Exploring Our Children’s Potentials

[Visiting Taman Bunga Nusantara, one HUGE garden up on the mountainside, about 100km from Jakarta]

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By now, we’ve lived in Jakarta for five months, and to be completely honest, there are quite a few things about this city that I’m still not particularly fond of – things that I need to get myself used to because I know they are simply things in life that will not change in the near future (eg. General habits to litter and people smoking everywhere, even inside air-conditioned restaurants)

Recently I wrote a post on ‘What I miss about Singapore: My Top 10 things!‘ and this time round, I’d like to share with you the things that I appreciate about Jakarta.

(That’s right, it’s not all that bad over here =)

So, in no particular order, my top 7 things that I personally appreciate about Jakarta are:

They are more likely to greet and smile, even at strangers. Customer service staff are mostly smiley and helpful too.
> People are generally tolerant and loving towards little children

The kids could be running around, playing and laughing out loud in public, and people would generally understand, and can even playfully greet the kids too (something that may not happen much in Singapore, I must say)

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[‘Es Oyen’, one of my favourites. It has avocado, jackfruit, coconut, condensed milk and all sorts of other yummy stuff in it]

> More affordable and less costly food and yummy dessert  

I’m a dessert person, and so I really treasure the fact that I can enjoy a huge variety of sweet dessert for less than S$2 each =)

Plus, street stalls are just everywhere, which means I could have a bowl of rice, fried chicken and a cold glass of tea for less than S$2!

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[Kids and their 92yo great grandpa, and his ipad =)]

> Presence of Family 

I’ve lived away from my parents and almost all other family members for more than 22 years, and so now that we get to see them around more often (though it requires some adjustments too on my side, having lived my life ‘independently’ for very long), I feel it’s good for the kids because they now can actually see themselves being a part of a bigger family. They also learn to ‘put into action’ what it means to be respectful towards the elderly, etc.

They are mostly available too to help out and care for the kids if I had video shoots to do.

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> Services are generally lower in cost 

For example, the kids can get a haircut in a salon for S$5. And, part time helpers who are paid by the hour charge less than S$2 / hour.

(If you’re wondering if we now engage a live-in domestic helper, the answer is no. We now engage a part-time helper though who comes for about 2 hours, 3 times a week. Her help with our housework has been great, because our home here somehow gets dusty and dirtier much faster compared to when we lived in Singapore!)

[Together with their Sunday School, both kids went to paddyfields, bathed a water buffalo and tried to catch live fishes with their bare hands. A great experience for them!]

> Access to beautiful nature within a few hours drive

We may not have gardens nor well-maintained local parks, but we can see beautiful mountains, paddy fields and be in the great outdoors within 2 hours drive (or more) from Jakarta.

(Note: Traffic jams are common though, so if you’re to beat the heavy traffic, leaving Jakarta early in the morning is probably best)

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[Late afternoon stroll at Taman Bunga Nusantara]

[Hiking in search of a waterfall at Cijeruk, West Java]

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> Exposure to a greater variety of people from different walks of life

Here in Jakarta, the richest to the poorest of people can all be in front of our very eyes. In my opinion, such exposure to people coming from different walks of life (ie. Those who live tough lives in the streets, I mean) allow our children to see that there are people (even little children) living tough lives every single day. That life is a struggle and is not at all convenient for many, MANY people. Opportunities for us and the kids to give and share with the less fortunate are also more available here.

And to me, putting what the children ‘know’ into action helps a lot in making their learning journey … more ‘real’.

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[During our weekend visit to the mountainside, the kids explored the bushes with me]

[Away from gadgets and technology, they get to do the simplest activities like observing tadpoles and little fishes]

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Well, these are my top 7 good things about living in Jakarta.

Perhaps you can help and add more to the list? 

I admit. I feel it’s really strange that I don’t see much celebration of Indonesia’s Independence Day, right here in Jakarta, its capital city.

I saw some flags on buildings, people selling flags on the streets, and so far, I only spotted less than 5 signages stating some congratulatory wishes on Indonesia’s 67th year of Independence.

But that’s about it.

And I do wish to see and experience more. So much more.

Some people told me that this year’s Independence Day clashes with Hari Raya and the fasting month, which basically is the reason why there are many banners, discount offers at malls, and signages, all celebrating ‘Ramadhan’ (Idul Fitri) everywhere. 

Purposely made in red and white, like the Indonesian flag.

What we did:

– Vai did the colouring with watercolour
– We used scotch tape to stick the sides together
– Stick some red and white paper strips at the bottom
– Cut out 3 round-shaped paper to make the ‘cone tops’ (see photo at the far bottom)
– Stick the cone tops to the cylinder with scotch tape
– Stick a string to the cone top and hang it up!

While Vai and I did the crafts, I let Brie – for the first time – did some ‘watercolour’ activity too.

She did try to put the brush into her mouth, once =)

But other than that, she did apply the brush onto her paper and just scribbled around with it.

Yay, she’s started to get the idea! I hope =)

(I let her wear a torn old shirt as an apron, to cover her top)

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So, here it is, our little Red and White Rockets, ready to launch! =D

(Hope to make more with this Red and White theme this week)

Now that our family is in Jakarta, one of the many things that I really thank God for is the opportunity to meet even more people, interview them and share their passion, insights and talents with others. So much to learn from them too!

(I’ve been rather busy with video shoots lately. I promise I’ll share more about it next week!)

Most recently I had the privilege to speak with Dr Stephen Tong on his upcoming Beethoven Symphony no. 9 Concert that’s to be held on 25 – 26 August  2012, at Aula Simfonia Jakarta, Indonesia’s one and only concert hall, whose standards and quality many experts have claimed as one of the best in the world!

Btw just to share with you, Aula Simfonia Jakarta was officially opened in 2009, and to *finally* have such a concert hall – the first one ever! – in Jakarta, is something that I feel very proud of!

To me, it’s like, … FINALLY, we have one that we can proudly call ‘our own’ right here in Jakarta, that’s of world class quality too!

The people of Indonesia – locals, expats, everyone! – can now catch top classical concerts performed by both local and international musicians without even traveling out of the country!

It’s totally unimaginable before Aula Simfonia Jakarta came to existence. Really.

Anyway.

We did the interview in two languages – English and Indonesian, and I’d like to share with you these exclusive interviews today.

Feel free to share these videos with others you know too yeah!

Thanks everyone!

(Btw, if you happen to be in Jakarta, do come and catch this performance! I know WE for sure will be there! =)

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[ENGLISH]

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[INDONESIAN]

[Posing in a hurry like a complete tourist before the flag went ‘too far’ from us! Photo was taken during our weekend visit for the Singapore Blog Awards Ceremony!]

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For the first time in more than a decade, we are not in Singapore this month to feel and see how the whole nation celebrates its National Day.

Instead we’re in Jakarta, and its Independence Day falls on the 17th of August. Next week.

Actually I look forward to seeing how things are done here in Jakarta as I’m sure everything is done differently, being a country with SO many people and culture diversity.

But,  I was told that there’s not much celebration / events this year because our Independence Day clashes with the fasting month this year. Oh well. We’ll check things out next year then.

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For now, to those who’re celebrating Singapore’s National Day, here’s a video to share with you! =)

Have a great weekend, everyone!

If you have a baby or a small child, I guess you’d agree with me that one of our monthly expenses regularly goes to … diapers.

And so today, I’d like to share with you these Charlie Banana Reusable Diapers. Something that may interest you as it’ll help you in saving some money in the long run too.

I’ve written an overall review on my Facebook. Click HERE to read it.

And here’s one good news to share :

There’ll be Charlie Banana Diapers giveaways going on in the next few months, where at least SIX pieces of Charlie Banana diapers are up for grabs each time!

*Am always SO happy whenever my readers can get free stuff to try!*

And, there’s one going on right now!

Hop over to Our Everyday Things Facebook Page to enter!

(Content ends on Monday, 13 Aug, 11.59pm, SG time, and is open to those with Singapore and Malaysia addresses)

Have fun, everyone!

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Photos are great, but for moments like this, I reckon videos are MUCH BETTER! =D

I’m sure every one of us agrees on this : There is no individual on earth who has not suffered, at one point or another.

Since suffering is inevitable, what matters more is actually our response to it when it takes place in our lives, isn’t it?

I too still have so much to learn as I go through my own ups and downs in my life’s journey, which is why I was greatly blessed by yesterday’s sermon.

So many reminders and encouragements. Food for thought, definitely.

And I’d like to share some of these thoughts with you today, and I hope you are blessed too just as I have been blessed by them.

Is there any pure gold that has never gone through ‘fire’? Is there any beautiful dress / robe / any piece of clothing that has never been cut and sewed? Is there any diamond that has never been cut nor polished?

Here goes:

> When suffering takes place, do not pity ourself!
Those who feel sorry for themselves put themselves in the centre of everything, as the main focus. With such a mindset, they will not look for a way out. They will tend to blame others : God and other people. They will not be able to pick themselves up, be encouraged and move on.

> When suffering takes place, we may want to cry, and it’s okay.
But do not rely on our own strength. Rely on hope and strength from God.

> When we ourselves have gone through and moved on from a particular form of suffering (eg. Betrayed by our loved ones), we will emerge stronger than before, and when we’re asked for advice by others who are going through something similar to what we’ve gone through, our advice will naturally have more power, more ‘weight’ to it

> Everyone goes through trials, difficulties and suffering. And they can purify us.
The Bible says that such difficult episodes in our lives can purify us further, like turning gold into pure gold.

Is there any pure gold that has never gone through ‘fire’?
Is there any beautiful dress / robe / any piece of clothing that has never been cut and sewed?
Is there any diamond that has never been cut nor polished?


[The beauty of nature displays the glory and faithfulness of God who created it all]

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If God allows our lives to go through any kind of ‘fire’ or tribulation (ie. When we fight for what’s true and right), there’ll be goodness and benefits out of it all (even though we may not be able to see it in the beginning). Our characters will also be further ‘polished’ and ‘purified’, becoming even better than before.

However difficult and super tough our suffering may be, Jesus Christ has gone through the WORST kind.

And, there’s one last important thing that we should always remember too :

However difficult and super tough our suffering may be, Jesus Christ has gone through the WORST kind.

He was blamed, looked down upon, despised, betrayed, physically and emotionally abused, forsaken, nailed on the cross and killed, by the very people whom He loved and came to this world for. For us all.

And no suffering in the world can ever beat that. Ever.

God knows what total suffering is. Let’s rely on God alone, whenever suffering takes place in our lives.

May God help us all.

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[This post is inspired by yesterday’s sermon, delivered by Rev. DR Stephen Tong]

I often get asked,

‘Do you miss Singapore?’ and ‘Are you settling well here in Jakarta?’

Well, I think we’re doing good here in Jakarta so far. It’s been nearly 5 months since we relocated, and I think all of us are adapting quite well to this city.

But.

It doesn’t mean we don’t miss Singapore though!

In no particular order, here are my top 10 things I miss the most about Singapore:

> My daily afternoon walks with the kids

> The many easily accessible parks and playgrounds

> Taking the public bus and the MRT with the kids in tow

> Its public libraries and the many variety of good book shops

> The general efficiency (ie. Speed) of its customer service

> Overall cleanliness and orderliness of the city

>  Going for events and visiting different spots in Singapore over the weekends

> My church, Indonesian friends and my Sunday School children and fellow teachers
(Anya and Vai are missing their friends and Sunday School classes too)

> Catching the National Day Parade Rehearsal Show
(Felt so happy and excited when the planes zoomed above us and the huge flag being carried across the sky during our weekend visit to Singapore the other day! I was like, ‘Oh LOOK! LOOK! LOOK!’ =)

> Milk tea with pearl, Teh Peng, Sugar Cane, Laksa, boneless chicken rice, Char Kway Teow, Yong Tou Fu and Kaya Toast + Half boiled eggs

Okay, I better stop, else the list goes on and on! =)

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Oh btw, I need to add just one more please : Singlish! Haha.

I don’t know if it’s weird of me, but I felt happy listening to how one taxi uncle spoke to us, upon our arrival to Singapore the other day. Perhaps it’s because he just sounded so … familiar =)

Anyway.

Just to be fair, I must say that there are good things that Jakarta offers which Singapore doesn’t have as well.

I guess, I’ll do another post on that, soon =)

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Have a great weekend, everyone!