It’s been a while since I’ve been on WP. I’ll explain everything when/if I get the chance to get back on here in the near future, but I don’t have access to a laptop right now, hence the sudden disappearance from WP. I won’t be able to post anything for a long time, but know that, I miss reading your blogs and interacting with you. Until we meet again, take care.
Scripture of the Month: Honesty
Even in the littlest of details, strive for honesty.
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Thank you! 💙
Salut à tous!
2021 has officially come to a close. It’s been a tough year for blogging, as I had to readjust to make way for new projects and other engagements in my life, but I always tend to find my way back here. I’m not 88.9% sure of what my next step is, but I do know I want to thank you, the reader, for setting sail on this journey with me.
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to read my posts, and to leave comments. Thank you for checking in and for your words of encouragement. I really appreciate your time, patience, understanding, and even advice. I’ve been blessed to be a part of such a wonderful community, and it wouldn’t have been so without you, so a huge THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!
May the tears we cry in 2021, water those flowers to bloom in 2022. May the happiness we sow in 2021, reap joy in 2022. And may the peace of God set your heart aright.
Goodbye 2021, hello 2022, and all the best to all of you.
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VERSE OF THE MONTH (December 2021): My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Hosea 4:6 🤔
La Petite Muse Blog: The relaunch
Welcome to the relaunch of La Petite Muse! If you’re here, it’s because of the link left on the original blog, or you’ve somehow found your way here. Either way, I’m glad you’re here!
I closed a blog under this very same name… only to reopen another one in the same name. Actually, I did not see this one coming… but God did! When I took a small hiatus from blogging last month, I sat down to look at the next step, and after everything was analyzed, I came to the conclusion to close the blog. I was going to come on at some point to officially announce my departure, but God had other plans where His online ministry was concerned, so that’s why we’re here at the relaunch.
Can I level with you for a minute? When the idea of a relaunch was conceived, I was skeptical, for I was convinced that I was done with blogging. But before I know it, I was opening a new blog and naming it La Petite Muse, this time with the proper French spelling. Themes and categories were put into place and topics were sorted out for the first few posts. I wanted to relaunch the old blog, but this year has been about new beginnings, and although the layout is still the same, I’m building from the ground up once again.
I love peacocks! So much that they’re the face of this blog at the moment as I tend to redesign and revamp every year or so. During the designing process, I came up with several logos and due to not being able to choose just one, I’ll be using several of them.
I can finally work on the new categories that I’ve promised since 2017! There are about 5-7 new categories in the pipeline, so hopefully, if the time permits, they’ll be featured. In the meantime, I’m looking at these main 3. The categories that you’re accustomed to such as Devotion, Travel Tuesday, and even Football remains. Bible Study is moving to a new home sometime next month be it God’s will. I may recycle some posts from the now-closed LPM, but that remains to be seen.
I’m most excited about the Spiritually Seasoned series! It’s aimed to strengthen our walk with God, to reflect on our hearts, and to put faith into practice. I’m relearning to draw – although not as often as I would like – so I thought it’ll be fun to share some under the art category. As for gardening, I’m no expert, but I’ll like to share some of the things I’ve learned thus far.
Last but not least, A HUGE THANK YOU!! To the ones that have always read and commented, thank you for making this transition with me. To the newbies, welcome. 💙
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Trailer: Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
TC is the breadwinner of Paramount… PERIOD!
Top Gun: Maverick is garnering a lot of positive reviews as I write this sentence, but fans are overly excited for the new MI trailer, which dropped earlier today. I didn’t get the memo, for I was busy tying up some loose ends, but I’ll watch it and review it here now. When I got to YouTube a while ago, I saw that it is #1 on Trending.
Let’s see what the hype is about.
0:02 – The title, though! And this is only the first part. They should’ve called the 8th installment, The Retirement.
0:12– The Mummy!
0:20 – A long winding road and a motorcycle.
0:44 – Wicked desert shot!
0:52 – TC looks good!
0:56 – I love this shot of Hunt on a horse in the desert. It takes me back to TC’s short forgotten stint as Nick Morton, but it got me pondering: why is Hunt in the desert?
1:02 – Car chases is my jam! I live for them!
1:15 – Hunt running on top of a moving train. Oh! And before I forget to mention the music… it’s classically beautiful!
1:21 – Wait, what?
1:24 – Another car chase! This time involving a little yellow car.
1:28 – Run for your life, she’s got two swords! TWO!
1:30-1:35 – Famous TC running!
1:41 – *GASPS* *CLUTCHES INVISIBLE PEARLS TO THE CHEST* THAT’S TOO CLOSE TO THE EDGE!! Sometimes, I’ll never get why TC wants to do these dangerous stunts… but then the heart palpitations disappear, and I’m in awe of TC’s wicked, awesome stunts.
1:50 – More running footage! Speaking of running, my favorite running scene of TC’s was in MI: Ghost Protocol. He looked elegant while breaking a sweat in that dashing blue suit. Fallout was great, but Ghost Protocol remains my favorite of the franchaise.
1:53 – RIP replay button! THIS is EXACTLY what I’m here for! Hanging onto an airplane while flying, what? This is the King of all stunts! It’s a mic dropping moment.
The cinematography is visually appealing. The locations are breathtaking! Kudos to another Christopher McQuarrie masterpiece.
This not-quite-a-trailer is a feast for the senses. Not-quite as it looks unedited and the raw footage is a nicely packaged moving collage. The studio took bits and pieces, pasted it as a trailer, and added iconic music. Also, there is only one dialogue in the entire trailer and it’s not even from Hunt.
This franchaise gets better with every sequel. In this trailer, there is a sense of finalty. We’re truly (and finally!) nearing the end of a wonderful journey. This trailer is the start of the end of perhaps, the best action franchaise of all time.
Be it God’s will, next summer is going to be 🔥🔥!
Trailer Rating: 3.5/5
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VERSE OF THE MONTH (May 2022): As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Psalms 103:12
“Then you shouldn’t like something that isn’t yours. Otherwise, you won’t be able to be happy.”
OOH! Harsh! But someone has to say it!
Whoa! That cut so deep that I was slapped to another planet for a second or so. Anyway, I’m currently watching this Thai show, and it’s not giving what I thought it’d give.
Title: Devil Sister แอ๊บร้ายให้นายไม่รัก
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Origin: Thailand
Status: Ongoing (18 episodes in total)
Air-date: April 18, 2022 – June 14, 2022
Director: Koo Ekkasit Trakulkasemsuk
Starring: Min Pechaya Wattanamontree as Irin, Win Metawin Opas-iamkajorn as Dr. Namcha, Piploy Kanyarat Ruangrung as Inn, Pod Suphakorn Sriphothong as Jin
Irin is said to be hot-tempered and fearless — “The Devil”. It’s all an act, though; she puts up a mean front to build up her younger sister, Inn, by contrast. However, her young vet and neighbour Namcha couldn’t care less. No matter how catty she behaves, his love persists. He’s loved her ever since they were students and has no plans of changing his heart. In fact, they used to date until Irin broke things off without any explanation.
Namcha has never forgotten his first love, but Irin doesn’t believe his feelings are unchanged; Namcha makes it his mission to prove it to her. Love should come easy for the two, but family, work, and even friends all seem primed to tear them apart.
This series is a train wreck, which shouldn’t have been, for there was so much potential. It’s currently on the 8th episode, but I checked out in the 6th.
GIF via Tenor
Dr. Namcha is a young veterinarian. He’s been in love with the older Irin for as long as he could remember. However, they broke up before the relationship could’ve soared to higher heights. Enter, Irin’s miserable little sister, Inn, who is in love with Namcha, and thinks her sister is selfish for not letting her have a go at him. It’s ridiculous! One cannot force someone to love if their heart already belongs, hence this from the 5th episode:
“Then you shouldn’t like something that isn’t yours. Otherwise, you won’t be able to be happy.”
Say it LOUDER for the people at the back, and won’t you have the audacity to tell Inn directly, Cha? Like, man up! Cha can’t be so stupid to not notice that Inn likes him. I refuse to believe that he is, but unfortunately, he is. Then to make matters worse, the girls’ grandfather’s lawyer, Jin, is thrown into the mix, as a potential husband for Irin. He was the one to bait Inn to go after Cha after noticing her “affections” towards the doctor. Devil sister? More like devil lawyer! By the way, Inn is also sick. It’s not yet revealed what kind of sickness she has, but I wonder if it’s cancer, and she’s dying. 🤔 I hope not, though.
Those few episodes I watched got me thinking:
^ How can Irin be smart and independent and be easily manipulated in one go to a marriage that she doesn’t want? Jin ain’t in love. He seems like he’s out for revenge of some sort. He and Inn deserve each other.
^ The characters annoy me. Every. Single. One! I like Win, so that’s why I decided to give this series a go, but it’s a definite no. Inn needs to stop obsessing over a guy who won’t give her the time of day. Irin needs to stop lying about her feelings. And Cha? Man needs to see a therapist. This obsession is not love, but rather, infatuation.
^ Now, the age gap issue. There is a 7-year age gap between Cha and Irin. Cha was in high school, and Irin was in college, when Cha realized his “feelings” for the older girl. They’re also next-door neighbors (like every cliché romance serial!). Cha “loved” Irin ever since he could remember, but Irin never allowed him to talk about their “relationship” as it was never official. Hence, when she “broke up” with him, it was because, in her mind, they were never a thing. This is all confusing. I want to elaborate more, but I’m so done with this serial.
Where the acting is concerned, it’s nothing to scream home about. The characters are flat or boring, and I don’t know why we even need 18 frustrating episodes for this drama! It’s as if they set it up to make the show intentionally flop.
After watching the 6th episode, I had enough and decided to drop it. I’ll wait for Astrophile to premiere instead. It’s going to be predictable, but, Jumpol will be featured in it, so I’ll be tuning in. But he’s the second lead, and we all know that 99.9% of the time, the second lead is cursed, as he rarely gets the girl. 😔😔
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VERSE OF THE MONTH (May 2022): As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Psalms 103:12
Scripture of the Month: Mistakes
There is a difference between making a mistake and committing a sin.
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A fresh start?
Sawadee ka! It’s good to be back on… even if it’s for a little while.
Off Jumpol getting into the groove
GIF via Tenor
Now, let me see if I can recall how this works…
Hello, everyone! It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything, so I’m trying to find back the rhythm and balance. This is just a little update regarding the future of the blog.
I won’t be on as much as before; I’ll be blogging less. I won’t make any blogging promises, because, from experience, they tend to go south. However, in the weeks ahead, God’s willing, I’ll attempt to sort out categories, topics, and designs for this new phase. I drafted so many new ideas, but due to timing, I won’t be going ahead with many of them.
Lately, I’ve been reading through my TBR, but I may not do book reviews as before. I’m also watching Thai dramas, so most likely, I’ll do reviews on a few… especially the upcoming ones with Jumpol Adulkittiporn. If his name is too hard to say, simply call him Off… or Tumcial if you dare. 😃 He’s the vibe, he’s the mood, he’s the moment. Whenever he’s onscreen, everything else is just background noise.
GIF via tenor
And that’s basically it, as I just wanted to get a feel for blogging once again. I’ll talk about my newfound Thai love in a near-future post.
I trust that all’s well with everyone, and I hope to get back to reading your blogs soon. Take care!
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VERSE OF THE MONTH (April 2022): They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:23
Scripture of the Month: New beginnings
Life is a series of beginnings. How you enter into them makes all the différance.
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Is Jeremiah 10:3-4 against Christmas?
Jeremiah 10:3-4 is simply an excuse for Christians to celebrate Christmas. It’s also an excuse to call Christians “pagans” that celebrate Christmas. One can’t win either way. For many people, Christmas is a feeling that takes them back to their childhood. They gravitate towards the gingerbread, the gifts, the carols, and the Christmas tree. Talk about a sensory overload! It’s a cherished custom that’s hard to let go of.
Not to stray off-topic, but at first glance/read, many people take Jeremiah 10:3-4 out of context. It’s better to read the chapter in its entirety, but I want to look at the first 4 verses. This chapter opens with a request for Israel to listen to what Jeremiah is saying, for he speaks the Word of God. The second chapter is a reminder that we live in the world, but we shouldn’t even think of taking up such worldly ways. Verse 3 speaks of idol worship where trees are cut down to make idols for worship, and we’re never to worship God through images or idols of any sort. Verse 4 describes how the idols are then decked in silver and gold. Yet, despite the care, time, and patience that goes into craving and decorating a lifeless deity, comes to life it does not.
Statue of Baal via Google Arts & Culture
We can clearly see that Jeremiah is condemning idolatry, not Christmas trees. He is reminding his people that the gods that the pagans worship are NOTHING compared to the True and Living God. Compare Jeremiah 10 with Isaiah 40:18-20; 44:14-17, and read how similar the arguments are. When will a Christmas tree become a graven image for these passages to apply? When people start bowing down to worship or pray to them.
However, I’ll also have to concur that there is a slight resemblance between the Christmas tree and the tree of Jeremiah and Isaiah. The Christmas tree is supposed to be a decorative symbol, yet, there are songs directed to the tree as if they were meant to serenade it.
Although Jeremiah 10:3-4 may not be of the beloved Christmas trees, they began as a pagan tradition and there is no denying it, no matter how much one dresses or lights it up. Christmas loving Christians are going to want to defend and argue over other man made traditions that non-loving Christmas Christians keep, such as birthdays, but that’s a topic for another day.
GIF via Best Wishes
Conclusion
The Israelites failed to heed God’s warning time after time. They were fascinated by the religious practices of their neighbors, so it became easier overtime to ignore God, and slip into idolatrous worship, thus learning the way of the Gentile. The celestial body was part of the Gentile’s worship, so that includes the sun, and December 25th do have significant history with sun worship. As the wisest man once said, “There is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Many customs and traditions are recycled and simply given a new name and purpose, and Christmas is one of such.
When we look at Jeremiah 10, we must remember that Christmas came into being long after the death and resurrection of our Savior, as a day to honor His birth. Some might argue that “we honor Him every day,” but why December 25th to commemorate a birth that is inaccurate? Why December 25th to give gifts, spend time with loved ones, and share with the homeless? Shouldn’t those things be done during the year, and not one day a year? What’s so special about this one day that we stop to “celebrate” and “honor” Christ? Why not every day? It’s no wonder why this festive season is fill with so much of anxiety!
GIF via Society19
Getting back on track, Jeremiah 10 is referring to idolatry as the practice of decorating Christmas trees originated later. However, although the passage is not referring to Christmas trees, take time to look into the celebration of Christmas and its trees. God warns that “the customs of the peoples are futile”, so why are Christians bent on looking at pagan practices and seeking to copy them? Why do we seek to justify the keeping and practices of it? We need to stop borrowing attractive religious customs from the world around us, and worship God in spirit and truth as it is meant to be. Our religious practices should be taken DIRECTLY from the Bible.
Final Thoughts:
- No matter what, we can’t put Christ back into Christmas, for He was never there to begin with, no matter how it is dressed up. It’s not even pronounced Christ-mas, but kri-smuhs. If it’s all about Christ, why is the ‘t’ silent?
- It’s AMAZING how many people disobey or trash Christ during the year, but come together to “celebrate His birth” for one day. Make it make sense.
- It is easy to give praise with our voice, but what about action through obedience?
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VERSE OF THE MONTH (December 2021): My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Hosea 4:6 🤔
Listen to 1001 songs? Read 1001 books? Challenge accepted?
Salut à tous!
GIF via gifer
Of late, I’ve been reading through my TBR, as I’ll love to replace the old with the new. And it looks as if I’ll be doing so soon… if I actually get around to it. I recently read/browse 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die by Peter Boxall and 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die by Robert Dimery. I also read/browse through 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die by Steven Joy Schneider, but I’m still on the fence about that one.
I find myself keep coming back to these two books in particular, so after some deliberation, I decided to give this bulk of a challenge a go. Yes, it’s EXACTLY what you’re thinking.
GIF via GetYarn
Mission accepted!
It’ll probably take 5-10 years for me to get through all those songs and books if I ever complete the task, but I’ll like to give it a try. Perhaps, I’ll create two personal blogs to document my experience as I take on this mission, for this blog won’t be able to contain the weight of this project.
I’ll probably be gray when it’s all over, but I’ll love to attempt it to see how many books I can read and how many songs I can actually listen to from the lists. And as for this blog? Well, we’ll see in the near future.
GIF via gifer
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VERSE OF THE MONTH (December 2021): My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Hosea 4:6 🤔
La Petite Muse Blog 
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