My Kids

When I see my students, I see directors, majors, businesspeople, salespeople who'll make it big, salespeople who shouldn't be in sales, teachers, accountants, accounts assistants, tai-tais, homemakers, drivers, shop assistants, shop owners, athletes, police officers, unemployeds, people who'll forever be trying to fulfill their dreams.

I speak to people, I hear stories. Stories of how they've exasperated their teachers countlessly. Stories of how much trouble they've gotten themselves into. Stories of how they've overcome themselves and moved to a higher level.

And the biggest problem I see in kids: their self-perception.

When they think they are hopeless, they act up terribly. When they see that they have hope, to never give up trying, they act according to the expectation placed on them. Although they might fall and fail at times, they get up and do't give up trying.

My worry is not for the troublemakers and the kids who often fail. My worry is for those who never make trouble and never fail. For when they taste failure, they might hate its unfamiliar repulsive taste and throw away their whole life - at a late age. Then it might be too late.

I celebrate and comfort when my kids fail. For it makes them stronger. They hate it, of course, but they have learnt to affirm themselves in other ways - ways that are often frowned upon in traditional school settings.

They talk a lot. They'll become great salespeople.

They move about a lot. They'll never stop coming up with ideas to get out of life's occasional rut.

They get into trouble for breaking rules. They'll go against conventional norms and break new ground as they think of things never thought of by those who are well-trained for school.

I love my kids.

My Own Place

I had such an awesome weekend! :) Finally, we managed to spend some quality time together as a family, and more importantly, as a couple. Finally, we managed to heave a sigh of relief as our transitions for this phase of our lives are coming to an end. We've done so much in the last 4 years it's amazing... marriage, in-laws, TWO KIDS, new jobs, bleak finances, studies, studies AND work, church, ministries, etc.

As we sat in the living room appreciating the overall design (of our home) that we came up with together (will post pictures up), I had the familiar sense of my childhood all coming back to me. The wind, the feel, the emotions. It was great to be home once again.

I am no longer displaced.

Shalom and the 28 Piece Puzzle

He's been very intrigued by how his sister assembles the puzzle together. So he's been trying to help. Usually his role is just to pass the next puzzle piece for his sister to place. However, he decided to do it on his own.

His concentration was amazing. His focus was unfaltering.

As I guided him to place each puzzle in their rightful slot, he got more and more excited. We cheered each time as he managed to put every piece in. Finally, he did it. All 28 pieces.



And he posed for this picture too! :)

My Happening Dotter

We went to her best friend's birthday last month and the birthday girl had a performer who did tricks, balloon sculpting and tattoos. Ab, who've never had a tat before, wanted one. Usually little girls would want flowers, sparkles, or anything frilly or pretty. So while she was waiting in line, Eve asked her what tattoo she wanted.

"Lion!"

Eve was surprised. But Ab was very sure. We thought she'd change her mind when it came to her turn.

When she was next, the tattoo-er asked her nicely, "What would you like?"

"Lion!"

So she got her lion.














A close up...


Can you see the lion? :)

Kids say...

I bought a pair of earrings from a colleague's friend yesterday. I showed Abigail when I got home.

Me (showing her the earrings on my ear): Look Abby, Mummy's got new earrings!
Abby (delighted): WoW! That's NICE!

Then out of the blue,
Abby: Auntie uh?

I was absolutely speechless.

Spending Time with the Kids

I've managed to ship the kids to their rooms after dinner for the past three evenings - with or without their gramps around - and we've been having a great time. We've developed some sort of a routine (but not in strict order) - writing, reading, puzzles, counting, drawing, music, animal play, doctor play - all within about an hour and a half. Even Shalom now understands that before we pull out another toy to play, we put the previous one back to its original position. He's quite good at putting those containers back into the drawers. The boxes look like three-quarters his size.

Both of them will sit on my lap during reading time and i'd have to squeeze my head between their heads to see the words on their books. Shalom loves to read - just like Abby. He's actually more endearing - he'd plonk himself on my lap with a book and get me to read. Actually he'd plonk himself on my lap anytime i'm cross-legged and sit there... :)

Just now we were getting a little wild, and I was puckering my lips asking for kisses. Abby smiled cheekily and continued playing. There was no response from Shalom, until I saw him raise his toy giraffe to kiss me! I kissed a giraffe! And a COW! :S I was really amused - this fella is so cheeky! :)

Filled up my deployment form today. I wanted to go PM session, but after speaking to Ben, I'm going for AM instead - mostly because of the kids and my time management. Hopefully everything works out well.

I've been taking pictures and videos of both the kids but haven't been able to upload them. They've really grown! :)

Dedicated to her

Jewel
Hands

If I could tell the world just one thing
It would be that we're all ok
And not to worry cause worry is wasteful
and useless in times like these
I won’t not be made useless
Won't be idled with despair
I’ll gather myself around my faith
for light does the darkness most fear
My hands are small, I know,
but they're not yours they are my own
but they're not yours they are my own
and I’m never broken

Poverty
Stole your golden shoes
It didn't steal your laughter
Heartache came to visit me
but I knew it wasn't ever after
We will fight, not out of spite
For someone must stand up for what's right
Cause where there's a man who has no voice
there ours shall go singing

My hands are small, I know,
but they're not yours they are my own
but they're not yours they are my own
and I’m never broken

In the end only kindness matters
In the end only kindness matters

I will get down on my knees and I will pray
I will get down on my knees and I will pray
I will get down on my knees and I will pray

My hands are small, I know,
but they're not yours they are my own
but they're not yours they are my own
and I’m never broken

We are never broken
We are
God's eyes
God's hands
God's heart

We are
God's eyes
God's hands
God's heart
We are God's hands
We are God's hands
We are God's hands

Under Pressure

Shucks. I just lost my most recent post.

Argh.

Abigail & Time

Abby was supposed to meet my godson on Friday, and she was really excited about it. Her nap time's usually from 12 to about 3, but that day, she woke up at 1.20 and tried to stay in bed till 2. She was really trying her best, but just like me, we can't go back to sleep once awaken. So when it was two, I decided to show her how 2 o'clock looked like on the clock because I mentioned that she could only get up at 3. She was amazed and went, "Oooh!!" Then she hopped back in bed.

When it was about 3 and we were done trying to sleep, I showed her the clock again. She went "WOW! That's...ELEPHANT!" She was truly amazed; I was truly amused. "What?" I asked her.

Then, once again, with utmost sincerity and wide-eyed amazement looking at the clock, "WOW, THAT'S EXCELLENT!"

Updates

The last entry was June 28, about some mindless entertainment with the mouse. About 2 months later, I look at my life and wonder what has happened since that entry. I took a personal 40 day journey (not literally) and adjusted my values. It has made quite an impact; I wonder how life would be from now on. Anywayz, back to the updates...

Ben & I
We've been busy. Real busy. His Masters programme has resumed, so Friday nights are lessons. He's got practicum, and is starting a fellowship where he's having it, which is absolutely awesome! So that leaves only one weeknight free, besides the weekly bible study. Weekends are for family, and so are mine.

I've been getting to school real early eversince we moved back to my in-laws for the upgrading. That's because I've been driving to school. Today was record time. I reached at 6.30a.m. and sat in the car, wondering how I got here so early. I used to arrive just before the flag raising. I like this kind of arrangement better.

We're readjusting our finances to make sure that we won't land ourselves in unfavourable predicaments. The pastor who preached last week really made an impact. What he said ministered greatly to me. It's really a different season of life now. I look at my bookshelf and it's loaded with books - and quite a number of them deal with finding a direction in life. Now that doesn't seem to be the question anymore, and after hearing his sermon on Sunday, that message really appealed to me. That's good news. :) In summary, biblical financial management in its entirety. :)

Abigail
She's talking a lot more and is code-switching rather well. She's asking Whys as a form of conversation extension and it's really enjoyable talking to her. She can draw really well and can colour well too! :) I like her art. It seems that she's doing really well in school also; her teachers are really fond of her and she gets along great with her classmates. Ben saw her play 'Scissors Paper Stone' with 3 other classmates moments after dropping her off in school. There were 2 obvious leaders in the group; she was one of them. :) I'm just really glad she's getting along well with Shalom too, instead of the usual tug of war and big wails. Shalom loves to tag along with her wherever she goes and loves her company! He mimics whatever she does, which is both good and not good.

I gotta go. Update again if there's time! :)