Son shared this witty Youtube with me. The creator, a young man, is able to garner more than a million viewers to his sites! A Spielberg in the making?? Check out his other videos and be awed by the number of viewers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r56jqb-fWVM
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Privacy Limited
"MOM!", Son shrieked as I poked my head into his room. "Mom, you can't just barge into my room". Oh oh! slipped my mind - I've agreed to knock. Sigh, the liberty to walk in and out of that room has ended.
When Son first brought up this new rule of knocking, I was aghast. Excuse me, this is my house! I go wherever I wish. "I need my privacy", he pleaded. Hmm.... fishy. "Are you trying to hide something from me?" "No, I have nothing to hide Mom, I just want to do my own things in private." "What private things?" I heard my voice rising. The argument bounced to and fro.
To cut a long story short, I relented. In hindsight I believe having own space preserves one's sanity albeit a short one. It's my sanity that we are talking about here.
Son chills out in his chamber with his MP3, books and mobile phone for company. I can tolerate that, nothing fishy ....... yet!
When Son first brought up this new rule of knocking, I was aghast. Excuse me, this is my house! I go wherever I wish. "I need my privacy", he pleaded. Hmm.... fishy. "Are you trying to hide something from me?" "No, I have nothing to hide Mom, I just want to do my own things in private." "What private things?" I heard my voice rising. The argument bounced to and fro.
To cut a long story short, I relented. In hindsight I believe having own space preserves one's sanity albeit a short one. It's my sanity that we are talking about here.
Son chills out in his chamber with his MP3, books and mobile phone for company. I can tolerate that, nothing fishy ....... yet!
Hey, did he just barge into my room without knocking?? "SON!!!!!!" `
Monday, September 27, 2010
Mission Not Possible
"Put the money in your bag now", I told Son, handing out his excursion lunch money. "Wait mom, this story is very interesting", his face buried in a novel, nary a muscle moved.
I can't remember a time when an assigned mission got him to his feet pronto. He's quick with his reply though, unfortunately, doesn't translate into quick actions.
"Son, throw away your rubbish"
"Later mom, PP is waiting for my call"
"Clear your room"
"Ok, after this show ends"
Is it my teen acting up or is it a delayed tactic employed by teens worldwide? More often than not I ended up completing missions, being the perfectionist and stickler for punctuality that I am. Teens strategy? Hmm..
By the way, somebody skipped lunch......
I can't remember a time when an assigned mission got him to his feet pronto. He's quick with his reply though, unfortunately, doesn't translate into quick actions.
"Son, throw away your rubbish"
"Later mom, PP is waiting for my call"
"Clear your room"
"Ok, after this show ends"
Is it my teen acting up or is it a delayed tactic employed by teens worldwide? More often than not I ended up completing missions, being the perfectionist and stickler for punctuality that I am. Teens strategy? Hmm..
By the way, somebody skipped lunch......
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Money Matters
 |
Unperturbed by his constant plea, I directed him to this website to earn his keep.
http://www.readbud.com/
Millionaire..... he won't be but surely his knowledge will be enriched!
Friday, September 24, 2010
Empty Orchestra
(From previous post.....)
Not wanting to appear overly protective, I gave Son permission to attend his friend's birthday party at Karaoke amidst much uncertainty. Of course I laid down some ground rules!
- no rowdy behaviour
- avoid expletive-laden songs
- focus on lyrics only
- order only soft drinks
Am I kidding myself into thinking everything would be followed to a T? Wish I could pound these into the head of his friends as well, then again, perhaps their mothers already did.
I sat in my car for a while after dropping Son off, convincing myself I had made the right decision. A second later, I bolted out and headed straight into the Karaoke, Son was nowhere to be seen, must have gone into a room.
Hmm, as I looked around, quite pleasant environment with a rather homey feel. Two big signboards stood out glaringly - NO SMOKING & NO LIQUOR! My trepidation ebbed slightly.
As I was leaving, one of Son's friend, the organiser, came in with her mom. Mom gave me a knowing look and as if reading my thoughts, she said, "don't worry, I'll be here with them!" Aha! all great moms think alike! Yeah!
Not wanting to appear overly protective, I gave Son permission to attend his friend's birthday party at Karaoke amidst much uncertainty. Of course I laid down some ground rules!
- no rowdy behaviour
- avoid expletive-laden songs
- focus on lyrics only
- order only soft drinks
Am I kidding myself into thinking everything would be followed to a T? Wish I could pound these into the head of his friends as well, then again, perhaps their mothers already did.
I sat in my car for a while after dropping Son off, convincing myself I had made the right decision. A second later, I bolted out and headed straight into the Karaoke, Son was nowhere to be seen, must have gone into a room.
Hmm, as I looked around, quite pleasant environment with a rather homey feel. Two big signboards stood out glaringly - NO SMOKING & NO LIQUOR! My trepidation ebbed slightly.
As I was leaving, one of Son's friend, the organiser, came in with her mom. Mom gave me a knowing look and as if reading my thoughts, she said, "don't worry, I'll be here with them!" Aha! all great moms think alike! Yeah!
A puzzling title?
From Japanese "kara" = empty/void + "oke" = orchestra.
The first karaoke machine was invented by Japanese musician
Daisuke Inoue in Kobe, Japan, in the early 1970s.
Daisuke Inoue in Kobe, Japan, in the early 1970s.
After becoming popular in Japan, karaoke spread to East and Southeast Asia during the 1980s and subsequently to other parts of the world.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Karaoke, Ok?
Police Raid Karaoke.....
I was reading this article when Son dashed in, exclaimed excitedly, "Mom, CC is going to have a birthday bash at Karaoke. Can I go?".
Wait a minute, wait a minute..... birthday parties are held at home, McDonalds, swimming pool, hotels where colourful balloons, streamers adorn the place with cute party hats on adorable guests, right? Wrong! That was yester, yester, yester........year! Alas!
"Can I go, please?" Son looked pleadingly at me. "Err...." I was grasping the newspaper tightly to my chest willing the karaoke news to diminish, to liberate my mind to think unprejudicedly.
Actually, that isn't even the major reason, I mean the raid.
I've sat through karaoke MTVs and there isn't a time when I didn't squirm at scantily dressed ladies flaunting their assets or overly exposed men vying for attention or both gender heightening their touch senses. I don't wish for Son to have to juggle between singing and ogling. Moreover, I am of the opinion that a few minutes of this unnecessary exposure will work hot blooded teens into a frenzy. They are just not ready yet. Yes, I am that old fashioned!!!
So, did Son go or not??? Ahem! you'll know........
Monday, September 20, 2010
A Picture Speaks A 1,000 Words
I'm sidelining my usual light bantering about Son in this post, instead would like to share this profound video clip which has greatly moved him.
Mary Karen Read was one of the victims in the Virginia Tech massacre, 2007. These words were her last entry in her journal.
When deep injury is done to us,
we never recover until we forgive...
Forgiveness does not change the past,
but it does enlarge the future.
we never recover until we forgive...
Forgiveness does not change the past,
but it does enlarge the future.
Mary Karen Read was one of the victims in the Virginia Tech massacre, 2007. These words were her last entry in her journal.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Parenting Teen Driven Up The Wall!
I was seated across Son who's fixated on the computer screen. His mesmerised look piqued my curiosity, thus, stealthy I moved closer and managed to glance at the title - '41 ways to annoy your parents'. Hah! as if Son needs guidance in that area.
Later, I googled that repulsive title and discovered parents aren't very popular people. There are many sites abetting this offence. Parenting teen isn't for the weak hearted, teen issues aren't a piece of cake.
PS - Son doesn't think too highly of the list. "Pooh! kids' stuff!", he retorted, "it's too kind!"
I was seated across Son who's fixated on the computer screen. His mesmerised look piqued my curiosity, thus, stealthy I moved closer and managed to glance at the title - '41 ways to annoy your parents'. Hah! as if Son needs guidance in that area.
Later, I googled that repulsive title and discovered parents aren't very popular people. There are many sites abetting this offence.
http://www.fanpop.com/spots/random/articles/36263/title/41-ways-annoy-parents
Son doesn't require many ways to annoy me, flicking and flipping his Bieber is enough to drive me nuts!
Later, I googled that repulsive title and discovered parents aren't very popular people. There are many sites abetting this offence. Parenting teen isn't for the weak hearted, teen issues aren't a piece of cake.
PS - Son doesn't think too highly of the list. "Pooh! kids' stuff!", he retorted, "it's too kind!"
I was seated across Son who's fixated on the computer screen. His mesmerised look piqued my curiosity, thus, stealthy I moved closer and managed to glance at the title - '41 ways to annoy your parents'. Hah! as if Son needs guidance in that area.
Later, I googled that repulsive title and discovered parents aren't very popular people. There are many sites abetting this offence.
http://www.fanpop.com/spots/random/articles/36263/title/41-ways-annoy-parents
Son doesn't require many ways to annoy me, flicking and flipping his Bieber is enough to drive me nuts!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Ethereal Smell Deodorants
Hmm, the wonderful baby smell of my Son, never ever got enough of sniffing him whenever I had the chance. That exhilarating medley of sweet, fresh vanilla and powdery scent......hmmm. Only parents will understand, non-parents might mistaken this description for a slice of delicious cake!
Just a sec! That was years ago that Son smelt like that but I refuse to let that smell leave the back recess of my mind. For a mom, it was like yesterday, sigh......
It's not that now Son is devoid of olfactory property, trust me, he hasn't, instead he now has THE SMELL!
When he first detected a queer odour emitting from his body, he was testy and overly conscious that people within a radius of 100m would faint from the pong! It doesn't help that Son's active in games which causes him to sweat more than usual. I have had to take several big breaths then hold my nose when handling his soiled, putrid clothes. Eww!
He religiously cleans his body more frequently than required and changes his attire at the slightest hint of THAT SMELL. He was paranoid!! Son has always been the super hygienic one in the family.
All the paranoia got the better of him and one day he marched himself to the pharmacy and gotten himself a bottle of deo roll and deodorant soap, at a random selection, not bothering with the deodorant ingredients. He used them before leaving for football practice. When he returned, hot and sweaty, he has this grin plastered on his face like a Cheshire cat's. He discovered he doesn't smell like rotten cheese. He claimed to have found the best deodorant.
With the initial success, he now double dose the deodorants on every nook and cranny of his body. Whenever he passes, there is this nauseating, stomach turning, penetrating fruity smell which lingers on and doesn't seem to go away even after Son's left the room. Ughh.....!!
Just a sec! That was years ago that Son smelt like that but I refuse to let that smell leave the back recess of my mind. For a mom, it was like yesterday, sigh......
It's not that now Son is devoid of olfactory property, trust me, he hasn't, instead he now has THE SMELL!
When he first detected a queer odour emitting from his body, he was testy and overly conscious that people within a radius of 100m would faint from the pong! It doesn't help that Son's active in games which causes him to sweat more than usual. I have had to take several big breaths then hold my nose when handling his soiled, putrid clothes. Eww!
He religiously cleans his body more frequently than required and changes his attire at the slightest hint of THAT SMELL. He was paranoid!! Son has always been the super hygienic one in the family.
All the paranoia got the better of him and one day he marched himself to the pharmacy and gotten himself a bottle of deo roll and deodorant soap, at a random selection, not bothering with the deodorant ingredients. He used them before leaving for football practice. When he returned, hot and sweaty, he has this grin plastered on his face like a Cheshire cat's. He discovered he doesn't smell like rotten cheese. He claimed to have found the best deodorant.
With the initial success, he now double dose the deodorants on every nook and cranny of his body. Whenever he passes, there is this nauseating, stomach turning, penetrating fruity smell which lingers on and doesn't seem to go away even after Son's left the room. Ughh.....!!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Pretty Bieber
Son freaked out at the sight of his much adored idol in this totally revolting make over! Haha......
Sunday, September 12, 2010
The Justin Bieber Baby,Baby...
Yup, courtesy of Justin Bieber, everyone's a baby to anyone who cares to listen to Justin wannabes singing in your face. Frankly, I think this Justin mania has incited sufficient riots in the teen world - rampage, stampedes, mobbing at the sight of him. Even his mom isn't spared; frenzied fans knocked her down at NZ airport!.
Son is a HUGE FAN. He endeavours to emulate all things Justin. He croons his songs morning to night, and amazingly, even when studying! He memorizes the lyrics with such fervor which I wish the same treatment be accorded to his history, geography, algebra.... (huh, wishful thinking).
I'm cool about it, it's a fad and his craziness will die down, I hope. After all, Justin's also a teen and so far, has maintained an untainted lifestyle. One plus point to this craze - Son refuses regular haircuts which translates into savings for me! haha..
Son pores the net for Bieber updates regularly and one day I caught him watching this http://www.guitarsolos.com/videos-how-justin-bieber-gets-his-hair-%5BqYnpuV0IGqg%5D.cfm
and he wanted the exact, exact Bieber bangs!
He gets up extra early to beat his sister to the bathroom to replicate the Bieber.
The result?
A WHOLE LOT OF ATTITUDE!! The front-combed bangs are so long that they must be flipped aside frequently. This flipping & flicking drive me nuts and he unashamedly checks his hair all the time on anything that reflects. I don't see his eyes anymore and my hands are forbidden near his head lest I inadvertently mess up his sculpture! Aargh!!!!
Sigh... don't worry, no cardiac arrest, I'm still cool There are other more life-threatening battles to contend with.
An interview with Justin's hairstylist
http://www.teenvogue.com/beauty/blogs/beauty/2010/06/meet-the-stylist-behind-justin-biebers-hair.html
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Teens T-shirts Tops
Son loved oversized funny Tshirts for men when he was much younger, the roomier the better. Never mind that he practically drowned in them and constantly hauled up the sleeves because of the heat! For his then body physique he should wear size M but dear Son insisted on 2 size larger for every purchase.
Secretly I was thrilled. S, M, L or XL t-shirts tops are usually priced the same so logically, selecting the biggest is our gain. Who cares if they are several centimeters long, one much learn to stretch the $, right? Son was a sight to behold and can easily pass for a celebrity rapper, yo, yo, man........
Severalk years elapsed, Son is no longer pint sized. The time actively spent on football, badminton, swimming & gym resulted in a sturdy body and was often told he was big for his age. XL Ts now suit him perfectly; meaning his previous oversized Tshirts are exact fit now, meaning, my $ is still stretched. Aha!
My joy was shortlived. For days on end I hear, 'Mom, I've nothing to wear!' after scanning shirt after shirt after shirt. The rejects mount up a huge pile which easily rivals the Pyramid of Giza. I should have detected the writing on the wall on my $. For a long while, he refused to leave the house in his oversized unless absolutely necessary. Alas, this oversize Tshirts fetish stepped down as his age stepped up.
The last time I checked, his wardrobe consists of only M sized tees - graphic t-shirt, retro t-shirt and several zany, crazy t-shirt! He's ecstatic with this new collection and happily flaunt his now undersized T-shirts to no end. New owners adopted his 'vintage tees' Pyramid of Giza pile, courtesy of the recycling centres which Son willingly donated to. And I see $ flying away before my eyes.......sob.
As promised, the cryptic messages unveiled......
"IS MOM, BBL XTR CLS" - I'm sorry mom, be back later extra class
FOS - Freedom of speech
Perfect score? Perfect! carry on your lingo, lingo with you teeny, teeny .........
Check these for more teen lingo
http://www.webopedia.com/quick_ref/textmessageabbreviations.asp
http://www.lingo2word.com/translate.php
http://www.transl8it.com
Secretly I was thrilled. S, M, L or XL t-shirts tops are usually priced the same so logically, selecting the biggest is our gain. Who cares if they are several centimeters long, one much learn to stretch the $, right? Son was a sight to behold and can easily pass for a celebrity rapper, yo, yo, man........
Severalk years elapsed, Son is no longer pint sized. The time actively spent on football, badminton, swimming & gym resulted in a sturdy body and was often told he was big for his age. XL Ts now suit him perfectly; meaning his previous oversized Tshirts are exact fit now, meaning, my $ is still stretched. Aha!
My joy was shortlived. For days on end I hear, 'Mom, I've nothing to wear!' after scanning shirt after shirt after shirt. The rejects mount up a huge pile which easily rivals the Pyramid of Giza. I should have detected the writing on the wall on my $. For a long while, he refused to leave the house in his oversized unless absolutely necessary. Alas, this oversize Tshirts fetish stepped down as his age stepped up.
The last time I checked, his wardrobe consists of only M sized tees - graphic t-shirt, retro t-shirt and several zany, crazy t-shirt! He's ecstatic with this new collection and happily flaunt his now undersized T-shirts to no end. New owners adopted his 'vintage tees' Pyramid of Giza pile, courtesy of the recycling centres which Son willingly donated to. And I see $ flying away before my eyes.......sob.
******************************
As promised, the cryptic messages unveiled......
"IS MOM, BBL XTR CLS" - I'm sorry mom, be back later extra class
FOS - Freedom of speech
Perfect score? Perfect! carry on your lingo, lingo with you teeny, teeny .........
Check these for more teen lingo
http://www.webopedia.com/quick_ref/textmessageabbreviations.asp
http://www.lingo2word.com/translate.php
http://www.transl8it.com
FOS
Recently I received the following sms text message from Son:
“IS MOM, BBL XTR CLS”Mind you, this is not the first time he tortures me with cryptic messages but I must say that this tops the others in driving me up the wall!
I showed it to Dad and as predicted he went “huh?’
It was only like yesterday I taught Son to read and write the 26 alphabets, followed by word formation, B.A.T, C.A.R, D.O.G….These are pronounceable and readable and I don’t remember him clambering for the nearest wall in his effort to interpret them.
Ya, ya I know my Son and probably some of you sniggering out there fall in the Gen Y population and have no problem understanding the text as that’s how Gen Y communicate right? My Son must have forgotten that I’m no Gen X, Y or Z, only that I am from a generation which is accustomed to legible words only.
Well, as not to appear nescient of teen lingo, I refused to call Son for clarification but scoured cyberspace for help. Ahem! I didn’t say I ain’t computer savvy! I hit jackpot with just a few clicks away. Thanks to this partner in crime, I remain a cool mom!
Try figuring out what Son’s text means, will be revealed in my next post. Oh ya, at the same time decipher the title 'FOS'. Told you, I now speak teen lingo, haha.......
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