The other day the twins class went to M.O.T.A.T (Museum of transport and technology). I went with them as a parent helper.
It was a fascinating day. The kids were so into it and I learnt a heap. I have to admit to not really looking forward to it. I have been really busy and it was just another day that I couldn't do my normal things. I also thought I'd be bored.
As a child, I got bored with Motat. There is one particular photo of me on an old fire engine with the most sulky look on my face. I obviously didn't want to be there. Such a change from the kids on this class trip.
One of the places they found particularly interesting was the schoolhouse. Sitting at the desks, reading the rules on the board (they checked fingernails every morning!). Girls had to sit with their knees together and boys had to wear hats, but not inside!
The teachers had rules too...
I had to laugh at this! Especially as the twins teacher was wearing a turquoise leather jacket - bright colour! They all thought it was very funny and couldn't wait to tell her all about it. Seems she broke a few of the rules of old.
This particular notice found at the back of the school on the notice board really hit home for me at how lucky we are now. Sarah also found it very offensive (thankfully!).
It, along with the other things we saw that day reminded me how lucky we are to live now. To have a shower, we just turn on the water. It comes out of taps into our home, WARM!
To get warm or cool, we flick a switch. To cook dinner the same. And washing, well that's particularly easy nowadays. Things that would take all day in days gone by, take us half an hour or less.
It got me thinking about time. About what we do now vs what people did then. About how we all feel so rushed. Its no wonder. I mean looking back at time and what is built into our genes, we are used to taking things slowly. Cutting wood, building a fire to heat water to wash clothes. It wasn't a quick thing. It took ALL day. Yet now we're fitting that in amongst the other billion things we 'have' to do each day.
One of the other Mums and I got talking about her aunt who lives in Croatia. She lives in a little village and is the only one who has a phone in the village. If someone wants to speak with someone in the village, they call her aunt. Whoever answers the phone, steps outside and hollers for the person required. 5 mins later, they toddle on up to the house and have a conversation. After the phone call is finished, they stay and chat for a while, having a drink or something to eat.
The path in the village goes by everyones house. If someone goes to the 'shops', they walk past each house seeing if anyone wants anything.
They sound like they work as a large family.
It sounds beautiful.
They sound like people who take the time to know one another. Who care about the people that they share the world with.
I'm sure there are issues they have with each other, but by the sounds of it, it doesn't happen often as they have to live with each other. They have to make it work.
A bit like that 'saying' I've been seeing on facebook. It goes something like this....
A couple celebrating their 60th anniversary are asked what their secret to a good marriage it. The wife answers.... we were born in the day when if things were broken we fixed them, not threw them away.
Makes you think huh?!
Now if someone annoys us, we just stop emailing them or defriend them on facebook. We can easily avoid them by taking another entrance at the shops or waiting somewhere new to collect our kids after school. The other person doesn't have a chance. You never work it out. One day you are friends, the next you're not.
Sometimes you may even know what went wrong, but no one takes the step to fix it. It's too hard.
It makes me sad for what we have lost as a human race.
Anyway, getting all a bit deep and meaningful. Don't worry, nothing new here. No gossip to spread. Grin. The trip just really got me thinking. And I loved it for that. I loved being grateful for being alive now when women have a much more even playing field to work on. Where we can turn on a tap and have a shower. Where dinner can turn up 30 minutes after making a phone call.
I wonder if one day in the future. People look back at our time and think the same thing?
Oh Trina, just imagine if someone wrote that sign in 2012 and put it in a building now??? All hang would break loose. Haven't we got so much to be grateful for? For example we can load the dishwasher, washing machine, order groceries online and head off to the craft room to scrap!!! Just kidding, I don't order groceries online!!
Posted by: Pauline Parker | June 23, 2012 at 11:40 PM
Great post! It is always good to be reminded of how much we have now - both in terms of material things and in terms of rights and value (as women). My kids love MOTAT and I think it's time we visited again!
Posted by: Hannah | June 24, 2012 at 08:34 AM
i remember going to MOTAT when i was little....
love that list for the teachers...BOY would i be in trouble...out too late..dont have 2 petticoats on, in the car with non family males!!! bright colours, hair dye!!!
lol
glad you had fun and yes we do need to think more about our throw away society!!!!
Posted by: mandyb | June 24, 2012 at 09:33 AM
It gives me time to laugh. The first one the rules of for teachers is amazing. I could not found what exactly teachers are understood. Are they not the creature of this planet :)
Why such tough rules or made for women only. While the men can visit at any girl's home or can date anywhere. Let them also be free and enjoy their life too as a normal woman.
Posted by: Mens Wallets | October 09, 2012 at 06:43 PM