FREE

Harith chanced upon this song while searching for a song for Jonathan to listen. I fell in love with it and he bought the CD for me {mighty sweet of him to do that}.

Sometimes when I listen to this song ... I just cannot help it that this is probably how Jonathan feels right now. But I know he will be free and be able to express in thought, word and deed

... soon ...

Here are the lyrics to the song ...

"(I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be) Free"

I wish I knew how it would feel to be free
I wish I could break all the chains holding me
I wish I could say all the things that I should say
Say 'em loud say 'em clear
For the whole wide world to hear

I wish I could share
All the love that's in my heart
Remove all the bars that keep us apart
And I wish you could know how it is to be me
Then you'd see and agree that every man should be free

I wish I could be like a bird in the sky
How sweet it would be if I found I could fly
Well I'd soar to the sun and look down at the sea
And I'd sing cos I know how it feels to be free

I wish I knew how it would feel to be free
I wish I could break all the chains holding me
And I wish I could say all the things that I wanna say
Say 'em loud say 'em clear
For the whole wide world to hear
Say 'em loud say 'em clear
For the whole wide world to hear
Say 'em loud say 'em clear
For the whole wide world to hear

One love one blood
One life you've got to do what you should
One life with each other
Sisters, brothers

One love but we're not the same
We got to carry each other Carry each other
One One One One One...

I knew how it would feel to be free
I knew how it would feel to be free

CORDYCEPS ~ LATEST OBSERVATION

Just a little update on my earlier cordyseps journal post.

I've noticed that Jonathan's legs are hardly pale these few days, he's more alert and his feet seldom turn cold, although they still do some times during the day.

Praise the Lord!

More observations later :-)

HOLIDAY EXTENSION

Jonathan's not going to school this week. Harith decided that. So it's another extension for Jonathan. We still have to get a doctor's letter (as required by MOE) to certify that Jonathan's nose block / sinus problem is not related to the virus. So a visit to the family doctor is imminent.

I've postponed the annual check up appointment for Jonathan at KK Hospital. Didn't want to risk going there because a few H1N1 cases for children have been brought there. Next appointment ? November! Hopefuly the virus would have cleared by then.

Jonathan's dental appointment is on 7th July. Can't postpone that anymore. It's way past the 6 month check and both the dentist's clinic and I took turns changing the appointment dates, so we better go. Dentist needs to know that 3 of Jonathan's molars have dropped.

I've been feeling tired lately. I used to be able to stay up till wee hours of the morning. But for the last few days by 1.30am I will be nodding and yawning away. Hope it's not my medical problem as fatigue is one of the symptoms. I better go for my checkup again. Other than this, everything else is ok. I've managed to cut down on my food intake. Trying to do some exercise but still can't manage to do so. But on the whole, lesser urge to visit the toilet (which is good).
I'm believing God to be free of this medical condition.

Going to watch Traitor with Harith now {since we are not going to school tomorrow ... heh heh}

COMPLETED PROJECTS

Did these for 2 ladies who needed help in designing their tshirts. I'm very happy they turned out really good after being pressed on tshirts. PTL!

CORDYCEPS ~ A GOOD CHANGE ... I HOPE

I've started Jonathan on cordyceps* to Jonathan 2 days ago. I've been trying different types of vitamin C, multi vitamin but haven't really seen any good results to boost his immune system. Until his teacher suggested I try chinese medication to "pu sheng". To boost his body system.

A friend of mine gives cordyceps to her son (who's also a special needs child) and he hardly falls sick. So when we were at Tampines 1 last week, we decided to get the capsules. It's hard to get everything down through the feeding button because of the powder. So I try to dissolve as much as I can and leave the bigger particles behind. Yesterday was the first time and Jonathan reacted to it a little with built up secretion. But today, he was much better.

The initial notice is that his feet are not cold like they were for the past few months. But then it was only just that one time I checked his feet. They are more pinkish than before, which I'm glad. But I still have to observe a little more because it's just the beginning of the supplement intake. I pray that with this, his retching episodes will disappear altogether.

*Cordyceps sinensis is a type of fungus that has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for thousands of years. Cordyceps is also known as Chinese catepillar fungus, because it is a parasite that grows on the Tibetan caterpillar until the caterpillar dies, at which point it sprouts a mushroom. (Don’t worry, most cordyceps produced commercially in Western countries is actually grown on plant sources, such as soybeans.) The Chinese have long used cordyceps to promote overall good health, and modern research indicates that cordyceps does indeed support liver, kidney, heart, and immune system function. It also appears to act as an antioxidant in the body, protecting it from free radical damage.

H1N1 PUTTING FEAR ON PEOPLE

We went out this evening cos I had to get some stationery. When a taxi came, I started choking and coughing. Got into the cab. Coughed a little before I closed the door. Told the cab driver where we were headed to and he didn't reply me at all.

Harith got on after putting Jonathan's buggy in the car boot. Then we proceeded. I asked Harith to get me a tissue and gave a loud cough to clear my throat. Then said "I choked".

Immediately the cab driver passed a comment which I thought was not so nice. He said he's very scared now and does not pick up passengers from the airport or hotel and won't stop for foreigners. Said that his fellow taxi colleague had a passenger from airport to Johor Bahru and caught the flu from the passenger. Then proceeded to explain that if they are hit with the H1N1, their earnings will be badly affected. The government doesn't compensate when they don't earn their money.

I guess if he's afraid, he shouldn't be driving at all. But then, that's the only job he can do. Nowadays who is going to hire anyone >50 years old except for cleaning jobs?

Although I was a little upset by his comments, I feel sad for him. He faces different passengers everyday and you just don't know when he will be faced with an infected passenger :-(

That made me realise that from now on, whenever we take a cab, we should get a receipt. Not only just for this H1N1 situation.

Teacher rang me this morning to give me instructions about preparing to return to school on Monday. Harith is thinking we should let Jonathan stay home for another week. My tonsils sometimes give me a little trouble once in a few hours and I cough. So now I'm not sure whether that would pose a problem.

Jonathan has sinus problem. We have to bring him to the doctors before Monday to certify that he's ok and it's not related to the virus strain.

All these for prevention. Better be safe than sorry.

THIS IS WHAT HE SAID

We went to the supermarket at 9.45pm to meet Harith after his violin classes. Sometimes supermarkets here have a funny smell and after you're done shopping and we just have to shower Jonathan again, especially wash his hair!

So we got home, and before transferring him from the buggy to the mat, I told Jonathan that we had to shower him.

Then he said : mo were-er ower

I asked him if he just asked me if we have to shower. His answer: "Yes". :-)

I'm believing God for Jonathan to speak words. Sometimes when he talks {which he is doing alot lately} it sounds like a certain sentence. Once while we were watching the Wheel of Fortune, he said "o" and immediately, the contestant said "I'd like to buy an O please." {He's seen the video clip a few times already}.

Must try to record him {this is usually a hard task cos he will stop talking when he sees the recorder} LOL!

SLOW START BUT GOOD DAY SO FAR

It's been a slow start to the day. Jonathan woke up early and now ... he's been yawning :)
We had a good rest last night. So this morning, cleaned the house, sort of, and vacuum the floor.

Will be expecting Nicole the Social Worker tonight. Not for a home visit, just a good friend I've gotten to know for almost 5 years now from Jonathan's special school. She's coming to pick up the camera tshirts I printed last week.

Did a design for a young mother with a 2yo son just this week and she's happy with the turn out and I'm thankful for.

I've been designing since last night. Getting my new range of Christian tshirts going. When I get my materials, I will be able to get them printed and used as my catalogue. This time around, I'm basing my designs on encouraging bible verses. The one below is from Jeremiah 33:3


I'm thankful to God that I'm enjoying Adobe Illustrator and as I design, I experiment with it and learn new stuff. Thank you Jesus.

Here are the other sneak peeks:

Isaiah 40:31

Psalm 46:1

John 3:16

HE LOVED THESE!

These and other pictures were what Jonathan wanted to look at 2 nights ago. I retook these pictures under night light. Though not that clear but still can see the smiley face of this cute little boy.

Taken in 2004, he was only 7 years old then.

REMEMBERING THE YOUNGER YEARS

Jonathan was very funny tonight. From don't know when or where, he just kept looking at the cupboard that stores all our old photographs, his younger days, etc.

Tonight, he asked for them. I'm just surprised he remembered where we kept them. But then again ... he's always got very very good memory. So the reason for looking at the albums? He said he wanted to see his younger day pictures. LOL!

So I had to dig out 3 4R albums, cleaned them up and sat him in front of me and started flipping the pages. Whenever there are photos of other people with him in them, he will ask me to flip. But when it came to his own self-portraits, he will look at them intensely and listen to me babbling about how handsome he is ... et cetra ... LOL!

He wanted more albums but it was already late and only stopped asking when I said "tomorrow". LOL!

CAMERA Ts FOR A FRIEND

My friend Nicole, an avid photographer, asked if I could design a tshirt for her birthday. I did one and she asked for another. So here they are:

OF JONATHAN AND HIS ANTICS

Jonathan loves to be cuddled. Loves to hide his face in my arms whenever I carry him to lie down with me. Today, he was smiling when I asked him to "bless" mummy. He's got this special touch that I love whenever he places his hands on my head.

2 nights ago, he woke up at 4am soaking wet waist down from a leaked diaper. Why? cos mummy, aka me, took a cough mixture that knocked me out totally. He didn't grumble. Just gently touched my face with his hands and I knew ... cos he took a whole lot of porridge water before he slept.

Shucks...i said. I set the alarm but it didn't wake the down-and-out me. Changed him to clean jammies, then brought him to the small hall so that I could change his bed linens. All the while .. daddy was still sleeping despite the noise that I was making! haha! He was way too tired from the day's work.

Being a good boy, he watched me at work. Then happily said yes when I offered him some milk since he was awake. He smiled and did small talk while I was feeding him.

I wondered ... what's Jonathan saying now?

Both of us finally went to bed around 4.30am. I'm just glad that I didn't get angry, which sometimes I do, when I have to work late. I'm happy that he went back to sleep happy, clean and fresh.

OF MUM AND A BIRTHDAY BOY

My mum and brother came over Wednesday like they always do. but this week, we celebrated Kevin's birthday. Just the birthday boy, mum, Jonathan, myself and Mum's domestic helper.

Cake was hurriedly cut cos Kevin had to run an errand. haha! Happy Birthday dear brother!


Brought mom down to the park for a walk before she went home. My 80 year old dearest and feisty mum!