Walk the Talk - Consistency

Raising a kids might be toughs yet bring you happiness.
When Josh was still a baby, I felt a physically challenge - need to awake on the midnight, struggle for fully breastfeed, facing with the baby common problem, etc.
By the time he grown up,
and now as a toddler, I felt the challenge slowly but sure moved to emotional aspect.

Few weeks ago, my friend borrow a book for me, have a content of key points for handling the kids.
One of them is a consistency of your behavior (between word and action)
Beside the book, whenever I read from article on the internet, I might find the article emphasizing the important of parent's consistency in word and action.

When we are consistent, there will be a trust build on child-parent relationship.
From that, we hope our kids have positive behavior, have a good self esteem, etc. Parent wish the best for their kids, don't we?. We might then put the end of result as our goal and purpose for being consistency.

Saturday Oct 20, We went to a small parent group where discuss about marriage from book (Sacred Marriage - Gary Thomas).
Quote from the Book:
"Bagaimana saya dapat mengatakan kepada anak-anak saya bahwa janji Allah mengenai perdamaian pasti ditepati jika mereka melihat bahwa janji saya sendiri tidak berarti apa apa?
Salah satu alasan saya bertekad untuk mempertahankan perkawinan saya bukanlah karena dengan demikian saya akan lebih bahagia (meskipun saya percaya saya akan lebih bahagia); bukan karena saya ingin anak anak saya memiliki rumah yang aman (walaupun saya memang menginginkannya); bukan karena saya akan hancur melihat isteri saya "mulai lagi" (walaupun memang demikian). Alasan pertama  mengapa saya mempertahankan perkawinan saya adalah karena itu adalah tugas saya. Jika hidup saya bertujuan untuk menyampakan pesan Allah kepada dunia, saya tidak ingin melakukan apa apa yang akan menentang pesan itu. dan bagaimana saya dapat menyampaikan perdamaian apabilsa saya mencari perpisahan?
Analogi mengenai perdamaian ini lebih dari sekedar memberikan tujuan pada perkawinan kita. hal itu juga membantu kita untuk mempertahankan tujuan itu, bahkan saat "kilat menyambar"

(I still haven't had the English book, but you can googling the book and look at the Chapter 2).

Suddenly I thought, will that reason shall be the same with the reason of me as a parent being consistent on my word and action towards my son?
As God is a Faithful God, and God keep His promise.
How could I told my son that our God is a Faithful God and keep His promise if I as a parent do broke the promise?
Through our consistency as a parent, we let the children feel that God is a Faithful God in our life.

I'm still learn how to be consistent and how to practice it on my daily life toward Josh.
Walk your Talk.
Pray may God help us and grant us a wisdom as a parent.

Farewell Grandma

There is a time to meet, there is a time to say goodbye.

First time I met with Grandma, she asked me a question with smile, "Have you eat?, Let's eat"

When Grandma touch our hand, she said that our skin was so smooth.

Remembering the time when we (me and Calvin) stayed with Grandma for a week, there was a day when both of us took her for a morning walk. Grandma remember the path that she usually walk in the morning, we just followed her.

Time did flies.

When Grandma met Josh, she said "sui-sui" - "Beautiful" just to express that her opinion. (But mostly Grandma always told us that we are "sui-sui - Beautiful"

We always heard a good thing from Grandma, that the thing that we will miss and shall learn from our Grandma.

Grandma 3 years ago when we celebrated her birthday.

To our dear Grandma, Ama Coh, May you rest in peace.

Chocolate Chiffon Cake

My best friend having her birthday and I wish to make something more personal for her and I choose to bake a cake.

Last time I made the steamed cake, now I wish to make a light and fluffy one, as Josh like to eat that one too then I choose a Chiffon cake.
Search the recipe online, at the end I select the one provided on Storyofbing blog and do some adjustment.

Ingredients:
A:
5 extra white egg
1/2 cup caster sugar

B:

5 extra egg yolk

1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
pinch of sea salt (about 1/8 teaspoon)

2 tablespoons water

C:

3/4 cup cake flour

1/4 cup Cocoa Powder

Direction:
1. Combine B, and Sieve the C gradually inside the B until well combine.
2. Used High speed, Whisk A till smooth and soft peak.
3. Fold the Combine B&C into the A, gradually (for not losing too much air).
4. Pour into the Cake tin.
5. Bake it for around 40 minutes on 160-170 C.

Topping:

Melt the chocolate

Pour some milk to make it more liquid

Fruit (Strawberry shall be great choice, but I have none, so I used whatever I have - the Black Grape)

Result:
Josh asked for more, Daddy love it. My friend like it too. Their opinion might bias toward my cake, but anyway, I love to see their expression while eat the cake.

I need to learn how to execute the final appearance ^^. See, I never really plan to bake, I will do it if I have a good mood. Why? when I bake and turn out good, that make me smile even better, but If it wasn't as I expected, at least I won't felt too sad.

P.S. For Josh, I just pour a bit chocolate on the top, but actually he quite satisfied with the cake ^^.

Activity with Toddler - Treasure Hunter

Suddenly I felt I want to do some Treasure Hunter activity with Josh.
(Hehehe, please excuse it if you read a lot of suddenly word on my blog recently. I liked to searched what kind of activity that I shall played with Josh, but somehow the barrier was the material or may be age gap, which means I shall gave up for a while. On the other time, when we just played with our daily stuff, suddenly I could think some activity to played with, then I'm really happy to practice it asap.)

Remember that I made a cheese biscuits last time. I'm using a cute mold which consist of 8 pieces.
So, how about the Treasure Hunter game on finding that 8 pieces cute mold and put it on the treasure box.

Material needed:
Treasure item (i'm using 8 pieces cute mold)
Treasure Box

Here the Step:
* Put the treasure below the blanket, up on the chair, inside the box, inside the drawer, behind the book, anywhere you could think that safe and easy for direction. Don't let kid's saw it :p
* Let him know the one piece of treasure and inform him that he shall follow your direction to find the rest.
* Clearly direct them to find each of the treasure.
* Whenever they found it, sing a happy jingle song, do some hi five, praise them.

Learning Point:
Learn to listen and follow the order.
Learn about space.

Have Fun :)


Update: 7Nov2012
The other day I used the Colour pencils as the treasure. Then today, Josh suddenly hide the colour pencils like I did.
Problem is, when he hide it, we will never find it all in one time searched. So I need to open all the possible place, and try to find the pencils one by one :p.

Green Green Green

Many of us might heard about Ecosystem Conservation or Waste Management - 3R - Reduce, Reused and Recycle. Many of us heard about how to keep our green environment. Heard about the impact of waste into our environment.

The Insentive of 3R:
The 3R’s of reduce, reuse and recycle have been considered to be a base of environmental awareness and a way of promoting ecological balance through conscious behavior and choices. It is generally accepted that these patterns of behaviour and consumer choices will lead to savings in materials and energy which will benefit the environment.
Source: Wikipedia

But How many from us who really applied the waste management starting from our home?

So, These days I really want to practice it on my daily life. If it's not today then when?

What little simple thing that I'm going to do? Ok, I start with the Reduce and Reused and I have no capability at this moment for the third R - Recycle.

Reduce

 * Bring along with you the bag/plastic bag to the Market/Supermarket/Hypermarket.

My experience: On the traditional market, the seller seem to automatically put your belonging into the plastic bag. Even I offer my own plastic bag, they have put on their plastic and then put inside my plastic bag - double plastic. To change a habit is not easy task. Most of the time I still forgot to bring the bag with me, then I just as much as I could on one plastic bag, instead of asking more.

* I barely used the floor cleaner liquid and choose the plain water for cleaning the floor.

The left water, instead for throwing away, I used to watering my plant.

As no chemical on the water (even bit dirty cause cleaning the floor), then I think it's find to throw it on the soil.

* To have a home with many window on the strategic spot became my dream for a long time. Why? I could used the direct sunlight instead open the lamp. -> This surely has to be planned before your home was build/ taken renovation.

Reused:

Oo I found so many boxes, plastic left, bubble wrap when you brought a new stuff. Some of them, I keep it on my garage room till a period of time, till I'm sure I will not used it.

One of the thing that I made was Cover from bubble wrap for washing machine to protect from the heavy rain cause there were open area next to the washing machine. I got the material from the chair that I brought, I cut it and sew it as I want it. I could open the front loading machine without moving all the cover, just need to open the frond cover ^^. Not easy to find what you wish somehow in the market hehehe. So today, when the heavy rain, my machine stay dry.

One day I found out my garage room floor was dirty, due to dust could came in from the small hole.

As we barely came into the garage room, therefore, I used a plastic to cover the mosquito wire. You see the blue tape? I got it when I brought the refrigerator and I removed it carefully so I could used it again :p.

So today, the floor stay cleaner for longer days.

For the Styrofoam left, I make a box cover with wallpaper left and used it.
For the box left, I plan to make something for Josh to played with.

For the daily waste - I separate the plastic and box type with the food waste type on different disposal bag.
I saw that the collecting disposal worker divided the item on the truck. I wonder what kind of thing shall we done to make them easier on doing the splitting task.

Anyway, that just a little thing that I did and I knew I'm still need to learn a lot for being green.

Good day and Go green everyone!

Two Woman and half man

End of Last month, two aunties came and visit us.
One of the auntie could play the piano and she played a happy birthday song for me when I celebrated my first birthday. While the other auntie is Mama's ex-coworker, and they keep in touch till now.
I love to play with them especially if the auntie took me out with her car *hahaha*
Come and visit me again auntie, I will wait for you.

Sunday with Friend - Jakarta Culinary Festival 2012

After reading the Storyofbing blog about the Good Food and Wine Show in Africa, never imagine that Jakarta - Indonesia have the Jakarta Festival Culinary also ^^/ (where have I been going?) for the 3rd time held from 4-31October2012. There were 12 International Talents, and 45 Local Culinary Stars and over 150 performances.
Check the website for more information.

Taken from the JCF booklet: Hope that JCF will promoting Indonesia as a must visit gastronomical destination.
From Wikipedia, I get known -> Gastronomy: is the art or science of food eating. Also, it can be defined as the study of food and culture, with a particular focus on gourmet cuisine. One who is well versed in gastronomy is called a gastronome, while a gastronomist is one who unites theory and practice in the study of gastronomy

But but, I just snip a bit of the euphoria of the Grand Opening Expo (4-7Oct2012) on Sunday *sigh*. Very late to gather more information. Beside, I knew I'm not good at cooking. But I really love watch cooking show. I wish one day I could see a live demo from a chef where I could only seen them from TV before.
For the cooking demo, you shall buy the ticketing.
Anyway, wishing for the next year festival. Hope and hope could enjoyed it more.

P.S. Went there with one of my best friend - Yohana. Love to hang out with her.

Just enjoyed the Ice cream

You could buy a cocktail here.

Looking at another demo.

Dynamic duo sisters.

Amuz Booth, serving the free stuff, see all gone in minute :p

Indonesia Food Corner

Another Demo Stage

One smile can means everything!

Watermelon Freak

I cut the watermelon and serve on the plate with purpose, we (Me, Daddy, and Josh) could enjoy it together.

While I put on Josh's table, he started to eat it.

And yes, he ate it all, left nothing for us.

Small Park - Sektor 7!

Yesterday I brought Josh to the park.
a Small one, but really happening on the noon time.

Didn't take too much picture as I'm not comfort to took out my camera and shoot - adult and children stare at me as no one bring the camera there :p.
Hope by the time, we could get familiar with this place, including the people.

People played soccer ball.

As the children toys mostly broke down - need to be repaired, only this one left an they still having fun with it. While on the background, the older sitting and chit chat.

Activity with Toddler - Go Together

I got the activity idea from Fisher-Price.com.

This simple matching game activity involved the things around you.

Material needed -> Pair of Items that go together:
I took: shoes-sock, spoon-fork-plate, pant-shirt, book-pen, toothbrush-toothpaste.

Here the Step:
* Put the Item on the table, while the matching pair on the other place.
* Asked him to took one item and go to other place for finding the match.
* When they do it correctly, praise them, (as for Josh, he like me to do Hi Five ^^/)

My Observation result:
Josh could match it all. But somehow, he stop when he find the toothpaste :p. He want to brush his teeth, yes, he really love to do it.
Through this activity, I knew at least for the simple thing around us, Josh could categorized it.

 

Done it.

P.S.
Long time ago, inspired on Sunday School, I want to make a board with a picture of sky, land and ocean.
I wish to took a lot of picture of animal. Then asked Josh to sort it by sticking it to the board.
But I forgot to make it. *sigh*

Novotel Nusa Dua ROOM - Where we stayed in Bali from 15-17 August 2012

I have share about our activities while staying in Novotel Nusa Dua - here.
Now, as promise, here my post on reviewing the Novotel Nusa Dua room where I have spent two nights.

As this was my first out of town family holiday, I have planned for our family to relax in a nice Hotel for the last two days.
We booked Novotel Nusa Dua - Two Bedroom Suite through Agoda.

Why?

Has a kid's club, known as family hotel and private beach - shall used the shuttle bus.
What lack from my attention was the price that we paid was not included the breakfast - urggg...
Breakfast fee 10$/person.

My Opinion while Stayed there.

We arrived at 1pm with Josh slept on my arm. While the checked in time was still 2pm, we then wait.
Novotel gave us a room on 9701 - the last building, on the third floor. It was building for cafe and Accor aviation office.
Room was neat like usual.
BUT:
*The living room connected to the master bedroom by sliding door for having a sunlight.
*The master bedroom restroom is smaller and no bathtub.
*The balcony is small and not clean and face to the parking lot.
For the comparison: one bedroom suite has the bathtub on the room and direct sunlight on the living room.
So when earlier morning where some of us still need to sleep on the master bedroom, while the other on the living room felt locked in the four walls without sunlight.
Access to Novotel Nusa Dua website for the information of the room.
Therefore, I could said we got the Hotel room different from the usual, - honest word? unwanted room? .
But this was family holiday, I tried not to think too much and enjoyed the holidays.
As long as we could have a comfortable sleep, then that shall be ok.

Then At 5pm, I did asked to the receptionist of why we have the room on that building.
The reason they provided to me:
It's high season where all the room fully occupied moreover the two bedroom suite. Only few room on each building.
As I have seen the building here, then next time they suggest me to called first to Hotel for requesting our preference building. (These seem like burdensome?!). They checked the hotel room and still didn't asked whether we want to changed the room or not.
As I'm tired for changing the room (happen in the previous hotel before), therefore I just tried to understand it. Honestly, I didn't satisfied with their explanation. I mean they at least take action when someone questioning your decision.

Later on, I sent a letter to the Hotel.
My honest opinion:
They should at least explain to us before we checked in the room, where our room located and differs from the other room, at least we didn't questioning later on. I didn't want to make speculation, but deep in my heart, I believe they still have the other better room (tend to treat foreigner better than domestic? - I don't know).
Some of the guest might not showing objection when offering this room, but for me, I have an expectation when I look at their website and choose their hotel, therefore If I felt disappointing that very natural - (am I kinda non-flexible person?).

Good thing, They did reply my letter and do apologize. They explain the room was the only room different from the other (then why you still sell it?!), then offers their gratitude on the next stay by upgrading the room. (But, we never know when we will back there again!)

What I want to share here was:
The holiday is a moment in life. It's not repeatable.
For me, I like to plan earlier before - from one year ahead (for manage the other member who need to take leave) cause I wish the holiday will go smoothly and not ruin out.
Even, the hotel did apologize and offer they gratitude, for me that only a thing in the future, while my moment with my family has done.

Here my tips :
* Search the Hotel that fit your want and budget.
Compare one to other hotel through agoda or tripadvisor. Looking for guest comment.
* For domestic, better book through domestic travel agent than internet for example: agoda. Price might be similar but might different in offer.
Like me: I have no breakfast.
* Pay attention to detail for what the travel offer.
* Before book, called the hotel directly to known what kind of room that you will get. Is it same with what you search in the internet. (Could asked whether their bed is hard enough to support your body :p hahaha. Later on will share my other experience with Kuta Townhouse)
* Write your requirement in detail - in Agoda there is a list of requirement.
ie. Internal view room ( or you may write the detail like view to garden or pool or sea - but somehow, the view also determined the price you must paid)
Located on the first floor (if you have toddler, somehow more safety if you stayed in the first floor)
Non smoking room
Bathtub in the room :p (from my experience, even I thought the hotel will provide it on every room, but then it prove differently)
Etc.
*Called the Hotel directly, to ensure whether your request is available. Yes, even it's take another effort, but really, this kind of experience make me want to manage better to avoid unwanted situation.

Then, Have a great stay on your holiday ^^/.

P.S. This was only my personal experience. You might not agree with me and that's okay.
I still believe the service of Hotel might improve.

Brotherhood - Part 5 - Cycling & Bathing

Last Sunday, we spent the rest of the day with Daddy's Family.

On the noon time, Adison's Mom asked whether both of them want to do cycling.

Why not!.

Then here they are :)

 Do the bathing together also. Have fun even the bath tub too small for both of them :p

Including want to be hold by their Favorite Grandpa ^^/.

How to introduce the Bitter Melon to 2years old Toddler.

It is always a good thing to introduce the flavor to our kids.
Let them know, their tounge could taste sweet, sour, salty, even a bitter taste.
But yes, not all kiddo like a bitter stuff, sometimes adult too!

One of the fruit (yes, I thought it was a vegetable, but it is categorized as fruit) that give you a bitter taste is Bitter Melon (reflected on the name already :p)

Usage:
From my childhood, my mom told me that I have a sweet blood, so the mosquito like to bite me, therefore I need to eat a lot of bitter stuff including the bitter melon.
Me: Yiaks mom, no thanks, better let the mosquito kiss me :p

But Hey, Just now I search the usage of Bitter Melon, one of them is used as antimalarial. Laboratory studies have confirmed that species related to bitter melon have antimalarial activity, though human studies have not yet been published. So my mom was not totally wrong then :p.

Below is the table nutrition for bitter melon. I found it from http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/bitter-gourd.html. Beside the usage, it's mention the web that some people may not tolerable to the bitterness and it's suggested that to parboiling or soaking in the salt water (10minutes).

How to process:

But then, my mom always know how to process something not a good taste for us into an eatable stuff.

I always love my mom cooking and  I love how my mom process the Bitter Melon.
Even Daddy want to eat it.

So here the recipe: Stir Fries Bitter Melon with Egg.
- Bitter Melon (1pcs)
- Onion (half)
- 3 Eggs (you can put more).
- pinch of salt.
- Vegetable oil

1. Cut the Bitter Melon into two side and clean it. Then Cut it into a thin Slice.
(My mom suggest that I can put it in the boiling water for few second, to reduce the bitter taste - see above website suggestion, even my mom was not high tech, but somehow their information really accurate ^^)
2. Cook the Onion till soft then put the thin slices bitter melon.
3. Don't forget a pinch of salt.
4. Put the egg and tradaaa, done.

Here the picture.

P.S: Mostly I introduce the new food on the lunch time ^^. Reason: Josh is much more picky on the noon time regarding to the food.
So far, there is no allergic shown.

Two man and a Half

Last August, a friend came back to Indonesia after 10 years time.
Thanks we still have a chance for hanging out together ^^.

Music from 0 Year old Son till Now

Bunch of articles or books out there written about the benefit of the Music.

I love music and like to sing just because it's calming my soul.

So when was my first time introduce music to Josh?
As soon as I knew I'm pregnant, I started to sing regularly beside talking to him in the womb.
Did he really hear that? I never knew, but I believe he felt what I have done for him.

When he born, I have committed for fully breastfeed - here, and to make me relax, I just simply sing a song during the breastfeeding moment. Did help me and beside I believe what I sing will be recorded deep down in his heart.

One article from earlychildhoodmusic wrote about there were three level of musical participation:

1. Listening to the Music

2. Singing Music

3. Actively Participating in the Music.

From my observation, Josh was now on the level 2 - singing music.
While he might be not perfectly sing, but at least he showed us his effort and likeness on singing.
When his age enough for get inside the music class, I might want to give a try for seeing whether he still interested or not.

Here another word taken from the article where I found that's very true.

"The second step of musical participation involves singing. There are many studies that prove that singing enhances academic retention. A song my children sang in their childhood included the lyrics, “Sing it and you’ll never forget it.” That is so true." 

"How did you learn your ABC’s? I still walk to the filing cabinet humming, “A, B, C, D, E, F, G…” If your child is struggling trying to learn something, put it to music and sing it! There are songs that teach the colors of the rainbow in order, the months of the year, the days of the week, the Books of the Bible, etc. Be creative, write your own!"

Remember that how I teach Josh to say papa mama.

But sometime I'm also losing an idea what other song that I shall sing to Josh.
That why, I hunting a cd or dvd children music. It's really help me, especially with the song where I have forgot the lyric.


Sometime Josh could start to lalala about the next song when the song even didn't start yet, and he did guess it correctly.
Seem after he heard it several time, he got the order of the song. I was like that too when heard the cd several time.


For the Indonesia children song, I love this collection from Kak Nunuk and Friend.

Below is a classical lullaby, only a music played.

If you can sing Chinese, I love below CD.

There so many series of Wonder Kids song. One of them that I like was Hymns for Kids. Not too fast and  introduce the Hymn since early age.

Below is our favorite. The CD started to broke, since we played it most of the time :p. They sing the song with a slow speed, did help the kids get used to the lyric.

For the DVD, below is our favorite.

I did buy another cd or dvd, but again not all suit us.

Did I stop singing when I have found a dvd or cd music? Nope. That all a tool's for me to keep singing for Josh.
Why? I believe a mother is the best singer for their kids ^^. We could sing anytime, anywhere.

Other reason, I could adjust way of singing, to sing it slow, fast, repeat the word before sing, and all that seem make Josh much more understand of the song and could sing it better.

By singing, at least you being remind that Life is not flat but full of melody - high, low, fast, slow.

Sing with your kids today!