Mission: Elephant (Kyra's Day Out)

Kyra loves elephant.. everytime we take her to the zoo, she is always 'glued' to the elephant area. We can walk around and see other animals, but she will always ask us to take her back to the elephants!

While her brothers are  having a play and study weekend at a friend's house, we decided to take Kyra on a day trip to the zoo. She was jumping up and down, when her father told her that she was going to visit the elephants..

Kyra woke up late this morning, so she had late breakfast. We left the house about 11 a.m. and we reached to zoo at about 11.30. The weather was warm, but thanks to the trees, it was nice inside the zoo. From the entrance, we went straight to the elephant area.

The first one we saw was the male (my personal guess was that he was the alpha). He was the biggest one we saw in the zoo and he had an area all to himself. He didn't mind the crowd, but he didn't really look for attention either. I tried to take shots of him and Kyra, when suddenly, he leaned to the wall that separated his compound from the next door compound. Not sure what he was doing, we were guessing he was looking for his family..

We moved on to the next elephant compound. There we saw two female elephants, one looked older than the other. These two certainly were looking (and enjoying) the attention from the visitors. We were not supposed to feed the animals, but some people tried to give peanuts to the elephants. One person even threw a mango.

I was worried the elephant would go excited and misplace his foot, which could result in the elephant falling from the high area of the compund. It turned out that the people coming with the guy who was giving peanuts, were thinking the same thing. They asked him to stop feeding the animals, and he did. I think the guy was happy enough because the elephant's trunk touched his palm when taking the peanuts he offered.

At that time, Kyra started walking away from the elephant compound. She wanted to have a ride on an elephant! She has been waiting for this chance for some time now. So, we started walking to the elephant ride area.

Before we reached the elephant ride, we went past the elephant nursery. I read about the baby elephant's birth on the internet, and I was so happy to see the baby with my own eyes! The baby elephant was so cute. It was walking fast around the nursery, while its mother was watching.

The baby elephant was thirsty and went to drink from the pond. The pond was surrounded by stones, probably for the safety of the baby elephant. The baby was safe from drowning, but it took a lot of his efforts to move his short legs around the stones. The baby was not about to give up though. It drank until it had enough, then it slowly walked back, over the stones..

Yep! The baby elephant and Kyra are as persistent as one another.. Children never cease to amaze me!

From the nursery, we went straight to the elephant ride area, which was only across the walkway. I bought the tickets for my husband and Kyra, and found a good spot to take pictures.

Kyra waited in line patiently (which amazes me, since the line up was quite long).

Once she reached the top of the stage thing, where she would hop on the elephant, I could see that she was eyeing all the elephants that were coming and going, trying to find an opportunity to touch the big animal. My husband kept asking her to stay away from the edge of the stage, worried that she might slip and fall. She followed her dad's direction, but, her eyes were still looking for any elephants walking towards her..

Finally, it was Kyra's turn to hop on the elephant.. YAY!

My husband asked her if she wanted to sit in front of the elephant handler (note: other riders, especially the kids, sit behind the handler. I didn't even think that people were allowed to sit in front of the handler). I was busy trying to take pictures, I didn't notice where Kyra and my husband were sitting, until later, when I was reviewing the pictures.. When my husband told me that Kyra wanted to sit in front, I didn't think that she was actually allowed to.. I was really surprised when I saw the pictures, it looked like she was rubbing the elephant's head and talking to it!

When the ride was over, Kyra hopped off the elephant, and gave a big pat on the animal's head. I think they have become friends now..

As we were walking away from the elephant ride, we saw one elephant was being taken out of the ride area, for drink and splash. While Kyra was lining up, I saw the other elephants doing the rides were taken out in turns for drink and splash. At that time I couldn't rush to take pictures because I was worried I would end up losing my spot, and couldn't take pictures of Kyra on the elephant. Now that Kyra's ride was over, I wouldn't want to miss the opportunity to see this rare occassion. I had my camera ready and started taking pictures..

I was enjoying taking pictures so much, that I didn't realise that the elephant was walking towards me and standing right in front of me! I wasn't using the zoom, because I was standing close to the elephant. Can you imagine how close this elephant got to me, if it shows up this big on my camera lens?

My husband was laughing at me, as I jumped back.. But the elephant was only as interested in me as I was in her.. It was an experience I would never forget..

Kyra waved at the elephant and asked us to move on. My husband suggested that we went to see the snake show. Luckily the show had just started, so we didn't have to wait long for the people to come in. At the end of the show we offered Kyra to have her picture taken with a giant snake, but she refused, "I like elephants. I don't like snakes, " she said.. I guess I have to accept that. Aza is the reptile lover, while Kyra is the big animals lover.. haha..

We started looking for the Children Zoo.. It turned out that it was on the other side of the zoo! We went in, and right away we could see little ponies were tied to the trees, ready for kids to take a ride on them.

At first Kyra didn't want to have a ride, but then, she started walking towards the ponies, saying that she wanted to pat them.. The handlers warned us that ponies are still horses, they have strong legs and they can kick!

I said to Kyra that to get near the ponies, she had to buy a ticket. She finally said yes. However, since it took some time for her to make that decision, two other kids had entered the pony ride before her. They took the ponies offered by the handler. Kyra didn't want the ponies taken by those kids. She had her eyes on the brown one.. the biggest pony there!

I thought that when one of the handlers brought the smallest pony to her, she would go for it, but NO! She actually said no to the handler, "I want the brown one!" So, the handler called out the other handler, the handler of the brown pony. The other guy was grinning, "She asks for the brown one! The big one!"

I told him that we just had an elephant ride, and she was riding in front of the elephant handler. The pony handler laughed, "That's good. It means she is a brave kid!"

Just like the elephant ride, I didn't realise that Kyra was holding the rein, not the stump on the saddle. The other kid who went on the pony was not allowed to do this. The handler kept reminding him to hold the stump and not to touch the rein. I guess, the pony handler was as brave and confident as she was.. ;-)

From the Children Zoo, we decided to have lunch before going home. On the way to the food area, we walked past the elephant nursery again, and we caught the sight of the baby elephant feeding.. it was a very beautiful sight..

After lunch, we finally went home. Kyra was already tired, and she had done everything she came to do. So, it was time to rest..

Until next time.. :-)

The Best in People at The Worst Time

This is the house from our neighbour's window

Fire.. one of the worst thing that could happen to anyone.. We never want it to happen, but things can happen, regardless we expect it or not.

This is what happened to my parents' home (the home I grew up in), last Friday, 22 February 2013.. It was caught on fire.. It was unexpected, and we were not prepared for it.. At the same time, we learn to be grateful of what we have and all the people that surround us..

It was around 9.00 a.m. when my mobile phone rang, and my youngest sister spoke very quickly when I picked it up, "Sis, Dad just called. He said that our house is on fire, and he is in panic. I don't know how bad and I cannot get through to Mum or Dad again. I'm going home right now."

I was still at home, my husband just left for work and I just started working on an knitting order. I left everything I was doing, changed my clothes and left. I sent a text message to my husband while getting ready. Dad called while I was opening the gate, telling me not to come, but how could I not come, knowing that my parents' house.. my childhood home.. is on fire, and my parents are there, and they need the whole family..

It took me about 90 minutes to get to my parents' house.. One and a half hours is pretty standard for travel time from our house to my parents' house, but under the circumstance, it felt like hours, and I had to keep my mind focus on the road and not thinking about the fire and the house.

When I finally arrived, the street was still busy with policemen and firemen and neighbours. I parked my car on the other end of the street and started walking towards the house. All I could see was the completely burnt and destroyed upstairs area. The rest of the house was behind the wall, so I could only hope that some parts of the house was still intact.

A family friend quickly showed me where my parents were. Mum was sad and quiet, so was my (middle) sister. My father was talking to the policemen and the firemen. I noticed that he had bruises on his arms and he looked shaken, but he was fine when he was talking to the policemen and the firemen. The family friend told me that everyone is alright. My parents were in one neighbour's house, and the rest (the domestic staff and my niece) were in another neighbour's house.

My youngest sister and my husband (who had arrived earlier than I did), were helping out in the house. Our neighbours were moving quickly putting out small fires inside the house before they could become a big flame again. One of my dad's sister-in-laws suggested to prepare lunch for everyone, while the other of my father's siblings were draining the flood. So, we left to arrange lunch. When we came back, the street was quieter, as it was Friday prayer time.

We entered the house and we saw the damaged downstairs and the burnt down upstairs. All the furniture downstairs have been moved to a neighbour's house, to avoid the fire to spread and to keep them from getting wet by the firetruck's water. Electricity has been cut off prior to the firemen spraying water to the fire.

This is the stairs from below

This is the stairs from above

My old room was completely gone, so was my middle sister's. Our rooms were the only ones upstairs. My parents' bedroom and my youngest sister's are downstairs and they are safe. The spare room downstairs is also fine. The dining room, pantry and living room were flooded, because the roof above them were destroyed and the water from the fire truck had gone in from there.

My old bedroom

My husband and my uncles went upstairs to check the condition. Some areas, especially where our books were, still smoking and hot, ready to burst out in flames again. So, they poured water on those areas. We could not do much other than that, since the whole upstairs have been surrounded by the yellow tape (police line), waiting for the forensic team to arrive.

Late in the afternoon, my dad, my niece's nanny -the person who saw the fire for the first time-, and one of my uncles, went to the police station to. My sister and I went upstairs to have a look. We took some pictures of things that we wanted to remember, especially our book collection. I found some brooches and traditional clothes that were not completely burnt. I took pictures of them too.

Some of our book collection

Our 'Harry Potter' Collection

 
While we were there, we could feel that the walls were still very warm. When I accidentally touched a piece of burnt wood with the side of my foot, I could feel that it was still hot, although not burning hot. There were also big pieces of wood with large nails stuck on, laying every where. We didn't stay long upstairs. We didn't want to be there when it was already dark.

The fire is really an unfortunate event for our family, but there we so much more that we learnt that day, apart from the lesson to be more careful with electricity and electrical appliances. There is still so much good in people, and we thank God for showing us that.

There was a non-stop flow of food for our family and everyone else who were helping us with the house that day. My parents also received many invitations to relocate temporarily, although they decided to stay in the house, since there was a lot to do and their bedroom was fine. All the neighbours who helped fighting the fire inside the house, and family and friends who acted quickly in the nick of time, giving us all the help and support that we needed.

We are grateful that we still have a house, because when my parents were watching the fire consume the upstairs area and they couldn't get through to the fire department, they thought that the whole house would go. When the firetrucks finally arrived and people were helping, we knew that there is always good lesson in every bad situation.

Finally, we would like to thank everyone.. family, friends, neighbours.. for all the help and support. No matter how small you might think your act was, it was a big thing for us, because you did it. Thank you.. Thank you.. Thank you..

This is Mr. Bari, the man who built the house and has been maintaining it for over 30 years. 

Wishing all of you a very nice day and see you in my next post..



-26 February 2013-

Kyra and Dad's Ipad

Dad: Do you see my ipad?
Mum: No.. Isn't it in your bag?
Dad: No. Aza was still using it before he left for school. Can you check in our bedroom?
Mum: (checking).. No. It's not there..
Dad: Under the pillow? In the cupboard?
Mum: Nowhere.. I've checked all the places Aza usually hides things.
Dad: Oh well, I have to go..
Mum: I just hope he didn't take it to school..
Dad: I'm sure he didn't. He took it to our bedroom, and he left it on Kyra's bed.
Mum: Strange.. it's not there..
Dad: Don't worry, it will turn up.. See you tonight..

Kyra: (running from her nanny).. I want to play in mum's room..
Mum: Hi, sweety.. Aren't you supposed to be having lunch?
Kyra: Noooooo.... (rolling on her bed, and pulling the sheet.. then giggling)..
Mum: What is it?
Kyra: (pulling the ipad from beneath the bedsheet).. Dad's ipad!
Mum: Where was it? Dad was looking for it this morning..
Kyra: (laughing and giggling).. Under the sheet..
Mum: Who put it there?
Kyra: I did! (giggling again)..

I was speechless.. Neither Ariq nor Aza ever hide anything under the bedsheet. Their choices would be in the cupboard, behind the couch seats or one of the drawers in our bedroom.. Only one of my kids like to put things under the bedsheet.. KYRA!!

But, did she really hide the ipad? Can a little kid really think of something like that? I decided to wait until Aza come home..

Aza: Hi, Mum.. I'm home!
Mum: Hi, Aza.. How's school?
Aza: Good! (then he spotted the ipad on the computer table).. Why didn't Dad take the ipad to work?
Mum: Where did you put it this morning?
Aza: I put it on Kyra's pillow on her bed. Dad knew. Why?
Mum: Dad and I were looking every where for it. He finally left without it.
Aza: How come? Where was it?
Mum: Kyra hid it under the bedsheet..
Aza: (looking at me with his mouth wide open).. Serious, Mum?
Mum: Yes...

Oh no.. my almost-three-year-old daughter can hide his dad's ipad.. I thought this wasn't going to happen this soon..

-31 Jan 2013-

Gunung Mas Spring (Mata Air Gunung Mas)

Last minute trips are usually the best ones! At least, for my family, they are.. :-D

My husband and I both love nature and open space to have a refreshing family time. However, we have slightly different ideas on the type of 'nice' camping for the family..

I grew up a girl guide, so, anyone can guess that I love sleeping in a tent, somewhere in the forest, up on the mountain..

While my husband, enjoyed a nice holiday, close enough to nature to enjoy it, and close enough to necessities, to ensure comfort..

Both of us believe that there are always a midway for us, the question is.. Where???

It happens that, one of my husband's good friends from high school married a guy who used to be a boy scout. They are pretty much the opposite of us. The husband loved outdoor activities -he even loves the things that I don't dare try, such as paragliding-. While the wife (my husband's friend from high school), is pretty much like my husband.. Well, friends are bound to be alike.. :-D

So far, we have gone on vacation trips together, and our kids get along well together, so, we try to get together every once in a while. The funny thing is, every time we try to make a well-planned trip, weeks ahead.. The trip just doesn't come true..

On the other hand, every time we made a plan in the spirit of the moment, about three days ahead of the planned departure.. just like that, the trip comes true! So far, we have gone to Anyer (a beach about four hours away from Jakarta), Ciwidey (strawberry plantation near Bandung, about 3 hours away from Jakarta), and several night outs around Jakarta..

To cut the story short..

On Thursday, my husband told me that we were going to the mountainside with his friend's family.

My husband only said that it was at the peak of the mountain. Not a well-known place, but our friends' kids always have a good time there. So, I was looking forward to it!

We left home a little bit after 7.00 in the morning, in the hope to beat the traffic. We rounded up at the rest area just outside the inner city toll road, before entering the outer city toll road. We bought snacks and other little things there, then we headed to the mountainside.

Yess.. Some fresh air.. Away from the city!!

The kids were full from big breakfast at home, and they were calm and happy in the car. Ariq kept asking "Can we open the window for cool breeze yet?"

My husband and I kept saying, "Not yet! It's still the toll road."

There were slow traffic at several places, but nothing significant. We arrived at the spring at around 10.30.

The surprise was, the place was very crowded! Apparently, a group of school students were using the place for their study tour. The spring staff told us that the group were checking out around noon, so, we could go for a walk around the tea plantation, or go to the higher ground for paragliding watching.

We chose to watch the paragliding practice.

The air was calm with no rough wind, so, people could have a nice time gliding. The gliders were going round and round in the air, higher and higher as the warm air took them up. Some of them went past each other, as if they were sailing in the ocean.. It was a very relaxing sight. I'm sure the people who were gliding were feeling very relaxed too..

The boys were excited too see the gliders take off and started flying, but more than that, they were just too happy to be in an open space.. Well, I was feeling very happy and free to be in an open space..

After watching a few gliders take off, suddenly, Kyra was watching the next glider with a very intense look in her eyes. I saw her nodding a few times, while saying to herself, "Bisa! (can do).. Bisa!"  Then, she started counting, "1.. 2.. 3.. Terbang (fly)."

We were grinning for a second, then we shouted and ran, as we realised what she was doing next. She was running towards the edge of the cliff, to imitate the glider!!

Our friend (the husband), saw Kyra running past him, and caught her. Following that, my husband who had caught up, picked Kyra up and swung her around above his head, "There.. you are flying..!"

Kyra was excited and laughing happily. Of course she didn't realise, that paragliding needs a parachute.. She thought that she could just jump off the cliff and fly around in midair..

The good thing was, we were not standing too close to the edge. At first, we backed away from the cliff, because the boys got carried away watching the gliders and a couple of times, they didn't realise that they were in the gliders' way during take off.

We just didn't think that it was Kyra, who would actually run to the cliff to 'practice' paragliding..

We had a good time watching the paragliding practice, and we also took some nice pictures around the area.. ;-)

At around 11.30, everyone started to feel hungry. There was a little snack shop nearby, selling instant noodle and drinks. So, we sat down there and had something to eat before the 'real' lunch. We were planning to have rice and fried fish for lunch at the spring.

The little snack shop had a low wall, so we were sitting on a bench, leaning on a wall/table, and watching the scenery at the same time.. It felt like having a picnic!

After snack, we headed back to the spring, right when the school students were checking out. Then, the spring was quiet.. A few families were still there, but much less busy than the morning.

We ordered lunch, and while waiting, Ariq, Aza and Kyra went swimming in the spring. While our friends's kids stayed at the cottage with their mum and me.

My husband called me to have a look at the kids, and I took several nice pictures of them..

I didn't prepare swimming equipment for the kids, as I didn't think that we would be staying the whole day.. My bad.. :-D .. I still brought a couple of change clothes for each of them though, so, problem is solved!

The water flow of the spring was quite hard. There were four pools, forming a row. The first and the last ones are the fish ponds. The ponds are so clear and the fishes are very big and beautiful. When I was looking at them, one of them looked back at me, and the others were swimming around, close to me..

The middle pools are the swimming pools, with a bridge separating the two pools. These ones are where people swim and play. Despite the fact that these two pools are positioned in the middle of two fish ponds, there is no fishy smell at all. The water flows heavily from the first fish pond, passing the two swimming pools, to the last pond, and out to the gutter, which was also very clean and clear.. It was just a beautiful sight, watching clean and clear water runs that fast..

When I went back to the cottage, our lunch was already there. Freshly cooked rice, fried fish, freshly picked vegetables and freshly ground traditional chilli sauce (sambal terasi). One bite of the fried fish, dipped in the chilli sauce, and I couldn't stop eating.. It had been too long since we had a traditional meal, in the mountainside.. It reminded me of Ciamis, my mother's village in the West Java..


Not long after, the kids came back. They had showers, changed into clean-dry clothes, and then lunch..

Along with the kids, my husband also came back from the spring. He was all wet, when he was not planning to go into the water!

It turned out that there was a little child (about Kyra's age), who wandered away from his parents, and went swimming by himself. The spring pool was quite deep for children that age, so the child was drowning.. and my husband jumped into the water to get him..

My husband completely forgot that he had his Blackberry in his jeans pocket and his Ipad in his sling bag. Fortunately, the sling bag was waterproof, so the Ipad was safe.. The Blackberry was a different story, though.. It was soaking wet!! He couldn't use it for the rest of the trip..

I'm just glad that Ariq is always ready to accompany Kyra.. including taking her around the spring pool on his float.. :-)

Anyway.. After lunch, the kids went to the paragliding landing area, to watch the gliders make their landing.

Our friend (the husband) was practicing grounding. He is in the paragliding club and he goes there, with his family, to practice every Sunday. When the other kids went back to the cottage, Ariq stayed with our friend until the end of practice.

When they came back, the kids played around the cottage, while the adults were packing up to go home. -well, the adults minus my husband-.. because he was turned into a carrousel pony by the kids.. :-D

Suddenly it started raining very hard, and Kyra quietly walked to the balcony.. As expected, she was quietly enjoying the rain..

Then, Aza said that he was hungry. So, we decided to let the kids have early dinner before we head home.

We left the spring at 5.30. It was really good that the kids had their dinner. Not long after we left the spring, Ariq and Aza were already fast asleep in the car. Kyra followed them to the dreamland about an hour after. Traffic was slow, and we arrived home at 08.45

We came home tired and sleepy, but still, it was another great outdoor weekend for us..

Can't wait for another one.. ;-)

All because of washing machines

Ariq: 2 spoons detergent, 1 cup softener, START

Almost forty years ago, two dedicated men were completing their university studies. They lived away from home, in a simple dorm house called 'Tontowi Jauhary'.

In the dorm house, they studied hard and learned many things from other people that enriched their lives. All the experience they gained throughout their stay have formed certain respect and affection towards the simple dorm house.

That respect and affection, led to the two men to make pact that they were going to add 'Jauhary' in their first sons' names. Jauhari is an Indonesian vocabulary taken from Arabic word, which means 'expert'.

Thirty six years ago, the first man, had his first son. He named his baby 'Achmad Tanjung Jauhari'.

Thirty years ago, the second man, had his first son. He named his baby 'Jauhary Arifin'.

Then, history brought us into this week..

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Rrriinnggg.. (The phone in the living room rang). I quickly ran to answer it. It was a man's voice.

I: Yes..

Man: May I speak with Mrs. Jauhari?

I: Speaking.. (My answer was a little hesitant. My husband's 'Jauhari' part of his name is rarely mentioned by other people. In Indonesia, first and middle names get used far more often than last name.. and last name is not always a surname.. Therefore, I am more often addressed as Mrs. Achmad or Ms. Hutapea (my birth surname).

Man: I'm from Samsung, Ma'am.

I: Alright. Is there anything I can help you with? (I was on alert. An employee of a communication company (competitor of the company my husband is working for) is calling my husband.

Man: I'm calling about your washing machine.

I: Washing machine? (Phew, at least it wasn't a tricky job offer situation. However, still...) My washing machine is not a Samsung product. Are you sure you are calling the right customer?

Man: I believe I am, Ma'am. You are Mrs. Sinta Jauhary, right?

I quickly burst into laughter..

I: Oh, No, I'm not. Would you hold please, I will quickly get her..

Then I ran fast to my sister-in-law's room to get her.

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Yes.. I am Mrs. Indri Jauhari .. and .. she is Mrs. Sinta Jauhary .. and we both live here ..

.. and ..

No.. The pact didn't involve any bethrotal arrangements .. The two only met after Father passed away..

.. so ..

Yes.. fairy tale still exists.. and I'm happy that it does..

Believe it or not.. Washing machines have made a pact not to let me rest..

Companies always want to make their products look and sound LUX.. but, too many LUX-es tend to confuse simple housewife (namely, ME)..

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Rrriinnggg.. (My mobile phone rang). I answered it and it was a man's voice.

I: Yes..

Man: I'm from Electrolux, Ma'am.

I: Oh, yes, you texted me that you couldn't come on Saturday. You said you were coming on Tuesday.

Man: Yes, Ma'am. I'm sorry I couldn't finish the repair sooner. It was raining really hard. (In Indonesia, service technicians ride motorbikes to customers, so heavy rains can definitely mess up their schedule.) Now I have found the part and I can finish the repair today.

I: Part? What part? I thought this is just the routine service?

Man: No, Ma'am. This is not a routine service. You called us last week to service your washing machine. Your husband 'OK-ed' the purchase request for the broken part.

I: My husband? When did you see my husband?

Man: On Tuesday, Ma'am. When I did the checking.

I: Hang on.. (I called for a washing machine service, but my husband was supervising the work? On a Tuesday? Very unlikely! Moreover, I was definitely home on Tuesday -when my husband was at work- waiting for the guy, and he didn't show up!) .. Are you sure you are calling the right customer?

Man: I'm sure I am, Ma'am. You are Mrs. Hutapea, in Cipete, right?

I: (Shaking my head and exhaling heavily) No, I'm not. You have been contacting me about my parents' broken washing machine. Well, I don't live with them anymore.

Man: Oh, OK.. But is it alright if I come today around 11 to finish the repair?

I: Yes, sure. You can come around 11. I'll tell them that you are coming..

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This one was really on me!

This is my fourth year living with Mother, and I still got the washing machines mixed up! Mum's washing machine is Electrolux .. Mother's is Luxindo! (Every year, Mother and I signed up for the quarterly routine service for the Luxindo machine).

I could've prevented this silliness, if I had realized the misunderstanding when the guy texted me on Tuesday.. 

.. and ..

You are allowed to laugh at me (roll on the floor if you want)..