This post is going to be really short but hopefully to the point.

Today I'm going to chat a bit about a magazine I found at Barnes and Noble about a month ago.
It is called Bella Grace. There website is http://bellagracemagazine.com/. It cost me $20 US but it was definitely worth it. The content and quality is excellent and you won't regret purchasing it (especially if you like or want to enjoy the simpler and quieter quality of life)
This is from their 'Who We Are' section on their website:

[Inspired by "The Magic Bicycle" from the magazine 'Bella Grace' Issue 5, written by Sarah Bradley]

"What is my canvas; my outlet?"

What is my canvas?
What is my outlet?
How do I, as an individual, express myself?
How do I let those around me see my light; my beacon?

I like art....but I haven't put pencil to sketch pad paper in years,
I like quiet.....but too much makes me claustrophobic,
I like to move.....but not too much,
I like to read,,,,but I'm lazy, pick and somewhat of slacker when I make schedules.......

There's many more things I like but expressing them is so tiresome

I always felt that 'Hey, when it's time for you to open yourself to others you'll know'
But now.....
I don't know......
I want to unlock the door to my heart,
share what I have learned.....experienced in these 20+ years of life.
but I'm still scared.
Scared of indifference;
Scared of rejection;
Scared of mockery.

Two contrasting points, "to be open or not to be open", continue to have this game of tug and war for dominance.

Will I survive?

Heck yea.

But for how much longer will I have to wait to get a definite answer, if any at all?

What is my canvas?
What is my outlet?
Dear Lord,
I wonder what they are...........

Written: Thursday 17th Dec, 2015

As my first post about 9Muses was mainly about the departure of Sera Ryu, which was in a slightly sad tone, and is the most popular post on my blog, I have decided to dedicate this new 9Muses post to their recent comeback, which is going to have all that good summer feels.



On the 2nd July 9Muses returned with their 2015 summer comeback album '9Muses S/S Edition', with the title track "Hurt Locker". This is their 2nd comeback with recent members Lee Keumjo and Jo Sojin (their first being "Drama").





Left: Lee Keumjo                                                 Right: Jo Sojin
                                                          Images Link


Opinions:

1) Teasers (focused on the second one)

Mouth-dropping action!!!
The BEAT, the colors, the containers [like what?!?!?], drone camera action.........Kyungri.......seriously. 
My heart was on fire. THAT BEAT THOUGH......that beat seriously set the tone for me....did I mention the beat ;) 
I knew from the teasers alone that this song would be the best summer song of 2015.


2) Music Video (M/V)

The M/V itself wasn't that interesting. The highlights of the M/V were: the members themselves, the choreography, the location (container park or something) and the drone action.
The video was bright, jam-packed with colors and exhibited lots of life and energy. It is just what you would expect from a summer video (minus the location). The container warehouse/park was odd and different but helped it standout from all the staged and weird story plot themed videos for this summer. The containers were utilized really well. I mean, come on!!! They are on top off at least seven (7) containers....in the air......DANCING......and owning it. The choreography should have been showcased more in the actual music video instead of only the practice video that was released afterwards. The choreography is simple, executed fluidly and is not exaggerated. It doesn't need to be. It fit the style, tone and feel of the song.

Rating: 3/5

3) Song

It's your typical love-breakup song but the beat and flow of it really brought it to life.
The distribution of lines fit the song, however, I personally would've liked Minha to have actually sung Keumjo's beginning line like they had her do in the live shows and performances. It really helped balance out the song even more. I cannot end without talking about Euaerin's rap portion. Even though it's practically a norm now to have a rap portion in K-Pop songs, 9Muses rap portions always seem to be that 'icing on the cake' for their songs and "Hurt Locker" is no different. Even though their last few title tracks had about two (2) rap breaks, Euaerin's rap was an appropriate length and was that necessary piece to begin the the closing of the song. It flowed smoothly from beginning to end without feeling random or out of place. 

Rating: 4.5/5

4) Overall 

I believe "Hurt Locker" is the best summer K-Pop song of 2015. The summer songs for 2015 K-Pop have been a letdown with mediocre songs and recycled beats. 9Muses saved summer K-pop this year. "Hurt Locker" might have had a slightly dull video (which was mainly for visual/aesthetic purposes and succeeded at it) but the song has all the necessary components for summer (IMO): a catchy beat, a proper high and climax, and an appropriate flow. Sadly with big names like SISTAR, BIG BANG, Girls' Generation, rising stars AOA and more entering the summer field around the same time, 9Muses has been pushed to the back burner. I hope that I'll be able to see 9Muses take #1 at live shows and performances, even with the big names of K-Pop on the scene, one day in the near future.

Overall Rating: 4/5



Till next time,

Take care and may God bless and keep you during this week.

For this summer I'll be challenging myself to read a decent number of books.
And I mean READ THEM not 'read and not understand anything for the sake of finishing the book'.

Original date : Saturday 6th June, 2015

I have come to realize that the answers or even just the thoughts and potentials that this current generation has been seeking lies in our past.

Let me explain.

The works, writings, thoughts, presumptions and philosophies of our ancestors tell the story of their worlds: their triumphant, their downfalls, their discoveries, their inventions. By looking to the past, we see and learn of and from their messages and warnings.

It has only been a few months since I started to dabble in the works and writings of past Christian teachers and advocates, but this is the most excited I have been when it involves history.

History was always this systematic bore with lifeless portrayals of seemingly important events and dates. It was always about getting a decent grade from the snooze fest called 'History class' and never about being drawn to or intrigued by the people of the past. That is what they were: People of the Past. Never a connection between my life and theirs. Dates and documents that are void of life and personality did not intrigue me. I want life stories. I want to know why certain people did what they did and who influenced their thinking, beliefs and actions.

Knowing the dates and documented events does not activate imagination or yearning to know of the past builders and craftsmen of our world. I find that it insults and diminishes the value, work and hardships that these people of the past made and went through to get their stories, their side of events, across.

This change in my approach to reading and studying of the Scriptures is opening my mind to worlds, cultures and discoveries that are held within their pages. I'm reading books from C.S Lewis, Ellen G White, A. W Tozer; books that were considered ancient and out of touch with the modern age. They are coming back by demand. Not because these books are religious or history nuts are on a rise, but due to truths, philosophies and discoveries held in these paper bound scripts.

I can't wait to see what else the Lord will open up my mind to. It's exciting, slightly terrifying and soul-liberating all at the same time.



Influenced by:    "The Unknown God" Series part 3 by David Asscherick on 3ABN's program                                          'Anchors of Truth' and on the website [www.lightbearers.org] 

                                                                            AND
                             An article by World's Last Chance "The Great Controversy, SDAs and The                                          Historical Trash Heap'. [https://www.worldslastchance.com/end-                                                          time-prophecy/the-great-controversy-sdas-and-the-historical-trash-heap.html]