Another Everest

So, tomorrow I've committed to do something that I know not.

As a wedding gift to my best-friend and her husband, I volunteered to baby-sit her 17 months old daughter for a weekend. I offered an entire weekend, but then of course I got some jitters and that whole weekend became 1 night and 1 day.
Except that after the kid's ear infection, fever, cold and some adult discussion - it became 1 WHOLE day, from noon till midnight. And that is tomorrow.

I'm having a stage freight.

Yeah.

That kid is one of the most adorable kids in the whole world. Really. She speaks fluent Swedish and understands Tah-Yee's(*) English, and she does roll-over, and walks everywhere and loves the drums and everything. And above all, now every time I swing by she will give me a full kram och puss! I can't get enough of her.
But then, I have never spent more than 3 hours alone with her - hence the stage freight.

Still nervous, I dig around my house and try to find something amusing to bring.
Nope, I got nothing in my house that is 17-month-old-friendly. Nada!

Right. I'm just going to go bring myself, armed with 4 DVDs of Cinderella, Snow White, Toy Story and Tweety Bird. And I'm also going to bring my guitar along. Little Ella always seems to like me a little more whenever I play some musical instrument.

12 hours... surely we're bound to have some fun. Yeah, I can take her to see the ponies and play at the park or something.

Everything is going to be fine... :)

*Apparently my name to her has gone through several evolution, from Ta-Ta, Da-Deeh and finally Tah-Yee

Reporting live from Singapore...

Miss me yet?

OK, not much time to put up a proper post yet, but the 7 days in Indonesia was a blast. Got to see my parents, my brother (who was on a coincidental home leave) and some of old friends from school (elementary school, high school). Most important thing of all was that I got to eat some of the food during the short course of the trip.

Also another very special thing was to be able to spend the first few days of Ramadan with the family. It's been 7 years, so it felt so good to have the sahur meal together, as well as the fast-breaking time together, too - eating the traditional Ramadan foods. Bliss.

Now the short 7 days are behind me. I am on the next short stop: Singapore. My brother has been relocated here since earlier this year. So, this stop is deemed necessary. Besides, I need to go buy a nice suitcase at one of the discount shop here.

We just came back from a visit to the Night Safari at the Singapore Zoo and had a BLAST! Not only the usual zoo stuff was going on, but one of the nocturnal giant flying squirrel decided to fly so low tonight and had a flying crash into my brother's kneecap. A handsome animal, yes, but not so bright in the flying department. Ha ha.


*Photo was excerpted from Nature Photo Society

OK... well, it's midnight now and I'm beat. So maybe later this week I will put up a proper post.

Good night.

Buh-bye!

It's time for another 'tootles' message. I am leaving for Indonesia tomorrow morning to see le maman et le papa for a week.

Unlike my usual departure, thanks to the horrid workaholic summer and a spur-of-the-moment decision to go home, this time I haven't had time to actually prepare anything for the homecoming. No gifts had been purchased, no phone calls have been made to organize a get together, only a couple of e-mails sent to some old friends.

You see, normally I will freak out about this - being an avid planner-down-to-the-minute freak that I am, but to my own surprise I am not at all concerned about it this time. All I know is I got my passport, my ticket and that my flight is in the morning, so I should just make sure to get my butt to the airport 2 hours prior. I'll just go ahead with the flow from there.

OK, well, I can't be completely unconcerned about the trip, though. I have to pack.
Oh, crap. I just remember that my luggage is broken from the NY trip. Hmm... alright, must travel light, I'm going to buy a set of nice luggage in Singapore when I visit my kid brother after Indonesia.
With that being resolved... that leaves to finding a duffel bag to carry some of my stuff to Indonesia. I think I have one. If not, well maybe I can run to Don Quijote for a light duffel bag later toniht. They're open till 5 am.

How do I want to go to the airport? Bus or train. I'll decide tomorrow morning when I wake up. Maybe the limousine bus, can't be bothered diving into the sea of people in Shinjuku station at 8 in the morning. OK, bus it is. No need to organize ticket before hand, I'll just do a walk in tomorrow morning. They run every 15 minutes anyway from Shinjuku bus station.

Do I have money? No, I don't. OK, must make a stop at the ATM.
Hang on, I might still have some Rupiah at home. Must check on that.

Do I need coat? Oh you silly Indonesian, it's always summer there. Dry summer. Good.

I guess those are all the essentials. Cool. I'm ready to go.

Let me know if anyone wants postcard from Indonesia, addresses to be e-mailed to taiko.tari@gmail.com.

Don't miss me too much while I'm gone! Be good!

A tribute for Japanese postal service

Gotta love the postal service here in Japan.

One of the perks of living in Japan is that their postal service is absolutely amicable.
I got my contact lenses arriving in the mail. Since I wasn't home, the postman left a note in the box advising me for arranging another delivery. I called the number, arranged it and within 24 hours, the box arrived in my house between 9 to noon. Awesome.

Today, I came back from a joint birthday party celebration at nearly midnight. Having not been home in the past 15 hours, I checked the post and there was another note from Mr. Postman. The note said that there was a package from a Ms. ADM for me! My darling sissie said that she sent a package a week back and that it wasn't going to arrive in 2 weeks, so naturally it was such a great surprise when it arrived in exactly 7 days!!!
You see, I could arrange another delivery... however, since I was having a birthday high, I just couldn't-shouldn't-and-wouldn't wait. I must see what my sissie sent me at ONCE!
So, I went upstairs, got my bike lights and pedaled over to Yoyogi Post Office. I headed straight to the pick-up window, and rang the after-hours service (the district main post offices are open 24 hours, FYI) buzzer. 10 seconds later, a postman with a rather sleepy look turned up at the window. He checked my claim tag, got my package, checked my ID, and handed the package. All done in 2 minutes.

Gosh, I just love the Japanese postal service. They make it so easy and accessible. Absolutely amazing. I love them.

But I love my sister 10,000 times more... I mean, who wouldn't? Check out what she got me!!!

Typhoon, earthquake and survival

What a weekend!

Obviously there is no logical explanation on why on 3 day-weekend alone one country could be attacked with so many natural disasters.

I and my drumming friend O.Div went up North to visit my Japanese family in Niigata on Friday evening. We were welcomed with a cold evening and was awaken by the rattling sound of rain on the sun-roof the following morning. The big typhoon was broadcasted to have hit Okinawa and was moving up towards Kyoto and Tokyo and eventually to the northern coast. The typhoon did not create many problems for Niigata area, except for the ongoing 24 hours of rain and wind.

Sunday was only mildly raining, and around 4 pm the coast was declared clear, so we ventured the Niigata Jazz Street festival. Some old friend's jazz band was performing at one of the hot spot at the festival, so we had to go and check it out.
We went up to one of Niigata skyscraper "Next 21" building to get a bird's eye view. We made it in time during the sunset and caught a very interesting mother nature phenomenon. the coast line was clear and blue but the black cloud was looming above the coast, with snippets of red from the sun there. The rest of the evening was pretty much uneventful. We sent away O.Div with the last shinkansen back to Tokyo and I was just hanging out with the family and chatted the evening away for the rest of the evening.

Monday came with me staring at the blue sky under the sun-roof. Yes! Finally a beautiful day!
I buzzed around getting ready and packed things and was about to undress and jump into the shower when I heard a loud noise. BANG!
Seconds later I heard my 10 yo little sister screamed from the attic. I opened the bathroom door to see what's going on and she pelted into the bathroom and clung to me, shaking. Or at least I thought that she was shaking. Moments later I realized that it wasn't her. The ground was shaking and the entire house was rocking along with it! Okasan* screamed for my little sister's name and ordered us to go the 1st floor. There we all opened all windows and ran quickly outside, together with the dog. The earth was still moving for about 10 minutes or so, and all our neighbors were out on the street - making sure that we're a significant distant away from walls and buildings.

After that, all was quiet.

Our house is located quite close to the coast of Niigata sea and we were wondering if we're going to be tsunami prone. Thankfully, our area was OK. We heard sirens coming from the coastline and some helicopters approaching as well. Otosan** turned on the TV and immediately we saw that the epicenter was indeed in Niigata prefecture, off the Chuetsu coast. The city that suffered the most is Kashiwazaki. It was 6.8 RM (Richter scale) in Kashiwazaki and was 5 RM in Niigata city. No wonder the shake was quite large and lasted a while.
The rest of the day we were still getting some after shake.
We spent a few minutes getting some emergency bags ready, as well as sleeping bags, and have all our shoes in order, just in case we need to bolt to the door in moments notice.

As of 10:30 am, all transportation systems leaving Niigata was suspended indefinitely.



For my part, I was stranded the entire day in Niigata. This is such a bad news since I had to attend 3 meetings the following day in Tokyo. Having all my my stuff packed, my eyes and ears were glued to the TV broadcast. The aim was clear: once we get news that the shinkansen service resumed its operation, Otosan would start the car and we'd be at the train station within 15 minutes.
Which was what happened at 6:15 pm. We rushed to the station, I made my way to the ticket gate and there was an announcement that the service had been re-suspended because one of the tunnels collapsed. No one could guarantee when the train will resume its service.
Fortunately the bus services had re-opened, the land authority had redirected the bus to avoid the damaged area. So, I thought, well... I guess I better line up for the 5 hours bus ride to Tokyo. Right, I wasn't the only one who needed to be back in Tokyo. All buses were fully booked, I couldn't even get a seat to go to the neighboring prefecture.
Otosan then rushed me to Niigata airport to catch the last plane out at 8:30 pm. Another failure -the plane was full.
Then we rushed back again to Niigata bus center and got me a ticket for the first bus out towards Kanto region. I was enlisted for 7:50 am bus towards Takasaki (Gunma prefecture), where I can get a train connection to Tokyo.

After one day of exhausting drama I decided to go to bed early, with my clothes on and bag on the ready - just in case there is another quake. At 5 am Okasan woke me up to say that the news has broadcasted that the shinkansen service has returned to service. And at 6:03 am I was well on my way back to Tokyo.

There are many things that I am grateful for Japan. Their swiftness in dealing with natural disaster is one of them.

p.s.
Thanks so much for the phone calls and messages. I am well and safe back in Tokyo. My loved ones in Niigata are all safe, too.


*Okasan = Mother
**Otosan = Father

Kitchen-ly dilemma

Twice a year I have my big grocery 'shopping' at my best friend's apartment. The Swedish trio always have their big fridge clean-up in mid July and mid December, right before they go back for their month long (sometimes 6 weeks) summer/Christmas vacations. The chosen person to be getting the load is unmistakably yours truly.

The problem is, I am actually going to go to spend the long weekend in Niigata. This means the rather big basket of produce containing several types of mushroom, potatoes et al is facing the harm of going bad. As well as a few containers of fresh cream, sour cream, frozen peas and a few other frozen vegetable. OK, the frozen fruits problem that I'm having is due to the very small capacity in the freezer - considering that I have just done my own fish and poultry shopping a few days prior.

At 10 pm last night, I was facing a dilemma as to what to do with them. Seriously, I have no intention of lugging them all to Niigata tonight; but I cannot possibly eat them at one sitting, I am just one small person.

So, I decided to cook them all. haha. Once cooked and kept in the fridge, the food should keep for another week. Which is kind of cool, too, this means that I don't need to fuss about cooking lunch at all for a week! How's that for a back-up plan?


In my fridge right now:

Potato and mushroom bake (completed with all frozen veggies and half of a zucchini)

Tiramisu

Blueberry and raspberry pudding

Mmmmmm.

I'm hungry again now.

*Image is of my potato and mushroom bake. yummmmm!

Happy birthday, Sweetheart!

I just want to wish my baby Happy Birthday!!!
Yes, my goddaughter is now 3 years old. She is a big girl now and so pretty and smart and truly is all that a mother could ask for. Except that she never lets me have a decent conversation with her mother... Be good and be safe, my love, Bunda will see you soon, before you know it!

My godbaby in the pink panther suit I got her (age 1 year+)

For my darling brother

Goio, you just happened to be 4 years younger than me, Sweetheart.
So sometimes, when I was 4, you're not even here yet, thus not pictured.

After scrounging around, I found these. And they are for you!!!

My Afro baby brother

Can't imagine us being evil at all, can you?

Goio today (and me!)

A Fond Memory

I have been digging through some old photo files to update to a community website and stumbled across this picture.
This is one of the fondest replica from my childhood. Taken in 1980, my sister and I at our prime time, and another one was taken 20+ years afterwards.

Always brought some laughter to my day.

For the sisters in my life

You pick me up - effortless,

You tell me stories,

You make me laugh

You listen,

Or you just be.


Sisters in blood,

Sisters in mind,

I thank you for the eternal togetherness.


Dedicated to the sisters in my life, in blood and in mind. I love you and I thank you.

==
(Thank you for sister C-Genilimaa, I edited the 'tense' in this post, I was concentrating to what had happened, failing to realize there are more and more to come!)

And she is BACK!!!!!

Ella is here!!! Ella is here!!! Ella is here!!!

I am so happy that one of my favorite baby is back in Tokyo!!!

Oh, the little smurf who (now) can walk is here!

Yes, you heard it right. The Swedish trio are back!

Now my life is complete again.

:))

Oj!

Another Tuesday Night with Tuesday People

So, last night I met up with some of the Tuesday people bunch for an impromptu dinner.

Wait, Tuesday people, you say?
Well, it is actually an unintentional group. From time to time, me and a few friends often get together for a din-din out. After the fourth meeting, we discovered that somehow we always meet on Tuesday evenings. Thus we declared ourselves the "Tuesday people".

Yesterday we set out to go to a new French joint that just opened up in my neighborhood - Bistrot d'Artemis. Alas the bistro was closed on Tuesdays, so we have to find another place.
Then we walked to Angkor Watt (Cambodian, as you can tell from the name), also in the neighborhood; since it's a safe choice for us since the restaurant is spacious and the food is tasty and cheap. And then another restaurant name struck, Rucola. So since we all have been to Angkor Watt, we decided to venture the Italian restaurant instead.

Let me tell you all about Rucola at my new spot on the blog.

At dinner, Tuesday-People-A from England talked about Lady Godiva*.
He shared with us the legend on how she took pity on the people of Coventry. She pleaded to her husband, Earl of Mercia, to bring down the tax for the people. He refused, but finally he said that he would do that only if she rode her horse naked around Coventry.
She announced her intent to the citizens of Coventry, asking them to stay in their houses or if on the street they should look away when she's out to do it. All obliged to that except for tailor Tom. He hid in a tower and made a whole so he could see Lady Godiva rode by. He achieved two things that day: the name Peeping Tom and he was also struck blind.
From then on, the people of Coventry was granted tax free (or maybe just a small amount. Tuesday-People-A from England wasn't very sure of the small details).

Which brings me down to another research.

Always a big fan of Godiva chocolates, I later on discovered that the name for the Chocolatier was indeed derived from the legend. But the relation stopped there. The company originated in Brussels, Belgium (not Coventry, England); and the recipes have nothing to do with Lady Godiva.
Oh heck, with every piece of chocolate that tasted this PHENOMENAL, who cares?

==
*Picture of Lady Godiva is a painting by John Collier, ca 1897. Digital image was taken without official permit from a Wikipedia article.

Lights at the end of the tunnel

Spoke to dad this morning. He's feeling much better. No more IVs, no more oxygen mask, liquid's completely out of his lungs and he is overall improving.
Thankful, grateful, hopeful and happy have been the spirit of the day.

Thank you, everyone, for your kind words and encouragement. You have helped me stay sane. I'm sure dad will go home in no time.

In the meantime. Visited a friend out in the suburb. She had the cutest 8 month old baby. With someone with a face like this, how can you resist smiling back right at her?

A Daughter's Prayer

God on high,
Hear my prayer,
Please make him feel better,
Please let him heal,
Please return him back to us safely,
The funny, happy, and joyful;
The wonderful person that he is,
Please give us our Dad back

Audzubillahiminassyaitaan nirrahiimi,
Bismilahirrahmanirrahiim,
Ya Allah,
Engkaulah yang Maha Menjadikan,
Engkaulah yang Maha Menyembuhkan,
Engkaulah yang Maha Memiliki,
Apabila ini sudah menjadi kehendak-Mu,
Sembuhkanlah ayah hamba.

Allah humma Rabbig firlii
Wali wali daiya
Warham huma kama rabbayanni sagiraa

Amiin. Amiin ya Rabbal Al-Amiin.

Note:
My darling Dad was submitted into the hospital on Thursday, January 11, 2007.
He has been having some breathing problems since about a couple of months ago. Having been healthy all his life, going to the hospital or to see a doctor is something that he despise the most.
After much persuasion, we took him to see a doctor during our second week in Bandung. The doctor then demanded a thorough check-up.
On Thursday, January 11, 2007; Dad went to see the doctor with the results from his check-up. The doctor would not let him leave the hospital. He was immediately sentenced to have a full bed-rest, for his heart is swelling. Because of the swelling, his heart didn't get enough oxygen. This is all caused by some virus infection. He now has to stay in bed, with the oxygen mask over his nose and mouth until his heart is no longer swelling.

I hope he gets better soon. He has to be. Because he is my Dad. Because he is Dad, I know he will be better in no time.