sunday reflection
Sunday It’s 9.20pm, and I have this sudden urge of wanting to write a lenghty post!
Nothing had planned for today as I know I’d surely be all tired if not semi-tired after the morning tutorial sessions. After a tiring day, I always yearn for some quiet moments to re-energize; works wonders for me! When I reached home this afternoon, the house was quiet – the rest were apparently out grocery shopping - a normal sunday routine. I procrastinated a couple of things – especially taking care of the laundry! Instead, took a nap – my hour or so nap felt like heaven! I recalled the same after-nap heavenly-feelings during my first trimester years ago – you know those feelings whereby nap is just not enough – you need sleep instead and boy! how you feel so good afterwards! (no, I’m not pregnant!) This recollection got me thinking about the reasons I blog as my blogging experience actually really started around this time too.
I seriously started to blog in 2005, that was a little over four years ago. I recalled we had just recently decided to have someone joined us to share our life! What happened was Daniel came home one day and said, “I know someone bla bla bla ….. It’s a baby boy.” Clouded with so many questionss, we discussed the possibility of adoption. Let me not get into details on this but the idea of recording precious moments was elating. Scrapbooks, baby book and the like all came mind; not so much of blogging, not until later.
Well, the adoption didn’t happen as the mother of the child changed her mind but the blogging continued!! It wasn’t long after this that we found out we were expecting Ian! Blessings in disguise! My world suddenly seemed new and fresh, and still is in so many ways. How things have changed and evolved in these four years… how short the four years seemed.
When I started this blog, I actually had no idea where it would lead me or if I would actually keep on blogging. I didnt have any subject of particular interest to religiously blog – blogging was merely about recording daily happenings and meant for, me us, Ian, family members, or friends to read. I know my sister reads what I blog! Over time, I have made an effort to be more engaged complementing posts with pictures. The pictures are all part and parcel of our life, it pretty much tell more or less me as a person and us, as a family. I love the fact that I’m able to share that moment with someone else – as in whoever reads this blog. Other than that, I honestly don’t know who else reads this blog but I know you are there.
A couple of days ago, I read on some online forums) about blogs becoming obsolete in the future. My piece of opinion about this is blogs or blogging will not become obsolete as long as there are still people who love sharing and writing 
Hope your weekend was wonderful!
stuff on a saturday
Saturday Ian’s spontaneous reaction as soon as he woke up this morning, ”Mom, let’s go. I wanna pick up sands, stones and earth, lots of them!” He took his bucket and one of his grandma’s gardening tool - the ’scoop’ and hurried me to get ready as well. It was 7.30am. The weather was good and he was in good mood. Why not?
Went out again late afternoon - ended up at City Mall buying some casual wear which I’ve been eyeing for quite some time now. Ian didn’t go back home empty handed too. The message he was giving me, “if you’re bringing something back, well me too.” He’s so into Transformers these days – seems like the whole world to him. He already has a handful of them but know what, I’m finding it difficult to say ”no”!
We were out for several hours; probably he had felt sleepy and dizzy too at some point but didnt say anything. As soon as he got into car, he asked to recline the seat, soon after dozed off! Had to postponed our trip back home as I didn’t think he would be too well for the car ride to his grandparents’ house. We took him off school for the whole week this week- had high fever two days back which frantically sent us straight to the clinic! He’s back to his old self now!
:(
Sunday today, the 1st of November! Another 2 months to go before new year. The evening weather was wonderful! Daniel and Ian had fun at the swimming pool while I jogged at the nearby park. It was rather odd that while jogging, I thought about how I have exhausted this year’s leave entitlement so soon. Of all the things to think about ! As of today, I dont have any more left!! With a limited amount of vacation time in a year, I normally scatter a day or two vacation days across my schedule (with longer ones in between) which is normally planned weeks or months in advance. I always try to stretch things out as much a possible before surrendering any of the precious days, still it seems I didnt quite do a good job of seeding the breaks across the calendar this year! Here I am … so in need of breaks for Christmas and New year! 
but it was already about bed time!
Saturday First off, Happy Halloween to you! Halloween is definitely not a big thing in this part of world. So, this evening’s concert is Ian’s 2nd ever since joining pre-school. He had a blast, enjoyed the fun moments with his friends! There were performances including story telling, singing and dancing by the school children; the teachers did too!
The turnout was really good. I think it’s easier to get audience for a children’s concert, I mean parents would surely want to watch their kids perform right? I wouldn’t miss any of it over anything, would you? It’s fun watching the children having a great time! They were all so candid! I asked Ian why one of his friends cried on stage to which he replied, “He told me he wants his mommy!” Now isn’t that the cutest thing!
The above picture is the group singing ‘farewell and good night’. One or two were crying, probably tired, but most were so into their part! For some kids, if allowed more time, they could go on and on, while for some, 10pm means bed time!
takes my breath away
Beautiful colors
I often get carried away watching sceneries like these – quite addictive! The following pictures were taken by jean-françois, hop over to his blog, Orleans Passion to see more of his “autumn reflections” - some breathtaking sceneries !
after the rain
the earth floor becomes energized! with the wetness making the earth colors looking vibrant and inviting
Thursday Down with flu today, just had to stay away from work. With running nose, sneezes and all, there really is no use being at work. There wouldn’t be any concentration, in addition to simply spreading virus to others!
It’s evening now and it sure is raining outside there. August was more of … hot. I thought September was more rain than hot. October? a combination of rain, strong wind, and humidity!
concert this weekend
Wednesday Yesterday morning, I sent Ian to another location for his concert rehearsal. The kids have been practising for quite sometime before Ian joined them earlier this month. He brought back home his concert costume yesterday and excitedly showed us some of his dance moves - cute!
This unrelated to the topic picture was taken back in 2008. I think the tree is pretty …rather expressive in nature ! We’ve one planted in the playround – infront of our house.
almost there
Tuesday I was trying to figure out if Ian should be at the pace he is now, in regard to reading, so re-visited some online sites to read about milestones and so forth. Well, he’s almost there. There really is no definite answer to this. “Average age for kids to learn to read” is anywhere from age 3 to age 8, suggests some of my readings.
I also read that the earlier a child learns to read, the greater likelihood that he or she will excel in reading and academics in the future. I’m not sure if this statement is supported by research but it does make sense. However, one needs to acknowledge the fact that all kids learn at different paces and individual personalities/abilities need to be taken into account as well. I’ve come across kids who learned reading later but excelled academically.
It’s obvious that kids learn best in playful and fun environments where they are free to laugh and make mistakes, as the case with Ian. He especially loves a situation whereby he (or we) spots an “error”!
Making him sit and asking him to read after me don’t work too well! He only lasts about 10 minutes without moving about. He learns fast and remembers well when he plays the fun way and on “field trips”.
Love our “field trips” part, but I think Ian loves them more! I honestly think a child learns best when he’s having the most fun!
