Category Archives: life

life with a kindergartener: the T-Rex and its digits 

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We’ve been arguing for weeks now about this particular issue. You against me & your Dad. But you just won’t relent. In fact, you’ve grown more vehement in your belief that you were right. That it is an indisputable fact that the T-Rex has only two digits on its fore limbs. Your Dad and I insist it had three. 

At one point, Gon the dinosaur was even involved in our discussion as we (Me and your Dad), suggested Gon is a T-Rex. And with this, you passionately told us this is not correct because Gon has three fingers. 

It went on for weeks. But it was only tonight that I thought of checking it out so that once and for all, the matter will be settled. And I was shocked to see you were right! You were jumping gayly on your bed, saying “desu yo?! Desu yo?!! I won!” while Dad hid under the covers because well, we lost. 


Yes I’m very proud that you were able to notice such detail. 

But I’m even more proud on how relentless you were on your stand; how confident you were even when your views were very different from Mom and Dad. You didn’t even go and look for proof (as I would do at the office); you just say it in a very confident manner that  has a tone of a “full stop” on it; no room for discussion. 

By even as you rejoiced, you also felt the need to comfort Mom and Dad because we lost in our big debate. And so you went really really generous. You shared with us your two most favourite toys that you almost couldn’t go to bed without. You gave Pinkie Pie to Daddy for the night, and to me, Arlo. 

I pray the world, us including, doesn’t change you anak. May you continue to be firm yet gentle; determined yet generous. 

A day well spent

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For many, it can probably be described as a very laid back birthday. I’d say it was one of my special ones. Was able to have a “me” time with a good movie (La la Land), lunch date with Hubs, salon pampering, cake date with Yui, a beautiful bouquet from Hubs, good dinner, relaxing evening. And messages from family and close friends across the globe even sans FB usage (well, discount Messenger since it’s another app). I even love how the weather today was – sunny early morning, gentle rain the rest of the day and stopping at late afternoon such that Yui and I could enjoy singing while  walking. And since I picked Yui up early today, while she went to toilet, I got to talk with her classmates who were all eager to show off their newly-learned English words. Love it as well that the evening was capped with Yui sweetly singing “happy birthday” while holding  her Lego cake. 

Heart overflowing with gratitude and brimming with anticipation. 

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