across the globe

It's not easy .... even with the latest technology that allows us to stay in touch ..... to not miss the smiles on the faces of family and friends that's half way around the world from us.

The most precious are the children .... the nieces, the nephews and the god-children, especially Chelle .... you long to hug them and hear their chatter, the laughter in their voices. The excitement of new experiences, the cheer in every day living.

I can almost hear her voice tell me, "godma, I love you sooooooooo much" or, " I am counting the days until you arrive" than there is the, "godma, today my friends .........."

There is always something new, a drama unfolds, and we are just happy to be there, to be included in their world of g-mail, you tubes and the rest .... we should start worrying only when we are not able to comprehend their lingo!!!!!! (sigh) for now we laugh and enjoy and savour all their "god-ma, I have something to tell you.................."!

I love you Chelle!

chatting with my favourite god-daughter

Sunday, an awesome day .... it's early in the morning and I am sleepy eyed, make my way to the computer, sign in and there she is ...... my darlingest Michelle, my sweet and wonderful god-daughter.

We chat whenever we get the chance or when we happen to "see" each other online, we of course lament the fact that our time schedules is usually in conflict, but we treasure these moments when we have time to bond (our special god-daughter/god-mother bonding moment).

My god-daughter Michelle is a special girl, she is the kind of person that lights up a room the moment she walks in .... very insightful for such a tender age. A heart of gold. Michelle would not hesitate to give the dress off her back for someone in need.

She has a great sense of humour ..... an infectious laugh, most of all very loving. Very gentle and kind.

Today, Michelle and I exchange views on the circle of life. There are lots of queries and questions, some questions get answers ...... some questions require a deep faith that God is in control and if we persevere we will get answers when our time is at hand.

For today, we shrug off the worries of the world and just do what we need to do, go to sleep, get ready for school, for work, do the dishes, prepare homework ...... continue living the one life we have been given.

It started raining when we were going to church today Michelle, it was so cold and pretty soon the rain turned to snow. Now the ground is covered is a light dusting of snow.

You would enjoy the snow, I can almost picture you dancing in the snow and making snow angels.

By the way .... I am cooking Jambalaya .... it's a dish with rice and mussels and clams and fish and meat and vegetable ..... very yummy!

Oh yes, chatting with my god-daughter is soooooooo much fun, she taught me all these cute little icon pictures ..... what do you call them .... I forget.

Yes, it's true Michelle is also my teacher and I am a little bit more savvy with the icons.

Before I forget, Michelle, congratulations on your cross-country achievement. Taking the fifteenth position for a first timer is really awesome!!!!! Hurrah!!!!! for you Michelle!!!

That's the other aspect of Michelle that's most admirable, she sets goals and is very competitive and always gets fantastic results for all of her efforts ....... Michelle girl, we admire you so much.

Wait a minute I need to check on my Jambalaya, hmmmmm, Michelle may be awake right now and getting ready for school.

Have a great day my dearest god-daughter ........ we will chat again soon and you can relate your day to me.

Love you honey!

in the morning

It's been difficult getting to sleep the past week or two. I would toss and turn, get out of bed, eat a bowl of noodles (which is not a good habit, as I am counting calories to lose some weight!!), than I cajole my husband to come to bed ...... he falls asleep after a minute or two, and I am still tossing and turning. I fall asleep around three or four in the morning.

Than I struggle to wake up at half past nine, if the mind is still foggy and the body does not cooperate .... I get out of bed at ten o'clock.

Today is my off-day and I have all these plans for the whole day which would begin with me getting out of bed at eight in the morning ...... hmmm, not an easy concept since I only fell asleep after three in the morning once again.

I am trying to figure out the reason to this unusual sleep routine. Stress is not the issue, most of the time I am just lying in bed and reminiscing.

Oh well, I suppose my mind and body will finally settle to a more conducive routine, with the warmer months round the corner I should be able to establish a better sleep pattern.

In the morning, tomorrow ...... we will be up at the crack of dawn!!!

nieces...nephews...godchildren....dinasaur

I make it a point to chat with my nieces and god-children at least three of four times a week. We exchange gossips, they relate their daily activity, and mostly we laugh ..... lots. At times they seek advise but mostly we chit-chat.

So, one morning, in-between getting dressed for work, I log into the chat line and lo and behold my god-child is online, mind you it is one in the afternoon for me, but where she is ,which is right across the globe it is two o'clock in the morning!!!!! In alarm I asked her what she was doing out so late in the wee hours of the morning. Since she does not own a computer, I assumed she was in one of those Internet cafe .... to my surprise she answered, "God ma, I am chatting with you via my mobile phone" I jumped out of my skin .......... whaaaaaaaaaaaat!!!! (sigh).

With the latest technology at hand, my nieces and nephews and god-children are on the band wagon to "tomorrow" .......... (sigh) I acknowledge that this old aunt is a dinosaur!!!!