If your work is published, I will notify you by email! The Cubic Life by Beatrice is published today (March 21).
Edited pieces by Marc and Esther. Esther's piece will be published in this week's Buzz. Marc's needs further work.
Note that I've also put links to your profiles on The Pearson Buzz "Staff Profiles" link. I note that some of you have spelling and capitalization errors on your profiles. You may wish to check and correct these errors as the world can see them now!
13 comments:
Tragic single moms.
“I was like you guys once. . . Beautiful, innocent, and a student, but my boyfriend left me like this. . .,” she burst into tears.
It was a CAPP (Career and Personal Planning) hour in my high school, when a group of women with babies walked into our classroom. I became stiff because here I was, trying to learn how to adapt a new culture and I thought to myself, ‘oh my god, what are they doing in here, aren’t they supposed to be in other building?’
True, they were supposed to be in other building, and of course, I had seen them in my high school going in and out from other building.
But that day we were talking about “Condoms, and mishaps,” and our teacher thought ‘what better ways to talk about mishaps by having real examples right next to us, right?’
So here they were, single moms and their babies, and I didn’t know what it really means to be a single mom at that time.
I just thought single moms just meant a middle-aged woman who had a career and she just wanted to have a baby, so all she had to do was adopt a baby or a child.
But boy, was I wrong! A single mom, in that case was having a child in high school ages, and it was the hardest thing they had to do because they had to handle housework, schoolwork, manage a part-time job, and of course, they had to take care of their babies.
But most of all, they all looked fatigued, and sad from all their troubles.
I was so shocked at hearing this because in Asian culture, there weren’t many single moms, but if they had one, their parents had to hide them, or gave a baby away for disgracing their family.
Of course, they didn’t or rather, not encourage them to continue their educations further, and of course, teachers in Asia definitely didn’t teach us how to prevent the teenaged pregnancy, but here I was in CAPP hour, studied how not to be another single mom.
After the CAPP hour, I felt as if I was in some weird space and return to the earth, and made just before lunchtime because I couldn’t believe what I heard and how calm the rest of them all were.
At the end of the CAPP hour, the most important thing they left me was; they begged us not to be another single mom, even if how many times boyfriends kept saying, “I love you.”
If you are interested in this subjects and want to find out more, go to www.pregnantteenhelp.org, or search 'teenage pregnancy.'
I was sweating hard, I remember. Under the sun, my childhood friends and I were playing , with our bare foot stumping , and running on the surface of the sun-stricken grassy grounds. The dusts from a quarry nearby, were visibly floating with the swirling winds, reaching every corner of our face. We climbed trees and rested on their branches when we got tired. And also, I remember, before my friends and I parted our ways, we liked spending a little more time to relax and cool our worn-out, yet youthful body in a crystal-clear, rejuvenating river. Most of the time, we had already gone home before the night sky befalls our virgin city. And when I was finally all by my self in my room, I liked gazing at the sparkling diamonds, scattered across the infinite black blanket above. I sat beside my window-mouth agape- and wondered how the nature adorned my beloved city. Technology was not a necessity back then, I didn’t need a computer, a cell phone, nor videogames - we even made our own toys- so I simply played my guitar or read a book or two, to burn some time.
Now I look at this modern town, and without giving a second look at certain places, I wouldn’t recognize them. My childhood Eden has turned into a Concrete Jungle. Commercialized, over-populated and polluted, my Paradise has become. Tall and mighty buildings replaced the trees that I used to climb. Factories emits poisonous chemicals in the air, and casts out strips of gray clouds. Sky-scrapers above a dead, stagnant river, asphalt and concrete highways in exchange for the grassy grounds, Ah! In this place, my Hometown is nowhere to be found. I look a these kids,- I am thankful, I am not one of them- holding drugs in their hands, and sniffing their hunger away. They are either a student in their luminous uniform, learning from the best books, and practising skills with the help of modern equipments, or a beggar wrapped with an abominable garb, knees on the ground, their faces facing towards the pavement beneath them, with their hands on top of their heads, waiting for a good citizen to give them a thread of hope to hang onto; they are either educated or, illiterate. It is sad to see people wandering and shopping inside a mall and ignoring the fellow human beings sitting outside and few breaths away from dying with their eyes wide open, consciously facing their death in the hands of a promising future.
In this fast progressing future, not everyone can follow. Some were unprepared and were left behind. Still clinging to those good old days were everything was simple. Some were unequipped and were badly beaten in aggressive competitions. I know that in in this world, there is a need for constant changes. But we must remember that in every step that we take towards success, there is the nature and the people we must consider. Development and augmentation really has prices to pay, and all of us should give our share, fill our parts and pay our dues.
" War. . .
The Answer on Global Crisis?"
“What do you think it is that we need in order to be saved from this Global Financial Crisis?”
Asked the old man while we were waiting for the bus to arrive.
“We need something like the invention of fire, or maybe a technology that will surpass the abilities of the computer,” I replied.
“Yes, something like that can save us, but kid, Einstein has been dead for a long time,” he said laughing. “But, you know what? The only thing that can change the world right now as it is, and make every country powerful and stable is the big three letter word, WAR!”
“War?” I asked, wondering how could it change the world.
“Huh! You know what kid, war saved the Americans from the Great Depression in back in World War-I and in World War-II and it sure can save them again in a World War-III. War is Business, War is Money.”
I honestly do not know how war saved the economic and financial stability of America. I don’t know how they make money from it. Maybe from the natural resources of the country they’d occupy, such as oil depots? Or , maybe by selling war weapons and machines? Or maybe how they use the local force of the country, their army, and their entire manpower for their own benefits, just like what they did on Filipinos on World War II when they fought with the Japanese forces? I wouldn’t know, I’m not American. But there is one thing I know , another World War must not be allowed to happen.
“If War would arise in the middle of the crisis, countries will surely fall for it. Ones again they will side with one another and will start forming alliances. The thing is, it is going to be catastrophic.
The modern war would be mass destruction, nuclear weapons and bio-chemicals like, let’s say, maybe, anthrax will be used and as we all know, they can easily wipe out a large part of the worlds human population, land fields, water resources and other living organisms .”
“Good answer kid,” he said while tapping my shoulder, as if he’s telling me that I’ve guessed what was on his mind. “But, They all have got to happen. In order for things and lives to be restored, things and lives has to be destroyed. In order for us to reach a successful future, we have to overcome an unforgettable past.”
“How can you say that? Are you crazy? Even you and your love ones may die in this war, and you still think that it is the right thing to do? And how could someone possibly move on after series of nuclear and bio-chemical attacks all over the globe?”
“I will tell you exactly how it will end. The weak countries and its people would vanish from the face of the earth, and all that will remain from them is their wretched, value-less soil and maybe, just maybe, a few survivors with mental or physical deficiencies. At the end only the strong will survive. The power would be in the hands of the remaining nations.”
“That is surely one of the maddest things I’ve ever heard, next to Bible’s Book of Revelation.”
“Like I said kid, they’re all written and has to be fulfilled,” the old man said, as if he had already lived in the future. “ Oh. Yah, I almost forgot, do you have two dollars? I have no money for the bus fare.”
I gave him a dollar.
“Thanks kiddo! May God Bless You!” He said while running away, going towards the group of people getting off the bus on the opposite side of the street.
And just like that, our conversation ended.
The Cubic Life
“All of you should learn from and appreciate Xiao Qiang. He maintained the discipline without going to toilet during class-time although he peed in his pants. . . ” the teacher said.
Lily couldn’t help tittering on her seat by hearing this.
“And you, Lily, you didn’t wear your uniform again. Stand in the middle of the yard! Now! I hope this will help you remember it next time.”
Seven-year-old Lily stood outside watching the catkins drifting from place to place; feeling the spring wind gently stroking her face. She felt so delighted than sitting inside the dark box.
Having an IQ of 150 and remaining fast-learning didn’t make Lily in favour of most of her Chinese teachers.
In grade three, Lily was once detained by her teacher till 10pm for talking without permission. When Lily’s mom picked her from school, she didn’t scold Lily as the teacher expected. This indifferent attitude towards Lily’s “bad behaviours” provoked the teacher. After that, she was criticised for any possible reasons for her hair, clothes or homework and declared --“a hopeless, bad apple” and her mom—“an irresponsible parent”.
After entering secondary school, Lily got troubles for breaking class disciplines, refusing wearing school uniforms, having brotherly relationship with boys, punching ear holes and not finishing extra homework.
She suffered for being herself. She didn’t join the Communism League when everybody did in high school—this almost failed her to become the Chairwoman in university. The instructor made her join it one month before the election and this time, she compromised.
Being a Chinese means she has to choose between her personal freedom and the adaption to the environment. She’s supposed to be obedient only. No exception is accepted or expected. The best personality in is no personality. Wearing, talking, thinking . . . anything different may cause extra attention or criticizing, even a disaster.
The Water Cube –Chinese National Aquatic Center is a perfect symbolism for Chinese society. Individually, everybody is squeezed into a shaped, cubic box contributing together into a massive cube -- the whole society –harmonic and easily to be ruled.
After graduated from university, Lily was arranged a permanent job in a governmental company by her parents. She resigned within two years and set up her own business—benefited from her “bad personality”, she did well. She still had to face many “cubic people”. Sometimes she thought she escaped. But it wasn’t true. She found was still inside, in a different layer only. The cubes outside were bigger therefore she could extend slightly. This structure is so unshakable and steady.
When Lily moved to Canada, she found Canadians are very free and unshaped. But soon, she realized Chinese might never be able to enjoy the same wildness and rawness. Having such a high population density, without robbery from other countries or replying on some charity groups, everybody has to be “cubic” so the benefits of the country and the survival of the one fifth earth population can be guaranteed.
Now Lily loves and misses China more than ever. Seeing far away from another side of the earth, she’s attracted by Chinese artificial, orderly beauty.
Choosing love over Death
“‘I would rather die than to stay away from you…’” Would you say such phrase to someone who could kill you at any minute? Would you risk everything you have including your live to stay with a beloved one who is not human and though choosing to stay with him or her, is like choosing death?
Set in Forks, a small rainy city in Washington, Stephenie Meyer’s novel “Twilight” is the story of a seventeen year-old girl who falls in love with a mysterious guy who turns out to be not human.
When Isabella “Bella” Swan moves from Phoenix, Arizona to live with her father in Forks, she sees a handsome boy named Edward Cullen at school and feels a strong attraction to him. Then she learns that he is from a vampire family who called themselves “vegetarian” because they drink animal blood instead of humans. They both fall in love with each other, while Edward struggles with his instinct not kill Bella by drinking her blood.
In one scene, the Cullens invite Bella to a baseball game, but because of her clumsiness, Bella decides to be an audience instead. During the game, three vampires from a different coven (who drink human blood) give the Cullens an unexpected visit, leaving them no time to hide Bella, the only human there.
James, the head of the other coven is very drawn to drinking Bella’s blood, and he, seeing the Cullens hover over just a simple human who is a prey to him, makes the whole thing his “favorite game”. That is where Bella’s trouble begins. Will the Cullens be able to save her or will James have her as a snack?
This book shows us that love is irrational and that the choice of staying with that beloved one can be risky in some situation. Twilight is the most popular book I have read and it is very easy to read despite its size. There is also a movie with the same title, but many scenes in the book were not in the movie version. People who love vampire and romance should read this book.
358 words
thank you for the editing and posting the piece at pearson buzz, brad... it looked so cool to look at my piece, u made my day... well, see u tomorrow in english 12...
Many musicians rely on shallow themes to create music. Yet there are few bands out there that push the limit on human understanding and emotion. They search deeper in the human mind and try and find inner meanings to desire between people. These artists tend to have lyrics that make you think far after the song is over.
Over the course of six years Anberlin has slowly made a name for themselves in the music industry. They have broken through impossible odds to set them self apart from the rest. Giving up was never on their agenda. They knew exactly what it would take to advance forward and continue to recreate their sound. Using their spiritual outlook on the world they managed to find a way into the hearts of alternative rock fans worldwide. Originally starting out as a christian rock band, they realized breaking from that mold was a crucial step in the direction they wanted. Their focus was to sing about meaningful issues that would keep people thinking and questioning their existence on earth.
The latest album by Anberlin ended up doing exactly that. New Surrender is a 12 track harmony of sound. Blending rock undertones with beautiful melodic vibes. Stephan Christians voice has matured at such an alarming rate I was shocked by its advance. The transitions between his ballads and the quick speaking renderings of emotion merge perfectly. Songs such as 'Retrace' hold onto a more mellow melody then the rest of the tunes. While many of the songs are very upbeat and aggressive, they hold true to the same universal meaning. That every person on earth has a purpose different from everyone else. 'The Resistance' talks about how each of us can spend so much time pushing away our true feelings we lose ourselves in the process.
Overall Anberlin is a brilliant group of artists that really get what it means to sing your heart out. They understand its about risks, and taking themselves out of comfort zones to learn and grow as musicians as well as people. Singing about real issues that fellow humans deal with on a regular basis. Along with the universal importance that is acceptance.
I would highly recommend this band to anyone who wants to listen to music that inspires people. Music that can actually take you on a journey to better understand yourself, and the people around you.
Old Hometown - Shanghai
“You will die tomorrow,” my bully friend told me, “at the midnight.”
“I don’t believe it.” I cried, but somehow I do believe it as a child of seven-year-old. With the fear of death, I run back home, sobbing. I said good-bye to my beloved cat. As the night draw near,
I was sure it was my last moment. I didn’t tell my parents since they would worry. I requested to sleep with my mom that night, and that was my last wish.
All of my childhood memories were related together with stone, the stone brisk alley, stone gate, stone wall and stone well. Around the stone well, I curiously hung a bucket all the way down to the bottom to pick up the underground water. The water was so cool in the hot summer, and we used it to cool down the watermelon when “fridge” has never been heard of. On the winding stone brick alley, this was the stone wall, one after another – a maze – the perfect playground for hide and seek.
When city built the road, half of our alley was converted; half of my playmates were gone together with the fun memories of “hide and seek”, “pirate and beauty”. Twenty three years later, the rest of the alley was torn down by the ruthless caterpillar trailers; the place has been turned into central business district in shanghai. The old lady who lived at the edge of the road slipped down the stairs and died as the developer was urging her to leave. My grandfather died in the hospital exactly one day before the news of destruction. Some old folks destined to belong to this old land. Maybe, that was also where my heart belonged too.
The traditional architecture, “Shi Ku Men”, is made of stone gate and black wooden door. It is usually two storeys tall, above each gate, carved stone bridge like frame has been placed. Inside the frame, there is the name of each house. The place I lived called “Zhi Yuan Fang”: it means your ambition will be great. I still remember the name of my neighbour is “RengJu”: it means the dwelling of the virtue.
Behind each door, a wooden latch bar fitted in a slot is placed. The door will be closed by the older in the house after dinner time, but you don’t need to knock to have somebody open the door for you in case you come home late. In fact, there is a small hidden box on the door, and you just need to stick your hand into the box and slide the latch from the slot from behind the door. It may be not that safe, but the grating sound between stone and wood door reminds every one on the dark night that somebody is coming. In Fact, the street is completely quiet when everyone went to bed before ten o’clock, and you would not miss the chance to wake up after the rooster declares the dawn, and everyone started making the noise of morning routine at six in the morning.
We used to have freedom of my childhood. I still remember going on a night trip at grade six with my classmate around the walled city. I went on a first date at grade seven with a boy on hot summer night, walking all together; let imagination fly with the conservation – intimacy.
Walking on the stone bricked little alley, I could see the warm home light at the second floor. Realizing the home will be always there for me, that is what the child ever needed, and it was given.
608 words
Old Hometown - Shanghai
“You will die tomorrow,” my bully friend told me, “at the midnight.”
“I don’t believe it.” I cried, but somehow I do believe it as a child of seven-year-old. With the fear of death, I run back home, sobbing. I said good-bye to my beloved cat. As the night draw near,
I was sure it was my last moment. I didn’t tell my parents since they would worry. I requested to sleep with my mom that night, and that was my last wish.
All of my childhood memories were related together with stone, the stone brisk alley, stone gate, stone wall and stone well. Around the stone well, I curiously hung a bucket all the way down to the bottom to pick up the underground water. The water was so cool in the hot summer, and we used it to cool down the watermelon when “fridge” has never been heard of. On the winding stone brick alley, this was the stone wall, one after another – a maze – the perfect playground for hide and seek.
When city built the road, half of our alley was converted; half of my playmates were gone together with the fun memories of “hide and seek”, “pirate and beauty”. Twenty three years later, the rest of the alley was torn down by the ruthless caterpillar trailers; the place has been turned into central business district in shanghai. The old lady who lived at the edge of the road slipped down the stairs and died as the developer was urging her to leave. My grandfather died in the hospital exactly one day before the news of destruction. Some old folks destined to belong to this old land. Maybe, that was also where my heart belonged too.
The traditional architecture, “Shi Ku Men”, is made of stone gate and black wooden door. It is usually two storeys tall, above each gate, carved stone bridge like frame has been placed. Inside the frame, there is the name of each house. The place I lived called “Zhi Yuan Fang”: it means your ambition will be great. I still remember the name of my neighbour is “RengJu”: it means the dwelling of the virtue.
Behind each door, a wooden latch bar fitted in a slot is placed. The door will be closed by the older in the house after dinner time, but you don’t need to knock to have somebody open the door for you in case you come home late. In fact, there is a small hidden box on the door, and you just need to stick your hand into the box and slide the latch from the slot from behind the door. It may be not that safe, but the grating sound between stone and wood door reminds every one on the dark night that somebody is coming. In Fact, the street is completely quiet when everyone went to bed before ten o’clock, and you would not miss the chance to wake up after the rooster declares the dawn, and everyone started making the noise of morning routine at six in the morning.
We used to have freedom of my childhood. I still remember going on a night trip at grade six with my classmate around the walled city. I went on a first date at grade seven with a boy on hot summer night, walking all together; let imagination fly with the conservation – intimacy.
Walking on the stone bricked little alley, I could see the warm home light at the second floor. Realizing the home will be always there for me, that is what the child ever needed, and it was given.
608 words
A Walking Joke
“What are you happy for?” or “What are you laughing at?” My classmates would ask me sometimes. The reason for that- I tried to show my teeth whenever I saw them smiling or laughing as I did not understood their jokes and sarcasms at all.
I was new to the culture and to the community in Russia during my first year of college. Coming from an Asian country, communication with my snobby mates was really challenging for me because of the cultural differences.
Sometimes I would understand their jokes, but there was still the problem of timing. I was late. Always. Late. Because of my delayed reaction, I became a “walking joke”.
There was also the biggest of all communication problems- expressions. We were supposed to volunteer for disabled elders to help them in grocery shopping. One of the elders asked my classmates to clean the toilet in her house.
While students were exchanging their experiences the next day, I overheard the unusual request of the elder. I asked, “Did you clean it?” the answer came with a disappointed mode, “Three times!”
To hear some rude girls can volunteer to clean toilets…?
“You cleaned it three times?” was my surprised question.
What do you think was the postponed reaction of the group? After exchanging looks, “Ha ha ha ha…” everyone started laughing at me.
I was the “Walking Joke” again.
I learnt later that the expression “Three times” meant NEVER.
The other thing I learnt was to be frank in expressing your ideas and thoughts. It does not work in Canada though. You have to be more diplomatic here.
I am in trouble because I am new all over again.
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Laoshan Mountain
Everyone who visits Qing-Tao, a beautiful harbor city in China, would visit Laoshan Mountain. And everyone who visits Laoshan Mountain would dream to see the Upper Taoism Abbey. It is not only for its wonderful landscape but also for the famous legend of the fairy lady, “Purple snow”, written by the great writer Pu song-ling three hundred years ago.
In an early summer day, we climbed Laoshan. Beside the trail, trees were thick. Between the clefts and huge boulders, the clear spring water ran their way. The shadows of trees and the refreshing mountain breeze made us feel the summer hadn’t come to here yet. Laoshan Mountain was a special chilly world in this time.
The trails leaded us to the top. In the way, we met creeks time and times again. Luckily, some glacier boulders lied on the stream benefiting for our crossing. However, sometimes we’d rather like to wade across for the water was so cool.
While the trail turned into the ravine. It was quiet like this area was untouched. Only the footsteps of ours could be heard. Occasionally one or two bird chirping broke this perpetual tranquil.
”Purple snow, how are you. I’m coming to see you!”--suddenly Xiao Xi shouted. Then his sound echoed back and forth in the valley many times.
“Are you crazy? Xiao Xi.”—another one teased him aloud and the echoes responded once more.
Before we saw, we heard the sound of rushing water. Turned around the cliff, I felt the deliciously cool that the misty spray from the fall on my skin. Water tumbled over the rocks and formed a deep pool under its foot. This wonderful place invited us to rest to have a snack.
We freshened again after snacking. Some searched around to find berries and wild fruits. Xiao Xi swam and splashed in the pond. I stood on a huge cliff to have a good sight-seeing.
Surveying down the trail that we’d trudged, I stunned that the following hikers were just small as ants climbing the tree. The noises were faded out. The towns were small as beans. The East China Sea waved in horizon, and the Laoshan Mountain loomed behind up to the cloud sky. On the halfway up the mountain, the hubbub world already was under your feet, away from you.
Ascended on and on. Among the luxuriant green pines and the mist, the famous Upper Taoism Abbey was insight.
Unexpectedly, the Abbey was simple both in shape and colour. Far from a palace, it was only a common cottage – the black brick wall with the stone tiles. A limpid pond crippled in the yard, and the purple, scarlet peony flowers opened their beauty to the visitors. A tall mulberry tree attracted my attention, for a big stone tablet stood by, signed “Purple Snow”.
Hundreds years later, her canopy still flourished enough. Some secret admirers took photos with her; Xiao Xi was the one. The mysterious love story caused so much imagination in mind generation and generation. Hundreds years over, none had a chance to meet this beautiful fairy lady. But the yard and the tree reminded the pilgrims of her.
Turned out of the central yard, I met a Taoism priest.
”Why this Abbey is so different from the majesty Wu -dang Mountain Abbey?—that’s grand as a palace! “ I asked.
“Wu-dang was built by the Emperor of Ming dynasty for showing his subjects he promoted Taoism. But ours embodies the true qualities of the Taoism—simple and nature. “
I stood on the summit. The feeling was like that I were the part of this majesty mountain. The white clouds floated leisurely above, and the boundless East China Sea in the distant. What vast scenery the great nature was! In this place, I could stay away from the worldly considerations! In this eternal, the question through the ages welled up: “who am I?”
Words: 652
More than Enough
It was eleven o’clock, and the store was getting busy. I was working on the cash register. My customers were coming continuously.
An old lady, followed by an old man,(maybe her husband or friend) came to me, dropped her stuff at my till and started talking. “How are you today?” she asked.
I gave a smile and said, “I am fine. How are you today?”
“Well, I am still sleepy. Last night we went to a ladies party and we drank a lot, so now I have a hangover. I am used to drinking a cup of coffee at 10.am, but this morning I found we ran out of coffee.”
In between our conversation she said, “That is not mine. He should pay for it himself.”
The man behind her said, “Would you pay for it? I would give you cash, but I don’t have any today”
She said, “No! You can pay by your credit card.”
He said, “If I am going to use my card then I can bring my other stuff too,” and he went back.
In between I was looking at my other customers trying to give them an apologetic smile. I finished with her. Instead of leaving she waited for him and continued to bug me while standing by my checkout.
“He always loves to shop with my card. And at the end of the month, when I receive my credit card statement, he fights with me,” she said.
I looked at her with surprise. “But why?” I asked.
“He is cheap. He doesn’t want to spend his money,” she answered.
She said, “Instead of buying his own things, he uses mine. He drinks my liquor, borrows my car and tries to shop with my card. He always tries to save his money.”
Then the man came back with a few more things. I quickly finished ringing through his sale before he said something.
She held his hand and gave me a smile and went out. She was acting like she didn’t say anything against him.
I took a deep breath and whispered, “Thank God she is gone; otherwise, I don’t know how much more personal information she would dump on me.”
I like friendly people, but there is a limit to everything. People don’t think dumping that much information can create problems for them. Rather than open people, I would like to attend wordless people.
Many musicians rely on shallow ideas to create their music. Yet there are few bands out there that push the limit on why humans make certain choices and the emotions involved. They search deeper in the human mind too find inner meanings and how our desires work. These artists tend to have lyrics that make you think far after the song is over.
Over the course of six years Anberlin has slowly made a name for themselves in the music industry. They have broken through the generic mold of other bands. Being the best they could be was the highest priority. They knew exactly what it would take to advance forward and continue to recreate their sound. Using their spiritual outlook on the world they managed to find a way into the hearts of alternative rock fans worldwide. Originally starting out as a christian rock band, they realized breaking from that mold was a crucial step in the direction they wanted. Their focus was to sing about meaningful issues that would keep people thinking and questioning their existence on earth.
The latest album by Anberlin ended up doing exactly that. New Surrender is a 12 track harmony of musical blends. Blending rock undertones with beautiful melodic vibes. Stephan Christians voice has matured at such an alarming rate I was shocked by its advance. The transitions between his ballads and the quick speaking renderings of emotion merge perfectly. Songs such as 'Retrace' hold onto a more mellow melody then the rest of the tunes. This song is very simply about how we should never forget old friendships, because they shape who we are. Those people who, for whatever reason, arn't a part of our lives anymore.
"Retrace the steps we took on that long summer night.
I'm back there by your side.
Retrace the steps we took when we met worlds away.
Counting backwards while the stars are falling."
While many of the songs are very upbeat and aggressive, they hold true to the same universal meaning. That every person on earth has a purpose different from everyone else. 'The Unwinding Cable Car' talks about how each of us can spend so much time pushing away our true feelings we lose ourselves in the process.
"Your motive, unstable.
You're like an unwinding cable car.
Listening for voices.
But it's the choices that make who we are.
Go your own way, even seasons have changed."
Overall Anberlin is a brilliant group of artists that really get what it means to sing their heart out. They understand its about risks, and taking themselves out of comfort zones to learn and grow as musicians as well as people. Singing about real issues that fellow humans deal with on a regular basis. Along with the universal importance that is acceptance of everyone.
I would highly recommend this band to anyone who wants to listen to music that inspires people. Music that can actually take you on a journey to better understand yourself, and the people around you.
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