have reached the point in the semester where I am physically at the end of my rope. The thought of having to read one more book, write one more paper, or participate in one more discussion is the absolute last thing on the list of things I would like to do. However, when I reach the end of my ability, God is there to take over. Where I am weak He is strong. I am relying on His strength and grace more than ever before because I simply cannot do this without Him. I know God has called me to continue in school ,and though I may not understand why, His plan is perfect. And what has carried me through today is remembering that whatever He calls us to do, He will provide the grace to carry it through.

Years ago I heard this definition of grace: The empowering presence of God to be who He created us to be and do what He has called us to do. These words have stayed with me, and I find myself, once again, looking to them for comfort and encouragement. Grace is the empowering presence of God in my life to fulfill my calling to the best of my ability. So as the last few weeks of school draw to a close, and I feel overwhelmed by the amount of work yet to be done, I will look to God for strength to finish strong. His grace is more than sufficient to meet all of my needs.