NEW ALBUM "Moving On and Moving Up" by HeyRJ now out!

Moving On and Moving Up

Hey everyone! I'm very happy to announce that I've just finished my 6th full-length album of specially selected cover songs -- "Moving On and Moving Up". This album is different from my previous ones as it's "themed" and it's one close to my heart. It's EXCLUSIVELY available on HeyRJMusic.com at the moment and is set to be available everywhere else (iTunes/Amazon/Napster/Tidal/Spotify) by next week, March 14, 2018.

I'd love for you to check it out. You can also stream it in full on my website. If you like it, please share it with your friends who you think might enjoy it too.

Much love, XOXO

RJ <3

HeyRJ's (RJ Marmol) "Best Christmas Ever" FREE ALBUM DOWNLOAD

As thanksgiving for a wonderful year in music and in the spirit of the holidays, I'm giving away my "Best Christmas Ever" album for FREE! -- CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD ALBUM <3 to those who may want to have copies but are unable to get it for any reason.

Those who want to support and buy or stream it from the links below are still very welcome to do so.

Apple Music (Listen) http://smarturl.it/BestChristmasEver/applemusic

iTunes (Buy) http://smarturl.it/BestChristmasEver/itunes

Google Play (Buy) http://smarturl.it/BestChristmasEver/googleplay

Google Play Streaming (Listen) http://smarturl.it/BestChristmasEver/googleplaystreaming

Amazon Music (Buy) http://smarturl.it/BestChristmasEver/amazonmusicbuy

Amazon Music (Listen) http://smarturl.it/BestChristmasEver/amazonmusiclisten

Spotify (Listen) http://smarturl.it/BestChristmasEver/spotify

Napster (Listen) http://smarturl.it/BestChristmasEver/napster


I wish you all the merriest Christmas ever! No matter what you're going through, please remember that this, too shall pass. Remain steadfast. <3

HeyRJ's (RJ Marmol) 2nd Full-Length Album "Ester Sunday" Now Out!

Heyyyy! <3 My 2nd full-length album of 25 cover songs is now out! It's now available on iTunes over here --> https://smarturl.it/EsterSunday

Have a listen below and please leave a review, if you can spare a few minutes. It would mean a lot to me. <3 Thanks!




Also, please follow me on Spotify to listen to my songs and albums for free and get updates when I release new songs! Click below to follow me! <3




HeyRJ

888Casino iPhone App Makes Playing for Fun or Real Money a Real Treat

Hello everyone! How's everything going with you guys? I hope all is well with you. :) As for me, I've recently been home for over a month now after being diagnosed with pelvic endometriosis/adenomyosis and still contemplating whether to go through with hysterectomy now or stay on my medication to  avoid  losing my uterus at 35 years old. Sounds heavy, I know.

But instead of crying in a corner and wallowing in self-pity, I knew I had to find a way to distract and entertain myself, specially because one of the hardest daily struggles I had to fight was boredom. I wanted to be entertained just enough to be distracted but not too much that I'd stress myself even more with leveling up on other iPhone game apps. I was also looking for novelty so I thought, "Hey, maybe I should give this casino iPhone app a try for a change!"

So I browsed the app store for similar apps and came across the 888Casino casino iPhone app. I checked the reviews and read the app’s page on the Apple Appstore and read that it claims to have given over $3,950,000,000 in spin wins!

I tried downloading it myself and was actually surprised to find many game types available on the app including Blackjack, Roulette and spin/slot machine games.

Most spin games are dull and uninspiring -- either showing fruits or money symbols but this app come in various themes that appeal to different people so playing on the iPhone/iPad is definitely far from boring. I started playing for hours on end, switching in between the themes.

While I have the option to sign up for an account and really test my luck with real money, I wasn't ready to dive in just yet so I chose instead to try freely without obligation with free 1000 credit (you can't win anything with those sadly).

The app is available for iOS 4.2 or later for the iPod/iPhone/iPad and is available as a FREE download from the UK, Russia, Greece, Portugal, Germany, Sweden, Finland and New Zealand appstores.

I tested it with an iPhone 4S and an iPhone 5S and the app worked like a charm on both devices. I personally have nothing bad to say about the mini games, they’re quite entertaining and made me feel giddy each time I won. This kept me tied to my iPhone screen for hours!

I found the app to be flawless in terms of performance both on the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 5S. There was just a little issue with the sound -- it didn't play on the first spin but afterwards it was all good. There’s also a different sound for each mini app which adds to the content and makes it interesting to spin. I really enjoyed and relished each win.

I kept playing with this game app and even mashed a few virtual buttons but still found it sturdy  and consistent -- it works as advertised. It was amusing to watch the winning streak images since they also have a little animation which adds to the app’s appeal and excitement – it’s not the same “in-house-casino-win” feel but it’s the next best thing to being there.

Everything you need to know is inside the app, there's a “Help” button on every mini game. There are times, though when tapping on the "Help" button doesn't work but you can always contact app support for any extra information not available on the app. 

Now this sounds great and all but you may be asking yourself, “But is it safe to use?” Well I say yes. The “depositing link” seems secure (at least based on my experience, I tried the link myself).

I give this app 4/5 stars. It’s pretty good and actually cost-effective for those who either want to try their luck with real money or play solely for fun without going to a casino. Just a little reminder to those who have limited data plans who may want to play outside a WiFi zone: This app loads the data for the mini games every time you play, so if you switch every 2-3 spins, better monitor your data usage.

Now if you'll excuse me, I got a slot machine here waiting for my spin. 

Post-It Notes To My School Boy: Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word

I'm not proud of myself today. It's one of those days when you feel like you've done a horrible job at parenting -- yes, those days when you start to question your capacity at mentoring, guiding and nurturing little souls. You ask yourself why parenting didn't come with a lifetime supply of patience -- like, maybe a well that never runs dry -- one that you can run to when you're about to run on empty.

I was preparing Io in advance this morning for his Mathematics seat work and was discussing how to derive equivalent fractions through graphical representation and numerical manipulation. It sounds complex when I say it, but it's really easy --I don't even know why it's still in a Grade 4 curriculum -- I've taught him this in 2nd Grade and was confident that he'll breeze through it, like he usually does.

Alas, I was about to be disappointed -- and terribly frustrated. After giving him a thorough explanation complete with my usual over-the-top gestures and verbal emphasis, he went out carrying his book and illustration board, telling me he'd do it outside so he could also get some air. Thirty minutes later, illustration board remains empty, save for some lines I made out as possible doodles.

I was naturally upset. And everyone close to me know that I'm about as incendiary as dry leaves in the hot summer sun. All it takes is a little magnifying glass to turn me ablaze. And nothing upsets me more than deliberate disobedience coupled with blatant evasion. Simply put: if I teach you something I know you're completely capable of understanding but you choose to listen passively for whatever reason and eventually forget it and decide not to do it (disobey) to mask ineptitude, I'd be very upset. I'm the sort of person who would be willing to run through a topic ad infinitum until the other person gets it. But once you tell me you've got it -- you better, or else...

"Are you telling me you wasted half an hour of precious day time doodling instead of answering pages 208-209 of your Mathematics book? And didn't I tell you to grab your scratch papers and write your answers there? Why in heaven's name are you using that cardboard instead? You have red colored chalk all over! You've been obviously erasing that red chalk using your forearms! Who taught you to do that? Why do you think erasers were invented? And why do you think we have 2 of them at home? Are you tired of school? Bored with it? Or worse, 'burdened' by it? Maybe you shouldn't go to school today. Or maybe, you should stop going to school altogether because it's such a drag! Maybe walking around barefoot, begging for alms or salvaging trash for pennies sounds more exciting! Maybe you've had it too easy all this time that you can't appreciate what a glorious blessing and opportunity schooling is!"

Obviously, I wasn't asking real questions, just rhetoric. Every word was uttered to appeal to his guilt in hopes that they'll eventually knock some sense into him -- an 8 year old boy -- to magically come to a realization even some adults barely experience in a lifetime.

I was asking too much from someone very little. I was putting words in his mouth, judging him by his apparent nonchalance as he scribbles on his illustration board. I forgot that I'm talking to a little soul. Smart and capable as he is of understanding words and reading between the lines, even of sarcasm -- that ain't no way to treat a little boy -- a boy whose heart's sole desire is to please his parents -- but whose 'little boy' problems are getting in the way of fulfilling that desire.

I'd like to tell you that I immediately apologized to him for saying hurtful things but I didn't get the chance. We were too pressed for time since he needs to leave for school in 30 minutes.

Now, all I have is this Post-It note to tell him that I too needed some kind of realization. We were never meant to be perfect. Young and old, parents and children alike make mistakes not because we choose to but because we are bound to make them. And that what's important is not to be distracted by the mundane and mistake perfect scores for learning or perfect behavior for character. And that, unlike Bruce Wayne, we are defined by who we really are inside, not by what we do for the moment -- that our feelings, words -- even our decisions are but fleeting glimpses of our being but in no way does it represent our whole self. We will always be influenced by people and circumstances in how we act, think or speak at a certain time.



And it's okay because that's what makes us human, it's what gives us the opportunity to look at things in hindsight and learn from our missteps. And that as long as we never lose sight of our goals and righteous desires of our hearts, God's love and forgiveness will be a bright beacon that will always lead us home.

Tomorrow gives us another chance to say sorry but why put off for tomorrow what you can do today -- or an hour earlier. It may well be the hardest word, but it's definitely not impossible.

Is there a person you know in your heart you need to say sorry to? Say sorry today -- and mean it -- for once, for always. One of these days, you just might find yourself on the receiving end.

Hugs and warm wishes everyone!

Living with Gamers

Summer is officially here. And while I love it for the certainty of sun-dried clothes, fruit drinks and incessant summer outings, there is one thing that won’t grow on me no matter how long I’ve been immersed in it – that G word. GAMING.

I suppose it’s not hard to tell that I’m not a fan, much less a “gamer”. You can’t really blame me. I’ve tried. Many times. And after many years, I still try to “get with the program”. But it just isn’t as appealing to me as reading or blogging – or tinkering with my iPhone settings.

This shouldn’t be an issue if only I don’t live with 2 boys who might as well been born with gaming devices on hand. It used to be that I only had to accept that a PlayStation is a must-have electronic device. Now, there are just so many avenues for gaming that shunning it completely is near impossible. You have consoles, desktops, tablets, phones, phablets, TVs etc. What’s a non-gamer to do?

I remember a few years ago when we bought our first family desktop, I was all excited about all the possible things that it can do to enhance our home life – my home life. I intend to use it as our radio, newspaper, calendar, encyclopedia, recipe book and entertainment center. So naturally, I was looking for specs that will fit those requirements. And since my intended use aren’t very graphic/video intensive, it seemed like an easy choice.

But no. Gamer #1 naturally wanted to go looking for top desktops for online gaming – not an easy feat, especially if you’re on a tight budget. We ended up shelling out a relatively large sum for a piece of electronic hardware set. If you’re a gamer yourself, I’m sure you would relate to the need of a faster CPU for graphics-intensive games. Then you need more memory, larger HDD storage, larger screen – the works. But wait, there’s more! If you’re heavily invested in a next-best-thing gaming experience, why not add all imaginable peripherals too? Game controllers? Yes, please! Joysticks, game pads, steering wheels, flight controllers – you name it.

And don’t start me with the actual gaming schedules. The only time gamers aren’t “gaming” are possibly when they’re at work (?), in school (?) or maybe driving and eating. Every other spare time (even waiting in line) is spent playing some sort of “pass the time” game.

Conversations with gamers? Ugh, don’t even count on it. They can’t take away their eyes on the screen and the only response you’ll get run the gamut of nods, ‘ahs’, ‘ohs’ and grins. It’s confusing because each time they smile or frown (and get frustrated) for that matter, you can’t tell whether it’s because of you or their game. How annoying is it that  you’d have to repeat every thing you say because they “didn’t catch it” the first time. Conversations with gamers? Don’t even try (or at least not when there absorbed in their own world).

Gamer #2 – cute as he may, has also caused me a lot of headaches too. I’m starting to think this “gaming complex” is hereditary. Must be the genes then. It’s challenging enough for someone who goes to regular school to keep the gaming distractions at bay but it’s definitely a lot harder for a homeschooling kid who knows that these devices are just an arm’s reach. 

Thankfully though, I have learned to manage. I have come to understand that gaming in itself isn’t evil. Like most things in life, it’s the  fear of the unknown and the misunderstood that stops us from appreciating its benefits while being wary of the adverse effects of unbridled gaming. The key is in striking a healthy balance between fun and responsibility. Living with gamers, while challenging shouldn’t be an unwinnable level but a wonderful adventure that keeps on leveling-up.. and remember, if all else fails, you can always push that restart button and try again. :)

Smithsonian Earth Science - Glow In The Dark Giant Volcano + Homeschool Thoughts

Emilio is definitely having fun with all the Smithsonian Science Kits he got -- most recently, this

Smithsonian Earth Science - Glow In The Dark Giant Volcano.

See video below. And oh, I've also embedded 2 other videos -- Prehistoric Sea Monsters (Triops) and  Diggin' Up Dinos - also from Smithsonian. I've always been on the look-out for Science kits but haven't gotten around buying them so we're very thankful for Ninang Jasmin and Tito Jeff's generosity. 

Judging from the way he loved every minute of this kit experience, it looks like we'd have to find a way to find similar ones locally. 

I'm not a very hands-on person when it comes to Science. I prefer texts and thought experiments but clearly, my little boy's learning style is a lot different than mine so I have to make adjustments. Wise as he is, he cannot build this entirely without adult supervision so I have to indulge him from time to time. 

It's a welcome respite for my eyes that thankfully (or hopefully) still register a 20/20 grade despite the abuses they go through everyday. Working with my hands makes me feel relaxed and it inspires my son to create stuff instead of just digesting information.

In barely two months, school year 2012-2013 would officially be over and it'd be time yet again to evaluate our educational options. My heart is for homeschooling, it's always been for homeschooling. But since his father is not entirely on-board with it, it remains a struggle. My ardent prayer is for God to make His plans known to us (at least, this part about educating our only child). This first year of homeschooling has been tough yet sweetly rewarding. I would love to do it all over again and for many years to come. But not my will, Lord but Yours be done. 

In the meantime, I will enjoy these precious moments I get to spend with my son... because this moment in time will never happen again and I'm just so happy and thankful to God and Ritchie that I got to experience this. :)

AMDG,

Getting Healthier, Getting Better

Wow. Where do I begin? First off, I'm just too happy to tell you that my little boy has been growing very fast and getting healthier too! *hearty applause*

Just one of the many perks of homeschooling! I say that a lot, don't I?

You see, when he used to go to regular school, he almost always looked pale and tired when he got home. He's so tired and wasted that most times, he doesn't even have the energy to play outdoors even if he wanted to. All he wanted to do was lie down and watch TV because that didn't require as much physical energy -- never mind that it was dumbing him down (he knows this and is careful of the programs he watch).

To make things worse, he hardly eats his packed lunch/snacks. He either comes home with an untouched lunchbox or an empty one (only for us to find out later that he gave it away).

And in school (or where he went anyway, they don't really care whether you eat your food or not -- as if ensuring their students' well-being isn't part of their responsibility). You can whine and complain all you want but things won't change because the less involved they (teachers) are in non-academic activities, the better for them.

How sad it makes me feel when I remember those times.

But now, 7 months into homeschooling and he's gained the weight, energy, enthusiasm and exuberance that every child deserves.

He's finished his 3rd Quarter exams and is about to take his finals early March. A few more months and my 8 year old would be finished with Third Grade. :)

Oh and yes, I almost forgot! This photo was taken yesterday because we noticed his hair has grown fast too! Haha! We told him we'd take him to the barber but he insisted that his Papa cut his hair as their bonding activity. Well, they both looked happy and we saved a few bucks too! :)

This coming school year (2013-2014) though, we might take him back to regular school because it's the minimum bargain I had with his Papa. Of course if I had it my way I will continue to homeschool him for as long as I can. Even until college! The thought of teaching Calculus is both exciting and challenging. But as it is now, it looks like it'll take a whole lot of praying to keep him homeschooled.

I might get my wish. I might not. But in the meantime, I will pray tirelessly and earnestly. After all, God knows what's best for our son so whatever happens I trust that He will always take care of my little boy.

Ready for Advent

We're ready for Advent! More than the Advent wreath, the Jesse tree or any other symbols associated with Advent, let us remember that Advent is above all about preparing our hearts and spirits for the coming (birth) of our Savior and His second coming.

Happy Advent!

Hair Experiments

The little boy (who's not so little anymore) is experimenting on different hair styles. There are days that I like it. There are days when I wished he'd just be okay with being bald because I like it that way --shaved and clean, easy to manage, highlights his features and generally looks good on him.

But I see he's quickly growing and learning things, picking his own clothes, making little decisions for himself. That's how it's gonna be from hereon and I know I must get used to it somehow. I can't always decide for him -- and I shouldn't anyway. He is his own boy, and a few years from now -- his own man. I miss my baby boy but I will always be proud of him and how he's using everything he's learning to effectively deal with the world around him. He negotiates, inspects, criticizes, prods, observes and carefully navigates the grown-up world, trying as best he can to make sense of everything grown-ups do.

There are times I wish he didn't grow up so fast. Or maybe he didn't really. That's just how I feel.

And someday, I know he'd have a lot to teach me too... and I will listen intently, just as he does every time he asks me about things he cannot understand or don't know. My little boy is experimenting on hair styles today. Tomorrow, it just might be the next miracle drug, unexplored territory or bold idea. I have high hopes for tomorrow because I am preparing him today as best as I can..and if only for that, I know I need not fear nor feel sad. Wherever his curiosity takes him, I will be there prodding and supporting him like I've always promised.

Nickelodeon Fright Fest 2012, SMX Mall of Asia: An Almost Frighteningly Disappointing Experience

It's already November 5 and I'm happy to report that we made it to Nickelodeon Fright Fest 2012 held at the SMX, Mall of Asia last Halloween, October 31, 2012.

I was sure I made all arrangements necessary: costumes, check; ask Mr. Marmol to file for leave of absence (October 31 is not a holiday..oops), check. Leave early (2 hours early, that is), check; bass-thumping car music, check. Gas, check.

Ah, but destiny has its own plan of dampening our Halloween spirit (or at least it tried to).

When we got to SMX, I made a phone call to the Skechers event coordinator I was referred to via the email invitation. First try: unreachable. Next try: unreachable. 20th try: unreaaaaaaaachable! O-M-G. Mr. Marmol. The kids. We drove all the way from Calamba! I'm toast!!!

Call me maybe? 

I tried talking to the bouncers (Ultimate Bouncers) and asked them if I could talk to anyone from Skechers because I was told I had to call a certain person as soon as I get there so she'd let us in but that there seems to be no signal there. But no, he says. I'd have to text or call and wait for them to fetch us by the entrance. No other way, he says. So I called all the numbers of all the Skechers people I know but they can't be reached too. OMGWTFBBQ!!!

Both kids were staring at me with that sad puppy look in their eyes and I was like oh no, I can't bear to break their hearts... :(

So I tried again. I talked to these guys with 2-way radios and asked them if anybody could go in and ask somebody from Skechers to either fetch us or text us or anything... just please help the kids get in -- all to no avail. :(

After what seemed like hours (it was a little over an hour actually), I decided we can't waste any more minute: we better go home instead or go some place else where the kids can have a little Halloween party. While walking away from the SMX Hall entrance, I got a call from Michelle of Skechers telling me not to go home and that they're sorry about any inconvenience. As it turns out, the phone I was calling got stolen the same day -- and that we we're on the "PRESS" guest list in the first place.

Michelle saved the day! Yay!

Oh.

I could whine about how long we waited or that I had to talk to almost all the staff there but it's a free invite so I feel like there shouldn't be any sense of entitlement whatsoever.. But it was really a frustrating experience (at least during the first hour or so).

But as soon as we got in, we're just glad that we got there to enjoy whatever's left of the excitement. Turns out there were still a lot of booths for the kids to visit and explore. We still got our happy ending.

That was some experience indeed. Fortunately for me, I didn't wear that bloody-French-maid costume I was planning to wear, otherwise I'd be so embarrassed waiting by the door for an hour! Haha! :)

My son Emilio and niece Nini may not have been as happy as this.

Or sit smugly by the Skechers booth, which by the way was such a hit that barely a few minutes after we got in, they already ran out of free coloring books and paper hats. 

We could have gone home much, much earlier...

And not as late as this... past 7PM.

Mr. Marmol would have blamed me for another wasted work leave.

Emilio must have given me his signature oh so disappointed face.

And not this traffic-stopping post...err..pose.

Niece Nini would not have taken this photo with her beloved Winx Club.

These two kids would have been whining the whole drive back home to Calamba from  MOA.

"John Lloyd" may not have found himself lost within MOA.

And these plastic eggs... what are we ever gonna do without plastic eggs?

And oh yes, Monster High. 

We may never have found out about Petron's new line of collectible "Passion for Porsche" toy cars.

Which we bought the morning after (Cayman S).. and the afternoon after (Carrera S). Yes -- in one day.
There are 5 Porsche cars to collect so we're not even halfway there.   

They would have missed the giant inflatable slide.

And this Crispy Fry ad splashed on the big screen..

Emilio would not have reminded me of the Skechers Luminators he's been asking for since last year.

And if they missed Spongebob, Dora and the gang, it would have been a  gloomy Halloween for us all.

And did I already mention the huge inflatable slide? I did? Well, it's worth mentioning again.

Ah. And this unrequited kiss -- it would have been replaced by hair-pulling and all-day face-palming.

But yeah, we made it there. Thanks to patience, luck and Michelle of Skechers' call that ultimately cleared everything and enlightened me that we were on the media guest list in the first place. All those anxious waiting  by the SMX door and the frantic calls to a dead phone, SMX staff and guards, bouncers etc. turned out to be unnecessary had we known all along that the "PRESS" door to the left has been waiting for us. What's annoying though was that the people at the SMX lobby/information area were of NO help at all. I told them the circumstances of my being there so they could have given me the information I needed but no, they were all like, "Sorry, there aren't tickets here. Better text/call Skechers and wait for them to fetch you by the door." They could have suggested something like, "You know what, there's a guest list at the "PRESS" door, maybe you should check if you're on the list." Boy, that would have saved me a lot of pain!

Maybe next time I should just call waaay sooner. Lesson learned. Thank God that that almost frighteningly disappointing experience was averted in the "Nick of time". :)

Thank you Skechers! I'm sure you never meant for this to happen. I still love you guys. And your shoes. And Emilio still loves your Luminators. :)

Nickelodeon Fright Fest 2012 @SkechersPH

Update: Check out what happened here --> Nickelodeon Fright Fest 2012, SMX Mall of Asia: An Almost Frighteningly Disappointing Experience

Last year, it was "Planet Scream Halloween". We had fun even if we got there waaaaay too late! :)

Poor little Io had tummy ache the whole time.

Emilio at the Skechers Booth

This year, we'd like to thank Skechers Philippines yet again for providing us with free tickets for the Nickelodeon Fright Fest happening tomorrow, October 31, 2012 (Halloween) 3PM at the SMX Convention Center (Halls 1 and 2), Seashell Lane, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.

As usual, you can all expect the same level of fun and excitement that only Nickelodeon parties can deliver. If you want to join, run to any participating Toy Kingdom branches, buy your kids a toy or any Halloween item (minimum P1000) and you'll get 2 FREE tickets (1 ticket per person) to the event! Promo is until October 31, 2012 -- the very same day of the party. So if your lovely kids don't have any other Halloween party to attend, go buy them costumes or toys and dare to take them to "a Halloween beyond compare!" :)

Emilio is ready and pumped! He's got his new cool costume and "trick-or-treat" bucket!

He hopes to fill this bucket with loads of treats!

You still have time. Grab those free tickets until tomorrow before the Nickelodeon Fright Fest Halloween Party. And oh, don't forget to drop by the Skechers booth to win prizes for your dear kiddos!

See you there! :)

Hot Pepper Update

How long has it been? Hmmm. About a month I guess when Emilio and I planted those germinated hot pepper seeds.

If you're wondering if the plant is still alive, well here it is.

I didn't realize that it's slow-growing. It does know how to take its time. I wish I was a hot pepper plant!

So I suppose we'll have to wait a little longer before we can actually use it for making spicy, delicious meals.

Little boy Io is not in the picture this time because he's out on the street playing with his street pals.

It looks like his friends have finally warmed-up to his empire-like ambitions of making paper spinners for the kids of the world.

It's taken countless weeks before they've appreciated Io's made-up toy and now they've been spending time together making paper spinners.

Good for him. He always wanted to make toys with his friends for as long as I can remember. It engages his creativity and social skills at the same time.

Good for me because that's time spent away from the TV and other screen distractions.


Until the next post.

Hugs,
Mom RJ

Hot Pepper Seeds

Emilio and I have been waiting for this moment ever since we bought hot pepper seeds on the supermarket last August 27.

As instructed on the packet, we germinated the seeds but did so in paper towel.

We first opened the paper towel packet on September 5 and saw the seeds starting to germinate. We waited for a few more days and just this morning saw a healthy growth so we immediately planted it.

We hope it grows super healthy. I seldom buy chili peppers in the grocery because most of them just rot. They're usually sold in packs so you can't help but buy in bulk even if you only need a few.

This time, hopefully we get to grow peppers ourselves and eat them real fresh too. :)

I'm thinking of planting more, probably herbs and spices. We don't have much space here but I do have lots of clay pots that'll do perfect for small indoor plants. That'll do wonders for me and my son I'm sure.

The Miracle of the Magic Tree House [Homeschooling A Boy's Heart, Day 2]

Today is probably the most miraculous day in all of Emilio's reading life.

HE PICKED A BOOK AND READ THROUGH ALL 68 PAGES IN ONE SITTING -- WITHOUT COAXING!!!

I call it "The Miracle of the Magic Tree House".

You see, my little boy loved books for how they looked. That and only that. He loved going to the bookstore and dragging me to school book fairs "just because". He was always asking me to buy this and that book but he never seems to get around reading it.

He looks at piles of books with such delight in the same way he watches cartoon characters make silly faces and crack ROTFL jokes.

But NEVER has he read one particular book with such gusto and interest as he did with this Magic Tree House Book #1 "Dinosaurs Before Dark".

As a mother who is elated with the mere scent of books, I've tried very hard to make him love books the way I do. I bought him LaMaze books made of cloth when he was a baby, a book made of plastic -- for reading in the tub or shower, comic books, kiddie magazines and Disney books but I've always felt like he just couldn't take on a love for reading.

So as much as I'm disappointed that we didn't get to finish our target lessons for the day, I am comforted by the fact that I have seen with my own eyes how this little boy has grown from a "book liker" to a "book reader".

All those little efforts (and brainwashing) and frequent trips to the bookstore paid off after all.

Today is also proof of the many blessings of homeschooling. When he picked up that book, we were about to discuss his Math lessons. He asked if he could read a few pages for a while and ended up being lost with Jack and Annie.

In regular school, diversions are shunned. You can't just drift away in a fantasy world while you're in school. You have to go with the flow, with the rest of the class. All imaginary pursuits must be shelved until you get home. But in a homeschool setting, the child leads the way. As teacher/mom, you follow their lead and discern when to divert them back to the pending desk work.

I was initially torn between asking him to stop reading (to finish his desk work first) and going with the flow of his interest at that moment.

But the love of reading breeds knowledge learned passively, I thought to myself. So I decided to let him read for as long as he wanted. And after a few minutes, he's done.

He approached me soon after, smiling proudly and announcing, "Look Mama, I've finished the book in one day!"

Yes he did. And in minutes, actually.

I am so happy and very proud of him. I had been working on improving his attention span and patience and I feel like this is a move closer in that direction.

We'll go back to "class mode" until early afternoon. I plan to take him on a bookstore trip later today and get him The Magic Tree Series, Book#2: The Knight At Dawn".

Challenging and exciting times ahead.

Happy homeschooling! :)

P.S.

Many thanks to Tita Ninang Jasmin for giving Emilio his first Magic Tree Series book. :)