h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi Anna!

The news about my dad is up and down and at the moment it's up! He's coming out of hospital tomorrow, so that has to be good news. I will give him your best wishes when I speak to him tomorrow. He's much steadier on his feet now and he has a stick to help him get in and out of bed, but he won't use it to get around otherwise. He associates a stick with old men!!!

Here'a a link about Quakers (although you may not get time to read much of it)

http://www.quaker.org.uk/

One of my first entries was on the Quaker Peace Testament - A662942.

Yes, I also am interested in American Indian spirituality. I have a fairly wide range of spiritual interests. At the root, they mostly have the same messages, only using different routes to express them. My name is Sanskrit and is from the Sufi tradition, which is another spiritual path and is compatible with being a Quaker. I initiated with the Sufis before becoming a Quaker - it's a long story.

I have been reading the threads for your current two entries in PR and I know you have been finding it difficult, particularly with your . I also read that you would find it hard to keep away, because h2g2 has that effect on you! (as it has on me!)

Like you, I am tired a lot of the time. It's my own fault. I get much less sleep than I need.

Kiss the babies for me. I hope the meal goes well. I'm sure it will be tasty.

Dear ,

I am glad to hear your Dad is going better and as for the stick, it´s quite normal. Typically men: when they have something insignificant like a cold they are dying and when they have something serious they are so frightened that they cannot accept to go to a doctor or to use eg. a stick.

Thank you for the links as soon as I have some time I´ll take a look.

The babies will be kissed. No problem. Past Saturday we celebrated Katarina´s birthday (she became 2 years old). It was very nice, the children were quite peaceful and the meals turned out very well. Although we were very pleased to see our friends, we were happy after the party has finished. Now we are thinking of not visiting the parents-in-law, but to stay at home and relax. Let´s see.

And now I am sorry, but I am falling asleep.

Good night. Anna Banana

Hi Anna!

Happy birthday to Katarina!

Dad only uses his stick to get out of bed, I'm told. He won't use it anywhere else! He tells me he still feels weak - I think that's only natural after what's happened to him.

I've a friend's daughter staying with me overnight and it's time to get both children up and get them ready for school. She looked after Kenneth on Satuday morning, so it's nice to give her some time back!

I met someone on Saturday who is going to be a good friend and we will probably do some Reiki together. He has already received his attunement and I'm really looking forward to it. Not sure when the next course is yet, though.

with love

Good evening, , how are you and little Kenneth? My Mum is also interested in Reiki, I should ask her, what this really is.

Best wishes to Papa (Daddy), try it with a little trick: buy a beautiful, perhaps, an ancient one from Flea Market and say him, he isn´t daddy, but dandy now. There were a lot of famous people who used sticks. (Just a suggestion of mine ).

Thank you for wishes, Kata had really happy birthday. It is curious that she is like me a Scorpio and a Dragon, for several months she looked like me in this age. My Mum was absolutely crazy about it.

We are very grateful that the Grands have left and we are alone. The children, mainly Kata, of course, were very nervous and upset as they were here, because they cannot stay with her for all the time.

Today we have visited a kind of seminar for parents "How to deal with stubbornness". Nothing new to me, but I was really impressed by peoples´ stupidity. If they buy a silly toaster they read its manual, but nobody (seems to me) reads anything about the education and raising up of children. They hope they will be able to deal with all the problems which appear after a new human being was born.

I would like to organise a group of parents living in an international partnership whose children are multilingual then. I wonder if there is enough interested parents.

It´s too late again and I have to go to bed, otherwise I´ll be dead tomorrow. Good night.

Anna Banana alias Ama Ana (Mama Anna)

Hi Anna!

We are both well. Dad continues to improve.

I'm being introduced to the reiki teacher by someone I really get on with, so I hope this will be good for me.

Are you a Scorpio and a Dragon, then? I'm Virgo and a Water Dragon. Kenneth is also a Virgo and is a Wood Pig.

I have a friend with three children, the oldest of whom is very stubborn. She has dealt with this by putting him in a special place (a chair) when he has been naughty, and it seems to work, although it is very hard work for her. At one time, I did this with Kenneth, although I had not the patience a lot of the time and I don't need to do it now. I agree that babies come without the proper manuals, though!

About the multilingual children. Is this in real life or on site?

Night night, Anna. Kisses to the babies and love to you and Hell.

Good evening, ,

thank you for and for two s. Kisses back to London. My mother is also a Virgo (sometimes it caused some difficulties in our relationship, but it´s OK) and I still haven´t asked her for reiki or what is this.
The group for multilingual kids will be real. There is a so-called family centre in the neighbourhood, where parents can go with their children to communicate with another parents, to make children familiar with other people and children before visiting 'Kindergarten', there are also different courses and groups there. My aim is the organization of a group for parents whose children are growing up multilingual. It is also possible that (if there are enough other Russian speakers) we start a special Russian group in a way that children get a real Russian speaking environment with fairy tales, games, etc.
I think its the special feature of Germans that they have problems in raising up children. They cannot commend the children and support them. This is a sad reality of a fun generation and Me, the centre of the Universum, society.

Now and falling into the bed. Anna Banana

Now that's interesting, Anna. In fact all parts of the post are interesting. How great to have a group of real multilingual children . To my knowledge, children like this switch can easily from one language to the other, which is often confusing to the ordinary listener.

Interesting that you should say that German society does not know how to cherish and praise its children. I grew up with a mother who did not know how to praise us. I make sure that Kenneth has praise. It makes such a difference to children and how self confident they are. My mother is a Saggitarius. Often she would praise us to other people in front of us (which I would find embarrassing), but rarely if ever to our faces. (The 'our' meaning my brother and I - he died many years ago and my son is named after him.)

Good luck with it. And sleep well!

Dear , I am just at the beginning of the organization, I am not sure if there are enough interested parents. I hope so. It is very interesting indeed, but parents have to work hard teaching languages properly. The 'strongest' language is that one which is spoken in the environment, so you have to be careful and obstinately if you donot want your children speaking a kind of pidgin languages. I hope we´ll manage it.

As for the praising of children, I think too it is very important for their self confidence. I also remember my mother saying what a boo-boo I am. Since that time I try to proof myself, I am not. Well, otherwise my mother is a very good educator. She was often too tired because she was alone. Poor mum.

It is difficult, isn´t it?

Good night. Kisses to Kenneth.

PR. Now I also know what reiki is. Exciting. There are so much questions, but I have too little time.

Good evening, , has anything happened or have I bothered you with something? I hope everything is fine and we can speak more to each other.

How is Kenneth? Does he like his tae-kwon-do (sp?).

Good night, Anna Banana

Oh Anna,

I didn't see your post before and I was wondering the same about you! I'm so glad you have posted. I have quite exciting news on the personal front as I have started dating. Very early days at the moment and as I haven't been out with anyone for seven years, it's all new and strange to me. It's exciting and scary!

I know that if I'm to grow, I have to be able to open up to a relationship where i can love and be loved. I think as the experience I had with Kenneth's father was very challenging (he turned out to be depressed, suicidal and violent, which was very frightening), I more or less curled up into a little ball for a bit, then took time out to look at my 'stuff''. So, I'm very out of practice and will have to take things a little at a time.

Kenneth started the Taekwando two weeks ago and is enjoying it. I think he'll do very well. It will improve his confidence, his co-ordination and his self-discipline, I thing,

Good for you with the parents of multi-lingual children. Is it going well? I love thr phrase that I heard recently for children from different ethnic background - dual heritage. Isn't that nice!

Yes, our parents have a lot to answer for as we carry those messages with us throughout life unless we take steps to challenge and change them. I know they were doing their best. Mine told me constantly that I was lazy. The trouble is that if you give messages like that to children, they believe them, so they tend to become self-fulfilling. So you may have become more of a 'boo boo' and I may have become more lazy than would have been the case if our mothers had praised us when we were brave or hard working.

And yes, I would like to speak to you more regularly!

With love

Good evening, , I am really relieved that everything is fine. I wish you all the best in the new relationship. Recently I asserts that my mother has less practice in living together with a man than me. Sometimes I have to calm her down and to advise how to deal with certain situations. Isn´t it strange?

Very best wishes to Kenneth, I hope he enjoys Taekwondo. And I hope your expectations will be also met.

Our real life enterprises like a multi-kultural or Russian-speaking group of parents and children donot have any success. It is a bit pity because people are just too lazy to support such an initiative. Well, perhaps I am taking the linguistical education of children too seriously.

Now I am writing and Mr. Hell correcting an entry about 'What things do babies really need'. There is too much material stuff in this world, isn´t it?!

Anna Banana

Yes Anna!

There is far too much stuff in the material world. We demand and consume too much. Kenneth has too many toys and doesn't play with most of them. I do try to hand them on regularly to other people. I shall look forward to your entry on 'What babies really need'.

Taekwando is definitely good for Kenneth. He is demanding the white suit that many students wear, and he has only had two lessons so far. I tell him he will have to wait until he has completed his first few lessons. Maybe that would be a good Christmas present for him. He also wants a quill pen, an inkwell and some ink (see the influence of Harry Potter here!)

I have too many things - mostly not useful things, which I am working at bit by bit to move on. Life seems to be hurried. I would like there to be pauses.

I'm sorry that your multi-lingual children's group is not taking off. It sounds such a good idea. Maybe the time is not yet right and things will come together in the new year.

It's funny that you are now advising your mum on her personal life.

I am somewhat confused about my personal life as I am now being pulled in two directions. All will no doubt become clear later. I'm taking it one small step at at a time.

Dear ,

We have great news: 1 - Kata is using a potty, although it doesn´t go over every time, but she finally is no more feared of the potty so much.
2 Pavlik has begun to walk without any support (now he is 10 months old).

I guess you have another pleasures with Kenneth. 10 years! That´s nice, that he likes taekwondo. I guess all these Asian fights are good for a spirit and a body.

As for the entry on baby stuff, it is ready and you can read it on my page. I haven´t put it into the PR as I would like to know your opinion first. Well, first Hell said he thinks it should have more 'meat'. The problem, I often have while speaking or writing anything, is that I think the person I am talking to knows about the topic as much as I. Then everybody claims I am too fast or unintelligible.

Thank you in advance. Yours Anna Banana

Hi Anna!

Good news about Kata and Pavlik. Kenneth is seven and I can remember when he first started using a potty. The pre-school decided when he was two that it was time for him to be potty trained and asked me to take away his nappies and to expect a few accidents from time to time. I was very apprehensive, however, it happened very quickly and he got used to the potty in quite a short time.

I did have a look at your space earlier to see if the 'what babies want' entry was there and it wasn't, then. I'll have a good look at the entry when I get back from work this evening and give you my impressions then.

When Kenneth and I got back from the taekwando last night, I went through the moves with him. I can relate to them as they are similar to the t'ai chi (although a lot 'harder' and faster - t'ai chi is very slow and soft). He was actually better for me than he had been in class! That was really good. I think it will really help with his self discipline and to give him more control over his body. He is so light and bouncy and needs more 'grounding'.

I'll post again after I've read your entry.

I've had a quick look at your entry and after work I can let you have some more detailed comments - mostly rewording which would sound better.

Two quick things - bampers - do you mean cot bumpers - the soft padding that you have round a baby's cot to protect the head?

Also rassels - do you mean tassels?

Thank you very much, I think now I have all the languages mixted in my head. Sometimes they are making party and it is a bit difficult to keep them apart.

Yes, it is a cot bamper and no it is a rattle (German: Rassel). Sorry for my English, it must be heard to read it, although Mr Hell has already taken a look at it.

Anna Banana

PS. The number of the entry is A892721 and should you have some time, take a look at the parents sites of h2g2. It is a nice conversation of using bibs and so on. Perhaps you could advise something.

Hi Anna!

I did have a look last night and I printed it out (although my printer is almost out of ink!). Then I got tired and needed to sleep. No, your entry didn't send me to sleep - I've had quite a few disturbed nights recently.

In the main, I think it is very well organised. There are only a few things that I will suggest, and I'll post those underneath the entry (or would you prefer them here?)

I think the main things will be a bit of tidying up of the English.

Today, I have a friend's child/ren as well as my own and she/they will be sleeping overnight. I'm not sure whether I will have one of the girls or both, so it may take me longer to give you my comments that I first thought.

I also have a playlet to look at which I will be producing for the Quaker Christmas 'do' on Sunday 15 December and I may use the children I have staying today to practice on.

Hi , Thank you for having taken a look and don´t worry, it doesn´t hurry. As far as you have some free minutes, I think, they wouldn´t appear before all the festivities are over.

Thank you once more and have a good time.

Anna Banana

PS. I´ve send Kenneth some ginger bread last week, let me know when it arrives.

Hi Anna

As I went to bed last night (very early) and closed down my computer I thought of your entry and how I hadn't yet made the comments I promised . I have a very busy weekend - Christmas parties for Kenneth (one on Saturday, one on Sunday) and I have a playlet to produce for the Quaker Christmas party on Sunday with the children. It's also busy at work, plus we have the office Christmas meal on Friday.

I will have another look and give you more comments as soon as I can.

Things are very hectic here and I have had a stiff and sore neck, which has been a bit miserable. Somehow I seem to be achieving a bit less than I want to. I have also promised to send a school friend a school photo (from a very long time ago), which I tried to send a while ago, but he didn't get it properly - all he got was rubbish, so I need to sort that out.

Thank you for sending the gingerbread. I will let you know when it arrives! He will love it.

I am undecided exactly when to go to my parents over Christmas and when to come back. I may see how it feels when we get there. It will be nice to go to the Isle of Wight and not to have to visit the hospital as dad is still doing well. As he loves chocolate, I'll have to make sure I bring plenty with me.

Much and to you and Hell.

Hi Anna!

Your parcel has arrived. Thank you very much! Kenneth is in the bath howling at the moment, so I need to sort him out. However, he will be delighted with the gingerbread. I'll take it to mum and dad when we go. And a music box as well, which is really lovely. How very kind.

I need to sort Kenneth out and I've work to do for the Quaker play - costumes to find and other preparations. I'm also seeing a friend tomorrow.

I'm conscious that I've not given you proper comments on the entry yet. I will, though.

to howling child.