Story Time Online

Lina<3, it is extremely important that Mommy reads to you everyday. You love story time. Mommy has been reading to you since you were born. One of your first books was a Disney picture book of The Lion King-a simple children version of The Lion King. Now you love yo hold your books and pretend to read it. You would turn the pages, points to the words and babble something as if you are reading to yourself.

"We Give Books is  a new digital initiative that enables anyone with access to the Internet to put books in the hands of children who don't have them, simply by reading online.

We Give Books combines the joy of reading with the power of helping others, providing a platform for caregivers and educators to inspire children to become lifelong readers and lifelong givers.

We Give Books also helps some of the world's best, most inspiring, literacy organizations by spreading the word about their great work and by providing books to the young people these organizations support."

It is a wonderful site for reading books, classic books such as about The Snowy Day, Madeline,  Corduroy Lost and Found, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, and many, many more. For Valentine's Day, there are cute books about love such as Spot Love his Daddy, and loves his Mommy.

Lasagna

Lately Lina<3, you have been eating well. I am glad about that. Mommy hopes that you continue to like all the foods that Mommy makes for you. Mommy made turkey, vegetable lasagna for you yesterday and so far you like it. It is not your typical lasagna with tomato sauce, and cheese in it. It has specific preparations for my little Lina since you do have allergies. There are not tomatoes and cheese in it since you have allergies to tomatoes (at least tomato sauce which makes you itchy and cheese, we have not tried because you are allergic to cow's milk and yogurt).

I got the idea about how to make no tomato sauce from the Scratch Me Not blog (thank you very much!). Mommy did not follow the exact recipe but make it my own.

turkey, vegetable lasagna: (using a small pan)
Ingredients:
not your typical tomato sauce (could use more seasoning if preferred)
     two large red bell peppers minced
    1 smalll onion
    3 glove of garlic
    basil
    oregano
    extra virgin olive oil
    and some water (as much as you want depending how liquidity you want to make the sauce)
             Saute all the ingredients until it is well cooked and blended in a blender for smoothness.

for the vegetables: (use froze organic vegetable, if it is easier (like I did) and as much vegetable blend as wanted)
     green beans
     carrots
     corn
             Streamed all vegetables together, and put into a blender or food processors for the consistency that is preferred.
for the turkey:
     turkey breast (Mommy prefers to chop it up myself since I do not own a meat grinder) or ground turkey
     garlic grated
     onion grated
     cumin powder
     paprika
     cinnamon
    oregano
    basil
    black pepper
            Put all ingredients together and mixed well. Cooked in pan with extra virgin olive oil until it done.
for the lasagna:
    cooked pasta according to the package.
    If using a smaller baking pan, layer the lasagna first on the bottom of pan, turkey, sauce, lasagna again, vegetable, sauce, and last layer of lasagna. Bake at 350 F for 15minutes or until done. Make sure to chopped up the pasta for toddler, if needed.

It is really simple to make, just need a lot of preparation time, and cooking.

Please note that if there are any concerns about the ingredients, should ask a professional (doctor) before starting any solids for baby.

Teething...

Lina<3, your eighth tooth had not come out completely yet. It feels like you are getting two more on top, when Mommy felt the inside of your mouth last night. I believe that was the reason you were up so often last night, at 11pm, then at 12am, and stayed up for 3-5am. You were unable to sleep soundly. Last night when you were up, all you did was cry very loudly, and screaming at times too. It was so hard to soothe you and Mommy felt terrible that there was not much to do. The only that helped to calm you was nursing you, three times in one night (I felt like you were a newborn again, with the constant feedings). Mommy knows that there is not much breast milk left but you still want to nurse, nurse, and nurse. The last month we were down to one feeding within a 24 hours cycle, as Mommy is trying to ween you off the breast.

And today, your teething is causing you to refuse your meals. All you wanted to eat was fruits, and snacks. You shook your head to your meals at lunch time and dinner time. You were also drooling yesterday and today. That little index finger were stuck on your mouth more than usually today.
Mommy is glad that you are getting more teeth, but the process of it must be harder on you and painful. My poor baby. Besides not eating lunch or dinner, you had a very good day. You were very playful-laughing a lot, wanted to be chase a lot, played peek-a-boo, scribbled, danced and story time.

Countdown to Chinese New Year - Day Seven - Numbers

Lina<3, the topic for today is numbers, which numbers are the luckiest and unluckiest, according to the Chinese. You actually countdown the days to Chinese New Year with Mommy this morning, well Mommy did most of the work. Of course, Mommy had told you that eight is a very lucky number and four is very unlucky.

Lucky and Unlucky Numbers in Chinese Culture
The study of Chinese culture is very interesting because they have so much superstitions and beliefs like numerology, using the laws of heaven and earth (astronomy and geography) -- "feng shui", choice of color etc. One of their main Chinese belief is that numbers contribute a lot to their good luck and their happiness in life. Their belief pertaining to a particular number and the luck it may bring affect their behavior and choices in life . Chinese beliefs and culture revolves around getting good vibes or good luck and the pursuit of happiness and long life. In this article, we are going to look at lucky and unlucky numbers in Chinese culture, and the certain meaning of a particular number.

Have you ever wondered why they chose and fought hard to be the host of the Olympic 2008? they started the opening ceremony on August 8, 2008? It is because the number 8 is a lucky number for them and they believe it will bring good luck to their players if they start the Olympics on that date. Are you interested yet, come on now we will take a look at lucky and unlucky numbers in Chinese culture.

Chinese numbers and their symbols

First we are going to look at their definitions of numbers

• Zero (0) -- simply means All or NOTHING as it is an absolute number
• One (1) -- Individual. Aggressor -- "The Yang which is the other balance of Yin"
• Two (2) -- Stability or Balance means Union or Receptive. "The Yin which is the other balance of Yang
• Three (3) - means talking and understanding --Communication plus interaction plus Neutrality.
• Four (4) -- Creation, Death
• Five (5) -- Action or Restlessness.
• Six (6) -- Fluidity, Responsibility, Reaction
• seven (7) -- Mind, Consciousness and thoughts
• Eight (8) -- Sacrifice, Work Hard and Power, Infinite -- no beginning no ending, continuous.
• Nine (9) -- Highest level of change
• Ten (10) -- Being born again or Rebirth

General Rules on Numbers

• To consider if the number is lucky means to consider the pronunciation of the number and they sound pronunciation of another word and it should carry a positive connotation or vibes.
• Even numbers are preferred but not the number four
• Four is the most dreaded number - it means death
• Eight is a lucky number and is always good for business
• For odd numbers, seven implies anger and abandon, it is both an unlucky and lucky number
• Nine means longevity and eternity. It is the luckiest number
• Fourteen as well as 4 are the most feared number in Chinese superstition.
• Thirteen is also an unlucky number to Chinese people so they don't usually have thirteenth floor or fourteenth floor in any buildings
• They usually begin a new business on the 8th day. Number 8 is lucky for business as it brings unending money and good luck due to the shape of number -- infinite shape
• Certain numbers are auspicisos meaning lucky and inauspicios meaning unlucky. This goes for single digits and or any combinations of numbers

Valentines Day is nearing so when you give flowers to your loved one consider these:

• One means you are my love
• Two means we are together, we are best as pairs
• Three means "I love you"

Lucky and Unlucky Numbers in Chinese Culture

• Odd Numbers generally mean the Yang energy -- celestial, space, heaven -- above earth and masculine
• Even Numbers generally mean Yin energy and it means terrestrial, earthly , earth and is feminine

Lucky or Unlucky Chinese Numbers

• Zero means the pre inception, nothingness, but cannot be identified, it is deprivation of the senses
• One means loneliness, beginning, masculine. One has a thrusting energy that surges forth new growth and potential. One corresponds with the Chinese Zodiac symbol of the Rat. The energy of one rules over the Northern direction in Feng Shui practices.
• Two is considered a good number in Chinese culture because pairs are always good for them. They always use double things to emphasize things as well, like double happiness, double coins etc.It also means a female. "Two corresponds with the Chinese zodiac symbol of the Ox plus it governs North plus Northeast directions in Feng Shui".
• Three is also a lucky number for them as this is similar to the character of birth. The "Chinese Tiger" is the Chinese zodiac symbol for number three-- and East plusNortheast is the designated direction in Feng Shui-
• Four is an unlucky number and it means death. That is why there is no 4th floor usually in Chinese buildings -- the Chinese zodiac symbol for number four is the Rabbit -- and east is its direction in Feng Shui --
• Five -- this is a lucky number and is usually link to the five elements which are wood, earth eater fire earth and metal. This number is usually linked to the Emperor of China as well and the Tienanmen gate. "A great practice to familiarize ourselves with the Chinese number five is to adopt the founding five Chinese blessings like Wealth-- Happiness-- Longevity -- Luck and Prosperity. "The Chinese zodiac symbol for number five is the Chinese Dragon plus its corresponding direction in "Feng Shui" is East and Souththeast-
• Six -- The number six usually means fluidity -- blessings and it is good for business, unlike in the Western world where we don’t like the number six, in Chinese culture it is a lucky number. "When we contemplate the meaning of number six in our lives we are contemplating the perennial mysteries of life contained in celestial power-- cosmic focus and the cyclical nature of time. "The Snake" -- is the Chinese zodiac symbol for number six plus South and Southeast is its direction in "Feng Shui" practices--
• Seven -- This is an unlucky number in Chinese. I dont know why Tony Parker and his wife Eva Longoria married in France on July 7, 2007. It sio the month of ghost July. The number six, eight and nine are lucky dates as well. And the Chinese zodiac symbol for seven is the horse plus South is the "Feng Shui" coordinate--
  
  
• Eight -- This is their favorite number aside from nine and simply means prosperity. It is interesting to note that words and the number are similar - number eight and fortune "Baat and faat".The value of eight is also linked with Buddhism -- the Lotus flower with eight petals. "The Sheep" is the Chinese zodiac symbol for this number and South--Southwest is the "Feng Shui" direction--
• Nine-- is the biggest of single numbers and it connotes the "Emperor of China" -- his robes are with nine dragons on it. Nine is a lucky number for Chinese because it connotes longevity, happiness and good luck. Since the number nine is the highest number it means it is reaching the highest cosmic satisfaction and its Chinese zodiac symbol is Monkey and its "Feng Shui" direction is West/Southwest --

Some interesting facts about the number 8

• The Olympics in Beijing kicked off in August 8, 2008 at 8 pm, 8 minutes and 8 seconds after 8 pm.
• A Chinese man offered to sell his license plate number -- A88888 for USD164,000
• A number of a telephone with all eight digits on it was sold for 270, 723 in Chengdu, China.
• The number eight can also be linked to the lotus flower with eight petals
• The Bank of Commerce in New York when they have grand opening raffled off safety deposit box number 888.
• it was in 1994 when a Chinese businessman paid 1.7 million USD for a car license plate with -9- --- a number that was particularly lucky that year because the Chinese word for --nine-- sounds like the Chinese word for "dog," and 1994 was the year of that animal.
• A Chinese man paid 215,000 USD for the lucky number for a cellphone "133-3333-3333".
• Another phone number 8888-8888 has also been purchased in China..

Food Allergies

Lina<3, we have learn something new today. It is a known fact that you may have some allergic reactions to soy products according to your blood work. However, Mommy did not think you had any soy allergies due to the fact that you had not had any allergic reactions to your soy formula and to regular soy milk (organic). We learned that you can soy overload allergies (is that such a thing...). First noticed it with tofu (last week), and then with the soy sauce chicken. Each food was combined with your soy milk, which made it too much for your system. The tofu made your cheeks bright red, patchy, scaly and dry (eczema symptoms). Today the soy sauce chicken made you itchy, so when you used your hands (that touched the food) to scratched you hips and neck, it became red, had raised bumps. Although Mommy cleaned your hands after eating, it was not enough. After a nice bath in your tub filled with toys, applying hydrocortisone cream on hips and neck, you were less scratchy. Within a few hours, bumps were almost gone, and redness on cheeks became pink. I am so glad for that. There will no other combinations of soy products with the soy milk any more. Lesson well learned, right Lina<3?

Countdown to Chinese New Year-Day Eight--Year of the Snake

Lina<3, is that your little head of yours full of knowledge for the Chinese New Year? Is this too much information for you? I hope not. Today, let's examine Chinese Zodiac signs.

The coming 2013 year of the black Snake is going to be astute in observations and deft in actions. The Snake symbol of the 2013 year is an active, snaky and has a very seductive nature. The 2013 Snake of Kuei Szu year has ability to read complicated situation quickly in a controlled manner which is good for business. But 2013 Snake need to watch for fanatical commitments since Snakes inclination to spend money quickly than earn them may produce tensions in personal relationships.

Snake Personality

The person born in the year of snake is the wisest and most enigmatic of all. He/she can become a philosopher, a theologian, a political lizard or a wily financier. Such person is a thinker who also likes to live well. The snake - person loves books, music, clothes, and fine food; but with all his fondness for the good things of life, his innate elegance gives him a dislike for frivolities and foolish talk.

They like communicating and like interesting conversations, although if the conversation becomes repetitive their attention may soon wander. It is almost impossible to fix their attention for long talking about the weather. They prefer to focus on new interesting unusual ides and intelligent discussion in general.

These people have a special feeling that enables them to judge situations correctly and so they are alert to new possibilities and when they have an idea of what to and how to do it, they you pursue it persistently and energetically. These people are self-confident and usually don't bother themselves listening to someone else's opinion. But this side of their character has also a negative load. Refusing to listen to constructive advice, they may get into needless trouble. Although it is difficult for such people to take advice, they are patient with others when it comes to give a hand of help, and their ability to look at a problem from a variety of angles is extremely appreciated. When faced with a dilemma snake people as a rule act with speed and conviction, since they believe intensely in what they are doing and rarely waste time or energy on projects lacking in good potential.

It is important to remember that life is not all work and competition. Snake person perfectly knows how to wind down and relax when such opportunity arises. This type of people often makes protective and caring friends. However, their anger can be quickly aroused, and they will soon get back if there is a suspicion that someone has taken advantage of their trust or has hurt those close to them. 

Snake Love Affairs

In love, the male snake is romantic and charming. He possesses a sense of humor while the female is usually beautiful and successful. In case person born in the year of the snake chooses a partner, he/she will be jealous and possessive. Even when the relationships are left behind this possessiveness will be clouding the snake's life. Rejection is the worst thing that can ever happen to the snake person. Such people must be received, welcomed, accepted and approved by those with whom they come in contact. Generally they need a lot of security.

It often happens that snake people have one set of rules for themselves and one for their partner and this side of their nature can become a basis for misunderstandings in the future. But, when they are really romantically involved these people are also loving and attentive, stimulating and playful, though it takes time for them to get over their fears or discuss their weaknesses. The best partner for a snake type person is someone who would give him freedom, but it is also important for him to feel secure and adored.

Snake Career

In money matters, people born in the year of snake have good luck; they don't have to worry about money too much, such people will always be able to find couple of banknotes if they need it. The snake person has an ability to read complex situations quickly and then set about resolving them in a quiet, controlled manner. It is much more convenient and useful for this people to work independently, because in this case they have freedom to travel and negotiate on their own terms. The snake people can not stand being limited by others and this is another reason for them to work solo. People born in this year are logical and organized workers and have all the qualities needed to acquire new skills. They also have a very good memory and that enables them to fulfil the projects thoroughly. They are purposeful and getting towards their aim spotting potential troubles and reacting immediately. On the other hand, should they have achieved their goal the snake people usually withdraw to gather their thoughts and rest. But they need not much time to renew their energies and be ready for new challenges.

Celebrity

Some Famous Snakes: Kim Basinger, Randy Crawford, Bob Dylan, Greta Garbo, Art Garfunkel, Audrey Hepburn, Paul Hogan, Liz Hurley, Carole King, Dean Martin, Robert Mitchum, Mike Oldfield, Ryan O'Neal, Dorothy Parker, Brad Pitt, Brooke Shields, Paul Simon, Dionne Warwick, Oprah Winfrey, Virginia Woolf, Susannah York.

  

Snake Compatibility

Compatible with : Ox, Rooster, Dragon
Less Compatible with : Rat, Rabbit, Snake, Horse, Dog, Ram
Least Compatible with : Pig, Monkey, Tiger

There are more information about the other 11 Chinese Zodiac signs here and here as well.

Here's something fun to try: Chinese Zodiac Sign Calculator.  Mommy tried it and it was accurate. Give it a try, let's Lina<3 and I know if it is accurate or not.

All Things Asian Translator sidebar

Okay Lina<3 Mommy had been wanting a Chinese translator for the blog since I started the blog. Mainly because your PorPor and GongGong does not read English well. All Things Asian Translator sidebar is located on the upper right hand corner. The translator includes Chinese (both Simplified and Traditional characters), Malay, Bahasa/Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Tagalog/Philipa, Thai and Vietnamese. I hope that the translator is as accurate as possible, please let me know if it is not by making a comment below.