Ballet is one of my all-time loves. I’m no longer in it as a dancer but it still is very much a part of what I do and who I am and I think I might have imparted this ‘addiction’ to my little girl. Of course like most little girls who love pink and purple, she loves anything and everything ballet. Hopefully, when the time is right we can be able to send her to a ballet school one of these days. Earlier this year, a friend of mine who owns her own ballet school and teaches in several schools as well had a despedida for one of her dancers - Sarah J. Lee. We sent her off to New York to audition for the top ballet schools in the Big Apple. She auditioned for NYCB, ABT and Joffrey Ballet and she passed them all but she settled for Joffrey Ballet School in the end because she was granted a full scholarship with them. We are so proud of her achievements.
Hopefully, when my little girl reaches Sarah’s age and she is still determined to pursue this path, dh and I would be able to uproot ourselves from wherever we are, transplant our whole family and get those New York movers to help us settle us somewhere in the City that doesn’t sleep for the sake of a little girl’s dream.
Sarah’s (kneeling, bottom row, right) piece for the NAMCYA competition last year was as Odette from Swan Lake.
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Posted in Faith, coffee break, opinion on May 16th, 2008
coffee break ver. 1.9
It’s kinda difficult to write about kindness after disciplining your child which is what happened just a few minutes ago. It isn’t the happiest place to be in, for me as a parent or for my child. That’s why it is important to make sure that there is a restoration and a reaffirming of relations between parent and child immediately after. It is in this safe haven that the child learns to mirror forgiveness and acceptance. This is where kindness is imparted.
I am reminded of a song that I learned several years ago, the lyrics go “It’s your kindness that leads us to repentance O, Lord. Knowing that you love us, no matter what we do, makes us want to love you too.” I have found these words so true in my own life and something I want in my relationship with my children. I have found that harsh, judgmental discipline did so little to change me. It only made my heart hard and distant. External compliance does not translate to internal obedience. It’s only when kind and tender words of genuine love and concern are spoken that one’s heart becomes more open to correction and where walls of defense break down.
I try to remember moments when I have been given mercy when I discipline my kids. Of course I want them to know justice… that there is a consequence for wrongdoing. One cannot know and fully appreciate the kindness of God if one does not have a full understanding of His justice. I want them to experience mercy… to receive acceptance and forgiveness even if it is not deserved. The kindness of God.
It is difficult to give something that you do not have. I have abundantly received this over and over again … this divine act of KINDNESS… from a God who exacts justice but instead dispensed mercy to a wretch like me. With His help, I hope that I may be able to mirror Him to them. And if ever there are times that I don’t, I trust in His mercy towards me as well.
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Posted in 1828 Dictionary, Faith, opinion on Apr 21st, 2008
… Webster a lot. In fact, if I had the luxury of time, I would go over each and every word in the 1828 Webster dictionary if I could. For now, I just have to settle for at least one word a day to sink my teeth into because I want the word to linger in my head longer. I tried to do a Webster Wednesday but I think it’s not doable for me so I’ll just do it randomly depending on the mood I’m in and see where it goes. So here’s my 1828 Noah Webster word find for now:
CHARACTER, n.
1. A mark made by cutting or engraving, as on stone, metal or other hard material; hence, a mark or figure made with a pen or style, on paper, or other material used to contain writing; a letter, or figure used to form words, and communicate ideas. Characters are literal, as the letters of an alphabet; numeral, as the arithmetical figures; emblematical or symbolical, which express things or ideas; and abbreviations, as C. For centrum, a hundred; lb. For libra, a pound; A.D. Anno domini; &c.
2. A mark or figure made by stamping or impression, as on coins.
3. The manner of writing; the peculiar from of letters used by a particular person.
4. The peculiar qualities, impressed by nature or habit on a person, which distinguish him from others; these constitute real character, and the qualities which he is supposed to possess, constitute his estimated character, or reputation. Hence we say, a character is not formed, when the person has not acquired stable and distinctive qualities.
5. An account, description or representation of any thing, exhibiting its qualities and the circumstances attending it; as, to give a bad character o a town, or to a road.
6. A person; as, the assembly consisted of various characters, eminent characters, and low characters.
7. By way of eminence, distinguished or good qualities; those which are esteemed and respected; and those which are ascribed to a person in common estimation. We enquire whether a stranger is a man of character.
8. Adventitious qualities impressed by office, or station; the qualities that, in public estimation, belong to a person in a particular station; as when we ask how a magistrate, or commander supports his character.
9. In natural history, the peculiar discriminating qualities or properties of animals, plants and minerals.
These properties, when employed for the purpose of discriminating minerals, are called characters.
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Posted in Faith, Prayer, opinion on Apr 10th, 2008
To be perfectly at peace amid the hurly-burly of daily life is a secret worth knowing. What is the use of worrying? It never made anybody strong; never helped anybody to do God’s will; never made a way of escape for anyone out of perplexity. Worry spoils lives which would otherwise be useful and beautiful.
Restlessness, anxiety, and care are absolutely forbidden by our Lord, who said: “Take no thought,” that is, no anxious thought, “saying what shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or wherewithal shall we be clothed?” He does not mean that we are not to take forethought and that our life is to be without plan or method; but that we are not to worry about these things.
Oh, for grace to be quiet! Oh, to be still and know that Jehovah is God! The Holy One of Israel must defend and deliver His own. We may be sure that every word of His will stand, though the mountains should depart. He deserves to be confided in. Come, my soul, return unto thy rest, and lean thy head upon the bosom of the Lord Jesus. –Selected
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Posted in 1828 Dictionary, Faith, Homeschool on Apr 4th, 2008
I need this and I need it now! :)
PATIENCE, n. pa’shens. [L. patientia, from patior, to suffer.]
1. The suffering of afflictions, pain, toil, calamity, provocation or other evil, with a calm, unruffled temper; endurance without murmuring or fretfulness. Patience may spring from constitutional fortitude, from a kind of heroic pride, or from christian submission to the divine will.
2. A calm temper which bears evils without murmuring or discontent.
3. The act or quality of waiting long for justice or expected good without discontent.
Have patience with me,and I will pay thee all. Matt.18.
4. Perseverance; constancy in labor or exertion.
He learnt with patience, and with meekness taught.
5. The quality of bearing offenses and injuries without anger or revenge.
His rage was kindled and his patience gone.
6. Sufferance; permission. [Not used.]
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Posted in Faith, Prayer, opinion on Mar 21st, 2008
It’s a Friday today. Good Friday to be specific but I don’t think this season is remembered around the world as it is here. Although it’s not the same as I remember when I was growing up, the Lenten season is very much a part of our culture and tradition.
I remember whenever the Semana Santa would come, before the invasion of cable tv, local tv stations would be off the air and there would be nothing to watch for days and networks would resume programming only on Easter Sunday. The streets would be quiet, people would be doing their church rounds and I would always hear the Pasyon being sung over a microphone blasted thru the church patio for all to hear. Perhaps a loud attempt to get God’s attention. There would also be kasoy and suman and ripe yellow mangoes on our table. Lots of watermelon, guavas and all that summer fun feeling of simple goodness. Those were my good old days.
Today, however, Holy week has a different and deeper meaning to me. I appreciate the fact that the whole country stands still… work, politics, school, shopping are suspended temporarily giving each one a chance to step back and re-assess one’s life apart from all these things that fill our daily grind. It is a chance to have a leisurely conversation… to commune-icate with God.
It is amazing how much communicating with others has evolved. I remember those days when our town had switchboard operators that would plug those red and black cables into a thing that looked like a massive piano with little holes and blinking lights that connect you to the person you were calling. Now we have space saving small business phone systems that do the job of 3-5 people. I remember when cellphones were so thick and bulky, you could whack someone with it and you could be charged with assault with an ugly weapon. Now cellphones come in all sizes with all the G’s, X’s and all the alphabets that go with it. You could practically do anything with it except cook, perhaps? Our conversations have evolved into abbreviations, spellings and acronyms that would send Noah Webster into confusion. KWIM?
In the middle of all the traditions, the technology and the gadgetry to help us communicate, I still relish the simplicity of spending a quiet afternoon, with just the wind on my face, the grass for my bed and the clouds as my blanket…to get down on my knees and bow my head and my heart… to whisper a simple wish, to utter a silent prayer, to send a message of eternal gratitude to this awesome, merciful and loving God who has given me forever access to His line in heaven 24/7. I will never run out of load, never get my line disconnected, never need the latest model with all the bells and whistles whenever I need to make a call. Knowing this, my heart is content.
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Posted in 1828 Dictionary, Faith, opinion on Mar 12th, 2008
Here’s another word that’s been in the headlines as well.
TRUTH, n.
1. Conformity to fact or reality; exact accordance with that which is, or has been, or shall be. The truth of history constitutes its whole value. We rely on the truth of the scriptural prophecies.
My mouth shall speak truth. Prov.8.Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth. John. 17.
2. True state of facts or things. The duty of a court of justice is to discover the truth. Witnesses are sworn to declare the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
3. Conformity of words to thoughts, which is called moral truth.
Shall truth fail to keep her word?
4. Veracity; purity from falsehood; practice of speaking truth; habitual disposition to speak truth; as when we say, a man is a man of truth.
5. Correct opinion.
6. Fidelity; constancy.
The thoughts of past pleasure and truth.
7. Honesty; virtue.
It must appearThat malice bears down truth.
8. Exactness; conformity to rule.
Plows, to go true, depend much on the truth of the iron work. [Not in use.]
9. Real fact of just principle; real state of things. There are innumerable truths with which we are not acquainted.
10. Sincerity.
God is a spirit, and they that worship him must worship in spirit and in truth. John 4.
11. The truth of God, is his veracity and faithfulness. Ps.71.
Or his revealed will.I have walked in thy truth. Ps.26.
12. Jesus Christ is called the truth. John 14.
13. It is sometimes used by way of concession.
She said, truth, Lord; yet the dogs eat of the crums– Matt 15.That is, it is a truth; what you have said, I admit to be true.In truth, in reality; in fact.Of a truth, in reality; certainly.To do truth, is to practice what God commands. John 3.
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Posted in 1828 Dictionary, Faith, opinion on Feb 26th, 2008
Something a bit relevant during this time in our country.
CREDIBLE, a. [L.]
1. That may be believed; worthy of credit. A thing is credible, when it is known to be possible, or when it involves no contradiction or absurdity; it is more credible, when it is known to come within the ordinary laws or operations of nature. With regard to the Divine Being and his operations, every thing is credible which is consistent with his perfections, and supported by evidence or unimpeachable testimony, for his power is unlimited. With regard to human affairs, we do not apply the word to things barely possible, but to things which come within the usual course of human conduct, and the general rules of evidence.
2. Worthy of belief; having a claim to credit; applied to persons. A credible person is one of known veracity and integrity, or whose veracity may be fairly deduced from circumstances. We believe the history of Aristides and Themistocles, on the authority of credible historians.
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Posted in 1828 Dictionary, Faith, opinion on Feb 25th, 2008
Sharing my word find for the day.
FOR’TITUDE, n. [L. fortitudo, from fortis, strong.]
That strength or firmness of mind or soul which enables a person to encounter danger with coolness and courage, or to bear pain or adversity without murmuring, depression or despondency. Fortitude is the basis or source of genuine courage or intrepidity in danger, of patience in suffering, of forbearance under injuries, and of magnanimity in all conditions of life. We sometimes confound the effect with the cause, and use fortitude as synonymous with courage or patience; but courage is an active virtue or vice, and patience is the effect of fortitude.
Fortitude is the guard and support of the other virtues.
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