Leaving (or going back home) in 11 days

This is it. Our far from home adventure will soon come to an end. So blessed that I got to experience so many things during our 4,5 years living abroad. Especially to finally enjoying and living the moment and not let time pass me by.
So Bismillah, Jakarta, if you cannot be kind to us, at least be warm (for sure! 😂).

5 x 2 = 10

Today is also Iris' 5th birthday which makes Pilar's age is twice hers and this occasion happens once in a life time. Don't believe me? Just do the count 🤪

Counting my blessings

On a day like today, the house was just a mess. I sort of had enough of doing the cleaning and stuff. I didnt know where to start. The kids' toys were all over the place. I complained to everyone in the house. I needed help.
My first started by arranging his legos. He fell from a chair while doing so and hurt his elbow and feet. My second heard her brother screaming and so she started tidying up hers too. Never seen her so tactical in arranging her toys..wow, impressed 🤔 and the husband left what he was doing and start helping at the living room. When it was all done, my cleaning got much more easier and faster. I was largely helped by my little and not so little monsters. Hoping son's injury is nothing serious though but yeah that was a blessing. That was certainly a gift for mothers' day. Hope everyday can be like today 😂

Bezuidenhout

Someday we'll get it together and we'll get it undone 
Someday when the world is much brighter 
Someday we'll walk in the rays of a beautiful sun 
Someday when the world is much lighter…

Just capturing the perfect moment in the neighbourhood when the sun shines, the flowers bloom and show their best color 🌸

Keep the faith, believe in His plan, grateful for all His blessings 🙏🏼

Some of the benefits you get by hosting meal at home:

1) You get to connect with other people. Try to diversify as much as possible your guests. Don't throw any prejudices prior to the day. Expect the unexpected.

2) The kids get to play with other kids. A chance for them to socialize more.

3) From food, many other topics - related or not - can be explored.

4) We learn and discover some undiscovered stories from other nations. You know, those sensitive stuff that the media or even books won't even bother to explore.

5) I get to be more creative with the dishes. I learned which type of meal suitable for certains and less for others. Oh and my cooking skill is also improved. I still can't cater for more than 3 families though. Not only because my kitchen supplies are not sufficient, but also having more than 3 families at the same time is too overwhelming. Not everyone gets to talk, too crowded, etc..

I don't suggest to do it every week though. It is tiring for sure and your family also needs a time for your own. Once in 2 weeks is perfect. Alternate with a peaceful weekend (while thinking on what menu to be prepared for the next meal 🤪).

Today we hosted a lunch at home and also invited to a dinner at our friends' house. I am totally exhausted but happy at the same time. We need to arrange this more frequently. I love discussing with people from different background, my tummy is happy and kids are also enjoying time with their friends.

I will definetely have a moment for myself tomorrow but tonight I will be sleeping with smile.

Pemilu hari ini

Our first election ever abroad. Almost 12000 voters were expected to vote here in NL and it was semi chaotic. People had to queue for around 3 to 5 hours in the middle of a cold rainy day. We chose to come at around 5 PM and made a detour home to come back at 7. The queue made more sense later but we missed the food stall..sigh.
Among the available choices, as much as I wanted to make the most objective decision, politics remains politics. No need to be emotional, no need to pour your heart and soul into it as they are not worth it. Let's just vote and bear whatever the result is. I am not being sceptical but when I see people are destroying each other over their choice, claiming, justifying or even worse worshipping..while the jokers up there are manipulating and negotiating political transactions between each other and against each other.. so much energy (and money) wasted.

But yeah sure I did my research, I did vote and sincerely wished for a better Indonesia.

Tot zo!

I am restarting this blog.

There will be lots of non senses, clichés and stuff but I am working on my writing habit again. I hope it gets better with time.

Iris has been sick the past few days. Started with dry cough and then came the fever. After 3 feverish days, we went to a GP and he said it was a common cold. No need nothing. I had the same feeling too but his confirmation did assure me. Don't we all need this kind of assurance? 😅

Pilar is a grown young man now. He knows what he wants. Many of his wishes are not in line with ours so yeah, days and nights are quite longer these days. We discussed on how he was going to cope with ramadan this year. I think he is physically good to follow 14 hours fasting. But fasting is not only about physical preparedness. I feel he waries about how his surroundings will perceive him being different. Who am I to judge? Never had I been in his situation. The only muslim in the class, who says no to non halal food, who's not singing religious songs on xmas celebration and the list continues.
He will come back with a proposal and we are going to rediscuss this subject next week.

That is all for tonight. Back (hopefully) tomorrow.