給Joyce (霍瑩）

親愛的Joyce, 瑩瑩，原諒我無法面對妳，因為會讓我心痛、懊惱。在妳與化療奮戰的時期，妳和我傾吐，詢問意見；上次聚會，妳戴著假髮，仍舊陽光，笑靨燦爛。妳是多麼地不服輸，何等的理直氣壯面對世界！

然而，千人千般苦，苦苦不相同，暫時想一想，轉換個角度，事情便會簡單許多。一昧的在原地踏步、繞圈，只會讓自己陷入痛苦的深淵。生命中總有挫折，但那不是盡頭，只是在提醒你，該轉彎了。

一切的根源皆在內心，癡與執，怨與恨，只會讓心翻滾，讓人不安。只有放下它們，才能輕鬆自在。天堂地獄一念間，煩惱放下成菩提。人生短短數十載，不是扳著指頭算歲數，而是妳捫心自問，對家人、朋友、生活、以及熱愛的舞蹈，是否無怨無悔？活時灑脫，走時自在，這才是大智慧。Alvin 託付於洪揚，父母有Koko 奉養，妳已經很負責任地演出人生這齣大戲了。以後的日子，就跟著天主走下去吧！還有更多的使命等著妳呢！

親愛的，我明白妳累了、乏了，放下重擔，輕鬆自在地面對吧！記住永遠跟隨著亮眼的強光，帶引妳去到天主的懷抱。我們永遠愛妳！

p.s. 瑩瑩逝於11/23/1016，享年41歲。

Wishing you a bountiful Thanksgiving

At this busy time of year, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of your holiday. But in the midst of all the preparation, we are also reminded of the many reasons to be grateful this Thanksgiving.

Whether you are celebrating at home or away, there is no better time to reflect on all that we have—especially the family and friends who are joining you around the table. Bear in mind that it is truly a privilege knowing that we all can make a difference in everyday life.

May all good things be yours in abundance this Thanksgiving!

Solomon Kane (Movie, 2009)

It's dark and gritty tale of redemption with healthy portions of swordplay, magic and conflict.  On the surface, Solomon Kane is very similar to Van Helsing. In place of the monsters, we get demons. A talky, sword and sorcery tale that is based on a character created by Robert E. Howard (the man who birthed Conan). James Purefoy is fine as Kane, a rampaging warrior who is the second son of a nobleman kicked out of his home for refusing to become a priest. The whole film plays more like a pilot for a series rather than a complete work in and of itself, but no one can make a film like this anymore without visions of trilogies dancing in their heads.

西洋花

Bridge of Spies (Movie, 2015)

Absolutely riveting film. This one was inspired by true events as depicted in "Bridge of Spies: A True Story of the Cold War" by Giles Whittell; and other sources...so it is a good history lesson. 

The period is the late 50s and early 60s when the Cold War and the fear it engendered was at the point of paranoia. A high level KGB Soviet spy, Rudolph Abel, is captured in 1957 and though ably defended by James Donovan, is convicted in Federal Court. In 1960, the U-2 spy plane piloted by Francis Gary Powers is shot down over the Soviet Union and Powers is captured. Tom Hank's role of an insurance lawyer thrust into defending a known Russian spy and then brokering his exchange for Gary Powers is sometimes surreal, sometimes emotional but always with a touch of presence not often seen these days. Mark Rylance - one of the best stage actors of this era - is superb as Rudolph Abel; and the support cast, especially Amy Ryan as Donovan's wife, Mary, is also top drawer. 

The Huntsman: Winter's War (Movie, 2016)

I enjoyed it for what it was, and truly the visual effects are stunning and creative, but the plot was paper-thin. Evil vs more evil. Evil becoming somewhat more good. Movie had a few twists that were unexpected but very entertaining.

盛花：