Sony Alpha 6000

Just like what we wanted to have for our anniversary....Alhamdulillah^^

Happy 13th Anniversary.

Today we got our new camera!!!

SUPER Moon Over Our Apartment

Super Moon over our apartment tonight. I couldn't resist but noticing that it was nothing more than just like any other full moon. so,what's the fuzz about it?^^ 

But, I got to admit that it's brighter..or was it because I knew that the news kept reporting it as the'super moon' that I tended to see it shine brighter than it usually was? Not know it for sure.  

But..one thing for sure..it is a sight to behold. 

Being thankful for the this chilly, windy, freshly calm, and cool summer.

Yes, this year's summer is not hot compared to last year's--which is nice.

In fact, I felt like I was 'enjoying' the summer nights like we used to have back home in Jogja when the summer nights turned into cooler summer. 

back to Super Moon....It's still 11 August 2014 when I took this picture.

Happy Anniversary to our 12th marriage. 

Greetings from our apartment under the SUPER MOON. 

August 11, 2014: Lunch to Celebrate Our 12th Years of Marriage

We're planning to go to some place special..but since I was a bit tight up today...we only went to a nearby restaurant "Bapuri" where we had what the kids wanted to have: cheese rapukki. 치즈라뽂이. Yes..it's not something fancy or glamorous but...this was what the kids wanted for their lunch. And...Freya loved it. 

Yes...we've been together for about 12 years since 2002!!!^^ 

* THank YOu, Freya ..for taking the pic.

after having gimbab and cheese rapukki, we moved on into a nearby cafe and ordered mint-chocolate-ice flakes 초코민트빙수^^  and some bubble tea for the kids. 

Again..this was also nothing much compared to what we cherished. 

Alhamdulillah. 

Thank you, Mama for being with me all these years.

Thank you, Eyra and Freya for being such wonderful daughters.

I love you all. ^^ 사랑해요. 

Last minute Change of Plan for Dinner

Ms. Han Sang Mee, KOICA volunteer, who served her 2-year term at our university from 2007 -2009 just arrived in Jogjakarta for a 5-day visit. She told us that she misses Jogja...and that is her simple reason of coming back again.
Two days ago she surprised us by showing up unexpectedly at the office. Some of us just could not believe that she just dropped by like that without any hints of visiting... but hey..it was a great thing indeed that she is here now.
So, she told me that she kinda planned it lightly. Booked a flight from Seoul - KL - Jogja and flew right here.
As she did not bring any oleh-oleh from Seoul, she told me that she would take me out for dinner with the rest of my family and our gang:) Well, who wouldn't want that?
...One day passed by...
On second thought....it would be so weird of having to be together...but she is the one who invites us for dinner. Wait...!!! Wait...Wait....!!! something seems a bit odd and not right...
So....on the last minutes of being invited to Ms. Han's dinner....
I confirm the situation once again.....which is ....the simple fact that she is our guest at the moment. She is now visiting Jogjakarta to meet us.
....Without further ado, I decided to tell my colleagues that we would never let Ms. Han Sang Mee invite us and pay the meal for us. Nope.
...Instead...we should invite/ask Ms. Han for dinner.So, I invite her to come for dinner, as for us..it is breaking the fast together.
Coincidentally...today is my 9th anniversary of marriage. ....So..I have the more reason to invite some of my colleagues...
Since today is the only time she has time, and so is for us....(She has an appointment of meeting her students on Friday and on Saturday she is flying to Jakarta for vacation).
So...today we ended up having dinner a.k.a. breaking the fast together at Hartz Chicken.
Once again...this was also the last minute change of plan.
Everything went well and it was a great dinner and break the fast together.
Ms.Han Sang Mee unexpectedly also give us a pair of gifts that we love.
I just hope that she enjoys her stay in Jogjakarta and hopefully we could meet again in Seoul.

11 August 2002

9 years ago I still vividly remember the day I got married.
And...interestingly or should I say...incomprehensibly.....2 days before my wedding, I was still working at Kaltim Prima Coal in Sanggata, a small town in the remote jungle of East Kalimantan. I was at times amazed at the decision to go home just two days before my marriage. But, that was pretty much what happened.
Then, the question is...who did the whole stuffs for the wedding, then?
The answer is quite simple. My wife did.
Then..I found myself in the midst of awkwardness of not being there before the wedding.
But..that is pretty much how it is in the culture right here.
It was the bride's family who will take care of the whole thing.

...then....my turn to prepare for our second wedding party. This time..it was carried out at my parents' house. This time...it was the groom's family who prepared the whole stuffs.
so...that was pretty much how it worked and how it works and possibly how it will work.
now...today...9 years ago...I became a married man.
Now...I have two lovely daughters.

I still remembered how I found it hard to memorize the wedding's vow in front of the penghulu (religous or government official to perform and supervise marriage).
I think I stayed up late...very late...to prepare for this.
Then...I also got to find store at around midnight just to find a frame and a box for the wedding dowry.  :) hehe. I prepared them so late that I did not sleep early. A mixture of anxiety, nervousness, excitement, and  responsibility.                            

Sandwich for 2nd round of Fast Breaking

I had my fast-breaking meal already. Still, I was thinking of having something else to eat after coming from tarawih. Guess, I felt kinda wee bit hungry afterwards. So, just when I was about to ask my wife whether she had something in store for us (me and the kids), she asked us if we wud like to have some sandwiches. Without thinking...we just nodded.
Hopla...this is it. This is the sandwich she made for us.
Today, August 11 is our 9th anniversary. We got married on August 11, 2002.
So, the sandwich was a kind of starter (appetizer) for today's anniversary that we're planning to celebrate with friends. (of course, during buka puasa 'breaking the fast" time).
..since it was a bit late a nite, I do not think the pictures are clear enough. They are a bit blurry, I suppose. But...at least it shows the sandwiches my wife made for me.