Poch Ang Ina Mo

Signing Off

2009-06-11T15:28:00.020-04:00

I have decided to end the pochanginamo blog.

Rama is growing and changing so fast. Somehow, it just doesn't feel right anymore to be so out-there with life with her. Besides, most of what happens to us these days are delightfully unremarkable.

The 300++ posts in the archive remain as a record of her early, eventful, learningful years. We went through her 5th, 6th and 7th birthday on this blog!

Feel free to poke around. It's a fun read, I've been told. Some of my personal faves:

Our very first post, the hirit that inspired me to document this precious wit.

On her first BFF.

She helps her adults cope, as posted here.

She loves her dollies.

We took videos, too. Doing covers of Doo Bee Doo here, and Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah here.

We went to Disneyland - and talked about that here and here.

We dealt with bullies.

We moved halfway across the globe.

And we're still hanging on to Filipino.

To think that she kept messing up her English when she was still starting to learn it.

I have not quit blogging completely - we may stumble into each other again sometime on the interwebs, who knows?

A big shout out to people who have been coming here faithfully or unfaithfully - thank you.

Let's see- here's the first picture I posted ever, in November 2006.

And here's what she looked like this morning, waiting for the school bus.

That's all, folks!

The Sole Purpose Of This Photo...

2009-05-31T11:33:00.002-04:00

... is none other than to freak out her lola in Manila. "Delikado yaaaaaaaannnnnn!"

Rama, Meet Carlos

2009-05-25T20:18:00.008-04:00

It's not like they haven't met before. Rama met Carlos on a few occasions in Manila. And she still recognized him after all these years. Last weekend, I took her to see the famous Intramuros tour... in Toronto!

The performance. When Carlos was talking about adobe - in the context of available building materials in Manila then- Rama got a bit confused: "I thought he said adobo."

Rama described Carlos as "hilarious." Even as she looks so serious here.

During the intermission, I went to the second floor of the venue and took this. The space was a garage-by-day-artspace-venue-by-night. Very improv, and therefore, very Pinoy.

For the finale, halo-halo for everyone!

Post-performance. Both of them were distracted by another kid playing (and popping) balloons.
Loved the show. Loved seeing Carlos again. Loved that Rama got a taste of Manila in Toronto.

So Gay

2009-05-13T10:34:00.001-04:00

Nighttime cuddles.

Rama: I love you so much. Sooooooo much.
Me: What color is your love for me?
Rama: Rainbow! With glitters!

Kitschy-Crafty Melts Heart

2009-05-10T19:18:00.003-04:00

I was Rama-less all weekend up until 5 pm on Sunday. And then, when we meet at the park, she runs toward me and I get presented with this. Each "petal" - not the pink ones, but the paper petals attached to the paper plate - had a message on the other side. "Pick one!" she'll say. One said, "Mom, I will help wash dishis." Another said, "Mom, I will help fix the bed." Her favorite, which she always turned toward me, read "Mom, I will love you always and for EVER."

Birthday Sunday

2009-05-03T18:59:00.009-04:00

Today, Sunday, was her actual birthday.

We started the day easy, eventually making it out of the apartment.

And headed for our usual brunch place for her fave, toast soldiers.

After that, we hit the park.
This is Rama's can-you-please-get-the-camera-out-of-my-face-and-let-me-play-in-peace look.

After the park, we went home for a quick refuel - grilled cheese sandwich, fruit and fish sticks.

Did more riding outside, this time on bikes. The destination was the playground closer to us. No pix here, as I was on the bike, too.

Just chilling now at home, watching Nemo.

Before we sign off, another Melanie Marquez moment from today.

Rama sees a little girl on a bike, in full safety gear - helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads, the works. In full neon colors, too. Rama, of course, takes notice and is slightly envious.

Rama: Aw, I wish I had knee paddles.

ANO DAW? Knee pads pala.

SE7EN

2009-05-03T09:17:00.011-04:00

So Rama turned 7 this weekend.

By noon, I had already put up the party decor at the apartment. True Love is blowing 4o balloons by yourself (I actually bought 50, but I thought 40 filled up the apartment quite nicely).

Birthday girl dons her dress, which was the same dress she wore last year when she turned 6. And also during Halloween in '08. We're not divas that way; we will repeat outfits. She accessorizes with the crown, naturally, and shell jewelry from Boracay.

First stop for the party peeps is the theatre in our building. We watched Tales of Desperaux (Rama's choice).

Then the party moved to the pool.
And finally, we headed back to the apartment for snacks and the blowing of the candles. The girls loved the pizza, pasta and other treats. Piece de resistance was this lovely tiered cake. Rama originally planned to have the faces of all her guests photographed, printed and somehow crafted so the cake was decorated with pictures of guests. We didn't manage that - she got shy and didn't want me to go to her school to take pictures. But the cake had princess figures as sugar cookies and everyone got a princess.
We hosted 8 girls. It became difficult for her to stick to the 7-guests-only rule. Her party was the talk of recess and people were asking to be invited. Her guests also included a couple of grade 2 girls, which surprised me.
The highlight for me was overhearing this exchange, after the guests saw her room, our place, the spread:

Guest: Rama, you are so lucky.

Rama: Thanks, I know.

Winding down at night, she was still playing with her balloons. It was a very good day. Lucky we are, indeed.

Rama Sings!

2009-04-26T19:59:00.002-04:00

Can you tell how she loves to sing?

She asked me, though, not to show my friends. Uh oh. Sneaky me. Don't tell.

Peeling Off The Layers

2009-04-25T08:50:00.003-04:00

We are just loving the milder weather.

Waiting for the bus ride home last Thursday. The purple down jacket stuffed in the backpack.

Especially when just in March, it was crazy-cold like this:

Waiting for the bus to school.

<3

2009-04-15T09:49:00.004-04:00

Rama: You know how big the heart is? Like your fist.
Me: Kasya ba ako diyan sa heart mo?
Rama: No. But you're not here. You're in the heart in my brain. That's where I love you really big. 'Cause I think about you all the time.... If you're in my heart here (points to chest), hindi kasya, it's that big, my skin will rip!

Tagalog Lessons

2009-04-08T15:32:00.002-04:00

Everyday, I struggle with holding on to Filipino. Every chance I get, I try to get her to speak. I'm pretty sure she understands, because she seems to enjoy Tagalog movies, and follows my instructions. But it's really difficult, because she already thinks in English. But, I persevere.

Our morning lesson today, while cuddling in bed:

Me: Ano sa Tagalog ang horse?
Rama: Kabayo.
Me: Ano sa Tagalog ang dog?
Rama: Aso!

And so on. Until it was time to get up and prep for breakfast.

Me: Ano ang kakainin natin ngayon?
Rama: Gulay!

Award!

2009-04-04T20:10:00.002-04:00

Friday afternoon, I got a phone call from Rama's teacher. I don't know if it's a parent thing, but it's one of the rare times that I got a terrible sense of dread and fear, just upon hearing who the caller was. I really thought Rama - or I - was in trouble. (That day was potentially trouble, because I thought I had messed up the dates when Rama was supposed to NOT bring baon and have lunch in the daycare. Rama and I went back and forth about it - she's saying she needed lunch, I insisting that no, your daycare will have lunch for you. I thought she went without lunch that day. These were the thoughts racing in my little paranoid mind. But I digress.)

The actual reason for the call was actually cause for joy.

Teacher: Rama has been working so hard lately. She is Student of the Month. Please come to the General Assembly on Monday so you can be there for the awarding. Bring a camera. Congratulations.

Thanks, I stammered.

When I picked her up that afternoon, I had to verify with the teacher that it was a surprise. So Rama had no idea she was receiving an award on Monday.

Monday morning, still playing cool, I took her to school, rather than her taking the school bus. (My excuse for taking her to school that morning was that I had to see a classmate whose hair - or weave - fell off. Which Rama brought home. Why a first-grader is wearing a weave, I don't know. Rama doesn't realize it's a weave, of course. She just thinks that "Ashlyn's hair fell off. It wasn't painful.")

Anyway, after seeing the kid-with-the-weave, Rama shooed me away. I just hung around, and when the entire assembly entered the gym, the venue for the event, Rama and her classmates must have figured out that she was getting the award this month.

It was a simple enough ceremony, with teachers in every grade level calling up the Student of the Month. Here's her certificate of fabulousness, in their words.
And then when all the kids had gone back to the classrooms, the students of the month had their pics taken by the principal for posting on the honor wall (behind her in the pic below), where all past students of the month have their mugs.

At the end of the day, when I pick her up, I ask, Gusto mo mag-pasyal? Celebrate tayo?

Rama: Celebrate what?

Me: Student of the month!

Rama: Oh.

She had already forgotten. So we went to a nice restaurant downtown, Terroni. It used to be an old courthouse, and the grandness is still there. Our table was in this skylit room.

The high points for Rama were the chandeliers...

And the fancy-shmancy washrooms...

And the pizza, of course. Which disappeared quickly, so didn't get to take a pic. She polished off all-but-one-slice of the pizza.

National Anthem

2009-03-31T18:21:00.001-04:00

Rama sings to me O Canada.

Me: Alam mo pa yung sa Pilipinas?

She proceeds to hum the melody.

Rama: It's beautiful. I don't know the words. But I know the story. There's a war. And somebody died. And it's your fault.

She was remembering the last line, "ang mamatay nang dahil sa 'yo."

Earth Hour 2009

2009-03-28T19:33:00.002-04:00

I didn't want to needlessly lecture Rama about Earth Hour and Saving The Earth; I figured they had somehow already talked about it in school. Indeed, they had. She already knew about it. And then some.

Me: Earth Hour tonight. Do you know what that's about?

Rama: Ya. You turn off the lights, everything, for an hour, to save energy. Because the earth needs saving.

Me: Korak.

Rama: But I think it's not enough. The earth is too big to be saved just by lights.

I don't think she fully appreciates how bang-on her statement is.

Heirloom?

2009-03-28T13:38:00.001-04:00

Rama: Mommy, I love you so much. When you die, can I have this?

Gimme A Break

2009-03-22T20:39:00.002-04:00

Sunday night, the last night of Spring Break. Tomorrow, back to school

Rama: I think I have to do homework.

Me: Wala. You were on break. Your teacher won't give you homework over the break.

Rama: Why did we have a break?

Me: Everyone needs a break, every now and then. It's good to rest and not do anything or worry about anything.

Rama: Why don't moms have breaks?

Motherhood, a 24/7 gig. A fact that my little one appreciates. Yes!

Barbies

2009-03-12T20:15:00.002-04:00

I know it's your 50th, dear Barbie. But, sorry na lang. Rama has issues.

Me: Rama, lapit na birthday ni D (a friend, 9 years old). Ano kaya gift natin?

Rama: What do girls like? Barbies! Except me. I don't play with Barbies. I only play with stuff that can stand up. Barbies can't stand. They just do this (proceeds to demonstrate falling forward). Ya, they just fall.

I just thought about all the arguments against Barbie, that the dolls set unrealistic standards of beauty for girls. If she were a real woman, with her proportions, Barbie wouldn't be able to stand. Turns out, Rama gets it.

Rama-speak

2009-03-09T18:49:00.001-04:00

According to Rama, her mom is now "payatot-er."

Teenagers

2009-03-06T21:12:00.004-05:00

Rama: After summer, I'll be in Grade 2?

Me: Yes. And then Grade 3, Grade 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and then you're a teenager!

Feigning despair. Waaaaaa!

Rama: Remember my promise? Even if I'm a teenager, you can still kiss and hug me.

Me: But all teenagers do is play on their DS (Nintendo) and never talk to their parents. Waaaaa!

Rama: I don't even have a DS.

And then she proceeds to comfort and reassure me. "I decided I don't want a boyfriend. And I'll still talk with you. I'll spend more time with you than my friends... We'll still kiss and hug Etc Etc."

A couple of hours later, I plop on the couch with the laptop. Silently surfing, mumbling absent-mindedly when she says something. Rama notices.

Rama: Hey, what are you doing? You're like a teenager.

A Super-Uneventful Weekend (With Lots of Pictures)

2009-03-01T17:11:00.010-05:00

As the title suggests, it was a wala-lang weekend. Holed up on Saturday. This is what cabin fever can do to someone.

Rama rounds up the usual suspects.

On Sunday, after breakfast, we manage to pile on the layers for a walk outside.

Spotted a tagged swan. This was number 155.

Didn't go over that bridge. Instead, went under it. This bridge crosses Humber River. This area is where the river meets the lake. And the riverside path (biking, running trail) is an ancient First Nations' trail. We like the metal animal sculptures embedded in the walls - turtles, snakes...

Rama likes picking up rocks along the way. Some of them made it home with us.
Lunch was take-out pizza from the local trattoria. This was apparently a highlight for Rama, as I read in her journal. She still managed to write enough to fill up a page, even if we really didn't do much.

Free!

2009-03-01T14:07:00.004-05:00

So up here in Canada, Tim Horton's is a national donuts-and-coffee chain. At this time, they're running their annual Roll Up The Rim promo, where you can win a boat, a car, or other prizes - you find out by rolling up the rim of your coffee cup. Rama's papi won something and was quite enthused while telling us about it over breakfast at home.

Papi: I won a free cup of coffee!
Rama: How?

And a brief, animated discussion of the promo ensued. By this time, coffee was ready and I set it out on the counter.

Rama: There's your coffee, Papi. It's free.

Birthday Party: The Guest List

2009-02-27T19:00:00.005-05:00

So her birthday is coming up. And it looks like she's having some difficulty keeping to the number-of-guests rule. Whatever age you're turning is how many friends you can invite. Seems she has more than 7 friends now. And so the questioning begins.

Rama: Why is that rule like that?
Me: Because whatever your age is just how many guests you can handle at your party.
Rama: So when I was a baby, I handled only 1 person?

Well, Well, Well

2009-02-26T20:18:00.002-05:00

On one of our walks, we noticed a manhole cover. It wasn't on a concrete path, but set apart. So Rama thought it was a well.

Rama: A well! Just like in Coraline!
Me: Yes! A lot of stories have wells. Coraline, Enchanted...

Rama: Also Sadako.

I was surprised and a little concerned that this was top of mind.

Missing Pilipinas, Again

2009-02-26T11:15:00.006-05:00

Rama was really ill a couple of weeks back (cough, cold, fever, the works). She's better, fully recovered now. But that threw us off our routine for a while. Because of the illness, the meds and general discomfort during the night, mornings were extra-difficult - we were both groggy and slow. As a result, we often missed the bus. We missed her school bus a few times. And, a couple of times going home, she was slow and tired so we also missed our usual bus. Worse, we see it pulling away from our stop, we make a dash for it, and we would still miss it, much to my chagrin.

This morning, still sleepy in bed, perhaps dreading another panicked run to the bus stop, she mused:

Rama: Don't you wish we were in Pilipinas? There, you'll never miss the jeeps. They're slow.

Scents

2009-02-22T20:23:00.003-05:00

Sunday was groceries and a haircut for Rama. One of our purchases was this "kikay" set of SmackersTM lip gloss ("ice creamies"), lip gloss ("ice creamies fresh strawberries") and lip frosting ("whipped cream"). They all smelled delicious. We were putting them all on and raving.

Me: Ooooh. Sarap nito. Amoy.... mamon! Ang sarap...
Rama: This one, bubble gum. No, it's cake!

Yummy yummy. On and on.

By the way, it also came with the bright pink nail polish.

Me: Yan, ano amoy?
Rama (deadpan): Amoy gas.

Random Musing: Sick Pet Fish

2009-02-22T14:31:00.002-05:00

Not sure really how this discussion came about. We were just talking about animals and what would make good pets.

Rama: Fish. Hard when they get sick. You can't find out. You can't put the thermometer in their mouth. And, they don't have kili-kili.

A Gaiman Saturday

2009-02-21T10:05:00.002-05:00

We're pumped about seeing Coraline (in 3D!) later today. We viewed the trailer online and poked around the movie's official site. Hence, the button eyes above.

Bummer

2009-02-14T12:16:00.002-05:00

Rama: Mommy, what do you want me to draw?

We've drawn princesses, meals, food, furniture... So I thought I would spice it up a bit.

Me: Can you draw my butt?

Rama comes back with this:

This was more flattering than the actual thing; I inherited my mother's wide, ample hips. So I checked with Rama how she really perceived my backside.

Me: Uy! Ganyan ba kapayat?
Rama: Hindi lang kasya sa paper.

Rama Realizes Something

2009-02-02T18:54:00.001-05:00

Rama: You're the best mommy ever! Uhm, it's not like I have a choice, right?

Scents of Pilipinas

2009-02-02T18:48:00.002-05:00

Rama catches a whiff of barbecue on the trip home.

Rama: Do you smell that? Doesn't it remind you of the hot place?
Me: What hot place?
Rama: The hot place with a park. It's the same smell.

She meant Salcedo Market. She would always be too hot there and we would just cool down with a smoothie. Never realized the barbecue smell registered.

So what else is there in the hot place?

Rama: Food. Smoothies. Loud people. It's just like where Jasmine visited, the marketplace.

Accents

2009-01-29T09:53:00.003-05:00

Breakfast this morning, waffles.

Me: C'mon, Rama! Let's have waffles.
Rama: Why do you say wah-fols? Tagalog people say it like that, wah-fol. I'm from the Phiilippines, but I can still say waffle... Or even, Niagara. Honey says Naya-gara. She can't say it like Niagara. She should just say 'water falls.' It's the same thing.

Rama's Christmas Wish 2009

2009-01-25T20:33:00.004-05:00

Rama is already thinking of Christmas 2009. She wrote a note to Santa.

Dear Santa Clos.
I wood like a real majik wond.
From Rama

Me: Ano naman ang mama-gikin mo with your wand?
Rama: What would YOU like to have?
Me: Hmm. Nothing really. I have everything I need.
Rama: I didn't say need. I said LIKE. Ok, what's your favorite thing?
Me: Our books!
Rama: You want more books? Like books that we still don't have here in our house?
Me: You're funny.
Rama: What about a spy-er? Like you ask it, what's happening in the whole world, and it will show you?

Boyfriends

2009-01-25T20:15:00.003-05:00

Sunday evening. We are watching Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah Zee Movie. Got a new DVD copy during our trip to the Philippines. The first copy wore out after pretty heavy rotation on our DVD.

Watching the movie again sparks some curious conversation.

Early in zee movie, Ada is so sad after meeting Lester. I was just testing whether Rama could follow the story.

Me: Why is she sad?
Rama: Lester left her. He went to a different place.
Me: Why?
Rama: Because Lester's mom doesn't want him to have a bakla girlfriend.
Me: Oh.

She goes on.

Rama: Me, I won't be sad if my boyfriend leaves. Because I won't have a boyfriend. Ever. I don't like boyfriends. I mean, I like boyfriends, but only if they're not my own.
Me: What do you mean?
Rama: Like Tita Pepper. She has a boyfriend, Tito Mark. Oh, wait. No, he's her husband now.

Weekend Round-up

2009-01-18T19:18:00.002-05:00

We finally got around to checking out the Jurassic exhibit at the Royal Ontario Museum. Did other fun stuff too: simple things like rolling in the snow, paper crafts indoors, etc.

When Sunday evening came around, Rama posed a question that I think everyone I know could relate to: Why is the weekend only two days?

Random on Butter

2009-01-18T11:19:00.003-05:00

Rama's current food fave is basic butter on bread. We were having some for breakfast, and she was bugging me about putting more butter.

Rama: I don't see the butter.
Me: Meron na yan. Sometimes, when butter melts on the bread, you don't see it. Just because you don't see it, doesn't mean it's not there. Just like god.
Rama: Oh. I like god. And butter.

We Don't Like Botox

2009-01-16T18:41:00.002-05:00

While I was surfing (facebook, i think), Rama spotted an ad on the side of the screen. It was a picture of a woman getting injections on her face.

Rama: What's that?
Me: Some people have injections on their face.
Rama: Why?
Me: They don't like lines. The injections take away the lines. It's called botox.
Rama: Seriously? Even here? (points to under-eye area)
Me: Yes. Para walang lines.
Rama: Lines? They don't like lines?
Me: Yes. Here, here, here (as I point out the usual problem areas - crows feet, cheeks, etc)
Rama: You know what, my smile is really pretty. And you know why? It's because of the lines!

We Heart Boracay

2009-01-15T06:39:00.003-05:00

The kids spend hours on end in the sand. Sand, then swim, then back to the sand.

On a tip from a dear friend B, we went "helmet diving." Rama went down twice during our trip. At first she was scared (who wouldn't be?). But got the hang of it. Eventually, she was strolling around underwater on her own. 20 feet under for 20 minutes. Amazing.

We got her a shell necklace, as a souvenir. (The necklace is one of her most prized possessions today - she wears it under layers of winter clothes.) She asked to buy another one: pasalubong for Britney. We hope to see Britney on Saturday to give it to her.

One jetlagged night, she said that the next time we visit Pilipinas, we should "go straight to Boracay."

Sharing Movies

2009-01-15T06:15:00.003-05:00

This is Rama's way of sharing her movies with loved ones in the Philippines.

The audience in the Philippines views, via webcam, the movie playing on her portable DVD player, propped up on risers of books, CD folder, DVDs, etc. Showing tonight is Aquamarine.

Crying Ladies II

2009-01-09T08:27:00.002-05:00

On the early morning flight from Manila to Toronto (via HK). Deja vu!

Rama, teary-eyed: I miss Honey (the lola).
Me: Ayan, naiiyak na rin ako.
Rama: Crying Ladies tayo?

Crying Ladies happened to be one movie on heavy rotation on our DVD player during our short-but-oh-so-sweet trip to Manila.

And the tragi-comedy continues: I hand her a tissue. Which I pulled from my jacket pocket. Which was soaked in White Flower.

Arrraaayyyy!

I talk her through it and manage to curb a panic attack. (The trick was to let the tears flow. Washing with water will only make it worse.) We were both reminded of a scene in Crying Ladies where they used Vicks to bring on the tears. Except Hilda Coronel put way too much Vicks and ended up crying for real.

Club Princess

2009-01-06T21:24:00.002-05:00

Rama simply loved her princess make-over by Club Princess at High Street. Damang-dama.

Dancing Queen

2009-01-03T22:45:00.003-05:00

"You are the dancing queen, young and sweet, only seventeen
Dancing queen, feel the beat from the tambourine
You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene, diggin' the dancing queen..."

We've been enjoying Mamma Mia, ever since we saw it on the long flight to Manila. This morning's conversation, about the words to Dancing Queen. Rama didn't quite get all of it:

Rama: It doesn't make sense...

I thought she was having trouble with the idiom, "diggin' the dancing queen." So I said, "Yes, diggin' the dancing queen, what does that mean, right?"

Rama: That part makes sense. They're burying the queen.

A Christmas Carol

2009-01-03T14:06:00.002-05:00

Watching A Christmas Carol with Rama. She notices the following exchange.

Ghost of Christmas Present: I am the spirit of Christmas present! Now look upon me. You have never seen the like of me before!
Scrooge: Never?
Ghost of Christmas Present: Yet how many of my brothers have you rejected in your miserable lifetime?
Scrooge: I have never met any of your brothers, sir!
Ghost of Christmas Present: You have never looked for them!
Scrooge: But how many of them are there?
Ghost of Christmas Present: What year is this?
Scrooge: 18 hundred and sixty!
Ghost of Christmas Present: Then I have eighteen hundred and fifty nine brothers. Each year at this time, one of us visits this puny little planet to spread happiness and to remove as much as we can from the causes of human misery. Which is why I've come to see you...

Rama: Eighteen hundred and fifty nine brothers?! That's a lot of brothers. His mom must have died.

Adults burst out laughing.

Rama: It's not funny.

She's So Pun-ny!

2008-12-29T11:31:00.002-05:00

Rama is getting better at reading. She enjoys reading signs, t-shirts, etc. One random t-shirt she spotted had "Bohol" on it. She was struggling with the pronunciation - "Bow-hol?" I helped her out.

Me: Bohol!
Rama: Oh. Boo-hol. Like if you go into a hallway, and it's scary, it's Boo Hall!

Us

2008-12-25T03:12:00.000-05:00

Holidays 2008

Noche Buena

2008-12-24T22:37:00.001-05:00

It was Rama's first time to wait up for 12 MN to roll around and open presents at the strike of 12.

The following morning, I asked her about it.

Me: So you slept really late.
Rama: No! I stayed up late. And then slept when it was morning! I was like an aswang.

Tenkyu

2008-12-24T08:18:00.003-05:00

In the middle of my meal, Rama was about to crash on the couch. I was concerned about her jetlag, and went over to her, fussing with blankets, pillows, etc.

Me: Are you ok? Comfortable?
Rama: Yes. I'll just sleep here.
Me: Can I go back to the table to eat?
Rama: I didn't ask you to come here...
Me: Oh. But I just wanted to make sure you were ok.
Rama: Oh. Tenkyu, tenkyu, ang babait ninyo, tenkyu.

Sampayan, Etc.

2008-12-19T20:02:00.002-05:00

Rama and I landed in Manila a couple of nights ago. We are jetlagging bad - it's 9am on a Saturday morning and we have been up since 3am. We went to Mini Stop shortly after waking, to get some stuff for an early (very early) breakfast. What we did - this dead-of-night walk in the neighborhood in chinelas and pambahay - was unheard of in Toronto. And this was not lost on Rama. While we were out:

Rama: Whoa. If this were Canada, we'd be frozen!

Another observation on the drive from the airport. She sees clothes drying on the lines. She's struck by an interesting detail.

Rama: I see many underwear.

As I write this, she is watching Crying Ladies and playing with her paypay picked up from Salcedo Market.

How is our trip going so far? Rama summed it up nicely during our walk last night: It's good at Philippines.

A Reminder To Live In The Moment

2008-12-15T06:08:00.004-05:00

As our trip to Manila draws near, Rama has been wavering between happiness (seeing loved ones back home) and sadness (leaving her Papi behind, if only for a few days before he follows to Manila.) "I'll miss Papi" is a constant, pained refrain.

Last night, this missing Papi turned into a full-on, lengthy crying jag. I tried many tacks.

"You really have to rest. Enough na. Try counting sheep." Lame.

"Think happy thoughts..." Easier said than done.

The rational argument: "Kaya tayo magka-iba ng plane, ganito. Pag nag-crash ang plane, and I die and you live, Papi can still take care of you. A lot of parents do that, they don't travel on the same plane"

"I wish the plane won't crash. But I'm still sad."

Then I tried something that my mom used on us a lot when we were kids. Some kind of amateur pranic healing. Whenever you're hurting, she would speak in a soothing voice, while her hand just hovers around the painful part, and she would make this elaborate gesture of gathering and "throwing away" the pain. I tried it on Rama, like I was drawing the pain away from her chest and hurling it away.

Rama, wailing: But the sadness is in my brain!!!

And more and more, she was getting frustrated at herself about not being able to stop the crying.

Then I dished out some zen.

Me: Rama, you should really pay attention to what's in front of you. Right here, right now. So many things to be happy about - warm bed, new friend (a new Pooh stuffed doll, an early christmas present), your mom who loves you very much. Try not to focus on those sad thoughts, because right this moment, where you are, there's so much to feel glad about.

Rama seemed to take that in. She stopped crying! EIther she just got really tired by then, or felt guilty for forgetting that I was there, or the message sank in. I would think it's the latter, because after that lecturette, when we were spooning and she was on her side facing the window, she quoted me back:

Rama: The window is in front of me. Haha.

She was calm and light by then and able to sleep.

Chew Rule

2008-12-12T21:21:00.003-05:00

Rama: I don't want to eat anymore. I'm tired of chewing. I'm tired of counting, chewing 19 times!

Heard of the rule that you have to chew your food 32 times? Because you have 32 teeth. We counted Rama's and she had 19 teeth. So I told her the rule: chew your food 19 times. And tonight, she thinks it's tiresome.

UPDATE! Saturday, she finally lost the other wiggling front tooth. As expected, I heard this: "Yay! Now I just have to chew 18 times!"

Santa For Real?

2008-12-12T18:57:00.003-05:00

Rama: Mommy, do you believe in Santa?
Me: Yes! Why?
Rama: Most of my friends don't believe. They say he's just a story. Kanina, they did this (making a huddling gesture) and said Santa wasn't real.

Uh-oh.

Me: Do YOU believe in Santa?
Rama: Yes.
Me: Ok. We should make a list na for Santa.
Rama: I tried. I couldn't spell trampoline.

Imagination

2008-12-12T18:53:00.003-05:00

In the water, Rama, like most kids, loves to play; shark attack is a favorite. She sometimes gets so excited, even anxious! When adults try to remind her that it's all pretend, Rama reasons, "But my imagination is too powerful!"

Jail

2008-12-08T19:03:00.002-05:00

Rama enjoys physical challenges. Like climbing and jumping from high places. Normally, I let her. But today, with the slippery snow, I stopped her.

Me: Rama, please don't climb. And I can't let you jump.

Rama argues and questions.

Me: It's not safe. And it's part of my job, as a good mom, to stop you from doing unsafe things.
Rama: Oh, ok. I don't want you to go to jail.

Rama and Santa 2008

2008-12-08T10:48:00.002-05:00

Foot In Mouth

2008-12-07T10:28:00.002-05:00

Meet Terry Fox. He became famous for the Marathon of Hope, a cross-Canada run to raise money for cancer research, which Fox ran with one prosthetic leg. He is considered one of Canada's greatest heroes of the 20th century.

Yesterday, Rama and I went to the annual office kids' Christmas party. We were joined at our table by my colleagues. One of the desserts was a Gingerbread Man Cookie.

Rama breaks off the leg.

Rama: Look! This is Terry Fox!

Stunned silence at the table. Followed by gales of laughter. And nervous mumbles about political correctness.

It wasn't over.

Rama, breaking off the arm: Oh, I took his arm, too.

Worry Dolls

2008-12-04T18:41:00.002-05:00

Rama: Mommy, I'm bringing some of my little dolls to school, ok?
Me: Why?
Rama: To give to some of my classmates.
Me: Why?
Rama: 'Cause they're worry dolls.
Me: What's that?
Rama: Worry dolls are little dolls. When you're worried about something, you tell the dolls, put them under your pillow. While you sleep, they worry for you.
Me: Do you need a worry doll?
Rama: No. I don't worry about anything. That's why I can give some away.
Me: Your classmates? They worry?
Rama: Yes.
Me: What about?
Rama: I don't know, they didn't tell me.

I'm guessing she saw this. which airs a lot these days.

Smart?

2008-12-04T10:33:00.003-05:00

Rama is starting to write. She wanted to write "slow down" but ended up with "slow dan." She explained to me that she actually meant "slow down" and to remind herself, she drew an arrow pointing downward under the phrase.

Me, ever the adoring mom: Who told you to be so smart? Why are you so smart?
Rama: You! 'Cause you act smart, and I'm your daughter, so you made me smart!

Thrilled (and probably over-caffeinated), I let out an exaggerated shriek of delight. Think crazed fan. Aaaaaaa!

Rama: That's not smart.

Sikyu To D'Reskyu

2008-11-28T23:07:00.005-05:00

We have a choice of our first stop in Manila for the holidays - either stay at a condo or at a house. So I asked Rama which she preferred:

Rama: The big apartment (Rama-speak for condo)
Me: Why?
Rama: Because there's a guard.
Me: So?
Rama: The manananggal won't get us.

Will Smith Is Hotness

2008-11-25T12:56:00.003-05:00

Rama: Do you know Hancock? He's a superhero. He's hot.
Me: What does that mean, hot?
Rama: He's guwapo. Good-looking!

Where does she get these?! Had to ask:

Me: How did you know that hot means that?
Rama: News.

Beauty Sleep

2008-11-23T10:05:00.002-05:00

Our morning routine has been pretty tight. As the days get colder, I have to plan for an extra 5 minutes in the morning - just to get all our layers on. Gone are the days when we can just put on sandals and we're out the door.

Then there is something that Rama added to her routine: applying concealer. For her eyebags. Just before we walk out, she notices her eyebags in the mirror in our foyer. And asks to borrow my concealer. It has become so habitual that I passed on my concealer to her and just got another tube for myself, just so she can have it whenever she wants. Which is on a daily basis.

At night, when I want her to pipe down and really shut her eyes and go to sleep after the story, I just remind her that if she doesn't get enough sleep, she'll get eyebags.

The Hills Are Alive...

2008-11-16T09:59:00.003-05:00

And it was pretty amazing ("The mountains fly up!" was how Rama described the set changes). Rama woke up this morning singing the songs. The nuns are her favorite - she re-enacts them.

Bungi!!!

2008-11-16T09:54:00.000-05:00

When Eating Solo

2008-11-14T19:28:00.004-05:00

Rama sometimes gets glued to the TV and requests to eat while watching. Of course I object and try to teach her not to.

Me: When we're eating, it's nice to sit together, talk to each other, talk about your day, the food...
Rama: And when you're eating alone, you talk to yourself.

The Tooth

2008-11-09T13:59:00.001-05:00

... finally came off last night. Her special request, "Can I keep it? I don't want to give it to the tooth fairy."

Chamba!

2008-11-02T14:49:00.002-05:00

On Halloween eve, the kids who lived here at the condo were treated to a special halloween movie screening at the small movie theatre in the building. (It was Scoobie Doo at the Zombie Swamp). Popcorn and juice for all and after the movie, the committee brought out a bin of toys for all to enjoy. But soon it was time to go. So Rama and I decided to invite her new friend, a mexican girl, Gonul, and her mom up to our place.

By themselves, the girls were happy to play side by side. Gonul knew very little English, but at this age, it's not a huge deal. They played with Rama's dollies, toy castles and little pots and pans. Later in the evening, they took over the dining table and played with colors and paints.

As they were doing this, I was subjecting the mom to my horrible Spanish. She was very kind and polite and asked me how I learned. I just explained that FIlipino has a lot of Spanish words, which I started to rattle off: kubiertos, kutchara, tinidor, aparador, lunes, martes...

Rama loudly pipes in from across the room.

Rama: Baño!

So unexpected! It set the 4 of us giggling. I don't know how she knew that baño was indeed Spanish. Either she figured that ñ words were Spanish, or she just got lucky - chamba. Either way, we all had fun with that exchange.

Halloween Highlights 2008

2008-11-01T12:04:00.005-04:00

By the first week of October, Halloween costumes were already on display in the stores. But Rama surprised me by saying, "I don't need a costume, I'll just wear the dress I wore for my birthday." And she stuck to that.

She really was dead set on wearing that red dress. But it was in her dad's house! The dress fortunately made it to us, and she managed a quick costume change when we took a short break mid-way through trick or treating. Her back-up dress was this pink princess gown from 2 years ago - which fits perfectly now.

As usual, the neighborhoods went all out in decorating for halloween. And the adults, with copious amounts of alcohol, seemed to have as much fun as the kids playing dress up.

Italians

2008-10-30T15:55:00.001-04:00

There's this cute waiter in the neigbourhood resto. Rama notices, of course. And we chat about him.

Rama: Ya, he's guwapo.
Me: I think he's Italian.
Rama: He is!
Me: Pa'no mo nalaman?
Rama: 'Coz a lot of Italian people are more gwapo than English people.

A+. But Warning: Rant Ahead

2008-10-29T12:57:00.013-04:00

So Rama aced her first Grade 1 exam. It was Math: Graphing.

She scored 20/21.

This was particularly sweet for me as I thought last week that she was slow to understand the lessons. I was getting used to the idea that she might not just be the type that did well in school. And that was ok. Gulp.

I would help her with some homework and it was such a struggle. Especially the question that runs something like this: "If there are 8 kids who like purple and 3 kids who like red, how many more kids like purple than red?" She would always just add 8 and 3 and come up with 11. Anyhow. By the time the test came, she got it, I guess.

So what question tripped her? The test asked the student to make tick marks and then graph the numbers. The hypothetical information was about juices and how many kids liked apple juice, grape juice and orange juice. The information showed that Apple juice was most popular, with most kids picking this.

And then the question: If we could only buy 1 type of juice, which one would we buy?

The correct answer was Apple, the juice that majority of the kids picked.

Rama didn't get that she was supposed to pick the majority choice. She picked Grape, the lowest scorer, with only 2 people choosing grape.

And this is where my rant starts. Isn't that a subjective question? I am not sure that I agree to teaching kids to go with the popular choice. Where does independent choice come into the picture? What if Rama wanted to support the underdog? Or the minority? I guess what raises my hackles is the impulse to reward conformity - as early as Grade 1. I worry that this little lesson is the start of thwarting independent thought, ironically in a supposed progressive society.

END RANT.

I am seriously considering writing the school board.

Update, November 1 2008. I handed the letter yesterday, Friday, AND got to chat with her. She quickly skimmed through it and we had a good conversation. Basically, Mrs. K justified that the intent was to simply get students to interpret the graph. She agreed that the wording was difficult, especially for Rama whose first language is not English. She was quite nice about it, but seemed just a tad defensive and really not too keen on discussing the underpinnings of the question, which I understand. To be fair, Mrs. K doesn't write the test questions; they come from a book of worksheets from which she picks (I figured this much from the looks of the paper). What reassured me was that it was an isolated case, and that generally, the teachings lean towards openness and acceptance of differences. And maybe, if and when she reads through my letter more carefully, the real point will sink in.

What You Think Of Between Sleep and Awake

2008-10-28T10:06:00.004-04:00

That morning, while waiting for the bus, we were just casually chatting about how soon she'll be losing her front teeth.

Me: I wonder what you'll be eating to make your teeth come off. Maybe mais?
Rama: Or pizza crust.

And we left it at that.

Later that night, turns out she was still thinking about this conversation. Lights were out, we had said our goodnights, given each other kisses. And calmly drifting off to sleep. Or so I thought. Rama turns to me and wide-eyed, says:

Rama: Can I tell you? You know what I think will work to make my teeth come off?
Me: What?
Rama: Chicharon!

Trick or Treat!!!!

2008-10-26T09:10:00.004-04:00

Happy Halloween to all!
A proud Toronto tradition, the yearly Zombie Walk brought an estimated 1,000 undead to the streets of the city. This punk-nurse zombie happened to be on the same streetcar that Rama took to the park, the start of the Zombie Parade.

After gawking at the zombies, running around the playground and picnicking on fish & chips, we made our way home and the girls started to plan THEIR halloween costumes.

Red or White?

2008-10-20T09:48:00.003-04:00

So Rama is in her drawing phase. She gets "commissioned work." As in, she asks people, what do you want me to draw, and then will execute.

Adult: Uhm, can you draw me drinking wine?
Rama: Ok! White wine or red?

Namimilosopo

2008-10-18T08:03:00.002-04:00

On our way home from school, Rama was so eager to tell stories about her day. She was talking with a mouth full of cookies. I had to remind her.

Me: Bago ka magkwento, dapat wala nang laman mouth mo.
Rama, after swallowing: But my tongue is always there!

Drawing Phase

2008-10-18T00:47:00.004-04:00

Rama drew a portrait of one of her classmates.

And a self-portrait. "This is me eating soup."

Apple Picking We Went

2008-10-18T00:34:00.005-04:00

One of the to-do's of fall, apple picking. Super-fun but super-quick too. The kids were so excited, they filled their bags in maybe 10 minutes. It took us longer to find a parking spot! The rest of the time at the orchard was for checking out the shop, drinking cider and just revelling in the fact that we're in an apple orchard!

She bites into the apples with her side teeth, not the front, because those are rockin'! Her "forever teeth" are coming soon. I'm guessing she'll be bungi come christmas.

Nica, Danielle and Rama at the orchard's play area

Eden Who?

2008-10-09T21:33:00.004-04:00

Rama goes to public school. That means she gets no religious education. So I thought I'd get some religion going. And where else do we begin but from the very beginning - the creation story.

Me: Rama, alam mo yung Eden?
Rama: Yes! Wife ni Panday!

And a little argument ensued whether Eden was a person or a place. It's going to be a long night. Especially when she throws this at me:

Who is god's god?

Reality Check

2008-10-05T19:31:00.005-04:00

Me: Rama, you want to see Hannah Montana's boyfriend? (shows trashy mag)
Rama: Why is she dressed like that?

Later in the evening, out of the blue, Rama observes: Hannah Montana looks better on TV than in real life.

Burn, Baby, Burn

2008-10-02T14:48:00.006-04:00

Of course I burned the croissant again this morning. But I had a very good excuse. Rama wanted more cuddle time. Long after the "ding" of the toaster oven, we were still giggling and snuggling under the blankie.

So I finally heaved myself out of bed (to rush would've been futile), and retrieved the goods from the oven. Not too pleased with myself. But Rama more than makes me feel better.

Me: Awww. I burned it again.
Rama: It's ok, Mommy. You're still my best mommy ever.

Today, they have a book fair at the school. She reminds me to bring money. There are five books on her wishlist. But she said she'd be happy with "just one, maybe two."

From Souffle To...

2008-09-30T10:16:00.003-04:00

Rama and I went to a popular Italian restaurant last night for dinner. We had a cheese platter to start, followed by a spaghetti dish (spaghetti al limone, with spinach and capers) that we split. All very civilized. Dessert time. I asked her if she wanted some dessert.

Rama: Do they have suman?

No suman in Southern Italy. So no dessert for us that night.

What's On Her Mind

2008-09-28T20:00:00.003-04:00

Rama was making a pile of grass in a friend's backyard. Always curious about how she plays pretend, I asked.

Me: What are you making?
Rama: Nothing.

A little later, a playmate started moving things around in her pile. Rama apparently didn't like that - and I got clued in on what she was thinking of:

Rama: Hey! Don't touch my souffle!

Graciousness

2008-09-26T15:32:00.005-04:00

Rama's Papi was at our place for dinner. As we were setting the table, Rama offers her dad, "Would you like some wine?" And then she asks me, in a whisper, "Do we have wine?"

Pics taken on one of our recent early evening walks around the 'hood. (I used to NOT get shorts with boots. But it can actually work, especially in fine fall weather.)

Random Quote

2008-09-23T10:25:00.003-04:00

Rama, annoyed: Why when I ask you what time is it, you say 'almost 9 o'clock, time for bed.' That's not a real answer!

Professor Rama

2008-09-22T13:13:00.002-04:00

Rama put together an outfit, with this intent: I want to look like Jose Rizal when he was about to die.

Then she decided that what she actually looked like was "Professor Rama." She improvised with the white shirt - what she's wearing actually has a graphic print, but she figured that she could wear it back-to-front. I shall indulge this further by getting her a proper neck tie and a newsboy hat that fits.

Wedgie?!?

2008-09-20T10:17:00.004-04:00

Dinner in Chinatown. (Rama is a fan of noodle soup). Waiter comes over, setting down my plate of VEGGIE spring rolls. In a strong Chinese accent, "Here's yo' WE-GGIE..." Meaning, VEGGIE, of course.

Rama: He's giving you a wedgie?!

(Rama knows wedgie as underwear that gets stuck between butt-cheeks. Something that one has to fix pronto. Once, she also worried about how some girls wear thongs - wedgie always!)

As we segue into lessons on diversity and political correctness ("Some people just happen to make different sounds for words. But, we know what they mean.")

You Say Tomato

2008-09-18T18:29:00.003-04:00

I was just getting over my amazement at Rama's latest food request - peanut butter sandwich, with tomato. Inside. When she asked for this, I served the sliced tomato on the side, and then she fixed it herself and put the slice IN the sandwich. Odd, but, hey, whatever works. Anyone heard of this before? Does any Disney character eat this way? I don't know where she got the idea.

And then when I went online, I saw this article on feeding mistakes that parents make. Good to know I'm doing OK on most counts.

Aba 'No! (Uyyy, Haba ng Hair...)

2008-09-17T04:04:00.008-04:00

Humbled to make it to the finals for the 2008 Philippine Blog Awards, Family and Living. Whodathunk?

Hats off to another finalist D-spot. (OMG, she raised 7 kids!).

Powder?!?

2008-09-16T11:30:00.003-04:00

Rama: I want to eat powder.
Me: What?!
Rama: I want powder. (Pause). It's not really powder. The Goldilocks!

Polvoron pala. Stash from Manila. The little box of precious white powder (not what you think), we make it last for months! Rationed well and wisely.

"Singhot!"

2008-09-10T21:57:00.007-04:00

My pot of water for the pasta was boiling over. I only noticed because Rama started screaming, "Sumusunog!"

That started our Tagalog lesson for the evening.

Adult: Ano sa Tagalog ang shoulders?
Rama: Balikat!

Adult: Ano sa Tagalog ang thin? (referring to a blanket)
Rama: Manipis!

Adult: Ano sa Tagalog ang sniff?
Rama stumped.
Adult: Suminghot!

Suminghot set us off giggling. These pictures were taken when she just couldn't stop laughing over the word.

Throughout the evening, even when we had moved on to other tasks and were each doing our own thing, she would randomly sneak up on me and whisper, Suminghot!

Hippie

2008-08-29T20:01:00.002-04:00

"I made this all by myself!"

Rama went to a few camps this summer. This last camp, they had a crafts project - tie dye! I'm loving her choice of color. And she can explain exactly how tie dye works.

'Wherever the headband is on the shirt, that's where the paint doesn't get in."

This was also a big week for us - it's the last week before school starts. New school, new friends, new routine. New haircut! She wasn't too hot about it until "3 teachers at camp said they liked my haircut!"

More Britney

2008-08-25T16:22:00.003-04:00

Rama and I tried to invite Britney for a sleep-over at our place. But her Mom wouldn't allow. Britney's mom worried that Britney would act out, or cry at bedtime, or just be difficult. Rama had a take on her friend's behaviour.

Rama: Britney's only bad when she's with her mom. But behaved when it's other adults.

Pity, really. And Rama really wanted to have Britney over. "I wish Britney can come here. I want to make her happy."

Boob Tube

2008-08-25T16:18:00.002-04:00

I don't watch TV. But Rama does. In other people's homes. So she had a compelling need to educate me.

Rama: I saw on the news, Mommy... while watching TV... (pause) That's what they call what's on TV, Mommy: news. Nee-yus.

Our Weekend

2008-08-18T10:33:00.003-04:00

Rama and I got on this swing ride at the Ex (aka Canadian National Exhibition, aka CNE). She took every opportunity to tell other adults how her mother behaved on the ride:

Rama, as her Mommy: Don't panic! Don't panic! Don't Panic! ... We're tilting!!!!! (Definitely panicked).

Photo: "CNE - swing ride" by Phil Marion, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

Smarties

2008-08-08T12:03:00.000-04:00

Me: Ubos na smarties mo?
Rama: Ubos na. Why do they call it Smarties? Candies don't make you smart. They should call it un-smarties. Unnnn...!

Of Bikes and Teeth

2008-08-03T07:06:00.006-04:00

May clip kami sa bahay. Pramis.

Biked to the Caribana parade yesterday. It got too busy on the bike path, so we stopped, parked our bikes near a public pool and toodled around there for a little bit.

After this popsicle, she said that her two front teeth were moving! Indeed. Those two are going soon. So I just explained: Your real teeth are coming in.

Rama: Why? Are these fake?

Oily Stuff

2008-07-25T09:28:00.002-04:00

Rama and I wandered around the jazz fest last night. The roads were closed, there were live acts on every street corner and munchies everywhere. When we decided to pause for a break, she chose to have fish and chips. We picked a spot, a roadside bench, and she dove into her meal. She takes a bite of the fish.

Rama: I love oily stuff.... Don't make me take it off.

Charlie...

2008-07-21T20:58:00.004-04:00

One of our games while horsing around is inserting finger in the mouth of the other person as she yawns. It can either be funny or annoying - with Rama, we often have fun with this. One time, I was the yawner, she put her finger in my mouth and I caught it between my teeth. Rama, in a perfect Brit accent, cried, "Charlie bit me!" She was referencing this.

Heaven

2008-07-21T20:57:00.002-04:00

"Can you do anything you want in heaven? Even breaking things?"

So I probed where this question was coming from. Turns out, Britney "likes to break things." And obviously, she can't keep doing that. So Rama was trying to figure out how Britney can have her way and not "get into trouble."

Cycling

2008-07-19T22:58:00.002-04:00

We went out on the bike today, the second time since we got the bike last week. We rode quite a distance, and even after we got caught in a downpour, Rama wanted to keep going. By the end of the afternoon, she could brake on command (by back-pedalling) and keep right. She also tackled some slopes (but wise enough to walk her bike when it got really steep). We had landmarks on both ends of our ride - this harbour on one end, and on the other, the bridge over the river.
After the ride, we had a dinner capped with her favorite ice cream. She had shrimp, which she couldn't finish. She offered some to me, but it was our companion who had it. I explained, "I don't eat anything with a face."

Rama: What about chicken legs? You don't have to eat the whole thing.

Reading Lessons

2008-07-13T09:33:00.002-04:00

You know a 6 yo is a city slicker when the first few words that she learns to read outside of the classroom are:

"Garbage Disposal"
"Starbucks"
"Bad Disc"

My Monster Mother

2008-07-12T19:40:00.004-04:00

Rama is always asking for stories. Sometimes, she even tells us, "Even if it's something I already know, kase alam ko, nauubusan." Something new to her was My Monster Mother (Ruffa Gutierrez-Annabelle Rama movie, currently playing in Philippine theatres). So I recapped the plot, and threw this in: "The mother talks like Ate Mercy."

Rama: Does she also say Ram-ram?

A nick which Rama isn't very fond of. But we Pinoys just can't help ourselves.

Narnia

2008-07-12T10:41:00.002-04:00

We visited a friend at home. G gave us a tour of his house. "That's Susan's room..." Etc. "And this is our cat, Lucy."

Rama: Your friends, two of them, have the same names as the kids in Narnia.

Psychoanalyzing

2008-07-12T10:27:00.003-04:00

Sometimes I worry about Rama's self-confidence. Often, with other people she is quiet and restrained. With other kids, she hardly ever takes the lead. But then again, sometimes, she surprises me with her boldness, even with strangers. She will go up to a random person and dish out a compliment or two. ("I like your hair. And your dress." - this to a young punk-ish woman with green hair and an ironic, goth-ish prom dress on the bus.)

Yesterday, she was learning to bike without training wheels. A friend of mine, a certified bike instructor, was teaching her. Childless, he wasn't too aware of how adult his language was.

G: Rama, you want to get enough momentum.
Rama: I don't know what that means.

That simple statement reassured me of her confidence to admit what she doesn't understand. And this makes her very teachable and open.

In minutes, Rama was balancing on the bike and pedalling away.