Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Not So Long Ago...

Not so long ago, my youngest was just picking flowers for me, stealing them from someone's garden bed, pinching the most colourful, craziest, vibrant ones of the lot, happily presenting them to me in a bouquet.

Not so long ago, my youngest was just planting a kiss on my cheeks and squeezing me a hug. She does it with such gusto that I almost bowl over just by hugging her back. She had no care, no qualms, no complaints about showing off how much she loved her mommy.

Not so long ago, my youngest was just learning how to make bubbles out of chewing gum. She was disappointed not to have learnt it right the first time. I patted her gently to remind her that life's journey may not always go your way, but you should always enjoy the ride.

Not so long ago, my youngest was just experiencing her first amusement park ride. It was such a great day. She learnt about fear, excitement and thrill all into one. I taught her how to scream.

Not so long ago, my youngest was just playing with her teddies on her first flight abroad. She held onto them so tight that I'm sure the teddies would've burst if they could only speak.

Not so long ago, my youngest was just on stage for her first ballet performance. It was exhilarating to finally see how ladylike and graceful she had become with her ballet moves. It was also daunting to acknowledge that she had grown up right before my very eyes.

The not-so-long-ago moments seemed just like yesterday. How time truly flies!

Time seems so vicious and unyielding. It waits for no reminiscent mommy, that's for sure. I know my baby won't stay this young forever, but I do sometimes wish that I could stay with her at a certain age for just a little while longer.

"Let them be little...because they are only that way for a while." I'll miss these times terribly....

Missy at age 5

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

The Parents vs The Arianators

Waiting patiently for Ariana - Instagram photo by jamie250196

Yes. I am sure a lot of mothers will sympathise. In one time or another in your child's younger years, you have gone to see a concert of a celebrity half your age, who your child absolutely adores. Not to mention the fact that your fellow concert-goers were parents (like yourself) ...accompanying their kids (like yourself).

It came a little bit late in motherhood for me, and I thought I was going to miss it altogether. But no can do. I did just that recently - attended a concert with my kid because she'd wanted to see Ariana Grande.

I didn't really think much of it when I bought the tickets to Ariana's show. Deep down inside, I was a secret fan and loved her music even though I would not pass for someone in the same generation.

I didn't really notice her fan base until I sat at the concert, looking left to right, realisation dawning on me that the venue was fast filling with kids that were even younger than mine. If I thought Ariana was half my age, her fans were another half more! Woe is me. The concert did not displace me though (because I was in the good companies of the other parents), merely left me feeling a bit over the hill.

But I refuse to be embarrassed. As much as I had been there for my child, I highly enjoyed the show. Ariana was entertaining and showcased her talent well. She sang her well-known hits. And although I did not have them all memorised, I sang along with the crowd. I was mesmerised by this lady with the sultry sound and I was all sad when the night ended. Who says you can't be a parent and an Arianator at the same time?

So going with your child to something she wants to is not all that bad. It might not be what you initially expected it to be but it may always turn out to be something better. What was your experience?

Ariana Grande's The Honeymoon Tour in Toronto

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Childhood Games

Missy with a Nintendo GameCube

Guess there may be hope yet. Ageing could all just be in my mind indeed. There's no such thing as being too old for the next generation. After all these years, we seem to be playing the same old games, don't we?

On a recent visit to the dentist's office, my youngest thought it best to use her waiting time, playing with a computer game that was at the reception foyer.

As I watch her play and focus all her attention on the game, it reminded me of my own silly obsession as a young child with the Nintendo game console.

Sure, Mario and Luigi (the Mario Bros.) were not in sight. And she was actually busy playing with Alex the Lion and the rest of the Madagascar gang.

But somehow, with her playing there ever so intensely, with a Nintendo GameCube, it dawned on me that my childhood was half-filled with days like this where I just sat, trying hard to save the princess in the castle. I had so much fun and contentment when I used to play those games at her age. Life was so simple as an 11-year-old.

Who would've thought that a Nintendo game could make me feel so nostalgic and so connected to my child at the same time?

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Movie Vending Machines

Redbox location outside
It is a sad day indeed. Just when I was getting the hang of it, Redbox Canada has just announced a few weeks ago that it is closing shop in Canada. In fact, this week marks the last week to return any outstanding DVDs back.

It was really a novelty while it lasted. I've never seen anything quite like it. I suppose, with these words, I am proclaiming that I am some kind of hillbilly who's out of touch with technology...but I just can't seem to get over renting videos through a vending machine.

Of course, it's not as far-fetched an idea as I make it out to be. It's been around for decades. I imagine that is probably why there are no more video rental places around. They have all been automated with these machines.

As mentioned, the company in Canada that actually rented out videos this way was called Redbox Canada. And as you guessed it, the vending machines looked like giant red boxes. They were located in specific locations, with no preference of being outside or inside under a roof.

Renting at the Redbox was much like going up to a vending machine and making your choice. Once you've made your selection, the Redbox machine will spurt out your chosen movie. It was that easy. And that convenient.

It's really a shame. Feels like some kind of digital era is ending.

For Redbox US, visit their website.