here is océane after she phoned to kuya eras...
Monday, October 22, 2007
Sunday, October 21, 2007
fiac 2007 at jardin des tuileries
Foire Internationale d'Art Contemporian 2007
océane and i went to see some modern arts at jardin des tuileries this afternoon. the main event (design & art exhibition) is currently in grand palais. here are the photos i took:
Saturday, October 20, 2007
chocolate truffles & christmas ham
saturday yummy
a homemade & handmade chocolate truffles and what we call back in the philippines, the christmas ham (without pineapple & cherries).
we had this oven-baked ham for lunch today and it really taste like the christmas ham i knew and we often had during christmas back in the philippines; even without the pineapple and cherries on top, it reminds me of the christmas back home.
hmm speaking of cherries, we don't have here the kind of cherries we grew up in the philippines. sweet bottled cherries. here in france, the cherries i ate were the fresh fruits. a trip to my mother-in-law would mean bowls & bowls of fresh cherries she would put in-front of me coz she have her own cherry trees in her yard.
as for the chocolate truffles.... oh it's heavenly. we had fun rolling the truffles and licking our fingers! i wasn't able take pictures otherwise my camera would be covered with chocolates.
chocolate truffles and christmas ham..... i think, we are calling the christmas. lol
Friday, October 19, 2007
events
tonight in manila... my family are all gathered in the funeral chapel.
tonight in bangkok... kuya eras will have his advance birthday celebration.
today in paris... we switched on our heaters, the public transportation strike continue, and the mini-final of rugby match between france & argentina. i won't be taking a nap or i may forget to pick up océanefrom her class. hahhahahaha
happy weekend to all of us!
Thursday, October 18, 2007
La fourmi
Une fourmi de dix-huit mètres
Avec un chapeau sur la tête
ça n'existe pas, ça n'existe pas.
Une fourmi traînant un char
Plein de pingouins et de canards,
ça n'existe pas, ça n'existe pas.
Une fourmi parlant français,
Parlant latin et javanais,
ça n'existe pas, ça n'existe pas.
Eh! Pourquoi pas?
Robert Desnos
*** 6th poem
Monday, October 15, 2007
Le goût de la mer
Puisqu'il y a du sel
Dans l'eau de mer
On pourrait ajouter du thym,
Du poivre en grains,
Des vermicelles,
Des pommes de terre.
Un volcan sous-marin
Ferait cuire le tout,
Les ailerons de requin,
Les harengs, les mérous.
On dînerait sur les plages
Avec des cuillères en coquillage.
Corinne Aldaut
**** this is océane's the 5th poem
hair cut
from sunny morning to gloomy afternoon
yesterday, océane asked me to cut her hair really short. i told her can't be really short because it will be winter soon and her nape will be cold... nice reasoning huh? lol
anyway, here she is now with her new hairdo...
yesterday, océane asked me to cut her hair really short. i told her can't be really short because it will be winter soon and her nape will be cold... nice reasoning huh? lol
anyway, here she is now with her new hairdo...
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Jeanna Penamora Adolfo, 13 October 2007.
She is Gone
You can shed tears that she is gone
Or you can smile because she has lived
You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left
Your heart can be empty because you can't see her
Or you can be full of the love that you shared
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday
You can remember her and only that she is gone
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
written by David Harkins, 1981
Thursday, October 11, 2007
a secret revealed...
THOUGHTS RANDOMLY MEDICAL
Aim: To Heal
By Jose M. Pujalte, M.D.
Self Deliverance From Kidney Failure
There were two questions my cousin, Ed, asked the doctor. “Doctor,” he queried, “What’s wrong with me? I know you have examined me very thoroughly and had some important tests done. Anyway, may I also know what my treatment is?”
The urologist, a close friend from medical school to whom I referred Ed, was very kind but direct. “Ed,” the doctor answered . “Don’t be alarmed. You’re very sick. From all indications you have a very serious kidney ailment: what we call end stage renal disease. Dialysis won’t do you any good. You may need a kidney transplant.”
Even as a doctor, used to doing, witnessing or reading about intricate and formidable operations, I was deeply disturbed, swept by a sudden sadness and pity for my cousin when I heard this. Thinking back in surgical history, it was not too long ago, in 1954, when Dr. Joseph Murray and Dr. David Hume of Boston, Massachusetts, did the first successful living-related kidney transplant from identical twins. The recipient had normal kidney function for eight years. The in 1962, the same surgical duo performed the first successful cadaveric kidney transplant, with the recipient enjoying normal kidney function for 21 months. Ed began to manifest symptoms of kidney failure in 1967, had on and off dialysis for another two years until the kidney specialist declared that he had already reached the end stage of the disease. A few distinguished surgeons in Manila began to duplicate the American successes, but because of the failure of effectively preventing donor rejection, their trial runs ended disappointment. By and large, it may be said that kidney transplantation in our country was still experimental and its “infancy stage”. During that time. Now it has come of age. An Esquivel, an Antonio, and an Ona began to score some successes in kidney transplantation. They started the slow trek to the hallowed niche of the surgical greats because of their pioneering spirit and their charity.
Ed, the patient, was a first cousin and one of my best childhood friends. We grew up together in Quezon, and had been playmates since boyhood days. But during our teen years we had to go separate ways. He had to finish high school in Lucena, and I, in Manila. And so we lost contact. Later, when in college I learned that Ed got married to Alice, his childhood sweetheart. And in a span of ten years, the couple had a brood of four, two boys and two girls.
A few weeks after our last visit to Ed’s doctor, we were back to his clinic for some follow-ups and more questions, especially about the expenses for the operation. True enough, the doctor said it would entail a very big sum, and yet he was quick to add that complete cure was uncertain. As Ed listened, I noticed that he was unusually calm and collected. This perception of calm before the storm was poetically described in the book entitled The Prince. The author, Antoine de Saint Exupery, said “It is with the heart that one sees rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
Touching a bit on his family resources, Ed was not a rich person, although in our town he might have been considered well-to-do. He inherited from his parents a big house and lot, and a number of coconut plantations and rice lands, from which he derived income.
Contemplating on the whole situation, Ed felt that maybe he could afford the operation. But again doubts engulfed him. He could sell his possessions to meet the high cost of the surgery, but he would not be fully useful again, especially to his own family. What stood in the way of his impending operation was his overflowing love for his wife and four children. In his mind he rejected the possibility that his family would lead a life of hardship and deprivation, enduring the bitter taste of future penury.
Ed was already weakening in resolve, but summoning his last remaining inner strength, he tried to psych himself up to gain once again full control of his senses. His family should not suffer the painful consequences of his wrong decisions. Therefore he decided to die.
Fourteen months later, through a period of costly dialysis, agonizing bouts of depression, physical and mental anguish, I heard, with sadness, that Ed, at last made his quiet and final exit. There was bereavement and grief, but there was also the strong guarantee of economic well-being for the family.
This is a true story, a story of self-denial, self sacrifice, and self deliverance.
I am sure that when Ed left to meet the good Lord, he had a happy smile on his face.
……that “life levels all men; death reveals eminent.”
I was three years old when my father passed away. Hardly, I have memories of him. I never knew this story until my uncle decided to publish this most revealing secret story. My oldest brother mentioned to me about this secret recently after my uncle contacted him about this article. It is only today that I got hold of the copy of this story. After thirty-five years..... we discovered something and we don't even know for sure (and will never know) if our mother knew about this for she too passed away sixteen years ago.
Aim: To Heal
By Jose M. Pujalte, M.D.
Self Deliverance From Kidney Failure
There were two questions my cousin, Ed, asked the doctor. “Doctor,” he queried, “What’s wrong with me? I know you have examined me very thoroughly and had some important tests done. Anyway, may I also know what my treatment is?”
The urologist, a close friend from medical school to whom I referred Ed, was very kind but direct. “Ed,” the doctor answered . “Don’t be alarmed. You’re very sick. From all indications you have a very serious kidney ailment: what we call end stage renal disease. Dialysis won’t do you any good. You may need a kidney transplant.”
Even as a doctor, used to doing, witnessing or reading about intricate and formidable operations, I was deeply disturbed, swept by a sudden sadness and pity for my cousin when I heard this. Thinking back in surgical history, it was not too long ago, in 1954, when Dr. Joseph Murray and Dr. David Hume of Boston, Massachusetts, did the first successful living-related kidney transplant from identical twins. The recipient had normal kidney function for eight years. The in 1962, the same surgical duo performed the first successful cadaveric kidney transplant, with the recipient enjoying normal kidney function for 21 months. Ed began to manifest symptoms of kidney failure in 1967, had on and off dialysis for another two years until the kidney specialist declared that he had already reached the end stage of the disease. A few distinguished surgeons in Manila began to duplicate the American successes, but because of the failure of effectively preventing donor rejection, their trial runs ended disappointment. By and large, it may be said that kidney transplantation in our country was still experimental and its “infancy stage”. During that time. Now it has come of age. An Esquivel, an Antonio, and an Ona began to score some successes in kidney transplantation. They started the slow trek to the hallowed niche of the surgical greats because of their pioneering spirit and their charity.
Ed, the patient, was a first cousin and one of my best childhood friends. We grew up together in Quezon, and had been playmates since boyhood days. But during our teen years we had to go separate ways. He had to finish high school in Lucena, and I, in Manila. And so we lost contact. Later, when in college I learned that Ed got married to Alice, his childhood sweetheart. And in a span of ten years, the couple had a brood of four, two boys and two girls.
A few weeks after our last visit to Ed’s doctor, we were back to his clinic for some follow-ups and more questions, especially about the expenses for the operation. True enough, the doctor said it would entail a very big sum, and yet he was quick to add that complete cure was uncertain. As Ed listened, I noticed that he was unusually calm and collected. This perception of calm before the storm was poetically described in the book entitled The Prince. The author, Antoine de Saint Exupery, said “It is with the heart that one sees rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
Touching a bit on his family resources, Ed was not a rich person, although in our town he might have been considered well-to-do. He inherited from his parents a big house and lot, and a number of coconut plantations and rice lands, from which he derived income.
Contemplating on the whole situation, Ed felt that maybe he could afford the operation. But again doubts engulfed him. He could sell his possessions to meet the high cost of the surgery, but he would not be fully useful again, especially to his own family. What stood in the way of his impending operation was his overflowing love for his wife and four children. In his mind he rejected the possibility that his family would lead a life of hardship and deprivation, enduring the bitter taste of future penury.
Ed was already weakening in resolve, but summoning his last remaining inner strength, he tried to psych himself up to gain once again full control of his senses. His family should not suffer the painful consequences of his wrong decisions. Therefore he decided to die.
Fourteen months later, through a period of costly dialysis, agonizing bouts of depression, physical and mental anguish, I heard, with sadness, that Ed, at last made his quiet and final exit. There was bereavement and grief, but there was also the strong guarantee of economic well-being for the family.
This is a true story, a story of self-denial, self sacrifice, and self deliverance.
I am sure that when Ed left to meet the good Lord, he had a happy smile on his face.
……that “life levels all men; death reveals eminent.”
I was three years old when my father passed away. Hardly, I have memories of him. I never knew this story until my uncle decided to publish this most revealing secret story. My oldest brother mentioned to me about this secret recently after my uncle contacted him about this article. It is only today that I got hold of the copy of this story. After thirty-five years..... we discovered something and we don't even know for sure (and will never know) if our mother knew about this for she too passed away sixteen years ago.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
La mer en colère
Qu'est-ce qui met la mer
En colère?
Ce ne sont pas les poissons
Dans le fond,
Ce ne sont pas les bateaux
Sur les flots,
Alors c'est sûrement
Le grand vent
Qui, dans un accès de rage,
Hurle au large.
this is océane's 4th poem and a difficult one to memorize becoz of the words.
By the time you're 30, your salary should be P120,000
By the time you're 30, your salary should be P120,000
By Dan Magallanes
YES, you read it right. By the time you reach the age of 30, your salary level should be four times your age. If not, go and check what's wrong with your career. See a career doctor. Don't trust your self-assessment.
It is not a do-it-yourself thing. There was a time I was experiencing a severe stiffness in my neck and I was supposed to meet the CEO of a multinational company over dinner in Hong Kong. On my way to the airport I dropped in at Lourdes Hospital to see its director, Dr. Jose M. Pujalte, a world-class orthopedic surgeon. He prescribed a tiny tablet which cost me more than the price of an Emma Shapplin CD. But presto, upon reaching the check-in counter at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, I felt relieved and ready for the short flight and brain boggling meeting that very same day.
Lesson in life--don't trust yourself in areas beyond your competencies.
Farm it out. Hire a professional consultant. I am a consultant myself, but beyond my expertise, I hire only the best. I am prepared to pay the high price because quality for me is expensive. Career planning has being done in the first world a long time ago.
In the Philippines, we don't do it that's why we still remain in the third world class. It becomes a dictate from home.
When the boom for nursing employment in the US and UK hits the country, everybody wants to become a "nurse." This is motivated by the dollar syndrome and the opportunity to bring the whole family to the land of milk and honey--a promise of comfortable and easy life. Even licensed doctors are burning their brows again to study nursing and swiftly get to the US. High school graduates are no longer given the chance to pursue a career where they will eventually become happier.
Of course, it is the responsibility of the parents to guide them on what course to take in relation to their capability and interest. But it is still the best move to hire a professional career consultant. Planning should start from the time you pursue a degree. But it is not too late for you now if you will only keep an open mind.
A group of friends of mine from abroad who are experienced professional career consultants pooled themselves together and established a career consulting office despite of my objection that it will not prosper in the Philippines at that time--or even now.
Seven months later, they all decided to pack up and head to where they uprooted themselves. In my history as a headhunter for 17 years, I only got three appointments for career counseling. One was an executive of a mall, the second of a well-known television entertainer and the third, a very popular clothes designer in the '80s.
I have observed that most of our executives and professionals at any point in their career would rather buy a high-end mobile phone or an expensive designer bag than pay a career consultant for their stagnant or sagging career. They tend to forget that they have to live on a parallel lifestyle based on their position in the company and of course their take-home pay. If you are bent on having a good career, you have to focus on how you will attain it at a certain paradigm. It is not wanting but not doing anything.
On one occasion that I was invited to speak before a huge audience composed of young managers. I asked them to raise their hands if they want to become successful in their career. Everybody did. But when I asked if they have made a thorough check on where they were heading, no one braved the challenge.
I have interviewed hundreds and hundreds of executives and professionals in the Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, USA, Europe and even as far as Samoa and I have seen why only a few are successful.
New graduates, forget about where you got your degree. I never look at the so-called "top universities." I claim to pioneer in promoting this attitude with my multinational client-companies.
Have you ever wondered why this 38-year-old guy who earned his degree from a not-so-known college in the southern part of the country got a job which offered a whooping basic salary of P500,000 per month plus dizzying perks? You read it right: half a million pesos on the 30th day of every month.
This executive bested nine other candidates who are mostly graduates of "top universities" in the Phi-lippines fielded by other headhunters. The interview process was tedious.
First interview was done in Manila; second in Bangkok; third in Singapore. Then there were only four shortlisted candidates. The fifth interview was done in Hong Kong. A week later, I got a call from the chair of the company in the US and was asked to send my candidate to the US on a first-class seat that very same week for a courtesy call with the big bosses. He got the job. He was given a signing bonus of $50,000.
The secret? MBA? No, he does not have one and does not aspire to have one. It was his attitude, the quality of his experiences and accomplishments, capped by the desire to make things "happen" now.
If you do not have at least 10 years of meaningful work experience occupying a manager's position in your current employ, then you don't need an MBA.
Most of the top executives I placed do not carry graduate degrees. Being an honor graduate is likewise unimportant. I do not look at the transcript of records.
I often wondered why most of the summa, magna and cum laude graduates do not make it to the top. My profession has shown me the reasons.
One: honor graduates tend to be perfectionist and idealistic.
Two: they have high career expectations within a short period of time because they know they are the best.
Three: they have little patience. Since they are intelligent, they want things done their way, within their time frame which is impossible in a corporate arena. People skills matter. Team work counts. You are not alone in your department.
I once plucked a 28-year-old guy who works as communications officer for an international NGO. Impressed with his impeccable oral communication skills, I again concluded this fellow is a graduate of a so-so college.
True enough--he obtained his bachelor's degree from an up-town college in the south. He speaks with elan.
At a young age, he has already published a book on corporate social responsibility which is being used as the guide book of all the worldwide offices of the NGO where he worked with. He was asked by his employ to travel to different countries to speak about the topic he had written. I advised and moved him to a more responsible position with a blue-chip company for three times his present salary.
The company where I placed him was taken over by another giant. He called me up for advice. I coached him to move to another assignment. Other managers in his level decided to stay on. For three months, he could not find a job better or even parallel to his previous compensation, experience and qualifications. He started to get nervous. He dropped in my office one late afternoon and invited me for coffee. After a thorough analysis of everything in his career life, I told him to capitalize on his creative juices. Put on a new pair of shoes--be an entrepreneur.
That was three months before Christmas.
On his first month, he already earned his salary for the first quarter of the following year.
Capital? No. It is trusting the expert to do the thinking for him. His fellow managers who remained during the acquisition process were later advised on redundancy of their position. They lost their jobs.
It is true that career professionals move for better pay. But it should not be the monetary consideration all the time if you really want a high-flying career. Don't move just because the work is near the place where you live. Don't move because you just want to move. Pay an expert the way you pay for a nice-looking Louis Vuitton purse or a top-of-the-line mobile phone.
The best career is in the Philippines nowadays. Blue-chip companies are coming our way. This is the place to become successful. The most comfortable life is here. You leave the country because you feel you cannot make it here. If you cannot make it here, you cannot make it anywhere.
Be a winner in your own country.
Remember, by the time you reach the age of 30, your salary should be four times your age.
(The author is CEO of Headhunter Manila, an executive search firm. He consults for blue-chip companies and lectures on moving your career up. He also coaches executives and professionals. Feedback at dan@headhuntermanila.com)
By Dan Magallanes
YES, you read it right. By the time you reach the age of 30, your salary level should be four times your age. If not, go and check what's wrong with your career. See a career doctor. Don't trust your self-assessment.
It is not a do-it-yourself thing. There was a time I was experiencing a severe stiffness in my neck and I was supposed to meet the CEO of a multinational company over dinner in Hong Kong. On my way to the airport I dropped in at Lourdes Hospital to see its director, Dr. Jose M. Pujalte, a world-class orthopedic surgeon. He prescribed a tiny tablet which cost me more than the price of an Emma Shapplin CD. But presto, upon reaching the check-in counter at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, I felt relieved and ready for the short flight and brain boggling meeting that very same day.
Lesson in life--don't trust yourself in areas beyond your competencies.
Farm it out. Hire a professional consultant. I am a consultant myself, but beyond my expertise, I hire only the best. I am prepared to pay the high price because quality for me is expensive. Career planning has being done in the first world a long time ago.
In the Philippines, we don't do it that's why we still remain in the third world class. It becomes a dictate from home.
When the boom for nursing employment in the US and UK hits the country, everybody wants to become a "nurse." This is motivated by the dollar syndrome and the opportunity to bring the whole family to the land of milk and honey--a promise of comfortable and easy life. Even licensed doctors are burning their brows again to study nursing and swiftly get to the US. High school graduates are no longer given the chance to pursue a career where they will eventually become happier.
Of course, it is the responsibility of the parents to guide them on what course to take in relation to their capability and interest. But it is still the best move to hire a professional career consultant. Planning should start from the time you pursue a degree. But it is not too late for you now if you will only keep an open mind.
A group of friends of mine from abroad who are experienced professional career consultants pooled themselves together and established a career consulting office despite of my objection that it will not prosper in the Philippines at that time--or even now.
Seven months later, they all decided to pack up and head to where they uprooted themselves. In my history as a headhunter for 17 years, I only got three appointments for career counseling. One was an executive of a mall, the second of a well-known television entertainer and the third, a very popular clothes designer in the '80s.
I have observed that most of our executives and professionals at any point in their career would rather buy a high-end mobile phone or an expensive designer bag than pay a career consultant for their stagnant or sagging career. They tend to forget that they have to live on a parallel lifestyle based on their position in the company and of course their take-home pay. If you are bent on having a good career, you have to focus on how you will attain it at a certain paradigm. It is not wanting but not doing anything.
On one occasion that I was invited to speak before a huge audience composed of young managers. I asked them to raise their hands if they want to become successful in their career. Everybody did. But when I asked if they have made a thorough check on where they were heading, no one braved the challenge.
I have interviewed hundreds and hundreds of executives and professionals in the Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, USA, Europe and even as far as Samoa and I have seen why only a few are successful.
New graduates, forget about where you got your degree. I never look at the so-called "top universities." I claim to pioneer in promoting this attitude with my multinational client-companies.
Have you ever wondered why this 38-year-old guy who earned his degree from a not-so-known college in the southern part of the country got a job which offered a whooping basic salary of P500,000 per month plus dizzying perks? You read it right: half a million pesos on the 30th day of every month.
This executive bested nine other candidates who are mostly graduates of "top universities" in the Phi-lippines fielded by other headhunters. The interview process was tedious.
First interview was done in Manila; second in Bangkok; third in Singapore. Then there were only four shortlisted candidates. The fifth interview was done in Hong Kong. A week later, I got a call from the chair of the company in the US and was asked to send my candidate to the US on a first-class seat that very same week for a courtesy call with the big bosses. He got the job. He was given a signing bonus of $50,000.
The secret? MBA? No, he does not have one and does not aspire to have one. It was his attitude, the quality of his experiences and accomplishments, capped by the desire to make things "happen" now.
If you do not have at least 10 years of meaningful work experience occupying a manager's position in your current employ, then you don't need an MBA.
Most of the top executives I placed do not carry graduate degrees. Being an honor graduate is likewise unimportant. I do not look at the transcript of records.
I often wondered why most of the summa, magna and cum laude graduates do not make it to the top. My profession has shown me the reasons.
One: honor graduates tend to be perfectionist and idealistic.
Two: they have high career expectations within a short period of time because they know they are the best.
Three: they have little patience. Since they are intelligent, they want things done their way, within their time frame which is impossible in a corporate arena. People skills matter. Team work counts. You are not alone in your department.
I once plucked a 28-year-old guy who works as communications officer for an international NGO. Impressed with his impeccable oral communication skills, I again concluded this fellow is a graduate of a so-so college.
True enough--he obtained his bachelor's degree from an up-town college in the south. He speaks with elan.
At a young age, he has already published a book on corporate social responsibility which is being used as the guide book of all the worldwide offices of the NGO where he worked with. He was asked by his employ to travel to different countries to speak about the topic he had written. I advised and moved him to a more responsible position with a blue-chip company for three times his present salary.
The company where I placed him was taken over by another giant. He called me up for advice. I coached him to move to another assignment. Other managers in his level decided to stay on. For three months, he could not find a job better or even parallel to his previous compensation, experience and qualifications. He started to get nervous. He dropped in my office one late afternoon and invited me for coffee. After a thorough analysis of everything in his career life, I told him to capitalize on his creative juices. Put on a new pair of shoes--be an entrepreneur.
That was three months before Christmas.
On his first month, he already earned his salary for the first quarter of the following year.
Capital? No. It is trusting the expert to do the thinking for him. His fellow managers who remained during the acquisition process were later advised on redundancy of their position. They lost their jobs.
It is true that career professionals move for better pay. But it should not be the monetary consideration all the time if you really want a high-flying career. Don't move just because the work is near the place where you live. Don't move because you just want to move. Pay an expert the way you pay for a nice-looking Louis Vuitton purse or a top-of-the-line mobile phone.
The best career is in the Philippines nowadays. Blue-chip companies are coming our way. This is the place to become successful. The most comfortable life is here. You leave the country because you feel you cannot make it here. If you cannot make it here, you cannot make it anywhere.
Be a winner in your own country.
Remember, by the time you reach the age of 30, your salary should be four times your age.
(The author is CEO of Headhunter Manila, an executive search firm. He consults for blue-chip companies and lectures on moving your career up. He also coaches executives and professionals. Feedback at dan@headhuntermanila.com)
Saturday, October 6, 2007
autumn in paris
friday has been a good day and i spent most of my time walking around....
here's the beautiful colours of autumn at jardin des tuileries:
and at avenue des champs élysées:
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
rendez-vous
17h
this is not my appointment but océane's and it is with her pediatrician. she had her check-up:
- weight, 20.3 kg
- height, 117 cm
océane had a flu vaccine too. got a prescription for her annual vitamin to be taken on december and another prescription for her cough.
here is the big girl while waiting for her doctor to open the office door.
a box filled with suprises
that was tuesday afternoon
how about a box waiting for a little girl? yes, a surprise box (from tonton boyet) was waiting for oceane. when she saw it.... i guess her excitement immediately reached the top.
oh yes, she's one very happy girl. thank you, tonton boyet!
how about a box waiting for a little girl? yes, a surprise box (from tonton boyet) was waiting for oceane. when she saw it.... i guess her excitement immediately reached the top.
oh yes, she's one very happy girl. thank you, tonton boyet!
Monday, October 1, 2007
happy autumn!
it's a little week behind nonetheless, happy autumn!
i had a flu since friday evening. weekend had been filled with tissue paper.. drinking medicines and hot tea with lemon & rhum. océane had been telling me to do nothing. i was on bed under the thick cover but she kept on talking to me. heck, by saturday i passed the flu to bernard. lol
it's a better monday for both of us with a happy océane coz it's her sport day today.
Friday, September 28, 2007
no more samedi
it's on today and last night news that beginning next school year, there will be no more saturday classes! parents and students of french schools are happy for such news. wonderful!
Thursday, September 27, 2007
La Sauterelle
third poem
La Sauterelle
Saute, saute, sauterelle
Car c'est aujourd'hui jeudi
Je sauterai, nous det-elle,
Du lundi au samedi.
Saute, saute, sauterelle
A travers tout le quartier.
Sautez donc, Mademoiselle,
Puisque c'est votre métier.
Robert Desnos
La Sauterelle
Saute, saute, sauterelle
Car c'est aujourd'hui jeudi
Je sauterai, nous det-elle,
Du lundi au samedi.
Saute, saute, sauterelle
A travers tout le quartier.
Sautez donc, Mademoiselle,
Puisque c'est votre métier.
Robert Desnos
lunch
océane eats at the school cantine for her daily lunch. today's menu is:
entrée - salade verte aux chèvre et noix
plat - steack haché, pâtes aux légumes
fromage - yaourt sucré
dessert - fruit de saison
hmmm i think océane enjoyed her lunch and later when i'll pick her up, she'll talk about her lunch. océane is crazy about food. she is a kid who only think about her stomach. make her choose between toy and food and she will definitely choose the food:-)
entrée - salade verte aux chèvre et noix
plat - steack haché, pâtes aux légumes
fromage - yaourt sucré
dessert - fruit de saison
hmmm i think océane enjoyed her lunch and later when i'll pick her up, she'll talk about her lunch. océane is crazy about food. she is a kid who only think about her stomach. make her choose between toy and food and she will definitely choose the food:-)
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
upside-down
galeries lafayette
blvd. haussmann
at galeries lafayette there is a hanging eiffel tower right on the middle of the department store. actually, it's an upside-down :-)
here is their ad campaign:
inside the department store
--------------------------------------
doudou
océane saw this new doudou at petit bateau tent at galeries lafayette. i'll talk about this doudou one day....
autumn
autumn season
officially, autumn season started last 23 september. the days and the evenings here are definitely getting cold with matching rain.
it's only around 3:30pm right now and here's how it looks here....
Friday, September 21, 2007
french vs irish
rugby night
france vs. ireland
océane is cheering for les bleus
but she's ready for irish too:-)
Thursday, September 20, 2007
got a letter!
thursday afternoon
océane likes to open our mailbox.
océane likes to open our mailbox.
this afternoon, she's so happy to find a letter with her name on it.
"thank you, tonton eras!" --océane
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
second poem
last night bernard helped océane with her second poetry. today, océane can recite the entire poem:-)
here she is:
here she is:
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
you're my maman favorite
out of the blue, océane said:
- "you're my maman favorite."
- "well, i am your only mama."
- "and you are still my favorite maman."
such a beautiful words from my 6 years old daughter.
-----------------------------------
a new poem to memorize for next tuesday.
L'éléphant se douche
L'éléphant se douche, douche, douche
La trompe est un arrosoir
L'éléphant se mouche, mouche, mouche
Il lui faut un grand mouchoir
L'éléphant dans sa bouche, bouche, bouche
A deux défenses en ivoire
L'éléphant se couche, couche, couche
A huit heures tous les soirs
- "you're my maman favorite."
- "well, i am your only mama."
- "and you are still my favorite maman."
such a beautiful words from my 6 years old daughter.
-----------------------------------
a new poem to memorize for next tuesday.
L'éléphant se douche
L'éléphant se douche, douche, douche
La trompe est un arrosoir
L'éléphant se mouche, mouche, mouche
Il lui faut un grand mouchoir
L'éléphant dans sa bouche, bouche, bouche
A deux défenses en ivoire
L'éléphant se couche, couche, couche
A huit heures tous les soirs
empty mc do
sunday morning past 11:30am
at the paris suburb
an empty mc donald's in the paris suburb. amazing how empty it was considering that it's sunday. how i wish the mcdo at champs elysees is like this one --- empty!
the streets this weekend were packed with people becoz this is the time of the year (september) for Journées du Patrimoine. it is the one weekend in a year that all cultural and historical places (including the Elysees Palace) are open to the public for free.
arc de triomphe from avenue foch
Friday, September 14, 2007
it's friday!
yes, it's friday and a sunny one:-)
océane is happy to go to school wearing a dress. although, she's a little worried that her arms will be cold later (she usually takes off her gilet before going to her classroom), i just told her not to take off her gilet & just open the zipper. she wished to wear long sleeve dress but most of them are for winter. she'll sweat non-stop!
weekend will start tomorrow after océane's morning class. arggggg it's no longer the same now that océane have saturday morning classes. we can not take a holiday during her school days unlike when she was in maternelle that we took our holiday during her school days to avoid the holiday crowd.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
after school & sunny evening
here is océane after her thursday class. must be stressful to go to school for a 6 year old girl, huh? well, it's definitely no joke:-)
view of the eiffel tower from our window
my favorite picture of the day.....
thursday evening
it's almost 6:30 in the evening and the sun is still shinning. lessons are almost done (océane is just now on her script writing practice).
view of the eiffel tower from our window
view of le grand palais (one with french flag on top) and les invalides (one with golden dome) from our window
have a good evening!
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
sport days
monday and tuesday
sport days
yes, these two days are océane's sport days at the school. kids are required to wear their jogging suit & sport shoes. when monday came, she was excited to wear her jogging suit and sport shoes.
sport days
yes, these two days are océane's sport days at the school. kids are required to wear their jogging suit & sport shoes. when monday came, she was excited to wear her jogging suit and sport shoes.
monday morning... ready to go to school - her first sport day:-)
new pair of sport shoes
tuesday came and she's happy to have another sport day.
second sport day
guess, she seems to be adjusted to her new school. we just follow strictly her after school routine at home to help her develop her study habit. so far.. so good...
today is a school-free day. she played for 10 minutes and now she's on her writing practice.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
sunday
stayed a little longer on bed. that's real good! the sky is grey but at least it's not raining.
then we started watching the first season of 24 hrs tv series.
bernard started teaching océane half part (until Mercredi) of the poem for tuesday.
LA SEMAINE DE L'ECOLIER
Saurais-tu nommer les jours,
De l'école, de l'école,
Saurais-tu nommer les jours,
Jour d'école ou autre jour.
Du Lundi à Samedi,
A l'école ou pas d'école,
De Lundi à Samedi,
La semaine se déplie.
Après Lundi et Mardi,
A l'école, à l'école,
Après Lundi et Mardi,
Pas d'école Mercredi.
Mais Jeudi et Vendredi,
A l'école, à l'école,
Mais Jeudi et Vendredi,
A l'école sans répit.
Samedi compte à demi,
A l'école et pas d'école,
Samedi, compte à demi,
Et Dimanche on reste au lit.
then we started watching the first season of 24 hrs tv series.
bernard started teaching océane half part (until Mercredi) of the poem for tuesday.
LA SEMAINE DE L'ECOLIER
Saurais-tu nommer les jours,
De l'école, de l'école,
Saurais-tu nommer les jours,
Jour d'école ou autre jour.
Du Lundi à Samedi,
A l'école ou pas d'école,
De Lundi à Samedi,
La semaine se déplie.
Après Lundi et Mardi,
A l'école, à l'école,
Après Lundi et Mardi,
Pas d'école Mercredi.
Mais Jeudi et Vendredi,
A l'école, à l'école,
Mais Jeudi et Vendredi,
A l'école sans répit.
Samedi compte à demi,
A l'école et pas d'école,
Samedi, compte à demi,
Et Dimanche on reste au lit.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
ibook
mac to pc to mac
past 6am... so dark outside and i should still be on bed. strange that during weekends and holidays, i woke up very early. oh well, today océane have to go to school.
anyhow, since monday i've been trying to fix my ibook and last night it is all up and running. thanks to my hubby for some help. well, it's better than no computer to use or just using Qtec. if some letters will get mix-up... then becoz my ibook keyboard is non-french and i've gotten used to with the french keyboard.
oh last night, the french rugby team lost against argentina. it was 12 - 17. i missed two episodes of numbers to watch the first game of the rugby world cup and french lost! argggg
----
we brought océane to her school. went to weekend meals grocery shopping. then went back to océane's school for the 10am parents's meeting with her teacher.
the meeting was informative. it was inside their classroom. we saw océane's table. got some additional requirement. after the meeting, we just stayed on to wait until océane get out from the school. too bad the bowler (an english bar) was still close or we could have waited for her there while having a drink... lol
finally, the students came down... we walked and went to fnac at ternes. bernard bought projector. went home and had lunch.
a little siesta for me and then océane and i went to decathlon to buy your jogging suits and sports shoes for her sport days (monday & tuesday). gosh, the shop was completely packed with parents buying sports clothes for their children. anyway, we got what she needs and after paying, we just went home.
some writing and vowel exercise for océane...
past 6am... so dark outside and i should still be on bed. strange that during weekends and holidays, i woke up very early. oh well, today océane have to go to school.
anyhow, since monday i've been trying to fix my ibook and last night it is all up and running. thanks to my hubby for some help. well, it's better than no computer to use or just using Qtec. if some letters will get mix-up... then becoz my ibook keyboard is non-french and i've gotten used to with the french keyboard.
oh last night, the french rugby team lost against argentina. it was 12 - 17. i missed two episodes of numbers to watch the first game of the rugby world cup and french lost! argggg
----
we brought océane to her school. went to weekend meals grocery shopping. then went back to océane's school for the 10am parents's meeting with her teacher.
the meeting was informative. it was inside their classroom. we saw océane's table. got some additional requirement. after the meeting, we just stayed on to wait until océane get out from the school. too bad the bowler (an english bar) was still close or we could have waited for her there while having a drink... lol
finally, the students came down... we walked and went to fnac at ternes. bernard bought projector. went home and had lunch.
a little siesta for me and then océane and i went to decathlon to buy your jogging suits and sports shoes for her sport days (monday & tuesday). gosh, the shop was completely packed with parents buying sports clothes for their children. anyway, we got what she needs and after paying, we just went home.
some writing and vowel exercise for océane...
Friday, September 7, 2007
ah friday
yes, it's friday and then it's weekend! however, we are going to have a busy saturday. océane have to go to school tomorrow (morning session only). yeah, they do have classes on saturday morning. that's the french way... whatever logical reasoning they have for this saturday classes beats me. then, there is the 10:00am meeting at the school with her teacher. weekend grocery shopping.. . bernard have some stuff to buy too for the office (a projector, i think).. the scrapbook store have one day sale tomorrow too. homework for océane to do.. practicing her vowels. oh boy, it'll be a short & busy weekend for us.
another school day is done. look at her... she's in a hurry to press the code and just go upstairs at home:-)
now, homework.... learning to read... learning the sound of "a"... practice writing in script (french style). geez, i may end up learning to write in script -- french style too!! lol
Thursday, September 6, 2007
thursday
school 'grey' day
the sky is so grey... but océane is still happy and excited to go to school. her school bag is heavy and almost full today. i asked her if she wanted me to help her by carrying her bag and she replied that it is ok. she can carry it by herself and that she like it heavy. guess she's only feeling a big girl. lol
the sky is so grey... but océane is still happy and excited to go to school. her school bag is heavy and almost full today. i asked her if she wanted me to help her by carrying her bag and she replied that it is ok. she can carry it by herself and that she like it heavy. guess she's only feeling a big girl. lol
before taking the lift....
second day
second day of school
today on the second day of school, océane is still excited to go to school. here she is on our way to school...
and after i picked her up from the school... in-front of our main door.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
she's grade one!
back to school
oh yes, our daughter is grade one (cp for french) now.
yesterday, she was so excited and when we brought her to the new school... she was so happy! also she was happy to see her very few classmates/schoolmates (less than 10 of them).
oh yes, our daughter is grade one (cp for french) now.
yesterday, she was so excited and when we brought her to the new school... she was so happy! also she was happy to see her very few classmates/schoolmates (less than 10 of them).
after our turn to introduced her to her new teacher for name registration, etc. her teacher (who looks "normal" -- not a bitch-looking one.. lol) told océane to go ahead and play, she literally obeyed and completely forgotten us. she walked away looking for kids she knew. i called her so that we can kiss her goodbye. then one good friend of her from maternelle looks sad already. his parents told him infront of océane to just hold hands with her:-) then a mother of her former classmates told to her daughter to stay with océane. so bernard & i left the school feeling happy and proud that we have no problem on leaving océane to her new school.
when i came back home, suddenly it was strangely so quiet and i'm alone. honestly, somehow it was a little bittersweet --- océane being grade one. it one means that she's a 'big girl' now. you know, growing up so fast......
when i came back home, suddenly it was strangely so quiet and i'm alone. honestly, somehow it was a little bittersweet --- océane being grade one. it one means that she's a 'big girl' now. you know, growing up so fast......
after school, here is our smiling and still happy grade one student:-)
gotta go and continue my beauty sleep!
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