Sunday, June 18, 2006
Mentoring and the Movies (Cars)
I took Stephen, Johnny and LO to see Cars last night. We started with pizza and then had just enough time to get to the movie theater. Since it was my party, I paid for everyone. Now I see why folks with big families don't go out much. We had me, Mr. Jones, LO, Stephen, and Johnny. ($40 for the movies alone!) I was trying to make it a low maintenance evening. Going to the movies means that I don't have to supervise much, but today I realize that the extra hassle saves me a lot of money. The younger of the two, Stephen, just turned 10 this week. I better get him a cake since I got Johnny a cake for his birthday.
Next time we get together, I have to remember to review our 'game plan' first. The same issues keep coming up and I need to nip them in the bud. The kids think I'm a millionaire, and I suppose I am compared to their experience. That means they always want as much as they can get on the menu, and always ask for extras. I remember on a few occasions when we were going to the diner, Stephen cried because he wanted pancakes, bacon, eggs and toast. We originally agreed to pancakes and bacon. A small point, but I have to draw the line and the fact that Stephen would cry about the thing makes me realize how important boundaries are. Johnny, on the other hand, has some kind of eating issue. He treats food like a drug. It's his comfort. He eats too much, too fast and still seemingly can't get enough every time we get together.
When we got to the movies, Stephen and Johnny ran to the video games, begging for money. I'm thinking, "Are you crazy? I just paid $40 to take you guys to see a cartoon!" I guess I can't say that though. I did say "no way." If I had it to "do over," we'd have a conversation before the restaurant and the movie theater about how we will and won't act. Anyway, I tried my very hardest to give my full attention to all kids, and tried to have 1-on-1 talks with everyone.
The boys definitely gravitate toward Mr. Jones, the African American male figure, who is a laid back as can be. And he is a good match for the older, Johnny. Johnny is becoming hard in his preteen years. He is used to getting in trouble and being yelled at because in general he doesn't listen and can do things he shouldn't. What he is not used to is having to spar with Mr. Jones intellectually. That, my friends, is fun to watch.
In the movie, there was a preview of a kid who had to eat worms. At one point, they put a worm in the microwave. Johnny wanted to know what would really happen if you put a worm in the microwave. I suspect he might have tried it if we gave the wrong answer. (He still might.) Mr. Jones went into this thing about how there is no point in answering the question because a child shouldn't do it. And if a child did, he would get in big trouble. So Johnny wanted to know what would happen if an adult put a worm in the microwave. Mr. Jones said that adults wouldn't do that. The two went back and forth and eventually, Johnny just gave up. Phew! That was close.
The kids had fun. They talked alot as they do when they are excited (including LO), and we got them back home just after 9 pm. An evening well spent.
Chinese contest: LO was so cute! I'm not sure why they call it a "speech contest" since the kids addressed the group in Chinese: Principal, teachers, students, this is our lesson and we will recite 3 poems. Then, they recited the poems. When it was over, LO bowed. Class is over for the summer. They'll resume again with the regular school year.
Next time we get together, I have to remember to review our 'game plan' first. The same issues keep coming up and I need to nip them in the bud. The kids think I'm a millionaire, and I suppose I am compared to their experience. That means they always want as much as they can get on the menu, and always ask for extras. I remember on a few occasions when we were going to the diner, Stephen cried because he wanted pancakes, bacon, eggs and toast. We originally agreed to pancakes and bacon. A small point, but I have to draw the line and the fact that Stephen would cry about the thing makes me realize how important boundaries are. Johnny, on the other hand, has some kind of eating issue. He treats food like a drug. It's his comfort. He eats too much, too fast and still seemingly can't get enough every time we get together.
When we got to the movies, Stephen and Johnny ran to the video games, begging for money. I'm thinking, "Are you crazy? I just paid $40 to take you guys to see a cartoon!" I guess I can't say that though. I did say "no way." If I had it to "do over," we'd have a conversation before the restaurant and the movie theater about how we will and won't act. Anyway, I tried my very hardest to give my full attention to all kids, and tried to have 1-on-1 talks with everyone.
The boys definitely gravitate toward Mr. Jones, the African American male figure, who is a laid back as can be. And he is a good match for the older, Johnny. Johnny is becoming hard in his preteen years. He is used to getting in trouble and being yelled at because in general he doesn't listen and can do things he shouldn't. What he is not used to is having to spar with Mr. Jones intellectually. That, my friends, is fun to watch.
In the movie, there was a preview of a kid who had to eat worms. At one point, they put a worm in the microwave. Johnny wanted to know what would really happen if you put a worm in the microwave. I suspect he might have tried it if we gave the wrong answer. (He still might.) Mr. Jones went into this thing about how there is no point in answering the question because a child shouldn't do it. And if a child did, he would get in big trouble. So Johnny wanted to know what would happen if an adult put a worm in the microwave. Mr. Jones said that adults wouldn't do that. The two went back and forth and eventually, Johnny just gave up. Phew! That was close.
The kids had fun. They talked alot as they do when they are excited (including LO), and we got them back home just after 9 pm. An evening well spent.
Chinese contest: LO was so cute! I'm not sure why they call it a "speech contest" since the kids addressed the group in Chinese: Principal, teachers, students, this is our lesson and we will recite 3 poems. Then, they recited the poems. When it was over, LO bowed. Class is over for the summer. They'll resume again with the regular school year.
Friday, June 16, 2006
Chinese Speech Contest in 1 1/2 Hours
It's too much for a mother to bear! He's the only non-Chinese kid in his class, so you know I've got to bring the video camera. All this for 3 minutes of pleasure...
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Mentee Update
For those of you who remember all about my mentees, here's an update. I probably haven't seen the boys in at least a month. I called Sister Josephine, their current guardian, and asked if I could take the boys to see the movie, "Cars" this Saturday. What do I know about "Cars" - nothing. Doesn't matter. It looked like a cartoon, so it can't be too bad. I had to leave a message on her voicemail since it was probably around the time the boys were being put to bed. Sister Josephine called me at work today. When she told the boys I called, they were so excited! I guess they thought I dropped them (like a lot of other adults in their lives.) Apparently, they jumped up and down, shouting "Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Jones." I shouldn't have let so much time go, but things happen, you know? I may invite LO's new best friend. We'll see...
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
You May Find It Amusing that...
a good friend of mine (my age) who I've known for years, feels inexperienced in the ways of love and so asked me to give her sex advice and tips. I don't know what the heck she was thinking!!! Remember, I've been married for a decade and have exactly one child. It's not clear I know (or remember) what you're supposed to do. (just kidding) Anyway, I tried my best to talk about ways to be sensuous without actually getting in trouble. Nothing nasty, just fun things you can do together to create intimacy just beyond friendship. Massages, guess that food (chocolate, cool whip, fruit, sugar, and combinations), skin on skin (touching feet, hands etc.). Then I got to thinking, I'm really reaching here into the DEPTHS of my memory. That is a dag gone shame! But that's for another blog.
I figured I could at least go that far since I only have two people reading the blog.
Cheers.
(BTW, LO has his Chinese "speech contest" on Friday i.e., reciting 3 poems with his class and his first piano "recital" next Wednesday. Thankfully, I'm keeping myself calm and in check. Hopefully, it will last. Remind me to bring my video camera.)
I figured I could at least go that far since I only have two people reading the blog.
Cheers.
(BTW, LO has his Chinese "speech contest" on Friday i.e., reciting 3 poems with his class and his first piano "recital" next Wednesday. Thankfully, I'm keeping myself calm and in check. Hopefully, it will last. Remind me to bring my video camera.)
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Has it been THAT long?
Gee. I guess I haven't blogged since February huh? I have no particularly good excuse. Just busy at work and at life and this blog stuff doesn't seem to pay very well. (ha, ha) Anyway, I do have a few personal stories that I haven't written up, so perhaps this week I could 'get it together.' There is hope after all. And I'm realizing that good things come to those who pursue their passions. Without going into detail, I've been working on one project that I'm learning so much from. And, of course, I love those personal stories. So, whether I'm tired or not, I need to get back to it.
Just as an update, I haven't seen my mentees in several weeks. During the last few weeks, I keep seeing and reading these stories about children in foster care. One principal of a particularly high-risk facility said in an interview that the one thing she would hope for her kids is that they have at least one adult who could be there for the kids' whole lives...I got the message. I've also had some family crisis (what's the plural of crisis?). You know how that goes. I'm trying to be there for a few family members. I'm not going to get into that, but I just need to do all I can. It's after midnight on Sunday and I need to keep my job, so
SEE YA!
Just as an update, I haven't seen my mentees in several weeks. During the last few weeks, I keep seeing and reading these stories about children in foster care. One principal of a particularly high-risk facility said in an interview that the one thing she would hope for her kids is that they have at least one adult who could be there for the kids' whole lives...I got the message. I've also had some family crisis (what's the plural of crisis?). You know how that goes. I'm trying to be there for a few family members. I'm not going to get into that, but I just need to do all I can. It's after midnight on Sunday and I need to keep my job, so
SEE YA!
