Air & Space

We got to visit the Udvar-Hazy Air & Space Museum today for the fourth time in a few years. After not have been around planes for a little while now, I explored the museum with as much gusto as the other visitors for once. Strange what a year away from bases will do to you. What an exhilarating afternoon it was, surrounded by all of those planes. Even though I didn't actually get to fly, I almost felt as free as when I'm up in the air - nothing but sun-drenched clouds above and vast landscapes below. As we were walking around the hangar, Mom said something that had never struck me before: we have all of these beautiful planes as a result of mankind's strife. She's right - the very planes I was enjoying were created with war in mind, and designed to kill large amounts of people. I've been reading WWII accounts for weeks and visualizing the action and consequences of man's pride in my mind, yet I failed to equate the aircraft in front of me to the very instruments used in these books. I realized that the thing which meant 'freedom' to me was death to others. Strange thing, Orville and Wilbur Wright didn't want their plane to be used for war but for every man's enjoyment, and they mentioned this to the leaders who wished to buy the Wright Flyer for this purpose. While these events are horrifying and saddening, it is a comfort to know that God works all for His purpose and makes it right in the end. What man twists for his own goals, God can turn around and use for good. I can see this also in the airplanes we admired today - God was able to take these horrible events and these instruments of war and bring peace once again to the suffering. And now, when we look at the planes, we can admire the gifts God has allowed men to create and to fly, and we can bless Him for this freedom.

I have a small obsession for anything yellow tinted.

LOPE'S HOPE

One of my two favorite airlines :)

To me, this plane was the saddest reminder of sin

Terrible Essay on Tulips

Hello again, readers! It's been a while - school and life have been hard at my heals (or tackling me, rather). Anyways, without further ado, here's an essay I recently did for an assignment and it was so much fun I decided to share it. It was for a terrible essay contest, so it's full of fluff and nonsense, and trite expressions. I hope you get a laugh from reading it!

Ever since the beginning of time, people have been enraptured by the luscious, invigorating aroma of flowers. While everyone has their own ideal choice, flower-wise, no one can doubt the potency of the elegant tulip. If I were to choose, I would say the tulip is the most perfect choice of flower, scent-wise.

Needless to say, the tulip has a multitudinous array of competitors when it comes to the nature of fragrance and appearance. The rose, for example, has such a pleasant, saccharine type smell that it proves to be a veritable challenger in the manner of perfume competition. Appearance-wise, it rallies just as many points where tulips are concerned. It would appear that the tulip’s chance of winning against such a steady rival is easier said than done.

Irregardless, the tulip really does not have a cause to be green with envy over the rose’s fair façade. Undoubtedly, the tulip’s firm emerald stalk and brilliant, silky petals allow it to climb to the top of the list – especially considering the fact that it comes in a plethora of different looks, color-wise and has a very youthful manner of appearance. I will try and be absolutely clear when I state in certainty that the tulip’s ever-present grace and fresh, vibrant hues are absolutely sure to improve any atmosphere. In short, it looks lovely.

Last but not least, it is quite obvious that if the unparalleled beauty of the tulip were of any less degree, the Dutch would hesitate to grow such enormous quantities of them in their fertile fields. Surely this is enough evidence for me to try and prove my point.

Never underestimate the garden-fresh nature of the tulip, fragrance-wise or appearance-wise. It is better to be safe than sorry and forget the rose in all of its assumed glory. Any other type of flower will never match up to the youthful presence of the tulip.

Beautiful Poetry

I wanted to share a bit from one of my favorite poems, this particular bit by William Blake. I'm no good at poetry myself, but at least I can enjoy the wondrous work of others. This is especially beautiful in the song 'Jerusalem'. I get chills every time I hear it. Anyways, here's the bit...

And did those feet in ancient time.

Walk upon Englands mountains green:

And was the holy Lamb of God,

On Englands pleasant pastures seen!

And did the Countenance Divine,

Shine forth upon our clouded hills?

And was Jerusalem builded here,

Among these dark Satanic Mills?

Bring me my Bow of burning gold;

Bring me my Arrows of desire:

Bring me my Spear: O clouds unfold!

Bring me my Chariot of fire!

I will not cease from Mental Fight,

Nor shall my Sword sleep in my hand:

Till we have built Jerusalem,

In Englands green & pleasant Land

I hope it inspires you, reader, like it does me. :)