Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Magical moments

That day, I shed a tear. I was in the bathroom when I heard this beautiful music from the violin. I was wondering who was playing? It sounded mature, musically beautiful and heart wrenching. I have been listening to many endless evenings of sreechy chicken-screaming violin playing for the longest time and god knows how many times I have stormed into the room to confront the horrible sound that was coming from Tobey's practice room.

But that day was different, magically different. I heard the most beautiful playing thus far. I walked into the room to verify that it was what I heard. And I could see Tobey enjoying the music, playing it with heart and focus. I melted and shed a tear. I told him, it was the most beautiful music he has ever played. He has brought out the soul from the instrument and he is enjoying what he is playing. That moment made all the sacrifices worthwhile. I believe that even though a child is not gifted in music, he can appreciates it and learn to make music a part of his life. It takes more effort but it is worth it at the end of the day when that day comes. And for me, that day has arrived, the turning point for me and Tobey.

Monday, April 28, 2008

Japan Snapshots #1



Had a wonderful vacation in Japan for a week with Mich. Love it, love it, love it! Love the food, the service, the people, the historical and cultural sites, the air, the weather! It wasn't so fun lugging our luggages around, especially up and down the train stations getting from one train to the other. Guz that is the trade off for having covered quite a bit instead of following a tour group. We met up with Liz, a friend teaching in Kobe and she frightened us when she told us there were tremors just a day before we arrived! But to the Japanese, these tremors were probably nothing. Went to Tokyo, Kyoto, Kobe, Koyasan, Hakone, amazing we did it in 7days. We both agreed the best part was gog to Koyasan, a religious place set in the mountains. It is now a listed as a world heritage place. Glad I went on this trip, without Tobey and TS, though the two were really jealous. But at least, a little separation at times is good! Tobey was so sweet to say, "I have to learn to take care of myself when Mommy is not around. But TS wasn't so sweet, he said he doesn't need to switch on the radio anymore in the car since I am around. Get what he means? That guy is meany mean mean.

More of Japan in the next posts!

Friday, April 18, 2008

Koini Ochite




Love it, love this song! She sings it better than John Hoon, maybe it is just so much more with heart. This album is really good for a laid back weekend. Olivia Ong is a Singaporean singer based in Japan, who signed up with a Japanese record company at 15!

Monday, April 14, 2008

恋におちて

Beautiful Song...'Fall in Love' Heard a version by Olivia Ong too, I think she sounded better. John Hoon is cute but lacking stage presence.

Japan Awaits...

Friday, April 11, 2008

When will Mommy stop doing this to me?


I was just going through some pictures and came across this one, taken just before Meredith was about to leave for Australia. See how prettily dressed was Meredith? She came especially prepared (for their parting lunch), but Tobey didn't. Notice Tobey's body language? He couldn't even smile right! In fact, he was quite displeased to be put in this situation. He is at this phase where girls are not the closest thing on his mind...but he does have very exquisite taste for girls. I remembered him telling me when he was 5, that a little girl he saw at the bus stop is "not pretty". Oh dear...

Then what is pretty? In political correct moments, he would say, Mommy is the prettiest. That is so nice to hear...these days especially! But surely, Meredith is on his "pretty" list because he shyly agreed.

I am cute and no one can take that away


The two "men" in my life ain't too happy about this. One found it "irritating", the other feels it is "embarrassing".

What have hello kitty done to deserve these? Whatever it is, no one is going to remove my kitty from the vehicle.

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

More of Ye Eun

My goodness...see how accurately she places her fingers all across the piano? Her spatial skills are also equally unbelievable at 5 years of age!

Five Year Old Blind Pianist

This clearly shows that music giftedness is partly nature, partly nurture. This girl has no previous experience, or even training, how did she managed this? On top of that, she is blind since birth. If not for an innate superb listening and pitch skills, what else can account for this?

Thursday, April 03, 2008

Easter "Super" "Yam" Cupcakes


Verdict...

Taste Good, Don't Look Too Good.

I kept lamenting how "unartistic" it looks. But Tobey and TS were very kind. First Tobey gave a 5 minute speech entitled, "There will always be a second time". It went on and on and on, that this is only my first time (what), so the next time will be better and how things may not be always right on the first try. So comforting.

Then TS (who had an uneasy stomach the whole day), ate up three cupcakes. But he added, "The Yam ones taste better."

HUH???? What yam?

These are English cupcakes, for heaven's sake. And, and, they are NOT yam, just colouring.

And to top it all up, TS made a slogan and song for my "unappealing" cupcakes, which I thought was an ultimate insult. You have to hear it from the horse's mouth and now we have Tobey mimicking too.

Super cupcakes....Super.

I made a solared powered car







Tobey's school has a robotics programme and one of the things they made was a solar powered car. The own class has to make it and they had a race to see whose is the fastest. I was curious if he knows what he was doing besides just fixing the parts up. He was able to explain each part and tell how it works. I think back in my school days, I was only first introduced to physics when I was in Secondary 1. The parts were very fragile and he has to keep fixing it back.

I think they should make a solar powered Barbie Doll which can move and talk for the girls in the class.

By the way, Tobey, you cannot get "more sun" from holding up the car to the skies.