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Everytime after watching an inspiring movie, i've always wanted to do something to commemorate those true-life heroes in their own aspects but never had the chance and motivation to do so. However, since watching Oprah's Chutzpah awards, an award for all the brave and daring souls in our world today who cared and dared to pursue what they wanted, i felt that i should also do my small part by telling more people about real-life heroes which i've come across, either through books, movies, or even word of mouth.Tuesday, September 25, 2007 The award name, Weatherly award, is also inspired from a telemovie i watched on Hallmark - a channel worthy of watching beacuse of its numerous inspiring movies. It was a show called "Gracie's Choice in which a sister struggles to provide her three other siblings (and half siblings) with a decent life, forgoing even her own life and love. Furthermore, she adopts her three siblings from their mother, a drunkard and drug addict, who is an irresponsible bitch (sorry) who just wants the kids for possession sake and nothing else. For that, she went through the ardous court trials and finally manages to convince the judge that she is capable to take responsibility for her 3 brothers despite her young age. Before the show concluded, it showed the new family thinking of a surname for themselves. And yes, they came up with "Weatherly" because they went through bad weathers before getting what they wanted. I thought it was a really appropriate name despite being a bit cheesy. Similarly, my chosen "Weatherly" winners went through trials and tribulations to finally taste success. Kudos to them! Liz Murray - Homeless to Harvard The title kind of gives any modicum of suspense away, but the true story of Liz Murray, who pulled herself out of what was apparently an abysmal, drug-filled home life and went from living on the streets to attending Harvard, is nothing if not remarkable and inspiring. When she was around 13 years old, she was living in a filthy, cramped apartment with her older sister, not forgetting the added burden of a schizophrenic/druggie mom (Kelly Lynch) and brainy but drugged-addicted dad (Michael Riley). It's the kind of household where the mom regularly knocks her kids around trying to scare up some drug money, and where the family has to stand on an overturned bucket in the bathtub to shower because the tub is filled with dark, putrid water. Liz skips a lot of school, and though she's a smart kid, she can't avoid being pulled into the system, and she ends up a ward of the state, living in a violent teenage "group home". At 15, she breaks away from her home life (what there is of it) and takes to the streets, distancing herself from her long gone mom and her stoner dad. Only after the death of her mother does Liz develop the determination to better her lot in life. Virtually begging her way back into high school, she becomes a superb student, and at 19, with funding from a scholarship and a part-time job with the New York Public Interest Group, "born loser" Liz enters Harvard University. Today, Liz work as an inspirational speaker, successful but never forgetting the past. Chris Gardener - Pursuer Of Happyness With an unpromising career in selling a machine to doctors who do not feel as though the equipment is necessary, Gardener and his young son become homeless when he can no longer afford to pay the rent. Gardener, however, is presented with the opportunity to compete in a very competitive internship at Dean Witter (Large firm). Through much determination and hard work, Gardener manages to do much more for the company than the others involved in the internship, and wins the job position offered. He then goes on to become a very wealthy stock broker. Today, Chris is a self-made millionaire, entrepreneur, motivational speaker and philanthropist. Anyone who can not even pay their bills, yet remain strong is one of the best role models anybody could look up to. This movie reminds me that no matter what has happened in your past, it does not have to affect your future. If you just remain optimistic and never give up, then the sun will shine on you in no time. Gardener said that he was not going to let his son down, because his father had done that to him, and he did not want to be like that. This shows that he had the same outlook and knew that his horrible past did not have to affect what was going to happen to him. Gardener even brought humor into his terrible experience. After spending the night in jail for not paying parking tickets, Gardener had his interview at Dean Witter the next morning. The interviewers bring up his scraggly appearance by asking Gardener what he would think if his company hired someone who came for the interview with no shirt on and he replied that the man must have had some very nice pants. This scene is so inspiring, because it reminds me that you must keep your sense of humor no matter how hard life may be. (adapted from brickfish.com) As a story of perseverance and hope, The Pursuit of Happyness (story of Chris Gardener) is one of the most inspirational movies I have ever had the privilege to watch. The story of Chris Gardener has the power to inspire millions of people. Everyone who watches this movie will be sure to be touched and inspired to do the best at everything they attempt. Rosa Parks - Firm On Rights Rosa Parks was the person who lit the spark that ignited the civil rights movement in the United States that led to so much positive change. Tired after a long day at work, she was riding the bus home. According to law, if a white person wanted her seat, she was forced to give it up. A white man wanted to sit, but she refused to yield. The white driver then ordered her to relinquish the seat and when she again refused, the police were called, which led to her arrest. This action sparked the famous Montgomery bus boycott, which led to a change in the law. Once the civil rights movement started, it could not be stopped, despite ferocious and violent opposition by southern whites. But what else do you know about Ms. Parks? Did you know that at the time that she was arrested, Ms. Parks was a secretary for the NAACP and that her husband was a longtime Civil Right activist? Did you know that she grew up without a father and that she remembered clearly the nights she'd spend next to her grandfather's gun, listening for the Klan? Or that the bus driver that pulled her off and got her arrested was the same man that had thrown her off a bus several years before? This story is one of an otherwise unassuming but proud woman who possessed great courage. Her life is one of hardship, trials and eventually great triumph. Young children of today do not understand what life was like in the segregated, racist society of the first half of the twentieth century. Lance Armstrong (taken from livestrong.org) At age 25, Lance Armstrong was one of the world's best cyclists. He proved it by winning the World Championships, the Tour Du Pont and multiple Tour de France stages. Lance Armstrong seemed invincible and his future was bright. Then they told him he had cancer. Next to the challenge he now faced, bike racing seemed insignificant. The diagnosis was testicular cancer, the most common cancer in men aged 15-35. If detected early, its cure rate is a promising 90 percent. Like most young, healthy men, Lance ignored the warning signs, and he never imagined the seriousness of his condition. Going untreated, the cancer had spread to Lance's abdomen, lungs and brain. His chances dimmed. Then a combination of physical conditioning, a strong support system and competitive spirit took over. He declared himself not a cancer victim but a cancer survivor. He took an active role in educating himself about his disease and the treatment. Armed with knowledge and confidence in medicine, he underwent aggressive treatment and beat the disease. During his treatment, before his recovery, before he even knew his own fate, he created the Lance Armstrong Foundation. This marked the beginning of Lance's life as an advocate for people living with cancer and a world representative for the cancer community. Lance Armstrong's victories in the 1999-2005 Tours de France are awe-inspiring, but the battle against cancer has just begun-not just for him, but for all cancer survivors and people just like him who think cancer could not affect them. He plans to lead this fight, and he hopes that you join him. This is a life he owes to cancer. This is his choice to live strong. Oprah Winfrey - My Role Model Oprah Gail Winfrey was born in 1954. She is an Emmy Ward winning talk show host and magazine publisher. In 2003 Forbes magazine proclaimed her the first black woman billionaire in the world. She has appeared on Time magazine's 100 most influential people list more frequently than any other woman, and considered by many to be the most influential woman in the world. Oprah is one of America's greatest philanthropists donating generously to charity. Not only is Oprah's personal charity giving unmatched by any other show business celebrity, but she has one of the most generous audiences in show business, raising money for various causes. Oprah was on the first national broadcast of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in 1986. In the mid-1990s the shows adopted a more serious format; addressing issues that Winfrey thought were of importance to women, such as infidelity, child abuse and cosmetic surgery. She often interviews celebrities on issues that directly involve them in some way, such as cancer, charity work, or substance abuse. In addition, she interviews ordinary people who have done extraordinary things or been involved in important current issues. Indeed, a role model learning from other role models. From the moment i saw her show and knew who this extraordinary person is, i knew instantly she was the role model for me. Inspiring in every SINGLE way. music.city.soul || 9:26 PM || 0 comments
Wednesday, September 5, 2007    It's my greatest pleasure to inform you about a extremely beautiful movie called Pride and Prejudice. Ah... For your information, the first line was written with the Queen's English tone in mind but i can't suppress my feelings anymore! I absolutely love the movie!!! It's BE-U-TI-FULL!!! So amazingly great... I'm so glad that i've been able to watch two of such great love movies within the week. First it was Shakespearse in Love, featuring the stunning Gwyneth Paltrow (i love her), and now Pride and Prejudice!!! So my... how i love such romantic movies. Makes me believe that in this world people can achieve anything they want if they believe, especially love. However, i do understand the reality of it all - the world isn't that beautiful as i'd imagined or hope it would be. But certainly a dream that provides me great console to face that painful reality i must say. haha Well, i'm so in the mood to talk England! I just love the british accent and the british sarcasm/coldness! So cool (literally). No wonder London's my soft spot. Ok, let me talk more about the movie... Keira Knightley is beautiful, Matthew Macfadden is also beautiful (in the manly sense), their love is beautiful, the scenery is beautiful and the feel is beautiful!!! It's just so beautiful!!! Pardon me fore using the word "beautiful" excessively but that's the only word that fills my love-drunk brain right now! haha. Exceptionally beautiful. Please for all who have not watched it - go watch it. You'll suffer from the symptoms described above. ha. Sugar rush... need to chill for a second. Alright... it's totally a refreshing turn after a day of work. Hard day of work i must say - filled with sadness, injustice, worry and doubt. Doubt because i doubt my own abilities to handle the work entrusted to me. Worry because i'm afraid i can't do the things well and afraid of making mistakes. Injustice because my colleague feels terribly ill-treated by her bosses. And Sadness because i feel sad for her. I've come to believe that the world will never be nice to you. That's why you have to be nice to yourself. Take my words. don't let any bastards/bitches make you feel sad cause honestly u don't deserve to be treated this way. Really apologise. I'm so engrossed with the move i can't write much! I guess the hope and love from the movie has neutralised the depressing moods within me. Ok, i'm officially speechless from now on... music.city.soul || 9:44 PM || 1 comments |
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