Math Disaster

My son JAKI's math assignment

Another assignment.
By the way, Jaki's in first year middle school, not in college. =)

I admitted long time ago that i'm a disaster in numbers. What more in fractions and algebraic problem solvings. I graduated in high school with the 8th honors though. Maybe my good grades in english, science and other non-numerical subjects elevated my other grades. I was a disaster in Algebra. I don't know how i made it! I, for one reason, aside from loving my course, i also thought, studying Psychology would be "no-numbers". I was wrong. Talk about statistics and calculus! And, now these numbers i'm hating is haunting me. My son is now in first year middle school (Grade 6 in the Philippines)...and i can't avoid encountering these fearful problem solvings again. Italian subjects were way ahead of what i had during elementary days. It's not easy! My hub's not good in math too, so even if magkapit-bisig kami, we'll end up confused. Today, i need to teach, explain and help my son with these "horrifying" operations. I roam around the internet hoping there's some websites for a math-solving problems, just like the language translation thing. I saw some, but i need to register and pay for some on-line tutorials. Ok, fine, i'm helpless. One of the genius friends of mine, TED, is still sleeping back in Singapore, and my youngest brother who's the only best in math (within the siblings), is also in snore mode. My dad is the genius in math. I wished i had half of his brain when it comes to numbers. I only got the other half for the non-numeric subjects.

So, last resort: Facebook! i was rescued by another math-genius,  the husband of my good friend, MAY (from Netherlands). She happens to be on-line during my call of help on facebook. This virtual world really helps! I left the math problems on her message inbox and she showed it to her husband. Whala!! Problems were solved...Glad he's so helpful!

You want to help me out with Geometry now? =) (peace)

Jaki's First Day in School

School was already closed since June 11 of this year. 3 months of vacation is long enough for my son to enjoy. One book of assignments and things to read and review was given to them, so during vacation, they have something to study. (i mean the moms have something more to do)

All the things are ready by the weekend. i divided into 2 plastic bags the stuffs because it's too heavy for my son to bring in school. "Bring the other things on Tuesday", i told Jaki.

I woke up around 6:10am. Kids are still so asleep, as well as my hub. I washed up and get into my jogging outfit. i hope i can be a biggest (weight) loser this year. It's hard to compete oneself. Running towards the park, i already see a lot of people waiting for the bus. It's the first day of school. Expect the traffic and full buses, trains and trams. At 7 am i went back home, boil water, heat the rice and fried some eggs. I only drink 1 glass of pineapple juice. nothing more. "konting sacrifice, wag na muna mag rice sa breakfast." i'm talking to my self.

Zendra woke up first before his brother Jaki. Is she more excited to accompany his brother in school? =)

By 8:00am kids are already ready. hub just bid goodbye going for work. I am still watching the morning news and Jaki asked, "Mamma, che ora andiamo" (What time will we go out?) I guess my son is too excited to see his classmates. "alle 8:10, andiamo fuori." (we'll be out by 8:10am), i answered. His school is just a 5-minute walk from our house, so more or less we'll be there so early today.

It can be sometimes strange when some of the memories can remain so clearly in my mind about Jaki's very first day in first grade school. We approached the classroom assuring him everything's gonna be fine. He knows i'm not gonna be with him the whole day. New school, classmates, teachers can be a fearful one. Then the bell rang. I kissed him goodbye and i can see he's almost "crying face". But, seeing him holding the teachers hand is a bit comforting. I know he can make it through that day. And he did!

This is gonna be his last year in this school. So, i wish him good luck!

hero

You don't raise heroes, you raise sons. And if you treat them like sons, they'll turn out to be heroes, even if it's just in your own eyes.

shabby me

i woke up yesterday around 6:30am. when i went to the bathroom, i felt that strange dizziness. my head is spinning, so i went to bed again instead of going to the kitchen. i dont know why i feel so dizzy. maybe because i haven't slept well last saturday. maybe my blood pressure's low. my hub prepared breakfast, but i didn't eat right away. i can't stand well. i feel so bad. lot of things to do, but i can't simply move. otherwise, i'll fall down with this nausea. i instructed my son to finish his other assignments. i know he's been "stressed" the last few days for the many math problems & assignments we've done. there are still two pages to study on his history subject and an italian poem to memorize. i dont know why teachers always give loads of assignments during vacation. it's not really vacation for the kids.

jaki just stared at his books. i asked him again to finish them all. --silence-- nothing... he never speak a word. he got his jacket and headed at the door. i don't know where he learn to walk away like that. i yelled, "dove vai?" (where are you going?). he said, "tu mi tratta male, mamma" (you're treating me bad ma), "me ne vado" (i will go away). i didn't expect this kind of reaction. i was feeling so dizzy and my son's walking out of me? so i can't help it, i yelled again, "jaki, lo sai che non sto bene eh, voglio che tu finisce tutto, cosi poi riposare e sei gia pronto per lunedi. sto cercando di auitarti, anche se mi gira la testa" (you know that i'm not feeling so well and i want you to finish everything, so you can rest and be ready for monday. i'm trying to help even i'm sick)

i never meant to yell at him. i just feel my head spinning and i feel like vomitting.i just found myself crying. after some minutes, jaki approached me: "mamma, scusami" (Ma, i'm sorry). i said sorry too, for the yelling, then i hugged him. he kissed me and he cried too. i explained to him that finishing his assignments is not for me, but for him. i felt good inside because my son said sorry. i taught him to apologize if he has done wrong. and i guess he remembered it well. he's smart enough to know good and bad actions.

i never thought my sunday morning could be a tearjerker. i was in bed the whole day, never even took dinner, nor touched my laptop.

i just hate being shabby...

i'm lucky... i'm a mother

Years of you belong to me times you will never recall, nursing by nightlight, singing at midnight, watching you laugh and crawl. Sitting with you to watch the rain splash down upon the window pane, catching expressions that cross your face even now in these mindful days. Now as I watch you grow and bloom I won't ask you to stay behind, for my time with you I will hold dear, and know my love you'll always find.

me and my 2 kids

the wheather's perfect for a nice walk in the park. my two kids were excited!

nobody's there to click the cam for us. i'm not good at self-shots.

Italian Language 1

word for today: Goniometro

my son's assignment: "comprare un goniometro a meta"

i have to confess in all my years here, this is the first time i see this word.

i searched for it right away. i don't want myself to be embarassed when i'm at the school supply store.

goniometro - il goniometro o disco goniometrico è uno strumento per la misurazione di angoli.

the goniometer or goniometric disc is a tool for measuring angles.

in geometry, a protractor is a circular or semicircular tool for measuring an angle or a circle.

oh, i see.

i used this thing during my junior high school in geometry. and my son's using in third grade!

i'm still learning...

Cloudy Wednesday

the weather's continuously challenging us in our wardrobe. yesterday was a sunny one. today is a cloudy one. no wonder the kids are having colds now. as usual, it's wednesday, time for me to drop my son in school. i'm just in the mood to capture him with my cellfone.

you can see a busy street in the morning. everybody's going for work, going to school, etc. it's almost 8:20am. you can almost dance to the cars honking and signing of the drivers..."allora muoveti" (well..? move!)

this is where we always pass turning left from our gate. we saw colorful banners in posts. there must be something happening this week.

walking across the street...with some kids (and moms) heading too for school. see that car? that must not be parked over there. we have to walk one by one because it's blocking the pathway. some people just dont care.

this is the second gate of jaki's school. see the lines? 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, means grade 1, 2 and so on. you just have to wait up in the respective lines, so when the bell rings, everyone can pick up their respective kids without confusion.

this the view of my son's elementary school. i'm going home...

i saw this poster. so on march 7, it's our zone's feast!

it says: 7th Spring Feast. all business establishments are open on sunday. rides, flea markets and fun awaits you. i'm looking forward to it. i would never miss "frittelli" (flat dough with sugar). kids will be excited.

before going up, i passed by here at "panetteria" (bread store). i bought 3 bottle of fresh milk and the woman gave me 2 packs of yogurt. "è un'omaggio" (it's free). good!

i'm thinking what to eat for breakfast. zendra's already awake playing with my hub's cousin.

home at last!