A Mother's Ears: Harvey Beatboxing!

bt!... pft!... ts!.. bt!... pft!... ts!" A louder and punchier b! "BoomBa! BoomBa!

It's all over the house... imitations of percussion sounds... seems like beating drums. 

It is Harvey's beatboxing. But he sounds a lot goofy, as in Goofy of Disney...not being silly but the way he pronounces words. And he never stops. He never runs out of air... what a great deal of lung capacity my son has.

But this beatboxing makes me crazy. It is too much for me. And I complain in hysterics. What can a mother do? A mother needs to lend an ear. So I have to listen and understand patiently and appreciate.

Amid all the noise and the saliva spits out of Harvey's deafening beatboxing, I am hoping he will get it right someday. Unfortunately, I didn't capture on video his beatboxing.

I know it may take some practice and a mother's ears to make this beatboxing enjoyable for others' ears as well.

by Nini Lucas-San Andres

December 12, 2010

A Mother’s Unusual Hobby: 6 Pack Abs!

By Nini SanAndres

November 29, 2010

I’m not that gaga over this actor Derek Ramsey.  I guess I’m no longer too young to get that wild...hmmm.  Or maybe because I am used to seeing a lot of him on TV and I failed to appreciate him more.  Until my kids’ small talk of him caught my attention.  True enough!  Who doesn’t want Derek Ramsey’s body? Men or women, young or old, either wants or gets an eyeful of his 6 pack abs.  He looks strong and physically attractive.

My two boys were watching Derek on TV and some guys from Survivor Philippines Celebrity Edition.  They were comparing their biceps and abs.  My eldest son Renz told me that he’d be working out in the gym when he gets in college.  They are eyeing to grow their body structures to become handsome hunks! Huh? Like Incredible Hulk? No! Okay, not the massive muscle guy but the toned, lean, and physically fit-looking Derek.

I see! So a “nice body” and a “gym body” are entirely different things.  People like Brad Pitt, Jessica Alba, Will Smith, etc…all just look fit and attractive. When you look at them the first thing that comes to mind is that they have a "nice body". Okay, this is different than looking at a person and thinking "gym body". When you see a really massive guy, you think they must spend a lot of time in the gym.

Anyway, at 14 and 13 though both my boys are athletic, I could not imagine them at their young age and mind that they’re already conscious on having a nice body.  Them, preoccupied with online games and food want to be hunks...hmmm...

Harvey's List

There were several nights I find Harvey all perspiring in his room doing sit ups and abs crunches. I also found a handwritten list of his exercise.  He said he needs to work out since he’s joining karate.  Now I understand. I said to him I was even worried it can even lead to serious back injuries if done wrongly over a period of time.  But he wanted it.  I just hope for the best.

Renz has thin body structure while Harvey has more curves. My eldest son would need a lot of gaining while the other more on toning to do in the future. I am excited for the transformation.  It’s good to see the boys achieving more perfect physical shape and getting into sports.

I think it is whatever feels good and healthy for them. I don't think that one or even a few types will fit most people. Not everyone fits into perfectly moulded categories that we set out for people. I think difference is a beautiful thing; in bodies and minds everyone is unique and different as long as you don’t bite someone’s head off or step on some people’s toes... and that is wonderful in my opinion.

A Mother’s Dispute: Black or Blonde

 We normally color our hair to return gray to its previous color, since gray hair is a sign of advanced age. But now especially the younger people, they change hair color to a shade regarded as more fashionable or desirable or simply because we want to change our hair color.

     And what’s with this Justin Bieber that everybody loves, aside from his famous song “Baby... baby baby ohh!” Well, it’s the famous Bieber hair - the one with a helmet-like cut that includes long, side-brushed bangs. It has a blend of brown and blonde hair color or what they call the dirty blonde hair.

     Just this summer, my two kids promised to be good boys just to have their hair dyed. I refused since most schools don’t allow students to dye their hair. I don’t want their hair and scalp exposed to chemicals of hair colorants at a young age and because of health concerns.

     For one, they don’t keep their promises. Another thing, I don’t want my kids to be too conscious or pay too much attention on their looks. Lastly, they might look like punks or like the street children with bright hair color.

    But their father agreed to their request. He said that it was summer and let the kids experience it. It’s just hair and it grows out. It is a cheap and relatively harmless way for them to express their individuality, so why not? Obviously, it’s three against one!

    Harvey wanted a golden blonde hair but it turned out chestnut brown with caramel highlights. For Renz, it was salt and pepper hair color. They were excited sporting a new hair color. It worked for Harvey but not for Renz. Harvey looked like a local version of his idol Justin Bieberwhile Renz looked older than he is... but looked handsomer likeRichard Gere and George Clooney. Speaking of patronizing your own children...lol.

    Harvey kept the hairstyle until the end of summer while Renz had it returned to black after 2 weeks.

   Black or blonde doesn’t matter, but I make sure my kids are aware of the dangers of dyes and how they can dry hair if they are used to often. Also, I let them know that most people look best with their natural hair color because it matches their skin tone.

   And with hair or without hair, what is much important is what’s inside your head, and having a good head on your shoulders. 

by Nini Sicat Lucas-SanAndres

July 23, 2010

A Mother’s Headache: Tutoring Kiddos

Six years ago, I remember my kids coming from school used to talk excitedly about new facts in Science or Makabayan. Ask them now how their day is in school and you get an “uhmm...ok lang”.

It seems that school for them is a tough place to be nowadays. It’s a big headache to tutor them these days. Distractions and stubbornness are two of the things to battle with when tutoring them. No matter how many times I explain things to them, my kids won’t listen and would insist on doing their things their way.

I believe most parents like me know this situation all too well. Parent-children tandem work hard to complete homework assignments. Sometimes we end up nagging or in frustration.

As an adult, I know there’s much more to life than school. I know that success and self-esteem have little to do with grade-point averages. But school is school. This is where our children get most of the information and knowledge that will shape their thinking, hopefully good character, too. Our kids are equipped with the essential skills they will need to move on to the next stage of their lives, whatever that stage may be.

I have to reevaluate. My kids do not clearly excel at school as they used to in the preschool and primary level. Is it the academic demands? Is learning stressful and competitive now? Or is it the new trend and high-tech world? Maybe there are things I have neglected to reinforce early on. Or maybe I am looking at what everyone else’s kids is achieving, rather than focusing on my own kids.

Whatever the reasons maybe, a mother needs to understand her kids’ strengths, weaknesses, and interests better than anyone. I will continue to guide them and encourage them not to excel but to be at their best. I will help them to gain some perspective, and a self-esteem boost...even beyond the school walls.

It is a challenge and a struggle both for me and my kids. Never give up. Always pray.Better have a headache than heartache.

by Nini SanAndres
June 26, 2010

A Mother's Appreciation: Harvey, the Other Son God Gave Me

      Harvey is not just a pretty face!He is lovable. No effort needed. A lot of people notice him. He can get away with a smile.

      His Science-5 teacher validates this charming and appealing smile. There was this incident in school wherein she apprehended Harvey because of running in the corridor. As a punishment, she asked Harvey to stay outside the room the whole time. After class, Harvey offered to carry her things to the third floor. The teacher asked him to go but Harvey didn’t move, just smiled. The teacher knew Harvey was sorry. He was waiting to be told that’s everything is okay. Harvey asked her if he could now sit inside the room but the teacher just replied with a question, “What do you think?” And so Harvey remained outside. But when it’s time for seatwork, Harvey asked the teacher this time if he could get his things inside so that he can do the seatwork.  
 

   

      

     The teacher was pleased because Harvey tried hard to show how sorry he was. Harvey even got to answer the seatwork correctly. The teacher told me “Mommy it’s hard not to give in at Harvey’s charm and smile.”

    Harvey is confident. He is a varsity player of Greenland Academy basketball and badminton team. I laugh at how he talks about how good he played and how much he scored for the team to win the basketball game. He assumes he’s the star player. But when they lose the game, he reasoned out the big stature of the opponent team players.

    Harvey is thoughtful. Harvey utterly appreciates everything that is good, especially when it comes to food. There was this Italianni’s Resto story wherein his Tita Lyn confirms Harvey’s thoughtfulness. She brought Harvey to a dinner with Gen. Bataoil and family. They were surprised as Harvey ordered for chicken and lasagna and rice, for everyone had a salad, light dinner only. Then her Tita Lyn wondered why the lasagna was not touched and his chicken was half-eaten. Harvey whispered that he’s going to take home the chicken for his older brother Renz and the lasagna for me. He told Tita Lyn that the food is good and he wants us to have a taste of it. Truly, upon coming home, Harvey was so excited on his “take out”.

    Harvey can be responsible. At age 9, he can do household chores. He can cook noodles and rice. He can fry eggs, hotdogs, hash browns, french-fries etc. He can wash the dishes, mop the floor, fold the clothes and make the bed. It’s just that you have to ask him most of the time.

    Harvey is caring. Every time I’m sick, he always brings me a hot milk or Milo drink. He asks me if I’m okay. Whenever he sees me crying, he asks me who the culprit is. He asks me to go out of the house and get some sunlight or go to her Ate Nikki’s place or to her Tita Baby’s store. There was this time I got a letter from my brother whose imprisoned that made me bursts into tears. I had a panic attack. He was stunned. He stayed with me. He told me not to get bothered by problems of others. He even offered me to play computer games with him. That moment I saw how good he handled things. This was when his daddy’s abroad and he was just ten. I am so proud of Harvey.