triciaamamenta-blog

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MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING

My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a 2002 romantic comedy movie directed by Joel Zwick and written by Nia Vardalos, who also plays the role in the movie as Fotoula "Toula" Portokalos, a middle class Greek American woman who falls in love with a non-Greek upper middle class "White Anglo-Saxon Protestant" Ian Miller. Toula is an unmarried 30 year old Greek woman who only lives by 3 important rules in her life: to marry a Greek man, to have Greek kids, and to be with her Greek family all the time. She works in their family restaurant, but then decided to work in her aunt’s travel agency where she meets then eventually falls in love with a handsome, tall and definitely not a Greek man named Ian Miller.

As they become closer and as they get to know each other, they both knew that it is impossible for them to get married in the first place because Ian is a non-Greek man and Toula’s family would definitely disagree with the idea of them getting married. This scene on their first date shows the real side of Toula’s Greek family:

The film illustrated the differences of having an American culture and having a Greek culture. In the scene, Toula was hesitating to introduce her Greek family to Ian because she thinks that Ian might think of her differently if she does. Ian was persistent in knowing Toula and her family; he did not mind that Toula came from a Greek family because he was already determined to win her heart. People say love conquers all which is why Ian asked for Toula’s parents for permission to Toula, but unfortunately Toula’s father did not give them their blessing. But what Ian did was the most unexpected thing to do which is seen in this part of the movie:

Ian wanting to be with Toula and wanting to be a husband to her decided to be baptized as a Greek in the Greek Orthodox Church. He did not hesitate in making that decision because he truly loved Toula and their religion will not become a hindrance for their undying love for each other. Toula’s father decided to accept him and allow him to take his daughter’s hand because he saw how Ian was willing to be with Toula. Afterall, love wins and in the end they both got married and had a beautiful daughter.

In today’s society, we see different people with different beliefs, different cultures and different cultures befriending each other or even having a romantic relationship with each other. We should eliminate discrimination and judgement and let them believe to what is right as long as they do not harm other people. Acceptance is the key to have a harmonious and peaceful relationship with others, and this should be practiced so the whole world would know that love transcends all odds.

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Interviewing a Filipino OFW

Edwin V. Mamenta, a husband and a father, working as a civil engineer currently in Kuwait, but has been working abroad for more than 6 years already.  He graduated Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at St. Louis University in Baguio City. This interview was conducted via phone call on January 19, 2017 at around 5PM in the afternoon.

INTERVIEW

Why did you choose to work abroad?

Edwin: I have learned that civil engineers are highly paid in working abroad that’s why I chose to work abroad. Working abroad as a civil engineer is a dream come true and self-fulfilling being into this profession.

What do you love most about living and working abroad?

Edwin: I love my profession and working abroad with the high compensation which also includes my monthly pay check.  Living here is a chance to discover. I love to discover other countries, cultures, places and experiences.

What are the things that you don’t like about working abroad?

Edwin: Of course me being out of my family, being out of my comfort zone are the mian things that I don’t like when I’m working abroad.

What do you want everyone to know about working abroad?

Edwin: I want everyone to know that working abroad is not easy. You must have the courage, determination, and knowledge to work abroad. Working abroad especially when you’re alone is very hard. Never think that working abroad is just having a vacation because you came there to work not to have a luxurious life so whatever challenges you encounter you must be ready and you must be tough. Being an OFW is not easy, you must have a lot of patience for you to return a living.

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Song Analysis of Nathan Skyes’ “Over and Over Again”  ft. Ariana Grande

          Nathan Sykes “Over And Over Again featuring Ariana Grande is the official second single from the English singer and former The Wanted star's debut solo album. “Over and Over Again” is a nice love ballad song that is different from all the heartbreak songs because this song is guaranteed to make you melt and to make you automatically in love. By just reading the lyrics and listening to the song, it will make you feel as if the song is made for you by someone very special. The song is for people who are in love, looking for love, and who truly believes in love. Nathan Skyes brought his audience in awe when he made and performed this song because for him it is about protecting and admiring the people that you love.  

          As we delve deeply into the lyrics of the song, we can infer that the whole perspective is from a viewpoint of someone who is truly, madly and deeply in love with a person and from someone who loves the person back. It’s about finding that special and true love, and never finding the reason to let go. The title of the song “Over and Over Again” truly means until forever because they will love each other over and over again. It can also be evident in the song lyrics from the first verse until the the last. Here’s the first verse from the song which is sang by Nathan Skyes:

 “From the way you smile To the way you look You capture me Unlike no other From the first hello Yeah, that’s all it took And certainly We had each other”

 In the first verse where Nathan sang the lyrics, it simply means that the guy was attracted to another person and they all started with a simple “Hello”.

“And I won’t leave you Always be true One plus one, two for life Over and over again”

The pre-chorus above states that when he found his special someone he will never leave her and that the both of them can conquer through life even if it takes them forever.

“So don’t ever think I need more I’ve got the one to live for No one else will do I’m telling you Just put your heart in my hands I promise it won’t get broken We’ll never forget this moment It will stay brand new ‘Cause I’ll love you Over and over again”

The lines from the chorus “Just put your heart in my hands” simply means that he is willing to protect that person and to never get her heart broken. It also means that he is asking for her to take a chance on him because he will love her over and over. The phrase “It will stay brand new, ‘cause I’ll love you” means that their love will never get old and they will never be tired of loving each other because they will love each other over and over again.

“From the heat of night To the break of day I’ll keep you safe And hold you forever And the sparks will fly They will never fade ‘Cause every day gets better and better”

Ariana Grande’s part of the song which is the second verse states that in every moment and every situation he will keep her safe from all the odds. “And the sparks will fly they will never fade” means that their feelings for each other won’t fade because they have each other every time.

          Then again who wouldn’t love to hear this song? As the song gets repeated over and over again, you can understand its deep and intimate meaning, and you can probably relate to it even if you are a hopeless romantic who is searching for love. So you are lucky if someone dedicated this song to you or you can play this by yourself and feel as if you have experienced being in love because the mellow beat will surely capture your heart as well.