Category Archives: life

a Wonderful God

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This autumn had been exceptionally beautiful. With our schedule being loaded, preparing for something new in our lives, we didn’t have the luxury this year to go sightseeing autumn’s wonderful colours. Nevertheless, no matter how busy we were (and once there was a week when our hearts were really troubled), we still had the chance to pause and try to catch our breath as we looked at God’s wonderful creation. Cloudless blue skies, tree trunks so dark, ground matted with yellow, gold and red, colours heightened by the setting sun. Snow-topped Fuji against the backdrop of the blue sky; against a golden sky; against a sky with hue of pinks, purples, reds and blues. My heart can only sing praises of You, dear God as we look on.

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jankenpoy

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I was walking down the stairs from Church when I met this couple going the opposite way. This particular stairs is actually quite a challenge to climb most especially during summer even for young people. But this old couple found a fun way to scale it by doing Rock, Paper, Scissors/Jenkenpoy/Jak en Poy all the way up. Keeping the sweetness and fun and humour all these years. Inspiring. We pray that A and M will too.

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humba

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Been craving for Filipino food lately – actually, more like, I miss Papa’s cooking – so I cooked humba (slightly sweet adobo) using Japanese condiments – dashi, mirin, Japanese soy sauce, sesame salt, sesame oil plus wei pai, a Chinese flavouring that’s great for soup. The result, deliciously Filipino Humba, as if it was Papa who cooked.

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baby diaries: Yui turns 2

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Mommy remembers kissing your apple-red lips after the nurse cleaned you up, just before Mommy passed out. You cried then, Mommy melted.

Mommy remembers that night you were making effort on pulling yourself up. It was admirable to see. You fell a lot of times. But you were determined. And you didn’t give up. And indeed you succeeded about fifteen minutes after. Then just right after you’ve successfully pulled yourself up, you immediately turned your head to flash Mommy a big, happy smile. Priceless; and one that Mommy would always be grateful.

Mommy remembers you running towards Mommy, arms outstretched. And how you hugged Mommy tightly, saying “Mommy” with a deep, contented sigh whilst smiling and burrowing your face on Mommy’s chest. Mommy couldn’t ask for anything more.

Mommy and Daddy are so blessed to have you, Anak. Happy birthday baby. Grow up well.

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life with a toddler: perseverance

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I have been on hiatus for some time now and it’s not because of some writer’s block or whatever you may call it. On the contrary, I have several drafts on queue (including those which I’ve promised to friends!), all waiting to be posted, but that which I couldn’t because for some reason, I could not post any photos on my mobile WordPress app – the only place I can blog these days since I could only get near our desktop once in a blue moon.

Anyways, I’m posting this now, albeit sans any photo (WordPress, any help, please?) because of the lessons learned we had today as parents.

Even from way before when Yui was just a few months old and she was learning to reach out for things, we’ve been encouraging her to persevere, to work hard and give her best effort. Now that she’s a toddler and is starting working on her own projects and toy buildings and crafts, instilling the virtue of perseverance even when faced with a tough challenge is even more important.

This evening, I read this parenting article on how to teach your child to persevere. Funny timing because just earlier this evening, our daughter taught us a lesson in perseverance.

We were doing puzzles then. After putting together and completing a few shapes, she lost interest and moved to the other end of her play room to get her Lego set – a lidded bucket with the pieces inside and a square mat. The thing was, she was also holding a towel (her security object). With the towel on one hand, she was having difficulty lifting the bucket whilst holding the mat. With only two tiny hands, of course it was difficult! So we were telling her “muri, muri” (Japanese for impossible, impossible) and we told her that she needs three hands to accomplish her feat. But the beautiful thing that unfolded was that our daughter didn’t listen to our discouraging words. She persisted. The bucket fell. She picked it up. The mat fell. She picked it up. Bucket fell again. And before she picked it up, mat also fell (yes, towel didn’t fall at all). I was already about to spring and help her. But I forced myself to stay put and watch. Thankfully Hubs stayed put as well. And so we watched how our daughter re-adjusted her hands so that she can hold all three and carry all three across the room, near Daddy and Mommy, where we could play and build towers.

It was a lessons learned for us. A reminder for us to persevere and to teach our daughter to persevere instead of saying discouraging words. Thank you for the reminder, Anak. You did (and are doing) a good job.