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Lost Girls of India
Last Tuesday night I was watching this documentary entitled " India's Lost Girls". I was horrified to know a social issue occurring in India. That if a woman is pregnant and finds out that it's a girl they have to do an abortion, infanticide so to speak. For them having a daughter is a liability, a burden because in the long run she will be part of another family and will take away whatever the family has and bring in to her new family. In the documentary most of people who were interviewed and asked why they commit such act most of the answer was because of the dowry system. What is the Dowry System in India? According to Wikipedia this are "gifts given by the parents of the bride are considered "stri-dhan", i.e. property of the woman, traditionally representing her share of her parent's wealth, which requires the family to pay out a great amount of money when a female child is married". So meaning in order for a female to get married or to find a spouse she has to give something to the parents of the groom to be. This brings me to the question of "what if the family is poor, would this mean a female will not be able to marry? Will be single all her life? Again this brought me to conclude that Indian couples avoids to have a girl child in their family because this marks the beginning of a financial breakdown and extreme hardship and so they end up aborting the fetus. This also gives an answer to my question why India has a greater masculine population. There are some accounts of a newspaper and report on female genocide in India. "India has lost an estimated 10 million girls in the past 20 years"
- Irish Times, March 4, 2008
"Each year half a million girls are prevented from being born"
- Daily Mail, July 4, 2006
"Compared to natural birth rates 7,000 fewer girls are born in India every day"
- UNICEF 2007 Report
"In 1991 the sex ratio was 945 females for every 1,000 males. Ten Years
later in 2001 the sex ratio was 927 females for every 1,000 males"
- The Guardian, March 4, 2008
"In the Northern state of Punjab , the sex ratio was 798 females for every 1,000 males"
- Times of London, May 29, 2007
"I want a son as we have big business; I want what my husband has built
from scratch to go to his own blood".
- Statement of an Indian woman who had aborted nine female fetus
I was dishearten with this documentary and issue happening in India. It is not easy to be a woman. A woman bears a child in her womb for nine months and she has to deliver it. Some have it normal delivery others by Cesarean operation her life is at risk from the time she conceives a child. Plus the fact that a woman does the child rearing and household chores. I believe this social issue or culture should be abolished. Why? One major reason, is they will run out of woman and if that happens their population will also be in danger because nobody will bear their child. And woman should be treated with utmost respect and care. Coming from a culture that has no dowry system, arrange marriages and etc. I feel more blessed than the woman of India. Filipina's can choose who they marry and can fully exercise their rights. Bear a child without a fear if it's a boy or a girl and raise children without social and gender discrimination.
Some Related Links:
Picture Courtesy of http://www.old-picture.com/indians/Achomawi-Indian-Mother-and-Child.htm
Tuesday, 23 September 2008
Queen of all Diamonds
I was in awe reading this article in the Internet. Was amaze with this stone. I don't want to guess how much would that be $$$$. Diamond is really an awesome stone.
Massive diamond found in Africa
Gem Diamonds, a London-listed mining firm, says it has recovered a 478-carat diamond from its mine in Lesotho: the 20th-largest rough diamond ever found. The discovery of the gem, which the company said had the potential to become one of the largest round-cut diamonds in the world, was made on September 8 at the Letseng mine in Lesotho.
"Preliminary examination of this remarkable diamond indicates that it will yield a record-breaking polished stone of the very best colour and clarity," the company's Chief Executive Clifford Elphick said in a statement. The diamond, which has not yet been named, has the potential to yield a 150-carat polished stone, a company spokesman said.That would be far bigger than the 105-carat round-cut Koh-i-Noor diamond seized by Britain from India in the 19th century and now part of the Crown Jewels. It would still only be a fraction of the size, however, of the Cullinan diamond discovered in 1905, which was 3,106 carats when recovered and yielded a teardrop shaped diamond of 530 carats: the Great Star of Africa. The Letseng mine is owned by a mining company that is 70 percent owned by Gem Diamonds, with the remaining 30 percent held by the Lesotho government.
AFP
Massive diamond found in Africa
Gem Diamonds, a London-listed mining firm, says it has recovered a 478-carat diamond from its mine in Lesotho: the 20th-largest rough diamond ever found. The discovery of the gem, which the company said had the potential to become one of the largest round-cut diamonds in the world, was made on September 8 at the Letseng mine in Lesotho.
"Preliminary examination of this remarkable diamond indicates that it will yield a record-breaking polished stone of the very best colour and clarity," the company's Chief Executive Clifford Elphick said in a statement. The diamond, which has not yet been named, has the potential to yield a 150-carat polished stone, a company spokesman said.That would be far bigger than the 105-carat round-cut Koh-i-Noor diamond seized by Britain from India in the 19th century and now part of the Crown Jewels. It would still only be a fraction of the size, however, of the Cullinan diamond discovered in 1905, which was 3,106 carats when recovered and yielded a teardrop shaped diamond of 530 carats: the Great Star of Africa. The Letseng mine is owned by a mining company that is 70 percent owned by Gem Diamonds, with the remaining 30 percent held by the Lesotho government.AFP
Tuesday, 16 September 2008
Building Blocks for Kids
Last month we bought building blocks, a Mega Blocks (similar to Lego but little bigger) for our kids at Kiddy Palace in Marina Square. From the site of Mega Blocks, it teaches kids a lot emotionally, socially, intellectually and physically. In the article that I read, infants and toddlers enjoys simply touching and gripping larger textured blocks. They hence develop muscle control and is able to combine blocks, stack them and line them up. Just as my two-year-old son, he is able to build a simple tower and train like combining these blocks as well as my one-year-old daughter is teaching her little fingers to stack this blocks together. It is just amazing how my little one's create their building, towers, trains using these blocks. They never get tired of building them and then knocking them out and building one again. It's one of their favorite toys. Also mentioned that two year old may demo
nstrate their first attempt at building structures, and show the beginnings of fantasy play. At around age of three, children learn how to balance and fit pieces together to build sturdier towers, then bridges and enclosures. Threes and fours begin to recognize designs and patterns, their towers and buildings becoming works of art. In kindergarten and early primary grades, blocks allow children to recreate structures, cities and landscapes from everyday life. Blocks can also help children learn socially. Because blocks encourage children to make friends and cooperate. Large block play may be a young child's first experience playing in a group, while small block play may encourage an older child to work with others in solving problems.
nstrate their first attempt at building structures, and show the beginnings of fantasy play. At around age of three, children learn how to balance and fit pieces together to build sturdier towers, then bridges and enclosures. Threes and fours begin to recognize designs and patterns, their towers and buildings becoming works of art. In kindergarten and early primary grades, blocks allow children to recreate structures, cities and landscapes from everyday life. Blocks can also help children learn socially. Because blocks encourage children to make friends and cooperate. Large block play may be a young child's first experience playing in a group, while small block play may encourage an older child to work with others in solving problems.On the physical aspect, when children reach for, pick up, stack, or fit blocks tog
ether, they build strength in their fingers and hands, and increase eye-hand coordination. Around two, children begin to figure out which shapes will fit where, and get a head start on understanding different perspectives. Skills that will help them to read maps and follow directions later on. Blocks help kindergarten and primary grade children develop skills in design, representation, balance and stability. Intellectually speaking blocks help children learn across many academic subjects. Young children develop their vocabularies as they learn to describe sizes, shapes, and positions. Preschoolers and kindergartens develop math skills by grouping, adding, subtracting and eventually multiplying with blocks. Older children make early experiments with gravity, balance, and geometry.
ether, they build strength in their fingers and hands, and increase eye-hand coordination. Around two, children begin to figure out which shapes will fit where, and get a head start on understanding different perspectives. Skills that will help them to read maps and follow directions later on. Blocks help kindergarten and primary grade children develop skills in design, representation, balance and stability. Intellectually speaking blocks help children learn across many academic subjects. Young children develop their vocabularies as they learn to describe sizes, shapes, and positions. Preschoolers and kindergartens develop math skills by grouping, adding, subtracting and eventually multiplying with blocks. Older children make early experiments with gravity, balance, and geometry. In conclusion blocks offer children the chance to make their own designs, and the satisfaction of creating structures that did not exist before and is nurturing their creative side. Beginning at the age of two, children may use a variety of blocks for pretend-play. Children may become life-sized actors in large block structures, or use figures to create dramas in miniature landscapes. So am encouraging you mums and dads out there to buy blocks for your kids, this is a good investment for your kids.
Related Links:
Monday, 8 September 2008
A Week of Hugging, Kissing and Loving
I am so happy sharing this wonderful week happened in my life, my family life. This was no ordinary week for me and I am so thankful and blessed that I have my gorgeous husband and loving kids with me.
Sept 1, 2008 a busy Monday...a busy day, start of the week. This is also my laundry day. Rudolph was scheduled for a 2 day training at Tanjong Pagar. His company send him for a training and he was so happy since he will be home early. Training will be at 9am-5pm. So the day goes. I play with the kids, laundry our clothes (thou the washer does it just hang it...ahihihi), clean our room, eat, check on the mails and some stuff. Then came noon I have to prepare food for our supper. Since my husband will be home early I told him I need to go to supermarket to buy the things that we need for the week and so he's fine with it. At around 6pm he is knocking at the door and he surprised me...he already did the grocery. I gave him a big hug and a kiss. I am so thankful that I don't need to go to the supermarket to do that. That was lovely. And so we eat our supper, I cooked shrimp and some vegetables. The day end with a thank you.
Sept 2, 2008 playful Tuesday, another day for us. This is the day that the things we bought last Saturday in Ikea will be delivered. We are expecting it after lunch. I am so excited since two toys for the kids are there. The kids tent that will served as their play house and a Rusig, a rocker. The delivery has single bed and mat
tress for the other room, a coffee table and two folding chairs for the veranda. The delivery came on time and assemble the furnitures. I saw the excitement in the eyes of my kids when they saw the rocker. After the deliver man leaves the house I immediately arrange the house and set-up the bed, put on fresh bedsheet, pillow and pillowcase, quilt and quilt cover. It was wonderful to see the house clean and organized. Time check it's 5pm already. I am so busy fixing house and playing with my kids on their new toys. That I need to prepare foor for supper. And unfortunately kids are starting to show signs of colds so I asked my husband to buy some Vicks. My husband arrives past 6pm and he handed me the bag with Vicks Vaporub. He told me "Momi can you check the bag it has free CD inside" so I checked just to find out he bought me a DVD, guess what's it?... it's Serendipity...again my husband surprised me. I didn't expect him to buy that since we are starting to download the movie. My husband never fail to again surprise me. I hug and kissed him for that. After eating sweet and sour fish that I cooked we watched the movie. He prepare popcorn..a favorite companion on movie time...heheh...I love the movie. Actually that was the first time I saw the movie. Yes, your right am seven years delayed...it was shown sometime 2001 but unfortunately I was not able to watch that then. It was great and so romantic. The day ends with a big kiss and a big hug for my husband.
tress for the other room, a coffee table and two folding chairs for the veranda. The delivery came on time and assemble the furnitures. I saw the excitement in the eyes of my kids when they saw the rocker. After the deliver man leaves the house I immediately arrange the house and set-up the bed, put on fresh bedsheet, pillow and pillowcase, quilt and quilt cover. It was wonderful to see the house clean and organized. Time check it's 5pm already. I am so busy fixing house and playing with my kids on their new toys. That I need to prepare foor for supper. And unfortunately kids are starting to show signs of colds so I asked my husband to buy some Vicks. My husband arrives past 6pm and he handed me the bag with Vicks Vaporub. He told me "Momi can you check the bag it has free CD inside" so I checked just to find out he bought me a DVD, guess what's it?... it's Serendipity...again my husband surprised me. I didn't expect him to buy that since we are starting to download the movie. My husband never fail to again surprise me. I hug and kissed him for that. After eating sweet and sour fish that I cooked we watched the movie. He prepare popcorn..a favorite companion on movie time...heheh...I love the movie. Actually that was the first time I saw the movie. Yes, your right am seven years delayed...it was shown sometime 2001 but unfortunately I was not able to watch that then. It was great and so romantic. The day ends with a big kiss and a big hug for my husband. 
Sept 3, 2008 an awesome Wednesday...I ask myself what's instore for us today. The kids woke up 8am and my husband is preparing for his work. Kids eat bread and apple juice for breakfast, play with their toys and watch cartoons at Disney channel. Me, fix the room and the house. Clean the kitchen and prepare food for the day. It's in my routine to check mails and be online. Since the kids has colds I can't bathe. They have their sponge bath and put on fresh clothes and by 12noon I put them to bed. I also do naps during those time so I have my energy to attend to my kids needs. Afternoon came and I need to cook food for supper. I fry fish and sautee vegetables. Past 7pm my husband arrive and it was raining hard. The kids are waiting for him. This time there was again a surprise from my husband....he handed me Nokia N95. I was in awe..I love thephone. I surely do. What a surprise. Again I gave my husband a big kiss and hug. Check on my review in our multiply site, http://shutterbugslife.multiply.com/Sept 4, 2008 a rainy Thursday, I woke up late, its 8:30am my husband and son was already awake and I was surprise my husband has not yet dress up for his office. I asked him why and he told me he is worried with Ralph's colds and asked me to monitor him and if will get worst we will rushed him to the hospital. My husband is really hands-on with our kids. When he left for work I decided to give Ralph a steam bath. The water is hot and the steam is good for the body and after nebulized him. After an hour or two he was doing good. Ria, my daughter also has colds but not as worst like his brother. I gave Ria a sponge bath and also nebulized her. 1pm they were able to fall asleep. I keep an eye on the kids. check on their temperature and their colds. We need to control that since I don't want that simple colds progress into asthma. As the kids was diagnosed having infantile asthma. Round the clock check on them and give them more apple juice and water. My husband send me message that he might have colds also and is not feeling well. That evening I cooked chicken macaroni soup to help ease the colds. It's almost midnight and Ralph was so irritated with his colds, we nebulized him nebulized but he is not that cooperative. He keeps on crying and I was so frustrated that night I just cried..my husband saw me crying and he gave me a hug. I told him I need that and I thank him for being so caring and understanding. Thank God after we nebulized and some play Ralph was able to sleep.
Sept 5, 2008 cuddling Friday..thank God it's Friday as most of the people says...end of the week's work..heheh. Kids colds are not ok. 8:00am we went down to get some sunlight. I let the kids run and play for one hour...they did enjoy. It's been raining for days here. By 4pm we went to a donut store near our house. We ate some donut, kids has their favorite oreo donut and an apple juice and I have a dark chocolate donut and a cappucino. We stay there for 30mins and do some walk after. It was fun doing stuff with the kids, see them smile more often, receive kiss from the kids and hug them always. Thank God I have them. I love my kids more than anything else in this world. After we put the kids to sleep me and my husband watch the Serendipity for the second time, falling in love again and again and hugging all night with my husband. What a way to express your love to one another.
Sept 6, 2008 blissful Saturday, was a pure bonding. No office work for dad and house work for mum. I cooked sauteed shrimp with vegetables for our brunch (breakfast-lunch) and have a good rest. By 2pm we went to Parkway mall to buy some house and kids stuff and let the kids enjoy the ride. This is also my spa day. My husband scheduled me for a spa since he has a complimentary massage courtesy of Citibank but he is not into spa for now he gave it to me. We went home at 5pm and I set to go to Chinatown for my bamboo massage at My Spa it's like the bamboo stick will be rolled in your body with oil on it. The girl who does the massage to me say it's a slimming type of massage. You check on their site http://www.myspa.com.sg/ for more details. It was the first time I experience that kind of massage, I usually have the Swedish and Shiatsu type. Thou the massage is relaxing but it was not that the one I expected it to be. But am lucky since it cost S$99 something like Php3,000...wow! so expensive. Thanks again to my husband for giving me that. Backed home I cooked pancit, prepare bread and juice for dinner.
Sept 7, 2008 energetic Sunday. Rudolph and Ralph woke up early and they do some walking, a father and son bonding. I cooked fried rice and Rudolph fry spam for our brunch. By 10:30 am Ralph and I is set for our Sunday Mass, in attending mass my husband and I take turns since it's difficult to focus while your attending to kids. Rudolph is taking the 6pm mass by himself. While me and my son is in the church my husband cleans the house...thanks dad! By 2pm I cooked macaroni salad and leche flan (my husband' s favorite) for meryenda. We ate at the veranda and enjoy the meal while having some talk and kids are watching Cars (their favorite movie) after which Rudolph set-up the kids tent and the kids are having a great time. By 7pm we went to McDonalds at the Singpost Building a few blocks a way from our place.
I simply love my married life, my family, my kids and my husband. Having a great time and enjoying every single minute with them. More hugging, kissing and loving.
My New Phone
Got my new N95 plum/silver color last Wednesday night, September 3, 2008...a gift from my husband. When I took hold of it...the feeling was AWESOME. The phone was great and I really love it. What amazes me with this gadget is that it has everything that I need in just small device. Very impressive.
It's a plum/silver color with a 1GB memory card (free), it's sleek, not that heavy as you think, it's just 120 grams and has dimension of 99 x 53 x 21 mm. It's a dual slider (slide up and down) revealing a numeric keypad and multimedia keys, has large screen display and on the back of it a 5 megapixels camera with Carl Zeiss lens. The video and camera resolutions was in deed great. Clear pictures and good quality of video. You can also view pictures and video in your TV using the cable connectors and share it with the rest of the family.
I can easily upload music, download pictures and sync in our Compaq laptop. WiFi ready and has GPS plus it's 3G..wow! Has also Bluetooth, USB and Infrared connectors so uploading and dowloading is no problem. I love the sounds just like my husband's Ipod...nice nice! This is the best phone so far that meets my expectations and I love it. Let's see how long it will gonna impress me...heheh! I give this gadget two thumbs up!!
It's a plum/silver color with a 1GB memory card (free), it's sleek, not that heavy as you think, it's just 120 grams and has dimension of 99 x 53 x 21 mm. It's a dual slider (slide up and down) revealing a numeric keypad and multimedia keys, has large screen display and on the back of it a 5 megapixels camera with Carl Zeiss lens. The video and camera resolutions was in deed great. Clear pictures and good quality of video. You can also view pictures and video in your TV using the cable connectors and share it with the rest of the family.
I can easily upload music, download pictures and sync in our Compaq laptop. WiFi ready and has GPS plus it's 3G..wow! Has also Bluetooth, USB and Infrared connectors so uploading and dowloading is no problem. I love the sounds just like my husband's Ipod...nice nice! This is the best phone so far that meets my expectations and I love it. Let's see how long it will gonna impress me...heheh! I give this gadget two thumbs up!!
Monday, 1 September 2008
My Butterfly Kisses
This is one of my favorite songs, I keep on playing it and I still can't resist to fall in love with it. Before I don't know the meaning of this not until my wedding day I understand better. Though I didn't have the chance to live with my dad, but his spirit lives in me. My parents were separated and my dad died when I was eight years old. Where ever he is he will always be in my heart and in my mind. I am so lucky that God had given me two wonderful men who stood as a father to me. My uncle (my mum's eldest brother) and to the special man in our family who provided me everything that I need. I thank God for them. I love them so dearly. I am so grateful to have these three wonderful men in my life...to whom I give my butterfly kisses! If your dad is still alive treasure it and enjoy, your lucky. If your dad is no longer with you...be grateful that once in your life you have him.Butterfly Kisses
-Bob Carlisle
There's two things I know for sure
She was sent here from heaven and she's daddy's little girl.
As I drop to my knees by her bed at night
She talks to Jesus and I close my eyes and
I thank god for all the joy in my life Oh, but most of all
For butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer;
sticking little white flowers all up in her hair;
"Walk beside the pony, Daddy, it's my first ride."
"I know the cake looks funny, Daddy, but I sure tried."
In all that I've done wrong I know I must
have done something right to deserve a hug
every morning and butterfly kisses at night.
Sweet 16 today
She's looking like her mama a little more everyday
One part woman, the other part girl.
To perfume and make-up from ribbons and curls
Trying her wings out in a great big world.
But I remember Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer;
sticking little white flowers all up in her hair.
"You know how much I love you, Daddy,
But if you don't mind I'm only gonna
kiss you on the cheek this time.
"With all that I've done wrong I must have done
something right to deserve her love every morning
and butterfly kisses at night.
All the precious time
Like the wind, the years go by.
Precious butterfly.
Spread your wings and fly.
She'll change her name today.
She'll make a promise and I'll give her away.
Standing in the bride-room just staring at her.
She asked me what I'm thinking and I said
"I'm not sure-I just feel like I'm losing my baby girl."
She leaned over...gave me butterfly kisses with her mama there,
Sticking little white flowers all up in her hair
"Walk my down the aisle, Daddy-it's just about time."
"Does my wedding gown look pretty, Daddy? Daddy, don't cry!"
Oh, with all that I've done wrong I must have
done something right.To deserve your love every morning and butterfly
kisses-I couldn't ask God for more, man this is what love is.
I know I gotta let her go, but I'll always remember
every hug in the morning and butterfly kisses.
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