"Hairs" Ashrie's New Look

Ashrie had her first ever haircut last Sunday, 15 August 2010.

I did it! It was me who cut her fringes. Me and my wife decided that she (my wife) will hold her and keep her engaged while I do the cutting. And I think it wasn't a bad idea after all. We need not to go through the hassles of going to the barber and the cost for cutting her hair (salons ask more for toddler haircuts). Thank God her hair is growing well, jet black and shiny. She had very thin hair when she was a baby, remember?

And now, the shots.

A Poem for Jane

It's been four years since we tied the knot
But eleven years from my love-at-first-sight,
Most things change but some does not
Like lizards still gives you the fright!

You still serves breakfast, lunch and dinner
Manages our bills in pen and paper,
Still cleans the house "melancholically"
And sings in tune, the singer you used to be.

Now that our daughter is here with us,
I will not mind if you tresspass
Because I know you love me too
I feel it in the things you do.

Today, as we both celebrate
Our anniversary half of 8th,
I hope and pray my Dearest Wife
Though time may fade our love will not!

A personal poem presented to my wife Jane on the occasion of our 4th Wedding Anniversary, 18 August 2010.

18 Memos From Your Child

Attention parents out there!

I heard about this note while listening to a podcast earlier this morning and I think it's worth sharing. These are 18 Memos From Your Child (there is also another version, 21 Memos, but I chose the lesser one. Less to remember, the better). So here it goes..

18 Memos From Your Child

--Author Unknown

1. Don't spoil me. I know quite well that I ought not to have all I ask for. I'm testing you.

2. Don't be afraid to be firm with me. I prefer it; it makes me feel more secure.

3. Don't let me form bad habits. I have to rely on you to detect them in the early stages.

4. Don't make me feel smaller than I am. It only makes me behave stupidly big.

5. Don't correct me in front of people if you can help it. I'll take much more notice if you talk quietly with me in private.

6. Don't protect me from consequences. I need to learn the painful way sometimes.

7. Don't be too upset when I say "I hate you." It isn't you I hate, but your power to thwart me.

8. Don't take too much notice of my small ailments. Sometimes they get me the attention I need.

9. Don't nag. If you do, I shall have to protect myself by appearing deaf.

10. Don't make rash promises. Remember that I feel badly let down when promises are broken.

11. Don't forget that I cannot explain myself as well as I should like. That is why I'm not always very accurate.

12. Don't be inconsistent. That completely confuses me and makes me lose faith in you.

13. Don't tell me my fears are silly. They are terribly real and you can do much to reassure me if you try to understand.

14. Don't put me off when I ask questions. If you do you will find that I stop asking and seek my information elsewhere.

15. Don't ever suggest that you are perfect or infallible. It gives me too great a shock when I discover you are neither.

16. Don't ever think it is beneath your dignity to apologize to me.

17. Don't forget how quickly I am growing up. It must be very difficult for you to keep pace with me, but please try.

18. Don't forget I need lots of understanding and love.

From: http://www.rineyjordan.com/18_memos_from_your_child.htm

Chartreuse & Red

Just a quick photo update of our 15th month-old daughter Ashrie. Very active,  talkative, noisy, but staying as gorgeously cute and sweet, as always.

Sitting on her sofa with her favorite toy at the moment.
Actually, this bear was my gift to Jane even before Ashrie is born.

With Moosey, her ever-reliable rocker

Holding her red ball
(to me it definitely looks like a blowfish)

"I love you Mom and Dad!". We love you too, Ashrie!

We thank God for keeping her safe, that she is growing and developing well, for His provision and protection to our the family. We are so blessed to have her!

Got Mail!

I found this wallet in the mailbox last week. It's a Dunhill black leather wallet with a 50 dollar bill inside!

Nah! it's actually a mail from Maybank offering us a new card. I just thought it's a very clever way of getting people's attention and I really appreciate such artistic presentation. Junk mails like these are very much welcome in our mailbox because it brings fun to the family.

I remember there was this instance that I actually found a wallet on the street here in Singapore. As I checked, it contained about 20 dollars, some coins and a work permit. There was no phone number or address of the Indian worker, so I placed all the paper bills, coins, and everything inside the wallet in an envelope and mailed it to his employer's address on the work permit. I did not placed my name on the mail. And honestly, I threw away his old rugged wallet. Ooops, sorry!

Losing a wallet is really a big trouble, not only because of the money inside or the value of the wallet itself but more importantly, because of the IDs, credit and ATM cards, and other important documents that might be in the wallet. Imagine all the hassles of getting a new ID and the stress it will bring you.

Personally, I always put a small card in my wallet with my name, address and phone number in it. So, just in case it's lost, the finder will have the option of returning it. It works for me! Probably about nine years ago, I lost my wallet, it turned out that it slipped from my pocket in the jeep, I did not know it was missing until I received a call from the finder. I went to their house and took my wallet, with all my important IDs inside. :-)