Here is an interesting meme that I got from Jean. Its all about my annoying habits. All of them are about how I annoy my husband. Not on purpose but because he is the person I am most comfortable with.
1. Lately, I HAVE to finish a post for my blog before sitting down for a DVD. Sometimes, I keep Richard waiting and then get lost in the internet until its too late to start a DVD.
2. I like to mute the volume during the eerie or suspense sequences in thriller movies. Its amazing how quickly my heartbeat returns to normal once there is no audio accompanying the visual.
3. I'm lazy and often ask Richard to pass me something or get me a drink after I have gotten into bed. The problem is, I never remember to ask this until he has settled himself into bed already.
4. I don't like carrying a handbag so whenever we go out, I get Richard to carry my purse and cell phone.
5. When I feel like indulging in some Indomie (Indonesian instant noodles) at 10pm, I INSIST that Richard join me. I just don't want to be the only one doing something so unhealthy.
6. I find it impossible to sit still. No matter where or what I am sitting on, I'm never comfortable. I change positions almost every minute. The worst is when I am out in a cinema watching a long movie. Cross my legs, straighten them, put them up, tuck them under, fold my arms, put one arm behind, lean left, lean right and so on.
OK. Thats all I can think of. I'm sure I have other annoying habits that I don't realise but it was quite difficult just to put those six up. Perhaps the final annoying habit is that I probably won't admit to whatever annoying habit somebody else may point out to me.
Friday, October 5, 2007
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Secret Comparisons
I have been taking Aaron for swimming lessons every morning this week. The lessons are more about water orientation and teaching babies what to do if they fall into water rather than any real swimming. The classes are full of singing and Aaron has been having a blast. He can now fall in the water, hold his breath, 'swim' towards me and cling to my shirt.
Today I noticed a medium sized sign hanging up near the pool that reminded parents not to compare their children and to appreciate them for all the talents that they have. Its a no brainer and everybody tells everybody else not to compare their kids, but to some extent, I think we all do it.
"That boy looks younger than Aaron but he is talking a lot more"
"Ah, Aaron is so much cuter than that little girl"
"Good, it looks like Aaron is progressing at the same rate as the others"
All sorts of thoughts like that fleet across my mind each day. Surely this must happen to other mothers as well. So, in the end, comparing is something that may come naturally to us but I think the damage occurs when we voice them out. Or let the thoughts consume us until we give off these 'comparisons vibes'. Babies understand so much more than we think they do so if they did overhear comments like that, I think they do get hurt. Of course, older children will feel the sting even more.
Even though I have these thoughts, I don't think I am really comparing or wishing for Aaron to be like any other baby. Its more like observations.
The problem comes when other people make thoughtless comments. They don't mean any harm but sometimes, the child may not understand that part. And when I do come across them (I haven't yet) I think my job will be to help Aaron look past somebody else's words, instead of shielding him from it. Now, how do you communicate to a toddler that everybody is entitled to say what they like but we don't need to listen to it all?
Today I noticed a medium sized sign hanging up near the pool that reminded parents not to compare their children and to appreciate them for all the talents that they have. Its a no brainer and everybody tells everybody else not to compare their kids, but to some extent, I think we all do it.
"That boy looks younger than Aaron but he is talking a lot more"
"Ah, Aaron is so much cuter than that little girl"
"Good, it looks like Aaron is progressing at the same rate as the others"
All sorts of thoughts like that fleet across my mind each day. Surely this must happen to other mothers as well. So, in the end, comparing is something that may come naturally to us but I think the damage occurs when we voice them out. Or let the thoughts consume us until we give off these 'comparisons vibes'. Babies understand so much more than we think they do so if they did overhear comments like that, I think they do get hurt. Of course, older children will feel the sting even more.
Even though I have these thoughts, I don't think I am really comparing or wishing for Aaron to be like any other baby. Its more like observations.
The problem comes when other people make thoughtless comments. They don't mean any harm but sometimes, the child may not understand that part. And when I do come across them (I haven't yet) I think my job will be to help Aaron look past somebody else's words, instead of shielding him from it. Now, how do you communicate to a toddler that everybody is entitled to say what they like but we don't need to listen to it all?
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Blogging is Fabulous
I went through my blog reading list too early yesterday and didn't see that Bilbo had awarded me with this:
I really should be the one awarding it to him because his blog is one that always gives me something to think about during the day. Lately, I only glace at news headlines and don't have much time to spend digesting anything (yet I have time to blog). His blog regularly comments on current affairs and somehow always manages to get my own brain ticking on a topic that is not related to BABIES! Thank you, Bilbo.
Blogging is really turning out to be such a feel good activity. Not only does it help me to vent my own frustrations and share any good experiences, I have 'met' so many interesting people. Both Bilbo and John have recent posts about blogging as a habit and an addiction. I had thoughts of a similar post but never completed it because I thought that only I felt the irresistible force pulling me to streamline my activities to allow time for blogging.
I really should be the one awarding it to him because his blog is one that always gives me something to think about during the day. Lately, I only glace at news headlines and don't have much time to spend digesting anything (yet I have time to blog). His blog regularly comments on current affairs and somehow always manages to get my own brain ticking on a topic that is not related to BABIES! Thank you, Bilbo.
Blogging is really turning out to be such a feel good activity. Not only does it help me to vent my own frustrations and share any good experiences, I have 'met' so many interesting people. Both Bilbo and John have recent posts about blogging as a habit and an addiction. I had thoughts of a similar post but never completed it because I thought that only I felt the irresistible force pulling me to streamline my activities to allow time for blogging.
A Meme about Me
I love finding out more about the people behind the blogs I read. Yesterday, Serina at Laughter, Love and Madness: The Life We Have tagged me for a meme to whare some interesting facts about myself. I found this a little hard to do because these days, I find that my life revolves so much around Aaron's routine that there is nothing interesting left in me. So, here are some facts about me:
1. I don't like sleeping in. This is the way I've been my whole life. When I was in school, I didn't want to waste precious weekend time by sleeping them away. When I had a job, and worked 15 hour days, I found even more reason NOT to sleep in. What would life be if I just worked and slept. These days, with the baby, there is of course no time to sleep in but still, I don't yearn for it. If he's up at 5am....lets start the day.
2. I can eat A LOT. Seriously. I can eat more than my husband. Its not that I'm always stuffing myself with food but when the occasion calls for it, I can really eat and enjoy every mouthful of it.
3. I'm paranoid about losing my teeth. It was terrible during the 9 months of pregnancy and I visited the dentist about 4 times. Two 'official' visits and two turn-up-and-beg-for-consultation visits because I had imagined cavities. I still imagine problems with my teeth but I try not to go running to the dentist all the time.....I think I'll be needing a root canal soon...
4. I'm constantly worried that I will spoil Aaron. There is always so much 'advice' out there about not giving in, reprimanding, not to always carry a child etc etc etc. And there are also so many books out there about how to gently discipline (or teach as John had once explained. In the end, I say to myself that motherhood is a journey and I will learn as we travel together.
5. I'm a little self conscious about the way I walk. I think my feet somehow swing out and then in again....making me look like a cartoon character. And I have a tendency to lead with my head....making me look like a tortoise.
1. I don't like sleeping in. This is the way I've been my whole life. When I was in school, I didn't want to waste precious weekend time by sleeping them away. When I had a job, and worked 15 hour days, I found even more reason NOT to sleep in. What would life be if I just worked and slept. These days, with the baby, there is of course no time to sleep in but still, I don't yearn for it. If he's up at 5am....lets start the day.
2. I can eat A LOT. Seriously. I can eat more than my husband. Its not that I'm always stuffing myself with food but when the occasion calls for it, I can really eat and enjoy every mouthful of it.
3. I'm paranoid about losing my teeth. It was terrible during the 9 months of pregnancy and I visited the dentist about 4 times. Two 'official' visits and two turn-up-and-beg-for-consultation visits because I had imagined cavities. I still imagine problems with my teeth but I try not to go running to the dentist all the time.....I think I'll be needing a root canal soon...
4. I'm constantly worried that I will spoil Aaron. There is always so much 'advice' out there about not giving in, reprimanding, not to always carry a child etc etc etc. And there are also so many books out there about how to gently discipline (or teach as John had once explained. In the end, I say to myself that motherhood is a journey and I will learn as we travel together.
5. I'm a little self conscious about the way I walk. I think my feet somehow swing out and then in again....making me look like a cartoon character. And I have a tendency to lead with my head....making me look like a tortoise.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Raw Metal and the Tap Dogs
Raw Metal is the group of funky tap dancers that started back in 1998 and have now grown to be Raw Dance Company. I love tap! Today, we took a long drive to Redbank to watch a lunch time performance by the group and my feet can't stop tapping now.
Ever since I was a kid I pretended to tap. Somehow, I never went for any lessons back then, too many boring music lessons I guess. Anyway, it wasn't until I went for a Tap Dogs concert that I decided to go for some classes. No, they are dogs with taps on. They were originally a group of Australian steel workers. Go click on the link I have up there. Click videos, sit on the edge of your chair and tap along!
Anyway, there were no Tap Dog lessons back then so I signed up with the next best thing, Raw Metal. This was during my last trip to Brisbane a couple of years ago and it was so much fun. Syncopated rhythms, stomping, clapping.....it works the brain as well as the body. So, its not that I can tap well, but I can do some stuff, especially when I'm alone and nobody is watching. I'll have to let Aaron watch me so that he can be a Tap Pup. If there is anything I really want him to be be, its a TAP PUP!
Next trip, next year, we'll BOTH go for lessons again.
Ever since I was a kid I pretended to tap. Somehow, I never went for any lessons back then, too many boring music lessons I guess. Anyway, it wasn't until I went for a Tap Dogs concert that I decided to go for some classes. No, they are dogs with taps on. They were originally a group of Australian steel workers. Go click on the link I have up there. Click videos, sit on the edge of your chair and tap along!
Anyway, there were no Tap Dog lessons back then so I signed up with the next best thing, Raw Metal. This was during my last trip to Brisbane a couple of years ago and it was so much fun. Syncopated rhythms, stomping, clapping.....it works the brain as well as the body. So, its not that I can tap well, but I can do some stuff, especially when I'm alone and nobody is watching. I'll have to let Aaron watch me so that he can be a Tap Pup. If there is anything I really want him to be be, its a TAP PUP!
Next trip, next year, we'll BOTH go for lessons again.
We're not short, we're petite!
Take a look at all our feet! Obviously Australian standard benches.
From the left, its me, three of my mother's friends and then my mother. They meet every Sunday for lunch and an outing. My mother has known two of the ladies for over 30 years and then the other one is a new good friend. I hope that when I'm 60, I also live somewhere close enough to some friends to enjoy the camaraderie.
Monday, October 1, 2007
The Original Four
After 10 years, the original four have gathered once again for dinner. These are the original four members of my family; mother, father, brother and I. Dinner was around the kitchen bench. The same place where we had dinner, night after night, when we were growing up. After I left Brisbane 10 years ago, we never had the opportunity to all be 'at home' at the same time, until now.
10 years ago, I'm sure my parents never thought that the dinner conversation would one day be about cooking. The KIDS cooking. All my brother and I discussed was what we liked to cook and what we were going to cook in the next three weeks. My parents just sat there, listening mostly. My mother has been suspended from grocery shopping duties because all that will result in is 'Vegetables, with vegetables'.
There are three new additions to the family now and we love them all but it really felt very special to be that little family again. Laughing as loudly as we always have. Teasing and poking fun at each other. Mostly importantly, enjoying the rare company. I'll be enjoying a whole week of this and relishing every second.
10 years ago, I'm sure my parents never thought that the dinner conversation would one day be about cooking. The KIDS cooking. All my brother and I discussed was what we liked to cook and what we were going to cook in the next three weeks. My parents just sat there, listening mostly. My mother has been suspended from grocery shopping duties because all that will result in is 'Vegetables, with vegetables'.
There are three new additions to the family now and we love them all but it really felt very special to be that little family again. Laughing as loudly as we always have. Teasing and poking fun at each other. Mostly importantly, enjoying the rare company. I'll be enjoying a whole week of this and relishing every second.
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