What does Christmas mean in the 21st Century . . .?

I would love to have the opportunity to have this discussion with a group of year 7 & 8 students sometimes.  I think this age group is a good indicator of what is real for them because they are in the process of thinking for themselves and although they are still strongly influenced by what is practiced at home and what their peer groups are practicing they enjoy having the opportunity of discussing topics such as this.

Although parents would really like their children to enjoy Christmas as quality time to spend with the whanau is this what really matters to our children?  I had this discussion with my 3 youngest children, one who is 15, another 13 and the youngest 12.  

The 15 year old believes that it is all about spending time with the whanau but not at the expense of what they are involved in (with hers being waka ama at this time) so that means that we are all with whanau while she returns home early to go back to practice for the nationals that are coming up in the middle of January 2009. 

The 13 year old just wants to have a good time and isn't too fussed about where that is or who is involved in it but he does enjoy being with his cousins, older siblings, aunties and uncles.  If it gives him a chance to either go hunting or fishing then he is in and ready to go.  If it has anything to do with actually thinking about a plan then he would prefer to follow the leader (who is usually his younger brother).  

The youngest one, the 12 year old, although he enjoys getting the presents and all the rest that comes with Christmas, he just really wants everyone to get together and have fun with each other.  He said to me today that he thinks his dad and I should just give them all money from now on and they can buy themselves something on Boxing Day, during the sales, so I might just take him up on that. 

Personally, I think the giving is very much alive in our whanau but its keeping it in perspective that we need to revisit, so guess what I will be focussing more on in 2009 with my darlings.  

Holiday period has begun . . .

Let's recap 2008 . . . 

Whanau:

• LOVE being with my whanau everyday . . . even on the days that it gets a little challenging to be positive.  
• Unconditional love alive and kicking
• My kids continue to make me proud everyday . . . 
• Glad to be healthy and able to help others everyday
• Nellie Ann still doing some amazing things . . . and still happy
• Sean Michael finished college and preparing for university
• Te Awa really blossomed this year, wanted college to challenge her again so took it upon herself to move from Te Kura Maori to an English medium college and enjoyed everyday of school since then.  After two terms she was awarded a prize at their prize giving.  She is determined to take out all the main awards before she leaves too . . . good on her.
• Whare still loves drawing . . . and creating amazing art pieces.  Enjoying wharekura although it's still challenging for him
• Tautahi is still confident, started playing rugby and was offered a number of opportunities to trial out for the reps in his first year . . . not bad.  Wants school to challenge him a little more so will work on that happening in the new year.
• Lost an uncle I absolutely adored this year . . . what a dumb way to end the year.  Never mind, he had been sick for a long time and although he was as stubborn as a mule at least he is resting now.  Got the opportunity to go home and rekindle the fire again so that was good.  Saw my nana and papa, and too many uncles, aunties, and cousins in the urupa but they keep us connected to the whenua so that is always good.
• Found out I'm going to be an auntie again early 2009.  Mum and dad would have been so proud of all their mokopuna.

Work Achievements:

• Started the year as a Team Leader with 3 team members . . . ended it as a manager with 6 team members.  More people doesn't equal less work.
• Completed the consultation of our revised Maori medium curriculum and then launched a world leading indigenous curriculum with some amazing people . . . definately something worth remembering.  So priviledged . . .
• Got the opportunity to work with some amazing people yet again this year.
• Attended 2008 WIPCE conference in Melbourne with work mates.
• Got offered some interesting jobs and experiences.
• Got tired by the end of the year.

WHAT AWAITS US FOR 2009 . . .

Homeward Bound

Going home today YIHA!  I've really enjoyed being in the land of the Aborigine and Kangaroos but over living in an apartment, eating out and trying to find a new place to try everyday, and not seeing the whanau.

Got to the airport and it was a "MADHOUSE'.  Funny how the weather caves in and everyone hits the panic button.  Got to the airport early with the idea of checking in so that I could miss the back-log and spend more time in Duty Free to buy the last of the gifts and BANG . . . got there and the line was just about out the door - just for the Air New Zealand flight too.  The others were just as busy but I wasn't too worried about them.  Took me an hour to check in.  Man it's amazing how many people get to the airport and aren't prepared for checking-in but instead of letting others go in front while they sort themselves out, no, they stand at the counter and sort out their luggage (so they don't have to pay extra) or get this . . . look for their passport.  How bad is that!

Anyway, got through customs fine as - just about forgot to get out the talking sticks from one of the other bags so needed to do that so when I get home I don't do what I just complained about.  This lady was carrying two bottles of really expensive Port that she had bought too and this guy in customs had great joy in not only taking them from her but then throwing them into the red bin in front of her.  She shouldn't have lost her nut so much and then it may not have been such a big deal.  Not sure what she was on - there were signs all over the place telling everyone to take out the liquids etc out of their bags before moving through to customs and they still don't.  She lost her cool a bit but the oh well that's life.

Now just sitting waiting for the boarding call for our flight home.

Got into Auckland sweet as.  The trip home seemed a lot faster then when we went over but that could be because most of us on the flight were pleased to be coming home.  Got through customs fine.  Everything is always so more relaxed when you get through that part of any travel. 

Home sweet home!  Got home and was greeted at the airport by the kids.  Had some dinner together and then gave them their presents.  Everyone loved their gifts so that was good.  Now time to relax and prepare for the Christmas break.  One more week of work YES

Friday 12/12 - WIPCE Conference Melbourne

Well the conference is now over and it's time to pack up and head home.  Had today to relax, get the last of the shopping completed and pack the bags properly so that everything fitted.  As usual, I bought far to many clothes so needed the time to ensure I could fit the shopping in too.  

What an awesome place . . . Lots to do, lovely people who actually enjoy talking to strangers and who are really helpful and friendly.  Lots of cool shops for all ages, and heaps to go and look at and do all over the place.  The public transport is awesome and you can guarantee some mode of transport bringing you back to the CBD.  Big BLUE tick for Melbourne.

 

Thursday 11/12 - WIPCE 2008

Well, final day of the conference, the sun is booming with lots of people enjoying the sun before the rain arrives for the weekend.

We lasted about 2 hours at the conference before we had enough.  Over the sad stories with no journey of how changes are going to be made.  Although it is a hard journey we all need to take it and share all the celebrations as often as possible of the milestones we achieve whether they are intended or not.

The people at the conference are awesome to talk with.  We all share the same dreams for our tamariki mokopuna, now we need to make sure that we can help each other to achieve those dreams.

Easy Listening

Great sounds . . . Bring them back to share with others.

Wednesday 10/12 - WIPCE 2008

WIPCE 2008 hosted in Melbourne.  Melbourne is a great place that reminds me of home.  What an awesome place!  The height of their buildings are unbelievable.  They have verandahs 20 floors up in our hotel and although the view is awesome man is it hard to take the photos outside when you are scared of heights.