VBS - Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School aka VBS

My daughter attended her first VBS this year together with her grandparents, grandpa was helping out while grandma went there to make sure baby survives the week long school...

I still remember her excitement on the first day of school, waking up her poor mummy 1 1/2 hours earlier than mummy´s normal wake up time for work.... " Mummy wake up! Send baby to school" she says...... God I could just so bury my head under the pillow just for that extra snoozes before going to work... but then again, that´s my precious calling me.... 


So..... dragging my poor self out of the cozy nice "calling for my attention" bed and blanket, I went to get ready for work and for Amelia as she happily runs from my room to grandparents´ room and to downstairs choosing what to wear on her first day, before they were given the VBS t-shirt to wear...... 

I am so proud seeing my daughter in school, even though she is just in VBS. She looked so happy. Initially, when we first went there on the first day, she clung to me really close and looked around, always making sure that mummy or grandma is around. After the first day.... every morning sending her to VBS is indeed easier. She´d first want me to linger around... when her classmates arrive more, she´d just say "ok mummy, you can go work now" *aawww*

Her Classroom name? Tenderfoot Teddies..... for the Nursery category... with all the other little kiddies in the class.

Standing tall for her age, she is kinda almost one of the tallest in class, for her age. And the brightest too! *Looks proudly at my baby*


I didn´t get to take much photos of her as I was and am working the whole time while she was attending school in the morning. So wish I could just attend and catch a few photos of her..... but... I manage to get the chance to do so. Coming down with red eye on Thursday, the doctor gave me a medical leave on Friday with the rule of staying home and getting alot of rest as would need it to recover faster. But........... I wanna see my baby....


So, in the end, after sending her to school on Friday morning, I took the opportunity to actually stay back awhile during worship time, watching her sing and dance in the hall and watch till she walks back to the class before returning home to just catch some nap (not very long if you ask me...... as they finish by 1pm). But at least... I managed to get photos of her.... even when I went back to the church to fetch her home at 1pm, I managed to get few shots of her and the classroom before going home with her.


*Sighs* Time really is flying. My baby is growing up.


Never knew.... I´d walk this path of life..... but walking this path, I so wish my baby could remain a baby...... and have her cling to me in full innocence.


Life goes on..... Guess she´ll be joining VBS yearly now... :) But..... I am mighty proud about my growing little Christian baby..... and loves the way she sings and dance to all her VBS songs daily! :)



~ Saddle Ridge Ranch Main theme for this year´s VBS ~





~ My favourite VBS Song for this year... I love the catchy tune ~

Rapunzel - Tangled

Disney´s latest movie is in town.....

The movie title? Rapunzel aka Tangled..... Tangled... I wonder what kind of name is that... O.o I somehow prefer the name Rapunzel.

Went to catch the movie, which was launched just yesterday, together with my daughter at the nearest cinema near my parents´ place, Summit. Honestly, I´ve never seen Summit GSC so packed in all my life living here.... today (thank god I booked my ticket in advance), upon arriving at GSC, I was very surprised and shock to find a queue so long that it reaches the escalator!! Wow! Talk about long waiting queue...... either they are all lining up to watch the famous Harry Potter, or there is a new movie in town that I didn´t know of   ;)

But then again, Rapunzel itself was quite a full house tonight. With all the little kiddies out with their daddys and mummys watching the cartoon together... :O)

Anyways... Walt Disney´s production of Rapunzel is kinda different from all the stories I read about in the kiddies book when I was growing up. Oh hey... the main line that she has to let down her golden hair for the witch to climb up still exists.... though its actually not a witch. The way she was locked in the tower also wasn´t the same as the book I read. The graphics I have to admit are superb! The songs, hmmmmmmmm splendid! Walt Disney always never fails to amaze me! ROFL

My daughter loves the show so much.... she wouldn´t even want to throw the popcorn cup away.....

Wonder what next will Disney show? :)

ps: There was a sneak preview..... CARS 2 is coming out next summer!

And here, fellow Malaysians.....

Comes to an end to those who are downloading MP3s or Movies via the internet......

Published: Friday November 26, 2010 MYT 4:27:00 PM

New law to end illegal downloading of music and movies

By STEVEN PATRICK

KUALA LUMPUR: The free-and-easy days of illegal downloading of music and movies may soon be over. A proposed new law will enable Internet Service Providers (ISP) to suspend or terminate the Internet accounts of P2P (peer-to-peer) users.

This new law called the ISP Liability act, will be tabled in Parliament next month, according to Recording Industry Association of Malaysia (RIM) chairman Norman Halim.

RIM has been lobbying the Government for an ISP Liability act for the past 5 years as illegal online downloads have been cannibalising the legitimate sales of music, worldwide.

“The act makes the ISPs responsible for curbing online piracy. The ISPs will be fined if they don’t take action against illegal downloaders. The ISPs have the technology to track P2P users,” said Norman.

However, he said that the fine amount had yet to be determined.

ISPs will send two warning letters to illegal downloaders. Should the downloaders still persist, the Internet access will be suspended or even terminated.

“Other countries that have such an act have seen their respective music industries recover. One good example would be South Korea,” he said.

Autumn coming to an end, Winter fast approaching

Cannot believe that November just came and went in just a glimpse of an eye...... Autumn literally speaking is coming to an end, certain parts of the western world, winter is already starting...... Some.... even started snowing....

I just heard from mein Liebster, Berlin is already snowing. The streets are covered with ice. Winter starts early there this year..... Somehow, I am dying to see snow, real snow, for once... though I know how cold the temperature can get over there at this time of the year.... I was there just last year...... *sighs* looking back... can´t believe its already 1 year since I last went to Germany and came back. 1 year of official"ness"...... and 3 years of living a new life without the presence of my ex husband in me and my daughter´s lives anymore....

I miss the cool cool breeze of Autumn, I miss the colors of Autumn... but most importantly, I´m missing you so much.....

*sighs*
 

Love this article!
I do this too!!! =x I give my baby a big hug after I scold her or discipline her..... sometimes it makes me sad to see her cry... but.. *sighs* no choice.....

Is it okay to hug your child immediately after disciplining?

22 November 2010

After I spank my child, she usually wants to hug me and make up. I don't feel good about that because I need to show her my displeasure at what she's done. That's why I continue to be cool to her for a few hours. Do you think that is right?

I think it is very important after punishment to embrace the child in love.

That is the time to assure her that it was the misbehaviour that brought your disapproval, rather than your dislike for her personally. It is also the best time to talk about why she got in trouble and how she can avoid your displeasure in the future. It is the “teachable moment”, when the object of your discipline can be explained. Such a conversation is difficult or impossible to achieve when a rebellious, stiff-necked little child is clenching her fist and taking you on. But after a confrontation has occurred - especially if it involved tears - the child usually wants to hug you and get reassurance that you really care for her.

Many parents, like you, say they feel awkward showing affection after punishment because they've been upset with the child. I think that is wrong. It's best to open your arms and let that youngster come.
This article was written by Focus on the Family Malaysia (www.family.org.my) and the Questions and Answers are extracted from “Complete Family and Marriage Home Reference Guide” by Dr James Dobson with permission.

Having Faith

" Why her?"..... these words keeps ringing in my ears as I kept recalling this morning´s earlier conversation with him..... I didn´t know what to say, how to comfort him. I knew it was a hard time, I feel his pain but yet I am unable to reach out and comfort him. I recalled saying to him " Pray, prayer works. You need to have faith even though you think it seems absurd"... 

I know it´s something people tend to not want to hear, especially when they just received devastating news about someone or something. Maybe I have not experienced certain things in life. Maybe I´m not that matured to have experience all types of pain in life..... 

In all my years of knowing him... I have seen him break down and cry. It hurts to see his pain... even hurts more to see him controlling all his emotions and bottling up inside him. I remember all so well how I hugged him closely to me as he silently weep onto my chest when he heard the news that his grandfather passed away. *sighs* What I´d give to take away that pain in his eyes and in him. 

I know the great pain of losing a grandparent. I lost both my only living grandparents at a younger but able to understand age. You see, when I was born, I only have 1 grandfather (my father´s father) and 1 grandmother (my mother´s mum). My grandmother died when I was at the age of 11. She died from eating the wrong type of banana.... Initially, after eating those bananas, she got really sick and was stuck in I.C.U (Intensive Care Unit) for weeks before passing away. I was close to her, she used to always come and stay with us when I was little. I even remember sometimes getting pissed at her cos she loves and is damn good in nagging. Far worse than my own parents nagging at times *rofl* But she was always there... the wonderful grandmother. Her death hit me and my mum more than I can remember. I remember how mum couldn´t seem to move on and watching her do that hurts. My grandfather, on the other hand, passed away when I was 15, leaving me grandparent"less" after so long. Never was close to him. Communication breakdown actually.... due to the language barrier.. But still, I was never one to be rude and cruel to elderly folks. My parents brought me up to respect and love the elders or people who need assistance.


But.......... back to reality.....


Seeing this pain in him all over again, doesn´t make things any easier for me, especially when we are 10000 km apart from each other. 

I wish I could cross this vast gap between us and comfort him while he struggles to maintain strength and pretend not to know anything about it.

I wish things would be easier for him as he´s been through more than his own share for the past few years.

But yet, I know... some things can´t be changed. Except to believe in the power of prayer and have faith. Something which he doesn´t seem to believe in. You see, he´s a scientist thinking. Many a things..... especially when science cannot explain, he don´t accept or don´t believe *Sighs*

I wish I really could do something to ease his pain on what he is going through at the moment, and as his significant half support him in every way possible. 

But such things are not something to be done easily. In fact, from his own personal experience with it, he says there is nothing that can be done. Even if cured, the person is completely destroyed emotionally.


I will be strong, despite all that is going on in my own life and in his. 2 parties collapsing isn´t a good solution, like what I told him. And..... although he doesn´t believe in it, I´ll keep this matter close to prayer and have faith... that somehow, God will hear and eventually reveal the ending. But whatever it is, I will have faith and keep strong. If not for myself, for the one I love.

Say Goodbye

C

This song really has alot of meaning to it.

Like it says, sometimes goodbye is for the best for you and me. Though in memories you will always remain, in reality, you are nothing but a passing phase.

The Verdict of the movie

Ok.... The launch was today.

Managed to grab 5 tickets to watch the movie at Summit USJ with my sister and her friends etc.

The movie? 

Well, it´s 2 1/2 hours long, the story has alot of missed out scenes that were left out from the book, but then again... someone always tells me with slight irritation when I say this too often (^^) that the book and the movie are never the same. So I should not compare both of them together..... but then again... can´t help it.... ;)

Anyways, the graphics of the movies and such is good. Action wise, not alot... Maybe cause it´s the first part and most of the fighting and action is and will be stuck in the 2nd part only. Its remarkably funny most of the parts. And again, majority of the parts changed from the book.. *oups*

But I have to admit, Daniel Radcliffe is definitely getting more and more better looking than ever *drools* especialyl wearing those glasses there lolx....... 

Watching the movie tonight, kinda makes me wanna read all through the 7 books once again from start right up till the end..... Sadly we have to wait such a long time for the 2nd part of the movie to show up..... *sighs*

Next movie to look forward : Breaking Dawn
Although... I hate to admit, its gonna be a 2 part thingy once again *sighs*

Oh well

Harry Potter & The Deadly Hallows

Finally...
The last part of the most awaited Harry Potter is out today!

http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/harrypotterandthedeathlyhallows/mainsite/index.html
(The Official site of the movie)

Am waiting with anticipation, although knowing that the movie is cut into two parts kinda put on a damp blanket on it. Have actually watched the trailers of the movie and such and really seem to like it.... but I am wondering if the movie is really that great?

Only way to find out..... go watch it..... ^^

Wish me luck then ;)

Hhhmmmmmm it´s been sooooo long since I did parenting articles for my blog... even longer since I even wrote something in this blog already. Updates are many, but time is few. 

Today, I found an article, while browsing in the parenting article... on children starting to date. So I am once again, posting this up for parents out there to share together.

Happy Monday folks

Help! My child is going on a date!

15 November 2010

Let your child know the ground rules before they go on their first date.

By BRIGITTE ROZARIO

Has your child shown an interest in dating? Have you found yourself fearing the day when he or she will go on their first date?

If it's any consolation, you are not alone. You are in the same shoes as many parents who have had to allow their children out of the house on a date.

Lim Mee-Gaik, professor at Park University, San Antonio, United States, who has worked in marriage and family counselling, calls dating a progressive evolvement.

“It generally starts with friendships and as the relationship builds, individuals tend to show special interest for a specific person. It is important for teens to be exposed to a wide variety of friends. This enables them to interact with people from all walks of life. It also enables them to select individuals who have similar interests and enable them to select dates with desirable character traits.

“One of the common signs of 'dating readiness' is when they start being attentive to individuals of the other gender. Vast amounts of time, energy, and conversations with friends are focused on the party of interest. A great deal of planning is involved in being in the same vicinity as the party of interest. These 'accidental' meetings are signs of interest in the other gender,” she says.

Parents should not panic nor should they be indifferent about it.

Although your child's first date is a big step in your life, try not to make it a big deal as this will make your child nervous and apprehensive.

Try to avoid having a serious and long conversation about sex, pregnancy and the corrupt morals of society on the eve of the first date. Your child will not appreciate it and he/she will feel more stressed.

You should already have had that birds and bees talk years ago.

However, you should sit down and discuss ground rules, acceptable activities/behaviour and consequences to actions. Do this as gently, calmly and firmly as you can.

Lim suggests parents set the ground rules on:

Activities – Perhaps tell them they can start off with group activities in the initial dating period before proceeding to one-on-one dates.

Time frame – Initially, for just a few hours in the afternoon or early evening. Gradually easing this to a later time and longer time frame, depending on the child's age and whether it's a school night. Putting boundaries around the time frame enables parents to help balance their school, home, social, recreational and family activities, explains Lim.

“It is crucial for parents to know who their child is going out with and where will they be going on their date. For communication to be honest and upfront, it is important to establish a sense of trust between the parent and teen. This trust is established during the 'pre-dating' days.

“Parents ought to set some healthy expectations for the children. If honesty and open communication are established in the home, then teens tend to be honest and open about their dating activities. If there is a pattern of repeated dishonesty, then it is likely that teens will 'tell half truths' about their dating activities.

“Children and teens function better when there are some establish guidelines, expectations and structure. If too many rules and expectations exist, it may create rebelliousness or over-compliance in teens,” she says.

Here are some tips to help you along the way:

- Be firm in setting the ground rules. Let your child know the consequences / penalties of breaking those rules.

- Be honest and have an open relationship with your child. This way he or she will come to you if/when there are problems on the dating front.

- If your child is going on a date unchaperoned by an adult, make sure he/she has a way to call you in an emergency.

- Find out who your child is going on a date with and where they are going. If possible, invite them in so you can meet them. Get the date's telephone number and their parents' telephone number, if possible.

- Avoid following, spying or intruding on your child's date. Give your child the time and space and trust them enough to tell you about the date when they come home or the next day.

- Don't be suspicious if they don't tell you about the date. Children don't always confide in their parents but that doesn't mean anything bad/illegal/immoral happened.

- Be cool about the whole dating experience. Your child isn't going to get married to the next boy or girl he or she dates. They're just dating.

- Equip your child with the knowledge he or she needs – the consequences of staying out late, the consequences of having early and unprotected sex, the consequences of trusting the wrong person.

- Trust your child. Now that you've equipped your child with the knowledge, trust that he or she will do the right thing and not engage in illegal or immoral activities.

- Let your child know that whatever happens you will be there for them. Also, let them know that they don't have to participate in any activity they don't want to, even if everyone else is doing it. And that if they are uncomfortable at any point, to call you.

- If your child returns home late, past the agreed upon time, do not start yelling at your child and their date in front of the neighbours. Your child and his/her date won't appreciate it and neither will your family and/or the neighbours. Calm down. Discuss it the next morning after you and your child have had time to think about it.

Lame reasons from Pos Malaysia?

" I am sorry Madam, but we are unable to track your Registered post as not every country has this online tracking services there"

That was the reply I got from talking to the POS Malaysia customer services people to track as to where was the packages I sent located at the moment. 

Now if I were sending my stuff to some rural areas that is filled with nothing but jungles and trees or... in more simpler terms, not so developed and highly technological countries, I would accept this answer. But I am pondering and scratching my brains out as I was sending both my packages to Germany, one of the many high technology and almost everything done via online countries. And the moronic answer given to me by our Post service in Malaysia was they don´t have online tracking service?! I think WE should be facing that problem of not doing everything online.... instead of saying a country so advance like many of the European countries not that advance. 

Now don´t get me wrong. I have nothing against anyone, but I am frustrated that our Posting system is getting from bad to worse.  They are totally unreliable..... this isn´t my first time sending down parcels, letters or even packages via Registered Post to Germany. Normally, when I use registered post to send my packages or letters, they arrive at least, longest is 1 1/2 weeks from the date I sent it. But.... since the last incident, about a month ago, and from this time´s most recent incident... I am wondering what the hell happened to them?

My last displeasure with Pos Malaysia was when I sent down legal documents via registered post some time early October, 7th October if not wrong, for a court case in Germany. Estimated time, 2 weeks. Even the representative in the Post Office said so.... So, I sent it via registered as the court session was end of October, 28th October. Guess what? All went haywire, 2 weeks and the recipient still hasn´t receive my mail. So I called the customer careline... the first time ever I called them... and they told me, the package left Malaysia on 8th October so it should reach Germany already. I asked her, where is it actually... and she told me "Sorry madam, we are unable to track anything once it´s out of Malaysia" ..... -.- Got me curious and pissed. I walked into Pos Malaysia in Carrefour after work one day and demanded to know WTF is happening. How is it as a registered mail you can´t track?! I had to call the Germany POST services to find out what is going on.... and I was told.... the shipment that went in didn´t have a license or something like so... which was EVEN more amusing.....

With thousand and one apologies, they made me fill up this form and they´d track bla bla bla and get back to me. Amazingly, they managed to make sure that the package is delivered and reached the moment I told them I want it dragged back to Malaysia and they bear the cost -.-

And now, it happens again... same old shit.....

How´d you expect your own people to trust on your services when you are giving shitty services?! How is it you demand for more but yet you don´t seem to perform? So many stories bout them opening our mails and such.... but yet...... is there anything that can be done to it?Hell, even my own mails were sent to me open. I even had a birthday parcel from Germany sent down to me all into pieces and shattered up. The boxes were open, and worse..... the birthday card is gone! Is this the way you all do things?


I personally feel, there needs to be improvement. I am still not yet satisfied with the fact that my parcel is taking nearly a month to arrive its destination. And worse, our post services claims that the other country, aka Germany (As I sent my parcel there), doesnt have online services to do Registered Post tracking and I need to go to the post office to fill up a form so that they can MANUALLY track?!


What is going on?