Keeping In Touch

more pictures...

2008-12-05T14:38:00.002+08:00

us after the walk...

Indi playing with my scarf.. ;-) he loves his new 'winter' outfit...

December is Here...

2008-12-05T09:27:00.008+08:00

Weather is getting colder here in Shanghai - today it's 4 degrees Celcius! and wind is blowing pretty strong out there, which makes it worse.

Last Sunday Robert had to join in the Shanghai Marathon Health Run - it's a 4.5km walk/run. The company where he works participate in the run (as many other company I noticed). At first it will only be Robert pushing Indi in the stroller, and I'll tag along and take pictures and maybe wait for them somewhere. In the end, I joined the walk as it wasn't that long and it was quite fun...

here's some pictures from the marathon...

Indi enjoying the stroller...

Luckily the sky was blue... so it's nice to walk/ stroll/ run...

There was quite a few group of older ladies who'd cheer the runners... they're all wearing bright colour uniforms... it's nice to see them cheer...

Around Shanghai...

2008-11-21T10:00:00.001+08:00

There's a few bronze statues like this around town... and here's a photo of Robert and Indi in a temple...

Bali Massage

2008-11-21T09:56:00.000+08:00

While we were in Bali an old lady gave Indi a 3 minute massage.... he dare not move, or say anything during that time... too scared!

Around the town before Halloween...

2008-11-21T09:51:00.001+08:00

We went to a place called Xintiandi (basically lots of cafes/ restaurants and shopping place for local and tourists)... before the halloween... and Indi loves to look at their decoration...

Halloween '08

2008-11-05T09:10:00.011+08:00

Halloween seems to be big here in Shanghai, at the tourists and expats hang out places they kinda make an effort to decorate and have events for it... Supermarkets like Carrefour has a big section for the Halloween stuff - decoration and costumes (and it's pretty cheap!!!). Even the local wholesale market has a few stores selling all the Halloween stuff.

Indi's school had a Halloween party on the 24th, but we didn't go as Robert's out of town, and from what I've heard it's nothing to miss. So I'm glad I didn't drag Indi to see those ghosts and ghouls and had nightmares.

On the Halloween day itself the Reception class and Year 1 were asked to dress up in a 'costume', and at the end of the school day they did a little parade. Indi wears a 'KungFu Master' costume - he likes KungFu Panda! So he's a KungFu master... and he loves to wear it.

This is Indi with 2 of his friends at school... Crystal & Isabelle ...

This is Indi with our driver (mister Zhu - read: Choo), car, house, and there's the Ayi's motored bicycle (Ayi is maid - her name is Mei - will post her photo next time).

In the evening the compound where we live have their own 'trick or treating'. This is the first time Indi's excited about it, maybe he remembers all the candies and chocolates he got from last years trick or treating. We had a few friends from Indi's school over at our house, they want to do the trick or treating with us. One of them has an older kid, and she helped to draw on Indi's face. Indi couldn't make up his mind what he wants to wear, first a Batman costume... than he changed to a long sleeve T-Shirt... and becomes a rapper/ pirate... he was soooo excited with the trick or treating and the candies his getting.

Dinner after the walk... :-)

The boy on the front looks like Indi, doesn't he? Lots of people at school, even teachers, sometimes can't tell who is who...

From Indi's 4th Birthday

2008-10-28T13:39:00.005+08:00

We celebrate Indi's birthday just the 3 of us. It was his second day of school and we haven't really finished packing and do not know that many people yet.

That day he went to school and told his teacher that it was his birthday - and as I didn't bring any cake to school, the teacher organize with people from the school cafetaria for a cake. They all sing Happy Birthday and help make Indi celebrate at school, the teacher gave Indi 4 stickers and was being extra nice to him. He can't stop telling me about the cake and the singing when I picked him up from school.

Robert came home pretty early to make sure he can spend some time with Indi. We had dinner and the brownies that I baked (Indi loves brownies - or anything that's chocolate for that matter!). He loves it blowing the candle that he insisted to blow two times... after that we opened some presents.. These presents are from his party in Singapore...

Winter is a week away...

2008-10-28T12:03:00.004+08:00

Temperature is getting lower, slowly but surely, and December 7th will be the official date for the start of winter. We went to buy a few long sleeves t-shirts and jerseys - for things just to wear around the house. Coming from the tropics where it's warm and sunny - we have to adjust quickly to this cold and they say wet winter. Hopefully the adjustment will be smooth. We have yet to get our flu shots, couldn't do it last week as we have a bit of a cold (again because of the weather change after the 2weeks holiday in Bali).

Indi seems to learn a lot at school. He's now able to write his name, just his name - not the family name or anything,... we're so happy that he's taking little steps toward reading and writing. From what the teacher told me, he loves it when he's the teacher's helper - so he tries to sit nicely, quietly and do what he's got to do so he will be appointed as the teacher's helper... I wish he's like that at home... :-)

Now that it's getting colder we could't spent to much time outside, instead we do more 'Play-Doh's and just playing inside the house, and yes television or DVDs.

I imagine things are getting better now, as we're almost finished with the house - only a few more pictures to hang, but it's okay.. we'll take our time. My first level of Mandarin lessons are coming to an end this week, and I will not be doing a 3 times a week lessons for the next level, just 2 times. So I can have more times to do other stuff... and more time to sent e-mails and write the blog... :-)

Indi goes to Soccer/ Football practice every Friday, he loves to kick the ball and run around... but don't ask him to roll on the grass or touch the grass.. :-) he said it's full of worms... Will take the camera next time he's in the field, so you can see how 'happy and excited' he is with the game...

I'll post some pictures now, as I know that's what you want to see... :-) Hoping you're all well...

So Here We Are...

2008-09-20T20:33:00.002+08:00

A new life, a new beginning, a new chapter... call it what you want... but for sure it's new.

This is a very big city, and I do mean BIG... well, this is a country with 1.3 billion people in it! We moved here early August, and have to live in a service apartment before we can moved into our house. Everything seems to happen so fast and there's almost no time to breathe... no time to relax. From the time we packed the house in Singapore, moved here, moved to the house, unpacked... and settled into routines... it all happened so fast!

Now we're kinda settling into routines... Robert with his work (and travel plans), Indi with his school - it's a full day school... from 8.30 to 15.15... almost 7 hours of schooling and no nap at school... and my routines are 3 times a week of 2.5hours Mandarin Language Class, and the rest will be trying to socialize - take some tours conducted by the community center, try to meet up with other moms... anything to meet new friends. One thing I learn is you have to be active to find friends... they will not come if you just stay at home, or not say anything to people you meet... :-)

Will try to post more pictures over the next few days... So sorry about the delay, but it's been very tiring, stressful and daunting. I'll write more about the stress later... :-) now looking back at it... I can smile, but not 6 weeks ago!

My first photos here was Indi in his new school, because I know that's what everybody wants to see... :-)

Have a good week-end everybody... We miss you!

(I wrote this on a Sat'd night while Indi and I stayed at home, and Rob's out on a Cricket Charity Dinner.. )

First day of school - new school... new city... new country...

2008-09-20T20:25:00.002+08:00

isn't he the smallest... :-) but he's got so much energy... never tired after school... still looking forward to his bike riding time..

Ice Skating

2008-05-09T16:37:00.006+08:00

Time flies..... I haven't post any news, photos - updates for a few months now... but today we went ice skating and took some pictures... as we've never done this before, I thought it's about time to post the pictures in the blog....

At first Indi wasn't happy ice skating... it was difficult for him to skate, even with the bar provided for kids under 12years old... he keeps falling, struggling... he gave up and decided to sit down and have some snacks... and yes, it was lots of snack... pop corn (Kelly's pop corn!!!) and the caramel biscuits...

Somehow after eating his snacks, he went back skating... and this time... he was doing pretty good... he holds on to the bar and was stepping... all he wants to do is run fast... :-)

Sentosa - the unplanned outing...

2007-09-30T11:57:00.000+08:00

Last Sunday we went out to Sentosa - it wasn't a planned trip, we were at Vivo City to get me a new phone (my old one was stolen... i'll write about it later)... and because the night before we went to bed early, we thought that we need to stay awake until at least 7pm and go straight to bed. If we're at home we know we'l be having a loooong nap. So spending the day at Sentosa wasn't a bad idea.

Took the train (which Indi loves so much)... and we stopped at the Imbiah Station and just look around the plaza... there was live music and not that many people.. from this place you can take picture of the Merlion...

From the plaza we walked up and found an old truck in front of the museum, and yes... Indi wouldn't move until he went up and play with the truck..

From there we walked again and saw the Carlsberg Skytower... so we went up on it... it's a revolving tower that takes you up (was it 30m or 50m high? - i have to check) and it spins slowly so you can see the area.. it's nice to be up there...

Next to the Skytower was the Luge & Skyride... first I have my doubt in going on the luge... and wanted to take two trips of the Skyride (down and up) instead... but the cashier convince me that it's fun... so I joined Robert and Indi for the luge... and oh my!!!! it was fun!!! FUN FUN FUN... indi loves it... he also wants to do it again...
and guess what? the Skyride is a bit scary! I'm glad I listened to the cashier and did the luge...

From there we went on the cable car ride... took the whole trip cause the difference of taking one stop and round trip was only S$1,- ... might as well...

On our way back we passed the old truck again... and of course Indi wants to have another go...

We were all tired after the whole unplanned day... but it was a very nice day!!!

Indi at school

2007-09-30T11:47:00.000+08:00

I went to take pictures of Indi and his friends at his school... my heart was filled with so much joy and happiness when he saw me lurking at the window and he told (kinda shout) to his friends saying 'That's my Mummy! That's my Mama!" while pointing his tiny little fingers to me...
They were having their Mandarin circle time... they were singing Mandarin songs - which I think Indi doesn't know how to sing or understand what the teacher is saying - but he certainly knows how to follow the moves...

A few more photos...

2007-09-15T21:48:00.000+08:00

I just realized that there's a LOT, and i can tell you A LOT of pictures that I want to share with you all. I've taken some photos of Indi, us and many other things around here in this tiny island state. I know it's not possible to up-load it and share all of them, but I'll try to show some every now and then.

If I can find an 'on-line' photo album than it'll be easier... especially now that I have this superb toy that I'm buying through credit from 'Bank of Robert'... i'm paying with installments from what I'm earning at my part-time job. I can tell you this new Mac is superb!!!! I'm also doing stuff for work, i'll be editing video... how cool is that... maybe one day, I can put one up here... Until then... enjoy more photos....

Indi with Darren - my friend Ria's son... they wanted to pose in front of this Harrod's bear...

Indi and Robert talking with Jenette on her birthday thru Skype...

This is our ex-neighbour in Jakarta, Sanna and her son Adam... he's a lovely boy...!

Comments

2007-09-15T21:46:00.000+08:00

Hi... just want to let you know that I'm moderating the comments now. So if you write the comments it will not be published straight away. This is to avoid those 'spam' comments...
So keep the comments coming, don't be disappointed if it didn't show up straight away...

Thanks,
Miss you all...

Rain... Rain... Go Away...

2007-09-15T21:26:00.000+08:00

August was a busy month for us. I've started a part-time job, and Robert travelled quite a lot. Indi - busy at school and playground... :-)

Weather hasn't been good these past few weeks, it rained a lot and after that followed by the hot and humid weather. Indi got ill a few times within this month. First with his diarrhea, we almost have to sent him to the hospital, because he doesn't want to eat or drink and didn't pee for a few hours already... but suddenly he snapped out of it. We were watching tv and he hasn't move for some time, but with a weak voice he said 'I want crackers'... that was the nicest thing we've heard for some time. After eating the crackers and some water to drink he finally 'rebound'.... phew... you can't imagine how happy we were to see him bounced back.
After the diarrhea (that was before his birthday), he got conjunctivitis (if i misspelled.. sorry! - anyway, for those who needs a dictionary - it's an eye infection) and at the same time he had his ear infection... this was the day after his birthday (after Family Weekend). We actually planned to celebrate his birthday on Wednesday, but I have to cancel it due to his sore eyes. It was also his school holiday, so he got a bit frustrated to stay at home. My oh, my... it was sooooo difficult to give him the eyedrops. His eyes was read for about 10 days...
Just as he finished his sore eyes, everybody in the house (rob, me and our helper Genet) had this bad cough... so you can hear our special symphony every night... :-) You can guess what happened next... Indi started coughing, too...

I think it's all because of the rain... weather hasn't been good to us. Anyway... hope this picture brings a smile to your face... we're all getting better anyway...

Cargill Family Week-end

2007-09-04T15:18:00.000+08:00

Indi enjoyed the week-end very much.... why? These pictures tell you why...

Indi's Birthday

2007-09-04T12:33:00.000+08:00

Indi's birthday celebration starts in Johor, Malaysia (Pulai Spring Resorts to be exact), as we were there for Cargill Family Week-end.... we gave him his birthday present - 3 characters from the Thomas the Tank Engine - Thomas, Percy and Harold. After that we drove back to Singapore.
We went to see a movie - Ratatouille - which Indi enjoyed only while his popcorn lasts. Once the popcorn finished he went to sleep in my arms...

On our way home we brought a chocolate cake for his birthday - he likes blowing the candles, and was shy when we sing 'Happy Birthday' to him...

Then we open up another present, this time it's from Troy and Jane who was here a couple of weeks ago... He loves that Cars Art set... went to bed with it..!!!

He had a good day... a happy day... Thank you to all who sends us text, e-mail and post in this blog and even call to wish Indi a happy birthday... Thank you... God Bless You all...

News from Us... catching up...

2007-06-30T17:56:00.000+08:00

Now a bit of catching up from our part... we'll continue with the pictures again later...

School has been really good for Indi. He's learn to take turn, and knows that he needs to share (even though he's not doing it all the time), he's the only person in our house who knows some Mandarin words - he's teaching us the words... One day he was singing a song that I can't quite figure out the words until one day I realize that it's a Mandarin song. When I took him to school I ask him to sing the song with his Mandarin teacher, and yes... he was singing a Mandarin song...

Indi's now a 'big boy'... he doesn't want to wear diapers anymore (except of course when he goes to sleep, we have to convince him that his friends the big boys are also wearing diapers when they go to sleep). Accident still happen every now and then, especially when he's busy playing... at least he will then let us know that he pee already. This toilet training thing is good... can't wait until he's out of diapers, that certainly will save some money... :-)

Robert is still travelling for his work, but at least week-ends he tries to be in Singapore... a few months ago on every Saturday I took part in a cooking class, during the time I'm in my cooking class Robert and Indi had their 'bonding' time... to catch up with the days that Robert is not here.

Indi and I were in Jakarta mid June, and we flew to Bali to mid Robert for the week-end... a nice short break...

After more than a year and three helpers, finally we found a good one... sad to say that it's not an Indonesian maid, but a Filippino instead... so I will be the only one Indi speaks Bahasa to. But our helper is such a blessing... she's a cheerful easy going person, who can do her chores well, can play with Indi, and she can cook!!!!! As much as I like to cook, it's a great help to have someone to cook for you for your daily meals...
She seems to be always working, doing things around the house. I told her to rest, but she just like to be on the move. One day I woke up and found her baking a Banana Cake, because the banana is getting too ripe to eat... it's her initiative that I like. Hope things will just get better with her...

As for me... what news can I give you all? Now that cooking class is finished, I'll have to find time to try and practice what I've learned... would love to make all those delicious canapes that i've learned to make... also would like to take more pictures of this island... that I appreciate more, but is not 'home' yet... :-)

It's close to dinner time... I'll continue posting again soon... meanwhile... take care you all, love you and miss you...

Blessings,
BRIC

Bob The Builder

2007-06-30T17:50:00.000+08:00

Bob the Builder, can you fix it? Yes we can!!!

One of Indi's favourite shows is Bob the Builder. Saw this tool set + Bob the Builder thing on a Garage sale and got it so that Indi can learn to be a builder. When he's using the tool he said he's like Daddy, or he's helping Daddy...

In this picture is Stephen, Indi's best friend who has moved back to America. Life is different now for Indi, for us too in many ways...

Head on the Table

2007-06-30T17:48:00.000+08:00

Went to Science Center again, this time with my friend Widi and her 3 children who Indi loves to play with. Here is Indi's picture as a center piece... head on the table...

On the Bridge

2007-06-30T17:46:00.000+08:00

How do you pose when you're in a busy bridge and people are passing by... :-) nervous..? shy? It's just that there's not that many photos of Indi and me that I like to post this picture...

Rides

2007-06-30T17:43:00.000+08:00

When we're out in a mall Indi's got this very sharp eyes on the look for the kiddie rides... This is the only one that I've seen him sit still while he's on the ride... :-) Not the usual train, cars ride...

Brownies

2007-06-30T17:41:00.001+08:00

Chocolate, ice cream, brownies, cakes... name it... that's what Indi loves to eat. I used to bake brownies for his afternoon snack, but have stopped now because that's all what he wants to eat. When he's eating better food than I'll start baking again...

First Train Set

2007-06-30T17:35:00.000+08:00

It was Indi's school holiday (must be some time in late March), and I got him his first train set... he loves to play with it... Bought one from the Brio set, where you can just add tracks and it can grow into a big one, and it's compatible with the Thomas the tank engine trains (which is more expensive than this Brio set).

After that I found a similar set on a garage sale (the price was 1/10 of the first set we got.!!!! thank God for Garage Sale)... now he's got quite a big track and a few train sets... that keeps him happy and he can share with his friends...

Swimming Lesson

2007-06-30T17:04:00.000+08:00

Indi's been having swimming lessons for some time now... he's getting better and more daring to plunge into the pool.

February Bali

2007-06-30T16:44:00.000+08:00

Robert was travelling a lot early this year that we decide to go for a little break in Bali in February. Stayed at this place which is basically a house with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, balcony and a pool... There's another similar house (2 bedrooms) and 2 single room bungalows sharing the garden/ land and pool... It's basic/ and simple, but more than enough for a very idyllic holiday that we're after.

During our stay what we did was went to seach for land in the morning and just sat by the beach. We now have a place that we like to go and sit... I'll read my book or just look at people on the beach while Indi and Robert would go in and out the water. Indi is familiar with the place and people on that spot... he'll order drinks for us, and Teh Botol (tea in a bottle) for himself...

Here are some pictures from our trip...

It's funny how kids can easily make friends, how they can play 'from a distance'...

We were walking along the road, browsing the shops and there was this little girl with her 'motorbike'... Indi has this fascination about bikes, cars, trucks anything that has wheels... one thing lead to another he's on the girls bike already... Can see how he's 'nervous'... :-) but the girl is a natural biker, smiling and confidently taking care of Indi...

It's not that often that I'll swim with Indi... but you just can't resist to swim in Bali... the bungalow behind is the single room bungalow... in the picture you can see a bit of how 'green' and luscious the garden is...

Catching Up..

2007-06-30T16:36:00.000+08:00

So sorry for the very late up-date... time flies soooo quick that suddenly pictures are piling up on my computer, and stories forgotten to be shared.

I know we won't be able to share everything, but will try our best...

After a few months in school, here's a picture of Indi with some of his arts n crafts project... He likes painting, and the colour he loves most is blue... even though lately he's shown a big interest in red and black... St. Kilda's colour.. :-) (story on that later)

Bites and Bruises

2007-03-07T11:03:00.000+08:00

Bites and bruises are part of growing up. But it still breaks your heart when it happens...

Bruise story: we just came back from a 10days holiday in Bali. On Sunday - February 25 - Indi and I went to the playground, he's sooo happy to see his buddy Stephen that his leap of joy was run his car into the playground railing.... lucky it didn't hit his eyes.

Bites story: February 27, as I picked him up from school Indi's teacher, Ms Li Ann, approached me. She explained that Indi was bitten by a boy from older class. My question was whether Indi started or provoked they boy that makes the boy bit him. Ms Li Ann said no, that boy is a biter... In the car Indi when I asked Indi how his day was, he mentioned a new name... 'Benedict'..., i thought he's trying to say 'Benjamin did "something" or whatever....' At home when I read the school communication book, turned out Benedict is the name of the boy who bit him.... I had tears in my eyes whenever I saw it. Poor Indi...

Despite all that... he's still the happy little boy he is...

Robert's First Time

2007-03-04T17:01:00.000+08:00

After Robert's trip - it was Indi's second week at school... and Robert took Indi to school... and this is what happened....

...guess Indi misses his Daddy and doesn't like to be separated with his Daddy... :-) so sweet!

Favourite Toy - Cars

2007-03-04T16:55:00.000+08:00

Playing with the car is Indi's favourite thing to do at school... he now learns to take turn with other kids... even though it doesn't always work...
On the first day it was easy to leave him because he's busy playing with the car... he'll just cry for a while, but soon puts his attention to the car...

... comfortable in the car...

... panic look..."please stay"...

Bye oom Troy

2007-03-04T16:51:00.000+08:00

A kiss to oom Troy before we left Indi at school...

The Classroom

2007-03-04T16:46:00.000+08:00

This is Indi's classroom... the class is called the Starters 1.... there are 14 kids in total in his class, some only goes twice or three times a week... Indi goes for 5days a week...

First Day of School - 2

2007-03-04T16:41:00.000+08:00

This picture is supposed to be before we put all his stuff away... look at Indi's expression!!! Confused? Terrified? Sad..?

Meeting the Teacher

2007-03-04T16:38:00.000+08:00

Miss Carol - the principal/ director and sub-teacher - greets us while holding Benjamins hand...

Snacks

2007-03-04T16:32:00.000+08:00

As soon as the children arrives at school they will put their snack box and watter bottle at the assigned place. On Mondays the school asked parents to bring vegetable or fruits for snacks.
School also provides snack just incase the child is hungry or spilled his snacks or just doesn't want to eat what he got from home... or Mom forgets to pack him his snacks...

Insect Repellant and Sun Screen

2007-03-04T16:30:00.000+08:00

This is Indi's insect repellant and sun screen... with those bright green labels!

Slippers

2007-03-04T16:24:00.000+08:00

In the classroom the children are required to wear an indoor slippers/ shoes. So I got Indi one from Bubble Gummers, that has a 'monkey' on it. At home he doesn't like to wear slippers/ shoes, but at school - seeing how all his classmates are wearing them he's happy to take off his shoes and wear them. Even put the shoes in the rack all by himself...

His slipper...

The Rack...

*) ps... there's note on the picture....

Looks like...

2007-03-04T16:20:00.000+08:00

... i'm dragging Indi to his classroom... :-)

First Day of School - 1

2007-02-27T11:00:00.000+08:00

What do you think Indi's expression says?

This is taken as we hop off the car and getting ready to walk to the school gate...

Thanks to Troy for taking the pictures on Indi's first day of school... !

I'm sooooo behind with blogging!!!

2007-02-27T10:48:00.000+08:00

It's two days from March and I haven't post January pictures... :-)

News first... Indi has started his pre-school on January 15. The first couple of weeks he's got the normal 'separation anxiety', cried whenever I have to leave him, only for a while. Soon after that he's busy with the toys and school activities.
But after two weeks he stopped crying... gave me the goodbye kiss and hug, and see you soon... his eyes already wandering which toys he can grab.
There was a week break because he developed the Hand Foot Mouth Disease symptoms, but turned out it was false alarm. Thank God! But the week at home was driving him crazy... and driving me crazy too... :-) He was sooo glad to be back at school after that.

Robert was away on Indi's first day of school, but Troy was there, so Troy helped with driving us and taking the pictures. Robert is still travelling, and we managed to have a bit of a break. 10days break in Bali during the Chinese New Year.

I'm rushing now... would like to up-load a couple of pictures before time to pick up Indi at school, and put a load of washing in the laundry... phew... back to routine again.
After picking up Indi from school, it will be lunch time followed by his nap... routines, routines... routines..

Hope you're all well!!!!

New Year's Eve and New Year's Day

2007-01-24T12:17:00.000+08:00

Picture of us on New Year's Eve

and New Years day with the 'extended family'...

Mama n "us"

2007-01-24T11:54:00.000+08:00

A portrait of Mama on New Year's Eve...

... visiting cousins...

2007-01-04T16:30:00.000+08:00

I haven't visited my cousin house for ages...!!! (last time was in Austin, Texas - i think!!! ouch!) During the Christmas 06 trip I made sure to that I visit them. With my brother Iksa as the designated driver.

It turned into a great visit because others were there, too: Yanti, Linda, Benno and Pingkan... Tari served a Menadonese lunch... SUPERB food! Fish and the dabu-dabu was yummy!!!
Photos taken by Adilla... See you next year... ... See my Tabblo>

from us...

2007-01-03T15:01:00.000+08:00

See my Tabblo>

cousins

2007-01-03T14:59:00.000+08:00

See my Tabblo>

more friends...

2007-01-03T14:57:00.000+08:00

See my Tabblo>

... sanur girls...

2007-01-02T22:44:00.000+08:00

See my Tabblo>

families... at birthday...

2007-01-02T22:35:00.000+08:00

See my Tabblo>

... from the van de Bergh(s)..

2007-01-01T11:41:00.000+08:00

See my Tabblo>

My Birthday... the van de Bergh(s)...

2007-01-01T11:36:00.000+08:00

We met Herman and Elly at Lesti's wedding... and i'd like to think of them of good friends now. What makes it even better is the fact that we've met their daughters and their families (and also friends)... and we liked them all...!!!

This Christmas they all came to celebrate it in Jakarta... and also make time to come to my birthday party....

... See my Tabblo>

...more of Christmas Day - this time it's with Mom's family...

2007-01-01T11:25:00.000+08:00

We celebrate Christmas at Mom's younger sister's house - just a few house down from Mom's. It was planned or anything... but we were just there...

Roy and his family from Makassar happened to be visiting. Isn't it nice to spend Christmas with your families...? ... See my Tabblo>

Us On Christmas Day...

2006-12-31T12:07:00.000+08:00

See my Tabblo>

indi n Sarah at Christmas Day

2006-12-31T11:32:00.000+08:00

See my Tabblo>

... a visit to Elly and Herman...

2006-12-31T11:10:00.000+08:00

We're back in good old 'betawi' for Christmas. One of the things we do is visit Elly and Herman whose family is visiting from Holland.
We saw Thies for the first time - Thies is Madelon's son. He's one year younger than indi, but he's bigger already... :-)

Indi had a great time playing with the toys and swimming with Herman and daddy.... ... See my Tabblo>

Emily and Ben Visits

2006-12-30T22:12:00.000+08:00

Emily and Ben are the couple renting our old rented house. They were in Singapore for a week-end and we went out for brunch and a bit of sight seeing. We visited the famous hotel that starts with R... Here are some pictures of Indi goofing around with Em and Ben...

Posing...

2006-11-21T09:08:00.000+08:00

Along our walks Indi would stop and play with things that he found, took some shots of him playing or rather jumping around this thing...

He loves to pose doesn't he... ? :-)

Strolling...

2006-11-21T09:00:00.000+08:00

Went strolling with Indi and Ike... and for Indi it really means "strolling" - playing with his stroller. He'll push his stroller around, sometimes he'll bumped into others, and many times he'll make people smile. Well, just imagine this... what will you think if you see a stroller strolled by itself.... it's because Indi is still shorter than the stroller, and when he pushes it you can't really see him, so you'll think that the stroller is moving by itself.... We've seen a lot of people smile or laugh because of it...

See You Oma...

2006-11-21T08:54:00.000+08:00

Indi doesn't like to say good-byes... but he sure likes to kiss... :-) Here's pictures of him saying good-bye to my mom....

Oma's Visit

2006-11-21T08:48:00.000+08:00

My Mom was here from October 20 to November 2 for a short break/ holiday. But instead she had to take care of both Indi and I that was down with flu or something like that because of the haze. In the end we got to do only a bit of shopping (books, books and more books... :-) ....) no sight seeing done. She's seen most of it anyway, and we'll save the rest for her next trip.
Here's a picture of Ike and my Mom at our favourite place "Dempsey's Hut"...

Halloween

2006-11-17T10:33:00.000+08:00

I'm behind with my posting... :-) so here's the halloween pictures... The compound where we live had a trick or treating for the kids... I bought a Super Hero costume for Indi. I don't think he enjoyed it much though... he's afraid of the ones with scarry costumes (witches, ghosts, monster, etc). These days he's just scared of the black things... and he's also scared of a lot of people... It will take some time before he's back to normal again, and not afraid of those things...

Stephen's halloween costume... cowboy!

Indi with fairies...

Super Hero enjoying his treats with Daddy.

More Water Works...

2006-11-14T23:15:00.000+08:00

Here's more pictures from Water Works...

Here's a picture of Indi and Stephen:

Stephen and his brother Hayden:

Water Works - Science Center

2006-11-14T23:00:00.000+08:00

Water - indi just loves water! Loves to swim, loves to take shower/ bath, splash around, basically he loves to play with water. Early October we went to Science Center with our neighbour and their sons, the oldest - Stephen - happens to be Indi's "buddy". He loves spending time with Stephen... playground time, racing their car/ scooter, watching the movies, anything... Well, that day we let them have a blast at the Water works... They had a lot of fun!

Nan n Pa (n tricicle)

2006-10-23T07:11:00.000+08:00

See my Tabblo>

The Young Ones...

2006-10-23T07:10:00.000+08:00

Indi and his cousins....

He loves playing with them... they're very good with him, very patient and caring...

In the end, he's still a baby - needs his bottle and all :-) ... See my Tabblo>

Robert's Birthday...

2006-10-23T07:08:00.000+08:00

It has been some time that Robert celebrates his birthday in Australia. This time he's got three celebration for his birthday...

First at Trevor and Jenny's, at Mark's house, and at Mum & Ted's place.... isn't it grand?

That night we went out for dinner with Mum, Ted, Brenda and Matthew. And had the birthday cake which Brenda and Matthew brought at home...

Happy Birthday Robert...! Hip Hip Hooray...!! ... See my Tabblo>

... with Mark...

2006-10-23T07:05:00.001+08:00

Mark has kindly let us stay at his place, and Indi loves Mark. Why? Because every morning Mark will take Indi out to the playground!

Even when we got back home Indi can easily spot Mark on the pictures, and ask to see Mark's pictures again and again. Yes, he remembers the guy who took him to the playground...

Picture on the left is Mark and Sabine and Indi... ... See my Tabblo>

Barbeque at Trevor and Jenny's....

2006-10-23T07:05:00.000+08:00

Trevor and Jenny invited us over for Barbeque...

Their kids are just adorable... especially the girls... they take care of Indi and play with him that he feels at home and not bored...

He even went on the trampoline...!

Barbeque was delicious!!! ... See my Tabblo>

Miniature Railway..

2006-10-23T07:03:00.000+08:00

We went to the Miniature Railway at Eltham... it was fun for Indi, Daddy and Mama, too...

You buy the ticket, queue to get into the train, go round the track, stop and let other trains pass, go thru the tunnels, crossings... It even has the steam coming out! Just like the real thing... the only thing is it's mini...

Choo... choo...!!! ... See my Tabblo>

...at the fair with Darren...

2006-10-22T20:40:00.000+08:00

See my Tabblo>

Melbourne Zoo (photos from)

2006-10-22T20:38:00.000+08:00

Here's more photos from our Melbourne Zoo visit...

Not much of the animals... maybe I'll post them later... or not.

Indi loves the animals... but he also loves the people watching them... ... See my Tabblo>

Indi - Stroller - on the Street... what he'll do...

2006-10-22T20:36:00.000+08:00

See my Tabblo>

Tabblo

2006-10-21T13:02:00.000+08:00

I noticed Tabblo has changed their system... they don't post the whole picture in the blog, you have to double click (or is it only click) at the "see more at tabblo".... which I think is fair.... they should encourage people to visit their website, not only peek thru 'blogger's'. .... the process in creating the tabblo is easier though... so in general I think they're doing a good job...

Enjoy!

Keeping In Touch

2006-10-21T12:50:00.000+08:00

What I want to do was to post more individual pictures from our Melbourne trip, but seems like it's not going to happen. There's a lot of photos to share and stories to tell, and yet so little time.

Since we got back Indi has caught a cold which turns to bronchitis that leads to ear infection, was well for a few days and then now he's got his bout of coughs again ... and Asthma.
The doctor has confirmed that he's asthmatic... good news is it'll get better with age... He's now using the puff/ inhaler, and in the future if he starts 'coughing and wheezing' he will be on puff again.
Let's just hope that it's not going to turn to bronchitis again.... my fingers are crossed.
(There's a few kids in our condo that has the same thing.... with kids it's just contagious... well, they see each other at the playground every day....)

And then there's the HAZE... that's also the trigger for his asthma... we never thought that we will say this, but at the moment 'air quality back in Jakarta is better than here!'....

Robert starts to travel again ( a LOT of travelling between last week and our Christmas holiday!).... but this time I have my cousin and my mom staying and keeping us company. It's a great help to have someone else here.... only when he's sick or sleepy would Indi look for me. And when he does, all he wants me to do is carry him.... I'm beginning to have a bad back because of it.... :-)

We're really hoping that the Haze will be gone soon... both my mom and I has started to cough as well.... we're popping ourselves with vitamins and supplement.... need to be healthy...

Well... that's the news for now... we'll keep in touch, and I'll put more tabblo's up... that thing helps me post the pictures a lot!

Hope you're all well and missing you all...

Love,

Sociable Indi

2006-10-21T09:10:00.000+08:00

Indi is a very social person... well, sometimes... nope, most of the times...

We went to Melbourne Zoo and he'll just start making contacts with other kids, join their group or just hang out with them...

We wonder what language he's using... :-)
I guess smile, sincerity and enthusiasm speaks for itself...

That's our little boy!

(all pictures taken at Melbourne Zoo)

... See my Tabblo>

Indi and Rides

2006-10-21T08:58:00.001+08:00

Whenever Indi sees a kiddie ride, he'll run and hop into it.
If someone's there, he'll patiently wait... (my not that patient)...

Here in this tiny little island, when he founds a dollar coin, he'll say 'car!'... ... See my Tabblo>

Warrook Farm

2006-10-21T08:41:00.000+08:00

Here's the rest of the photos from Warrook Farm...

It was a great visit for all of us, we spend 5 hours of exploring...

Oh what a great time! ... See my Tabblo>

Sheep Shearing

2006-10-02T15:39:00.000+08:00

Part of the tour is to see a demonstration of sheep shearing.

And here's how Indi and Robert's face look like when the demonstration was going on...

Whip

2006-10-02T15:31:00.000+08:00

We got a chance to learn how to crack the whip... everybody that is, excluding me... :-)
Indi tried very hard and you can see people smiling at his determination... :-)

Roo...

2006-10-02T14:52:00.000+08:00

The staff at Warrook Farm was very friendly, especially to young children. Indi got a special treatment.... he's allowed to enter the baby kangaroo area and help her feed baby Roo....

Milking the Cow..

2006-10-02T14:05:00.000+08:00

We got a chance to milk the cow and drink the fresh milk (how much fresher can it be?)...

... indi's hesitating to drink the milk, while Robert's hand still has some drops from milking the cow...

Feeding Time....

2006-10-02T14:00:00.000+08:00

The first tour was to feed the calves and lambs. Indi loves feeding them. The sheep is his favourite, after we finished feeding the calves and lambs (or at least i thought we were finished)... Indi ran back and feed the lambs again (that's the last picture).

Horse - Warrook Farm

2006-10-02T13:54:00.000+08:00

The first animal Indi encountered was a horse. At first he's afraid to touch it. Needs daddy and mama's encouragement before he finally touch the horse.
They don't let visitors ride the horse anymore, the insurance is too high and complicated for it.... a pity.

Warrook Farm

2006-09-29T13:27:00.000+08:00

We visited a farm it's called Warrook, it's a real farm but they open their doors for tourists as well. There visitors can just walk around the farm (limited ground only if unsupervised), feed the animals, see the sheep shearing, learn to crack the whip, milk the cow, and they also provide tea and lunch if you want to.

Lunch and tea is served in their homestead, which was built hundred years ago. (when i can found the brochure i'll write a proper notes about the place).

This is how the homestead looks like...

.... the clear blue sky was how it is that day...! it rained a bit, but other than that sky was blue as can be...

Melbourne Aquarium

2006-09-22T17:57:00.000+08:00

Looking at fish is also what Indi likes to do. We visited Melbourne Aquarium and he loooooves to see the fishes in the tank... eventhough he needs help to see them... :-)

Feeding the birds

2006-09-22T17:37:00.000+08:00

Birds are one of Indi's favourites... and of course he loves chasing them. During our visit he got a chance to feed the birds..
Here's robert and indi feeding the bird at Mornington Park.

Indi and the trike from Nan & Pa

2006-09-22T17:32:00.000+08:00

Nan & Pa bought indi a trike (tricycle), and he's just soooo happy to ride on it. At one point he begged and begged and begged to take the trike with us that we have to put the trike in the boot.

Doesn't care if it's cold or if he's got his shoes on or not... he loves playing with the trike...

this is Indi begging to take the trike with us...

It's cold out there...

2006-09-17T22:56:00.000+08:00

When we visited Matthew, it was a cold day (at least for us who's used to hot and humid weather). Indi was so excited to go outside and play with his cousins' toys.

It's cold out there, but he's just got to play... Poor guy, his lips are blue!! (and yes, his hands was cold)... but he enjoyed it!

Visiting the cousins

2006-09-17T22:49:00.000+08:00

Here are other pictures when Indi visit his cousins...

The Boys

2006-09-17T22:45:00.000+08:00

So we're back from down under... had a couple of days rest. Next few days will be posting pictures of our visit. Indi had a great time... Daddy and Mama, too.

First picture will be of the Boys... they're so cute together and Indi had fun playing with them. He still remembers his cousins...

Indi's Birthday Picnic....

2006-09-03T13:51:00.000+08:00

See my Tabblo>

From Indi's Birthday Picnic...

2006-09-03T13:33:00.000+08:00

See my Tabblo>

Jakarta Trip

2006-09-01T23:35:00.000+08:00

Been a long time since i posted, have been terribly busy with the term final project. It's done, last Wednesday had the assesment. Phew! What a relief.
Was in Jakarta for a few days - a pre-Mama's birthday trip. Can't be there on her day, so a trip before just have to do. Lucky Robert was on a business trip to Jakarta as well.

Indi loves spending time with his cousin Sarah. Here they were playing with an 'abandoned' aquarium.

Car Washing...

2006-08-14T14:34:00.000+08:00

After strolling at the East Coast Park, robert washed the car - of course indi's gotta help! He had a lot of fun doing it... and he's very serious about making the car shine...

Cheeky Boy...

2006-08-14T14:30:00.000+08:00

Most of the time we see indi with a serious face in the pictures here, but in real life he actually loves to grin - he's got that mischievous face. Dad taught him a new face... wagging his tounge out... :-)

Father and Son... Slide...

2006-08-14T14:13:00.000+08:00

Indi manage to persuade Robert to slide with him at East Coast Park, saturday August 12, 2006.

Beach on a Friday Afternoon

2006-08-14T13:21:00.000+08:00

We went to the beach (a man made beach, not a real one) last Friday, and indi had a blast playing in the pond... mind you, it's not a swimming pool... there was another kid already in it, at least that kid has his bathers on. We took indi's diapers off once we realize he's going to dip in the pond.

Father n Son... Sunset

2006-08-11T21:52:00.000+08:00

I like this picture of Rob n Indi, even if it's a bit blur and dark. I've done a bit of tweaking with photoshopp but not able to upload it. So this original will do....

New Friends (4)

2006-08-08T15:59:00.000+08:00

In search of the perfect beach we went to Nusa Dua, but was disappointed as most of the nice beach are now PRIVATE PROPERTY (of the hotels).

So we just sit down right next to the hotel's border. This little kid (son of one of the peddlers) played with indi, run around and laughed a lot. Funny how he's more dressed up and cleaned than indi. Look how dirty Indi's feet are, not wearing his hat (as if he's used to the hot sun), and wearing his bathers.

New Friends (3)

2006-08-08T15:56:00.000+08:00

Our Bali trip main purpose is just to relax, and relax and relax again. And the favourite spot is Seminyak. Indi loves playing with sand.

This little boy is only one, but can play quite nicely with Indi. And Indi was not rough at all with him (which is surprising).