Posted by Mommy Woobie on January 10th, 2008 in Mommy Alert
One day, during my primary school days, our teachers told us: pick a book and lift all the words that you cannot understand, then list their dictionary meanings. I was ecstatic at the assignment as I’ve been reading Sweet Valley High and Sweet Dreams since I was 8 years old. My other classmates found this assignment tedious.
Little did I know that the habit of doing this (listing and researching) is something that will get me through the most difficult examinations and trials (like finding a job location in a city map).
These are the stuff I want a school to teach. The smarts that are habit-forming. I’ve been browsing some school brochures looking for primary schools for my kid and I’ve been comparing different curriculum. I want a school that encourages reading more than play, curiousity over games, and academic excellence over sports activity.
A lot will probably disagree, but I noticed that some pre-schools have more than enough extracurricular activities and school events/promotions that may waste a lot of study time. Like they’re actually focused on promoting their school as a “fun and interactive” place to be to future enrollees than honing these kids into future scientists and philosophers.
I know everything is commercialized now, but quality education should not be. Just my take. 
Posted by Mommy Woobie on January 9th, 2008 in Mommy Thoughts
EXERCISE & FITNESS SURVEY:
I hope Malinesky of BeautifulAndHappy won’t mind if I post her meme here in my mommy blog instead of my evil one. Her meme is very personal and I felt like it belonged here:
So here they are, the 8 things I am grateful for.
1. My parents remain to be my inspiration by staying with each other throughout the years
2. I have a healthy baby.
3. I have a healthy hubby.
4. I am healthy.
5. We have enough to sustain our daily living.
6. I am learning new things about my baby’s personality each day.
7. My baby is very curious and alert (he might just grow to be as smart as mommy), and
8. I’m learning more about myself and my capabilities as a mom each day.
Peace, Nelson, Malen, RJ, Manilenya, Evilwoobie, Marjie, and JoanJoyce have already been tagged, so I am now tagging 8 people other people:
1. ricopola
2. princess yrose
3. anitokid
4. rose
5. deeanne
6. sylverblade (nyahaha)
7. jehzlau, and
8. glitch
YOU ARE TAGGED, PEOPLE!!!!!!
Posted by Mommy Woobie on January 7th, 2008 in Proud Mommy
I’m so proud!
Most kids, and a couple of adults I know, do not eat vegetables. Apparently, the turn off lies on the smell (?) and the texture.
I promised myself that my baby won’t be one of those who reach adulthood hating vegetables.
And, regardless that I have a few vegetable turn offs myself (katuray and squash flowers ONLY), I will not encourage the “i don’t want veggies” attitude.
My usual technique in incorporating vegetables on his food is to blanche the tougher veggies then grate them over his rice. This way, the “smell” is less pungent as the rice has a particular smell also. Less difficult veggies, like squash fruit or sayote, may be mashed along with rice and the meat.
The need to blanch thoroughly is emphasized as fresh veggies may contain pesticides that may not be completely washed by running water.
Posted by Mommy Woobie on January 4th, 2008 in Family Quirks
New Year’s Eve. Our son decided that despite his 5-hour nap that afternoon, he’s going to sleep early that night. Considering the times he kept us awake for hours til dawn because he wanted to play, he doesn’t seem to want to participate in the midnight madness that is New Year.
At 10 PM, 30 December, we tried our best to wake him up just as the fireworks displays are getting more intense outside. He was grumpy, out-of-sorts and crying. Maybe he was remembering his previous fireworks display viewing and decided that it’s not for him.
Nonetheless, we dressed him up. All the while singing and clapping in front of him to keep him awake. We closed the windows to muffle the sound of fireworks popping. He’s scared of them and would hang on to the one carrying him very tightly whenever a particularly loud BOOM rocked the house. “Cmon, son, it’s tradition.” I kept saying in a cajoling tone, while trying to change his clothes. He wriggled and wailed, and when we’re not looking, dozed off.
We finally convinced him to go out with us with promises that he will get to play with the other kids (his cousins) at my hubby’s main house. Every once in a while he’d say something that sounds like a grumble punctuated with a “tsk!”… but shuts up when we ask him, “What was that about?”
I feel guilty about depriving my son the sleep that he craved on New Year’s Eve. But as I said earlier, it’s tradition.
One day, during my primary school days, our teachers told us: pick a book and lift all the words that you cannot understand, then list their dictionary meanings. I was ecstatic at the assignment as I’ve been reading Sweet Valley High and Sweet Dreams since I was 8 years old. My other classmates found this assignment tedious.
