Thơ: CUỘC ĐỜI LÀ CHUYẾN TÀU MỘT CHIỀU/Poem: LIFE IS A ONE-WAY TRAIN

Creative writings by ChatGPT

 

Write a fantasy story about the adventure of Number zero through various math fields and ocean, meeting shapes and visiting different planes, etc.

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there was a number named Zero. Zero was unique in that it was neither positive nor negative, and represented a neutral point between numbers. Zero always felt left out among the other numbers, who were constantly adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing. Zero longed for adventure, to explore the world and discover its purpose.

One day, Zero decided to embark on a journey through the world of mathematics. It began its journey by travelling through the field of arithmetic, where it met addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. They welcomed Zero with open arms and taught it their ways. Zero learned that addition brought numbers closer together, while subtraction pushed them apart. Multiplication made numbers grow, while division made them shrink. Zero was fascinated by the way these operations could change the value of numbers.

Next, Zero travelled through the world of geometry, where it met shapes of all kinds. Triangles, squares, circles, and more greeted Zero, and they all seemed to have personalities of their own. Triangles were sharp and pointed, squares were sturdy and reliable, and circles were perfect and smooth. They showed Zero how to calculate their areas and perimeters, and Zero felt more knowledgeable than ever before.

Zero's journey then took it through the ocean of trigonometry, where it met waves of sine, cosine, and tangent. They taught Zero how to measure angles and calculate the lengths of sides in right triangles. Zero was amazed at the complexity of trigonometry, and it felt like it was finally understanding the world of math.

Finally, Zero travelled through the planes of calculus, where it met derivatives, integrals, and limits. They showed Zero how to find slopes, areas under curves, and how to determine the behavior of functions. Zero felt like it had reached the pinnacle of mathematical knowledge.

But then, as Zero looked out into the vast expanse of the universe, it realized that there was still so much it didn't know. Zero longed to explore beyond the world of math, to venture into the unknown and discover new horizons.

So Zero set out once again, this time on a journey through the planes of reality. It travelled through dimensions and met beings of all shapes and sizes. It encountered worlds made entirely of shapes, and others where math didn't exist at all. Zero was awestruck by the diversity and wonder of the universe.

Finally, after a long and wondrous journey, Zero returned home, to the world of math. It had learned so much, seen so much, and experienced so much. It realized that it didn't need to be positive or negative to be important. Zero was the center of everything, the pivot point around which everything revolved. It was then that Zero understood its true purpose, to be a neutral point from which everything could be measured and understood. Zero was content and happy, and it knew that it had found its place in the world.

CHERISH YOUR BEST MEMORIES

For our beloved daughter,

As the dance with Daddy will be etched on your memory forever, Mommy is posting the pictures and videos capturing those precious moments as a keepsake for all of us. Hope they will brighten your days, light up your soul and bring a sunshine smile to your face. And remember, darling, "If you stumble, make it part of the dance"💃

YOUR 18TH BIRTHDAY

Sweetheart, today you are turning 18

Mommy created a name poem on handmade paper rose canvas for you, and Daddy wrote a long letter for you on the special occasion when you reach a highly anticipated milestone in your life. We hope these two unique gifts will accompany you on your journey ahead so that you will always feel our love around you wherever you go, whenever you are and whatever you do. Remember that we are forever your "parent-chute" in life.

Wish you a life full of happiness,

Pray that your mind is tranquil and peaceful at all times

500 DAYS OF SUMMER (A MOVIE REVIEW BY MEW)

Foreword: This is a home assignment of Grade 8 English class - to write about your favourite movie. I watched this movie with Mew last year and honestly felt it rather boring ... until I happened to read her review. She really opened my eyes to how shallow I’d been and how mature our kids have become nowadays. I could not even recall if I ever gave a thought about these topics when I was at the university, let alone in my teenage.

500 Days of Summer

(Synopsis:) “Boy meets girl. Boy falls in love. Girl doesn’t. This post-modern love story is never what we expect it to be — it’s thorny yet exhilarating, funny and sad, a twisted journey of highs and lows that doesn’t quite go where we think it will. When Tom, a hapless greeting card copywriter and hopeless romantic, is blindsided after his girlfriend Summer dumps him, he shifts back and forth through various periods of their 500 days “together” to try to figure out where things went wrong. His reflections ultimately lead him to finally rediscover his true passions in life.”

This is hands down my favorite movie ever—which is saying a lot since I’m usually so critical towards TV and film. Just like all great movies out there, both the synopsis and trailer doesn’t do it justice. The synopsis gives us an impression of yet another “special” love story that ends in a happily-ever-after setting, where the guy gets the girl and meanwhile, discovers his true self or gets the job of his dreams or some crap like that. The trailer, unfortunately, wasn’t any better. Its verdict of this movie comes off as fluffy and light-hearted with no underlying message to be learned from; when in truth, it is anything but that. There are lessons upon lessons tied up in this spectacular 95 minutes long film.

Spanning across the 500 days that Tom and Summer spent together, we jump between past and present along with the heart-broken Tom who is re-evaluating how he saw both Summer as a person and Summer in their relationship. The more he indulges himself into the past, it is as if a whole different light has been casted on their time spent together making him realize little by little, why Summer had so abruptly broken off their relationship when he thought it was going so well. (quote worth mentioning here, Rachel [Tom’s little sister] to Tom: “Look, I know you think she was the one, but I don't. Now, I think you're just remembering the good stuff. Next time you look back, I, uh, I really think you should look again.”)

In the first paragraph, I stated that there were many lessons to be learned from this movie on which I will dive deeper in now. To be completely honest with you, I didn’t love this movie the first time I saw it. I was so focused on the general plot I didn’t catch the foreshadowing or symbolism or even, lessons that Marc Webb, the director, had cunningly placed in there. 500 Days of Summer proves to be one of those few rewatchable movies that only gets better and better the more times you watch it. Also, what’s so interesting about this movie is that it can be seen by two perspectives. One is Tom’s and the other is Summer’s.

The controversy surrounding this movie was that so many people hated the character Summer the first time they watched the movie (me included). *Spoiler (so you can understand my point better): Tom and Summer do not end up together. Summer ends up marrying another guy some months after the break-up. * I was left just as Tom was: bitter and confused. Tom gave his all to her, and Summer ends up marrying some other guy? I finally realized, after re-watching the movie, that that was not the point nor the lesson of the movie at all.

The dawning realization hit me when I realized what Tom thought was love wasn’t love at all. Of course, you can’t outright blame him, since his character was considered the hopeless romantic, but that is no way to uncondemn him completely. Also, I just realized the reason for why Summer was such a hated character must be because the directors were amazing at really helping you sympathize with Tom’s character. That being said, once you closely pay attention, you actually begin to see the selfishness of his character. He developed a mildly delusional obsession over a girl onto whom he projected all these fantasies. He thinks she’ll give his life meaning because he doesn’t care about much else going on in his life. Tom thinks that Summer is the key to his happiness: to find a partner who’s solely focused on them. But that’s not healthy. That’s falling in love with the idea of a person, not the actual person. Tom idolized Summer Finn. He fell in love with the idea of Summer, not Summer herself, and got his heart broken. This is why I love this movie so much. This is not a love story, this is a story about love.

This movie also introduced me to the popularized term in films and books, the cliché ‘manic-pixie-dream girl’ syndrome. I can get deeper in this topic as well, but then we would be here ‘till Christmas, so I’ll spare you by giving you the Urban Dictionary definition: “A Manic Pixie Dream Girl or MPDG, is a term coined by film critic Nathan Rabin after seeing Elizabethtown. It refers to "that bubbly, shallow cinematic creature that exists solely in the fevered imaginations of sensitive writer-directors to teach broodingly soulful young men to embrace life and its infinite mysteries and adventures." A pretty, outgoing, whacky female romantic lead whose sole purpose is to help broody male characters lighten up and enjoy their lives.” This movie, not only is anti-manic-pixie-dream girl, it even parodies that cliché! It shows Summer as her own person with her own life along with all the dreams and goals and troubles she must take care of. She is in no way, shape or form, existing solely to cater Tom’s ego.

Not guilty at all, I am proud to say that I’ve watched this movie at least 7 times already. Not only with a jarring and eye-opening denouement, this movie has one of the best soundtracks I’ve ever heard along with one of the most pleasing and stunning visuals in cinematography I’ve ever seen. I give major respect to the brilliant director, Marc Webb to have created this breath-taking masterpiece. It is so incredibly well thought-out and painstakingly detailed in such length that Webb made sure to have the color blue only appear in shots that included Summer, and discarded any traces of blue when she wasn’t present.

Finally, for the ending of this movie, I thought it was absolutely perfect. Hopeful yet realistic, promising yet bittersweet; it was the perfect conclusion for such an impactful story in such a short amount of time.

When you are 13

"Living an unlived life, missing chances and opportunities just because thoughts like ‘I’m not good enough’ plague our mind is not living at all. You just exist while life moves on around you. I started doing instead of dreaming. I still don’t know where I’m heading, my path is still foggy. But someday that fog will clear away and I’ll know my destination."
https://randommesssite.wordpress.com/2017/07/10/blog-post-title/Back to my future

I REMEMBER

She always says that she does not enjoy reading or writing poems. But her in-class 20-minute writing assignment is surprisingly impressive and she is undoubtedly endowed with great creative writing potentials. Her teacher gave her a 10/10 score for this work. So proud of my daughter!

I REMEMBER

by YA

I remember coming home and smelling the spices bouncing in the pan. 

And looking at my bedroom wall, watching how my father`s fingers dance in the hollow light, casting stories upon us in the late, dark night.

I remember hearing the silent footsteps of my brother trying to sneak out to catch the last glimpse of the Disney Channel.

I remember biking in the park with my best friend, remembering the dreams and plans we made that melted way, to something different and new.

And my grandpa sneaking books to me when I was two, even if I would tear the presents after, even if I didn`t mean to.

I remember drawing all over the walls because we ran out of paper, remembering the huge yellow elephant in the living room and how mad my mom was.

And every summer I would go on the balcony and use our 10-year-old telescope trying to find a constellation - I never did, but my dad would join me and that was worth it.

And I remember my grandma yelling at my dad and I to get in from the balcony because of the cold weather.

I remember going to a fair with my family with tickets in my pockets and ice cream in my hands.

Absorbing the beautiful summer sun, and racing my brother to the bumper cars, waiting in the long, painful line, both of us betting on who`ll win, but that was yesterday.

LOVE IS IN THE AIR

This is one of the first picture books authored by Mew and published in PDF format as a gift to you: Love is in the air. Enjoy!
LOVE IS IN THE AIR

A CHRISTMAS POEM

It is June, not Christmas season. I was flipping a book of quotations at Salvation Army one Saturday, and there it fell down on the floor, a sheet of printed poem with decorated borders in the Xmas theme. No author name, no title. But the poem is so beautiful. I tried to google the name of author in vain, just because that poem is quoted from various sources with different names every time. So, let's just call it "A Christmas poem" from unknown author:

I have a list of folks I know, all written in a book

And every year when Christmas comes, I go and take a look

And that is when I realize that these names are a part

Not of the book they're in, but of my very heart

For each name stands for someone who has crossed my path sometime

And in that meeting they've become the rhymth in each rhyme

And while it sounds fantastic for me to make this claim

I really feel that I'm composed of each remembered name

And while you may not be aware of any "special link"

Just meeting you has changed my life a lot more than you think

For once I've met somebody, the years cannot erase

The memory of a pleasant work or of a friendly face

So never think my Christmas cards are just a mere routine

Of names upon a Christmas list, forgotten in between

For I send a Christmas card that is addressed to you

It's because you are on a list of folks I'm indebted to

For I am but the total of the many folks I've met

And you happen to be one of those I prefer not to forget

And whether I have known you for many years or few

In some ways you have had a part in shaping things I do

And every year when Christmas comes, I realize a new

The best gift life can offer is meeting folks like you

And may the spirit of Christmas that forever endures

Leave the richest blessings in the hearts of You and Yours

(Unknown author)

MISS MY LITTLE BOY

Tommy, my little prince,
Mommy could not resist her tears when seeing you crying in the webcam tonight just because you missed Mommy. We have been together every day for the past 4 years and now it was the first time ever you were away from Mommy. Even though Daddy and your sister and our big family are around you, you still want your Mommy. I wish I could just fly there with you right away, to hug you, to kiss you, to see your smile, just like every day. But I couldn`t. My heart sank when seeing your tears, when hearing your cries but at the same time I felt the treasure of being a mother: to be always there for your kids, to love them unconditionally and to be missed when you are away. My little baby, don`t cry. Mommy will be coming home soon. It`s really hard to explain "how soon" to you, but Mommy hopes that time will fly and you will be again in Mommy's arms in the very near future. Love you with all my heart!

"I LOVE YOU"

"I love you", Tommy ran towards Mommy, giving me a close hug with a kiss on the lips and tenderly telling me those three magic words for the first time. I smiled so happily, feeling that my heart was melting by his sweet words. Those words as treasured as pure gold were poured out from your kid's tiny mouth, who was not long ago just a tiny baby. Those words are your kid's most sincere sentiments for you and only you from the bottom of their hearts because they are too young to know how to lie. Who did teach Tommy those words? I don't know. He might have learnt them at the daycare, or in Youtube clips. But he knew how to use this very special phrase to express his love to me, his Mommy, and I was up to the heaven. I want to capture those wonderful moments and keep them forever in my heart because my kids will grow up more quickly than I could imagine and the baby-loving words that we never get tired of hearing will soon disappear.

Each time our children graduate from one stage to another (i.e. crawling - walking, preschool - school, high school - graduation) we as parents are excited and a little sad as well. We want our children to grow up, but we reminisce about the 'good old' days. I think those mixed feelings are normal for all of us. There will be parent and child peer pressure to force your children to do things early. You may not be a popular parent when you say No to something 'everyone else is doing.' Parenting is not for the fainthearted or a popularity contest. Childhood is a precious time and it is all ready much too short, keep your children innocent and protect their childhood. These are the words every parent waits to hear -- and the first time your child tells you she loves you is unforgettable. the way your face lights up when she says it to you. Once your child grasps the concept of love, he or she is no longer a pure doll baby. He or she has become a tiny man or woman who is learning the meaning of giving and receiving, of reciprocal love. Then time flies and when you turn your head, they has grown up out of your arms too quickly...

MEW'S MASTERPIECE OF ARTS

Mew has recently been passionately inspired by arcrylic painting and replicated some beautiful pictures from the Internet. She presented one of them to her classmates in her oral presentation on the theme "Commercials" and a lot of them were interested in buying it. She randomly picked one lucky buyer and sold the painting for $10. Wow, she earned her first dollars with love of arts. Now she could decide how to spend her own money without asking for our permission. How cool it is:) We encouraged her to continue painting and selling her works but she seemed to be satisfied with $10 so far. Just hope that she would continue finding a creative and fun way to earn money as such. It's great when you get money for doing something you are passionate about, isn't it?

A CHILD'S BEST SAYING

A conversation between Mom and daughter:
Daughter: Mom, are you excited about the coming Mothers' Day?
Mom: Nope.
Daughter: I will be excited about Mothers' Day when I am a mother. My children will be way better than your kids. I can enjoy shopping the whole day, buying jewellery, cosmetics, clothing. Then I will have a fancy dinner at the best restaurant in town, with candles and flowers, and my husband will pay for it. Oh, I forget, in the morning when I am still in bed, my kids will bring me a delicious breakfast tray with a rose stem. I will also receive a sweet greeting card.
Mom (laughing): Good, very nice dream. Glad that you have such nice dreams.
Daughter: Yes, and I will be better parents than you. I will live in a big house, with designer furniture, and eat out often. I will have the latest Iphone for myself, and buy Iphone for all of my kids. I will send my kids to private schools because I want them to go to the best schools. I will drive a luxury car and go on vacations often with my family. I will stay close to my family, I mean, my "own" family: my husband and my children. I will go shopping for myself and my kids whenever I want and do not have to wait for a sale or promotion...
Mom (laughing harder): Very interesting to hear so. I also sincerely hope that you will be better parents than me and your kids will be better than my kids, haha. Love your saying, it must be the best saying of the day, no, actually the best of the year!
Mom (thinking in her mind): One day you will become a mother, having children of your own, and maybe passing part of the path that I have traveled in the motherhood...and finally becoming an extension of myself, a better and happier extension...

DAUGHTER'S LETTER TO MOM

To: Mom (who don't really understand my world)

Look mom, my life is different than yours. Way different. You think surviving middle school (6 grade) is only, like, being yourself, being nice? You're wrong! So wrong. You don't understand because it changes. The world changed. Comparing my life to yours, almost if we don't know each other! Do you know that middle school and up are difficult? Really difficult? Cliques, bullies, teasers ...

It's not your nice life anymore. And when I talk to you, you don't understand. You don't even try to understand! Being yourself, be nice ... It's very good those things, but it's not really how it works anymore. I hope you understand.

Your daughter,
Talking to you by writing

IF I WERE ...

If I were an animal, can you guess which animal I would be? I could be a cute kitten or a peacock with brilliant plumage, but I would choose to be a playful dolphin instead. I would ride through the huge waves and explore the mysterious underwater world. I would jump high in the air, and dive deep into the water with a big splash! I would enjoy the companion of my family and friends and live a life of freedom to have the whole ocean as my lovely, dear home.

April 2014
(written by Mew as a writing assignment)

A SHORT SHORT STORY WRITTEN BY MEW

Hi! My name is Francine, a French dictionary. My cover is old and nasty. Clumbsy dumb kids spill water, hot cofee, snacks on me. I mean, don't they know I'm useful? Very useful?

"Hi, Frances!", Sharpey squicks. Sometimes my friends call me Frances. Sharpey is a little purple sharpener. I feel really sorry for Sharpey. Why? Imagine every minute of your life carrying the pencil crumbs, and kids spinning you round and round. Really? But I'm most sorry for Ella, the eraser. Ella is so tiny. She's those fun eraser. She was a piano eraser, but now Harlt (her owner) makes her like a piano who has been step on. Can you imagine Ella's life? You know what I mean, don't you? Then there's Penny a pencil. Don't tell this to anyone, but Penny and Sharpey don't really like each other. It's true! Penny's sister, Clara - a red crayon, is artistic. Also very pretty, too. For me, I have a sister, too! Gess who she is? She's Eglentine an English dictionary! My cousin, a thesauraus is Tori! Tori is a true poet. Tori is even like a twin sister to me. "Hi Sharpey!", I said back. It was reading time at the class, but humans can't here us. "Class! Please put away your books and write please! I want you to hand me a poem about kites ...", the teacher said. I cut her off because it's boring. She can go on and on and on, till the earth comes to a final end: Blah, blah, blah! Who cares?

"Aaah!", I shriek suddenly. A stinky boy, Nicolas, just pushed me. Clear something? I FELL OFF THE SHELF! To you, it wouldn't be higher then your shoulder's, but to little guys like me, it's like were's standing on the tower Eifel! I landed on my head. "Are you all right?", Rebecca the ruler asks. Oops! My apologie! Rebecca is so quiet, we usally forget about her. "Fine!", I said we anoyance.

"Dring!". It's recess! Moo-ha-ha-ha! My revenge! I'm like this, when someone does mean things to me, I get even! So you probably don't want me as your enemy. "Gather around!", I shouted. "Ella, erase his work! Penny, draw scribbles! Sharpey will help you. Savanah (Sorry, I forgot about her too!) cut the paper to pieces (and if you're smart, Savanah is a pear of swissors!)! Clara, you can also draw scribbles! Rebecca, you can help us get down and get up the desk! After we're done we will carry 11 pieces of paper and throw in the trash! Got it?", I scream. "Got it!", they shout in replie. So that's my revenge. "That was nice!", a small voice said. It's Garnet! She's glue. She hardly show herself. She's the shyest person I know. So shy! "Garnet! You could've help!", I said. She shruggs. "I'll help other time," she replie.

"Dring!". Class time is back. "Holy smocks!", cried Nicolas when he saw what we did. Sharpey was on his desk (still) and Nicolas threw her across the room! "Another revenge!", she screams. "Let's huddle up!" I look at Garnet. "You coming?" To my surprise she gladly came.

My life as a dictionary is tuff (but not as tuff as Ella's! Sorry for her!), but with friends, I feel happy (and evil sometimes)

April 2014

Author: Mew

(all spelling errors are kept as they are originally written by Mew)

CATCHING A FALLING STAR

The lyrics of Perry Como's hit song "Catching a falling star" are so beautiful:

"Catch A Falling Star"

Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket
Never let it fade away
Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket
Save it for a rainy day

For love may come and tap you on the shoulder some starless night
Just in case you feel you want to hold her
You'll have a pocketful of starlight

Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket
Never let it fade away
Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket
Save it for a rainy day

For love may come and tap you on the shoulder some starless night
Just in case you feel you want to hold her
You'll have a pocketful of starlight
(Pocketful of starlight, hm,hm,hm,hm,hm,hm)

Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket
Never let it fade away
Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket
Save it for a rainy day

(Save it for a rainy, save it for a rainy, rainy, rainy, day)

For when your troubles start multiplyin' and they just might
It's easy to forget them without tryin'
With just a pocketful of starlight

Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket
Never let it fade away
Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket
Save it for a rainy day

(Save it for a rainy day)
Save it for a rainy day

Writer(s): Lee Pockriss, Lee Julien Pockriss, Paul Vance
Copyright: Music Sales Corporation, Emily Music Corp.

KIDS ARE LIKE KITES

Kids
are like 
kites. You 
spend a lifetime
trying to get them off
the ground. You run with
them until you are both breathless
~ they crash ~ You add a longer tail ~
they hit the rooftop. ~ You pluck them out
of the spout ~ you patch and comfort, adjust and
teach ~ You watch them lifted by the wind and tell them 
that someday they will fly! ~ Finally they are airborne, but 
they need more string. ~ You keep letting the string out 
but with each twist of the ball of twine, there is 
some sadness that goes with the joy because the
kite becomes more distant and somehow you 
know it won't be long before that 
beautiful creature will snap 
the lifeline that bound 
you together and soar 
as it was meant to 
soar - Free and 
alone ... Only 
then do you 
know that 
you did 
your
job.  

(Erma Bombeck)  

The following is extracted from the website of  Wendy Fereday Swim School

An old adage compares raising children to flying a kite. Mom and Dad attach their string and run down the road hoping to catch a breeze. The colorful kite bounces in the dust behind them. After a few dismal (and one seriously funny) failures, they climb a hill and, with great effort, manage to entice the kite a few feet into the air. Gent tugging here and there, moving around to find the strongest winds and the little kite begins to fly itself. But just when they think it is safely underway, great danger appears. It dives toward electrical lines and spirals perilously near tall treetops. Parents are gripped by fear. But an unexpectedly timely gust of wind catches the kite, lifting it upward. Mom and Dad begin feeding line as rapidly as they can.

The kite then becomes difficult to hold. Parents reach the end of their line. The little craft requires more freedom. Dad stands on tiptoe to accommodate the tug. The string is precariously clasped between his thumb and index finger. The moment comes; it slips through his anxious fingers and the kite soars off into the heavens.

Parents stare proudly at their kite, now a pinpoint of color in the sky. Proudly and a bit sadly. Their labor – of love, of fear, of fighting, of laughing – is finished. The kite is free. And so, for the first time in so many years, are they.

Most of you are still at the very beginning of the story. Some are still attaching to your sweet little kites, other bumping along in the dust. Still others are starting to feel the winds pick up and seeing glimmers of flight in your kids. Wherever you are, be encouraged that the story doesn’t end here. You are just in a scene – some scenes are beautiful and others hard. Know that there is hope and strength for you when there is no breeze at all and it seems impossible that your little one will ever get off the ground. They will. The scene will change and you will be that parent watching your kite fly higher and higher. Until that time, enjoy this scene and give plenty of grace to your children and yourself.

Thank you for loving your children well!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014

It has been almost 5 months that I left my blog gathering dust. We have had lots of major and luckily positive changes over the past few months. Tommy has been frequenting the daycare on daily basis. We were all amazed at how quickly and easily he adapted to a new stage of life, lol. He loves going to the daycare everyday and never sheds any tears nor clings to his parents' legs when saying goodbye in the morning. He enjoys every minutes at the daycare and even leads a small group of boys who adore cars to race around the activity center despite the fact that he knows only a handful of English words. The only thing we are not happy about sending Tommy to the daycare is that he still eats nothing there. This lazy guy is so getting used to be spoon-fed that he will not touch any foods by himself unless someone helps him. And he never gets hungry no matter how little he has in his tiny stomach since morning until late afternoon. Consequently Tommy has lost 2.5kg since starting daycare. Our prince is no longer a chubby boy. Instead, we get a skinny one. Besides, Tommy shows little progress in his speech skills. He can speak individual words (mostly English) or repeat even a full sentence either in English or in our native language though. Imagine how adorable he is when he asks you, "Mommy, what are you doing here?" in his cute tone when you are washing dishes and gifts you a kiss.

Mew is currently in Grade 4. She is doing very well at school compared to her classmates, but still far from our expectation, especially in language arts. We are considering changing her school next year or sending her to a tutoring center so that she could advance further academically. Her keyboard lessons have been proving of good value when she now can play Fur Elise after 1 year of learning. But Mew is still very lazy in practising her lessons. We also had to cancel her fine art classes with much regret due to her lack of efforts in practising at home. Her swimming lessons continue though and we hope that she could reach the highest level by the end of next year so that we could be guaranteed to have equipped Mew well with at least an important survival skill.

I have moved out of my snail shell finally and got an administrative job. It suits me well because it does not require me to be sociable while allowing me to take advantage of my analysis and research capabilities. More importantly my office location is very convenient to drop/pick up Tommy daily and the working time is standard. Only two things are still bugging me: remuneration/future prospective of the job and I am soon getting bored with the job because it seems to underutilize my abilities. I still have too much of free time on my hands because I satisfactorily complete all the assigned tasks promptly. I have even tried to ask for more tasks or dig out new tasks without my supervisor's demand to keep myself busy but still, I hate the feeling of having no important project to work on, to think over it, to be challenged and to find solutions to solve problems. Oh, and the worst consequence of my returning to the workforce is that we as the whole family will not be able to visit our country every 2-3 years as before. I could not take 2-month vacation with my current job (or any job honestly) and 2-week visit including return flights is simply too short. What's a dilemna!

Anyhow, another year is knocking on the door just in the next few hours. I hope it will be filled with good health, new hope, love, joys and happiness to all of us.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014

ONE DAY WHEN YOUR CHILD IS LEAVING FOR UNIVERSITY

I came across an interesting response in the advice column by Amy Dickinson in today's Metro newspaper to the letter of a reader who is mourning an empty nest when her daughter has recently left for college. I think part of it is worth sharing here:
"... This is completely normal. You and your daughter are both experiencing a huge life transition.
Ultimately this will yielded unexpected joys and challenges to both of you. What you must not do is impose your emotional response onto your daughter.
In life, it is the child's job, ultimately, to leave the nest. The parent's burden is to let her leave, and to celebrate her independence in stages..."