Obviously I was aware that I hadn't visited this blog in a few weeks but I had no idea it had been this long.
Time flies when you have fun, but time most surely skyrockets when you are busy.
We're in the middle of summer school. The builders are still busy every day with the new school but the new P.E. court has been declared accessible for the students today and I'm sure Xenne will be very happy tomorrow when he comes to school.
Apart from the job of teaching English to Grade 6, 7, and 8, I am very busy with preparing homemade watercolour paints, ice chalk, homemade playdough, baking pizza (and teaching Thandar and Sheila how to do it with good results), and all other things that are kids-related.
This weekend we made icecream from bananas (and nothing else). It turned out to be 'heel erg lekker' (very delicious) according to Xenne and absolutely no diary whatsoever. Not that the kids are allergic or anything but most ingredients for icecream are fairly expensive here. So stuff made of only bananas definitely hits the spot in more ways that one since a bunch costs next to nothing here.
With 4 weeks to go before the school starts again for the teachers at least, I will make some time to add some pictures and comments on the Bagan/Mandalay trip we made mid-June.
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Tuesday, 16 July 2013
Thursday, 20 December 2012
Yeah, Teletubbies!!!
BBC takes Teletubbies, TV news and Doctor Who to Burma
The Teletubbies have proved to be hugely popular with pre-schoolers
The
Teletubbies, 24-hour news and Doctor Who are being introduced to Burma
as the BBC launches three pay-TV channels there next January
Finally some good tv-programmes here.Unfortunately for us, I don't think it is the provider that we have. There are basically 2 choices and they didn't differ much. Now, this might be a reason to switch. That, and the fact that we have paid for all channels that our provider offers (58, most of them rubbish) but we get less than half for real and usually not the channels that we want.
Thursday, 13 December 2012
Grade 4 sleepover
Tonight we had our holiday show and for the last 3 years I have had a class sleepover after. For most westerners that sounds like good fun, here we usually have to convince parents that it is ok for their child to sleep away from home that is not with family or with family in a hotel.
My kids are on average 10 years old and for the majority this is the first experience of this kind they have ever had. And again this year the kids are hyper exited and the parents hoover around for ages. They find it really tough to let go. Which is difficult of course but most parents have this phase a little earlier.
I have had parents unpack their son's pajamas and every year we have one family where we have to stop the maid going along with the kid to change. though I didn't notice this this time now I think of it.
This year I had one of my kids ask me who was going to sleep with them. He meant an adult. Now my TA usually sleeps with the girls (more for her sake than the kids mind). The classrooms are very close together and I always sleep where I can hear everything (with the door open. The mosquitoes will have a field day.) The first year I had a TA and a shadow teacher staying the night as well and they were wondering where I was going to sleep if I did not sleep in the boys or in the girls room. I told them I'd be sleeping in the small room we used as video room. They got really worried whether I would be ok. It was their first sleepover as well. I thought it was endearing but it was kind of sad as well. I can't believe being around 24 years old and never have had a sleepover in my life.
Update: we had a parent call us the next morning at about half past 6. She hadn't been able to sleep all night and was waiting for us in the teashop. She and her husband were there when we arrived. Their daughter wasn't too interested in seeing mum and dad, she was too busy with her friends (as it should be). Apparently, it was the first time their daughter had slept somewhere without her parents.
My kids are on average 10 years old and for the majority this is the first experience of this kind they have ever had. And again this year the kids are hyper exited and the parents hoover around for ages. They find it really tough to let go. Which is difficult of course but most parents have this phase a little earlier.
I have had parents unpack their son's pajamas and every year we have one family where we have to stop the maid going along with the kid to change. though I didn't notice this this time now I think of it.
This year I had one of my kids ask me who was going to sleep with them. He meant an adult. Now my TA usually sleeps with the girls (more for her sake than the kids mind). The classrooms are very close together and I always sleep where I can hear everything (with the door open. The mosquitoes will have a field day.) The first year I had a TA and a shadow teacher staying the night as well and they were wondering where I was going to sleep if I did not sleep in the boys or in the girls room. I told them I'd be sleeping in the small room we used as video room. They got really worried whether I would be ok. It was their first sleepover as well. I thought it was endearing but it was kind of sad as well. I can't believe being around 24 years old and never have had a sleepover in my life.
Update: we had a parent call us the next morning at about half past 6. She hadn't been able to sleep all night and was waiting for us in the teashop. She and her husband were there when we arrived. Their daughter wasn't too interested in seeing mum and dad, she was too busy with her friends (as it should be). Apparently, it was the first time their daughter had slept somewhere without her parents.
Monday, 10 December 2012
Sinterklaas
Every year Sinterklaas arrives in Yangon for a short visit and he did so again this year. Unlike previous years, he did not come across Inya lake but he did come with two Zwarte Pieten, several young Zwarte Pieten, and two small horses.
Sint wrote to the children in the dutch community that Magic Piet had cast all kinds of helpful spells though some turned out better than others. When Sinterklaas asked him not to do this anymore since it distracted the Pieten from the important task of wrapping and labeling all the presents, Magic Piet promised not to do magic until after December the 6th.
One Piet was disappointed though. He had wanted to ask Magic Piet to make Sinterklaas' horse bigger and stronger. When Magic Piet was not in his room, he got the big book of spells, made a potion and gave it to the horse.
We knew that something had gone wrong but not what. The kids loved the ponies though since they were allowed to ride them. I know Sint has asked them for help to make his horse complete again but I'm not so sure the kids don't like the status quo.
Since Saturday, every time Xenne does something less nice, he immediately says "mama, please don't tell Sinterklaas". I haven't' even told him yet that Sinterklaas is supposed to take badly behaved children off to Spain yet....
Sint wrote to the children in the dutch community that Magic Piet had cast all kinds of helpful spells though some turned out better than others. When Sinterklaas asked him not to do this anymore since it distracted the Pieten from the important task of wrapping and labeling all the presents, Magic Piet promised not to do magic until after December the 6th.
One Piet was disappointed though. He had wanted to ask Magic Piet to make Sinterklaas' horse bigger and stronger. When Magic Piet was not in his room, he got the big book of spells, made a potion and gave it to the horse.
We knew that something had gone wrong but not what. The kids loved the ponies though since they were allowed to ride them. I know Sint has asked them for help to make his horse complete again but I'm not so sure the kids don't like the status quo.
Since Saturday, every time Xenne does something less nice, he immediately says "mama, please don't tell Sinterklaas". I haven't' even told him yet that Sinterklaas is supposed to take badly behaved children off to Spain yet....
Wednesday, 21 November 2012
Book buffet
This is a word that starts me salivating the moment I think about it. Book buffet.. for a bookaholic like me there is nothing like it, especially since there are still very few bookstores here. Heavenly, that is what it is.
It is of course also:
On Monday I tool my Grade 4 there on a field trip. I do that every year. In the weekend I put books aside that I think they will like. On Monday morning, they fill up their bags. It is always a huge success. Especially when we get back to school and they have the time to see what they and everyone else found.
The book buffet was last weekend. My muscles have recovered. I'm ready for the next one. Unfortunately it won't be until the end of march or early April. *sigh*
It is of course also:
- hard work
- sweaty work
- dirty work
- frustrating at times (when someone takes a book you had your eye on)
- much more expensive than I budget for
- addictive (terribly so)
- dehydrating work (I often forget to drinkenough even though water is readily available. And lunch I always skip. The word doesn't even register...)
On Monday I tool my Grade 4 there on a field trip. I do that every year. In the weekend I put books aside that I think they will like. On Monday morning, they fill up their bags. It is always a huge success. Especially when we get back to school and they have the time to see what they and everyone else found.
 |
| Xenne and my books. KK's cookbook and most of Eaindra's books are not on the picture |
Thursday, 15 November 2012
Babies and the trap of too much cultural adaption
The other day at the bookbuffet (something that a well-known bookshop here organizes twice a year) I met a western couple I know and their beautiful, 4-month old baby.
As always, we talked babies and theirs in particular. It must have been at least 10 minutes if not longer that we chatted about all things little.
When I got back home I realised I had completely forgotten to ask their daughter's name. It is the kind of question that back home is the 2nd or 3rd thing you usually say, and it didn't even cross my mind until way later.
Here in Myanmar children often get their names really late, up to a year after they are born. I have asked for a name so often followed by a 'we don't know yet ' that nowadays I wait until I know the baby is about a year old. Then the relatives and especially the fortune teller all have had enough time to be consulted.
The father of this particular baby I met later and I now know the baby's name. He told me that when the baby was born the hospital staff reacted very surprised when the parents told them their daughters name. Their reaction was along the lines of ' how can you know it already?'. Well, because we westerners usually choose a child's name even before the baby is born. He didn't say so but thought it. It would probably be a difficult thing for Myanmar to comprehend.
I was heartily ashamed of myself though. I knew western etiquette better than that.
As always, we talked babies and theirs in particular. It must have been at least 10 minutes if not longer that we chatted about all things little.
When I got back home I realised I had completely forgotten to ask their daughter's name. It is the kind of question that back home is the 2nd or 3rd thing you usually say, and it didn't even cross my mind until way later.
Here in Myanmar children often get their names really late, up to a year after they are born. I have asked for a name so often followed by a 'we don't know yet ' that nowadays I wait until I know the baby is about a year old. Then the relatives and especially the fortune teller all have had enough time to be consulted.
The father of this particular baby I met later and I now know the baby's name. He told me that when the baby was born the hospital staff reacted very surprised when the parents told them their daughters name. Their reaction was along the lines of ' how can you know it already?'. Well, because we westerners usually choose a child's name even before the baby is born. He didn't say so but thought it. It would probably be a difficult thing for Myanmar to comprehend.
I was heartily ashamed of myself though. I knew western etiquette better than that.
Friday, 14 September 2012
Man, was I mad!
Yesterday when I came home from work I found that KK had shaved Eaindra's head. She's completely bald! Ok, we did that with Xenne when he was a couple of months old but at that time it was 40 degrees Celsius here. besides, he's a boy so it does look less strange.
According to hubby, Eaindra had a rash because of the heat. I think i have to have his eyes examined, she had 1 mosquito bite that she had scratched at.
Here in Myanamr many ( if not all) parents believe that you have to shave a child's head at least once when they are very young otherwise they won't have healthy hair...
He had already talked about it before but I thought I'd made it pretty clear I didn't like the idea. Now I can only hope her hair grows back quickly.
According to hubby, Eaindra had a rash because of the heat. I think i have to have his eyes examined, she had 1 mosquito bite that she had scratched at.
Here in Myanamr many ( if not all) parents believe that you have to shave a child's head at least once when they are very young otherwise they won't have healthy hair...
He had already talked about it before but I thought I'd made it pretty clear I didn't like the idea. Now I can only hope her hair grows back quickly.
Saturday, 8 September 2012
Wii -addiction
At school I am way too busy at the moment to update the blog. I used to do a bit at home though not as much as I would have liked. Now though I don't even start up the computer unless I really have to. And it is a surprise at how little I really need it.
I'm addicted to the Wii at the moment. Xenne loves playing and we keep a track of how much he plays. I don't play, I love the Wii dance and exercise routines. We bought a few of those and for the last week and a half i do nothing else in the evening. Half an hour of this program, than that. Instead of being tired, I feel energised and often decide to do a bit extra. Regularly, I have to tell myself at around half past 11 that it is time to go to bed.
I'm not complaining though. I really needed to do more exercising. I used to cycle to school but apart from having to take two kids with me now, the roads are also much more busy. Many Yangonese now own a car. Unfortunately, the driving standards haven't improved yet. Walking is not really easy either. Again, busy roads, pedestrians are not really catered for in the streets here to begin with, and the parks are not attractive places for a walk.
The gym isn't an option. I often feel bored after a few weeks anyway and here the gyms are often attached to big hotels. The smaller ones are not as well fitted out. I would have to go right after school and then hurry to be back on time to take the kids to bed.
No, this Wii thing is great. Let's see if I can keep it up in such a way that I get back to blogging a bit more as well....
I'm addicted to the Wii at the moment. Xenne loves playing and we keep a track of how much he plays. I don't play, I love the Wii dance and exercise routines. We bought a few of those and for the last week and a half i do nothing else in the evening. Half an hour of this program, than that. Instead of being tired, I feel energised and often decide to do a bit extra. Regularly, I have to tell myself at around half past 11 that it is time to go to bed.
I'm not complaining though. I really needed to do more exercising. I used to cycle to school but apart from having to take two kids with me now, the roads are also much more busy. Many Yangonese now own a car. Unfortunately, the driving standards haven't improved yet. Walking is not really easy either. Again, busy roads, pedestrians are not really catered for in the streets here to begin with, and the parks are not attractive places for a walk.
The gym isn't an option. I often feel bored after a few weeks anyway and here the gyms are often attached to big hotels. The smaller ones are not as well fitted out. I would have to go right after school and then hurry to be back on time to take the kids to bed.
No, this Wii thing is great. Let's see if I can keep it up in such a way that I get back to blogging a bit more as well....
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