Protected: Dmitry’s graduation photo session
Dmitry had a great start
Well, looks like the strategy is working. We decided to start Dmitry on reading books of older children like Enid Blyton. We bought some of Blyton’s books yesterday to cultivate reading habit. This morning while he was waiting for me to get ready to send him to school, he sat near the bookshelf and read one of the Blyton’s. I saw it but I did not speak a word about his action but just letting him enjoying his reading alone.
This was the story. Last night before going to bed, I took those books into my working room and wrote the post here. The books were on my desk till this morning. After I was done with emails, I took the books to the bookshelf. He saw me taking the books and asked me why I took his books. I replied, “well, daddy found it interesting to read so daddy read it last night.”. He replied without hesitating, “Those are my books. Why do you read it?”. I knew it was a right moment to inspire him so I replied, “Daddy finds it interesting so daddy wants to read it no matter what book it is.” Then I turned away without speaking too much and ate my breakfast.
After some moment, I saw him reading one of the books. He has been inspired and I hope he will continue to inspire himself. When I was ready to go, I saw the other two little brothers holding Blyton’s books in their hands. The two brothers are not at the level yet but, well, that’s a great start.
Cultivate reading habit
Dmitry is able to read some Peter & Jane’s books. He has done reading some of the books. We got some more books this morning at the bookstore. Three books by Enid Blyton. Well, perhaps it is too early for a six year old to begin with Enid Blyton but I think it is not too early. First, it is good cultivating a good reading habit at early stage. Second, it is time to introduce books with less illustration.
Enid Blyton’s books can be boring for a six year old without too much illustration. All the illustrations are in black and white, no color. In my opinion, the earlier to start off with more text will train a child’s critical reading skill. He may not understand too much at the start but eventually his mind will become more receptive.
Here are the three books we bought.
Blyton’s books often mirrored fantasies of young children leading their minds to imagination and to explore. Although I only read one or two of her book during my younger days in school, I like Blyton’s because of her unique presentation of stories with fantasies and allow imaginative freedom in young children. Her books will help improve children’s imagination and provoke critical thinking as well.
Well, let see how Dmitry moving along this direction.
Huge disappointment and backing off
I used to be firm with my principles in most things but there’s a huge disappointment after all I have done. It makes me realize at some point, I will have to back off and start thinking about my own ambition. In the past 5 years of experience working with university students, I learned a lot from them in the way of handling disappointment and also enjoying the fruits. One of the project I will never forget is the 2006 FYP at UTAR. My team won a trophy, a consolation trophy to be precise, but the students decided to present it to me for memory. I have seen most of my teams to pull through their projects and graduated. Some are continuing their graduate study which I am somehow proud of their achievement.
I have not revealed my feeling towards them so far. But somehow this comes to me suddenly and I realize it is time for me to move on and leave behind my principles and pride for the betterment of my life.
I have decided to continue my study and to pursue my goal once I dreamed so much. Some readers or friends may say I am impulsive. But this thought has been in my mind since 2 years ago and I am waiting for the spark to light it off. I have found the spark though.
First astronomy lesson
After the TV, I went to lock the outer gate. The sky was clear and I could see the full moon and many stars. I saw the brightest star twinkling on the lower left corner not far away from the moon. I guessed it was Jupiter. Jupiter is the largest planet and one of the four outer gas giants or Jovians in our solar system. To be sure, I checked with Stellarium on my Mac and confirmed it was Jupiter.
Then I called the boys and mom to gaze at the sky and told them it was Jupiter the fifth planet from the Sun and the largest planet in our solar system. I told them that Jupiter would take about 11 years to orbit the Sun compare to one year for our planet earth. The two older boys responded with a big “Wow!” Nik was rather excited and very vocal.
We could also see some other stars and Ara, Triangulum Australe, Libra and Virgo constellation. They were magnificent.
The kids had their first astronomy lesson and so did I. I learned that Pluto is no longer the ninth planet in our solar system. Instead, the International Astronomical Union or IAU has reclassified Pluto as one of the four dwarf planets together with Ceres, Makemake and Eris.
I will reconsider to acquire a telescope soon. I almost invested in a Meade’s ETX-90PE in 1998 but for some reason I did not. I will consider a larger model, ETX-125PE.
I became interested in astronomy when I was first introduced by two persons. One was Dr. Ghaffar and Khoo. Dr. Ghaffar is a nuclear physicist and Khoo is my ex-classmate and a mechanical engineer. Both of them were very involved in star gazing. Khoo had even built his own 12″ diameter Newtonian Reflective Telescope.
I almost invested into one as mentioned earlier but I didn’t. At some point, I became very interested in astrophysics. Writing software to model celestial body can be interestingly challenging. Perhaps I should go get a Ph.D. and become an astrophysicist. Or, perhaps, one of the boys will become a renown astrophysicist.
One great Sunday out
We have planned to go to a temple at Muar for weeks and finally the day came. We went to pick up grandma at 1030, bought some fruits in the town and heading to Muar around 1130. The journey took around half an hour thanks to the new express way.
We went to Muar to find that temple with Richard some time in April. Being the agnostic me, I haven’t been to such temples in years. Being curious, I went with some hope. But I guess the effect will not come so soon. Those Chinese friends who believe in such “Gods” will understand what I am talking about.
There were many people at the temple and we finished our business around 1445 or 1500. Then we headed to Muar town center for lunch. After our late lunch, we visited an aunt there. Grandma chatted with her sister for a while then home we went.
When we arrived Melaka, we stopped over at Jusco to buy some more fruits and a few shirts. Then we all had our dinner at KFC. Reached home around 2030. We were so exhausted and went to bed quite early.
What a Sunday!
Durian, durian, durian
It is durian season. Last night when we were at grandma’s place, she and grandpa asked D if he liked to eat durian. We had been talking about durian feast since couple of weeks ago. So, tonight we decided to buy some durian to give grandma and kids a treat.
We drove to Bukit Baru to source for durian. Finally found a Malay stall opposite SRJK Kek Seng. Bought 9kg of durian and proceeded to grandma’s. The kids had not been to grandma’s place for months. The kids were really enjoying at grandma’s place. We stayed until 2330. The kids will definitely wake up late in the morning. They usually sleep early but once a while we allow them to sleep during weekends so that they can adjust to adults’ timing. They must be sleeping soundly by now.
A great Sunday morning
Yesterday, we took two bicycles to the town for repair. I hadn’t been using the bicycle carrier since 2006. In the evening, we took the bicycles to the park. After dinner, we went home and the weather seemed like to rain. Actually, I thought of taking the kids and the bikes to the park again the next morning. But it started to rain before midnight. We changed the plan, no bike but jogging at the park.
This morning, the weather was so cool because after the rain and was perfect to go fill up the gas tank. So, we all woke up early and went to the petrol station to fill up the tank. After that we went to the park followed by breakfast.
We went to the old part of Melaka China town near by the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple for dim sum. This restaurant is Melaka most famous and oldest dim sum restaurant and one of the very few pioneer. My dad used to bought us buns and glutinous rice in lotus leaf. They were delicious 30 years ago as I could remember. That was one of the bad dim sum we ever had. Actually, the taste not too bad at all but certainly was not a good one. The service was very bad and not really kids- or baby- friendly. We quickly had some and left. When checking the bill, it was quite expensive. I will definitely not recommend that dim sum restaurant.
Forget about the bad experience at breakfast. Anyway, we all enjoyed very much today. At night we watched movies at home.
Dmitry is slowly becoming independent
We have been co-sleeping for years. When Dominik arrived, I have to move out of our room to make space for him. Last year, it was time for Dmitry to sleep in his own bedroom. We bought a double decker for him and Richie but it had not been used for a while until recently. Read more
Dmitry doing dishes
After the lunch, Dmitry offered to take my dishes to the sink and started doing dishes. Read more
Best Wishes to Michal and Monika
Today, my best pal from Poland, Michal got married with Monika. We received their invitation to their wedding party on a plane flying from Poznan to Kornik. We regretted that we couldn’t join their ceremony and party. Here is our best wishes to Michal and Monika.
Congratulations!
Fast Food vs. Slow Food
Last night was raining heavily for some hours. This morning was a great time to fill up the car’s tank becuase the low temperature would make the gasoline denser, causing it more worth the money. After filling up the tank, we went to the town for breakfast. Then we hang around at grandma’s for a while till late morning.
On our way home, I asked mom what’s for lunch. Dmitry was quick to answer, “I like to have KFC.” No KFC I told him. “Then, I want McDonald”, he quickly suggested another option. “No fast food dear.”, I said. “I don’t like slow food!”, acclaimed Dmitry in disappointment.
Slow food? Yes. He knows the opposite of fast is slow and he invented the term, “slow food”.
He suggested to have noodle but we had noodle for lunch yesterday together with grandma after going to the temple to visit aunt Angie. So it went on and not too long after that, mom suggested Indian rice. Yippee! Indian rice. We went to Paya Ikan to buy a packet of Indian rice to share. Yes, 5 of us sharing a big packet of Indian rice with curry and chicken with chili!
Dmitry’s 6th birthday party
Finally, the party hour came. This is the day Dmitry has been waiting for: presents, birthday cake and guests. Mommy ordered a Spiderman birthday cake. I had no time to collect it from the bakery so we asked uncle BS to pick it up for us
Yummy bread!
LA baked another loaf of bread this morning to make garlic bread for Dmitry’s birthday party tonight. This is the second loaf of bread she baked since our Princess’s bread maker is back last Friday. LA baked a milk bread. The house was full of fresh bread aroma.
Beetle
This afternoon, when I was ready to go to customer’s place, Dmitry spotted a beetle on the ground at the car porch area. It was actually under the car and thank God I did not crush it. We became excited as it was not dead. I swiftly picked it up and put it on a brush and told Dmitry to hold it. And I dashed into the house to get my camera. Here are some photos I took. I put the beetle into a plant pot so that it would not dehydrate. I didn’t check if it was still alive. I hoped it would be still alive. I don’t know its name but I will find out later.
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