8days old

After returning from a short trip to Singapore, Rique was visibly bigger.

He still can't see things and sleeps all day if not he cries a little for milk and has his pampers changed after.

He is the prince in the house.

A Very Special Day

After 3 attempts of induction, Emi did not get contraction so she had to opt for caesarian operation.




Daichan witnesses the operation. According to him, even though he's used to butchering cattles as a chef, it was quite a traumatic sight, seeing his dear wife being cut opened and placenta being ripped.
And... the baby was out!!
Rique Leon Takeya, Born on July 23, 2007, 07:21, 2565g....

Rique = Initially he was going to be named Riku but because it is too common in Japan, his name was changed to Rikki. The spelling Rique was already embroidered everywhere so they decided to keep the spelling. Instead of the name looking like French, it is now looking Spanish.
Oh well! Whatever!! This is just the start of all the hype from the Grand parents!

And I may sound like a typical aunty, but he is the cutest thing alive I've seen in my life.

Gotta salute the Indonesians for their boldness.

Family dinner

Had dinner at home with Matt, Dad, Mom, Emi and Daichan.

Mom had prepared fusion food (which is our normal) Western, Japanese and Manadonese fusion.

After some wine and whiskey, Dad turned on Irish folk music. Don't ask me why.

Sunday afternoon in Jakarta

Seems it's all about food and booze but well, that's what's Travel & Living all about isn't it?

After skinny dipping at newly renovated Kemang hotel, we noticed there's a Scottish Pub in the corner. Matt couldn't help it, we had to go for a pint. This is Matt and a very typical Scottish dude......

Joined by Emi, we went to Cafe Batavia for a brunch, the North end of Jakarta, passing throught the city central and Kota - China town of Jakarta.

This is a colonial building with Dutch influence everywhere, turned swanky restaurant that looks like it would be featured in the Lonely Planet Jakarta sites. Again, food wasn't fantastic but wonderful place to soak in the ambience of the old Jakarta formaly known as Batavia.

Girl Power with Yakiniku & Shabu-Shabu

Had dinner with my girlfriends, Emi and Matt at Manpuku restaurant and had loads of food & Shochu.

Matt was taken aback by the girls' appetite.

Daichan gave us complimentary Sushi, that's the power of the wife :)

Padang food

Went to Bintaro just outside of Jakarta, where I buy fabrics in bulk and where she-boys can peacefully dance and sing on streets in the daylight. The price of fabric is 1/5 of what I pay in shops in Jakarta city.

On the way, we stopped by for Padang cuisine lunch. This is a very common Indonesian food from Padang district. They serve as many plates (and food) as they can on the table and what you eat is what you pay. So yes, just enjoy what's in front of you and don't think too much.

Mom showing Matt how to eat with fingers. Matt getting good at it, had 3 servings of rice!

Jakarta night out

Went to Aphrodite, my old friend Fred's establishment and met Fumiko-san there. My simple mind thought of this place equals white guys' joint, thus Matt might find some comfort in.

I hadn't been there for almost 10 years but it was thriving than ever. It used to have a fine dining section, a bar and a club. But now it's a whole big sports bar.
Jakarta Kini magazine writes about them, "a loyal following of young professional expats and everything that traditionally follows in their wake. Pool tables, reasonable drinks prices, kick-ass happy hour and above standard food make Aphrodite a firm favourite." (you get the picture)

The good news is, Fred and Aphrodite actually do support few sport events including rugby, soccor and billiard.

Decided it was too sleazy for a 3rd drink, Mayu-san joined us and we went to Lara Djonggrang - an Imperial Indonesian Cuisine restaurant/bar/museum. Food was so so but great ambience. http://www.tuguhotels.com/laradjonggrang/index.html

Then went to UTA PARK, one of Daichan & Ooki-san's Karaoke for some vocal training.

Darmawangsa Hotel

It was Matt's first visit to Jakata!

And so staying at the beautiful Dharmawangsa Hotel featuring ethnic Javanese style, which happens to be just around the corner from Emi's house was undoubtfully the best choice!

Ofcourse, I want him to see the best. (at least on the first trip!)

Rani's Wedding

Our family had little or almost no involvement in Rani, my cousin's wedding preparation. But my parents took place of her parents, as her dad passed away few years ago and her mother and sister sought assylum to USA and couldn't come back. We didn't know what to expect and almost had no expectation but it turned out to be a simple, well arranged wedding ceremony, thanks to her Church friends who helped her. When she sobbed, I felt a pang in my heat as I thought how happy yet sad she must be feeling, without her family, all this time and on her wedding. I hope she finds love and happines with her new family.

Went to see the doctor to check Emi's pregnancy progress. Baby is too small (2,400g) but wants to come out 2 weeks earlier than expected. Emi waited for so long but now that it's coming out, she's sort of not ready... but ready but not but yeah but no....

Room in Jakarta

Things are falling into places like a well played tetris.

Out of the 3 rooms at my parent's guest house, 1 room has become vacant as Moriyama-san, the longest tenant left for Vientnam for good last week.

I was going to be a free loading daughter, but the odds are too much in everyone's favor that I have to be a respectable adult and pay my dues.

Rent comes up to about the same as my room in S'pore, except that I get daily housekeeping and laundry services! yay!!

But I will miss Matty :(