What a Night

I got to catch a movie at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which I had no idea was happening this week.  My colleagues at work suggested I check it out since it’s once a year and there were a lot of stars.  I decided to look into booking ticket, not knowing what I was in for. The theme seemed intriguing and so I booked my ticket. Wow..is all I could say.  The message that was sent to me.

I started the evening tired, wondering how I was going to stay awake since I had a sleepless night.  Well, by evening time, I decided to do my SoulCore exercise following the Sorrowful Mysteries.  I’m glad I did, it helped me focus on the virtues of the biggest challenge I’m facing.  I might even get some enlightenment at the show.

So, as I’m walking down to the Roy Thompson Hall, I imagine waiting in a line near a red carpet seeing stars walk down.  It was nothing like that.  Instead I got there early, only to be directed to a Starbucks cafe.  The same three friends who I saw earlier say, “we’re here too early” ended up there as well.  I’ve never been to a film festival. I just wanted to be a part of the action and since I was little, I was always intrigued by movie stars. They made things happen on the big screen. I always dreamed of being famous that never panned out.

Well, as I enter the theater and got seated in my section and initially seated wrong. But I got to talk to a lady who was a regular at the film festivals and she said there are usually over 400 films from all over the world, some that you never get to see.  Also, the red carpet pre-show is really too crowded. She suggested next year I try the Elgin theater.  Few minutes later I realized I was in the wrong seat. To might right...what do you know, the same three friends I stumbled into at Starbucks was there.

SHowtime... Lights flickered and the Director was introduced and walked to the stage to talk about her film.  Then she invited the stars to join her, though they didn’t say anything. I was too busy trying to catch a photo because they said “filming is prohibited.” So I turn to my left and my right and see lights everywhere.  “Ahhh OK THEN!”  The line I remember the director saying was that the little boy did such a good job that she ended up crying.  Wow...he really portrayed her story just the way sh wanted.  I couldn’t see Maggie Gyllenhaal’s face very well she’s so far but very tall!!

The movie started...I had no idea what it was about, only that the teacher had a high interest in one of her gifted students. As the movie progressed I was kind of shock with the parallel with the themes happening in my life. What I got from the movie was this...One person can have so much passion, that she allows it to cloud her vision and cross many borders that shouldn’t be crossed.  The end of the movie keeps the audience wondering. The theme was about poetry art. I like the characters.  The teacher (main character) is carefree and giving and attentive.  But she was far from perfect and definitely not a Saint. You see her human side come out...the selfishness at times, the frustration and even times of hopelessness with her own kids.  But one thing is clear. She acted on her passion and feelings whether right or wrong. She demonstrated to the audience how vulnerable we can be as individuals an when she cried during the movie after the boy cited the poem, it shows her humanity.

What an amazing experience.  And Maggie, the actress sat and watched the show just one balcony down from mine. That was cool!!!  What did I learn from my night?

I learned that we are drawn to passion and also the people with the same passion. But life goes on. We cannot fall into the traps of temptation that worldly passion offers. In the end, it bites us in the ass.

Things I learned from this Amazing Sport

It was a crazy weekend.  But worth every effort and energy.  I never thought much about the sport of soccer.  Only that it was a simple game.  Two teams, one ball, one goal.  Really, I mean how interesting can it possibly be? The fact is that this sport taught me so much in one weekend, I will never again see it the same way.  I have a deep respect for the sport now.

Alyssa now played competitive soccer now for nearly three years.  It all started as a sport for fun to learn new skills. Over the last few years, I've seen her develop rapidly in this area, to joining an amazing team of girls, developing friendships and winning championships. She was part of a real competitive team and now that we are heading to the big leagues, we see truth and reality come out.  As my husband said last night, all the girls' flaws were exposed.  It was tough no doubt, and we see the worst in every family come out.  And we know that every family values and sees their kid as "best."  When it came down to the last ounce of frustration, we would blame even the closest of friends. The blame just never ends, but this was an important lesson.

Things I learned from soccer:

1.  If you work together, take time to think, you can accomplish amazing things.
2.  People will push their way forward, no matter what it takes
3.  Some people refuse to adapt and be flexible and help their teammates, in the end their suffers.
4.  Frustration gets the best of us.  But at the same time, it teaches us how to deal with frustration.
5.  Your weakest link can be immediately exposed and taken advantage of fast.
6.  If everyone worked together, using their strengths to their advantage, we can accomplish a great goal.  No one is the best at everything.
7.  Sometimes one person has to suffer, or as they say, "take it for the team."

A great end indeed, to a crazy weekend. Thank you Jesus, for everything I learned over this soccer tournament weekend.  Thank you for being with us and for allowing our mother to be with us, watching over Alyssa, protecting her.  Despite the wins and losses, no one got seriously hurt and have grown tremendously.