Just finished reading Book 1 and 2 of Persepolis, which was given to me from Gramma Judy for Christmas. This is another novel in graphic form which details the life and times of a young girl/woman’s plight during the Iranian Revolution and Iraq-Iran War. This book is extremely witty, insightful and just an all around enjoyable book to read. So if you have some time this holiday season, give these two books a go - you will be thankful that you did!
The other night all the families got together to share a Christmas Dinner with each other; and in order to dress up nice for the occasion, Svea Elina got to put on her new Christmas dress that Gramma Judy sent over. She was as cute as a button and had a great time running around and playing with her friends.
The other day Magnus’s big New Year’s Gala-Extravaganza performance was performed at his school, and once again the show was an unmitigated success. The level of choreography done with these small children is simply amazing, thus proving again the Chinese really know how to put on a show. In Canada, for a grade 1 class you would be lucky to see them line up in 3 or 4 rows singing Christmas carols, but over here, the kids are weaving, swaying and dancing all over the place in somewhat perfect unison - it is truly amazing. This does, though, come at a price to the kids; by the end, Magnus was sick and tired of practicing and just wanted it all to stop. But in the end, the big guy (while looking totally ridiculous) did a great job and danced his way into all of our hearts. Well done bud, you’re one big dancing fool!
Here’s another small clip from Magnus’s second dance. This dance was dedicated to the one and only Lei Feng, who was a soldier martyred by Chairman Mao after the revolution as a beacon of all that is good in the Chinese spirit; Lei Feng’s main claim was his sincere efforts in helping others. For this video you need to look on the left side of the screen and in the back to see Magnus busting his thang. I, of course, was blessed to go on stage with the kids for this dance in order to hold the huge Lei Feng poster. Good stuff!
Well, the big day has come and gone and after all is said and done there is no question Christmas Day 2008 was a huge success. Both Magnus and Svea had a ton of gifts to open up - thanks to Santa, Mom & Dad and all the grandparents; both kids received everything their hearts desired and both played until their hearts were content throughout the day. It was really fun to watch them open up their presents and take in the whole Christmas experience. Kristin gathered in some good loot and I was very happy with my stash as well - thanks to all for sending over the gifts. After all the presents were ripped apart, Magnus and I went up to the local pond for a nice, long skate and then I had to rush home to prepare for the big dinner; not too sure how I got roped into doing it, but this was my 3rd Christmas dinner made. All month Kristin has baked the family wonderful deserts and things, to which we were all able to enjoy throughout Christmas Day. But now, the kids are in bed, the house looks like a tornado ran through it and I am dead tired - but all is well at the Engleson household and we all had a wonderful Christmas day! Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
I want all the gangsta prankstas in the hOOd to stop being foolios; tell those catz to be Cool in the Gang and get ready to kick up the groove with the S-Man! Scratch it Dawg!
Oh yes, I am very excited for this year’s U20 World Junior Hockey Tournament to begin on Boxing Day. Every year I love following this tournament and enjoy watching our young boys compete for our nation on the world stage. I truly believe this championship is where the game of hockey is at its most pure. It is here where our boys all play their hardest and will skate through a brick wall to ensure victory. Wearing the Canadian jersey is big deal to these kids and every year Team Canada puts together a great team - I expect the same this tournament. This year Canada is going for its fifth consecutive championship and know we have all the pieces assembled to give it a good run; I am also very excited for Pat Quinn and wish my hockey hero all the best in his coaching duties. This is an absolutely wonderful tournament and I hope to catch some games live while we have some time off. Go Canada!
“He turned around fast, and saw a small Who! Little Cindy-Lou Who, who was not more than two. The Grinch had been caught by this tiny Who daughter, Who’d got out of bed for a cup of cold water. She stared at the Grinch and said, “Santy Claus, why? Why are are you taking our Christmas tree? Why?”
I can’t help it, whenever I see the cartoon version of The Grinch I always see little Svea as young Cindy-Lou Who.
On a chilly Saturday December 20th in Dalian Kaifaqu, the one and only Santa Claus rode his sleigh into town to visit all the good little girls and boys. The jolly old elf brought his sack full of toys and along with it a hearty Christmas cheer to all. Oh yes, this was a real special year for our children with Santa Claus; Magnus was so excited to see him and I really think he is in his prime for all of these Christmas traditions. He had a great day and was just so happy to be soaking in all that is good about Christmas! Svea was very excited to go and see Santa as well, but when it came time to go and receive her present and sit on Santa’s lap she screamed in horror - her blood-curdling scream could be heard two blocks away! All of our Santa’s have been special here in China, but this year we found the perfect fit in colleague Thomas Patten. He looked just like ol’ St. Nick and put on a fabulous performance for the kids. All in all, it was a great day of Christmas cheer; thanks to Euan Frew for making it all happen!
Well, I figured it was about time for an update on Magnus’s journey with the lovable, yet fearsome, Jólasveinars. The first couple of nights the big guy escaped with fun and games due to pleas from his kind-hearted mother, but on the third night, all hell broke loose. Every day I would come back from work and tell Magnus that I saw Gryla lurking in the shadows below, to which he would frantically sprint over to the window, look down below and then start biting his fingernails. We told him that if a potato did come it means that Gryla will come and get him and boil him up in the Yuletide stew. The morning after he received the potato he immediately went on the offense claiming that a potato is in fact a treat because people can cook it up and eat it and enjoy it for dinner, so really, it was not a bad thing at all. I am not sure if he was truly able to trick himself into believing it but there is no question he had a long day of contemplation and concern - it was absolutely beautiful! Svea on the other hand, has been showered with treats and toys thus far and will probably escape this year with nothing but happy memories (her turn will come next year!) Anyways, I just love this Christmas tradition and this year has not disappointed so far!
Today the Vancouver Canucks made it official in recognizing Trevor Linden as one of their greatest players to ever play for the organization by raising his number #16 jersey to the rafters. While the Canucks do not boast the great lineage of players as the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings or Montreal Canadiens do, but in British Columbia there are not too many people more respected in the game of hockey than #16. Linden was a great player and captain and gave all of us Canucks fans many wonderful memories; but one of his most enduring charms was how he carried himself off the ice as well - pure class. Vancouver is his home and he has always selflessly given himself to the community in the hopes of making it a better place. It absolutely sickened me what Mike Keenan and Mark Messier did to him back in 1998 and it certainly seemed to have hurt Linden as well; and it was so great that Brian Burke brought him back. My most enduring memories of Linden definitely come from the early 1990’s when he was given the captaincy and the Canucks began to turn themselves into a really good hockey team (and of course who can forget his great play during the ‘94 Stanley Cup run!) This honour is certainly deserved for Trevor Linden and I hope to see him back in the organization again very soon. Congratulations Trev, and thanks for everything you have given!
What else says Christmas like an After Eight? Ah yes, there is no question it is the classic Christmas chocolate to have lying around the house and ready to indulge upon at any time. Thanks Mom for sending us over a pack…
Photo courtesy of Blake Defieux
Oh yes, I got out for my first game of pond hockey yesterday, and let me tell you ladies and gents, it was an absolutely fantastic time! Crystal clear blue skies, a little nip in the air and a beautiful frozen pond in which to play. It was a great day out with friends and I hope to get a solid month of this before we all go on our holiday.
Here’s another one of those blasts from the past type Christmas songs. While this song is not really a part of my Christmas tradition, it does take me back to that time when it first came out some 20+ years ago. Yes, these were all the superstars of my teen years (even though I did not like their music) and it took Bob Geldolf to put it all together. So, listen, reflect, enjoy, have a rum and coke - tis’ the season folks!
