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Friday, December 22, 2006

Holiday Hodgepodge

At this time of the year the rest of the world maybe busy with the holiday festivities but here in Seoul the atmosphere is tranquil. No holiday hustle and bustle of any sort. Just a quiet, relaxing time with one's family.

We have had a snowfall a few days before Christmas making the mood even more somber. The kids, however, always feel ecstatic about snow.  I love to hear the children's laughter. Their laughter breaks the melancholy stillness of the surrounding.

Winter_1 Mikha_close_p My husband and my son joined other kids and Dec_2006_037 parents frolicking in the snow. After a moment I joined them too. My heart felt cheerful as I watch my son play with his Daddy. My son ran around with glee and my husband momentarily, became a child again, forgetting the many troubles of everyday life. It was a beautiful sight.

Because my husband had to leave on a business trip before Christmas and wouldn't be back till after New Year's Day, he arranged for an early Christmas dinner for two at Outback Steak House. Carbonara Dec_2006_008 Cheesy_chipsThough he was not with me on Christmas Day, I felt appreciated just the same for he took the trouble to do something special with me. I also gave him an early Christmas present and an early birthday gift as well. (His birthday happens to be on New Year's Day).

Christmas is not about feasts. Christmas is just about simple heartfelt joys.

                            

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

My Life's Laurel

   MikinkangnamRaquel_pic_016 Mi-Kha is 5 and a half years old but he amazes just about everyone. He has a good grasp of concepts even abstract ones. He asked me once if I still have egg cells and whether his daddy still have sperms. and I said, 'why do you ask?' and he explained the fertilization cycle to me.

He knows how 'earthquakes' and 'typhoons' come about. He can read and write Chinese characters. He learned by heart the capital cities of all the countries in Asia including the Middle East. He learned these on his own on the internet.

Study2_1 Recently he learned to perform single-digit addition. I picked up his cue, so I've started teaching him double-digit additions and Study6_1single-digit subtraction. Teaching Mi-Kha is easy. He catches on quite fast.

I have no idea how he does it. I think Mi-Kha is an independent learner. We just provide the proper stimuli. We registered him on an online Korean educational site. He logs on anytime he wants but we give him a time limit for computer use. Mi-Kha minds his schedule. When he logs off he buries his nose in one of his books. He has more books, less toys. He has 3 sets of encyclopedia of different levels. I’m kind of saving these for when he’s older but he's using them now. I often have to re-attach some loose leaf.

Mi-Kha loves the science encyclopedia comic book series. It’s actually for elementary school kids but Mi-Kha just loves it. I didn't buy the whole set. I buy a new one every time he finishes one. It’s a subtle way of training a child’s subconscious to consciously mind time management. Study_3

Normally, Mi-Kha finishes a book within a month. But if he wants to get his hands on a new book, he adjusts his time schedule. He puts in more time for reading, less time for computer work. Mi-Kha hardly ever watches tv. If he’s not reading or studying online, he’s doing math drills, practicing Chinese writing or drawing pictures on his whiteboard. He does all these with no promptings from anyone.

We allow him to determine his own schedule. It has empowered him and liberated us. We don’t have to constantly monitor him. He knows how he ‘fit’ in the family and he does his part. He does everything on his own. He prepares for school on his own. He started taking baths alone at the age of 4. He’s very independent. He’s very much aware of the rules in school and the rules at home. He is also very mindful of my own house rules. I don’t need to remind him. I only discuss it with him when I have a new rule that I want to add to the existing ones. (hihihi)

What I find most amazing about Mi-Kha is his EQ, the emotional sensibility that he displays at such a young age. He’s obedient and rational. If he disagrees with someone he expresses his point in the most cordial way. He says the sweetest things to everyone.

I'm truly blessed and I sincerely thank God for allowing me to care for and love one of His beautiful creations.

Saturday, December 02, 2006

Ewha Girls' High School: Speech Contest

2006_11_pics_003

2006_11_pics_0022006_11_pics_009I do an annual speech test during the first quarter of the second term. This is a requirement that my freshman students must fulfill to pass my English class. I intended for this activity to be an in-class project. But, much to my delight, our Department Head thought it to be a good idea to organize a speech contest as a culminating activity.

This is the very first English speech contest held at the school. I hope that this will be a precursor to more challenges of the same nature in the future. I do hope that someday my students at Ewha will be able to join and win local and international speech competitions. This is my goal and I intend to see it through.

2007: Expectations

The year 2006 was fruitful. Our labor was not in vain. But it isn't time to rest yet as there are more to accomplish.

I wonder what's in store for us next year. 2007 is the year of the golden pig, the luckiest pig year according to Korean folklore. I earnestly hope for a huge growth in investment returns. Of course that can turn into reality only with God's favor.

I do believe in my heart that God smiles upon me and my family and that His divine grace will fill our lives with love, joy, longevity and good fortune.

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