Category: Celebrations

Only one night until our London getaway!!!

Gosh, time does fly!

It feels like yesterday when the idea of escaping the dull weekdays popped up when my lovely (girl)friends and me gathered for an other movie and bar night.

We are all mothers, with one or several children, some of us are back to work already, some still breastfeeding/babysitting at home, some, like me, trying to manage life and family while being a work-at-home-mom.Those nights are very special. We all are very excited about it, we choose our nail polish, hairstyle and makeup very carefully, most of us buy new clothes too.

You have probably realized that these occasions are not happening too often. It takes such a big effort just to find a date that suits all of us, to start with. :) But once we agreed on a date, we expect a lot from our getaway and most of the times, it flips out of control.

It does get wild and crazy sometimes – OK, not always this much.

OK, I am exaggerating, we are just happy to meet each other, having great fun remembering and discussing good old times.

Last time we met, we decided to do something we have never done before. We are (if our husbands agree) making us a long weekend, we are going to fly to London and spend 5 days there!

I know…I sounds too good to be true. But guess what: we all were granted! LOL

But now, I am a bit worried, not only that I have had a sick child with painful ears at home, not being able to go shopping (clothes) and think about packing, I am a bit concerned about a slight returning sore (or sensitivity?) in one of my teeth.

One night left, and tomorrow off we go! I am excited.

I decided not to worry about clothes, we are going to London, I am going to buy fancy outfits there. So luxurious. I feel like a princess. I hope I can get some sleep tonight. :)

Have you ever been to a getaway with your (girl)friends? Do you think that 8 people is just too many to maintain unity when traveling?

Easter is hunting me down…

It is crazy how early we are reminded about Easter! We have just left Christmas craziness behind us…and the stores and the shop windows are stuffed with hens and bunnies, and Easter eggs already.

We all are bombarded with special Easter sale advertisements, this I need to buy, that I can not have Easter without…blablabla…

 

Buy more!

 

Yes, we live in a consumer society. We are manipulated. Our urge for objects is being aroused every single day, everywhere we look. Buy more! Eat more! Drink more! If you don’t, you are not living through the real Easter spirit!

 

And at the very end, we’ll forget what Easter is about.

 

While we maniacally buy those chocolate Easter bunnies, color eggs to fill our Easter baskets, most of us are pretty unsure about the origins of these Easter traditions.

 

I am no different.

Religion has never been part of my life, as I was brought up in an atheist family. We hardly talked about Easter, and what it was all about. Our family just gathered, we, kids, got presents, and we ate and drank…a lot.

Some years ago I started to be curious. Maybe it is a sign of mental adulthood? :)

Here is my (very simple) interpretation of Easter:

On Easter weekend, Christians (Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants, Anglicans, Baptists, etc…) celebrate the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

But a different kind of festive Easter season is also celebrated, festivals are held, to ensure fertility of land and people. Families gather, presents are given, greeting cards are sent.

A various Easter symbols are used during this time:

  • Easter Eggs: The origin of easter eggs goes back very far in time. In Egypt and ancient Persia, people colored eggs with bright colors, and donated them to their relatives as symbols of rebirth.
  • Easter Chicken: Eggs come from chicken, this fact makes chicken an Easter symbol.
  • Easter Bunny: According to some traditions, the Easter Bunny brings treats on the night before Easter. This tradition was introduced by the Germans.
  • Lamb: Jesus is often identified with the lamb as the lamb is often sacrificed in both western and eastern religions.
  • Cross and Lily: The cross is the symbol of Jesus, while Lily is the symbol of the arrival of the Spring and purity.

 

This year I’ll try to see things with different eyes. Maybe it is a sign of my spiritual awakening? Who knows…

 

 

Now, it is your turn. Tell me about your Easter traditions! Your thoughts are very welcome here!

Happy non-consumer, spiritual Easter!

Laura, NYM