wonder student

A meeting with Cerise's teacher, Mrs. Gillespie, has given us an insight on how Cerise has been progressing and performing at school.

Her reading ability and comprehension have improved greatly that she now joins another group of advanced readers outside of her class.

The stories she writes are more descriptive as she develops her grammar and spelling skills. We do need to catch up on our own reinforcement at home as we realise that we have not been practising her on compound words, contractions and the past, present, future tense.

As it turns out, she is very good in maths but my oh my, I didn't think Cerise has been learning more than addition and subtraction. She has in fact done several written exercises on fractions, measurements and statistics.

The school has recognized her to be especially talented and therefore had placed her in a special class for visual arts and drama.

Also, my year 1 student, thankfully, has grown mature over the last few months; able to control her giggling fits and disruptive behaviour.

Finally, the best thing I heard on the night was the teacher's reference to Cerise being an "asset to the school". This special regard to her was something I didn't expect, especially for a very young age of 5 and for being in school no more than ten months. She truly is a diamond I don't wear on my finger.

6 pointed stars and a ball

Jealous that Daddy was handing down to Cerise lessons in playing chess, I didn't want to be outdone and went on to introduce the game of jackstones.

Sure, it doesn't possess the reputation of chess, deemed to be the sort of game that develops strategic thinking and tactical maneuvering, critical in business decision-making and in life for that matter. But the game of jackstones is fast paced, dynamic and packed with action, it sure is a whole lot of fun! It was a favourite past time during my childhood (we even had tournaments for it) and one that I don't want Cerise to miss out on.

I couldn't really teach her much as my lesson plan was highly dependent on the poor condition of my memory bank. But she got the idea.

do you mind? game

I have not seen Cerise play the chess since I got back from Oz. She had started learning this mental sport from Dad and was loving her giant board and chess pieces... and beating me, but I'm told that she's now grown fond of playing it online, and playing it better. Well, I think it's Dad who enjoys it more coz then he wouldn't have to sit and play with her as much.

Not in the picture: me, the opponent


Not in the picture: Daddy, the coach



Not in the picture (thankfully): me, the loser.

DID YOU KNOW?...
Many countries claim to have invented chess in some incipient form. The most commonly held view is that chess originated in India, since the Arabic, Persian, Greek, Portuguese and Spanish words for chess are all derived from the Sanskrit game Chaturanga. In addition, in the past only India had all three animals, horse, camel and elephant, in its cavalry, which represent knight, bishop and rook in chess. The present version of chess played throughout the world ultimately derives from a version of Chaturanga that was played in India around the 6th century CE.

back in the land of the long white cloud

Take off: Sydney airport
sunshine
blue skies
21 degrees
heavy traffic in the air and down on the runway
the wait for our aircraft's ascent made bearable by a view of a plane twisting and turning up in the sky, its tail emitting a cloud-like substance that spelled an advertising message "Code Black. Go to Donut King"

Touchdown: Auckland airport
rain
grey skies
14 degrees
gusty winds
grrrrrrrrrrr

The sight of husband and daughter brings that warm cozy feeling of being home. No emotional outbursts in the arrivals area.

In the two weeks that I was away, Cerise had grown slimmer and taller. She's memorized all 16 songs in her praise and worship CD; improved her execution of her handstand; and now ties her shoe laces with ease!

This was my first trip without the company of Cerise and it taught me that a baby/toddler/junior school aged child is the best travel accessory you can have. For with it, you are well looked after by airport staff and flight attendants who will constantly offer a smile, a hand, a shoulder, an extra pillow, blanket or cup of water, small talks, and a top up of snacks. Without it, you are as invisible as the air they breathe you might as well camouflage yourself with the upholstery of the airplane's seats.

DID YOU KNOW? .... The first international airport to open was the Croydon Airport in South London. It was the main airport for London before it was replaced by Northolt Aerodrome, London Heathrow Airport and London Gatwick Airport.

reuniting with cerise...

... and it feels so good.

One more sleep and I'll be seeing my little princess again! I actually survived two weeks of not being around her. Although I had a night or two... okay maybe three, of crying myself to sleep, I still give myself a pat on the back.

mission accomplished

Eight days of catching trains and walking around Sydney, in heels...

Seven days of blow drying my hair mercilessly all in the name of corporate look...

Six days of meeting with recruitment agents and employers...

Five days of enjoying the sun, out and about without having to wear my winter/trench coat...

One entire morning of frantic phone calls and emails with 8 people, non-stop pacing around my notebook, drinking coffee and forgetting lunch, and 8 million little prayers as I picked one out of 3 job offers...

And then serenity. One deep breathe. At 1300 hours, I made the choice of accepting the role of Business Developmet Executive for Haymarket Media.

This was the one interview I nearly cancelled just because I didn't think it would be of any interest to me. I was getting exhausted by that stage and thought it could all be a waste of MY time. Surprisingly though, I was feeling GREAT on my way to the meeting, I remember the sensation similar to floating and thought how weird that was. In retrospect, I realise that the manner in which EVERYTHING unfolded from 4 weeks ago, and even from April, did so for this very conclusion. A friend emailed me just before I left NZ, "if that’s where you are meant to be, the doors will open and if not, they will close firmly. The Lord goes before you and knows what is the best path for you and your family." This I kept in my heart from the moment I boarded the plane and will continue to remind myself of it as we make our move to our new home... Sydney, Australia.

flew up to down under

Sydney, the vibrant city of Australia, is an old acquaintance of mine. First, there was the attempt to make it our base in 1999. Then a short holiday in 2001 and another two years later. Seven years after I first touched down here, I am now back for a two week cath up. I arrived here 3 days ago and I'm just loving the weather! It is winter but it feels more like spring to me (coming from New Zealand, one would). I'm not here for a holiday though... and this I remind myself when the temptations of fashion boutiques call. It's all business this time. I'm finding out what it has to offer and perhaps this could just be the right time to come back and settle here for good. In the last three months, I went from embracing my respite to identifying my options and finally to figuring out my priorities. It's become clear to me that I NEED a baby soon; that I WILL have to take my MBA next year; that I CAN put up my own little business; that I DO WANT to work again... ideally securing a contractual job in New Zealand or if God wills it that we move to Sydney, then it will have to be a full time permanent job. Obviously, everything is in limbo but that's okay because I know I am doing what is necessary in order to come up with a more concrete plan. We're getting there. As to where it leads me, it's all in God's hands. I refuse to analyze things too much and come up with logical explanations. I live each day like I'm a blind being led by the hand. As to when the great big plan will be unveiled, I leave that with God too. All I ask is for Him to speak to me, to my heart so that I may have discernment. Indeed, I don't know where I'm going but I'm on my way.