Semper Fi 11

Since it's 11/11/11, I think it's only appropriate that I blog about why 11 is my favorite number, and give a shout out to the veterans.

Okay, I'll be honest, the reason why eleven is my favorite number is because of this one Chinese drama, Smiling Pasta. Back in my junior year of high school, a friend of mine kept telling me about these dramas she's been watching, which were Smiling Pasta and When a Cat Loves a Dog (Canto pride baby).
Now there was a scene in Smiling Pasta where the lead guy gives a bouquet of roses to the lead girl (aka fiancee) and it happens to be eleven roses, not twelve. In that scene a girl in the background admirably points out that in the language of flowers, eleven roses represents: "in this one lifetime, you're the only one love". I don't know if it's true or not, but I just loved the connotation ever since.

Also, I just want to give a proper thank you to the veterans who have fought for our country. Junior year also, was the first time I helped with the Veteran's chapel at my high school. Oh hey look, junior year is grade 11! What a coincidence, haha! ^^
Anyway, I was still pretty shy in my junior year of high school, but also it was around that time where I tried to be less introverted. So I decided to put myself out there and talked to the veterans that came for the chapel. Let me tell you, they are such friendly people. I had a great time listening to their stories and it really makes me smile to know that they had a great time at the event too.

[if anyone is wondering, a chapel is a time set in Christian schools where the whole school comes together to worship and have a small message for about a half hour in the school day]

Sometimes it gets me thinking about the complex argument of war and whether people should fight in order to gain peace. I can't appease both sides, but I know that war is not pretty and if it can avoided, it should be avoided. Unfortunately, we live in a broken world, and sometimes, it can be the only answer. I'm not saying war is good, I'm only saying it can be inevitable, and I can only pray for the victims of war. The victims of war are not only those who are caught up in the chaos you see in the news, they are also the soldiers, the politicians, the people back home. I have friends who have family in the military, navy, air force, coast guard, and the marines. No one is exempt from the effect of war, but that's why it gives comfort to me, that God is watching over us, no matter where we are. He is in control, no matter how bleak the situation is. And I can see that same hope in eyes of the veterans I met that one day.

Even though I picked up saying "semper fi" from NCIS, the meaning itself holds so much more for the real soldiers. Though it's a marine term, I'm sure every soldier takes creed to be forever faithful to the country they love and the hopes they have for the future.

So take heart, never stop praying, never stop hoping, because Hope is alive.

Happy 11/11/11 Veteran's Day <3