Summer Holiday

So last this morning I am all alone again after spending 6 weeks with Iki during summer break. Phew, at last I have my own time, but somewhat I feel the house is so empty. Can't believe I am now missing my boy already on the first day he's back to school LOL

We had an incredibly fun summer holiday and did quite a lot activities. 6 weeks is not a short time!!

We went to Surabaya for about 10 days. Had a good family time, refreshing, and eating time. Didn't get the chance to meet a lot of friends this time but I am sure we will go back there again in the future. Happy to have short photo session with my talented girlfriend, Carla.

Iki got a Maduranese wooden boat from my auntie, love it and insisted to bring it back home to Japan by himself though I was against him. There was definitely no space in the suitcase of that boat. So it was tied on Iki's backpack and he carried it himself from Surabaya, during our 7 hours transit in Kuala Lumpur until we arrived safely and exhausted in our little home in Tokyo.

But surprisingly that little wooden boat from Madura was his best memory of this summer's trip to Surabaya ;-). Thank you, Oma Ayis hehehe

Then back in Japan we had a week Obon Holiday. Its one of Japan's most high season holiday so staying at home was the smartest holiday, according to Papa-chan. We managed to drag him out anyway. Staying at home might be smart but it was definitely boring :D

Papa-chan brought us to Kamakura Beach, twice! Because Iki loves beach! He enjoyed playing with the sand,

He discovered that body boat was a real fun, and even tried to teach me how to do it.

We also went to a crowded fireworks festival nearby our house. Iki got really excited to watch the show, too bad I don't have a tripod for my camera to get good photos :(

We spent a whole day going to Chichibu in Saitama area, so that Iki could ride the antique SL locomotive train that has a real funnel with real smokes.

We went to the Dinosaur Museum in Roponggi Hill.

It was great except Iki was upset and got bad mood because he couldn't see his favorite bird dinosaur. I had to send him to naughty corner somewhere in a crowded shopping mall (_ _o)

We went to the Kodomo Natsu Matsuri (Kids Summer Festival) in Omotesando area. Boy we had to walk around in 37C super sunny afternoon. But Iki had fun and did the whole thing himself!

Then at night we went to a summer festival. Iki and papa-chan visited the shrine and did the traditional praying ritual. Iki is big enough to understand to do the whole thing himself this time. He "cleaned up" himself prior to entering the shrine, then can follow papa-chan throwing the coins, pulling the big rope and then praying.

We enjoyed some traditional summer festival game too.

And that Summer Festival was just a nice closure to his Summer Holiday (^____^)

Happy Wedding

We have two celebrations in a year. One is for our marriage in May and the other one is for the wedding party in September. I just realized that I've never wrote anything about our wedding in Surabaya, too busy, I guess :p.

It was a small, beautiful and unforgettable one :) and I love this shot from the party when the girls tried to catch my bouquet.

I completely forgot the September one this year, can't believe I did!

Until we finished our dinner last week on Sept 2, and opened the dessert papa-chan brought home that day!

Thank you, Papa-chan!!!

Why?!

I like outdoor activities. Back in my (much) younger time I was out
for hiking, camping, or traveling a lot. Simply sitting in a moving
car is already fun for me.

That was why i asked my husband to get out of this house during this 1
week summer holiday. He hates crowded and this time of the year
traveling is a nightmare for a person like him. I knew it, but still I
insisted for us to go out.

So far we went to see the big and of course crowded fireworks, jammed
beach with traffic jam on the way back home, and long train ride to
chichibu area for riding the old SL locomotive train and supposed to
be budougari (grapes picking).

All were tiring but we had so much fun. At least it was the impression
I got when I remembered our wide smile and iki's exciting scream.

But today because of everyone was just tired, we had a bad night. And
I was blamed because I was the one who wanted to go out.

Which was so disappointed. How come nobody thanked me of giving the
idea of going out when they were enjoying the fun?!
How come then I was being blamed when the fun was long gone and
they're all tired...?

Even after a night running I'm not feeling better at all tonight!!!

Sent from my iPhone

Memories...

I am listening to Indonesian songs compiled by my dear friend Enyo.

Sometimes I smile, sometimes I'm in tears.

These songs remind me of sooo much memories of Indonesia.

Of those times in Surabaya. In Enyo's car, during crazy karaoke times, working period in Altoers, and to ex-boyfriend(s) too.

Of those old old school days in Banjarmasin. of my first love. of the lovable highschool time.

Of Sorowako. Annisah's car, and karaoke in Lusiana Hotel.

Of Indonesia. Where my heart belongs.

No no, this is not homesick, I just got back from Indonesia.

Thank you Enyo, for this CD full of memories!!

Antquarium

Have you ever seen ants' house?

Have you ever wondered how is it look like inside?

And have you ever heard about Antquarium? Because I just heard and bought it for Iki and am really interested on it now.

This website says:

The Antquarium concept was developed by NASA back in the heyday of the US space programme. Their idea was to take a colony of ants into space so the astronauts could study the insects' behaviour in zero gravity. Why, we hear you ask? Well, we guess they had to study something as they hurtled around planet earth. Anyway, NASA's loss is our gain because the amazing jelly-like habitat they invented is now available to support ant life here on earth. Or more specifically, on your desk, bedside or kitchen table. The Antquarium is filled with a highly nutritious non-toxic gel into which you prod four little holes to get the tunnel network started. Now get out into the garden or park and catch about 15 ants to populate the colony. Put them in the Antquarium, replace the lid... and watch. Within days the ants will burrow out an amazing pattern of channels, each clearly visible in cross-section through the walls of the container. Maintenance is minimal. Besides providing a safe ecologically-correct habitat, the gel also provides the ants' food. You simply need to open the lid for a moment once a month to aerate the interior.

Isn't it interesting??

Iki and papa-chan went out to catch some ants yesterday afternoon and put them in the container already. OOh.....We can't wait to see what will happen in the container! (^____^)

From yesterday night the ants had meetings, perhaps to discuss how to survive in a small container full of food?! ;-)

And this evening they've started the construction of their new "house"!

Let's see again what will happen in the next few days!!

Food Orgasm in Surabaya

It was definitely a culinary trip too. Besides having my mom cooking all my favorite food at home, I also went around, trying to eat as much yummy food as possible during my stay there.

Soto Banjar Pal Satu

Terang Bulan Bangka

Kepiting Telur Asin

Bakso Pak Salam

Udang Barongsai Tumis Mentega

Kikil Sapi

Kerang

Bakwan and Ayam Penyet Bu Kris

Bebek Goreng Madura Canggih

Ronde

Empek Empek Palembang

Nasi Padang

Kue Lobak - Apeng

Kue Bengkoang - Apeng

Kwetiaw Siram Apeng

Sioke Siobak Adam

Durian Monthong

Klepon

Pecel Lele

Soto Babat

Jus Alpokat

And even Iki got food orgasm too. He ate a loooot of tempe and mango :D

No wonder I gained 4,7 kg haha

Surabaya 2010

It was only less than 2 weeks vacation day, but we had a very good time.

Surprising Ella ;-)

The Wedding

Swimming

Playing

Ngewarung

Remembering those good old times of CDU

Karaoke - yeah, we needed 4 microphones!

Clubbing

Mariza's wedding

Family time

And thank you Enyo, for the time and the tummy (^_____^)!!!