Category: blogging the important stuff

Posted in Adoptee Thoughts, Blogging, blogging the important stuff

What is Culture?

Posted on by marlytheadoptee

Originally written for a writing course on IG, inspired by Lin-Manuel Miranda

Writing about my culture is a tricky activity to do. Because as an international transracial adoptee I’ve lost a lot of my original birth culture (Hong Kong Chinese). I am by no means bitter about this as I love the culture I’ve been raised in…but, this does raise a question.

What is Australian culture? I know outsiders might say something like riding kangaroos and wrestling crocodiles a la Steve Irwin. Others might say, friendly quokka selfies – Western Australian specific. Others might say the Ocker Aussie, with a broad accent like Crocodile Dundee. Some might say drinking a beer and watching cricket or Aussie Rules Football. Many would say we are more laidback than other cultures.

Also, importantly we cannot ignore the many Aboriginal peoples and their differing cultures as well. Acknowledging them is essential.

But for me? And my own family culture raised by white Australians? Well, I love cricket and Aussie rules football. I have a standard Aussie accent (so neither broad nor cultivated). I like Chinese food. We celebrated Lunar New Year when I was a child so that we could try and explore some of my birth culture. But, I don’t speak Mandarin or Cantonese (my native tongue), and I was raised Christian and that has definitely impacted my culture. Not in a negative or positive way. Just in ways that formed me as a person.

I am an Australian citizen. I am Chinese born, but have the world view of an Anglo-Celtic Christian raised in a country with more opportunities that I would’ve had in Hong Kong.

But, I know that this doesn’t mean my life now is better than what I might have had if my birth mother had kept me.

Just a different one.

Posted in adoptee, Australian, Blogging, blogging the important stuff, film review, I don't write reviews, life, movies, my life, my thoughts, my writing, personal, Reflections

Being an Asian Adoptee in the Western World

Posted on by marlytheadoptee

Or: My journey as a Chinese born Australian who doesn’t see herself as Asian but, after seeing Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, I realise a part of me deep down still has some strong connection to my Chinese roots.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (Gif created by me. Credit: Marvel Studios)

That is one heck of a subtitle, hey? But, this is how I felt after watching this new entry into Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

This is not going to be a typical review, and there will also be no major spoilers (probably), but fair warning I will be gushing a lot as my love for this film surpasses any other MCU film. Also, this post will most likely be all over the place. So please bear with me.

Continue reading “Being an Asian Adoptee in the Western World” →
Posted in album review, Blogging, blogging the important stuff, Music, new music

DNA – Backstreet’s Back!

Posted on by marlytheadoptee

After twenty-five years this “boy” band does not disappoint. From the first note of Don’t Go Breaking My Heart to the final ring of Ok this album DNA gives me hope for the year to come. At least for the music landscape as a whole.

I must admit, I haven’t been a fan of the Backstreet Boys for as long as they’ve existed. Twenty-five years ago in 1994, I was nine years old and still listening to the music my parents listened to and hadn’t formed my own personal musical tastes as such. It wasn’t until BSB’s album Millennium was released that they really came into my radar. But, that cemented them in my mind if not quite my heart.

Every release since, I’ve waited with some anticipation for each one. But, it wasn’t until In a World Like This that I fully realised my love for this group. And now as DNA is released to the world, I reflect on the impact this group has made on my music journey as a whole.

But, before I get to that, my thoughts on the twelve tracks on this album.

  1. Don’t Go Breaking My Heart – When they released this track in the middle of 2018, I was so excited and ready for new BSB music. Though I didn’t love the song straight away, I do enjoy its strong beats and their dance moves in the music video.
  2. Nobody Else – it took a second listen of this track for me to appreciate what was being said in the song as the electronic tones jarred for me a little. But, when I concentrate on the harmonies and the lyrics, it speaks to me so profoundly.
  3. Breathe – one of my favourites on the album. BSB a capella will always be great as it showcases their harmonies so well.
  4. New Love – the subject matter of this song jarred with my sensibilities for a moment, but, it has a fun beat and a great tone to it. A good song to play in a club
  5. Passionate – this is such a catchy song, it makes me want to get up and dance, makes me feel so passionate too. Haha
  6. Is It Just Me – a more mellow track, still with a good dance beat
  7. Chances – This song. My heart. Enough said.
  8. No Place – I love the video the boys released with this song, a glimpse into their family lives. And importantly a singable chorus.
  9. Chateau – I love the simple opening with just the single vocals and keyboard chords. Then leading into the vocal harmonies. Beautiful.
  10. The Way it Was – I could imagine the boys singing this like old time crooners Jersey Boys style.
  11. Just Like You Like It – It feels like one of their songs from the Never Gone era.
  12. Ok – This song really concentrates on their harmonies and simple musical stylings with guitar and beats. And a beautiful way to round off the album

I love this album, I love how I can listen to every single track without skipping a song. It makes me think of another band that I can do that with. Simple Plan. Yes, I can’t not mention my all time favourite band, ever. Because, I think in a weird roundabout way, if I wasn’t so into 90’s pop music (of which BSB is the unofficial ambassador) when I was a tween/teenager I wouldn’t have been drawn to the pop tones of Simple Plan. And yes, they are more pop than punk, fight me.

I do believe now, in hindsight, that the Backstreet Boys have had more of a profound impact on my music journey than I used to think. Especially since I kinda had a song crush on NSYNC’s Bye Bye Bye (and It’s Gonna Be Me) for a whole year. But, Backstreet Boys has lasted. I mean, they’re twenty-five years old! We enter their twenty-sixth year as a group, and that is amazing. And their music has featured on many a playlist of mine over the last two decades. That’s a long time. Only Simple Plan comes second to that.

And I’m hoping with the release of DNA that that will continue for the foreseeable future.

Backstreet Boys are definitely in my DNA.

Backstreet’s Back, alright!

Posted in Blogging, blogging the important stuff, childcare, Christmas, December thoughts, early learning thoughts, home is where the heart is, work

It’s December|First Year Done|Home is Where the Heart Is

Posted on by marlytheadoptee

Some could say that the first year at a new job is always going to be stressful.  Now add on the fact that my centre was brand new at the beginning of this year.  It officially opened in January and had a dedication service in February.

And, now, we’re at the end of the first year, tracking on well to reaching capacity and running smoothly with all the staff that we need.

I don’t see my colleagues as just ‘other staff’ though.  They’re like family.  Distant family, yes…but family nonetheless.  It’s like what Tim Healy said at our Christmas service on the weekend: We can have more than one home, because home is where the heart is.  And my heart and soul and mind are set firmly at my centre.

Do you feel that way at your centre?

The families that call our centre theirs, the team, the support from the Church team…it’s been an amazing year.  Yes, I’ve been sick countless times and had to have time off…but that’s the hazard of working in my profession.  Children are germ magnets…and maybe I am too.

There have been some amazing moments too.  The little things.  Children learning my name, or reaching for me, or just wanting me to join in their play.  Children learning, developing, growing.  The first steps…the first words… the smiles, the tears, the giggling.  The spilled milk…the crying over spilled milk…all of it.

But I think for me, the defining moment was when my Director said to me, after I’d gone away for a holiday and come back, “You’re not going anywhere, we’re keeping you.”

To feel like a valued member of the team, of the family? That means more than anything.  Especially after the way I felt at my previous centre.

Home.  Home is definitely where the heart is.

So, this Christmas season, I can only give thanks to God.  Thanks that 2015 turned out the way it did.

And here’s to a just as amazing 2016.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

Posted in Blogging, blogging the important stuff, my thoughts, Simple Plan

Simple Plan – Thoughts – 10 years since first SP concert.

Posted on by marlytheadoptee
I’ve had Simple Plan on my mind for the past week.  Well, to be honest, they’ve been on my mind for at least ten years.  Ten years and eleven months to be exact.  Considering, that ten years from tomorrow would have been the first time I saw the band live, it’s quite a relevant space to be in.  
There are no words really that do Simple Plan any credit, and I’ve probably used up my quota over the time that has passed.  
So, instead I’ll just share a few photos from the three concerts of theirs that I’ve experienced.

Posted in 2015, Blogging, blogging the important stuff, Christian Album of the Year, Hawk Nelson, Music, my thoughts, my writing

Diamonds in the Rough – 2015 Album of the Year Nominee – Part 2

Posted on by marlytheadoptee
Here’s part two of my thoughts on Hawk Nelson’s Diamonds.

Thank God for Something 

“1, 2, 3, 4 count my blessings…
If you’ve got a lot or a lot of nothing 
Go ahead and thank God for something…”

A light, catchy track that starts the second half of the album in a way that reminds you to be forever grateful.  Grateful to God, no matter the season. That’s what the song is about.  After all it’s so true that we sometimes forget to thank God during our seasons of plenty; sometimes we only rely on God when we’re desperate. 

Count On You

Another punchy track with pop sensibilities espousing the fact that God is someone we can trust wholeheartedly.  Our faith is well founded when it comes to trusting in God.

Not as strong as the other tracks on the album, still one that will get you singing along to whilst thinking about the poweful lyrics.


Made to Live 

This song is anthemic.  This song is a declaration of God’s purposes for Creating us.  I can’t do anything but share the lyrics to the whole song, because they truly speak for themselves.

With every star You’ve hung up in the sky
You were leaving Your fingerprints
And when You brought my heart to life
You were leaving Your fingerprints
I know I’m here for a reason
And there’s a purpose in every season
Cause You got me, got me believing
Oh You got me, got me believing

I was made to live
I was made to live
I was made to live
For You
I was born for this
Not to just exist
I was made to live
For You

So if I could learn to love the way You do
I’ll be leaving Your fingerprints
And when I stand for what is true
I’ll be leaving Your fingerprints
And my heart it might take a beating
Sometimes this blood is for bleeding
And I know I’m here for a reason
Oh You got me, got me believing

I was made to live
I was made to live
I was made to live
For You
I was born for this
Not to just exist
I was made to live
For You

So I’ll give it all I have
Till nothing’s left
I’m not holding back
A single breath

Cause I was made to live
I was made to live
I was made to live
For You
I was born for this
Not to just exist
I was made to live
For You

Straight Line 

This song has been hard for me to pin down my thoughts on; but, I think it’s about walking the path that God has laid out for me and, at least, attempting not to stray from it. It’s about living the life that God has purposed for me; it’s about accepting Jesus and shining His light to the world.  Or that’s what I’m getting from the lyrics.

Only You 

In the materialistic world that we live in it is wonderful to be reminded that all of the things in our lives matter not.  It is only God who can fulfill us for real.  It is only God who can fix everything in this world.

‘Cause only You can fill my heart
The way You do
Only You can take what’s worn
And make it new
So I’ll take all these broken dreams
And petty things
Replace them with something that’s true
I’ll take them replace them with You


Closing thoughts

So please,
Jesus would You come close
Jesus would You come close
Jesus would You come close

And stay right here
I need You more than I know
I need You more than I know
So Jesus would You come close

I love that the album ends with a prayer to Jesus.  A prayer for Him to come close and an admission of how much He is needed.  Because that rings so true.  I need God’s love every day of my life.  
Posted in 50 Day Blogging Challenge, Blogging, blogging the important stuff, my thoughts

50 Day Challenge – Day 3

Posted on by marlytheadoptee
The next book you see that has over 300 pages, open up to page 136. Find a sentence you like, copy it down, and then write about it.
“But as for certain truth, no man has known it, nor will he know it…” – Xenophanes  

The thought that comes to mind when I read the above words is that I don’t agree with them.  I believe that God has revealed His ultimate truth.  HE is the ultimate truth.  He doesn’t just embody truth, He is truth.

So, this quote is definitely mot the truth. In fact it’s a lie.

Thinking of lies and truths, I wonder if people who are amazing writers are also really good at lying?  Or at least, very good at twisting the truth?

Also, omitting information is not necessarily lying.  It’s just not telling people everything.  I think my head hurts way too much to seriously contemplate the intricacies of communication.