Learning Japanese

"Doko no kuni no hito desu ka"

I was pleasantly surprised by what Justin said before he fell asleep. "Doko no kuni no hito desu ka" Translation: Which country are you from? He said it fluently with expression and he kept repeating it over and over again. I asked him the same question to see if he understood what he was saying. He said, "Shingapooru-jin desu" (Translation: I am a Singaporean).

It was just so heartwarming to hear him speak a foreign language.

Justin: Doko no kuni no hito desu ka?
Mom: Shingapooru-jin desu
Justin: No....., you cannot say that
Mom: What do you mean "No", am I not a Singaporean?
Justin: You must say something else
Mom: Ok, Amerika-jin (American) desu, Igirisu-jin (British) desu, Chugoku-jin (Chinese) desu, ......

[Silent pause]

Justin: [Sounded as if he was talking to himself] Nihon-jin (Japanese) desu, Osutoraria-jin (Australian) desu, Furansu-jin (French) desu

** SMILES **

"Itadakimasu"

After one week of school, Jonathan started to hum and sing the new songs he learnt at school. During lunch, the kids will clap their hands together and say, "itadakimasu" (pronounced ee-ta-da-kee-mahs). Literally means "I humbly receive".

We went out for dinner last weekend and Jonathan automatically gave thanks for the food on the table before starting his meal. Other than his "爸爸吃 , 妈妈吃 , 哥哥吃 ".

Clapping his hands and saying "Itadakimasu"

before his meal

** DOUBLE SMILES **

Mashed potatoes with honey baked chicken bento

I have been running out of ideas of what to prepare for them at school. The easiest lunch is usually sandwich with a variation of egg, tuna, lettuce, tomato, ham or cheese. Today I spent a little more time preparing something special for them.

Honey baked chicken with mashed potatoes. I boiled the potatoes, added raisins and mayonnaise. Garnished with oregano. Blanched broccoli and carrots. Marinated the chicken thigh with soya sauce and honey. Baked in the oven.

Hope the kids like it!

All set and ready to go

Sushi Bento

Kids' sushi bento today consisting of Inari-zushi, onigiri wrapped in nori (seaweed), tomatoes and pear. Both of them love the inari-zushi. The teddy bear shaped onigiri is made by mixing rice with pan-fried salmon, cucumber and furikake.

Jonathan goes to school!!

My little koala is going to school! After so many months of watching his big brother, he can finally say "I am going to school". I began prepping Jon by bringing him along to send Justin to school last term. He always gave me a definite "YES!" when I asked him if he wanted to go to school. I guess having an older sibling helps because the younger one always looks up to his brother and follows what his older brother does.

A few things I did to make the transition smoother:
- telling him what to expect in school (making new friends, new toys, playground)
- discussing the daily routine at school
- reading books about going to school
- keeping good-byes short (telling him I would be back to pick him up later)

With all the mental preparation, how did Jonathan fare at school?

Day 1

He got up in the morning, ate his breakfast and changed very quickly. At school I introduced him to his teachers. He was quite apprehensive at first and stepped out of the classroom frowning with his hands crossed. (*classic*) After some persuasion I brought him into the classroom and showed him a box of Thomas toys. When the teacher came over, I explained to him that I had to bring Justin to school and would come back to pick him up after lunch. I said my good-byes and left the classroom quickly. 10 minutes was all I took. Phew!

After school, the teacher said he didn't want to join the class at first and so he sat at the corner for awhile. He didn't cry and was able to go to the toilet on his own. I went home and praised him for being good.


Day 2

I left him at school in the morning without much problem. Today, the teacher said he didn't want to play at the playground but watched his friends instead. That evening, Justin started telling Jonathan how fun it was at the playground with the sand pits, slides and the fire truck.


Day 3

At home, ready for school
















Separation anxiety sets in. The minute he saw the classroom he asked me if I could stay and play with him. I explained to him that I would come back and pick him up. He didn't want me to go. This went on for 5 minutes until I decided to leave him with the teachers.

After school, the teacher said that this was his best day so far. He joined in the class activities and played together with his friends. When I picked him up from school, he was holding hands with 2 of his classmates and dancing in a circle. The moment he saw me, he rushed out of the classroom happily. Waved good-bye to the teachers before heading home.

Then at night, he said he didn't want to go to school. I told him he had to go to school (like kor kor) for another 2 days, then there will be no school on Sat and Sun. "No school for 2 days?" He was quite happy with that and didn't say anything else.


Day 4

He cried the minute he saw his classroom but I reassured him again that I would be back after his school. Passed him to the teacher and left. I felt a bit distressed, but it was all for the better. The teacher said he stopped 5 minutes after I left.


Day 5

He didn't cry at school. The little fella is doing great!