Booty Contemplates Death but Deems the Rest Quite Satisfactory

In the cab yesterday on the way to the ferry:
"The Hunter came with his gun. Babar's Mama is dead. Really dead."

Why the heck did I buy that book!? I thought it was going to be filled with all those detailed illustrations I remember, elephants and monkeys playing in the water. Quaint French villages and vintage style clothing and cars. But instead we have a dead mummy, a poisoned king, a crying elephant, and tribal, spear-wielding hunters that look pretty darned racists to me, (they all look the same and their mouths are the central exaggerated feature).

But she seemed undisturbed as she continued to talk in the taxi about her life and how things work.



She also had a joyful time on Kusu (turtle) Island and was intrigued by the Imperial Cheng Ho cruise boat which provides breakfast, tea and dinner cruises around Singapore and stops briefly on Kusu Island. We did not take the cruise but a ferry instead. On the island she proceeded to collect many sticks for her dadda raft (one of her father's nicknames) even battling red ants. After being bitten by a red ant because she "poked him", she cried loudly until I explained that the ant bit her because he was afraid. She stopped crying. This seemed to make sense to her. The trees on the island had huge ridge-like roots that were perfect for hidden treasures or building fairy houses if one had been of a mind to do so.

Later in the afternoon we visited the turtle sanctuaries on the island (3 that we know of) and finally went swimming. The island was all but deserted and we were happy to have brought water, food and sunblock. Kusu island is quiet but provides nothing but bathrooms, two temples (one Malay and one Chinese), scenery and a place to rest from the sun. If you like to see huge container ships, barges, or the like, the view from the island is excellent.

Arriving home we were famished and felt very icky (from the oil-slicked sea). We promptly bathed and came down for a delicious meal made by M of sauteed tofu, vegetable stir fry with red Thai rice and garlic spinach. Desert was homemade yogert and fresh applesauce (still cooling. After a long day in the hot sun, this was such a treat. Booty and I fell asleep in a heap on our bed by 7pm.

Inutile!

My feet aren't the same.
As before that is, before I moved to hotter climes.
Since I mostly wear flip flops out of doors, and no shoes in doors, my feet have changed and have become soft. Not used to shoes. Of any kind.
I found this out when I walked to the train station last week with a new pair of Sketcher flats.
By the time I reached Bugis Street I had 6 raging blisters. I stopped at the pharmacy and bought some blister covers which only partly worked ( to detail this is to subject you to a fair amount of cringe). And so I stopped at the nearest shoe store and bought, you guessed it, another pair of flip flops. Green Tevas.

My daughter isn't the same either.
Not that I expected her to listen to me and her father when we said, "Do not change! We like you the way you are RIGHT NOW and so no growing up and getting particular." Whoever came up with the phrase "terrible twos" was a year off. As my friend A has said, we are being given "the business". Our girl doesn't know what she wants and therefor we must dance until the entertainment suffices. One of my sisters referred to her son as "the puppet master". Yes. All this is dawning on me now. And just to add more fun to the situation, Mr. D is travelling (He may be at your house right now!) And I have taken myself off prescription "help". When Booty says in regard our sweet friend Minaz, "She's like my mama!" I hear, "I wish she was my mama because my mama is a mean, old bag!" Sigh. Learning curve? Learning? HA! (Very witchy laugh let me tell you).

I have been avoiding other blogs. I have a blog friend who is absolutely brilliant, beautiful (yes you) AND sweet tempered (How do I know? I KNOW.) Because I feel so. so.

I was recently told, by someone I love, that I have not yet met my "destiny" and that something is in the way. Instead of making me feel excited about this- "Oh cool, you mean travelling around the world with these beautiful people is not what I am supposed to do? There is MORE out there WAITING for me?" I feel like, "Oh great! Someone else knows what I know, that I am not accomplishing anything despite my efforts." I am in a word, inutile! Or another, superflu! When you read these words you must say them aloud, in French with an accusatory tone. "In OO Teel!" "Soo Pair Floo!" Thank you.

Somehow just talking in this way makes me feel better.

I just finished "The Lacuna", by Barbara Kingsolver. A sad but beautifully told story of a young writer whose life is changed by his close association with the Rivera/Kahlo household. It is a nice hunk of a book (500 pages) and I was glad of the length and breadth of the tale.

I am now reading, "Say you're one of them" by Uwem Akpan. So far, excellent.

While it appears I am wasting this lifetime away, I have taken on some additional Anthroposophic study. This week we are studying the senses. Not just the 5 you know about but an additional 7 as well. This study of the 12 senses directly and profoundly relates to the development of the child.

I finished two more dresses from the lovely khadi that we bought in Bombay. Perhaps I will ask the da-in-la to purchase more before they visit for the Booty's birthday coming up very soon. "My Pink Birthday! I want a pink dress, and a pink cake and a pink camera and a pink phone with pink buttons!"

All I can think is, "How did it happen?"

This morning Booty and I are hanging out. At this moment she is eating homemade applesauce and yogert. I think she stays healthy partly because she eats mostly unprocessed food every day. And enough to gag a construction worker.

We have had some delightful guests of late. Our Anthroposophical pediatrician from India has been staying with us and seeing special needs patients on our third floor (usually my study and our guest room). It has been so lovely having a steady stream of families visiting who care deeply about the "whole person" well-being of their children. When she and her partner(a physical therapist) left, I felt a sense of loss, as if my family had just left.

This past week was Shiva'ratri and Chinese New Year. We celebrated both but on a small scale, with bajhans and banners. Playgroup at our house will start up again next week.

Yesterday we went to the bookstore and Booty announced, "Pee!" and promptly produced a large puddle on the floor in the children's section. I had not brought any change of clothing or wipies or anything.

This morning upon entering our bedroom to wake up her dad, she found my cup of water and dumped the contents on my bedside dresser, soaking my cell phone and reading book.

The cats too have received their fair share, from tail-stepping, to ear pulling to slapping.

All with a smile.

It is the year of the Tiger. And in my first dream I was chased and mauled (and perhaps even devoured) by a tiger. Dreams are very complicated so I don't know how to interpret this one.

Auspicious?

When he disses. He disses good.
Once again the president hit the nail on the proverbial head.

"When times are tough, you tighten your belts," Obama said, according to a White House transcript of his appearance Tuesday at a high school in North Nashua, N.H.

"You don't go buying a boat when you can barely pay your mortgage," Obama said. "You don't blow a bunch of cash on Vegas when you're trying to save for college. You prioritize. You make tough choices."

"I'll do everything I can to give him the boot," Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said during a hastily called news conference, adding that he was incensed when he heard about the comments and said he would no longer welcome the president here if he visits.

Am I terrible because this gave me a hearty laugh?
Because once again President Barack Obama, (my hero most of the time) says it like it is? It seems to me at least.

I have been known to call Vegas "Hell on earth", and if you are the mayor of "hell" you don't want any of Obama's ilk keeping people out.

Unfortunately, Obama backpedaled and said later to soothe the objectors, he didn't mean to pick on Vegas and "There is no place better to have fun than Vegas, one of our country's great destinations."

How about everyone who loves Vegas gets to send their children to school there? How about they have their parents retire there? And they can also live and work there? How about that?

The rest of us will try to save our money, put our kids into decent schools and build community instead of money pits that drain the integrity out of every day people.

Singapore is building a huge casino on Sentosa, a small island hugging its shores. Sentosa used to be a peaceful luxury spot with a quiet beach but I am worried about the effect of a casino on the country.

This poem is ALWAYS a hit at parties. And it is a good poem to teach your class for assemblies, (the parents LOVE it). I love it too.


The Embarrassing Episode of Little Miss Muffet
by Guy Wetmore Carryl

Little Miss Muffet discovered a tuffet,
(Which never occurred to the rest of us)
And, as ’twas a June day, and just about noonday,
She wanted to eat -- like the best of us:
Her diet was whey, and I hasten to say
It is wholesome and people grow fat on it.
The spot being lonely, the lady not only
Discovered the tuffet, but sat on it.

A rivulet gabbled beside her and babbled,
As rivulets always are thought to do,
And dragon flies sported around and cavorted,
As poets say dragon flies ought to do;
When, glancing aside for a moment, she spied
A horrible sight that brought fear to her,
A hideous spider was sitting beside her,
And most unavoidably near to her!

Albeit unsightly, this creature politely
Said, "Madam, I earnestly vow to you,
I’m penitent that I did not bring my hat. I
Should otherwise certainly bow to you."
Though anxious to please, he was so ill at ease
That he lost all sense of propriety,
And grew so inept that he clumsily stept
In her plate -- which is barred in Society.

This curious error completed her terror;
She shuddered, and growing much paler, not
Only left tuffet, but dealt him a buffet
Which doubled him up in a sailor knot.
It should be explained that at this he was pained;
He cried, "I have vexed you, no doubt of it!
Your fist’s like a truncheon." "You’re still in my luncheon,"
Was all that she answered. "Get out of it!"

And THE MORAL is this: Be it madam or miss
To whom you have something to say,
You are only absurd when you get in the curd
But you’re rude when you get in the whey!

New Book I recommend to all parents of young children and people who are interested,
"Simplicity Parenting" by Kim John Payne.

I have studied and worked with Kim Payne during my years as a Waldorf teacher in the states. His "Social Inclusion" work with schools is a productive "no blame" approach to bullying and could be used on a wider scale in the world to beautiful effect. To be in the presence of Kim is to witness a person with a truly wise and peaceful nature.

Many publishers have been trying to get him to publish his work and finally Random House has landed him. This book is an easy read and an even easier set of lessons on which to follow through.

If you can't buy it now, try to find it in your local bookstore and browse through it.

If only words could express my pleasure at discovering his new book and my excitement at the thought that many parents would read it!!!

KUROSAWA!
Today DHL delivered The Criterion Collection, "25 Films of Akira Kurosawa". This was a gift from my mother in Maine, (Thanks mom!) via an Amazon e-certificate. Most people associate Kurosawa with "Seven Samurai" and epic warrior tales. But those who know his work can see that his pictures are both portraits of the human being on a grand scale and stories of the common man. His movies are as much masterpiece paintings as historic theater on film. Certainly, he was the first Japanese film director known in the west but also one of the first directors, along with Fellini and Bergman to prove film is an art.

My first Kurosawa film was released in 1980. I was a sophomore in high school and saw the film, "Kagemusha" at the Nickelodian theater on Cape Cod.

My first realization of his genius came after seeing, "Throne of Blood", a take on Shakespeare's, "Macbeth". The images in its most famous ending of Wishizu's demise are still imprinted in my memory.

My favorite Kurosawa film actor is Toshiro Mifune. Altho' he lays it on thick, he is mesmerizing, versatile and breathtakingly powerful. Takashi Shimura, is also wonderful and carries his roles with more subtlety and depth.

I haven't seen all 25 in the collection. However, my favorite is still "Seven Samurai". But "Stray Dogs", "Ikiru", "The Lower Depths", "The Hidden Fortress" (hilarious) and "Red Beard" also rank as some of my favorite movies.

Above image thanks to Wikipedia.

Booty and mom have new Kurtas. Again not perfect but fun to make!

And starting next week we have our Waldorf playgroup here at our house on Mondays and Fridays. This is not the drop off program but a mom and tot thing.

And what else is new? Still working on the Waldorf primary school initiative which I have offered at our house but we still need at least 2 more students enrolled.

This is how everything is transported up the mountain as no cars are allowed.



Roadside shop on MG Road (Mahatma Ghandi Road) in Matheran.



Sheets out to dry at the Regal Hotel in Matheran, India.



This is a nice quiet morning spot for breakfast and the newspaper, (in Mumbai).

It doesn't look good for the drop off program we planned. But that just means more time to make stuff!

I finally made the purse roll today. It is nice because you can take out the inside zip pockets to make more room for bigger stuff (passports, wallets...)I admit, tho' that it isn't really made with precision. I just sewed it up without ironing or measuring. I guess I am more a sculptor than a seamstress. I got the shiny ribbon from Bombay, my absolute favorite place to shop.

Behind my family's house are alleyway shops and streets filled with open air shops where you can find some seriously beautiful things for shockingly low prices. It helps to bring Mr. Discount (my father-in-law). He is notoriously thrifty and will bargain a shopkeeper down to the last rupee. I can't decide if I feel good about my purchases or guilty.

Now that camp and the Holidays are finished I can find time to post a little.
Goodness what a busy month! Camp went extremely well and despite some boy-girl bickering and a little "We aren't your friend" business Yeng Yen and I had a wonderful time with the campers. We made lanterns, felted slippers with recycled newspaper pulp soles, clay turtle candle holders, wove bags and a bunch of other crafts and games and songs. Christmas was quiet but nice. We went to Arab street and then downtown Singapore to show Booty the crazy Christmas lights which were way over the top. The day after Christmas we flew out to Bombay. Now that we don't live in India I can't get enough of it. Especially Mumbai (Bombay). Dad took me to all the back alley shops and markets. It was an amazing feast for the senses. Booty, H and I drove to Matheran, which is a mountain village outside of the city. They don't allow cars so one has to walk up to the top of the mountain or take a horse. We took horses. Booty remarked that our horse was beautiful and was hooked. The next two days she wanted to ride on the horsies. And ride she did! We saw lots of monkeys at close range. Booty also made a number of friends. The children were extremely friendly and stunningly gorgeous. The food was also delicious! Our only complaint was that we were COLD! And not prepared for the weather. A lovely holiday!

I am supposed to be working on my camp preparation. Since I have only 10 days left before it begins. Camp is FULL! And I just came up with a brilliant idea for a "totally recycled" art project. More details to come. But look! There is a Leeeee Zard on top of our back gate! You may not know this but I love lizards. I had to stop for a moment and gaze adoringly at her (or him).

We are in the process of obtaining a POI card for me and Booty. Which is funny because POI stands for Person of Indian Origin. I can pretend that in some distant past I WAS Indian. But for Booty it ain't right. She is from Opi Opia, (Ethiopia in Booty speak). The reason why a 10 year visa isn't good enough is because there is a new restriction on long term visas. One cannot return to India on a 10 year visa before 2 months. This doesn't work for us. We may need to go home for family.

My schedule has filled up. There are visits with Anthroposophic doctors. And workshops (this weekend) to attend and to present (next month). Parent meetings (tomorrow!) to discuss starting a school here. And art supplies to purchase with the abundance flowing to me.

Yes I am still retiring very early at night, (9pm) but I am up and ready by the time super girl has her cape on and begins to sing.
LOUDLY!

Happy Thanksgiving

On each grain is written the name
of the eater.
The giver is the one.
The giver is the creator.

Sometimes, just to feel productive I make an origami box. It only takes a few minutes but then I can add it to the list of boxes I know. My schedule is kaput. But then again I didn't know this energy-sucking malaise would hit me at exactly the time when the Waldorf Community wanted me "back in the saddle" again.

Camp is going to kick my butt.
That is, if the ladies in my Waldorf support group don't, (I have promised to host a workshop on Waldorf Education focusing on math and a NUMBER of other things).

!!!

A lot of activity on the homefront. A few more "campers" have registered, which makes the group more lively. So far, the girls outnumber the boys 2-1. I guess since it is a "Craft" camp, more girls would come. But is that it? Hmmmm.

I took some pictures today of my walk between home and the train station. It is a walk I enjoy, even when it is so hot I am using an umbrella for protection. I think it is because I like alleyways and canals. Singapore is full of these sort of hidden passageways. Where the laundry hangs and the foreign domestic workers cook and things are not all sterile and the ladies gossip tho' I know not what they say. But I know they do because our helper M tells me.

Picture 1: Alleyway off Swan Lake Avenue on the way to Bedock station.
Picture 2: The reason I wait in the public restroom for the ONE non-squatter toilet.
Picture 3: Our convenience store.
Picture 4: Our take-away.
Picture 5: No car in the driveway.

Waldorf Camp

My camp is up and running as I now have enough campers registered for everyone to get paid, (me, an assistant and space rental).

What with the useless medication (that only makes me tired) and the flu, I have been utterly without purpose this last week. Sorry.

Interesting stuff to read (watch) about H1N1 though. If you want to read Teresa Forcades presentation.

Or watch her on Youtube:

flu.
bla.

Tonite I am excited about going to this talk at the Waldorf School that is in my neighborhood!


Waldorf Steiner Education Association Singapore
Presents:

Connecting With Your Destiny
A Talk by Hans van Forenstein Mulder

Hans van Florenstein Mulder
Hans was born in Sumatra. He served as General Secretary of the Anthroposophical Society in New Zealand from 1992- 2006. He and his wife Ineke were involved in founding the first Waldorf High School in New Zealand. Hans was also director of the one-year diploma course in biodynamic agriculture at Taruna. Since 2006, he has been assisting the Executive Council at the Goetheanum in Dornach to foster the life of the General Anthroposophical Society and the School of Spiritual Science in Asia.

I think the joke is on me.

Last week I started researching post-graduate school and online courses. There are many universities (like UMASS) that are offering degrees online. I started to get excited about this. Being productive. Improving myself!

This week I was persuaded to step back into the Waldorf community and agree to offer some time. My friend RR has offered to co-teach a two day morning program for 2 to 3 year olds with me. And after attending a very intense Anthroposophic mother's support group I believe I will be busy next year starting a 1st grade and supplementing main stream curriculum.

So much for career advancement.