Untitled, 25 Oct 11

Beats keep beating
Hearts keep thumping
In the land of fantasy
Why is it so destitute?

Sky so sunny
Rain so distant
These trees so inviting
Like a midsummer night's dream

Walk over to the road
A one-way street

Walk over to the road
Which way will we take?

Which way will we take?
A question seems so simple
For a one-way street
Leaves little room for error

Where are you going?
The sign says "One-Way"

Where are you going?
Why is this defying gravity?

The clouds thus thicken
When the street signs give lies

Now the question is simple
Which way do I go?
Because only one way
Seems natural to me

Which way do I go?
Is there any way I can go?

Beats won't stop beating
Hearts won't stop thumping
I can't walk past
This one-way street

Out in the distance...
Sunset red envelopes
My legs won't walk in reverse
On the side of this destitute road

Some Final Thoughts

Well, it's not much. My flight takes off here in about 50 minutes. "Freedom is bittersweet." Those are the words that came to mind as I walked through the security lines, seconds after saying farewell to my family. This is going to be the adventure of a lifetime...the adventure of a lifetime.

While it is very much a bittersweet feeling, I can't even express how happy I feel, how blessed I have been these past eighteen-and-a-half years, for the friends I have made, the things I have learned, and the utter gifts that have been bestowed upon me.

This won't be easy, but I know I can do it. Nevertheless, I can't do it alone. I already can't wait until the day I come back, likely four months from now, to the date. Until then, though, my new life begins, a new and exciting life. I trust that good things will be brought to me, and that I'll be able to more freely express who it is I am.

For everyone I've ever spoken with, helped, gotten help from...anything, really, a big thank you. You all deserve it.

Tomorrow I arrive in the eastern seaboard. Tomorrow it really begins. Hmm.

The Beginning

I figured I put this up since there's been some family and friends that hasn't seen/read my speech and wanted to hear it...I've kinda been procrastinating on this, so better late than never, right? Mi discurso también está traducido, si haz scroll poquito. ¡Gracias!

The Beginning

Parents, families, teachers, administration, and other members of the community: we, the class of 2011, have gathered here this evening to celebrate our graduation from high school, from four years of making friends, making memories, and—yes—actually learning stuff. We have all been through our ups and downs, the high points and the low ones. We learned about semicolons, DAMSA, and run-on sentences—such as this one, by the time it’s over—, we learned that the shortest path between two points is not always straight, and we even lit our hands on fire—oh, wait, shh… We’ve gone through our challenges, notably the wildfires of 2003 and 2007, but we have also been rewarded with a field trip to the beach, CIF section titles in multiple sports, numerous awards in our music programs, and various guest speakers, including, most notably, the reanimated John C. Calhoun. It goes without saying that it has been an eventful time here at VCHS.

While our four years may be up, and while this is truly our time, our night to celebrate in the face of those gathered, I think it is important that we not leave without reflecting and pondering at the significance of our graduation. Graduation from school is often known as a commencement, and “to commence” of course means “to begin.” Indeed, tonight does not mark an ending so much as it does a beginning—an entrance into the real world, our careers, our further educations, and the rest of our lives.

Beginning tonight, we carry with us many brand new responsibilities. It takes no large headline on the cover of a newspaper to see that the world is going through some rough patches, and whether we like it or not, it is our generation gathered here that will ultimately pick up the pieces. Tonight we are presented with a choice to make, a choice perhaps more difficult and yet more fundamental than…deciding to bear the rising costs of college tuition, or even deciding to enlist among the brave and selfless men and women in our nation’s armed forces.

No, tonight we must decide whether we are to allow the world to continue as it is: with perpetual war, famine, and genocide; or will we vow ourselves to take that stand, together, united, to provide each other, each neighbor, and each stranger with care, kindness, and respect. As the famous Mexican politician, Benito Juárez once said, “Entre los individuos, come entre las naciones, el respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz.” It means, “Among individuals, as among nations, respect for the rights of others is peace itself,” and this is true regardless of gender, race, nationality, language, religion, political affiliation, or sexual orientation.

As we become men and women, we must “put childish things away” and stand up and look out for the community and world around us, rather than do things solely because they will only benefit ourselves. Too often it is the easy way out that we take, but in life, we need to do what is right, “not because it is easy,” in the words of John F. Kennedy, “but because it is hard.” We must take initiative and take leadership, be it in clubs, service organizations such as Kiwanis and the Lions Club, church groups, or even at the workplace. We must not be afraid of taking that extra minute to help the guy that has just dropped his stack of papers and notecards amidst a large crowd. And we must not be afraid to fail, for that will only guarantee disappointment. We must instead hold courage and patience in all that we do, live without fear, and carry on an optimism everywhere we go, and with everyone that comes along on our journeys.

Class of 2011: sitting in your seat right now signifies that you have an opportunity, an amazing opportunity, each and every one of you. Take it, seize it, and change the lives of those around you. I have faith that all of you will do so, and I think everyone watching us tonight shares this sentiment. Class of 2011, it has been an amazing four years here. VCHS has been our home and family. We give thanks to everyone that has helped to bring us there, and we will definitely miss this place in our own way. But now, this is our time, this is our commencement; not the ending, but only the beginning.

Thank you, and may God be in each and every one of you. Goodnight.

Joshua Fabian,

14 June 2011

(Es lo más probable que hay errores in mi traducción...lo siento.)

El Principio

Padres, familias, maestras, administración, y otros miembros de comunidad: nosotros, la clase del 2011, hemos reunido aquí esta noche para celebrar nuestra graduación de la high school, cuatro años de haciendo amigos, haciendo memorias y—si—en realidad si aprendimos algunas cosas. Todos nosotros hemos sido a través de nuestros altos y bajos, los puntos altos, y los bajos. Aprendimos sobre los puntos y comas, DAMSA y las oraciones corridas—así como esta cuando se acabe—, aprendimos que el paso más corto entre dos punto no siempre se queda derecho, y también encendimos nuestras manos en un fuego—oh, espera, shh… Hemos pasado por nuestros desafíos, como los incendios de 2003 y de 2007, pero también hemos sido premiados con un viaje a la playa, campeonatos CIF en varios deportes, muchísimos premios en nuestros programas de música, y varios oradores invitados, incluyendo el reanimado John C. Calhoun. No hace falta decir que fue un tiempo memorable aquí en la VCHS.

Aunque nuestros cuatro años ya han terminado y aunque esto es nuestro hora en verdad, nuestra noche para celebrar a fuente de esos asistentes, yo pienso que es importante que no dejamos sin reflexionar sobre lo significancia de nuestra graduación. La graduación de la escuela también se conoce como un comienzo y a “comenzar” por supuesto quiere decir “para empezar.” De hecho, hoy no se significa una conclusión como un principio—una entrada a mundo real, nuestras carreras, nuestras educaciones superiores, y el resto de nuestras vidas.

A partir de esta noche, levamos muchas responsabilidades nuevas. No necesita un gran título a fuente de un periódico para ver que el mundo está en un tiempo difícil, y si nos gusta o no, es nuestra generación reunido aquí que un día recogerá los pedazos. Esta noche estamos presentado con una decisión para tomar, una decisión más difícil y todavía más fundamental de…decidiendo a pagar la matrícula universitaria que siempre sube, o decidiendo a alistarse entre los hombres y mujeres valientes y generosos de las fuerzas armadas de nuestro país.

No, esta noche tenemos que decidir si permitiremos que el mundo continua como está hoy: con guerra perpetua, hombre extendido, y genocidio; o vamos a prometer nosotros mismos a tomar esa posición, juntos, unidos, para dar todos, cada vecino y cada desconocido con cuidado, cariño y respeto. Como el político famoso de México, Benito Juárez, dijo una vez, “Entre los individuos, come entre las naciones, el respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz,” y esto es cierto sin hacer caso de sexo, raza, nacionalidad, lenguaje, religión, afiliación política, u orientación sexual.

Como nos convertimos a hombres y mujeres, debemos dejar de las cosas de niño y levantamos a cuidar nuestra comunidad y nuestro mundo—dejando hacer cosas solamente porque nos beneficiará. Muchas veces es el paso fácil que tomamos, pero en la vida, necesitamos hacer lo correcto, “not because it is easy” [“no porque es fácil”], en las palabras del ex-presidente Estadounidense y católico, John F. Kennedy, “but because it is hard” [“pero porque es difícil”]. Debemos tomar la iniciativa y dirección, como en los clubs, las organizaciones de servicio como Kiwanis y el Lions Club, grupos en la iglesia, o en el lugar de trabajo. No deberemos tener miedo de tomar ese minuto extra para ayudar al señor que dejo caer sus papeles y notas en fuente de un gentío. Y no deberemos tener miedo de fallar, porque eso nomas asegurará la decepción. Deberemos mantener la coraje y patencia en todo que hacemos, vivir sin temer, y caminar con un optimismo en cualquier lugar que nos encontramos y con cualquier persona que nos pase en nuestros viajes.

Clase de 2011: sentando en esa silla ahorita significa que tú tienes una oportunidad, una oportunidad maravillosa, cada uno de ustedes. Tómenla, aprovéchenla y cambien las vidas de otros. Tengo confianza que todos ustedes si lo harán, y pienso que todos viendo esta noche tienen el mismo sentimiento. Clase de 2011, fueron unos cuatro anos fantásticos aquí. La VCHS fue nuestra casa y familia. Damos la gracias a todos que han ayudado nosotros estar aquí en este momento, y extrañaremos este lugar a nuestra manera. Pero ahora, esto es nuestra hora, esto es nuestro comienzo; no la conclusión, pero solamente el principio.

Gracias, y que Dios estará en cada uno de ustedes. Buenas noches.

Joshua Fabian,

14 junio 2011

These are the Days

Poem I wrote earlier today. The title/"hook" was somewhat-inspired by the song "These are the Days" by the Exies. Like many of my poems, it caries both a social and spiritual meaning.

These are the days

That are so numbered and few,

These are the days

When skies fade from blue,

These are the days

That seldom hold a clue,

These are the days

We seem to start anew,

But this is the day

I find who is true,

This is the day

I found out

It is you

--14th August 2011

Changes?

Less than two weeks until I leave for MIT. Here's a little thing I whipped up several days ago:

Flying planes

Like dots in the sky

Shooting stars

But we can't all have wishes

To faraway places

Closer to our homes

And closer to our liberty

We fight so we belong

They say the biggest changes

Aren't really changes

But growing out and up

And seeing the world different

We have it all in us

To make a dear difference

So put your head, so put your mind

And let us love without remorse

--6th August 2011, 11:40

Beginnings of a New Week

What a time it's been, and what a time it will be, I'm suddenly in the mood to write a poem. But...because I need to sleep soon, I shall restrain myself. This week I'm going to Disneyland, Universal Studios, and Comic Con, and the following weekend is the Steubenville conference (for which I just completed an...entertaining music video!). Finally...summer is here!

Today I also started looking for bedding/other stuff for college. Almost a month a way. Is it all finally starting to hit me? ...Maybe.

Have faith, live long, prosper (yes, I adapted this from a sci-fi, haha...).

--JF

A New Revival

First of all, nevermind that the title of this post is grammatically incorrect. I figured that, at this "point" in my life, just having finished high school and preparing to walk the halls of MIT, it's time to come back here and begin to maintain this blog once again. Plus, for any of you that remember the old layout...I've given this blog a visual refresher tonight after two years of inactivity. I'm not sure what type of things I'll be posting, but hopefully it'll be interesting enough to keep your interest. If it's not...try to let me know. Nicely.

Most of what you'll see here will be quite random. I'll likely post (edit: so I guess I lied a few sentences back) poems, raps, photos, videos, and...random outbursts of happiness, terror, and sleep-deprivation, both while at home and at school. Are you ready for this adventurous ride? No? Well...that's okay.

Painful Beautiful

This is only the second full-length song I've written. The other I wrote nearly a year ago. I've been working on this off and on since for a few months ago until I forgot about it completely. Then, about a week ago, I discovered its existence, and I wrote the second half of the lyrics. The lyrics and the tune that goes with it were influenced by Three Days Grace, Skillet, Underoath, Breaking Benjamin, and Killswitch Engage. Also, lyrics in italics are screamed or shouted.

Painful Beautiful

[Intro]

Everything I know is on fire

Changes just making me tire

All around, I look for a light

But in the end, I get in a fight

Stooping lower after every mention

But yet, no one gives attention

To all the crimes that are committed

And the sins that remain unremitted


It seems hopeless

We are thoughtless

Look all around

But there’s nothing abound

Old ties are separating

And the world’s forever changing

For good or bad

I’d never know

For good or bad

I want you to let it show, show, show!


[Chorus:]

Painful Beautiful!

Nothing’s ever the same here, no

Painful Beautiful!

Devolving before our eyes, it’s

Painful Beautiful!

The twinkle in our gloomy future, you’re

Painful Beautiful!

Your new dress is changing you

But no matter what

It’s all painful and beautiful


[Short break]


[Echo about 4x:]

Painful Beautiful!


And so now try to look back

But all the charm, I see you now lack

For the only ones living in reality

Are the ones who found totality

In the Power, Almighty Power

Your touch has turned so sour

After all the times that we’ve been through

So what’s to do about you?

Bright to darkness com-ple-ete-ly

That dress has changed you in-fin-ite-ly

When will you ever see?


You follow me every-place

Leaves me in such disgrace

But I know… (Yes I know)

In the end who’s really right

For I’ll never leave your sight!


It seems worthless

We are heartless

Look all around

But there’s nothing abound

Old ties are deteriorating

And our world’s forever changing

For good or bad

How will we know?

For good or bad

Why won’t you just let it show, show, show?

(Show us all now!)


[Chorus:]

Painful Beautiful!

Nothing’s ever the same here, no

Painful Beautiful!

Devolving before our eyes, it’s

Painful Beautiful!

The twinkle in our gloomy future, you’re

Painful Beautiful!

That red dress is changing you

But no matter what

Your sight’s painful and beautiful


[Instrumental break/solo]


Why will you never change?

What keeps on fueling pain?

What will you ever see

What keeps on killing me?

When will the Master come

And heal your blinded eyes?


[Tempo cools down/music all but stops]


[Softly:]

It seemed hopeless

We’re all mindless

All I ever saw was you

Your sight’s painful

You’re so beautiful

When will you ever see…

Again?

Revolving Doors

This is a poem I wrote the last day of school, during 6th period PE.

Revolving Doors

Revolving doors spin us around

Leaving us in, leaving us out

Leaving warm-hearted in cold

Heartless winter snowdrifts

With piles of air and water

To drown the helpless voices

Voices of spirit

And voices of honor


The voices of truth at war

With rules all ignored

And sorrow calls for peace

Unheard and drowned all the same


Not one side pulling ahead

But both tearing the world around

Smashing pieces to boiling core

And smashing memories

From brainwashed men

Cries of the Crows

This is a poem that I wrote a couple of months ago, relatively on the spot. Dunno why I haven't gotten around to posting it here on Blogger, but...here it is:

Cries of the Crows

Always at my side

Brightening up my gloom

Turning bad days around

And making good ones perfect

But you have flown away

And wings I've not grown

To keep from falling

With the rest of our world


I dost sit still

Waiting, trying, hoping

For your own sweet call

That shalln't hear again

For a sense of realism

To see my own existence

But all I feel

Is the burning emptiness

That dost kill frequent

The burning coldness

Of starting over again

For the next time

Of many likely to come


But watching the sky

Spies a bird flying high

A bird familiar yet changed

All the same

As she flies right by


Only later dost she remember

And when she finally lands

The two lone black feathers

Found yet years later

Spell their ultimate Fate