some random things this week

-When reading the Bible...Nel asked some questions.
1) Mum, if Noah took so many animals on his ark, how come the lions and tigers didn't attack him?
2) Mum, why didn't God get married?

-Nel came back from school and said, "Mum, today I learnt that there are 5 bowels." I replied "what? what did you say?" Nel said "Five Bowels mum, A E I O U." :)

-Today, Jo grabbed a pretend mike and danced and sang like she was song leading in church! absolutely cute and adorable. I had to try hard to control laughter. tooo cute. :)

- Jo sang "Do a deer a fin-dar deer, Ray a cho-co-late sun, Me a tin I owe myself, Fa a chocolate song, So a chica-chicaha... La a chichichica-ah, Ti- Oh Oh Oh OH Oh oh.... that will bring us back to do...

_Jo asked for a painting brush today. I gave her one and continued talking to Nel. When I turned around, she had lifted her shirt and was painting her belly button!

That's it folks. Will not post for a while. God bless. :)

today, me and my children held a little recital of our own. :) I switched off all the hall lights, leaving the light above the piano on. So my little Nel and Jo took turns performing, bowing each time before a piece was played.You should've seen the way Jo bows, drives me to fits of laughter. hahaha...

They played, "improvisations" based on picture books placed on the piano. haha... I was just thoroughly entertained. In between, they sang songs, quoted Bible verses, ending each performance with more bows! haha...

As the recital progressed, Jo got creative. She did her cutest bow, climbed up the piano stool, and began playing the piano with her nose, then forehead. Hearing our laughter, she was further encouraged to try playing the piano with other body parts, like her cheeks, elbow and ears. The grand finale was when she stopped to pick the booger from her nose. hahahaha...

Finally, this mama decided that the recital wouldn't be complete without a performance from me. So I took my bow, went up to the piano to perform a classical piece.

I ended the recital by playing and singing a lovely song which I've sang to my children since the day they were born. I sing it to them almost every night.... "May the Lord Bless you and Keep You" by Twila Paris. So imagine this, as I played the piano and sang.... my little Nel got up and started dancing the most beautiful, touching dance in the dimly lited hall.... she and I seemed so connected then...

I just felt like she was a baby in my arms all over again...it was beautiful... I had tears in my eyes at the end of the performance....looking at my beautiful children...and knowing that yeah, they're truly a blessing from the Lord.

strong will

Of late Jo’s been a really strong willed child. I suppose that’s not altogether a bad characteristic. She’s probably going to be very goal orientated, focused on things she does…which is already apparent in some of the things she does.

Only thing is…sometimes it gets overboard. I feel that as a parent, I cannot give in to her every whim and fancy …and sometimes she has to learn that things will not always go her way.

Yesterday for instance,…. Were were ready for nap when Jo said “mum, move away, Jo wants to wipe the bed.” I thought move???? Alright, so I got up and moved away. As soon as I moved away, she began crying (her VERY high pitch cry…which sends blood rocketing into my head so it pounds…) and said “Mum, I want you to come back now. Back to this bed!”

I decided this was one of the times I had to “teach” her that she cannot always have her own way. So I told her firmly “mummy is staying right here. You told me to move, I moved.” What proceeded was ONE hour of screaming and insisting that I move back to the bed. It was so difficult. I felt like my head was gonna burst. Finally after 1 hour, she calmed down and said “sorry mummy.....sorry” And she came by me and settled down. Phew………..

Some other incidents….after finishing her potty…she says “mummy flush.” As soon as I’ve flushed she cries “Why mummy flushed? Jo wants to flush, why mummy flush? why mummy flush?” and starts with her crying again. I get so frustrated. Sometimes I just let her be and leave. I tell her "when you’ve done crying, you come to mummy". She’ll come crying….and screaming! Hahaha….

Sometimes if it’s reasonable, I give in. She’s been like this for 2 weeks now. I’ve no idea why….I hope it’s just a passing phase, coz it’s tough. Nel was never like this, always easy…though mischievous.

Can you believe it, we’re only in 2nd week of school, and she’s been already punished 3 times! Well, twice it was the boy next to her who started it, but she reacted and so got punished too. The third was when she got caught playing with water in the toilet. Haha….. but she’s like that. I dropped her off at her Chinese class yesterday, and typical her, while all the kids walked obediently in, my little Nel had to go hide behind a teacher’s car so they had to look for her. Then she pops out and shouts “boo!” ah, that mischievous streak. Life is fun with her. :)

Any suggestions for Jo? She was such a good baby...just till 2 weeks ago. *sigh*

Nel's First day at Kindy

Well...finally Nel is in kindergarten. She will be 6 in May and I figured, better let her have one year in kindy before she starts standard (grade) 1 next year. As mum, I admit I was a little anxious. Some of my friends laughed at me...coz to them it is no big deal. They say their kids are "professionals" at attending school already, coz they've been in kindy since 3 or 4 years old.

Well, I've held my girl back, teaching her myself when I wasn't working. but the years of holding back have finally come to and end...and yeah, it's time now to let my child go out to a real school.
Funnily, she kinda felt sad too. I guess, we have some pretty strong bonding between mum and child. :) and the years spent at home have been worth it, coz she's really close to her little sister too.

One day before school began, she looked seriously at Jo and said "Jo,...che-che (sister) is going to start school already.....are you going to miss me? I'm going to miss you." I thought that was pretty touching. Well, as mum, my prayers have always been that my daughters would love and care for each other.

Anyway, day one came, and she and cousin Lyd went together. :) they had so much fun. :) Yeah, she totally enjoyed it. Only thing is she sits next to a boy who has lotsa bad words in his mouth. but since Nel has been home with me all these years, she knows she's not supposed to say certain words. So when she came home she said "Mum, you know, I don't like J. He sits next to me. and today he said "stupid"."
I said "what did he say Nel?" coz she was whispering the word. hehe...
Nel replied "he said the "S" word..."

Well, we talked about it, how to deal with it... and bla la bla....
ok...gonna head to bed now. I'm used to waking up a little late, coz I sleep late. but with recent early mornings everyday...i'm tired. *yawn*
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ohhhh and update on Jo, she started potty training, and she got it right on the first day itself. :) so now I get to safe up on diapers! hooray. :)
goodnight folks.............and here;s to tomorrow. cheers.

Happy NEw Year everyone. We just got back from Sabah on New Year's day. It was a wonderful trip with family and extended family, about 30 something of us. We were actually there for my cousin's wedding. In between we did lots of shopping, sight seeing and eating. Sabah is really known for its incredibly fresh and wide variety of seafood. So of course, we ate and we ate and we ate. The wedding was lovely...romantic, emotional and joyful. Congrats my dear cousin on your wedding. :)

Well they say a picture speaks a thousand words...so here are some shots taken from that beautiful "land beneath the wind."

Lots of seafood here, dried and fresh. (Sea Cucumber...very expensive if purchased from the city.)Fresh seafood in abundance! we ate and ate and ate.....not very good for health I know...but hard to resist...
My cousin Vincent and his bride Angel saying their vows...they make a very beautiful couple.

We had to try this species of durian..very different from the usual ones we get in the city.

A fisherman's boat

Some of the stuff you get at the Phillipino Market. Actually most of us bought baskets, batiks and Pearls. I got myself some really lovely pearl necklaces....after spending close to an hour bargaining.
Stalls by the ocean Night market coming alive. We bought some of these lovely delicous grilled chicken
MOre fisherman's boats...
sunset
Part of the mountain. I climbed it in 1999 and hubby plans to climb again next year.

kundasang...very cool mountain area with fresh veges. Lovely place...I plan to stay here for a few days on the next trip.
by the pier
This is me after I fell into the mud. Since I'm the photographer, no shots of my mud packed butt. :) Basically I was standing there telling everyone, "Be careful, slippery, careful careful...." and then whooopps....I WAS in the MUD! haha...

Some of the very beautiful Padi Fields At Ranau. Really so beautifully green as seen in the picture. Lots of water buffaloes too.

Anyway, if you have an acc at Facebook, you can view the whole collection. and no, this is not and add for facebook. :)

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From now on comments will be moderated. So if you don't see your comment appear immediately, don't worry, it'll appear after I've read it and know it's from a friend and not stranger. God bless.

This is a busy CHristmas ...The dinner I planned for has come and gone. It was really good time catching up with old friends. Guess what? they all loved the food, and a few suggested I opened a restaurant. haha.... but no way. I spent way too long preparing all the food, if I were to open a restaurant, the dishes would never get to the guests on time. :)

ANyways, am gonna go cook now. Gonna help my sis in law prepare a dish for the party at her house tonight. Will probably make Mexican Chili topped with Mashed potatoes.
Tomorrow will be grandma's, and I will be the one bringing THE turkey. Then on Christmas day it will be at my parents. Well...what to do, we have a VERY large extended family.

I've a question, if Gail can answer? If I buy a self basting turkey, would I have to add salt still? How much? do I add a lot lesser than usual?
ANyway, here's some pictures. Enjoy.

Nel decorating her gingerbread star

The finished product. It was delicous and not like the super hard cookies you get outside. I substituted the Molasses with 3 parts Treacle and 1 part Golden Syrup. I also omitted the black pepper and cut back on the cloves. Yummy.

here's one decorated by Little Jo. YUmmy with extra cream, fingerprints and drool. Partly licked too before it was finished. :) Jo calls it the "funny gingerbread man."

My Golden turkey..I used fresh herbs. The fresh ones are SO expensive. Can you imagine, I paid 15$ for 2 sprigs of Thyme? and a hundred plus for this small turkey? I also covered the turkey with streaky Bacon which costs a LOT here. For 5 thin slices I paid something like 20$.

My Shepherd's Pie, which was really a favourite of the day. I layered the potatoes with Parmesan cheese in between...which really added flavour to the potatoes

Anyway, yeah...better get cooking now.

Merry CHristmas ALLLLLLL.....................

busy week

Christmas is around the corner and I am busy. There's presents yet to be bought. I have a very large extended family... and I've only bought half the presents. It's tradition that we meet at my grandma's every Christmas day or Christmas Eve. All my 10 aunts and uncles and their children and children's children will be there. It's also tradition to give gifts to the umarried.... Can you hear me sigh as I watch my bills escalating and my bank account depleting? haha... but then, yes, I love giving... it's nice to give and my children will get to receive.

To add to the "buzy-ness"..there's all the extra classes I have to teach this week to make up for my going away next week. I'll be off to Sabah (East Malaysia) to witness my cousin's wedding by the beautiful ocean. I so look forward to that.

Not forgetting, I have 3 dinners to cook for. 3!!! well..I'll be making a turkey for grandma's, a Sheperd's Pie for a combined dinner with friends, and a whole meal at my own place.

I've not finalized my menu.... (the one at my own house.).. To date, the menu is gonna be

-Roast Turkey
-Sheperd's Pie
-Fettuccini with Creamy Tomato Italian Sausage Sauce
- Yam Rice (chinese style)
-Salad or long thin beans cooked with ham and herbs

If you have any suggestions to add to my menu, please feel free to advice. :) or better still, if you can come and help me out in the kitchen, I'd be absolutely delighted! haha...

Merry CHristmas to you my beautiful friends!

If Nel had 3 Wishes..

Just before hitting the bed last night, Nel and I read a book together (which is what we usually do before bedtime). As I have been recently reading a child psychology book, I decided to use one of the questions on her. I interrupted her and asked “Nel, if you had three wishes, what would it be?”

She smiled and said “hmmmmmm……. No. 1, I wish I could be like Charlie in the Chocolate Factory.”

I asked “what do you mean? You mean you’d like more chocolates?? Or to own a giant Chocolate Factory?”

“No” she replied… “ I wish I could be so good just like Charlie. He’s such a good boy. Sometimes I do so many naughty things, so I can’t be so good.” Nel said this seriously and meant it.

Somehow, in my way of dealing with her, I had planted the thought in her head that she wasn’t a perfect child. Well, nobody is, but what she said showed that she had thought about this matter a lot…. Why? Had I set up too high an expectation for her? And I guess, sometimes in my impatience, I’d forgotten the rule of "7 positive comments to every one negative comment."

So we talked more and realizing it was a tender moment, I said “Danelle, I’m not perfect too. I make mistakes too. I make a lot of mistakes.”

Nel giggled softly, looked and me and said “really mum? What naughty thing did you do mum?”

I replied… “well… sometimes I get angry and shout, and say horrible things…. and that’s not good.”

Nel grinned a very huge grin! haha..

“Nel," I went on, "we all make mistakes, the thing is, we ask God to forgive us, and we try not to make that same mistake again. Yeah?”

She smiled and nodded and we prayed together, she prayed a cute, earnest prayer. How difficult it is sometimes for a 5 year old to control her impulses. Impulse to protect her toys, to hit out at a friend when provoked or to protect territory, to snatch etc etc etc. but that’s them, a 5 year old. Well, but I've to mention that Nel is also big hearted, loving, fun, independent, helpful and full of creativity! I’m learning how to handle it as mum, and I’ve to learn to have more patience, less I plant negative images into my daughter’s head about herself.

Her 2nd and 3rd wish were funny things. The 2nd one was that nail polishes would never fade off her nails. The 3rd one was that she could see real snow. Then she got ambitious about a 4th wish, which was “I wish I could have ice cream on my rice.”

I thought…hmm…that one seems possible to fulfill. I’ll go buy a bucket of ice cream now. Haha…

yeah....ice cream is good, especially when used as a bribe...to make up for my imperfections as mum. haha...

Today...

Today started off as a really good day. My hair looked perfectly in place, shiny, bouncy and good. My skin glowed despite the very little sleep I had gotten. (yeah, Jo was super waky the whole of last night!!)
Well…put on my sky blue shirt, some earth-red colored lipstick and my beautiful turquoise colored earrings. Sprinkled a little bit of Sunflower perfume and went off to teach my morning piano students.

Felt really good today…felt young and vibrant. It’s amazing what your feelings can do to you, coz even the people I met today commented that I looked good.

Well it continued that way, till getting down from my car, I caught a glimpse of me in the mirror and noticed the fine wrinkles forming around the corner of my eyes. I was temporarily reminded that I was fast approaching middle age. Shooked off that feeling and went on doing stuff……….TILL I popped in to 7-11 to grab a roll of wrapping paper for my little niece’s present.

Dang those fellows, they surely spoilt my day. I asked for wrapping paper and they said “Wait ah AUNTY, let me go check to see if we have some.” A few moments later the guy reemerged and said “Sorry Aunty, no wrapping paper lar.”

I went back, sat on the bed, and reevaluated myself, giving myself terrible points for everything. One ratty word and that spoilt my day. Aunty indeed! Bah!

But hey, they day ain’t over yet, it’s just 630pm, and I’ve got a birthday party to go to. Gonna spruce myself up, shake off that mid 30’s feeling and enjoy the rest of the day. I can’t help feeling tired with kids and motherly duties. I wish I had all my kids when I was in my 20’s when energy was boundless and sleepless nights would be nothin.

Sigh………….ok,ok. Wake up girl; where’s the optimism I had this morning. Better go find it. But it’s always this way in the evenings when energy runs low.

Rabbit poop + food = sunflowers

(Questions Nel asked this week: Mum…why is it that in all the books I read, children’s heads are soooo big and their bodies are sooooooo small?
Me: well, coz that’s reality. Look at all the toddlers and babies you know, their heads are big and their bodies are small right?
Nel: Mum, you’re and adult right? Is that why your head is small but your body soo big?
Me thinking: (yeah don’t remind me, I still have to loose that 5 kgs!!)
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My two rabbits have been eating like crazy, I suppose all rabbits eat a lot! Don’t be fooled by their petite structure and think they’re cheap pets to look after! It’s just about a couple of months and I’ve already bought a few BIG bags of food. Thing is this, a rabbit poops endlessly! That’s what they do all day. Eat and shit.

Well, those clumsy fellas sometimes topple all their food and also poop in their water bowl. Sometimes when I clean after them (as if cleaning after my own kids are not enough!) I just throw all the stuff into my plant pot. I throw them all, the leftover food and the heaps of poop.

Well, one fine day my pot started sprouting with all sorts of plants! Curious I left them there and studied them everyday. Eventually I discovered they all grew from the rabbit’s leftover food (mainly seeds…oats, barley, sunflower etc). Well…one particular one just kept growing taller and taller and taller………just like Jack and the Beanstalk, only it didn’t reach heaven…. it is none other then, the very beautiful Sunflower. :)

I’ve to tell you, my MOST favourite flower in the whole world is the Sunflower, so imagine my joy and excitement when I discovered that all of a sudden I had about 8 sunflowers growing in my garden! The tallest being about 9 feet. J Absolutely breathtaking…so beautiful…so….lovely….. so magnificent (especially the one that is 9 feet tall.)

So I’ve discovered rabbit food and rabbit poop go hand in hand. Throw the food, it grows. Throw the poop on it to fertilize it, creating the healthy tall sunflower.

Here’s some pics of sunflowers taken in my garden.

Some recent random pictures

Life around here is as usual. It's terribly rainy over here. Yesterday the rain was so bad, I pulled over and stopped the car. It's just the fear of crashing again after the accident the other day. Other than that, we're ok. I think I've lost an inch off my waist. Well, another 4 more inches to go! but am working on it. Well, here's some random pictures taken recently.

Some wild flowers taken on one of our daily walks

Jo's hooked on books. She woke today at 6am and said "read mum!" arrrghhh...that is like torture to be woken at 6am! I'm not a morning person.

Little Nel's progressing well in her ballet classes. There's still lotsa times when she's not paying attention in there! but generally, she's doing well and she enjoys it.

We went to our favourite picnic spot again where the kids get to play with sand and wade in the stream. This time round we caught baby fishes, shrimp, and surprise, surprise, 2 dragonfly nymphs! that was an exciting catch coz none of us have ever seen nymphs before and I've been showing it to Nel in her encyclopedia.

This is a dead HUGE HUGE toad we found at the stream! You won't believe it, but yes, Chinese people eat this toad. I admit, I've tried it. They remove the skin, cut it and stirfry it with ginger and soya sauce and whatever. Basically it tastes like REALLy tender chicken. I'm not particularly crazy about the dish, but if nobody told me it was toad, I'd say it is delicous.

Baby Jo's been at it again, breaking my third lipstick this morning!!! Here's her wonderful work of art! but I do not condone this work of art, coz it just "burned" the money that went into purchasing this brand new lipstick just barely 2 weeks ago.

Other than that, life is good, the Lord is good. :)

Blessings to all.

Before I forget...have to pen down some questions asked by Nel today...
1) Mum, when I get to heaven, if I ask God to sit with me on the train, will He sit with me?
2) Mum, if I'm naughty in heaven, will God punish me?
3) Mum, what color is God's clothes?
4) Mum, why is it you have to obey God and I have to obey you? is it, coz God is bigger than you and you are bigger than me? In that case, Daddy obeys God, you obey daddy, I obey you and Jo has to obey me right?

(I write it down, coz I print all this stuff for them to read in the future. :) )

Well, today I sent off a dear god-brother to the Phillipines to pursue a degree in Film making. Hope he'll cope well. Also spent the afternoon reading a journal I kept during one of the long trips across USA by Amtrak. I have to admit, I've changed so much since then. I had to laugh at some of the entries in that journal. Stuff like talking about my period, to running away from an expensive restaurant with friends, to crying after a friend shoved me while I was roller blading, and talk of peeing, pranks and some other crazy crazy stuff which I shouldn't relate here.

Just helps me realise that I shouldn't judge what young adults and teens talk about nowadays coz I was once like that. haaha...

soo...just rambling. I was again down with a bout of flue. This time my lungs were so congested i was wheezing (doc thought it was asthma, but it isn't). Then I had conjunctivitis. Well, my help came in the form of my little Nel. I told her I Was sick and she had to look after her sister, and she DID!

She kept Jo away from my room the whole day, told her to eat her lunch, kept her busy playing and reading and did all the things I would usually do. Amazing, coz Nel is only 5. I'm blessed. Today I'm much better. :

well...tis all for now.

oh yeah...my sink was clogged again. I dug and dug to bring up eeky black seaweed like substance. yukkkk... still it remained clogged till evening when husband took out the whole pipe to find MORE of that seaweed like substance clogging the ENTIRE pipe! arrrghhh...gross. Must clean the sink with a regular dose of Sodium Bicarbonate.
Happy week and here's kisses to all of you.

Jo quotes some verses

Jo turns 2 years 3 months (27 months) on November 5th. It's a routine that before i give her milk at night we go through some Bible verses. She picks them up quite quickly and I've recorded her saying some of her verses. In case you can't hear them clearly they are
1) Love one Another
2) With God Nothing is impossible
3) I will enter Your gates with thanksgiving in my heart
4) Bless the Lord Oh my Soul, let everything that is within me bless His holy name
5) When I am afraid I will trust in You, my God in whom I trust
6) For God so loved the world He gave His only son
7) Let everything that has breath Praise the Lord.

To listen to Jo saying her verses, go here Recording of Jo and click on "Download verse2" to download. Will take about one min. (wma format)

Hope you enjoy listening. :)

Before I end today, Nel asked me 2 questions today. 1) will I have to brush my teeth when I get to heaven? 2) Will God give me a Husky when I get to heaven? I really want one. Do dogs live in heaven?

P.S while waiting for audio to download, you can try this really cool IQ Game . I enjoyed it! It's trying to get everyone from one side of the river to the other, but only taking 2 at a time without having certain people kill others.