tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post3484192898033343478..comments2024-01-05T06:16:49.932+00:00Comments on Expat Mum: Does This Mean I'm American?Expat mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17798190669591053390noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-7975569006030444572010-02-10T18:24:42.669+00:002010-02-10T18:24:42.669+00:00I am confused. Am I supposed to give my wife a V-D...I am confused. Am I supposed to give my wife a V-D card? Hmmm. We don't normally do that but now I feel, as an American, I must. Maybe, deep down, my Scottish roots are bubllng through. You know, I think it is easier to let them bubble and skip V-D altogether.johnomorihttp://www.powderroomgraffiti.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-85601220260786103852010-02-09T21:50:12.465+00:002010-02-09T21:50:12.465+00:00I love that poem. So much nicer than a whole bunch...I love that poem. So much nicer than a whole bunch of gush.<br />The nursery my son used to go to used to play it safe and wouldn't put 'mummy' or 'daddy' on their cards: "Because families just aren't what they used to be"!Tara@Sticky Fingershttp://www.stickyfingers1.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-46058118463629925002010-02-09T13:45:35.976+00:002010-02-09T13:45:35.976+00:00Mwa - no, quite the opposite in fact. I think the ...Mwa - no, quite the opposite in fact. I think the fact that everyone and his grandma gets a Valentine's card takes away the stress of perhaps not getting one at all. OK, it is a bit weird sending family members great big red hearts, but we know we mean it in the purely familial way!Expat mumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17798190669591053390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-11860500083701161562010-02-09T07:00:35.159+00:002010-02-09T07:00:35.159+00:00Today I am wishing I was American - I want to come...Today I am wishing I was American - I want to come into work on Sunday and find a card from EVERYONE!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-88219015276161659572010-02-08T18:34:40.024+00:002010-02-08T18:34:40.024+00:00That's just lovely. I'm sure he'll lov...That's just lovely. I'm sure he'll love it. Do you not find it awful having another commercialised day like that? I suppose it takes all meaning out of Valentine's. Or the original one anyway.Mwahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00954216492730746581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-15904429228087201282010-02-08T17:22:07.972+00:002010-02-08T17:22:07.972+00:00I'm entering into the spirit this year and mak...I'm entering into the spirit this year and making valentine's cupcakes and selling them at school in aid of Haiti. Will probably put photos on my blog using my new laptop! Thanks for your advice; I've left you a reply on my cooments, but it kind of turned into a rant about Office 2007, sorry!Working Mumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16243697047355131343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-79798085110655746552010-02-08T13:03:08.356+00:002010-02-08T13:03:08.356+00:00DETO - I don't think anyone is advocating excl...DETO - I don't think anyone is advocating exclusionary practices, but it is a bit of a shock to move here and not anticipate the work that can go in to Valentine's Day. My faveourite year was when one of my kids had to make a Valentine's poster or ornament for the classroom. We made a large cardboard heart on a ribbon which was lovely.Expat mumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17798190669591053390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-39525474103053712852010-02-08T12:36:48.453+00:002010-02-08T12:36:48.453+00:00As an Elementary Teacher of many years, the ONLY w...As an Elementary Teacher of many years, the ONLY way Valentine's Day should be celebrated at school is for children to be required to make a card for every other child in the class. This prevents some children going home upset, deflated, egos damaged. <br /><br />I taught for many years in an overseas American school in a country where Valentine's were not sold in large packets, as they are in America. I solved this problem by making heart shapes on a paper, writing "to" and "from" on the card, and photocopying the papers. I gave each child a packet to cut out the 25-30 necessary for the whole class, and kids sat with their friends in groups to color valentines and write simple messages on them. <br /><br />Since we don't commonly have shoeboxes in this country, I made large envelopes for each child by folding and stapling at the sides an 18" x 24" piece of construction paper, and wrote each child's name largely in fancy cursive on the envelope. That way we could have a Valentine's party where everyone could go around distributing valentines to everyone else's desk, and no one would feel left out. We also had envelopes taped up around the room for other classes, in case someone wanted to send a card to a brother or sister, or friend in another grade. Of course they could make additional Valentine's "from your secret admirer," and we always made a special one to take home to Moms and Dads.<br /><br />This way, at the end of the day, everyone in the class has a whole packet of Valentines to take home, from the whole class, and is NOT LEFT OUT, while other, more popular children get ALL the Valentines! <br /><br />Dedicated Elementary Teacher Overseas<br />elementaryteacher.wordpress.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-6455934661545792282010-02-08T12:01:32.754+00:002010-02-08T12:01:32.754+00:00Hello,
Well technically I'm American too, alth...Hello,<br />Well technically I'm American too, although a dual.<br />I was born there but raised here.<br />I did a 10 year stint in the States and fought tooth and nail to keep my British-ness. I hated the 'hallmark' thing, having to do it because America en masse did it. Grrr....<br />But I do love the poem, that was special.<br />And a really good way to say how you feel.<br />Well done.<br />xxlulu's missiveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00137536605784710186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-13252809881283532222010-02-07T22:12:07.462+00:002010-02-07T22:12:07.462+00:00I've finally caved and bought a stashload of c...I've finally caved and bought a stashload of cards and lollies after preschool sent home a note reminding us how many children were in the class, and telling us to provide a carrier bag for the 'treats' (!) Hadn't really thought about the signing/not signing aspect. I rather like the tradition of cards being anonymous.nappy valley girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10788949037047084412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-5950582433896714052010-02-07T20:48:38.699+00:002010-02-07T20:48:38.699+00:00No restriction in our school unfortunately. We we...No restriction in our school unfortunately. We were even sent home a list a every child in the class so that we can include everyone. A quick trip to Target later and we're set, although I have to say I resent doing it. It's a waste of money and just creates a big pile of trash (see I'm American too!)<br /><br />I do like the idea of writing a message to your child though, that's a lovely idea.Calif Lornahttp://califlorna.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-70381079523889812152010-02-07T20:29:52.236+00:002010-02-07T20:29:52.236+00:00I still can't get over how people sign Valenti...I still can't get over how people sign Valentine's Day cards over here.<br /><br />"No no no no no!" I cried the first time I saw an American signing a Valentine's Day card. "If you sign it then they'll know who it's from!"<br /><br />She looked at me askance, "That's kind of the point, Richard."<br /><br />I'm sure psychologists could have a field day on this, too!Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00568060698065303020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-78687552941307828312010-02-07T19:40:55.729+00:002010-02-07T19:40:55.729+00:00That's a lovely poem!That's a lovely poem!Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06380937047826954640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-20544810266990966052010-02-07T19:36:44.654+00:002010-02-07T19:36:44.654+00:00I inwardly groan at this commercialism. Anything t...I inwardly groan at this commercialism. Anything to get us to spend more. I jolly well hope it doesn't come here!<br />Yes....... I think you MUST be American! LOL!<br /><br /><a href="http://granniemay.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Nuts in May</a>Maggie Mayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06183886005936250976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327382592404863779.post-55903284172084098012010-02-07T18:02:27.500+00:002010-02-07T18:02:27.500+00:00They have a similar tradition here in Finland with...They have a similar tradition here in Finland with V-day... except they call it ystävänpäiva which literally means friends day. It still really confuses me when I walk past shops offering 10 cards for 3€ - as I wonder why anyone would want that many v-cards until I remember that its mostly kids sending the cards to their friends. I suspect when it comes to gushing about their kids, the Finns are probably closer to the Brits than Americans!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com