100 Days of Happiness – Day 32

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Woo hoo! finally some sleep last night and a mini sleep in… must be having no bapak snoring that made Samudra and I sleep soundly – ha! Wishing we were in Bali with him today though..

After a lazy morning playing we met up with Treen and went off to Blok M… it seems that the taxi driver thought we had just arrived in the country and took us there the longest EVER way possible, doing a huge loop to get back to where we started before we headed in the right direction!!! hmmmmf. I hadn’t been to Blok M in such a long time and I love the crazy markets underground there but today it was so hot that I don’t think I could have coped with the millions of people and chaos down there, but will make it back sometime soon.  We entered into another section to pick up Treen’s clothes from the tailor that she had made especially for a wedding coming up soon.  I had never been in there before, but there was a long passageway with tailors lining both sides and people sewing and smoking cigarettes… quite a production going on in the basement and the prices are apparently very reasonable.

Our next taxi driver also took us cross country through crazy traffic and a massive circle to get to our next destination rather than following the one road which would have taken 10 minutes only…This hasn’t happened in such a long time, and now twice in one day! Remember to breathe and try and enjoy the scenery outdoors as we pass it for a second time crawling along at a snails pace in the traffic like a scene from the Griswald’s family adventure… ‘Look kids it’s Big Ben!’.. We kept telling the drivers directions but they seemed to want to ignore us today.  Nevermind, we FINALLY reached Senayan City and headed straight to a cafe for delicious crepes and homemade lemonade… enak sekali! Once again Samudra was requested by people to have his photo taken with them and he entertained them, and us in the process. Life is so different in the world of Samudra! So many funny random interactions and love going around.

A quick wander around and we were all exhausted so headed home before the crazy Saturday night macet. Oh how life has changed for me, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!

I hope you had a beautiful day wherever in the world you are too.

Day 32: Treen picking up her perfectly fitting ‘kebaya’ from the tailor. Happiness.

Day 32: Tailors working at Blok M in a very social environment. Happiness.

Day 32: Delicious crepes with cheese, mushroom, tomato and lettuce. Happiness.

Day 32: Scoffing down Treen’s lemon drink! Happiness.

Day 32: Samudra keeping everyone entertained! Happiness.

100 Days of Happiness – Day 31

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Today was a little slow going in finding love in Jakarta, if the truth be told! Another completely restless night of very little sleep and Putra left early to go filming in Bali for the next few days.  I was up so early and played with Samudra but he wouldn’t stop crying if I wasn’t holding him and I desperately needed to get some work done that had a deadline of today.  He laughed while I held him, screamed when I put him down and so the cycle continued for about three hours until the lovely Iyah came to the rescue with her baby sling and me having been in tears of exhaustion.. oops! Ten minutes later she returned with Samudra asleep and put him down on the bed and then she left again… and another 15 minutes later the screaming continued and the house was empty so I gave up on getting anything done and decided to take Samudra outside for a walk to calm us both down.  It was SO HOT and I was on a mission to find somewhere close and cool and new that we could go and relax in without having to battle the traffic.

I decided to go to Soeltan Coffee on Jl Ampera Raya as it is just a 5 minute walk away and I still had never been inside.  It was built when I was in Australia having Samudra and so we have passed it every day but I thought it just looked like a dark little coffee shop from outside, and had never bothered to go in.  I opened the door, dripping in sweat and got such a shock to find it was so huge inside!  It looked more like a bar venue with loads of old couches spread around with little tables and a stage with drums and microphones set up.  There were only three other people eating inside so we practically had the huge space to ourselves.  Indonesia seems to seriously overstaff many venues, from shopping malls, to cafes, and it’s not unusual to see many bored staff sitting around playing on their phones to pass the time.  Well, Samudra gave them all a distraction as they swarmed around us clapping their hands singing to him and soon he was jumping up and down in excitement, laughing once again, and my tension instantly disappeared.  I will be eternally grateful for the smiling happy faces that we see every day here when we have adventures, it can instantly change your mood!  I don’t know if it was just that I was starving hungry or that the fried tempe and tofu was just the best food ever! I practically inhaled my food and a big iced chocolate as a treat.  After our little adventure there I felt instantly refreshed and Samudra was in a happier state too.

We returned home and he slept for an hour while I sat at my computer doing some designs and it continued like this on and off for the rest of the day until I finally finished and Samudra had a play with some of the local kids, before we both collapsed into bed exhausted.

I hope you had a blessed day wherever you are in the world too.

Day 31: Thank you staff at Soeltan Coffee for restoring my sanity. Happiness.

Day 31: I love you Samudra. Night time paparazzi before bed. Happiness.

100 Days of Happiness – Day 30

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This morning we finally made it back to the BWA Playgroup after so long away and it was so quiet there until suddenly loads of mums and babies arrived at the last minute, in time for the song circle, and Samudra was not interested in joining in at all this morning.. bless! No ‘Insy Winsy Spider’ for this little one..

We ended up going for a spontaneous visit to the lovely Shweta’s house straight from playgroup, where I met another one of her gorgeous friends, Sarah, and her three lovely boys.  Shweta made us the most DELICIOUS Indian meal of potatoes, lentils and rice which was such a good change from my serious addiction to tempe and tofu which I eat every day without fail.  I am such a creature of habit with my food that it’s crazy!

I walked home from Shweta’s with the intention of taking photos but didn’t take any as I was just enjoying walking and singing to Samudra and trying not to get hit by cars on the side of the road as there’s no footpaths in the area.  Every day I walk along Jl Ampera Raya to go to Jasons Supermarket I pass a lady at the little warung on the way who stops me for a chat and to pinch Samudra’s cheeks.  Today she told me she has five children but she sits in her little booth on the side of the road 7 days a week and is always laughing and smiling, so I have no idea when she has the chance to be with her kids.  She always makes me walk away feeling happy from her infectious laugh.

I spent the whole afternoon procrastinating from what I should have been doing, but managed to send in our video application to the Dominica Island Challenge… fingers crossed we have success! hahaha… 7 days of adventure on another tropical island with my little family would be pretty amazing. Wish us luck!

I hope you had a beautiful day wherever in the world you are too.

Day 30: Sarah’s son Leighton.. he has an identical twin! So much cuteness!!! Happiness.

Day 30: Shweta’s super gorgeous daughter, Mahi. Happiness.

Day 30: The forever laughing lady in her little road side warung on Jl Ampera Raya. Happiness.

Day 30: A little family portrait. Happiness.

100 Days of Happiness – Day 29

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Today was another rainy day in Jakarta so it was perfect for staying indoors and being productive!  I worked in bed on my computer with Samudra sitting beside me… SITTING BESIDE ME! When did this happen? This was a first and a happy moment watching him play with his toys without me having to hold him.

We went for a quick walk around the complex, without the camera, as I was afraid we would end up wet before we made it home again, but we made it back safely, after Samudra had been entertained by lots of people out on the street and fell asleep pretty much as soon as we got home.  This gave me a chance to catch up on some emails and finally start sorting my Fashion Week photos and getting some items ticked off my now incredibly long ‘to do’ list.

Samudra and I met up with Treen at Java Bean in Pejaten Village for dinner and it was another first for Samudra as he sat in a high chair beside me while I ate.. our boy is growing so fast! My head almost exploded as I had forgotten to ask for my food without chillies and I broke out in a serious sweat and my mouth went numb.  I will never understand how anyone can find the sensation of eating chillies enjoyable! People here eat them here every day with everything for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but I prefer to enjoy my dinner without a mouth full of fire.

I hope you had a fun and productive day wherever you are in the world too.

Day 29: Samudra sitting up straight on his own. Happiness.

Day 29: Samudra’s first time sitting in a high chair. Happiness.

Day 29: Samudra happily being held by the waiter at Java Bean Cafe. Happiness.

Day 29: Dinner with aunty Treen. Happiness.

Day 29: Samudra spreading his love at Java Bean. Happiness.

 

100 Days of Happiness – Day 28

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What a topsy turvy morning this was.. we slept until 7am and only woke as reception was giving us our wake-up call! It’s a miracle to have had a ‘sleep in’.. We quickly got dressed and rushed downstairs to settle our account and had just sat at the table to eat breakfast when we were told our taxi had arrived, so my french toast got wrapped in tissue and off we went… only to discover as we were approaching the airport that Putra had left his phone in the hotel room. My phone battery was just about to die and we only had enough cash on us to get to the airport and we were in a hurry to check in.  Putra had to go back to the hotel while Samudra and I checked us all in.. the Tiger Airways check-in girl took Samudra from my arms and showed him off to everyone and finally my heart slowed down and I knew we would all make it in time.

Reunited again, we passed through immigration, had enough time to buy some chocolate and Baileys to take back to Jakarta and off we went!  It was such a quick trip to Singapore and I was sad to be leaving it so quickly but happy to have had the chance to be there again with my lovely family.  I do feel blessed.

The rest of the day was spent sleeping, sorting photos, and playing with Samudra – a luxurious day of nothingness!

I hope you had a beautiful day wherever you are in the world too.

Day 28: Samudra’s Press Pass as a Baby Blogger! Happiness.

100 Days of Happiness – Day 27

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Yesterday was an even earlier start to the day than usual… up at 3.00am and heading to the airport for an overnight stay in Singapore for my visa.  I have had to go to Singapore so many times over the years that I have been in Jakarta and was tiring of it, but it’s so much more fun to go there with Putra and Samudra and not alone!

We had a fun day walking around Clarke Quay near our hotel, eating seriously delicious vegetarian food on the waterfront, and doing a little filming.. half way through our filming adventure I felt my arm was wet carrying Samudra and thought the poor thing must have been so incredibly sweaty as it was so hot, but I was wrong! Bless, he had had a small nappy accident and this is the first time I didn’t bring a spare change of clothes with us while walking around… eeeeek.  Luckily we found a bathroom soon after, and even luckier that the bathroom was attached to a small souvenir shop, so Samudra ended up in an oversized tshirt and nappy until we made it home, and was blissfully unaware that anything had happened!

Although we were all incredibly tired it was a fun day and a nice little day trip with fresh air, no traffic or rubbish around.  I love my little family.

I hope you had a fun day wherever you are in the world.

Day 27:  Samudra after his accident and looking so happy at Merlion, Singapore.  Happiness.

Day 27:  So much cuteness for me! Happiness.

Day 27:  Enjoying the scenery and serenity with his bapak.  Happiness.

100 Days of Happiness – Day 26

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I didn’t get a chance a chance to update the blog last Sunday as I had to rush home from the final day of Indonesia Fashion Week again and look after Samudra and pack and get ready to head to the airport super early Monday morning.. looking after Samudra means that nothing else much gets done as he wants my full attention or he ends up in tears.. sweet boy!

I made it along to the Zalora presents ‘Digital Fashion Show’ which was fun as I met some new people and saw some old friends again and it’s always good to have some ‘me time’.  I will post photos of the show later as I still have to sort through everything on my desktop when I have another spare minute.  It was great to see so many people out enjoying the last day of the festival , to have had the chance to laugh with old friends, see what designers are up to these days and be surrounded by so much colour!

It was also fun to be on the back of an ojek speeding home again, and having the adrenaline rush of knowing you made it home in one piece after having a few run-ins into the back of other motorbikes on Jl Anstasari in the hideous traffic.. I forgot how much easier it is to get around in Jakarta on the back of an ojek, weaving over broken footpaths when the road is completely full and getting to your destination in a quarter of the time it takes to get anywhere by car.  I don’t miss the wafts of poisonous black smoke coming out of the bajaj’s and old kopaja buses but I do miss the wind on my face and actually moving in traffic!

I hope you all had a fun day wherever you are in the world too.

Day 26: ‘Damn I Love Indonesia’ show at Indonesia Fashion Week. Happiness.

Day 26: I love his hair! Is he a designer?? Happiness.

Day 26: One of the lovely designers from TWYN… I LOVED the black and white pants in here! Happiness.

Day 26: Quick pose with Morris and the mannequins to end Fashion Week. Happiness.

 

100 Days of Happiness – Day 25

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Another post. Another day late. Ooooops!  Yesterday was going to be so productive and I had been waiting for this day so I could see Lenny Agustin on stage at Indonesia Fashion Week 2014.  Well, let’s see. I got woken early which by now is nothing new, it rained, I stayed cosy in bed, it rained, and rained and poured with rain, and so we managed to stay in bed until the afternoon playing games with Samudra and then I decided to look outside over the balcony – and there were some local kids jumping around in the rain and laughing and they were yelling out ‘banjir!!!’ (flood) so I ran downstairs with my camera into the heavy rain and followed them around to the little alleyway a few steps from the house and it certainly was flooded!!!!

The kids were splashing around and having a fabulous time being completely drenched, playing in the ditches and getting sprayed with fast running water down the hill.  My legs started itching standing in the water and I didn’t want to think about what may be floating around in it, better I focus on watching the kids being so happy.   The houses were flooded and people were frantically trying to sweep water out, without any success.  Putra ended up taking the camera and going to photograph the floods a little further away in Mampang/Kemang and so all dreams to go to Lenny’s show had to be cancelled for tonight just for my sanity’s sake as the traffic would have been a nightmare.

So today was a happy one, relaxing in the rain and being entertained by the local kids.  It’s the simple things that are the best.

I hope you had a fun day too wherever you are in the world.

Day 25: Kids splashing around in the flooded street infront of where we live. Happiness.

Day 25: The kids had so much fun while their parents looked on under umbrellas nearby. Happiness.

Day 25: More kids came out to play in the alleyway. Happiness.

Day 25: Their house was flooded down the street but they didn’t seem too bothered! Happiness.

Day 25: Beautiful Poppie enjoying being out in the rain with all the kids. Happiness.

100 Days of Happiness – Day 24

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Today I took Samudra with me to Indonesia Fashion Week with the plan to photograph many of the booths there as the isles have so much colour and some great pieces on display.  We didn’t get far with taking photos at all as we had so many people stopping us to say hello and wanting to chat.  Of course Samudra was loving all the attention and was all smiles and we had a fun time together walking around.  I also discovered it’s incredibly difficult to take photos carrying a wriggling and laughing baby around at the same time!

We met up with my dear friend Rafi Ridwan and his lovely mum Shinta, and I was given a super cute polka dot dress from them, designed by Rafi, for being Rafi’s fairy godmother. Bless. It’s been so long since I have seen Rafi and he is so tall now, and no longer the little boy that would walk around holding my hand, and he is still busy with his designs and has a very colourful booth at IFW.  At only 11 years of age he has already achieved so much and I am so proud of him.

I am looking forward to returning there again tomorrow to photograph some more shows and this time I WILL remember to take the correct lens with me (fingers crossed anyway).

I hope you had a great day wherever you are too.

Day 24: Meeting Rafi today at IFW in his booth. Happiness.

Day 24: Loving the chain detail on the front of this dress by Neti Lesmana. Happiness.

Day 24: Meeting the lovely Batik fashion designer Fank Fank (left) and her assistant. Happiness.

Day 24: Colourful bracelets by konokene project. Happiness.

Day 24: Super cute baby! I also want to buy all her mums cool designs… Maybe tomorrow? Happiness.

Day 24: Love these shoes especially designed for IFW 2014. Happiness.

Day 24: Catching up with Raiza and having her make Samudra laugh so much. Happiness.

Fashion Design Competition at Indonesia Fashion Week 2014

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Yesterday was the ‘Unlocking Potential’ show presented by Dulux for the Indonesian Fashion Design Competition 2014.  It was such a great mix of styling and colour by all contestants, who have worked incredibly hard to make it through the selection process with the first place going to Savira Lavina with her ‘Soldier Children Army’ parade.  Savira won Rp 15.000,000 and a 3 month fashion study course in Italy.

Congratulations to all those that made it to the finals, it was a great show!

Emmy Thee presents ‘Pull Me Up’

Tifani Manawati presents ‘The Secret Palace’

Yusak Maulan presents ‘Cultura’

Ivana Tanos presents ‘Enchanted Soul’

Sav Lavin by Savira Lavinia presents ‘Soldier Children Army’

Vonny Kirana presents ‘Alert!!!’

Vonny Kirana presents ‘Alert!!!’

Koefina International Academy of Altamoda Koefia