Writer’s Workshop: Questioning the Magic of Disney

Dominique Parenting and Kids, Thoughts alpha thursday, mama kat's writers workshop, two questions

Monkey Boy and the Princesses

The first time I’ve step into Disneyland was back in 2008 when we brought the boys to Hong Kong Disneyland. The theme park was newly opened and the kids were excited to have a chance to go to Disneyland and stay at the Disney hotel.

Growing up with Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and the gang I have been really excited as a kid to step into the magical world which they call Disneyland. I have always enjoyed watching Disney cartoons and movies on the television and love the fairy tales which they have created.

The boys are not really that into Disney and couldn’t name or identify most of the characters on display when we were there. They were thrilled to go on the rides and see the various decorations. We were lucky that we did not need to queue for a long time to get on the rides and the boys were able to go on all rides which they wanted.

They couldn’t really care about taking photographs with the dolled up characters unless I insisted on taking photographs so that we will be able to remember our time in Disneyland.

The magic of Disney also fell flat for me after entering through their gates. It was no long as captivating to me as and adult then it was to me as a child to visit Disneyland. The place felt so commercialized to me and a real good marketing strategy which has lasted for more then 50 years. The person who came up with the idea of Disneyland and open theme parks based on it all over the world was a real genius. It has been a real good money making idea with the franchising and patents.

I guess that Disney is a bit “dated” for me and my kids and we are more into Japanese anime/ cartoons then western characters.

Hello kitty still entices me and I’ll definitely visit the Hello Kitty Kingdom when we go to Japan. Even the boys love this cute cat with no mouth.

Are your kids still captured by the Magic of Disney?

Which characters are they into ? ( Disney or non Disney)

March 8, 2012

Writer’s Workshop: Parents -In-Laws

Dominique Parenting and Kids, Thoughts alpha thursday, mama kat's writers workshop, two questions

Family Photos

I was extremely nervous when I met my in-laws for the first time. We have been dating for about a year and it was the first time that I flew in to Hong Kong with him to meet his parents. It was a major step in our relationship to be introduced to each other’s parents and see whether they approve of our union. I have heard from friends that it was essential to get support from his parents as it would certainly be to my advantage if we do get into rough patches in our relationship in the future.

Meeting his parents for the first time felt like going for a interview and hoping that the end outcome would be in a favourable position for me. Even though I have been briefed about what to expect and also brought along specially selected gifts I was afraid that I may give the wrong answer to any questions which was asked and fail the “assessment”.

I knew that if you love a guy you will have to take the whole package which comes with it and a big part is to be able to hit it off with his parents. Maybe I have been watching too many Chinese drama serials where the boy’s parents can literally make “hell” for the girlfriend if they disliked her or found her status too lowly and not comparable to their son. Looking back it was just me letting my imagination go wild and scaring myself.

The meeting went off well and I did leave a favourable impression on them. It was the start to a relationship which has been 13 years ans still going on strong.