Lego all the way

When I uploaded picture above -the main family picture- in front of Legoland Malaysia's sign on my Facebook, I flooded by e-mails and messages asking about if this place is actually open. Some of friends thinking I was on holiday in Malaysia, some are envy that we got there on first day -thanks to my provocative info on my picture :-)

Then I had to tell the truth, that we actually only went to Gandaria City Mall nearby, and they happened to have Legoland Malaysia booth on LG level opposite Kopitiam Restaurant, and according to booth's staffs we were one of less than 5 families visited that day because they just had opened their booth. Of course they had special price for entrance ticket, IDR 288.000 instead of IDR 420.000 for adult and IDR 210.000 instead of IDR 330.000 for child and senior member (60+). Pre-sale ticket valid from opening day -which is plan on Sept 15- to Dec 2012.

Apart from Legoland booth there were also big Lego display on main LG lobby -cmiiw- that were not so outstanding, some little details are cute. Like the Firemen doing push-up exercise or a fireman on its pole.

This time, Lego had new collection called 'Friends', marketed for girls age 6-12, which my daughter completely fall in love with it. Though we loves Lego so much, we think this Friends collection still bit pricey at the moment so we decided we not getting any but Friends minifigure for my little girl.

They will have this Lego display until school holiday ends, about 2nd week of July. If you really want to see it, heading off to Gandaria City, LG, around opposite Ace Hardware area.

Happy Holidays!

Sunday Snapshot

Sunday, June 3rd 2012

Snapshot between Aksara Bookstore in Kemang , Mc Donald in Kemang and Lunch around Kemang, South Jakarta...

And things from Tintin-themed Birthday Party my son invited

Baskets of interest

There is one big shopping mall just sprout around the corner of my house -literally- . 

{In Jakarta, if you could walk to shopping mall in 10 minutes, that consider very close :-) }

And like many other malls, this one had big supermarket on their basement, which many Indonesian friend told me they like to came and shop there because many items are on special -of course, it's new anyway, they need to get customer in, isn't is?-

Armed with information about cheap groceries -I meant, on special price- I went for venture two weeks ago, arrived on this big supermarket -no wonder they called themselves hyper- and found many -yes many- items we consume on daily basis are on special indeed.

Then I found on one of their back corner, a basket section that too good to be true -if we talking about baskets in Supermarket, most of the times I will found those cheap distasteful plastic one. I never found baskets section like this. It's made from faux rattan -sort of plastic, maybe, oh well- but it does have a great looks. The only downside was the supermarket staffs clearly do not know how to arrange and displayed it based on shapes or colors , if they put little bit effort on it, I thought it would be wonderful....

{in case you wondering about my pictures, yes I DID ARRANGE it a bit, for the sake of my snapshot :-)  }

Price wise, around IDR 35.000 (for smaller round with about 12cm diameter) to IDR 120.000 for the big tall round basket. Round  basket bit more expensive  compare to square or rectangle counterparts.

After hours of yes-no-yes-no, I finally laid my  choice on this...

Where you could find this:

Hypermart Supermarket on Kemang Village - Jalan Antasari - South Jakarta.

7 Days Sketching Challenge

On last holiday, instead of running around the house do some silly movements, I challenged my son to do 7-days sketching. He agreed, and he started with Sydney Harbour Bridge -he fond of his memories of spent time sitting on the Harbour did nothing but sketching, he was 4 back then- and I believe Sydney colored his character. 

He finished off  with Pasopati Bridge in Bandung-West Java, which he would spent hours looking at it from our hotel room, last time we holiday in Bandung.

I love to share this with you, as a proud mom -of course- and I believe aspiring artist should be nurture with  love :-)

Blame it on the rain

Blame it on the rain

"Sorry mam, the gate closed and the aircraft moving already."
What???

This trip intended to be a short trip for me, 2days and 1 night, to visit my mum that undergo small surgery recently. I completely aware this is holiday season, so I opt for cheapest flight -that not so cheap anyway on holiday season- and choose earliest outbond flight to Semarang. Flight was 5.40, with previous experienced traveling early, I assume 4.30 start from home buy me enough time.

I miscalculated the rain and how it affected the traffic. And roadworks just inside the airport. Needless to say, 15minutes extra I spent inside my taxi cost me an extra $200 from ticket price I already paid on the net - for getting two new tickets for next available flight. That the price I initially refused to pay as I thought it is to pricey for such a short trip.

Never happened in my life before I missed my flight. 5.25 arrived on the airport, getting rejected on check-in desk, frantic phone call to my pilot-cousin, texted my husband -with my shaking hand, you bet, and I believe I just gave him early minute headache before work- then sprints from one tiket counter to another tried to get next available flight, with no result.

As my husband told me last night, I haven't been traveling with my kids only for a while. He kept asking to make sure that I got all prepare and kept saying that I need more practice -he thought I'm getting rusty with all this flying thing.

Oh well.
Here I am now, with my daughter that super cool -she had no complain at all, all they way I dragged her here and there to process the ticket- ; on waiting lounge, and will be here for another 3hours at least.

Bad luck really cost a lot.

Ayu HUSODO
www.strawberrypatch.biz

Project "Nasi Kuning"

It was not the first time I made Nasi Kuning, but it is a very first time my son, Big R helping me with all the preparation.

It was not in grande-scale of nasi Kuning. We only did a bit of 'verkadel or perkedel' -a tiny fried potato ball-,sliced omelet, beef shredded and cucumber playing part on salad side. We left original sambal goreng and fried chicken away. Fresh Parsley and slices of red-chilli balancing the colors just perfect.

His school had an event called "United Nation Evening" last Friday, and we decided to share our nasi kuning side by side with other food our fellow Indonesian brought on Indonesia Booth.

With his birthday was 2 days away, it is a great reason to share the joy with the whole school. Having it's history, Nasi Kuning was always a winner for Big R.

Hopeless Homemade....

I wonder when we in Indonesia be able to download this app :-(

http://demo.fb.se/e/ikea/homemade_is_best_app/index_en.html

Red and White: Dirgahayu my Indonesia

It's Independence day celebration kind of morning for me, hopped from one school -my son first- to another -my daughter afterward- . We were so ready to celebrate, dressed up in red and white and eagerly came for Upacara Bendera.

So there I was, attending Indonesia Independence day ceremony on the Netherlands School, sang Indonesia Raya, recital Pancasila and Declaration of Independence text, and seeing my son became the flag bearer for the very first time, yet I standing next to many Dutch -which once had us as their colony.

Singing Indonesia Raya was my regular chore since my son previous school has assembly once a week that include sang national anthem from both countries. Though I could not recall when it was last time I recite either Pancasila or the Declaration of Independence. And sometimes me and friends had quiz time when we will snapped the 4th of Pancasila -the longest one- and none of us could answered correctly.

Seeing bule -not one but many- dressed in red and white shivering me to the bone. I loves the view along the street lately, a festive on going with many red and white flags and banners, but when I saw people wore it -and they not Indonesian- and little children proudly march and sang Indonesia Pusaka -and again, they not Indonesian- it's remind me that I'm still Indonesia and should do more than dress up and celebrate once a year occasion like this. And less whining about this country.

Ok,lets move on before I become mellow.

It should be the say we cheer up about our independence, right?

So I moved to my daughter school, they held a celebration in fun way, with un-traditional games for the kids.

Before they started the game, once I walk to the school backyard, I greeted with very familiar song and travelled me to my primary-school age in an instant. They had Senam Kesegaran Jasmani song -oooh...I can't fint the perfect world to translate it...lost in translation-  played loud, with the kids exercise slash dance accordingly, one of the teacher stand on the front guided them and show the movement.

As it's hilarious it could be for me to see children bumping each other and tried to do their best action-; this is another thing: when did the last time I hear this song? A song played regularly once a week when I was on a kid, meant to make us do light exercise. I wonder if primary school this age still do the same. Or it might in public school? I have no clue.

Then the games begun. 3 different games, full of laugh, great way to enjoy my morning.

And of course everybody is the winner on those games. The teachers wisely gave every kids their own ribbon so no one felt left behind. 

I saw my children enjoy their celebration day, now it's got me thinking: I will find out if there will be games playing on our local kampung tomorrow, I will take them to watch.

I know Independence Day celebration it's not only about ceremony, games or dress attire, but this time let me just say:

Dirgahayu my Indonesia.

Ballet on air

Before you read this through, I am telling you that I write this just because I quite like the show, not that I am this shopping mall PR or spoke person that getting paid writing this -oooh I wish-

Well, it was suppose to be quick visit to the shopping mall, just to grab some lunch and get a software for my son laptop. Once we stepped on to the centre of this shopping centre we saw crowd of people, heard loud songs and saw kind of steel structure , and there were two girls 'hanging' on that structure. It turn out that this shopping mall had a show what it call "Ballet on Air' during this holiday season. Presented by Aerial Angels from Australia, they will running the show up to July 3rd; once a day during weekend, twice on Saturday and three times on Sunday.

So I decided to watch 2nd show on 2pm with my daughter; in order to get the best seat possible, I queue half an hour before show start, my daughter was so patience she not even asked me for her Ipod to play with while waiting for the show to begin.

This is what I could I remember about the show. The show itself divided into 4 section, 1st was 2 girls playing and climbing the silk fabric that hanging down from the top of those steel-structure -what should I call it- on the centre of the stage, which were very brave and quite sensational. The 2nd section was three girls doing another fabrics on the side of the stage. Not pretty much different with the first show. The 3rd was kind of boring for me, another two girls playing with kind of white hoop with kind of sequin-around-the-edge.

The 4th? 

2 girls riding a kind of swing then pulled off to the top of the structure, then they happily playing swings, somersault on the air and so. It was the best part for me and my daughter.

There will be couple of days left for the show, if you like to watch yourself, come to Gandaria City before they pack their back and go home.

And yes I will take the credit if you go to this shopping mall because you reading this.

Happy Holidays

Cute Cute Cute

Doesn't she look cute on those simple outfit?


Great inspiration for weekend

Celebrity Look: Anne Hathaway by marymary91 featuring printed bags

Summer top
jigsaw-london.com

Acne draped top
$110 - lagarconne.com

Sportmax Code denim jeans
138 GBP - matchesfashion.com

Prada white shoes
$340 - bluefly.com

Gucci printed bag
419 GBP - profilebrighton.co.uk

Agent Ninetynine summer hat
$20 - generalpants.com.au

Chanel glass shade
175 GBP - shadestation.co.uk

Jenna came home

If you read my previous posting, you knew about Jenna, I suppose. In case you wondering what Jenna looked like, here, let me show you.

It's actually not the 'real' Jenna, it's a 'replacement' Jenna, as my husband flew out of city with the same airline and begged the stewardess to spare him one, a Chimpanzee doll he not supposed to get since he was travelling with no kids.

My son put the biggest smile on his face as he got ‘Jenna’ last night.

Yes, I do agree with teaching our kids to be responsible, if they lost their belonging –especially if they are the one who carry the responsibility to looked after their own things- ; they have to deal with it. Parents not always had to fix the problem.

We’ve failed last night, I guess.

Holy Dolly

"Mum, Jenna hilang. I lost him".

My 8years old son put on sad face last night -seriously sad. Jenna was his tiny brown chimpanzee his sister got him from our last flight. Yes, it's a freebie, a freebie he likes most.

As parents we all aware that our kids are different each other, yet when it's come to one favorite and -most if it- cherished dearly, they all the same. This one -or more- special item means the world. And we all parents are guilty before trial if they looking where is this       Object gone thus we could not help to find them.

There are many funny yet touching stories about this particular object. Like my niece for example. She loves her long sausage-shape pillow dearly. Not only she could not sleep without, she cuddles it almost anytime. Her mom tried to replace with new similar pillow; she refused and resulted in tantrum.

My daughter is the same. We bought her this cute character from In the Night Garden TV series, she falling in love since. She named him her own name; he went wherever she goes, if a frequent flyer applicable, this doll will have more point than me.

As I read on one article by child psychologist, if a child develop very strong bond with one particular item -not always toys or doll- its actually help them settle because of the secure feeling they got from it. Don't get offense if your child loves her doll more than you at one period of time. It just part of growing up time (if you disagree, call this pschycologist yourself for complain).

For me, one question remains unanswered -at least until now-. When they will start to break their relationship with their special item? Will the moment full of tears, or will they brace themselves like Andy on Toy Story 3? Will their special item try every single way for this detachment process -ok, sorry I might watched Toy Story 3  one too many-.

My son was so sad for loosing Jenna. He did not prepare for this situation to be happening. No matter he tried to put it behind him, I could feel his sadness. I might have to catch a flight somewhere so I could get another Jenna for him.

Homemade is Best - Cookbook from IKEA

I doooo love this video...
It's a photographs come to life...I wonder when I could get the real cookbook....


IKEA – Homemade is Best. from Forsman & Bodenfors on Vimeo.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Buildings Cup

My son made this special sketch and glued to a coffee mug, as birthday gift for my husband. And being a proud dad, he displayed this fine art on his working desk @ his office.

It's a labor of love from a gifted boy to his dad.



Day Tripper: Indonesia Book Fair 2010

With the spirit of cheap holiday, on 1st day of this school holiday, I brought my kids to Books Fair in downtown Jakarta. We loves books; that our main reason. Free entry makes it even better :)

It was fairly quiet when we came -around 11am- and this organizer all but clever to put 4D theatre in front of Istora Senayan door. And without any consciousness I spent 60,000 rupiah to had those big silly glasses up on my nose, looking on funny fish movie and some blowing bubbles -its real bubbles- flying to my face...those 15minutes was great though, our 1st ever watched 4D movie.

Once we out from theatre, we walked around from one booth to another, we kind of disappointed with books many vendor presented. Not as good as we thought, I managed to get my son bought Indonesia Folklore story Timun Mas -later on he found it's quite funny- and spent only about 1 1/2 hours there.

Before we out, we stopped by on booth of  the biggest -I guess- book publisher in Indonesia which occupied almost entire front lobby, and get hooked by their offer for discount subscription of Indonesia version of Martha Stewart Living Magazine. Not so cheap holiday any longer :(

Orange-scented Sugar

This orange-scented sugar inspired from Donna Hay magazine, I proved myself this simple things make my cup of tea even fresher....

What you need is just peel off an orange skin, and mix them with your sugar and store on airtight jar or container.

Happy trying !

I heart sandwich

If you happen to own many cookie cutter,you could use it as sandwich cutter as well,creating mini shaped sandwich for your little one.

Playdoh cutter will do too.

Happy cutting!

Rama & Rama

It may sound strange for children of his generation, yet it's true that my son loves traditional puppet more than Star Wars or Ben 10.

Last project, he made this Wayang all by himself, drawing from scratch -he never interested in short cut which could come easily tracing the original wooden puppet onto paper- ;putting all dots and details, pretty good -or can I say great?- for 7 years old.




(Rama & Rama; from Ramayana story)


May I say that I'm so proud of him?

Very skinny fries

Ever wonder why it called 'french fries' ? As long as I see here,French are not skinny anymore.Sorry if I sound offensive,I never meant to, just a curiosity spark inside my mind while watching my daughter eating it for lunch.

Enlight me please...