Chai and a Chat – #5 #ChaiAndAChat

05 Nov 2018 49 Comments

by Ritu in Chai and a Chat, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: , , , ,

Well hello there!

Another week, another hot drink and time for a catch-up!

Chai and a Chat

  • If we were sipping a chai together, I’d have slumped on the chair, with a grin and said: ” I survived the first week back!”
  • If we were sipping a chai together, I’d tell you we got the kids enrolled in a maths tutoring session. I have never been one for tutoring, especially if it means teaching to pass a test such as the 11+ selective test we have here in the UK. If a kid needs heavy tutoring to just get in a school like that, they will need a lot of support for the rest of the time they study there. However, if a child is struggling, then a little extra help is not a bad thing. I am a teacher, yes, but I cannot teach my kids. We fall out. They don’t listen. I get frustrated. We argue. Nothing is achieved. Lil Man requested some extra help, so after a little research, we found a tutor and programme to start him on. Hubby Dearest thought it would be good to get Lil Princess involved too, as maths has never been the strong point of either the kids or me. She wasn’t impressed. He was pretty cool with it. At the end of the session, she bounded out. “It was great, Mummy! Can I go again?” He was still cool, a more understated reaction, but I think it will do them both the world of good.
  • If we were sipping chai together, I’d let you know that the Halloween party was a success. The Zombie Cheerleader was more interested in proper makeup, rather than the deathly pallor usually associated with Zombies, and there were a few meltdowns, as I applied white to her face, and a dark shadow under her eyes… However, my eyeliner flicks were apparently ” on fleek!” The costume was such a success she decided to wear it at the school disco the next day too!
  • If we were sipping chai together, I’d tell you the school disco was such fun! There are two; one for the younger children, whom I teach, and the one for older kids, more Lil Princess’s age. At the first, I am able to join in with full gusto, dancing around, generally fooling around like a loon. The kids love it. The second one, I am relegated to the snack room. Apparently, I am too embarrassing for her! And I hit over 16,000 steps that day too!
  • If we were sipping chai together, I’d mention the book I just finished, Fresh Off The Boat by Eddie Huang. Have you seen the series on TV? It’s a cute, but funny take on life as a young Chinese kid who is trying to work out where he fits in to life in the USA, having been born there, but to FOB (fresh off the boat – immigrant) parents, who refuse to let go of any of their cultural thoughts and customs. I started it with such excitement, and I had even got the sequel. But it was a hard read. Not because there were tough issues covered, but more the way it was written. Eddie thought/thinks of himself as a bit of a ‘homie’, so there is so much affected ‘black American’ lingo in the book, and rather a lot of effing and blinding. The story itself was interesting, how he got himself into so many scrapes over the years, trying not to blend in, and be the typecast Asian kid. I think he speaks for a certain generation of kids, but not all. I will read the sequel, partly because I bought it, and also because I do want to know what happened next… but I have to say, I much prefer the light-hearted TV serial!

  • If we were sipping that chai together, I’d let you know that I am in awe of the NaNo writers out there, trying their damndest to be NaNo winners this year, as I sit, looking at my WIP, and can’t quite get started!
  • If we were sipping that chai together, I’d let you know we had a funeral in the family this week too. I was unable to attend, as I had school, and someone needed to be home for the kids too, but it was Hubby Dearests aunt who had passed away. A lovely lady who we had only seen a few weeks previously, but she was unwell. Wishing her soul is at peace now and not in any more pain, and thoughts going out to our uncle and his four daughters. It doesn’t matter how old you are, losing your mother will always be heartwrenching… 🙏

And for the week ahead?

  • If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies, I’d tell you that today is the day of my first official Parents Evening! Yes, I have held parent consultations for Nursery in the last few years, but they are more informal meetings with parents. This year I am to be official Reception teacher for one of the two evenings this year, and we are all usually sat in the school hall, where parents will have made appointments, and I will have to curb my tendency to get really into conversations, discussing how the children have settled into school, and where they are, progress-wise! I’m kinda nervous, but excited too!
  • If we were sipping that chai together, I’d say I also have my own kid’s parents meetings too. And Lil Man’s is his first one regarding his journey into GCSE-land! Kinda nervous about that one, as he has to pass these tests, but at least he has 3 years to study for them!
  • As I mop up the crumbs I’d mention that our wedding anniversary is creeping upon us, as well as Christmas, and I have no clue what to get for presents! The kids are sorted – Lil Man already has his, an XBox, and Lil Princess does too – we are going to see Little Mix next year. The tickets are her present. But the in-laws? And Hubby Dearest? He is so hard to buy for!!!!

So, what’s your week been like, and what are you looking forward to?

If you want, drop a line in the comments, or even link back to this with a Chai and a Chat post of your own!

49 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. rachaelstray
    Nov 28, 2018 @ 10:24:26

    I hope the parents evening went well Ritu and sorry to hear of your loss xx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  2. Rae Longest
    Nov 16, 2018 @ 18:12:25

    I LOVE reading about your weekly updates.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. cocojosha
    Nov 07, 2018 @ 20:47:30

    Sending my condolences to you, your husband and his family! Glad the Halloween party was a success! This was a great update, Ritu!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  4. roughwighting
    Nov 06, 2018 @ 22:24:12

    16,000 steps! You were busy! Great chat. On Halloween I taught an adult creative writing class and we all wrote stories about a “magic potion.” A fun way to use our imaginations. Then we each picked up our brooms and flew off for the night. 😆

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  5. charlypriest
    Nov 06, 2018 @ 21:52:00

    Halloween was great and high school disco was great you said, chai!!!

    I just looked up what chai was and I don’t know about mixing tea with spices and specially milk, haven’t tried it but I do have tea in the house and milk, but I don’t know what type of spices if you can help me out on what type of spices to use I´ll give it a try.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. joey
    Nov 06, 2018 @ 00:26:07

    IF we were sipping chai, I’d get you more chai and a footstool 🙂
    I can tutor my kids, never struggled to do it, and I think when they were wee, they liked having my focus. As they’ve gotten older, I’ve found that sometimes them helping one another was a lot more interesting/engaging to them. I’ve had to take them to a few sessions for math, cause we just cannot with the math. Having had tutors for math myself, you’d think I’d know more than I do. Haha! If the boy one was still home, he could help Moo — same kinda brain, but he never could teach the other two who do not think like him.
    I’m sorry you had to attend a funeral. We recently did that as well. A mama. She went peacefully, and lived her last days in the loving care of her family, but the agony of her adult children was palpable to me. ❤ Oh my heart.
    We watched a few seasons of FOB and it is cute 🙂
    I hope you knock this week out of the park! You’re a great inspiration!

    Liked by 1 person

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  7. Erika Kind
    Nov 05, 2018 @ 19:30:40

    I don’t know what it is but whenever I see your chai posts up I am having a chai right next to me. Too funny!
    I am glad you could get your kids joining a program to support them.
    I am sorry for the loss of your hubby’s aunt. Sending you all much love 💖
    Wishing you all the best for the parent’s meetings – both kinds!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. Annette Rochelle Aben
    Nov 05, 2018 @ 16:27:26

    You are such an inspiration with your chai chats… I enjoy them and it does give me reflective thoughts on my own week. It was pretty good and I am grateful for every experience. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  9. syl65
    Nov 05, 2018 @ 16:12:36

    This week I choose chamomile tea and leave the past semi stressful week behind and begin this week on a hopeful note and pushing forward towards that new horizon always within my sight. Thanks for sharing Sister and I hope you have a great week ahead! 💜

    Liked by 1 person

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  10. Image Earth Travel
    Nov 05, 2018 @ 15:22:50

    You’ve definitely been busy sipping your Chai Latte…

    Liked by 1 person

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  11. Rarenwise
    Nov 05, 2018 @ 15:14:55

    I really felt like we were sipping on Chai together

    Liked by 1 person

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  12. OIKOS™-Publishing
    Nov 05, 2018 @ 13:49:48

    What another great chat! Seems you are very busy Sis! 😉 But his one is fantastic “Apparently, I am too embarrassing for her!” lol Kids are growing! Best wishes, Michael

    Liked by 1 person

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  13. Jennie
    Nov 05, 2018 @ 13:14:54

    I so enjoy your weekly chats, Ritu. Sounds like you had a full one and a good one!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  14. Dan Antion
    Nov 05, 2018 @ 12:57:30

    It is hard to teach family members, even when you can. Sounds like a full plate has been cleaned and another is being served – good luck Ritu.

    Liked by 1 person

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  15. Book Club Mom
    Nov 05, 2018 @ 12:43:02

    Always like your updates! Have a great week Ritu!

    Liked by 1 person

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