I finally saw Gone With the Wind last week. Almost 4 hours long, but worth it. I realize that I really haven't retained anything that I had learned in high school History class about the U.S. Civil War (or anything else, for that matter). It's about this young southern belle named  Scarlett O'hara (the beautiful Vivien Leigh) who clings onto the hope of being romantically linked with this man named Ashley Wilkes, despite the fact that he's married to this wonderfully good-hearted and mature woman named Melanie. Scarlett is feisty, passionate and immature. She marries to spite and then after the loss of everything after the Civil War, for money. Her most recent husband is Rhett Butler (Clark Gable), a roguishly wealthy man who is yet able to see the honour and grace in people. He can't help being in love with Scarlett despite the fact that she's immature, lacks integrity and honour, and still won't give up pursuing Ashley Wilkes. Finally, after much loss and grief, Rhett gives up on his hope that Scarlett would ever love him the way she loves Ashley so he leaves her. That's how the famous line of the movie came about.  Scarlett finally realizes that Ashley never truly loved her and that she actually loved Rhett. As she pleads for Rhett to not leave for Charleston, she asks him, "But where will I go? What will I do?" Rhett then turns around and says, "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn." Scarlett, after some despair, finds her inner strength and realizes that she will be able to resolve things because "after all, tomorrow is another day."

While watching the movie, I identified more with Scarlett than with Melanie. I may not be as beautiful and have all these suitors (or any), so I don't think I'll be marrying anyone for spite or money. But I might always be immature like her. And I wonder if I ever fell in love with a man who later marries someone as forgiving and generous and warm-hearted and mature as Melanie, would I still be able to let go of him? If I believed that this was the one love of my life? 

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B-ball on Tuesday evenings at that place is no more. I went there this week and no one was there. Believing that this would continue to be a pattern in the future, I was able to get a full refund.

The weather was sunny and the view was gorgeous from the v-ball court. Saw sailboats, downtown in the distance, the mountains, other people also being active... Some things I saw that stood out include two gals galloping on their horses along the beach during low tide. So cool. I want to do that some day (mental note: add that to My List). I also saw some kid reeling in her flying red kite with her fishing rod. Ingenious. 

There were two bald eagles atop a tree behind us while we were playing. Some people, which I presume to be connected to the media, were trying to film the eagles in action. The camera guy also tried to get shots of people on the beach. I don't exactly know why I didn't like the guy aiming his camera at us without asking for our permission first. Perhaps I didn't want people to see me on TV with such a motley crew of fellow v-ball players. If that's the case, then there's something wrong with my thinking. Anyway, while we were later back at someone's house having Easter Sunday dinner (yes, the central dish wasn't salty enough but I didn't make a fuss), one of the players asked whether I would feel comfortable performing some contemporary dance. As if. He admitted that he knew what the answer would be before I had even replied, from my earlier reaction about the camera guy. Well, then why did you ask, buddy? I find people who ask questions even though they already know what the answer is annoying. He wasn't interested in the answer as much as the chance to raise a point with me. 

It's not as annoying as those people in class who during the question & answer period after someone's presentation would ask the presenter a question even though they already know the answer. The goal isn't to find out what the answer is, but to stump the presenter and to make themselves appear smart. 

Reminder: don't wear white socks and new runners to play beach v-ball unless you want to turn them permanently brown. 

What's slightly annoying me is my friend who's charging everyone money to ostensibly cover the cost of equipment. Yeah, right. The only thing new that she purchased for this season is a cheap ball, which she'll still get to keep afterward, along with the net, old ball, rope for the boundaries, and pegs which we had already more than paid for 3 years ago. There are so many instances in which I can list off how she's so petty with money. I just don't believe that you should charge your supposed friends to play with you. And to make a profit on top of that. Friendships aren't business transactions. Enough said.

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The Vancouver Sun Run 2001: Que je suis morte. My goal, like last year, is to finish under an hour and a half (excluding the approx. 10 minutes it'll take to get to the actual finish line). But it'll be difficult because unlike last year, I barely trained at all. I haven't jogged in over 2 months! My quads, lungs, and heart will quit 1 kilometer in. The rest of the 9 km will be a harsh duel between mind over matter. I'll just have to repeat the mantra of 'faster, stronger, smoother' over and over. Oh, and what if it rains? I sort of want to chicken out, but if I do, then it'll just be an indication of how I am in the rest of my life. I dream big, don't put in the effort, and end up failing. Please let me finish under 1:30!

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The tenants have arrived from Beijing. The dad smokes like a chimney. Indoors. Despite our requesting him not to. My mother put cloths to block the space under the doors, but the smoke still seeps through. I feel like a hostage in my own house. My home is supposed to be my refuge. Not some occupational hazard. I've been coughing all day. And I just want this guy to take care of settling his daughter in so he can return to his business in Beijing ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!! Ya know, my frustration isn't entirely focused on the smoker. It's also directed at tobacco companies. Think of their campaigns of getting millions and millions (well, probably more like billions) of people in China addicted to nicotine just so they can make a profit off of others' weaknesses. It's a bit of a cultural genocide. (Ok, that's a hyperbole, but "With God as my witness, I will never have to suffer through tobacco smoke in my own home!")

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My friend A hasn't seen or spoken to me since late September. Suddenly, she contacts me so I could help edit her paper that's due. I've been like that too in the past to other people, so I can sort of understand. Especially since I'm not the type who enjoys calling people up for no apparent reason than to just chat. And compounded with the stress of things like school (which might not be going too well), it's easy to lose touch with friends. I think I lost a friendship with (at least) one person this way though. I just wasn't that close to her to begin with. So, I didn't call her for probably 4 or 5 months or something when I no longer had school-related things to deal with. When I finally did call, she wasn't very receptive anymore. But then again, it might have to do with something not even related to this. Don't know. I'm not calling her again.

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This guy Joe told me something that really resonated with me. He has 3 kids of his own, so he ought to know. He was giving me advice on how to deal with my spoiled niece, and he said that a kid is like a young tree. If a tree is crooked/ bent, it's easier to straighten it out while it's younger then when it's older. Memorable image.

Something else that I could also use to apply to myself: I've made a Good Behaviour Chart for my niece.  The point is that for each good thing that she did, e.g. taking a bath without complaining and crying, eating her dinner without too much fuss and delay, getting to preschool on time, etc., she'll get a circle coloured in. When all the circles on the chart are coloured in, she gets a prize. Anyway, it's not working too well though because all those empty circles are too daunting for her. Well, more like each task in themselves are too daunting too. She can't resist instant gratification.