Of School Bags And The New Year ...

The last day of the year is finally upon us. The year has been one that I would like to forget so I'm not even going to bother talking about it or even making up any silly resolution that I know I won't keep.

I'm just looking forward to the new year tomorrow despite all the gloom and doom theories by financial experts and so called feng shui gurus out there. I believe life is how you make it out to be for yourself and not something that's predicted for you by some unknown stranger out to make a fast buck.

So today I'll talk about school. No, I'm not really going back to school or anything, like some people I know (LOL!). The school holidays are drawing to a close and the boys have about 5 days before they both go back to school and wifey can have some peace and quiet for a change. 

Those two rascals when they're together can be quite a handful and I 'm sure she'll be more than happy not having to hear the word 'mummy' uttered for a few hours at least while they're at school ... LOL!

And it's also at this time of the year that we spend quite a bit of money for the boys school stuff. It's a good thing this year we bought almost all of their stuff much earlier except for a few things that has to wait until school finally opens on the 5th of January.

You know, going back to school stuff can put quite a strain on your finances. I only have two kids and it already costs quite a bit when it comes to buying their things like uniforms, shoes, school bags, stationary sets, etc, etc, etc that sometimes I wonder how people with 4, 5 or even 6 school going children manage! I think if I had another kid to put through school, I'd probably become a pauper soon.

Most of the things that the boys needed for school was pretty basic and available at loads of places around town. The only item that I really had problems with was getting the younger fellows school bag. You're probably wondering what's so difficult about getting a school bag, right? There's a lot available out there I know but my younger boy goes through school bags like water.

His school bag doesn't last more than a single school term before it breaks apart. Now before you all go accusing me of probably being a cheapskate and buying his cheap school bags, let me tell you that even those branded backpack type of school bags that are the norm with kids these days also doesn't last that long.

School bags these days are not what they were during my time. They're made of this fabric that cannot hold too much weight and my son carries quite a lot of books to school that the stitching tends to break apart in no time! And trying to get it repaired isn't really an option cos it doesn't last long.

I remember during my school days, bags were made of durable canvas and my favourite bag was this green army like backpack that would last for years on end. Those of you from over here and around my age (the guys especially) would probably know of this bag.

It was the in-thing back then. Almost every kid would have one and we differentiated it by drawing stuff on the green canvas. I remember mine was so full of doodles and stuff that there was hardly any green surface left on it ... LOL!

And do you guys remember that red, black and white tartan like suitcase bags? It was popular in the 80's. I think quite a bit of kids had it back when I was in primary school. It was so durable that you could sit on it while waiting for the school bell to ring.

It came in two different sizes, if Im not mistaken. I searched a net trying to find a picture of it but there was none to be found. Once again, I'm sure those of you my age or even a little younger would probably know of this bag and may even have used it during your school days :D 

Now those bags were classic and they lasted years no matter how many books you had in them. I know mine was always full of my books cos I was too lazy to arrange my books according to the timetable and just took every book to school with me every single day. That probably explains my back problems ... LOL! I wish I had the common sense to have kept my bag as souvenir or something though.

So with that thought in mind, I decided to go look for that old army canvas backpack for my son. And I went practically everywhere to find it. They just don't sell them anymore. I was adamant about finding it and told wifey we'll wait till the last day and if by then we still can't find it, the well just have to get him the usual bag for school.

But luckily during the holidays last week, I took wifey and we drove to this place called Old Town, yes, it's named as such cos it really is an 'old' town. Though it's a little more modern than before but the people over there are still so laid back. I used to buy my school bags from the shops there and surprisingly the same shops are still there selling school bags even till this very day.

And to my utter surprise and joy, they still do sell those durable canvas school bags albeit in the shape of todays backpack design, but still canvas nonetheless :D And the guy selling the bags was so old that I think he was there since my schooling days. And a nice gentleman he was as well. He even gave me a healthy discount for the bags.

Now I just hope that bag will at least last him all year if not longer. But judging by the quality and workmanship, I'm sure it would :D At least next year I know where to look for school bags. Ok, now before I end my year with this final longwinded post for 2008, let me wish you guys a Happy New Year and a an even brighter 2009!.