Movie review: Unplanned

PSA: Go see this movie! It will open your eyes! Tell your friends! Have a nice day.

I am pleased to hear how well Unplanned is doing in theaters; number 4 the last I heard. I seriously recommend this movie for everybody. With that being said I wanted to express my take-aways from this movie.

Cheryl, who preceded Abby as director, said 3 different things that really stood out to me about the mentality of the management of Planned Parenthood. Here they are:

1. She pulls Abby aside and tells her about how fast food burger chains break even on burgers and actually make their money on fries and soda. Then informs Abby that abortion is PP's "fries & soda". Wow, not only are these babies "clumps of cells" in their eyes, but they are nothing more than a side order.

2. I believe this was in the same conversation, but at one time this woman gave a basic rundown of all Abby's possessions and said abortion had paid for all of it. Think about that.

3. In the scene where a young girl was still bleeding after her abortion, Abby was stopped from calling an ambulance by Cheryl and was told they don't do that to keep good public relations. Thankfully, the doctor on hand stopped the bleeding, but they really risk a patient's life for good PR?!

Unplanned also shows both ends of the spectrum for Pro-Lifers. In the early part of the movie, we see a man who is the textbook definition for what not to say to a woman going into Planned Parenthood. He automatically assumed it was for an abortion, did not portray the love of God he was preaching, and he pretty much blamed her for getting pregnant. Contrast him to Shawn and His wife. His wife first connects with Abby, never being judgmental, but just there. Abby is eventually seen smiling when conversing with her and then eventually being helped by her once her eyes were opened. This is how every Pro-Lifer needs to act.

I hope I am not contradicting myself with the above statement, but I can't imagine how brainwashed the PP employees are. They kill babies everyday, yet throw Abby a baby shower in the building. They are acknowledging this baby as a baby solely because Abby is. How contradictory is that?

The workers are pushing or "Counseling" these girls to have an abortion and smiling as they do it. Abby had two abortion experiences, surgical and the pill, so how does it not translate to what she tells these girls?

The scene where a girl and her father comes in; the father is forcing the abortion and Abby parrots the support. Then when she has her medical emergency Abby has acknowledge she would be lying to the father about his daughter's condition and does it anyway because it's "her job".

I know when a movie is "based on a true story", it means somethings where altered or made up completely. I fear to find out what was altered or made up in this movie. I hope it is just the details of Abby's personal life because Abby knows what it is like to work for PP and why would any of that be altered or made up? I was shocked to see how graphic the abortion Abby assisted was, as well as her chemical abortion, so I can see why it is rated R. However, still sticking to my recommendation of this movie.

My China Trip (Part 2)

March 30

The first stop on this day’s itinerary was Tiananmen Square; known for the infamous “tank man” and the pro-democracy protests. This was our first run in with swarming street vendors trying to make a buck. To be honest, there was nothing there to really admire, except for the architecture of the buildings around the area. We did see a building in the process of being remodeled, which was interesting. Then we saw the famous painting of Emperor Mao; and just recently discovered the gentleman in the photo appears to be taking a selfie with it. At the time Beijing was preparing for the 2008 Olympics and so we saw a countdown clock on display. Next we moved on to the Forbidden City, which was once home to Chinese Emperors; we learned about them as well as their customs. 

Later on the day we boarded the bus and headed for the Great Wall. The Wall is not flat, it follows the hills and mountains so while walking it you will experience flat parts, elevated steps and steep steps. It is still amazing to this day to think I actually walked on the Great Wall, that’s a bucket list item there. If it weren’t for the limited time we were allotted there, I don’t know how far I would’ve gone; yet after three guard towers, I, and the few others I was with, decided to turn around and head back down. I was amazing to stand at the bottom and look up, then be up higher and look down. I remember the tour guide joking about not falling over one side, or dropping your camera because that side was Mongolia, and good luck if it happens. On the ride back to the hotel we passed by the site where the Olympic Stadium was being built.

During the time on the bus, Adam told us the expression for going to the bathroom is “singing a song”; although wouldn’t explain why it is. He then told us of two funny instances which were bathroom related. The first of which was of a female tour guide whose adopted Western name was synonymous with “butt” and had to have a tourist tell her that. Second, Adam was leading a group, either they were all British, or had a British couple on it. Either way, this British man told him he had to “spend a penny”. Adam responded, confused, that there were shops where they were going so no problem. The man thinks specified he meant he had to go to the bathroom. So there’s some potty humor for you all.  In all seriousness though, your “toilet” is a hole in the ground; unless you are handicapped, then they have the toilets we use in the west.

March 31

This day we visited the Beijing Zoo, which is smaller than the Cincinnati Zoo. They had some interesting animals, including panda bears. And that’s all I have to say about that; unintentional “Forest Gump” reference. Next stop was the Temple of Heaven, where we again got hassled by street vendors. It was here the Emperors would pray for a good harvest. We were told about the “Clapping stones” which were stones line up in a row and you stood on a stone and if you clapped it echoed the same number of times as the stone you were on; meaning if you stood in the first stone, it echoed once. If you were on the second stone, it echoed twice, and so on.

After that we had lunch and then departed for the Silk Market, which is quite the shopping experience, even beating out Black Friday. I am not a haggler, so obviously you haggle here and I was looking to buy some wooden dolls and the woman I was haggling with just about freaked out at my initial low ball offer. She started to tell me how fine the wood was and all this stuff; we eventually reached an agreement. We closed out the day by stopping by the Beijing Hard Rock Café.

Next time: We leave Beijing and head for a week long stay in Nanning

Motherhood (Katie)

A few words on Motherhood...

I never believed I would ever be a mom; yet I prayed faithfully that I would eventually become one. God answered my prayers, even though we had troubles along the way. Isn’t it amazing how God gave women the ability to carry children in their wombs and then bring life into this world? We sacrifice so much for 9 months like our body and certain foods, all for this little precious gift. It is also amazing to think how God has entrusted my husband and I with their lives; it is our duty to bringing them up to be faithful Catholic women. Every day I see God’s face in their faces; like He is right there with me. It is through loving and caring for my daughters that I can see how God loves and cares for us. Jesus says that there is no greater love than someone who lays down their life for others. I will give my life for my daughters if I need to. I pray it never has to happen, yet I will gladly do it if needed.

Right now I can’t imagine my life without my daughters. There were stressful and worrisome times, but it was all worth it. Motherhood is messy. Motherhood is seeing your child’s face every morning when they wake up. Motherhood is unexpected hugs and kisses. Life can be messy, and I may not have it all together, but right now I have it all. It's a wonderful blessing! I wouldn’t trade it for anything!