friendship

I feel blindsided 

from the mother I had the idea the two girls were going as a pair. 

but she has plans to go with 2 other girls 

so it's good akshaya has plans to go with her school friends too

just that only one is a friend. the other that friends friend. 

she would have felt more secure with one friend for herself and her biddy with another 

now will she feel like a third wheel? 

man i dunno. 

maybe the three can bond over taylor. 

and I'll four tix. 

maybe hasini can come if she doesn't get with her buddies. or shruthi. or anyone else in her school. 

or me as a last resort haha

aishu says

teacher climbed on a stool to switch on the only onable aircon 

coming down the escalator she looks up behind her and says look how far we have come from the up 

thoughts on dsa

Part of me feels this is too much to impose on 11- 12 year olds 

auditions interviews change the piece on the spot 

another part is excited. stretches kids. makes it interesting.  break from the mundane prep for written exams 

and yet another part feels so much. that some of the kids who've prepared this much may not get in. praying ashwin does. and I must remind us of the fun and value in just the prep. 

ashwin says

more mind bending stuff from my lateral thinker 

1. sees the picture of Mother Mary in the altar and says 

she is wearing a tudong

2. I want to finish the sports section he says with determination.  I'm thinking of the straits tines, but he means.. of the libaray at Punggol. Life goals! 

3. a big fluffy dog is on the corner . we walk one way not quite towards it

he says ah I wanted to go that way to pat the dog

almost before he finishes his sentence we turn towards the dog

he say no I meant I wanted to see it. 

hahahajajaaj

4. he asks if arun plays for the national team! 

growing up ashwin

I have a boy

11 going on 12.

Heaven forbid 

I hold his hand in public

but ... 

-11 going on 12 -

the 'going' is key 

in particular the -ing

a process that continues,

hopefully infinitely.

I hold close the moments 

when we watch a candlelight concert - 

he leans his head on my shoulder;

a movie at home- 

he pulls me close so we can snuggle. 

Today, he asked me 

to walk him to class,

past a tiny but barky dog, 

nevermind he went in

without saying bye. 

I smile a secret smile.

He needed me.

He warms my heart, 

my little man. 

We never stop needing our parents though we may show it less and less.

I reach for my phone

to call my mum,

just to say hi.

I'm sure I warmed her heart too.