1. smell papers. What would I do first when I open new book fresh from the store? I'll browse and smell it! Same thing with new CD covers and cards.
2. am a dreamer. Meaning: I always have dreams when I sleep. Meaning: I sleep well and tight when I dream. In contrary, I would wake up tired if I had no dream. I had a dream journal at one stage, it stopped when i was pregnant because sleep is a hard thing to do, or if I had dream it's impossible to remember.
3. like everything organised and plan ahead. I'd choose what am I going to wear a night before. I prepare my luggage at least a week before I go travelling.
4. hate cleaning, but sort of a neat freak. I can't sleep if the dishes hasn't washed. Can't stand to see stack of dirty clothes or mound of clean un-iron clothes.
5. eat noodle with rice even though I know it means double carbo-hydrate. I just love it that way.
6. like my coffee Black at home or office. Cuppa of coffee in the morning is a must, otherwise I'll turn to a zombie (had yucky decaffeinated during pregnancy). Cappuccino is the kind of coffee I'd have at the hang-out places.
7. walk around back and forth when talking on the phone (thank God for wireless and handphone)
8. am addicted to internet. Will jump up and down, wailing, and cranky without it.
9. think secret agent is the coolest job, but a doctor or a lawyer - like the one in Hollywood's tv series - is my dream job.
10. wrote diary since I was 12 year old, as a result I have more than 10 written diary. I still have them all. Only stop when I start this blog in 2005.
11. keep old handwritten cards and letters.
12. hate to be alone, but annoyed to be with around people too long. Just like to have my time alone sometimes.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
The Baby and I
This little boy turns 5 month old today. Where's the time flies?! Well, I know exactly where and when it flies, as days sometimes went so slow for me. What sort of day I normally have? Hard to tell. They are full of up and down. There are days when the baby is sweet, easy, and happy, but there are difficult days when he cry and cry, screaming and kicking, doesn't want to sleep and want to be carried around all day.
I try to talk Indonesian as much as I could, even sing Indonesian children songs. With hope he will be bilingual. As I read and sing him some English songs too, I just realise that I've learnt more than 20 English children song in the last 2 months. From all songs, I Love You, You Love Me (theme song from Barney TV Show) and Burung Kakak Tua was his favorite songs, kind of songs that can calm him down, distract him from whatever he was doing, stop him from crying, and put him to sleep. But recently he switch Burung Kakak Tua to Cicak Cicak di Dinding! :D
Hubby and I surprised that he understands Ciluk-Ba better than Peek-A Boo. :) He will smile happily whenever he hear word Ciluk-Ba. I guess this make this become his fav game.
I'm glad that our TV subscription has lots of kids channel. I usually tune in Disney and Jim Jam channel. But only Jim Jam has all shows suits to babies. It has Barney, Thomas and Friends, Bob the Builders, Pingu, Igloo-gloo, etc. Alas, there is no pocoyo anywhere. I don't know if this is normal, but my baby has already aware of the existence of TV since he was 2 month old. And now he will giggle and move his hand and feet frantically everytime he watch Barney. His head will look for the TV whenever he hear the theme song of Thomas and Friends and Bob the Builders. Pingu also become his favorite lately.
In detail here is what my baby gained and developed last month.
His stomach has grown bigger so he doesn't need to feed so often. He had four or five bottles of milk a day. Few weeks ago he gained a new talent which was rolling over. He lifts his head and shoulders high, using his arms for support when lay on his tummy. He started to roll over from his back to his front, or vice versa. Although sometimes this upset him because he have to use his hand to support his body when at the same time he want to put things on his hand to his mouth. The other exciting thing was that he started to eat rice cereal, just once a day. Doctor worried he will not like it or will have difficulty swallowing as eating with spoon is different than sucking the milk from a teat. But the fact was he didn't have any difficulty at all. He was just enjoy it, excited, and cried as we didn't put the spoon in his mouth quick enough, and even cried to have some more!
He also now able to reach out and grab things, everything, including my hair! Once he wraps his hands around something, he'll study it then put it straight into his mouth. He always excited to see flying objects, such as musical mobile, but everything flying on top of him will make he madly excited. He also can play with his own hands and feet. So cute. One day I realise it's strangely quiet in the bedroom. So I look in, only to discover that he was amusing himself by playing with his toes. He was also wanted to be propped up or held in a sitting position. His back and neck get stronger when then one day I found him sitting without back support on his rocking chair!
I noticed he got more selective about people and surrounding. He used to smile and friendly to everyone he met, and now began to be choosy. We went out to dinner with friends few times just to find him over tired as he was too excited to see new things and couldn't sleep. When a stranger picked him up, he will look, then think, then pout, then cried! (*sigh*)
I am now excited to know what talent he will gain, what surprise he will give, and how big he will grow this month.
Can say my lifestyle has changed drastically. It wasn't easy to adjust. There were times I got so stress and frustrated. It took around 4 months to get used to this new lifestyle. I'm now understand that I can't be so mobile as before. I can't go to meet different groups and spend unlimited time with them. I can't go to malls and supermarket whenever I want anymore. When I'm in malls or supermarket I can't just stroll away and spend time as long as I want. I have to be quick quick quick. Only go to necessary shops, and not to waste so much time thinking what to buy, or not to waste time to bargain away. Sit back and enjoy a cup of coffee at a cafe is out of my dictionary now, at least at this stage. However I think I adjust quite well now. As the baby growing and I get my health better, I enjoy motherhood better too.
Thankfully I can have part-time maid here, so at least someone can do the hard work cleaning this big house. It would be perfect if my maid can also be a nanny, so I can leave the baby with her when I do my own thing outside the house sometimes. But the baby didn't get along well with her. I don't think I need a full time nanny since I don't work. I wish i had part-time nanny so at least I can do my things during weekdays like to go to pilates or beading class again. Talking about having my own time, hubby is so understanding giving me time to do my own things on weekend when he can be at home taking care the baby. I can use one day on weekend for few hours to go to malls, meet up some friends, or have pedicure or Thai massage on that occasions. Thai massage was great, btw. ;) However sometimes I prefer to be just spend my weekend with my two boys.
So here I am taking care the baby everyday (Hubby of course helps when he is at home), from A to Z, from feeding, bathing, changing nappy, putting him to bed, to playing and entertaining. A friend said that I am lucky to be a full time mum. I know now that he is right. I have privilege to witness him grow and develop day by day. I might be too attach to him now, so I don't think I have a heart to leave the baby with a nanny! Or maybe he will refuse to be taken care by anyone else but me or hubby, which will be a Big problem. Anyhow I am too tired to think of anything to avoid that problem.
Talking about the baby,... he is growing well. He must be about 8 kg and more than 70 cm tall now. He is more aware of and responsive to new things, active, and probably very active! Smile and laugh a lot, but cry a lot too sometimes. Everyday is a challenge. He often change his habits or suddenly gain new skills. I have to be fully alert and aware so I can keep up!
Last month was also when he started to have routine. It's not always the same, but in average his schedule is like this:
Last month was also when he started to have routine. It's not always the same, but in average his schedule is like this:
- 7 am = awake, play in the cot until I finish shower
- 8 am = watch TV, (while I have breakfast)
- 9 am = bath
- 10 am = nap
- 11 am = play or watch TV
- 12 pm = feeding - milk, then play
- 2 pm = nap
- 3 pm = play
- 4 pm = feeding - rice cereal, then strolling in or out the house
- 5 pm = bath
- 5.30 = feeding - milk
- 6 pm = sleep
- 3 am = feeding - milk, then back to sleep
I try to talk Indonesian as much as I could, even sing Indonesian children songs. With hope he will be bilingual. As I read and sing him some English songs too, I just realise that I've learnt more than 20 English children song in the last 2 months. From all songs, I Love You, You Love Me (theme song from Barney TV Show) and Burung Kakak Tua was his favorite songs, kind of songs that can calm him down, distract him from whatever he was doing, stop him from crying, and put him to sleep. But recently he switch Burung Kakak Tua to Cicak Cicak di Dinding! :D
Hubby and I surprised that he understands Ciluk-Ba better than Peek-A Boo. :) He will smile happily whenever he hear word Ciluk-Ba. I guess this make this become his fav game.
I'm glad that our TV subscription has lots of kids channel. I usually tune in Disney and Jim Jam channel. But only Jim Jam has all shows suits to babies. It has Barney, Thomas and Friends, Bob the Builders, Pingu, Igloo-gloo, etc. Alas, there is no pocoyo anywhere. I don't know if this is normal, but my baby has already aware of the existence of TV since he was 2 month old. And now he will giggle and move his hand and feet frantically everytime he watch Barney. His head will look for the TV whenever he hear the theme song of Thomas and Friends and Bob the Builders. Pingu also become his favorite lately.
In detail here is what my baby gained and developed last month.
His stomach has grown bigger so he doesn't need to feed so often. He had four or five bottles of milk a day. Few weeks ago he gained a new talent which was rolling over. He lifts his head and shoulders high, using his arms for support when lay on his tummy. He started to roll over from his back to his front, or vice versa. Although sometimes this upset him because he have to use his hand to support his body when at the same time he want to put things on his hand to his mouth. The other exciting thing was that he started to eat rice cereal, just once a day. Doctor worried he will not like it or will have difficulty swallowing as eating with spoon is different than sucking the milk from a teat. But the fact was he didn't have any difficulty at all. He was just enjoy it, excited, and cried as we didn't put the spoon in his mouth quick enough, and even cried to have some more!
He also now able to reach out and grab things, everything, including my hair! Once he wraps his hands around something, he'll study it then put it straight into his mouth. He always excited to see flying objects, such as musical mobile, but everything flying on top of him will make he madly excited. He also can play with his own hands and feet. So cute. One day I realise it's strangely quiet in the bedroom. So I look in, only to discover that he was amusing himself by playing with his toes. He was also wanted to be propped up or held in a sitting position. His back and neck get stronger when then one day I found him sitting without back support on his rocking chair!
I noticed he got more selective about people and surrounding. He used to smile and friendly to everyone he met, and now began to be choosy. We went out to dinner with friends few times just to find him over tired as he was too excited to see new things and couldn't sleep. When a stranger picked him up, he will look, then think, then pout, then cried! (*sigh*)
I am now excited to know what talent he will gain, what surprise he will give, and how big he will grow this month.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Lowest Point on Earth
After Baptism Site, so here is a story about the sea whose the name sounds kinda creepy, Dead Sea. I believe it called the Dead Sea because nothing can live in it. There's no sea plants, fish or any kind of swimming creatures living in or near the water. What I saw instead is white, crystals of salt covering almost everything. I guess it's no ordinary table salt. The salts in the Dead Sea are mineral salts in extreme concentrations, which contains more than 35 different types of minerals that are essential for the health and care of the body skin.
The water in the Dead Sea is deadly to living things. But the good news is it's NOT deadly to human. What's so cool about the Dead Sea, that is because of the extremely high concentration of dissolved mineral salts in the water, means our bodies are much more buoyant. People can just easily float, and hard to actually swim. Hubby had tried, and it's true! Other people (including hubby) also covered their bodies (and face!) with Dead Sea mud, which was available free on the side of the sea. As for me,.. uum... I wasn't really sure to give myself to be covered by black sticky mud and float in a rather blacky salty water that day. Maybe next time, because we will (hopefully will) come back. This unique place is only about 30 minutes drive from Amman, and has modern hotels, nice public swimming pool and beach. Good destination to just have relaxing time on the water on weekend.
Have I mentioned that this place is only 420 metres below sea level. Its shores are considered as the lowest point on the surface of the Earth. How cool is that?! (Well it's actually very hot when we were there ;p). On the way there my ears was rather hurt like when I was in a plane because of the pressure. It's also make the place very very very hot in summer,but pleasant warm weather in winter.
floating hubby
The water in the Dead Sea is deadly to living things. But the good news is it's NOT deadly to human. What's so cool about the Dead Sea, that is because of the extremely high concentration of dissolved mineral salts in the water, means our bodies are much more buoyant. People can just easily float, and hard to actually swim. Hubby had tried, and it's true! Other people (including hubby) also covered their bodies (and face!) with Dead Sea mud, which was available free on the side of the sea. As for me,.. uum... I wasn't really sure to give myself to be covered by black sticky mud and float in a rather blacky salty water that day. Maybe next time, because we will (hopefully will) come back. This unique place is only about 30 minutes drive from Amman, and has modern hotels, nice public swimming pool and beach. Good destination to just have relaxing time on the water on weekend.
Have I mentioned that this place is only 420 metres below sea level. Its shores are considered as the lowest point on the surface of the Earth. How cool is that?! (Well it's actually very hot when we were there ;p). On the way there my ears was rather hurt like when I was in a plane because of the pressure. It's also make the place very very very hot in summer,but pleasant warm weather in winter.
The warning board seen along the main street. I thought it's hilarious.
The hotel we stayed in. Very satisfactory. Nice room, nice food, and it has massive and lots of pools!
floating hubby 
Rocks on the seaside covered with salt
View from the one of the corner of the hotel outlooking the pool and the sea.
Private beach at the back of the hotel
Evan doesn't look so impress :)
Monday, September 8, 2008
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
A River of History
It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me,
whose sandals strap I am not worthy to untie.
" This all happened at Bethany on the east side of the Jordan River,
where John was baptising. (John 1:27-28)
After almost a year since our visit to Mount Nebo, we finally had a chance to go to the baptism site, Jordan River, which is believe was the place where Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist.
Now this place is open for public and pilgrimage, and are welcome to have a baptism ceremony here. However, due to earthquakes in the region and time the Jordan River has shifted, the actual baptism is no long in the path of the Jordan River. There is a small stone bowl filled with jordan river water on the side of the river available for people who want to have baptist in this site.
It's rather amazing to see that Israel is only a few feet away, separated by fences only. The river which also flows across that country made it possible to have a Baptism site on their end. However it believes there is no archaeological evidence has been found over there. Whilst on Jordan side, the excavation which were began in 1996 have uncovered more than 20 churches, caves, and baptism pools from Roman and Byzantine periods. This place also has endorsed by the Pope.
From the ticket office where we had to park our car, we then should wait for a shuttle minibus to take us to the site. We were then surprise that we actually have to walk for about 2km through the jungle of Jordan until we find the actual place where believes is the place where Jesus was baptised and where John's the baptist church is. The walk should be easy, but we found it hard. Not because of the footpath, but it was burning hot! I just realised that it's located nearly the lowest point on earth (the lowest point is Dead Sea), at over 350m below sea level. The air is thick and hot, and the temperature might be about 41C at that time.
While it's a sacred place, where we should pray and contemplate, but no time and desire to do such thing. The heat and poor Evan trapped in his hot stroller made us just to have a quick look, Can't wait to go back or be under the shelter. The souvenir shopping after that was quite good, though. Some shops have the AC on, which was a relieve, where we found some unique souvenirs to buy. We then could not wait to have a nice lunch and cool rest in one of the hotel in Dead Sea where we going to stay for a night. Off we go to Dead Sea!
Note: The actual trip to baptism site and dead sea was made on 3-4 July 2008.
Now this place is open for public and pilgrimage, and are welcome to have a baptism ceremony here. However, due to earthquakes in the region and time the Jordan River has shifted, the actual baptism is no long in the path of the Jordan River. There is a small stone bowl filled with jordan river water on the side of the river available for people who want to have baptist in this site.
It's rather amazing to see that Israel is only a few feet away, separated by fences only. The river which also flows across that country made it possible to have a Baptism site on their end. However it believes there is no archaeological evidence has been found over there. Whilst on Jordan side, the excavation which were began in 1996 have uncovered more than 20 churches, caves, and baptism pools from Roman and Byzantine periods. This place also has endorsed by the Pope.
From the ticket office where we had to park our car, we then should wait for a shuttle minibus to take us to the site. We were then surprise that we actually have to walk for about 2km through the jungle of Jordan until we find the actual place where believes is the place where Jesus was baptised and where John's the baptist church is. The walk should be easy, but we found it hard. Not because of the footpath, but it was burning hot! I just realised that it's located nearly the lowest point on earth (the lowest point is Dead Sea), at over 350m below sea level. The air is thick and hot, and the temperature might be about 41C at that time.
While it's a sacred place, where we should pray and contemplate, but no time and desire to do such thing. The heat and poor Evan trapped in his hot stroller made us just to have a quick look, Can't wait to go back or be under the shelter. The souvenir shopping after that was quite good, though. Some shops have the AC on, which was a relieve, where we found some unique souvenirs to buy. We then could not wait to have a nice lunch and cool rest in one of the hotel in Dead Sea where we going to stay for a night. Off we go to Dead Sea!
Note: The actual trip to baptism site and dead sea was made on 3-4 July 2008.
waiting for the shuttle minibus
Jordan River
The actual baptism site, and John's the Baptist church and ruins at the back
place where people have baptism ceremony
New Orthodox Church of St. John the Baptist at the background. Look at Evan,... struggling with the bright sunny hot sun. :0
The other country, just across the fence.
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