Gardening
28 December 2016
Letters to My Daughter, October 2016
27 December 2016
My bitterballen,
You have been working so hard these past few months. Adjusting to new schedules and activities, practicing new dance techniques and moves and adding more hours to your study time.
I look at your face every morning while you are sleeping peacefully and I really do not have the heart to wake you up. I have been pondering if we made the right decision this year.
But I see the radiance in your face, the sparkle in your eyes, and the excitement in your voice when you are going to school.
You are happy. And that is very important to me.
At the student-led conference, I watched and listened to you giving a presentation about your progress. I know it was gut wrenching, but you tried your best and did well!
And I want to apologize. I feel like I am always correcting you and that I am doing it in a way that is probably demotivating you. Please do know that it is never my intention at all. I give you feedback because I want you to continue to improve, to continue learning new skills, and eventually to succeed.
My dear bitterballen...I love you very much and I really want the best for you. I hope you grow into a strong, happy, independent, resilient, beautiful woman who stays true to yourself and believe that you are able to accomplish great things.
There are times when you will experience a setback. It is going to hurt. But that is fine. Learn the lesson, mourn if you must, rest if you are tired. But never give up.
I believe in you. I believe in what you will soar. I believe you will accomplish great things.
I love you. Always.
Bunda
Letters to My Daughters, September 2016
My dear kimchi,
What a crazy new schedule you have! Four dance classes, a test prep every Saturday morning, extra study time on Sundays, and getting home a little later than you used to because of the distance of your school.
How come you have a busier schedule than I do? This year is no joke.
I said, "Oh boy!"
You said, "This year is going to be awesome!"
Your motivation and determination are contagious.
Well, kimchi, let's make it awesome then!
XOXO
Bunda
PS: How awesome is the quality of iPhone pics? :)
PS: How awesome is the quality of iPhone pics? :)
Letters to My Daughter, August 2016
25 August 2016
My kimchi,
It is so easy to talk with you. It is!
You know what I am trying to say without me having to explain it. You know what is on my mind before I complete the sentences. And you and I share the same value.
It is very rare to find a person that you can easily talk with.
That is why I am so grateful for this.
You may be little but I feel that I can comfortably share my ideas, thoughts, opinion, and even frustration. And amazingly, your words comfort me.
In a way, you remind me of Oma. :)
Thank you for listening to me.
Thank you for sharing your stories.
Let's continue to talk. To have conversations. To share stories. And to listen to each other, even when we are not talking.
You are my first,
Bun-bun
My kimchi,
It is so easy to talk with you. It is!
You know what I am trying to say without me having to explain it. You know what is on my mind before I complete the sentences. And you and I share the same value.
It is very rare to find a person that you can easily talk with.
That is why I am so grateful for this.
You may be little but I feel that I can comfortably share my ideas, thoughts, opinion, and even frustration. And amazingly, your words comfort me.
In a way, you remind me of Oma. :)
Thank you for listening to me.
Thank you for sharing your stories.
Let's continue to talk. To have conversations. To share stories. And to listen to each other, even when we are not talking.
You are my first,
Bun-bun
Letters to My Daughter, June 2016
One day, when you doubt yourself, I hope you remember this month.
Remember all the doubt and fear you had when you first entered 5th grade.
Then...remember what you did to encounter those. You worked hard. You were being yourself. You were honest. You were kind. You were being helpful.
And look at what you had accomplished at the end of the school year.
Remember when I cried with so much pride and happiness (also a bit of sadness because I remembered oma) when you performed the Wizard of Oz at school.
Remember when you proudly announced that Mrs. Keegan and Ms. Rantinella selected you as the representative of your class to deliver a graduation speech.
Remember when your face were beaming with pride when I picked you up from school and you said you had a great day. Because...you (out of the two students from the entire 5th grade) received the Principal Award!
Those things didn't come easy. And I know you worked hard throughout the year.
So, when things seem impossible, remember those days, those moments...when you conquered your fear, when you erased your doubts. Because, my dear potato...everything is possible. It all depends on us to make it happens.
I am extremely proud of you!
xoxo
Sadranan Beach, Gunung Kidul Yogyakarta
Sadranan Beach in Gunung Kidul is highly recommended as a beach to go snorkeling.
But it was almost sunset when we arrived, and Jo decided she just wanted to play in the sand.
Online reviews claim this beach as a secluded beach. However, judging from the rows of vendors that rent snorkeling gears, I am guessing this place could get crowded during holidays and weekend.
Sunset at a beach is always beautiful and we enjoyed every moment of it.
It is said that Sadranan Beach is parallel to several other beaches. I would like to come back and do beach hoping in Yogyakarta!
But it was almost sunset when we arrived, and Jo decided she just wanted to play in the sand.
Online reviews claim this beach as a secluded beach. However, judging from the rows of vendors that rent snorkeling gears, I am guessing this place could get crowded during holidays and weekend.
Sunset at a beach is always beautiful and we enjoyed every moment of it.
It is said that Sadranan Beach is parallel to several other beaches. I would like to come back and do beach hoping in Yogyakarta!
Taman Sari & Sumur Gumuling, Yogyakarta
Our first girls' only trip and we were beyond excited!
For our first trip, we picked Yogyakarta. Our parents often took a road trip to visit our grandparents during long school holiday and Yogyakarta was often on the list of cities we stopped by.
I always love Yogyakarta and will always love this city. It is rich in culture and history and it is the home to talented artists and glorious.
We flew from Jakarta and Jo couldn't contain her excitement, so we calmed her down with a large cup of iced lemon tea. We arrived a little after noon, had lunch, and immediately headed to our Taman Sari.
We started our tour through an underwater tunnel that led us to Sumur Gumuling, an underground mosque with magical light and architecture details that would serve as a beautiful location for photographers. The center of Sumur Gumuling is an elevated platform where four staircases, which represent the four directions of North, East, South, West meets.
From Sumur Gumuling, our tour guide, Bapak Budi guided us through Kampung Taman, a housing complex where abdi dalem and their families reside. Many of them create and sell batik and painting crafts to earn extra income. And we finally stood outside of Taman Sari garden. But it was around 4:30 pm and the garden was closed for the day, so we couldn't go inside. Bummer!
Taman Sari is a site of a former royal garden of the Sultanate of Yogyakarta. Built in mid 18th century, Taman Sari had was a place for the Sultans (Kings) to rest, meditate, and to accommodate their concubines.
We ended our first day by taking becak to Malioboro and enjoyed gudeg for dinner.
For our first trip, we picked Yogyakarta. Our parents often took a road trip to visit our grandparents during long school holiday and Yogyakarta was often on the list of cities we stopped by.
I always love Yogyakarta and will always love this city. It is rich in culture and history and it is the home to talented artists and glorious.
We flew from Jakarta and Jo couldn't contain her excitement, so we calmed her down with a large cup of iced lemon tea. We arrived a little after noon, had lunch, and immediately headed to our Taman Sari.
We started our tour through an underwater tunnel that led us to Sumur Gumuling, an underground mosque with magical light and architecture details that would serve as a beautiful location for photographers. The center of Sumur Gumuling is an elevated platform where four staircases, which represent the four directions of North, East, South, West meets.
From Sumur Gumuling, our tour guide, Bapak Budi guided us through Kampung Taman, a housing complex where abdi dalem and their families reside. Many of them create and sell batik and painting crafts to earn extra income. And we finally stood outside of Taman Sari garden. But it was around 4:30 pm and the garden was closed for the day, so we couldn't go inside. Bummer!
Taman Sari is a site of a former royal garden of the Sultanate of Yogyakarta. Built in mid 18th century, Taman Sari had was a place for the Sultans (Kings) to rest, meditate, and to accommodate their concubines.
We ended our first day by taking becak to Malioboro and enjoyed gudeg for dinner.
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