Permanence In Change

Ngayon ko lang nalaman na isa pala akong fabulous blogger.

HowManyOfMe.com

There is 1 person with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

I used my married name.. but using my maiden name, there is nil. :)) I really have a very unique name, eh!

There are 6,063 people in the U.S. with the first name Era.
Statistically the 2397th most popular first name.
More than 99.9 percent of people with the first name Era are female.

One day a rich Westerner who had made sqillions from speculating on the stock market was strolling along the beach and saw the fisherman pulling in his boat with his meager catch.

The rich Westerner stopped and remarked “not much of a catch today”. The fisherman replied “yes not much” but explained that his small catch was enough for him and his family.

The rich Westerner asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”

“I sleep late, play with my children and have an afternoon’s rest under a coconut tree. In the evenings, I go to the local pub to see my friends, play some music, and sing a few songs….. I have a full and happy life.” replied the fisherman.

The rich Westerner ventured, “I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help you…… You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat.

With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second one and a third one and so on until you have a large fleet. Instead of selling your fish to a middleman, you can negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your own plant. You can then leave this little village and move to a city from where you can direct your huge enterprise.”

“And after that?” asked the fisherman.

“After that? That’s when it gets really interesting,” answered the rich Westerner, laughing, “When your business gets really big, you can start selling stock in your company and make millions!”

“Millions? Really? And after that?” pressed the fisherman.

“After that you’ll be able to retire, move out to a small village by the sea, sleep in late every day, spend time with your family, go fishing, take afternoon naps under a coconut tree, and spend relaxing evenings with friends…”

Mummy is playing Mummy even if she doesn't have to.

That was MCJ talking to Baby Ian when I asked him to wipe the chuck-up mess on Ian's face again even if he had done it thoroughly.

And that remark made me think. Pondering on our daily routine and what had happened during the day, I realized that there are instances that concerned Ian that I indeed, over-reacted. It's not because I am that kind or I really have to, but it has been my motherly instict telling me. I guess, the motherhood profession is growing on me and it has grown fast and had rooted deeply.

I was not groomed on this job. Sure, I've got lots of nephews to practice early on, but I was not able to. I embark this job with few ideas on what to expect. My biggest weapon are, my emotional maturity and MCJ's support.

Yes, I shed some tears a few weeks after giving birth but I reckon they were just baby blues. It even hit me while I was still in the hospital. But if you will ask me now, how am I going? I will say, excellent! I know I still have to learn a lot - motherhood is a learning in progress profession for me. But I have adjusted now.. and slowly getting the hang of it.

Ann, said "di nakakainip ang maghapon pag may baby sa bahay (your day isn't boring having a baby at home)".. and I agree 100%.

Motherhood for me is the most rewarding and fulfilling job in this world and I am very proud that I am on it.

"So, are you not going home anymore?"

That's my mother asking me.

You see, more than a year ago I was granted of a one year multi-stay visitor's visa. That was not what we wanted but that was what was granted. It was a "take it or leave it" deal. So, it suffice.

And for the next twelve months, I've entered OZ four times and went back to RP three times. One of which, I went home to my parents' place. In my mother's mind, I am just here in OZ for a vacation and I will eventually go back home. Well, partly true until at the beginning of September this year when I was granted of a Bridging Visa A that allows me to stay here indefinitely. We have to let go of my paid flights with Qantas because of the non-refundable fare condition. That after paying almost $200 for rebooking it, just incase I won't be granted of the bridging visa. Rebooking it again would be futile as during that days, we don't know when we're going for a holiday in RP. The rebooking fee might be more than the airfare cost. Not a good idea, then.

Now, that I can stay here indefinitely.. and we're processing for my spouse visa application, we've planned of going for a vacation back home. It would be the whole family. And I am excited. We will introduce Baby Ian to the whole tribe. :)

Learning other languages alters grey matter - the area of the brain that processes information - in the same way that exercise builds muscles. What's more, the younger the adults were when the learning started, the smarter they were. Those who started when aged five and under had the highest IQs. They not only learn a second language, they also obtain "softer" skills, such as better socials skills and self-confidence.

Babies who hear two languages from birth often start speaking later than monolingual bubs. But even though might experience a few month's delay, once they start, they catch up quickly. The child can also show signs of confusion by using word from one tongue while speaking in another. This usually takes a few months to overcome, and certainly doesnt put them behind in their development.

1. Whatever approach you choose to adopt, they key is to be consistent.
2. The more your child is exposed to both languages. the better the results.
3. People are more effective as teachers than CDs and DVDs.
4. One language might become dominant for a while, but that will change with time.
5. When teaching at home, adopt the dame approach for all your children.

1. The average circus clown juggles between three and six items at any one time. Three. Six! I mean, ha! Could a circus-trained clown manage a pram laden with 14 grocery bags, an overfilled nappy bag and a broken umbrella while also carrying in the other hand a shopping list, handbag, eight overdue library books and the screaming toddler who refuses to sit in the said pram? And could they then maybe breastfeed a small baby at the same time? Would insufficient talent simply not an option?

2. Clowns receive training. Can you imagine that? Actual tuition in the jobs are deemed too tricky for just any old Joe. Clowns even have trade unions. When they think the work conditions are just too unberable, somebody... wait for this... listens!

3. Clowns have time to apply make-up. I know. Crazy.

4. Clowsn are the hits of the show. NOT those people you avoided until they finally have something interesting and worthwhile to say again.

5. Clowns make children happy. Not apparently miserable. And bored. And dysfunctional. And ripe to be thrown out of indoor playlands.

6. Clowns, for all the right reasons, receive applause. They are appreciated. Mothers, on the other hand, do all that we do for little mroe than a patronising slap on the back from our own parents and, belatedly, a few hundred precious pasta-glued Mother's Day cards from our offspring.