Mayr visit to Human Life's Service Miri

Papa and Mayr

Mayr and Aunty Dot (Dorothy Kuek)

Mayr in front of the "FROG" Aquarium at HLS


Gambar nih diambil semasa kami melawat aunty Dot di Human Life's Service Centre (HLS) Miri, sambil tunggu Mama ada Public Exam.

LENT: Ten ways to grow in holiness

Lenten customs are designed to help us enter into this holy season and grow in discipline and service. The word Lent means “springtime,” a time of new life. Here are ten common Lenten practices by which we can draw closer to God, experience interior conversion and renew our spiritual lives.

Ashes — Ashes are an ancient symbol of repentance. References to sackcloth and ashes can be found often in the Old Testament. Ashes remind us that we won’t live forever (“remember that you are dust”), prompting us to reflect on our lives and our need for God’s mercy and to ponder what is important in the long run (eternal life with God) and what is only temporary (many of our day-to-day desires and challenges). To prepare well for the day we physically die, we must die now to sin and rise to new life in Christ.

Fasting and Giving Something Up — Often this is our first impression or thought of Lent, and each year we have the big question of what to give up.

Food — All it takes is a quick look at any magazine rack to see that this nation is obsessed with food — with eating more and tastier, and with eating less. Fasting for spiritual reasons is different from dieting for health and weight loss. Most of us should fast from particular food-favorites throughout Lent as well as from meat on Fridays. By eliminating sweets, coffee, soda, alcohol or whatever other food has a grip on us, and by turning to God every time we are tempted by these foods, we can gain a real sense of God’s grace and how close He is to us. Our attachment to food can be complicated. Lent is a great time to begin, with God’s help, to uncomplicate it.

Fasting (eating less food) is one of the most ancient practices of Lent — there is a deep wisdom to fasting that we’ll only understand if we do it just because it will help us draw closer to God. Lenten fasting is a traditional way to seek to imitate Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the desert.

Changing Behaviors and Attitudes — All of us have things in our lives that come between us and God, and we may or may not realize it. This Lent, if we go somewhere quiet and humbly ask God, “Lord, what do you want me to give up?” He will answer. It may be a food, or a television show, or a friend or an attitude or habit. Giving it up will make a significant and positive difference in our spiritual lives.

Prayer — Give more time to prayer during Lent. Try different things — weekday Mass; spiritual reading from the saints; Lenten prayer Web sites (for example, www/creighton.edu/ CollaborativeMinistry/ Lent) or books of prayers; retreats and days of reflection; meditating/pondering the Gospels, especially the Passion; quiet listening and pouring out your heart to God. The rosary or other common prayers may help us reflect or talk with God. A picture of Christ or Mary can help our prayer, as can the Stations of the Cross. Aim for simplicity and love in your Lenten prayer.

Almsgiving — Besides food, money is a big complication for many people. Try giving a specific percentage of your Lenten income this year, or decide now on a specific amount to give, and then choose a charity or your parish as the recipient. As you write the check or hand over the bills, ask God to take and use the money for His will.

Penance — Lent is the primary time for celebrating the sacrament of penance/reconciliation. Lent is a season for renewal, and what better way to begin than to have our sins forgiven! Early Christian teachers are said to have called this sacrament a second-baptism, because it should enable us to start again to live the baptismal life to its fullest. Many parishes provide brochures to help with our examination of conscience, or we can always use the Ten Commandments.

Stations of the Cross — Praying and pondering the Stations of the Cross either privately or publicly can be a way of remembering Jesus’ sufferings and a way to grow in appreciation of his sacrifice. Toward the end of Lent, the liturgical readings also will recall Christ’s Passion. There are many booklets available at parishes and religious bookstores for this devotional practice. Some parish youth and/or adult groups stage live Stations of the Cross. It is a devotion that can help make Jesus’ Passion more “real” for us.

Burying the Alleluia — The word “Alleluia” is heard throughout the Christian world, a Greek and Latin form of the Hebrew word “Hallelujah,” meaning “praise the Lord.” Because this word is particularly associated with Easter, the custom developed to intentionally eliminate it from the liturgies of Lent, “sort of a verbal fast” according to one author. The idea is to create a sense of anticipation and greater joy when this familiar word of praise returns at Easter. At Easter, we give it no rest at all, repeating it again and again in celebration of the resurrection of Jesus.



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This story was made available to Catholic Online by permission of The Catholic Observer (www.iobserve.org), official newspaper of the Diocese of Springfield, Mass.

Season of Lent

Lent is a season of soul-searching and repentance. It is a season for reflection and taking stock. Lent originated in the very earliest days of the Church as a preparatory time for Easter, when the faithful rededicated themselves and when converts were instructed in the faith and prepared for baptism. By observing the forty days of Lent, the individual Christian imitates Jesus’ withdrawal into the wilderness for forty days. All churches that have a continuous history extending before AD 1500 observe Lent. The ancient church that wrote, collected, canonized, and propagated the New Testament also observed Lent, believing it to be a commandment from the apostles. (See The Apostolic Constitutions, Book V, Section III.)

Parenting Talks: The Challenges of Newly Married Youth

oh ya...mau mengabarkan...satu talk pasal parenting anjuran FIAT Youth of Bintulu, akan diadakan di Conference Room St. Anthony hari Sabtu ni...Datang..jangan tak datang...FREE Of Charge nih...

Venue: Conference Room St. anthony
Time: 7.30 pm
Date : 16 February 2008
Theme: The Challenges of Newly Married Youth

TENTATIVE PROGRAMME

7.30 pm : Praise & Worship
7.45 pm : 1st talk: CONTRACEPTION VS NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING (NFP)
8.30 pm : Break
8.45 pm : 2nd talk: Parenting (Today's Issues)
8.50 pm : Workshop on Issues new parents face today
How new parent approach them
9.50 pm : Wrap Up
10.00 pm : Home Sweet Home...ta ta..

hiii.

wow...lama rasanya aku tak blogging ni...al maklumlah BZ katakan..he.he.he...well actually banyak jugak benda-benda yang teringin mau di share dalam blog aku ni tapi bila mauk blogging saja gerenti ada task lain yang menyusul....
well now kehidupan family aku macam biasa saja my princess, si Mayr sudah pegi play school and sudah mula suka mau pegi sekolah walaupun sangat susah untuk siGondot aku tu mau bangun pagi-pagi. Kadang-kadang tu sempat bangun , berus gigi and tidor lagi....teringat pulok aku masa aku kecik-kecik dulukan...
haa.....tomorrow Valentine Day...wow special day bah...aku plan mau keluar sama aku punya 2 orang princesses ni, Mama & Mayr. I love you 2 very-very much....

Raising children

Raising children is one of the toughest and most fulfilling jobs in the world - and the one for which you may feel the least prepared. Here are nine ways to tackle child-rearing responsibilities that can help you feel more fulfilled as a parent - and enjoy your child more, too.


Nurture your child's self-esteem.
Children start developing their sense of self as babies when they see themselves through their parents' eyes. Your tone of voice, your body language, and your every expression are absorbed by your child. Your words and actions as a parent affect your child's developing self-esteem more than anything else. Praising your child's accomplishments, however small, will make him or her feel proud; letting your child do things independently will make him or her feel capable and strong. By contrast, belittling comments or comparing your child unfavorably with another will make him or her feel worthless.

Avoid making loaded statements or using words as weapons.
Comments like "What a stupid thing to do!" or "You act more like a baby than your little brother!" cause damage just as physical blows do. Choose your words carefully and be compassionate. Let your child know that everyone makes mistakes and that you still love him or her, even when you don't love his or her behavior.


Catch your child being good.
Have you ever stopped to think about how many times you react negatively to your child in a given day? You may find that you are criticizing far more than you are complimenting. How would you feel about a boss who treated you with that much negative guidance, even if it was well-intentioned?

The more effective approach is to catch your child doing something right: "You made your bed without being asked - that's terrific!" or "I was watching you play with your sister and you were very patient." These statements will do more to encourage good behavior over the long run than repeated scoldings. Make a point of finding something to praise every day. Be generous with rewards - your love, hugs, and compliments can work wonders and are often reward enough. Soon you will find you are "growing" more of the behavior you would like to see.


Set limits and be consistent with your discipline.
Discipline is necessary in every household. The goal of discipline is to help children choose acceptable behaviors and learn self-control. Children may test the limits you establish for them, but they need those limits to grow into responsible adults. Establishing house rules will help children understand your expectations and develop self-control. Some house rules might include: no TV until homework is done, and no hitting, name-calling, or hurtful teasing is allowed.

You may want to have a system in place: one warning, followed by consequences such as a "time out" or loss of privileges. A common mistake parents make is failure to follow through with consequences when rules are broken. You can't discipline a child for talking back one day and ignore it the next. Being consistent teaches your child what you expect.


Make time for your children.
With so many demands on your time, it's often difficult for parents and children to get together for a family meal, let alone spend some quality time together. But there is probably nothing your child would like more. Get up 10 minutes earlier in the morning so you can eat breakfast with your child, or leave the dishes in the sink and take a walk after dinner. Children who are not getting the attention they want from their parents often act out or misbehave because they are assured of being noticed that way.

Many parents find it mutually rewarding to have prescheduled time with their child on a regular basis. Create a "special night" each week to be together and let him or her help decide how you will spend your time. Look for other ways to connect with your child - put a note or something special in his or her lunchbox.

Adolescents seem to need less undivided attention from their parents than younger children. Because there are fewer windows of opportunity for parents and teens to get together, parents should do their best to be available when their teen does express a desire to talk or participate in family activities. Attending concerts, games, and other events with your teen communicates caring and lets you get to know about your child and his or her friends in important ways.

Don't feel guilty if you're a working parent. It is the many little things you do with your child - making popcorn, playing cards, window shopping - that he or she will remember.


Be a good role model.
Young children learn a great deal about how to act by watching you. The younger they are, the more cues they take from you. Before you lash out or blow your top in front of your child, think about this: is that how you want your child to behave when he or she is angry? Be constantly aware that you are being observed by your children. Studies have shown that children who hit usually have a role model for aggression at home.

Model the traits you wish to cultivate in your child: respect, friendliness, honesty, kindness, tolerance. Exhibit unselfish behavior. Do things for other people without expecting a reward. Express thanks and offer compliments. Above all, treat your children the way you expect other people to treat you.


Make communication a priority.
You can't expect children to do everything simply because you, as a parent, "say so." Children want and deserve explanations as much as adults do. If we don't take time to explain, children will begin to wonder about our values and motives and whether they have any basis. Parents who reason with their children allow them to understand and learn in a nonjudgmental way.

Make your expectations clear.

If there is a problem, describe it to your child, express your feelings about it, and invite your child to work on a solution with you. Be sure to include consequences. Make suggestions and offer choices. Be open to your child's suggestions as well. Negotiate. Children who participate in decisions are more motivated to carry them out.


Be flexible and willing to adjust your parenting style.

If you frequently feel "let down" by your child's behavior, it may be because you have unrealistic expectations. Parents who think in "shoulds" (for example, "He or she should be potty-trained by now") may find it helpful to do more reading on the matter or to talk to other parents or child development specialists.

Your child's environment has an impact on his or her behavior, so you may be able to modify that behavior by changing the environment. If you find yourself constantly saying "no" to your 2-year-old, look for ways to restructure his or her surroundings so that fewer things are off-limits. This will cause less frustration for both of you.

As your child changes, you will gradually have to change your parenting style. Chances are, what works with your child now won't work as well in a year or two.

Teenagers tend to look less to their parents and more to their peers for role models. But continue to provide guidance, encouragement, and appropriate discipline while allowing your teen to earn more independence. And seize every available moment to make a connection!


Show that your love is unconditional.

As a parent, you are responsible for correcting and guiding your child. But how you express your corrective guidance makes all the difference in how your child receives it. When you have to confront your child, avoid blaming, criticizing, or fault-finding, which undermine self-esteem and can lead to resentment. Instead, strive to nurture and encourage, even when you are disciplining your child. Make sure he or she knows that although you want and expect better next time, your love is there no matter what.


Be aware of your own needs and limitations as a parent.

Face it - you are an imperfect parent. You have strengths and weaknesses as a family leader. Recognize your abilities - "I am loving and dedicated." Vow to work on your weaknesses - "I need to be more consistent with discipline." Try to have realistic expectations for yourself, your spouse, and your children. You don't have to have all the answers - be forgiving of yourself. And try to make parenting a manageable job. Focus on the areas that need the most attention rather than trying to address everything all at once. Admit it when you're burned out. Take time out from parenting to do things that will make you happy as a person (or as a couple). Focusing on your needs does not make you selfish. It simply means you care about your own well-being, which is another important value to model for your children.

What is PROFESSIONAL?????

Professional in the very straight and simple means work smart, act smart and be mindful that you're not working and acting like DONKEY, MONKEY, ELEPHANT & KANGAROO in the office...

Enjoy your day in the office ppl....

Mayr First day at Play School..

BINTULU, Friday,4th Jan. 2008.was my 1st day at school.well all my prediction takut-takut dia nangis tak terjadi cause dia relax aje. Siap suruh aku balik lagi tu. Anak-anak orang lain pulak bagai nak runtuh sekolah dia menangis..tapi my Princess ok aje.

Testing....

Hi...1st time blogging using my handphone through Wi-fi system at my mrs office while waiting for the lunch break after attending my princess for her 1st day at play school today.Wow cool ha...

HIiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.........

apa kamu rasa kalau orang cakap kau tidak tepat masa huh????
Itu yang aku paling tidak suka la...at least lah di tanya KENAPA huh???tapi....susah juga mauk cakap ha kalau ada orang yang macam tu especially kalau kita ni handicapped macam mana mau buat kerja on time kan???Aku tengah tension nih...Tolong...Tolong..Tolong....