Spidey’s Serene Sundays | But I Smile Anyway...

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 233 – Parenting

18 Aug 2019 71 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Parenting, Serene, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“If you have never been hated by your child, you have never been a parent.”
Bette Davis

Thanks Spidey, for that.

Bette Davis, I hear ya sister!

I can tell my household is filled with teen and tweenage hormones.

The angst clouding the atmosphere can sometimes be so thick, I need my own knife to cut it, just so I can get around my house.

And over the last few weeks, I have had “I Hate You!” thrown at me so many times, it is unbelieveable!

Truthfully, I don’t hear it much from the older one.

He’s a little more subtle, with his brooding stares of death, and retreating to the garden to work off frustrations in the garden, whacking cricket balls around, or taking part in lengthy battles on Tekken 7, battering poor unsuspecting characters to submission on screen.

Once he’s done that, any moods disperse, and he’ll be quite calm again.

But the other one. OMG.

Maybe it’s because she’s the female of the species – though I don’t recall ever being this moody at her age!

But, seriously. WOW!

All it takes is saying “Can you change please?” or “Time for a shower.”

Yeah fine, sometimes I’m cramping her style, not allowing her to express herself through her interesting dress sense… butI need her to look decent, or respectable, at least.

But other times, all it takes is a “Good morning!” and the bedroom door is slammed shut in a huff. I’m left standing there thinking “Whaddidido?”

Last night, after insisting she went and showered, I heard the unmistakeable youth chant “Oh, I HATE you!” as she slammed the door again – the bathroom one this time.

“I know,” I replied cheerily, and went off to my room to read.

The life of a parent, eh.

Two hours earlier she was sitting on my lap, posing for Snapchat selfies with the Mum she hates.

I do love her hate!

So, how long does this stage last, anyone? She’s 11…

So… tell me, which stage of parenthood are you going through right now?

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 232 –

11 Aug 2019 24 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Family, Quote, Serene, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.”
Lilo & Stitch

Thanks Spidey for reminding me of that Lilo and Stitch quote.

I used to have a talking Stitch toy (yes, I admit it was before I had kids, and I was an adult, but then, I am a Disney fan, so it was mine!) and it would say a few different phrases from the film, in response to you saying things to it, and the above quote was said a lot.

I was reminded of the quote yesterday, after attending a family function back home in Brum.

Some folk I met there are family members who I hadn’t seen for five years or longer. It’s an unfortunate situation, but I live a bit further out than most, and when there are gatherings, they tend to be in the term time, and on a day where I just cannot get there in time, or if I arrived, I’d have to leave pretty much straight away, to get home at a decent time.

But instead of silly comments, or moods, I was welcomed back into the fold with open arms. Some asking about my writing, as they follow my progress on Social Media; some wanting to know how Hubby Dearest was; some jsut wanting to catch up.

It was a great feeling.

One of my aunts said “Tu toh Eid ka chand hi niklai.” It is a saying to describe someone who is rarely seen, and much anticipated, as during the month of Ramadan, and at Eid, Muslims wait, eagerly for the moon (chand) to show, before breaking fasts or starting celebrations.

That made me feel special, but also highlighted to me how little I get to see my extended family. Some of these folk, I saw weekly, growing up, and now it is after years that we meet.

I miss seeing my extended family a lot. They are a huge part of my upbringing, and my memories.

But at least I know I’m not forgotten… and I’ll never forget them either!

So… tell me, which member of your extended family do you have special connections with, and will never forget?

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 231 – Dreams

04 Aug 2019 38 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Quote, rest, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

If you’re tired, learn to rest, not quit.
Anon

Yes, indeed.

Thanks for that Spidey.

I think he’s trying to remind me that it is my holidays and I need to rest up as well as getting things ready for next year!

So I shall take the advice of the quote above, and not overdo things the next few days.

It is rest time.

I’ll try not to pop into school any more (though I can’t promise!) I’ll lie in, in the mornings, and try and edit a little every day.

Well, that’s the plan.

You never know what life has in store for you!

So… tell me, do you know when it’s time to step back and rest?

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 230 – Dreams

28 Jul 2019 26 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Dreams, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday, Walt Disney

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”
Walt Disney

Well thank you very much Spidey, for finding something so apt for me today.

There are many dreams I have in life, and for the first time in a while there appears to be a chance for two big ones to finally be realised, but not without a lot of hard work on my part, and support from all those around me.

The first is my work dream. I have finally, after a good few years, got my own class and own classroom. Yes I have been teaching for a while now, but I have always been part of a partner teach team, so there has been someone else there with me, usually already established in that classroom, and the last 3 years I have been split in two at school, being a partner teacher in two classes so I have been pulled from one side to the other, trying to make my mark, educate children, and keep my sanity in tact.

From September though, I finally have my own home! I am in the throes of visiting school over the first week of the holidays, to set up my room, as I want it to be, putting up displays, creating a reading corner that I hope the children will love, and generally making the place a room I would want to come to every day as a child.

I’m also nervous, as the future of these children, their learning for the next year, and any progress they make, will be 100% on my head. Adding to the mix is the possibility of 3, maybe 4 of my intake having Special Educational needs, and some parents not quite on board with the thought…. that will be an interesting one!

Still, excited am I! Wish me luck!

The next dream that is within reach, is that of my writing.

Two years ago, I decided that I would create my own NaNo month, #RiNoWriMo, which prompted me to really go for getting my WIP in a decent shape, and it really helped me to have myself focussed on writing.

I have decided that this August, I shall have another dedicated month, do something.

#RiNoEdMo

Ritu’s Novel Editing Month!

So, I have decided that in August, I might forfeit my time taking part in blog challenges, and concentrate on working on my editor’s notes, rewriting, tweaking and getting this WIP into a place of readiness for possible publication!

That is an exciting thought!

And though I haven’t fully made up my mind as to what I want to do, I have even got a prospective cover commissioned, if I decide to self-publish, or go Indie!

Wish me even more luck!!!

So… tell me, which dream of yours are you ready to realise?

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 230

21 Jul 2019 55 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, books, Family, reading, Serene, Spidey's Serene Sundays

“I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.”
Groucho Marx

Oh, I loved this quote, Spidey!

This weekend I have been talking reading and books a lot, with my uncle, who came to visit me. This is my mum’s eldest brother. My Mamaji. And he lives in Kenya. I haven’t seen him in 18 years, since my wedding,

He’s a very special man to me. Another dad. And someone who has inspired me to read. Both him and my mother read copiously when I was younger, and though life may not allow them to read as much, even in retirement, they are both like me and would rather have a good book in their hand, than an eye on the goggle box, as my mum always calls it!

My Mamaji treated himself this trip, to an All New Kindle Paperwhite, and he brought it with him, to compare with mine, and to discuss book-related matters.

He’s a non-fiction reader more than fiction, and my memories of him are always of him with his nose in a book or the paper. I remember his bedroom in Kenya distinctly, with piles of books lining walls too!

In fact he was nearly a PhD Graduate in the 60s, but due to personal problelms, he never finished it, and it is a regret he feels keenly. He studied here in London, at Queen Mary’s College and Imperial College, both of which his took my aunt, my Mamiji, to visit last week!

There was a trunk filled with his belongings in my parent’s garage. My mum has kept it safe since it was entrusted to her care in the early 70s and she hasn’t dared open it, or get rid of it.

A couple of weeks ago, Mamaji stationed himself in the garage of Pops and Mum’s house, to rummage through his memories. The trunk was filled with all sorts, including a handmade suit of his, some other hilariously 60s clothes and TONS of books. When I phoned mum that day, she was laughing as she told me how he was like a child in a toyshop, delving into the memories of an extremely precious time for him.

I was in awe of his memory.

Even yesterday, as he mentioned the titles of some of the books, and the authors, some of whom had been his PhD lecturers, his eyes glistened with pure joy. He told mum to give the books away, as he can’t take them back, but he also had a ‘small’ list of ones he would ask her to keep, for memory’s sake.

I know I shall be rummaging around in that trunk before they get given away, to get another insight into Mamaji and his younger life.

Before he left, his parting words to me were, “Send me that book of yours when it’s done.”

Another member of my family who has been such a strong, silent support of my writing dream. He was so proud the day my poetry book came out, and I know I just need to do this, get this book published, not just for me, but for all those dear to me, who have so much faith in my ability.

So… tell me, who is part of your silent support group?