Life's like that!

May 30, 2011

Joplin Missouri, A Doctor’s Story

The tornado that hit Joplin, Missouri on May 22, 2011.

Read this here.

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Here comes the pain...

No, not labor pain. It's back pain.

Last night, I woke up to a sudden sharp pain on the lower back after taking a short nap between 9pm and 10:30pm. It was the most excruciating pain, and I could hardly get out of bed to pray.

This morning at 4:30am, the pain did not go away. Instead, it hurts me to even breathe with every step that I took to the bathroom. I called my younger brother in Singapore, and my mother happened to be visiting him. So I told her, and she suggested that I woke up husband to massage my back. I told her that husband did volunteered to do just that when he saw me in pain, but I told him not to worry about me. She then suggested that I put a warm water bottle on my back and drink ginger tea to ease the pain. She seemed to be busy with my nieces and nephew, so we did not talk long.

This week is the last week of school. From next week until August, I'll be home with DD1 and DD2. Allah SWT willing, I hope that that pain does not return so that I can have some fun with the girls before the baby is here.

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May 27, 2011

Family Storytime

Yesterday, I brought DD1 to the public library for the family storytime. About 15 kids attended the program.

The librarian read two books:
1. The Little Red Hen (Makes a Pizza) by Philemon Sturges and Amy Walrod
2. Good Job, Little Bear by Martin Waddell

Then, she played the following song on a CD and shook fake eggs (with rice/beans inside them) with the kids. DD1 had a blast shaking and dancing with the eggs!

At the end of the program, she said that during the month of June, the family storytime's theme will be about dogs. Kids will get to hear songs about dogs, make doggy crafts and snacks. Allah SWT willing, I hope that I can bring DD1 to these fun activities.

I Know A Chicken by Laurie Berkner (click on this link to view the CD on Amazon)Link

I know a chicken (i know a chicken)

And she laid an egg (and she laid an egg)

Oh i know a chicken (i know a chicken)

And she laid an egg (and she laid an egg)

Oh my goodness (oh my goodness)

It's a shaky egg! (it's a shaky egg!)

Shake your eggs!

Source - http://www.kovideo.net/i-know-a-chicken-lyrics-laurie-berkner-841748.html

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May 26, 2011

Getting ready for school

Allah SWT willing, next school year, DD1 will be attending kindergarten at the school where I work.

Based on the recommendation of the 4th grade teacher, I ordered Spectrum reading and writing workbooks from Amazon to help DD1 get ready for school. Before I got pregnant, I homeschooled DD1 on pre-school reading and math through games and practice books. Since the pregnancy is taking a toll on my health, I stopped doing so because I don't want to get stressed out.

Allah SWT willing I hope I'll have enough stamina during the summer to work with DD1 on these workbooks.

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School is out... or not...

Yesterday was the last day of final exams for all students.

Already they are getting restless. Right now until next Tuesday, all homeroom and subject teachers are basically babysitting students because there will be no more instructional lessons. Many teachers will be taking advantage of the beautiful weather and let students play on the basketball court or the playground. Since yesterday, the 4th grade teacher let students bring their own board games to play in class. Tomorrow, we will be holding an award ceremony for the 4th graders to recognize students for their academic achievements. Since parents are invited to attend this ceremony, several groups of students will be performing plays, songs, and puppet shows.

Next Tuesday is the last school day for students while teachers work through Friday. I can't wait for school to be over so that I can take quiet afternoon naps with DD1 and DD2 at home. When the baby is here in mid-August, Allah SWT willing, there will be no restful naps for me.

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May 25, 2011

On a dark and stormy night...

Last night we heard repeated tornado warnings in the DFW area on the news. I heard distant tornado warning sirens and went to sleep at around 10pm after hearing on the radio that the tornado warning for our county has expired.

This morning, when I dropped off the kids, tree leaves and branches scattered all over the road near the babysitter's house. She told me that several windows in her house are broken, and it happened to several of her neighbors too.

Last night's scary weather also happened in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kansas. May Allah SWT make it easy for the people who are greatly affected by this deadly weather.

Read more about last night's storm in DFW area here.

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May 19, 2011

Ten things to take with you on the plane

Seven years ago, when I worked at a university as a librarian, I attended conferences in Chicago, Maryland, Houston and Massechusetts. On these trips, I packed several essential items on the plane to keep me busy.

Here is a list from this web site that include some of the items that are considered essential for me:

1. Laptop computer (Did not bring because I prefer to travel light.)
2. Sleep aid (Did not need this because I was too excited about the trips to fall asleep.)
3. Ear plugs (Noise on the plane did not bother me.)
4. Sudoku (I prefer to play tetris on my cell phone.)
5. Snack (Cookies, cough drops, granola bar etc.)
6. Spare clothes (Just in case I need a change of clothes.)
7. Train reaction (I might need this when traveling with kids now.)
8. Pen/pencil (I love to write letters on the plane, so this is a must for me.)
9. Music player (Not important for me if the flight is less than 2 hours long. But if longer than that, then I will listen to Chinese songs by Jay Chou, Teresa Teng etc.)
10. Book (I definitely need to bring at least two books on the plane because that will be the only place when I can read uninterrupted.)

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May 13, 2011

Family Storytime - Mother's Day

Last Thursday, DD1 and I made a mother's day card during the family storytime at the public library.


The librarian read several books about mothers and one of them, which I really like, is 'A Mother for Choco' by Keiko Kasza. I enjoy reading this book with DD1 because the mother bear loves all her children even though they are not her own. I think the universal message of unconditional mother's love is very well written in this book. Allah SWT willing I will check out this book again to read to DD2.

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Family Storytime - Rain

Yesterday, I brought DD1 to the public library for a family storytime. About ten kids showed up with their parents.

Since the theme was about rain, we did a rainbow craft after the librarian read the following books.

1. In the rain with baby duck by Amy Hest
2. It looked like spilled milk by Charles G. Shaw

For the rainbow craft, I helped DD1 to glue pieces of blue, orange, yellow and red tissue paper on a pre-drawn rainbow. She really enjoyed the craft very much.

The librarian also shared a rhyme about umbrellas with the kids. She read the rhyme while moving different colored umbrella shapes on a flannel board.

Five Umbrellas (Taken from this web site.)
Five umbrellas stood by the back door,
The red one went outside,
Then there was four.

Four umbrellas, pretty as can be,
The blue one went outside,
Then there was three.

Three umbrellas with nothing to do,
The green one went outside,
Then there was two.

Two umbrellas not having much fun,
The yellow one went outside,
Then there was one.

One umbrella alone in the hall,
The purple one went outside,
And that was all.

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May 05, 2011

News: Reading boosts brain pathways, affects multiple disciplines

Read this interesting article here.

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May 04, 2011

How to Plant Your Garden

Received from dear Sr.Brenda.


How To Plant Your Garden


First, you Come to the garden alone,
while the dew is still on the roses.

FOR THE GARDEN OF YOUR DAILY LIVING ,

PLANT THREE ROWS OF PEAS :

1. Peace of mind
2. Peace of heart
3. Peace of soul

PLANT FOUR ROWS OF SQUASH:

1. Squash gossip
2. Squash indifference
3. Squash grumbling
4. Squash selfishness


PLANT FOUR ROWS OF LETTUCE:

1. Lettuce be faithful
2. Lettuce be kind
3. Lettuce be patient
4. Lettuce really love one another


NO GARDEN IS WITHOUT TURNIPS:


1. Turnip for meetings
2. Turnip for service
3. Turnip to help one another

TO
CONCLUDE OUR GARDEN WE MUST HAVE THYME:

1. Thyme for each other
2. Thyme for family
3. Thyme for friends

WATER FREELY WITH PATIENCE AND CULTIVATE WITH LOVE. THERE IS MUCH FRUIT IN YOUR GARDEN BECAUSE YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW. NOT BAD, HUH?!
l

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May 03, 2011

Poem: Giving from the heart

Giving From The Heart

A mother seems to specialize in doing thoughtful deeds,
Before you ask she understands your problems and your needs.
Quietly she does her best to help, inspire and cheer,
And everything looks brighter right away because she's near.

She always has a lot to do but still finds time to spare,
To listen and to give advice because she really cares.
She helps because she wants to, she finds joy in being kind,
And making others happy is the first thing on her mind.

She makes this world a better place by practicing the art,
Of reaching out to others and by giving from the heart.

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Mom - Job Description

POSITION: Mother, Mom, Mama, Mommy, Momma, Ma

JOB DESCRIPTION: Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an, often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities. Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES: The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT &PROMOTION: Virtually none. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE : None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION: Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS: While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs for life if you play your cards right.

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A Touching Poem for Mothers

Before I was a Mom
I made and ate hot meals.
I had unstained clothing.
I had quiet conversations on the phone.

Before I was a Mom,
I slept as late as I wanted
And never worried about how late I got into bed.
I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

Before I was a Mom
I cleaned my house each day.
I never tripped over toys or forgot words of lullabies.

Before I was a Mom
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations

Before I was a Mom
I had never been puked on
Pooped on
Spit on
Chewed on
Peed on
Or pinched by tiny fingers

Before I was a Mom I had complete control of:
My thoughts
My body
And my mind.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom
I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a Mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
Could make me feel so important.

Before I was a Mom
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
Every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay
I had never known the warmth
The joy
The love
The heartache
The wonder
Or the satisfaction of being a Mom.I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.

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May 02, 2011

Pregnant Lunch Buddy

Last Friday was the last working day for a second grade teacherSr. R., who is 8 months pregnant.

She has been my lunch buddy since the beginning of this school year. I usually eat my lunch during the fourth period when she would bring her class to the cafeteria for lunch too. When she told me that she is pregnant with her third child, I was so happy for her. Not long after that, it was my turn to break the news about my pregnancy to her. Since then, we would share our experience about our previous pregnancies.

Although the baby's due date is in June, she decided to leave work early to get some rest. I will miss her smiles and jokes, and I hope to keep in touch with her on the progress of her pregnancy, Allah SWT willing.

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School Spirit Week

This week, School Spirit Week is being celebrated at the school where I am working. Here is the program lineup:

Monday - Gold/Purple Theme (Girls may wear yellow or purple headscarves while boys may wear yellow or purple t-shirts.)
Tuesday - Twins Day (Teachers and students can find a twin to wear the same color for clothes or accessories.)
Wednesday - Career Day (Students may dress up in the career of their choice e.g. doctor, firefighters etc.)
Thursday - Hat Day (Students may wear any hats that they like.)
Friday - Crazy Socks Day (Students may wear mismatched color socks.)

I think this is a great idea for teachers and students to have some fun since the state standardized testing is just over and they are getting ready for the end-of-year final exam.

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