Mom.Dad.Chat

I’m sure all of us have played Monopoly, the classic board game. When I was young, I remember watching my older siblings playing the game for hours on end. This is because there just seemed like there is no end to the game. In fact, there were instances whereby they played the game the whole afternoon until dinner time, only to continue it the next day because there was no winner.

So, in a way, that puts me off the game. I just don’t like a game that goes on and on and on. I know Monopoly now has many versions of its board game with some being collectors item. I have seen a Disney, Transformers, Nintendo, Star Wars and Indiana Jones version. I’m sure there are many others. The packaging usually looks very enticing too.

Recently, I purchased a Junior Monopoly game for my son. I thought it will be good training for him to sit down to play a game to improve his concentration and math skills. That brought me back to the notion that this is a game with no end. So, I told my son that whoever has the most money after an hour is the winner. That cuts down on the boredom somewhat because Monopoly CAN be boring after a while.

Anyway, if you are also thinking of playing Monopoly again, try these tactics to bring more excitement to the game and shorten the play time. That should bring the fun back to this classic game somewhat.

For those who have watched the Toy Story 3 with their kids would understand why this kiddy movie is one of the highest grossing animated flicks of all time. In fact, I think even adults enjoy this show a lot. Maybe it’s because the story line is simple enough for kids to understand so that they can follow the whole movie all the way to the end. But while the plot is simple, it is also realistic enough for adults to appreciate at the same time. So, both kids and parents have a good time watching Toy Story 3.

The popularity of this show is obvious as many toys now carry the pictures of Buzz Lightyear, Woody and other characters in the movie. Even the UNO card game has a Toy Story version. Similarly with the Mr. Potato Head toy that now has a version that looks like Buzz. Not to forget all the stationery, water bottles, towels, story books and whatever other items that you can think of that will attract kids to demand for them. In fact, my son asked for a pair of Toy Story sandals. Well, I told him no because it is seriously overpriced just because it has the popular character adorning it.

Anyway, you can get the Toy Story 3 DVD by November 2010, just in time for Christmas. I’m sure the movie and all other Toy Story toys will be bestselling items in the last two months of this year.

Check out this glass house here. It’s worth $35 million and designed in a way so that you can be one with nature although you might be indoors.

Now, that gets me thinking. Would you live in a glass house? No doubt, for a house that is worth millions, it must be nice. But no matter how big and nice a house might be, would it be comfortable if you know people can watch what you are doing from the outside?

While the house may be built in a protected area with the surroundings being private property, I think I will still feel insecure being in a glass house. And I think I will feel kind of scared when it gets dark at night. Imagine seeing the bushes shaking and you will be wondering what it is that is causing it. It’s the feeling of being “exposed”, I supposed.

Anyway, for those who dare, it must be a nice feeling to feel that you are among nature. I’m sure it can be very relaxing, especially for a house that is as beautiful as this one.

The first day, a guest; the second, a burden; the third, a pest.
- Edouard R. Laboulaye

Not too long ago, my parents came to stay with us for about two weeks together with my aunt. Of course, they are more than welcomed because we hardly have the opportunity to meet up. I even asked them to stay longer but they were reluctant, especially my aunt. They just didn’t want to trouble us for too long.

It’s understandable, I guess, even if they are your close relatives. After all, when the situation is reversed and you are the guest instead in someone’s home, you too would start to feel a little uncomfortable if you stayed a little too long.

Which brings me to the quote above. Most people wouldn’t mind if there are guests at home for a short while. In fact, they are most welcomed. But once the guests overstayed their welcome, it will become a totally different feeling. From guests, they suddenly become a burden and a pest.

After all, when a guest stays in your home, you will somehow be inconvenienced. It could be minor or major, but frankly, who hasn’t experienced the situation whereby they hoped that the guests would leave sooner rather than later? Who hasn’t felt relieved that the guests is finally going out the front door with their luggage in hand?

I have been having a cold and cough for two weeks now. It started with the flu but after two weeks, my nose and throat have yet to clear. Nowadays, whenever I have the flu, I noticed that the cold and cough will persist for a considerable period of time.

Is this a sign of aging, that my health is not what it used to be compared to when I was younger or is it that the virus these days is much more stubborn and strong? Why is it that it takes so much longer for a common ailment to heal completely?

Having a stuffy nose means I can’t sleep well at night and even the tastiest of food seems bland. Having a cough at the same time means the throat itches all the time. It is not a nice feeling hoping when all will be well again.

When I talk to others, they too tell me that these days the common flu needs two to three trips to the doctor in order to get well. Really? I remember that years ago, I didn’t even need to finish all the medication and I will be fit enough to go back to work. But these days, the cough and cold just linger, refusing to go away.

I hope it’s not the effects of aging. Tell me that the virus has somewhat mutated to something stronger instead!

Recently, an old friend happened to initiate contact and we ended up exchanging a few emails. We used to be really good friends years ago while we were studying at university.

I found out that she is now divorced with no kids. Her husband left her for another woman. At around the same time, she was involved in a court case and her relationship with her mom and brothers also soured. The court case dragged on and the legal fees also cost her quite a lot of money. Then, 3 years ago, her dad passed away because of cancer. So, she told me that life has been tough for her for the last 9 years or so.

Reading her story, it just reminds me of the need to be grateful for what I have. You may think your life is tough at times, but if you look around you, there are most probably other people who are in worse situations that you are.

This also brings to mind another guy that I met while doing my post-graduate studies. His partner is a nurse at the hospital’s emergency room. He told me that there have been times when he felt a little down about work or life in general. But when his partner comes back with horror stories about who died or who lost an arm or a leg in an accident, it never fails to make him feel better and grateful for what he has. Somehow, these tales of misfortune would make him look at things from a different perspective.

So, I guess whatever challenges life throws at us, there are always things we can be grateful for. If you think life is bad for you, you just need to see how it has treated others as well. There are bound to be others who are worse off than you and if they can carry on with optimism, so can you.

How much do your and your spouse’s taste differ? Do you generally like the same clothes design and color, for example? For me, I have learned that I can never go shopping with my husband. Because whatever I pick up, he will seem to think that it doesn’t look good. And whatever he selects, I don’t seem to like it a lot either. We just have this difference in opinion and taste.

So, if my husband is with me, I usually end up buying nothing. Not that I need to listen to him but somehow, his opinion will have a direct influence on me and I will then have second thoughts about what I had initially chosen. As a result, I will go home empty-handed.

Therefore, it makes more sense if I go shopping on my own. Then, I will be more likely to buy something because there is no one to tell me “That’s ugly! Why don’t you buy this instead?” I end up getting more confused and at times, fed-up that I rather not buy anything at all!

OK, now I understand why in my university marketing course once upon a time, I was made to study the buying process and how people arrive at their decision. For marketers, it can be important to know who is actually making the purchase decision because they will need to target their marketing efforts to the right group of people.

Anyway, for 2010, perhaps I can make a new resolution and that is to stop being influenced by my husband when it comes to buying MY stuff! If that is at all possible…