Choices

We were on our way to school. Sebastian was playing some kind of Sims game on his Nintendo DS. He happily announced that he had enought money to buy either a house or a dog. He asked what I would choose. My answer was quick. "I would buy a house." He thought about it briefly and decided on a dog. "I need someone to talk to."

Off Kilter

It's funny how a little lump on the side of Seba's neck has sent me into a tailspin. I discovered it last night while bathing him. This morning we rushed to see his doctor. Dr. C say's it's not so un-common in growing children. Adenoids and stuff like that. ("Does he sweat alot? Scatch his head often? Get an infection?") This was all lost on me. I just know it shouldn't be there. So this afternoon, despite fairly re-assuring words from the doctor, I watched over my rambunctious six year old as if he were a toddler once again. He get's more attention then usual. A trip to the arcade and toystore were part of the afternoon's agenda. This evening I indulge him, by letting him have dessert before dinner. At the end of dinner, his nanny lovingly carries him off the kitchen stool even though he normally jumps off...

Words to Love. Names to See.

There's just something about the words 'Kota Kinabalu.' I love the way the letters roll of my tongue..."Ko Tah Kee Nah Bah Loo." It's just fun to say. If syllables were like pictures, I imagine little blocks of syllables gently being tossed across the floor and landing in this magical arrangement of 'Ko Ta Ki Na Ba Lu.'...Another set of words to enjoy - 'Machu Picchu.' Just say it with me: "Maaah Chooo Peee Chuuu." I love, love, love it! I imagine an endlessly long colourful knitted scarf...I wonder what other words are out there for me to say, imagine, and see.

Oh Sh**!

I was working on the computer. Sebastian was playing with his little cars.
I could hear bits and pieces of the pretend conversation...

Sebastian (as car no. 1 talking to car no. 2): "I've had a shit day...."
Me (no longer paying attention to my mail): "What did you say?"
Sebastian (trying not to look guilty): "Uhm. I don't know."
Me: "It was an 's' 'h' word."
Sebastian (looking very smug now): "Oh. You mean 'shark?'
Me (giving him the not-too-pleased look): "hmmm"

To Be...Or Not To Be

At home. In the kitchen. Singing one of our fave song's The Killers' 'Somebody Told me.' All agreed it's a cool song. So it goes, I asked Sebastian, if I was cool. I never expected this answer.

"To be cool, you need to learn the language of coolness. It's all about purpose."

Perspective

So there I was at Starbucks having my usual non-fat cappuccino and whole wheat bagel for breakfast, when this terrible snorting sound came out of nowhere. It sound like my pug but twice as loud. It was the guy at the table in front of me. Ignoring it was hard. It was irritating, gross, disturbing, and distracting. Then it hit me. Why is this poor guy annoying me? Maybe I should have some empathy. After all, I can't imagine anyone wanting to make those sounds. Besides there could be something seriously wrong. It's too early to be judgemental....Which leads me to something truly serious and heartbreaking. I read about a family that discovered their 16 month old daughter had a cancerous tumor. All this while on holiday. They have relocated to be able to provide the best medical treatment her. In the process, they have left their jobs (as school teachers), home, and support sysytem. Everything is trivial when faced with this.