LUCHIE IN WILLIAMSBURG

Hotel Life and a New Blogger

2011-09-12T21:59:00.000+08:00

Many things have happenned to my life since I last posted here. And many things have happenned to Blogger too. I hope in a few days or with more postings, I can catch up with the new things in Blogger.

Since Hurricane Irene damaged the house, we are now and still living in this hotel, Homewood Suites @ Hilton. The first few days were exciting. The gym, the pool, the free breakfast and free dinner, add interest and leisure to anyone's relaxing life. But as days passed by, hotel living is not that awesome anymore. You will miss that homely activities, the real cooking, the daily household chores, the chirping of the birds, the sights of neighbors and passerbys.

How I wish we can move to the new house already. But in the meantime, I should make the best of everything even with my hotel life or Blogger life.

Wish me well!!

Noynoy Aquino for President

2009-11-03T09:16:00.003+08:00

For the record, I want to make it clear that my family is supporting Noynoy Aquino for president in any way that we can.

I admit that we once like Chiz Escudero. But that was before. Before Mr. Aquino announced that he would be running.

We believe in Mr. Aquino. We are confident that he will win this coming election.

God bless our next president!!!

Convenient

2009-06-05T22:56:00.003+08:00

Convenient is a word mostly used whenever we answer the question Why? Why did you do that? Because it is convenient. Why did you accept that job? Because it is convenient. Why did you take a cab when you can walk in going to your workplace? Because it is convenient. Yeah, we always answer with the word convenient. That is why I now understand that a store nearby is called as a convenience store. Because it is convenient to buy items there than to go to the supermarket or shopping mall.

There is a convenience store near the MRT in Woodlands. Whenever I passed there, I was always tempted to buy small items like pens and ribbons for I was too lazy to go up to Popular and buy those stationery materials. It was really convenient especially if I need a few items only.

Then three weeks ago, I saw a signage/banner, a wall mural actually, glued on its outside wall where people walking by would notice instantly. I got a terrible headache when I read it: "Convience Store". But as days passed by, I get used to seeing it. Actually, I could say that my mind had already accustomed me to it and it seemed correct already. Seeing the word convience everyday made me accept it as correct even though I knew that it was incorrect. Seeing the visual repeatedly apparently conditioned my mind.

Then this morning when I passed by, the wordings were already corrected. I saw the wordings as correct: Convenience Store. Surely, I felt happy for the change but I felt my head trobbing. Why so? Why did it got corrected when I already got used to saying convience on my mind? Headache. I confess, I have to condition my mind again....LOL...

Why am I telling this anecdote? Because I just understood the great power of advertisement, publicity and PR machinery on people. I also understand now why there are big banners and millions of budget to advertise a person, a product and a company. Those ads and publicity do affect and change people's thinking.

With all the headline news in the Philippines, I just hope that people will still realize which ones are correct and which ones are incorrect. Hmmm, take the con-ass, I'm afraid in the next few days the Philippines has a Prime Minister as a head of state instead of a President. Oh, forgive me. It is just because it is really convenient to accept that. Joke only.... What do you think?

Peggy Porky

2009-05-20T19:13:00.002+08:00

Peggy Porky gobbled the whole buko pie,

Peggy Porky heard "no more", so she started to cry.

All the clan's demons

And all the clan's witches

Could not bake the same buko pie.

Then Peggy Porky declared:

"You buko pie makers

You will not be happy

the rest of your life."

The buko pie makers

astonished with the rude porky answered,

"But Peggy Porky, you already ate the buko pie.

When you ate it, you also ate the heart of Orb.

Therefore, you will be thrown into the

Place Which Is No More."

Why not consult David Eddings, Peggy Porky?

See You Soon Again

2009-04-26T18:37:00.004+08:00

Though you are already there in Williamsburg,

we know for sure that your hearts are with us.

We can guarrantee you that we can

always give you unconditional Love.

WE LOVE YOU ALL!!

See you soon again whether here or there...

Happy in Singapore: We Are Family

2009-04-26T14:26:00.002+08:00

We are one happy family!

We thank God for giving us

the chance to be together

as a whole happy family

here in Singapore.

Of course, we thank our son-in-law Allan

for bringing his family here

to be with us.

We are the happiest family on earth!!!

Happy in Singapore: Singapore Zoo

2009-04-26T08:47:00.004+08:00

The girls enjoyed watching the animals

in their natural habitats.

Surely, they will always remember

this experience of coming face to

face with the animals.

Happy in Singapore: Woodlands Library

2009-04-25T22:18:00.002+08:00

The girls enjoyed two hours at the

library. At the same time, they met a

new friend.

Happy in Singapore: Pony Ride at ViVo City

2009-04-25T15:32:00.003+08:00

Aside from City Hall, HarbourFront was the girls

favourite as Vivo City is the largest

shopping mall here. Not only did they enjoy shopping

and of course eating, they also had a lot of fun playing

and they enjoyed their pony rides too.

Happy in Singapore: Jurong Bird Park

2009-04-25T14:20:00.005+08:00

The girls had a lot of fun in Jurong Bird Park

specially Karllise who obviously is an animal lover.

They also got close and personal with the birds

at the Lory Loft.

The trip was a mesmerizing experience

for the girls as they also saw the

highest man-made waterfall.

Happy in Singapore: Dolphin Lagoon

2009-04-21T21:43:00.003+08:00

The girls enjoyed the show at the lagoon.

When they were younger, they used to

call the dolphin as "over". Now, they can name them as dolphins.

They were so amazed of the pink dolphins as they

underwent a series of interactive feeding and

training sessions specifically designed to demonstrate

their natural ability of tail-walking synchronisation.

Happy in Singapore: TimeZone

2009-04-21T21:28:00.001+08:00

The girls had a lot of fun in TimeZone

at Causeway Point.

Happy in Singapore: Night Safari

2009-04-21T18:48:00.005+08:00

The Night Safari was the first attraction

the girls went to with us.

They got bored with the Creature of the Night Show

as they waited for thirty minutes, that Darrielle

blurted "I don't like it!!" They got excited only with the

tram ride and the animal themed souvenir shops.

Happy In Singapore: Sentosa's Songs of the Sea

2009-04-21T08:28:00.005+08:00

We were all so happy watching this evening show

where there is a live cast and dramatic effects pyrotechnics,

water jets, brilliant lasers and special computer imaging.

Everytime there were bursts of fire and stunning flame bursts,

the girls would shout WHOAAA!! gleefully and with

so much amazement. It was really such an experience

to remember!

Happy in Singapore: Playground

2009-04-21T08:06:00.003+08:00

With a lot of playgrounds around,

the girls really enjoy their stay here.

Imagine, they can play anywhere

and anytime they like.

Mostly, they meet new friends too.

For Chiz Escudero

2009-03-20T14:28:00.004+08:00

Based on the news we heard and seen on TFC, prominent politicians are already preparing for the upcoming 2010 presidential election in the Philippines. My family has this belief that whoever will be the next president will be the same as his/her predecessor GMA. So we told ourselves that we will not waste our time thinking or discussing about who will be the next leader. But then we realized that there is still hope for our country as there are still good people out there. Two prominent ones are of course Mar Roxas and Chiz Escudero. And my family has decided that the best will be Chiz Escudero. So if ever, our support will be for him. Yes, we believe that the Philippines will be better handled by a young blood that is Mr. Escudero.

To know more about him, do visit www.chizescudero.com

To you out there

2009-03-09T10:13:00.004+08:00

Allan with the girls
the twins: Kyllene & Darrielle

Allan & Krizelle

The photos above were taken during my eldest daughter's civil wedding to Allan last November. As you can see the girls are happy, all of them are happy. And surely, all of us in the family are happy for them.

To you out there, you don't know the truth so you don't have to judge my daughter nor my husband and me. Mostly, you did not even contributed a cent for bringing up my daughter. You have no right to ridicule nor judge her. So you better shut up and look at your own selves. Look at your own faces and maybe you will see your own dirt.

My daughter did not do anything wrong, did not hide anything. So what if she got divorced? She is now legally married to a wonderful man who accepted her even though she has three young kids. It is a rarity for a young man (he is younger by 2 years) to marry a woman with 3 kids from previous marriage. And to tell us that he loves my daughter and the girls with his life, is something more which is endearing to us.

The fact that my daughter retained her house, got full custody of her kids with child support and retained a happy family with a responsible man who took care of her and her kids, is already a blessing. So what is that for you to talk about? I can say that inggit lang kayo!!!

Don't Recall The Past

2009-02-22T17:04:00.002+08:00

My family always attend the Saturday mass at St Anthony here in Woodlands. The timing best suits us and the location is just minutes away from our place. As usual we did attend mass yesterday.

It is a fact that everytime we attend mass, we learn something wonderful, we feel better and we become more appreciative and thankful of God's blessings. And yes, yesterday I learnt something: we should not recall the past. Actually, I am really trying not to, not to remember all the pain and hurts, and instead see the good life God has given me and my family. I admit that most of the times because of the large scale wrongs done to me and my daughters, I tend to remember them with so much fury. But now, God let me realized that there is no point in recalling them. I should just always remember that in spite of the whats done to us, we are still a strong and happy family.

I hope and pray that God will always give me the courage to move forward, avoid recalling the past and instead see the goodness in everything I have. I know I can do that. I know.

For you Peggy

2009-01-11T17:17:00.001+08:00

12 January 2009

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

AUTHORIZATION LETTER FOR xxx
AND xxx

Please be it known that I, the undersigned, am the owner of House and Lot #xx xxth Street xx Village, Cainta, Rizal, Philippines. It was recently left in a dilapidated state by the previous occupant named MA CECILIA xxxx xxxx. Though we are related in name, she has no more right to enter the said premises. She can only get near the premises, for reasons of installing back the main gate and or fixing the ceiling which she is liable to do. If ever, she or any of her relatives/friends try to enter the premises, she and or they will be brought to court for illegal trespassing.

I am authorizing my sister, xxx, to be the caretaker, take over the keys (if no keys, I give my go signal to forcefully open the door and install new keys) and do inspection of the house until it is sold to my good friend, xxxx . While not officially sold, I instruct my sister to make sure that there is no telephone installed and or take out the phone if any for the line was illegally named under me as PLDT installed the line with my forged signature by CELIA xxx. Therefore, any bills accumulated by the two former occupants are not my responsibility and I am not liable to PLDT. I have legal document to prove that I was not there when the landline was installed.

At the same time, xxxx will look over my house until it is officially sold to him.

It is therefore clear that only my sister and companions and xxx have the right to enter my house. Any persons who insist that they can do so will be charged in court accordingly.

xxxxx

Horrible

2009-01-10T00:58:00.002+08:00

HORRIBLE!!!! Courtesy of Maricel aka Peggy.

A Teacher's Prayer

2009-01-05T17:56:00.002+08:00

When I went to Novena Church last month, I decided to go to the shop to buy some religious items. I bought a book titled Moments with God. And since the school year had started last Friday, 2nd of January, I feel that it is just apt for me to start this year with a prayer. The prayer I chose was taken from the book I bought. For I know in my heart that I can have a meaningful and fruitful year ahead only with God's help. So here is the prayer titled, A Teacher's Prayer.

Generous and ever loving God,

You have entrusted me

with this great responsibility

of molding not just the mind

but the whole person

of the young people under my care.

Thank you for helping me grow

and develop as an educator.

This is an important mission

to which you have called me.

Help me to remember this

when I am tired of writing my lesson plans,

preparing my visual materials,

thinking of my teaching strategies

and following up my students' behaviour

and performance.

Help me to be patient.

Keep me always healthy and calm

and may I never get annoyed with students

who need special attention in class

or who do not seem to be interested with my lesson.

Grant me the wisdom to learn new ideas, methods and techniques

to make my lessons more fruitful

and meaningful.

May I be filled with your Holy Spirit

to make me ever joyful and hopeful.

May I be faithful and loving instrument

in the building up of your kingdom on earth

as I try to follow the example of ypir Son

Jesus Christ, the greatest Teacher. Amen.

by Trinidad D. Molina

Manny Pacquiao won the match

2008-12-07T13:11:00.002+08:00

Here is the news from Associated Press.

Pacquiao wins in eighth round over De La Hoya
By TIM DAHLBERG – 12 minutes ago
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Manny Pacquiao fought a lot bigger than he looked. Oscar De La Hoya simply looked old.
Pacquiao dominated his bigger and more famous opponent from the opening bell Saturday night, giving De La Hoya a beating and closing his left eye before De La Hoya declined to come out of his corner after the eighth round.
The fight was so lopsided and De La Hoya looked so inept that it could spell the end for boxing's richest and most marketable star.

One Year Old

2008-12-05T10:09:00.003+08:00

Today my husband turns one year old. He is now celebrating life like an infant who sees life as beautiful, bright and full of hope after surviving from stroke a year ago. He wishes that he'll reach up to thirty years old with a blessed life with us. Mostly, he wishes that his new life will be spent happily with our grandkids. They were the ones who were instrumental in his enlightenment and complete rebirth.

We thank GOD for all the blessings. We thank GOD for a new beginning and complete realization of what family and love is all about.

A Thank You and A Birthday Greeting

2008-11-08T20:52:00.002+08:00

Tomorrow will be my daughter's birthday. We wish her a happy happy birthday together with her family in Virginia. She is surely very happy as she campaigned hard for Barack Obama even though she is a Friend of Hillary. Obama's win is a gift for her too. May she have more birthdays to come in the land where all dreams can come true.

Here in Singapore, we are of course thankful that Mr. Obama won. My co-teacher asked me what US election got to do with me when I told her I wish Obama to win. Hmm, I admit I am not an American. But Obama's win has an impact on us too. Yes, we are thankful that Barack Obama won. We are optimistic that my grandchildren who are all Americans will have a better life under his presidency.

Happy birthday my dear daughter! We are proud of you that you think of your children's future by campaigning for Obama. And we are glad to hear Kyllenne in her Southern accent saying " Mommy, we have a new president, Obama!" Surely, she'll grow up to be politically conscious as you are.

Happy Birthday Double

2008-10-23T18:05:00.002+08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOUBLE!!!

WE LOVE YOU KYLENNE!

WE LOVE YOU DARRIELLE!

KARLISSE LOVES YOU BOTH!

MOM & DAD LOVE YOU BOTH!

WE ALL LOVE YOU!!

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

...because i am forgetful!!!

2008-10-16T20:40:00.003+08:00

You lost items in school for the third time. First, you said you lost a bag/toy which was placed inside your office. The next time you said you lost your hand phone near the dining area. Then this afternoon you said you lost the make-up kit you bought to be used for the K2's concert. So you asked for a meeting. Of course it is really pathetic that things will be lost in school considering we are all educators. You then told us that you lodged a police report when you lost your hand phone. You added that when you found out that you lost the make-up kit, you called the higher up. If that someone will be found out to be the culprit, her name will be stripped from MOE's register and will not be able to teach the rest of her life. Correct, correct. We all agreed. But when you added, " so when I go to your classroom, you must keep whatever I left behind or tell me that I left something because I am forgetful" an obvious affirmation of your irreponsibility, made me irritated. So I told you that you should also change your behaviour. You must change your attitude. Girl, you must first learn how to take care and be responsible of your own things. If they got lost, it is your responsibility. Yes, I pity that you lost things. May the real culprit be named. Not only she is a disgrace to our organization she also tainted our profession. But girl, you blew this big time. Yes, big time. You just cannot rationalize that you are forgetful. Blame yourself for losing things. It is not our fault that you are forgetful. Do remember that those who are not doing anything wrong have their dignity also. And I am one of them. Tell me, how can you let us work with dignity knowing that because you are forgetful you might lost things again and we can be the suspects???Ahhhh girl!!!
and the main qurestion.. how if teachers are not registered or when you register them the registration does not reflect the correct qualifications.. hmmm it gets me thinking, girl....

F1 Singapore....and I am for Lewis Hamilton

2008-09-27T22:19:00.004+08:00

Surely almost everybody knows F1 Singapore. Why so? It is because this is the first night street race. Like everyone around, my family is into it also. My second daughter just watched the practice last night and she went home so overwhelmed and proud. Right now, my two daughters are over there watching the live Qualifying Round while my husband and me are so glued on the TV screen. I am rooting for Lewis Hamilton but my husband wants either Massa or Kimi Raikkonen to win. I am confident Hamilton will win.

Here are some information about Lewis Hamilton:

Lewis Carl Hamilton was born on January 7, 1985 in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. Hamilton started karting aged eight. When he was ten, he approached McLaren team owner Ron Dennis at an awards ceremony and told him he would drive for McLaren one day.

Hamilton, whose grandfather moved to the UK from Grenada in the 1950s, started his rise to the pinnacle of the sport in karts in 1995 taking top honours in the Masters at Bercy in 2000. A move to single seaters followed in 2001 with Hamilton taking part in the Formula Renault Winter Series finishing fifth overall. 2002 saw Hamilton back in Formula Renault, recording three wins with Manor Motorsport and finishing third in the championship standings.The championship followed in 2003 – again with Manor Motorsport – and Hamilton was very much into his stride. Wins in the F3 Euroseries before the championship followed in 2005 with ASM. A jump up to GP2 did not daunt Hamilton as he won the title in style from Nelson Piquet Jr with ART Grand Prix.

The McLaren Mercedes squad had Hamilton under its protective wing since the age of 12 and with Juan Pablo Montoya making a sudden move to NASCAR and falling out of favour with the Woking based team, Hamilton’s name was suddenly in the frame for the race seat with the team in 2007.

Birthday & Children's Stories

2008-09-13T16:20:00.002+08:00

Yesterday, a father wrote to me requesting that I give away goody bags from his child as it was his son's birthday. He added that he would appreciate it very much if her son would be greeted by the children and by me also. Of course, I obliged happily.

So we sang the birthday song to Nigel, the birthday celebrator. One child asked, "Ms. Luchie why Nigel has no cake for us?" You see, the children got used to the tradition that a birthday celebrator brings cake and goody bags. I just answered that " ringing cake is just an option, what's more important is we greet him on his birthday."

In my classroom, if I have the time I normally make a birthday card for the birthday celebrator of the day. Since I had time yesterday, I made a birthday card for Nigel. I showed it to the whole class and they all applauded for Nigel. Hong Yu suddenly blurted out; "Ms. Luchie you did not give me a card on my birthday!" I was not able to utter a word and later asked "Really?" Sarah answered for Hong Yu, "Yes. You did not give me a card too." I was a little shock. Deep inside me I want to say "Oh my! These children can remember. Did I hurt their feelings?" When I gained my composure, I promised to them that I will be giving them cards on Children's Day.

Children do really make us stop, think and wonder. They may look innocent but actually thay are geniuses who make our life more meaningful and enjoyable. Oh, how I love them.

How I love my grand daughters too. They are angels. That is why I wrote a story titled "The Three Angels Versus The Five Witches". I know that someday they will enjoy reading my stories for them.

If you are interested to read my stories do visit my site titled LUCHIE"S CHERUBIM TALES at www.lggklm.blogspot.com

Dramatic Play : Food Court

2008-09-08T21:13:00.004+08:00

As you can see above, my children in school are so engaged as they pretend play in my Dramatic Corner. You see, I decorated my classroom last Friday in preparation for Term 4 which began today. I made learning centres which include this interest area which I named Admiralty Food Court. Of course I am so proud of my work. Why so? My children were so engaged. They even said: "so nice Ms. Luchie", when they entered my classroom.

Yes dearie, my children play in the classroom for they learn through play. So you want to know more information about dramatic play? Please read.

Very early in life children show us that they have an amazing ability to use their imaginations in "let’s pretend" play. Children often use objects as symbols from past experiences. For instance, a child may use a block of wood to represent a loaf of bread. When children pretend to be someone or something else we call their activities "dramatic play".

Watching children’s dramatic play as it develops through the early childhood years lets us see that it becomes more complicated, extensive and prolonged over time. Dramatic play provides opportunities to combine spoken language with imagination, to imitate, and to pretend to be someone or something else. It stimulates all areas of a child's growth and can in turn affect the child's success in school. Dramatic play has also been shown to enable children to be more flexible in new situations. Pretending allows children to transform real life, changing things from how they really are to how the child perceives them to be.

What children learn from daramatic play? Here they are:

1. As they play, the children learn about themselves, their families, and the world around them. They clarify their impressions of what they have seen or experienced.

2.Play helps children to think about the way others act, think, and feel. It enables them to "try on" a role, experience, or feeling and to reflect on experiences that have been important to them. Children can act out times that they have found upsetting or hard to understand and show their feelings safely. Children may use play in this way to express their feelings about a new baby, or a visit to the doctor. When adults can understand the messages children send through play we can be more helpful in providing information and help.

3.Dramatic play helps children develop problem solving skills

4. Through dramatic play children develop communication skills. When children ask other children to play they must use language. As the play develops, they practice talking with each other and listening to what others have to say.

5.Children learn cooperation! Dramatic play provides unlimited opportunities for children to interact with each other and to learn to get along with others and to feel good about working together.

6. Children use dramatic play to discover the role of humor in human relationships.

7.Dramatic play encourages children to organize, predict and develop planning skills.

8.When children get involved in dramatic play they show a remarkable ability to focus, concentrate and stay on task. Once they are involved in play, adults are often astounded at how long children will continue to cooperate and work together.

9. Children learn to think by using symbols when they are playing pretend. Learning to use symbols is what learning to read and write is all about.

10.Dramatic play allows children to learn about feelings and explore power.
(Source: betterkidcare by: J. Birckmayer)

Happy Teacher's Day!

2008-08-30T23:58:00.000+08:00

HAPPY TEACHER"S DAY TO ALL EDUCATORS!!

Observation in Early Childhood

2008-08-12T20:46:00.002+08:00

As an early childhood educator I am used to observing children. I always like to write anecdotal recordings. In there, I write what the particular child did and say and how he interacted with his peers. Now you want me to write my observations in only a few sentences, at least in two to three sentences. How can I do that, tell me? Your words and actions then and now just prove how "raw" you are. Sorry dearie, but I cannot for the life of me follow what you want.

Here are some information to enlighten you up. This information is not my own words. They are professional information taken from ECRP Early Childhood Research and Practice titled Wondering with Children: The Importance of Observation in Early Childhood as written by George Foreman & Ellen Hall.

Introduction
Children are sometimes spontaneous, sometimes reserved; joyful now, sad later; friendly and reserved; competent and naïve; talkative and quiet. To be childlike is to experience an almost unpredictable array of discoveries, emotions, and levels of energy. Children are unique and complex and thus often difficult to comprehend. And they do not readily engage us in dialogue in order to explain the reasons for their caprice as they explore the world that surrounds them. Yet, as teachers, it is important for us to know our children deeply, to flow with their currents, and to extend their nascent theories about how the world works.

Given the delightful yet often enigmatic characteristics of young children, we learned decades ago that in order to comprehend children we must begin by observing them as they play. But what do we see as we observe, and how do we use our observations to enhance our effectiveness as teachers?

Five Reasons to Observe Children

Here are some of the reasons that teachers offer when asked about the value of watching and listening to children:

If I watch the children play, I can discover their interests.
By observing children, I can assess their developmental levels.
I look to see what strategies children use to attain their goals.
Observing children helps me know what skills the children need to practice.
When I observe children at play, I learn a lot about their personalities.

We want to use these reasons again, so we will provide an example that illustrates the general meaning of each:

Interests—He loves to play with trucks.
Developmental level—She throws the ball either very hard or not at all, but she does not vary the throw along a continuum of very hard, hard, and soft.
Strategies—She tries to influence her friend’s actions by controlling all of the crayons.
Skills—She has trouble stringing beads onto a knotted shoestring.
Personality—She is reserved and does not like to take risks.

In essence, we can learn at least five attributes of our children when we observe them closely:

Their interests and preferences
Their levels of cognitive and social development
Their strategies for creating desired effects
Their skills and accomplishments
Their personalities and temperaments
Each of the preceding objectives for observing is relevant if we desire to learn about children and thus improve the quality of our teaching. But we think that one of these objectives is best suited for gathering information in order to engage in high-level conversations with young children about their theories and attitudes, conversations that can support and extend their learning in both depth and breadth.

If we truly want to have high-level conversations with children about their beliefs, expectations, and assumptions about how something works or why something occurs, what do we need to know about the children? Quite simply, we need to know their beliefs, assumptions, and expectations so that we might enter the conversation with a paraphrase or counterpoint:

Knowing children’s interests might help us prepare the environment, but it does not help us have better conversations.
Knowing children’s skills might help us think about games to play that might encourage them to practice their skills, but it does not help us have better conversations.
Knowing children’s developmental level might help us predict what questions the children can answer, but it does not help us enter into a meaningful conversation with the children.
Knowing something about a child’s personality might help us be sensitive about our tone of voice or help us know what topics to avoid, but it does not help us have better conversations.

In order to have a meaningful conversation with a child, we need to know what the child thinks can be done in real situations (possible goals), and we need to know the procedures that the child believes will make things happen (possible strategies). If we have watched and listened long enough to determine the child’s goals and his strategies for attaining those goals, then we have both a resource for understanding the child and an interesting basis for a high-level conversation.

We might say, “It seems like you think the ball will roll faster if you make the incline steeper.” Or we might say, “Do you think you will have more friends if you have crayons?” But then in revisiting an experience with a child, putting that experience into words, we need to go beyond the observed strategies and consider the theories that make those strategies reasonable.

Considering children’s theories requires more than a careful transcription of what they say and do. We have to dig. We have to abstract the meaning of elliptical sentences, aborted movements, or a confusing explanation, request, or description. Children are competent learners, but as teachers, we have to slow down, carefully observe, and study our documented observations in order to understand the ideas that they are attempting to convey. In addition to slowing down, observing, and studying children’s actions and narration, understanding children’s theories requires a general knowledge of child development and a willingness to speculate.

Now tell me, how to write an observation in two to three sentences?

43rd Birthday!!

2008-08-09T11:54:00.003+08:00

We had a long and unique celebration of Singapore's birthday this year. We started from my classroom by hanging banners decorated by my children on the last week of July. Then ,we had a dinner on 3rd August with combined performances from Woodgrove Primary, Woodgrove Secondary and Innova Junior College. After that, we had our own centre's celebration and party yesterday. This morning, we had our observance day ceremony at Innova JC. Of course it will not end there. We will still watch on TV the National Day Celebration.

Happy 43rd Birthday Singapore!!!

Racial Harmony Day

2008-07-21T20:51:00.002+08:00

Chinese Costume
Malay Costume
Indian Costume
Filipino Costume
Korean Costume

We celebrated Racial Harmony this morning. The children were asked to wear their own ethnic costume or the traditional costume of other races. My own children wore the costumes as you can see above. Nice and adorable children and I love them all!!

I'll post more photos next time.

Difficult People

2008-07-20T00:22:00.002+08:00

My husband sleeps early around nine o'clock to nine thirty everyday. When he's already sleeping and the next day will be a no working day, I usually visit other blogs and or post my own entries. Just now,I posted an entry about a meal I cooked ( www.angsaraptalaga.blogspot.com). I also visited blogs. One post I took notice was about the topic of difficult people. There was a question why God gave us difficult people to be with. So I asked myself that question too.

When I was younger, I thought that dealing with difficult people would be a challenge. That was why when I came face to face with real difficult people, I took that as a challenge. I gave myself only a few years, the most two to three to tame them. The first year was really challenging as I tried to revise on the different Personality Theories I learnt in the course of my degree studies. The second year was more on experimentation on why and how those people behave in such a way. The third year was frustrating as I became disoriented on why I could not pin point the rationale of their psychotic behavioural manifestations. The next year, I stopped counting but I continued praying to God to please enlighten them. As I stopped counting, I did not noticed that many years had passed by and I was getting older. When I woke up one morning, I heard a voice as if telling me:" you wasted your years waiting for them to change, did I not tell you that you should avoid loud people in the first place? " Yes, it took me years to realized that most difficult people will never ever change.

Back to the question, why did God allowed difficult people in my life? I don't know if it was fate, but all I can say is that those years with those difficult people made me a better person, mother and wife. Though it made me shaken and disoriented most of the times, I am proud to say that I survived. Yes, I am a survivor. For the strength of mind and spirit I acquired in the process. I thank God. Without God's help, surely I can imagine myself in that cold cruel basement.

So for those difficult people, always remember there will always come a day that your victims will wake up. Got it?

Information on Stroke

2008-06-16T09:34:00.003+08:00

picture courtesy of Google Images

Since my husband suffered this cerebrovascular accident or stroke for short, my family learnt a lot about this disease and we learnt to be more health conscious. We are now eating healthy foods, more fruits and vegetables and mostly we buy food items with the Healthier Choice label by the Health Promotion Board.

Here are some information about stroke and stroke prevention courtesy of National Healthcare Group.

Stroke occurs because part of the brain is damaged by lack of blood supply. The lack of blood supply to the brain may be due to blockage or bursting of a brain blood vessel called an artery. The lack of blood supply leads to the symptoms of stroke. About 10% of stroke victims die from stroke. Many of thosee who survive are left severely disabled by the stroke.

Risk Factors:

1. 40 years old and above- but even younger people can get a stroke.

2. Male

3. High blood pressure

4.Smoking

5. High cholesterol

6. Diabetes mellitus

7. Irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation)

8. previous stroke or TIA (mini stroke)

9. Excessive alcohol use.

My husband is not smoking, not drinking alcohol, exercises every day, and not diabetic, how come he became a stroke victim? From what I gathered from hospital information and the doctors themselves, stroke is hereditary and is the greatest factor.

As highlighted in www.americanheart.org , here are the risk factors for stroke that can't be changed.
Age - The chance of having a stroke more than doubles for each decade of life after age 55. While stroke is common among the elderly, a lot of people under 65 also have strokes.
Heredity (family history) and race - Your stroke risk is greater if a parent, grandparent, sister or brother has had a stroke. African Americans have a much higher risk of death from a stroke than Caucasians do. This is partly because blacks have higher risks of high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.
Sex (gender) - Stroke is more common in men than in women. In most age groups, more men than women will have a stroke in a given year. However, more than half of total stroke deaths occur in women. At all ages, more women than men die of stroke. Use of birth control pills and pregnancy pose special stroke risks for women.

So if you have a family history of stroke, you need to be more conscious and well informed. I think, it is a responsibility of a family member who survived stroke to communicate and inform their children and siblings their own experience, like what they felt with this disease so as their loved ones can also prepare and reduce stroke risk.

Symptoms of stroke:

1. Weakness or numbness of one side of the body.

2. Slurred speech, difficulty in speaking.

3. Loss of vision, double vision

4. Unsteadiness in walking, uncoordinated movements

5.Giddiness together with one of the above symptoms

6. The worst headache in your life.

7. Loss of consciousness, coma.

Stroke prevention:

1. Early detection and treatment of high blood pressure.

2. Not smoking.

3. Early detection and treatment of high cholesterol.

4. Early detection and treatment of diabetes mellitus

5. Early detection and treatment of atrial fibrillation

6. Taking prrescribed medication for previous stroke/TIA

7. Limited alcohol intake

8. Adopting a healthy lifestyle.

My husband is taking his medication religiously. Aside from having his physiotherapy and doing his daily exercises, he also eat healthy foods now. I cook food that is less in sodium and less oil for him.

Some of the dishes I cooked for him are here http://www.angsaraptalaga.blogspot.com/.

Follow Your Dreams

2008-06-15T14:47:00.003+08:00

Above are photos of my husband before he had his left thalamic bleed. And whenever I look at him now, I feel a little bit sad. Sad that he is not that healthy now. There are so many "ifs " that are flashing in our mind which we should have done to prevent that stroke. You see, stroke is hereditary. As the doctor said, it is bound to happen but can be prevented. "If only if."

What console us now is that my husband is stronger in spirit now. He always recite his affirmations to himself which helped him realized how great a person he is. Here are some of his affirmation (taken from a book I let him read):

1. I am relaxed, trusting in God's plan that is unfolding for me.
2. I have a positively thinking mind and a perfect body.
3. I let go anything I have ever held against myself and see it dissove into the highest light.
4. I give myself permission to live, laugh & love to my fullest capacity.
5. Divine love now dissolves & dissipates every negative condition in my mind, body & circumstances.
6. My sense of worth cannot be measured by comparison with others.

Me and my daughters are very hopeful that my husband will recover fully. And this day, we want him to know that he is well loved. Happy Father's Day! We love you!!

This is for you.

Follow Your Dreams

Follow your dreams

wherever they lead,

don't be distracted by

less worthy needs....

Shelter them, nourish them,

help them to grow,

let your heart hold them

down deep where dreams go.

Be faithful, be loyal,

then all your life through,

the dreams that you follow

will keep coming true.

My Pride and Joy

2008-06-14T00:30:00.003+08:00

Since morning I was thinking of a way how to place all the photos my daughter sent me last month on my computer. My scanner has retired already. Then I remember my digital camera, my Canon IXUS 850 15. I decided to take a shot of each of the photos. You know what happened? The photos looked as if I took their pictures myself. Who would imagine I just aimed my shot on the paper and not on them posing in front of me? Thanks to my digital camera.

Now look at them, my pride and joy.

My Thoughts

2008-06-11T16:27:00.003+08:00

Hmm, I am now sitting in front of my home computer and decided to visit this blog site of mine. I decided I better write an entry now, while I am not that occupied yet. Well, I am on my fourth day of school holiday. And on the 23rd of this month, classes will resume again. Therefore, this is the right time for me to write my thoughts, those thoughts that are swaying and dancing in my mind.

1. When my husband suffered a brain attack or stroke for short in December 2007, I almost decided to resign from my teaching job so I could concentrate on my husband. In the end I continued teaching and find an alternative care for him. Now that he is already “well”, I am thankful that I made the right decision. I know in my heart that my pre-school children helped me a lot in coping with my situation. They made me happy, confident and loved even though I felt so lost, scared and confused then.

2. I heard a lot about anti-depressant pills like Prozac. Of course, I have nothing against these pills as long as they are prescribed correctly to the right people who need them. Though there are many articles stating new ideas or research which claims that millions of prescriptions for anti-depressants may be having no medical effect at all on the people taking them, I still cling to that idea that it can cure acute depression. But how to know if a person is suffering from depression? Just because a person is manifesting one or two of the symptoms, the doctor can assessed in one sitting that the patient is depressed? With that, I beg to disagree. Correct me if I am wrong, but I learnt in my Clinical Psychology that a person has to go for a battery of tests before he can be diagnose as suffering from depression. Though I believe that pills can help a lot in curing depression, psychotherapy should not be forgotten also. Why I am saying all these? Because my husband’s rehab doctor prescribed 20 mg of Prozac to be administered for a month without my knowledge. Oh, I was not there when he went for his outpatient appointment. But people could not understand why I was so ANGRY and decided not to give those pills to my husband. Why” marunong pa raw ako sa doctor…”? Well, I am “marunong pa sa doctor” for these reasons:a) the doctor concerned should treat my husband’s post stroke problems and not his well being, he is not a psychiatrist by the way, b) I have my right to refuse prescriptions which I think is not appropriate for him, c) I know my husband’s personality and state of mind. I’ve known him for years compared to this doctor who have known him for only a few months, d) I just don’t believe that my husband is depressed, PERIOD. NOW I am thankful that I never let my husband took a single of those pills. I let him read books on relaxation. I let him do relaxation exercises/techniques too.

3. My husband is back to work already. It has been a month since he went back to work. Though he still got difficulty with walking and he has problems with his posture and balance, I can see that he is progressing day by day. I bought the thread mill and exercise bike for him. He still is undergoing physiotherapy and massotherapy every weekend. I am doing my best to help him recover fully. Though, I need to be patient. But I am sure one day he will his own self again.

4. I will always feel the pain those people had inflicted on me and my daughters. Though I may have forgiven them, I will surely not forget. So please, I have closed the book already. Don’t ever come back to our lives again. We don’t need you.

5. I want to say that we still enjoy TFC here in Singapore. We all like LOBO very much. We like Angel Locsin. She can really act.

Oh, this is getting longer. I better write TO BE CONTINUED….

Busy...

2008-04-20T00:44:00.003+08:00

I am busy with these kids. I find joy being a major part in their over- all development. I am also busy with my husband. I feel happy and satisfied that he makes it a point to finish the food with less salt, less sugar and less oil I prepared/cooked especially for him.
And I am as busy as them.

Photo 1: My 2008 pre school children. How nice to see them smile on camera.

Photo 2: My husband with me at Narita Airport. How nice to see him so healthy and fit.

Photo 3: My twin grandkids. How nice to see them at play.

Oh, I've really been soooo busy. Do I complain ? No, I never did. How come one person asked me to take a break? Wow! If she only knew that my being busy is a play for me. Yes dearie, I am busy but I am happy. Can you beat that?

A Teachable Moment at GAP

2008-03-11T18:21:00.003+08:00

"Hmmm, all these sunglasses look good for me and my sisters.."
"Wow! This piece suits me."
"Big sis, this is the colour I like."
"Well, well, we have chosen what we like. We can go now."

For children like my grandkids, shopping is just so simple. They will just select the items they like and presto, they can bring the items home. Just like what they did with those sunglasses. They kept them inside their individual pockets and got out of the store without my daughter and me or even the sales clerk noticing that they had those.

When we were inside the car, my daughter noticed those sunglasses. I took that as an opportunity to teach them values in life. I asked my daughter to go back to the store to explain what happened before paying them. With that experience my grandkids learnt that things in the store are meant to be paid. They cannot bring home things that they have not yet paid. Mostly, they learnt that they have to ask permission from their Mom before they can take things away from the store.

This was just a simple situation wherein we adults can make use of the"teachable moment" to young kids. When we make use of those teachable moments, it will be easier for children to understand and remember values and facts of life.

So the next time you go on shopping with your kids, look out for those teachable moments. Don't let those moments slip away without your kids not learning from the situation.

Three Angels

2008-02-20T18:41:00.004+08:00

We miss you girls.

We miss you angels.

We love you!

See you soon, again!

Happy Lunar New Year

2008-02-08T14:01:00.000+08:00

Happy Lunar New Year to everybody!!!!
May the Year of the Rat brings happiness and prosperity to all!!!

I've tried to post something since I came back from Williamsburg. But I was not able to.

Then, unexpectedly (of course!!) my husband suffered a mild stroke. That was why we spent our Christmas and New Year in the hospital. My husband's condition made us more closer as a family. We learnt to appreciate the importance of each other and the simple things in life. I can still say that we are still lucky. We are so thankful to God for all the blessings.

My family is also very thankful to the SCDF people, NUH doctors and High Dependency nurses, TTSH Rehab Hospital doctors and nurses and especially to Pei Fen and KC, my husband's PT and OT. We thank all of you wonderful people for all the help and care you showed to my husband.

And to this day, though there are a lot of changes in our lifestyle and everyday life, my family and my husband especially, are so very positive in looking at life and in the greatness of God.

So with this new year, we all wish everybody the best of everything.

For My Singapore Stories

2007-10-15T09:57:00.001+08:00

Things to tell

2007-10-15T08:48:00.000+08:00

There are so many good things and stories about Singapore that I can tell to my grandkids. Chicken rice, the beautiful flowers and the garden park and playground will be the first things I will surely discuss to them. If only I can bring all those to them, it will be more interesting. But wait, the photos above can already make their imagination work.

Alpha and Omega

2007-10-12T01:08:00.000+08:00

These past few days I have been busy surfing the net and visiting websites. One comment caught my attention. Here it is:

"... is the alpha and omega of everything bad that's happening in this country today. How can such liliputian person have such gargantuan greed, evil in her bones, is really quite frightening."

Do you want to know who that person the commenter is referring to?

Okay. Do visit this well known blog site: www.ellentordesillas.com

Thank God For You

2007-10-07T20:51:00.001+08:00

I received this card from one of my student. I was really touched. And the card is really nice. So extraordinary. It is embroidered. If you want to know details about the card, do visit the company website at www.shevron.com.sg.

Well, I am aware that being an early childhood educator or pre school teacher, is a lowly profession as perceived by uninformed others. But most parents and children alike elevated my profession to a higher level. I am happy.

As they thank God for having me as an important person in their lives, I am also thankful and happy that I have been a part of their lives too.

Desperate Housewives and the Colour Green

2007-10-04T11:51:00.000+08:00

Though most playgrounds here in SG look like this neighbourhood playground, it is dear to me as it is where I used to bring my children in the centre for outdoor activities. The neighbourhood views are wonderful. So green and I like green.

For those who want to know what colour green signify, here they are:

Green is the color of nature, fertility, life. Grass green is the most restful color. Green symbolizes self-respect and well being. Green is the color of balance. It also means learning, growth and harmony. Green is a safe color, if you don't know what color to use anywhere use green.

Green is favored by well balanced people. Green symbolizes the master healer and the life force. It often symbolizes money. It was believed green was healing for the eyes. Egyptians wore green eyeliner. Green eyeshades are still used. You should eat raw green foods for good health. Friday is the day of green. Green jade is a sacred stone of Asia.

Green Energy

Green contains the powerful energies of nature, growth, desire to expand or increase. Balance and a sense of order are found in the color green. Change and transformation is necessary for growth, and so this ability to sustain changes is also a part of the energy of green.
Put some green in your life when you want:
*a new state of balance
*feel a need for change or growth
*freedom to pursue new ideas
*protection from fears and anxieties connected with the demands of others

*from http://www.crystal-cure.com/

Months ago, my husband told me that when he was in Mumbai airport, he noticed an advertisement printed on the local newspaper there informing readers about enrollment for Doctor of Medicine in the Philippines. I was surprised and proud of course upon hearing that. It was a proof that other nationalities have faith in Philippine medical schools outside of Manila.

And now that I heard that insulting remark by Teri Hatcher of Desperate Housewives, I feel sad. My daughter commented that since many Filipinos are all over the world making their marks in different professions, remarks like that cannot just be ignored.

So it is just apt that the people concerned should make a public apology.

And for our part, we should also look at it in a positive light. As what the colour green suggest: a need for change or growth.

Chicken Macaroni Salad

2007-10-02T15:53:00.000+08:00

I am now home most of the time in preparation for our trip. We booked our tickets last week of August and paid for them a month ago. Why that early when our trip will be the last week of October? We were thinking then that if we pay earlier, the tickets would be cheaper. One thing my husband wanted that to be settled at once. But now that the newspaper ads are showing cheaper tickets, I really don’t know now if we really made the right decision to book and pay our tickets that early.

Going back to my staying at home, well, I really planned to have a sort of short vacation before our flight so I can do chores here like cooking for my daughters.

Before, whenever my daughters have examination, I always see to it that I cook pasta for them. Since my youngest will have an exam tomorrow, she requested a chicken macaroni salad. How can I decline my bunso? I told her that I will prepare the best for her.

The problem was I have not cooked or prepared that salad for a long time. And I already forgot how to do it well. It was easily solved as I searched the net how to prepare it. I read the pinoy cook’s post about it and another one from allrecipes.com. Guess which recipe I followed? I combined the two. Though those recipes and their cooking are excellent, I could not say that about mine. Wahh, I am not a real good cook kasi. But you know what, my chicken macaroni salad turned out to be good. I am proud. Just look….

O di ba puede na rin..... My shredded lettuce, Sun-Maid raisins and a tablespoon of Kraft Zesty Italian dressing made a difference. And pinoy cook's suggestion of chopped chicken instead of himay was a plus.

So maybe my bunso can show me an HD result.. Sana....

On Burma

2007-09-30T12:00:00.000+08:00

* from Wikipedia

When I was in high school, I was so fascinated of stories about the golden pagodas in Burma, the early history of Burmese people and culture. Things about Burma never left my imagination as I went on through my simple life. Then I never heard about Burma anymore. I was even confused when a young relative who was taking History subject told me frankly years ago that there was no country named Burma in her book. She said it as if I was hallucinating and inventing something. What happened to the Burma I knew of?

When my daughter attended her poly studies at TP, she met two friends from Myanmar. When I accompanied her to pay for her tuition fees, I happened to see those two Myanmar young ladies. I then told my daughter that it was so unusual for two persons of same nationality who study in a foreign country not to talk to each other. My daughter explained that it was because the first young lady was the daughter of a general from Myanmar and the other one was the daughter of a newspaper publisher/journalist who was against the government.

So then and there I was able to piece up the pieces of confusion I had before. I then learnt that Myanmar is actually Burma. I even told my daughter that I like the name Burma than Myanmar.

So every time I hear about Aung San Suu Kyi, my daughter’s Myanmar’s friends whom she said the other one is now in NYC taking further studies, and about Myanmar, visions of those empire, small kingdoms, pagodas and even the place Mandalay come to my mind.

And now that there is chaos over there again, I feel sorry for those wonderful memories of that beautiful place ebbed in my young mind then.

If you are keen to know more about the recent happening there, do visit this site http://ko-htike.blogspot.com/

Let us pray for the people of Burma.

Absolute Mistakes

2007-09-26T08:53:00.000+08:00

My second daughter was watching the MTV Awards that time when she called me. I hurriedly went to the living room where she was. So I saw Britney Spears while dancing that unexpected boring number. Then I heard what that lady said “adorable mistakes”. My daughter was laughing out loud and I asked her “Who’s that lady?” “She got no right to say things like that! She’s not funny! She’s ugly, yes!” I added in length. My daughter explained to me that she is a well known stand up comedienne in the US. “And Mum, they are in the US. Why they even say more funny things about George Bush, who’s their president, how much more about Britney Spears?” my daughter added in support of the lady.

Okay, it was said in jest. But to make fun of things and people using children is not funny at all. It is ugly. It is cruel. It is unfeminine.

I remember years ago, when a well known blogger wrote a post making fun of a child. I commented that I was not amused when his joke is about making fun of children. He answered that his joke was not intended for children. For heaven’s sake then write jokes about adults not about children especially when there’s sexual connotation on it.

And for this lady, do remember that every child will never ever be a mistake. Just think, maybe you are a mistake. But you are not an adorable mistake. Can I say you and your joke are absolute mistakes!!! Well, maybe I am wrong, maybe I am right. But one thing is for sure, I don’t find you funny…….but you really look funny . Ayyy, sorry , I don't mean to be mean naman......

TFC Shows

2007-09-24T13:36:00.000+08:00

*from ABS-CBN interactive site

My youngest daughter informed me that her secondary friend Erwina subscribed to TFC to watch Jericho Rosales in Pangarap na Bituin. It could be so amusing to hear it considering that Erwina is a Malay girl (who is sort of obsessed with everything Filipino) and TFC has no subtitles. How could she understand the language?

But on second thought, we should be proud, right? Imagine, a foreigner is supporting TFC here. So, it is confirmed, TFC is being watched not only by Filipinos but also by locals. ( though I really don't know how many Erwinas are there.)

My daughter who is working in an MNC here has a few Filipino colleagues too who are high flyers. Whenever they have time to talk, they avoid politics, "masakit lang sa ulo..", they reason. And what do they enjoy talking? TFC programs of course.

Here at home, my family is really a TFC fanatic. Not only does it makes us closer to the Philippines, it also makes our family closer. Our dinner time everyday are more enjoyable whenever we talk about those shows or whenever my husband imitate some expressions we heard from the show. We really laugh out loud whenever he'll say that he is more handsome and can act better than that Marudo (Zanjoe Marudo).

So it is obvious, we are really watching Kokey. We really enjoy the show. We really feel we are children experiencing those light moments of simple happiness.

So if you want to know more about that Kokey, subscribe to TFC now. Don't feel you are baduy. There is no word baduy when you are overseas, believe me....

(I can only watch Boy&Kris whenever I am on MC or on leave because it is being shown only in the mornings. If only it will be aired in the evenings, my enjoyment will be more complete.)

Tighter controls....

2007-09-19T18:44:00.000+08:00

My daughter showed me this article from Digital Life of The Straits Times. This is an important information for those who are planning to travel to US. So I am posting the article here.

Tighter controls for travel to US

The United States is moving to tighten immigration and customs controls, which it says are vital to keep terrorists at bay six years after the Sept 11 attacks.

Foreign travellers will need to provide 10 digital fingerprints on arrival instead of two currently, and their personal data will be trransmitted to the US before their plane takes off. This will be implemented from November.

Ten US airportts will initially have the capability to collect the 10 prints before all ports of entry are covered by the plan by the end of next year.

All US embassies and other posts issuing visas to visitors will, by the end of this year, be able to collect the 10 prints for verification at the points of entry.-AFP

My grandkids

2007-09-16T12:43:00.000+08:00

Here are my three grandkids.

In a few more days we will be with them.

And that will be the best.

Getting fewer....

2007-09-15T11:05:00.000+08:00

I visited the technorati site just last night. I found out that there are only a few blog sites that link to my site now. My reaction? The same as before when I found out that a few erased mine from their links. Of course I am affected. But what should I do? I also never did my part. Though I visited blog sites, I never ever dared to write any comments. I am aware that in order for me to be in their blogroll, I should visit and comment. That's the way it should be. Also, I neglected to update my links.

When I started blogging, I was very keen to visit and comment. Then all of a sudden, I stopped commenting. My buzzy bee friend made me a coward. Who then is she in my life? Crazy me...

Anyway, I also admit I got no time too. I was busy with my course. Now that I am free. I can visit sites again and make friends. I hope so.

And so what if I only have a few links. It was not my main goal to be visited. My main goal is to write about anything that interests me.

So I will still continue blogging, even though only a few visits my site.

Longer days...

2007-09-09T07:25:00.000+08:00

Nowadays, I can feel so obviously that the days are getting longer and longer. I am always tempted to count the days and it made me weepy. My husband told me to concentrate on what I should do. But I am also getting nervous of the outcomes.
Ahh, I should think positive everytime. And I should be happy for even though the days may be getting longer, I know for a fact that my desire will be realized soon. That will be the best of everything.

My personal reflection on my research project

2007-09-05T18:54:00.000+08:00

Reaction
I was amazed of the power of the printed words since young. As my parents surrounded my young life with lots of storybooks, I became so interested in reading stories which developed an adult reader in me. But in my young mind then, how I wished that my own mother read those stories for me. I was sure that there would be positive outcomes on me and a sense of unexplained joy I would felt if only my own mother did oral storytelling with me. That is why; I know how it felt for a child to wish that his own parent read stories for him orally. I know the longing. I know the feeling.

So when given the chance to do a research, parent involvement in oral storytelling was the first idea that came to my mind. I became keen to prove that there would be positive outcomes for parent involvement. It took me a while to understand that in order for me to prove that, I should be specific on what outcomes I wanted to assess.

Having studied the specific outcomes I wanted to measure, I then embarked on the research project. Though I was enthusiastic, I found along the way that it was not that easy doing the project. I started with the survey for parents. I found some parents to be cooperative, but others took them longer to return the survey forms. Looking for the appropriate books to use for intervention was also a difficult task. Then it hit me hard. How could I provide storytelling kits to my ten participating parents? Ahh, I got no choice but to photocopy the two books I selected in 10 copies each. But my course mates questioned the copyright issue. How dare them to question me when I felt so stressed already? Upon reflection, I was thankful that they brought out that issue for I was able to make the necessary action by providing/pasting notes that they are only meant for the research and not for monetary gain. To make it short I photocopied in colour those pictures for my picture cards and laminated all of them. Imagine, I laminated 200 picture cards, 200 name cards and 200 phrase cards for the storytelling kits. Though stressed and tired, it made me happy for I was able to provide nice materials for the parents.

The development of test format for Vocabulary and Word Recognition measuring expressive and receptive skills on those areas was also taxing. With my previous knowledge of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, I was able to decide on how to go on with the test format. Marie M. Clay’s Observation of Early Literacy was also an inspiration for me in the design of the test format. After a lot of revisions, I finally came to a final test format.

I also developed the survey checklist in gauging parent involvement in oral storytelling and the evaluation checklist for the actual intervention. Though I included items that may not be relevant at the moment, I am confident that the data gathered would be helpful in future research.

Over-all, I am happy that I did this research for I have proven that there is no hardship that could not be overcome. I am also happy that through this research I was able to actually enhance the relevance of parent involvement in oral storytelling. The most that makes me happy is the fact that I became instrumental in forging the bond between parents and children through this experimentation.

Learning
I learnt that parent involvement in oral storytelling can increase scores in word recognition and vocabulary acquisition and was made stronger by the findings of my research. That is why in the future, I will always stress the value of oral storytelling to parents. I will always be available for them in helping them how to be more involved with their children. I can even suggest some techniques on oral storytelling and provide opportunities for parents to be more involved in storytelling.

In the future, I can also conduct a survey or research on the whole centre regarding this topic. I can do a similar research using bigger subjects/participants. I can also use the data I gathered to further some research.

One foremost thing I want to do in the coming future is to relay to parents the findings of my study. I can tell the parents of each child the result of the test administered. In this way, I can convince parents more on the significance of their involvement in oral storytelling to their children’s vocabulary acquisition and word recognition. When they are convinced, surely, they will continue to provide oral storytelling sessions to their children. Their children surely. will grow up to be adult readers and storytellers too in the coming future.

Congratulations...

2007-09-03T18:46:00.000+08:00

This is my second daughter. She graduated from RMIT here in SIM Campus.

We are of course so proud of her.

She is currently working at PriceWater House Coopers.

We wish her the best.

On saying goodbye...

2007-08-29T07:39:00.000+08:00

I already reiterated that I wanted a happy goodbye. But still people made it so hard for me. I know I should be proud that they like me, or in other words, they like my "working person." I appreciate that my "works" are being recognised. That makes me happy.

But surely, the most that can make me happy are my grandkids. And so I have to say good bye. Good bye friends, good bye all. Please make my last days happy. Please.....

The Ultimate Bourne

2007-08-20T18:34:00.000+08:00

Matt Damon's movie opened in cinemas here in Singapore last 16th of August. It was only last Saturday when we were able to watched it at Causeway Point. Well, it was a fast paced movie and compared to the first two, the Bourne Identity and the Bourne Supremacy, it made me glued to the screen from beginning to end. Yeah, I was not able to finished eating my small bag of popcorn. meaning, I enjoyed the movie.

The movie magazine First, has this ads: Remember everything. Forgive nothing. Yeah, how can Matt Damon forgive those people who made him Jason Bourne when in reality he was David Webb?

Hmm... For me, I can also remember everything. And that made me so negative these past few days. I can't forget. I can't forgive.

I just hope that someday, I can forgive and forget.......

Red and White

2007-08-09T16:03:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, we had our centre celebration for National Day. The teachers and all the children wore red and white as they are the colours of Singapore. We celebrated through song and dance. We also had our children's quiz and games. Over-all, I enjoyed the celebration with the children. The part where all the children sang with gusto is the one I liked the most. It is really a nice feeling when you hear children sing "one people, one nation, one Singapore".

Okay, I am not a Singaporean, but I am happy to be a part in inculcating love for own country to the children under my care.

So, to my adopted country, Happy Birthday!!!!

Heritage Gallery

2007-07-22T15:41:00.000+08:00

I'm busy doing my many projects for my course. And fortunately a few more weeks and I'll have my free time. Hurray!! But in between doing my many projects in relation to my course and work, I can't resist to peek here and yeah, to post something. Bakit kaya?

Well, two weeks ago, I met with my coursemates, my groupmates actually. We had an adult field trip. And of course we ate at McDonalds afterwards. Eh, we look like kids yata. That is why they say that ECE teachers are really young looking because we act like kids. Maybe.

Now, can you guess where we went for a trip? Just look at the photos below.

These are taken in the Heritage Gallery of Singapore Philatelic Museum.

So if you are keen to know the history of Singapore and its culture, why not go and visit now. Surely, you will be entertained what with the many facts about stamps and the different stamps on displayed there.

2007-07-07T18:34:00.000+08:00

My MRT ride

On my MRT ride home after my course last night, a lady waved at me. I immediately recognized her. My former colleague and friend. She went to my side and we had a good chat.

It is a nice feeling meeting an old friend after several years. Knowing that your friend still remembers details about your life is more touching. It means that all the time you had been talking and exchanging views were not said in vain for they stayed in your friend's memory. What is more surprising is that details about her came back to my mind in detailed sequence too. I think that is the essence of friendship. You may get lose track of someone but once you meet her again, the happy memories will automatically come into surface.

Well, I am happy for the things that happened to her in seven years the same as she is also happy of what is happening to me now.

Though as she mentioned I look so tired, I am thankful for that MRT ride.

Foreign Talents

2007-07-05T16:27:00.000+08:00

My 15 month course is coming to an end in less than two months time and I am feeling so stressed what with the requirements needed to complete it. But looking ahead, I am sure I can have my long awaited break/vacation. And that will be the best of it. At last, I can relax.

Same with my course mates. As we are all anticipating for the completion of our course, plans in the future pop up in our conversations. They also have expressed their plans. I expressed my desire to go to the US, when and for how long my stay will be is not definite.

I was asked / answered “Going back to Philippines?” “How can you leave your daughters?” “After the bond, must go back to your own country!!??!!” With all these questions/answers, I, at times get irritated. I may have shown my irritation in a civil way; still I get upset at times.

Whoa!!! Why do people ask questions and answer their own questions for me? That is human nature and we all know the reason why. There is no point for me to discuss. For this has been happening since day one. All I can say now is that whoever, whatever, wherever, whenever, jealousy streaks will be prominently expressed in different degrees.

Sometimes, I am thinking of the path me and my husband had taken as foreign talents. We did seek and then were presented with options and choices. We decided on the ones we thought would be the best for our own family. We left Hong Kong for a more stable life here in Singapore. We reasoned then that our daughters would have the best education and best opportunities here as compared in HK. We found out that to be true. My daughters were accepted in local secondary schools, made good in their O levels, were allotted their own slots in local Poly , completed their diplomas with flying colours, landed prestigious jobs here while studying for their University degrees (my second completed her degree at RMIT and my youngest is still taking her degree).

Were those opportunities and achievements given in a silver platter? NO. My daughters worked hard for their achievements, considering that Singapore education system is entirely different from the Philippines. So to be asked how come the government accepted foreigners in Poly when they, citizens had difficulty to enter, made me bit my lips in frustration. Isn’t it a common knowledge that to be able to enter a polytechnic one must have passed the O Levels and have good aggregate grades?

And now, when you are faced with statements as if telling you to go back to your own country, what would you feel? How it would feel when you know for yourselves that you have been and still are contributing to the community and the economy of your adopted country? That you became permanent residents years ago because of your own merits? How would you feel when you know in your hearts that this country has been your home for so many years?

Okay, I admit that at times, it feels so sad when questions and or statements were given and pointing on your face that you are just a foreigner here. Well, I should just not be affected by it. I should try to understand them. And tell me, how many people would ask that? Only a few. Mostly, people are just so busy with their daily life in this cosmopolitan state. One thing, I presume that most are aware that we are living in a global world now. And so what if I am just a foreigner?

So I maybe going to the US to be with my daughter, but surely, I know I still have a place here in SG. I can come back. My two daughters are doing well here.

I have to be thankful with what they have. And no one has to remind me to say “Thank you Singapore!”

On Changes and The Esplanade

2007-07-01T01:12:00.000+08:00

I have been to The Esplanade a couple of times already. But as a requirement for my module on Expressive Arts, I went there again last Monday. Together with my course mates, I joined the guided tour where we visited the 1,600 Concert Hall. It has a superb acoustics by world-renowned acoustician Russell Johnson of ARTEC Consultants, USA. It also houses a 4,700 pipe organ designed and built by Johannes Klais Orgelbau. We also visited the 2,000 seat Theatre which spans four levels and in the style of traditional European houses. It has a horse shoe shape that offers a more intimate setting between audience and stage.

I can say that The Esplanade has its unique beauty inside and outside. That was why I took photos of its main structure when we went out. You see, The Esplanade has a twin shells shaped like a durian, a popular tropical fruit and is clad in glass and metallic sunshades.

When I downloaded my photos, I got so amazed. Look at my photos here.

I thought for a while that the colour change was due to the sunlight. It reflected then produced different colours on glass and metallic sunshades of The Esplanade as was captured by my camera. Upon a closer investigation, I came to believe that there was something wrong with my digital camera. My husband bought it four years ago and so maybe its functioning power is getting erratic. Whatever the reason for the end result of my photo, one thing is for sure, it made me ponder about life, my life.

My photo made me realized that there are changes in the colour of life, same as the colour of The Esplanade. I may be seeing people, especially my loved ones in their real colour at this time; I must also be prepared to see their colour in reds and greens the next time. Oh, I must accept the fact that people change. Whether the change may not be to my liking, I must accept that change. And that I should just pray that I still see the beauty and positiveness in that change.

My photo also made me understand that like my digital camera, some things and aspirations/sacrifices have its ending. And when that ending comes, I should accept it with a positive mind.

Well, it will be very difficult to come to an end and realized that what I have been denying since before is the truth. I should accept the changes because it’s the truth, no matter how painful it is. I just hope that come with the changes, some things beautiful will bloom. How? Only God knows.

In the meantime, I should be happy with all those who believe in me and love me in return.

Four Hours in Changi Airport

2007-06-24T08:56:00.000+08:00

Since my husband has been involved in his present project, I really got confused. Normally, I was able to comprehend those technicalities he was trying to relay to me. But now this project made me lose track of him physically too. Yeah, it is really confusing why such a project involves many countries. As I heard from him, Germany, Hong Kong, Vietnam, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan and of course Singapore. Surely, my “jet setter” husband gets confused too. Imagine, his flight would be at 7.30 to Ahmedabad, but he thought it to be at 3.30. So, yesterday, we got stuck up for four hours at Changi. We arrived at 2.30 hoping to leave at 3.00 but we ended up leaving at 6.30. A four long hours!!

My daughters and I were so happy that we spent four hours in Changi. We had our family bonding. It was the first time that we sent off my husband on his many travels (though he’ll be away for 7 to 10 days only). So we used up the four hours in exploring the airport. Since Changi is really a nice and traveler friendly airport, our four hours turned up to be a learning experience too.

With a lot of shops and eateries, the cozy and spacious airport makes one feel so comfortable and relaxed. So walking around was really exciting for us. What with so many interesting things to capture on camera.

And speaking of restaurants, there is one that serves Indonesian food named Sundanese. It was surprising that the staffs are young Filipino students from La Salle Cavite and also from Lyceum who are on OJT. The manager is also a Filipino. We enjoyed our food and it compensated for our unforgettable experience the previous Saturday. One thing, it was heart warming to meet young Filipinos like them who in one way or another also educate other nationalities who Filipinos really are.

So the next time you get confused of your travel time, don’t lose heart. Changi airport offers many possibilities for you to explore.

Photo 1 seems to look like soft drink tin cans. But no! They are recycle bins. Cute di ba ?

Photo 2 is a sunflower of course! You think it is plastic? No..no..!! It is real and you'll see a lot of them near the sky train.

Photo 3 is an Indonesian figurine. You know where it is placed? In the middle of the restaurant on top of the washing hands area.

Photo 4 is a mango juice? Correct but it has its cofee flavour. What an innovation from Starbucks.

Photo 5: can you see that real stone bowl? It is interesting to have my sambal sauce in a stone bowl. Where else can you find that but in Sundanese restaurant.

My 7,107 Experience

2007-06-16T20:27:00.000+08:00

On Sunday, the Life Section of The Straits Times featured the newly opened Filipino restaurant located at the second floor of Marina Square. Since the writer made it clear that the restaurant is serving authentic Filipino food, we became so excited and decided to visit the next Saturday which is today.

Due to previous appointment, we managed to reach the restaurant named 7,107 Flavours at around 2.30 in the afternoon. Okay, the place is nice but the food disappointed us, especially me. While eating, we could not help ourselves from complaining. As there were only a few people, our voices might be audible. So I was not surprised when one lady went to our table and introduced herself as one of the owners. She discussed a lot about the restaurant, the restaurant set up especially the kitchen, the how and why of the food preparation and their other plans. She added that one of the chefs was the personal chef of Kris Aquino. She ended by saying her hope of a continuous support from us.

Well, we decided to go there to experience real Filipino food, nothing more. But what did we get? Imagine me asking for the comfort room only after a few bites. What an experience! Why were the foods so cold? Yeah, I understand that we came in an unholy hour. But for God’s sake why they never managed to heat the food? Where was the authentic Filipino food? Where was the kare kare?

Okay, I never ever imagined myself writing all this. But with this media exposure, you could not blame my family if we expected the best, if not a better dining experience.

I hate it that I have to post this. I just hope that they will just improve. As my husband said, “give them a chance.” So maybe after 3 months, we will be going back there. And we hope that by that time, we can proudly say, “hey, we went dining in the best Filipino restaurant in Singapore. And we had a 7,107 gastronomical experience!” Isn’t that something?

Chizmizzzz

2007-06-11T20:48:00.000+08:00

Approximately three weeks ago, if I am not mistaken, my second daughter mentioned an interesting website for me to visit. She added that I would surely be entertained. She pointed that she did not find it by accident but was given by her long time friend, Majalyn. I got interested of course. Why so?? Majalyn is my daughter’s childhood friend and former classmate who graduated a double degree of Accountancy and Economics from UP and is now working at the Philippine Stock Exchange. Added to that is her being the girlfriend of the Class’ Magna Cum Laude. Surely, the site would be predictably worth noting.

My daughter repeated the message to me: “Chizmiz….. www.pep.ph.”

It made me laugh. And I visited the site Honestly, I was entertained reading one showbiz news from another. But lately, as I read one comments from another, I feel shame. I feel shame for those commenters. I feel shame for those who condemn one actress/actor from another; especially those about Ruffa Gutierrez. Ahhhh, they are free daw to comment and write what they want. What a mentality!!!

I discovered one post/blog just now. I felt happy, knowing that there are people like her. Why not visit this intelligent post about battered wives. Do visit Midlife Mysteries at http://nancydrewandme.blogspot.com.

Ohhh! Of course, I will still visit that PEP site. Those nasty comments? Hmmmmm. Daming inngitera!!!!!!

Distractions

2007-06-01T09:35:00.000+08:00

I have a four day holiday this week. Yesterday, Thursday, was Vesak Day and a public holiday here in Singapore. Today, our centre placed it in our calendar as a closing day. Tomorrow will be Saturday and of course the next day will be Sunday. I wrote on my notes what my plans would be for those days. I should have accomplished something by now. Ahhh, and here I am on my second day. What have I accomplished? I am beginning to believe I also have ADD. I am easily distracted nowadays. I can't focus. I should. I must. I need to finish my project on time.

I want to confess that though I was distracted, I also chose those distractions. I was distracted by the movie, The Pirates of the Carribean At World's End. We watched it days ago but still the image of Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow is still lingering on my mind. Now, I am confused who I really like, Jack Sparrow or the real handsome Johnny Depp. Hmmm. Obviously, I'll be waiting for the part 4. I just hope that I'll not get sleepy in the middle of the movie. Oh, I know now why I am distracted. I can't believe that I fell asleep for a few minutes while watching the Pirates. There must be something wrong with the story line. What do you think?

My husband's photos from Gujarat distracted me. He sent me a lot of photos about that place in India. Imagining them made me think of the Philippines. Should I compare? I agree, I should write, see and say the positive side about my country. But on second thought, how can you see the beauty and positiveness when the ugliness created by humans are seen and observed so prominently?

I was distracted by TFC. How could I miss one show from another? A whole day and night of TV viewing made my documents waiting in vain. Tell me, how can I resist that Turkish man talking on TV and saying that word "brutus" to his famous Filipina wife? I imagined how I would be reacting if my ordinary husband would tell an ordinary me that I am a brute. Ahh, life!

The magazine, CNN Traveller consumed a part of my time too, especially the article by Anjali Rao titled Material Girl. Ms. Rao interviewed Imelda Marcos, the former first lady. Based on the interview script, I can say that I see a priveleged person still in denial. Hmmm, maybe she's saying according to her truth naman. Why should that be a distraction?

Ohh, I better concentrate on my report writing. Actually, who cares if I could not concentrate? Silly me. I may also have that delusions. LOL

I just want to say thanks for the mention Cathy of www.cathcath.com. My blog is still here because you alerted me. Thanks.

Ayy, naiba na naman flow ng topic. Am really is distracted.......

But I tell you, it is good to be distracted at times. Distractions made me appreciate life better.

The Verdict

2007-05-16T22:30:00.000+08:00

Setting: Student Centre
Background: There are 5 children in the centre who attend tutorials. They are all attending the same school for girls and are all in P5(Primary 5). They are friends actually but in different classes. As they have the same assignments and lessons, their tutorial sessions are going smoothly. They are all able to help each other and discuss what are happening in their school. They all have the same likes and dislikes and are fond of gymnastics and ballet. The only thing that differs is that one of them is Eurasian.
The Story: Lane is a very accomodating girl. She can understand other girls' feelings, behaviour and nature. Though she is Eurasian, she tries to be in with the girls by accepting without malice what she sees hears and feels. She was not able to learn any local dialect so she always express herself in English. When one of her friends speak in English and the other answers in Mandarin, she will never ever show any discomfort. For her, there is no malice in having her friends speak infront of her in a language she can't even understand. So it goes on and on. They will speak mixtures of English and Chinese. But lately, it became a pattern that they all speak Chinese all the time. Hearing pure Chinese spoken infront of her, she feels uncomfortable. Not being able to take it anymore, she distances herself from the group.
The Consequence: The teacher noticed something wrong with the group. After some observations, she concluded that Lane was wrong in distancing herself from the group. She advised her to learn basic Mandarin.
The Verdict: Ahh, can I say something. I feel for Lane. And my verdict: that girl disrespected Lane. She is not a real friend. Why can't she speak English infront of Lane when she is also fluent in English? She got no manners.

And you know who you are. You got no manners!!!!

My best presents as a mother

2007-05-16T11:32:00.000+08:00

Early morning of Mother's Day, I was thinking how my children would let me feel the importance of my being a mother to them. As they are already young adults, I was open to the fact that there were many changes in them as to how they look on life and on their relationship with me as their mother. Though those changes may be brought about by their life experiences, I was still craving for those primitive feelings and moments with them. And thankfully, I got them that day.

My eldest never failed me when she called from Virginia and let my grandkids speak to me. How wonderful it was to hear their sweet voices! My two daughters greeted me also. I am not materialistic of course. But the presents they gave me, made me happy, not because of the materialistic value but the love that came with each item, a new iPod and Shiseido products. A treat in Swensens also completed my day.

After that special day, I contemplated on my role as a mother. Am I really happy being a mother at this stage? Am I looking back to those days when they were little kids, where I was always the one whom they looked- up to? Am I not regretting the fact that I chose them over my career?

Hmmm. I admit the fact that I always cherish the days when they were just little children, where every word I said and every move I did were precious to them. Imagine how it feels to be the queen of their worlds. And ahh, they grew up now. They already have their own priorities and visions in life. They are already professionals in their own rights and earning more than what I am taking home. That makes me look like the "loser" in the family if salary will be the basis of happiness and success. Am I jealous then?

To tell you frankly, I enjoyed the stage when they were kids. And I also enjoy this stage where I am now. Being a mother to professionals made me more proud as a mother. Their "success" are just proofs of how I played my role passionately. I may be earning little than them but I am earning more love, more experiences, more stories to tell. Where will this stage in my life as a mother will lead me, is something I have to cherish also day by day.

So, let me tell you the precious gifts I got as a mother. My eldest, an assistant manager at Movado, my second a tax accountant for Price Water House Coopers (she just finished her last papers at RMIT and is scheduled to start this 1st of June), and my youngest a Software Engineer at ST. Yeah, I still remember my post about a close relative who always brag about her own. Why I am bragging mine? Ohh!!!

Now, is their being professionals the best presents I got? Oh No! I never said that! Honestly, whatever they attained educational and career wise, I'll still be proud of them. And what they become as persons are the best gifts I got. Being loving, caring and compassionate persons are the best gifts they gave me. And they are also the best gifts I can give to God in return.

Looking at my two daughters here in SG, and seeing my eldest being a mother too, make me appreciate my presents as a mother.

Lovely Bones on the big screen

2007-05-07T18:00:00.000+08:00

I read this very good news courtesy of Yahoo. One of my favourite novel, The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold will be adapted into a movie version and to be directed by Peter Jackson. Surely, it will be an experience to see on the big screen Susie Salmon as she speaks from heaven.

Do read the entire news here:

LOS ANGELES -
Peter Jackson is teaming up with DreamWorks SKG to film his adaptation of the best-selling novel "The Lovely Bones."

DreamWorks beat out three other bidders — Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures and Warner Bros. — to finance Jackson's version of Alice Sebold's 2002 best-seller about the murder of a 14-year-old girl who narrates her tale from heaven.

Jackson, best known for the "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, will direct from a script he wrote with his wife, Fran Walsh, and collaborator Philippa Boyens. The film begins shooting in October in Pennsylvania and New Zealand.

"In the hands of Peter Jackson, we have a master of cinematic storytelling to bring it to the screen," DreamWorks CEO Stacey Snider said in a statement announcing the deal Friday.
Financial terms were not released.

Jackson won three
Academy Awards in 2004 for "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King." His other credits include "King Kong" and "Heavenly Creatures."

For the love of Spidey

2007-05-06T09:53:00.000+08:00

Since we learnt that Spider-Man 3 would be shown on cinemas here, my family anticipated on watching it. My daughter tried to book for our tickets on the opening day, the first of May, but she was not able to book seats for four. So she booked for a later date; the following Saturday, 5th May. Unfortunately, my husband had to fly to Vietnam. So we paid for four tickets, but only three tickets were used. Hmmm, waste of money? Of course! But what to do? We tried to invite others but they had prior commitments. So, my daughter just gave it away to the cinema receptionist.

But mind you, though it was really sayang, the movie was enjoyable of course. It was also interesting and funny to see Toby Maguire's naughty Peter Parker dancing and flirting on the street of New York.

And if you want to send ecards of Spider-Man 3 to your friends, you can visit www.incinemas.com.sg/ecards.

Intimations of Mortality

2007-05-05T19:59:00.000+08:00

I read this article as written by Ricky Lo in his Funfare column. I was inspired to take note of it not only because I really like Kris Aquino, but also because I had experience intimations of my own mortality. It was a very unforgettable experience which caused myriad of emotions on my part as brought about by the situation I was in and mostly because of that particular person. It was a learning experience for me and it really proved that God is really great. Just pray hard to God and surely He'll still let you be with your loved ones.

So, I want to share this article which you can also visit in ABS-CBN Interactive site.

To make up for her forced "leave" from the campaign trail because she had to prematurely deliver the four-pound Baby James (now weighing 4.6 lbs.), Kris Aquino showed up at the presscon Thursday night at the function room of the Imperial Palace Suites (Timog-Morato Rotonda, Quezon City) called by Regal Matriarch Mother Lily for Kris’ kuya Noynoy Aquino who’s running for senator under the Genuine Opposition banner.

Noynoy is among the 12 senatoriables (from GO, Team Unity (TU) and the "indies") endorsed by Mother Lily, including (at random) Chiz Escudero (GO), Loren Legarda (GO), Manny Villar (GO), Alan Cayetano (GO) (I deleted those names I don't like, sorry guys...)

Yellow dominated the whole function room that night, with Kris and Noynoy’s mom, former Pres. Cory Aquino leading the pack. It was Tita Cory (who arrived at 7 o’clock sharp ahead of everybody) who kicked off the affair with A Prayer For Noynoy she herself had written.
Also present were Kris’ husband, James Yap (looking visibly thinner by 10 pounds he said he lost during basketball practice), and her son Joshua who’s turning 12 on June 4, which is the date Kris will resume hosting the rudely-interrupted ABS-CBN game show Deal Or No Deal. She said she might not go back to her other shows, The Buzz and Pilipinas, Game KNB? (which is now hosted by Edu Manzano).

Still recovering from hypertension, a blood clot in her lungs and gestational diabetes (she’s taking half a dozen medicines), Kris revealed that during her last days of (difficult) pregnancy, she has had her own intimations of mortality.

"I had morbid thoughts," she said. "Akala ko mamamatay na ako. I had to ask James to pray The Rosary with me. The best lesson I learned from that experience is to keep your faith in The Lord. You can never go wrong with Him."

She said she has also realized that she really love(s) James who hardly left Kris’ side during those difficult moments and who has no doubt repented for whatever misdeed he had done. The couple has obviously let bygones be bygones. Good for them. Henceforth, they should listen only to each other and not to people out to destroy their marriage.

"Mahal ko talaga ang taong ‘to," said Kris.

Before the movie press could further "grill" Kris, she excused herself because it was Baby James’ breast-feeding time.

"Please write the complete name Noynoy Aquino on the ballot," she reminded everybody before she and James left.

At the start of the presscon, Kris said that if ever, she won’t make a bid for the Senate to avoid being accused of having two Aquinos in that body.

"I will run for President," she said

Adult ADHD

2007-04-30T11:27:00.000+08:00

ADHD means attention-deficit hyperactive disorder. According to Edward C. Geehr, MD, it is not just a kids disorder. There is also adult ADHD. He added that in fact, about 65% of children with ADHD carry the disorder into adulthood, making it an adult problem as well.

Do you suspect that you may also have ADHD? Well, if yes, then you may be one of the estimated six to 15 million adults with ADHD.

How can you know that you have ADHD? Here are some questions to consider if you think you may have ADHD:

Does your mind wander while you are working on a task?

Are you easily distracted?

Do you tend to start a project and have difficulty completing it?

Does your attention stray in the middle of a conversation?

Are you forgetful about appointments and regular events?

Do you have difficulty relaxing?

Are you impatient when you need to wait?

Do you fidget and shift constantly in your seat?

Do you commonly lose track of keys, purses and other items?

Do you interrupt others before they finish speaking?

Is it difficult for you to manage or resolve conflicts?

If these issues sound familiar, you may want to consult a healthcare professional.

source: www.lifescript.com

My simple, old digital camera

2007-04-24T19:00:00.000+08:00

I really love my simple old digital camera. Why so? Ah, it became a routine piece of equipment in my classroom. With it, I am able to document each of my children’s learning. I was even able to do power point presentation for each of my children which I presented to their parents. So my PTM/PTC (Parent Teacher Meeting/Conference) went well. Thanks to my digital camera.

For pre-school teachers like me who are keen to support their children’s development and learning, and who believe in the best documentation there is, I suggest that you provide yourself a digital camera. It surely will be a great help for you.

Just look at this photo. We say that a photo paints a thousand words. Surely this photo shows how and what my students are doing and learning.

Here are some photo-taking strategies for educators (by Cynthia Hoisington):

* Keep the camera within easy reach in the classroom and charged at all times.

* Take photos unobtrusively, yet often enough so that children get used to seeing you with a camera in your hand.

* Capture the entire structure when photographing any structure that children are building.

* Take individual photos of various structures from approximately the same angles and distances for easier comparison later.

* Have a goal in mind when you take photos of children building. Your goal will influence what you decide to focus.

* Be spontaneous sometimes too. If something that children are building draws your attention or piques you interest, snap it. Don’t worry if you don’t have a goal for every photo.

The Golden Land

2007-04-14T00:52:00.000+08:00

The Golden land is the meaning of Suvarnabhumi, pronounced as "Su-Wana-Poon". It is the name of the new mega airport in South East Asia. Suvarnabhumi Airport is the new airport in Bangkok, Thailand. Surely, you will be impressed of its departure hall which is in the style of the Chek Lap Kok airport in Hong Kong.

I am sure you will also be impressed of these. Look. Nice pieces of art works.

(Indirectly stating...)on the effects of divorce

2007-04-07T00:52:00.000+08:00

Last month, I wrote a literature review on father's involvement and its effects on the socio-emotional development of children. With the alarming cases of divorce and absent father involvement we hear and see around, I would like to share some informations I gathered.

Negative Effects of an Absent Father Involvement

According to Wayne Matthews, father’s absence, whether physical and or emotional, is a critical problem. (Mathews, 1998) He stated that father’s absence has a great impact on the general behavioral adjustment and aggression in male children. He added that boys are more likely to be involved in crime and violence. In his research, Popenoe has detailed his findings by stating that boys who grew up without father involvement had developed “hyper masculine behavior”. They try to disengage themselves from the dominance of their mothers and gain a male identity. They became angry and fearful and hostile towards women in general. ( Popenoe, 1996)

With regards to the negative effects on girls, earlier studies stated that girls are more likely to get pregnant as teens. (McLanahan & Sandefur, 1994; Sampson, 1987) This finding was also agreed upon by La Crosse. He stated that girls with absent fathers use their bodies to relate to men (LaCrosse, 1997) which were also highlighted by Brott (2003) in his book. He added that fathers can help daughters know that love and sex are not synonymous (LaCrosse, 1997). And so with an absent father, girls tend to find difficulty in distinguishing love from sex. Hetherington suggested in his findings that girls are more likely to blame themselves for the problems that arise from an absent father especially if it is caused by divorce. Hetherington also suggested that those girls are more likely to engage in child sex (1999).

In the general context, research by Byrne, 1997, Horn, 1997, Levine, 1997. Murphy, & Wilson, (1997 ) indicates that children without fathers fail in school three times more often than those in two parent families. They are apt to have more emotional problems which also affect their academic skills. Matthews has proven this earlier by stating that children with no or little contact with their fathers are more likely to drop out of school. (Matthews, 1998)

How it is when an absent father is in conflict with the child’s mother? Does it affect the child’s well-being the more?I believe that the child will be affected especially in his social and emotional skills. He will tend to have behavioral difficulties that will affect his social dealings with his peers as he will tend to be withdrawn. My belief was supported by the findings of Amato and & Keith when they earlier noted that numerous social adjustment difficulties among children may occur, (Amato & Keith, 1991) and by Bowen (1976) who suggested that since the child derive meaning from a significant mother and father and often establish role identification, a child may become confused and disillusioned especially when there is conflict with an absent father.

Positive Effects of Quality Father Involvement

Lamb stated that evidence is mounting that father’s involvement enhances children’s socio-emotional health and well being (Lamb, 1997) and based on my personal experience with my own father, I agree that quality father involvement is effective and has long lasting effects on my own socio-emotional development. Mostly, I believe thatmy father’s involvement benefited me in each stages of development, which I carry within me as I passed through from childhood to our present stage of adulthood. My belief is influenced more recently by the works of Palkovitz (1997), Amato (1998), Marsiglio, Amato, Day and Lamb (2000), and Lamb (2004) who show through their own work or reviewed studies of others, the progress in understanding the contributions fathers make to children’s lives. Pickard quoted the same ideas when he stated that the father has an important potential role at each developmental stage that his children pass through, (Pickard, 1998) which is also supported by Brott (2003) by stating that father involvement has positive effects on young children, adolescents , and children who become young adults. According to Le Menestrel, (1999) Amato (1998) viewed that fathers provide both economic and social capital to children that affects school related behavior and academic achievement, career development, peer relationships, self-esteem and adult outcomes such as achievement, marital happiness and strength of social networks.

With all these related findings, I would like to present the benefits of quality father involvement in each stage. Since positive effects of any kinds bring more encouragement in every one’s lives, I decided to present the positive benefits of quality father’s involvement in details for each stage of human development. Recognizing these positive effects would then encourage further researches for optimal benefits of the children in particular and the whole mankind in general.

Preschool Years

· Better friendships. Three year olds who have positive relationships with their fathers have better friendships when they’re five.
· More cooperation and self-reliance. Children whose fathers regularly looked after them during their infancy and preschool years are more self disciplined and have better social skills, according to Kay Margetts, a researcher at Melbourne University in Australia.
· Smoother separation from Mom. During the time that their children are eighteen months to three year old, father plays one of the most critical roles they will ever play in the role of their child: helping the child safely and securely separate from the intense maternal dependency of infancy, says psychiatrist Kyle Pruett. He believes that as healthy as it is for young children to be depending on their mothers, they’ll never develop their own confidence if they don’t ever establish their physical and emotional autonomy.
· Better problem –solving skills and less frustration. Kids who have involved fathers have a higher tolerance for stress and frustration. As Henry Biller has written, kids are better able to wait their turn for the teacher’s attention, more confident to work on their own, more confident, more willing to try new things.
· More compassion for others. According to researcher Susan Bernadette Shapiro, kindergarten children whose father took more responsibility for limit setting, discipline, and helping children with personal problems and school work had significantly higher empathy scores.
(I presented here the effects on pre-school children only)

As living testament to the positive effects of father’s involvement on the child’s socio-emotional development that encompasses from childhood to adulthood, and which are supported by relevant researches as reviewed and analyzed in this paper, I recognize the fact that a father plays an important role in children’s lives. Being emotionally present in his child’s life, a father enhances his child’s self-esteem and well-being which remain with him till adulthood. With this recognition and understanding, comes the realization that we as early childhood educators should pave the way for the fathers in the centre to be more involved positively with their children. We should as much as possible avoid the devastating negative effects of an absent father involvement in children. Though we could not do anything on a physically absent father, we could help by informing them of how to be an emotionally present father. Therefore, we as teachers in school or centers can respond by including men in our work. We can plan the kind of activities which will involve fathers positively. The next step is to put our plans into actions as soon as possible. With our plans in action, we can then influence the community and the government in implementing actions and reforms that may support positive father involvement.

In short, for those who are contemplating on separation and or divorce, please do consider your decision. Please make decisions with your children's interest in mind.

Pretend....pretend....

2007-03-25T13:40:00.000+08:00

I just watched this on cable, the Animal Planet Channel. I was so amused and so I took my camera and took this photo. The lady is a primatologist from UK who after 8 years went out to the wild to find out if the ape she cared for would still recognize her. As you can see on photo, the ape do recognizes her. So amusing....

If only most people are like that. Why?? Is it easier to pretend you don't know a person than to tell her, we've meet somewhere?? Hmmm...

To cane or not to cane?

2007-03-22T21:21:00.000+08:00

As parents, we've all come to a point when we face the dilemma whether to discipline our own children by using corporal punishment or by just be firm with them in stating what we want. In my case, most of the times, I tried then, to talk it out with my own children. I would not say that I am a perfect parent. But I know I made incorrect decisions too. I may have hurt my own children, perhaps in their own thinking, or I may not have hurt them at all physically. What I am sure of is that I made decisions out of my love for them.

As an early childhood educator, it really hurts when one of your children is caned by her own father or mother. I understand that parents are more expert as far as their own children are concerned. But it still leave me that shaken when a lot of cane marks are so prominently seen on a young child's body. Oh, I have to understand that that particular parent underwent that dilemma too; whether to cane or not to cane. But tell me, is it worth it?

I don't know. Up to now I don't know. When I first saw a child with cane marks, I was so angry. Angry with that particular parent. Many years passed by, I still feel uncomfortable with it. But God, I have to accept that that's the way it is.

Ahh, she just remind me of my dear grandkid Darrielle. I will always love her. May she feel the love behind the pain. I hope...

For Karllisse

2007-03-12T10:17:00.000+08:00

I am in the process of doing a play documentation, (it could be that simple, but for others, they make the work so complicated!!! Brrr!) but I decided to write something for my dear granddaughter Karllisse. It will be her 2nd birthday on the 17th. How I wish I am there with her and her twin sisters and their Mom, my eldest. Ahhh!! We really could not have it all.

In my moment of sadness, missing my beloved grandkids, I almost wanted to give up what I have. I can fly anytime I want to. But it is not that easy. There are many considerations. All I have to do is to be patient. How can I be patient when every moment of my day, happy faces of my grandkids’ are flashing in my mind? “Take your time Mom! Wait! After our own commitments, we can go together for a visit”, my daughter Marielle assured me. It lightened my heart, made my sadness bearable.

So for my dear Karllisse I could just say this from here: Happy birthday girl!!!

You are my inspiration in writing this
http://eceluchie.blogspot.com/2006/07/jean-piaget-cognitive-development.html,

this
http://eceluchie.blogspot.com/2006/07/crawling-new-view-of-world.html

and also this
http://eceluchie.blogspot.com/2005/11/child-growth-and-development-birth-to.html.

May you inspire me more!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAREST KARLLISSE!!!!

We love you!

On MI

2007-03-09T23:49:00.000+08:00

I just came from my course. And I decided I better write an entry. Why so? Because I just came from a nice, well, a good lecture. Ahh, I like the topic. It was about MI or Multiple Intelligences by Dr. Howard Gardner. My lecturer just made my three hours this night a satisfying one. If all the lecturers would be as good as him, I'll completely say that it is really nice to upgrade, whatever you may think of what an upgrade is.

Well, going back to MI. In 1995, Dr. Gardner added a new type of intelligence aside from the seven which he introduced in 1983. He introduced the Naturalist Intelligence. Here, a person with this type of intelligence has the ability to recognize flora and fauna and to make other consequential distinctions in the natural world. Do you think you have this type of intelligence? If you'll ask me, I don't have. But wait, maybe a little. My score in this would be at lest a 3 in the scale of 1 to 10. Wahhh! I am not like my mother, kasi, who has a green thumb and can produce the nice orchid flowers around and can name most of the plants in her environment. She also has that natural love for animals and or pets.

But mind you, I have my own type of intelligence and or intelligences. And I am proud of my strengths.

So, how many types of intelligences are there ba? As I mentioned, we have 8. But according to my lecturer, when Dr. Gardner was asked that question, he answered 8 and 1/2. Ayyy, is that possible ba? Well, Dr Gardner has not enough datas that was why he answered 8 and 1/2. But in due time, he'll be able to present the 9th, which is the Existentialist Intelligence. Ohh, I'll wait for that time when his data will be presented to the public.

So dear folks, we know now that because of our uniqueness, we have different intelligences. So no person around is not intelligent. Everyone has his own type of intelligence. So stop saying boba or bobo, di ba?

Joking aside, I want to thank my lecturer for a nice lecture. It was a good lecture really. That was why I gave him a perfect 5 for my evaluation.

Hmmm, bye for now, I'll be soooooooooooo busy with my projects, literature review and temperament profile. Hope you will still visit my site once in a while.

Gong Xi Fa Cai

2007-02-19T08:21:00.000+08:00

In Mandarin, we say Gong Xi Fa Cai
In Cantonese, we say Kung Hei Fat Choy
In English, we say Happy Chinese New Year
But here, we say Happy CNY!!!

I am back..
Blogging will still remain as one of my hobbies/interest.
Imagine, I accidentally deleted my blog.
Then those nasty people took over my URL.
The good CaT informed me.
I wrote the Blogger Team.
And presto! I am back in the new blogger.
(Though it took me some time to post)

Enjoy your holiday dear friends..
This year is the year of the pig.
May this year be a happy and prosperous one!

Though I am still shaken up to now.
I realized life is too short.
My young boss passed away,
And in the eve of CNY!

How will the children react?
Oh, I will see to it that I will do into practice
What I learnt from reading the research on
Young Children's Understanding and Experience With Death
As written by Eva L. Essa and Colleen I. Murray.

To my young boss, may you rest in peace!
To my children in the centre, I will be strong and positive for you.
To my family, I realized that life is really short, I will love you more day by day.

Though the year started with a sad news,
I still believe that this year will be a year full of blessings.

Gong Xi Fa Cai

Happy New Year

2007-01-02T07:44:00.000+08:00

We wish everybody a happy and prosperous new year!

HAPPY 2007!!!

A Different Christmas

2006-12-21T09:47:00.000+08:00

Ahh, I’ve waited for Christmas. For Christmas is the main event in my life, in our life. But now, already four days before Christmas, I haven’t even put up my Christmas tree. I haven’t mailed the Christmas cards I bought a month ago. I haven’t bought Christmas presents either. All I was able to accomplish was to give small Christmas candies to my children in the centre. Why with all the Christmas trimmings around and the Christmas carols I hear, I still am not in the mood for Christmas? Has Christmas lose its lustre and glow on my case?

I am not negative. Don’t think that way please. I just am thinking that Christmas is getting too commercial everywhere I go. Yeah, I know it is the birthday of Jesus. We have to celebrate. We have to be jolly. But then, how can we be jolly when somewhere there in that part of the Philippines, Albay in particular, many people are sad and grieving as caused by that calamity, that thypoon called Reming?

That should not affect my personal celebration of course. I still should celebrate Christmas with much joy and thankfulness. At the same time, I should respect how other people see and celebrate Christmas. I should honour the Christmas tradition that I was born to. Yes, the trimmings, the festive activities are just externals, an added glow to the festive mood. What’s more important is the feeling deep inside, that our Saviour was born on Christmas Day.

But this Christmas, I just want it to be different. I just want to feel the glory of God in His creations. And one of those is this…

With this view, I really see the greatness of God. How nice it is to feel that His birthday is about serenity and love. How I wish the feeling of calmness will remain in me throughout.

So dear folks, however you see Christmas, whatever we believe about Christmas, let us celebrate and always remember the great love of God.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!!!!

The Splendour of The Lord

2006-12-11T12:42:00.000+08:00

As usual, we attended Sunday mass at St Anthony’s Church in Woodlands. And it was a very inspiring mass again with the homily about The Splendour of the Lord. Though the men in charge were late on cue, it was still nice watching the slide presentation of the simple wonders around us which we at times take for granted.

Yeah, when we are down and feeling blue, those wonders are difficult to feel and see. It is because it is only when “we are pure and blameless” that we really see and feel that unexplained but prominent feeling of awe and serenity on all those simple things that God provided for us.

Though it is just natural to feel sad at times, we should always see the bright side of things. For when we see the bright side, we feel happy. That is why I always seek God’s guidance for me to feel joyful with the simple things I got.

And I want to share here some simple photos I photographed that made me feel and see the splendour of the Lord.

We also see the splendour of God in people around us. As for me, I see God's wonders in my own family especially my grandkids.

As an early childhood educator, I always see and feel God's wonders in all the children in the centre. For whatever they are doing and or they are saying and in whatever moods they are in, God's love for humanity is always prominent.

Just look at him.

At her.

And at them.

Can you feel an unexplained joy seeing these young kids? (note: these kids were sponsored by my daughter's company to visit Sentosa)

Now if you are in the early childhood setting, but you feel irritable, impatient and angry most of the times, please, please leave this profession. You don't belong here. For those like me who love children will always want to see the splendour of the Lord through the children. Please don't make our beloved profession as lowly as you. Don't stain it with much hatred. Can you? Will you?

Tired

2006-12-01T19:03:00.000+08:00

I am supposed to be sitting not in front of the computer but over there in that air conditioned room where I should listen and need to learn more about developmentally appropriate curriculum. I was not able to attend that course for the simple reason that it suddenly just hit me that I was so tired those thirty minutes ago. Yeah, I suddenly felt so tired. Imagine that, I was able to condition my mind that I was tired to attend my lesson. Hmmm, what’s happening to me?

Well, as much as I like to attend my course, I suddenly could not bring myself to get out of the house after an hour rest from full day work. There are many things on my mind that bother me. Surely, I would not be able to concentrate with the lesson if I pushed myself to attend.

So what is the purpose of my post? Ahhh, I just want to remind myself that I should not ever open the book I closed years ago. And if ever those people happen to read this post of mine, I’d like to say this: “sorry guys, but you are just part of my bad dream, gone forever in my consciousness!!”

Acch, I’m tired! But surely, this tiredness is just for a fleeting moment. I know that my stamina to face my life is still there. For I know that God gave me those strength to face my life with much courage. I know I know…..

How if.....

2006-11-20T17:00:00.000+08:00

I really enjoyed watching Amazing Race. The time it was announced that there would be Amazing Race Asia, I jokingly asked my hubby if we could join. And you know what, he laughed and laughed. He added that may be we would be the first one to be eliminated, as we would argue non stop on which route to take and every small details we would surely discuss in length before we agreed on one thing. Ay naman!!! Why he could not believe me, that when it comes to games or contest, I'll surely be his follower.

But how if I really convinced him to join, would we be considered? That's impossible to happen...
Kaya eto, the moment I saw this in Suntec City, I instantly asked to be photographed. Kahit man lang sa photo, nasa Amazing Race ako. Saya di ba??

How Time Flies

2006-11-09T22:02:00.000+08:00

How time flies, my baby! It seems that it was only days ago when I carried you in my arms. How I missed those days, my baby!!

I know those days will never come again. But knowing that you are already a mother, a good mother at that, makes me happy.

Happy birthday Krizelle!! May you have the best of everything. We love you!!!

An Afternoon in Orchard

2006-11-05T23:24:00.000+08:00

This afternoon we met my cousin and his wife in Orchard Road. They came for a 2 days package tour of Singapore flying with Cebu Pacific.

Since it was 2 weeks ago when my husband and I went to Orchard, we were so pleased with the new Holiday ambience there. I like the new designs for Christmas. Crystals really amazed me. And speaking of Orchard during Holiday season, it is always the best place for me.

Don't Shut Fathers Out

2006-10-29T21:22:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, Saturday, was my last day for the Module on Family Involvement under Dr. Christine Chen. She handed us an article from Early Childhood Education Journal titled Don't Shut Fathers Out by Eugenia Hepworth Berger. As Dr Chen discussed the article, the three prominent fathers I know came to my mind: my own father, my husband, and my SIL. Their faces flashed on my mind what more when Dr. Chen quoted, “Let fathers enjoy what they’re doing best.” And yeah, why would we not allow fathers to do their best especially for the family, the children in particular?

I remember my own father (Bless his soul!) Oh, I was not privileged to be close to him. For all my life how I ached that he’d show me the love and care I wanted to feel. I learnt in the process the fact that he did love me in his own way.

I could not comprehend then why a former municipal mayor would opt to stay at home and just cook for his wife and younger children when he can do something more. As I mature, I learnt to appreciate him. And Dr Chen just reminded me how wonderful my father was. For how many fathers around during those times, especially a highest official in his own town, would opt to be a house husband and tend to his children?

My own husband is also a great father, I can say. During our early years, whenever around, he would do household chores and help with feeding and bathing our kids. He also tutored our kids. Now that my children are grown ups, he still help in household chores. Sometimes, I wonder why a man like him, a manager in his own right, would still cook or clean the house. How lucky I am.

My son-in-law is also the same. After his work, he would also help my daughter in cleaning the house and in taking care of their 3 kids. What was so heartwarming when I stayed with them for a while was that it was my SIL who checked every hour the twin’s and the baby’s diapers and saw to it that diapers are changed every 2 to 3 hours.

I can say that I am what I am now for having a father like my own father. My daughters grew up to be good persons and successful professionals because of my husband’s personal touch. I am sure my three grand kids will grow up to be good persons too because they have the privelege to have a nurturing father. In addition, I am sure that my father enjoyed what he did, the same as my husband and SIL are also enjoying what they are doing up to now.

Therefore, as an educator of young children, I must encourage fathers to get involved with their own children so they will recognize their importance. I have to provide opportunities for fathers to be involved with their children’s activities. I can even provide fathers with information on child development. It is now a well known fact that fathers who are positively involved with their children, enhance their children's emotional and intellectual skills to the fullest. Just look at me, (ahem!) and look at my daughters (more ahem!!) Kidding aside, we must not shut fathers out. They have unique contribution to young children's development in all aspects. I guarrantee you that!

Happy Birthday Double

2006-10-27T23:29:00.000+08:00

HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY KYLLENE & DARRIELLE!

WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!!

Prayer

2006-10-19T22:42:00.000+08:00

My husband forwarded an email he received from his colleague. I find it relevant, what with me being too busy at work and with my course including the requirements that go with it. Please read and pray.

PRAY

Pray when you don't feel like praying
Pray when you're weary & worn...
Pray when the burden grows lighter
Pray when it cannot be borne ~
Pray when things seem impossible
Pray 'til the answer breaks through...
Pray if it seems an eternity since God moved His hand for you ~
Pray when the sun is shining
Pray when the storms appear...
Pray when the Lord seems distant
Pray when He seems very near ~
Pray in the congregation
Pray in your closet there...
Pray with a heart of thanksgiving
Pray when there seems no prayer ~
Pray in and out of season
Pray on your knees or stand...
Pray when you're heavy~hearted
Pray when you're feeling grand ~
PRAY for God promised to answer
PRAY 'til the answer He sends...
PRAY in the name of JESUS FOR GOD'S WORD IS YEA & AMEN !

By Mary Carter Mizrany November 7, 2005 This writing may be used in its entirety, with credits in tact, for non-profit ministering purposes.

Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer. O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah. But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him. ( Psalm 4:1-3 )

Here's my thought for the day.
When you don't know what to do, praying is the answer.

I agree with my husband's colleague. Prayer is the answer.

Into the Silent land

2006-10-08T09:15:00.000+08:00

I spent most of my afternoon yesterday in reading the book I borrowed from the library. My husband asked me if I was reading it in relation to my work and study or for just the pleasure of reading. Up to now he could not comprehend yet why the woman he married finds pleasure in reading fiction books. For him TV documentaries are more pleasing to his senses.

Before going to sleep on our bed, I announced to him that I already finished reading that book titled Into the Silent Land by Paul Broks, a Senior Clinical Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in Neuropsychology. I explained to him that it is not actually a fiction book but real stories of the author’s patients and his experiences as a doctor. “Neuropsychology? What has it got to do with an engineer like me?” he asked. I answered that it has a lot to do with anybody. I went on lengths to explain and I quoted from the book:

neuropsychology: noun(mass noun) the study of the relationship between behaviour, emotion and cognition on the one hand, and brain function on the other.

mind noun 1 the element of a person that enables them to be aware of the world and their experiences, to think and to feel; the faculty of consciousness and thought….

brain noun1 an organ of soft nervous tissue contained in the skull of vertebrates, functioning in the coordinating centre of sensation and intellectual and nervous activity….

self noun (pl selves) a person’s essential being that distinguishes them from others, especially considered as the object of introspection….

To convinced him more about my point I told him one story in the book that of Robert who was a loving husband, a good father with satisfactory job but one day in the foothills of middle age, he took a long look at himself and decided that life was running out and he was going nowhere and so there must be a change. Robert left his family in an impulse following several episodes of uncharacteristically eccentric behaviour. He had seizures and was taken to hospital, had head scans and a large mass in the orbitofrontal region of the brain was found. He had tumour in his frontal lobes that recalibrated his personality.
“A meningioma like Robert’s can take years to develop, eventually becoming a stable feature of the intracranial landsape. The brain can up to a point, accommodate a slow growing mass without betraying major clinical signs or symptoms. It depends on the rate of growth and where it’s located. Some people grow old and die never knowing that for half their life or more they were harbouring a benign brain tumour .Perhaps they never know who they might have been.” That is why Robert was so depressed that he transformed from Jekyll to Hyde. After three attempts, he finally succeeded in killing himself.

My husband then answered, “Mommy, I also learnt about depression. I watched the documentary on TV.” He explained that with depression, the good bacteria in our body system would be overpowered by the bad bacteria and resulted in many diseases. So the best thing he said is to be always positive. Very easy, he added.

Wahhh, why could my husband not understand that there are behaviours that are unconsciously manifested and are or caused by damage to the frontal lobes of the brain?
And that depression and eccentric behaviour are a few of the manifestations? My point is we should always understand why people behave in such a way because we really don’t know the reason or even medical reason behind the behaviour manifestation.

But I am glad my husband mentioned about thinking positive. Yes we should think positive. For according to Paul Broks as he ended his book “it’s just the one lifetime. Better make the most of it.”

And as he quoted from Christina Rosetti, “Remember”

Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.

And yeah, I should understand the reason behind people’s behaviour and to add, I must think positive for this is only one lifetime. So the unimportant episode I wrote before this post is really nothing. I understand the inconsistency of it all.

Who's irresponsible?

2006-10-04T23:47:00.000+08:00

Who's irresponsible, tell me?

Am I irresponsible for writing about what you asked and discussed about a sensitive issue? Am I irresponsible for having the courage to question your thinking about this issue, not on your face but on my own forum?

Or is it you who's irresponsible for discussing things that's not related to what you're assigned to relay?

Am I that irresponsible to be given that assessment by you? Or is it you who's irresponsible for being subjective?

Well, I believe that if a student greets a former teacher in a setting outside of the classroom setting, it just proves that the teacher is well loved, positive or is an interesting person. But if that student refuses to recognize that teacher just proves that something happened in the relationship and or that teacher is not that stimulating in the classroom.

It is still clear on my memory how such a former student of yours never ever gave a minute of her time in being with you or even smile at you when we came for a visit. And that made me conclude negatively about you.

And now that you did this to me and my friends, it gives justice to what we thought about you.

So sad, so sad.....

TFC's Sojourn

2006-09-29T11:49:00.000+08:00

Months ago, I sent photos to TFC's Sojourn. I wanted to experience the feeling of seeing our photos on the screen, though I was doubtful that our photos would be chosen. To my surprise, they featured our photos titled Kyllenne and Darrielle( they misspelled my grandkids names, but it is okay with us.) We first saw the feature last Sunday evening and we were so excited in seeing our photos.

And now as I was watching TFC, they showed our photos again. What a nice feeling!!

Above are 5 of the 7 photos in Sojourn.

Thank you TFC!

John Grisham's New Book

2006-09-28T21:42:00.000+08:00

I received an email days ago. I was informed that on 10 October, a new book of one of my favourite author, John Grisham, will be release. Hooray!!! Surely, I'll do my very best to have my own copy of the book, The Innocent Man.

The book is a nonfiction novel of John Grisham. As it is based on a true story, for sure it'll be a nice read same as his fiction novels like The Pelican Brief or The Summons to name a few. I am optimistic that this new novel of his will captivate me more than his last novel A Painted House.

********
THE INNOCENT MAN—About the Book

In the major league draft of 1971, the first player chosen from the State of Oklahoma was Ron Williamson. When he signed with the Oakland A's, he said goodbye to his hometown of Ada and left to pursue his dreams of big league glory.

Six years later he was back, his dreams broken by a bad arm and bad habits—drinking, drugs, and women. He began to show signs of mental illness. Unable to keep a job, he moved in with his mother and slept twenty hours a day on her sofa.

In 1982, a 21-year-old cocktail waitress in Ada named Debra Sue Carter was raped and murdered, and for five years the police could not solve the crime. For reasons that were never clear, they suspected Ron Williamson and his friend Dennis Fritz. The two were finally arrested in 1987 and charged with capital murder.

With no physical evidence, the prosecution's case was built on junk science and the testimony of jailhouse snitches and convicts. Dennis Fritz was found guilty and given a life sentence. Ron Williamson was sent to death row. If you believe that in America you are innocent until proven guilty, this book will shock you.

If you believe in the death penalty, this book will disturb you. If you believe the criminal justice system is fair, this book will infuriate you.

Visit the official website at: www.jgrisham.com.

Are all children educable?

2006-09-22T11:07:00.000+08:00

With the many EI( Early Intervention) approaches educators can avail or make use of to educate children especially those with special needs, I came upon this question in one of my readings; "Why bother with children who fail to make meaningful progress?"

And why should we? Why should I?

Ahh, with my personal and family commitments, why would I personally do my best to see a relevant manifested progress in a child and especially if he/she may be a special needs child?

The answer may vary but one thing is for sure it is passion or love for children.

Well, I've read this book, Exceptional Children by William L. Heward. Through this book, I've read about Don Baer, a professor of human development at the University of Kansas and a pioneer in the development of effective teaching methods for persons with severe disabilities. He offers this perspective on educability:

Some of us have ignored both the thesis that all persons are educable and the thesis that some persons are ineducable, and instead have experimented with ways to teach some previously unteachable people. Over a few centuries, those experiments have steadily reduced the size of apparently ineducable group relative to the obviously educable group. Clearly, we have not finished that adventure. Why predict its outcome, when we could simply pursue it, and just as well without a prediction? Why not pursue it to see if there comes a day when there is such a small class of apparently ineducable persons left that it consists of one elderly person who is put forward as ineducable. If that day comes, it will be a very nice day. And the next day will be even better.

What a meaningful perspective to contemplate on.

On Dave Batista

2006-09-16T10:59:00.000+08:00

My family is fond of watching sports events on cable. Name it and my husband and daughters can discuss in lengths facts about those sports personalities. And so naturally, I was also encouraged to watch those sports events from basketball to wrestling and learnt to recognize those personalities.

It is heartwarming that my eldest daughter’s husband is also fond of sports. That is why he is also glued on TV watching sports events.

One time, we were all gathered in the family room watching wrestling. I saw Dave Batista on the screen. Based on his physical looks and the way he moves I observed something Filipino in him. So I blurted out loud, “Batista is a Filipino!”

My son-in-law David looked at me jokingly and asked “Mom, why everyone who is well known is Filipino for you?”

I just realized that my SIL was already irritated of me whenever I see on TV, personalities like Rob Schneider and or Vanessa Minnillo and was highlighting almost non stop that they are Filipinos.

Eh naku, patatalo ba naman ako sa kanya! So I answered that it was because Filipinos are talented and that they are everywhere. My SIL just shrugged his shoulders, accepting the fact that he just needs to bear with me.

The good thing is, Dave Batista went to the Philippines. He admitted that he is a Filipino and even showed his tattoo of the Philippine flag. Please read http://www.batistaweb.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=301

So, to my SIL David, it is confirmed Batista is a Filipino. Panalo ako!!!

Note: I wish to highlight that my SIL is very Filipino too. He’s trying so hard to speak Tagalog and bought books on how to learn to speak the dialect.

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I believe that a child's wish can come true. That is why I am joining the rest as initiated by the famous blogger CaT to be advocates in helping Pyro realized his wish in seeing Batista in person.

Remembering 911

2006-09-12T21:05:00.000+08:00

Let us always remember the heroes of September 11, 2001.

This is a nice read: http://www.lifescript.com/articles/374.asp?BID=27200&SID=6366685&EID=C189073B-FA69-43D5-B38A-5E827B1F1144/">

Botanic Garden

2006-09-09T15:50:00.000+08:00

Wow!!! My Mom would definitely be breathless with delight. Though, she already visited the Singapore Botanic Garden, surely she'll be ecstatic to see the orchids again.

This is the pond in the Botanical Garden. How nice it is to see such a pond and garden in the middle of the city.

Hmmm.. this caught my eye, so white and pure....

red and yellow orchids, what a delight!!!

Oh, I think this is not the Miss Vanda Joaquim for the real one is more beautiful.

So folks, how do you like the orchids?? Go and visit the Botanic Garden now.....