A Tree For His School

Ryan's school had a Christmas party just before Christmas and the school closed for the Christmas season recently. Parents were invited and were requested to bring some food or drinks to the party. We were scratching our heads as to what to bring for the party. I am definitely not one into baking and hence baking Christmas cookies was definitely out of the question. We were thinking of buying some fruits but we were uncertain as to what fruits we should be buying and who is going to cut it for the kids. Moreover, we were quite certain that there would already be fruits at the party.

Then, the idea of presenting the class with a Christmas Tree and some ornaments came upon us. We made a quick call to the school as to whether that would be OK. They more than welcome the idea.

We believe that the tree would be a more 'lasting' gift because they could use it for several years (hopefully) and it fits in nicely with the theme and festive period of the season.

Ryan, Mommy and Chenya enjoying their snacks ...

Hence, we rushed back to the vendor where we got our own tree. She was too happy to see us when we told her that we wanted an exact tree and four boxes of shinny ornaments. My wife, of course was the negotiator and by the time, she finished with her bargaining, the vendor (she) and her were practically best of friends. The vendor was an equally shrewd businesswoman herself. I guessed that they finally found someone to match their wits and crossed swords and were happy and satisfied at the end of the day.

The children taking part in the unpacking the tree ....

The children at the class were all excited when they learnt that they were getting a Christmas Tree. Ryan, of course, was running up and down telling everyone that his mommy and daddy were the ones would bought the tree and he has one similar one at home. Everyone took part in the unpacking of the tree and took turns to put up the ornaments with some help from the teachers and some parents.

"Now, how am I going to organize this and get them to work together without fighting ??????"

All in all, it was interesting to see how the children came together to get it done without crashing the tree, and helping each other out with the taller children decorating those parts of the tree where the younger ones could not reach.

With them putting up their ornaments, the tree somewhat became `their' tree and that sense of belonging.

The children all taking part in putting up the ornaments to decorate the tree ...

We actually suggested to the teachers if they could just get each student in the class to write their name and year on an ornament and put them on the tree, hence, leaving behind a mark that they have been there before. Over the years then, one could see all the children who have had a hand in decorating the tree every Christmas as way of remembrance.

Ryan with Jeff, the Santa Claus and Grace, two of his favorite teachers in the world right now ....

I certainly hope that our little gift has somewhat made this Christmas more memorable and exciting for Ryan and his little friends in his class.

Childhood Friend

Childhood friendship is one of the most interesting parts and parcel of our lives as we grow up. I grew out of those childhood friendship unfortunately, as I got busy with my college life and corporate life and have not touch base with many of those playmates that I grew up with. There are many of us who still keep in touch with our childhood friends and have remained close.

As I grow older, there are nights, digging deep into my fading memories, trying hard to remember their names. As each of their name came up, fond memories followed, of the laughter we had, the mischief we got ourselves into, the secrets and adventures we shared. I always ended wishing I know where they are now and if only we could just sit down for a cup of coffee and relive those little precious moments together.

Ryan has got a new friend here in Beijing and they have become very close over the last couple of months. Just a couple of months younger, Slevin and Ryan have grown almost inseparable. They are constantly asking for each other and always looking forward to meet up whenever they can and have a good time.

They have grown so close that they are each asking whether they could move into each other houses and live together. Kids!!

And Chenya has grown fond of Slevin too. There was a day when she woke up from her nap and the first person she asked for was “Where is SLEVIN?” This girl is having her first crush on a BOY at 2 years old!

The parents of Slevin are probably the closest pals we have now in Beijing and rightly so, because they are also simply nice people to start with. In fact, they have volunteered to take Ryan out with Slevin a couple of times, including the latest Michael Jackson Immortal World Tour concert.

I just want to write this down as a way to remember this great family and remind Ryan that he once had a good childhood friend by the name of Slevin if they should ever part and go their separate ways, that somehow, their lives have touched somewhat and left a little something behind, pleasant and happy memories of a growing childhood.