A Christmas Redemption Musical

Christmastime is a wonderful time of year because of the cheer and bliss that goes around.  However, it can also be a sad and lonely reminder of the losses and hardships in life.  In some families, Christmas is great.  They are brought together to a huge meal and given piles of presents from under a lush green and brightly lit Christmas tree.  There is laughter and singing and memories are created.  On the other hand, it can also be a sorrowful time where you are lonely, cold and without people to share memories with.  This holiday can also cause stress as you try to find all the right presents for everyone.

A Christmas Redemption is a musical about the overlooked beauty and unfortunate pressure and stress of this season.  It reveals the problems in households of different social, marital and financial statuses and the problems at this time.  This musical takes a look into three homes: a rich, high classed one; a middle-class one; and a low, struggling one.  All of these characters are unknowingly threaded by their stories in a beauty salon and barbershop.  Through the duration of the play, these characters all seek and find some sort of redemption in some part of their life.  They are all brought together to rediscover the beauty of the Christmas season.

I am excited and honoured to announce that I am a part of that cast.  I will be playing Zoey, a new junior hair stylist at JoJo’s Beauty Salon.  Zoey is a unique, quirky, outgoing and eccentric character.  She is oblivious to many things and loves to ask questions.  However, she means well and has a heart of gold.  Zoey is a bit spacey at times, but she is always trying to please and have fun. 

A Christmas Redemption opens on December 5^th, 2010 at 10:30AM at Mississauga Secondary School.  Admission is free, so seating is on a first come, first serve basis.  However, this is one musical you would not want to miss.  It is filled with poignant and heart-warming moments and laughter as the cast takes the audience on a Christmas rollercoaster ride filled with resonating songs and a cast of lively and exceptional characters and actors.

Other show times are on December 11^th and 12^th, both at 6:30PM and at the same location.  Please come out to support and get a kick start on your holiday season.  This is one Christmas experience you will never forget!  You can quote me on that, but you’ll never know until you see it.  Seriously, this is a musical that you cannot fully experience without actually being there, so make sure you don’t miss it.  See you there! 

The Interview

Earlier, I wrote about vigilantism and serving justice based on your own personal judgments in Is Justice Really Served?  I don’t agree with this, but I can also see why some people believe in it.

Anyway, last week, my friend, Rochelle, and I worked on a scripted scene together.  It was about an interview between a reporter and a murderer who believes her actions are justified.  Nancy’s sister was  recently raped, so she killed the rapist with the belief that she is freeing society of their worries from this predator.  She requested for the interview to let the world know that she is not a murderer.  She wanted everyone to know that she did what she did out of the goodness of her heart and regardless of the verdict, she still believes that she did nothing wrong. 

I really enjoyed working with Rochelle.  We are competitive and we like to get on each other’s nerves.  However, I think we have pretty good chemistry on stage.  We put effort into rehearsing our lines whenever we can.  I called her to practice on the way to my grandparents’ house and she called me during her breaks at work.

Specifically on this sort of performance (to use scripts instead of improv), I have to say I was a bit intimidated when we got our four-page script.  I saw the whole thing and wondered how I was going to memorize this because we were being marked on memory.  However, it came pretty easy to me.  I looked at a page every day and memorized it that night.  After I finished the whole script, Rochelle and I began to put emotion in and block the scene.  I actually liked having to understand the subtext of the lines and work to fill in the spaces with the right kind of emotion and actions.

Lastly, on improvements and what I would have done differently.  I definitely would have put more time into teching and rehearsing with the props.  We did work with the large table we used.  However, we did not have our costume and props present.  It threw me off a bit because on our performance day, I was not familiar with having handcuffs on and how I should sit as a convict.  Also, we did not properly tech the sound, so our white noise was too loud and our tech people did not know when to close the scene and they were not familiar with the cues.  I never knew that tech rehearsing was actually that essential, so that is definitely noted for next time.

All and all, this was a fun experience that I really enjoyed.  It really got me and Rochelle closer and allowed me to try and work with scripts since we have been doing improv up until now.  I would love to work with Rochelle again for our relationship scenes, but we have to choose different partners.  I just want to thank her for the awesome experience and wish her luck in her relationship scene.

I'll post a recording of our performance up sometime this week, so stay tuned =)

Will You Remember?

November is the month of Remembrance Day, but should it just be limited to this month?  Every day, people are fighting wars to give themselves, their loved ones and even strangers a peaceful and safe place to live.  We all struggle in our lives, but how often do we put our lives on the line for the better of someone else?  Every day, people are getting injured or killed for their bravery and loyalty to their country.  Every day, people are losing loved ones who made it their duty to free the world of all of its suffering.

To be honest, I never thought twice about Remembrance Day until this year.  It was only as I grew older that I began to grasp the reality of it and its importance.  However, it was this Remembrance Day when it actually dawned on me. 

At school, we had a Remembrance Day broadcast and the closing piece completed the powerful and poignant 30-minute video.  Throughout the video, I felt my eyes begin to tear, but it wasn’t until the end that I absolutely lost it and tears began to flood my eyes.  The last dramatic piece was about a girl finding out that her loved one had passed away during the war.  The acting was in the moment and unquestionably amazing.  Their movement piece reached out to my heart and their ending was unbelievable.  In the end, they gave their audience a feeling of hope that it is possible to overcome the hate, violence and struggle and discover love and kindness.

While watching the whole piece, I learned to be appreciative of the people that I am fortunate to be surrounded with.  I realized that in one instant, all of that can be taken away from me.  I realized that nothing lasts forever and we should grab hold of the moments we share before it’s too late.  I thought about my father and if he were to go to war.  I spend a lot of time arguing with him, but while watching that piece, I realized that I would be totally lost without him.  I thought that that could have been my father that was taken from this world... taken away from me...

Therefore, I am truly grateful for this broadcast because it opened my eyes and made me realize that I should not take for granted what I have in life.  It taught me that life is a precious gift and that gift could be taken away at any given moment.  In addition, I would like to thank all of the soldiers fighting for peace and our safety and putting their lives on the line for people they have never met.  I would also like to send out my prayers to the families who have loved ones involved in the wars and hope for the best for them.  Thank you.

I love you, daddy...

Lipstick - Elise Estrada

VERSE 1:
I know the lipstick won’t fix it
But I’ve gotta put my game face on
I wish mascara could mask this
Until all the tears are gone
I’ve gotta paint the pain away
Make like - I’m ok
Pretend I don’t wanna stay
Act like this ain’t killing me

PRE CHORUS:
I’ve tried one two three too many times
(To walk away)
I’ve heard one two three too many lies

CHORUS:
So I gotta pretend that I’m not gonna miss you
I gotta pretend that this is what I wanna do
I gotta pretend when I walk out that door
That I don’t love you anymore
I gotta play the part act like it ain’t killing me
Gotta play the part when you try stopping me
Hide what’s written on my face
Dig deep in the makeup case
And cover it with lipstick

VERSE 2:
I’m sick of looking in the mirror
Cause my mirror sees right through
MAC ain’t got enough concealer
To hide how much I’ll miss you
I’ve gotta cover up my hurt
No more – getting burnt
I really needa let you go
Cause my heart can’t take no more

PRE CHORUS:
I’ve tried one two three too many times
(To walk away)
I’ve heard one two three too many lies

CHORUS:
So I gotta pretend that I’m not gonna miss you
I gotta pretend that this is what I wanna do
I gotta pretend when I walk out that door
That I don’t love you anymore
I gotta play the part act like it ain’t killing me
Gotta play the part when you try stopping me
Hide what’s written on my face
Dig deep in the makeup case
And cover it with lipstick

BRIDGE
It’s the hardest role I’ll ever have to play
It’s the hardest lie I’ll ever have to make
To look you in the eye
And not break down and cry
When I say goodbye

End Chorus:
So I gotta pretend that I’m not gonna miss you
I gotta pretend that this is what I wanna do
I gotta pretend when I walk out that door
That I don’t love you anymore
I gotta play the part act like it ain’t killing me
Gotta play the part when you try stopping me
Hide what’s written on my face
Dig deep in the makeup case
So I gotta pretend that I’m not gonna miss you
I gotta pretend that this is what I wanna do
I gotta pretend when I walk out that door
That I don’t love you anymore
I gotta play the part act like it ain’t killing me
Gotta play the part when you try stopping me
Hide what’s written on my face
Dig deep in the makeup case
And cover it with lipstick

Perfectly Imperfect

per·fect

/adj., n. ˈpɜr fɪkt; v. pərˈfɛkt/ Show Spelled[adj., n. pur-fikt; v. per-fekt]

–adjective

1. conforming absolutely to the description or definition of an ideal type: a perfect sphere; a perfect gentleman. 

2. excellent or complete beyond practical or theoretical improvement: There is no perfect legal code. The proportions of this temple are almost perfect. 

3. entirely without any flaws, defects, or shortcomings: a perfect apple; the perfect crime.

4. accurate, exact, or correct in every detail: a perfect copy 

Those are the definition of someone or something that is perfect... or is it?  To some, something that is perfect is something that is broken.  To others, someone that is perfect is someone who makes them smile. Perfection is like beauty.  It is in the eye of its beholder.

Mrs. Thomas asked us who the perfect male and female is today, based on the media and society’s definition of perfect.  There was no one that could be named where we were 100% sure that they were 100% perfect.

This discussion really got me thinking about what perfect means to me?  It doesn’t necessarily mean a person without any flaws or wrongs.  In fact, to me, perfection is a person who has flaws and has done wrong.  The only difference is that they know how to be proud of those flaws and are able to positively work to better them.  A perfect person to me is someone who has made mistakes, but has learned from them and is working to better themselves and the world around them.

We all dream about the perfect-looking husband and we all envy over the perfect models, but are they really perfect?  Are they really the people who we want to spend our whole lives with or admiring? What if they are perfect looking, but have the most horrible and unattractive personality?  Imagine spending your whole life with or as someone who is rude, selfish and ignorant.  There is the chance that that perfect-looking man is out there, but let’s face it, is there really anyone out there like that?  Not even the Guinness World Records have yet to find that person.  Now, imagine if you did find that person.  Imagine the pressure of living up to their expectations.

Therefore, looks shouldn’t be weighed so heavily.  Of course, you need to be physically attracted to them.  However, I realized that this attraction doesn’t necessarily come wholly from the outside because looks and appearances changes.  Perfection is not mandatory to be friends, to be in love or to be attracted.  A decent looking person may be perfect in your eyes because of the beauty and purity of their spirit. Their personality may be the thing that gets you hooked on.  Those inner traits are what stays the same.

Ultimately, I challenge you, not to find the perfect-looking person and aspire to be like them, but to find that perfect person—or those perfect people—and determine what makes them so perfect and then seek to embody those qualities.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/perfect

7 Deadly Sins

We are all humans.  We all have our selfish moments.  We all make mistakes, but the important thing is to learn from those mistakes and use those experiences to better yourself.  That is the beauty of life: to be able to work on our flaws and make them better, to learn and grow.

In the move, Se7en, the murderer, John Doe (played by Kevin Spacey), goes around killing people who he believes embody these sins.  While in the back of a police car, he states,

“We see a deadly sin on every street corner, in every home, and we tolerate it.  We tolerate it because it's common, it's trivial.” 

He then begins to list his victims and explain the sin that they have committed.

This really hits home because it's true—just maybe not always to the full extreme.  In some ways, the media and society has accepted these sins and adapted to that kind of lifestyle that it is not even recognizable as something wrong anymore.  For example, blowing up the names of supermodels and worshipping them for their ‘perfect’ bodies.  This indirectly tells society that we have to look like that to be accepted and loved.  However, this links back to lust, a deadly sin, because we are yearning for that superficial image of an ideal person to achieve sexual desires and pleasures.

Anyway, after watching the movie and thinking about what I have done in terms of these 7 deadly sins, I have set goals for myself. 

1. I will watch what I consume and not take in more than I need just because I am craving for the taste or want to make the best of it. 
2. I will control my desire of superficial possessions and reward myself only when I feel I have deserved it. 
3. I will take full advantage of my day and not let anything go without purpose instead of just sitting there, letting the world pass me by. 
4. I will admire others and aim to be just as good and successful, but I will not envy them or resent them for those traits that I do not have. 
5. I will choose love and understanding over anger and getting into fights. 
6. I will be humble and accept correction to better myself. 
7. I will learn to love myself for me and not because I look like a Barbie or a supermodel.

Ultimately, to be able to recognize your wrongs and work to fix them is powerful and incredible.  However, another challenge is to positively influence others to do the same.  Lead them.  Be a leader and help them down the road of redemption, purpose and success.  I believe that to take full advantage of your traits and blessings is to be able to share them among others as well.

I AM the Ultimate Teen Challenge...er =)

Hey, everyone!  I have great news!  So I, along with some of my other friends, have be selected to be on this teen reality show called, Ultimate Teen Challenge.  I don't really know what it's all about as of yet (there's an information session this Sunday), but I am so excited!  What I know is that there will be a wide range of activities, such as dancing, cooking, acting, singing etc.  Some of these, I totally suck at, but I still can't wait for this project to begin.  If I fail at it, I'll learn.  If I get it, I'll improve.

Anyway, so for the story behind this--and I never even planned it.  It was really on the spot and my friend told me of this opportunity the evening before the first round of cast members were selected.  Honestly, I think this was fate LOL. 

I was waiting around after school to talk to my teacher, when Dane, a friend, came up to me.  He looked kind of desperate; it was so cute LOL.  He asked me to film something for him and while I was doing so, he explained the opportunity to me. 

I never thought I would actually make it, to be honest.  I rushed home that day, edited Dane's footage, as promised, and then quickly filmed mine.  Time quickly began to slip by and I thought I submitted mine late because YouTube takes a while to process--at least it did for my video that day.

Because of that and the feeling that this is too good to be true, I didn't have much expectations for this to go far.  The next day, Dane calls me and tells me that we both made it in.  I was so shocked and it took me a while to take it in.  Now this UTC bug is going around and most of SVP are getting into the scene.

I just shot and editted three videos today and three yesterday.  It was fun actually.  I enjoyed looking through the natural and witty clips and putting them together to create a story that hopefully will capture UTC's attention.  Wouldn't it be amazing if we all got in?

Anyway, here is my video, definitely a different style than my friends'.  Mine is more direct and to the point.  To see everyone else's, visit the Ultimate Teen Challenge website and create a profile.  While you're at that, add me as a friend ^_^.  Keep checking back for updates and please support us =).  Thanks!

Don't forget to ADD, VOTE, COMMENT and SUPPORT!!!

Time and Space

Growing up is tough.  You have to worry about school, friends, boys, your parents, doing the right thing--the list goes on and on.  Music and writing is one of my outlets.  However, have you ever had those times when you just found the perfect song to describe your situation?  I always thought about how cool it would be to assemble my life's soundtrack. 

Anyway, remember how cooties were the worse possible situation that could happen?  You would avoid them at all costs and not get your heart broken.  You would never have to worry about if he thinks you're cute, or if you're pretty.  You would never have to stress over how long things would last and if your friendship would outstand a fall out.

I've been hurt many times and I guess that's all just a part of growing up.  You climb and you fall and you learn so you can climb even higher.  As much as I hate to admit it, I think I've grown numb to the pain in a way.  I won't allow myself to put  my guards down because my third time wasn't a charm.

There is this person who I value very much, but our history wasn't a clean slate.  I feel like there's so much pressure on me from school to my friends to this guy and it's hard pleasing everyone.  I feel like I've changed a lot and I'm drifting away from everyone.  My school work is my number one priority, but there's always the thought of him in the back of my head driving me crazy.

I know I need some space.  I need time to think, but I'm afraid he'll take it the wrong way.  I'm scared to be alone lose him.  I'm hanging onto the last thread and I wish I had more time to have a moment to myself. 

While listening to my iPod, I came across this song, Sometimes by the underground artist, Luunatic.  This song is about needing space and time for one self.  The distance is causing a strain on the relationship and the recent feelings are forced.

I sometimes feel that way.  There is a huge distance between us in the sense that I have so much work to do that I basically lock myself in my room without any communication to the outside world.  Some of the times, I feel like I am fronting the feelings because I don't want to disappoint anyone and the other times, my feelings are genuine and sincere.

Anyway, here is the song with the lyrics.

Is Justice Really Served?

“I was just looking out for everyone’s best interests.”

“They had it coming.”

“It’s not like the law was doing anything.”

Vigilantism is taking matters into one’s own hands and dealing it according to that one’s personal beliefs and judgment.  These people have their own perception of right and wrong and how to handle situations that should be dealt with by law enforcements.  They then use the reason that the law enforcers are not doing their jobs properly or that their one sacrifice is for the better of everyone else. 

I am doing a scene in class about a sister, Nancy, killing a rapist who raped her sister.  She states that she is putting him out of everyone’s misery and that she killed an animal, not a human.

There are many standpoints for this issue.  In the case of my scene, the rapist is a repeated offender; therefore, Nancy’s one sacrifice spared the lives of many.  This, in some eyes, is a heroic thing to do.  Despite the heavy consequences, one person is willing to carry the burden to save the lives of potential future victims.  On the other hand, some people may say that she wasted her life and caused her family more grief because they now lost two daughters.

Vigilantism is even found at school to students and teachers alike.  When someone steals another’s property, a fight occurs or the stolen steals from the stealer.  When a girl spreads gossip about another girl, that girl retaliates either physically or verbally by spreading more rumours.  When a student feels like a teacher is rude or inadequate, they voice their opinions by talking badly about that teacher, talking back or slandering the teacher’s name.  In all situations, the victims could have gone to the authorities and reported the incident.  However, because they did not, they were just as worse as the committers.

As wrong as I feel vigilantism is, I can also see it in another’s perspective.  Many times, people who are not on the good side of the law feel like they cannot rely on it because of the record they have.  As a result, to bring something up in trial, they feel as if the verdict will be biased and against them.  Sometimes, people are discriminated and are not represented to the best of the lawyer’s ability, so they lose a trial.  From then on, how can they trust the law to act fairly?  There are many reasons on why vigilantism is appropriate or not and I am in no position to say one is better than the other. 

However, in my personal opinion and from my experience, I feel that we should leave the disciplining to law enforcers.  By doing what a criminal does to punish them is stooping as low as they are.  There will always be criminals on the loose.  You cannot eradicate all of the wrongdoers in the world.  When your family has enough to worry about because of a murder or a rape, they do not want to have to worry about you as well.  They need your support in times like those and if you are in jail, how will you help them? 

Ultimately, just think when you want to retaliate and ask yourself this:  Will justice really be served?

http://law.jrank.org/pages/11129/Vigilantism.html

Life on the Streets - An Act of Kindness

People always tell you to do a random act of kindness, whether it be buying someone something just because, spending time with someone or even a simple smile or wave to a stranger.  To be honest, I usually do not give this a second thought. 

However, I remember one summer when my friend and I went downtown to go shopping.  She told me that she wanted to buy a hotdog for a homeless man just because.  I thought it was a sweet thing to do so I waited as she bought the hotdog.  Together, we walked over to a homeless man and she gave him the hotdog.  The brightness of his smile when he saw her kind gesture lit a flame in my heart.  He scarfed the hotdog down like it was nobody's business. 

I never thought something so little could make such a big impact.  His smile will forever stay in my heart and her act of kindness inspired me to do the same.  In this superficial world, it was probably rare for him to encounter such a giving soul.  Therefore, when he did, I could just imagine how much meaning his life now had, just to receive that one hotdog.

An Act of Kindness illustrates a young girl giving a homeless man a cup of coffee on a winter day.  Before she arrived, his life had no meaning and hope, hence the blank background.  However, her gesture to him painted a picture in his heart and life.

Therefore, I would like to challenge you to do something kind for someone just because, whether it be a stranger or a loved one.  You never know, the three dollars you spent on a coffee or the five seconds you spent smiling may mean a million other things to someone else.

Life on the Streets - This is My Home

Taking a look around the Queen and Ossington area, I saw people eating on the streets, sleeping on the streets and ultimately, living on the streets.  Simply put, this is their home.  They do everything under the roof of mother nature.  Meanwhile, for myself and many other people, we are fortunate to have an actual roof over our heads and walls to protect us from the cold, the rain and the heat.  Walking downtown, I was taking a look into the homes of these people, living through poverty.

This is My Home illustrates the life of the homeless in what they know as their home: the streets.  Outside of this 'home' is a perfect--as close to perfect as it could it--bubble that I live in.  Outside is the sun shining on a bright future that I am blessed with and birds soaring, which one day I will be.  The following poem/choral piece depicts the point of views of two people, one like me, and one that is homeless, and their definition of home.

This is my home

A warm place to return to at the end of the day

Sitting at the corner, nothing to do but to stay

On the sofa, under the warm blanket

I take cover from the icy outside

And the wind blows so cold and ruthless

Cutting the bare skin I failed to hide

This is my home

Sitting at a table filled with food and laughter

Waiting for the smallest anything for dinner

Finishing the last bite, satisfied

Joining the family for our favourite show

Sitting alone, watching them walk by

Praying for something edible to swallow

This is my home

One hot shower to relax and de-stress

Waiting for the rain to clean this mess

Almost ready for bed, but first

A hot cup of tea with a hint of sugar

Lay my head down on the dirt

The only sweetness coming from the big dipper

This is my home

Where I am surrounded by warmth and love

A place that is unknown but I always dreamt of

A mother and father, lovely sister and brother

A family that I belong to forever and always

All alone in a world of strangers

Wonder if I’ll make it to another day

Where I live

Where I stay

Where I’m loved

Where I’m overlooked

That is my home

Life on the Streets - Behind a Mask

A lot of people hide behind a smile or a mask or a facade to hide who they really are on the inside.  There are many reasons why people do this.  Sometimes, it is because the person is ashamed of who they are, they are insecure or because they are not accepted for who they really are.

This is why I believe that we should not judge a book by its cover.  Human beings are complicated creatures.  There are many parts to us and there are reasons for why we do what we do.  Sometimes these reasons are not immediately known to the world.  As a result, we are in no place to judge another.

Behind a Mask is a sketch that shows an average, nice-looking house with its interlock done and a driveway.  There are flower pots at the front of the house and an old-fashioned lamp by the door.  With just one look at this house, who would have thought of all the struggles and problem behind this facade? 

When I went vintage shoppping as mentioned in previous posts, we dropped by a thrift store.  I saw a wide range of people there.  There were old women, middle-aged men, even young teens such as myself.  They all looked like regular people to me.  However, when I neared them, they had a bit of a stench to them and I was taken aback.  I always pictured homeless people and those living in poverty to wear ragged clothing.  As a result, when I saw these 'average-looking' people, I never thought they could be struggling financially (or at least that is the most probable explanation for why they are at the thrift shop, smelling like they did).

I then realized that not everything meets the eye.  These people, behind that 'average' look, have a story to be told.  They have obstacles that they are struggling to overcome.  Therefore, I created this sketch to metaphorically depict what I learned in that thrift store.  Looking into the windows and doors of the house, it is illustrated that despite the nice and calm front, inside the house is actually chaos.

Therefore, I want to challenge you, to think twice before you judge a person, because everyone is not as clean cut as we want them to be.  We are all different.  We all have stories and overlapping personalities.  We are individuals.

An Eye for an Eye

I mentioned in a past post that SVP is studying iconic actors, specifically—but not limited to—Morgan Freeman.  On Friday, we finished the movie, Se7en, where he co-stars with Brad Pitt as one of the main detectives.  This movie is about the 7 deadly sins.  A serial killer is on the loose, targeting those who are an example of each of these sins.

There is a part in the movie that really stuck out to me and left me wondering about how I would react in a similar situation

*The following is a spoiler*

In the end, the killer, John Doe, leads both detectives to the location of his last two victims.  Mills hold Doe at gunpoint as Somerset (Freeman) speaks to the delivery truck driver who is dropping off a package.  Somerset opens the package and immediately tells Mills to drop his gun.

Doe explains that he is the embodiment of envy, as he desires Mills ‘normal’ life, which causes him to behead Tracy, Mill’s girlfriend.  This also kills another life, as Tracy was pregnant.  Upon learning this, Mill loses his mind and shoots Doe, who accepts death for his sin of envy and at the same time, makes Mill an example of the sin, wrath.

The last two deaths, in my opinion, is cleverly planned by Doe and it made me wonder if I would be able to control myself under such circumstances. 

Firstly, I am not a short-tempered kind of person.  If something or someone were to upset me, I most likely would walk away instead of fighting back.  Likewise, if someone were to steal from me or hurt me or someone I love, I would not steal from them or hurt them back.  Instead, I would go to the authorities even if I run the risk of being called a snitch.  I don’t believe that fighting solves anything because ‘an eye for an eye makes the world blind’, as Mahatma Gandhi states.

However, Mill’s love is beheaded and his child is killed as a result of Doe.  If someone in my family is murdered, I don’t know how I would react.  Of course, I would be sad and angry.  But would I be angry to the point that I would kill the killer?  Most likely, I would hate them, but not kill them because in the end, it would not benefit me or my family.

Personally, I believe that there are the police, judges and prisons for that.  However, what if the authorities aren’t doing their best or they aren’t being fair?  Would I be angry enough to serve the killer justice at the sacrifice of my own life?

Murder is a tragic occurrence in this world, but to kill a killer would put me as low as them, no matter what they did.  I am fortunate to be in a situation where I will not have to kill another person for whatever reason—not that I will take this for granted.  However, if someone I love were to be killed, I would pray for them and have faith that our legal system will pull through.  My killing the killer will just add more stress and burden on my family.  So instead, I will be grateful to wake up every morning and to be able to live another day.  That loved one’s time was up—maybe too soon—but there is nothing that I could do to bring him/her back.  The best I could do is continue to live my life, keep them in my thoughts and live the life they weren’t able to.

All in all, I challenge you to be the bigger person in any situation, even if vengeance is much easier.  Don’t give your family more to grieve on.  Instead, be appreciative for the life that you still have and keep living.  It is okay to be angry, hurt and confused, but it is not okay to take another’s life.  I am truly sorry for and my thoughts go out to those families like Mill’s and I could only pray for the safety and health of my own.