Essay #10 My Favorite Movie & Why

One of my all time favorite movies is “The Prince of Egypt”. It is captivating story that depicts the life of the Hebrew prophet Moses. The animated film is a more decorated version of the actual biblical story but it captures the message none the less. The movie focuses on the life of two brothers from born in two very different worlds. One born into a royal family whiles the other born into slavery. In a desperate attempt to save her child from mass murder of all newborn male babies, the biological mother of the child born into slavery prays and puts her child in God’s hands and sends him floating down a river away from their village with faith that he will be protected and have a better life style than what she can provide.  Her prayer is answered as God protects the young boy and sends the basket in which his mother placed him in right to the royal palace. An unlikely and seemingly unsafe place to be for a newborn male who would have been slain if found in his own village by the same Pharaoh whose palace he floated to. The boy is found by the Pharaoh’s wife who loving decides to adopt the boy and name him Moses. He grows up knowing no other life but a royal one. As any child does he gains respect and love for family he unknowingly thinks is his own. Until, one day he figures it all after being held responsible for killing a man. Frowned upon and framed for murder he becomes scared and runs away from “home”. Wondering the streets of Egypt he then begins to find missing pieces to his background and finds that the life and family he grew into is not really his. He hears from God and begins to understand who is and where he is from. God calls him to be a leader and defy his royal roots. Moses does as God orders hurting those whom he once called his family. Some of the acts God does are amazing, some being turning water into blood and parting the seas. Throughout the movie I saw so many examples of God’s greatness. One of God’s callings for Moses in this movie was deliver the Ten Commandments. Upon doing so, Moses faced many trials and seemingly impossible circumstances but he prevailed because he had faith in God. This movie took me on a journey and an example a completed purpose. Upon painting such a vivid picture of the biblical story, it shows God’s love unpredictability and power. God had a plan for Moses journey and was there for him every step of the way. All that Moses had to do was have faith. Seeing this movie at a young age, taught me that faith is the substance of things hoped for but not yet seen. I cannot read into the future but I have faith that, just like Moses I will complete my calling because God will guide my footsteps.

Comparative Analysis of "Out of Our Fathers House" and "For Colored Girls"

Plays are theatrical performances that entertain and inform the audience. Often times, the author use rhetorical appeals and devices to bring the audience to a desired veiwpoint or call to action. The author of both plays uses logical and emotional appeals to adress the issue of gender inequality and the fight against discrimination. The characters fight as women grow as individuals using their past to influence their futures. Both plays are set in urban areas howeverin different times periods. The movie For Colored Girls took place in Harlem, New York, after the Vietnam War. Out of Our Fathers House took place  in Chicago during the early 20th century womens rights movement. Both are gender based and linked in discrimination of not being equal to men and seen as insignificant figures in society. The largest comparision I found between both stories was the display of womens menatl, spiritual, and verbal growth. The women though different race were no longer afraid to speak against their opposers. The characters in the play also displayed similar qualities.

Weekly Essay Prompt (12.10.2010) on Importance

I feel blessed to grow up in a household with both of my parents that have instilled in me the value of hard work, education and service to others. My church has further taught me the value and benefit of volunteering my time through community service. As President of the Young Willing Vessels youth group at my church, I oversaw the planning and organizing of our first ever mission trip to Salvador de Bahia, Brazil, this past summer. In Brazil we did mission work in the poorest part of town. We worked with a foundation school to keep young girls off the street called Bahia Street Program. They were enthusiastic about understanding our culture and what it meant to be an African American Baptist Christian in the United States. They practiced the Afro-Brazilian religion called Candomble and were surprised to know that we could legally display our religion publicly through song or dance, as they are unable to.

One of my many talents is singing. I have a deep passion for music and vocal expression and I was grateful to express it to the girls in the program. I did a solo performance of a gospel song that speaks on empowerment and dedication to ones faith in God. After I sang, I saw their faces light up and some cried. I then further understood the power and effect of my talent and ability to connect with others.  I realized that though we didn't speak the same language or have the same religion, we could connect and be a part of each other’s culture.

My experience at the Bahia Street Program reminds me of when I met an extremely talented young boy who was deaf, mute and blind. Thrown away by a poor and drug addicted mother, he was left to fend for himself on the streets of Salvador. He was later given an opportunity to learn Brazilian drumming by a struggling Capoeira teacher. At first people doubted the boy and his talent, so he went into a shell and did not want to express his talent. I once had similar doubts about my singing until I found encouragement from my choir director.

Somewhat like my choir director was for me, the Capoeira teacher was a role model and support system for the boy. Even in his blindness she allowed him to see his talent and gain joy in expressing it. That's who I hope to be, someone who creates opportunities and inspires others to find optimism.  He played drums with a rhythm and passion I've never heard before or sensed. With each stroke to the drum I felt the pain and power he expressed. I even questioned at times if he was blind. I thought, with his talent, he must have been able to see the exact points to beat the drum to make such a sensational impact. Like the boy, I have found that my singing has a strong impact and I hope to have such a strong impact on others as the boy had on me. In the trip I learned more about myself as a person and grew to respect and understand another part the world. I am grateful that I have had the opportunity to display my tenacity, hone my leadership skills, and explore my passion for inspiring others. It is a true privileged to give and I strongly believe that to whom much is given much is required.

A place in my house

I have lived in my current house in Inglewood California for twelve years. I live in a one story house located on a hill overlooking Briarwood and Carlton Square, two gated communities. When I first moved to my house at age five I was scared at times because it seemed so big but as time has progressed, my house has seemed to shrink in some sorts. My room in particular seems to get smaller and smaller as I get older. Possibly because I have accumulated more things and take up more space it has seemed to get smaller. I have many special memories in many of the rooms in my house. One I particular is our Living room. We entertain our guest in the living room and hosts many holidays, birthday, graduation and special celebrations in it. The most recent event we hosted in my families living was our annual Thanksgiving dinner. After going to church and passing out meals to the people in the community I went home to help prepare thanksgiving dinner for my family and I. Having dinner in our living room creates a warm and comfortable feeling because the beige walls and cranberry colored sheer curtains and candles are the perfect accent colors. I love going in my living room. When the meal was all prepared the room smelled of all of the southern food dishes that I could imagine from greens, to yams and cornbread to my favorite macaroni and cheese. My family and I ate around the fire my dad lit at the glass and marble fireplace. The glow of the crystals on the outer rim of the fireplace shinned beautifully and nativity set standing right in front of the crystals made me feel the holiday spirit. My family played games and ate for the rest of the night. I look forward to the next holiday celebration in my families living room.

Cats and Dogs

They say that dogs are a man’s best friend. I for one am not necessarily familiar with this phrase. The only pets I have are the fish my families aquarium. I have observed having multiple pets from my friends who are pet owners. Many of them either have cats or dogs. I do not have a preference but I have noticed that dogs and cats are similar and different in many ways. Aside form the apparent differences of cats and dogs being totally different animals size wise, and the difference in what they eat and do there are many other ways they differ. I have seen that dogs are more people friendly pets and like to have attention and be around people. Cats on the other hand seem to be less people friendly and seem to be more independent and dominant animals. They wander and roam as they please and return when they want to their owners. Cats seem to be freer to do as they please. Dogs seem to be attention grabbers and want to be around people. They are more playful and energetic then cats. They seem to be more concerned with them were as dog need to walked and played with and taken more care of. There differences make them interesting pets to own. Depending on the person, you might prefer a certain pet over another. If you are the type of person who is often busy and does not have time to take care of a animal, you might want to get a cat instead of a dog. It would be a pet that does not involve as much care and attention as having a dog that you would have to take time and effort to take care of.

Raw and Well Cooked Foods

People have many different preferences when it comes to food. Some people like there foods raw, some well done, and some even like there food to be over cooked. There are health benefits and hazards of having you food prepared raw and or cooked. Some foods like fish are healthy for our system. When they are raw, we get the essential nutrients directly from the animals we eat before they are cooked out. While providing some pure nutrients, raw foods can be harmful to our body. If certain foods like chicken and beef are not fully cooked, then our bodies can not take it and we become sick. Eating foods that are well done sometimes kill’s nutrients that we would get if we did not burn them away when cooking them. I prefer my food to be well cooked. I do not like eating things that are not fully cooked, I am aware that some nutrients are killed when my food is well prepared but I still know that some nutrients will still be there when the food is done. I would rather be safe than sorry in eating foods that are not fully prepared. I do not like to risk getting sick just to save a few nutrients. I do understand the importance of a good diet with as many nutrients as possible but I know there are other ways to get nutrients that are killed in the process of preparing my food. I can get necessary nutrients form other foods or take vitamins to get the ones I do not get when eating fully cooked food.

Spicy or Sweet

People’s taste buds and flavor preferences are all different. I like sweet foods more than I do spicy ones. Too much of these spices and sweeteners can be harmful to the body. Too much spicy food can tear and damage our intestines and internal system. Too many sweet foods can harm our bodies and produce to much glucose which results in diabetes. If you are to spicy or sweet foods you should do so in a balanced proportion so that you remain healthy. I like sweet foods more than spicy ones. My taste buds adjust better to foods that have a sweet flavor then with ones that are hot. I find most spicy foods to be too ho to handle. Foods like spicy chicken, hot cheetos, peppers and more do not appeal to me. I like foods that have a sweet flavor to them. The foods that are too spicy are too hot to truly enjoy. When I eat spicy foods my mouth is so consumed with the feeling of a burning sensation that I can not focus on any of the other flavors in the food. I think spice throws of the eating experience and when eating things that a really hot you reach for the water or something cold to drink instantly instead of trying to enjoy the food. The taste of food is important to how we enjoy our food. I like being able to savor the flavors of food instead of reaching for ways to erase it by chasing it down with cold liquids.