Persiapan pindah

Rabu- 30January - Seperti udah di planning dengan moving company, mereka akan dateng untuk menge-pak barang2 kami. Semua carton box, foam plastic, dan semua tetek bengek untuk packing udah mereka bawa. Surprise, karena untuk semua barang2 kami, yg ngerjain cuman 3orang. Wah, agak skeptik mereka bisa ngerjain cepat. Tapi ternyata hanya butuh waktu 3hari untuk beresin barang kami yang ternyata gak bisa dibilang sedikit itu. Kalo aku musti ngerjain sendiri, hmm...mungkin 2bulan kali baru kelar.

Pertama mereka ngerjain bagian ruang tamu, untuk packing furniture yg akan kami bawa, lalu bagian dapur, seterus nya satu demi satu kamar satu persatu.

Sebenernya sih, aku gak perlu ngerjain apa2 karena SEMUA mereka ngerjain. Tapi kog ngrasa stress juga ya, padahal cuman ngliatin DOANG lho..haha. Bingung gak sih.

Jumat - 1February - Barang sudah selesai di packing kurang lebih pukul satu siang. Totalnya juga udah ketahuan 69 box. Ih, Ngeri deh. Sebenernya gak termasuk banyak sih. Karena tetangga yang sama-sama ditransfer juga jumlahnya lebih ngeri 78 box, dan semuanya yang BULKY- BULKY.

Pukul kurang lebih 3 sore, barang2 sudah siap diloading di kontainer. Dan akhirnya, dalam hitungan satu jam. Rumah kami jadi keliatan Lapaaannnnnnggggg.....sedih, ngliatnya. Bukan karena lapangnya, tapi sedih karena harus meninggalkan rumah yang bawa memori ini. Yes, there are times yang kadang kala sebel ama rumah ini mengingat banyaknya semut yang sering menyerang. Tapi sebelku suka ilang ngliat tamanku yang hijau dan tertata...am so proud of my garden.

Akhirnya one more thing we need to do. Barang2 udah dikirim, hanya satu lagi precious belonging that we need to hand over, which is our dog. Si Giovanno alias gio-gio udah ikut suamiku sejak berusia 8bulan. Dan sekarang usianya udah lebih dari 4tahun. Walaupun aku gak terlalu suka ama anjing, tapi Gio-gio has this irressitable eye that melt me down.

Ngliat dia jadi suka kasian..hehe. Mau gak mau jadi sayang juga.

Malam itu jam 10, ibu yuyuk datang ambil si gio2. Wah, kita sempetin poto untuk kenang2an.

Si Zoey, yang masih belum paham hanya menatap bingung melihat gio-gio diangkut naek mobil bu Yuyuk. Untung aja, gak sampai nangis. Gio-gio good luck, am sure you are in the good hand!

Good bye Balikpapan! So long......

Balikpapan, 28Jan08

Right now, my mind is wandering around. I feel excited and at the same time feel sad. Thinking flash back, October 1999 - the first time I stepped into this town. Small town, it was ..the town that was totally different from what I expected. It’s a clean town, with too many foreigners. For the first few months I stayed here, I just wanted to get out from this place. Now, after few years staying here…gosh, it’s just O So difficult to get my feet out from this place. Wherever I go, I eventually always come back here. When I left this town on 2003, I thought..that’s it! I would never return to this city, but guess what? I happened to marry with a guy who works here, so …no choice, came back to this town again.
It’s really a nice place to live, and a nice place to work. No traffic jam, not many pollution,…the only complaint I have is the high cost of living…
Other than that, nothing to complaint really. Not even the minim entertainment in the town. I am satisfied enuff to be able to drink my usual cup of tea in my regular depot kopi I always go. Sit there, and chat or sometimes only to read some books.

Then, there came the news… my hubby will be transferred to other location.
My feeling? Excited! Start thinking we’re gonna see something different, experience new things in other people’s country. But tonight, it came to my realize that I perhaps would not step to this place again…ow, it hurts my feeling little bit. I love this city, the city that has lots memory, lots sentimental value within.

My mind thinking of all the friends am gonna leave: Nia, en Silkair buddies, Asiong my goodfriend from the beginning I came to this place, Ujjayini my nice neighbor, Sania, all my neighbor in bpn…I, bpn church,. my doggie Gio-gio who is now given away to another dog lover, Ibu Yuyuk.

I dunno what’s in store for us, but I hope there will be something good lies ahead us.

For the sake of the memory, I put some of our home pix in bpn – definitely gonna miss it.

It's not really our house, it's a company rented house. How I wish it to be mine..hehe..

Here's my garden that I always proud of, thanks to Anto my gardener.

Zoe's birthday is HERE!

I was so thrilled to organize Zoe's birthday. It's her very first birthday, henceforth I want to make things memorable for her. She might not understand it for the time being. But, she will when she sees the pictures in the future. Here's I have put some pictures to show you the detail preparations I have done for Zoe's birthday.

1. Birthday Invitation Card

I browsed the internet, looking for an idea for the birthday card. Well, instead of buying a normal birthday invitation card. To make it more personal, I made it. I created the invitation card as if Zoe's were a cover girl, print it and laminate it. The card received an excellent respond.

2. The theme

No special theme, however I picked purple as an overall theme. From the decoration, invitation card, cake, birthday favor, the pinata, and of course Zoe's dress....all has purple factor.

3. Goodie bags

For I invited many kids in range ages, I set two different kinds of goodie bags. For babies, and for bigger kids.

For baby, a simple ratle, and a baby biscuit. For big kids, few kinds of sweets.Simple, but nice touch. Well, no birthday party without goodie bags! Kids just love to receive one, it doesnt matter what the inside really are. You can see from the picture how those kids so excited to receive the goodie bags

4. Pinata

Above picture: I was making a centre piece pinata Number 1..While making and once it's done.

I like the idea of having pinata. My first attempt to make my very own pinata. I picked up a bunny rabbit balloon, and turned it a mickey mouse pinata...Fill it in with lots of candies.

Apparently, the pinata I made so thick. The kids found it hard to break it. Until, my neighbor came to the rescue and brought a baseball stick. Only then, the pinata able to break....hehe, sorry kids!

5. Decorations


Balloon is always great for birthday. Not so much costly but did a marvelous touch for the ambience. I engaged a balloon decorator & picked up few color, white, few kinds of purple color and silver. They were made a great combination.

6. Ice breaker

Kids love games,..with the bigger kids included in the birthday guest list. I can't NOT have the birthday party without the games. With the help of my neighbor, again! I had a "Where's the tail?" game. Put the clifford dog picture on the wall, and the kids have to place the tail. Whoever got the closest to the tail, win away a present.
Another two games, I prepared was to blast the baloon with the their bottom and also to insert the pencil into the bottle. It's bunch of fun!
Another fun added was with the presence of "grandpa", a.k.a my dad who did the magic show. He really Wowwed the kids and guests. He could turn the tea in the bottle into white color. Played with cards, and bent the spoon, etc. Don't ask me how he did it, I had no clue. But, what I knew was he spent much effort for the grandchild's birthday party. Kids was so thrilled, and keep asking him, how he did the magic....FUN, FUN, FUN!!!
7. Zoe's Birthday Cake


Initially, I asked my neighbor to make me a birthday cake. Since I knew he's good..However, one night before, he said he had something on in the morning. Hence, unable to make a birthday cake. So, the next early morning, I made the cake my self. I think home-made cake is always the best. The look is not so much of a nice cake, but all the guest love the taste...EHm, EHm....am happy. For the wording, I wrote.. " Happy 1-derful b-day, Zoey" (read: Happy wonderful birthday Zoey), Hey, It's her 1st birthday rite?White color base and purple color touch up for the wording and the border...
8. Food

Not many foods I prepared, but just nice size and nice amount. - So-on (means: longevity)
- Siomay ( received, a huge hits)
- Chicken feet ( well, apparently only Indonesian and chinese eat these )
- Brocolli salad ( thanks to the cooking class I attended recently)
- Vegetable pie ( thanks to my mom's recipe,...and hands of course..hehe)
- Nuggets
- Creamy Prawns
- Lychee drinks
- Souffle
Kids' food ---> pizza, sausages, juices, ice cream
I think all the hardwork was paid off, kids seemed to have a wonderful time, they enjoyed every second of it. Everybody also happy. Finally after two weeks, I could sleep well.......:o)

Am Busyyyyy

I've been very extremely busy lately.. Don't trust me?
Let me explain it more detail.. Busy means, no time for me to order a gas for my bath-tub. No time to cook for family, and not even to play with my little kiddo.
Yes, that's my busy am talking about. And why?? Because...
1. My arisan day coming up this saturday...busy in ordering stuffs...and bought ingredients to cook...
2. My baby group coming up this monday ( which i heard today, it's postpone to another one week)...sigh....
3. Zoe's birthday party next saturday. Have already prepared two weeks in advance for the goodie bags, made the invitation letter, distribute it...and made my mom, critized..saying I was like having a wedding affair. Sending a birthday invitation card, way to fast....Hey, am busy remember?????
4. Just joining an association that put me into newsletter coordinator, and taking so much of my last one week wrapping the issue, made me glued the whole day to my compie....and thanks God, it's done today.. and ready to published today too.

Some of you maybe frowning reading this, and saying...i just exaggerate...maybe it sounds like i do. But, i never felt like this...for so long....I mean this busyness.. I am happy though, I overwhelmed, feeling like am useful..haha....yeah, honestly speaking. I sort of feel that way for quite sometimes. I wrote this, not because am complaining...I wrote this, because.. I AM HAPPY, that I AM BUSY!!!!!

Note: will post another blog on zoe's birthday party......just wait..

Brownies Cheesecake

Woww..that's the only word to describe this cake. This is beyond my expectation how this cake would turn out. For I made it little bit different from its original recipe due to the absence of some ingredients. I told myself, what the heck..if this cake din turn out good, let it be. I wanna bake as i wanna to, without being restricted by the recipes..hehe..I guess, I was little bit piss off of the last cheesecake that I made, came out unsatisfactory with the fact I followed the recipe precisely!

I had these cheesecream from philladelphia and yummy lying in my fridge, ready to be used..I bought the philly cheesecream, due it was on Sale 75% disc!!! and nope, it's yet to be expired!! Go Hero Go!!!!!

My review for the taste, Excellent!! It's scrumptious, it's divine, it's moist, it's dense, it's eyeful, it's cushy...wow, so many words to define the taste.

However, Don't believe me, til you taste it yourself!!!!

Brownies Cheesecake

100g Dark Cooking Chocolate

1/2cup butter/margarine

2cup sugar, divided

4eggs, divided (2for brownies, 2for cheesecake)

1/4cup of milk

2tsp of vanilla

1cup of flour

1/2tsp of salt

350gr of creamcheese

1/2cup of whipcream

30g maizena

1. Preheat oven 325F, Microwave chocolate and butter in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH for 2 minutes, or until the butter melt. Stir until chocolate is completely mixed. Add 1cup of sugar, well mixed.

2. Add 2eggs, one at a time. Mix on low speed, til all well blended. Add milk, and 1tsp of vanilla, mix well. Combine flour and salt. Gradually add to the chocolate mix, mixing after each addition until just blended. Spread evenly into greased and floured 22cm spring form pan. Bake 25min.

3. Beat cream cheese, remaining half sugar and remaining 1tsp. vanilla in large bowl with the electric mixer on medium speed until just blended. Add whip cream, mix well. Add remaining two eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed til all just blended. Add the maizena, mix well.

Pour over the brownies layer in the pan

4. Bake for 30-35mins, or til centre is almost set. Run knife or spatula around the rim of pan to loosen the cake. Cool before removing from pan. Refridgerate 4hours, cool 30mins in room temperature before serving.

Lemon sourcream cake

I guess the three weeks holiday made my drive and mood to bake and cook back to its path again. That is so true, when I was away and didn touch any of this baking and cooking utensils really made me long for them. I just wished to come home earlier, so I could cook, and bake some of my fave cakes..and when the holiday over, I already put all my heart and soul back. Told my self, "oh..yeah, today AM GONNA COOK!!!, How I miss it". Well, I may be not a top one chef, not even a master in creating glamour dessert...but, I could proudly say that my cakes rarely fail to please my husband tounge...eeerrrhhmm...i may be saying little lie here..Ok Ok, my baking failed sometimes...but, who cares?? I love baking! and today, am gonna make this LEMON SOURCREAM CAKE...been telling myself to make this longggg before holiday but never materialized..til today!!

The sour cream, made the texture is moist...yeah, that's why I love this cake and give two thumbs up of the taste..

I imagine eating this cake for an elegant afternoon tea break....that'd be perfect!

Lemon Sourcream Cake

source: cakes & muffins

1 1/4cup sugar

250g pot sourcream

3 eggs

2 tsp grated lemon rind

50g butter

11/2 cup flour

1 tsp baking powder

1tsp baking soda

icing sugar

1. Place sugar, sour cream, eggs and lemon rind in a mixer bowl. Melt butter and add to the bowl. Beat to combine. Sift flour, baking powder and baking soda into the bowl. Beat on low speed until ingredients are combined. Increase speed to medium and beat for 3 minutes.

2. Pour mixture into a baking paper-lined 20cm round cake tin. Bake at 180c for 35 to 45mins or until cake springs back when lightly touched.

3. Leave in tin for 5minutes before turning on to a cooling rack. when cold, dust with sifted icing sugar.

Zoey turned into 9months today! 4-07-07

Kalau bisa flash back 9 bulan lalu, ketika zoey terlahir dan the hectic schedule began. Aku selalu bertanya-tanya. Kapan ini anak besar? kog kayaknya kecil mulu. Lama banget gedenya. Tapi hari ini kulihat Zoey, dan aku ingat2 9 bulan lalu...aku berkata, wah...time has flown by so fast. Sekarang my baby sudah 9bulan, gak kerasa! (haha...how it oppose to what i said last time...funny!)

Selama 9bulan, Zoey has shown very healthy and rapid development. Kuintip catatan ku, kulihat oret-oretan tanggal yang memperlihatkan perkembangan Zoey yang "pertama kali", seperti pertama kali Zoey travelling naek pesawat untuk ngurus passport, 1.5bulan, pertawa kali ketawa ngakak..umur 2,5bulan..dan stop for quite sometimes...sekali itu kudengar...dan sebulan kemudian baru mulai ngakak lagi.

Tertulis disitu juga, Zoey membalikan badan sendiri..umur 5bulan...hmm.. not bad.

Lagi, Zoey belajar duduk, umur 6bulan.....

Lalu, Zoey belajar merangkak, umur 7bulan...tapi belum sempurna..

Zoey, akhirnya bisa duduk sendiri dari posisi terlentang...7,5bulan..

Merangkak dengan sempurna, 8bulan....Belajar berdiri sendiri, 8bulan 1minggu....

Tumbuh gigi pertama kali juga di 8bulan 1minggu...I remember, many progress in a week time.

8,5bulan, udah mulai keluar suaranya mmmmaammmaa..babbbaabbbaaa.....so cute sounds.

Dan, sekarang mulai merembet2 jalan sambil pegangan tangan...ah...pengen cepet2 liat dia bisa jalan...pasti lucu....arrrghh..time moves so fast, like a blink of eye!