Furry Fury

Daughter was tickled pink with this Zits cartoon which appeared in our dailies - http://www.arcamax.com/zits/s-838128-253722

"That's exactly what happend to bro, remember?"

Flashback

I was in the kitchen preparing lunch when a loud scream came from Son's room. He had already dashed out - shouting, screaming, pointing, gesturing, yelling. I could just make out one word - squirrel. Son was beside himself with anxiety and was clearly flustered.

Ever since a young boy, Son has never shown an affinity for small furry animals. He despised them and has willfully kept his distance. The cute, lovable, huggable youngs that make Daughter swoon with delight are to him despicable!

We were strolling through a village once, charmed by their rustic surroundings and untainted natural environment when a desperate yell broke the tranquility. I hastily turned to my children and saw Son hopping on both legs to keep away from the playful animals at his heel.  It was an amusing sight, not only at an agitated boy hopping madly but the sight of the culprits, furiously tailing Son - three cute, adorable, chicks!

I can't remember if Son ever had an adverse encounter with furry creatures which brought about such phobia. Clearly the squirrel incident confirms this aversion did not subside with the passage of time.........



A list of animal phobias
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_phobias#Animal_phobias

Texting Trouble

Son has agreed, albeit unwillingly, to stretch his cellphone credit allowance to two months before the next reloading. The allocation, in my opinion, is more than sufficient for NECESSARY calls. On this issue, Son begs to differ.

He is stingy on his credit, determining to save them for social communication with friends, never mind that they just parted company or barely minutes lapsed after logging out from social networks.  Whilst away, his essential calls to me are intentional missed calls, ringing just enough to alert me to call him back!

At one stage, his cellphone takes centre stage at the dining table with him texting and eating simultaneously.  I tolerated this nonsense at the beginning as he texted sporadically.  

However, my patience was truly tested when he quit using a fork, choosing to free a hand to operate his cellphone. I gave him an ultimatum, to partake in proper family meals without his 'sidekick' or continue texting with only bread and water for food. Son laughed off my threat as a joke, knowing well I place high importance on balanced meals. However, his laughter died down instantly when he glanced at my outraged face. He quickly put away his phone, dashed into the kitchen and returned with a fork in his hand.

His 'sidekick?' Banished forever from the table........

       

#%$? Blockbuster Songs

What's with songs these days, they have to be about sex, drugs, violence and vulgarity! Is this one contributing factors why children are maturing too fast and losing their pureness early? Their time to be just kids is very much shortened.

Son enjoys music and do keep up with the latest hits. Unbeknownst to Son, I too seek out latest blockbuster songs just to keep abreast with the latest music genre teens tuned in to. Some songs I approve but there are others, though with catchy beat and are highly sought-after, contain raunchy lyrics which I can't justify Son listening to them.

However, not wanting to be considered a fuddy-duddy for rejecting seemingly popular songs, I secretly paraphrased the lyrics by replacing offensive words with vile and despicable equivalent. Satisfied with the doctored songs, with no trace of the original, I showed them to Son. His contorted facial appearance revealed aplenty - abhorrence and bewilderment rolled into one.

When the original lyrics were unveiled, his jaws dropped. But he recovered just as fast to launch a vehement protest against the underhand tactic I employed. No tricks I told him, just reworded lyrics.....


                                             

Ronaldo Wannabe

Son is a hard-core Manchester United supporter and at one stage, he was totally devoted to Cristiano Ronaldo. He hungrily soaked up everything in the news about Ronaldo and rarely failed to watch MU in action. At that time, he was totally immersed in football and was forever trying out Ronaldo's fancy footwork on the pitch. Number 7 became Son's sensational hot favourite.

Seeing his fondness, I succumbed to a quirky idea of mine - Ronaldo scrapbook. Meaning to surprise him, I stayed up late several nights to cut out pictures of Ronaldo that I could find in the newspaper sports pages. Not a difficult task securing his pictures as he was clearly the most talked about footballer then and photos of him donning MU jerseys inundated football sections.

Over time, I amassed a thick compilation. I visualised Son's bemused look when I hand him the pile and anticipated an atmosphere of euphoric excitement.

He was bemused indeed, stumped for words when I handed his excellency to Son. Clearly he was over the moon as he skimmed through the pile, his eyes grew larger with every view. I patted myself in glee.

When he finished with the last picture, he looked up, then dropped a bombshell. "Ronaldo is leaving MU........


 

Voiceless

Overindulgence in Chinese New Year delicacies and titbits has left Son with a sore, scratchy throat and a cough. It doesn't help that he had fiery Indian curry rice for 3 consecutive meals. Yup, Indian food in the midst of a Chinese celebration! Moreover, with much merriment and festivity atmosphere, he lax in ensuring sufficient water consumption. Not that I didn't caution him.



His usually loud voice in the house has been reduced to whispers. To hear him audibly, I have to stand on tippy toes to position my ear close to his mouth. Daughter, on the other hand, welcomes this respite from Son's constant playful vexation. Instead, she turned the tables on him with relentless annoyance knowing well retaliation is naught from a voiceless brother.

Son endeavors to make amend his folly, he now lugs a 2L water bottle everywhere he goes....



                                                                                                                                                         

Loving Head Start

This advert touched us in different ways. 

Curious to know how Son thinks, I casually remarked, 'Now is the time for the children to look after their parents.' Son's eyes were glued to the screen till the end of the advert. Very slowly he turned to me; I anticipated a touching moment between mother and Son, I expected words of assurance that he will be there for me always......

Instead, he cheekily remarked, 'Don't worry Mom, you won't be left behind, I'll give you a head start.....' 

    

Chinese New Year

 

 

2011, the year of the rabbit, according to the Chinese calendar. Time for feasting, merriment and gatherings of family members and friends. Children never failed to be thrilled at receiving 'ang pow' (red packets) containing money.

Gong Xi, Gong Xi! Happy Chinese New Year!