Obituary: RIP Emma April 13, 2008

Pets are always small joys to have in our lives.  I know I have had a few in my years and all have been dear to me.  Mostly my pets vary from the cute, big and furry kind… as most of you have noticed with my beloved cow.  Before my cow, I had a bunny named Nimbus.  He was New Zealand white and since then I have not had another bunny.  I just go and stalk CB to see her beloved bunnies.  I know how precious our little critters can be.  My cow is as near and dear to me as any child could ever be.  For the past 3 years she has been my room-mate and my travel buddy. 

So, it is because of this that I can feel so very strongly scizor’s loss for his cockatiel.  He’d had her for almost as long as I’ve had my cow.  The four of us used to travel together and Emma would be most upset at the steady stares my cow would give her.  Emma wasn’t fond of me either.  I admit to ruffling her feathers and entoning very tiny-toon-Elvira-ishly “I’m gonna hug you and squeeze you and love you forever and ever” while petting the poor bird none too gently.  Still, she was a sweet soul and my hubby loved her to no end even when he left her more in his hometown because she became just too needy for him to handle. 

This weekend she had complications with trying to lay an egg.  It got stuck in her tiny birdy pelvis.  Scizor dutifully took her to the vet and tried his best to get her to eat.  This morning she passed away.  I felt his sadness.  I spent the day when he got to Mayaguez just laying with him in bed.  I tried to get him to honor his birdy by doing birdy things in the day but he wasn’t feeling up to it.  But, I understood.  I think I would have been a whole lot worse off had it been my pet the one that had had to be buried that morning. 

Pets are so essential and bring us such joy.  It hurts no less with their passing than if they had been human.   So it is that I honor Emma with many fond thoughts and many loving wishes to her family.     

In memory of a fellow Colegial March 31, 2008

One of the sad things about being part of student government is that you are privy to hearing the latest updates on cases of student accidents and, in some unfortunate cases, their deaths.  It’s terrible when it happens.  However, it’s a sad truth that young people die everyday.  Today… it just so happens that it’s someone from campus. 

I did not hear any of the newstories.  It seems this young person was with a friend and were in a car accident in a town a few over.  They were transported to the main medical facility here in Mayaguez.  Despite all medical intervention, it seems the young man passed away.  Seems his brain gave way before his body and there was nothing left to be done. 

He was a Civil Engineering student.

I don’t even know what town he is from.

Nor what year he was in.

And yet I feel this profound sadness to hear of his passing.

My heart and thoughts go out to David G. Ramos Rodriguez’s family and friends.  We shall be having a moment of silence in his honor at the assembly tomorrow. 

In Fond Memory: Heath Ledger January 24, 2008

At the oh-too young age of 28, one of the finest young actors of this movie age has passed away.  I know that my blog usually posits on food, crafts and beauty, but I simply couldn’t let this event pass without my leaving some remark.  Stepping onto the screen in 10 Things I Hate About You, Ledger was all of 19 and still starring his australian accent.  Passed off for his boyish good looks, this movie certainly wouldn’t win any awards.  However, as one of those modernized versions of Taming of the Shrew, this is the kind of movie any teenager and young adult appreciates for it’s fun.  Belting out “Can’t take my eyes off of you” what woman wouldn’t wish for such adoration?  I know I fell in love with him then.  Growing up and showing the beginnings of his signature style, The Patriot was an undeniably compeling piece to show how his quiet reserve could be channeled into such amazing intensity.  My absolute favorite movie is A Knight’s Tale where he did know how to make fun of himself and still deliver a believable role.  The quaint medieval stylings and theme just made it more than meets the eye, very much like Ledger himself.

As his career progressed, his roles were far more carefully selected.  Some say that he should have been warned off The Brothers Grimm but I, as a huge fan of his and of Matt Damon, thought the workings in the tale were quite magical.  He definitely wasn’t heartthrob worthy in that movie and it showed a clear talent to transform himself.  The challenge seemed to engage him.  He didn’t shy away from controversy and I think those were moments when he truly shined like in  Candy, Monster’s Ball, & BrokeBack Mountain.  The last especially when the beauty of the lanscape and the quiet tone of the movie itself could best be identified by Ledger’s character.  So emotionally closed off and yet so very vulnerable and innocent.  I have probably never felt my heart break more for a character than in that final scene. 

I know there are many movies of his that I have not seen and plenty that I have seen but did not mention.  My friends are talking about doing a Ledger marathon in order to fully take the impact of this loss of talent.  Why do those things most beautiful and bright seem to have to fade away?  I grieve for his daughter who will never know her father aside from the snapshots of his shining career.  They say that the newest installment to the Batman movie series shall be Ledger’s last completed work.  I know I will have to brace myself mentally to see it.  I had been so looking forward to it before.  I didn’t even recognized Ledger as the Joker.  It promises to be dark and maniacal, a true edge.

I agree with that critic who wondered how many films, as the years go by, we shall see and wonder how much better the film would have been had Ledger been alive for the part.    

May he rest in peace.

My heart and condolensces to his family and close friends.