I don't really remember Santa Clause being a very big part of Christmas during my childhood. My parents did perpetuate the myth that somebody broke into the house at night and left a present for us but I don't think they spoke all that much about Santa. I also don't remember how I found out that he didn't exist. Perhaps we knew it all along. It wasn't a big deal.
This year, Aaron has seen the old man in the red suit around the shopping malls and I made a lame attempt at explaining who he was. I tried telling him that he needed to be "good" or Santa would know. Then I told him that Santa delivers pencils and paper on Christmas day. I even took him to visit Santa but he took one look at the guy and walked out again.
The whole idea of Santa has left me a little unsettled. While the fantasy of it all may be exciting for the little kids, I'm not sure its something that I want to encourage. Also, I believe 2 year olds are all about logic and fact so, the whole Santa story isn't really plausible anyway. It took me a few days to sort it out in my mind but I think I've decided now not to have Santa leave any presents.
I can make Christmas just as fun and exciting without Santa. And, without the emphasis being on presents. I do want Aaron to know that the real reason for Christmas is Jesus and it is the season of giving instead of receiving.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
Photostory Friday - Sewing Apnea!
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek
My grandmother was a seamstress and my mother has picked up quite a bit from her so I'm hoping the sewing gene is in me too. I've never learnt how to sew and my mother didn't do much of it when we were growing up in the house but I really enjoy it. I make up my own techniques as I go along and end up with less than perfect creations but I always find it so fulfilling. The main problem is that I hold my breath whenever I step on the sewing machine pedal and I always end up with a headache after awhile!
I don't have a sewing machine in Palembang so I'm hoping to make use of my mother's one while I'm here. This is what I made for my mother.
Its a type of tote that closes up without zips or buttons. Not quite perfect but I'll be making another one for myself so at least I'll know where the pitfalls are.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Thursday Thirteen - Brought to you by the letter "A"
I've always felt that there were a lot of "A's" in my life. Lets see if I can get to 13.
1) Amanda - My name
2) Australia - Place of birth
3) April - Month of birth
4) April - Month that Richard and I were married legally. The ceremony came later in July.
5) Aaron - Son's name
6) August - Aaron's birth month
7) Auchenflower - Suburb where I live here in Brisbane
8) ABRSM - Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. Almost all of my music exams were from them.
9) All Hallows' School - My high school
10) Accountant - My dad's profession
Those first 10 was easy and I did it in about 3 minutes. I had to get Richard to help me with the following 3 so I guess I really only have 10 "A's" in my life.
11) Avocados - Since I got here in September, I've had avocados at least 3 or 4 times a week.
12) Astro - This was our satellite TV provider in Palembang. Last month, it ceased operations and now I need to look for a new provider.
13) Amadeus - Mozart's middle name. I remember being told by one of my teachers that my musical style was more suited to Amadeus's music rather than Ludwig's. Whatever that means...
1) Amanda - My name
2) Australia - Place of birth
3) April - Month of birth
4) April - Month that Richard and I were married legally. The ceremony came later in July.
5) Aaron - Son's name
6) August - Aaron's birth month
7) Auchenflower - Suburb where I live here in Brisbane
8) ABRSM - Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. Almost all of my music exams were from them.
9) All Hallows' School - My high school
10) Accountant - My dad's profession
Those first 10 was easy and I did it in about 3 minutes. I had to get Richard to help me with the following 3 so I guess I really only have 10 "A's" in my life.
11) Avocados - Since I got here in September, I've had avocados at least 3 or 4 times a week.
12) Astro - This was our satellite TV provider in Palembang. Last month, it ceased operations and now I need to look for a new provider.
13) Amadeus - Mozart's middle name. I remember being told by one of my teachers that my musical style was more suited to Amadeus's music rather than Ludwig's. Whatever that means...
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Yes we can!
I had another post drafted out for today but it just didn't seem suitable. Australia had a full afternoon's coverage of the U.S. elections. Of course, I know all the details of the policies each party has been claiming they will implement but I still enjoyed the speeches by both John McCain and Barrack Obama. Even Aaron seemed to have a fun afternoon. He cheered when the people on the TV cheered and then during Obama's speech, he chimed in at every "Yes we can!"
Here are a few of the questions we had in our house as we watched and waited:
Does George W Bush already have all his bags packed and when does he move out? Or HAS he already moved out? Is Obama's bag packed as well?
Does the entire staff currently working at the White House have to leave their jobs?
The US ambassador to Australia has already announced his resignation. Do all the other US ambassadors in the world have to do that too? Or just the Republican ones? Or maybe they currently are all Republican....we don't know.
What happens between now and January 20, 2009? Who is responsible for the U.S.?
Do they repaint the living areas of the White House whenever somebody new moves in?
Does the outgoing family take all their bed sheets with them and then the new ones pick out their own ones? Will they bring sheets that they currently own or do they buy new ones? What about cutlery? What belongs to the White House and what belongs to the families that reside there.
OK. Enough of all that. We wondered about all sorts of stuff. Somebody should do a documentary about the details of what goes into moving into the White House.
Yes, the speeches were gracious and stirring but, my favorite quote from today was from the news anchor saying something like "they will be moving into government housing shortly...." I just couldn't stop laughing at how they put it!
Here are a few of the questions we had in our house as we watched and waited:
Does George W Bush already have all his bags packed and when does he move out? Or HAS he already moved out? Is Obama's bag packed as well?
Does the entire staff currently working at the White House have to leave their jobs?
The US ambassador to Australia has already announced his resignation. Do all the other US ambassadors in the world have to do that too? Or just the Republican ones? Or maybe they currently are all Republican....we don't know.
What happens between now and January 20, 2009? Who is responsible for the U.S.?
Do they repaint the living areas of the White House whenever somebody new moves in?
Does the outgoing family take all their bed sheets with them and then the new ones pick out their own ones? Will they bring sheets that they currently own or do they buy new ones? What about cutlery? What belongs to the White House and what belongs to the families that reside there.
OK. Enough of all that. We wondered about all sorts of stuff. Somebody should do a documentary about the details of what goes into moving into the White House.
Yes, the speeches were gracious and stirring but, my favorite quote from today was from the news anchor saying something like "they will be moving into government housing shortly...." I just couldn't stop laughing at how they put it!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Out of place in a real gym
My mother transferred her Fitness First membership to me and I started there yesterday. I go to the gym in Palembang but thats just a hotel gym with slightly dated equipment and just a few cardio machines. Plus, when I go, I'm almost always the only person in that room.
I must admit feeling quite uncomfortable the first few minutes I was there. It took me awhile to work out their locker system and then when I worked out how to use one of the elliptical machines, I dropped my locker card under the neighboring machine and had to lie on the ground to stretch my hand in to get it. Yes, I looked like a real klutz!
AND, to top it all off, I think I might also be the Ugly Betty of the gym in terms of gym fashions. I believe in wearing my comfy old t-shirts. After all, I'm just going to be sweating in them. And in this case, my old t-shirts are really old since they are from the time I actually lived in this house - school days! Luckily, I do own a pair of those calf length legging things. Everyone else seems to be on a fashion shoot for gym wear! OK, I exaggerate but seriously, they are definitely in some uniform gym wear that is on the trendy side.
I feel awkward there but since I stopped working, I get that way easily. Maybe its a confidence thing. Anyway, I'm there to go for as many classes as I can because there is no such thing in Palembang, hopefully build some strength/stamina and of course people watch.
I must admit feeling quite uncomfortable the first few minutes I was there. It took me awhile to work out their locker system and then when I worked out how to use one of the elliptical machines, I dropped my locker card under the neighboring machine and had to lie on the ground to stretch my hand in to get it. Yes, I looked like a real klutz!
AND, to top it all off, I think I might also be the Ugly Betty of the gym in terms of gym fashions. I believe in wearing my comfy old t-shirts. After all, I'm just going to be sweating in them. And in this case, my old t-shirts are really old since they are from the time I actually lived in this house - school days! Luckily, I do own a pair of those calf length legging things. Everyone else seems to be on a fashion shoot for gym wear! OK, I exaggerate but seriously, they are definitely in some uniform gym wear that is on the trendy side.
I feel awkward there but since I stopped working, I get that way easily. Maybe its a confidence thing. Anyway, I'm there to go for as many classes as I can because there is no such thing in Palembang, hopefully build some strength/stamina and of course people watch.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Cubby Mansion!
I've been taking Aaron all around Brisbane to wherever there are free concerts. Yesterday, it was the St John Ambulance concert band at a park. I had never been to this park before and just imagined some open ground with shade for the concert band.
To my surprise and Aaron's absolute delight, the park had an enormous, wooden, play area. The only way I can describe is is "Cubby Mansion" as opposed to "Cubby House".
It was huge and was like a maze inside. It zig zagged in all directions with slides coming off the sides and monkey bars scattered around the place. It also had a lookout from the center and more than enough swings outside.
Remember yesterday's post about Aaron misbehaving during Sunday Mass. Well, he seemed to think that this area of the Cubby Mansion was a church and he needed to kneel down to say a prayer. Making up for his earlier naughtiness I guess :)
My dad came in to see what we were doing and got this last shot of Aaron. Look at that face! He had just been 'run over' by a train of pre-teen kids.
As for the concert band, they were alright. Good background music but nothing engaging enough to warrant sitting down and listening intently. The Cubby Mansion was way too much fun.
To my surprise and Aaron's absolute delight, the park had an enormous, wooden, play area. The only way I can describe is is "Cubby Mansion" as opposed to "Cubby House".
It was huge and was like a maze inside. It zig zagged in all directions with slides coming off the sides and monkey bars scattered around the place. It also had a lookout from the center and more than enough swings outside.
Remember yesterday's post about Aaron misbehaving during Sunday Mass. Well, he seemed to think that this area of the Cubby Mansion was a church and he needed to kneel down to say a prayer. Making up for his earlier naughtiness I guess :)
My dad came in to see what we were doing and got this last shot of Aaron. Look at that face! He had just been 'run over' by a train of pre-teen kids.
As for the concert band, they were alright. Good background music but nothing engaging enough to warrant sitting down and listening intently. The Cubby Mansion was way too much fun.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Aaron the Button Pusher
These few days, Aaron has made a habit of pushing our buttons. Its not that he has any plans to do it. In a way, I can almost say that the adults in this house lead him to it. He does something he's not supposed to, we say "Don't" or "Stop it", he gets the "Aha!" look on his face and then continues doing it with even more enthusiasm. I've tried to remember not to use any words in these situations and just ignore what he's doing or if possible distract him.
Unfortunately, in some situations, its impossible to ignore him. This morning, in church, he pushed one button after another. There is no way to just ignore a noisy situation in such a quiet environment. And, I failed at all distractions and ended up using threats. "Keep doing that and I promise to take you to the naughty square as soon as we get home!"
During the drive home, he says : "Aaron is a very good boy."
I said : "Not really."
He insists that he is and we go back and forth on this awhile.
I thought I could maybe meet him somewhere in between and told him he was a little bit good at the start of Mass. He just kept insisting that he was a very good boy throughout.
In the end, he started to get all upset and he blurted out "I don't want to go to the naughty square!"
Yahoo! I was secretly rejoicing. He's afraid of my threats after all. I didn't think that he would remember that I had said that. OMG! He was actually dreading the moment we got home.
He looked so pitiful and I knew that I should really have carried out the threat since he remembers what I said but I just couldn't. I caved. I struck a new deal.
I told him that if he would be a good for the rest of the car trip home then he could avoid the square.
Maybe I'm digging my own grave for next Sunday's Mass but its done now. I'll have to make sure to take advantage of his next crazy button pushing episode and carry out anything I say then. I almost feel like I should look for an opportunity where a trip to the naughty square is warranted and then make it happen.
Unfortunately, in some situations, its impossible to ignore him. This morning, in church, he pushed one button after another. There is no way to just ignore a noisy situation in such a quiet environment. And, I failed at all distractions and ended up using threats. "Keep doing that and I promise to take you to the naughty square as soon as we get home!"
During the drive home, he says : "Aaron is a very good boy."
I said : "Not really."
He insists that he is and we go back and forth on this awhile.
I thought I could maybe meet him somewhere in between and told him he was a little bit good at the start of Mass. He just kept insisting that he was a very good boy throughout.
In the end, he started to get all upset and he blurted out "I don't want to go to the naughty square!"
Yahoo! I was secretly rejoicing. He's afraid of my threats after all. I didn't think that he would remember that I had said that. OMG! He was actually dreading the moment we got home.
He looked so pitiful and I knew that I should really have carried out the threat since he remembers what I said but I just couldn't. I caved. I struck a new deal.
I told him that if he would be a good for the rest of the car trip home then he could avoid the square.
Maybe I'm digging my own grave for next Sunday's Mass but its done now. I'll have to make sure to take advantage of his next crazy button pushing episode and carry out anything I say then. I almost feel like I should look for an opportunity where a trip to the naughty square is warranted and then make it happen.
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