I admire the kid...and the man

He certainly looks different from how we know him as an adult. Afro-textured hair, dark-skinned and a sincere smile characterizes Michael Jackson as a child. He was and still is the best/most talented child singer in music history.

His hit songs ABC, Ben, Music and Me and his original I'll be there are some of my few favorites. These are the same songs that I often play for my kids to hear and learn. Listen to the video below, it's acapella and you'll know just how much talent the kid has.

It may be unfortunate that Michael grew up differently from most children but it is undeniable that he is one happy and giving soul. He grew knowing the bible and developed a kind heart for kids. I remember an interview of her mom where she says that while watching a documentary about Africa, Michael cried seeing the pitiful state of the children. He said to his mom "Someday, I promise I'm gonna do something for those kids." I believe he fulfilled a big part of his promise, he helped a lot of kids and not just those in Africa.....This however became a disadvantage for him, as he grew up surrounded by kids, dirty-minded people (media as well) wanted to destroy his reputation.  I never believed in the accusations about him molesting kids. I only saw a child-at-heart who wants to be surrounded by kids. I mean, given the chance, I would choose to be playing around and laughing than worrying about adult stuff...

Michael Jackson's songs, those he himself wrote also serve as my inspiration of sorts. He would inject bible verses in them, bible verses that sound too familiar. He never forgot the truth and it this is why his songs always speak from the heart, he knew the suffering of man and he emphatize.  Heal the World, Will you be There and You are not Alone for me speaks of his humanity and belief. Some may take You are not Alone as a  love song but it is for me God speaking to a lost son and that son replying back. (Except for the "girl" part.)

"Just the other night
I thought I heard you cry
Asking me to come
And hold you in my arms
I can hear your prayers
Your burdens I will bear
But first I need your hand
Then forever can begin..."

It is my biggest disappointment that I never got the chance to see him in person, that I never got the chance to visit Neverland. Well, it's free to dream so I'd settle with meeting his kids and hopefully get to meet them along with my kids. :)

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Oh the younger me has always been fond of Jun Matsumoto. :) You may remember him as Shin Sawada from  Gokusen or Domyouji from Hana Yori Dango, but for me he's just My Jun. lol.

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A post for:

Chic in Black

My 9-year-old daughter in her black coat.

A daughter may outgrow your lap, but she will never outgrow your heart. ~Author Unknown

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A post for:

Looking forward to summer

Pink Sakura by our place.

Sakura/Cherry blossoms are my favorite flowers, I love taking photos of them. Despite spring allergies, I'd get lots of shots even as buds or even when every single petal has falllen on the ground. Sakuras are a main attraction in Japan when spring comes...there's Hanami or flower-viewing that I would want to experience soon...but our plans are for summer. We plan on visiting Japan come summer....just planning. :D So we won't see the blossoms then. I'm doing my own Hanami here. :)

Unagi no Kabayaki / Barbecued eel

We'd definitely fill not just our eyes but our tummies too with our favorite Japanese dishes.Kabayaki eel is particularly in my mind. Since  this is nutritious, and is a stamina-generating food, I included it in my diet...had it been cheaper I'll eat unagi everyday. :D Many people in Japan still follow customs from the Edo period to eat kabayaki during the summer, especially on a particular day called "doyo-no ushi-no-hi", which is in mid-summer. I would want to experience that too!

Chirasizushi - to die for!

Where else to get the freshest sashimi but where it originated from...Japan's resources of tuna, salmon, butterfish and even sea urchin are vast...If you have been watching the Dotch cooking show, you will see how  dedicated they are in upholding their cuisines. They'd go 7 days straight into the sea just to find a certain type of tuna. They'd go diving longer than a normal person just to find the most unique eel...I admire their dedication. Despite the quakes, my desire to visit hasn't declined. My hopes are up and if given the chance I'll meet up with fellow bloggers, Joanna, Bambi and Mommy Clang. :)

We'd also go cosplaying with them! ;) We'll visit Shinjuku and take photos of Lolitas and Otakus, buy the cheapest lens at Akihabara and perhaps climb up Mt. Fuji and the Tokyo Tower. It's free to dream, to plan a plan is free as well, and if the money comes, I'd be really thankful! What are your plans this summer? Let's all enjoy!

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A post for Kayni's giveaway and the following memes:

Happy 3rd Anniversary Litratong Pinoy!

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Tatlong taon na ang LitratongPinoy! Ambilis ng panahon. Hindi man ako nakapagsimula sa unang araw nito at paminsan ay lumiliban ako sa mga tema dahil sa kawalan ng mailalahok o di kaya naman ay sobrang hectic (naks!) na iskedyul ay ito ang isa sa paborito kong meme. Marami sa inyo ang nakakakilala sa tatlong ito, nakita ninyo silang 'lumaki' sa pamamagitan ng mga litrato.

Salamin ang tema noong nakaraang linggo, hindi ako umabot. Una ay walang may suot ng salamin sa aming bahay, pangalawa malamig pa noon kaya hindi pa ako makapagkuha ng litrato sa labas na may suot silang mga salamin. Kaya heto ang lahok ko para ngayon at noong nakaraang linggo. :D Tamang tamang umaraw kanina, hindi na pagtatakhan ng mga tao bakit sila naksuot ng sunglasses.

Kung noon ay purong litratong hilaw ang inilalahok ko, ngayon ay natuto na akong magdagdag na kaunting texture at actions. (Salamat kay Maiylah.) Maganda na kahit paano ay may drama ang mga litrato gaya nitong nasa ibaba. 

Galit ba ang mga bata? Minsan ay ganoon nga, ayaw na kasi nilang nagpapakuha ng litrato ng paulit-ulit. Pero gayunpaman, tatayo sila at magpopose lalo na kapag ginagawa kong katawatawa ang pagkukuha. Kaya ang litratong iyan ay iisa, dahil ang iba puro nakabungisngis na sila....wag kayong maniwala na galit sila, sa baba yan ang tunay na expression nila.

Happy 3rd Anniversary to us LPers! Here's to more years ahead! Saludo!

Teaching kids sibling respect and respectful behavior

Children will often argue, that's a given. In such situations, respect can still be practiced. There'd be endless fights and sibling rivalry, but when done respectfully it will help kids grow to be much better persons. I tell you or you know for sure, it ain't easy.

Example is the best teacher. My older son asks me so often : "Mama, wieso bist du nett zu anderen Menschen?" (Why are you so nice to other people?) I still always get silent before I answer. Truth is, I don't really know why; I've always been nice and that's that. His question comes whenever I hold the elevator door for others, when I let older people on my sit, when I extend my hand to the handicapped or when I simply  smile or greet someone we meet by the grocery "Guten Tag." I would answer him with a smile and say; "it is so and if you notice people are nice to you too if you are nice to them." He would nod and smile back digesting what I said but I know that without explaining I've thought him by example how to be nice and respectful to others.

Mediate. Even if this task gives you headaches everyday...er...every hour. Stop your kids when they're fighting or when disagreeing over something. Take them to sit down with you and sort things out by talking.

Listen. Hear all sides of the story (I have 3). Listen without interruption and you'll get the gist of the problem. Most of the time, one wouldn't realize that he or she hurt the other, while that other wouldn't realize that he or she didn't mean anything. Talking it out will make them see the cause and outcome of what has happened and learn from it.

Be fair. Easier said than done. :( We're just humans after all. Try to be fair as much as you can. Never accuse one that he or she started it...take the situation like no one is guilty or accused. If punishment is to be given, explain to them why there is a need for it.

Reinforce your kids with praise. Positivity earns positively. Praise them even with the very little thing they did for you, for their siblings or for others. They will learn that when being nice and respectful will make people around them happy, and it is a wonderful feeling.

Patience is a virtue. Enough said.

Learn the Bible with them. The most important among this list. It seems that most of us has forgotten the good book which holds the most effective teachings of all sorts of topics. It was Jesus after all who taught and showed us about brotherly love and respect; no one has ever showed greater love than he that he lay down his life for others. Quoting Paul in his letter to Timothy, "All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)  Try it, their little heart will surely grow bigger!

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The golden rule holds true; Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Simply put, be on one's shoes, don't laugh at others when they are joked upon so they don't laugh at you when you're in that situation.