My mom is getting old and mixed up. She got her dates wrong, but she is glad that the flu shot is not scheduled for today because I am not well enough for it yet. It is a week from today that we will be getting our shots. I should be okay by then.
Despite not so good weather forecasts, our days have been bright and sunny. It is not as warm as last week, but the sun helps in keeping our spirits up. I love sunny Alberta. A friend of ours will be coming to visit and stay with us over the November long weekend. I wish he is here now when the weather is still decent.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Friday, October 26, 2007
Flu
I have not been feeling well over the past two days - running nose, cough and a "sexy" voice. Our whole family will be getting our flu shots on Tuesday (4 days later). My mom wishes that I will be well enough by then. I don't know what I want to wish for. I want to feel better, but I don't want the shot.
My mom has been ultra busy over the past few weeks due to the Chinese Outreach Thanksgiving dinner. She has skipped 3 piano lessons, as she was not able to practice as much as she should. She has resumed her daily practice this week so that she will be ready for her next lesson.
My mom was pleased when she heard that I have started to play the organ again at my home. I have not done so for at least a couple of years. My mom took piano lessons for the purpose of regenerating my interest. It turns out that her lessons are not entirely for me. I can tell she enjoys the music she plays.
My mom has been ultra busy over the past few weeks due to the Chinese Outreach Thanksgiving dinner. She has skipped 3 piano lessons, as she was not able to practice as much as she should. She has resumed her daily practice this week so that she will be ready for her next lesson.
My mom was pleased when she heard that I have started to play the organ again at my home. I have not done so for at least a couple of years. My mom took piano lessons for the purpose of regenerating my interest. It turns out that her lessons are not entirely for me. I can tell she enjoys the music she plays.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Circle of Friends
My mom has attended several workshops recently to learn about such concepts as inclusion, community living, valued roles, relationships and supportive circle. It opened her eyes to the endless possibilities for me. Tonight, she was at a workshop on the Deohaeko Support Network. At present, my mom cannot visualize this to be a feasible option for me. She maintains an open mind and will not hesitate in trying new ideas.
I have lived a good life, but there is something missing. My relationships are limited to my immediate family and paid caregivers. I am in contact with a large number of people - extended family and church. However, for the most part, all I have is purely my physical presence with very little interaction with others. I have not built connections or relationships outside of my close contacts.
I am sure you have friends and they are important to you. My mom has not thought about the possibility of me making friends. After hearing different stories about how the lives of people with disability can be enriched by having a circle of friends, my mom would like to help me in creating meaningful relationships. It is not going to be easy and it will be time-consuming.
Sooner or later, my mom will no longer be able to look after me. It will be good to have a supportive network to look out for me. It does not mean they have to step in to care for me the same way my mom does. Having a group of people in my life who knows me well can make a difference. I will not be totally dependent on one person. Sometimes, my mom feels all alone and unsupported. I know she does not want my sister to be in the same situation when she is no longer around. I also know it has been overwhelming for my sister when she thinks of the future.
I have lived a good life, but there is something missing. My relationships are limited to my immediate family and paid caregivers. I am in contact with a large number of people - extended family and church. However, for the most part, all I have is purely my physical presence with very little interaction with others. I have not built connections or relationships outside of my close contacts.
I am sure you have friends and they are important to you. My mom has not thought about the possibility of me making friends. After hearing different stories about how the lives of people with disability can be enriched by having a circle of friends, my mom would like to help me in creating meaningful relationships. It is not going to be easy and it will be time-consuming.
Sooner or later, my mom will no longer be able to look after me. It will be good to have a supportive network to look out for me. It does not mean they have to step in to care for me the same way my mom does. Having a group of people in my life who knows me well can make a difference. I will not be totally dependent on one person. Sometimes, my mom feels all alone and unsupported. I know she does not want my sister to be in the same situation when she is no longer around. I also know it has been overwhelming for my sister when she thinks of the future.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Thanksgiving Dinner
I did not have anything to write about lately as I am not spending that much time with my mom. She has been very busy selling tickets for the Chinese Outreach Thanksgiving dinner and organizing the event.
My mom has never taken me to any of the Chinese Outreach events in the past, but she will take me to the dinner this Saturday because I participated in the Walk for Jesus fundraising. I am now becoming a "pro" in walks. My first experience was the Stroll for Liver event in June and I raised over $6,700 for Canadian Liver Foundation. Even though I raised less money this time ($4,740), I feel strongly that it is more meaningful to walk for Jesus. I don't mind doing it again next year for Chinese Outreach. We can make the Walk for Jesus an annual event.
My mom has never taken me to any of the Chinese Outreach events in the past, but she will take me to the dinner this Saturday because I participated in the Walk for Jesus fundraising. I am now becoming a "pro" in walks. My first experience was the Stroll for Liver event in June and I raised over $6,700 for Canadian Liver Foundation. Even though I raised less money this time ($4,740), I feel strongly that it is more meaningful to walk for Jesus. I don't mind doing it again next year for Chinese Outreach. We can make the Walk for Jesus an annual event.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Fantastic Day
Today the weather was fantastic and so was my day. I got to spend the whole day with my mom because my home was short of staff again.
As soon as I woke up in the morning, I said to my mom, "Shopping!" She told me we had to go to church first and then shopping. We went to a music store with lots of keyboards. I showed no interest in any of them, including the keyboard with light up keys. My mom was hoping that I could learn how to play piano with the light up keys. In the past, whenever I saw a keyboard in the store, I would play it, but not today. As a result, my mom hesitated in buying one. My sister made a comment that I was more interested in the Wii than the keyboard. She was so right!
After we went home, everyone tried to teach me how to play some of the Wii games. Even though I had not learned how to play the games, I had fun turning and moving the remote control to create different effects that I could see on the TV screen. I laughed and I said, "Wii!" as I played.
As soon as I woke up in the morning, I said to my mom, "Shopping!" She told me we had to go to church first and then shopping. We went to a music store with lots of keyboards. I showed no interest in any of them, including the keyboard with light up keys. My mom was hoping that I could learn how to play piano with the light up keys. In the past, whenever I saw a keyboard in the store, I would play it, but not today. As a result, my mom hesitated in buying one. My sister made a comment that I was more interested in the Wii than the keyboard. She was so right!
After we went home, everyone tried to teach me how to play some of the Wii games. Even though I had not learned how to play the games, I had fun turning and moving the remote control to create different effects that I could see on the TV screen. I laughed and I said, "Wii!" as I played.
Friday, October 5, 2007
Wii
This afternoon I watched my sister and grandma played the Wii games. I could tell they were having fun from their cheering and laughing.
In the evening, my mom brought me home to play piano. I said "O Canada" very clearly and played it with some assistance from my mom. Then I played some random tunes with both hands for a while. I got up and saw the Wii remote controls. I called out to my mom for help. (I know how to say mommy in a certain way that tells my mom I need help.) My mom looked and said, "I don't even know how to turn the Wii on." She went to the piano and started to play the B flat scales.
A little later, I called out to mommy again. She turned around and was surprised that I had the Wii game on and with a remote in my hand, I was trying to play the game. She came and joined me. We managed to start one game by accident. That was it. The rest of the time was simply experimenting with the buttons. My mom was trying to read the instructions, but never succeeded to do so because I pressed a button and the instructions were gone. She tried to bring the instructions back but didn't know how. Anyway, I don't see a need for instructions as I never use them.
In the evening, my mom brought me home to play piano. I said "O Canada" very clearly and played it with some assistance from my mom. Then I played some random tunes with both hands for a while. I got up and saw the Wii remote controls. I called out to my mom for help. (I know how to say mommy in a certain way that tells my mom I need help.) My mom looked and said, "I don't even know how to turn the Wii on." She went to the piano and started to play the B flat scales.
A little later, I called out to mommy again. She turned around and was surprised that I had the Wii game on and with a remote in my hand, I was trying to play the game. She came and joined me. We managed to start one game by accident. That was it. The rest of the time was simply experimenting with the buttons. My mom was trying to read the instructions, but never succeeded to do so because I pressed a button and the instructions were gone. She tried to bring the instructions back but didn't know how. Anyway, I don't see a need for instructions as I never use them.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Birthday
Today is my birthday and I am now a quarter of a century old. My mom is going to bake a chocolate zucchini cake for me. I'd better watch out as I gained four pounds last month and another four pounds this month. I have overheard my mom reminding my caregivers to give me small servings at meals and to plan outings that promote physical activities. She took me on bike rides whenever possible. Unfortunately (or fortunately for me), we are not going to have too many nice days for biking. I have not been getting my incentive (ice cream) for some time.
Monopoly
When my mom practiced piano, I went over and chased her off the piano so that I could play. That was exactly what I did to my sister years ago. I monopolized the piano and would not allow my sister to practice her lessons. The only time she could practice was after I fell asleep in the evening. Just imagine how hard it was for her. No wonder she was reluctant to practice. I was her barrier in developing an interest in piano playing. It is a shame that she does not play the piano any more. I know I am guilty.
My sister watched me play "O Canada" and was impressed by it. My mom started off guiding my fingers to the right keys and I continued on my own. I can play various parts of the song right. Not 100% right, but one can recognize the melody. My mom has not taught me the whole song yet as she has trouble doing so. She plays the song with two hands and she teaches me how to play with one hand. She manages to figure out the one-hand play for about half of the song only. I am moving faster than her capacity to teach me. As I have told you before, my mom does not have music talent. I notice that after teaching me, she is struggling a bit playing with two hands. You see, she could memorize the song for some time already. Now, she is messed up because of teaching me. As I progress, my mom regresses.
My sister watched me play "O Canada" and was impressed by it. My mom started off guiding my fingers to the right keys and I continued on my own. I can play various parts of the song right. Not 100% right, but one can recognize the melody. My mom has not taught me the whole song yet as she has trouble doing so. She plays the song with two hands and she teaches me how to play with one hand. She manages to figure out the one-hand play for about half of the song only. I am moving faster than her capacity to teach me. As I have told you before, my mom does not have music talent. I notice that after teaching me, she is struggling a bit playing with two hands. You see, she could memorize the song for some time already. Now, she is messed up because of teaching me. As I progress, my mom regresses.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Getting Colder
Today, my mom went over to our neighbor's garden and picked at least 10 pounds of tomatoes. No, no, no, she was not stealing. A week ago, our neighbor was going to pick all the tomatoes and my mom convinced him to leave the smaller ones on the plants. He didn't think the tomatoes would grow any more. He had such a good harvest that he gave us a big bucket full of tomatoes. He told my mom we could have whatever were left on the plants. With a week's nice sunny weather, the tomatoes did get bigger and some were starting to turn yellow and pink. As the tomatoes ripened, my mom brought the nice big ones over to the Beraka Residence for us to enjoy. She cooked the not so nice ones at home.
My mom got me out on my bike whenever she could. When we biked merrily down the street, I could hear this loud rustling sound. I frowned and listened and couldn't figure out what it was. Then I noticed my mom steering the bike towards the curb where there were piles and piles of yellow dried leaves.
My mom got me out on my bike whenever she could. When we biked merrily down the street, I could hear this loud rustling sound. I frowned and listened and couldn't figure out what it was. Then I noticed my mom steering the bike towards the curb where there were piles and piles of yellow dried leaves.
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