LyricsReads

I am overwhelmed by only one course this Term (English) that I am unable to make significant progress on my IkotInglesia Vancouver.

Well for now, I might as well share some thoughts on Adele's Set Fire into the Rain, more specifically her performance at the Royal Albert Hall.  While the song is about the speaker yearning for her love, she leaves notes of their relationship ending on a rather excruciating way (Burn! Burn! Burn!). I feel a connection of the speaker as the U.K. deeply yearning for her love(s), her colonies.

Here is an quick fact of the Empire. when the Empire's luster was at its brightest, its glory covered roughly 1/4 of the global land mass. With that size it was considered the largest empire in Modern times. The British Empire was still large even after the United States earned its independence. The second empire began to wane in the near-1900's

I have known the song for more than 6 months and it is just an emphatic piece. I'm lazy to formally write my song analysis and so instead I'll lay the lyrics in point form and my (interpretation parenthesized).

My hands, they're strong
But my knees were far too weak.
(The U.K. lost the Indian subcontinent, Malaya, Burma, Israel-Palestine 50 years later after WWII.)

But there's a side to you 
That I never knew, never knew
(Either the mother didn't know her colonial daughters better or she was just blind/ignorant.Your take)

All the things you'd say
They were never true, never true
(What ruckus are my girls talking about?!? Blast! Nonsense! Preposterous! *Just maintain the status quo.*)
And the games you play
You would always win, always win
(In reality, it's an "I." I defeated the French in the New World, Napoleon twice; I quelled other numerous uprisings and other battles).

But I set fire to the rain
Watched it pour as I touched your face
Well, it burned while I cried
'Cause I heard it screaming out your name, your name!
(Per Wikipedia... Thirteen Colonies, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, Afghanistan, Egypt, Ireland, South Africa, Iraq, Jordan, India, Pakistan, Israel, Myuanmar, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Ghana, Malaysia, Cyprus, Nigeria, Kuwait, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Jamaica, Trindidad and Tobagao, Uganda, Kenya, Singapore, Malawi, Malta, Zambia, The Gambia, Maldives, Barbados, Bostwana, Guyana, Lesotho, Yemen, Mauritius, Nauru, Swaziland, Fiji, Bahrain, Qatar, U.A.E., Bahamas, Grenada Seychelles, Dominica, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Kiribati, St. Lucia, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe, Antigua & Barbuda, Belize, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Brunei).


(Then there's Hong Kong's return to the PRC. Prince Charles considers the event the "end of an Empire.")

When I lay with you
I could stay there
Close my eyes
Feel you here forever
You and me together
Nothing is better
(I think Canada and Australia will agree to this part of the song).


The problem of the analogy first is that most colonies (men) are cold towards Britain and they have enough reason to do so, starting with post-colonial issues. There's neocolonialism that puts the societal structure of some today's nations (formerly colonies) back into the colonial heyday; Cultural customs are slowly confined to small places, if not a community unit. Indigenous languages meanwhile are pushed near on the brink of extinction. Alas, there's the plundering of treasures and hoarding those items back to the mother nation. The recent i-want-my-treasure-back case in my recent memory was of two to three years ago, when the supposed descendants of a Maharajah aimed to force the Indian government to reacquire their ancestor's valuable diamond given to Queen Victoria. The then in-exile Indian royal was forced to give the jewel as a 'gift' in celebration of her diamond jubilee (I think). Sadly, David Cameron later on disagreed to the request.

Secondly, the colonies are generally considered as'daughters' of the mother nation.
Here are the PM's share about the 'You-kay.' (Peace out lads!).


For a real PM speech, here's David Cameron.
Kayo nga! But truly, the U.K. did contribute immensely to the world we know today. English language's simplicity and straight-on vocabulary makes it today the global lingua franca. Football, rugby football cricket (I don't understand you!), rugby, tennis, equestrian, ping-pong, Quidditch and yes, baseball) originate in the UK. By that the Brits should deserve some credit. So, the next time you get to listen to Adele in live or on any media outlet, try once to think her song an non-official ceremonious reminder of a past glory.

Wandering Church-goer

Currently, I am on-leave from my choir duties since December as my work ends late afternoon. With my workplace near Waterfront Station, which is the city's central transit point to virtually almost anywhere in the metropolitan area, I have decided to visit different churches and check out the (youth) choirs and give my insights. Otherwise, I have no qualms seeing other choirs as well.

I'm hopeful that by this Sunday's end I'll get to post two locations (St. Mary's Vancouver & TBA).

Until then my readers from far far away.

~WW

College's Twist and Turns

9:12 PM. Due tasks this week are 2 lab reports, 4-5 Physics 12 exams that I can take anytime, and an Organic and a Statistics midterm.

This I consider a critical week as I  need to get at least 3 A's (English is a lost cause) this semester. While I work with all my heart and soul (forgive me for being cheesy), other students will get to register for Spring at earlier time. To let you know I won't get to register until next Tuesday and by then I'll be on a waitlist. Yes, I will be crossing my fingers to get a spot.

As I again take my chances whatever courses are still available, I'll still make the best out of those and more importantly invest that long-term commitment in my academic career. Imma be sticking to it. Permanently. Me going to the University is still 2 long years away. Yes 2 years, and I would already have delayed, wasted 2 years of dismal school performance. I'm still a Wandering Wanderer.

Until then folks.

WonderingWanderer out.