Merry Christmas!!!

Here's wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!!

I'm sure all of you know that we celebrated Christmas Eve at Belvedere Towers yesterday, with Santa Claus dropping by with gifts for our children. I think he read my last post in this Blog on parking, so like a good visitor he parked his Reindeer Sleigh outside the complex in the visitors parking - Thank you Santa!

Coming back to the party, it was an amazing display of collective celebration, which started with a talent show, followed by gift distribution and snacks for the little kids and the elders who joined in the fun.

This show was put together by the Cultural Sub Committee, and full compliments to the volunteers led by Moushmee [who's been running around since the last ten days to get this going], Ritu [who organised the games, MC script, and helped hold the evening together] and Archana [who chipped in with whatever help was required throughout].

Ragini Kumar, Bunty Singh and Sunita Sehgal pitched in with moral support and advise whenever required.

Most importantly, credit goes to the amazing talent on display - Tanmay and Chanakya who were the MCs, and the amazing performances by all the kids - I don't remember most names, but I think Indian Idol should hold one round at BT, for our kids as well!

The pictures on display here have been taken by Moushmee Jha. The entire lot will be displayed on the notice boards soon, so you can order copies for yourself.

Now I just hope we have equally enthusiastic participation for the New Year's Eve Party on the 31st as well. Enjoy!

Christmas Eve Party Pictures - 02

Our very own Masters of Ceremony! Great work, boys!

Christmas Eve Party Pictures - 01

The Value of Values

They say it is determined whether you will be a leader or a follower, by the time you are 4-6 years old. Because it is only till this age that actual 'intelligence' gets embedded into your psyche and personality.

Your ability to grasp new things, your analytical ability, your 'initiative', and everything to do with 'pure intelligence' is formed in your brain at this age.

Quite like a foundation stone of the building of your life.

In the next stage, between say 6 and 12 years of age, your 'values' get defined, based on your foundation of 'intelligence' and its ability to handle new information about 'right' and 'wrong' being layered upon it by parents and the environment.

Quite like the beams and superstructure of a building indicate the shape of things to come.

Beyond this, everything you learn at school, play and later on at work, is just 'information' being added to your 'intelligence'. And what they do with this information - how you absorb it, analyse it, and use it - depends on the 'intelligence level' already fixed in your brain at childhood.

And this in effect, defines your personality, and the way you carry yourself mentally for the rest of your life.

Which is why despite going to the same schools, reading the same books, and working with the same environment and exposure, some of us are smarter or dumber than others!

Now we're parents. And this 'new found information' puts a huge burden on us who are in the delicate and hugely responsible position of nurturing the little minds of our own children.

I believe to inculcate values at this early stage, you need to treat them like adults, and point out what's right and wrong from an early stage. They may not seem to understand it right now, but they'll record it to memory and replay it when their minds are ready to understand.

And "pleej dont chpeak to them in thotla" - children absorb and learn by recording and replaying things in their mind. You only delay their growing up and speaking right, by speaking to them 'kiddy and silly'.

Here's a web page on 'learning' and 'values' I found on the subject. It makes for interesting and thought provoking reading - to say the least!

Christmas Reminder!

Christmas Eve is just around the corner, and I hope all you parents have arranged to have Santa Claus bring presents for your kids at the party.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, check out the Notice Board in your Tower.

Santa Claus is coming to Belvedere Towers on the 24th of December between 3.30 and 5.30 pm and the Belvedere Towers Condominium Association is throwing a party with music and snacks for the kids.

Plus, your child can participate in the Talent Show where they can sing or dance in front of an audience of their friends and parents.

Hurry, confirm your participation and organize your kid's gifts!