18 May 2004, one morning 5 years later ...

... I was asleep when my mom took a photo of me ... five years ago I was still inside her tummy ...









... after I got up from bed, my dad gave me a good pedicure I almost fell sleep again ... what a life!












... while pedicured, I read my new book (on virus! ... how scary this thing is! Dad said one way to stay away from it is to always remember to wash your hand) ...



... a few minutes later my nannies Mbak Je and Mbak Mita surprised me with a cute cuddly soft toy Donald Duck, thank you mbak ...










... and then an aunty called to wish me a happy birthday, thank you aunty Fifi ... before that my grandpa and grandma had called too ...










... indeed, this is a good start of my happy day! Thanks everyone for all the best wishes. Cherioo!

18 May 2004, five years later ... always thankful

It's my happy day today. Five years ago at about four hours ago when this posting was written, my mother gave birth to me and she and my dad had named me Amaris Engracia Allegra, which means "the promised one (they always believed everything will be beautiful in its time) , the blessed one (yes, that's their prayer always for me, thanks mom), and the happy one (this I will always try and hope to always be)", months before I was born. I hope God will be kind enough to answer all my mom's and dad's prayer that I will grow to be the person they pray myself to be. They always told me we should all be thankful for what we have together, then, now and what's still in store for us, He always has a beautiful plan for all of us, and this we always believe ...

My second holiday trip

Last weekend, Dad took me and mom on a weekend trip to kawasan wisata Gunung Bunder/Gunung Salak Endah, off north Bogor, and stayed at Pondok Rasamala.

It was my second holiday trip. The first one was a two-day trip to Lido Lake, also in West Java, four years ago. Actually both trips were not really our family holiday trips, but we were joining my dad’s office outing programs.

Dad initially wanted us to go by bus, but mom preferred to drive a car so we can be more relaxed during the almost four hours drive. So, mom drove us to the location and back safely despite the challenging road condition. Fortunately, Mbak Mita (who joined us along with Mbak Jay) did not get nauseous thanks to Antimo.

Btw, mbak Mita has been staying with us since mbak Yu, my nanny, returned to her kampong for good almost two months ago.

The place is nice. I enjoyed my time at the playground. I’d really like to try the outbound games like the rope climbing, net crossing and trembling bridge but was too scared so I cried L Mom wasn’t happy to see my crying, neither was dad L L But they patiently helped me by holding me hands so I could walk across the webbed net and climbed on the plank. Mbak Jay and mbak Mita also played with me at the playground.

I made new friends there. There’s kak Putri, kak Dara, Rasyid, etc.

While we’re there, we went to a ranch (no horses though) owned by my dad’s boss. I had fun there, visiting the dogs’ quarter (love the friendly Siberian husky!), inspecting the mushroom plantation (I picked some but forgot to take them out of the car so they gone bad), playing with those cute goats, lounging by the pool, etc.

We also went to hot water spring next to the Ciparay river. We had to walk quite far down the steep pathway to reach the warm water pool. The water looks unclean. We're told the water was rather yellowish because of the sulfur. I was reluctant to plunge into the pool at first, but dad encouraged me and I took the plunge. It's very warm, and I enjoyed my first 'swimming' experience. I can't swim, so dad had to hold up my body so i won't drawn.

We had kambing guling party on the last night. I sat near the fire and bombarded the old man who manned the barbeque with lots of questions like “how come the goat did not make a sound”, “why did you put a stick across the goat’s body”, “was it a boy goat or girl goat”, “where’s the goat’s mommy”… The good man smiled answered my questions patiently :)

All and all we had fun. Mom had less fun though because she worried about so many things and she wanted to go back home sooner because she had many homework to do, she said. Oh mother, relax, don’t worry. Since you’ve been a terrific driver, daddy will gladly help you with your tons of works, right dad.. :)

Well, that’s last weekend. This weekend I spend the days at home with mom because dad’s gone on a ten-day working trip to Gummersbach :( Miss you dad.

A baby no more

It’s a lovely Saturday morning.

I’m finishing my brunch while mom’s busy typing something, checking her email and her newly found favorite thing: Facebook. Hhmmm maybe I should ask her to open a Facebook account for me, so I can have my own network of friends, too.

Oh btw, dad is not with us today, he’s out of town on a three-day workshop. Miss him.

Anyway. If you all notice, this is my first posting in 2009. The last one was in … can’t even remember. Blame mommy for that!

She said she’s always remembered to update my blog, but almost always forgot to actually create and upload any posting! Mommy!!!!!!! I guess asking her to open a Facebook account for me is NOT a good idea—she’ll definitely forget to update it too.

Sigh…

Even for this very first posting in 2009 she decided to just upload four pictures of me instead of writing some posts describing what happened to me and my world during all those days, months…

She argued that pictures speak more than words. Oh! She’s so good at finding excuses.

These four pictures, she said, show how I have grown from a little baby into a little girl.

Oh well…if you say so mom.

This one is a photo of me in November 2004. Mom said she was amazed that a tubby baby like me could actually perform such an acrobatic move. Thank you for the compliment, mom!!



Now, this one below was taken in September 2005. I was 16 months old. I was apparently on my regular morning walk, belum mandi of course.


This one was taken in November 2008.



The last one was taken in February 2009. I was helping mommy washing the car. I’m now 4 years and 9 months old. I’m in my second semester of TK A.


Come to think to it, I guess you’re quite right, mom. I'm no longer a baby. (Mom: "Now, would you mind stop acting like a little baby?”) Oh, mother!!!

Updates

Dear Amaris,

Sorry, honey, for abandoning your blog for so long. I've been busy, and lazy...

Many things have happened since my wrote the last post. Two most important changes: we moved from grandpa & grandma's house into our own house (it'll be yours in the future!) in BSD last December, and you started your kindergarten (TK A at Stella Maris BSD) in mid July.

You've grown taller, smarter and more beautiful (the last description was grandpa's comment!). You're now very talkative, asking lots of question. As always, you're energetic (often hyperactive...).

Apparently, you've successfully developed your debating, persuading and manipulating skills! You argue and reason a lot. You know what to do or say to persuade me and your dad to grant your wishes (not always though).

And, you pestering a lot!!! You often irritate me. As a result, you've been grounded several times!

Nevertheless, you've transformed into a beautiful, lovely and caring little girl. One thing hasn't changed: you still adore mommy's fat belly.......

Will write some more later (btw, i may not blog so often, but i still keep good record of us in my newly found FB).

Love you very very much!

Mom

Somehow irresponsible

Hellooo, anybody out there? Why are they so irresponsible my parents, leaving me all alone out here for sooo long! Can't you just write a line or two post a picture or two in this blog of mine, please?

Rubber turtle leads to neighborhood visit ban

Mom has slapped neighborhood visit ban on me. She did just that after learning (from dearest nanny Yuni) that I took home on Wednesday that cute little rubber turtle after my visit to baby Darren’s house.

You must know that I did not steal it or took it by force from Darren’s hands – that’s not nice, I know, dong! I also entered the house because I was invited by Darren’s Mom. I did what you told me, Mom: ‘never enter other people’s house unless you’re invited’.

I did ask Darren’s mom (oh well, ok, I did not say ‘please’) if I can bring the turtle back home. [Mom: A long face, teary eyes, and an ‘I want this’ statement do not constitute a proper request, Amaris]

Oh! Whatever, Mom.

Mbak Yu is my witness that Darren’s mom DID give me permission to play with it, and to bring it home, too. Darren also did not mind. [Mom: Well, Darren is a baby! He can’t argue with you, yet]

The turtle has now gone.

“Back to where it belongs”, Mom said.

Mbak Yu managed to take it from under my pillow while I was enjoying my nap and returned it to Darren. She said she did that that because Mom told her so, and because Darren’s Mom had asked her to return the turtle to their house ‘when Amaris forget about it’.

Forget about it? NO! Not that fast!

The first thing I looked for when I got up was that turtle! I cried and cried, but no one seemed to care. No one understands me! Well, thanks for ruining my afternoon and the rest of the evening…

I want my turtle back!!!!! That’s mine, mine, mine, miiiinnnneeee!!!!!!

Mommy……. I want a rubber turtle like that of Darren’s! NOW!