Phenomenal Woman
by Maya Angelou
this poem by the noble prize winner is being circulated to celebrate women's history month
Pretty women wonder
where my secret lies
I'm not cute or built
to suit a model's fashion size
But when I start to tell them
They think I'm telling lies.
I say
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips
The stride of my steps
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please
And to a man
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees
Then they swarm around me
A hive of honey bees.
I say
It's the fire in my eyes
And the flash of my teeth
The swing of my waist
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say
It's in the arch of my back
The sun of my smile
The ride of my breasts
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.
Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say
It's in the click of my heels
The bend of my hair
The palm of my hand
The need for my care.
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.
Song : Sway
Artist : Big Runca (Ost. American Pie)
Don't stray, don't ever go away
I should be much too smart for this
You know it gets the better of me
Sometimes, when you and I collide
I fall into an ocean of you, pull me out in time
Don't let me drown, let me down
I say it's all because of you
And here I go, losing my control
I'm practising your name so I can say it to your face
It doesn't seem right, to look you in the eye
Let all the things you mean to me
Come tumbling out my mouth
Indeed it's time to tell you why
I say it's infintely true
[Chorus]
Say you'll stay, don't come and go like you do
Sway my way, yeah I need to know all about you
And there's no cure, and no way to be sure
Why everything's turned inside out
Instilling so much doubt
It makes me so tired. I feel so uninspired
My head is battling with my heart
My logic has been torn apart
And now it all turns sour
Come sweeten every afternoon
[Chorus]
It's all because of you, it's all because of you
Now it all turns sour, come sweeten every afternoon
It's time to tell you why
I say it's infinitely true
[Chorus]
It's all because of you, it's all because of you
It's all because of you
Simple and unpretentious. Might teach you a thing or two about knighthood, love, and friendship.
A KNIGHT'S TALE
"If a man believes enough, a man can do anything"
Poor Boy wants his life to be more than it was preordained
to be. He makes it more. Simply by being true to himself. Against the
backdrop of jousting tournements across Europe in 1372.
A KNIGHT'S TALE
"If a man believes enough, a man can do anything"
Poor Boy wants his life to be more than it was preordained
to be. He makes it more. Simply by being true to himself. Against the
backdrop of jousting tournements across Europe in 1372.
Interesting book, unfortunately i can't afford this until January next year =/
SHANGHAI BABY by Hui, Wei
Banned in China for its sensual nature and irreverent style, Shanghai Baby is a raw, honest novel with its brave exposure of taboo subjects. This is the seductive, semi-autobiographical story of a café waitress in exotic Shanghai, who spends her days dreaming of becoming a writer and finding a lover. When she meets and falls for a sensitive young artist, she decides against her parent’s wishes to move in with him, leaving her job and throwing herself into writing. Shortly afterwards, she meets a charming Western businessman and finds herself in a passionate affair. Torn between her passion and her deceit, she is increasingly tormented by this chasm between love and lust, between the old China and the new. Shanghai Baby is a beautifully written novel with a distinct voice that dares to challenge convention especially in its portrayal of women in modern China. “Banned by Beijing, Wei Hui’s tales of sin in Shanghai show the cracks appearing in communist China.” Sunday Times, June 3, 2001 “A semi-autobiographical novel, which explores the sexual awakening of a beautiful 26-year old writer in China’s liveliest port city… a runaway bestseller despite … its banning by the authorities.” The Economist, April 2001
SHANGHAI BABY by Hui, Wei
Banned in China for its sensual nature and irreverent style, Shanghai Baby is a raw, honest novel with its brave exposure of taboo subjects. This is the seductive, semi-autobiographical story of a café waitress in exotic Shanghai, who spends her days dreaming of becoming a writer and finding a lover. When she meets and falls for a sensitive young artist, she decides against her parent’s wishes to move in with him, leaving her job and throwing herself into writing. Shortly afterwards, she meets a charming Western businessman and finds herself in a passionate affair. Torn between her passion and her deceit, she is increasingly tormented by this chasm between love and lust, between the old China and the new. Shanghai Baby is a beautifully written novel with a distinct voice that dares to challenge convention especially in its portrayal of women in modern China. “Banned by Beijing, Wei Hui’s tales of sin in Shanghai show the cracks appearing in communist China.” Sunday Times, June 3, 2001 “A semi-autobiographical novel, which explores the sexual awakening of a beautiful 26-year old writer in China’s liveliest port city… a runaway bestseller despite … its banning by the authorities.” The Economist, April 2001
Chasing Amy
Alyssa: "Why are we stopping?"
Holden: "Because I can't take this."
Alyssa: "Can't take what?"
Holden: "I love you."
Alyssa: "You love me?"
Holden: "I love you. And not in a friendly way,
although I think we're great friends. And not in
a misplaced affection, puppy-dog way, although
I'm sure that's what you'll call it. And it's not
because you're unattainable. I love you. Very
simple, very truly. You're the epitome of every
attribute and quality I've ever looked for in
another person. I know you think of me as just a
friend, and that crossing that line is the
farthest thing from an option you'd ever
consider. But I had to say it. I can't take it
anymore. I can't stand next to you without
wanting to hold you. I can't look into your eyes
without feeling that longing you only read about
in trashy romance novels. I can't talk to you
without wanting to express my love for everything
you are. I know this will probably queer our
friendship-no pun intended-but I had to say it,
because I've never felt this before, and I like
who I am because of it. And if bringing it to
light means we can't hang out anymore, then that
hurts me. But I couldn't allow another day to go
by without getting it out there, regardless of
the outcome, which by the look on your face is to
be the inevitable shoot-down. And I'll accept
that. But I know some part of you is hesitating
for a moment, and if there is a moment of
hesitation, that means you feel something, too.
All I ask is that you not dismiss that-at least
for 10 seconds-and try to dwell in it. Alyssa,
there isn't another soul on this ******* planet
who's ever made me half the person I am when I'm
with you, and I would risk this friendship for
the chance to take it to the next plateau.
Because it's there between you and me. You can't
deny that. And even if we never speak again after
tonight, please know that I'm forever changed
because of who you are and what you've meant to
me, which-while I do appreciate it-I'd never need
a painting of birds bought at a diner to remind
me of."
Alyssa: "Why are we stopping?"
Holden: "Because I can't take this."
Alyssa: "Can't take what?"
Holden: "I love you."
Alyssa: "You love me?"
Holden: "I love you. And not in a friendly way,
although I think we're great friends. And not in
a misplaced affection, puppy-dog way, although
I'm sure that's what you'll call it. And it's not
because you're unattainable. I love you. Very
simple, very truly. You're the epitome of every
attribute and quality I've ever looked for in
another person. I know you think of me as just a
friend, and that crossing that line is the
farthest thing from an option you'd ever
consider. But I had to say it. I can't take it
anymore. I can't stand next to you without
wanting to hold you. I can't look into your eyes
without feeling that longing you only read about
in trashy romance novels. I can't talk to you
without wanting to express my love for everything
you are. I know this will probably queer our
friendship-no pun intended-but I had to say it,
because I've never felt this before, and I like
who I am because of it. And if bringing it to
light means we can't hang out anymore, then that
hurts me. But I couldn't allow another day to go
by without getting it out there, regardless of
the outcome, which by the look on your face is to
be the inevitable shoot-down. And I'll accept
that. But I know some part of you is hesitating
for a moment, and if there is a moment of
hesitation, that means you feel something, too.
All I ask is that you not dismiss that-at least
for 10 seconds-and try to dwell in it. Alyssa,
there isn't another soul on this ******* planet
who's ever made me half the person I am when I'm
with you, and I would risk this friendship for
the chance to take it to the next plateau.
Because it's there between you and me. You can't
deny that. And even if we never speak again after
tonight, please know that I'm forever changed
because of who you are and what you've meant to
me, which-while I do appreciate it-I'd never need
a painting of birds bought at a diner to remind
me of."
Drawing meaning from a senseless act
By Teodoro Bacani Jr., DD
The terrorists, serving unwittingly as the left hand of God, have driven home again the fragility of all human constructs and the need to submit ourselves to God.
The well-coordinated terrorist attacks against the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and the plane crash outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (in all probability parts of one orchestrated assault), are a catastrophe of almost unimaginable proportions. The plane hijackings and the kamikaze dives into these highly populated buildings were designed to cause the maximum human, economic and psychological damage. The attacks were carried out in midmorning, when these places were teeming with people. There must have been about 10,000 people in each of the World Trade Center towers, and there were at any given time about 30,000 people working in the Pentagon. It is safe to guess that the dead and the injured are in the thousands.
The suicide missions caused the total collapse of the two towers, symbols of American economic prowess; they destroyed a portion of the Pentagon, symbol of American military might. In the wake of the attacks, all US and Canadian airports were closed, and all flights were grounded. The US dollar immediately slid in value, and trading stopped in the stock exchange. It is strange to think of New York, a city that never sleeps, coming to a halt, with people being evacuated and no one allowed to go in. Very few catastrophes can compare with this one. Not even Pearl Harbor inflicted as much damage on the US, I believe.
It was terrifying to watch the second plane fly smack against the second World Trade Center tower, slicing it into two parts almost immediately, and then to see the two towers crumble like sand castles before being enveloped by billows of smoke and debris. A sight reminiscent of Mount Pinatubo's eruption.
The repercussions of this terrorist attack on the world peace and economy will certainly be far-reaching. The economy of the US is already weak. The shock of this tragedy will weaken it further. That will be terrible not only for them but also for us.
The world will remain tense for some time. If those terrorists could go to such lengths and launch such a coordinated attack against the world's most powerful nation, who can be safe? The fear struck into the hearts of people will exacerbate world tension and lead to partial paralysis of many necessary endeavors.
It is all so absurd. This man-made catastrophe partakes of the absurdity of all sin. As we pray for the victims, we must all condemn this attack which could have only been demonic in its inspiration. No matter how righteous might have been the motive of those who perpetrated it, they committed a hellish deed, killing innocent people and causing psychological and economic damage which will impact largely on the poor of this world. May the masterminds and planners be brought to justice. The minions who executed their orders have, by this time, received from God their due and, let us hope, His mercy too.
But if the terrorist attack was senseless, can we just the same learn something from it? I believe we can.
The terrorist deed hit and totally demolished the World Trade Center and partially destroyed the Pentagon. These are powerful symbols of the twin idolatry of greed for money and power which has dominated the world and caused sufferings to billions of people. More than anything else in this world, these two establishments represent the modern tower of Babel, which seeks human security in wealth and power.
Do not get me wrong. I am not blaming God for this inhuman, demonic act. But this terrorist act could not have happened without
God's permission. And God allows evil even this great to happen only for the sake of greater good.
We can be sure that the victims of the attack turned to God, if only by shouting "Oh God!" in their moments of supreme danger. So many turn to the USA, the superpower, the land of promise and opportunity. It is perhaps time for this mighty country to take in all seriousness again the words written across its dollar, "In God We Trust." It will be good for the whole world when the USA is brought to its knees, not before any country or terrorist group, but before God. Fortunately this seems to be happening. Two nieces of mine in New York report that the churches are full of praying people. TODAY
By Teodoro Bacani Jr., DD
The terrorists, serving unwittingly as the left hand of God, have driven home again the fragility of all human constructs and the need to submit ourselves to God.
The well-coordinated terrorist attacks against the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and the plane crash outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (in all probability parts of one orchestrated assault), are a catastrophe of almost unimaginable proportions. The plane hijackings and the kamikaze dives into these highly populated buildings were designed to cause the maximum human, economic and psychological damage. The attacks were carried out in midmorning, when these places were teeming with people. There must have been about 10,000 people in each of the World Trade Center towers, and there were at any given time about 30,000 people working in the Pentagon. It is safe to guess that the dead and the injured are in the thousands.
The suicide missions caused the total collapse of the two towers, symbols of American economic prowess; they destroyed a portion of the Pentagon, symbol of American military might. In the wake of the attacks, all US and Canadian airports were closed, and all flights were grounded. The US dollar immediately slid in value, and trading stopped in the stock exchange. It is strange to think of New York, a city that never sleeps, coming to a halt, with people being evacuated and no one allowed to go in. Very few catastrophes can compare with this one. Not even Pearl Harbor inflicted as much damage on the US, I believe.
It was terrifying to watch the second plane fly smack against the second World Trade Center tower, slicing it into two parts almost immediately, and then to see the two towers crumble like sand castles before being enveloped by billows of smoke and debris. A sight reminiscent of Mount Pinatubo's eruption.
The repercussions of this terrorist attack on the world peace and economy will certainly be far-reaching. The economy of the US is already weak. The shock of this tragedy will weaken it further. That will be terrible not only for them but also for us.
The world will remain tense for some time. If those terrorists could go to such lengths and launch such a coordinated attack against the world's most powerful nation, who can be safe? The fear struck into the hearts of people will exacerbate world tension and lead to partial paralysis of many necessary endeavors.
It is all so absurd. This man-made catastrophe partakes of the absurdity of all sin. As we pray for the victims, we must all condemn this attack which could have only been demonic in its inspiration. No matter how righteous might have been the motive of those who perpetrated it, they committed a hellish deed, killing innocent people and causing psychological and economic damage which will impact largely on the poor of this world. May the masterminds and planners be brought to justice. The minions who executed their orders have, by this time, received from God their due and, let us hope, His mercy too.
But if the terrorist attack was senseless, can we just the same learn something from it? I believe we can.
The terrorist deed hit and totally demolished the World Trade Center and partially destroyed the Pentagon. These are powerful symbols of the twin idolatry of greed for money and power which has dominated the world and caused sufferings to billions of people. More than anything else in this world, these two establishments represent the modern tower of Babel, which seeks human security in wealth and power.
Do not get me wrong. I am not blaming God for this inhuman, demonic act. But this terrorist act could not have happened without
God's permission. And God allows evil even this great to happen only for the sake of greater good.
We can be sure that the victims of the attack turned to God, if only by shouting "Oh God!" in their moments of supreme danger. So many turn to the USA, the superpower, the land of promise and opportunity. It is perhaps time for this mighty country to take in all seriousness again the words written across its dollar, "In God We Trust." It will be good for the whole world when the USA is brought to its knees, not before any country or terrorist group, but before God. Fortunately this seems to be happening. Two nieces of mine in New York report that the churches are full of praying people. TODAY
As a result of the terrorism that took place in major cities in the United States last Sept 11 where two hijacked planes crashed into and causing the collapse of The World Trade Center in New York City as well as another one crashing into the Pentagon, headquarters of the US Department of Defense, in Washington, my inbox has been filled with supposedly predictions made by Nostradamus, one of the world's most widely known and read prophets from the 16th century:
"In the year of the new century and nine months,
From the sky will come a great King of Terror...
The sky will burn at forty-five degrees.
Fire approaches the great new city..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"In the City of God there will be a great thunder,
Two brothers torn apart by Chaos, while the
fortress endures, the great leader will succumb,
The third big war will begin when the big city is
burning" -
Nostradamus 1654
2001 is the first year of the new century and this is the 9th month. New York is located at the 41st degree Latitude.
Not that i believe in his predictions, he has made false predictions and a true prophet of God never gives out false prophecies, but is another world war really inevitable? Aren't the two previous ones enough?
Just made me wonder....World War Two in Europe Timeline
"In the year of the new century and nine months,
From the sky will come a great King of Terror...
The sky will burn at forty-five degrees.
Fire approaches the great new city..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"In the City of God there will be a great thunder,
Two brothers torn apart by Chaos, while the
fortress endures, the great leader will succumb,
The third big war will begin when the big city is
burning" -
Nostradamus 1654
2001 is the first year of the new century and this is the 9th month. New York is located at the 41st degree Latitude.
Not that i believe in his predictions, he has made false predictions and a true prophet of God never gives out false prophecies, but is another world war really inevitable? Aren't the two previous ones enough?
Just made me wonder....World War Two in Europe Timeline
"CROSSROADS" from the shoebox of uninvited
The bitter pangs of parting will give birth to another moment called growing. So grow on... until it's time for you to move on...
and face the crossroads again,
knowing that God loves you and is in control of everything.
read more letters at www.shoeboxed.com
The bitter pangs of parting will give birth to another moment called growing. So grow on... until it's time for you to move on...
and face the crossroads again,
knowing that God loves you and is in control of everything.
read more letters at www.shoeboxed.com
"It's your heart. You ought to take it with you." - Dr. Larch
From the Cider House Rules,
a coming-of-age story about how far we must go in order to find where we belong...
From the Cider House Rules,
a coming-of-age story about how far we must go in order to find where we belong...
Y O U T H
Youth is not a time of life -- it is a state of
mind. People grow old by deserting their ideals.
Years wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm
wrinkles the soul. Worry, doubt, self-distrust,
fear and despair -- these are the long, long years
that bow the head and turn the growing spirit back
to dust.
Whether you are seventy or sixteen, there is in the
heart of every human being the love of wonder -- the
sweet amazement at the stars and the starlike things
and thoughts -- the unfailing childlike appetite for
what is coming next -- and the joy and the game of
life. You are as young as your faith and as old as
your doubts -- as young as your self-confidence and
as old as your fear; as young as your hope and as
old as your despair.
What count is not so much what you say, but what you
do; not so much what you have, but who you are.
Youth is not a time of life -- it is a state of
mind. People grow old by deserting their ideals.
Years wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm
wrinkles the soul. Worry, doubt, self-distrust,
fear and despair -- these are the long, long years
that bow the head and turn the growing spirit back
to dust.
Whether you are seventy or sixteen, there is in the
heart of every human being the love of wonder -- the
sweet amazement at the stars and the starlike things
and thoughts -- the unfailing childlike appetite for
what is coming next -- and the joy and the game of
life. You are as young as your faith and as old as
your doubts -- as young as your self-confidence and
as old as your fear; as young as your hope and as
old as your despair.
What count is not so much what you say, but what you
do; not so much what you have, but who you are.
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