Poignant Mp4 Hunt

After months of procrastination, Son decided to part with his reward for the gadget he had set his heart on. The holdup very nearly prevented him from purchasing one, as the nearest speciality shop does not carry Son's desired model anymore due to the manufacturer's upgrading exercise.  Son was panic stricken as his monetary reward doesn't permit him to own an upgrade. 

It was disheartening to see his hopes dashed and I did, what I think every mom would do, offered to fetch him around to hunt for this scarce model in other shops, though none a stone's throw away.

He trudged impassively into the next complex, heaved a heavy sigh upon reaching THE shop. He moved with uncertain steps towards a salesperson who then led him to a display counter. I wasn't hopeful and chose to stay at a nearby distance, readied my car keys while scanning my memory for similar shops in the vicinity. I glanced at Son, noticed his relaxed shoulder, then caught that unmistakable gleam of triumph in his eyes!

 

Such an emotional upheaval in a day, all for just this one Mp4............

X Factor Lesson

'X Factor? Another talent show?' Son exclaimed after I managed to convince him to view this video sent by a friend. He isn't too keen on reality shows now after the recent American Idol letdown.

Still, he sat down, with much reluctance, clearly annoyed at being interrupted. He watched impassively at the intro but when Emmanuel Kelly made his way to the stage, I noticed he sat up straight whilst his eyes fell on Kelly's physical structure. He then listened with rapt attention and seconds later, was totally immersed in the sterling performance.

At the end of the song, Son continued to gaze at courageous Emmanuel Kelly with utmost respect and admiration and without a doubt, Son was moved. 

Yeah, in a very brief encounter, this feisty young performer definitely taught Son a thing or two about meekness........

Emmanuel Kelly vows X Factor judges

Son Keen In Beaded Jewelry?

I was taken aback when Son asked if I could design a beaded necklace with matching earrings for a friend. A very unusual request indeed as he has never shown interest in this particular handmade jewelry hobby of mine let alone knows what I am capable of creating with miniscule rocks.

An unexpected request for a significant someone? My curiosity was piqued, and casually I asked, 'Who is this for?' I realised I was holding my breath, not trusting myself to speak anymore yet searching Son's face for any telltale signs. Without altering his facial expression nor displaying a hint of mortification, he replied me nonchalantly, 'It's for N', it's her birthday's next week!' Now, N is not the only girl to receive birthday present from Son BUT she is the first of Son's girl friends whom I have been commissioned to create a jewelry masterpiece for!

My mind went into turbo mode, are they.......... Nay, I refuse to let my imagination run wild, choosing instead to harness my thoughts into designing Son's out of the world request.

Why then am I getting such vivid images about birds and bees.........?

Son Plays Judge

Malaysian gay pastor to wed 
After Son read this sensationalised news, it triggered an almost immediate uncouth, unthought-of response. Actually it's not totally surprising, for one who doesn't mince words when he feels strongly about certain issues. 

For one whose understanding of holy matrimony is between two people of the opposite-sex, this recent worldwide brouhaha of same-sex marriage is totally repulsive to Son. It shook him to the core and he had no qualms vocalizing his feelings.

Listening to him, I detected a hint of holier-than-thou attitude, and before he got carried away with his harangue and create further verbal damage to mankind, I knew I have to intercept. 'Son', I called out loudly to him to ensure I got his full attention. 'Do not judge...' I paused, for these three words to sink in. He looked ill at ease, then whispered, 'or you too will be judged.........' (Matt 7:1)

This is dedicated to a friend who has been faithfully following all my posts. Greater partner, you are not judged!

The Jacket Plot

I was getting breakfast ready when Son barged in and stood in the kitchen doorway. 'Hey Mom, did you see my jacket?'  'Nope' I said, not even looking up. What gives my teens the idea that I was supposed to know where every one of their possessions was. Son's spinning pen, his hair gel, Daughter's hairpins, her bracelet....

'I've looked everywhere, Mom.'

'Huh, your room?'

'Everywhere.'

I doubt that sureness, Son isn't known for his detailed pursuit for lost things, he hasn't the patience. The phrase, leave no stone unturned, is foreign to him.

'I know where I put all my things, somebody must have hidden it.' He shot an accusatory glare at Daughter. Daughter held his glare then gave me her I-don't-know-what-he's-talking-about look. Son walked around aimlessly, insisting he always puts his things away properly (right!!).

He finally left for his learning centre, still fuming, still convinced it was Daughter's prank. An hour later, I received this text, 'found my jacket at the gent's'. Hmm, another conspiracy or perhaps the work of a scatterbrain..............

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.......

Pen Spinning Craze

Son picked up a new craze, pen spinning. He and friends modify still good pens with additional parts from here and there to make the pens more spinnable at high speed.

Son is hooked and twirls the pen anywhere and everywhere. He's adamant to better his friends in several complicated tricks.

When he first managed to spin a pen, he proudly showed off to Daughter and me. Then he shoved the pen in our direction and cockily challenged us to just-give-it-a- try. Without missing a beat, I grabbed the pen and spun it right in his face! His jaw dropped. He didn't know it was my boredom killer favourite in school.........

A pen spinning club in Thailand

Thin Teen

'Burn fat, build muscle' - this is Son's concocted mantra since his initial obsession with calories, dieting, BMI and exercise begun. He dreads the 3-letter word, F.A.T and has this intense drive for thinness, especially his abdomen area.

He was about 12 when he started restricting his food intake, that's when Mr Puberty hit him and he was more aware of the changes in his body. The amount of food that he allows himself gradually decreased to quarter his regular portion - from a mountainful to now a thin, flat plateau portion!

He often laments that he has too much tummy fats, and unless my eyes are deceiving me, what I see is an acceptable amount of midsection! He religiously keeps track on calculating his body mass, an activity which has eased its way spontaneously into his lifestyle.

The amazing thing is, his bountiful energy didn't dissipate inspite of his small meals and he uses that as an excuse of not needing much food.

Am I worried?  50-50, and this is one battle I chose to fight, albeit slowly and gently........

Hot Fitness Workout

Yesterday noon, Son surprised me by asking for permission to go for a run around the neighbourhood. This indeed caught me off guard as he has never done it before as his workout has always been confined to gym. I was hesitant as it was rather sunny and we have a lunch appointment later.

I tried to talk him out of this sudden fitness craze, expressing my concern in alarming words like dehydrating, scorching heat, headache, cancer, amongst others. Alas, as I foreknew, all my caution fell on deaf ear.

Nevertheless, it was his eagerness which won me over. 'Ok, 15 minutes,' I said. Not that I doubted his stamina but my concern was the hot weather and knowing well Son despises glaring heat. '30 minutes,' he bargained, '15 minutes is too short an exercise.'  I relented, albeit reluctantly.

No sooner had I warmed my seat, Son returned from his brief exercise, all hot and sweaty and red faced. 'So hot', he grumbled. 'I'll go back to gym!'

It was barely 5 minutes........

Silence Of The House

There is a sense of calm serenity in the house. No commotion, no rackets, no stress, no anxieties. I only have Daughter with me as Son is out of town with friends for 3 days.

With a lone teen at home, several NOs triumphed (Daughter's opinion):

• no fighting over the bathroom,
• no name calling before, during and after breakfast,
• no teasing remarks
• no quarrelling over who's to lock up the house,
• no squabbling as to who sits in the front seat of the car, 
• no argument in the car over radio stations, etc

Tranquility reigned in the house albeit too surreal. I am left with an uneasy stillness, a hush surrounding - the silence is deafening!  

Ironic, but I already miss the hullabaloo a.k.a Son..........
           

Big Inspiration In Small Size

Son, like most teens, does encounter setbacks and failures. At his age where teen ego and self esteem take center stage, many blows prove to be catastrophic. He tends to magnify trivialities to the point that a seemingly puny problem, is to him, earth-shattering and he will be beside himself with despair and a plummeted self esteem.

I usually leave him to calm down and when he's more approachable, I'll remind him of the small man who is a HUGE motivation to many.

Watch and be inspired, then move on with life.........

Shaving Agony

This article caught my attention - 'Some boys may be uncomfortable asking to shave and others may feel awkward talking about it'.


Thank God Son embraced this coming of age change instinctively. He had been given sufficient information and adequate sharings to prepare him for this transition to adulthood naturally.


However, when Son detected a little fuzzy patch over his upper lip, he was upset, not with the facial hair but the thought of having to shave looms heavily over him. He had caught sight of his friends with razor cuts, in their maiden shaving attempt, and he was horrified. 

He tells me he is never going to shave and I told myself  that I am not going to make hair an issue and it will not be a battle I'd pick to fight with him. 

I vow to patiently let the hair issue work itself out but should he flaunts his long unkempt moustache and if my patience runs thin , I'll sneak into his room at night to do the needful, then feign innocence the next morning.........

Sugary Coffee

I was pleasantly surprised to find my cup with steaming coffee at my work table.  Son remarked, 'That's for you mom'. Hey, that indeed is a surprise! It has always been the other way round, me making drinks for my teens and rarely, they me.

Still, a blessing is a blessing, though not Starbucks material.  I took a sniff at the aromatic drink, then a huge gulp. Yucks! Instantly I spat the mouthful back into the cup. It was sickeningly sweet. I took a quick glance at Son. Am I glad he was fixated on Facebook to pay any attention to me.

Trying to sound as casual as possible, I asked, 'How did you make this coffee?' Without taking his eyes off the screen, he answered, 'I used a 3in1 coffee sachet and added 2 teaspoons sugar, nice?'

Barista, he is not........