My Little Chess Master

Ah, summer!  This might be the first one that we are not going out-of-town to explore the outside world like we used to do every year.  For this preggy mama has been advised to take a strict bed rest if not a complete one.

Thankfully, our local government gave us another alternative to local traveling, the summer sports clinic!  This will somehow keep our kids busy for the entire summer and prevent them from staying too long in front of the tube or computer.  That is if you have a budget to spend. 

Initially we only planned for the swimming class as it is his favorite sports and the one that agreed with our budget.  But the Lord kept on convicting other people to bless us and someone did the sponsoring for chess, his next favorite.  A heartfelt thanks!

So yesterday, the chess class started.  He was among the youngest.  I reminded him on our way there that it doesn't matter whether he wins or loses, the thing is he should just enjoy playing and learning along the way.

It was during the school intrams when his teacher announced that everyone was welcome to join the games for the next day.  And it sparked his interest for chess. We hurried to the nearest Puregold (a supermarket where there were toys being sold too) to get him his own set.

How amazing that he learned all the moves and a bit of strategy overnight!  Thanks to his dad's unfailing support.  He didn't win though but I could tell he was happy because from that day on, he's played one game a day whoever his opponent was (his favorite was of course his mama whom he could almost always beat!).  And the whole point in this was he learned the meaning of discipline, patience and being a good sport.

Look how his super serious opponent(left, a champion from another school) has eaten his pieces here! But my son managed to smile for the cam...such a cool boy!

 Who knows, I might be nurturing a new grandmaster here!

Let me share you this game of chess my friend Elmo of  Enjoy The Flight has stumbled upon his travel in Amsterdam.  Cool eh?!

Linking up with:

A New Life Has Dawned!

It's been very silent here at the Jungle for quite some time.  What's with the sudden hiatus from the blogging world?  Well, it took some time too for this mom to absorb the fact that a new life will be thriving soon in her jungle.  She is going to be a mother for the third time!  Yes, you heard it right, 100% correct!

Seven months more yet my mind is really panicking.  A lot of things are bugging me.  But I tell you delivering is not one of them, I believe I was born for it.  God has blessed me with the ability to give birth in silence, and yes, I don't scream, I don't curse my husband.  I could almost pass for the women of Scientology.


But all those little buggers in my mind would have to be set aside and organized later.  All I want to do now is to think good and positive and welcome this new bundle of joy with open arms along with his or her two other siblings.  And I am so touched to understand and feel the words of the writer Elizabeth Stone: "Making the decision to have a child---it's wondrous.  It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body."










Photocredits:
Julian Wainwright Photography

Nice To Know You Wednesday #4

 It's always  nice to know someone right?  So here we go again with another of Nice To Know You Wednesday.

 

What’s one song you dedicate to your child {or a loved one, in case you are still single}?

I am in love with Josh Groban at the moment.  I know I'm a late bloomer .  Even if it isn't intended for a mother-child relationship, I dedicate the song You're Still You to my children.  And here's a snippet of the song:   

I look up to
Everything you are
In my eyes you do no wrong
I've loved you for so long
And after all is said and done
You're still you
After all
You're still you

You walk past me
I can feel your pain
Time changes everything
One truth always stays the same
You're still you
After all
You're still you 

I just think it's a classic feeling for moms who see their children grow, experience pain, do something bad, yet they are there for them no matter what.  Oh, I love you Josh! 

 

What’s one thing most people do not know about you?

Hello, my name is Reese and I am a self-proclaimed coffeeholic.  I can never get enough coffee.  And I hope it's not a sin. And I would never ever pass for a Mormon because of such.

  

How many tattoos do you have? If you have none, do you think of getting one?

I don't have one and honestly, it never crossed my mind to have one until now.  The New Testament doesn't give a clear view on it, though in the Old Testament it was clearly stated not to have one as it is associated with pagan rituals.  But I always believe we have the free will to decide on matters like this.  As long as it would not blaspheme God, I think it'd be fine but I don't want to go under the needles because I had so much in giving birth!

  

What’s the farthest-away place you’ve been?

It's gotta be Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte when we've made a tour of Luzon along with our high school friends and my husband (then my bf) back in the 90s.  In the south, it would be Pearl Farm, Davao with my bestfriend and I was three months pregnant with my youngest. Beautiful places! 

Would you believe I hardly went to the waters as I was having my "lihi" at this point? :D

What do you do most when you are bored?

When boredom sets in, the extrovert in me dominates, I would always think of somewhere to go even with my little girl in tow.  More often it would be in my aunt's house so my daughter would have someone to play with and I would have someone to talk to as well. 

Linking up with:

MINDFUL MONDAY II

Voices like heavenly angels who came down to earth...

I Love You, Most Ardently

Today marks our 18th anniversary as young puppy-lovers who have grown to be matured adults and lifetime commitment-takers.  I dedicate this simple poem to my husband who really works hard for me to enjoy the blessings of being a homemaker.  This may not look the best but as they always say, it's the thought that counts.

I.
From the moment we stepped into high school,

We only had eyes for each other that no one can fool,
Things were not meant for us at the time,
So we went on separate ways with a love not so prime.



II
"There is a time for everything,"  the Lord says,
And after a couple of years the time has come, as He lays,
For us to share an assurance of affection,
With humble obedience, we succumb with no objection.

III.
We ventured out into the world, to have a grasp on higher education,
You went to the north, I to the south, with different aspiration,

It was not easy to maintain a love that sprang upon youthfulness,

But we were able to beat it with much zealousness.


IV.
After many years of waiting, a prayer has finally been answered perfectly,
I knew from my heart He did not bring us together accidentally,
We took our sacred vows, as a sign of lifetime commitment,
To be with each other for challenges and merriment.

V.
Jewels have been bestowed, perfect blessings from above,
Despite many differences we find ourselves united in love,
It takes so much effort than a mere romantic play
To make this union work so we will not wither and fray.


VI.
So on this dearest occasion and all the days of our lives I will always pray,
"Lord never let the love, for which you bind us, sway."
To old and wrinkly bodies, to hair turned silvery and gray, we remain faithfully,
With that, I LOVE YOU, MOST ARDENTLY.

The Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone, I will make him a helper suitable for him." (Genesis 2:18) 






Happy anniversary.  I love you so much!

Photo credits:

dreamstime

Transit Notes 

British Paintings 

Intelliblog 

Nice To Know You Wednesday #3

It's Wednesday and it's time for another round of getting to know something about someone.  This is Nice To Know You Wednesday from Vix of mum writes.

   

What was the title of the last book you read?

It was an abridged copy The Wizard of Oz which was a gift to my son's 7th birthday but still too long for him to read so I took the chance.  Sure as it was, I enjoyed it for I love adventure novels, going on a journey and consequently meeting lots of characters who will have a deep impact to the protagonist.

How do rainy days make you feel?

I used to love rainy days and I'd always perceived that only few people seemed to like it.  But it was before my husband opened a motorcycle shop.  Now I almost wish it wouldn't rain that often because it was bad for the business.  

What effect does music have on you?

 It's therapeutic to me, soothes my soul and relaxes my physical body.  But I swear I do not know much music in trend as I've told here how boring I am.  I only listen to praise and worship songs, plus some classical, guitar & celtic inspiration(which I burned from my sis-in-law), and other music for relaxation.  

What were your best and worst subjects in school or college?

 Math & Stat were my worst nightmares back in school!  I couldn't tell you how many times I failed Math or I would sink here in my chair.   My best would be English, Literature, & French(which I tried so hard not to forget, making my son ask 'why do speak like that?').  

If you were a star of a reality show, what would its title be: My Turn, My Time or Queen For The Day?

 I would fancy being the Queen For The Day, Queen of the Royal Family for that matter.  I wonder how it feels to loiter in Buckingham Palace, eating superb gourmet food where you have servants even assisting while you sit!

Photocredits:

English Monarchs 

Easter Eggs Aren't Just For Easter!

Easter Sunday is in three weeks time but here in our tiny Jungle, it's almost always Easter because  my youngest loves to paint Easter eggs every now and then in as much as she loves to sing 12 Days Of Christmas everyday too!  Pretty weird huh?!  So you are most welcome to drop by if you want a spirit of both because everyday it's Easter or Christmas here! 

Painting is one of the skills I'm hoping my kids will like and hone.  See, in our clan, there isn't one with the ability on this creative side.  Most, if not all, are into math, engineering, computers, medicine...  It will be something different if I will be able to nurture them into this art.  And I personally will love it when I see our home filled with their art treasures.

And here's my darling...how she loves to paint!  So whenever breakfast includes boiled eggs, she would have them painted first before we get to eat it or at least I separate one for her to paint.  She too loves doing it with her Baby Einstein cd playing in the background.  Look how she holds the paint brush so well.  It seems indeed I have an artist/painter in the making here!

All we need is more budget for painting.  And you may wonder why...well, you know living in the Philippines makes you think not just twice but many times because money is really hard to earn.  But we WILL set aside something for the kids especially when it comes to improving their well being.  So I will probably be needing some easel soon so she can feel it more and lots and lots of paint! (As you can see above that she only uses three colors which we just looted from his brother's school art kit.) 

And I guess all she needs is nurturing right even in a world where mathematicians and scientists are more preferred and favored.  And this is so advanced Happy Easter!

Linking up with:

Of Jared's Little Corner

MINDFUL MONDAY I

A picture thought for the week

Photocredits:
M. Wildflower