爸爸:今天早餐吃了什麽啊?
軒:媽咪給我吃空氣 。。。
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
軒語錄 – 30/09/14
咪:今天帶去學校吃的 Hot Dog 麵包有沒有吃完啊?
軒:沒有,回家再吃。
。。。
咪:到家了,把麵包拿出來吃吧
軒:我不要吃,我要留給你吃
咪:謝謝!
當媽咪把剩下的麵包拿出來時,發覺大部分的 Hot Dog 都沒吃
咪:怎麽沒吃 Hot Dog 呢?
軒:我要留給你吃
咪:哦,謝謝!(感動中。。。)
軒,願天父保守你那貼心和細心不被世界的價值沖淡。
軒:沒有,回家再吃。
。。。
咪:到家了,把麵包拿出來吃吧
軒:我不要吃,我要留給你吃
咪:謝謝!
當媽咪把剩下的麵包拿出來時,發覺大部分的 Hot Dog 都沒吃
咪:怎麽沒吃 Hot Dog 呢?
軒:我要留給你吃
咪:哦,謝謝!(感動中。。。)
軒,願天父保守你那貼心和細心不被世界的價值沖淡。
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Carrot Cake
Ingredients
1 cup castor sugar
1 cup plain flour
1½ cups grated carrots
2 eggs
½ cup olive oil
½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
Walnut and raisin (optional)
Method
Tips
1 cup castor sugar
1 cup plain flour
1½ cups grated carrots
2 eggs
½ cup olive oil
½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
Walnut and raisin (optional)
Method
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Line a standard loaf tin or oblong cake tin with baking paper.
- Place all ingredients into a bowl and mix well.
- Pour mixture into cake tin.
- Bake for approximately 45 minutes until a skewer inserted into the cake comes out clean.
- Remove the cake from oven and allow to cool.
Tips
- Add some chopped walnut and raisin to improve the texture of the cake.
- Although this recipe is not too sweet, sugar can be reduced some more to 3/4 cup, just a hint of sweetness.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Iggy Bottle Weaning Adventure
Bottle weaning had been on my mind for as long as I can remember. There are a lot of questions about bottle weaning pop into my mind from time to time, such as:
Oh, I don't have a particular age/time frame that I would like Iggy to wean from bottle. That is where the headache comes from. I have no idea when or how I want to start the process. I just had idea that I don't want Iggy still drinking from bottle when he is 5 year old. The sooner he weans from bottle the better. I also don't want to force Iggy discards his bottle before he is ready.
Another reason is Iggy wants to comfort sucking when he wants to fall asleep. He used to be quite already when I gave him water to suck on, unfortunately not anymore. He wants milk instead. As Iggy falls asleep with a bottle of milk in his mouth more and more often, the urge to wean him from bottle is getting stronger. I want to prevent him to develop a bottle mouth syndrome before it is too late
Every cloud has a silver lining. It is so true. Last month is a hectic month for my family, with traveling back to back to the south and to the north to attend friend's wedding and grandmother's birthday celebration. Long hours of traveling on the roads exhausted all. With lack of sleep and rest couple with hot and humid weather, all of us felt unwell, especially Iggy.
Iggy had developed a low-grade fever on and off for two days. At the same times, mouth ulcers began to appear insides in his mouth, especially on his tongue. As a results, he had a hard time eating. At first, he was still able take his milk from his milk bottle, however as the ulcers developed, it became harder and harder for him to take his milk without screaming. It is really heartbreaking to him refused his food because of the pain. If you know Iggy, you would know that refusing food is very unusual for him. In the end, we found out that taking milk from cup will lessen his pain. So for a few days while he was recovering, he is taking milk from cup.
Before I realized it, Iggy do not want to use milk bottle to take milk anymore, even after he recovered. I even asked him whether he wants to drink his milk from the bottle or from the cup, and he clearly expressed that he wants it in a cup. He even threw tantrum if I give him milk in milk bottle. So from that day onwards Iggy has being drinking milk from a cup. I am very thankful with how the thing turns out.
- When is the right age to wean from bottle?
- What are the methods use?
- How would I know if Iggy is ready or not?
- etc, etc, etc.
Oh, I don't have a particular age/time frame that I would like Iggy to wean from bottle. That is where the headache comes from. I have no idea when or how I want to start the process. I just had idea that I don't want Iggy still drinking from bottle when he is 5 year old. The sooner he weans from bottle the better. I also don't want to force Iggy discards his bottle before he is ready.
Another reason is Iggy wants to comfort sucking when he wants to fall asleep. He used to be quite already when I gave him water to suck on, unfortunately not anymore. He wants milk instead. As Iggy falls asleep with a bottle of milk in his mouth more and more often, the urge to wean him from bottle is getting stronger. I want to prevent him to develop a bottle mouth syndrome before it is too late
Every cloud has a silver lining. It is so true. Last month is a hectic month for my family, with traveling back to back to the south and to the north to attend friend's wedding and grandmother's birthday celebration. Long hours of traveling on the roads exhausted all. With lack of sleep and rest couple with hot and humid weather, all of us felt unwell, especially Iggy.
Iggy had developed a low-grade fever on and off for two days. At the same times, mouth ulcers began to appear insides in his mouth, especially on his tongue. As a results, he had a hard time eating. At first, he was still able take his milk from his milk bottle, however as the ulcers developed, it became harder and harder for him to take his milk without screaming. It is really heartbreaking to him refused his food because of the pain. If you know Iggy, you would know that refusing food is very unusual for him. In the end, we found out that taking milk from cup will lessen his pain. So for a few days while he was recovering, he is taking milk from cup.
Before I realized it, Iggy do not want to use milk bottle to take milk anymore, even after he recovered. I even asked him whether he wants to drink his milk from the bottle or from the cup, and he clearly expressed that he wants it in a cup. He even threw tantrum if I give him milk in milk bottle. So from that day onwards Iggy has being drinking milk from a cup. I am very thankful with how the thing turns out.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Potato Pancakes
I tried this last week. Quick and easy recipe. The only time consuming part is the shredding the potatoes and onion. Most important of all, Iggy wolf it down quicker than I can make for him ...
Ingredients
| 2 large potatoes | |
| 1 yellow onion | |
| 1 egg, beaten | |
| 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour | |
| salt and black pepper to taste | |
| vegetable oil for frying |
Directions
- Finely shred potatoes and onion into a large bowl. Drain off any excess liquid.
- Mix in egg, salt, and black pepper. Add enough flour to make mixture thick, about 2 to 4 tablespoons all together.
- Turn oven to low, about 200 degrees F (95 degrees C).
- Heat oil in the bottom of a heavy skillet over medium high heat. Drop two or three tablespoons mounds into hot oil, and flatten to make 1/2 inch thick pancakes. Fry, turning once, until golden brown. Transfer to paper towel lined plates to drain, and keep warm in low oven until serving time. Repeat until all potato mixture is used.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Then Sings My Soul Special Edition By Robert Morgan
Due to some changes in my life, I had been putting off to review the latest book I got from BookSneeze.com for a few months already. This is a compilation of 150 Christmas, Easter and all-time favorite hymns, recounting on how the author was led to write these wonderful seasonal hymns.
I have a mixed feeling reading through this book. I think I am expecting the book contains amusing and touching anecdotes about the creation of those hymns. However, what I found is the contains are too factual for my liking. It has the feeling of reading a history book. Although, it is good that the book provide great source of facts regarding the hymns, I would only treat it as a reference book. It would be hard for me to write through it again the second time.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Iggy Achieved New Milestone!!
He uses potty!!
Well, this kinda old news already as this post is late for almost a month!! Busy lately and my seldom update blog becomes like a death blog .. huhuhu..
Anyway, back to the topic. I guess I had the give my babysitter the credit for this milestone. We have a new babysitter for the past 2 months as my original babysitter desired to have a break. The new sitter is an older lady with many years of baby-sitting experiences, and of course with the traditional views of how to take care of baby. So naturally she is shocked when she found out Iggy is haven't potty-trained yet at 16-month.
Now, after almost two months at the new babysitter, Iggy begins to use potty more and more often. Actually, I am leaning towards let him decides when he wants to start using potty. However, since the babysitter will teach him to use potty whenever he is at her place, I better teach Iggy to use potty whenever he is at home too. I do not want to confuse him anymore than necessary.
So what is the progress now? Currently, Iggy is not fully potty trained yet. Sometimes, he will go in the potty, sometimes in his diaper. He cannot tell whether he wants to poo or pee... or maybe it is just Mommy and Daddy don't understand him .. :D Whenever, he had an urge to use the potty he will get cranky or when he is in good mood, he will point to his diaper and say "um umh". Then we will take him to potty. Sometimes he peed, sometimes he does not and sometimes he poo.
In conclusion, he got a lot of room for improvement cause currently, it still depends on how diligent Mommy is .. :p
psss .. he just sit on a potty without bear out his bottom .. :D
Well, this kinda old news already as this post is late for almost a month!! Busy lately and my seldom update blog becomes like a death blog .. huhuhu..
Anyway, back to the topic. I guess I had the give my babysitter the credit for this milestone. We have a new babysitter for the past 2 months as my original babysitter desired to have a break. The new sitter is an older lady with many years of baby-sitting experiences, and of course with the traditional views of how to take care of baby. So naturally she is shocked when she found out Iggy is haven't potty-trained yet at 16-month.
Now, after almost two months at the new babysitter, Iggy begins to use potty more and more often. Actually, I am leaning towards let him decides when he wants to start using potty. However, since the babysitter will teach him to use potty whenever he is at her place, I better teach Iggy to use potty whenever he is at home too. I do not want to confuse him anymore than necessary.
So what is the progress now? Currently, Iggy is not fully potty trained yet. Sometimes, he will go in the potty, sometimes in his diaper. He cannot tell whether he wants to poo or pee... or maybe it is just Mommy and Daddy don't understand him .. :D Whenever, he had an urge to use the potty he will get cranky or when he is in good mood, he will point to his diaper and say "um umh". Then we will take him to potty. Sometimes he peed, sometimes he does not and sometimes he poo.
In conclusion, he got a lot of room for improvement cause currently, it still depends on how diligent Mommy is .. :p
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Who Am I - Casting Crowns
This is one of a few songs that always get me teary whenever I listen to it. I can't help but being drawn and immerse myself in the lyrics and each time it reminded me how fortunate I am to has the LORD love me so so much, no matter how unworthy I am.
Who am I
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wandering heart.
Bridge:
Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.
Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.
Who am I
That the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again.
Who am I
That the voice that calmed the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.
Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.
I am yours.
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
Cause I am yours..
I am yours..
Who am I
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wandering heart.
Bridge:
Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.
Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.
Who am I
That the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again.
Who am I
That the voice that calmed the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.
Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.
I am yours.
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
Cause I am yours..
I am yours..
Monday, November 15, 2010
MYFM Fahrenheit Contest
I won another contest this month. I guess November is my lucky month .. hahaha..
These are the stuffs I won :)

Fahrenheit's latest album, "Super Hot" + Fahrenheit 2011 table calendar + Schwarzkopf Bonacure hair care set + 8Days Hair Studio RM50 cash voucher
These are the stuffs I won :)
Fahrenheit's latest album, "Super Hot" + Fahrenheit 2011 table calendar + Schwarzkopf Bonacure hair care set + 8Days Hair Studio RM50 cash voucher
Blanched Spinach
Lately, I am into Korean food. I found that some of the Korean food really suit my taste. I especially like their banchan, those small side dishes served with rice. Here is my attempt to make Korean blanched spinach.
Ingredients

Directions

This recipe is very flexible. If you like crunchy spinach, cut down the blanching time. If you don't like garlic, no problem, dismiss the garlic.
Tips
Ingredients
| 1 bunch of green spinach | |
| 1 tsp minced garlic (optional) | |
| 1 tbsp sesame oil | |
| salt and sugar to taste | |
| sesame seeds (optional) |
Directions
- Clean and blanch the spinach. Drain and squeeze out excess water gently.
- Transfer spinach to a large bowl. Add in minced garlic, sesame oil, salt and sugar.
- Mix gently, sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve
This recipe is very flexible. If you like crunchy spinach, cut down the blanching time. If you don't like garlic, no problem, dismiss the garlic.
Tips
- Sugar is not the usual part of this type of recipe. However, adding a pinch of sugar will lift the taste and add the sweetness to it.
- Toast the sesame seeds to bring out the its wonderful smell. I use both black sesame seeds and white sesame seeds. I also toasted them together until the white sesame seeds are lightly brown.
"If Yan can cook, so can you" - not necessarily ...
"If Pauline can cook, so can you" - definitely!!!
"If Pauline can cook, so can you" - definitely!!!
Labels:
Health,
healthy,
korean,
recipes,
spinach,
vegetables,
Whatscooking
Thursday, November 11, 2010
I Win!!!
More than a month ago I entered a giveaway, The Rattles music CD giveaway, organized by imafulltimemummy. And on the first day of this month, I was chosen to be the winner of this giveaway. Yeah!!! This is the first time I am a winner in this kind of contest. I never had much luck with contests or lucky draws. Guess my luck is about to change.. haha.
Best of all, this is something I really want to win it for Iggy. See how much he enjoys the CD .. :D
Best of all, this is something I really want to win it for Iggy. See how much he enjoys the CD .. :D
Monday, November 8, 2010
He Will Find You
John Powell a professor at Loyola University in Chicago writes about a student in his Theology of Faith class named Tommy:
Some twelve years ago, I stood watching my university students file into the classroom for our first session in the Theology of Faith. That was the first day I first saw Tommy. My eyes and my mind both blinked. He was combing his long flaxen hair, which hung six inches below his shoulders.
It was the first time I had ever seen a boy with hair that long. I guess it was just coming into fashion then. I know in my mind that it isn’t what’s on your head but what’s in it that counts; but on that day I was unprepared and my emotions flipped.
I immediately filed Tommy under "S" for strange ... very strange. Tommy turned out to be the "atheist in residence" in my Theology of Faith course. He constantly objected to, smirked at, or whined about the possibility of an unconditionally loving Father-God. We lived with each other in relative peace for one semester, although I admit he was for me at times a serious pain in the back pew.
When he came up at the end of the course to turn in his final exam, he asked in a slightly cynical tone: "Do you think I’ll ever find God?"
I decided instantly on a little shock therapy. "No!" I said very emphatically.
"Oh," he responded, "I thought that was the product you were pushing."
I let him get five steps from the classroom door and then called out: "Tommy! I don’t think you’ll ever find him, but I am absolutely certain that He will find you!" He shrugged a little and left my class and my life.
I felt slightly disappointed at the thought that he had missed my clever line: "He will find you!" At least I thought it was clever. Later I heard that Tommy had graduated and I was duly grateful.
Then a sad report, I heard that Tommy had terminal cancer. Before I could search him out, he came to see me. When he walked into my office, his body was very badly wasted, and the long hair had all fallen out as a result of chemotherapy. But his eyes were bright and his voice was firm, for the first time, I believe. "Tommy, I’ve thought about you so often. I hear you are sick!" I blurted out.
"Oh, yes, very sick. I have cancer in both lungs. It’s a matter of weeks."
"Can you talk about it, Tom?"
"Sure, what would you like to know?"
"What’s it like to be only twenty-four and dying?"
"Well, it could be worse."
"Like what?"
"Well, like being fifty and having no values or ideals, like being fifty and thinking that booze, seducing women, and making money are the real ‘biggies’ in life."
I began to look through my mental file cabinet under "S" where I had filed Tommy as strange. (It seems as though everybody I try to reject by classification God sends back into my life to educate me.)
But what I really came to see you about," Tom said, " is something you said to me on the last day of class." (He remembered!) He continued, "I asked you if you thought I would ever find God and you said, ‘No!’ which surprised me. Then you said, ‘But he will find you.’ I thought about that a lot, even though my search for God was hardly intense at that time. (My "clever" line. He thought about that a lot!) But when the doctors removed a lump from my groin and told me that it was malignant, then I got serious about locating God. And when the malignancy spread into my vital organs, I really began banging bloody fists against the bronze doors of heaven.
But God did not come out. In fact, nothing happened. Did you ever try anything for a long time with great effort and with no success? You get psychologically glutted, fed up with trying. And then you quit.
Well, one day I woke up, and instead of throwing a few more futile appeals over that high brick wall to a God who may be or may not be there, I just quit. I decided that I didn’t really care ... about God, about an afterlife, or anything like that. "I decided to spend what time I had left doing something more profitable. I thought about you and your class and I remembered something else you had said: ‘The essential sadness is to go through life without loving. But it would be almost equally sad to go through life and leave this world without ever telling those you loved that you had loved them.’ "So I began with the hardest one: my Dad. He was reading the newspaper when I approached him."
"Dad". . .
"Yes, what?" he asked without lowering the newspaper.
"Dad, I would like to talk with you."
"Well, talk."
"I mean. .. It’s really important."
The newspaper came down three slow inches. "What is it?"
"Dad, I love you. I just wanted you to know that." Tom smiled at me and said with obvious satisfaction, as though he felt a warm and secret joy flowing inside of him: "The newspaper fluttered to the floor. Then my father did two things I could never remember him ever doing before. He cried and he hugged me.
And we talked all night, even though he had to go to work the next morning. It felt so good to be close to my father, to see his tears, to feel his hug, to hear him say that he loved me. "It was easier with my mother and little brother. They cried with me, too, and we hugged each other, and started saying real nice things to each other. We shared the things we had been keeping secret for so many years. I was only sorry about one thing: that I had waited so long. Here I was just beginning to open up to all the people I had actually been close to.
"Then, one day I turned around and God was there. He didn’t come to me when I pleaded with him. I guess I was like an animal trainer holding out a hoop, ‘C’mon, jump through.’ ‘C’mon, I’ll give you three days .. .three weeks.’ Apparently God does things in his own way and at his own hour. "But the important thing is that he was there. He found me.
You were right. He found me even after I stopped looking for him."
"Tommy," I practically gasped, "I think you are saying something very important and much more universal than you realize. To me, at least, you are saying that the surest way to find God is not to make him a private possession, a problem solver, or an instant consolation in time of need, but rather by opening to love. You know, the Apostle John said that. He said God is love, and anyone who lives in love is living with God and God is living in him.’ Tom, could I ask you a favor? You know, when I had you in class you were a real pain. But (laughingly) you can make it all up to me now. Would you come into my present Theology of Faith course and tell them what you have just told me? If I told them the same thing it wouldn’t be half as effective as if you were to tell them."
"Oooh . . . I was ready for you, but I don’t know if I’m ready for your class."
"Tom, think about it. If and when you are ready, give me a call." In a few days Tommy called, said he was ready for the class, that he wanted to do that for God and for me. So we scheduled a date. However, he never made it.
He had another appointment, far more important than the one with me and my class. Of course, his life was not really ended by his death, only changed.
He made the great step from faith into vision. He found a life far more beautiful than the eye of man has ever seen or the ear of man has ever heard or the mind of man has ever imagined.
Before he died, we talked one last time. "I’m not going to make it to your class," he said.
"I know, Tom."
"Will you tell them for me? Will you . . . tell the whole world for me?"
"I will, Tom. I’ll tell them. I’ll do my best."
So, to all of you who have been kind enough to hear this simple statement about love, thank you for listening. And to you, Tommy, somewhere in the sunlit, verdant hills of heaven: "I told them, Tommy . ... ...as best I could."
Some twelve years ago, I stood watching my university students file into the classroom for our first session in the Theology of Faith. That was the first day I first saw Tommy. My eyes and my mind both blinked. He was combing his long flaxen hair, which hung six inches below his shoulders.
It was the first time I had ever seen a boy with hair that long. I guess it was just coming into fashion then. I know in my mind that it isn’t what’s on your head but what’s in it that counts; but on that day I was unprepared and my emotions flipped.
I immediately filed Tommy under "S" for strange ... very strange. Tommy turned out to be the "atheist in residence" in my Theology of Faith course. He constantly objected to, smirked at, or whined about the possibility of an unconditionally loving Father-God. We lived with each other in relative peace for one semester, although I admit he was for me at times a serious pain in the back pew.
When he came up at the end of the course to turn in his final exam, he asked in a slightly cynical tone: "Do you think I’ll ever find God?"
I decided instantly on a little shock therapy. "No!" I said very emphatically.
"Oh," he responded, "I thought that was the product you were pushing."
I let him get five steps from the classroom door and then called out: "Tommy! I don’t think you’ll ever find him, but I am absolutely certain that He will find you!" He shrugged a little and left my class and my life.
I felt slightly disappointed at the thought that he had missed my clever line: "He will find you!" At least I thought it was clever. Later I heard that Tommy had graduated and I was duly grateful.
Then a sad report, I heard that Tommy had terminal cancer. Before I could search him out, he came to see me. When he walked into my office, his body was very badly wasted, and the long hair had all fallen out as a result of chemotherapy. But his eyes were bright and his voice was firm, for the first time, I believe. "Tommy, I’ve thought about you so often. I hear you are sick!" I blurted out.
"Oh, yes, very sick. I have cancer in both lungs. It’s a matter of weeks."
"Can you talk about it, Tom?"
"Sure, what would you like to know?"
"What’s it like to be only twenty-four and dying?"
"Well, it could be worse."
"Like what?"
"Well, like being fifty and having no values or ideals, like being fifty and thinking that booze, seducing women, and making money are the real ‘biggies’ in life."
I began to look through my mental file cabinet under "S" where I had filed Tommy as strange. (It seems as though everybody I try to reject by classification God sends back into my life to educate me.)
But what I really came to see you about," Tom said, " is something you said to me on the last day of class." (He remembered!) He continued, "I asked you if you thought I would ever find God and you said, ‘No!’ which surprised me. Then you said, ‘But he will find you.’ I thought about that a lot, even though my search for God was hardly intense at that time. (My "clever" line. He thought about that a lot!) But when the doctors removed a lump from my groin and told me that it was malignant, then I got serious about locating God. And when the malignancy spread into my vital organs, I really began banging bloody fists against the bronze doors of heaven.
But God did not come out. In fact, nothing happened. Did you ever try anything for a long time with great effort and with no success? You get psychologically glutted, fed up with trying. And then you quit.
Well, one day I woke up, and instead of throwing a few more futile appeals over that high brick wall to a God who may be or may not be there, I just quit. I decided that I didn’t really care ... about God, about an afterlife, or anything like that. "I decided to spend what time I had left doing something more profitable. I thought about you and your class and I remembered something else you had said: ‘The essential sadness is to go through life without loving. But it would be almost equally sad to go through life and leave this world without ever telling those you loved that you had loved them.’ "So I began with the hardest one: my Dad. He was reading the newspaper when I approached him."
"Dad". . .
"Yes, what?" he asked without lowering the newspaper.
"Dad, I would like to talk with you."
"Well, talk."
"I mean. .. It’s really important."
The newspaper came down three slow inches. "What is it?"
"Dad, I love you. I just wanted you to know that." Tom smiled at me and said with obvious satisfaction, as though he felt a warm and secret joy flowing inside of him: "The newspaper fluttered to the floor. Then my father did two things I could never remember him ever doing before. He cried and he hugged me.
And we talked all night, even though he had to go to work the next morning. It felt so good to be close to my father, to see his tears, to feel his hug, to hear him say that he loved me. "It was easier with my mother and little brother. They cried with me, too, and we hugged each other, and started saying real nice things to each other. We shared the things we had been keeping secret for so many years. I was only sorry about one thing: that I had waited so long. Here I was just beginning to open up to all the people I had actually been close to.
"Then, one day I turned around and God was there. He didn’t come to me when I pleaded with him. I guess I was like an animal trainer holding out a hoop, ‘C’mon, jump through.’ ‘C’mon, I’ll give you three days .. .three weeks.’ Apparently God does things in his own way and at his own hour. "But the important thing is that he was there. He found me.
You were right. He found me even after I stopped looking for him."
"Tommy," I practically gasped, "I think you are saying something very important and much more universal than you realize. To me, at least, you are saying that the surest way to find God is not to make him a private possession, a problem solver, or an instant consolation in time of need, but rather by opening to love. You know, the Apostle John said that. He said God is love, and anyone who lives in love is living with God and God is living in him.’ Tom, could I ask you a favor? You know, when I had you in class you were a real pain. But (laughingly) you can make it all up to me now. Would you come into my present Theology of Faith course and tell them what you have just told me? If I told them the same thing it wouldn’t be half as effective as if you were to tell them."
"Oooh . . . I was ready for you, but I don’t know if I’m ready for your class."
"Tom, think about it. If and when you are ready, give me a call." In a few days Tommy called, said he was ready for the class, that he wanted to do that for God and for me. So we scheduled a date. However, he never made it.
He had another appointment, far more important than the one with me and my class. Of course, his life was not really ended by his death, only changed.
He made the great step from faith into vision. He found a life far more beautiful than the eye of man has ever seen or the ear of man has ever heard or the mind of man has ever imagined.
Before he died, we talked one last time. "I’m not going to make it to your class," he said.
"I know, Tom."
"Will you tell them for me? Will you . . . tell the whole world for me?"
"I will, Tom. I’ll tell them. I’ll do my best."
So, to all of you who have been kind enough to hear this simple statement about love, thank you for listening. And to you, Tommy, somewhere in the sunlit, verdant hills of heaven: "I told them, Tommy . ... ...as best I could."
Monday, November 1, 2010
Really Woolly Bible Stories By DaySpring
I have been waiting anxiously for this book and finally it came! Hooray!!! When I saw this book available for review, I immediately request for it without a second thought, as I fall in love with the cute cover right away. The other reason is, I had been trying quite sometimes now, to find suitable Bible stories-related books for Iggy. Therefore, I would not want to miss the chance to get this Really Woolly Bible Stories By DaySpring from BookSneeze.com
So here we go. Following is the description from BookSneeze.com :
Favorite Bible stories presented with the beloved Really Woolly art style help little children discover that God is faithful and true and that Jesus, The Good Shepherd, loves them.
This case-bound padded board book from the Really Woolly® brand by DaySpring® makes it easy to share important stories from God’s Word with little children, while teaching them about God’s shepherd-like love for them. Bible stories include Creation, Noah, Abraham, Moses, the Ten Commandments, Joseph, Samson, Daniel, David and Goliath, Jonah, Jesus’ Birth, Jesus Loves the Little Children, Jesus Feeds 5,000, Jesus the Good Smaraitan, Jesus Walks on Water, Jesus’ Death & Resurrection, The Great Commission. Little ones will love the charming Really Woolly® illustrations.
Illustrations by Julie Sawyer Phillips. Stories retold by Bonnie Rickner Jensen.
Product details:
- Format: Padded Board Book
- Trim Size: 5.30 in x 7.10 in x 1 in
- Page Count: 36 pages
It is a soft-padded board book and color of the book is soft purplish. In fact, the color is so soft that at first I thought it is white in color. Each Bible stories in the book are presented in two-page spread, where on one side, the stories are told in poem form with little Really Woolly characters doing something related to the stories together and on the other sides is the cartoon-style illustrations.
I am really happy with this book as Iggy loves it. He usually follows me around the house when I am doing some chores. On the day when we first get the book, he brought the book to the kitchen where I was at, occupied with preparing his food, and settled himself down on the kitchen floor, flipping through the book.
I try to cultivate the love to read in Iggy. Whenever I can, I would try to get him sitting on my lap with me holding a book in front of him and read to him. He usually gets impatient with me and tried to flip through the book without waiting for me to point out the pictures in the pages. The first time when I tried to read Really Woolly Bible Stories to him, he is his old self. Getting impatient and tried to flip through the book as he likes. However, as the stories in the poem format are real short I was able to picked up a few keywords and pointed out something in the pictures. The next time, when I tried to read the stories to him, he actually exhibits more patience and able to let me pointed out more stuffs to him. By the third time, he is actually looked for the Really Woolly characters and pointed them out to me. Whoa! That's a real improvement for Iggy!
If I not mistaken this book is appropriate for children age 4 - 8. Iggy is actually way too young to fully understand the book. However, I would not worry too much about that. At this age, all I want to teach Iggy is to love and appreciate books. It does not matter if he does not understands even a word from the book. As long as he loves the book, I am happy with it.
There are a few features of the book that I truly loves. For one, it is the size and weight of the book. The size is just right for toddler like Iggy and it is also light enough for him to carry around easily. Secondly, under the cartoon-style illustrations, there are scripture reference that tells you where to find the story in the Bible. Lastly, the book closes with poem-format prayer for children, that shows the Really Woolly characters tucked in for the night.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Can you read this passage?
There is an interested email I received way back, which I thought is interesting. This email appeared in my mailbox again recently, and I thought it will be fun to share it. Enjoy!
fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid, too. Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe tuo fo 100 anc.
i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! if you can raed tihs forwrad it.
If you can read this, your brain is 50% faster than those who can't
fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid, too. Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe tuo fo 100 anc.
i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! if you can raed tihs forwrad it.
If you can read this, your brain is 50% faster than those who can't
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado
This is my first Max Lucado's book (Lucado's children book previously does not count :)). And I am proud to say that, this is one of a few spiritual growth books that I cannot wait to finish it as soon as I started to read a few pages of the book!
"We are created by a great God to do great works. He invites us to outlive our lives, not just in heaven, but here on earth." Made to make a difference, that is the theme of this book. With each chapter, Lucado is showing his readers how to outlive our life by referring to the book of Acts, learning from the early churches.
I like the way this book is written in an easy and conversational tone. While it is written in layman terms without the fancy theological jargons, it is also very thought-provoking and motivating. I also appreciate the effort to include the Question and Discussion session for each chapter, to further encourage the reader to think deeply what he or she can do to make a difference.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 :“Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
One Hand, Two Hands By Max Lucado
Finally my second book from BookSneeze had arrived. The author of this book is Max Lucado and it is illustrated by Gaby Hansen. This is a charming children book with cheery and colorful illustrations, which teaches children many ways of using their hand in their daily activities to express their helpfulness, kindness and loving nature.
I am really excited to receive this book, as I ordered it specifically for Iggy. Although he is too young to appreciate the book, he shows excitement upon seeing the new book and he also enjoys flipping through the book. I, personally, like the illustrations. It is cheery and colorful and most of all its gives a warm and happy feeling to the reader.
However, I prefer the book without its book jacket. For Iggy, the book jacket actually gets in the way when he try to flip open the book. I think it is only a matter of time before he accidentally tear it in his attempts to flip the book open.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 :“Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
How To Stop Night Coughing
Following is an excerpt from an article I received in my Inbox.
Before encountered this article I actually heard a friend mentioning this method and claimed extremely effective and I had try it on Iggy. The result? Well, I don't how effective it is. A few months ago Iggy got a mild coughing and stuffy nose which got worsen at night. However, it didn't interfered with his sleep much. But it had me worried when I heard his labored breathing. So I applied some kid's vapor rub at the bottom of his feet. Since it didn't interfered with his sleep originally, the effectiveness of the method can't be noticed. Also I didn't use Vicks and I also didn't put socks on Iggy feet.
To stop night time coughing in a child (or adult as we found out personally), put Vicks VapoRub generously on the bottom of the feet at bedtime then cover with socks.
Even persistent, heavy, deep coughing will stop in about 5 minutes and stay stopped for many, many hours of relief.
Works 100% of the time and is more effective in children than even very strong prescriptions cough medicines. In addition it is extremely soothing and comforting and they will sleep soundly. ...
Before encountered this article I actually heard a friend mentioning this method and claimed extremely effective and I had try it on Iggy. The result? Well, I don't how effective it is. A few months ago Iggy got a mild coughing and stuffy nose which got worsen at night. However, it didn't interfered with his sleep much. But it had me worried when I heard his labored breathing. So I applied some kid's vapor rub at the bottom of his feet. Since it didn't interfered with his sleep originally, the effectiveness of the method can't be noticed. Also I didn't use Vicks and I also didn't put socks on Iggy feet.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Permission to Speak Freely By Anne Jackson
The gift of going second, that's is what Anne Jackson's precious gift to the reader. By sharing her own addictions and brokenness, she ultimately open the door to topics which previously kept in the dark in the Christian communities. Issues which are taboo before, now are more readily to be openly discuss. This in turn contribute to more people being freed and reconnected with God.
I have a mixed feeling about this book when I first started reading it. As part of the title says "Essays and Art on Fear, Confession, and Grace", I am consciously looking for compilation of articles shared by different people. However, what I found is Anne's personal sharing throughout the book, mixed with different type of medias, such as sketches, photographs, postcards, poems which double as illustrations for the book.
Once, I got pass my earlier assumption, I began to enjoy the book. I also appreciate Anne's effort for not turning this book into a typical self-help book, as if all the problems in our life can be categorized into particular category and can be solved by Step 1, Step 2, Step 3 ... etc. Life is much much more complicated than that.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 :“Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Thursday, July 29, 2010
BPA just in plastics? Think again!
I saw a rather disturbing news about BPA. Following are some of the excerpt of the article
For further reading please refer to: Toxin BPA Found on Receipts From Safeway, Whole Foods, Walmart
So you've bought a BPA-free water bottle and ditched BPA-filled canned food. But BPA, a toxic chemical found in many of the products we use every day, may still be a big part of your life. That's because massive amounts of BPA are found on many store receipts. And according to a recent study, BPA easily makes the transfer from receipt to skin, where it penetrates at such a deep level that it can't be washed off...
For further reading please refer to: Toxin BPA Found on Receipts From Safeway, Whole Foods, Walmart
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)