How well do you know your child? I thought I know them well enough but I got surprised when I read some of the answers the kids wrote in their textbooks as part of our academic lessons.

Sample questions are (my guesses are the ones in italics):

What recreational activity do you enjoy most. My answer: watching dvd. Youngest daughter’s answer: playing the piano.

If I were food, what would I be? (ice cream) egg (ok no real surprise because son can have eggs at any given time of the day)

If I were an animal, what would I be? (dog) bettle

If I were a book, what title would I have? (Almanac) Bible

If I were a piece of furniture, what would I be? (bed) sofa

If I were a bird, where would I go? (to the beach) Norway (ok this really surprised me)

Would you ask your children these questions and see if you can guess their answers?

Low. Here is another entry from me.

Children love to get low and down on the floor and play. Let them do so.

Above is my son playing with his blocks.

Playing blocks on the floor is ok, as long as the children are comfortable with it. No need for glass tiles, just make sure everything is clean or ok, probably even disinfected.

Let children be children and let them have a lot of fun!

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I was probably one of the few in our high school class who appreciated what you, Tita Cory, stood for before you became the president.

Young as I was then I had and still have great interest in current events, global trends and world leaders. A far cry from what teenagers like me are interested in.

I wore yellow shirts and yellow shoes. I joined a local official’s soirees because he affiliated with Tita Cory’s ideals. Though I was disappointed later in him was another story.

Young as I was then, I gave my all, I bared my heart and thoughts to write a winning piece that I know will not just make me win a recognition but will help open the eyes of those who will read the piece, extolling the virtue of democracy and how this will help the country prosper and unite. Alas, none of the recognition I hoped for came. I was devastated but I had learned to accept the fact that even if I was not able to achieve my goal of winning, I know I was a winner for I wrote what I wanted to have known, and not what people expected to read from us.

I believed and I still do, in democracy. I admire you for living simply and inspiring people from all walks of life.

I shed tears when I knew of your illness. I shed tears when I learned you passed away at a time when everyone was sleeping in bliss. Though I do not know you personally, you have touched my life and millions more with your faith and the symbol of democracy and freedom that you stand for.

I know many scoff at you for being a religious and prayerful person but isn’t it that you said “Faith is not simply a patience that passively suffers until the storm is past. Rather, it is a spirit that bears things – with resignations, yes, but above all, with blazing serene hope.”?

You are a beacon of hope for me, who has since given up any hope for this country to prosper. When the country has been threatened by instability, you stood up not only as a moral compass but as an anchor giving silent solace to people, like me, who not only question what is happening but want to take part in the changes that are so needed.

Yes, the country is in mourning. We weep because we have lost an inspiration. We cry because we feel empty.

After the tears have been shed, we should stand tall and continue the legacy you have started. And pray that real change will prevail.

Thank you, Tita Cory, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

First of all, I would like to send my condolences to us Filipinos for the passing away of our former president Corazon Aquino at 3:18am today. It has been a long journey for you but the things you have done for the country are things that we will not forget.

What do you do to entertain yourself (and your companions) during a long journey (my blog’s template name)?

We tell stories. Or turn on our favorite music. Or take photos.

What about you?

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A close family friend by the way is running a long journey, the Rock ‘n Roll Chicago Half Marathon for the benefit of an orphanage in one of the provinces here in the Philippines. He does that not only for his fitness regimen but for a worthy cause too.