It's a Party!
Well, we are fresh off the perils of a kids party. Saniya had her 4th birthday party today. It was filled with lots of children, cake and ice cream and a whole lot of hyperness. She was able to connect with two other girls that are her age, so we are hopeful of some new friendships with English speaking children. We have pictures that we will post when the computer is really up and working again. We have email now, but we waiting for a hard drive to have full capacity. Thanks Justin for your help with that! So, I was happy to notice that gift giving is very different here with parties. The gifts are small trinkets; a box of shaped soaps, a bar of chocolate, or some origami paper, etc... Such a change from the emphasis on gifts at home. Also, it is not standard to give party favors when the children leave. I guess that is an American thing. Interesting.
Another interesting bit of info has to do with daycare. We just found out that if you stay home from work due to your child being ill you are given 80% of your pay from the first day ( this is separate from any vacation or sick days for yourself) and ALSO you are reimbursed for the days your child was not there. I was floored to hear of the later, thinking of the American daycares I visited that would clearly state, "you are charged whether your child attends or not". So different. I received a check a month ago from the state and didn't know what it was for. I now know it was the reimbursement for the time Saniya was sick. So, this is on top of the subsidized rate that makes it affordable to be there anyways. It is so nice to be somewhere that really caters to the welfare of the family and children as a society. Now, those are some family values and these folks are socialist! How can it be?
A sidenote. I just heard that Barak Obama is running for president (I am out of the loop). I have been following him for the last few years. I highly recommend his memoir, "Dreams of My Father". I have the highest respect for him and truly hope any of you take the time to check him out as a candidate. He really is the best thing that could happen to this country and our world. So, check him out, no matter what your political leanings, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
Hope everyone is well.
Yasmiene
Another interesting bit of info has to do with daycare. We just found out that if you stay home from work due to your child being ill you are given 80% of your pay from the first day ( this is separate from any vacation or sick days for yourself) and ALSO you are reimbursed for the days your child was not there. I was floored to hear of the later, thinking of the American daycares I visited that would clearly state, "you are charged whether your child attends or not". So different. I received a check a month ago from the state and didn't know what it was for. I now know it was the reimbursement for the time Saniya was sick. So, this is on top of the subsidized rate that makes it affordable to be there anyways. It is so nice to be somewhere that really caters to the welfare of the family and children as a society. Now, those are some family values and these folks are socialist! How can it be?
A sidenote. I just heard that Barak Obama is running for president (I am out of the loop). I have been following him for the last few years. I highly recommend his memoir, "Dreams of My Father". I have the highest respect for him and truly hope any of you take the time to check him out as a candidate. He really is the best thing that could happen to this country and our world. So, check him out, no matter what your political leanings, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
Hope everyone is well.
Yasmiene
posted by Yaz and Rob at 7:35 PM
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