SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT & TRY
I read in some of the Mummy blogs ... some very interesting to-do's. Some are quite ambitious for muah anyway but I thought oh what the heck! I can just try out some of their ideas & see how things go. I dun know if trying someone's way is "stealing" their ideas but I look at it as an appreciation of good brain cells. I mean if you see something good & incredible, why can't you follow it. Isn't it a great compliment if someone reads your blogs & think that what you're doing is a swell of an idea. I hope the Mummies I read from aren't offended if I try some of their ways in my blog. I have read some blogs that rave & rant about others copying their ideas or works, so I was kinda worried that the "owners" of these ideas might come looking to "sue" my pants off - I dearly hope not! I can't really write out or give credit to their blogs because I read tonnes of blogs at times & most times I can't even recall where I've read or seen the ideas or sparks. I just hope they don't mind me "emulating" a success story. So here goes ...
One of the blogs write of Snapshot Sunday. Taking 5 random pictures of mostly stuff, not people. Hhhmm, that might be kinda difficult for me as I just looovvee to take pictures of my son. But its a wonderful idea, I thought! Maybe my take of this won't be just of Sunday (why limit yourself to 1 day of the week?). Most probably I will look into Snapshots Weekend ... as we are mostly up & about during the weekends. I will try this out this end week & see how that works out.
One of the websites that I love reading is this - Wendolonia. This lady is really funny & witty. She has two sons & she writes about her family, bentos, crafts & life in general. She started this idea in 2009, blogging & photographing every day of her life, on a weekly basis. That sounds kinda interesting to me. The only glitch is that most weekdays, I am stuck at home with Ryan ... so how interesting can that be? Oh well, its worth a try though. I am a bit embarrassed about photographing our small & humble (& messy) home though. So I dunno, we'll just wait & see. This idea interests me coz if a photograph is taken for every day of the week, it kinda showcases your life in its entirety - 365 days a year! Its kinda cool to look back on the year passed in pictures, especially when you are a mummy to a 2 year old Energizer-Bunny, who's constantly active & squirmy. They say that kids grow up soooo fast ... its so true, I can vouch for that! So maybe having photographs documenting our lives will be a fantastic idea. Just go with the flow right .... ?
Well, I'm just gonna try out these few ideas (maybe this week) & see if it pans out. Wish me luck!
P. S : One of the reasons why I think these 2 ideas (among many) are good for me right now is because I feel that my blog needs a bit of focus (huh? u mean blogs need a focus-direction?!). Sometimes I ramble too much about nothing in particular & I take too many pictures of mundane, ordinary stuff. So I thought I needed to re-focus & take better pictures, that had more meaning & as a project of sorts. Oh well, let's see if my laziness doesn't set in too fast before I can try it out.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
MY SON, THE "MIX-ED" BOY!
I am feeling rather tired but I resolved 2 get more in print now when I have the chance coz I know that I might not have the chance 2 blog as much all the time. I have recently decided, 2 put more effort in my family's meals, cooking more often n trying 2 keep us healthy n well fed (haha ... aren't we already well fed enough?). I know that I have been rather lax lately (I think LAZY is more the word) ... so I'm trying my best, 2 make up for it.
Though I love eating (can't u tell, from my size?), I am determined 2 raise my son into a healthy young man. I am thankful that he has his daddy's "skinny" genes n not mine (very fat ones). Looking at Ryan ... most people would never have guessed that he "came out" of me, that he's my son (coz he's small-size & skinny but I'm short & fat). In fact, he looks a lot like his daddy (with the exception of his eyes n lashes), his skinny arms, his high ribs (rib-cage), his muscular calf's, his hyper-active ways n the fact that he can eat tonnes ... & not gain ANY weight. Ha! I wish I could "borrow" some of their gene-pool ... but I'm just glad that he's more like Steven than me, in this aspect.
At least I don't have to worry about his health, him being fat or overweight or constantly being ridiculed or looked down for being obese. Unlike Ryan, I was never the small or skinny kid. Though I'm at my heaviest now, I was never slim ... slim-mer maybe, but I can NEVER, EVER be considered thin or slender. And because I am short too (duh! good combination huh?), it makes it a double whammy. Sometimes I even wonder what Steven sees in me ....OK, OK ... stop being so depressing n negative! Just be thankful that Ryan got the right "share" of genes. One other thing that I hope Ryan "gets" from his daddy ... his height! So that he can be a slim, tall man ... not so much for looks or that sort but more because I know Ryan will have a "tough time" in other areas, amongst others, being neither a Chinese nor Malay.
That's why I wish, he would have certain favourable factors working for, rather than against, him. Already we get tonnes of comments like him being very fair, even for a Chinese baby! (u mean they expected him to be dark?! - just because I'm Malay). People are equally amazed that he is of mixed parentage because he looks more Chinese than Malay. Some people wonder why his eyes are so big n his eyelashes so long (being most of these comments made by the Chinese folk). How do I explain these strangers (without being extremely rude or obnoxious), that he's "mixed" - that's why!
Even his name is a clear reflection of his parentage. We decided on it because we wanted him to be a reflection of both his parents race & heritage. Because Ryan is neither "pure" Chinese nor Malay, in the eyes of the law he is Chinese by race (by virtue of his Daddy's race). Sometimes we get stares (or such), like when we speak in English in a Malay environment (like in Geylang or at a halal restaurant) or when he says words like - Nenek, Kakak or Atok ... to strangers who are obviously Chinese, & wonders why he's "calling" them in Malay.
Its a odd situation, I guess. We speak English because my hubby n me converse in that language n so naturally we raised our son in a similar fashion. I do try to inculcate, though randomly ... Malay words or the equivalent of an English word, so that Ryan can learn n understand his grandparents, cousins, aunts & uncles. Besides, wouldn't it be weird if he doesn't understand a word of Malay. Though I have 2 admit that I am not worried that he will not be able to converse in Malay because firstly ... I will not allow it to happen! Secondly, he's surrounded by his maternal relatives all the time, so that makes it impossible for him to "escape" being exposed to it. Thirdly, Malay is an easier language to pick up, conversation wise ... academically, now that's a different matter. In fact, I am worried that he will have a hard time with Mandarin.
As his daddy doesn't speak Mandarin nor his dialect at home, I wonder when will Ryan get to pick up on it. I do try to watch some Mediacorp's Mandarin series when we are at home & I noticed that Ryan loves watching them too. But that's as much as I can do at the moment. I know when he enters primary school, my worries will go into overdrive coz he will be expected to speak n learn Mandarin. We have decided to let Ryan take Mandarin as a second language because its clearly more advantageous for him in the future. Not only will it help him in his career, it only makes sense when you have a Chinese father (thus being Chinese by race) that you are able to speak the language. Doesn't it?!
Well, picking up dialects is another issue. Though I do want him to pick up his daddy's dialect, I don't really know how 2 help him in that. I guess Steven has 2 pick up the slack on this one as I am not dialect-inclined (unless u count swear words ... haha!). Language aside, religion n culture, rites & practices ... all these will square off in the near future. Ryan is a combination of two races, cultures & with it comes 2 sets of everything. He is both, but he is neither. Like his name, Ryan will be faced with numerous obstacles ... his allegiance questioned, his loyalty challenged, his choices criticised, his very existence ... being a dilemma.
Be it in everyday life or in the future, he will have to face the fact that some people of either side of the race, will give him a hard time. Some people just can't seem to understand why his parents had to marry in the first place, diluting the race n such (trust me, there are people like that!). Some can accept him, but question why he can't be one race over the other. Though many will never come to accept him as he is ... & I would understand, coz even lil old me, born of parents of the same race, find it hard to blend in with my own kind coz believe it or not, I don't really feel like I belonged there. I guess that's why I ended up marrying n dating outside of my race, having mainly only close Chinese friends, etc. Why? I really can't tell you ... its just been that way for the longest time.
A lot of my Malay schoolmates didn't "click" with me & vice versa. I naturally find myself mixing mostly with the other races. Am I odd? Maybe in that sense I am. I kinda had a very hard time, as a teenager, being the only Malay girl that didn't have a single Malay friend. The Malay girl that had a Chinese boyfriend, the Malay gal that speaks mostly in English ... so I sorta know how its feels to be on neither side of the fence. I can forsee that Ryan might go through some of the things that I had to go through in my younger days. He might be better off than me (I guess people are more open-minded now) or he might have a harder time, by virtue of his lineage. Even the prospects of marriage will be hard for him coz on either side of the race, there will be objections & rejections, especially with religion.
Though I longed for a child for the longest time, I could forsee that the children that I have will be faced with similar challenges because of the choices that Steven & I have made, being married to each other. All I can do is to give my children the skills to handle themselves in the future, guide them & pray for their happiness. I can only pray that their lives will be filled with much love and that they will be adored & cherised, for who they are and not what their race is. I hope they bring with them their rich heritage of Chinese & Malay roots, wherever life may take them. I want them to be proud of who they are & what they represent ... a combination of their parents' love.
To my beloved son, Ryan Yusuf, I have faith ... that you will grow up to be a good & strong man, responsible & dedicated, righteous & abled, noble & humble. What the future may bring, you will face it with dignity & pride, honour & loyalty. No matter what life gives you, be faithful to who you are & believe that though life ain't fair, do good things without expectations & you will be blessed with a life full of love & joy always. Although Mummy & Daddy will no longer be by your side when you are older, I know I will go away, with much pride because you will be the carrier of your Daddy's lineage n good honourable name. In you, we will live on ... always!
I am feeling rather tired but I resolved 2 get more in print now when I have the chance coz I know that I might not have the chance 2 blog as much all the time. I have recently decided, 2 put more effort in my family's meals, cooking more often n trying 2 keep us healthy n well fed (haha ... aren't we already well fed enough?). I know that I have been rather lax lately (I think LAZY is more the word) ... so I'm trying my best, 2 make up for it.
Though I love eating (can't u tell, from my size?), I am determined 2 raise my son into a healthy young man. I am thankful that he has his daddy's "skinny" genes n not mine (very fat ones). Looking at Ryan ... most people would never have guessed that he "came out" of me, that he's my son (coz he's small-size & skinny but I'm short & fat). In fact, he looks a lot like his daddy (with the exception of his eyes n lashes), his skinny arms, his high ribs (rib-cage), his muscular calf's, his hyper-active ways n the fact that he can eat tonnes ... & not gain ANY weight. Ha! I wish I could "borrow" some of their gene-pool ... but I'm just glad that he's more like Steven than me, in this aspect.
At least I don't have to worry about his health, him being fat or overweight or constantly being ridiculed or looked down for being obese. Unlike Ryan, I was never the small or skinny kid. Though I'm at my heaviest now, I was never slim ... slim-mer maybe, but I can NEVER, EVER be considered thin or slender. And because I am short too (duh! good combination huh?), it makes it a double whammy. Sometimes I even wonder what Steven sees in me ....OK, OK ... stop being so depressing n negative! Just be thankful that Ryan got the right "share" of genes. One other thing that I hope Ryan "gets" from his daddy ... his height! So that he can be a slim, tall man ... not so much for looks or that sort but more because I know Ryan will have a "tough time" in other areas, amongst others, being neither a Chinese nor Malay.
That's why I wish, he would have certain favourable factors working for, rather than against, him. Already we get tonnes of comments like him being very fair, even for a Chinese baby! (u mean they expected him to be dark?! - just because I'm Malay). People are equally amazed that he is of mixed parentage because he looks more Chinese than Malay. Some people wonder why his eyes are so big n his eyelashes so long (being most of these comments made by the Chinese folk). How do I explain these strangers (without being extremely rude or obnoxious), that he's "mixed" - that's why!
Even his name is a clear reflection of his parentage. We decided on it because we wanted him to be a reflection of both his parents race & heritage. Because Ryan is neither "pure" Chinese nor Malay, in the eyes of the law he is Chinese by race (by virtue of his Daddy's race). Sometimes we get stares (or such), like when we speak in English in a Malay environment (like in Geylang or at a halal restaurant) or when he says words like - Nenek, Kakak or Atok ... to strangers who are obviously Chinese, & wonders why he's "calling" them in Malay.
Its a odd situation, I guess. We speak English because my hubby n me converse in that language n so naturally we raised our son in a similar fashion. I do try to inculcate, though randomly ... Malay words or the equivalent of an English word, so that Ryan can learn n understand his grandparents, cousins, aunts & uncles. Besides, wouldn't it be weird if he doesn't understand a word of Malay. Though I have 2 admit that I am not worried that he will not be able to converse in Malay because firstly ... I will not allow it to happen! Secondly, he's surrounded by his maternal relatives all the time, so that makes it impossible for him to "escape" being exposed to it. Thirdly, Malay is an easier language to pick up, conversation wise ... academically, now that's a different matter. In fact, I am worried that he will have a hard time with Mandarin.
As his daddy doesn't speak Mandarin nor his dialect at home, I wonder when will Ryan get to pick up on it. I do try to watch some Mediacorp's Mandarin series when we are at home & I noticed that Ryan loves watching them too. But that's as much as I can do at the moment. I know when he enters primary school, my worries will go into overdrive coz he will be expected to speak n learn Mandarin. We have decided to let Ryan take Mandarin as a second language because its clearly more advantageous for him in the future. Not only will it help him in his career, it only makes sense when you have a Chinese father (thus being Chinese by race) that you are able to speak the language. Doesn't it?!
Well, picking up dialects is another issue. Though I do want him to pick up his daddy's dialect, I don't really know how 2 help him in that. I guess Steven has 2 pick up the slack on this one as I am not dialect-inclined (unless u count swear words ... haha!). Language aside, religion n culture, rites & practices ... all these will square off in the near future. Ryan is a combination of two races, cultures & with it comes 2 sets of everything. He is both, but he is neither. Like his name, Ryan will be faced with numerous obstacles ... his allegiance questioned, his loyalty challenged, his choices criticised, his very existence ... being a dilemma.
Be it in everyday life or in the future, he will have to face the fact that some people of either side of the race, will give him a hard time. Some people just can't seem to understand why his parents had to marry in the first place, diluting the race n such (trust me, there are people like that!). Some can accept him, but question why he can't be one race over the other. Though many will never come to accept him as he is ... & I would understand, coz even lil old me, born of parents of the same race, find it hard to blend in with my own kind coz believe it or not, I don't really feel like I belonged there. I guess that's why I ended up marrying n dating outside of my race, having mainly only close Chinese friends, etc. Why? I really can't tell you ... its just been that way for the longest time.
A lot of my Malay schoolmates didn't "click" with me & vice versa. I naturally find myself mixing mostly with the other races. Am I odd? Maybe in that sense I am. I kinda had a very hard time, as a teenager, being the only Malay girl that didn't have a single Malay friend. The Malay girl that had a Chinese boyfriend, the Malay gal that speaks mostly in English ... so I sorta know how its feels to be on neither side of the fence. I can forsee that Ryan might go through some of the things that I had to go through in my younger days. He might be better off than me (I guess people are more open-minded now) or he might have a harder time, by virtue of his lineage. Even the prospects of marriage will be hard for him coz on either side of the race, there will be objections & rejections, especially with religion.
Though I longed for a child for the longest time, I could forsee that the children that I have will be faced with similar challenges because of the choices that Steven & I have made, being married to each other. All I can do is to give my children the skills to handle themselves in the future, guide them & pray for their happiness. I can only pray that their lives will be filled with much love and that they will be adored & cherised, for who they are and not what their race is. I hope they bring with them their rich heritage of Chinese & Malay roots, wherever life may take them. I want them to be proud of who they are & what they represent ... a combination of their parents' love.
To my beloved son, Ryan Yusuf, I have faith ... that you will grow up to be a good & strong man, responsible & dedicated, righteous & abled, noble & humble. What the future may bring, you will face it with dignity & pride, honour & loyalty. No matter what life gives you, be faithful to who you are & believe that though life ain't fair, do good things without expectations & you will be blessed with a life full of love & joy always. Although Mummy & Daddy will no longer be by your side when you are older, I know I will go away, with much pride because you will be the carrier of your Daddy's lineage n good honourable name. In you, we will live on ... always!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)