Green Beauty

Sutton Bank Walk 27/03/2010
Photo courtesy of the other half

I may not be living in a place of my dream yet, but stray just few miles from this not-so idealic neighbourhood, there lies a beautiful and dramatic countryside with panoramic scenery and breathtaking beauty. The vast stretches of unspoiled countryside in the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors have even made Yorkshire as widely considered to be among the greenest in England. But of course living in the estate also known as one of the most deprived area in England, almost made me quickly forget on how fortunate and blessed my life is.

I am feeling grateful for this given opportunity to live in this land of perfect combination of work life balance. Thank you Lord.

Take time to stand and stare

Taken en route to Aysgarth, Yorkshire Dales

Picture courtesy of the other half

What is this life if full of care

We have no time to stand and stare?

No time to stand beneath the boughs

And stare as long as sheep, or cows

No time to see, when woods we pass,

Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,

Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,

And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can

Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this, if full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare.

William Henry Davies 1871 - 1940

The apple of my eye

This portrait photo was taken 3 weeks ago. She is simply my most cherished.
Picture courtesy of the other half.

Children learn what they live

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live

Mitzy

Mitzy Tote by Mulberry
Another item added to my lust list.

I'm still here....

in my robe.....

Rather than dwelling myself on a typical guilt for the obvious reason (of not updating this blog!) I might as well pretend that this has now becoming a norm and I'm going to learn to accept this tiny little flaw in my blogging character.

Where do I start? My sweet darling Mya...aaahh bless her. There is no day or even hour passing by where she is not in my thought and I really feel she is growing up way too fast! Only last few weeks, she was asking me, "Mommy, can I wear a make up?". And I sure know where she get the idea from. She can now recognise the numbers and most of the alphabets. Her current favourite question is "Why?" and sometime I am running out of possible (clever) answers. My parenting skills have often been put to test lately, specially in dealing with her public tantrums. But I always try to develop a thick skin and do what I need to do and ignore the attention of other people, who are rude enough to stare. And it is always easier said than done.

She still sleeps next to me during the night and I know I should be more firm and adamant in teaching her to sleep independently but it is almost impossible to bear listening to her crying and begging while saying "Mommy, I want you please....". At her age now, separation is already difficult and I think there is always a part of me that is still not ready to let go.

She can be a great companion but no I don't think she can be my shopping buddy, not yet anyway. I mean, she is after all only 2 and a half year old. Soon, I believe.

Ain't she sweet

Mya age 2 plus 2 months. Recently taken with Roundhay Lake as the background.
I have made this as my wall paper in my desktop at work, and will no doubt put a constant smile in my face .
Picture courtesy of the other half.