I remember the day I delivered Zuki to Pre-K and he assured me he was okay - that I should go now. I was proud and yet a little disturbed that my baby was becoming independent. Then came no-joke Kindergarten and it's don't step over the yellow line parents, let go of your kid and get the hell away from the door! The strict divide and conquer tactics were more for the parents than the children.
Although, I wasn't one of those clingy moms creating a Meryl Streep scene with my baby being ripped from my arms - I did wish for a little more drama. Instead Zuki just marched in without so much as looking back or waving goodbye. Sigh.
Two years of him leaving me to go to school - you'd think I'd get used to it by now. But no, today I escorted him to his first class at College For Kids, a summer reading program at the La Guardia Community College. I entered the classroom with the other parents, you know- to make sure everything's okay and gawk at the children. As soon as the teacher told the parents they were free to go, Zuki shooed me away.
Like I was some stray cat hanging around for scraps - a spy disguised as a fly hanging on the wall - an over protective mother cramping a five-year-old's style, as if he had any.
If I'm this hurt now, what's going to happen when he starts going places without me? Am I going to be a barnacle on his side like my schoolmate Nancy Chung's grandmother who walked her to school up until the seventh grade?
I better not! I tell myself to get a grip. Zuki may only be five but he's allowed to have his own little world that I'm not part of. Accomplishing feats of which I will never know the play by play details. Singing songs that I don't know the words to. Having his own inside jokes.
Sob.
Those experts who say that being a parent is never easy were not kidding. From the day he was born, I knew there'd come a day I'd have to let him go - but did it have to start this soon? I figured I had at least another six years before I had to actually get a life. WTF?
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Like A South Street Cowboy
Fun and Free: two words that seldom go together. For family outings, however they are two elements that are a must. We kind of got that at the "Texas On Tour" event hosted at the South Street Seaport. Yes, it was free but the fun part came way afterward, at the beer garden. It had nothing to do with the event but it got us out of the house if nothing else.
The draw was virtual kayaking. I know, I thought the same thing: there are so many other activities and stuff that can be associated with Texas, why kayaking? But I figured, what the heck - the kids might enjoy it anyhow.
We got there and were kindly escorted to the "registration" booth where we entered our email to receive an electronic key card. Then we were pushed into a small movie theater to watch a commercial promoting tourism in Texas.
Not anything against Texas but the only reason I'd deliberately go there is to tour the "Tito's Handmade Vodka" distillery in Austin. We sat through the commercial anyhow, just to get out of the sweltering sun. Plus, they handed out free CD's of local music at the end. The boys love free gifts even if they don't know what it is.
Just two steps away from the theater we were lead to the virtual kayaking set up and that's when we decided it was beer o'clock. Although the kids may have enjoyed sitting in a kayak on a stage facing the South Street Seaport, there was no way they were going to put on the headgear to take them on a virtual tour. Instead, we watched Ryan Harkrider perform an acoustic ditty and went on our quest for a cold beverage.
It's been at least two years since we've been to the South Street Seaport. We wanted to avoid the tourist trap food court surrounded by overpriced Mall cuisine. We spotted a big sign for the "Water Taxi Beach and Beer Garden" and became hopeful. The boys are conditioned to feel giddy when they hear the words "Beer Garden" almost as much as their mom and dad.
It took some work finding the secluded spot, but it was worth it. As we sat at the picnic tables facing the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges, the boys chowed down the rice balls I packed from home and we sipped our cold beer served by bartender with a hangover. There wasn't much going on, other than a juvenile crew from the New York Film Academy flapping their braces, a group of starch white girls in bikini's sunbathing on the man-made beach and the oyster shuckers creating a sculpture with a couple of lemons and a shrimp.
But if New York went on tour to Texas to promote tourism, I suppose this scene would be typical enough to be featured in a virtual walking tour.
A rice ridden Samu at the Water Taxi Beach and Beer Garden.
They're too clueless to understand that this photo booth requires 14 quarters to snap a picture, so I took one for free.
The draw was virtual kayaking. I know, I thought the same thing: there are so many other activities and stuff that can be associated with Texas, why kayaking? But I figured, what the heck - the kids might enjoy it anyhow.
We got there and were kindly escorted to the "registration" booth where we entered our email to receive an electronic key card. Then we were pushed into a small movie theater to watch a commercial promoting tourism in Texas.
Not anything against Texas but the only reason I'd deliberately go there is to tour the "Tito's Handmade Vodka" distillery in Austin. We sat through the commercial anyhow, just to get out of the sweltering sun. Plus, they handed out free CD's of local music at the end. The boys love free gifts even if they don't know what it is.
Just two steps away from the theater we were lead to the virtual kayaking set up and that's when we decided it was beer o'clock. Although the kids may have enjoyed sitting in a kayak on a stage facing the South Street Seaport, there was no way they were going to put on the headgear to take them on a virtual tour. Instead, we watched Ryan Harkrider perform an acoustic ditty and went on our quest for a cold beverage.
It's been at least two years since we've been to the South Street Seaport. We wanted to avoid the tourist trap food court surrounded by overpriced Mall cuisine. We spotted a big sign for the "Water Taxi Beach and Beer Garden" and became hopeful. The boys are conditioned to feel giddy when they hear the words "Beer Garden" almost as much as their mom and dad.
It took some work finding the secluded spot, but it was worth it. As we sat at the picnic tables facing the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges, the boys chowed down the rice balls I packed from home and we sipped our cold beer served by bartender with a hangover. There wasn't much going on, other than a juvenile crew from the New York Film Academy flapping their braces, a group of starch white girls in bikini's sunbathing on the man-made beach and the oyster shuckers creating a sculpture with a couple of lemons and a shrimp.
But if New York went on tour to Texas to promote tourism, I suppose this scene would be typical enough to be featured in a virtual walking tour.
A rice ridden Samu at the Water Taxi Beach and Beer Garden.
They're too clueless to understand that this photo booth requires 14 quarters to snap a picture, so I took one for free.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
I Feel A Celebration Coming On
Sometimes I get the gist of the modesty thing and other times I'm like screw it - toot my own horn! People pay big bucks for marketing and promotion as long as there's something to promote and to me, a short story that came in second place in a writing contest is a big thing.
Agatha The Thirteenth is a story about two friends who audition for a part in a soap opera. It's a bit humorous and authentic because I based it on the experience I had auditioning for movies and television. Although, the ending is truly fictional - the character is a concoction of various oddballs I've known.
It's under 1800 words and should take about three to five minutes to read. I discovered with this contest, that's the key. Tell the story in about 1780 - 1800 words and you have a chance. Unless you're already a pro, stories over 2000 words are really a challenge to keep a reader's attention.
Hope you enjoy it and if you do, please share it - First Line Fiction makes it easy with a facebook and Twitter button. Better yet, leave me a comment and tell me what you like or don't like about the story.
Happy Fourth of July, folks! And don't blow up your fingers.
Agatha The Thirteenth is a story about two friends who audition for a part in a soap opera. It's a bit humorous and authentic because I based it on the experience I had auditioning for movies and television. Although, the ending is truly fictional - the character is a concoction of various oddballs I've known.
It's under 1800 words and should take about three to five minutes to read. I discovered with this contest, that's the key. Tell the story in about 1780 - 1800 words and you have a chance. Unless you're already a pro, stories over 2000 words are really a challenge to keep a reader's attention.
Hope you enjoy it and if you do, please share it - First Line Fiction makes it easy with a facebook and Twitter button. Better yet, leave me a comment and tell me what you like or don't like about the story.
Happy Fourth of July, folks! And don't blow up your fingers.
Friday, July 2, 2010
June Milestones
It's happening again - June is gone and the rest of the summer threatens to be gone in a flash. I have a theory why the summer feels like it's only three weeks long. It's because summer is the only season where you actually live in the present moment.
You don't spend it thinking about last Christmas or the snow or even the first spring day. At the same time, you don't waste it living in the future either because nothing else seems important. It's Fun-in-the-sun-time! The sprinklers are waiting (can you tell we live in the city?). The sidewalk tables at Bar 43 are breezy and inviting. Spontaneity is in the air and about the only preparation a person needs is remembering to slap on deodorant.
Now that the weddings and graduations and recitals are done, here's a little recap of events gone by.
My Sister-In-Law's Big Catholic Wedding:
From left to right: Mr. Joe Peters & Mrs. Rachel Peters and Mike (Rachel's brother/My husband)
Because their father passed away, Mike walked Rachel down the aisle and gave her away. What a brother, eh? He even wore his Red Wing boots to give him some height and man, did he look spiffy (it's still legal to use that word, right?).
Although, this is Rachel's second marriage, Rachel and Joe have been best friends like, forever. So even if he's new to the family he's not exactly new to us - we're thrilled just the same.
And as far as relationships with Rachel's first marriage...
This is Rachel and Mike doing a shot with the former hubby, Kenny. How often does this happen, ya think?
Rachel & Joe are happy and we're happy that they're happy and happy that we still get to see Kenny - cuz we like him a lot - and the boys are even happier because they get two uncles.
Auntie Rules!
After School Final Showcase:
No, these guys aren't mini hit men, they're the Kindergarten graduates performing in the final show organized by the Sunnyside Community service.
As much as my little guy loved the After School program he was brimming with joy that it was all over. Unfortunately, it may not be around next year as the program's funding was cut. Looks like it's back to hangin' out on the streets and latch key kids for our school. Hey, I grew up like that and I didn't turn out that bad...
It's A Small World, After All...
Kazuki, on the left and his buddy Louis are the only two boys in their ballet class.
While the girls cleanly executed the recital number, the boys looked as if they were getting ready to moon the audience.
They were adorable nonetheless as only boys can be surrounded by lots of pretty little ballerinas. Women think men who can dance are irresistible and I guess it applies to five-year-olds as well.
The Graduate ...okay, so it's Kindergarten but so what?
Tell me this pose isn't hilarious. I'm thinking about sending it to Dr. Heckle.
This is Zuki on Graduation Day. Despite the fact that it was just Kindergarten, families were only allowed two tickets to attend. And to add insult to injury, children counted as one person, which meant siblings needed a ticket, too.
For college, even high school I can understand the limitation but for Kindergarten? Think of all the grandparents who couldn't attend because mom and dad wanted to attend.
Well, there's always YouTube.
Zuki with Daddy and the Last Hairbender.
The Future Rat Pack? Atlantic City, here we come!
Zuki with his teacher, Mrs. Mifsud.
She's nothing short of a miracle worker. He learned in leaps and bounds and she kept his wackiness in order...who else could do that, Jesus?
And speaking of wackiness...Here is K4 of 2010!
You don't spend it thinking about last Christmas or the snow or even the first spring day. At the same time, you don't waste it living in the future either because nothing else seems important. It's Fun-in-the-sun-time! The sprinklers are waiting (can you tell we live in the city?). The sidewalk tables at Bar 43 are breezy and inviting. Spontaneity is in the air and about the only preparation a person needs is remembering to slap on deodorant.
Now that the weddings and graduations and recitals are done, here's a little recap of events gone by.
My Sister-In-Law's Big Catholic Wedding:
Because their father passed away, Mike walked Rachel down the aisle and gave her away. What a brother, eh? He even wore his Red Wing boots to give him some height and man, did he look spiffy (it's still legal to use that word, right?).
Although, this is Rachel's second marriage, Rachel and Joe have been best friends like, forever. So even if he's new to the family he's not exactly new to us - we're thrilled just the same.
And as far as relationships with Rachel's first marriage...
Rachel & Joe are happy and we're happy that they're happy and happy that we still get to see Kenny - cuz we like him a lot - and the boys are even happier because they get two uncles.
Auntie Rules!
After School Final Showcase:
As much as my little guy loved the After School program he was brimming with joy that it was all over. Unfortunately, it may not be around next year as the program's funding was cut. Looks like it's back to hangin' out on the streets and latch key kids for our school. Hey, I grew up like that and I didn't turn out that bad...
It's A Small World, After All...
While the girls cleanly executed the recital number, the boys looked as if they were getting ready to moon the audience.
They were adorable nonetheless as only boys can be surrounded by lots of pretty little ballerinas. Women think men who can dance are irresistible and I guess it applies to five-year-olds as well.
The Graduate ...okay, so it's Kindergarten but so what?
This is Zuki on Graduation Day. Despite the fact that it was just Kindergarten, families were only allowed two tickets to attend. And to add insult to injury, children counted as one person, which meant siblings needed a ticket, too.
For college, even high school I can understand the limitation but for Kindergarten? Think of all the grandparents who couldn't attend because mom and dad wanted to attend.
Well, there's always YouTube.
Zuki with Daddy and the Last Hairbender.
The Future Rat Pack? Atlantic City, here we come!
Zuki with his teacher, Mrs. Mifsud.
She's nothing short of a miracle worker. He learned in leaps and bounds and she kept his wackiness in order...who else could do that, Jesus?
And speaking of wackiness...Here is K4 of 2010!
Good Luck In First Grade!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Willy Wonka Vigilante
It was fitting that we finished reading the last two chapters of Roald Dahl's, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory just in time for summer recess. What a wonderfully written story to show children the repugnance of being spoiled rotten. My boys absolutely hate it when we call them Veruca Salt should they start with one of their "I want it NOW" or "Gimme a drink," or "Why can't I have that toy...it's SO not fair" tantrums.
In these times of abundance and instant gratification, I think it should be a prerequisite that parents read the book to their children much like they would Cat In The Hat or Goodnight Moon. I realize the book is much longer - it took us a couple of weeks to finish with one chapter a night but the impact was phenomenal. Children are always more interested in what happens to other children and moms are always interested in chocolate.
But it goes back to the simple truth that the parents are responsible for spoiling a child. No matter how much the grandparents may dote on a child, what counts is that mom and dad have laid a solid foundation of knowing the difference between right and wrong.
Just yesterday, my mother confronted a four-year-old who was notorious for being rude. The sad thing is, he doesn't even know that it's a bad thing. He's not being taught to ask if he can borrow something before he grabs it and he's certainly not being taught to return it when he's done. I've seen him destroy another boy's car while his grandmother ineffectively told him to stop. And when he throws a tantrum because it's time to return something, what does she do? She asks the owner if her grandson can keep the toy because he's so distraught with parting with it.
Are you kidding me? We're not the Salvation Army here, lady. Go buy your own friggin' toy.
Inevitably, that's what happens to a kid whose parents haven't got the sense to teach him manners - he gets alienated. I don't let my boys interact with him, much less play with him when he's around either. I even go as far as packing up our toys and guarding them in front of me when he's in the park.
And about my mother's confrontation with him...she told him he couldn't have the items he was grabbing from her. He actually reprimanded her and told her she had to share.
Her response was, "Share? Sharing is I let you have something and you give me something in return - you NEVER bring anything so, don't talk to me about sharing!"
As he ran back crying to his grandmother, I pictured my mother in Willy Wonka's top hat and cane, commanding the squirrels to throw this kid down a garbage chute.
In these times of abundance and instant gratification, I think it should be a prerequisite that parents read the book to their children much like they would Cat In The Hat or Goodnight Moon. I realize the book is much longer - it took us a couple of weeks to finish with one chapter a night but the impact was phenomenal. Children are always more interested in what happens to other children and moms are always interested in chocolate.
But it goes back to the simple truth that the parents are responsible for spoiling a child. No matter how much the grandparents may dote on a child, what counts is that mom and dad have laid a solid foundation of knowing the difference between right and wrong.
Just yesterday, my mother confronted a four-year-old who was notorious for being rude. The sad thing is, he doesn't even know that it's a bad thing. He's not being taught to ask if he can borrow something before he grabs it and he's certainly not being taught to return it when he's done. I've seen him destroy another boy's car while his grandmother ineffectively told him to stop. And when he throws a tantrum because it's time to return something, what does she do? She asks the owner if her grandson can keep the toy because he's so distraught with parting with it.
Are you kidding me? We're not the Salvation Army here, lady. Go buy your own friggin' toy.
Inevitably, that's what happens to a kid whose parents haven't got the sense to teach him manners - he gets alienated. I don't let my boys interact with him, much less play with him when he's around either. I even go as far as packing up our toys and guarding them in front of me when he's in the park.
And about my mother's confrontation with him...she told him he couldn't have the items he was grabbing from her. He actually reprimanded her and told her she had to share.
Her response was, "Share? Sharing is I let you have something and you give me something in return - you NEVER bring anything so, don't talk to me about sharing!"
As he ran back crying to his grandmother, I pictured my mother in Willy Wonka's top hat and cane, commanding the squirrels to throw this kid down a garbage chute.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
The Summer Challenge
Four hours into Zuki's Kindergarten summer recess and I was already counting the days until September 8 - the first day back to school. The new graduates ran out of the school yard for the last time and as they started to enjoy the first few minutes of summer freedom, I was torn between singing Alice Cooper's School's Out For Summer and Thin Lizzy's Jailbreak. They ran, scootered and tripped towards the park at top notch speed and I said to myself, Oh yeah...I'm so not ready for the Summer of 2010.
Okay, so at least I've been working out - it should be no problem going toe to toe with them and be the "bad guy" when they're playing their pseudo tag-Star Wars-Iron Man-zombie game. But the summer homework is another story.
Am I prepared to have a "structured" academic schedule with a five-year-old who just wants to run in the sprinklers all day? There are potential stress factors here. I will have to remind myself that he's still only five. That I have to let go of that perfectionist, obsessive-compulsive standard I hold my own work to and let him hand in a summer reading passport of five books, a writing journal with three or more weekly entries and a published piece the way he wants to. And yes, that's how much homework he has over the summer.
Although, I find it encouraging that the school acts on its concern with keeping up the reading and writing levels - I'm also disturbed that in light of the subject, I don't think I even get that much work done. If I could just finish reading five books over the summer, I'd consider that an accomplishment. But that coupled with a blog entry at least every other day and a polished piece in two months? It sounds like a challenge - Mommy vs. Kindergarten homework.
Today, we're going shopping for his supplies to accomplish the work he needs to get done over the summer. That's when I'll present him with this interesting challenge. He's going to get his work done no matter what but if mommy fails to keep up and homework wins, then he'll earn four movie passes he can redeem on any weekend regardless of any offenses he may have committed.
And if I win? I'll earn four dinner passes that I can redeem on any four nights that I don't feel like cooking dinner.
Now all I can say is, BRING IT ON!
Okay, so at least I've been working out - it should be no problem going toe to toe with them and be the "bad guy" when they're playing their pseudo tag-Star Wars-Iron Man-zombie game. But the summer homework is another story.
Am I prepared to have a "structured" academic schedule with a five-year-old who just wants to run in the sprinklers all day? There are potential stress factors here. I will have to remind myself that he's still only five. That I have to let go of that perfectionist, obsessive-compulsive standard I hold my own work to and let him hand in a summer reading passport of five books, a writing journal with three or more weekly entries and a published piece the way he wants to. And yes, that's how much homework he has over the summer.
Although, I find it encouraging that the school acts on its concern with keeping up the reading and writing levels - I'm also disturbed that in light of the subject, I don't think I even get that much work done. If I could just finish reading five books over the summer, I'd consider that an accomplishment. But that coupled with a blog entry at least every other day and a polished piece in two months? It sounds like a challenge - Mommy vs. Kindergarten homework.
Today, we're going shopping for his supplies to accomplish the work he needs to get done over the summer. That's when I'll present him with this interesting challenge. He's going to get his work done no matter what but if mommy fails to keep up and homework wins, then he'll earn four movie passes he can redeem on any weekend regardless of any offenses he may have committed.
And if I win? I'll earn four dinner passes that I can redeem on any four nights that I don't feel like cooking dinner.
Now all I can say is, BRING IT ON!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Five In The Morning
In my life, the only other period I had to get up at five am on a regular basis, was when I was in that God awful movie, Ishtar. It was supposed to be a one or two day gig but it turned into four days. The paycheck was nice, as was meeting Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman - but that was about it. The movie flopped and my part, which was a guitarist in a band, was cut from the movie...so much for that.
Now, I am forcing myself to wake up at five in the morning to do nothing other than write. After reading a blog entry at bizmommy.com and yet another entry correlating the attention-divided-mommy topic on tatterscoops.com, it occurred to me that I was heading for disaster this summer if I didn't have a clear writing schedule. First thing in the morning seemed to be a logical choice.
Of course the first day I had set my iPhone to ring at 5:03 am, Samu crawled into my bed at 2 am and proceeded to puke - on the sheets, carpet, p.j.'s, the whole nine yards - until 4:45 am. Needless to say, I turned off my alarm and canceled that show.
The second day, I fared a little better. The alarm went off, I got up - which is a miracle in itself - stuck my contacts in and was surprised they didn't burn my eyeballs off, stretched and then sat down with my laptop and a glass of ice water.
Forty-five minutes into writing, I'm thinking, Hey, this is going really well. And then I heard it. A small body, falling off his bed and hitting the floor. Then the rapid footsteps towards the bedroom door and the telltale creak of it opening to release a mini-ogre who got up. Coming down one step at a time, I saw his feet followed by his hair.
My choices at this point were either bring him back upstairs to get another forty minutes of sleep or have him lie next to me and get no more writing done. I chose the latter. There will be other mornings, I convinced myself and relaxed. Though, he was worse for the wear.
Ever since that morning, Zuki's learned never to wake up early with mommy again. I learned not to waste any more mornings because there will always be setbacks. There are times I want to hit that snooze button and when I'm about to, I let the conjured Jewish mother in my head lay on the guilt trip until I can't take it anymore. The only thing that makes her go away is brushing my teeth.
As for sleep - I tell myself, one of these days. Yes, one of these days I'll have one of those jobs I can call out sick and just crawl back under the covers...or maybe not. For now, it's reveille.
Now, I am forcing myself to wake up at five in the morning to do nothing other than write. After reading a blog entry at bizmommy.com and yet another entry correlating the attention-divided-mommy topic on tatterscoops.com, it occurred to me that I was heading for disaster this summer if I didn't have a clear writing schedule. First thing in the morning seemed to be a logical choice.
Of course the first day I had set my iPhone to ring at 5:03 am, Samu crawled into my bed at 2 am and proceeded to puke - on the sheets, carpet, p.j.'s, the whole nine yards - until 4:45 am. Needless to say, I turned off my alarm and canceled that show.
The second day, I fared a little better. The alarm went off, I got up - which is a miracle in itself - stuck my contacts in and was surprised they didn't burn my eyeballs off, stretched and then sat down with my laptop and a glass of ice water.
Forty-five minutes into writing, I'm thinking, Hey, this is going really well. And then I heard it. A small body, falling off his bed and hitting the floor. Then the rapid footsteps towards the bedroom door and the telltale creak of it opening to release a mini-ogre who got up. Coming down one step at a time, I saw his feet followed by his hair.
My choices at this point were either bring him back upstairs to get another forty minutes of sleep or have him lie next to me and get no more writing done. I chose the latter. There will be other mornings, I convinced myself and relaxed. Though, he was worse for the wear.
Ever since that morning, Zuki's learned never to wake up early with mommy again. I learned not to waste any more mornings because there will always be setbacks. There are times I want to hit that snooze button and when I'm about to, I let the conjured Jewish mother in my head lay on the guilt trip until I can't take it anymore. The only thing that makes her go away is brushing my teeth.
As for sleep - I tell myself, one of these days. Yes, one of these days I'll have one of those jobs I can call out sick and just crawl back under the covers...or maybe not. For now, it's reveille.
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