Tuesday, April 25, 2006

One Month Already!

So, it's one month already! Seems that we did a lot already. Latest news is Indi is entering his 'terrible two'... nope, don't use that phrase... he's entering his 'exploring two'. It's like a battle when he starts to show his 'frustration'. Now i found myself taking and holding my breath more often, counting to 10, before i deal with him again. Need to start him to sleep in his own bed now, starting by putting him there during nap time.
Anyway, he's still the joy and love of our life. He's the happiest when he's in pool... here's some pictures of him in pool....













Last Saturday Ruud, Kirsten and Joep was here... so the dads went for a swim with the two boys. It's funny to see them in the water with other kids as well, such as this picture...

Indi One Afternoon

There's a nice frangipani tree in front of our house. Every now and then Indi will play with it, so i put the flower on him. Cute huh?

Indi chillin’ with Sarah and big sister Laura - our neighbour.


Along the path in our compound there's these lights. Indi love lights, and is curious to see one so low. That he would lay there in the middle of the path to see the light.

Walk


One thing for sure - these days we do a lot of walking. Our means of transportation here is the bus, MRT or taxi (and of course... our feet!). The walks are nice, because of the many trees around us. And it’s less pollution than where we come from. Yes it’s more humid, but these days it rained a lot that it helps to cool the weather. Indi loves to go for the walks...

When It's Dark


Indi loves the playground! You can find him there morning, afternoon, and sometimes when it’s dark! That day he was in his pajamas already!



We live in a condo/town house compound. This is our house (the one on the left – you can even see our green sofa inside!). Behind it is the condo in front of us. I have to say, the night view is nice with all the lights on. (Hopefully later I can take better pictures of the night scene)

Zoo



We went to the zoo on Good Friday. Didn’t get much to see because it started to rain when we were only halfway thru the zoo. Indi’s main interest is anything under the water, and orang utan. He even tried to copy the primate’s face! (right pic)



There's not that many picture with me in it, so here's one!

Robert's Rose



Ruud & Kirsten had a party on April 6. During the conversation us girls joke about how the men are not bringing us flowers and chocolates anymore. The next day Robert brought a single stem of white rose and chocolate for me. Such a nice surprise!
The chocolate was shared between the three of us that night. It was a wrong thing to do! Because Indi becomes ‘hyper’ before bedtime. Took us some time before he finally wants to go to sleep.

Next morning I woke up feeling guilty that I haven’t put the rose in water. Carefully I select the small vase, get the scissor, and start to cut the rose. BUT it was very difficult to cut it… then I realize that it’s a plastic rose! Funny thing is Robert also didn’t realize that it is plastic. The rose bud was wrapped with plastic and all, making us think that it is real!

Friday, April 07, 2006

Strolling...


Took indi and purwati strolling along this famous shopping road. Lucky it's a week-day, so there's not so many people around. Indi was also happy to do his thing - watching cars go by. These days he likes riding in a taxi so much, maybe because he's been in and out of a taxi too much :-) We also took buses and the MRT, and yet he still loves his taxi more! It's nice to just sit and eat the local ice cream, another one of Indi's favourite thing...

Making New Friends

One of the good thing in this compound is there are a lot of children. It made life easier for our son. The first day we moved in, he made a friend already. Such a cute girl, 2 months younger than him.

They like to play together, even if sharing is something they still need to learn :-)

Thursday, April 06, 2006

Reminder

A few days ago (Tuesday) Franziska was here - on her was to Mumbay for a family vacation. We met up at the lobby of the hotel where she's staying and head out for lunch (Indochine - Atria). It was really good to meet her - one of the nice people that I had the chance to be friends with back home.

One question during our lunch was a reminder for me. Forgot the exact wording, but she was asking whether i've joined or found a Church here or not :-) It's one thing I need to look up this week-end. Blessings!

Wednesday, April 05, 2006

First Week-End

We arrived safely at the busy airport, and Robert met us there. Everything was so exciting for Indi. The moment we landed his eyes are wide open and looking at everything - observing the hussle and bustle of the busy airport. Silly me i forgot to take indi's stroller when we get off the plane, so i have to report to lost & found. They deliver it later on at night (22.30!)...

Anyways, the first couple of days we were busy unpacking. Making sure that most of the things are out of the boxes. Glad we have a 'helping hand'... or more! Purwati was just never tired. I don't think the house will be tidy so fast if it's only me & rob.

It was good to arrive on a week-end. We spend a lot of time at home, and a bit exploring the supermarket/ grocery scene. Robert is a bit familiar with the area already, so it helps.

Come Monday and we tried to do our own shopping... hahaha! Took the bus, missed the bus stop, went on to the central station. Thought of going to the local market, BUT i don't speak the language! AND they always thought that i do!
So, feeling frustrated, purwati, indi and i hop in a taxi and just go to the supermarket. Easier! Much easier!

We have our first guest over the week end... and here's what we ask them to do :-)




.... cook breakfast! & move the furnitures around... !!!

but we did do other things as well... went to two fashion shows, tried a russian restaurant, walk in the botanical garden, dinner at clarke quay (with Tinneke), and took indi for his swim...

The move does have a big affect on indi. He's still not 'at home' yet. The first week i can see that he's scared to do things on his own. Always wanting someone to be close to him. BUT once outside, especially at the swimming pool - he's a happy kid! Always looking around, observing and not scared of anything... well, almost!
Indi love walking so much and doesn't like to hop on his stroller. Doesn't complain, even if the weather is hot and humid. Sometimes i'm the one who's worried that his tiny little feet would be too tired to carry him, but he loves walking so much. Guess that gives him his sense of freedom...

Elly & Herman's visit did change him, it helps to see a familiar face. My hope and prayer is that it won't be long that indi will feel at home and not afraid of the new strange sound around him.... Amen!

Good news is indi is now sleeping longer at night... :-) very good news. Once he even slept from 9pm to 6am. Back home he would wake up every 3 or 4 hours. Guess the walking, and heat makes him tired.
He also eats better. Learn to feed himself and everything. Speaks more words... maybe it's an advantage. Moving to a new environment encourage him to communicate more and better.

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

Off We Go!!!

The send off! As my son and i were staying at my aunts/ my mums house, so the send off was a family thing! I think the townhouse was suddenly become quite busy with the family gathering outside my aunt's house. My brother was in his PJ, the maids came out to said their good-byes, sarah and indi running around... That was how i remember the send off. Sarah took a day off to take us to the airport.

Before getting on the car... family pose. My brother still in PJ! So, in 2 cars (Kijang and Terano) we went to the airport - 3 suitcases, 1 big box containing the car seat, 1 rollie bag, 1 gym bag filled with indi's needs. Mama, Iksa and sarah saw us off - we made it just in time to do the check-in, fiscal, immigration and board. I'm sure if robert was there he'd be very nervous that it's last minute!

Monday, April 03, 2006

Farewell

Here we are, just one blog away! This blog is an attempt to keep in touch with family and friends back home - down under and nusantara.

We are here now in this tiny island state, for more than a week now. Almost finish with the unpacking, and most of the things are in place. At least temporarily! We got just too much furniture for this house. For the time being, will just have to do.

Before i write about our days here, i'd like to post some pics of the farewell lunch, dinner or outings... and the send out. It was lovely to meet up with everybody before we go. A pity didn't have time to meet all the important people. Anyway... we will back soon - sooner than you know.

The best friends from high school took me out 2 nights before i'm off! Started with dinner at Duck King, and finished with Karaoke. My gosh! it's something that i don't normally do. It was fun though! fun to see 40something women singing... must admit Vitri has a lot of energy and very good voice! She entertained us. (missing in picture Gwenda, who didn't join us at the karaoke).





.... great performances from the singers and dancer...!!!!






One day before flying out, Elly gathered some friends from the Orange group to have lunch at her house. It was a very nice and much appreciated gesture. There was 8 of us, just sitting and chatting - and of course with champagne to start off with.
To know these magnificent ladies was a great honour, to be friends is even better. I hope to find such good friends here in this tiny island-state. Good to know that some of the ladies already have schedule to head this way. Who knows we can meet up and do some catching up. I sure will miss them, and not to mention the exploring bits...! And with some of the ladies the food 'study' group meetings...!