Family Photography in Jakarta

I have some images for you this morning.

Because I went to Yoga for CrossFit last night. 

And then did a CorssFit conditioning workout.

Because I woke up this morning feeling like I'd been hit by a bus.

Because I have a gigantic stack of work to do.

Because I'd rather take a nap.

Because I've been sitting on these pictures for two months. And I lost the CD which houses them. Twice.

I thought I'd better get around to putting these up on the internet.

That's why.

And because I have no self control and because the images are so good, I'll just go ahead and post a billion. Okay? Okay.

The super-talented (and all 'round quality human being) Becks of Viveash Photography made these images for us. And to say that I was pleased is a total understatement. They came out better than I could have imagined. I'll be so happy to look back on these many years from now and remember when we were young and fun and settling into our great Indonesian adventure. 

If you're in Jakarta and looking for portraits or family photography, may I suggest you get in touch with Becks? Because you should. Totally. 

Project Life ::: Week Three

I like this little project life. It totally jives with my "Hey-you-you're-not-the-boss-of-me-you-don't-get-to-tell-me-what-to-do-and-when-to-do-it" ethos, which is a very roundabout way of telling you that I do not like structure. Hence week three going up at the end of week four. 

I'm still not sure, exactly, what format this project will finally take. I do want a tangible artifact to come out in the end, but will this be something that I make with my hands, or a book that I print out, I dunno. Anyway. Totally not important or interesting!!

Week three. What can I say. It was kind of a bifurcated mess. I started off Monday of week three wholly consumed with significant and totally consequential tasks such as eating nice food with nice friends and beautifying my apartment. And then Jakarta was hammered by a massive flood that left thousands of people homeless and cruelly cut short the lives of others.

So. 

Stella and I had lunch with some friends in this lovely restaurant. Open air, sate stands outside, doves haning out on the lawn. It was great. And I really loved this wall. 

The flood. Oh my. You can read more about it here. 

Of course we're lucky and we came out totally unscathed. A few days off school, a few days inside, but by and large no big deal. For most, however, it totally was a big deal. We had Stella's nanny, nanny's sister, and their friend staying with us for the better part of 10 days as their house was without power and water. So we made like a big family and cooked and ate together. I learned two new Indonesian dishes. They did not approve of my fried rice or my ability to include adequate chilli. 

We ended the week with a lunch with some of our across-the-street neighbours. Some much needed sunshine and cheer. 

That was our week. 

New Year's Eve: Act One

I like New Year's Eve. I like it a lot. I'd almost go so far as to say that I'd take it over Christmas. It's the anticipation, excitement, freshness of the day. It's the celebratory way in which we bid a fond farewell to extra-special year, or perhaps a gleeful "sayonara sucker" to a year that we'd rather forget.

I've found that the best way to enjoy this last day of the year is to make no plans, to have no expectations, and just wait for the night to unfold.

Mr. Chef was working, as is the lot of those in hospitality, so my girl and I, we just went where the wind carriedus, and we had one of the best nights in aeons. 

One of the busiest roads in Jakarta was closed from late afternoon until well into the night. Streets that are usually gridlocked and honking were now gridlocked and honking, but of a different sort. People, packed into so tightly there was no possibility of movement, blowing horns, lighting fireworks, and shouting greetings well into the night. And everyone was so happy, despite the drizzle.

In place of cars and busses were food stalls, fiery woks and glowing charcoal.

Things deep fried and delicious. 

Steamed peanuts and steamed corn.

We met this little girl, dancing her heart out in the central fountain. Scores of people were blowing bubbles, plastic cups of dish detergent and pipe cleaner wands sold for a few cents turned the air to magic.

Stella got in on the action. And was thrilled.

I only pass my kid off to random strangers on special occasions. 

And here, she's amazed to be set free to wander through the streets and dart in and out of crowds without hindrance from her mother. 

All of this was only the pre-party. Rain started coming down heavier by 7 PM, so my girl and I took refuge inside. 

More adventures to come!

While not exactly wordless, per se, this post is word lite. And so, I'm pretty sure that justifies linking for Wordless Wednesday at The Paper Mama, Parenting BY Dummies, + Seven Clown Circus. 

325 / 366 {demo}

With a sick toddler and a raging demo that stopped traffic dead, we didn't go out or do much of anything, in fact, beyond eating some pho, and indulging in a Mary Poppins marathon. 

We did, however, have a front row seat to the crazyness that is the protest-induced Jakarta traffic jam.

A raging treatise on obligation, entitlement, and thankfulness.

So what do I make of parents, children, obligation and entitlements?

Click to read more ...

324 / 366 {to market}

I have a bit of a super top secret spy ninja plan. It's cooking. It involved a trip to the market. 

321 / 366 {ice}

On the weekend, I went out for an early morning walk with Stella. I love getting out in the back streets in the steamy morning before the shops are open and seeing the city wake up for the day. We came across a man prepping his shop for icy drinks. Blocks of ice about three feet long were piled up on a hand cart and he chipped chipped chipped away, filling a bucket with shards of ice.