Jonah and Noah were excited to see Gong gong. And after everything else was done, and naps had been taken (we had a very early flight.... with Hulk Hogan by the way) and the sun had gone low enough on the horizon to not be a brutal fiery thing to hide from, cowering in the shadows and AC... then it was time to go swimming.
"Swimming yay I like swimming! I like swimming sooooo much!" Jonah said galloping around the condo.
They were dressed in armor of floatable devices and he headed down. I was pretty nervous because of Jonah's excitement, but once it was three adults to two children it was okay.
And then Jonah tried to get out of his floatable inner tube.
As he hoisted himself over and I admonished "No!"
Gong Gong said, "Don't worry he can't get out of that."
Jonah hadn't gotten out of it, but I could see success would soon be his. He had, two years ago, tipped out of another inner tube into the water head first. I must have fished him out in perhaps less than a second. But I remember that moment like it was an extremely long time.
I got to Jonah.
"I want to get out and do swimming MYself." He said.
I stripped him of floaty devices. Noah looked on commenting on this and that. Luckily, not interested in this lesson at all. But of course I would rather work with Noah on this than Jonah, but Noah is too afraid so far.
Jonah tried to jump right in without hesitation. Not into my arms.
"Put your hands up put your hand UP!" he yelled at me when I tried to hold him. I explained to him that we weren't doing anything until we learned the concept of holding our breath underwater.... that you cannot take a deep breath when you are in the water.
We held on to the side and practiced breathing in and then blowing bubbles under water.
I said to blow the air bubbles out of your nose, but I this morning when I went for a swim I also blew out of my mouth. So maybe that doesn't matter. (I think I could benefit from some real swim lessons as well.)
I breathed in above and then went under up to my eyes, so that I could still keep an eye on Jonah. I was trying to get him to do the same thing. But after a couple of times of going close to (but not under) the water and blowing on it like he was cooling of his tea at Yum Cha (dim sum) he provlaimed, "Okay now let's go swimming!" and tried to jump in again. Pretty much I would hold his hands and he would jump in and THEN take a deep breath, so I was always pulling him up at the last second so that breath wouldn't happen underwater.
"Just let him do it." said Grace.
I insisted that she come over and help me if she was going to give advice.
Eventually we made it to a step where Jonah was on his tippy toes, and then it was time to go in.
"I can swim mommy. Baba gave me a lesson." he told Grace as they went upstairs.
What is Kung Fu and lion dance? Part self defense and fighting, part meditation and culture and part performance with drums and arts and crafts. Come and learn this art on Saturdays at 108 Stirling Road. Warren, NJ We work with Murray Hill Chinese School which also offers many other programs both cultural, academic and athletic. Check ou their website here https://www.mhcs-nj.org/
Kung Fu and Love
A great gift for Valentine's day or Chinese New Year
Monday, June 30, 2014
Saturday, June 28, 2014
A Change of location
I think I will move my little "Kung Fu playgroup" on Saturdays to the Kraft Athletic Facility at Harry Downes Field. Well, the playground next to that anyway. Why? Well actually I had wanted to have the class there originally anyway. But with the parents we decided that the children were too distracted by the playground. Having taught the class for a while now, I have found that the children will be distracted anyway. And at least at the playground they will be fenced in, or occupied by the sandbox.
In fact my whole idea was that a child would have no pressure to do Kung Fu, but could walk away and do their own thing at any time. Plus there is nearby parking.
Today I technically did not have group due to a scheduling mix up, so I brought the kids there in the morning... like I have pretty much been doing every morning. Except today I brought swords staffs, bows and arrows. Basically my kids only did a little bit of bow and arrow. And I didn't force a class on them, because I knew they wouldn't do it.
But of course when I was doing Kung Fu they did come over (individually) and try different things. Jonah did some staff, and like I said Noah did bows and arrows.
When other kids show up I think I will do the songs and stuff. But I think even with the child like songs. I am going to have the focus be in the adults. (I have been getting more adults asking me if I would take adults as students.) And then there would be drills, and the kids would learn a lot by watching. Then there would be the lion heads and other toys, and they would learn those by playing. And that would be it for them, pretty much. Then I would teach the adults on an individual level, giving them stuff they want to work on based on what they need. (Health, martial art, self defense, questions, etc.) And of course a bit of group forms, lining up doing simple stuff for solidarity and that sort of thing will be a small part of it.
Probably I will just bring my kids to the playground before 9am (as the class starts at 10 am) and try to get all of my basics and their playing time out of the way. And anyone willing to join me for that, is welcome of course.
But then what about when there is a foot of snow on the ground. Temperature doesn't matter so much because the fenced in area is still just safer. But when there is snow, the Sugar bowls are just more fun. And when the kids are older, old enough that they won't run off after a dandelion... (I think that will probably be next year) Then Pinebank is a more beautiful spot for sure. I will think on it.
In fact my whole idea was that a child would have no pressure to do Kung Fu, but could walk away and do their own thing at any time. Plus there is nearby parking.
Today I technically did not have group due to a scheduling mix up, so I brought the kids there in the morning... like I have pretty much been doing every morning. Except today I brought swords staffs, bows and arrows. Basically my kids only did a little bit of bow and arrow. And I didn't force a class on them, because I knew they wouldn't do it.
But of course when I was doing Kung Fu they did come over (individually) and try different things. Jonah did some staff, and like I said Noah did bows and arrows.
When other kids show up I think I will do the songs and stuff. But I think even with the child like songs. I am going to have the focus be in the adults. (I have been getting more adults asking me if I would take adults as students.) And then there would be drills, and the kids would learn a lot by watching. Then there would be the lion heads and other toys, and they would learn those by playing. And that would be it for them, pretty much. Then I would teach the adults on an individual level, giving them stuff they want to work on based on what they need. (Health, martial art, self defense, questions, etc.) And of course a bit of group forms, lining up doing simple stuff for solidarity and that sort of thing will be a small part of it.
Probably I will just bring my kids to the playground before 9am (as the class starts at 10 am) and try to get all of my basics and their playing time out of the way. And anyone willing to join me for that, is welcome of course.
But then what about when there is a foot of snow on the ground. Temperature doesn't matter so much because the fenced in area is still just safer. But when there is snow, the Sugar bowls are just more fun. And when the kids are older, old enough that they won't run off after a dandelion... (I think that will probably be next year) Then Pinebank is a more beautiful spot for sure. I will think on it.
Friday, June 27, 2014
Noah's Sword lesson
Today we went to the brown playground with trike, wagon, and sword. A Cardboard sword that I soaked in water and shaped while wet and then let the kids paint them. So it looks like all the colors of the rainbow and black in splotches, on the blade. In the picture posted on Facebook, Noah is holding the sword incorrectly. Snice it isn't a real sword you have to explain which end is "pretend sharp" and which end is the not sharp or "pretend sharp" either.
The sword is a single sided sword or "Do."
Anyway,
Noah was telling everyone that the wagon was his but that they could all use it and that he would pull the wagon for them. He then pulled the sword, and seemingly without anyone asking, proceeded to give a sword lesson.
"This is the blade," he pointed, " and this is the flat part," he gestured, " And you can use your hand to fold this part to block like this HA!" And he demonstrated blocking a downward blow from above.
Then he put the cardboard sword back in the wagon and I think the kids just threw it on the ground.
I was laughing though because they were all standing there listening. Less like little students and more like little followers in his pirate gang. I enjoyed Noah's little lesson because first of all, he obviously was listening to me when I told him about all that, and has retained that information.
Also, maybe I should teach Kung Fu like that. Instead of saying all wonder eyed the way you talk to children, or even work out instructor announcer style, "Hey! Do you want to learn some Kung Fu?"
Maybe I should just randomly, like a child, start showing Kung Fu the way Noah did.
"This is a pow, and you can do it like this, you hit with this part of you hand to strike upward like THIS! Hai!" You know?
I also realized that that is how kids and maybe even adults like to be shown a move, or perhaps how to use a tool. In a non formal manner. In fact all of Sifu's real lessons were done after class in this manner. It was less training and more story telling and then demonstration. Actually a lot like we were all his Pirate Crew. Maybe that' why men liked that style more. (I was always anxious to get back to practicing. Especially since I had to be the translator both ways. Which made it less like a Pirate Crew. Although I enjoy it a lot more when he gives the same lessons to a Chinese Audience. There is no pausing for translation that way.)
Anyway, I'll give an American example of this. Some neighbor of my grandmother in Philadelphia decided along with my mom, that he would take me around and show me how to be a man, sort of thing. Play catch, and at one point he turned to me while we were driving and said, "You know what to do if you get in a fight? Punch them in the nose. You know how to punch someone in the nose right? If you punch someone in the nose you aim for the back of their head." I have actually, to this day, never punched someone in the nose. Not on purpose anyway. Not full force, and not with an ungloved hand. Well not that I can remember. So the point of this story is actually more about how people tend to tell other people how to fight.
When you teach a Kung Fu class you often start with just the motions and only after seeing kids holding their fists wrong did I start making "how to hold a fist" part of the lesson and even which part of the fist to hit with. This was part of the lesson for Pows and Cups because these aren't "normal" punches. But we forget that for most kids, unless they have been punched and punch other people, or watch a lot of punches on tv etc etc. A punch is a weird motion.
Also if you teach Kung Fu and it's technique after technique after technique, it's a lot to remember. Just one application is good enough. Not just one a day. I mean with three applications among your Pirate crew, plus some drilling but mostly EXPERIENCE, that's all you really need. And if you don't have the experience, then obviously you don't really need the moves for that purpose.
Of course there is still value in the whole drills and led workout thing for group solidarity and stuff like that. In Asia a lot of stores start the day with non combative calisthenic type stuff just to psyche everyone up. Think about Mulan and "Let's get down to Business!"
Even if they don't use those moves in real combat, it doesn't matter. It's important to go through that training to bond with one another. And that's what the whole "class" thing is really for, especially if you are an adult looking for motivation to get in shape as well as an escape into a Pirate Crew world that is different from you daily grind office life.
But in order to learn how to use the moves, it's fun to be hanging out Yo ho ho ing, or just chilling at a playground and having someone who "knows" show you how to use a move. The application can be so basic, just like Noah's lesson. But then you have to do it in a cool and spirited way to drive the point home. And then that should be it. Not another lesson, but just off to other lands (or parts of the playground) in or wagon/pirateship/spaceship.
The sword is a single sided sword or "Do."
Anyway,
Noah was telling everyone that the wagon was his but that they could all use it and that he would pull the wagon for them. He then pulled the sword, and seemingly without anyone asking, proceeded to give a sword lesson.
"This is the blade," he pointed, " and this is the flat part," he gestured, " And you can use your hand to fold this part to block like this HA!" And he demonstrated blocking a downward blow from above.
Then he put the cardboard sword back in the wagon and I think the kids just threw it on the ground.
I was laughing though because they were all standing there listening. Less like little students and more like little followers in his pirate gang. I enjoyed Noah's little lesson because first of all, he obviously was listening to me when I told him about all that, and has retained that information.
Also, maybe I should teach Kung Fu like that. Instead of saying all wonder eyed the way you talk to children, or even work out instructor announcer style, "Hey! Do you want to learn some Kung Fu?"
Maybe I should just randomly, like a child, start showing Kung Fu the way Noah did.
"This is a pow, and you can do it like this, you hit with this part of you hand to strike upward like THIS! Hai!" You know?
I also realized that that is how kids and maybe even adults like to be shown a move, or perhaps how to use a tool. In a non formal manner. In fact all of Sifu's real lessons were done after class in this manner. It was less training and more story telling and then demonstration. Actually a lot like we were all his Pirate Crew. Maybe that' why men liked that style more. (I was always anxious to get back to practicing. Especially since I had to be the translator both ways. Which made it less like a Pirate Crew. Although I enjoy it a lot more when he gives the same lessons to a Chinese Audience. There is no pausing for translation that way.)
Anyway, I'll give an American example of this. Some neighbor of my grandmother in Philadelphia decided along with my mom, that he would take me around and show me how to be a man, sort of thing. Play catch, and at one point he turned to me while we were driving and said, "You know what to do if you get in a fight? Punch them in the nose. You know how to punch someone in the nose right? If you punch someone in the nose you aim for the back of their head." I have actually, to this day, never punched someone in the nose. Not on purpose anyway. Not full force, and not with an ungloved hand. Well not that I can remember. So the point of this story is actually more about how people tend to tell other people how to fight.
When you teach a Kung Fu class you often start with just the motions and only after seeing kids holding their fists wrong did I start making "how to hold a fist" part of the lesson and even which part of the fist to hit with. This was part of the lesson for Pows and Cups because these aren't "normal" punches. But we forget that for most kids, unless they have been punched and punch other people, or watch a lot of punches on tv etc etc. A punch is a weird motion.
Also if you teach Kung Fu and it's technique after technique after technique, it's a lot to remember. Just one application is good enough. Not just one a day. I mean with three applications among your Pirate crew, plus some drilling but mostly EXPERIENCE, that's all you really need. And if you don't have the experience, then obviously you don't really need the moves for that purpose.
Even if they don't use those moves in real combat, it doesn't matter. It's important to go through that training to bond with one another. And that's what the whole "class" thing is really for, especially if you are an adult looking for motivation to get in shape as well as an escape into a Pirate Crew world that is different from you daily grind office life.
But in order to learn how to use the moves, it's fun to be hanging out Yo ho ho ing, or just chilling at a playground and having someone who "knows" show you how to use a move. The application can be so basic, just like Noah's lesson. But then you have to do it in a cool and spirited way to drive the point home. And then that should be it. Not another lesson, but just off to other lands (or parts of the playground) in or wagon/pirateship/spaceship.
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Big Dreams
I have big dreams. But I tend to think of them as fantasy. But today I actually got to talk to someone about my dreams. I haven't been able to do that for a while and it felt good. At the "brown playground" I bumped into another dad. He actually had taken a back and white picture of me and my children on Polaroid film and I had blogged about that previously. Today since I had been doing Kung Fu, we talked about that. And it went from my thoughts and the classes I am teaching to the potential to having a Youtube Channel and that sort of thing. A Virtual Store front, a Virtual school online, in conjunction with a real life location (the Kung Fu Park) as well as various other things I had planned in the community. But he helped me see that the real potential and my real work should really be in the online aspect of it. And that's where I should invest my time and my money. Part of it was him juts explaining things to me and offering to even help me with some videos, and part of it was just voicing, aloud, to a non martial artist, my ideas. Of course I have voiced my ideas before, but mainly on this blog. And talking to him about it and having a conversation maybe dig deeper into just how long I have been working on these ideas. About as long as I have been teaching, which is over a decade. But I didn't see any potential outlet or market in the beginning. Or, really in the beginning I was tied down by my traditional system, and also by trying to fit into other people's niches (like Tae Bo and other fitness stuff) Instead of finding my own niche.
I have found my idea of my own system, the Kung Fu Playgroup Wheels on the bus stuff, really cool. Cool enough that I did it on stage at the Main Street Festival, even though I can imagine that as a teen, I would have thought the wheels on the bus approach dorky. What I haven't been able to reveal is the philosophy and all the other stuff that I have been able to grow from grouping the techniques in concepts rather than in forms. I have an internal, combative, meditative, and altered state of consciousness (or simply play time for children) ideas just from that one grouping of the 10 animals.
Actually I realize writing this by myself right now that it was only in conversation that I was able to talk about all of these things so clearly. I wonder why?
I guess I should work on that. The presentation of the 10 animals. I have written a piece on it before, but Chris (that's the other dad) made me realize that the journey to these ideas, the back story, would actually be interesting to people. Because it is a very everyday back story, as opposed to arriving at them through combat or a vision on top of a mountain, I never saw them as interesting.
Anyway it is clear that nice short You tube videos are the medium of the day. Not the written word. That is, for teaching martial arts anyway.
Of course I will continue to write, but it will be more for me. But in order to get Followers, i.e. people to Follow your channel, I will definitely need to produce nicely edited videos.
It's a skill I really need to learn, and one that could potentially allow me to do my art for a living.
I have found my idea of my own system, the Kung Fu Playgroup Wheels on the bus stuff, really cool. Cool enough that I did it on stage at the Main Street Festival, even though I can imagine that as a teen, I would have thought the wheels on the bus approach dorky. What I haven't been able to reveal is the philosophy and all the other stuff that I have been able to grow from grouping the techniques in concepts rather than in forms. I have an internal, combative, meditative, and altered state of consciousness (or simply play time for children) ideas just from that one grouping of the 10 animals.
Actually I realize writing this by myself right now that it was only in conversation that I was able to talk about all of these things so clearly. I wonder why?
I guess I should work on that. The presentation of the 10 animals. I have written a piece on it before, but Chris (that's the other dad) made me realize that the journey to these ideas, the back story, would actually be interesting to people. Because it is a very everyday back story, as opposed to arriving at them through combat or a vision on top of a mountain, I never saw them as interesting.
Anyway it is clear that nice short You tube videos are the medium of the day. Not the written word. That is, for teaching martial arts anyway.
Of course I will continue to write, but it will be more for me. But in order to get Followers, i.e. people to Follow your channel, I will definitely need to produce nicely edited videos.
It's a skill I really need to learn, and one that could potentially allow me to do my art for a living.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
These are the people in your neighborhood
The other day, riding home on our tricycle (Jonah on my shoulders) we bumped into a neighbor tending her garden. She had said Hi to Noah on other occasions. But that day we weren't "late" getting home because Noah doesn't have to go through rush hour anymore, and this neighbor was very talkative. Noah asked her tons of questions about plants and why she was watering them and why why why.
But she also asked questions like, "Have you named your bike? I named my truck." And so Noah actually was talking about this a few days later. What should he name his bike. Did he have to name his truck? Maybe he only wanted to just name his toys but not his truck.
He even got to look in the backyard and learned, from another person, from another perspective, from another persons voice, about plants, and water and sunlight.
It's important to not only hear one explanation of things, but many explanations of the same thing, even if they are similar.
It was a very Mr Rogers type moment.
I realized that, if you grow up in the projects you are less likely to have this opportunity because everyone sort of has a uniform outward appearance. A "lawn" that does not actually belong to them and which they do not actually maintain. They might to something unique in their backyard. But you won;t see it. My mother did very unique thing switch her porch. And children, my friends, would ask her about it, or people would mention it, but you wouldn't just be passing by and shout up at someone sitting on their porch questions about the plants they were growing. Well you would be less likely to that's all.
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
5 ideas for Boston Chinatown's August Moon Festival
I was thinking of some things that would spice up a Chinatown summertime festival like the Main Street Festival and the august Moon Festival. These could be either at stands or could be used to stall on the main stage. But sometimes the Main stage actually ends up behind schedule. But the good thing is these little ideas are flexible.
1. An old Drum for Audience members or people passing by to try.
It would be nice if someone who knew how to drum were there to man this one. And I'm sure whichever school bring south the old drum would want it taken care of relatively well. But theoretically, any volunteer could man this drum. Just make sure nobody steals it for some reason, or hits it with anything but the drum sticks used for hitting that drum.
2. Other Lion Dance and Kung Fu equipment for passersby to use.
This might be trickier as heads are more delicate. And when it comes to hit pads or Wing Chun Dummies there might be insurance or legal issues involved. Probably would take more care to man this station. Still though something to think about.
3. Ho Yi station.
Okay so you can make cheap PVC pipe bows, and instead of real arrows (which some festivals in other states actually do but I'm not suggesting Boston do.) you should pool noodles. That way, even if it flies off into someone's head, no big deal. Real arrows would be possible in an alley way or something like that. But I think it would definitely require someone who knows what they are doing. And that person is not me.
Anyway, everyone can take turns being Ho Yi and shoot at card board suns. Maybe people holding suns and pretending to get knocked over. (The pool noodles won't go that far.) Heck people could even shoot each other. But it would have to be controlled of course.
4. Moon Lady
Why not have a Moon Lady? She can be like Santa or the Easter Bunny, or the princess at Story land. The Dancing schools already have the costumes. You can go up and ask her what you want for I don't know August Moon. I know gifts are not a thing, but hey we can start. It could be something stupid like candy or moon cakes. Or maybe she could hand out stupid prizes like candy or those cheap insects or army men. Or maybe coupons or cheap free samples from whatever company.
5. Moon Lady again
If a dud dressed up like the moon lady and did stand up comedy, that would be freaking hilarious. Actually stand up comedy is something quite absent from the stalling tactics. This stand up people would probably do it for free right? I mean nobodys. Also Asian nobodys. I guess this is actually the hardest one because maybe in that atmosphere jokes won't be as funny. Maybe a story corner where the Moon Lady reads you books? That would be cool.
Am I just suggesting things without any back up? Hell yes. Because I know I'm not manning any of these stations with two kids. Though if someone gives me a bunch of PVC pipes and pool Noodles and paracord I might do the bow and arrow one, but not for the whole day. I might even make the cardboard suns. Maybe we could just have a bunch of cardboard and paint and making the cardboard suns could be an activity. Or you could make your own bow. Oh yeah I forgot, in addition to pvc pipes and pool noodles and paracord, I will also need a hack saw. Maybe the bows should be made ahead of time after all. Anyway, just some ideas.
1. An old Drum for Audience members or people passing by to try.
It would be nice if someone who knew how to drum were there to man this one. And I'm sure whichever school bring south the old drum would want it taken care of relatively well. But theoretically, any volunteer could man this drum. Just make sure nobody steals it for some reason, or hits it with anything but the drum sticks used for hitting that drum.
2. Other Lion Dance and Kung Fu equipment for passersby to use.
This might be trickier as heads are more delicate. And when it comes to hit pads or Wing Chun Dummies there might be insurance or legal issues involved. Probably would take more care to man this station. Still though something to think about.
3. Ho Yi station.
Okay so you can make cheap PVC pipe bows, and instead of real arrows (which some festivals in other states actually do but I'm not suggesting Boston do.) you should pool noodles. That way, even if it flies off into someone's head, no big deal. Real arrows would be possible in an alley way or something like that. But I think it would definitely require someone who knows what they are doing. And that person is not me.
Anyway, everyone can take turns being Ho Yi and shoot at card board suns. Maybe people holding suns and pretending to get knocked over. (The pool noodles won't go that far.) Heck people could even shoot each other. But it would have to be controlled of course.
4. Moon Lady
Why not have a Moon Lady? She can be like Santa or the Easter Bunny, or the princess at Story land. The Dancing schools already have the costumes. You can go up and ask her what you want for I don't know August Moon. I know gifts are not a thing, but hey we can start. It could be something stupid like candy or moon cakes. Or maybe she could hand out stupid prizes like candy or those cheap insects or army men. Or maybe coupons or cheap free samples from whatever company.
5. Moon Lady again
If a dud dressed up like the moon lady and did stand up comedy, that would be freaking hilarious. Actually stand up comedy is something quite absent from the stalling tactics. This stand up people would probably do it for free right? I mean nobodys. Also Asian nobodys. I guess this is actually the hardest one because maybe in that atmosphere jokes won't be as funny. Maybe a story corner where the Moon Lady reads you books? That would be cool.
Am I just suggesting things without any back up? Hell yes. Because I know I'm not manning any of these stations with two kids. Though if someone gives me a bunch of PVC pipes and pool Noodles and paracord I might do the bow and arrow one, but not for the whole day. I might even make the cardboard suns. Maybe we could just have a bunch of cardboard and paint and making the cardboard suns could be an activity. Or you could make your own bow. Oh yeah I forgot, in addition to pvc pipes and pool noodles and paracord, I will also need a hack saw. Maybe the bows should be made ahead of time after all. Anyway, just some ideas.
Monday, June 23, 2014
Afternoon of the Main Street Festival
Walking towards the stage we actually caught people coming out of Church from St. James. I haven't been in a while, but the next time I do go, it will most likely be without the kids unless it is to a children's mass.
So we did our lion dance, people took pictures, bithe children went home.. ahh yes. I suppose I could have wandered around the festival by myself for a while. But instead I went straight back to Moh Goon, where people were gathering and talking. I brushed my teeth, drank some water, and began my beginners class for the day.
Meditation, stretching etc. It was great to have people around me talking. And indeed I joined in this adult conversation. I swore and talked about subjects not appropriate for children, because my children weren't there. There was one guy who I knew only through the Federation and he had a lot of martial arts stories and travel stories as well. I hadn't talked to him much in the past. I guess because we didn't really know each other. But it was nice to hear stories about other people's lives in other states or other lands.
Some of them were very interesting, but I won't share them here because they aren't really mine to tell, plus I only got bits and pieces.
By the time I was finishing up with standing basics, there was a whole crowd of people including the performers preparing to start performing. I wasn't a main performer and not really supervising so I just stayed out of the way and continued my basics. (I ended up playing the gong.)
The only thing I did was remind Jing of the time when we were at 5 minutes before he said we were to leave.
Then we were off. We walked over did our performance. Me playing gong, which meant that I could really watch the audience, something you can't do with the head. I watched our heads too of course, and the kids did well. They had good head movement. Of course their skills and muscles are still developing. But looking at videos of myself from the same performance I wouldn't say I am necessarily better than they just parading down the street, are unless I happen to be really trying for some reason. (which sometimes I am)
We went back though the stage was emoty and they asked if we could keep going. So I did a little children's class. Wheels on the Kung Fu bus etc. If someone got a video please share it with me. I'll put it on my class blog to legitimize myself.
Well then what happened? I guess there was more talking at the school and soon enough it was time for the Federation performance. Seven heads we did. Mainly for the sake of doing seven heads. It was cool.
The stage was empty when we got there but our parade in attracted people's attention. That was good for the group that would come after us I'm sure.
After lion dance we did Kung Fu. I did another form, and easier one. And then we paraded back too.
That was actually the funnest part of the day. Parading back. Lion dancing a sort of victory lap for the sake of lion dancing... away from the audience at the end of the performance. I realized that we hardle ever paraded except for New Year's and it is difficult to muster too much energy, or even if you have it, you have to conserve it because of you are going all day.
But that day I had all the energy I could want, no kids to watch and a pefect way to spend it. I did crazy shooting ramming the heads horn into imaginary enemies. And frankly my foot work was terrible and sloppy as I did this. because we were simultaneously marching. I just felt like I was in a video game or something. Lion dance over here, chase this spectator, pretend to piss on this tree. I wanted to jump the police barricade but realized it would be embarrassing if I hurt myself. I jumped the side of it just in case. Rarr I'm a lion. Seriously I was very childish and it was fun. After that I had to get home. I called Grace to see if she wanted me to pick up an order of anything.
"Come home now please!" was all that was said
and then Noah yelling into the phone, "Baba? WHo are you? Are you Baba? Where are you?"
Of course when I got home they were amusing themselves with PBS kids on the computer. But there were other chore type things that Grace couldn't do.
Well that was it.
So we did our lion dance, people took pictures, bithe children went home.. ahh yes. I suppose I could have wandered around the festival by myself for a while. But instead I went straight back to Moh Goon, where people were gathering and talking. I brushed my teeth, drank some water, and began my beginners class for the day.
Meditation, stretching etc. It was great to have people around me talking. And indeed I joined in this adult conversation. I swore and talked about subjects not appropriate for children, because my children weren't there. There was one guy who I knew only through the Federation and he had a lot of martial arts stories and travel stories as well. I hadn't talked to him much in the past. I guess because we didn't really know each other. But it was nice to hear stories about other people's lives in other states or other lands.
Some of them were very interesting, but I won't share them here because they aren't really mine to tell, plus I only got bits and pieces.
By the time I was finishing up with standing basics, there was a whole crowd of people including the performers preparing to start performing. I wasn't a main performer and not really supervising so I just stayed out of the way and continued my basics. (I ended up playing the gong.)
The only thing I did was remind Jing of the time when we were at 5 minutes before he said we were to leave.
Then we were off. We walked over did our performance. Me playing gong, which meant that I could really watch the audience, something you can't do with the head. I watched our heads too of course, and the kids did well. They had good head movement. Of course their skills and muscles are still developing. But looking at videos of myself from the same performance I wouldn't say I am necessarily better than they just parading down the street, are unless I happen to be really trying for some reason. (which sometimes I am)
We went back though the stage was emoty and they asked if we could keep going. So I did a little children's class. Wheels on the Kung Fu bus etc. If someone got a video please share it with me. I'll put it on my class blog to legitimize myself.
Well then what happened? I guess there was more talking at the school and soon enough it was time for the Federation performance. Seven heads we did. Mainly for the sake of doing seven heads. It was cool.
The stage was empty when we got there but our parade in attracted people's attention. That was good for the group that would come after us I'm sure.
After lion dance we did Kung Fu. I did another form, and easier one. And then we paraded back too.
That was actually the funnest part of the day. Parading back. Lion dancing a sort of victory lap for the sake of lion dancing... away from the audience at the end of the performance. I realized that we hardle ever paraded except for New Year's and it is difficult to muster too much energy, or even if you have it, you have to conserve it because of you are going all day.
But that day I had all the energy I could want, no kids to watch and a pefect way to spend it. I did crazy shooting ramming the heads horn into imaginary enemies. And frankly my foot work was terrible and sloppy as I did this. because we were simultaneously marching. I just felt like I was in a video game or something. Lion dance over here, chase this spectator, pretend to piss on this tree. I wanted to jump the police barricade but realized it would be embarrassing if I hurt myself. I jumped the side of it just in case. Rarr I'm a lion. Seriously I was very childish and it was fun. After that I had to get home. I called Grace to see if she wanted me to pick up an order of anything.
"Come home now please!" was all that was said
and then Noah yelling into the phone, "Baba? WHo are you? Are you Baba? Where are you?"
Of course when I got home they were amusing themselves with PBS kids on the computer. But there were other chore type things that Grace couldn't do.
Well that was it.
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Morning of Chinatown Main Street Festival
Grace had a dim sum craving so this morning it was first things first. Of course because the festival was going on there was no parking on the street available. There was also some sort of 10k race or run going on as well. After Dim sim we walked through the streets a little bit. Noah used to get very excited about being able to walk in the street where the cars usually go. The feeling is just different.
We bumped into a lot of freiends, went by Gund Kwok's table (Grace's old team) They had games and prizes. That was cool. But then in their boredom the children started fighting to the point where Noah pushed Jonah and they went to the ground with Jonah's head banging into the glass door over by the corner. A childhood reenactment of what a Chinatown night could be like.
"I want Chocolate Caaake!!!!" Jonah bawled through tears from hitting his head. Every time Jonah is uncomfortable, tired, or, apparently, injured, he makes a crying plea for this one thing as if it will solve his problem.
"We just finished dim sum, you can't be hungry. And if you are, mommy just got baos."
I had been saying for a while as we congregated on the street that I was going to bring them to the BCNC playground, and when dai dai's head hit the door, I actually started moving in that direction despite initial protest.
They hung out and fed sparrows at the playground for a while. I found a bathroom and a water fountain and also returned some things to the car (near Hei La Moon on the other side of Chinatown) and also got the home made flat faced lion head I had left there.
It looked like the performances were starting and I went down to see if, Wong Keurng (I know them from working with them through the Federation) was performing. They weren't up yet. But of course as I was walking away I heard the switch in drum beat to their dragon beats, and knew that me and the kids would not possibly get over there in time to watch. That was too bad, especially since they were doing the dragon. But to make the overall day smooth, with kids, you have to take it easy. Don't force something that is difficult. By the time we got there sprinting and carrying them it would probably have been the next group's turn anyway and the possibility of a melt down (from having missed something) could have ensued.
Besides the kids were happy where they were, in the shade, feeding sparrows. We then said we would do a simulation lion dance. I.e. the kids would dance through the streets and if drums happened to play from the stage as background, all the better. And then we would all head back to the car and Grace would leave with Jonah.
They danced and switched and some freinds and strangers took some pictures. And the CCBA drumming group began on stage too, which was great. I tend to think those beats kind of match the flat faced head better anyway, especially the way Jonah shakes it. We got there and watched there performance. The kids actually wanted to listen to the political speakers. But eventually we headed out and Noah ended up also returning home with Grace.
So the rest of the day and the two Lion Dance and performances left that I would be a part of, For Woo Ching White Crane and for the Federation (which is Woo Ching and Wong Keurng together) I would be free to more actively participate in. Plus all teh socializing involved in that.
By kids!
We bumped into a lot of freiends, went by Gund Kwok's table (Grace's old team) They had games and prizes. That was cool. But then in their boredom the children started fighting to the point where Noah pushed Jonah and they went to the ground with Jonah's head banging into the glass door over by the corner. A childhood reenactment of what a Chinatown night could be like.
"I want Chocolate Caaake!!!!" Jonah bawled through tears from hitting his head. Every time Jonah is uncomfortable, tired, or, apparently, injured, he makes a crying plea for this one thing as if it will solve his problem.
"We just finished dim sum, you can't be hungry. And if you are, mommy just got baos."
I had been saying for a while as we congregated on the street that I was going to bring them to the BCNC playground, and when dai dai's head hit the door, I actually started moving in that direction despite initial protest.
They hung out and fed sparrows at the playground for a while. I found a bathroom and a water fountain and also returned some things to the car (near Hei La Moon on the other side of Chinatown) and also got the home made flat faced lion head I had left there.
It looked like the performances were starting and I went down to see if, Wong Keurng (I know them from working with them through the Federation) was performing. They weren't up yet. But of course as I was walking away I heard the switch in drum beat to their dragon beats, and knew that me and the kids would not possibly get over there in time to watch. That was too bad, especially since they were doing the dragon. But to make the overall day smooth, with kids, you have to take it easy. Don't force something that is difficult. By the time we got there sprinting and carrying them it would probably have been the next group's turn anyway and the possibility of a melt down (from having missed something) could have ensued.
Besides the kids were happy where they were, in the shade, feeding sparrows. We then said we would do a simulation lion dance. I.e. the kids would dance through the streets and if drums happened to play from the stage as background, all the better. And then we would all head back to the car and Grace would leave with Jonah.
They danced and switched and some freinds and strangers took some pictures. And the CCBA drumming group began on stage too, which was great. I tend to think those beats kind of match the flat faced head better anyway, especially the way Jonah shakes it. We got there and watched there performance. The kids actually wanted to listen to the political speakers. But eventually we headed out and Noah ended up also returning home with Grace.
So the rest of the day and the two Lion Dance and performances left that I would be a part of, For Woo Ching White Crane and for the Federation (which is Woo Ching and Wong Keurng together) I would be free to more actively participate in. Plus all teh socializing involved in that.
By kids!
Friday, June 20, 2014
Day two of beginners class
I did the same little routine today, which is mostly get the kids over to that comfortable playground as soon as possible and ignore them. Okay it didn't work like that because after my meditation and stretching they wanted to ride/run around the track. (I only brought one tricycle. It was much more manageable. But they were doing this thing where Noah was trying to run Jonah over and Jonah was legitimately scared. But at the same time Jonah kept trying to catch up to the tricycle T2000 style and I don't know. I don't know what exactly he was trying to do but it was stopping Noah from going faster. No it was stopping him from "going by himself" that was it. Jonah was trying to push the tricycle too. Whatever.
At some point Noah hit Jonah with my hat, which sounds like it doesn't hurt, but there is a wooden bead on the end and that part it Jonah. Well there was screaming and disciplining and separation at which point suddenly Jonah felt really sorry for Noah (I don't know why. I do know why, it's because he's like me.)
Anyway at some point I started my walking basics. Where as you can do stretches and sit ups with a 3 year old on top you (Noah was very independent doing his own thing) it is more difficult to do strikes. And in the past I would take care of my kid. But we are at the playground and there is no need for Jonah to be this clingy right there. So I was firm about, not so much ignoring him, I still talked to him even though it was hard to keep count, but I was firm about doing my thing. And of course because there are rests where you bow and then walk around, those were the times I would pick Jonah up. And I didn't make Jonah do what I was doing. Sometimes he wanted me to do this move or that move though and I said, "you can do that." And he could go play in the sandbox too. But I was firm about the fact that I was finishing this routine. And we could talk and I could pick him up on the rests but then I put him back down and did another set. He wanted to do Ssing swing SWING! but I explained that during my break after standing basics, we would do swing. And we did. And after it was done, I did walking basics.
I had been basing everything around them. But they are old enough now and I'm done with that. Granted we are still at this playground, but stuff was going to be based around me now. Or at least that's the theory. And they still have a lot of opportunity to do fun stuff. But Baba is doing his basics, slowly.
The best thing I noticed that even though my walking basics felt like I was just walking through it, (and I reminded myself that that is what I was trying to do. i.e. don't get all strong and fierce with the basics. Think of them more as stretches rather than combat moves.) That when I actually got to my forms, I had all this energy. It makes a difference, to be thoroughly warmed up.
And of course I only did one form at a time instead of all together. But I did do those hard and fast like a performance. I felt all this chi and power. And that section was easier because the forms are quick. And then I would lounge and chat in the shade with friends. Yes a bunch of parents I knew showed up today. One mom will be moving away soon. I commented on how it is so hard to move like that. When you are a parent your friends are really based around the kids.
I thought, but didn't say, that I guess that that sort of Sex in the City type group of friends is pretty valuable. As much as I have come to hate that show and movies. Before I had kids I actually watched and enjoyed it. Except Miranda. I was always annoyed by her.
Well my kids are requesting a Kung fu class in the house now so I better go do that.
At some point Noah hit Jonah with my hat, which sounds like it doesn't hurt, but there is a wooden bead on the end and that part it Jonah. Well there was screaming and disciplining and separation at which point suddenly Jonah felt really sorry for Noah (I don't know why. I do know why, it's because he's like me.)
Anyway at some point I started my walking basics. Where as you can do stretches and sit ups with a 3 year old on top you (Noah was very independent doing his own thing) it is more difficult to do strikes. And in the past I would take care of my kid. But we are at the playground and there is no need for Jonah to be this clingy right there. So I was firm about, not so much ignoring him, I still talked to him even though it was hard to keep count, but I was firm about doing my thing. And of course because there are rests where you bow and then walk around, those were the times I would pick Jonah up. And I didn't make Jonah do what I was doing. Sometimes he wanted me to do this move or that move though and I said, "you can do that." And he could go play in the sandbox too. But I was firm about the fact that I was finishing this routine. And we could talk and I could pick him up on the rests but then I put him back down and did another set. He wanted to do Ssing swing SWING! but I explained that during my break after standing basics, we would do swing. And we did. And after it was done, I did walking basics.
I had been basing everything around them. But they are old enough now and I'm done with that. Granted we are still at this playground, but stuff was going to be based around me now. Or at least that's the theory. And they still have a lot of opportunity to do fun stuff. But Baba is doing his basics, slowly.
The best thing I noticed that even though my walking basics felt like I was just walking through it, (and I reminded myself that that is what I was trying to do. i.e. don't get all strong and fierce with the basics. Think of them more as stretches rather than combat moves.) That when I actually got to my forms, I had all this energy. It makes a difference, to be thoroughly warmed up.
And of course I only did one form at a time instead of all together. But I did do those hard and fast like a performance. I felt all this chi and power. And that section was easier because the forms are quick. And then I would lounge and chat in the shade with friends. Yes a bunch of parents I knew showed up today. One mom will be moving away soon. I commented on how it is so hard to move like that. When you are a parent your friends are really based around the kids.
I thought, but didn't say, that I guess that that sort of Sex in the City type group of friends is pretty valuable. As much as I have come to hate that show and movies. Before I had kids I actually watched and enjoyed it. Except Miranda. I was always annoyed by her.
Well my kids are requesting a Kung fu class in the house now so I better go do that.
Thursday, June 19, 2014
A beginners class.
Today we went to the "brown playground" aka Kraft Family Athletic center AKA Harry Downes field. Or rather the playground right next to it. It was close so we did tricycles there. Before, and now that we are back, this seemed and seems like a good idea. I do not know how many times I have to have this stressful experience and actually write it down before I will learn that Jonah should not ride a tricycle TO anywhere. (probably his driving skills or lack thereof are from me) Once we get there, cool. But not trips with required destinations. Noah did most of it himself. (I guess his driving skills come from Grace.)
I had decided to do a beginners Kung Fu class today. As much as I could anyway. I have noticed that I have been attracted to other Martial Arts or disciplines recently. Mainly because I am seeking a way to be a beginner again I think. There was my fascination with Japanese swords, there was me thinking of doing Brazilian Jiu Jistu, not because of the actual martial aspect of it, but wrestling martial arts seems like a good way to socially interact, let off steam, and not get hurt. Where as sparring with White Crane, or even Push hands, even with friends, is extremely dangerous.
Plus I would imagine that even a game with rules, like Olympic wrestling is dangerous when done at the athlete level, even middle school and high school.
But Martial Arts, in our society is something that middle aged people, or even old people, often pick up for the first time without any sort of previous athletic ability. I guess I am seeking to be one of those guys, who came into Woo Ching White Crane when I was a teen and had to be taught by me. But this type of thing has to happen at a playground. And the "brown playground" is the best place because my children are occupied.
But who will teach me?
So I ended up giving myself a beginners class. Starting off with meditation. Before when I worked out at the park, I would try to give myself advanced workouts doing all sorts of things at once. Martial Application, stretching, cardio, and strength training.
Because I could get it done quicker.
Because I don't have time for a basics class.
Because I am a Sifu and even if I do basic stuff I want to do it in a Sifu's way.
Because I'm lazy.
Because it's boring.
Because I've done my fill of basics classes.
Because my children will interrupt me and there is so much I won't get done.
Well, I noticed that ever since I started writing first thing in the morning instead of Kung Fu ing, I have actually gone days without doing my own work out.
The beginners class has a lot of breaks and resting and all that and takes two hours, I now realize there is value both in all of that resting (it enables you to do the workout for two hours) and also in the fact that it is two hours long.
I've read about two hour Yoga sessions, I think a REM cycle is two hours, and a "see sun" is two hours. Two hours is about one twelfth of a day, a rotation of the earth. There are twelve seasons. And even though we have ten fingers and use a system of counting based on 10, look at your hand. On your four long fingers (not your thumb) each finger is divided into three parts. Or you could say there are three lines. Ancients dragged their thumb along these sections to calculate things. To count, like an abacus on your hand. 12 is significant. Two hours is significant.
But none of those above reasons made me realize this. It was walking through the Flume Gorge and arriving at our starting point about 2 hours later. I felt, for some reason that it was as if we had left that starting point Years ago. And then I thought about how most movies are two hours long, and that after you emerge from it, it is like you are returning to another reality you left behind to live a whole other lifetime. And that the REM cycle is about two hours.
That's when I decided I would try the beginners class for two hours, with rests and all that. After all a movie is not all action. It starts with an introduction (meditation) there is some warming up, like stretching. Then there is some action. like walking basics. And those walking basics were harder on my stance then I figured. I suppose my legs are weaker. Grace did comment that they were skinnier. And that walking around in between basics was important. I was tired, but not fatigued, and perfectly able to watch my children. And the breaks in between the stretching/calisthenics, and the drinking of water, the lounging around like I used to at the old school was fun. I even heard the voices of old chinese people talking. Though at the playgroung it was in Mandarin. I got to be doing my thing, and also being where I was. relaxing. The heat made me feel like my first classes at Tai Tung too. Because I started at Woo Ching White Crane in the summer.
It was like I was a new student in my own school where I was also the Sifu. Having no Sifu to bow to, I bowed to my children. That's right I did the whole ritualized OCD beginners class with bowing, doing the opening before basics and all that, like a crazy person, or an extreme beginner that does all of these things because he can't do anything else. My punches and other strikes were basic drills, without combative dodging and moving. I decided I was going to "go through the motions."
It was great.
I felt like such a beginner but then deep inside I felt Chi working and even though on the outside I was that 14 year old beginner with my 30 year old SIfu self guiding me I was, sometimes doing something more advanced.
When more people arrived I stopped bowing to my kids, because it was weird. Instead I would close my eyes and put my hands up in the bowing position, and I imagined my Sifu sitting there, where he would usually sit, in his chair (which somehow gained Cathedra type status although it was just an old Chinese Restaurant chair that some restaurant probably tossed and everyone knew it) next to the hot plates and cooking equipment that was our makeshift kitchen. It was a quick bow into the past and then I opened my eyes into the present of a playground.
After Standing basics (100 each, just the refular ones, no more no less) I did walking basics, just 50 each. Because that's what I would have done. I took the breaks drinking water out of my metal thermos that had a top like a Chinese tea cup in size. And that felt good too. I walked around I lounged. I tried to get my sons to speak Mandarin to the Chinese girls their age, essentially announcing my Chinese-ness, and then I got to do the basic luk lik form.
Then I had a conversation with Randy.
Randy is 66 years old. So it is hard for me to call him Randy even in writing. I feel like I know him, though we never had a conversation, because he is always running around the track by the playground. No matter what the temperature is. He had done that today earlier in the morning, but now he was at the playground with his grandchildren. I told him that I really was impressed with how he consistently did his running and I envied that discipline. I know that if I did Kung Fu like that, consistently, the same thing, not too fast but not too slow... well that's what I am now trying to do and what I aim to do. Plus I know it is possible.
He told me that he used to love watching David Carradine on the show "Kung Fu" We talked. It was fun. It was a social thing I haven't go to do in a long time. Especially with older men who had stories to tell me that I valued. Perhaps I was mentally asking for this somehow and that's how I got it.
Then I went back to forms. I only got up to Chasing fist, and of course no weapons forms, before I had to leave.
But it was a nice experience.
Then it was back home for lunch. I put on the TV and put out crayons and paper for them to draw afterwards, because I noticed that seemed to be all one needed from my experience at Doctor's offices. Plus Noah told Grace he missed drawing yesterday. Plus, as I watched Super Why and Jonah parrotted stuff and said, "I really like 'ock' words" and realized that this particular type of TV was important for them to watch.
And now I am needed.
I had decided to do a beginners Kung Fu class today. As much as I could anyway. I have noticed that I have been attracted to other Martial Arts or disciplines recently. Mainly because I am seeking a way to be a beginner again I think. There was my fascination with Japanese swords, there was me thinking of doing Brazilian Jiu Jistu, not because of the actual martial aspect of it, but wrestling martial arts seems like a good way to socially interact, let off steam, and not get hurt. Where as sparring with White Crane, or even Push hands, even with friends, is extremely dangerous.
Plus I would imagine that even a game with rules, like Olympic wrestling is dangerous when done at the athlete level, even middle school and high school.
But Martial Arts, in our society is something that middle aged people, or even old people, often pick up for the first time without any sort of previous athletic ability. I guess I am seeking to be one of those guys, who came into Woo Ching White Crane when I was a teen and had to be taught by me. But this type of thing has to happen at a playground. And the "brown playground" is the best place because my children are occupied.
But who will teach me?
So I ended up giving myself a beginners class. Starting off with meditation. Before when I worked out at the park, I would try to give myself advanced workouts doing all sorts of things at once. Martial Application, stretching, cardio, and strength training.
Because I could get it done quicker.
Because I don't have time for a basics class.
Because I am a Sifu and even if I do basic stuff I want to do it in a Sifu's way.
Because I'm lazy.
Because it's boring.
Because I've done my fill of basics classes.
Because my children will interrupt me and there is so much I won't get done.
Well, I noticed that ever since I started writing first thing in the morning instead of Kung Fu ing, I have actually gone days without doing my own work out.
The beginners class has a lot of breaks and resting and all that and takes two hours, I now realize there is value both in all of that resting (it enables you to do the workout for two hours) and also in the fact that it is two hours long.
I've read about two hour Yoga sessions, I think a REM cycle is two hours, and a "see sun" is two hours. Two hours is about one twelfth of a day, a rotation of the earth. There are twelve seasons. And even though we have ten fingers and use a system of counting based on 10, look at your hand. On your four long fingers (not your thumb) each finger is divided into three parts. Or you could say there are three lines. Ancients dragged their thumb along these sections to calculate things. To count, like an abacus on your hand. 12 is significant. Two hours is significant.
But none of those above reasons made me realize this. It was walking through the Flume Gorge and arriving at our starting point about 2 hours later. I felt, for some reason that it was as if we had left that starting point Years ago. And then I thought about how most movies are two hours long, and that after you emerge from it, it is like you are returning to another reality you left behind to live a whole other lifetime. And that the REM cycle is about two hours.
That's when I decided I would try the beginners class for two hours, with rests and all that. After all a movie is not all action. It starts with an introduction (meditation) there is some warming up, like stretching. Then there is some action. like walking basics. And those walking basics were harder on my stance then I figured. I suppose my legs are weaker. Grace did comment that they were skinnier. And that walking around in between basics was important. I was tired, but not fatigued, and perfectly able to watch my children. And the breaks in between the stretching/calisthenics, and the drinking of water, the lounging around like I used to at the old school was fun. I even heard the voices of old chinese people talking. Though at the playgroung it was in Mandarin. I got to be doing my thing, and also being where I was. relaxing. The heat made me feel like my first classes at Tai Tung too. Because I started at Woo Ching White Crane in the summer.
It was like I was a new student in my own school where I was also the Sifu. Having no Sifu to bow to, I bowed to my children. That's right I did the whole ritualized OCD beginners class with bowing, doing the opening before basics and all that, like a crazy person, or an extreme beginner that does all of these things because he can't do anything else. My punches and other strikes were basic drills, without combative dodging and moving. I decided I was going to "go through the motions."
It was great.
I felt like such a beginner but then deep inside I felt Chi working and even though on the outside I was that 14 year old beginner with my 30 year old SIfu self guiding me I was, sometimes doing something more advanced.
When more people arrived I stopped bowing to my kids, because it was weird. Instead I would close my eyes and put my hands up in the bowing position, and I imagined my Sifu sitting there, where he would usually sit, in his chair (which somehow gained Cathedra type status although it was just an old Chinese Restaurant chair that some restaurant probably tossed and everyone knew it) next to the hot plates and cooking equipment that was our makeshift kitchen. It was a quick bow into the past and then I opened my eyes into the present of a playground.
After Standing basics (100 each, just the refular ones, no more no less) I did walking basics, just 50 each. Because that's what I would have done. I took the breaks drinking water out of my metal thermos that had a top like a Chinese tea cup in size. And that felt good too. I walked around I lounged. I tried to get my sons to speak Mandarin to the Chinese girls their age, essentially announcing my Chinese-ness, and then I got to do the basic luk lik form.
Then I had a conversation with Randy.
Randy is 66 years old. So it is hard for me to call him Randy even in writing. I feel like I know him, though we never had a conversation, because he is always running around the track by the playground. No matter what the temperature is. He had done that today earlier in the morning, but now he was at the playground with his grandchildren. I told him that I really was impressed with how he consistently did his running and I envied that discipline. I know that if I did Kung Fu like that, consistently, the same thing, not too fast but not too slow... well that's what I am now trying to do and what I aim to do. Plus I know it is possible.
He told me that he used to love watching David Carradine on the show "Kung Fu" We talked. It was fun. It was a social thing I haven't go to do in a long time. Especially with older men who had stories to tell me that I valued. Perhaps I was mentally asking for this somehow and that's how I got it.
Then I went back to forms. I only got up to Chasing fist, and of course no weapons forms, before I had to leave.
But it was a nice experience.
Then it was back home for lunch. I put on the TV and put out crayons and paper for them to draw afterwards, because I noticed that seemed to be all one needed from my experience at Doctor's offices. Plus Noah told Grace he missed drawing yesterday. Plus, as I watched Super Why and Jonah parrotted stuff and said, "I really like 'ock' words" and realized that this particular type of TV was important for them to watch.
And now I am needed.
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Wagon boat
Today we took the wagon into Chinatown and little Panda to do my weekly class. I also brought a half of a foam noodle and one of their bows. But I unstrung it for the train. Technically if you keep it strung it loses it's power. But Noah liked to have it strung at all times, that is when he sued to remember that he had the thing, so that's not why I unstrung it. I just didn't want it to look like a real bow, on the train.
The kids stepped and beat each other over foot placement and who got to hold the noodle and somehow managed to work it out before we arrived for the class. It was hot today, so my strategy of doing a lot of one at a time stuff while the other kids sat in the shade and sang the drumming songs while clapping cymbal beats was smart I think.
Today they performed sword with the pool noodle, and then another thing I did right after that was Fong Jeen relays. They all lined up and shot the arrow (pool noodle) and the idea was that they would then hand the bow to the next person in line, run to retrieve the arrow, give the next person in line the arrow, and then get in back of the line.
It didn't quite work like that. But for some reason the little kids did better than the older kids. Basically with the older kids, everyone wanted to retrieve the arrow like it was a big deal to do that.
Of course most kids didn't get much bow and arrow time, but I feel like my class is more of an introduction. To moves, to concepts, to the idea of drilling. I teach them how to practice, but then they have to practice. And probably they won't practice as young children. But when they get to be young teens and start "working out" instead of playing, they may dig back into some of these drills and do them.
People around my neighborhood, older kids would always to push ups and sit ups and then instead of squats they often did horse stance and Toi jerng (palm strikes) usually for just about five minutes. But it was something they had been exposed to and felt comfortable with. Plus they liked the idea that they were getting two things done at once.
Well we rowed our wagon boat home (the noodle and the bow turning into oars and ate a lunch of noodles gai lan and a fried egg. I boiled some chicken too. It smelled funny but it was frozen. It didn't exactly smell rotten, just strong. Maybe it was organic or something.
Then when I bit into it, it just tasted strong, not bad. But I did feel some reaction in my stomach. So it's a good thing I cooked it separately and didn't feed it to the kids.
I always feel bad about throwing away food. But it's stupid to poison myself. That's even worse than throwing it away.
Well we will probably wagon boat back out to the Stony Brook Sprinklers for the afternoon session of Kung Fu Dad's family home day care.
The kids stepped and beat each other over foot placement and who got to hold the noodle and somehow managed to work it out before we arrived for the class. It was hot today, so my strategy of doing a lot of one at a time stuff while the other kids sat in the shade and sang the drumming songs while clapping cymbal beats was smart I think.
Today they performed sword with the pool noodle, and then another thing I did right after that was Fong Jeen relays. They all lined up and shot the arrow (pool noodle) and the idea was that they would then hand the bow to the next person in line, run to retrieve the arrow, give the next person in line the arrow, and then get in back of the line.
It didn't quite work like that. But for some reason the little kids did better than the older kids. Basically with the older kids, everyone wanted to retrieve the arrow like it was a big deal to do that.
Of course most kids didn't get much bow and arrow time, but I feel like my class is more of an introduction. To moves, to concepts, to the idea of drilling. I teach them how to practice, but then they have to practice. And probably they won't practice as young children. But when they get to be young teens and start "working out" instead of playing, they may dig back into some of these drills and do them.
People around my neighborhood, older kids would always to push ups and sit ups and then instead of squats they often did horse stance and Toi jerng (palm strikes) usually for just about five minutes. But it was something they had been exposed to and felt comfortable with. Plus they liked the idea that they were getting two things done at once.
Well we rowed our wagon boat home (the noodle and the bow turning into oars and ate a lunch of noodles gai lan and a fried egg. I boiled some chicken too. It smelled funny but it was frozen. It didn't exactly smell rotten, just strong. Maybe it was organic or something.
Then when I bit into it, it just tasted strong, not bad. But I did feel some reaction in my stomach. So it's a good thing I cooked it separately and didn't feed it to the kids.
I always feel bad about throwing away food. But it's stupid to poison myself. That's even worse than throwing it away.
Well we will probably wagon boat back out to the Stony Brook Sprinklers for the afternoon session of Kung Fu Dad's family home day care.
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Another Science Museum adventure
Today we traveled forth to the Science Museum. I make it sound like a journey to the ends of the earth because it sometimes seems like that with two small children. But in a fun sort of way, once you get onto the train... sort of.
Jonah was a lot more independent today, which was scary. Sometimes I would look down to read something to Noah and look up and he would be gone. Off on his own, not a care in the world, and then suddenly he would be crying and looking for me. Only he was never looking for me in the place where I had been, right next to him.
I think mainly the problem was it was a lot more crowded today than in the past. Actually I think last time we only went in the afternoon, and I did notice by afternoon time the Museum was less crowded. There were less school groups travelling through. But still a good amount of people.
We listened to two lectures, got to touch real lungs in passing, and even attempted to do the lightning show. Jonah was all psyched for it. But even before anything started Noah started freaking out and shaking and virtually screaming that he wanted to get out of there. We were even sitting in an area where we were behind extra glass. What the hell? Why is he so scared? Well I guess it's better that he knew he was scared and we got out before the show started. But when he was younger we watched some real lightning storms, and fireworks, etc. And even though he clung to me, he still seemed to enjoy it. Maybe it was because he didn't yet know what it was. Now that he knows what it is, he is scared of it. Maybe Jonah will be scared of such things too in a year.
We ate lunch there and stayed into afternoon. I had planned originally to only stay for about 2 hours, but they like it so much I figure just make a day of it. There's so much new stuff to see.
There was one part that was describing all these inventors and Engineers.
On a side note, one thing feminists really suck at is promoting female scientists. Like marketing them and pushing the fact that they exist out there. Like the inventor of Kevlar was a woman. She got a job to pay for medical school, I think at DuPont, and then liked it so much she just decided to invent new materials instead. Genius. Also I didn't know Kevlar was tougher than steel.
Also the inventor and founder of iRobot (maybe you've seen the commercials and wondered why the hell they named their product after the movie where robots revolt... but then those same robots save us too.) Well she's a woman too. I'm not so much surprised. I just feel like whenever these new things come out that it's THEM or THE MAN creating such things. While corporations and politicians are funding the stuff. But it is real people, creative individuals, who are behind these things.
The guys were real interesting too. Creating machines that create drinking water, and wheel chairs that will climb stairs etc etc. It just goes to show there is still a lot of American ingenuity out there. And the weirdest part to me was a lot of these people did not particularly like school. And their parents just encouraged them anyway. I mean obviously higher education mattered. But as far as grade school and that sort of thing.. didn;t seem to matter much.
That got me thinking, Instead of going to this expensive camp or this and that, it should be cheaper just to become a member of the Science Museum and hang out there often. After all the lectures there were more fun too. I mean when the speaker isn't a professor who might be grading you I feel like you would actually learn more. And if it bores you wou just walk off and play with blocks or sheep's lungs. Usually you go to a Museum like once a year. Or maybe just once. But what if you went like everyday. What if school was more like that. Just go here go there. No "classes" Sounds a lot more like the "schools" that the ancients founded. Those Greek guys we read about in school didn't quite have a schedule and periods and lunch. And Isaac Newton certainly wasn't much like that.
Oh yeah. Another cool thing was on the way to the train, in the morning. We saw all of these snails on the rock walls that are the foundations to the houses. Not like one or two. But like ten or twenty. If we weren't going anywhere I guess we could have just stared at that for an hour or two as a scientific exercise.
Anyway, after the museum we did our Haymarket Pizza as a snack, watched some Futbol in Spanish, and then went to the North End sprinklers for a bit. More touristy, less comfy, highly chlorinated. My underwear clad children looked a bit out of place. Plus there was no shade. So off it was to Stony Brook and more Sprinklers. Jonah did not fall asleep until we started walking home. I could hear his sleep breathing in my ear as he slumped over on my shoulders and Noah walked extremely slowly. But we made it back. Grace did BBQ dinner to celebrate because we got into the Public School closest to us. YAyyy!
And that was our Science Museum adventure.
Jonah was a lot more independent today, which was scary. Sometimes I would look down to read something to Noah and look up and he would be gone. Off on his own, not a care in the world, and then suddenly he would be crying and looking for me. Only he was never looking for me in the place where I had been, right next to him.
I think mainly the problem was it was a lot more crowded today than in the past. Actually I think last time we only went in the afternoon, and I did notice by afternoon time the Museum was less crowded. There were less school groups travelling through. But still a good amount of people.
We listened to two lectures, got to touch real lungs in passing, and even attempted to do the lightning show. Jonah was all psyched for it. But even before anything started Noah started freaking out and shaking and virtually screaming that he wanted to get out of there. We were even sitting in an area where we were behind extra glass. What the hell? Why is he so scared? Well I guess it's better that he knew he was scared and we got out before the show started. But when he was younger we watched some real lightning storms, and fireworks, etc. And even though he clung to me, he still seemed to enjoy it. Maybe it was because he didn't yet know what it was. Now that he knows what it is, he is scared of it. Maybe Jonah will be scared of such things too in a year.
We ate lunch there and stayed into afternoon. I had planned originally to only stay for about 2 hours, but they like it so much I figure just make a day of it. There's so much new stuff to see.
There was one part that was describing all these inventors and Engineers.
On a side note, one thing feminists really suck at is promoting female scientists. Like marketing them and pushing the fact that they exist out there. Like the inventor of Kevlar was a woman. She got a job to pay for medical school, I think at DuPont, and then liked it so much she just decided to invent new materials instead. Genius. Also I didn't know Kevlar was tougher than steel.
Also the inventor and founder of iRobot (maybe you've seen the commercials and wondered why the hell they named their product after the movie where robots revolt... but then those same robots save us too.) Well she's a woman too. I'm not so much surprised. I just feel like whenever these new things come out that it's THEM or THE MAN creating such things. While corporations and politicians are funding the stuff. But it is real people, creative individuals, who are behind these things.
The guys were real interesting too. Creating machines that create drinking water, and wheel chairs that will climb stairs etc etc. It just goes to show there is still a lot of American ingenuity out there. And the weirdest part to me was a lot of these people did not particularly like school. And their parents just encouraged them anyway. I mean obviously higher education mattered. But as far as grade school and that sort of thing.. didn;t seem to matter much.
That got me thinking, Instead of going to this expensive camp or this and that, it should be cheaper just to become a member of the Science Museum and hang out there often. After all the lectures there were more fun too. I mean when the speaker isn't a professor who might be grading you I feel like you would actually learn more. And if it bores you wou just walk off and play with blocks or sheep's lungs. Usually you go to a Museum like once a year. Or maybe just once. But what if you went like everyday. What if school was more like that. Just go here go there. No "classes" Sounds a lot more like the "schools" that the ancients founded. Those Greek guys we read about in school didn't quite have a schedule and periods and lunch. And Isaac Newton certainly wasn't much like that.
Oh yeah. Another cool thing was on the way to the train, in the morning. We saw all of these snails on the rock walls that are the foundations to the houses. Not like one or two. But like ten or twenty. If we weren't going anywhere I guess we could have just stared at that for an hour or two as a scientific exercise.
Anyway, after the museum we did our Haymarket Pizza as a snack, watched some Futbol in Spanish, and then went to the North End sprinklers for a bit. More touristy, less comfy, highly chlorinated. My underwear clad children looked a bit out of place. Plus there was no shade. So off it was to Stony Brook and more Sprinklers. Jonah did not fall asleep until we started walking home. I could hear his sleep breathing in my ear as he slumped over on my shoulders and Noah walked extremely slowly. But we made it back. Grace did BBQ dinner to celebrate because we got into the Public School closest to us. YAyyy!
And that was our Science Museum adventure.
Monday, June 16, 2014
The old routine.
Today was the first day we went to the tot lot in a long time. It is not as relaxing as it used to be because although I no longer have to worry about my children's safety so much, I now have to worry about Jonah either throwing sand, or grabbing things from other children. I guess since he is no longer so small he is testing out doing some of these things to other children, as they were done to him when he didn't have the coordination to defend himself.
It became so much of an issue that it was the reason why we left a little early. And instead of eating lunch on the way home, we decided to eat at the pond. I packed peanut butter, jelly, and some bread. I only had one slice though, and the rest was this "monkey bread" which is sort of like cake. I'm not sure what is so monkey about it.
And guess what? I look for the knife I packed, and it's not there, because I didn't pack it. I ended up using my toothbrush (I always have our toothbrushes packed now) to scoop out and spread the peanut butter. It worked better than you would think I obviously used the handle to do this and not the brush.
I will admit it somehow seemed sacrilegious to do this.
Then we went home to "read stories" and "nap." That did not happen. But when the kids started re-enacting various episodes of Peppa pig and were having actual conversations with each other, I figured I shouldn't interfere with that.
Actually we didn't go straight home. I picked up a book from the library (Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere) and some bread from Whole Foods, because I had seen it on sale at the front the several other times I had brought the children through there (and not bought anything but just used it as a sensory exercise while calling out the fruits in Chinese) I usually only buy something there when I am sent on some sort of craving mission by Grace.
Then we got home and then the kids moped around saying they were "so tired" but at the same time trying to distract themselves and keep themselves awake. The plan had been to put Jonah down for his nap and then do some gardening with Noah. But eventually I got fed up with trying that and stuck Jonah in the stroller. Noah started rioting on account of we weren't gardening, and Grace called asking to meet at Stony playground. Noah rioted further because he had now wanted to go to a different playground. Noah kicked Jonah in the head several times while sitting on the stroller handle and eventually it was Noah on my shoulders, Jonah asleep in the stroller.
(I forgot to mention that my shoulder is stiff from carrying them both at Flume Gorge)
Well once we got to the playground Noah had some fun in the sprinklers and Jonah continued to nap. Grace arrived and we decided to divide the children. Grace went home with the sleeping one and started cooking and me and Noah hung out at the playground.
Noah Pretended to take orders and cook food for me for a really long time. And was talking to several girls. To busy to be pulled away and go home. I actually know those children from before Noah started going to school But I don't think Noah really remembers them. It's just that they are his age.
Well he started cooking for them too and then had some meeting with another in the bushes.
Finally we were off and after arriving we had to take the tricycle for a spin around the block before going inside.
Back to the old routine, (or lack thereof) If only they would nap when they were supposed to.
Or I suppose I just should have pulled out the stroller technique earlier. But then Noah and I don;t have any down time and that only ends up in fatigue and sickness.
It became so much of an issue that it was the reason why we left a little early. And instead of eating lunch on the way home, we decided to eat at the pond. I packed peanut butter, jelly, and some bread. I only had one slice though, and the rest was this "monkey bread" which is sort of like cake. I'm not sure what is so monkey about it.
And guess what? I look for the knife I packed, and it's not there, because I didn't pack it. I ended up using my toothbrush (I always have our toothbrushes packed now) to scoop out and spread the peanut butter. It worked better than you would think I obviously used the handle to do this and not the brush.
I will admit it somehow seemed sacrilegious to do this.
Then we went home to "read stories" and "nap." That did not happen. But when the kids started re-enacting various episodes of Peppa pig and were having actual conversations with each other, I figured I shouldn't interfere with that.
Actually we didn't go straight home. I picked up a book from the library (Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere) and some bread from Whole Foods, because I had seen it on sale at the front the several other times I had brought the children through there (and not bought anything but just used it as a sensory exercise while calling out the fruits in Chinese) I usually only buy something there when I am sent on some sort of craving mission by Grace.
Then we got home and then the kids moped around saying they were "so tired" but at the same time trying to distract themselves and keep themselves awake. The plan had been to put Jonah down for his nap and then do some gardening with Noah. But eventually I got fed up with trying that and stuck Jonah in the stroller. Noah started rioting on account of we weren't gardening, and Grace called asking to meet at Stony playground. Noah rioted further because he had now wanted to go to a different playground. Noah kicked Jonah in the head several times while sitting on the stroller handle and eventually it was Noah on my shoulders, Jonah asleep in the stroller.
(I forgot to mention that my shoulder is stiff from carrying them both at Flume Gorge)
Well once we got to the playground Noah had some fun in the sprinklers and Jonah continued to nap. Grace arrived and we decided to divide the children. Grace went home with the sleeping one and started cooking and me and Noah hung out at the playground.
Noah Pretended to take orders and cook food for me for a really long time. And was talking to several girls. To busy to be pulled away and go home. I actually know those children from before Noah started going to school But I don't think Noah really remembers them. It's just that they are his age.
Well he started cooking for them too and then had some meeting with another in the bushes.
Finally we were off and after arriving we had to take the tricycle for a spin around the block before going inside.
Back to the old routine, (or lack thereof) If only they would nap when they were supposed to.
Or I suppose I just should have pulled out the stroller technique earlier. But then Noah and I don;t have any down time and that only ends up in fatigue and sickness.
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Flume Gorge
Home sweet home. The kids are watching Peppa Pig, and picking up some groceries at C Mart helped me appreciate the uniqueness of Chinatown.. after a few days of New Hampshire life. Without vegetables. And without Green tea and thus without much pooing. Gross but important.
On our way back from Glenn NH we stopped at the Flume Gorge. it was like $15 to go in and we passed Clark's trading post to go there so I was wondering what Grace was thinking. In fact, at one point on the trail, I thought the path ended... before the main event.
Basically they built a nice wooden path right through a beautiful waterfall and gorge. That costs money and is worth the $15 bucks. Of course for much of the walk I had to carry at least one child and often both of them.
Jonah saw most of the waterfall upside down because he kept squirming and wanted to go right up to or perhaps over the edge. And for once he requested to be carried on his shoulders. I usually prefer this because it is easier, but instead I held him like a pole arm, low and against my body, below the level of the guard rails. Just in case. And he was squirming a lot.
The gorge is a beautiful magical looking walk through an enchanted looking forest of lichen and trees growing from rocks and water cascading through it creating rainbows. Not to mention several caves you can go up to if you are a little older than my kids. I carried Jonah up to the "bear cave" It was definitely worth it and it's highly touristy though. Diana's baths is definitely more interactive in that you can actually go into a waterfall and into the baths. But I imagine that would have been pretty dangerous for our current age and development and rebellious stage. Basically it's all Jonah's fault. Well sometimes Noah too but usually he is too timid to do anything dangerous. Definitely worth the trip though.
On our way back from Glenn NH we stopped at the Flume Gorge. it was like $15 to go in and we passed Clark's trading post to go there so I was wondering what Grace was thinking. In fact, at one point on the trail, I thought the path ended... before the main event.
Basically they built a nice wooden path right through a beautiful waterfall and gorge. That costs money and is worth the $15 bucks. Of course for much of the walk I had to carry at least one child and often both of them.
Jonah saw most of the waterfall upside down because he kept squirming and wanted to go right up to or perhaps over the edge. And for once he requested to be carried on his shoulders. I usually prefer this because it is easier, but instead I held him like a pole arm, low and against my body, below the level of the guard rails. Just in case. And he was squirming a lot.
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Storyland trip
Yesterday we went to Story land despite the rain. I actually prefer it with the rain because there was nobody there. Me and Grace could just feel the emptiness, the feeling of having the whole park to ourselves and in fact we were more excited than the kids at that point because I don't think they realized the significance of no rides.
I actually didn't realize the side effects. It turns out waiting in line gives my mind a brake from the mild rides. And mild ride after mild ride actually started to make me sick. Maybe the rain was also a cause of that. This year it seemed like Noah did not wnat to do a lot of the "scary rides." and Jonah wanted to do them all, including the Roar a saurus, which is still too little for. I actually went on that alone. It is comforting to hear that there are other adults who also find some of these children's rides intense for them. I thought I was the only carsick pathetic one. I never liked rides as a kid. I did the roller coasters for end of the year trips and I have come to appreciate them. But even these small children's rides are quite enough for me.
Well we did pretty much everything yesterday so when we returned for a sunny day today we sort of took it easy. Except Jonah was upset by the Swan rides (because they weren't fast enough.) and we also made the mistake of doing Tea Time with Cinderella. The boys enjoyed meeting Cinderella in her Castle. But this year when we actually paid extra money to have tea with her they were like, "What the hell is this?" Jonah just tore into his cookie (and then tried to be sort of proper about it. Noah did do a little pretend tea pouring (like he learned from Daniel Tiger on PBS kids.org) But they really weren't into it. Anyone would say ,"duh their boys." but they really do like their princesses. Frankly I think the whole concept of pretending to have a tea party is stupid for anyone with Chinese background. Because why pretend to do a tea party when you can actually just do real life Dim Sum, and the ettiquette is just cooler and showier and manlier and there is dan tats on top of all that.
Anyway, the children were pretty behaved for Storyland and even when we took a break from it and then went back. But they have been pretty naughty ever since. Maybe cause they know there is nothing else to look forward too for them. To the point where we have already threatened not to come back.
Well I think by next year we may have forgotten their behavior. Plus part of it had to do with trying to actually eat at a restaurant. And maybe we haven't been eating enough vegetables and that's effecting their behavior. Plus sleeping in a hotel was difficult for them. Heck I woke up from a nightmare at 4:30 in the morning and couldn't go back to sleep.
I'm just upset their ruining the Story land vibe.
I actually didn't realize the side effects. It turns out waiting in line gives my mind a brake from the mild rides. And mild ride after mild ride actually started to make me sick. Maybe the rain was also a cause of that. This year it seemed like Noah did not wnat to do a lot of the "scary rides." and Jonah wanted to do them all, including the Roar a saurus, which is still too little for. I actually went on that alone. It is comforting to hear that there are other adults who also find some of these children's rides intense for them. I thought I was the only carsick pathetic one. I never liked rides as a kid. I did the roller coasters for end of the year trips and I have come to appreciate them. But even these small children's rides are quite enough for me.
Well we did pretty much everything yesterday so when we returned for a sunny day today we sort of took it easy. Except Jonah was upset by the Swan rides (because they weren't fast enough.) and we also made the mistake of doing Tea Time with Cinderella. The boys enjoyed meeting Cinderella in her Castle. But this year when we actually paid extra money to have tea with her they were like, "What the hell is this?" Jonah just tore into his cookie (and then tried to be sort of proper about it. Noah did do a little pretend tea pouring (like he learned from Daniel Tiger on PBS kids.org) But they really weren't into it. Anyone would say ,"duh their boys." but they really do like their princesses. Frankly I think the whole concept of pretending to have a tea party is stupid for anyone with Chinese background. Because why pretend to do a tea party when you can actually just do real life Dim Sum, and the ettiquette is just cooler and showier and manlier and there is dan tats on top of all that.
Anyway, the children were pretty behaved for Storyland and even when we took a break from it and then went back. But they have been pretty naughty ever since. Maybe cause they know there is nothing else to look forward too for them. To the point where we have already threatened not to come back.
Well I think by next year we may have forgotten their behavior. Plus part of it had to do with trying to actually eat at a restaurant. And maybe we haven't been eating enough vegetables and that's effecting their behavior. Plus sleeping in a hotel was difficult for them. Heck I woke up from a nightmare at 4:30 in the morning and couldn't go back to sleep.
I'm just upset their ruining the Story land vibe.
The first few seconds of the tree song is the closest thing I could find to the full blown background music that is piped in to that section of the park. That's the music that really gets me in my magical state of mind. I wish I could find that full loop that they play and just play it at home and maybe make paper mache mushrroms and have the kids walk through it. Well maybe I enjoy Storyland more than the kids.... no they like it and I've had enough. But I definitely love the idea of it more than they do I think. Which is why I am still in afterglow while they are just revolting and rebelling and then suddenly being cute two seconds later.
Let's see what tomorrow brings.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
One last Acorn visit
Today we went back to visit Noah's old school so he could get his school picture taken. Last year he didn't get the opportunity because we were on vacation. I guess it was fun for him to see his old friends but he also wanted to stay and play with them or hang out or something. But we had to go.
I had packed lunch but in addition to peanut butter and jelly Noah wanted to get ha cherngs. I really wanted to get soemthing more substantial, like a sam bo fahn or a fau yuk wonton noodles. But no luck. I pretty much paid the same amount for two noodly things because that's what Noah wanted. Like to the point of screaming and dragging himself on the floor. Why is Ha cherng so much better to him than wanton noodles?
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Programming and humanities
I just read "Ocean at the End of the Lane" by Neil Gaiman.I love Neil Gaiman's work. But I really loved this one. You could pry and analyze and say how this thing is like some other thing forever with this children's book. The way you have to in school. Or I suppose you could just enjoy it. Of course Gaiman draws from ancient myths and since I saw people online talking about the Hempstocks and not knowing what they were I'm just going to throw out "Holy Trinity" and have you ponder it. Along with that Irish Goddess I used to see statues of downtown, the skull headed woman spreading her legs and opening her vagina giving birth to the Universe. Supposedly she was manifested herself in three forms of woman old, mother, and child. But whatever it's just as well to enjoy the story as is without all that. Although his stories do inspire you to take another look at old myths, his stories are sometimes better than those myths because he throws in what we know about modern science too, so that in his stories, you are able to believe in both worldviews. It's cool.
I don't know what kids are required to read in school these days. I sometimes think I wasted a lot of brain cells in high school pondering all these authors and their ideas when really I should have been taught math and programming. To make me smarter at math I should have been required to take Orchestra or an instrument (and not be tested on it) and English Class, Latin, and Foreign Language should have been an informal thing like a book club and an immersion conversation group. I happened to like and focus on these classes the most and perhaps my old teachers will hate me for saying what I just did... but why isn't a requirement that immigrants who can't speak English and are trying to learn are paired with students in our school system learning that language. I mean every single student could possibly have a one on one teacher. And the person who needs to learn English to survive can make some extra money and learn English faster.
Maybe it wouldn't work but it could. I'm not saying reading novels and poetry is not important. But why must we be tested on it?
There are a lot of songs by Tupac that might hold a lot of meaning. That doesn't mean that later on as a society we should have an AP exam on it.
But if you live in today's society and you don't understand programming (me) you are pretty much illiterate. You can't read. Seriously. Reading words on a page are out. Sure it's cool to be able to do it for fun. But Programming, you need that.
There is another way to get kids to read other than making everyone sit in rows and saying "read this" and then talking about it. Don't we talk about this show or that song all the time?
Reading is great. But why do we make kids do it and talk about in class in front of so many people? Make them program, then talk about what they read while hanging out with them.
I don't know what kids are required to read in school these days. I sometimes think I wasted a lot of brain cells in high school pondering all these authors and their ideas when really I should have been taught math and programming. To make me smarter at math I should have been required to take Orchestra or an instrument (and not be tested on it) and English Class, Latin, and Foreign Language should have been an informal thing like a book club and an immersion conversation group. I happened to like and focus on these classes the most and perhaps my old teachers will hate me for saying what I just did... but why isn't a requirement that immigrants who can't speak English and are trying to learn are paired with students in our school system learning that language. I mean every single student could possibly have a one on one teacher. And the person who needs to learn English to survive can make some extra money and learn English faster.
Maybe it wouldn't work but it could. I'm not saying reading novels and poetry is not important. But why must we be tested on it?
There are a lot of songs by Tupac that might hold a lot of meaning. That doesn't mean that later on as a society we should have an AP exam on it.
But if you live in today's society and you don't understand programming (me) you are pretty much illiterate. You can't read. Seriously. Reading words on a page are out. Sure it's cool to be able to do it for fun. But Programming, you need that.
There is another way to get kids to read other than making everyone sit in rows and saying "read this" and then talking about it. Don't we talk about this show or that song all the time?
Reading is great. But why do we make kids do it and talk about in class in front of so many people? Make them program, then talk about what they read while hanging out with them.
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Rosalita's Puppets
Roday Rosalita's Puppet show was at the Connolly branch library. Except all I had written on my calendar was 10:30 LIB. so I took that to mean something was going on at the Copley Branch. I didn't remember what it was that was supposed to be at 10:30 and at the Connolly Branch until wandering around the Copley one for a bit. Luckily we were able to get back in time for the show anyway and Noah was up for the trip on the train. (Jonah had actually fallen asleep on the bus ride in. Why didn't I just check? I had to get out of the house before these children murdered each other. Okay actually they sort of just to Kung Fu moves on each other or "at" each other like an 80's Kung Fu movie or 70's, and there is crying from Dai Dai which has less to do with physical pain than emotional.
Anyway the trip back was worth it even though we have seen Rosalita's Puppets many times.
As an adult you might not like this puppet show. It is random, cheesy, and crazy silly. But kids love it. You might even think, "Inner city kids aren't going to go for that." Rosalita is a British woman dressed up in an old maybe 18th century (I have no idea) mother Goose outfit. And in between stories she bounces around really hyped up doing silly dance moves or suddenly commenting on her show or clothing. Her puppets are homemade, or stuffed animals, and do not look particularly pretty. But the kids are always glued to the show for the whole 45 minutes.
As a Kung Fu teacher of children, I am extremely jealous.
I guess all those things that make it seem random or silly actually make the show better to a child, because if the plot was trying to follow a more formal route they might get bored. That's why when we read stories the kids always ask so many questions. Never does anyone ever have to say "Okay it's time to be quite now." Their spellbound the whole time.
I mean at another performance in the park some older kids who might have been in second grade, just sitting there quietly, unaccompanied by adults, which means they didn't have to be there. No eye rolling or anything. When I was in second grade I remember Kris Kross came out and everyone thought they were really old and tough. I'm sure that's still true. It's just that these kids will still like Rosalita's Puppet show.
Having seen the show several times, I believe there is a system to the madness. Like, "I can sense they might lose me in a minute or two so I'm going to start dong this clappy dance."
We considered hiring her for a birthday party but we would need a certain amount of kids to show up for it to be worth it. Plus we can just go to her public shows.
Anyway the trip back was worth it even though we have seen Rosalita's Puppets many times.
As an adult you might not like this puppet show. It is random, cheesy, and crazy silly. But kids love it. You might even think, "Inner city kids aren't going to go for that." Rosalita is a British woman dressed up in an old maybe 18th century (I have no idea) mother Goose outfit. And in between stories she bounces around really hyped up doing silly dance moves or suddenly commenting on her show or clothing. Her puppets are homemade, or stuffed animals, and do not look particularly pretty. But the kids are always glued to the show for the whole 45 minutes.
As a Kung Fu teacher of children, I am extremely jealous.
I guess all those things that make it seem random or silly actually make the show better to a child, because if the plot was trying to follow a more formal route they might get bored. That's why when we read stories the kids always ask so many questions. Never does anyone ever have to say "Okay it's time to be quite now." Their spellbound the whole time.
I mean at another performance in the park some older kids who might have been in second grade, just sitting there quietly, unaccompanied by adults, which means they didn't have to be there. No eye rolling or anything. When I was in second grade I remember Kris Kross came out and everyone thought they were really old and tough. I'm sure that's still true. It's just that these kids will still like Rosalita's Puppet show.
Having seen the show several times, I believe there is a system to the madness. Like, "I can sense they might lose me in a minute or two so I'm going to start dong this clappy dance."
We considered hiring her for a birthday party but we would need a certain amount of kids to show up for it to be worth it. Plus we can just go to her public shows.
Monday, June 9, 2014
Who's in Charge
Now that Noah is longer in school this sibling rivalry, or I guess I should really just say competition for stuff, attention is getting a little out of hand. I finally gave in and turned on PBS kids and things seem to be settled now. I guess ultimately that's why I turn the tv on. It just seems like it is easier. Kind of like how in Afghanistan I saw on tv that the grandmothers just give the kids opium, like a chocolate, and they fall asleep for like 10 hours. I wonder how that effects a child's development. Some scientist should look into that. Not for social justice or anything. I would just like to know to know. Cause if those kids turn out okay then......
Actually I think the same program said they turn into addicts.
But at least Super Why teaches them to read.
They are really into Nick Jr. now too. But I hate that channel, except Peppa pig. And even the shows I don't hate. I hate the commercials. Trying to trick my kids into injecting sugar into their veins.
Don't worry, they will buy your stuff okay. If not your Coke then your water and whatever else it is you own.
Sometimes I feel like becoming one of these hippie Vegan farming my own organic foods freaks. Not because I don't want to kill animals. Not for social justice. and not to live a healthier life. Though all of these things have crossed my mind. But more like, "Fuck you how about I don't buy your stupid shit."
Or more realistically, "I will kindly refrain from buying ALL of your useless waste." But somehow somewhere I will probably still be buying something from these corporations that run the world.
That's what runs it too. The Corporation. Not the CEO or the board of that corporation but this inhuman entity in itself. The reason why hippy social justice people sound all crazy and conspiratorial is that I think what really is happening is that the "people running the world" are just going with what people "want" and they are also creating that "want" through advertising and really it's just a vicious cycle where we are all losing control of our lives, world environment, and we can't stop ourselves.
Look at it this way. Who is in charge of this house? I mean when I am home with the kids. I am right? And what we all want is for the kids to be happy, and smart, and healthy and learning something and having fun.
But we are tired at the playground, or hungry, and Noah might enjoy my little programming game I tried to copy from the one at the Science Museum but Jonah decided that he wants attention so he starts dumping things on the floor at the library. (We are at the library because he started trashing the house to get attention and I mistakenly thought a change of scenery would change behavior.)
Jonah likes being read to but Noah is demanding my attention for something else.
So Jonah pulls out the trump card. "Pee Pee!!!!!"
But eventually we got home and took a nap. Or rather Jonah did. And I wanted to. But Noah has to be monitored. He probably won't get into trouble. It just a matter of principal. (No it isn't it's a matter of laws regarding negligence. Actually not really. In the back of my mind it's just a matter of "what if" and "better safe than sorry.")
Well Noah was quiet content. And then when Jonah woke up they were both quite content. And then a war started over rice crackers.
That's why the tv is on.
Is that what they wanted?
Actually I think the same program said they turn into addicts.
But at least Super Why teaches them to read.
They are really into Nick Jr. now too. But I hate that channel, except Peppa pig. And even the shows I don't hate. I hate the commercials. Trying to trick my kids into injecting sugar into their veins.
Don't worry, they will buy your stuff okay. If not your Coke then your water and whatever else it is you own.
Sometimes I feel like becoming one of these hippie Vegan farming my own organic foods freaks. Not because I don't want to kill animals. Not for social justice. and not to live a healthier life. Though all of these things have crossed my mind. But more like, "Fuck you how about I don't buy your stupid shit."
Or more realistically, "I will kindly refrain from buying ALL of your useless waste." But somehow somewhere I will probably still be buying something from these corporations that run the world.
That's what runs it too. The Corporation. Not the CEO or the board of that corporation but this inhuman entity in itself. The reason why hippy social justice people sound all crazy and conspiratorial is that I think what really is happening is that the "people running the world" are just going with what people "want" and they are also creating that "want" through advertising and really it's just a vicious cycle where we are all losing control of our lives, world environment, and we can't stop ourselves.
Look at it this way. Who is in charge of this house? I mean when I am home with the kids. I am right? And what we all want is for the kids to be happy, and smart, and healthy and learning something and having fun.
But we are tired at the playground, or hungry, and Noah might enjoy my little programming game I tried to copy from the one at the Science Museum but Jonah decided that he wants attention so he starts dumping things on the floor at the library. (We are at the library because he started trashing the house to get attention and I mistakenly thought a change of scenery would change behavior.)
Jonah likes being read to but Noah is demanding my attention for something else.
So Jonah pulls out the trump card. "Pee Pee!!!!!"
But eventually we got home and took a nap. Or rather Jonah did. And I wanted to. But Noah has to be monitored. He probably won't get into trouble. It just a matter of principal. (No it isn't it's a matter of laws regarding negligence. Actually not really. In the back of my mind it's just a matter of "what if" and "better safe than sorry.")
Well Noah was quiet content. And then when Jonah woke up they were both quite content. And then a war started over rice crackers.
That's why the tv is on.
Is that what they wanted?
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Magical Sundays
We did not know that the Bike a thon in JP was on today. So when we decided last minute to go to th STony Brook Sprinklers this afternoon we were surprised to see face painting and the card board slide out and an Afro Brazilian drumming group. The slide is the coolest thing ever and Noah decided he would go down this time if I went with him.
I guess that ended up being much better than going to a movie at the library. Noah himself opted out of that. They have a movie every Sunday this month, but we won't be able to go because of various other events.
I guess those movies a really life savers in the winter time when the playground is not a fun place to be. But in the summer, especially when the sprinklers turn on, even if there wasn't a festival going on it usually feels like one.
This morning at the "brown" playground (Harry Downes field) Noah ended up getting his picture taken and got ice cream from the family he happened to be playing with. Thank you kind family of strangers.
At any rate, it just seems like in this neighborhood, cool stuff just happens at the playgrounds in the summer.
Winter was good too. There was sledding and snowmen and all that after all. But Summer is magical.
I guess that ended up being much better than going to a movie at the library. Noah himself opted out of that. They have a movie every Sunday this month, but we won't be able to go because of various other events.
I guess those movies a really life savers in the winter time when the playground is not a fun place to be. But in the summer, especially when the sprinklers turn on, even if there wasn't a festival going on it usually feels like one.
This morning at the "brown" playground (Harry Downes field) Noah ended up getting his picture taken and got ice cream from the family he happened to be playing with. Thank you kind family of strangers.
At any rate, it just seems like in this neighborhood, cool stuff just happens at the playgrounds in the summer.
Winter was good too. There was sledding and snowmen and all that after all. But Summer is magical.
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Tricked
This morning Grace made awesome breakfast for the family. Somehow I came in to eat later and Jonah said, "Baba here eat this egg!"
"Mommy wants you to eat this egg yourself."
"No but you eat it!"
So finally I leaned over the table and ate it off his fork.
"Did you like it?"
"Yes they tasted good."
"He threw those up." Grace said.
"What?"
"It was one of those guttural throw ups too. That's why he wanted you to eat them. Look at his face."
Jonah smiled mischievously. I guess he knew I hadn't been there for his throw up, he knew I was the only one who was not there and he knew that he had to get rid of those eggs somehow. He didn't want to eat them. So what to do? I know. Baba.
"Mommy wants you to eat this egg yourself."
"No but you eat it!"
So finally I leaned over the table and ate it off his fork.
"Did you like it?"
"Yes they tasted good."
"He threw those up." Grace said.
"What?"
"It was one of those guttural throw ups too. That's why he wanted you to eat them. Look at his face."
Jonah smiled mischievously. I guess he knew I hadn't been there for his throw up, he knew I was the only one who was not there and he knew that he had to get rid of those eggs somehow. He didn't want to eat them. So what to do? I know. Baba.
Friday, June 6, 2014
Tricycle adventure
Today Jonah and Noah rode their tricycles to Chinatown. That is they got on the orange line with their trikes. Of course it wasn't anywhere near rush hour and I had already tried to get most of their energy out by doing soccer and Kung Fu stuff at the park in the earlier morning.
This was after snack, actually sort of after lunch.
The "goal" was to visit Noah's old school and check if they were taking pictures today. I was pretty sure they weren't in fact, if they had been I would have messed up big time. It turned out they were going to do them next Thursday.
Noah had a blast but Jonah's steering was dificult to the point where I almost turned back before reaching Stony Brook. But then Jonah promised he could do it. Then later he threw a tantrum because he wanted to stick his finger in the Subway door. I ended up letting him because there was no point in stopping him on just the principal that he could possibly get hurt if he was able to put hi finger through (which he couldn't) but then he was still amd because his finger wouldn't get through.
"Do you want to cut your finger off?"
"Yes." he said matter of factly, prompting laughter from the old woman sitting closest to or trikes. And then when he kept tantruming she frowned and said, "Wow, he's stubborn. You've got your hands full with that one."
The tantrum continued and Jonah no longer wanted to ride but wanted to be held. Basically I was deciding not to do trikes with them ever again.
Once in Chinatown Noah wanted to get baos. I thought that was weird since we had just eaten. Boas turned into a drink for Dai Dai and ngau cherngs for Noah, which he didn't finish, and which Jonah almost threw up on. They weren't hungry. They just wanted the Chinatown experience.
Then we went back to Stony where we did sprinklers and playground and we bumped into some friends. One of the mothers who came to my class a couple of times was there and her husband, who happened to have done Brazilian Jiu jitsu for a number of years, was there too. Once he mentioned this we tried to talk about Martial Arts and various drills, in between running after children doing various things. In any case I got learn a few basic drills and an arm bar. And I also suggested he help out with my kids class.
I can do that because since we have different sections of class, we could conceivably suddenly switch and do drills from other systems. I mean we do lion dance and then Kung Fu wheels on the bus, and hello songs. Adding in some other drills isn't going to be "confusing." And pretty much Noah does his Own system right now anyway. In fact today for Kung Fu he made me follow him. Which sometimes I did but sometimes I said, "Well I'm going to put my hands this way instead because if you do it like that, I can just trap you. If you still want to do that fine. But don't make me do that." That sort of worked. Not really.
Anyway, I've been thinking about exposing myself more to other styles (not go so far as to say "study") but to use those ideas to help me with the techniques I already have. Even though White Crane has an armbar, I've never actually done it on anyone, and seeing how someone else does an armbar (letting them do it on you) I think is helpful. But when you go to a school or meet someone and you are "SIFU" then you can't really let them do that to you, because of status and face etc. Instead you would be forced to put them in a lock, or show them how they can't put ypu in a lock if you are doing Chuen kuen or moving or whatever, to show you re better.
But this was not that environment. So I took this opportunity to learn some things at the playground.
It did make me think of more drill like animal stuff you can do on the ground as exercises, and it did make me think about the arm bar variations in Lo Hon Kuen, and the arm locks in Fu hok Song Ying, and why one would do an arm bar outside of the ring. (It does make a lot of sense if your attacker is wearing armor and coming at you with a sword or spear. And a kick to the head right before it, in or better yet, as same motion wouldn't hurt either. But your not going to practice kicking your friend in the head right? And Armor went out of use since guns. Hence the modern version that can be practiced and used on each other in a safer way)
Plus I think it's good for my kids to be exposed to a bunch of martial arts, especially Brazilian Ju jistu since everyone is doing it. But again to have a strong base in White Crane. And when I say strong base, I just mean Chuen pow cup. Like I said, for forms, Noah is doing his own style anyway. And of course I eventually hope for him to learn the White Crane forms. But there is no point in forcing that. I should just encourage practice. And if we are really going to STUDY something other than the Kung Fu we already know, I would suggest something like Programming. Even in a real fight, computer programming is more useful nowadays.
Well going to a place always seems to be easier than coming back from it.
Jonah tantrummed and was difficult until I just carried him and the tike and pushed Noah.. somehow and Jonah is napping now. And Noah is resting but complaining that we need to watch something, and that I had my turn blogging already.
This was after snack, actually sort of after lunch.
The "goal" was to visit Noah's old school and check if they were taking pictures today. I was pretty sure they weren't in fact, if they had been I would have messed up big time. It turned out they were going to do them next Thursday.
Noah had a blast but Jonah's steering was dificult to the point where I almost turned back before reaching Stony Brook. But then Jonah promised he could do it. Then later he threw a tantrum because he wanted to stick his finger in the Subway door. I ended up letting him because there was no point in stopping him on just the principal that he could possibly get hurt if he was able to put hi finger through (which he couldn't) but then he was still amd because his finger wouldn't get through.
"Do you want to cut your finger off?"
"Yes." he said matter of factly, prompting laughter from the old woman sitting closest to or trikes. And then when he kept tantruming she frowned and said, "Wow, he's stubborn. You've got your hands full with that one."
The tantrum continued and Jonah no longer wanted to ride but wanted to be held. Basically I was deciding not to do trikes with them ever again.
Once in Chinatown Noah wanted to get baos. I thought that was weird since we had just eaten. Boas turned into a drink for Dai Dai and ngau cherngs for Noah, which he didn't finish, and which Jonah almost threw up on. They weren't hungry. They just wanted the Chinatown experience.
Then we went back to Stony where we did sprinklers and playground and we bumped into some friends. One of the mothers who came to my class a couple of times was there and her husband, who happened to have done Brazilian Jiu jitsu for a number of years, was there too. Once he mentioned this we tried to talk about Martial Arts and various drills, in between running after children doing various things. In any case I got learn a few basic drills and an arm bar. And I also suggested he help out with my kids class.
I can do that because since we have different sections of class, we could conceivably suddenly switch and do drills from other systems. I mean we do lion dance and then Kung Fu wheels on the bus, and hello songs. Adding in some other drills isn't going to be "confusing." And pretty much Noah does his Own system right now anyway. In fact today for Kung Fu he made me follow him. Which sometimes I did but sometimes I said, "Well I'm going to put my hands this way instead because if you do it like that, I can just trap you. If you still want to do that fine. But don't make me do that." That sort of worked. Not really.
Anyway, I've been thinking about exposing myself more to other styles (not go so far as to say "study") but to use those ideas to help me with the techniques I already have. Even though White Crane has an armbar, I've never actually done it on anyone, and seeing how someone else does an armbar (letting them do it on you) I think is helpful. But when you go to a school or meet someone and you are "SIFU" then you can't really let them do that to you, because of status and face etc. Instead you would be forced to put them in a lock, or show them how they can't put ypu in a lock if you are doing Chuen kuen or moving or whatever, to show you re better.
But this was not that environment. So I took this opportunity to learn some things at the playground.
It did make me think of more drill like animal stuff you can do on the ground as exercises, and it did make me think about the arm bar variations in Lo Hon Kuen, and the arm locks in Fu hok Song Ying, and why one would do an arm bar outside of the ring. (It does make a lot of sense if your attacker is wearing armor and coming at you with a sword or spear. And a kick to the head right before it, in or better yet, as same motion wouldn't hurt either. But your not going to practice kicking your friend in the head right? And Armor went out of use since guns. Hence the modern version that can be practiced and used on each other in a safer way)
Plus I think it's good for my kids to be exposed to a bunch of martial arts, especially Brazilian Ju jistu since everyone is doing it. But again to have a strong base in White Crane. And when I say strong base, I just mean Chuen pow cup. Like I said, for forms, Noah is doing his own style anyway. And of course I eventually hope for him to learn the White Crane forms. But there is no point in forcing that. I should just encourage practice. And if we are really going to STUDY something other than the Kung Fu we already know, I would suggest something like Programming. Even in a real fight, computer programming is more useful nowadays.
Well going to a place always seems to be easier than coming back from it.
Jonah tantrummed and was difficult until I just carried him and the tike and pushed Noah.. somehow and Jonah is napping now. And Noah is resting but complaining that we need to watch something, and that I had my turn blogging already.
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Food Rituals
I heard on NPR about some study regarding food rituals and that performing them actually makes the food you are eating taste better. They think it has something to do with normally eating food mindlessly while watching tv or eating right out of a box or something like that. And that performing the ritual gets you to focus on what you are actually doing. This is a modern scientific explanation of stuff like the tea ceremony and maybe even saying grace. But they used a lot of examples like eating the white part of an Oreo first, or breaking off a piece of a Hershey bar, unwrapping it a little, breaking of anther piece, etc. instead of just biting into it.
Then they made up a ritual with eating baby carrot sticks. Participants were told to knock on the table. It seemed like the more times they were told to knock on the table, i.e. the longer the ritual, the better they said the food tasted.
I didn't get to listen to the whole piece because of my kids getting into something or other. But I tried the idea out for dinner, making them do all sorts of weird stuff before taking a bite of ravioli.
They ate their whole dinner.
Or at least until Grace got home.
I tried the same thing today for lunch.
It worked for the first few bites.
I even made them say the lords prayer and then do the ten animals of Kung Fu before sitting in their seats.
But I give them a pass because on the way home from the library, they had already eaten a peanut butter sandwich and an apple and that had been my planned lunch for the day. So the leftovers of noodles and vegetables and sausage will be their late afternoon snack.
Then they made up a ritual with eating baby carrot sticks. Participants were told to knock on the table. It seemed like the more times they were told to knock on the table, i.e. the longer the ritual, the better they said the food tasted.
I didn't get to listen to the whole piece because of my kids getting into something or other. But I tried the idea out for dinner, making them do all sorts of weird stuff before taking a bite of ravioli.
They ate their whole dinner.
Or at least until Grace got home.
I tried the same thing today for lunch.
It worked for the first few bites.
I even made them say the lords prayer and then do the ten animals of Kung Fu before sitting in their seats.
But I give them a pass because on the way home from the library, they had already eaten a peanut butter sandwich and an apple and that had been my planned lunch for the day. So the leftovers of noodles and vegetables and sausage will be their late afternoon snack.
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Pretend Dragon boat
Today at little Panda, before my Kung fu class started they were showing videos about Dragon boats.
I thought about whether or not I could add this song to the class. (One of Jonah's favorites)
About pinwheels and dragon boats. I couldn't see how I was going to do that with Kung Fu, so I just pretended to row dragon boat to Bruce Lee's "Mang Long Gau Gong" Theme song. The really little kids were not into it. So the teachers witched to row row your boat in Chinese. And that sort of worked. And then I moved on to other material.
With the older kids, they did yell out "Hau!" when prompted to the Mang Long Gau Gong song.
I thought about whether or not I could add this song to the class. (One of Jonah's favorites)
About pinwheels and dragon boats. I couldn't see how I was going to do that with Kung Fu, so I just pretended to row dragon boat to Bruce Lee's "Mang Long Gau Gong" Theme song. The really little kids were not into it. So the teachers witched to row row your boat in Chinese. And that sort of worked. And then I moved on to other material.
With the older kids, they did yell out "Hau!" when prompted to the Mang Long Gau Gong song.
But then a teacher pulled out a pretend Dragon Boat after the song was over. There was a look followed by a nod by me, and after I finished with the lion dance portion, we did Dragon boat. But how? The boat only fit two kids, Four if you crammed them in. And should I do Row row your boat, or the Bruce Lee song? The kids asked for row row your boat. But I was feeling the lameness of that. So we did the Dragon boat drumming instead. Which I actually am not too familiar with and had to ask the advice of the teachers. It sounded similar to Dragon dance, but I just went with it.
After all that we played in the play ground and later paid a visit to the library and somehow managed to drag ourselves home after the kids ate all three peanut butter sandwiches I packed, and the egg and cheese sandwich I bought for myself because they had eaten my sandwich earlier. And I still had to carry Noah while carrying Jonah at some points on our walk back from Stony. Which is BS because according to the data collected yesterday at the Science Museum, Noah has the most efficient walk. Burning the equivalent of only 15 grapes per mile (according to the data).
But while reflecting to myself during all of this, I realized that Dragon Boat was something that was missing from my life. It is a Chinese Culture thing to do that doesn't involve gambling or shadier aspects of society, would be good for my kids, and would be a good social thing. I don't see how I could start right now at this moment though. Unless they have Dragon Boat for kids. But then my kids should probably learn how to swim first right?
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Experiments and the Museum of Science
Today I double booked Noah. I had a Museum of Science pass and Grace had signed him up for some brain behavioral experiment. He played some games, they monitored his brain activity through this little brain cap, no risks there except for his comfort, and he actually liked it. Jonah played some games, I answered a 2 hour survey.
Then we got the hell out of there (they actually did not want to leave) and went to the Museum of Science.
The Museum of Science is way more awesome than you remember. I mean, it was already awesome, but now they have a body exhibit with all this data they can collect on your body. The kids touched a sheep's heart and lungs (I know they had that before, but still cool) and then there was this like arcade of games, that was a little old for them, but guess what? I was playing those and the kids were doing their thing.
Then part of that same arcade-like section was math and programming type stuff too. I guess arcades don't exist anymore. So now they have arcades as learning tools. And their awesome.
We're going again in two weeks.
I'm not sure how much a membership costs, but belonging to that club is definitely better than belonging to say a gym, or some other such thing. I mean, thy have gym like things too, it's located in an area with a nice view...I just feel so awesome any time I visit. The only thing was Jonah was tired as hell and we did stay too long.
We went to Haymarket, got pizza for an afternoon snack. (Lunch had been Zongzi on the train.)
Then we played a little at Stony Brook Playground sprinklers. Walking back was a chore as usual.
Sometime (maybe tomorrow) I will have to bring out the wagon, and on the way back from little panda, hang out at Stony Brook, maybe bring a change of clothes for me and the kids and then wagon it back.
Then we got the hell out of there (they actually did not want to leave) and went to the Museum of Science.
The Museum of Science is way more awesome than you remember. I mean, it was already awesome, but now they have a body exhibit with all this data they can collect on your body. The kids touched a sheep's heart and lungs (I know they had that before, but still cool) and then there was this like arcade of games, that was a little old for them, but guess what? I was playing those and the kids were doing their thing.
Then part of that same arcade-like section was math and programming type stuff too. I guess arcades don't exist anymore. So now they have arcades as learning tools. And their awesome.
We're going again in two weeks.
I'm not sure how much a membership costs, but belonging to that club is definitely better than belonging to say a gym, or some other such thing. I mean, thy have gym like things too, it's located in an area with a nice view...I just feel so awesome any time I visit. The only thing was Jonah was tired as hell and we did stay too long.
We went to Haymarket, got pizza for an afternoon snack. (Lunch had been Zongzi on the train.)
Then we played a little at Stony Brook Playground sprinklers. Walking back was a chore as usual.
Sometime (maybe tomorrow) I will have to bring out the wagon, and on the way back from little panda, hang out at Stony Brook, maybe bring a change of clothes for me and the kids and then wagon it back.
Monday, June 2, 2014
Children's Dentist Adventure
Noah and Jonah had their first trip to the Dentist today. It was confusing because Noah no longer goes to school and today is the first day of not going to school on a school day, and yet we still had to ride the T in to Tufts Medical Center. Jonah was pretty chill and almost fell asleep in the chair. The only thing I didn't like in regards to him was he got X-rays, and I was thinking, "does he really need these?" like do the risks to health benefit what it is they need to see when he is so young? Might be common practice, but still they wear the lead outfits for a reason. Noah has had X-rays because we thought he had a serious problem (but it turned out to be constipation. I'm all for modern medicine, except when you are risking cancer just to look at something you could probably figure out without an x-ray. And yet I go along with it anyway.
Noah did not get X-rays because he wouldn't get in the dentist chair and in fact escaped down the hall. Three dentists had to chase him down and then try and talk to him. After seeing Jonah do his while thing, Noah also ended up getting most of the check up done including the teeth cleaning.
After that we ended up eating lunch in Chinatown. By lunch I mean ngau cherngs (I should have just gotten and order from a restaurant) I had considered bringing Zongzi, but we ate those for breakfast.
Today was the Dragon Boat holiday, all we did was eat Zongzi, but I think we will try and check out the races on the 15th.
We stopped off at a playground before lunch and I actually got it some chi gung/Kung Fu in the shade. It felt good mentally. I got all into it and I felt like I was in the right environment, maybe because I often see old guys doing tai chi in that very park. Only I did it real hard like, but I wouldn't consider it a work out. I think I'm going to try and do more of these little Kung Fu breaks more often. But it feels better to do it in Chinatown than in JP for some reason. I've gotten more into it in JP and sweat more because space allowed. But it felt better at that dinosaur park. Maybe because the park looks more Chinese, maybe because it is practically abandoned during the day. And maybe because maybe even if it looks funny to see a white guy doing stuff instead of an old Chinese guy, it just seems like something that belongs.
On the way back to JP Jonah fell asleep in my arms. So I stuck him on the bench at Stony Brook playground. I stripped Noah down and he played in the sprinklers while I did calisthenic like things as well as some chi gung stuff. But I wasn't feeling it.
Then this lady wearing her two live snakes stopped by the playground. Jonah was asleep but Noah got to touch and play with the snakes, until I started getting annoyed that he didn't listen to the owners advice. Which was no fast movements around the snakes head. They were boa constrictors, but still, I would rather not tempt fate.
All in all it was a fun day. It was rough getting home from the playground and there were many times when I had to carry both children. But we didn't have to deal with rush hour at all, and I actually attempted to clean the house with the children for an hour. It didn't get that clean, but the fact that there was an attempt means something.
We did some handwriting and were preparing for story time when Mommy got home, so we did bath time instead while Mommy cooked. (she likes to cook. If she didn't, then I would cook. But when I cook, she just cooks again, which means wasted food and even more dishes.)
And now it looks like dinner is ready.
Noah did not get X-rays because he wouldn't get in the dentist chair and in fact escaped down the hall. Three dentists had to chase him down and then try and talk to him. After seeing Jonah do his while thing, Noah also ended up getting most of the check up done including the teeth cleaning.
After that we ended up eating lunch in Chinatown. By lunch I mean ngau cherngs (I should have just gotten and order from a restaurant) I had considered bringing Zongzi, but we ate those for breakfast.
Today was the Dragon Boat holiday, all we did was eat Zongzi, but I think we will try and check out the races on the 15th.
We stopped off at a playground before lunch and I actually got it some chi gung/Kung Fu in the shade. It felt good mentally. I got all into it and I felt like I was in the right environment, maybe because I often see old guys doing tai chi in that very park. Only I did it real hard like, but I wouldn't consider it a work out. I think I'm going to try and do more of these little Kung Fu breaks more often. But it feels better to do it in Chinatown than in JP for some reason. I've gotten more into it in JP and sweat more because space allowed. But it felt better at that dinosaur park. Maybe because the park looks more Chinese, maybe because it is practically abandoned during the day. And maybe because maybe even if it looks funny to see a white guy doing stuff instead of an old Chinese guy, it just seems like something that belongs.
On the way back to JP Jonah fell asleep in my arms. So I stuck him on the bench at Stony Brook playground. I stripped Noah down and he played in the sprinklers while I did calisthenic like things as well as some chi gung stuff. But I wasn't feeling it.
Then this lady wearing her two live snakes stopped by the playground. Jonah was asleep but Noah got to touch and play with the snakes, until I started getting annoyed that he didn't listen to the owners advice. Which was no fast movements around the snakes head. They were boa constrictors, but still, I would rather not tempt fate.
All in all it was a fun day. It was rough getting home from the playground and there were many times when I had to carry both children. But we didn't have to deal with rush hour at all, and I actually attempted to clean the house with the children for an hour. It didn't get that clean, but the fact that there was an attempt means something.
We did some handwriting and were preparing for story time when Mommy got home, so we did bath time instead while Mommy cooked. (she likes to cook. If she didn't, then I would cook. But when I cook, she just cooks again, which means wasted food and even more dishes.)
And now it looks like dinner is ready.
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