Not always A Kid's Game

It was a good afternoon and the kids accompanied our helper do the groceries. The usual exploration of aisles and testing their skills as to what off-the-list item they can sneek in the trolley were expected so the multitasking button was on higher alert and soon enough, they were on their way home.

A brief detour at a small warehouse style store took their attention off the smallest of the group. Some minutes later, a realization that he's nowhere to be found. My daughter, inheriting my paranoid twin, got frantic after our helper called-out loudly for her brother but in vain. She began crying and asking the people in the store, even the passers-by, if they've seen a small boy, this height (gesturing with her hands), wearing a swiss school uniform and so on and so on... they were about to run outside and do further searching when the saleslady told them that he was hiding under the clothes.

Had I been there, I would've scolded him for the panic he has caused but my daughter handled it way better than I would...relieved at the sight of her brother, she sighed and just said, "let's go home now yaya".

Hide and seek, a classic game of kids where they test and challenge their abilities to stay silent and invisible--without realizing it's power to cause fear to those who fail to seek.

I Don't Think We've Met

There are still so many to discover in one's personality which are driven by years, situation and perhaps emotional evolution. Sometimes who you think you knew since childhood has totally become someone else. First you investigate how it happened and then make a verdict according to the scenario you deem right. However, in the process of judging, you forget that you're not in their shoes and perhaps HAVE NOT been in those shoes (yet). Well pray hard that you don't because you wouldn't want to be judged either or worse, you might not know what to do.

People who know me consider me a strong, very social and friendly person. They're right. But there are those who force me to act according to their thoughts and beliefs--just because. They don't realize that my actions are driven by situations I am in and make decisions as I (READ: I) deem necessary for that time. Some may and may not agree to it but we're entitled to our own opinions. I've learned that it's pointless trying to fight the current. "I told you so" lines are annoying whispers because I have a different shoe size...I also know though they don't believe that, that I've given certain things a try before moving forward differently with the hopes that maybe, just maybe, this one works. If the decisions produce positive results, then good. If it doesn't and gets worse, then it is probably how it should be. Only time will tell and I am ready to watch how it turns out---again, may it be good or not.

I cannot and will not live according to what people think but to what suits the time now while considering the pros and consequences of the future.

So if you think you know someone--think again.

Our 1st Grader

Our youngest became an official school boy last week. I wasn't sure if the Swiss practiced certain first day traditions as the Germans do---like filling up a Schultute (School Cone) with school goodies and some sweets and gifts but I saw to it that he'd have one to bring to school.

He was excited and nervous at the same time. A feeling of insecurity was obvious in his face knowing that his German isn't as fluent as the others but A and I were there to assure him that all will be fine. Yes, he understands quite well but speaking is still something to learn and in time I'm sure it'll be just a piece of cake :-)

He's the youngest in the class. In fact a year behind because most of his classmates were born on 2002. It was the timing of his entry in the Swiss school that was kind of an issue in the beginning since he was coming from a local kindergarten (who have started learning) and would be a bit advanced compared to the kindergarten kids in the Swiss school who were just more on playing. We had an agreement with the Principal that he'll be observed if he can be promoted to Grade One--and well, here he is!

We're off to a new phase for him and we'll see how he progresses. One thing's clear--we're on full support.

Vacation Hiccup

After weeks, no, months of planning, our summer vacation is (suddenly) over. Two weeks have passed and now I find myself reminiscing the wonderful time we all had and the memories I so tried to catch on cam but still, despite the hundred photos---most are meant to be simply treasured in the heart.

Though I have my mom's gift to multitask, I'd rather concentrate on downloading and uploading (some of the hundred) photos and videos first. To laugh and talk about it some more before I succumb to the reality that this is now part of a walk down the memory lane.

I can (and would) write in full narration style the days that came by but I feel my mind prefers to be in sluggish mode and I am more than happy to respect such choice :-)