Category Archives: life

life with a kindergartener: when I grow up….

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On a visit to our daughter’s daycare, one of her girl classmates suddenly exclaimed  albeit with a serious expression while looking so self-assured at me: I’ll be a pianist when I grow up!

Boy classmate then piped in, “I’ll be a Godzilla or dinosaur when I grow up! Really, really big!!” (His voice then changed to emphasise how big he is gonna be)

Of course my daughter wouldn’t allow herself to loose ground. She also has to say her own piece. 

Yui: when I grow up, I will be a….FLAMINGO!!

There’s a golden rule: never, ever laugh at someone else’s dream. And so of course, I tried not to. 

A few weeks later…

Yui: I will be a prime minister. Flamingo prime minister! 

Well, at least she’s consistent. 

life with a toddler: lunch at daycare

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This week, parents for older classes (3,4,5 yr olds) were given the chance to stay at daycare around lunchtime to get to experience how your usual lunchtime is at daycare. I didn’t tell you I’m going today. I just told you since last night that I have a big surprise for you today. 

And surprised you were, indeed. The delight on your face at seeing me there (there were two other parents there, with max four per day) is priceless. You were beside yourself with happiness. Your eyes were twinkling, your smile from ear to ear and you couldn’t let go of my hand. We were seated for lunch with three of your other classmates and they too wanted to talk to me. But you always wanted to talk to me and would grab my face. It was a treasure to keep in the heart. 

By the way, you did this for the Setsubun. That handle is pretty! I’m might proud of you little big one! 

baby diaries: Orion’s Belt and us

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We were relaxing at our cottage by the beach, resting after our daylong travel and mentally prepping ourselves for your Ninang Maha’s wedding the following day. The evening was balmy, the night sky clear. The stars were beautiful to look at from our hammock and I pointed out to you the Orion’s Belt. I wanted to tell you that those stars were meaningful to me. That way back when I was lonely and away from loved ones (and most especially that time when your Daddy and I still live away from each other), I just look up and look at the Belt and I’d smile, be comforted; knowing my loved ones can also see the same stars, that we are under the same sky.

But that story would be too long given the moment we had right there at the hammock. So I just told you that you can remember the stars as us – Daddy, Mommy, you; thinking and hoping the stars will also comfort you as it did me. Then you smiled and giggled. 

Last night, we saw your wound, one which we couldn’t determine from whence it came, arrayed in such a way as the Orion’s Belt. I laughed and pointed this out to you. And then you said with a smile, “Daddy, Mommy and Yui, ne”. 

Was awestruck with how you remembered our tender moment at the hammock in our beach cottage. Yet again a reminder for me to always thread gently  and lovingly where you are concerned. 

baby diaries: forever young

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I have two mentors who told me to be “forever young” albeit they said it differently. The message is nevertheless the same; to always be willing and open to learn something new, to go where you’ve never been. 

We were at your paediatrician earlier, for our tummy bug. We had a looong wait but you didn’t mind at all because the doctor’s place was a very interesting one with decorations done in good taste, obviously expensive toys that promotes critical thinking, tons of books. I can almost forget we’re in a clinic. 

Today, I noticed this new picture book, by Bob Dylan, Forever Young. I read it out to you, both in Japanese and English. But a lump was forming on my throat as I was reading the lines. It fully captured my wish for you my dear little one. I said so to you, after I read the last line, that it was a song of my wish for you; and even when you were tinkering over a toy, you solemnly replied, “arigatou”. 

The lump stayed for quite some time. It’s even returning now. 

Love you, dear Yui. 

Forever Young by Bob Dylan

May God’s bless and keep you always

May your wishes all come true

May you always do for others

And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars

And climb on every rung

May you stay

Forever young
May you grow up to be righteous

May you grow up to be true

May you always know the truth

And see the lights surrounding you
May you always be courageous

Stand upright and be strong

And may you stay

Forever young
May your hands always be busy

May your feet always be swift

May you have a strong foundation

When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful

May your song always be sung

And may you stay

Forever young

life with a toddler: Doraemon and bedtime tears

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We had a great day today. The Fujiko F Fujio Museum was a great visit. Although I’ve only watched one Doraemon movie, still, I had a great time because it made me happy to see Hubs and our daughter having a grand time. 

Hubs for his part was feeling nostalgic; Doraemon after all was a huge part of his childhood. As I tailed Yui, Hubs lagged behind, looking at the original artwork in detail. The museum is celebrating its 5th anniversary, but since it’s still 2016, I’d also like to claim the 5 is for A&M’s anniversary (hehe!) although really, that should have been back in April and we were civilly married in 2010.  But still! Happy 5th!


Repeatedly Yui had said “tanoshikata” (it was enjoyable). The effect it has on me doesn’t wane though, every time she says it; especially when she looks me in the eye and I could see her eyes twinkling. 

This evening though, I sent her to bed crying. 

It was already 30 minutes past midnight yet she was stil asking that we read a book; this, despite the fact that we already read her 5 different books this evening. She was crying that she can’t read yet and hence have to rely on us to read to her. Told her we don’t mind reading to her but that the point is, it’s already past midnight and tomorrow’s not a holiday for her – it’s an early day to daycare. 

And so she cried herself to sleep. This made me remember as well the nights I cried myself to sleep because my father scolded me hard because I was still awake (reading too!) at past midnight. 

Well then, when it comes to late nights, indeed, it’s “like mother, like daughter” for us. 

baby diaries: that one powerful word

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You probably caught a bug at day care yesterday in that when I picked you up, you again have a runny nose with some colour. Late evening, you were coughing. Past midnight, you vomitted twice; as is your usual style ever since you were a baby whenever you have a cough. 

And so for 45 minutes I changed our bedsheets and cleaned up our bedroom. Daddy gave you a change of clothes for you to wear (after I’ve washed you up), gave you a glass of water and snuggled with you while I cleaned up our side of the bed. 

To be honest anak, those 45 minutes were very tiring; you know me, you know how miticulous I am with cleaning. I was still meticulous, even at almost 1am. I was easy to drop with tiredness. 

But then you got up from Daddy’s hug, saw our side of the bed already clean and saw your baby bed with new sheets. Then in the sweetest voice,

Ah! Kereinatta! (It got clean!). Mommy, arigatou! (Thank you!)

Right there and then all the tiredness was drained out of my body. I never expected that that word that we always say could have such powerful effect in rejuvenating me. Totally forgot the tiredness, especially after Daddy said thanks too. 

Looking back, I’m not too sure anymore if I ever said thank you sweetly to Mama and Papa after they had a tiring time taking care of me. 

I am so blessed to have you as my daughter, Yui and I would always be thankful.