If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again

This is an old poem but I chanced upon it again while listening to an audio archive from DZAS. I believe it’s better for parents to be reminded early rather than regret in the future the right things that they should have done today as a parent.

Here is the poem for parents by Diane Loomans.

If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again

If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.


I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.

I'd take my eyes off my watch and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less and know to care more.


I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.

I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.

I'd see the oak tree in the acorn more often.
I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.


I'd model less about the love of power,
And more about the power of Love.

Weekends are Park Days!

Finally, it’s opened.

The redevelopment of the park opposite our flat, that is. It’s just across the road, so we always have the time on weekends to visit and enjoy the place. The old viewing deck is still there but they built a new and improved version. The deck spans further than the first one so there’s much more to see. They also make it a heritage lane where you can see the reservoir’s history along the path. In addition, the construct a splash park for the young ones (and the “young once”). It is equipped with water fountains and sprinklers which are activated by sensors, so no water wastage when no one is in the park.

I’m pretty sure there will be more happy family memories (and pictures of course) in this place to come. But for now, here are some of our little daughter's photos in the park.

Family Pics

Having my brother around gave us the opportunity to have family pictures. So we would like to share with you some photos from our trips around Singapore during AR’s visit last month. Thanks AR for these photos!

 

Me&MyGirls with the newly-opened
Marina Bay Sands in the background;



Me&MyGirls at Raffles City!





Me&MyGirls at St.Regis
along Tanglin Road, Singapore;





and finally, Me&MyGirls in Singapore Zoo
during my birthday!

Sweet Lemons!

I have been so busy lately that it feels like I haven't blogged for so long.

My brother is back in the Philippines after more than a weeklong visit to Singapore. My vacation leave is also finished even before AR returned home. And special occasions such as Father's Day and my birthday were both over.

Furthermore, there was a major change in my work location and I have lots of adjustments to make. Imagine being transferred from the bustling city center to a remote area in the homelands. That means I need to commute double the time that I used to, I have to immerse myself to a new project, new work environment, new supervisor, new colleagues, and I have to bring a lunchbox because food stalls are nowhere to be found!

“Change is good” they say, and I want to believe it’s true. Enough of this sour-graping and allow me to enumerate God’s blessings in my current situation:

1. I will be able to feel God’s work in my life as he promised in His word that all things will work together for good to those who love Him,

2. I will be able to expand my horizons, to see and experience the other side of Singapore,

3. I will acquire more knowledge (and an additional item in my resume),

4. I will gain more friends and acquaintances, and

5. Hopefully, I might lose weight because I’m not having rice for lunch anymore.

I know everything’s gonna be fine!

Singapore Invasion II

Right at this very hour, my brother is flying to Singapore for his second visit to this island-state. His first tour was in 2007, an all-expense paid trip from his very generous brother (that’s me). But things changed, he has now a job so he will be shouldering his own airfare. And he will not only be seeing me and my wife, but the Sto.Domingo Family, of course with the addition of our little girl.

He wrote on his blog that he will be MIA for some RnR and I’m happy to say that I will have a fair share of those acronyms because I will be on leave from tomorrow until Tuesday. Needless to say, it’ll be an early weekend for me, and a very busy one for sure.

Father’s Day is on Sunday so my warmest greetings to all great fathers out there, and come Tuesday, I will be celebrating my birthday! Man, I’m getting old! God is good, he has blessed me with wonderful 33 years and counting, a lovely wife, an adorable daughter, and a good brother!

Here is a picture taken in 2007 in Sentosa, Singapore. Days when I can still wear a small sized shirt!

Photos and more stories soon. Cheers!