the way they should go

I was the proud parent during the family interview last Saturday in DJ's new school. Family interview was a necessary part of the admission procedure together with the exam results and family profile. Prior to the release of the results, I was nervous. I was praying that whatever the outcome may be, God will give me the grace of acceptance.

The reason for my uneasiness was because during the interview, DJ refused to answer most of the questions, in fact the interviewer decided to skip several questions because he was crying and we were already the only family left in the hall. We had to explain to the teacher that DJ had difficulty opening up and that in the past I even had to meet with his former teachers to seek assistance so that he would be able to adjust well in his environment. 
Hubby and I have yet to see the root cause of this behavior (if ever there is) but for the meantime we are hoping that his new school can help him improve his interpersonal skills.   

But going back to the interview, the interviewer told us that DJ seemed to be  very well mannered,kind and very polite. We had to agree to her because even in CSA we got the same feedback from the teachers. When he was asked by the interviewer where he learned his values, he said, "from my mother". Oh, I was beaming with pride.

Yes, I grew up with a mother who was more into academics than anything. And despite not being well off she ensured that I went to a school where I would learn proper values and social etiquette. I studied my elementary in a school ran by nuns. When I say nuns, they were those who expected us to always say "good morning" (whatever the case may be), to pick up the thrash on the floor (oh! but it's not mine Sister!), to observe school rules, to fall in line when required, to be respectful towards person in authority, and a lot more. Well, I had bumps and glitches along the way, but I guess that's how real life is.

Now that I am a mother myself and I am given the opportunity to raise kids who can be good citizens in the future, I am exerting my best efforts to impart what I had been taught of when I was young. Being on top of the class is good but I have learned that this wont guarantee a quality life ahead. Children who are competitive in academics is something I truly admire (because I grew up being one) but I never consider it a handicap if their strengths lie somewhere else.  What I try to instill to my children are the values necessary for them to be good, upright and useful individuals.

I am not religious but having been given a job description which includes "educating a generation" I try my best to follow these Biblical verses:

Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go; 

even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Deuteronomy 11"19

Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, 

when you lie down and when you get up.

And we also had this House Rules posted on wall in their bedroom. 

*  *  *

HOUSE RULES

LOVE EACH OTHER

HOLD YOUR HEAD HIGH. BE CONFIDENT WITH YOUR ABILITIES.

LAUGH A LOT

SAY PLEASE. Please 

SAY  T  H  A  N  K   YOU ALWAYS

NEVER GIVE UP

ALWAYS SPEAK THE TRUTH

NO CHEATING EVEN IF IT MEANS GETTING ZERO

AVOID WHINING

CHEW, SWALLOW, SPEAK. CHEW, SWALLOW, SPEAK

AVOID MAKING EXCUSES

BE RESPECTFUL TO ATE. NO YELLING.

SAY SORRY.

FORGIVE

DO WHAT YOU LOVE

(DRAWING, READING, BADMINTON,DANCING etc.)

*  *  *

They may not follow this every second of their waking hours, but I think being reminded of this 24/7 will help them whenever they get into a crossroad of what is right and wrong. 

Valentine wishes (misplaced?)

An officemate asked me yesterday about our Valentine's day. I said matter of factly, "Wala eh." Well, I had a free Valentine dinner ticket in a hotel in Alabang for two courtesy of our VP and hubby and I took advantage of it. Libre eh.

Unfortunately, the evening was not the way we expected it to be and yes hubby was not amuse (read: bad trip). Nevertheless, it's for free naman and was given out of kindness so the least that I could do was to be grateful despite. :)

Can I share to you the note that I gave to our VP as a sign of my appreciation?

Dear Mr. Hwang,

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted" (Aesop)

Thank you for the kind gesture.

Happy Valentine's day to you.

Anyhow, Valentine's Day was just any other ordinary day for us. It was never big for me, ever since. Probably because I am not the senti type or the chocolates and flower kind of girl. I would prefer that we do something different on Valentine, instead of splurging on roses, tulips or arranging an expensive romantic dinner in a fancy restaurant or in a five star hotel.

if you would ask me, I'd rather go on a long drive, let's say go up north - Vigan, anyone? Or we could explore a place like Binondo/ China town and eat authentic Chinese foods. I would also love to visit antique shops (like in Makati and Sampaloc) - marveling on those old but immaculate plates with intricate and complicated designs like these (www.daphne.ph) 

(from http://www.curioussetting.com)

or admiring those aging but still elegant lamps,chairs,candelabras and chandeliers. 

(from http://realrica.com)

(http://www.curioussetting.com)

If only I had a big house where I could beautifully design with those stuff from the past. 

Do I hear my husband's silent protest on this? :) 

But hubby wont say no if I put paintings on display. paintings are our secret dream. so art museums are also on my Valentine wishlist. 
 maybe one day we could have...

a Malang?

or a Bencab?

or mother and daughter. 

(from www.oceansbridge.uk.co)

There is no greater love than the love of a mom for her children. And I am amazed. 

This is it. 
Are my wishes misplaced? 

Happy Valentine's Day

How else would you express this extra ordinary day 

except through sweets.

from sweet people in the office.

patay ang tonsils ko nito. overindulgence.

Have a great great day everyone!

Saturday night

So what did we have last Saturday night?

Noodles - i tried japchae. I was not sure if I really cooked the dish correctly, pero masarap pa rin naman sya sa akin. :)

dimsum
we had siomai from Henlin.

tikoy (red boxes, yet to be cooked)
we felt luckier coz tikoy was a giveaway from Puregold.
fruits
oranges,kiat kiat& banana. are grapes supposed to be there? I am not sure. the ate just placed them there.

I made sure we prepared only those that we can consume. no wasted foods please.

as usual, i don't have the family photo. but we were all in red. even the two ate. :)

Kids' Say

Yes, its Abi, who else

I was upstairs going to the bathroom when I overheard the exchange of words between Abi and his Papa. Let me tell you that this is just normal between the two. This is just one of those.

Abi: Papa, why do you tell us to be smart always? Mama just said "behave". It's not exam naman everyday, but good behavior is everyday.
Me: ( Good! It shows that my pangaral is seriously ingrained)
Papa: Yes, you should be smart everyday. (D never gives "sound" argument. Pang aasar lang talaga ang habol nya, kaya paulit ulit lang sya ng sinasabi).
Abi: But Papa, behavior is 25%.
Papa: What is 75% then?
Abi: There is no 75%!
Papa: If Behavior is 25%, what is 75%?
Abi: There is no 75% nga!
Me: (har har har)  

Aside from teaching values and proper behavior, we encourage our children to express their ideas freely, even to the extent of pointing out to us our mistakes and inconsistencies. There are times when Abi goes overboard, he yells during arguments just to get his message across and this alarms me no end. but i get comforted by the thought that children live by example. It could be his personality, but one day I know he would learn to tame his temper. we only have to teach him little by little.

"Train a child in the way he should go, 

and when he is old he will not turn from it."

Thank you Tina

Parque Team was here. and Tina gave me this.

Oh Tina, how did you know I need to organize my accessories? Who told you that I am the most disorganized person in the universe?

Isn't it so chic?

Kids' Say

Who else, but Abi.

Abi aka Plato:


Abi: Mama, if a person is not baptized but he knows what is good, will he go to heaven?
Me: (Aw! Philosophy of Religion hello!) (What are you up to Abi?)

Abi: If everyone has original sin, what about Mary?
Me: (ewan nga)

Abi replacing Rodrick in "Diary of the Wimpy Kid"



Me: Abi, 1st grading period you were No. 7, 2nd grading period you were No. 8, I think now you have slid to the bottom. Why?
Abi: It's because my classmates are getting better and better.
Me: Nyay! (kasalanan pa pala ng mga kaklase)

Abi crying for Justice




(www.flicker.com)

Abi: Mama, how do we get the prize?
Me: when you go up the stage this March to get the Eagle award
Abi: What? but that's not the rule!
Me: That's the rule. I told that to you.
Abi: No! Papa told me it's when I got 4 Gold Eagle
Me: No! You should go up the stage like Anjo.
Abi: (Crying and screaming) Why do you change the rule in the middle? Rules should be in the beginning!
Me: (ano raw???)