grow old with you

Not enough have been said about my partner in this journey to bring up livi. It is time to declare that I owe her much for what she has done for livi and the family. I just want to say I want to grow old with you, my beautiful wifey...

back in action again

after a long "layoff", I am back in action again. Due to hectic travelling and heavy workload, I have not really find the time to write. But, given that so much things have taken place in the past few months, it is time to continue this blog.

First of all, livi is now attending music and movement class on weekends. She really enjoys her classes.

Secondly, she is getting more inquisitive and her curiosity sometimes leads her to ask funny questions. For example, recently over lunch, she asked her grandma if she was being fed carrot fish. She was actually eating salmon but she thought that since the fish is orange in color, she might be eating carrot fish....

Desiderata

Another lovely poem (thanks to wifey who introduced me to this). This poem summarised the values that I want livi to have.

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,

and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender

be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly;

and listen to others,even the dull and the ignorant;

they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,t

hey are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,

you may become vain and bitter;

for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;

it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs;

for the world is full of trickery.

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;

many persons strive for high ideals;

and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.

Especially, do not feign affection.

Neither be cynical about love;for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment

it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,

gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.

But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,

no less than the trees and the stars;

you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,

no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,

whatever you conceive Him to be,

and whatever your labors and aspirations,

in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,

it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, Copyright 1952.

Playing with Kids

Another lovely poem to share:

I tried to teach my child with books
He gave me only puzzled looks
I tried to teach my child with words
They passed him by often unheard
Despairingly I turned aside
"How shall I teach my child?" I cried.
Into my hand he put the key.
"Come," he said, "play with me"

Author: Unknown
-------------------------------------

I cannot agreed more. I believe kids learn much faster through play. Sometimes, I am gulity of trying to teach livi new things without the "playing" element. Time to reflect on my method of teaching. Kid will always be kid...

Future Muay Thai Champion!

I now have a real fear that livi will turn out to be muay tai champion in the future. At a tender age of 17 months, she is already terrorising her older male cousin (coming to 3 years old, by the way) with her "martial art". Her favoritate moves includes a combination of biting and hair pulling. What puzzles me is that both parents are relatively mild manners, so where does she learn all these "moves"? I was told that it is just a phase that kids go through. Well, I hope this is true. In case I give the impression that livi is always picking fights and terrorising other kids, it is not true. Only if you mess with her and her favorite toys... And good luck to you when that happens! Don't say I never warn you ....<

wine

What I am writing has nothing to do with parenting or fatherhood. But, since I do not have another blog to write about wine, I guess I will use this blog to write about wine until such time when I create a separate blog. What prompt me to write about wine is my accidental discovery of a wine blog (www.thewineblog.net). I am excited that now I have a wine blog to check out the wine tasting note. I enjoy a good bottle of red wine, but as all novice wine lovers will know, buying wine is a bit like buying a second-hand car. You never really know how good the wine is based on the price or the salesperson. Now, at least I have a blog to check out the wines before I buy. Well done for the guys at thewineblog.

Slow Dance

I came across this poem in the book "The 4-hour workweek" by Timothy Ferriss. I found it to be really meaning. It reminds me to focus on what is important in life and treasure our loved ones.... Here it goes

Have you ever watched Kids
On a merry-go-round?

Or listened to the rain
Slapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

You better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.
The music won't last.

Do you run through each day
On the fly?

When you ask: How are you?
Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done,
do you lie in your bed

With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?

You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.
The music won't last.

Ever told your child,
We'll do it tomorrow?

And in your haste,
Not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die

Cause you never had time
To call and say, "Hi"?

You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast

Time is short.
The music won't last

When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.

When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift thrown away.

Life is not a race.
Do take it slower.

Hear the music
Before the song is over