It's Not Your Holiday

[THL]

Perhaps one or both of us is biased by the nature of our societies. America is a much more intensly Christian place than most other countries, because of this, Christian religious holidays seem to semi-merge with civic institutions/holidays, which is perhaps why non-Christians are more likely to celebrate Christmas in the US. At least that is my amateur assesment, I'm sure you will tell me if there is something wrong with it. But if I am right, then I understand why you consider it senseless whining.

I have no problem with anyone celebrating any holiday they want - but then they want extra holidays on top of it. If the US gave days off for every holiday whose religion was represented within its walls - no one would ever get anything done because they'd be celebrating holidays every day of the year.

But Christmas and Independence Day are not the same type of holiday. It is unpatriotic, irrational, and ungrateful to complain about Independence Day being an official day off. America and being American are related to Independence Day. Christmas is celebrated by most Americans, but it is not (or should not be) un-American to not celebrate Christmas.

They are not the same type of holiday, but they are holidays to celebrate the accomplishment of one specific group of people. Religious holidays are to celebrate the religion of specific group of people.

[THL]

A non-issue. Next year, I'm taking my daughter to celebrate her great grandmother's 100th birthday (strangely enough, only they can speak to each other even though my grandmother don't know a word of English and my daughter has never been taught Chinese and yet, they know what they're talking about). I've talked to my daughter's teacher next year (Grade 1) and she will make sure that nothing important happens that week.

I am sure that if something is important that I will try to accomodate.

It's just a matter of communications.

See? Look at this - planning. OoE spoke to the teacher months in advance and she was able to accomodate. He did not storm in or picket outside the school and demand that a holiday (great grandmothers birthday) be recognized by the entire school district. If there happens to be some sort of test or other scholastic event, the child can make it up. If this works for him in Canada, why can it not work for us here in the US? Why can whatever group of whoever it is go to the school and say "Yo. We have a holiday and need to do some celebrating from this day to that - Kid won't be here, please send make up work. Thanks" Would that be so hard to do?

[Archer]

Going swimming at the beach and eating too much, throwing the kids in the water and listening to our cricket team get a hiding from (insert any nation that can actually play cricket) on the radio.
Eating strawberries and cream, cold turkey, potato salad and anything else you can get out of the fridge.
Getting to see all your relatives and remembering why you don't see some of them for the rest of the year.
Taking the yacht out on the lake and doing nothing for four hours, "sorry dear, I got becalmed".
Noticing how old your parents look and thinking you've got to make more effort to see them as much as possible.
Spending more on presents than you get in return and not caring, because it's good to share.

The Crowe brothers were awesome, mate. Wonder what became of them?

[Archer]

A non-issue. Next year, I'm taking my daughter to celebrate her great grandmother's 100th birthday (strangely enough, only they can speak to each other even though my grandmother don't know a word of English and my daughter has never been taught Chinese and yet, they know what they're talking about). I've talked to my daughter's teacher next year (Grade 1) and she will make sure that nothing important happens that week.

I am sure that if something is important that I will try to accomodate.

It's just a matter of communications.

Your daughter is one lucky person. Hope she remembers great grandma when she grows up.

[Parihaka]

The Crowe brothers were awesome, mate. Wonder what became of them?

Martin's doing adverts for hair replacement therapy and lord knows where Jeff is...

[Archer]

He he, Martin was always the more swashbuckling type...can see he'd be doing the pretty face ads..lol.