Early in the morning, JV and JE were heard quarreling to each other.
Quietly, i sat into meditation posture, pulled my blanky and started to meditate.
Quarreling still heard....
I began to send metta to myself, then to the little room, and radiate that to the whole of SP town, Kedah state, Malaysia, and mother earth.
Funny though, unintentionally i was hearing less of quarrels and later happy chat among the kids.
Metta meditation always do the wonders!
Seemingly, as i was talking to LC about my ex-boss, her current boss yesterday, I mentioned to her that Metta will always worked and we should radiate more mettas to these 'difficult' people instead of complaints. The more complaints that we are going to pour in, the more we are going to fall prey to hatred and thus not getting what we want.
Let the child be a constant reminder for myself to practise Metta.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
弘一大师. 夢
看着弘一大师传。弘公的才华，太让人钦佩，他的戒行也太让人感动了。他的每一首歌，都让我有种想哭的感觉--亲切，深入，充满感情，认真。
哀游子茕茕其无依兮，在天之涯。
惟长夜漫漫而独寐兮，时恍惚以魂驰。
萝偃卧摇篮以啼笑兮，似婴儿时。
母食我甘酪兴粉饵兮，父衣我以彩衣。
月落乌啼，梦影依稀，往事知不知？
汩半生哀乐之长逝兮，感亲之恩其永垂。
哀游子怆怆而自怜兮，吊形影悲。
惟长夜漫漫而独寐兮，时恍惚以魂驰。
梦挥泪出门辞父母兮，叹生别离。
父语我眠食宜珍重兮，母语我以早归.
哀游子茕茕其无依兮，在天之涯。
惟长夜漫漫而独寐兮，时恍惚以魂驰。
萝偃卧摇篮以啼笑兮，似婴儿时。
母食我甘酪兴粉饵兮，父衣我以彩衣。
月落乌啼，梦影依稀，往事知不知？
汩半生哀乐之长逝兮，感亲之恩其永垂。
哀游子怆怆而自怜兮，吊形影悲。
惟长夜漫漫而独寐兮，时恍惚以魂驰。
梦挥泪出门辞父母兮，叹生别离。
父语我眠食宜珍重兮，母语我以早归.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
mummy先吃
在雨中。我放了JE去上一堂extra music class,就到街上去买东西，处理一些事等。JV跟着。
天空依旧下着雨。上下车都有点麻烦了。
逗了半个槟岛，好累，也好饿。
在老鼠岛看到了那档闻名的曼煎糕档口。在车上要了2片。
热烘烘的送上来。
JV说Mummy先吃，因为你饿了。
--- 很多人都说孩子一定只想着自己的嘴巴和肚子。
我想，我家的是有点例外吧。不是孩子承载太多责任或什么，而是如果从小如果有累积多点福报和善缘，为什么不呢？
难道，要等着孩子已经变成大个人了，才来下功夫教他吗？
当然，每每孩子显现懂事的一面时，其实，我想到的不是我俩的努力。我想，这来自先生的父母的良好教养，也来自我爸爸妈妈的耐心教育，更来自幼儿园和学校老师的付出，还有身边朋友的叔叔阿姨的身教，当然更不能忘记的这是来自古人圣贤的思想传承。当然若非是身为人身，怎么可能展现这人性的一面？身为人身，能力行人的良好行为，是一分极大的福报。
感恩！
天空依旧下着雨。上下车都有点麻烦了。
逗了半个槟岛，好累，也好饿。
在老鼠岛看到了那档闻名的曼煎糕档口。在车上要了2片。
热烘烘的送上来。
JV说Mummy先吃，因为你饿了。
--- 很多人都说孩子一定只想着自己的嘴巴和肚子。
我想，我家的是有点例外吧。不是孩子承载太多责任或什么，而是如果从小如果有累积多点福报和善缘，为什么不呢？
难道，要等着孩子已经变成大个人了，才来下功夫教他吗？
当然，每每孩子显现懂事的一面时，其实，我想到的不是我俩的努力。我想，这来自先生的父母的良好教养，也来自我爸爸妈妈的耐心教育，更来自幼儿园和学校老师的付出，还有身边朋友的叔叔阿姨的身教，当然更不能忘记的这是来自古人圣贤的思想传承。当然若非是身为人身，怎么可能展现这人性的一面？身为人身，能力行人的良好行为，是一分极大的福报。
感恩！
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Monday, October 31, 2011
Sushi King Sushi Making Class
Celia told us about this Sushi King sushi Making class long time ago but haven't really got the chance to arrange one at Gurney Plaza.
Tried to gather as many friends as possible since the PIC said they can cater till about 40 kids at anytime. So i thought it would be good not to waste their human resource as well as place.
Hence,we have closed to about 20 kids to come to this session.
Passed 2 containers to the girls and told them they can use it just in case they were asked to store any sushi....so that we wont have to use disposable ones....just in case.
They were taught 2 types of sushi and during the sushi making session, the girls decided to keep those pieces for me and hubby. Coz they said they have already taken their share when they were making them. So thoughtfully they wanted to keep that other share for us. :)
How precious! :)
Tried to gather as many friends as possible since the PIC said they can cater till about 40 kids at anytime. So i thought it would be good not to waste their human resource as well as place.
Hence,we have closed to about 20 kids to come to this session.
Passed 2 containers to the girls and told them they can use it just in case they were asked to store any sushi....so that we wont have to use disposable ones....just in case.
They were taught 2 types of sushi and during the sushi making session, the girls decided to keep those pieces for me and hubby. Coz they said they have already taken their share when they were making them. So thoughtfully they wanted to keep that other share for us. :)
How precious! :)
Friday, October 28, 2011
《写给妈妈的佛法书》---不烦不忧照顾好自己与孩子。（Buddhism for Mothers --- by Sarah Napthali)
"有太多的妈妈，由于要处理家庭的忙碌或是在工作与孩子之间穷于应付，而感到分身乏术。我们都有这样的经验：整天呆在家里，挣扎于无聊，不得安宁，无意义，或甚至绝望等心理状态。我们很容易就会认为，只有当我们将所有例行事务完成，而且孩子都已经入睡或有人照顾时，内心才可能平静。因此，在实际上，如果我们能在一天当中有一小时感到类似放松的心情，或许就该算很幸运了。然而，我们可以在佛教里头找到一些教导来帮助我们，让我们在做任何事或跟任何人相处时都能感到平静。
用佛教的方法来处理负面心理状态时，要慢慢进行，一次一小步。我发现，不论哪位以佛教方法来练习的妈妈，都会说这些方法帮她们在做亲职工作时更有耐心，更平静，但这样的改变并非一夜之间就出现，但是需要一段时间的。正如同性灵成长的许多面向，前进一步可能紧跟着就是退后两步-----很少出现一路进步的情形。不过，可让人感到激励的是，长期来说，整体的进步是显而易见的。这天终究会来到，到时你更知道自己已取得进展，也可能是当你很清楚自己可以更平静来回应正发生的情况时。
每一位我遇到的妈妈似乎都有些困难需要解决，不论是缺乏家庭的支持，跟另一半的关系紧张，没有充分的时间给自己，睡眠严重不足，或者为孩子担忧。我从未遇过哪位妈妈不值得别人给她卡车慈悲关怀的，所以我们也不该亏待自己，让自己少了关怀。不要在处理让人不舒服的情绪时，觉得有罪恶感或感到挫折，正因为这些情绪带来了痛苦，所以我们要以更多慈悲及耐心来善待自己。我常常提醒自己，以慈悲来对待自己及所遇到的困难和失败经验，是让自己可以慈悲过日子的第一步，而实际情况验证了这样提醒确实有帮助。” 摘自《写给妈妈的佛法书》---不烦不忧照顾好自己与孩子。（Buddhism for Mothers --- by Sarah Napthali).
用佛教的方法来处理负面心理状态时，要慢慢进行，一次一小步。我发现，不论哪位以佛教方法来练习的妈妈，都会说这些方法帮她们在做亲职工作时更有耐心，更平静，但这样的改变并非一夜之间就出现，但是需要一段时间的。正如同性灵成长的许多面向，前进一步可能紧跟着就是退后两步-----很少出现一路进步的情形。不过，可让人感到激励的是，长期来说，整体的进步是显而易见的。这天终究会来到，到时你更知道自己已取得进展，也可能是当你很清楚自己可以更平静来回应正发生的情况时。
每一位我遇到的妈妈似乎都有些困难需要解决，不论是缺乏家庭的支持，跟另一半的关系紧张，没有充分的时间给自己，睡眠严重不足，或者为孩子担忧。我从未遇过哪位妈妈不值得别人给她卡车慈悲关怀的，所以我们也不该亏待自己，让自己少了关怀。不要在处理让人不舒服的情绪时，觉得有罪恶感或感到挫折，正因为这些情绪带来了痛苦，所以我们要以更多慈悲及耐心来善待自己。我常常提醒自己，以慈悲来对待自己及所遇到的困难和失败经验，是让自己可以慈悲过日子的第一步，而实际情况验证了这样提醒确实有帮助。” 摘自《写给妈妈的佛法书》---不烦不忧照顾好自己与孩子。（Buddhism for Mothers --- by Sarah Napthali).
Friday, October 7, 2011
Growing peanuts
Growing peanuts at Justin's Judo House.
The 2nd day it was raining heavily.
Seok Lee went over to see...together with her mom who has grown peanuts for selling long long time ago.
Some came off due to heavy downpour.
Fong Ling went with kids to cover up with some soil the following day.
Surprisingly, on the 3 rd day, they were all sprouting!
The 2nd day it was raining heavily.
Seok Lee went over to see...together with her mom who has grown peanuts for selling long long time ago.
Some came off due to heavy downpour.
Fong Ling went with kids to cover up with some soil the following day.
Surprisingly, on the 3 rd day, they were all sprouting!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Dharma Seeds
I have never ever felt such traumatice over a drama performance.
It's not about a drama...it's about the Dharma seeds in me.
Big Sadhu to all who has contributed to Master Hong Yi's drama performance.
A spectacular event to be remembered...and not so if compare to the trembling hearts that palpitated throughout the whole show...and carried on for the past few days.
I settled my thoughts and feelings for awhile and regained my consciousness and mindfulness.
Yes, I looked forward to the Dharma Camp at the Sasanarakha Temple as another Dharma Seed that lead me to the learning of profound Dharma. So much so that i could dream of it happening!
May i be thankful for the great deeds that i gained from the past and present lives!
May I be thankful to all beings, dead or alive, this life or who have prepared me with courage and confidence.
May I prepare myself strongly in attaining the Buddhahood in THIS LIFE!
May I take care of myself happily!
May I gain more courage for better practise!
---- The Buddha's words are so gentle yet so true, so strong yet so close to my nature as a human being.....
Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu!
It's not about a drama...it's about the Dharma seeds in me.
Big Sadhu to all who has contributed to Master Hong Yi's drama performance.
A spectacular event to be remembered...and not so if compare to the trembling hearts that palpitated throughout the whole show...and carried on for the past few days.
I settled my thoughts and feelings for awhile and regained my consciousness and mindfulness.
Yes, I looked forward to the Dharma Camp at the Sasanarakha Temple as another Dharma Seed that lead me to the learning of profound Dharma. So much so that i could dream of it happening!
May i be thankful for the great deeds that i gained from the past and present lives!
May I be thankful to all beings, dead or alive, this life or who have prepared me with courage and confidence.
May I prepare myself strongly in attaining the Buddhahood in THIS LIFE!
May I take care of myself happily!
May I gain more courage for better practise!
---- The Buddha's words are so gentle yet so true, so strong yet so close to my nature as a human being.....
Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
中秋情。人间心。2011
感恩每个人的一点一滴，成就了一个圆满的庆典！
1. 制作和兜售公仔饼
想来要感激瑞娟的那句话，“我喜欢吃月饼，你去做啦。”后来在网上寻寻觅觅后才发现，其实传统公仔饼是更实际，更简单的过程。于是就凝聚了几个食谱：
a. Ingredient:
100g plain flour
30g peanut oil
65g golden syrup
1/2 tsp alkaline water
1．把糖浆，油及视水搅拌均匀，摆置5分钟
2．Sieve plain flour into a mixing bowl. Make a well in the flour and pour in the warm syrup. Mix till a dough is formed. Cover the mixing bowl with a wet towel and rest the dough for 30 - 45 minutes.
3．Divide dough and filling according to the size of your mould. Shape the dough into a round flat sheet with sides thinner than the centre.
4．Wrap in the filling and mould it into a ball shape. Coat it with flour.
5．Mould the mooncake to round shape with hands
7．Place mooncakes on a lined pan and spray the mooncakes with some water.
Spraying of water is to prevent the mooncake skin from cracking or blistering during the baking process.
8．Bake at 180C - 190C for 10 minutes. Remove from oven, cool the cakes for 5 - 10 minutes then apply egg glace and bake for another 10 - 15 minutes or till golden brown. As every oven varies, please standby to check on your mooncakes. If you are doing standard size mooncakes, the baking time might be longer.
9．公仔饼烘烤出来，立即把蛋液抹上2次或者以上，完成
10．新出炉的公仔饼有点硬度，要放置 3天或者以上回油后，才能够享用
学做了传统公仔饼，过程中就好象在延伸老人的传统精神。我想，我会喜欢变老，老呵，象征智慧和成熟。黄舒骏的‘不要变老’是唱着世间人对物质的看法 吧，但是‘老’本身，其实是越老越有力量的，比如，越老越有资格分享人生，分享经验，还有呈现永垂不朽的智慧。感恩过去的老人.
本来也只是学做了以后就教孩子做而已。可是，这时适逢思廷的书展在PISA，就有了新的筹划 – 卖公仔饼。
成功的试了好几次，个别在不同人的家。我们终于大胆的高产量出产了（HVM）！也分别在两个人的家，用两架大炉烘。除了‘醒’面粉的部分（因为这过程用比较长的时间，而且是在等待的部分），孩子都从搓，捏，秤，涂蛋液，烘，数，包装到兜售中一一体会了整个制作和兜售的过程。
当然，这也要感谢思廷让我们带孩子到PISA的书展，游街式的兜售。更可爱的是，Phoebe买了两款布，为孩子剪裁了还没戴上就爱不释手的头巾，男生的有男的款，女生有女生的款。 Phoebe漏液赶工出来的头巾，又再传到婉真的家婆手里，用家里已有问题的针车缝好。所以，兜售当天，单单一个特出的头巾，就足以让人不免想多看几眼了。
唱了首改编了的《小小姑娘》，我们就出马咯！
带着一群群孩子，像赶鸭子式的卖公仔饼时，许多孩子，一开始还蛮害羞的，可是过了一轮后，慢火都热起来了。孩子的篮子里一卖空后，就会飞跑会总站，等待领取另一篮子的公仔饼，再重新出发！
2. 诗：
Seok Lee 和Angie这阵子就一直带领我们背诵：
o 月月月明,八月月明明分外;山山山秀,巫山山秀秀非常
o 云母屏风烛影深，长河渐落晓星沉。 嫦娥应悔偷灵药，碧海青天夜夜心。
o 天上月圆，人间月半，月月月圆逢月半； 今宵年尾，明日年头，年年年尾接年头。
o竹作骨骼纸为皮，容光焕发颇美丽。系在门前当欢庆，挂住庭院增祥禧。热情腹中油充足，冷落心头火已熄。八月十五中秋晚，童手提它童心喜。
3. 歌：
a. 小小的船
b. 静夜思 --
曲：37.2杂货店
3 . 2 3| 6 5 - |5 . 6 5| 2 3 - |
床 前 明 月 光， 疑 是 地 上 霜。
6 . 1 6 | 5 3 - | 2 . 1 2 | 3 1 - ||
举 头 望 明 月， 低 头 思 故 乡
4. 神话故事戏剧表演：
后羿和嫦娥的老掉牙的故事，不同的演员。台上的心情，台下的感动。感谢凤玲大导演，看来可以登上张艺谋的后座了。：）
5. 纸灯笼制作
要感谢婉真和Phoebe,用心的研究了一个看来简单，但其实并不简单的纸灯笼。
要是换成了老娘来做，除了望穿秋水都生不出外，最大的可能就是灯笼纸会变成tissue paper --- 因为做到最后一定拿来擦眼泪。 学会了之后，妈妈们，再回家教自己的孩子。
当晚燃起时，就像草原上点点的星火，照亮彼此的心。望着灯，我总是想起那首歌，“灯燃起了。灯亮起了，就是为了要普照。。。”
凤玲大家姐--我们自然桌又再次有一个惊喜。用蜜蜡做出来的玉兔好像就要跳起来了。
Circle Time: 感恩明亮的天空，前一天大地才被大雨洗涤，今天却毫无降雨的迹象。
给大家竹竿舞热热身吧！
孩子等不及了。天色一暗下来，蜡烛在手，就迫不及待的要与火共舞了！
灯谜 - 不懂为什么，绳子掉了好几次。
6. 光影戏表演
瑞娟和孩子在假期里用了2天的时间了完成不简单任务 --钉好一个 很棒的光影戏的架子。然后大家就决定用一个星期的时间，‘赶’出光影戏的角色。
- 每个人，就这样认领了一个角色，从后羿，嫦娥，天帝，西王母，太阳，玉兔，农夫，背景等
- 仅仅排练了3次，就出炉了。
- 虽然到最后音响都没有最完美，但能够在雨季有个没有下雨的傍晚，就已经是很开心的事了。真像个“人圆，事圆，月圆”的夜晚！
灯暗了，灯亮了。
把黑暗交给了台前。 忠实的观众，聚精会神。
把明亮留给了幕后。
这盏灯，瑞娟也跑了好几家店，才找到了比较适合的。这是想pasar malam摆摊子用的那一种，接着借来的车子电池，就可以亮了。
- 一首歌和一首诗结束了这个环节：
o 月亮圆 月亮圆 月亮照在我的家
没有春夏秋冬的家 流传千年
月亮圆 月亮圆 月亮照在我的家
没有春夏秋冬的家 流传千年
o 月月月明,八月月明明分外;山山山秀,巫山山秀秀非常
- 怎么可以少了绕街提灯笼？
影戏表演后妈妈和来宾的分享：
- Angie: 承担太阳的角色，原来也那么不简单，虽然每一次孩子害怕时都会说不要紧，轮到自己时才知道其实连自己也会怯场。
- Poh Hiok: 那晚的表演的确是很好看。我的孩子也这么说。你们妈妈们都很棒极了！加油！
- Chearn Ying:100 分的表演！
- Waka(Fiona’ s Mom): I thought you bought those puppets.
- 来宾：你们的孩子都太幸福了！
(是的，当代的孩子都在个个方面有幸福的体验。针对这一点，我想，孩子知道他们幸福吗？他们珍惜吗？无常是无所不在的。要怎么让孩子感恩这个背后的‘辛苦’和付出？是要妈妈为孩子做那么多吗？还是妈妈需要为自己也筹备更多的心灵资粮？为自己筹备资粮。。。我是说我自己，是的，尤其在这乱世，我真的需要筹备的，正是自己的资粮。)
1. 制作和兜售公仔饼
想来要感激瑞娟的那句话，“我喜欢吃月饼，你去做啦。”后来在网上寻寻觅觅后才发现，其实传统公仔饼是更实际，更简单的过程。于是就凝聚了几个食谱：
a. Ingredient:
100g plain flour
30g peanut oil
65g golden syrup
1/2 tsp alkaline water
1．把糖浆，油及视水搅拌均匀，摆置5分钟
2．Sieve plain flour into a mixing bowl. Make a well in the flour and pour in the warm syrup. Mix till a dough is formed. Cover the mixing bowl with a wet towel and rest the dough for 30 - 45 minutes.
3．Divide dough and filling according to the size of your mould. Shape the dough into a round flat sheet with sides thinner than the centre.
4．Wrap in the filling and mould it into a ball shape. Coat it with flour.
5．Mould the mooncake to round shape with hands
7．Place mooncakes on a lined pan and spray the mooncakes with some water.
Spraying of water is to prevent the mooncake skin from cracking or blistering during the baking process.
8．Bake at 180C - 190C for 10 minutes. Remove from oven, cool the cakes for 5 - 10 minutes then apply egg glace and bake for another 10 - 15 minutes or till golden brown. As every oven varies, please standby to check on your mooncakes. If you are doing standard size mooncakes, the baking time might be longer.
9．公仔饼烘烤出来，立即把蛋液抹上2次或者以上，完成
10．新出炉的公仔饼有点硬度，要放置 3天或者以上回油后，才能够享用
学做了传统公仔饼，过程中就好象在延伸老人的传统精神。我想，我会喜欢变老，老呵，象征智慧和成熟。黄舒骏的‘不要变老’是唱着世间人对物质的看法 吧，但是‘老’本身，其实是越老越有力量的，比如，越老越有资格分享人生，分享经验，还有呈现永垂不朽的智慧。感恩过去的老人.
本来也只是学做了以后就教孩子做而已。可是，这时适逢思廷的书展在PISA，就有了新的筹划 – 卖公仔饼。
成功的试了好几次，个别在不同人的家。我们终于大胆的高产量出产了（HVM）！也分别在两个人的家，用两架大炉烘。除了‘醒’面粉的部分（因为这过程用比较长的时间，而且是在等待的部分），孩子都从搓，捏，秤，涂蛋液，烘，数，包装到兜售中一一体会了整个制作和兜售的过程。
当然，这也要感谢思廷让我们带孩子到PISA的书展，游街式的兜售。更可爱的是，Phoebe买了两款布，为孩子剪裁了还没戴上就爱不释手的头巾，男生的有男的款，女生有女生的款。 Phoebe漏液赶工出来的头巾，又再传到婉真的家婆手里，用家里已有问题的针车缝好。所以，兜售当天，单单一个特出的头巾，就足以让人不免想多看几眼了。
唱了首改编了的《小小姑娘》，我们就出马咯！
带着一群群孩子，像赶鸭子式的卖公仔饼时，许多孩子，一开始还蛮害羞的，可是过了一轮后，慢火都热起来了。孩子的篮子里一卖空后，就会飞跑会总站，等待领取另一篮子的公仔饼，再重新出发！
2. 诗：Seok Lee 和Angie这阵子就一直带领我们背诵：
o 月月月明,八月月明明分外;山山山秀,巫山山秀秀非常
o 云母屏风烛影深，长河渐落晓星沉。 嫦娥应悔偷灵药，碧海青天夜夜心。
o 天上月圆，人间月半，月月月圆逢月半； 今宵年尾，明日年头，年年年尾接年头。
o竹作骨骼纸为皮，容光焕发颇美丽。系在门前当欢庆，挂住庭院增祥禧。热情腹中油充足，冷落心头火已熄。八月十五中秋晚，童手提它童心喜。
3. 歌：
a. 小小的船
b. 静夜思 --
曲：37.2杂货店
3 . 2 3| 6 5 - |5 . 6 5| 2 3 - |
床 前 明 月 光， 疑 是 地 上 霜。
6 . 1 6 | 5 3 - | 2 . 1 2 | 3 1 - ||
举 头 望 明 月， 低 头 思 故 乡
4. 神话故事戏剧表演：
后羿和嫦娥的老掉牙的故事，不同的演员。台上的心情，台下的感动。感谢凤玲大导演，看来可以登上张艺谋的后座了。：）
5. 纸灯笼制作
要感谢婉真和Phoebe,用心的研究了一个看来简单，但其实并不简单的纸灯笼。
要是换成了老娘来做，除了望穿秋水都生不出外，最大的可能就是灯笼纸会变成tissue paper --- 因为做到最后一定拿来擦眼泪。 学会了之后，妈妈们，再回家教自己的孩子。
当晚燃起时，就像草原上点点的星火，照亮彼此的心。望着灯，我总是想起那首歌，“灯燃起了。灯亮起了，就是为了要普照。。。”
凤玲大家姐--我们自然桌又再次有一个惊喜。用蜜蜡做出来的玉兔好像就要跳起来了。
Circle Time: 感恩明亮的天空，前一天大地才被大雨洗涤，今天却毫无降雨的迹象。
给大家竹竿舞热热身吧！
孩子等不及了。天色一暗下来，蜡烛在手，就迫不及待的要与火共舞了！
灯谜 - 不懂为什么，绳子掉了好几次。
6. 光影戏表演
瑞娟和孩子在假期里用了2天的时间了完成不简单任务 --钉好一个 很棒的光影戏的架子。然后大家就决定用一个星期的时间，‘赶’出光影戏的角色。
- 每个人，就这样认领了一个角色，从后羿，嫦娥，天帝，西王母，太阳，玉兔，农夫，背景等
- 仅仅排练了3次，就出炉了。
- 虽然到最后音响都没有最完美，但能够在雨季有个没有下雨的傍晚，就已经是很开心的事了。真像个“人圆，事圆，月圆”的夜晚！
灯暗了，灯亮了。把黑暗交给了台前。 忠实的观众，聚精会神。
把明亮留给了幕后。
这盏灯，瑞娟也跑了好几家店，才找到了比较适合的。这是想pasar malam摆摊子用的那一种，接着借来的车子电池，就可以亮了。- 一首歌和一首诗结束了这个环节：
o 月亮圆 月亮圆 月亮照在我的家
没有春夏秋冬的家 流传千年
月亮圆 月亮圆 月亮照在我的家
没有春夏秋冬的家 流传千年
o 月月月明,八月月明明分外;山山山秀,巫山山秀秀非常
- 怎么可以少了绕街提灯笼？
- Angie: 承担太阳的角色，原来也那么不简单，虽然每一次孩子害怕时都会说不要紧，轮到自己时才知道其实连自己也会怯场。
- Poh Hiok: 那晚的表演的确是很好看。我的孩子也这么说。你们妈妈们都很棒极了！加油！
- Chearn Ying:100 分的表演！
- Waka(Fiona’ s Mom): I thought you bought those puppets.
(是的，当代的孩子都在个个方面有幸福的体验。针对这一点，我想，孩子知道他们幸福吗？他们珍惜吗？无常是无所不在的。要怎么让孩子感恩这个背后的‘辛苦’和付出？是要妈妈为孩子做那么多吗？还是妈妈需要为自己也筹备更多的心灵资粮？为自己筹备资粮。。。我是说我自己，是的，尤其在这乱世，我真的需要筹备的，正是自己的资粮。)
Monday, September 19, 2011
两个小瓜的ABC汤
两老在午睡。
小瓜把我们的门反锁了。
出来后，发现我的INFRA RED COOKER还热着。我该没有忘记关电吧。
原来是小瓜煮了ABC汤，放在焖烧锅里。
吃在心里，还蛮甜的。
原来，是大的切马铃薯，小的切红萝卜，大的加水，小的讲几时放什么料。
还不忘了放盐呢。
哈哈！真好，中午是我来不及煮汤，晚上饭桌上就有多一个小瓜的ABC汤啦。：）
突然觉得，其实，9和6岁的小瓜怎么那么不简单呵。哈哈！
p/s:我妈妈听到我这么‘款待’幼童，一定吓破胆。
小瓜把我们的门反锁了。
出来后，发现我的INFRA RED COOKER还热着。我该没有忘记关电吧。
原来是小瓜煮了ABC汤，放在焖烧锅里。
吃在心里，还蛮甜的。
原来，是大的切马铃薯，小的切红萝卜，大的加水，小的讲几时放什么料。
还不忘了放盐呢。
哈哈！真好，中午是我来不及煮汤，晚上饭桌上就有多一个小瓜的ABC汤啦。：）
突然觉得，其实，9和6岁的小瓜怎么那么不简单呵。哈哈！
p/s:我妈妈听到我这么‘款待’幼童，一定吓破胆。
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Punctuation Gnomes
I found this story and i thought it is really high time for me to make 4 of these Gnomes for JE.
The Adventure of the Four Punctuation Marks (A 4th/5th grade skit by Gail Klar)
Several characters represent each punctuation mark. Each group enters as the narrator describes them. They then proceed to walk through the forest while talking.
Narrator: One day in the forest four friends were walking, and each of these comrades was doing much talking. First marched the FULL STOP- who often kept tiring. (Period marches and stops; marches and stops...)
Then came the QUESTION MARK - curious, inquiring. (Question Mark peers left and right, looks up, explores...)
The EXCLAMATION POINT followed, excited, surprised; (Exclamation Point makes excited movements, astonished pauses)
The COMMA, well-breathing, light-stepping, small-sized. (Comma weaves lightly from side to side, with measured breath)
FULL STOP: It's dark in here. The trees are high. I firmly trudge and heave a sigh.
Question Mark: Why are the trees so slender and tall? Where do they come from? Why don't they fall?
Exclamation Point: Alas! Oh look! It's so exciting! This place is spooky! It's so inviting!
Comma: It's mysterious, colorful, magical, gloomy, beautiful, soft, enormous, quite roomy...
(A Bear enters and the Exclamation Point interrupts the Comma and exclaims:)
Exclamation Point: Oh, my gosh! Help! Help! Look there! Look what's coming! A bear! A bear!
FULL STOP: Quiet down, friend. Don't jump in the air. Now, let me see. It is a bear.
Question Mark: Do you think he is hungry? Do you think he will eat us? If we try to escape, do you think he will beat us?
Comma: He's a grizzly, ferocious, massive, black heap. I think we had better flee, fly, dash, run, leap.
Exclamation Point: Well, let's not just stand here! No time to waste! He's coming much closer! Quick! Let's make haste!
(All the Punctuation Marks run very quickly off stage.)
CURTAIN.
The Adventure of the Four Punctuation Marks (A 4th/5th grade skit by Gail Klar)
Several characters represent each punctuation mark. Each group enters as the narrator describes them. They then proceed to walk through the forest while talking.
Narrator: One day in the forest four friends were walking, and each of these comrades was doing much talking. First marched the FULL STOP- who often kept tiring. (Period marches and stops; marches and stops...)
Then came the QUESTION MARK - curious, inquiring. (Question Mark peers left and right, looks up, explores...)
The EXCLAMATION POINT followed, excited, surprised; (Exclamation Point makes excited movements, astonished pauses)
The COMMA, well-breathing, light-stepping, small-sized. (Comma weaves lightly from side to side, with measured breath)
FULL STOP: It's dark in here. The trees are high. I firmly trudge and heave a sigh.
Question Mark: Why are the trees so slender and tall? Where do they come from? Why don't they fall?
Exclamation Point: Alas! Oh look! It's so exciting! This place is spooky! It's so inviting!
Comma: It's mysterious, colorful, magical, gloomy, beautiful, soft, enormous, quite roomy...
(A Bear enters and the Exclamation Point interrupts the Comma and exclaims:)
Exclamation Point: Oh, my gosh! Help! Help! Look there! Look what's coming! A bear! A bear!
FULL STOP: Quiet down, friend. Don't jump in the air. Now, let me see. It is a bear.
Question Mark: Do you think he is hungry? Do you think he will eat us? If we try to escape, do you think he will beat us?
Comma: He's a grizzly, ferocious, massive, black heap. I think we had better flee, fly, dash, run, leap.
Exclamation Point: Well, let's not just stand here! No time to waste! He's coming much closer! Quick! Let's make haste!
(All the Punctuation Marks run very quickly off stage.)
CURTAIN.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
为什么华德福教育提倡老师和父母给孩子制作玩具呢？
抄来的：
“为什么华德福教育提倡老师和父母给孩子制作玩具呢？这仅仅是为了满足孩子玩的需要而为他们提供纯天然的、或者适合他们年龄特点的玩具吗？
首先，华德福教育认为，学龄前的孩子主要是通过模仿来学习，老师或者父母在孩子面前制作玩具，这本身就为孩子提供了一个很好的学习机会。这里所说的学习机会，并不意味着单纯让孩子感受、学习玩具制作，而是提供给孩子比这更为重要的学习内容。制作一个手工玩具可能需要花费几个小时甚至几天的时间，如果成人在制作玩具的过程中，能做到聚精会神、持之以恒，同时内心充满轻松和喜悦。这些对待工作的态度和作风会为孩子模仿树立好的榜样，从中孩子可以学会专注、耐心、工作是愉快的等品质。当然老师和父母带着对孩子的真爱来制作，这样的玩具中自然而然就融入了老师和父母的情感，这些是孩子完全能够体会到的，因而他们的内心也会受到这些情感的感染，这样的玩具甚至可以让成人和孩子的心贴的更近。这才是孩子真正渴望和珍惜的。一个买来的现成的玩具当中，完全不包含类似的可以让孩子感受到的情感，所以，孩子玩不了多久就会对其失去兴趣。为什么华德福幼儿园在孩子自由游戏时，老师经常是安静地在做手工，也许现在你可以真正理解了。
其次，每一个孩子天生都有与众不同的想象力和创造力，华德福教育注重的是保护孩子这些与生俱来的天赋，所以注重让孩子体验整个过程，这比只是简单的让他们得到一个结果更重要。一根带树皮的树枝，经过老师的加工变成了一只可爱的小鸟；或者各种不同色彩的毛线，最终成为一个迷人的娃娃。这些对成人来说可能非常简单，但对孩子来说就不同了。孩子对整个世界都具有极强的好奇心，在树枝不断地减少、毛线不断地增加的过程中，当孩子看到这些，也会主动发挥他们的想象力。”
“为什么华德福教育提倡老师和父母给孩子制作玩具呢？这仅仅是为了满足孩子玩的需要而为他们提供纯天然的、或者适合他们年龄特点的玩具吗？
首先，华德福教育认为，学龄前的孩子主要是通过模仿来学习，老师或者父母在孩子面前制作玩具，这本身就为孩子提供了一个很好的学习机会。这里所说的学习机会，并不意味着单纯让孩子感受、学习玩具制作，而是提供给孩子比这更为重要的学习内容。制作一个手工玩具可能需要花费几个小时甚至几天的时间，如果成人在制作玩具的过程中，能做到聚精会神、持之以恒，同时内心充满轻松和喜悦。这些对待工作的态度和作风会为孩子模仿树立好的榜样，从中孩子可以学会专注、耐心、工作是愉快的等品质。当然老师和父母带着对孩子的真爱来制作，这样的玩具中自然而然就融入了老师和父母的情感，这些是孩子完全能够体会到的，因而他们的内心也会受到这些情感的感染，这样的玩具甚至可以让成人和孩子的心贴的更近。这才是孩子真正渴望和珍惜的。一个买来的现成的玩具当中，完全不包含类似的可以让孩子感受到的情感，所以，孩子玩不了多久就会对其失去兴趣。为什么华德福幼儿园在孩子自由游戏时，老师经常是安静地在做手工，也许现在你可以真正理解了。
其次，每一个孩子天生都有与众不同的想象力和创造力，华德福教育注重的是保护孩子这些与生俱来的天赋，所以注重让孩子体验整个过程，这比只是简单的让他们得到一个结果更重要。一根带树皮的树枝，经过老师的加工变成了一只可爱的小鸟；或者各种不同色彩的毛线，最终成为一个迷人的娃娃。这些对成人来说可能非常简单，但对孩子来说就不同了。孩子对整个世界都具有极强的好奇心，在树枝不断地减少、毛线不断地增加的过程中，当孩子看到这些，也会主动发挥他们的想象力。”
Sunday, August 14, 2011
曾经
曾经喜欢过我的男生，看到他一家幸福的照片，真替他开心。
那时，不为所动。这是10多年前的事。
还有一个男生，那是Ken，后来他回国了。提起曾经约我出去，怎么我都不知道呢？我不是后悔或什么。。而是感恩自己的‘迟钝’。。。要不‘迟钝’，就搞更多事了。哈哈。
这只是今世呵，前世呢？还有前前世呢？
曾经喜欢过我的男生。。。我都祝福他有个幸福美满的生活。
诚如，我也希望，身边的朋友都祝福我幸福美满一样。
确实，我真的很幸福，生活很写意。
祝福每一个众生，尤其是在这与盂兰盆节，平安快乐。
那时，不为所动。这是10多年前的事。
还有一个男生，那是Ken，后来他回国了。提起曾经约我出去，怎么我都不知道呢？我不是后悔或什么。。而是感恩自己的‘迟钝’。。。要不‘迟钝’，就搞更多事了。哈哈。
这只是今世呵，前世呢？还有前前世呢？
曾经喜欢过我的男生。。。我都祝福他有个幸福美满的生活。
诚如，我也希望，身边的朋友都祝福我幸福美满一样。
确实，我真的很幸福，生活很写意。
祝福每一个众生，尤其是在这与盂兰盆节，平安快乐。
Saturday, July 30, 2011
长寿的秘诀 -- 星云大师
"记者：您今年84岁高龄，您的母亲也活到90多岁，你们家族长寿的秘诀是什么？
星云大师：长寿要有长寿的因缘，要简单啊，淡泊啊，运动啊，心宽啊，喜悦啊，正派啊，放下啊，舍得啊，欢喜啊，慈悲啊。”
是呀，淡泊，舍得。。。欢欢喜喜迎接这个早晨，这期生命。但切非为了长寿。：）
星云大师：长寿要有长寿的因缘，要简单啊，淡泊啊，运动啊，心宽啊，喜悦啊，正派啊，放下啊，舍得啊，欢喜啊，慈悲啊。”
是呀，淡泊，舍得。。。欢欢喜喜迎接这个早晨，这期生命。但切非为了长寿。：）
Rudolf Steiner's words
"The heart of the Waldorf method is that education is an art – it must speak to the child's experience. To educate the whole child, his heart and his will must be reached, as well as the mind."---Rudolf Steiner
Sunday, July 24, 2011
To Dream Or Not To Dream?
Following the post on To Waldorf Or Not To Waldorf, I thought it might be good for me to think of myself as a dreamer.
This strikes me when Teacher Lin had a sharing on Study of Man: Lecture 2.
Interestingly she started the session with my favorite song, Imagine by John Lennon:
Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one
-- Oh! How true it is! --about myself.
I dream....like Martin Lurther King
"I have a dream today!" --- has always been my favorite quote of most days. :)
I dream when i bath....at most of the times.
I dream too when i sleep.
I didnt meant i was really in the Rapid Eye Movement(REM) state or whatever, i mean a DREAM that is born out of passion and my imagination world!
I started to see my purpose of life: that i gladly 'poke' people around me so that they are able to pursue their dream and uplift their lives. haha!
This strikes me when Teacher Lin had a sharing on Study of Man: Lecture 2.
Interestingly she started the session with my favorite song, Imagine by John Lennon:
Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one
-- Oh! How true it is! --about myself.
I dream....like Martin Lurther King
"I have a dream today!" --- has always been my favorite quote of most days. :)
I dream when i bath....at most of the times.
I dream too when i sleep.
I didnt meant i was really in the Rapid Eye Movement(REM) state or whatever, i mean a DREAM that is born out of passion and my imagination world!
I started to see my purpose of life: that i gladly 'poke' people around me so that they are able to pursue their dream and uplift their lives. haha!
Friday, July 22, 2011
Do You Really Need A Waldorf School?
That's the main question next to "To Waldorf or Not To Waldorf?"
If I choose to Waldorf, which and where is the Waldorf school that I can go?
I would regard all pricey schools as elite schools and all schools that cater for the rich and famous are not a healthy way of educating a child.
Waldorf way of education...has never been meant to be a branded and luxury way of educating.... I mean how could it be when it was first started on a factory and right after the world war II?
After a few encounters, I realized it has to be more important and most important to have a Waldorf way of living, i.e. Waldorf family then anything else.
Mrs M has compiled a list on what a Waldorf family would do:
-Get rid of the televisions, video games, and limit computer access
until age 12.
-Go outside and play every day, year round.
-Eat your food whole.
-Hug every day.
-Rhythm
-Be open to what the little ones will teach you.
-Make it yourself, and if you don't know how, learn
-Tell stories & play games. A lot.
-Think about how your things speak to you.
-Keep the voices calm, quiet, and as natural as possible.
-“Do not worry that your children never listen to you, worry that they
are always watching you.” ~ Robert Fulgum
-Meditate or do some form of inner work daily
-Rid yourself of anything that has not been touched in over a month.
-Sing and share lovely verses for important (and every) days
-To create rituals around bedtime, praying to our guardian angels and
sing lullabies.
-Singing throughout the day
-Hold back intellectual concepts from under 7 as they are mostly in the
motor centre before then.
-Try and keep a dreamlike quality in everything you do.
-Slow down and take time.
-Establish rhythm, use reptition, foster reverence, awe and wonder
-Create a beautiful and harmonious environment
-Honor the need for time and space
-Sing through the day
-Have conversations with the spiritual world
-Remember the elemental beings
-Be authentic in what you do and say -- kids are adept at sniffing out
a RAT :)
-Do not lie -- my example is that if I have say, chocolate, in the
house and my daughter asks, I give or say "let's wait until after
supper". I don't lie and say we don't have any -- If I don't want her
to have it, I don't bring it into the home. "white" lies really
undermine the trust relationship and teach your kid to be dishonest.
-Involve the children in the running of the house. Get them helping in
all areas of domestic work from a very young age 2+. in, of course,
age appropriate ways.
-Active learning - learning by doing, by observing, by making, by
experiencing.
-Make things from scratch, let the kids be involved and observe the
-TIME and love necessary to create something beautiful and lasting.
-Create gardens, meals, tree forts, gifts, art....
-Working on ones self (meaning the parent)
If I choose to Waldorf, which and where is the Waldorf school that I can go?
I would regard all pricey schools as elite schools and all schools that cater for the rich and famous are not a healthy way of educating a child.
Waldorf way of education...has never been meant to be a branded and luxury way of educating.... I mean how could it be when it was first started on a factory and right after the world war II?
After a few encounters, I realized it has to be more important and most important to have a Waldorf way of living, i.e. Waldorf family then anything else.
Mrs M has compiled a list on what a Waldorf family would do:
-Get rid of the televisions, video games, and limit computer access
until age 12.
-Go outside and play every day, year round.
-Eat your food whole.
-Hug every day.
-Rhythm
-Be open to what the little ones will teach you.
-Make it yourself, and if you don't know how, learn
-Tell stories & play games. A lot.
-Think about how your things speak to you.
-Keep the voices calm, quiet, and as natural as possible.
-“Do not worry that your children never listen to you, worry that they
are always watching you.” ~ Robert Fulgum
-Meditate or do some form of inner work daily
-Rid yourself of anything that has not been touched in over a month.
-Sing and share lovely verses for important (and every) days
-To create rituals around bedtime, praying to our guardian angels and
sing lullabies.
-Singing throughout the day
-Hold back intellectual concepts from under 7 as they are mostly in the
motor centre before then.
-Try and keep a dreamlike quality in everything you do.
-Slow down and take time.
-Establish rhythm, use reptition, foster reverence, awe and wonder
-Create a beautiful and harmonious environment
-Honor the need for time and space
-Sing through the day
-Have conversations with the spiritual world
-Remember the elemental beings
-Be authentic in what you do and say -- kids are adept at sniffing out
a RAT :)
-Do not lie -- my example is that if I have say, chocolate, in the
house and my daughter asks, I give or say "let's wait until after
supper". I don't lie and say we don't have any -- If I don't want her
to have it, I don't bring it into the home. "white" lies really
undermine the trust relationship and teach your kid to be dishonest.
-Involve the children in the running of the house. Get them helping in
all areas of domestic work from a very young age 2+. in, of course,
age appropriate ways.
-Active learning - learning by doing, by observing, by making, by
experiencing.
-Make things from scratch, let the kids be involved and observe the
-TIME and love necessary to create something beautiful and lasting.
-Create gardens, meals, tree forts, gifts, art....
-Working on ones self (meaning the parent)
To Waldorf or Not To Waldorf?
Whether or not you Waldorf has got to go back the first question on: "What makes you come to Waldorf education?"
The moment you started to search for an alternative for the current schooling system, you know you are bound to change for better.
You cant remain in a nutshell of ignorant when you are already directed to the door of Waldorf.
You can, of course, remain in your previous ways of educating your children, but one thing for sure, that you will never be the SAME old you.
You know, that, one thing for sure, you will keep learning....the Waldorf ways....
coz that's ultimately the main reason of education --- to keep learning and learning, even though you may know a lot but you will still remain as humble as can be, and at the same time enjoy the learning process as much as you can.
If not to Waldorf, I am sure whenever there is a seminar on how to make parent better/happier or how to destress a busy working parent, or a workshop on how to produce a smarter & brighter kid or how to score A the easy way, your heart will direct you to look on how to squeeze time out of busy calendar to make up for this supposingly 'influential and great enough' program. You are probably searching for a quick fix or one time deal solution that will ease you to better sleep days.
If not Waldorf, you will probably be thinking of.....
- migration? - but...hmmmm...that doesnt happen so soon, and what about the rest of my families?
- homeschooling? -- since this is a current 'trend' now. But what about curriculum?
- get involve in politics to change the education? -- neh, dream la. Get KOTOR first before this comes in picture
Back to the question again, "To waldorf or not to Waldorf?"
I think that has to be changed to "To change or not to change?"
Or "To learn or not to learn?"
Next Question: Do you really need a Waldorf school?
The moment you started to search for an alternative for the current schooling system, you know you are bound to change for better.
You cant remain in a nutshell of ignorant when you are already directed to the door of Waldorf.
You can, of course, remain in your previous ways of educating your children, but one thing for sure, that you will never be the SAME old you.
You know, that, one thing for sure, you will keep learning....the Waldorf ways....
coz that's ultimately the main reason of education --- to keep learning and learning, even though you may know a lot but you will still remain as humble as can be, and at the same time enjoy the learning process as much as you can.
If not to Waldorf, I am sure whenever there is a seminar on how to make parent better/happier or how to destress a busy working parent, or a workshop on how to produce a smarter & brighter kid or how to score A the easy way, your heart will direct you to look on how to squeeze time out of busy calendar to make up for this supposingly 'influential and great enough' program. You are probably searching for a quick fix or one time deal solution that will ease you to better sleep days.
If not Waldorf, you will probably be thinking of.....
- migration? - but...hmmmm...that doesnt happen so soon, and what about the rest of my families?
- homeschooling? -- since this is a current 'trend' now. But what about curriculum?
- get involve in politics to change the education? -- neh, dream la. Get KOTOR first before this comes in picture
Back to the question again, "To waldorf or not to Waldorf?"
I think that has to be changed to "To change or not to change?"
Or "To learn or not to learn?"
Next Question: Do you really need a Waldorf school?
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Shanghai Mooncake --2nd trial after 5 yrs
There I go itchy...super itchy again.
Made some 'fake' lotus paste using the hulled mung beans...at last. Thanks to Phoebe's Mom. Tasted...quite nice though, so i decided to go forward to produce the Shanghai Mooncake.
But cant find salted duck eggs at these hours of late afternoon.
Never mind....just get going before this itchy mood cool off.
Some 5-6 yrs ago, i did the Shanghai Mooncake with the lotus paste. It was a truly deadly experience for me as i cooked the lotus paste from blending, de-skin till cooking to produce the paste form ---- all because i didnt want to use the $%^& alkaline water. Then when it come to the pastry, I think i did some modification too by not following the recipe. If i am not mistaken, what i did was lessen the custard powder content and thus making the skin to flob and 'flow' away like cream when mooncake was heated up in the oven --- all because i didnt favor using custard powder, I thought it tasted horrible with the essence smell.
Now learning from my previous lesson, i know i got to follow the recipe first before i made any modification further.
It was a success! Albeit the inner paste didnt really tasted like the lotus paste.
But anything hot from the oven is always irresistible!
Made some 'fake' lotus paste using the hulled mung beans...at last. Thanks to Phoebe's Mom. Tasted...quite nice though, so i decided to go forward to produce the Shanghai Mooncake.
But cant find salted duck eggs at these hours of late afternoon.
Never mind....just get going before this itchy mood cool off.
Some 5-6 yrs ago, i did the Shanghai Mooncake with the lotus paste. It was a truly deadly experience for me as i cooked the lotus paste from blending, de-skin till cooking to produce the paste form ---- all because i didnt want to use the $%^& alkaline water. Then when it come to the pastry, I think i did some modification too by not following the recipe. If i am not mistaken, what i did was lessen the custard powder content and thus making the skin to flob and 'flow' away like cream when mooncake was heated up in the oven --- all because i didnt favor using custard powder, I thought it tasted horrible with the essence smell.
Now learning from my previous lesson, i know i got to follow the recipe first before i made any modification further.
It was a success! Albeit the inner paste didnt really tasted like the lotus paste.
But anything hot from the oven is always irresistible!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
学做公仔饼
学做了传统公仔饼，过程中就好象在延伸老人的传统精神。我想，我会喜欢变老，老呵，象征智慧和成熟。黄舒骏的‘不要变老’是唱着世间人对物质的看法吧，但是‘老’本身，其实是越老越有力量的，比如，越老越有资格分享人生，分享经验，还有呈现永垂不朽的智慧。感恩过去的老人
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Childhood dream --- Waldorf dolls
They have been playing and playing and playing....with these dolls....
I gave away a few Barbie dolls before which didnt bring much excitement, creativity, and most of all LoVe....
Jo Von wanted a purple wool hair doll that has a detachable scarf.
That's hell of a challenge for me coz i knew only the one Swee Kian had taught - a sewn in scarf with a little bit of wool hair.
When the whole doll was ready, she slept with the doll and woke up searching for it in the early morning.
Used up my longed kept yellow minky fabric that i bought from Australia....nice feeling.
And this belonged to Jo Ee.
She wanted a doll which has longer hair so that she can tied up.
The body was made from the bamboo terry fabric --- also another nice feeling fabric that i cut out from the diaper inserts.
She was as contented as before....she always has a flair for dolls....and that served up the whole day and night.....and nothing else.
Isn't this what childhood is all about?
Children....just need simple toys, preferably handmade by mom to make their happy and contented days.
I gave away a few Barbie dolls before which didnt bring much excitement, creativity, and most of all LoVe....
Jo Von wanted a purple wool hair doll that has a detachable scarf.
That's hell of a challenge for me coz i knew only the one Swee Kian had taught - a sewn in scarf with a little bit of wool hair.
When the whole doll was ready, she slept with the doll and woke up searching for it in the early morning.
Used up my longed kept yellow minky fabric that i bought from Australia....nice feeling.
And this belonged to Jo Ee.
She wanted a doll which has longer hair so that she can tied up.
The body was made from the bamboo terry fabric --- also another nice feeling fabric that i cut out from the diaper inserts.
She was as contented as before....she always has a flair for dolls....and that served up the whole day and night.....and nothing else.
Isn't this what childhood is all about?
Children....just need simple toys, preferably handmade by mom to make their happy and contented days.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Mooncake recipe 公仔饼食谱
Ingredient:
100g plain flour
30g peanut oil
65g golden syrup
1/2 tsp alkaline water
The alkaline water is to:
1) Improve the elasticity in the dough
2) Give it its golden color
3) Neutralizes the acidity of the syrup.
If you omit the alkaline water, the imprint of the mooncake might not be clear and the pastry might not hold its shape and just become a blob after it is being baked
1．把糖浆，油及视水搅拌均匀，摆置5分钟
2．Sieve plain flour into a mixing bowl. Make a well in the flour and pour in the warm syrup. Mix till a dough is formed. Cover the mixing bowl with a wet towel and rest the dough for 30 - 45 minutes.
3．Divide dough and filling according to the size of your mould. Shape the dough into a round flat sheet with sides thinner than the centre.
4．Wrap in the filling and mould it into a ball shape. Coat it with flour.
5．Dredge wooden mooncake mould with flour and put the mooncake into the mould. Flatten it with your floured palms and make sure that the mooncake fills up the mould nicely.
6．To dislodge the mooncake, bang the mould on a hard surface with equal force in the north, south, east and west direction.
7．Place mooncakes on a lined pan and spray the mooncakes with some water.
Spraying of water is to prevent the mooncake skin from cracking or blistering during the baking process.
8．Bake at 180C - 190C for 10 minutes. Remove from oven, cool the cakes for 5 - 10 minutes then apply egg glace and bake for another 10 - 15 minutes or till golden brown. As every oven varies, please standby to check on your mooncakes. If you are doing standard size mooncakes, the baking time might be longer.
9．公仔饼烘烤出来，立即把蛋液抹上2次或者以上，完成
10．Store cooled mooncakes in an airtight container and serve only after 3 days.
11．贴心提醒 ：
1。做公仔饼不需要很大力的压进模子里，这样会令公仔饼比较结实。轻轻的一压，公仔饼才能够显出松软
2。新出炉的公仔饼有点硬度，要放置 3天或者以上回油后，才能够享用
My little experience:
1. First trial: was done successfully with the addition of alkaline water.
2. Second trial: was done together with Fong Ling and Seok Lee and tried out by omitting the alkaline water. It didnt turn out well....was hard. But i think it was not because of not using alkaline water, but rather when we have more people to involve, we tend to talk and that distract our attention. No wonder why old people used to say when they were baking those traditional delicacies, they tried not to have many people around. Partly i think is due to distraction.
3. 3rd trial: was a done in a rather hasty mood coz while seeing the unsuccessful of the 2nd trial, i hastily tried out at night. Baking, must be done in rather quiet and steady mood, i guess.
4. 4th trial: tada....i waited for near 3-4 hours before i left the mixture to 'sit' and bake them. And they are true success! This time, i used the required alkaline water.
100g plain flour
30g peanut oil
65g golden syrup
1/2 tsp alkaline water
The alkaline water is to:
1) Improve the elasticity in the dough
2) Give it its golden color
3) Neutralizes the acidity of the syrup.
If you omit the alkaline water, the imprint of the mooncake might not be clear and the pastry might not hold its shape and just become a blob after it is being baked
1．把糖浆，油及视水搅拌均匀，摆置5分钟
2．Sieve plain flour into a mixing bowl. Make a well in the flour and pour in the warm syrup. Mix till a dough is formed. Cover the mixing bowl with a wet towel and rest the dough for 30 - 45 minutes.
3．Divide dough and filling according to the size of your mould. Shape the dough into a round flat sheet with sides thinner than the centre.
4．Wrap in the filling and mould it into a ball shape. Coat it with flour.
5．Dredge wooden mooncake mould with flour and put the mooncake into the mould. Flatten it with your floured palms and make sure that the mooncake fills up the mould nicely.
6．To dislodge the mooncake, bang the mould on a hard surface with equal force in the north, south, east and west direction.
7．Place mooncakes on a lined pan and spray the mooncakes with some water.
Spraying of water is to prevent the mooncake skin from cracking or blistering during the baking process.
8．Bake at 180C - 190C for 10 minutes. Remove from oven, cool the cakes for 5 - 10 minutes then apply egg glace and bake for another 10 - 15 minutes or till golden brown. As every oven varies, please standby to check on your mooncakes. If you are doing standard size mooncakes, the baking time might be longer.
9．公仔饼烘烤出来，立即把蛋液抹上2次或者以上，完成
10．Store cooled mooncakes in an airtight container and serve only after 3 days.
11．贴心提醒 ：
1。做公仔饼不需要很大力的压进模子里，这样会令公仔饼比较结实。轻轻的一压，公仔饼才能够显出松软
2。新出炉的公仔饼有点硬度，要放置 3天或者以上回油后，才能够享用
My little experience:
1. First trial: was done successfully with the addition of alkaline water.
2. Second trial: was done together with Fong Ling and Seok Lee and tried out by omitting the alkaline water. It didnt turn out well....was hard. But i think it was not because of not using alkaline water, but rather when we have more people to involve, we tend to talk and that distract our attention. No wonder why old people used to say when they were baking those traditional delicacies, they tried not to have many people around. Partly i think is due to distraction.
3. 3rd trial: was a done in a rather hasty mood coz while seeing the unsuccessful of the 2nd trial, i hastily tried out at night. Baking, must be done in rather quiet and steady mood, i guess.
4. 4th trial: tada....i waited for near 3-4 hours before i left the mixture to 'sit' and bake them. And they are true success! This time, i used the required alkaline water.
Friday, July 8, 2011
童言童语
柔帆：妈咪，是谁选你做老师的？
我：是我自己选的。 ^.^
就像你选妈咪和Daddy做你的爸爸妈妈一样。
-------------------------------------
爸爸在开着柔帆爱吃的榴莲时
柔帆问：妈咪，你是怎样找到这样好的老公的？
我：哦，是他自己找我的。我，fiew veet一下，他就来了。^.^
-------------------------------------
我：是我自己选的。 ^.^
就像你选妈咪和Daddy做你的爸爸妈妈一样。
-------------------------------------
爸爸在开着柔帆爱吃的榴莲时
柔帆问：妈咪，你是怎样找到这样好的老公的？
我：哦，是他自己找我的。我，fiew veet一下，他就来了。^.^
-------------------------------------
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Simplicity Parenting
As i was listening to Kim John Payne talking about:
"In the society of nowadays, there is always:
- more, more, more
- sooner, sooner, sooner,
- younger,younger, younger"
"There is this boy who doesnt want to go to day care, play dates, or extra tuitions. He just WANT TO GO HOME."
--- sound so familiar that i thought deeply about Kui Han, Hong Zhen's brother who refuses to go to day care center coz he just want to be home. Such a sad phenomena where one own a double storey house, yet the child get to go back to sleep only. An investment to turn it to become a hotel?
" In our family, we do it this way, "This is certainly a amazing toy. But i dont think we can."
Discipline becomes way.
Children establish deeper relationship....coz they are popular kids."
--- i thought of my little girls, who were always popular.... Now i know where it comes from.
When cousin or friends has anything new, they have never asked for this or that. Coz they know they have ENOUGH.
" They know who their family are.
They are strong."
--- How true!
Get more of this stuff here:
Simplicity Parenting
"In the society of nowadays, there is always:
- more, more, more
- sooner, sooner, sooner,
- younger,younger, younger"
"There is this boy who doesnt want to go to day care, play dates, or extra tuitions. He just WANT TO GO HOME."
--- sound so familiar that i thought deeply about Kui Han, Hong Zhen's brother who refuses to go to day care center coz he just want to be home. Such a sad phenomena where one own a double storey house, yet the child get to go back to sleep only. An investment to turn it to become a hotel?
" In our family, we do it this way, "This is certainly a amazing toy. But i dont think we can."
Discipline becomes way.
Children establish deeper relationship....coz they are popular kids."
--- i thought of my little girls, who were always popular.... Now i know where it comes from.
When cousin or friends has anything new, they have never asked for this or that. Coz they know they have ENOUGH.
" They know who their family are.
They are strong."
--- How true!
Get more of this stuff here:
Simplicity Parenting
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
华德福娃娃的心缘聚会 A Waldor Doll Tea Party
妈妈美女排阵经过了1个半月,每个星期一次，我们都终于‘生产’顺利，把娃娃生出来了！
那天凤玲把工作分配下来。。。打从心底也蛮期待这场聚会的。感恩她的协调。^.^
临出门前，老公问，哇你去party哦，我可以去吗？我说，可以。。。。哈哈，都明知道是一群妈妈聚会呢，他才不会去啦。
凤玲真的就是我们的设计师，把nature table 摆设好，等待一一到来的娃娃。。。。
到齐的娃娃是：
Seok Lee给威盛的男娃娃，婉真（在家婆的帮忙下）给Erin和Erica的女娃娃，凤玲给JingKi的男娃娃，Angie给宇航的男娃娃，Jesslyn给女儿的女娃娃，Teacher Tan给Gabriel的男娃娃，桂专给珈蕙的女娃娃，瑞娟给家诚家瑜家宣的娃娃，我给JoEe的女娃娃。
终于开始了。。。从唱歌开始。
其实从来不曾在朋友圈里弹琴，老娘的硬手指还有老娘的音乐感，在多年前，死光了。。。。还是不曾活过？呵呵。。。但都是好事，过去我是帮阿莹翻书的那个，也公认是没有节奏感的学生，aural每每刚刚过关或F，混日子也过了8级，学习过程像极了当今的SPM考生，囫囵吞枣，情感零蛋，最终也可以过关斩将。
可是，在这个妈妈团里，让我的音乐感有股纯纯欲动的在流动。
这几天，在家里爱上了这首‘听妈妈的话’还有‘朋友’，和The Sound Of Music.
选择周杰伦的‘听妈妈的话’--因为听着听着，就像在回溯妈妈的话呢：
听妈妈的话/别让她受伤/想快快长大/才能保护她/美丽的白发/幸福中发芽/天使的魔法/温暖中慈祥
更何况，我们的相聚都是因为是彼此都是妈妈而凑成的。因缘之殊胜啊！
‘朋友’--
这些年一个人/风也过雨也走/有过泪有过错/还记得坚持甚麽/真爱过才会懂/会寂寞会回首
终有梦终有你在心中/朋友一生一起走/那些日子不再有/一句话一辈子/一生情一杯酒
朋友不曾孤单过/一声朋友你会懂/还有伤还有痛/还要走还有我
女人啊，我们何其多重身份啊，又是妈妈，又是朋友，这珍贵的友情，都得来不易。。。。我蛮感动的。。。
女人啊，前世我们该是已经约好了。。。。
偶尔我们都会很忙。。。。其实我们都很忙，多重角色，那不忙呢？
但是能有机缘围聚在一起做娃娃，那能不感恩呢？
The Sound Of Music -- 是我个人的一个梦吧，就是期望音乐之声，能继续飘扬。。。飘扬。 比如，说不定，我们以后有个孩子的剧场。。。我的梦又开始来了，常常都说，I am a dreamer,not a doer.嘻嘻。
我们有个山寨版S.H.E.: 由Alila SHE 的组员SeokLee，Angie 和Teacher Tan 呈献“感谢”：
感謝親愛的爸媽/給我擋風遮雨的家/為我做香噴噴飯菜/陪伴我長大/
感謝親愛的老師/教導我無窮盡知識/指引人生迷網方向/陪伴我長大
感謝親愛的朋友/分享生活苦辣酸甜/一起探索這浩瀚世界/陪伴我長大
感謝路邊的小花小草/妝點風景詩篇/感謝經過的大風大雨/增加我勇氣
感謝流動的水/偉大的高山/感謝上天和大地/我們擁有平安的每一天
-- 昨晚练，今天出场了。一级棒的妈妈！
就是那么MultiPurpose的，可以变来变去，名副其实的妈妈把万能功能发挥出来。
凤玲代表全体：
-感谢姑婆 -- 因为有了她的付出，瑞娟才有时间和我们分享这段做娃娃日子。
-感谢瑞娟无私的分享
-感谢我们的丈夫，才会成就我们有时间聚在一起。（嗯，是的，纵然大家都不是大富大贵，但有另一边的支持，就是最大的财富了。） -- 又或者如Jesslyn和桂专，也要感谢宽容的老板，让这两个’偷渡客’可以心安理得利用破碎的时间来成就这份福分。
凤玲：虽然JingKi的年龄是稍大了，虽然儿子也说不要，但做娃娃给儿子是妈妈的心愿。而十一岁的儿子后来也和妈妈讨论要怎么弄娃娃的头发。妈妈的心，孩子不是不懂，只是都会一直在感受着。。。
SeokLee:给7岁的威盛做个娃娃时，他也说不要女孩子的东西。可是，缝好了后，竟然就带娃娃陪他睡觉了。男生，看来都有生藏不露的感情世界。
Angie:7岁的宇航从一开始就很期待妈妈为他一针一线缝好的娃娃，缝好的娃娃，有黄色的头发，有个好听的名字，叫Bob。Angie对华德福教育，来自Seok lee,对这教育的认同感，可说是一接触即发，加入了这妈妈团，让她有着莫名的感动。侄女知道阿姨缝娃娃时，还说为什么要缝，在外面都有得买一个了，可是缝好后，16岁的侄女呵，也想要一个。
老娘我：9岁的竺妤爱极了这个有头发的娃娃。从娃娃没有头发开始，她就说Baby才出世是这样子的。花了好多心神研究如何缝头发，有了棕色的头发后，原本还想加缝上多几条’毛‘，但她都说好了够了，乍看之下，娃娃就像她，有个聪慧的高额头。抱着娃娃和娃娃说悄悄话的情景，是如此熟悉，也如此温馨。我老妈子终于看到她的女儿缝娃娃，牙嘛，不懂有没有笑脱几颗，不过肯定是无法想象我踩针车的模样。
婉真：缝了一个娃娃给Erin，又在家婆的帮助下缝了另一个给Erica。过后又接了几单，看来得排期慢慢等了。原因很简单，做了一个后，感觉上其实也并不是很难，就想要做给某某朋友的孩子。爱呵，就是那么轻易的流露和流传。
Jesslyn:当只缝好头，还没有身体时，亲戚的孩子，已经一个个抢来玩了。也好久好久没有在忙碌的工作时间里，好好的静静的做手工，更没想到其实自己是可以缝好娃娃的。娃娃呵娃娃，妈妈等着你生出来，就好象在看着原来的自己的诞生。
桂专：缝好的娃娃有个名字，但是答应了8岁的珈蕙不可以说出来。为了带这个娃娃来聚会，也要讨论好几回，看来娃娃真的是珈蕙的最爱，不可以轻易出门亮相。分享了自己这么多年来的改变，从忙忙碌碌，没有时间见到孩子的过程到如今，这条路走来不易，但有努力做着改变总好过原地踏步呵。改变，对任何人来说，都何其不容易，但是有做了改变，接下去的都会慢慢都会陆续的跟着改变。加油！
Teacher Tan：当华德福老师是做的娃娃和以妈妈身份做的娃娃，都是有差别的。2岁的Gabriel一开始好像对娃娃没有特别的喜好，妈妈就把娃娃摆在外面，一直到有客人来时，看到了别人拿着娃娃时，他就认为娃娃是他的。他好像也懂得区分什么是buy和make，会说daddy buy,mommy make.孩子对于心灵和物质，都有特别的感应。
瑞娟：做了3个娃娃给3个孩子。本来10岁的儿子还说他不要pondan的东西，妈妈后来发现儿子常常会在晚上睡觉时把娃娃带上床边。孩子在心情不好时，娃娃又变成了一个安抚他们的代替妈妈。当初想凝聚几个朋友来做，只是因为日本的海啸事件时，Teacher Junko要做娃娃来安抚当地受影响的孩子，所以就以为可以有更多人一起来学，然后做多一些。
娃娃，就不再只是纯粹的娃娃而已。
娃娃，是妈妈内心满满的爱。。。可以延续更多的爱，可以承载更多的关怀。
给瑞娟的一番小小心意： --- 一时间觉得每个人都是艺术家，包刮老娘本人，过去都没把自己的艺术细胞叫醒。 ^.^
点心时间： -- 谢谢angie和seok lee还有婉真，噢，还有桂专让我们回味印度味。怎么可以也忘了可口的罗汉果：
好久都没有推动力用文字把人事物摘录下来了，写着这点点滴滴时，突然间，看到这段文字，感动久久:
Love yourself and be awake -
today, tomorrow, always.
First establish yourself in the way,
then teach others,
and so defeat sorrow.
...To straighten the crooked
you must first do a harder thing -
straighten yourself.
You are the only master. Who else?
Subdue yourself,
and discover your master.
- Buddha
说得。太棒了！
p/s:晚餐时间到，要回到工作岗位了。^.^
Friday, July 1, 2011
母亲的工作是什么？
"母亲的工作就是“做母亲”；模仿是孩子最重要的学习能力，做一个值得模仿的人，让孩子有一个值得模仿的榜样，就是母亲最重要的工作。母亲的工作就是做平时该做的事情；洗衣、做饭、整理家务...而不是整日陪在孩子身边玩耍." -- http://www.tobebooks.net/tobelive/dv_rss.asp?s=xhtml&boardid=43&id=1539&page=1
# Elaine:母亲忙于家务时,把孩子带在身边,也可以忙中作乐.这是我这一个月里的新体会.
- 我可以感觉你的喜悦。：）这，何賞不是‘活在当下’吗？佛法的实践就在其中。谢谢你的分享。。。我也尤其喜欢看到在忙碌时，孩子会因为模仿而想参与。老实说，我还真的是一个不懂和孩子玩的妈妈，只懂得一直做家务和想点子弄喜欢的食物（不是孩子喜欢，是我自己喜欢的）。哈哈。
# Miki: Why dun u share house work with ur kids. Let them do the minor job. They will have fun and just do it as playing a game. I used to do house work and baking with my gal. She really enjoy it. No doubt, she learn a lot in game.
- 是的。：）今天，弄了炒花生，小朋友就过来po花生皮，昨天少了青菜，小朋友就帮我採薄荷叶让我煮薄荷蛋花汤，在家的时间其实总是排得满满的，前天要煮红豆沙，叫她菜四叶的oandan，生活上的计算是太棒了。昨天也好开心，我们第二次了，在屋外起火扇火炒菜，炒番薯，烤番薯。
#紫云：模仿当儿难免状况百出..哎呀抹地水可以洗脸吗? 咦7分满面糊不对耶溢出来了哦! 啊。。糟糕,把面粉当天花撒! 天啊洗衣机怎么被off 了呢? 完蛋九层塔的幼苗这次驾返瑶池了...凭良心说，都是状况，怎么说呢, 这些"不算愉快" 的状况; 做妈妈的还需给于一个 "不失愉快" 地高难度表情+EQ+内心交战 !
- 哈哈！紫云，是你的想象力丰富，还是真的发生在你身上？这，我就没试过，不过把我的番薯包搞到四不像，有动物有厨房用具有意大利面就有，也把我的pandan叶采了撕到烂，也常把窗帘改装成屋子，把要丢掉的箱子当宝也当屋子最后变成屋子角落的一堆垃圾。但是，最终成果是，某天9岁的女儿竟然会做sushi给全家人吃，而且老公还称赞比我做的好吃。
# 紫云： 芯俐我还真但愿那仅仅是我的想象, 诚如你所分享的: 母亲的工作不就是做母亲吗? 生活细节上你我他及许多母亲皆属 "the right time for the right job" 的家务机械人, 大太阳咯赶紧晒一晒, 天阴了快手快脚和雨滴赛跑...起床刷牙如厕这些模仿是生活自理的重要入门法 !! 我想尝试说: 生活里头的无力感是个真实的存在, 日夜的累积会让母亲郁郁寡欢, 与其寡欢到一个程度时需要大发一次脾气来平衡, 不如坦然接受那些无力感并且立马从小处唠叨几句, 尽量让自己的心态平衡些，然后接下来或许就是多华德福多创造一些看似无谓其实极有帮助的的小快乐为上策...
- 紫云，其实我也是在学习将简单落实在生活里，就在呼吸时呼吸，大便时大便，吃饭时吃饭，是妈妈时做妈妈，是人时就好好珍惜这个人身，纵然有多重身份，但每一个时候，往内观时，总不乏“慈悲’。。。每个行为的背后是以慈悲为导。。。。。分享一下，“妈妈的佛法书"太棒了。。。让我受惠良多。共勉之。。
#紫云：芯莉这个美好星期五早看到 "以慈悲为导"，我心里又喜又哀... 慈悲二字带心, 那 慈。悲。爱。本是一家，一切从心出发...想来妈妈佛法书同样会让我受惠无限...
- 紫云，我的体验是：‘慈’乃善待自己与别人，‘悲’乃感觉自己与别人。‘喜怒哀乐’仅仅是感觉的一部分。最近都常常‘心想事成’，想jawa面，老爸就买了，想‘教育’就有机缘看到善缘在扩展，所以从昨天开始，我想：“何不感觉自己的慈悲本怀”，结果在感觉自己的慈悲时，奇怪的发现，我的mangchang/不耐烦竟然不翼而飞了。
# Elaine:母亲忙于家务时,把孩子带在身边,也可以忙中作乐.这是我这一个月里的新体会.
- 我可以感觉你的喜悦。：）这，何賞不是‘活在当下’吗？佛法的实践就在其中。谢谢你的分享。。。我也尤其喜欢看到在忙碌时，孩子会因为模仿而想参与。老实说，我还真的是一个不懂和孩子玩的妈妈，只懂得一直做家务和想点子弄喜欢的食物（不是孩子喜欢，是我自己喜欢的）。哈哈。
# Miki: Why dun u share house work with ur kids. Let them do the minor job. They will have fun and just do it as playing a game. I used to do house work and baking with my gal. She really enjoy it. No doubt, she learn a lot in game.
- 是的。：）今天，弄了炒花生，小朋友就过来po花生皮，昨天少了青菜，小朋友就帮我採薄荷叶让我煮薄荷蛋花汤，在家的时间其实总是排得满满的，前天要煮红豆沙，叫她菜四叶的oandan，生活上的计算是太棒了。昨天也好开心，我们第二次了，在屋外起火扇火炒菜，炒番薯，烤番薯。
#紫云：模仿当儿难免状况百出..哎呀抹地水可以洗脸吗? 咦7分满面糊不对耶溢出来了哦! 啊。。糟糕,把面粉当天花撒! 天啊洗衣机怎么被off 了呢? 完蛋九层塔的幼苗这次驾返瑶池了...凭良心说，都是状况，怎么说呢, 这些"不算愉快" 的状况; 做妈妈的还需给于一个 "不失愉快" 地高难度表情+EQ+内心交战 !
- 哈哈！紫云，是你的想象力丰富，还是真的发生在你身上？这，我就没试过，不过把我的番薯包搞到四不像，有动物有厨房用具有意大利面就有，也把我的pandan叶采了撕到烂，也常把窗帘改装成屋子，把要丢掉的箱子当宝也当屋子最后变成屋子角落的一堆垃圾。但是，最终成果是，某天9岁的女儿竟然会做sushi给全家人吃，而且老公还称赞比我做的好吃。
# 紫云： 芯俐我还真但愿那仅仅是我的想象, 诚如你所分享的: 母亲的工作不就是做母亲吗? 生活细节上你我他及许多母亲皆属 "the right time for the right job" 的家务机械人, 大太阳咯赶紧晒一晒, 天阴了快手快脚和雨滴赛跑...起床刷牙如厕这些模仿是生活自理的重要入门法 !! 我想尝试说: 生活里头的无力感是个真实的存在, 日夜的累积会让母亲郁郁寡欢, 与其寡欢到一个程度时需要大发一次脾气来平衡, 不如坦然接受那些无力感并且立马从小处唠叨几句, 尽量让自己的心态平衡些，然后接下来或许就是多华德福多创造一些看似无谓其实极有帮助的的小快乐为上策...
- 紫云，其实我也是在学习将简单落实在生活里，就在呼吸时呼吸，大便时大便，吃饭时吃饭，是妈妈时做妈妈，是人时就好好珍惜这个人身，纵然有多重身份，但每一个时候，往内观时，总不乏“慈悲’。。。每个行为的背后是以慈悲为导。。。。。分享一下，“妈妈的佛法书"太棒了。。。让我受惠良多。共勉之。。
#紫云：芯莉这个美好星期五早看到 "以慈悲为导"，我心里又喜又哀... 慈悲二字带心, 那 慈。悲。爱。本是一家，一切从心出发...想来妈妈佛法书同样会让我受惠无限...
- 紫云，我的体验是：‘慈’乃善待自己与别人，‘悲’乃感觉自己与别人。‘喜怒哀乐’仅仅是感觉的一部分。最近都常常‘心想事成’，想jawa面，老爸就买了，想‘教育’就有机缘看到善缘在扩展，所以从昨天开始，我想：“何不感觉自己的慈悲本怀”，结果在感觉自己的慈悲时，奇怪的发现，我的mangchang/不耐烦竟然不翼而飞了。
在家自学记：“你的女儿毕业了吗？”
遇到一个老二前幼儿园的家长，那个妈妈问，“你的女儿毕业了吗？”
我：“没有呵，只是去年读到一半就没再读了。”
家长妈妈：“哦，你就是那个自己在家教的hoh。”
我：“喔，是在家，不过没有教哦，是在家玩哦。要不然每天回来连玩都没时间了。”（忘了说我们也常在外面玩。也忘了说现在两姐妹有更多时间切磋，互动，和吵架，偶尔也打架。--- 这才正常的，不是吗?）
家长妈妈：“在家孩子比较幸福哦。”
我：“嘻，是家长比较幸福。”
ooppss....也忘了说今天老二帮我做豆腐花，后来还差点搞糊了。哈哈！其实如果变不成豆腐花就又喝像早上的豆水吧
p/s: 其实我学会了面对自己，知道自己会有喜怒哀乐，孩子也是人呀。我也会尖叫，也会发脾气，都是我也喜欢和孩子共成长。从昨天开始，我想：“何不感觉自己的慈悲本怀”，结果在感觉自己的慈悲时，奇怪的发现，我的mangchang/不耐烦竟然不翼而飞了。。。嗯，我在想着要带孩子学气功静坐之类的修心活动。现在，先学会静静的做手工吧。
p/s: 紫莲，对了，很多父母都埋怨孩子吵架打架，我从华德福教育里看过了曙光。孩子越常在一起，越有机会学习，磨练。同时，在孩子因吵架哭时，我只抱抱她，不抨击‘欺负’人的那个，也同时告诉她们，“你们的事妈妈不懂,还是你们自己解决比较好。”通常，这样子下来，不到10分钟，他们就会‘发癫’式的好起来了。人，我是说，大人，也是有冲突而学习相处的。：）
p/s: SEOK YANG,"出门玩"?没有啦，我们就是玩栽种呵，煮菜呵，浇花，到公园踩脚车，柔帆也常穿上大人的衣扮师父，扮公主，扮登山的人，扮去逛街的aunty等。哦也少不了看蜗牛蚯蚓,更少不了用心吃早餐呢。。懒懒的我偶尔会记录一下这过程在部落格.不是一般上在幼儿园可以看到咯。只是让她，和我们一起过着，传统的童年。都是些平凡，简单，从容的日子。：）
p/s: San Ee,哈哈！其实，同时也会有很多家长觉得：“好像很好，但以后孩子学习跟不上怎么办？”，也同时会有家长觉得：“我好想这样子，可是现实都让我做不到。”，也有家长（而且是鼎鼎大名的华小老师）说：“就看看以后你的孩子怎么样？”。。。。你我都在工商界教育界混了一些时间，也看到了end product,所以我不敢说我‘故意’让人羡慕，只敢说，当你我都找了自己后，其实‘方法’就显现出来了。。。妈妈，本来就是孩子最初的老师。：）
我：“没有呵，只是去年读到一半就没再读了。”
家长妈妈：“哦，你就是那个自己在家教的hoh。”
我：“喔，是在家，不过没有教哦，是在家玩哦。要不然每天回来连玩都没时间了。”（忘了说我们也常在外面玩。也忘了说现在两姐妹有更多时间切磋，互动，和吵架，偶尔也打架。--- 这才正常的，不是吗?）
家长妈妈：“在家孩子比较幸福哦。”
我：“嘻，是家长比较幸福。”
ooppss....也忘了说今天老二帮我做豆腐花，后来还差点搞糊了。哈哈！其实如果变不成豆腐花就又喝像早上的豆水吧
p/s: 其实我学会了面对自己，知道自己会有喜怒哀乐，孩子也是人呀。我也会尖叫，也会发脾气，都是我也喜欢和孩子共成长。从昨天开始，我想：“何不感觉自己的慈悲本怀”，结果在感觉自己的慈悲时，奇怪的发现，我的mangchang/不耐烦竟然不翼而飞了。。。嗯，我在想着要带孩子学气功静坐之类的修心活动。现在，先学会静静的做手工吧。
p/s: 紫莲，对了，很多父母都埋怨孩子吵架打架，我从华德福教育里看过了曙光。孩子越常在一起，越有机会学习，磨练。同时，在孩子因吵架哭时，我只抱抱她，不抨击‘欺负’人的那个，也同时告诉她们，“你们的事妈妈不懂,还是你们自己解决比较好。”通常，这样子下来，不到10分钟，他们就会‘发癫’式的好起来了。人，我是说，大人，也是有冲突而学习相处的。：）
p/s: SEOK YANG,"出门玩"?没有啦，我们就是玩栽种呵，煮菜呵，浇花，到公园踩脚车，柔帆也常穿上大人的衣扮师父，扮公主，扮登山的人，扮去逛街的aunty等。哦也少不了看蜗牛蚯蚓,更少不了用心吃早餐呢。。懒懒的我偶尔会记录一下这过程在部落格.不是一般上在幼儿园可以看到咯。只是让她，和我们一起过着，传统的童年。都是些平凡，简单，从容的日子。：）
p/s: San Ee,哈哈！其实，同时也会有很多家长觉得：“好像很好，但以后孩子学习跟不上怎么办？”，也同时会有家长觉得：“我好想这样子，可是现实都让我做不到。”，也有家长（而且是鼎鼎大名的华小老师）说：“就看看以后你的孩子怎么样？”。。。。你我都在工商界教育界混了一些时间，也看到了end product,所以我不敢说我‘故意’让人羡慕，只敢说，当你我都找了自己后，其实‘方法’就显现出来了。。。妈妈，本来就是孩子最初的老师。：）
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Learning all the time
A typical day of breakfast with bread... But not so typical coz we get questions most of the time. JV was asking, "What is C-L-A-S-S-I-C?“ Obviously she was reading from the Gardenia bread packaging... We were surprise though....coz the word was all in TIMES NEW ROMAN and Italic.
-- That's read as CLASSIC. :)
--------------------------------------------
Having dinner with Nai Nai at Behind 50.
There she started to read from the art piece on the wall again.
"Mummy, is that read as RONI?"
"Oh yes,you are absolutely right! How do you know that?"
"I just spelt it lor."
Talking about Reading.....& Spelling. Did anyone mention that it has to happen in classroom?
---------------------------------------------
”Mummy, i want that paper that comes with the blessing before meal words."
--- searching, searching, searching...
"There you go."
--- writing, writing, writing....
JV was busy making her own notes...transferring and copying these words to her favorite book that Jie Jie has given to her as her birthday present:
"Earth who gave to us this food,
Sun who make it ripe and good.
Dear sun, dear earth, by you we live.
To you our loving thanks we give."
Happily she showed to everyone on her great work.
She said "I have not been writing for some time. I miss writing."
But i would like to say, "Well, you really dont have to write when your little muscle is not ready you know." :)
Talking about writing....who says it has to be in the mundane A for Apple, B for Boy, or even “My father drives car to work."
Writing....involves feelings and emotions....
-- That's read as CLASSIC. :)
--------------------------------------------
Having dinner with Nai Nai at Behind 50.
There she started to read from the art piece on the wall again.
"Mummy, is that read as RONI?"
"Oh yes,you are absolutely right! How do you know that?"
"I just spelt it lor."
Talking about Reading.....& Spelling. Did anyone mention that it has to happen in classroom?
---------------------------------------------
”Mummy, i want that paper that comes with the blessing before meal words."
--- searching, searching, searching...
"There you go."
--- writing, writing, writing....
JV was busy making her own notes...transferring and copying these words to her favorite book that Jie Jie has given to her as her birthday present:
"Earth who gave to us this food,
Sun who make it ripe and good.
Dear sun, dear earth, by you we live.
To you our loving thanks we give."
Happily she showed to everyone on her great work.
She said "I have not been writing for some time. I miss writing."
But i would like to say, "Well, you really dont have to write when your little muscle is not ready you know." :)
Talking about writing....who says it has to be in the mundane A for Apple, B for Boy, or even “My father drives car to work."
Writing....involves feelings and emotions....
监牢式的洋楼
载着柔帆去接姐姐放学。
较平时塞车，就绕道而行，不巧还是塞车，车子停在路上时，柔帆问，“妈咪，这个是不是监牢？”
“不是，这是别人的家。”
“喔。”
-- 哈哈！什么时候洋楼呵，角头间呵，看来多豪华舒服呢，建起了高高的围墙时，再加上一圈圈的防贼铁网，连单纯的孩子都看到像是监牢。
这监牢式的洋楼，就锁着孤独的灵魂吧。
较平时塞车，就绕道而行，不巧还是塞车，车子停在路上时，柔帆问，“妈咪，这个是不是监牢？”
“不是，这是别人的家。”
“喔。”
-- 哈哈！什么时候洋楼呵，角头间呵，看来多豪华舒服呢，建起了高高的围墙时，再加上一圈圈的防贼铁网，连单纯的孩子都看到像是监牢。
这监牢式的洋楼，就锁着孤独的灵魂吧。
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Cooking the traditional and happy way
Wonderful cooking at our little balcony today.
With the help of DH, the girls light up the charcoal. Beaming with joy they watched the fire slowly spread out and start to heat up the left over corn from last night. Then fried some left over mushrooms, fried 3 kampung eggs, BBQ the bread and eat them all with lettuce and organic tomato.
What a wonderful experience!
With the help of DH, the girls light up the charcoal. Beaming with joy they watched the fire slowly spread out and start to heat up the left over corn from last night. Then fried some left over mushrooms, fried 3 kampung eggs, BBQ the bread and eat them all with lettuce and organic tomato.
What a wonderful experience!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Batik Session at USM Muzium
Another wonderful experience that i personally longed for it.
I never felt like an artist. So grateful to Cik Fizah and those fasci.... :)
This local culture from the Malay is like a form of meditation that require calm mind and great concentration. Hubby mentioned it is certainly even not that easy for those who painted from scratch.
I wanted to do more in future. :)
I never felt like an artist. So grateful to Cik Fizah and those fasci.... :)
This local culture from the Malay is like a form of meditation that require calm mind and great concentration. Hubby mentioned it is certainly even not that easy for those who painted from scratch.
I wanted to do more in future. :)
Friday, June 17, 2011
Dumpling Festival
Wan Chan and 2 daughters, Seok Lee and son, Fong Ling and 2 kids, Kwi Chuan and 3 kids,Swee Kian and 3 kids, Jeetran, Angie and 2 kids, came over for the Dumpling Festival --- a belated one coz we were all having our holiday during the actual day.
Was a rather small gathering this time....compared to the previous Chinese New Year festival.
Dumpling was made 1 day prior to the festival celebration. So today we only need to heat up.
Nature table decorated by Fong Ling which displayed all the 香包that was taught by FOng Ling to all the mothers. Mothers taught at home to their kids. This looks so impressive
Flagged off with Zhong Qiu 中秋 poem recitation. Each family took 1 and recited them.
Thanks to Fong Ling, I now understand better why we need to use 香包and also 艾草。(艾草was plucked from neighbour at last minute)
Followed by story telling of Master Qu Yuan by Seok Lee and pupper play by Swee Kian.
Dragon boat race was put up --- thanks to Jeetran and Fong Ling's boat that we were able to have a dragon boat race. Kids were divided into 2 groups. It's a relay race. Drummers for each group identified ---- though not properly assigned. haha!
Was a bit of mess though.... but guess they get all the fun in the water too anyway.
Race ended early as the Management Office get complaints from some 'over sensitive' residents....must be complaining on the sound of my overblown whistle --- they said they cant sleep. :( Anyway, leave this aside, we still get lots of fun out of it.
Washed and changed....then feed the tummy with dumpling and fruits.
Was a rather small gathering this time....compared to the previous Chinese New Year festival.
Dumpling was made 1 day prior to the festival celebration. So today we only need to heat up.
Nature table decorated by Fong Ling which displayed all the 香包that was taught by FOng Ling to all the mothers. Mothers taught at home to their kids. This looks so impressive
Flagged off with Zhong Qiu 中秋 poem recitation. Each family took 1 and recited them.
Thanks to Fong Ling, I now understand better why we need to use 香包and also 艾草。(艾草was plucked from neighbour at last minute)
Followed by story telling of Master Qu Yuan by Seok Lee and pupper play by Swee Kian.
Dragon boat race was put up --- thanks to Jeetran and Fong Ling's boat that we were able to have a dragon boat race. Kids were divided into 2 groups. It's a relay race. Drummers for each group identified ---- though not properly assigned. haha!
Was a bit of mess though.... but guess they get all the fun in the water too anyway.
Race ended early as the Management Office get complaints from some 'over sensitive' residents....must be complaining on the sound of my overblown whistle --- they said they cant sleep. :( Anyway, leave this aside, we still get lots of fun out of it.
Washed and changed....then feed the tummy with dumpling and fruits.
Monday, June 6, 2011
端午节
吃着昨天和家婆裹的粽子，想着多年以后，我会记得的是和老人家在这日子的互动， 而非纯粹吃老人家裹的粽子，就好象我告诉家婆，从中学时期，就和妈妈一起裹粽子一样，要吃就要裹，但同时也是表示说，“孝”--不是停留在“我记得某某人煮过，我喜欢。”， 而是“我记得我们这样子的互动过，在筹备中我们分享过，我学习过，然后传统的精神就这么流传下来。”感恩！：）
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Pre Wesak Day
Wanted to use beewax to make Prince Siddharta who recited the words "天上天下，唯我独尊。”upon birth.
Jo Ee said she want to make Buddha's disciple who lost his eyesight, ie. Anuruddha.
She remembered one of Buddha's 10 great disciples after reading the Buddha's story.
How wonderful!
I also made a red lotus for the little Buddha and the great disciple.
She made another cute little rabbit too.
See it watching at the side of the pond. :)
Jo Von placed some flowers on the water.
Yiyi had given the girls a piece of dry bodhi leave, so I let it stood in great honor behind the little Buddha.
Here is how our nature table now:
Upon completion, the girls had a fun time bathing the little Buddha and recited the words "礼佛足，接花香，祝福,吉祥，" A verse we all learned last week during Tzu Chi ceremony.
p/s: When i asked Jo Von to take this photo for me to upload, she was trying to teach me some new buttons and its usage from the camera. She discovered that the camera screen can be scrolled up and down using touch screen function. What a cheeky girl!
Jo Ee said she want to make Buddha's disciple who lost his eyesight, ie. Anuruddha.
She remembered one of Buddha's 10 great disciples after reading the Buddha's story.
How wonderful!
I also made a red lotus for the little Buddha and the great disciple.
She made another cute little rabbit too.
See it watching at the side of the pond. :)
Jo Von placed some flowers on the water.
Yiyi had given the girls a piece of dry bodhi leave, so I let it stood in great honor behind the little Buddha.
Here is how our nature table now:
Upon completion, the girls had a fun time bathing the little Buddha and recited the words "礼佛足，接花香，祝福,吉祥，" A verse we all learned last week during Tzu Chi ceremony.
p/s: When i asked Jo Von to take this photo for me to upload, she was trying to teach me some new buttons and its usage from the camera. She discovered that the camera screen can be scrolled up and down using touch screen function. What a cheeky girl!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
My parents- my first teachers.
What is the greatest legacy that my parents had both left for me?
This is what i have been thinking these days...
We were not rich back then, in fact, most of the time we were financially challenged.
And that's why mom had to sew, babysit and all of us(i mean mom, sis, bro, myself and granny ah ma) had involved in packing condoms, tie rackets string,cutting electrical components,filling up abacus....just to mention a few.
But truly what legacy they had left for us? What kind of attribute that I would like my children to know that i have picked up from MY PARENTS WHO WERE MY FIRST TEACHER? i think these need to be pondered about especially on this auspicious 4th month of the year and 15th day....A.k.a. Wesak Day.
1. Mom taught me what LEARNING is about: never give up learning, even at old age.
- She learned a lot, from sewing, chanting, reading newspaper from the internet at the age of 60, learning chanting from Youtube to baking all kinds of items without measurement and recipes on hand! phew!
- It is certainly not about the goodness and the ability that she can cook....I mean anyone can cook...just need some practise and passion.
But it is more about the INNER ABILITY that i see..... that i learnt anyone can do anything he/she wants as long as there is a will. Yes, mom possess that kind of WILL POWER....which i think i have either inherited or somehow it was nurtured in me.
- The fact that mom have very little grey hair doesnt mean that she is not old, but it also tells me that of all the old ladies who matter their looks more, they aged faster! Mom cares very little on her appearance and yet she aged the least! I will always cherish her hair which till today still as black as the ebony and yet she has never been ATTACHED to this thought of aging. Yes, DETACHMENT 放下is the profound wisdom that is passed on. 放下多自在呵！
2. Dad taught me about the value of MATERIAL: We have never admired anything of anybody else. And we give nothing on luxury a moment of attention. Who cares? The value to MATERIAL is equal to NOTHING......when he recited, "When wealth is lost nothing is lost, when health is lost something is lost, when character is lost everything is lost". He taught us about proverbs and I still remembered myself copying them and collecting them all from the old newspaper of NST. And i still do like to hear those good words from wise people. What goodness! :)
- Similarly, all material gifts to him are meaningless. That always brought me another GIFT, i.e.: That very best GIFT is already with myself --- the BUDDHAHOOD....just like everybody else! :)
3. Dad also taught me about HUMOUR: To be able to laugh at myself and to be able to see myself laughing at my past, present and future. Isnt this wonderful? The day he gave up smoking habit after 30 years of clinging to it, he taught me again about WILL POWER.
4. Granny Ah Ma used to say never to waste food and all rice and food were supposed to be finished. Well said, well done, well followed! And now i see the results(isnt this about the Law of Karma?) --- that now, bro, sis and I have never wasted the food and we are constantly having FREE food from friends and even strangers! How grateful we are! But i do see friends who wasted food and i do see at some point of their lives, they are suffering at their own cost, such as having dyslexia child(i hope they are not interrelated but i cant stop making it a point to ponder about).
- Ultimately, Ah Ma was the one who was the BODDHIGAYA菩萨 who taught me who Buddha, Dharma and Sangha was. When I was 11, i borrowed a book on Buddha's story and placed it beside the table fan in our room. Everyone was in the dining hall on that hot afternoon. Ah Ma went to the toilet and suddenly she had an inner calling which she said it was like the Buddha's calling that told her to open the room's door. There and then she changed her direction and turn the door knob. Fire was fuming out from the table fan! Short circuit had caused it to happen. Imagine the ceiling and the wooden tatami were also covered in thick black cloud. To add on, sis was still sleeping in the room unknowingly! Ah Ma extremely high pic voice awakened sis and she ran out. If not for the inner calling of Ah Ma, she would have been a roasted pig! And to my surprise, the Buddha's book which was placed by the side of the table fan, survived to minor burnt only! A book, made of simple paper, not fire proof though, had only one corner burnt to black! What could be the power? ---- if not for the great blessings that we all have possessed! That 'tragedy' was like a awaken call. Ah Ma prayed even harder every day --- till the day she died.
Her death, coupled with her sickness, was a lesson for me to cherish.
The 2 months that we all rotated at her bed in hospital to care and wash her wound and pee, and to tell her that everything was well and she has done the best, was a life moment for all of us to learn what BORN,OLD,SICK and DEATH 生老病死 is.
What a great blessing for her to be around to teach us!
What we have tried in our best to repay our parents effort:
1. Getting Mom to learn the Dharma at the time when she needed the most.
- This has to be credited to sis. She was the one who brought her to the temple the most. Mom initially learnt about Tibetan Buddhism and then later the Mahayana and also Theravada. Whichever it is, the crux of the learning is --- FINDING HAPPINESS and PUT MEANING IN LIFE. At golden age, i am glad she picked up the Dharma and is finding lots of interest in the profound Dharma. She once mentioned there are so much wisdom in the Dharma and she wanted to learn more.
As a daughter, i really feel at peace. Coz NO ONE, can be by the side of an aging parent ALL THE TIME. Having peace of mind is the best way of taking care of oneself. Wouldnt it be great we EMPOWER our parents to be THEMSELVES and to let them find their own way of HAPPINESS? Instead of clinging to TV, children, gossips, etc etc.
2. We take good care of ourselves.
- As a parent now i understand how i feel pain if my kids are hurt.
Similarly, i know mom will always get worried if i were to fall sick or having a sickness. But with all the knowledge and wisdom we have gained, we are able to take care of ourselves happily and peacefully. This is the best way to let our parents know that EVERYTHING IS WELL AND FINE. Not only well and fine by words, but inertly, we are well and fine...i mean OUR MINDS are well taken care of. :)
3. Being not used to express myself, Venerable Kai Zhao was the first teacher who taught me to send a thank you and sorry card to my parents when I was attending a Metta meditation retreat camp at the year 1997. If not for this start, I would have unknowingly think the best gifts to parents were:
- bring them to good place to eat
- provide them with money
So great to know that every day is like Mother's day and Father's Day?
I am now chanting and sending blessing to mom and dad during our before sleep blessing.
For the morning short chanting, I would also send all the blessings to my parents, and even parents of my pass lives. Distance and time are not a restriction anymore and I also feel there is peace in them and in myself.
For all these attributes and legacy that these beautiful people has passed on to us, I thank you and May my mother and father and ah ma be blessed with peace and happiness. May they be blessed with courage, wisdom, confidence, and great health.
May my parents of my pass lives be blessed with peace and happiness. May they find courage, wisdom and confidence in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu!
This is what i have been thinking these days...
We were not rich back then, in fact, most of the time we were financially challenged.
And that's why mom had to sew, babysit and all of us(i mean mom, sis, bro, myself and granny ah ma) had involved in packing condoms, tie rackets string,cutting electrical components,filling up abacus....just to mention a few.
But truly what legacy they had left for us? What kind of attribute that I would like my children to know that i have picked up from MY PARENTS WHO WERE MY FIRST TEACHER? i think these need to be pondered about especially on this auspicious 4th month of the year and 15th day....A.k.a. Wesak Day.
1. Mom taught me what LEARNING is about: never give up learning, even at old age.
- She learned a lot, from sewing, chanting, reading newspaper from the internet at the age of 60, learning chanting from Youtube to baking all kinds of items without measurement and recipes on hand! phew!
- It is certainly not about the goodness and the ability that she can cook....I mean anyone can cook...just need some practise and passion.
But it is more about the INNER ABILITY that i see..... that i learnt anyone can do anything he/she wants as long as there is a will. Yes, mom possess that kind of WILL POWER....which i think i have either inherited or somehow it was nurtured in me.
- The fact that mom have very little grey hair doesnt mean that she is not old, but it also tells me that of all the old ladies who matter their looks more, they aged faster! Mom cares very little on her appearance and yet she aged the least! I will always cherish her hair which till today still as black as the ebony and yet she has never been ATTACHED to this thought of aging. Yes, DETACHMENT 放下is the profound wisdom that is passed on. 放下多自在呵！
2. Dad taught me about the value of MATERIAL: We have never admired anything of anybody else. And we give nothing on luxury a moment of attention. Who cares? The value to MATERIAL is equal to NOTHING......when he recited, "When wealth is lost nothing is lost, when health is lost something is lost, when character is lost everything is lost". He taught us about proverbs and I still remembered myself copying them and collecting them all from the old newspaper of NST. And i still do like to hear those good words from wise people. What goodness! :)
- Similarly, all material gifts to him are meaningless. That always brought me another GIFT, i.e.: That very best GIFT is already with myself --- the BUDDHAHOOD....just like everybody else! :)
3. Dad also taught me about HUMOUR: To be able to laugh at myself and to be able to see myself laughing at my past, present and future. Isnt this wonderful? The day he gave up smoking habit after 30 years of clinging to it, he taught me again about WILL POWER.
4. Granny Ah Ma used to say never to waste food and all rice and food were supposed to be finished. Well said, well done, well followed! And now i see the results(isnt this about the Law of Karma?) --- that now, bro, sis and I have never wasted the food and we are constantly having FREE food from friends and even strangers! How grateful we are! But i do see friends who wasted food and i do see at some point of their lives, they are suffering at their own cost, such as having dyslexia child(i hope they are not interrelated but i cant stop making it a point to ponder about).
- Ultimately, Ah Ma was the one who was the BODDHIGAYA菩萨 who taught me who Buddha, Dharma and Sangha was. When I was 11, i borrowed a book on Buddha's story and placed it beside the table fan in our room. Everyone was in the dining hall on that hot afternoon. Ah Ma went to the toilet and suddenly she had an inner calling which she said it was like the Buddha's calling that told her to open the room's door. There and then she changed her direction and turn the door knob. Fire was fuming out from the table fan! Short circuit had caused it to happen. Imagine the ceiling and the wooden tatami were also covered in thick black cloud. To add on, sis was still sleeping in the room unknowingly! Ah Ma extremely high pic voice awakened sis and she ran out. If not for the inner calling of Ah Ma, she would have been a roasted pig! And to my surprise, the Buddha's book which was placed by the side of the table fan, survived to minor burnt only! A book, made of simple paper, not fire proof though, had only one corner burnt to black! What could be the power? ---- if not for the great blessings that we all have possessed! That 'tragedy' was like a awaken call. Ah Ma prayed even harder every day --- till the day she died.
Her death, coupled with her sickness, was a lesson for me to cherish.
The 2 months that we all rotated at her bed in hospital to care and wash her wound and pee, and to tell her that everything was well and she has done the best, was a life moment for all of us to learn what BORN,OLD,SICK and DEATH 生老病死 is.
What a great blessing for her to be around to teach us!
What we have tried in our best to repay our parents effort:
1. Getting Mom to learn the Dharma at the time when she needed the most.
- This has to be credited to sis. She was the one who brought her to the temple the most. Mom initially learnt about Tibetan Buddhism and then later the Mahayana and also Theravada. Whichever it is, the crux of the learning is --- FINDING HAPPINESS and PUT MEANING IN LIFE. At golden age, i am glad she picked up the Dharma and is finding lots of interest in the profound Dharma. She once mentioned there are so much wisdom in the Dharma and she wanted to learn more.
As a daughter, i really feel at peace. Coz NO ONE, can be by the side of an aging parent ALL THE TIME. Having peace of mind is the best way of taking care of oneself. Wouldnt it be great we EMPOWER our parents to be THEMSELVES and to let them find their own way of HAPPINESS? Instead of clinging to TV, children, gossips, etc etc.
2. We take good care of ourselves.
- As a parent now i understand how i feel pain if my kids are hurt.
Similarly, i know mom will always get worried if i were to fall sick or having a sickness. But with all the knowledge and wisdom we have gained, we are able to take care of ourselves happily and peacefully. This is the best way to let our parents know that EVERYTHING IS WELL AND FINE. Not only well and fine by words, but inertly, we are well and fine...i mean OUR MINDS are well taken care of. :)
3. Being not used to express myself, Venerable Kai Zhao was the first teacher who taught me to send a thank you and sorry card to my parents when I was attending a Metta meditation retreat camp at the year 1997. If not for this start, I would have unknowingly think the best gifts to parents were:
- bring them to good place to eat
- provide them with money
So great to know that every day is like Mother's day and Father's Day?
I am now chanting and sending blessing to mom and dad during our before sleep blessing.
For the morning short chanting, I would also send all the blessings to my parents, and even parents of my pass lives. Distance and time are not a restriction anymore and I also feel there is peace in them and in myself.
For all these attributes and legacy that these beautiful people has passed on to us, I thank you and May my mother and father and ah ma be blessed with peace and happiness. May they be blessed with courage, wisdom, confidence, and great health.
May my parents of my pass lives be blessed with peace and happiness. May they find courage, wisdom and confidence in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
我最快乐的一天
孩子都喜欢这么讲，“今天是我最快乐的一天。”
比如那天，竺妤说，“今天是我最快乐的一天，因为家瑜来找我玩，今天也有Spagetti吃。”
--- 家瑜打电话来，说要过来玩，这两个生日相差一天的好朋友，似乎就是那么有默契。
--- 至于意大利面哦，当然啦，今天的意大利面酱，是累积了3个礼拜的婉菁的有机番茄，才有的，煮起来都特别有味道。
也比如今天，柔帆说，“今天是我最快乐的一天，因为婉真阿姨带我和erica去画画比赛。”
--- 当然这两个瓜是因为喜欢在一起做着一样的事情。
今天，也是，我有生命中有意义的一天。和家婆一起去听“生命的价值”座谈会。有开尊师父和吴学勤医生主讲。
-- 我的省思：“人身真的难得，佛法也难闻，人身我已得，佛法我已闻，很多活我都说了，就常常少数对不起，要多做忏悔了。”
比如那天，竺妤说，“今天是我最快乐的一天，因为家瑜来找我玩，今天也有Spagetti吃。”
--- 家瑜打电话来，说要过来玩，这两个生日相差一天的好朋友，似乎就是那么有默契。
--- 至于意大利面哦，当然啦，今天的意大利面酱，是累积了3个礼拜的婉菁的有机番茄，才有的，煮起来都特别有味道。
也比如今天，柔帆说，“今天是我最快乐的一天，因为婉真阿姨带我和erica去画画比赛。”
--- 当然这两个瓜是因为喜欢在一起做着一样的事情。
今天，也是，我有生命中有意义的一天。和家婆一起去听“生命的价值”座谈会。有开尊师父和吴学勤医生主讲。
-- 我的省思：“人身真的难得，佛法也难闻，人身我已得，佛法我已闻，很多活我都说了，就常常少数对不起，要多做忏悔了。”
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Mothers day
"I bow to all generations of ancestors in my blood family.I see my mother and father, whose blood, flesh, and vitality are circulating in my own veins and nourishing every cell in me.Through them, I see my 4 grandparents.Their expectations, experiences, and wisdom have been transmitted from generations of ancestors.I carry in me the life, blood, experience, wisdom, happiness, and sorrow of all generations."
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
素鸡饭。pandan叶。数学
要煮素鸡饭。
需要pandan叶
我，“Jo VOn,可以帮妈咪采pandan吗?"
Jo von,"ok." ---- 开心的往外面的花盆去.
-----
Jo von,"哪，妈咪。”
我，“谢谢你。”
Jo Von 一面算一面说,"可是妈咪，我才采到3叶喔。还要去采多一叶吗？”
我，“不用了啦。也够了。”
---这，不是生活上的数学吗？
柔帆搞懂了什么是4-3=1.
难怪YJ要说幸亏把她从幼儿园里‘捉’会来玩。
需要pandan叶
我，“Jo VOn,可以帮妈咪采pandan吗?"
Jo von,"ok." ---- 开心的往外面的花盆去.
-----
Jo von,"哪，妈咪。”
我，“谢谢你。”
Jo Von 一面算一面说,"可是妈咪，我才采到3叶喔。还要去采多一叶吗？”
我，“不用了啦。也够了。”
---这，不是生活上的数学吗？
柔帆搞懂了什么是4-3=1.
难怪YJ要说幸亏把她从幼儿园里‘捉’会来玩。
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Ordinary but extraordinary life
Yesterday
We were resting.....probably just feel physically tired, but not the girls.
JE and JV were out there doing something.... not something fishy, but something we have yet to find out later, after we have a nap first.
zzzzzz.........
They were painting! Mixing the colors and made their own creations of skies, stars...
So wonderful to see how kids know what to do in their spare time.... :)
Today
Bought some sweet potato from Tesco and we have not been making sweet potato pao for sometime. Thought it would be good to have this done today. So i steamed the sweet potato and waited for JE to be back from school.
Get her to read the recipe and mix and knead all the ingredients.
JV helped out too.
Knead...knead....knead.
JE likes to have a bigger piece of tracing paper so that she can place all her nasi lemak, roti canai, karipap, chicken rice, etc on it. hmmmm.....guess this looks more like a tray.
JV makes me guess what she is kneading. It's a P, no, it's a 9. And it turns out to be B. Then she have more friends coming in, C, G, E, D and also snail.
Do i call this a Waldorf day? neh..... every day is Waldorf day, as long as we dont have that Extra Tuitions word in our dictionary.
What a leisure day! What a beautiful moment to live on! Living in the present moment....Sukhi Hotu!
We were resting.....probably just feel physically tired, but not the girls.
JE and JV were out there doing something.... not something fishy, but something we have yet to find out later, after we have a nap first.
zzzzzz.........
They were painting! Mixing the colors and made their own creations of skies, stars...
So wonderful to see how kids know what to do in their spare time.... :)
Today
Bought some sweet potato from Tesco and we have not been making sweet potato pao for sometime. Thought it would be good to have this done today. So i steamed the sweet potato and waited for JE to be back from school.
Get her to read the recipe and mix and knead all the ingredients.
JV helped out too.
Knead...knead....knead.
JE likes to have a bigger piece of tracing paper so that she can place all her nasi lemak, roti canai, karipap, chicken rice, etc on it. hmmmm.....guess this looks more like a tray.
JV makes me guess what she is kneading. It's a P, no, it's a 9. And it turns out to be B. Then she have more friends coming in, C, G, E, D and also snail.
Do i call this a Waldorf day? neh..... every day is Waldorf day, as long as we dont have that Extra Tuitions word in our dictionary.
What a leisure day! What a beautiful moment to live on! Living in the present moment....Sukhi Hotu!
Buddha
Has been reading the Buddha's stories to the girls....
They love it so much and listen to them in full engross..
柔帆：我想长大后做Buddha咯。
我：你当然可以呀。小的时候是小菩萨。
柔帆：可是我没有Buddha身上的Sarong
我：那是Robe，袈裟。
柔帆：哦，不要紧，我长大就会自己车了。
They love it so much and listen to them in full engross..
柔帆：我想长大后做Buddha咯。
我：你当然可以呀。小的时候是小菩萨。
柔帆：可是我没有Buddha身上的Sarong
我：那是Robe，袈裟。
柔帆：哦，不要紧，我长大就会自己车了。
Friday, April 22, 2011
Foldie bicycle
Bought this little cute 16 inch foldie bike from 表姑婆 today -- -Earth Day. Not really about Earth day but it's a reward for myself.
Having the thought of cycling around is fun!
I bought one aunty bicycle 1/2 yr ago but due to most of the land here are uphill, i was as tired as a dead fish after pushing it up. Gosh! :P
But it was another pushing factor that probably i WILL and I MAY cycled to longer distance --- just a very casual rider though..... no gadgets....
The most if i were to 'upgrade' myself would be to add on with a helmet.
My little toy:
This is how i described on how it felt to be on the bike:
"I am getting affectionately passionate about my dream..... but the one without gadgets please..... I remembered how breezy air brushed through my face when I was a kid, cycling around the neighborhood, cari kawan, went to the post office for stamps and money orders. And my mom's 'lao yiah' bike has brought me to so many places that i hardly need any further travelling plans....Yes, CONTENTMENT is the word! See the casual lady rider on the road who enjoys taking a ride to buy bread? --- That's how i spell SIMPLICITY."
Having the thought of cycling around is fun!
I bought one aunty bicycle 1/2 yr ago but due to most of the land here are uphill, i was as tired as a dead fish after pushing it up. Gosh! :P
But it was another pushing factor that probably i WILL and I MAY cycled to longer distance --- just a very casual rider though..... no gadgets....
The most if i were to 'upgrade' myself would be to add on with a helmet.
My little toy:
This is how i described on how it felt to be on the bike:
"I am getting affectionately passionate about my dream..... but the one without gadgets please..... I remembered how breezy air brushed through my face when I was a kid, cycling around the neighborhood, cari kawan, went to the post office for stamps and money orders. And my mom's 'lao yiah' bike has brought me to so many places that i hardly need any further travelling plans....Yes, CONTENTMENT is the word! See the casual lady rider on the road who enjoys taking a ride to buy bread? --- That's how i spell SIMPLICITY."
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Liver and gall stone cleansing
Using the recipe that Girly have used before just as in here:
Liver and Gall Bladder Cleansing
I managed to purge out about 30-40 gall stones.
Wanna see them?
Here you go：
Liver and Gall Bladder Cleansing
I managed to purge out about 30-40 gall stones.
Wanna see them?
Here you go：
Monday, April 18, 2011
On homeschooling - art work of an aquarium
Supposed to be knitting/weaving day. But Jo Von... says she dont want to do that today. Thinking...thinking...thinking...aha. She remembers an aquarium....She asks for a box. Paints the box. But she only have 2 sea shells... coz we says better to leave shells at the sea. She says its ok, she asks for the pebbles in my garden. Draw and cut fishes. Pasting...pasting...pasting.... There we have a 3D aquarium. :)
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Sushi day by Jo Ee
Mum is going to attend wet on wet class this morning. Wont be cooking lunch. Jo Ee happily volunteer to cook lunch for us. Wash rice, cook rice, mix rice with vinegar, get dad to chauffeur her to the market to buy japanese cucumber(coz this is the only thing we dont have in the house), shred cucumber and car...rot, cook egg, mix with mayo, rolling rice, decorating and cutting into small pieces little SUSHI! Dad says they taste better than mum's concoction. What a day to taste my 9 yr old creation! :D
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Caravan car with Nadja and family
Had a meet up with Nadja, Phillipe, Tom(9 yrs old) and Lena(11 yrs old) from Switzerland at the town.
They are driving their caravan all around the world.
Been to Iran, India, Thailand, etc.
They are driving their caravan all around the world.
Been to Iran, India, Thailand, etc.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
今天是领成绩单日子
今天是领成绩单日子。不是我们很注重成绩，而是今天有机会和级任老师更接近。会送上这份感激的信给老师。因为老师不可以再听到‘投诉’，这样的回馈对任何人都是很沉重的。我想家长要把老师的用心要放大，多说感恩的话，少做‘非法父母团讲不满的话。
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