A Spotless Mind

"What are you studying?"

I always have fun with that question. I've given answers that ranged from, "I go to a private college" to "I'm gonna be a PASTOR, man!" Depending on who it is I get asked by, the response will vary. And for the times that I do straight up say that I'm studying Christian ministries, the responses I get are always interesting. And because I'm in this track of study, it also implies that I love to watch people. And because I love to watch people, seeing their responses, whether verbal or just simply a face that they make, is very amusing. I'm quite confident that some people passed judgment on me when I tell them I want to be a pastor; but I quite honestly don't mind so much... anymore, at least. When I first accepted God's calling into ministry, I was so timid and so scared to tell people because I didn't know what kind of reception it'd get. But now, I've just kind of learned to shove it aside and do what's right. But to say that I never have times of doubt or second guessing would mean that I'd be lying. And eventually, when things come back full circle in re-confirming my calling, it's pretty surreal in how it's done.

As for progress on "Love Wins", it slowed down over the last couple of days. For some strange reason, I caught the stomach flu on Christmas Eve and I felt like crap for most of the day. But all of a sudden, when I woke up on Christmas Day, I felt way better. And when I woke up this morning, I feel more or less like regular again. Pretty quick recovery ability, yeah? I don't know what that has anything to do with reading the book, but maybe it interrupted my flow. The only thing I have to say so far is that Rob Bell raises some really good points.

A few days back, I also re-watched "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." The first time I watched this movie was in high school, and I had no idea what the heck happened. I was explained to of most of the details that went on, and the concept of it blew my mind away. I think it's fair to say that most people have trouble catching onto non-linear plots or storylines, as in the case of this movie. So, that's why I wanted to watch it again; and even watching it for the third time now, there were still parts of the movies that seemed to be left open ended and made me guess at what the writer was trying to say in that specific part. But what really captured me, like anything else that attracts me, is the story of the movie. If something has a good story to it, I'm almost always going to like it.

People always debate over the whole fate versus chance thing in life, and I felt that this movie depicts it so well. I'm a firm believer in the fate that God has already determined and that everything is just unfolding day by day. So, adding that belief into my already vulnerable self, the movie hits home. Also, movies that involve a lot of thinking and contemplation are movies that I like to watch (but maybe not so much the political stuff)! I know Jim Carrey is more of a comedy guy, but he did a pretty good job in this movie.

One thing, though, that this movie reminded me of is how real some of the underlying themes are in comparison to real life. I've seen it when people not only fall in love, but fall off the face of the earth after they find someone; it sucks especially when it's someone that you're close to, and all of a sudden you just don't seem to matter anymore because that special someone is all that matters to him/her. I've also seen where a couple can be dating, then break up for some really dumb reason, only to find themselves together again in the future. A lot of times, that breakup might have been warranted for them to see how much they meant to each other, so it worked out in the end; and drawing from what I said about everything happening for a reason, it's all good that it happened that way because it was meant to be.

Loved that movie. Not a fan of most chick flicks, but this one is probably my favorite of all time. Next up, Shawshank Redemption. I also watched Transformers 3 last night, which was one of the movies I completely missed out on over the summer because AIA took all of me.

As for Boxing Day, I only went to South Edmonton Common today and bought myself a pair of sweats. Lame, I know; but tomorrow is round two at WEM! I am still in need of a new pair of shoes to fix my... well, everything!