Once Upon an Engagement

It was a bright Sunday morning on December 20, 2009. For my dearest cousin, Kristy, was even brighter Sunday. That day was the day for once in her life, a man will come with his families, to formally propose my cousin to spend the rest of his life with her.
We of all people, are a Chinese descend, meaning, our great ancestor came from China. We adapted to this culture and westernize ourselves. What I am trying to say is, we have no idea what is the Chinese tradition are, which at this point, I am a bit embarrassed. I look like a Chinese girl, but yet, I don't speak the language nor even try to understand the culture. I am just one of many Indonesian - Chinese descends who proudly not to know about Chinese culture, not because we wanted that way, there was once, that all Chinese culture were bend in Indonesia.
So, it was a very interesting morning to learn and to observe how one culture could be so interesting.
When the Ronald's family arrived, we all rose up to see what was coming. They lined up and brought all sort of things, which I thought were amazing. They brought a kind of wooden container, that made from long time ago, and belong to his family ancestor. This containers had many sweets and cookies which were wrap in red paper and had Chinese character written on top. I assume the character means "Happiness" (maybe).
Then the ceremony began by introducing each family member started from the groom side. Then proceeded from the bride family. The groom's family that attended this ceremony were not as much as the size of the bride families. Well we have a big family, and we are so proud of each other.
Then, the groom stood before anyone else, asked a permission to marry the bride, in front of every body that he knew and just knew. His words were firm, and with confident. Making all women wished that their man was just like him, or reminded those woman, that the man they married was once just like the man who just proposed to his bride. We all covered with tears of joy, and happiness, not one eye, not cover with even a little tears. We were all happy, and proud especially the groom's mom who had raised the wonderful boy to be a wonderful man.
It was so special, especially for me, oh well, yes, I got formally, I mean formally proposed in a very Javanese ceremony, which was also interesting. So, this ceremony was so different than mine.
Me and my other cousins dug on the candies, which wrap with a Chinese couple on the cover, and different sweet I was guessing, had different meaning, so it was all again interesting!
It was a very interesting Sunday morning, when the rest of their life began, even though the wedding will be in 8 months, but the moment had just start.
Welcome to the family.
May you guys live, Happily, ever after.

Cangkir Coffee

I love coffee that is one thing for sure I know. A cup of coffee will brighten my day, no matter what, especially during a tiring time.
The thing is, I don't know much about my husband new hobby, until recently. He told me that he will open a new coffee shop with 2 of his friends. I thought, wow, wait a minute, I should think of that not him, I mean after all, I love coffee.
Yes, as self center girl, I thought the world just centered around me. I looked at him, and said, "That is good! you love to hang out in a coffee place, you should make it as a business!"
I was also so surprise when he announced that he would trained to be a Barista!
And again, I was stunned for a moment (Thank God it was only a moment) and I was able to came up with, "Wow...really? You will be learning how to make a coffee?" "That's wonderful"
I told him before, that if we want to own a business, we have to master the business, we can't just coma up with the concept, and have someone runs it for us, that is not a good business, we have to know how inside out, up and down, back and forth!
Then he came back to me with the statement, "We found the place, and it will be open in December!" and it was November when he announced this, and again, I was stunned. And I only said, "If you guys are sure about it, then go a head!"
My husband and I, we have a weird relationship, I mean, we are not like normal married couple, we like to do our own stuff, with support from each other, but we are not in each other business. It works the best for us, at least for me, he does not put his hand on my batik business, he supports me very much, enjoys wearing the batik, and so do I on his business, I just make a little suggestion, not order, but enjoys the coffee very much.
So, on Saturday, December 5Th, 2009, he and 3 other partners proudly opened the "Mini Coffer Bar" I have to say. It is "Mini" but cozy enough. They serve nice and chill coffee for the hip, the young and the wise.
A cup of Afogato for the wise soul.
Congratulation on the opening of Cangkir, Tommy,
I haven't say this enough, I am so proud of you!