I married a computer geek/gamer/artist/handyman

The perks of being married to a computer geek slash gamer slash artist slash adventurer slash handyman are:

1. There will be three working computers, a tablet PC, 3 laptops and 2 macs - all connected with LAN at home. You go to the kitchen and you can find easy recipes if your cookbook has been played upon by the little boy. You go to the bedroom and you can blog without hurting your back (err, you can do that by lying down head up, lol).

2. You will never miss an email because he got you a phone with a tariff that includes email and internet.

3. You won't get viruses even if he doesn't install an anti-virus program (other geeks are the opposite). He knows each program so well and knows what's best or bad for them.

4. You will learn the names of Final fantasy characters, animas, weapons because he asked  you to read him the walkthrough for him to find all the secret items and other paraphernalias to complete the game. You also know who Desmond, Lucy and Ezio are.

5. You can see him from where you are. You do not worry that he is out somewhere drinking with friends. He prefers to be at home, in front of the LCD TV finishing a game or in front of the PC scouring ebay, amazon and other geeky websites looking for "stuff."

6. You will be fit because you'd play Wii + balance board, he will take you wall climbing, bicycling, skating and snowboarding with him. If he doesn't have friends around, you'd play tennis, basketball and table tennis with him too.

7. You'd be able to watch films ahead of your peers and actually write a review on your blog ahead of others.

8. You will share the same interest in reading....only, his books are about galactic empires, mages and wizards.

9. Your kids are much technology-savvy than their counterparts.

10. Your oven's door that was broken by an enthusiastic little boy will be repaired in no time.

11. You would get the camera of your dreams a few months after you got the former camera of your dreams. He would upgrade and buy you lenses and push you to do better with photography. He would even bring you a 1955 Zorki 1 Model and ask you to buy black and white films in this era of digital photography. He would want you to relive the glory days of your developing films and printing copies in the dark room by transforming your bathroom to one. 

He won't stop until you are able to show the world that you are the wife of a geek! (lol!)

Hubby's gift 

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Goodbye Typewriters!

Image from google

I grew up hearing the sound of my mom's typewriter tip-tapping early in the morning or even late after dinner. I passed my English requirements with the help of that reliable machine. Nevermind my hands being full of ink, I enjoyed typing the words that on those days seemed to be my masterpieces.

Back in 1999-2001, my classmates and I were the subject of mockery and laughter (just slightly) because we would bring our portable machines to class for our Newswriting lessons, on-the-spot feature writing after interviewing a celebrity despite the prevalence of computers. We were thought the remote way a  journalist does things back in the days...

Reports say that the world's largest manufacturer of typewriters,Godrej and Boyce, has ceased production. True, computers are easier to type on, easier to erase and correct the mistakes you type in but it was with the typewriters that I learned to type without looking at the letters. It was tough discipline too! You need to be attentive of the PING! all the time as you type...

I had my share of memories with you, goodbye for now my reliable friend...I might not be as nostalgic as the others but I'll surely miss you too! See you at the museums! ;)

Running away

Was there a time in your life when you thought “running away” was the only solution to your problem?

There were perhaps a lot of times that I thought of running away, literally from the problems that I'm facing. At one point, I did left and it was a decision that was the opposite of what normally happens when one runs away. I ran away from what has been giving me pain and from there I was able to find the truth....spritually speaking I was set free.

From there, I started a life far different from what I was used to. It was a breather finally being able to move knowing that I'm not restrained, knowing where I'm going. In connection with my relationship around people involved in my life, I saw those who are real and who are not worth my time. :) I ran away but I found my way home.

By the Pond

My daughter and niece waiting for the ducks to come nearer.

I went "nature tripping" today with the kids, hubby, niece and nephew and my parent-in-laws. We went to the Wasserpark (waterpark) to play. There we can play table tennis, basketball, football, badminton and run around freely. There's a huge playground for the kids and a climbing net enjoyed by adults too. I took the two girls out from the group so we can walk around as I take photos of them. 

The pond is surely full of moss at the moment, very green indeed. 

Giveaway for May is still open. I would be giving away two trendy nylon bags for this month. I believe in the saying "Small things together makes something big." I wouldn't require following or other things, just write about this giveaway, linking back to this post and leave your urls in the comment section of this post. Thank you!

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Teaching siblings to watch each other's backs

Kids spend most of their time with their siblings than others. It is in this stage that they develop relationships and skills in interacting with others. Kids argue and have conflicts first with their siblings before they argue with their parents or playmates. What they fight about are petty reasons in an adult's point of view but for them every issue is a biggie! A parent, through positive interaction, can teach each of the kids to view the other person's perspective so that he or she will learn how to be compassionate and control his or her own temper when faced with conflict. By ironing out issues among each other, kids learn to know more about themselves and their siblings. The bond that they develop in smoothing things out will be stronger than a blood compact.

I've always wondered what relationship Abel and Cain had. It would have been ideal if siblings today live with the thought I am my brother's keeper opposed to Cain's thinking.

How does one teach kids to take care of his brother or sister?

Teach Emphaty. Make them step on the other's shoes. Ask questions to make them see the other's point of view. By doing so they will realize how it feels to be the other person.

Don't Accuse. This is not an easy task, I have problems teaching my kids to not assume negatively of others and that they have no bad intention against them. Was I born with a thinking influenced by Thomas Hobbes? The key is to be calm and don't be on either's side. You are stepping on two different shoes too.

Listen. Time and again, what toddlers (even adults) need is a listening ear.  If you don't listen, one of them would pick on a sibling to get your attention. Your 100% attention will also teach them that listening  smooths out problems.

Be Role Models. Shout and they shout, be calm and they would follow. Kids learn a lot from seeing and hearing, so parents should be careful with their own dealings. If they sense that mom is always there for dad and vice versa, they will know that being their sibling's support is the right thing to do.

Play and learn. Going out to the playground, biking, picking flowers and stones are some of the things my kids enjoy doing together. They also like doing arts and crafts. They enjoy each others' company and show cooperation when doing the aforementioned activities. In the process, they  pull out the potential of each. A positive rivalry of sorts.

Arguments, rivalry and apathy are all part of childhood. A little bit red, a cup of orange, a dash of yellow, a teaspoon of green, a pinch of blue, a dollop of indigo frosted in violet makes childhood meaningful, colorful and fun! You just need to sprinkle rainbow candies on top to make everything a little sweeter than usual. :)