MTV World Stage 2011 Hysteria

Son had set his heart to be there come-what-may-come-who-says-what from the time this event was broadcasted. However, the big question then was - how to get the money can't buy ticket? It has to be won in contests, redeemed with cutouts or through unscrupulous black-market transaction.

What Son didn't realise was Daughter was secretly accumulating the required 5 newspaper cutouts to surprise him! Awwww, such sweet gesture!

Meanwhile, Son and friends were trying all ways and means to get hold of some tickets and his frenzied efforts got on Daughter's nerves till she inadvertently blurted out her covert intention. I watched Son's countenance changed, he was visibly touched and could only mutter, 'thanks sis, thanks!'. I love my teens when they get all mushy!

Son eventually got the elusive pass, nope, not from Daughter's cutouts as the minimal number of tickets were very quickly snapped up. Son's complimentary ticket came from a coursemate, a girl.

How 'un-cliche' - two damsels came to the aid of a distressed knight.............

Mind + Money Battle

Two tourneys in a month and Son managed to add to his monetary savings by securing one of the top 5 positions in his board game battle. He is awfully pleased with himself as he sees the goals which he sets for himself slowly unfolding. I'm happy for him as I know he puts in long hours of tough, mind challenging practices daily.

His goals:
1) remain in the top 5
2) pocket more $$$

All the winning money amassed over a number of tourneys presents him with a difficult dilemma - to buy or not? this or that? with or without? 4G or 8G? He went back and forth weighing the pros and cons to each question. He scours the net to check out gadgets to ensure every cent of his 'hard earned' money yields the best returns.

Sigh, and I naively thought sitting through a 9-hour board game battle a day is tough........

Spice Son

It's only a matter of time before Son succumbs to the cold and recently, I heard him sniffing and sneezing, followed by long groans all day long. I anticipated this coming when he decided to take late night showers - to keep himself awake and to keep cool from the current humid weather.  Each time he emerged from the bathroom with a satisfied look and is refreshed, great, but wrong time of the day! 

He dreads the heavy headed feeling and recoils with shudders at the thought of my surefire solution to the problem. Pharmaceutical medicine? Nay. I'm uncompromising in my teens' health matters and in my opinion, they shouldn't inundate their bodies with chemicals for common ailments. Many of my tried and tested for generations remedies consist of natural herbs and spices, the common ones being ginger, tumeric, clove, cinnamon, cumin seeds, cardamon, garlic, etc.

Much as he despises it, he will down cups after cups of my concoction with pinched nose! Foul smelling? Of course not, although it does leave Son smelling like a curry dish............ 

Son's Room Aka War Zone!

I've been hit by Murphy's Law left and right for the past few days - everything that can go wrong has gone wrong!

And I chose this time to enter Son's room, aka war zone, aka landfill. His room can be described in two words - utter chaos!! I have, long ago, stopped getting into a power struggle over his room, about keeping it reasonably clean. I have since tolerated what I considered gross by my standards but is to him a heavenly haven.  However, that day, the sight of  his room got me all riled up and I felt my anger rose rapidly.

Instantaneously, I barked out orders and my voice grew louder and louder until I was almost shouting. There was like a runaway train inside me, uncontrollable, unstoppable. I just launched into a tirade against everything in his room.

This ugly scene went on for a while, and it was the look of anguish on Son's face that stopped me in my tracks and my senses slowly returned.

I hastily left his room before I could wreak any more destruction. My heart was going a hundred beat a minute.........

Rumpus Rally

Son was keen to participate in an impending street rally in the center of our country's capital, lobbying for peace and fairness. Is Son patriotic and nationalistic? Not really, well at least not for now. He only wanted to be part of history, to be in the thick of an infamous event and not exactly standing for a cause close to his heart. While I don't advocate street rallies, I believe in the cause and would have no qualms joining too if there's a fixed venue for the gathering. Taking it to the streets is akin to creating a ruckus.

Son wasn't easily dissuaded especially since his friends and him have already formulated several action plans and were in high spirits of their debut rally.

When I told him that he might be selected to receive free food and accommodation, his eyes opened wide and he exclaimed, 'Cool!'

Free food + free accommodation = INCARCERATE HOTEL.............

Nocturnal Creature

Lately, Son has been delaying his sleeping time at night, giving reasons like
1) wanting longer hours in a day
2) to complete his studies and assignments
3) to practise his board game battle

I'm of the opinion that it is more of a 'keeping up with the Joneses' inclination. He once told me some of his friends hit the sack no earlier than 3am!! Looks like Son tends to share this proclivity for a nocturnal lifestyle.

Knowing well that my protests will fall on deaf ears, I held my tongue. His initial few attempts proved futile, I caught him sitting on his bed, fast asleep with a book or his board game pieces in his hand. However, that didn't deter him, he's bent on staying up late.

I'll stay a passive observer for now. Since the lights stay on when he dozes off, I'll occupy my time by seeking ways for him to foot the electricity bill.................

Wooden Planking

I was astounded seeing Son's stretched body across the chair, face down and arms by his side, trying to stay immobile. He stole a sideways look at me, then relaxed himself and cautiously let himself down.  He grinned and said, 'I'm planking'. Huh?

Son proceeded to explain this craze, then coaxed me into trying it. I hesitated, then my curiosity got the better of me. I chose the floor instead of the precarious looking chair, followed Son's guidance and found my face in close proximity to the concrete floor.

'Great mom', I heard Son suppressing a snigger, 'you are real wooden..............' 

Hiatus

Regret that blogging was recently on hiatus becos my brain had gone on strike and inevitably switched to a slumber mode! No amount of cajoling could rouse it to meet target dates.......