The Life Harmonic

The Life Harmonic. A play on words. And Wes Anderson titles. And me.

I will no longer be using this blog for a number of reasons. Those reasons will direct you to my previous post. There, now it all makes sense now!

Now click here.

Enjoy, Monica(:

Endings

In short, I decided to move domains due to the idea of "starting from scratch".

Imagine this blog as the mere sketch of some bigger picture -- that picture is still unknown. So instead of dumping it, I figured I'd save it (I mean, I can't erase this content off the Internet completely). And it's a way of expressing my sentimental disposition to the public.

A link will be posted soon.

For now, enjoy Broadway's The Book of Mormon to the animation of South Park:

So long (but not goodbye), Monica(:

Loss, Gain & American Beauty

The thought of blogging began to slip away once I've started to make plans and go out again. But here I go again.

I'm not sure where to begin.

As said previously, I lost my sister on March 16th 2014 unexpectedly. Prior to this, I was aware that she had been very sick. Now for some reason, there was one particular question that came to mind. "What if she died?" I did feel bad for thinking that, I just couldn't help it. However, I assumed that the odds would be against it. But the Lord proved me wrong. By surprise, I took it calmly with an open heart. I didn't really cry. There was this peace that I couldn't explain -- and that was the thing.

As a child, the thought of loss scared the crap out of me (to be straight forward). It depressed me. It confused me. And to this, I also admit, I couldn't understand why someone would be willing to put themselves in a situation where they could potentially lose their life. Life was comfortable for me, and why would I want to give that up. Of course, I was a 21st century/well-to-do California kid who didn't see the need to care that much about anything important, really.

"You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death to you" -- C.S. Lewis

After you've lost just about everything, your entire belief system is put to the test. As one who believes in God, my faith essentially revealed itself to me. In short, the need to worry about death itself became less important than the concern for the present, for to me it was understood, through faith, that there is life after death. Therefore, good will abound after tribulation.

(Of course, that would depend on personal opinion and one's overall worldview.)

Still,

I believe it reveals the beauty of life. 

Which reminds me. This film may be a bit off-topic, but it has become my favorite movie:

American Beauty.

The story follows a series of unfortunate events that lead up to the death of the cynical Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey). However, through his unhappy life, he is redeemed and recognizes that the beauty of life surpasses all the misfortunes he and everyone else has gone through in their lifetime. 

That barely touches the surface of the movie, but I leave you to watch it for yourself.

Plus, never deny a chance to see Kevin Spacey -- he's a wonderful man.

Hopefully, that last bit was of some relevance to my post. Oh well. 

Happy Summer, Monica(:

The New York Experience

Who needs California?

"What's wrong with her? California is the place to be, man!" is what you may be thinking. (Or what I may think you are thinking, judging by my anxious disposition.)

As a more reserved, less "out-there" Californian, I felt as if this state is not where I belong in comparison to those who stay. I am not saying California is filled with more outgoing individuals, but if it doesn't feel right, it's just not right.

Anyways,

Last week, I travelled across the country to what is New York City. I have been there before. I've thought it was nice and "city-like", as what my adolescent self would and would only describe it as. Add my future to the equation and it alters...well, everything.

Oh, did I mention my first stop was New Jersey? Most of my days there looked like this:

**Not saying Jersey is a yawn, but
my mentality reveals itself

But I'd like to congratulate my lovely oldest sister who recently got married there this last week! She's also the reason for this post AND trip -- ergo, the reason for my New York madness.

Hello, New York

After a beautiful wedding in New Jersey, our first stop was my uncle's apartment in Queens (to which I dedicated my time to the scenery from the balcony).

Yes, this made it to Instagram.

Queens was alright. I mean, hey, it's New York. But the city of Manhattan was the culprit. 

This made it to Instagram as well.
And if you must know, @har_monic

I had forgotten about the glitz and glamour of Times Square. Plus, hot dog stands at every corner? It had me at "hot dogs", then again I might be going to far. And who could resist drunk, one-eyed and slightly feminine Barney raving about photographs for a dollar? A bit sketchy, but New York City stole my heart. Kind of like a low-budget romance film.

However, this one takes the cake.

Yes, it did too. @har_monic

Fun fact: Les Misérables is my favorite musical...ever. But more on that later.

I have recently developed an interest in everything that is Broadway.

So Ali and I vow to see every single musical out there. Given the proper circumstances -- time...money... We don't know exactly how this will happen, but the Lord works in mysterious ways, so why not?

Also, The Book of Mormon is #1 of our list right now.

Our last stop was Central Park. 

Maybe I'll edit this one later ...I'm tired.

As I was sitting on the bench with my parents, with my NY hot dog in hand, a young couple with their two kids were walking by:

The little girl said to her dad, "We don't have a backyard!"

To which he replied, "Yeah, well you get this entire park as your own!"

Central Park was and still is a beauty. And I wouldn't mind having it as my backyard either!

Also,

Fun Fact: Doctor Who is the first love of my British TV lifestyle. So if you ever want to engage in a conversation about this quirky show, well I'm at your disposal.

If you are able to understand what I am referring to, keep reading.

You may recall the touching season 7 episode "The Angels Take Manhattan", they filmed it right in Central Park back in 2012. So... I'm just going to leave it as this:

Same bridge.

Same seat.
(Well, I realized after I took this that he
was sitting near the OTHER end of the bench.
Therefore, I apologize for the invalidity of this picture.
It was trial & error WITH a time limit here!)

So, 

I'm flying back to New York and never coming back. The end. 

(Oh, and Alice & Jordan are officially my new roommates. They are quite lovely individuals.

And Brandon Stanton. Get ready to take my picture.)

your newly acquainted New Yorker, Monica(:

Old Ways & New Doors

I'd like to start off on a more serious note.


The later half of my senior year has been quite the roller coaster -- problems of the heart, problems of the grade, problems of the future. And with it came problems of the mind, almost to the point of apathy.

Additionally: On March 16, 2014 at (around) 5:30PM, I received the worst phone call one could possibly have. My sister had passed away -- but more on that later.

Months have gone by, to which I had dedicated my thoughts to the pessimism that is within, leading me to countless scenarios that I never wanted to dwell on.

But what was originally an act of ignorance turned into yet another personal revelation.

As the ancient cliché goes, the world has never, is not, and will never revolve around me. Or my problems. Or yourself, or the next guy, for that matter. 

We all go through the motions.

The Motions

I have always allowed my world to revolve around other people, my problems, and myself. I enslaved my loyalty to things that I believed would provide me a lifetime supply of happiness, ignoring the uncertainty of life itself. And well, if I couldn't have whatever it was then my future was, ironically, doomed. 

I trusted in my own intuitions. I trusted in the intuitions of others.

Consequently, that never worked. I knew it could never work too. I allowed history to repeat itself until it would miraculously fall into place.

Now, imagine me reading a history book and criticizing the stupidity of some people. 

Oh, the hypocrisy.

Reality

In a nutshell, happiness does not come from specific sources. It comes from the experiences that all those sources can bring, without imposing the belief that it is the only happiness you are ever going to find.

Like said, I disregarded the uncertainty of this world. I have always feared the term "uncertainty", until the realization that "uncertainty" didn't had to mean negative consequences. 

Life goes on. There will be its ups and downs. Both are inevitable, yet both are necessary.

I say to myself, "Maybe I've just become a cynic? A pessimist?" I guess I got used to my old ways.

But that's beyond the point.

So yes,

The world I live in seemed a darker place. Of course, it did -- I had to understand that although it seemed to be, doesn't mean that it was.

Here's to the new doors, Monica(:

P.S. I understand it is agreed that this post is possibly already known and understood by you, dear reader. But I congratulate you for reading to the end of my rant. And for that, you deserve many medals.

Humans of New York -- the more you know.

"-- the more you know." bits will be thrown in (hopefully weekly) to inform my lovely following on music, movies, etc. worth checking out(:

Individuality at its finest

Humans of New York

Yesterday, I was introduced to a very unique Instagram account that goes by the name "humansofny". In short, portraits are taken of random people roaming around the big city to which the viewers are given a bit of incite on those who are in each photograph -- whether it be a life story, a defining moment, a controversial opinion or a bit of humor.

The man behind the camera (Brandon Stanton) has been doing this since 2010 and, may I say, is doing a stellar job at it.

Check it out his website here.

Follow him on Instagram: @humansofny

And his book (goes by the same name, I know you guys are smart)

Fun fact: I plan to live in New York. 

the more you know, Monica(:

Introductions & Jim Parsons

You can call me each of the following in order of preference: Monica, Moniqua, Mon, or Lissa (Lee-sah, not Liss-ah. As it turns out, out my double-s's have stardards). 

In honor of my highly-anticipated (by both my writer's block and myself) first post, I introduce to you my contribution to "Man Crush Mondays":

Mr. Jim Parsons.

Personally, I find "#mcm"'s unnecessary and irrelevant to my Monday schedule.
However, after countless reruns of The Big Bang Theory,
you begin to unleash your inner fangirl.

Unfortunately, my mind rejects the reality of his age being of 41 years. As well as his homosexuality. But my mind does allow the idea of us getting married one day a part of my destiny.

So Jim, if you're reading this. Hi. 

But this brings up a good point: A lot of attractive men are in their forties -- if Martin Freeman (42), David Tennant (42), and Jim Parsons are not on your radar, well...

Anyways,

Earlier today, I engaged in a lovely conversation with my dear friend, Ali Ross, over my favorite television sitcom The Big Bang Theory.

We came up with three basic assumptions: 1) Sheldon Cooper is the best 2) Wolowitz is, although well-loved, very creepy and 3) Theoretically, Penny and Bernadette are the only two personalities that can actually be tolerated. Any objections are open to discussion. 

Fun fact about Monica: I suck at debates, but more on that topic later. 

Until-I-find-a-proper-way-of-signing-off, Monica(:

P.S. On a final note, I'd like to draw your attention back to Ms. Ross to thank her whole-heartedly for encouraging me to start a blog. Basically she's the reason why I have caused either joy or pain in your life(;

P.S.S. She's great.

P.S.S.S. What would I do without IMDB. Out of pure happenstance, it appears to be Jim Parson's birthday today. The coincidence makes me speechless.