Right across from the school complex (ISM, British, Japanese) a new mall is rising in the heart of Fort Bonifacio. It's going to be gigantic and they are currently trying to finish the entrances and garages for the 16 September opening. Jeff didn't believe that it'll be ready in 2 weeks. We shall see. The kids are excited for the opening. Outside, a huge playgroung is going up.
I do wonder though how the opening of this mall will affect traffic in the area. Fort Bonafacio is still empty and getting to ISM takes 15 minutes or less on a typical day. I hope it doesn't change much.
Saturday, August 28, 2004
AmeriKids update
Somehow I was roped into being part of the board for AmeriKids Preschool. It’s not a role I hate. Far from it I think it’s great. Last year I was asked to maintain the website. It was originally on a free Tripod site, but this year I took all the content and moved it to a stable site of its own.
You can see it at AmeriKids. I’d wanted AmeriKids.us but it was bought and the gentleman who owns it wouldn’t sell. Oh well.
The boys are having a wonderful time. We bring a little girl, Katie, with us in the morning and then bring her home after. Though we’ve seen her at school and been at her home a couple times, riding in our car was still new and the first few days were rough. She has calmed down and seems to be enjoying herself now. There’s a lot of giggling going on back there.
You can see it at AmeriKids. I’d wanted AmeriKids.us but it was bought and the gentleman who owns it wouldn’t sell. Oh well.
The boys are having a wonderful time. We bring a little girl, Katie, with us in the morning and then bring her home after. Though we’ve seen her at school and been at her home a couple times, riding in our car was still new and the first few days were rough. She has calmed down and seems to be enjoying herself now. There’s a lot of giggling going on back there.
Michele meets Holden Caufield
I remember hearing how The Catcher in the Rye (Salinger) was banned from this school and that, but it was never on my reading list and I hadn’t gotten around it. Yesterday while returning another book I skimmed the classics shelves. To avoid a roundtrip home I figured I’d pick one and spend my morning reading in the library (tough life, I know). Rye seemed about the right length for a morning’s leisure so I started and finished about three hours later.
I know for the time it was written, it was quite a masterpiece. I don’t get the brouhaha though. Granted, I understand why some parents wouldn’t approve of their children reading it with the language and some of the subject matter, but in all honesty I believe that it’s nothing a Senior AP English student wouldn’t be able to handle and understand. I’m just not sure why it’s still on high school reading lists.
I’m obviously not an English teacher. I’ve never been good at finding the deeper meanings in classic novels and this was no exception. Is this book popular for the high school crowd because it’s about an unmotivated 16 year old breaking the rules? Someday I may have to be enlightened. At the moment though, having read it is enough for me.
I know for the time it was written, it was quite a masterpiece. I don’t get the brouhaha though. Granted, I understand why some parents wouldn’t approve of their children reading it with the language and some of the subject matter, but in all honesty I believe that it’s nothing a Senior AP English student wouldn’t be able to handle and understand. I’m just not sure why it’s still on high school reading lists.
I’m obviously not an English teacher. I’ve never been good at finding the deeper meanings in classic novels and this was no exception. Is this book popular for the high school crowd because it’s about an unmotivated 16 year old breaking the rules? Someday I may have to be enlightened. At the moment though, having read it is enough for me.
A Little Personal Growth?
I can't really say "growth" but I'm still trying to read regularly and we're tossing in an interesting movie here and there. Over Jeff's visit, we saw "Raise the Red Lantern" and I read The Ugly American (Lederer).
"Raise the Red Lantern" we'll toss in with "Osama" as far as a story of hope and encouragement. I don't want to give the plot away because I enjoy movies without having much of a clue about them, but there are no happy moments from the first scene to the last. I do recommend it though. Like "Osama" it gives a glimpse into a world few Americans can understand, though instead of Afghanistan under the Taliban, it is about a Chinese "family."
Perusing the Seafront library, I came across Lederer's The Ugly American. While I was reading Summer Sisters (Bloom), Ian read it on the shuttle and found it extremely interesting. I finished it this week and also found it compelling. It takes a look at foreign service and the State Department but is written as a novel.
I'd like to purchase my own 1958 First Printing (it was that good) and am still looking for one. Yes, I know they are available on half.com and used books at amazon.com but for some reason I'm shying away from buying an older copy I can't see first. While searching for the novel, we came across a movie of the same title, though it looks like it pulls one character from the book. For now it will go on our netflix list.
While the book layed around the house, Katherine saw the cover and asked what the title meant. It opened up a discussion on the various definitions of "ugly" and what the phrase "ugly American" means specifically. It's a huge concept and one I don't think she fully grasps yet. How do we effectively get across to her that outside of the United States, Americans are viewed as loud, pushy, selfish and egocentric? That our open-mouthed and brash laughter, our swinging arms and loud speech don't paint us self-assured and competent but as over-bearing and ignorant of foreign customs? That our desire for everyone to speak English puts us at a disadvantage and learning the local language would show our hosts a true interest in their culture?
The door has been opened for further discussions. We also have the opportunity to actively watch how we behave and see if we are continuing the "ugly American" stereotype or if we give our host countries a better impression of Americans. Those who are willing to understand other cultures. It all boils down self-awareness and a respect for others.
Wish us luck. I get the feeling this will be a lifelong endeavor and not just for Katherine either. It's a family affair and one we should all aspire to when we step off our home soil.
"Raise the Red Lantern" we'll toss in with "Osama" as far as a story of hope and encouragement. I don't want to give the plot away because I enjoy movies without having much of a clue about them, but there are no happy moments from the first scene to the last. I do recommend it though. Like "Osama" it gives a glimpse into a world few Americans can understand, though instead of Afghanistan under the Taliban, it is about a Chinese "family."
Perusing the Seafront library, I came across Lederer's The Ugly American. While I was reading Summer Sisters (Bloom), Ian read it on the shuttle and found it extremely interesting. I finished it this week and also found it compelling. It takes a look at foreign service and the State Department but is written as a novel.
I'd like to purchase my own 1958 First Printing (it was that good) and am still looking for one. Yes, I know they are available on half.com and used books at amazon.com but for some reason I'm shying away from buying an older copy I can't see first. While searching for the novel, we came across a movie of the same title, though it looks like it pulls one character from the book. For now it will go on our netflix list.
While the book layed around the house, Katherine saw the cover and asked what the title meant. It opened up a discussion on the various definitions of "ugly" and what the phrase "ugly American" means specifically. It's a huge concept and one I don't think she fully grasps yet. How do we effectively get across to her that outside of the United States, Americans are viewed as loud, pushy, selfish and egocentric? That our open-mouthed and brash laughter, our swinging arms and loud speech don't paint us self-assured and competent but as over-bearing and ignorant of foreign customs? That our desire for everyone to speak English puts us at a disadvantage and learning the local language would show our hosts a true interest in their culture?
The door has been opened for further discussions. We also have the opportunity to actively watch how we behave and see if we are continuing the "ugly American" stereotype or if we give our host countries a better impression of Americans. Those who are willing to understand other cultures. It all boils down self-awareness and a respect for others.
Wish us luck. I get the feeling this will be a lifelong endeavor and not just for Katherine either. It's a family affair and one we should all aspire to when we step off our home soil.
Let's Talk
So how is Nicholas doing these days with his speech? He's 4 1/2 and with the exception of mixing up his pronouns (she/her/hers and he/him/his) he is doing very well. I would describe his clarity with strangers at about 3 1/2 though.
Jonathon is moving along well. He picks up poor grammar from his brother and the two of them use several of the same mispronunciations. For example:
Bubblefly: A flying insect with often colorful wings.
Catterputer: Those little crawly bugs that turn into bubbleflies.
Munty: aka Something.
If I here any more, I'll add them in. They are getting bigger so the cute words are being edged out by proper words, which is a sad thing to see.
Jonathon is moving along well. He picks up poor grammar from his brother and the two of them use several of the same mispronunciations. For example:
Bubblefly: A flying insect with often colorful wings.
Catterputer: Those little crawly bugs that turn into bubbleflies.
Munty: aka Something.
If I here any more, I'll add them in. They are getting bigger so the cute words are being edged out by proper words, which is a sad thing to see.
There's always a silver lining
On Friday I picked up the girls from school and we schlepped over to Seafront to get our annual TB check.
The boys had received their shots the week before and both had come back normal. This time the girls and I were ready. Katherine spoke incessantly on the car ride over about how she really didn't like the TB test. That and finger pricks were "the absolute worst" and she would rather have her blood drawn. She got so worked up she was on the verge of tears. The boys had done wonderful and tried to reassure her that it did hurt but it wasn't bad. And she'd get candy. Rebecca was nervous and wanted me to go first, but in the end did just fine as well.
When the nurse called, we were ready. The thing was, Katherine didn't have to get the test at all. Because of last year's positive reaction followed by the course of INH, she is now branded CONVERTED on her medical folder. Once a positive, always a positive. She will perpetually carry the potential for the disease in her blood.
Katherine was thrilled. She couldn't resist rubbing it in to all her siblings that she would never have to get that shot again and we would, nyah nyah. No amount of discussion could convince her that it was actually worse to -have- those nasty TB germs in her body (and the six months of daily drugs she'd had to take), than to get a little bump on her arm once a year. Nope, she got out of there without a shot and was bouncing with joy.
There's a silver lining to everything.
The boys had received their shots the week before and both had come back normal. This time the girls and I were ready. Katherine spoke incessantly on the car ride over about how she really didn't like the TB test. That and finger pricks were "the absolute worst" and she would rather have her blood drawn. She got so worked up she was on the verge of tears. The boys had done wonderful and tried to reassure her that it did hurt but it wasn't bad. And she'd get candy. Rebecca was nervous and wanted me to go first, but in the end did just fine as well.
When the nurse called, we were ready. The thing was, Katherine didn't have to get the test at all. Because of last year's positive reaction followed by the course of INH, she is now branded CONVERTED on her medical folder. Once a positive, always a positive. She will perpetually carry the potential for the disease in her blood.
Katherine was thrilled. She couldn't resist rubbing it in to all her siblings that she would never have to get that shot again and we would, nyah nyah. No amount of discussion could convince her that it was actually worse to -have- those nasty TB germs in her body (and the six months of daily drugs she'd had to take), than to get a little bump on her arm once a year. Nope, she got out of there without a shot and was bouncing with joy.
There's a silver lining to everything.
Sunday, August 22, 2004
The Avocado
Avocados are cheap. Very cheap. You can buy three here for P40. When I was a kid, I remember my parents eating avocados often. They would buy them, split them in half, pop out the seed and then pour salad dressing in the little bowl the seed left. Then they’d proceed to eat the whole thing just to the skin. My mom and I would try to grow avocado plants periodically and sometimes succeeded in getting at least some growth.
I’m sure at some point in time I tried one. I probably didn’t like it and that’s why my only memory is of my parents eating them. I know I don’t like guacamole, but then I’m not a huge fan of foods that have loads of little random bits in them. But a few weeks ago I bought some avocados, just because. I prepared it just as my parents did, poured some Italian dressing in the middle and took a scoop.
You can tell a ripe avocado by its texture. When you pick one, it doesn’t matter how green it is. If it’s all brown though it’s past its prime, so look for fruits that are solid, just starting to brown and the best indicator, a little squishable. When you press on it, the skin should give a bit. If it’s hard as a rock, you can still buy them and they’ll ripen on your kitchen counter after a couple days. But once they start to soften you have a day or two to eat them.
Anyway, I took a scoop and found much to my surprise that I liked it. Avocados are almost tasteless, but not quite. And the texture might turn people off as it’s just this side of creamy. But I ate the whole thing and since then I’ve bought more. The kids aren’t keen on them. They’ll have a taste but none has taken to them. That’s OK, I figure I did the same thing as a kid and if they try it again when they’re older, they just might like it.
About food and kids, one thing I do with mine is have them take a taste of everything. If they don’t care for it that’s fine, but I don’t accept “That’s yucky” and I don’t let them spit it out. Even Jonathon has reached the point of choking a bite down and saying “I don’t like it, but it’s yummy for you”. Not everyone has the same tastes and that’s OK. But there’s no need to be rude about it. I think it’s done wonders for Rebecca. She’s so wary of trying new stuff, but she’s had enough good experiences that she’s much more willing now than a year ago to take the plunge rather than going on looks alone. Afterall, we’re in Asia and it’s not often that new foods here look wonderfully appetizing to our American eyes.
One thing I haven’t attempted yet with the avocado is a mixture our housekeeper suggested. Mash up the avocado meat, crush some SkyFlakes crackers and mix it in. Then pour in milk. Mix it all together and freeze. She swears it’s “just like ice cream”. Color me doubtful.
Some of the concoctions here are just plain wrong.
I’m sure at some point in time I tried one. I probably didn’t like it and that’s why my only memory is of my parents eating them. I know I don’t like guacamole, but then I’m not a huge fan of foods that have loads of little random bits in them. But a few weeks ago I bought some avocados, just because. I prepared it just as my parents did, poured some Italian dressing in the middle and took a scoop.
You can tell a ripe avocado by its texture. When you pick one, it doesn’t matter how green it is. If it’s all brown though it’s past its prime, so look for fruits that are solid, just starting to brown and the best indicator, a little squishable. When you press on it, the skin should give a bit. If it’s hard as a rock, you can still buy them and they’ll ripen on your kitchen counter after a couple days. But once they start to soften you have a day or two to eat them.
Anyway, I took a scoop and found much to my surprise that I liked it. Avocados are almost tasteless, but not quite. And the texture might turn people off as it’s just this side of creamy. But I ate the whole thing and since then I’ve bought more. The kids aren’t keen on them. They’ll have a taste but none has taken to them. That’s OK, I figure I did the same thing as a kid and if they try it again when they’re older, they just might like it.
About food and kids, one thing I do with mine is have them take a taste of everything. If they don’t care for it that’s fine, but I don’t accept “That’s yucky” and I don’t let them spit it out. Even Jonathon has reached the point of choking a bite down and saying “I don’t like it, but it’s yummy for you”. Not everyone has the same tastes and that’s OK. But there’s no need to be rude about it. I think it’s done wonders for Rebecca. She’s so wary of trying new stuff, but she’s had enough good experiences that she’s much more willing now than a year ago to take the plunge rather than going on looks alone. Afterall, we’re in Asia and it’s not often that new foods here look wonderfully appetizing to our American eyes.
One thing I haven’t attempted yet with the avocado is a mixture our housekeeper suggested. Mash up the avocado meat, crush some SkyFlakes crackers and mix it in. Then pour in milk. Mix it all together and freeze. She swears it’s “just like ice cream”. Color me doubtful.
Some of the concoctions here are just plain wrong.
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