The end of free speech in America?

I came across this article titled Senate Bill 1959 to Criminalize Thoughts, Blogs, Books and Free Speech Across America. It rings a bell that sounds like the Malaysian scenario.

So how does this gel with the country's national anthem which I recall states it as the "land of the free and home of the brave"?

Can't wait to grow up

Did you ever wish to be older or an adult in your childhood days? I did because I wanted to be able to do the things adults could. I had perceived adulthood as a life of independence and freedom, not having to get anyone's permission to do anything I wanted.

Caitlin turned five one month ago. And now she is already wanting to be six. Yesterday, she asked for high-heel shoes when she turns six. This morning, as I was tying up her hair, she asked if she could dye it when she turns six. She wants her hair to be pink, her favourite colour. When I told her pink is not quite suitable, she asked for yellow (blonde). What's next I wonder....

Caitlin's pets

Most children love animals. Caitlin is no different. She enjoys the Animal Planet channel on TV, loves reading and learning about animals, and playing with them, the real ones and the toy ones. One of her ambitions is to be a veterinarian when she grows up. She has already established the notion that she will indeed have two dogs when we move to a house; a male Schnauzer named Rusty and a female Dachsund named Mermaid Girl.

So far, she has had fish (goldfish, guppies, gourami, swordtail). Then she moved on to four terrapins which she named The Little Einsteins (June, Leo, Quincy and Annie). They now all have either returned to my dad's fish tanks or animal heaven. Then she also has countless toy pets like her Little Ponies, My Littlest Pet Shop animals, stuffed toys, rubber or plastic moulded animals. Her favourites are the Little Ponies and two white fluffy ones named PooPoo (because it's a poodle...and it's not smelly luckily!) and Daffodil the rabbit.

We have been pet-free (I mean live pets) for almost a year until today when we ended up bringing home four goldfish from my dad's place in a feeble attempt to pacify her insistence on going to the fish shop to get five angel fish.

Needless to say, the attempt failed and I had to endure 1 1/2 hours of continuous determined and sometimes angry and tearful demands to go to the shop to get her five angel fish. In the 45-minute drive from dad's home to ours, my 'radio' played "I want five angel fish" and "Mummy, mummy, mummy!" when I did not respond to the first 'song'.

Upon reaching home and settling the goldfish down, she proceeded to lie stubbornly in bed to continue her two 'songs'. My attempt to get her off the bed, and into the car half an hour later to go for her drum lessons was obviously a struggle.

Only after venting her emotions on her teacher's drum set did she become a little more reasonable. When we got home, she fed her fish, spent some time talking to them while snacking on a cookie.

It's been a long day for me having returned from Singapore at 3.00 am to catch some sleep before driving to my dad's home down south to take her home, patiently dealing with her angel fish tantrum and tending to the routine household needs.

I hope to have an earlier night tonight.

Refreshed mentally and emotionally

I had a pretty intensive weekend. I attended a self-development seminar in Singapore with about 3999 others from all walks of life. The speakers/trainers, T. Harv Eker and Robert Riopel were powerful. The energy in the huge hall at the Singapore Expo was hitting the roof. Lives were transformed, mindsets changed, and beliefs reconditioned. Practical help to having a better life and being a better you was free-flowing. Each day of the seminar lasted between 11-14 hours. Thank goodness for deodorant and good air conditioning!

Day of Indulgence

After her Mandarin class this morning I indulged Caitlin in her request yesterday for a tiara or crown as she calls it. So off we went to Mid Valley. She was very obedient for once and even agreed to a visit to the washroom first followed by a chicken rice lunch before going to Toys R Us. We found the tiara. It came with a pair of earrings so it was a good bonus for her.



After being satisfied with browsing at all the other toys in the store, we headed to Jusco for the games. She mentioned on her own that she remembered her promise last night to play only one. She chose to play the Japanese drums where you have to beat on cue with the screen and music. That's the game she never fails to play everytime we visit that place.



We both had fun. What's more fulfilling than seeing your child happy, excited, and enjoying herself? The only challenge was carrying all 17 kilos of her out of the car into the lift, unlocking the doors while carrying her, and putting her down on the bed. She had 'knocked out' the minute I strapped her into the car seat after we left the mall.

I'm taking a breather now before I start wondering what's for dinner....