Here we come a Caroling…

Genie King's first caroling gig

A long long time ago I used to go caroling during Christmas. In fact they (the elders) asked me to be the leader of the group which was strange because I had no experience before and had never gone caroling with the with the previous group before that which was disbanded several years prior. I think they asked me because everyone else before me had turned the job down too. LOL To tell you the truth I really took the job because I was interested in one of the girls there hehehe (Wifey quit giving me the evil eye….that was a long long time ago LOL) and was trying to impress her too! The first thing I did of course was to get her to be my co-leader…a wise decision too considering that I can’t sing for nuts! LOL

Genie King's first gig as Santa

So together we worked out the list of songs to sing. Then during the final term school holidays we’d round up all the kids in the neighborhood who expressed an interest and started having caroling practice. Every afternoon we’d get together and work on the carols. It was a lot of hard work because some of the children were very young but we were pretty persistent and pretty soon got them into some sort of shape to sing.

This was the home of a Hindu family who didn't celebrate CHristmas...we spread the cheer!

As Christmas drew ever nearer we’d pick a few days to go out and visit the homes of those who were celebrating and sing our little hearts out. The first year I remember that we didn’t have a Santa with us and we only had parents who helped chaperone the kids and walk around with us. It was a great feeling to go from house to house. The kids never complained and were probably excited to be out at night too! Some people even gave us money which we put aside. We were pretty good and someone asked us to go to McDonalds in Section 14 to give a little performance. We were thrilled took the offer. We sand a lot of songs that night and then were treated to free McFood! LOL They even paid us handsomely too!

Genie King as Santa with an old friend

After all the caroling was done we tallied up the cash and then had a little party for the kids and parents and the community too. We’d also buy gifts for the children who participated. It really was a lot of fun and I can still remember the barbeque we had the first time!

Genie King manning the BBQ

The following few years I’d take the bus (three in fact) over to my cousin Joey’s place in another town just to borrow their Santa Suit. It was a simple suit but back then it wasn’t so easy to get a Santa Suit. The beard was made out of rabbit fur too. So of course I’d be the Santa…and I must say I was a pretty decent Santa (this was even before I used to collect Santa’s mind you!) and I can still remember sweating buckets in the suit. It was not easy walking around in rubber boots wearing a suit and hat and beard with a pillow tied to my tummy. Yeah back then I needed a pillow to look the way I want to look now LOL I made a fine Santa who just didn't stand around but danced and conducted and sang too LOL...Fav line..."Rudolph with your nose so bright...won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"

The new carollers - this Santa was a little dull.

Nowadays, there is a new group of carolers going around. They are a lot of them too and I haven’t joined then but I just might so that my daughter will enjoy those wonderful memories that I did! In fact we recently bought her a couple of children’s books that have Christmas stories and songs. We’ve been reading to her at bedtime every night too and teaching her the songs. I think that she has learnt a lot from the Chipmunks Christmas CD she loves to listen to. In a few years she’ll be ready to go out with the group and sing too!

The group is much bigger nowadays

I better take care of myself if I want to be able to follow her in future. Hey I'm not young any more and she's just two so there is a huge age gap. I'll need all the help I can get and maybe I'll try to find tips on better care to help me. I'm no genius and judging from past experience I've pretty much failed miserably in taking care of myself. So with the tips and hints that are available at better care I'm sure going to have a better chance to keep the old engine in check. After all we are like cars...need our tune ups and oil changes and most of all preventitive maintenace and that's what better care is all about....taking care of yourself before you breakdown! You could probably look around for some nice nursing homes to settle down when you get older too...all part of life nowadays!

More so I'll also need to keep tabs on the latest topics by joining the discussion forums. Being a first time parent I want to be informed about everything. And this will also be a good place to trade experiences and learn from others too!