Hiking in Mullerthal Trail (Luxembourg)

It was supposed to be a short walk, just to walk the dog.

But we ended up talking with our camping neighbor who informed us that a few minutes hike behind the camping area woud lead us to a trail that is as fascinating as the Grand Canyons in the USA. Well, we have to visit, despite hearing grumblings IC :-)

Staying already at EuroCamping Nommerlayern, this is a chance that we would take!

Enjoying a last minute ride before the great hike

Rikki urging the girls to move

The Mullerthal Trail

Your Quirk Quotient

Always neat and proper

What is your quirk quotient?

 I googled the phrase on top and what do you know, I got all kinds of hits.

Quirk quotients for picking up the latest styles and trends, quirk quotients to explore the wacky side of life, quirk quotients to keep one creative, quirk quotients to have a modern home, quirk quotients to keep up with the Kardashians ( ok, the last one I just made up J)…

It seemed most of the articles that focused on quirk quotient talked about the list of how to have a wonderful lifestyle, to be popular, to be creative, to be stylish, to be, you know, up there being loved by everyone because of your quirkiness made you special. Well, that could be.

But I would rather talk about the quirky side of the quirk quotient. Nope, we won’t choose between what is good or bad. There would be no positive or negative. There would be no do’s and don’t’s. I simply wanted to explore on personality quirks, which could be someone’s pet peeve, or anybody’s chance to show off his cute character or somebody’s else’s special way or but could also be on everybody’s list of irritating things they encounter daily or some quirks could also indicate a medical condition.

Read here.

Dog Therapy: Our bestfriends can heal us, too!

Every time I see images and videos of heartwarming stories about people being saved, helped or assisted by their therapy dogs, it always makes me feel good.

And because we have a very friendly three-year-old Golden Retriever, Rikki, we had always played around with the idea of turning our dog into a therapy dog.

You see, it is already a sort of a therapy just having our dog around. It was the thought of having another dog that healed my family’s great sadness after having had to leave our very first dog in the Philippines when we moved back to Germany.

My two young daughters ‘suffered’ badly. They missed our first dog so much, one cried herself to sleep almost every night while hugging a look-alike stuffed dog.

My other daughter embraced her longing for the dog in silence. We would find her sleeping surrounded mostly by her assortment of doggie stuffed toys. She has collected more than a dozen of them and called them all the same ‘Candy.’ The name of the dog we had to leave behind.

Read more here.

Veggie Day: Baked Broccoli and Grated Potato

A family of meat lovers will try to have a regular Veggie Day per week. Wish us luck!

The first recipe I tried seemed to be a success: Baked Broccoli and Grated Potato. The girls and my husband raved about it and even fought for the left-over during dinner. What a compliment :-)

Ingredients of Baked Broccoli and Grated Potato

Baked broccoli and grated potato

1 kilo freshly grated potatoes
2-3 cups freshly steamed broccoli
3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp flour
1/2 cup broccoli broth (from the freshly steamed broccoli)
2 cups milk
1 cup softened cream cheese
1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese (plus 1/4 cup shredded Swiss cheese)
1/2 cup bread crumbs
2 tbsp melted butter

Direction:

I am an Organ Donor

My donor card

It was in the early 2000 when I started thinking about being an organ donor. I just arrived in Germany and being in a new land, I tried to keep myself connected with my family in the Philippines by regularly sending snail mails.

I corresponded regularly with my cousins; one of them happened to be very sick. In her late 40s, she also has a daughter, my goddaughter, who is a special child. Her husband, very much older than she, is overwhelmed by the responsibility of having a special child. He became depressive, and therefore, cannot find a job and could not even left alone to take care of their child.

My cousin,  a social worker who works in a government office, tried very hard to earn money for the family and take care of her special child.

The last letter I received from her was that she was looking for donations to buy her special child a wheelchair. Her special child is growing up, and since she cannot walk, they have to cannot carry her all around. A wheelchair would make it easier for her and for the whole family, too.

I didn’t know then that my cousin, herself, was also looking for donation . Her lungs are failing her. When I heard about it after a call from my mother; I really thought about donating lung for her.

Preparing to Turn Our Pet into a Therapy Dog

We have been playing with the idea of training Rikki as a therapy dog when we learned that her mother and older brother were both working therapy dogs. That was a few weeks after bringing her home in 2011.

Rikki, taking a break :-)

After which, we learned that her twin brother (I call him her twin brother because their mother had only two litters), was also adopted by a special child with special needs. Lennie (Rikki's twin)  is being trained as a therapy/companion dog, too.

We have not stopped contemplating about the idea. Actually, the whole family was keen on turning our pet into a therapy dog but when I talked to somebody knowledgeable, she recommended that we enjoy our time with Rikki first. So, we did!

I lost 5 kilos in one week...

Unfortunately, it was a painful way to shed.

I was hospitalized for acute appendicitis, and the doctors decided to open me up when they discovered some growth in my stomach.

Had that drainage tube for five days hanging on my side. Can't move without any pain. Can't drink without any pain. Can't eat without any pain. Can't laugh without any pain.

Whew, I stayed tough.

Didn't ask for any pain killers. Didn't ask for any sleep tablets (except when a new bedmate started snoring so loud that hearing her brought more pain!)

I looked forward to my family's visits, their calls. Appreciated the calls and text messages from some friends. Endured the pain.

My first time to be hospitalized, except during the birth of my girls. As I told my husband, that time, the pain was forgotten because, well, you have the girls.

Anyway, am not complaining. The hospital employees were friendly. The room is comfortable. My bedmates were okay.

After two nights of having bedmates, I finally got my single room. Time to experiment on the moves, what's painful, what's not. I finally got to hog the bathroom. I could watch television til late, read books til late. Wellness time :-)

But the food, oh the food. They call it basic menu and I call it diet.

Therefore, I lost five kilos. Therefore, I gained a mark of life along my stomach. But I am alive and well, you see!

I am happy to be back home after a week. And no, I refuse to see the chaos awaiting me. I will enjoy having my family around me. And will try to keep the kilos away :-)

Although I would binge on hamburger and fries as soon as I could, too!

My 8-year-old Girl Thinks Her Tummy is Big

My third grader, IC, approached me a few weeks ago.

She showed me her tummy and said, 'Mama, I cannot breath anymore when I need to pick something up from the floor. I think my tummy is too big.'

Then with a bit of shame in her voice, she added, 'I think I need to exercise. I need to stop eating sweets, especially chocolates because I am becoming fat.'

'Mama, you need to help me,' was her plea.

I hugged her and told her that her tummy is not too big. That it is her jeans that's making her uncomfortable. But that it is also good to avoid eating too much sweets, too.

I also told her that walking to school daily, which they normally do, is a good exercise, too.

Then I told her if she wants, that she could start joining me in my morning jogs, with our dog, during weekends. She happily agreed. Let's see :-)

I remember that when MC was the same age, her big issue was that she is too thin, she wanted to be fat!

Meet Heather: Mom, Wife and Mesothelioma Cancer Survivor

How I met Heather? She left a comment in my blog. Although I am a bit uneasy in answering unknown comments through e-mails, It didn't happen with her. I immediately sent a short note, because I have a feeling this would be something different.

How different? Here's a part of her e-mail to me:

Hi. The reason I reached out to you is because of your blog! I myself am a mother to a quirky little six year old, Lily. When Lily was just three and a half months old, I was diagnosed with Mesothelioma; a type of cancer that kills 90-95% of those who have it.

After all that, I’m still here six years later and cancer free! I'd like to turn my pain into purpose and become someone that other parents can look to for guidance, inspiration, and hope in situations like my own. (Read full e-mail here).

Introducing Heather Von St. James, courageous mom, wife and mesothelioma cancer survivor. She got me at hi :-)



I asked Heather if she would like to share more about herself and her incredible journey. I am glad that she consented and so know more about her...

Upon hearing that she's got mesothelioma cancer, her immediate first thought was what about Lily, her baby. 'I knew I was in for a fight and tried to fathom what road was ahead of me. But Lily was, is and always is first and foremost in my thoughts. I didn't panic. I did what every girl who can does; called her parents. My parents were able to step in and help,' said Heather.

Asked about her amazing journey to recovery, Heather explained, 'my life is forever changed. You can't go through something as devastating as this and NOT change. The people I have met through this journey are some of the toughest, most passionate people I have ever met. No matter what cancer you have had. It bonds you instantly to others who had it. They understand like no one else. My life is so much richer for having these incredible people in it.'

Lily is now six years old, she was only three months old when Heather was diagnosed. 'It was always just part of her life. We never sat down with her and had a formal discussion about the cancer. It just IS. She knows I have one lung, she knows I was sick when she was a baby, and knows that I can't do as much because of it. She is careful around my "bad side" as she calls it, so as not to hurt me if she rough houses and tells people she saved my life,' shared Heather.

'A few years ago we bought a small camper,' enthused the cancer survivor mom and wife. 'We love to go up to Northern MN where my husband used to go camping as a child. We camp, swim, hike, sight see. Enjoy the slower pace of life. We read, play games, watch movies and eat, eat, eat.'

Heather is still careful in using the word 'cured'; prefering to call it 'cancer free'. She added, 'and I intend to stay that way. I dream of simple things really. Growing old, watching my little girl grow up, go through those difficult teenage years with her, graduate, go off to college, marry, and grand kids, of course.'

She further explained, 'I guess working toward that dream is a daily thing. Just being present every day and not getting caught up in the ugly stuff. Being an integral part of Lily's every day life. I am involved with her school, and just enjoy every minute.'

We wish Heather and her family a good life filled with love and laughter. As a mom, I salute you for your courage. I admire you for your faith. I will keep you as an inspiration.

Know more about Heather and mesothelioma cancer: here.

Skipping Rope

I love skipping rope.

I skipped rope when I was a kid. Now, I use skipping rope as a part of an exercise regime.

Because I skip rope, my girls noticed -- the girls wanted to learn how to skip rope, too.

They started learning how to skip rope in kindergarten. With one end of the rope tied to a tree and a teacher holding the other side. It is easier to learn that way, to feel the rhythmn.

And of course, they would continue learning how to skip rope at home.

I told them to first adjust the rope so that it would not be too long for them. Then to try it slowly, by not jumping but simply stepping over the rope. So they started with the simple act of stepping over the rope over and over, until they have the confidence to jump over the rope.

Well, it took time but they finally got the gist of it because they practiced. And now? They are trying out different combinations with the skipping ropes, too.




But the highlight of their skipping rope days are those that we do as partners. I would be holding the rope, one of my girls stands in front of me, and we would both be jumping ropes together. Now the girls are doing the partner skip together. Way to go, girls!

It's fun and exhilirating! Try it.

Dear hospital staff...

Dear doctors, nurses, caregivers and other  hospital staff;

I know you are all busy.
The hospital is understaffed.
You are all overworked. Stressed.
You have also your own problems.
We understand that and all others.

Please understand us, too.
We dont want our loved ones to be in the hospital but because they need extra medical attention, we left them to your capable hands.

When you come in the room... we would appreciate it, really...
How about a smile?
How about talking to our loved one, asking him what he needs, what hurts -- and trying to disguise the urgency in your voice?
How about letting him feel human by touching him, through eye contacts?
How about some nice words when you pass by?

The tender loving care, the love, we are always ready to give; but sometimes we need a little help from you out there, too.
Thank you very much.

Leptospirosis

the kids' first adventure in floodwater

The Department of Health in the Philippines warns the public on leptospirosis after the floodings in Manila.

With the recent spate of flooding in the country, the cases of leptospirosis rises and this is a cause for concern.

I am ashamed to admit that I havent heard of 'leptospirosis' until a few months after arriving in Manila. The first time that the house we were renting got flooded (see photo above); we treated the flood as an adventure. I even let the kids play, collect trash floating around (my eldest told me the trash would prevent the water from receeding) and let them experience 'flood.'

And then when I was proudly showing the photos to friends; a doctor mentioned to me about leptospirosis. He said it is very dangerous to let people wad in floodwater because of this condition.

Leptospirosis is caused by swallowing the bacteria directly from water, absorbing it through cuts in the skin, or through food. Although the disease is commonly associated with rat urine, infection can also come from animals like cattle, pigs, horses, dogs, and wild animals. The bacteria live in freshwater and are killed immediately by heat, disinfectant, acids and alkalis.

The disease’s incubation period is seven to 12 days after exposure. Symptoms may appear suddenly as early as four days after exposure, or as late as 21 days. Common signs and symptoms are flu-like and include fever, a red skin rash and general weakness. Headaches, reaction to light, muscle and joint pains, vomiting, and fatigue are also common. Incubation period may last up to a month. Death may also occur.

Anyone with a history of wading in floodwaters and who has the symptoms of the disease should consult the nearest doctor or health facility for treatment immediately.

Other guidelines to prevent the disease are as follows:
- All drinking water should be brought to a rolling boil for at least five minutes and preferably up to 20 minutes.
- Fresh vegetables and fruits should be washed in clean water before cooking or peeling
- Use protective gears like rubber boots and gloves if you want to wade in floodwaters
- Make sure that all things (furnitures, appliances, etc) that were under floodwaters are thoroughly soaped and washed

---

The typhoons that damaged a part of the Philippines left a lot of people displaced: Now I am using my blog to let you know that there are many schools rendered 'useless' by the typhoon; thus there is the Adopt-a-School Program. There are more than 100 schools who need help such as notebooks, pens and pencils, papers, etc... Or you could email me for more information at die_erhards@yahoo.de

MANILA, Philippines — The Inquirer is publishing the list of Metro Manila public schools damaged by Tropical Storm “Ondoy.” The Inquirer hopes that benefactors will rush to help meet the urgent needs of these places of learning for the nation’s children.
Please adopt a school now. To find out how to do so, please contact Inquirer Learning editor Chelo Banal Formoso at 897-8808 to 09 local 399, (Sun) 0922-8182942, (Smart) 0918-3824061. Here are the list of schools: click

What is good with smoking?

One morning, MC, 7 year old looked up to me seriously and asked, 'Mama, what do you think is good with smoking?'

'You buy a cigarette. Then you light it up. Then you inhale. Then you exhale,'she added. 'And what good does it do?'

I didnt ask her why she suddenly have an interest about smoking; especially since nobody smokes in our household. She wants to know and I will try to inform her.

And so I explained to her that I dont also see what is good about smoking. The thing that you inhale and exhale and that creates smoke is a strange something that your body dont really need for it to grow. In fact, it would even make your body sick. I told her of someone close to us who used to smoke a lot; and ended up in the operating table fighting for his life. It will only make the family sad when such things happen.

She simply nodded and said, 'I heard that smoking is fun. But what is fun in it if you would be sick?'

'I dont think smoking is good. I am glad nobody smokes in our family,' and she cuddled closer to me.

I wonder how she got interested in this topic? But I hope I managed to answer her questions and influence her in a positive way.

Fitness Partners

I admire my husband.

He's kept his diet plan and jogs regularly since November last year. He's lost weight and gained more confidence and loves it! I envy him, actually :D

I have been planning to keep up with him. But there's Christmas and new year and it was so cold and it was too slippery and I have no time and and and... Yup, excuses!

That was before I realized, my favorite pair of jeans doesnt fit me anymore!

I forgot the many excuses and started with watching what I eat. And I asked my husband for a date last Monday, we went jogging.

The first day it was raining. The second day it was snowing. The third day it was slippery. The fourth day it was stormy.

Yet we went on our jogging date. So you see, if there's a will? There's jogging paths :D

Dealing with Sickness in the Family and the Kids

The real problem, we thought at that time, was what to do when the opa is admitted to the hospital for his surgery. The real problem would be, what would happen to our oma, who is suffering from early stages of Alzheimer.

She definitely dont want to get out of her house. Which is only natural, as those with Alzheimer tends to stay within the familiar grounds. But before the opa finally was admitted to the hospital, she agreed to be on holiday at her daughter's house.

And so it goes... opa was admitted to the hospital and oma stayed at her daughter's place.But the next day, she wanted to go home and wont hear about anything else. She even started being physical; and draining herself in the process.

My husband came with the girls. Thinking that having the girls would have a calming effect and since the girls' have been asking about the oma -- my husband brought the kids there.

And they heard and witnessed almost everything. They tried to shelter them, but kids are clever than we think. MC said nothing at first, and then she started asking question pertaining the oma. And she's really disturbed and she even cried on what's happening. Everything confused her, especially the time when oma even asked her who she is. Until now, MC cant get over the fact that oma forgot who she is!

It came clear when she started walking in her sleep; and disturbing almost everything on her path... on her talking on her sleep and on her coming to us in the middle of the night and while still asleep chatting a mile a minute. As for IC, she was running a high fever after a few days. It dawned on us that it was a wrong decision to let the kids witness some things.

So here is some advices about dealing with family emergencies and helping the kids to deal with them:

1. Explain to the kids, in simple words, what is really happening.
We told the kids that opa would be having an operation. That he would be in the hospital for a long time because he would be 'repaired' so he would get better. And that oma would have a holiday at their Tante's house.

2. Tell them there would be some changes. Both grandparents would not be at home; meaning, they wouldnt be able to visit oma and opa at their own house for a short time. No more lunch dates nor short hellos.

3. Talk to them. If they have questions, try to answer them as simple as possible. Try not to avoid those questions. There is a big chance that those questions came out because they heard and they feel something is not right.

4. Comfort them. Always give them reassurances that everything are being done for the good of those affected. And dont forget to be generous with your hugs and kisses.

5. Update them. Yes, give them the news as they come. I know they needed to know what is happening. MC would always be the one running to the telephone everytime the phone rings and she wont step out of the room until I told her what was the conversation all about.

6. Shield them from 'heavy dramas'. There are somethings that are simply too much for the kids. Ask them to play outside or take them someplace else if you know something disturbingis and would be taking place taking place.

7. Continue with your normal schedules. Although opa is in the hospital, we never skipped a day, celebrating our town feast with the kids. It's been a tradition to be there, all four days, with the kids; and opa even gave the kids money for the rides. And yes, the kindergarten schedule and playtime schedule of the kids were followed, too.

8. Take a break. When everything is almost back to normal, go for a vacation with the whole family. It is time to relax and to give yourself a break and de-stress. A short one is enough, what is important is that; you give time for the family.

Everything is almost back to normal with us. And I hope and pray it would remain that way for a long time.

The Big C

It creeped into our family. The big C.

All along we thought it was another condition, but it turned out to be the big C. What shocked us most was that -- it's been there for two years now. Nope, we didnt know.

And now we know. Would it be better, not knowing?

You see, the one affected doesnt even show any slowing down. Keeping up to appointments, driving to vacations, grocery shopping, mowing lawns, maintaining the daily dose of everday life as it used to be; even with the big C lurking beside every move.

Admirable, really. To keep up with life. As normal as possible, except for the extra doctor appointments. That is not only thinking positive; but living positively.

Now here's another big C.

The C of challenge -- to keep the shocking big C away for as many years away. Or at least, to keep the possible pain of big C to as minimal as possible.

Help us pray.

I Gained

And I am still gaining! Arrrgghhhh...

In our 5-week vacation last Feb-Mar; I said it is okay. After all, I want to enjoy the vacation; and that would include the food and the rest. But I think I enjoyed eating and rested too much esp here and here. Too much that I didnt know I was gaining so fast.

It was only when I tried on my smallest bikini during the last week of that vacation that I realized, ooopsssss... what happened to me? Either the bikini shrunk or I gained :D Accepting the later, I decided not to look in the mirror again. And I decided to put the bikini away.

And off I went to enjoy the last days of my vacation -- with more food and more rest! To be frank with you, this is the only vacation where I didnt get my fill of cheesecakes! I love cheesecakes. But it was because I susbtituted those yummy cakes for the Krispy Kreme doughnuts. You see, been hearing a lot about this sweets and I wanted to indulge as we dont have this doughnuts in Germany.

So who am I to complain now? I am not complaining, I am getting ready to tell you what I am doing about this and what I plan to do about it; and here's my fitness program:

1. skipping rope for 100 times per day
2. 30 mins in the stationary bike, two times a week
3. walking, walking, walking
4. 30 mins gymnastics ball combined with weights one time per week

and I am planning to go jogging at least two times a week. I've actually started yesterday, yohoo!

Now dont ask me about my diet :)

HS Attacks Again

MC, who would be celebrating her 6th birthday tomorrow is down with cold and fever and as expected, the virus attacked her condition.

Having hereditary spherocytosis (HS) is not easy. Instead of visiting Christmas bazaars and enjoying the kiddie rides, we are either all sitting at home or visiting the doctor.

And there's the blood tests which make the daily doctor visits not easy. I had prayed long and hard, I even offered myself if it is only possible to change places. And last night, I really felt sick and I welcomed the pain. I really thought MC would be spared.

Well, this morning, her temperature is down. She's still coughing. But she's more active. I am sick and Papa is sick, too: both with cough and stinking headache. I applauded this, thinking MC would be okay. Thinking she's been spared.

This afternoon, she went with Papa to the doctor, another blood test. She doesnt want to go. So I decided to give her one of her birthday gifts, she went without complaint. And then the call... Her blood test turned out not to be good. The doctor wanted to bring her to the hospital. We dont want that. My husband promised to bring her early tomorrow morning to the hospital.

Imagine, instead of preparing for her birthday celebration tomorrow, she would spend the day again being pricked by doctors.

This also happened almost the same time last year, after her birthday celebration, she suddenly lost her energy and just wanted to sleep. Not normal for her, it was after a battery of tests that we confirmed she's got HS.

But I am positive everything would be okay, soon. I am praying everything would be okay.

I Attended a Light Meditation

The first reason why I signed up for the Light Meditation Seminar is because the money would go to the kindergarten's renovation. I was the first one on the list.

The second reason is because I missed my yoga sessions which I regularly did during my Bangkok years, around seven years before. Yoga helped me a lot especially to relax, fight stress and most importantly, to find my inner peace.

I was really thinking that Light Meditation would focus on yoga itself. I have even goggled about it and it always goes back to the same meditation 'inner light meditation' , focusing on yoga and the inner self. I even joined my Thai Buddhist friends during their trek to the biggest temple in the world, at least during that time. It is located in the outskirts of Bangkok.

But why do we need a white candle for this meditation? Well, the question was answered during the day itself. We needed the candle because we are literally having a light meditation. We started with a light yoga to relax us before we were lured into the light. We started with eyes closed and then being asked to open our eyes to look into the light was a different feeling altogether.

Lured into the light meaning, we had to light our candles located in front of us and focus on that light during the whole meditation process. Just imagine, everything was dark and you can see only the flickering of lights from our candles. That was really mesmerizing. I forgot about the people beside me, I forget where I am, I even forgot about me, I simply focused on the light.

And that was the main purpose of the light, you need to focus on the inner you. Find out what your greatest wish is. A wish that would help you find your inner light. Because sometimes we focus too much on the others: our family, our friends, the material world and we forgot about ourselves.

We are asked to reach deep into our feelings. To forego the mind, the opinions of others... simply glide into what you feel, your heart. To wish for what your heart is saying. And this is our inner being. Sometimes we are affected by the things we hear and read from our loved ones... we could always give them advices. But the best way of helping them would be by letting go of that person. Of giving them a time alone to find themselves. You know what, I have been consciously doing that for years. As a friend, I would always be there, but I am not someone who would repeat what I said. Because I believe my presence despite my silence would also be helping.

What got me was this: if you admire someone, you need to let go of that person. Know what you love or want from that person, either his optimism in life, her patience etc... think on that something that really impressed you. But forget the person. And try to embrace what you love from that person into the inner you. That would be more satisfying.

And of course, we must believe in the higher power, our God.

In the end of the light meditation, we are asked to bring our candles back home. We could use this candle when we wanted to focus on our wish. Or when we wanted to find some peace. I think my candle would be used within this month :)

Mama, is this healthy?

Photo: MC harvesting grapes from opa's garden

MC has been pestering me with this question since last week, everytime she's got something to eat on her hands or she sees something on the table. 'Mama, is this healthy?'

I know that they would be starting a nutrition program in kindergarten, so I have to be careful with my answer. I told her that most food are good for us, for as long as we dont overeat. Good thing, too, that they were on a fruit diet last week. They snacked only on nectarines, apples, pear and grapes. But of course, they get the regular meals which include pasta, rice and bread.

Oh well, the kids were both nursing cough and cold last week, too. But since our doctor is a naturopathist, it was also easier to explain to her that the medicine they were taking in to cure their cough and cold are only coming from natural sources, from plants and herbs. Thus, healthy.

I was a bit sceptic to bring the kids to this doctor, because he is not a pediatrician; but after what happened to MC during this particular visit with her pedia, the trust wasnt not really there anymore. Since my husband and I are satisfied with our relations with this naturopathist as our doctor; we asked him if he could handle the kids, too. He agreed. For the girls' first visit, he simply talked to them, introduced himself for them to get used to them. An added attraction was the candy container right in front of the reception hall! Now, they cant wait to go visit the doctor!

Anyway, back to the nutrition program called 'Komm mit in das gesunde Boot' (Join us in the healthy boat). The kindergarten would be doing this from October 2007 to April 2008. The kids would be rediscovering food and drinks together. They would join in grocery shopping, preparing and cooking/baking the food, to setting the table, and until eating/drinking together. They would even visit the neighboring farmlands to learn where most food come from. And, they would be introduced to exotic dishes from other countries! The program sounds like an adventure.

It is interesting to note that each parents would also be asked to be present in one time or another. I am already eager to join them. And my husband warned me that I might be asked to cook for them. Oh yeah, Filipino food in kindergarten? Why not?

MC's group would be starting with the program tomorrow. Her first assignment? To bring 2-3 different kind of food. And she particularly asked for rice, pasta and some fruit. Well, she'll get those too!