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Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Super Science: Universe in my Hand
Since I was a kid, I have always wanted a telescope. There is something almost spiritual about looking into space, at the stars and planets out there. Actually I didn't just want to look at the stars, I wanted to go there.
It looks like it isn't going to happen in my lifetime. But thanks to Ben Bova and his amazing Grand Tour novels, I have visited the planets of our Solar System, and thanks to Gregory Benford, I have seen Pluto, in a space suit no less.
Now with a telescope, you may not be able to see everything (planetary alignment, distance of light, etc), but with meade my sky (full name: Meade My Sky Personal Video Planetarium), you can explore space virtually as well as control a Meade computerised telescope.
Jack simply refused to nap today, playing basketball, football, and stair climbing. When he got home, he crashed and I thought it would be the perfect time to finally get a DVD into my laptop and watch a movie.
Dang Windows Media Player and the other one I downloaded, Video LAN played it poorly - very choppy - and I spent an hour trying to fix it.
A headache, backache, and neckache later, I gave up and decided to use the 7" portable DVD player my brother lent me to watch it instead. No dice. It kept loading but never played.
Hence I am back online for some actualisation before I sleep... :)
Since I have started loitering on Amazon.com a lot more, I stopped by Couponchief.com to get some promo codes for free shipping and other free stuff and discounts.
It pays as always to surf for coupons first. Always always do this before shopping online - you can save a bundle on almost everything you buy! Don't forget.
Two days ago someone peed and pooed on my slippers. Then there was poo outside the poo box scattered like discarded dolls in lieu of new ones around the boxes and in the cat house.
Today Buffy and Kaku did not have their supper. Buffy had a slight fever, dry nose, pale pink tongue, and was decidedly listless and in need of comfort as she lay on my chair. Kaku hid from us and hissed when I tried to go near.
Their Dad suspects a flu, but I also worry it could be from food contamination as we have Natural Balance (although we have not fed them the recalled ones - those are put away to be returned) can food or from the salmon and chicken combo I fed them today - too much fat in the salmon?
I checked online but could not find anything definitive. Their Dad couldn't find anything in our copy of Cornell's too. There was no distention in her tummy so it can't be a gassy thing. Both girls are moving fine, so it can't be musculoskeletal. There are some brown spots on the edges of Buffy's ear but then those could have been there before. No runny nose...
We've moved them to the kitchen where I can check on them more often. The boys seem in good spirits, chomping up the extra food I gave them. Buffy refused the kibble, even from my hand, and Kaku just stared at it and ran off to hide.
What could my girls have? Their Dad says we should observe them tomorrow and see how things go.
I have decided, regardless of the potential inconvenience, we will let them back into the house to spend more time with them. Boy is already 15 and although in good shape, has only 5 more years with us according to average lifespan. And things could go downhill very quickly. Buffy and Kaku's bout of illness (well not sure if Kaku is sick or just disturbed because her Dad was talking very loudly on the phone when he went to feed them) also worries me. This way they are close to me and I can see what is happening in their lives too.
Let's hope they are better tomorrow... Can't sleep now though.
Jack met a girl today. :) She turns 4 tomorrow and her name is Hannah. There were lots of hugs and hand-holding and Jack cried when she left. Her Mom left me her number for future play dates so Jack will see her again!
Every night now when he needs me, Jack calls Mama. It brings me running to him if I am out of bed (I go running anyway when I hear him cry) and comfort him gently. He sleeps better now, and almost (just) slept again without nursing.
This morning, his Grandpop came to visit. After a huge hug from him, Jack struggled down, walked to the cupboard and showed his Grandpop his friend Paddington Bear who sleeps in there! He even brought Paddy out to show Dad. My Dad and I were so enthralled and Jack beamed from ear to ear, very proud of himself. Was I ever a prouder Mommy.
Jack is starting to walk a lot now without any assistance. He carries either his toy box or some toys and waddles around for about 4-6 steps before sitting down. A giant step from last week's faltering 2 step average! He also is an avid climber, climbing down from bed to floor, bed to crib, and most impressively, cupboard via bed rail to floor before our very eyes.
He is such a happy boy too. Since the day he was born. We brought him out for dinner and the lady who served us couldn't help comment how happy and well-behaved he is. In fact, everywhere we go, people comment that, and how easy he seems to adapt to wherever we bring him.
I never had a basis for comparison so I really can't say. But I do notice that celebrity mothers who are securely bonded with their children, like Jennifer Garner (with daughter Violet) and Gwen Stefani (with son Kingston), tend to have happier children. Both Jen and Gwen have said that their kids are with them all the time and it shows in their children's joyful and happy smiles.
I have never regretted giving up my career for Jack. Each day with him is an adventure waiting to unfold. In fact, in all of my life, I have never been more at peace with myself now than any other time. Family is such a wonderful thing.
It has been a delightful few days since Jack recovered.
Yesterday my Dad and I took Jack to United Square and Jack thrilled us driving a car, train, captaining a ship, and even heading out to space in a NASA space ship. With the spanking new shoes Uncle Kevin and Aunt Heidi bought him, he happily walked with his grandpop and I all over the mall.
This evening, his Uncle Andrew commented that he's been at his best ever. We spent dinner at Scarlet Hotel's fine dining restaurant where the food and service were excellent. It had a spectacular ambiance and perfect for celebrating dear Hon Chung's birthday.
Jack was the star of the occasion and sat happily in many an enthralled Uncle and Aunt's lap while grinning happily for photos. He charmed Uncle Abe especially, who kissed him repeatedly (actually Uncle Hon Chung did too).
Finally it was time to go home and Jack waved bye to all his parents' dear friends and headed home for the night. After his bath, he fell right to bed after an exciting day with Mom and Dad.
For the second time, Jack called for me by name "Mama" at night while his Dad lay beside him quizzically but also delighted. :D As I nursed him and held his shoulder gently, he clasped his hands around my arm, refusing to let me go. Finally he fell asleep and I snuck back here to blog...
"To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness." -- Bertrand Russell
"Non-violence leads to the highest ethics, which is the goal of all evolution. Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages."
-- Thomas Edison (Harper's Magazine, 1890)
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