So how is one expected to react when given a two dollar gift for one's birthday, the so-called gift looking like it has until that fateful day been collecting dust in the store room of the so-called donor? Is one expected to feel grateful for having being remembered? Or is one justified for feeling just a wee bit insulted for having being taken for a junk collector?
The above issue was faced by a close friend recently. She received from another friend what we would with consensus called a "cheap" gift for her birthday. After recovering from her initial shock, disappointment followed by guilt (for not being grateful) set in. So she came to me with her little dilemma; whether what the other person did was ok or not ok.
If you ask me, I would lean in favour of the "not to buy" than "to buy" if the latter option is going to result in the giving of an indecent gift. So the next question pose is what is the test of decency. Answer - the reasonable man test of course; what an ordinary man in the street would think of under the circumstances.
In short, giving an indecent gift to someone to me is clearly unacceptable social etiquette!
babyShe sees me open my eyes just after daybreak. I say a "Good Morning, Baby" in my exaggerated sing-song way. Her face breaks into a big smile, then she crawled over to give me a smooch in her own clumsy signature way.
That~is our daily ritual, my morning dance with Zerlynde.
And that~is bliss.
yasunari kawabataJust two days ago, I first heard about Kawabata and his wonderful book Snow Country. The subject-matter cropped up when I asked Rebecca why she named her son Yasu. Was it after Jesus? It transpired the son's name is not Yasu but Yasunari, named after that 1968 nobel prize winner in literature. Rebecca and her husband Cecil fell in love with Kawabata when they were in England in the 70's and they decided right there and then that should they one day bore a son, he shall be thus named.
Earlier today as I was reading Tony Parsons' Man and Boy, lo and behold, the protagonist Harry Silver was introduced to Kawabata and his book Snow Country just as I was on Saturday night.
Uncanny or what....
milestoneZerlynde will be one year old in a day's time! She's now able to:
1. crawl with straightened hands
2. crawl up and down stairs
3. stands with little support
4. sway body frontward and backward rhythmically
5. open & close hands to song "twinkle twinkle little stars"
6. point with index finger
7. carry spoon to mouth
8. hold a pen
9. say "mama", "papa", "mummum", "fish", "meow", "no", "picture"
10. babble short "sentences"
11. understand and obey commands "give it to mummy, please", "no"
12. shake head to indicate "no"
13. wave "bye-bye" and do "flying kiss"
14. remove and place rings on a tower cone
15. turn pages of book
16. nest series of boxes
17. push herself forward with her feet in a kiddy car
18. play peek-a-aboo with scarves, dresses
10. express many emotions
11. prefer certain people to others
12. develop sense of humor
13. give affection to humans and toys
14. mimic action of others
15. intently watch people and their activities
16. help hold cup for drinking
17. search for hidden object if she sees it hidden
19. love music and move body and arms to music
20. identify body parts like "ear"
21. grow aware of social approval and disapproval
22. try to win applause
23. assert self with other babies
24. tease and test parental limits
25. bring lots of joy to her parents and grandparents.......
Was at a cousin's wedding earlier this evening. What impressed me most was the sight of children dancing. A live band was providing very danceable music the whole night and these children, about 7 of them from aged 4 to 8 started dancing rightaway. They literally danced the night away, so to speak. The girls were doing a lot of May-pole and twirling in their fairy dresses, the boys on the other hand displayed more acrobatic skills. One even break-danced to my amazement. Did he see his father's music video of Michael Jackson's Beat It, one wonders.
Why are children so carefree, spontaneous, energetic, happy, simple, courageous, willing to take risks and so real? Nothing stops them from doing what brings them joy. Not fear of embarassment, nor fear of making mistakes. Not fear of looking silly, nor fear of imperfection. Whatever happened to these children when they grow up??
from the book "Who am I" by Carmen Warrington........
I am autumn
This is my time of reflection and release, for gathering and giving away. A cool change inspires me to harvest my creations and store for the future. What is unused decays, and what is not relevant is released. Change is in the air and I let go of what was, making way for what will be.
But if autumn was eternal, the sense of loss would be overwhelming; I might let go too much and be left with nothing, I need to make new plans and to create new dreams. Slowly but surely the cycle turns.
motherhoodWhen I see my baby crying
and I know not the reason
nor how best I can ease the pain,
When I see my baby fussing of hunger
then see her vomitting in vain,
When I see my baby's temperature escallating
knowing
to make her well is beyond my means,
When I see my baby's eyes pleading
mummy, please ~
take away my discomfort and pain,
These, alas,
are the heartaches of motherhood.
1. Life is beautiful 2. Cinema Paradiso 3. Nottinghill 4. Bridget Jones' Diary 5. You've Got Mail 6. French Kiss 7. The Thirteenth Floor 8. Breakfast At Tiffany 9. Roman Holiday 10. Indecent Proposal 11. Gone With The Wind 12. Talented Mr Ripley 13. Gattaca 14. Matrix 15. Beauty & The Beast 16. About A Boy 17. Pretty Woman 18. Love Affair 19. Somewhere In Time 20. The Bodyguard 21. The Mirror Has Two Faces 22. Green Card 23. Addicted To Love 24. Groundhog Day 25. Serendipity 26. Four Weddings and A Funeral 27. Austin Powers 28. Malena 29. Phantom Of The Opera 30. Great Expectation
"Do you know what the flower represents?", asked Tiew.
"No", I replied.
"Eldeweiss strives well on mountain-top. Previously, when a man wanted to impress his lover on how deep his love was for her, he would climb the mountain in order to pluck her an Eldeweiss", Tiew explained.
"These days, if we guys do something like that, we'll be a laughing stock", he continued.
"No, not true. I would be impressed. Courage's a rare quality and it ranks pretty high in my list of virtue", I said.
