Jakarta Fashion Week 2010

I would never thought that we will be in Jakarta Fashion Week this soon! Yes, one day or some day maybe, but not in this short period of time. It started when one of the organizer from Cita Tenun Indonesia made a little visit to our shop and loved the design. So, she invited us, to join CTI and got a fashion show along with other 9 TOP designers. We were so busy with so many orders, and out genius designer was sick during these times. Well, it was the most wonderful times of the year! No, not Christmas, but Jakarta Fashion Week.

So, needless to say, we are so proud of what we have achieve so far. Standing with other 9 TOP designers... It was trully an amazing night. Thank you everybody for coming, and for your supports. It mean lots for all of us.

My Little Sanctuary

I really like teaching, I mean, I really enjoy being with these children, listening to their thoughts, discovering, experimenting things, and all. My 95% of my contracts are for these children, my students, each year, I have a different kind of children, and still, each morning, I woke up and I can't wait to start my day. The same, as each day, I can't wait to end my day, and listen to my Leia's stories about her day. I am a teacher, and I am glad that I am one. My little sanctuary.

No matter how hard I tried, it is my duty to make my work place as my little sanctuary. The place where all the creativities and discoveries began. Lately, my little sanctuary has its own drips. Maybe because of the storm, maybe because of someone poke on the roof. I started to wonder, if I could still cover and seal the leak. We will see then.

A Teacher's Story

A Teacher's Story

There is a story many years ago of an elementary teacher.
Her name was Mrs. Thompson.
And as she stood in front of her 5th grade
class on the very first day of school, she told
the children a lie. Like most teachers, she looked at her
students and said that she loved them all the same. But that
was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in
his seat, was a little boy named Teddy.

Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed
that he didn't play well with the other children, that his
clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath.
And Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where
Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his
papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting
a big "F" at the top of his papers.


At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught,
she was required to review each child's past records
and she put Teddy's off until last.
However, when she reviewed his file,
she was in for a surprise.


Teddy's first grade teacher wrote,
"Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh.
He does his work neatly and has good
manners...he is a joy to be around."

His second grade teacher wrote,
"Teddy is an excellent student,
well-liked by his classmates, but he is troubled
because his mother has a terminal illness and life
at home must be a struggle."


His third grade teacher wrote,
"His mother's death has been hard on him.
He tries to do his best but his father doesn't
show much interest and his home life will soon affect
him if some steps aren't taken."


Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote,
"Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school.
He doesn't have many friends and sometimes sleeps in class."


By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was
ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students
brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons
and bright paper, except for Teddy's.
His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy,
brown paper that he got from a grocery bag.
Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle
of the other presents. Some of the children started to
laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the
stones missing and a bottle that was one quarter full of perfume.
She stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed
how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some
of the perfume on her wrist.


Teddy stayed after school that day just long
enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you
smelled just like my Mom used to."
After the children left she cried for at least an hour.


On that very day, she quit teaching
reading, and writing, and arithmetic.
Instead, she began to teach children.

Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy.
As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive.
The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded.
By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest
children in the the class and, despite her lie that she would love
all the children same, Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets."


A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy,
telling her that she was still the best teacher he
ever had in his whole life.

Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy.
He then wrote that he had finished high school,
second in his class, and she was still the best teacher
he ever had in his whole life.


Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while
things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school,
had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college
with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was
still the best and favorite teacher he ever had in his whole life.

Then four more years passed and yet another letter came.
This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree,
he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she
was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now
his name was a little longer. The letter was signed,
Theodore F. Stollard, M.D.


The story doesn't end there.
You see, there was yet another letter that spring.
Teddy said he'd met this girl and was going to be married.
He explained that his father had died a couple
of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might
agree to sit in the place at the wedding that was usually
reserved for the mother of the groom.


Of course, Mrs. Thompson, did. And guess what?
She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing.
And she made sure she was wearing the perfume
that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last
Christmas together.


They hugged each other,
and Teddy whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear,
"Thank you, Mrs. Thompson, for believing in me.
Thank you so much for making me feel important
and showing me that I could make
a difference."

Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back.
She said, "Teddy, you have it all wrong.
You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference.
I didn't know how to teach until I met you."

Tayada for Hadiprana

Finally, we had a super spectacular fashion show!!!!

It startedas a me, being a compulsive batik buyer, then it became a dream of having batik shop with my one an d only friend, Yenny. The dream had slowly came true with the presence of our genius designer, Deddy, and it become real with TAYADA!

So, yesterday at the Mitra Hadiprana gallery, Forum Lounge, at 3pm, our other dream came true. 6 models with 30 beautiful and amazing batik clothes, walked down the aisle. They all looked stunning, and we had one great fashion show!!!!

I won't never forget the look of my dearly mother, when Ibu Puri Hadiprana introduced as, as a young, creative and hip people who have the love of the batik. I am so proud of our accomplishment! Thank you yenny, and bow down to you ded!!!!! The crowds were amazing, I just have to note this on my blog: Mrs. Pia Alisahbana, Mrs. Sukmawati Soekarno, Mrs. Agnes Budisurya, Mrs. Ghardini Katianda, Mrs. Ati Sinuko, Mrs. Tania Krishna, Mrs Alexandra Basteo, Mrs. Shinta Hartanus, Mr. Decky Rizaldi, Mr. Gregorius Pratomoadji, Mrs. Cynthia Tedjokusumo, Mrs. Helen (from Majalah Sekar), Ms. Leia Pratomoajdi, Ms. Emilie Hariraharjo. Thank you all for coming, it meant loads for us! Thank you!!!

A Stroll down on the Fashion Lane

It is a day before Tayada's fashion show, and we are all excited but not too mention nervous. Tomorrow will be the day that all of us are waiting for since we built Tayada.

Tayada however, has took off to a new and exciting journey. It has its character, and unique personality. We are very happy with it. For this, I just have to remember that Tayada is a celebration of friendship. Yenny and I have been friends for 20 years, and tomorrow will be celebrate it in the cat walk! Yaaaay!

KumKum! Museum Bank Mandiri

What is KumKum? KumKum is an event that organized to celebrate the earth day. I was so amazed on this program, since it was held here in Jakarta, and more amazingly in the old Museum. The museum itself, it is used to be a bank, the oldest bank in Indonesia. The museum itself was a bit dark, and got lots of old type writers, old counting machines, and statues of people that waiting in line, as if they were in the bank. Nothing much historical that I could tell Leia about.

Anyway, the idea of this event was to educate human on how to be friendly to the environment. Without any "Go green" or "Save the planet" slogan, on its flyer, explained how to eliminate polution and crowdedness of Jakarta, they encouraged us to use public transportation, bike or transJakarta (busway). They also encouraged us, to bring "Dry garbage" such as plastic bottles, news papers or paper goods, toys that we didn't use anymore, woman purse, books or shoes.

So, after a long discussion with my dearest friend Xandra, and thank God for her, since she was the one who introduced me to this, we decided to go by Trans Jakarta to the Museum.

Leia and I and the rest of Raden Saleh residence, gathered all kind of "Dry Garbage" and you won't have any idea on how many garbages that we gathered, good thing we went there by bus, since we could only bring that many, I mean, two hands and a child, how many garbage could I bring....you would think?

Then, we all gathered at my mom house which is the closest way to get there. There were 9 of us, 3 kids, and the rest adults. We waited for the Bus way to come, we got it, and really enjoyed the ride. The saddest part was that we got separated, since the bus was too full. We all joined forces together again in the "Stasiun Kota". Once we got there, I was so surprise on how cool is this station. It actually has an underground pass, to the other side. So, we did not have to cross the street to get into the Museum, but with the underground pass, we were safely got to the museum! Cool heh?!

This was not the first time, I went to this Museum. I once went there for the photo shoot of my friend magazine. With lots of people, surely the Museum aura was different. I saw lots of community doing their own demonstration.

The children however, really enjoyed the playground that it has down stair. It has 3 different kind of playground with sand in each area. The children have to take off their shoes, before the play. Since, all the food stall did not use any plastic utensil, plates or glass, I found this event was the cleanest event of all. So, the food stall used real plates, with real utensil and real glass. The other stall chose to use banana leaves, and reuse plates from bamboo. So, leia and friends learned on how important to be friendly to the environment. As they sorted the garbage they brought. We did not allow to bring a plastic water bottle, I mean the mineral water that comes in a plastic bottle, but we were welcome to bring our tumbler, or water bottle. They provided us with drinkable mineral water, that we could get with no cost. We had picnic on the clean grass for lunch and snack.

So, this was a cheap activity and a very educative activity that I've ever had in my life here as a mother, and teacher. The admission was free, we brought all foods for the children, we ate Nasi bakar for about Rp. 10,000 per person, and the bus cost about .35cent (Rp. 3,500).

The saddest part of this activity, was only those like me and Xandra that really enjoyed this. Others who has high expectation wont benefit with this kind of activities. I surely look forward to another activity like this! Two thumb up for KumKum community.

What if...

The "What if.." question sometimes gave me lots of headache. That is why, I stopped doing this stupid question. Recently, almost for a year now, I kept asking my self this "What if" question. Also, almost every month this question accured. What if I had another child. Lots and more and more people kept telling me, that Leia needs a friend, well, a friend to grow up with. She has lots of friends, friends that she will grow up with. And recently, we have been really close to the "Sapta" family, and almost everyday, I (OK my driver) pick up Ray and Leia together, dropped Ray in his house, Leia got lunch in there, they played for a bit, before Leia went home. She has a great friend and family to grow up with. And another question raise up, until when? Because if she had sibling, it would be forever? but would it be? I mean, yes, she will spend a great years, with a sibling, but as she grew up and had her own life, her sibling would do the same thing. They will end up living in the different country, and spend the rest of her life again, ALONE! well, she can chit chat like my sister and I do, but just for the rest of her life.

I have not spent my life together with my little sister for almost 18 years, apart from each other. It doesn't drive us apart though, we look up of each other.

Anyway, I can not imagine having two children, except for the one that already here, I mean if I have to take of Kirana, i won't mind at all, but to get pregnant and have to do the entire baby process thing, I don't think I would do it.

So, what if...do I want to? do I ready? I guess not huh?

A Cup of Tea

This was my assistant's idea to do some sensory activity and make an arts activity from the tea leaves. The children were happy to feel the tea leaves, smell the scent of it, and played with it for a while. Then we gave each of them the bear, (we are into the Brown bear, Brown bear, what do you see?), spread the glue into it, and sprinkled some tea leaves over it. The result: A very nice brown bear, and the children were practicing their sensory (touch different things, soft and rough at the same time) and the sense of smell. At the end, we put the tea leaves in the water, and watched the water turn brown. All my student are 18 mos to 2 years old.

Leia's Theory

This morning, Leia came down with high fever. She ate her Nasi Goreng with eggs for breakfast, drank her hot tea, and hug me. I felt that she was a bit warm. As the day went by, her fever was getting higher, so I decided to give her an ibuprofen. After a while, she told me that she felt better. She said, "I feel better mama, now I am ready for a swim!" I said, "I don't think so Leia, you just got down from a high fever!" And Leia said, "See mama, my body is/was sooo hot, but the water is so cold, and it will take a way the hotness in my body!" I thought, what a cool idea came from a 4 years old. And my dad was there and said, "She had pulled all knowledge and science that she knew and for a 4 years old, I said, she can swim!!!" I smiled, and thought, okay then, she needs to test on her theory, otherwise she won't know. I need to respect her theory as she respects mine (sometime she just believed what I said) So, I said, ,"Fine let's swim!"

We swam for about 15 minutes, yes, in the pool of icy water, we were in ciawi, but it was great! Leia was happy. After swimming, she took a bath, and fell asleep, as my mother rubbed her back.

She was still in high fever though after that, but she needed to know whether her own theory worked. And she said (laying in the bed, still with fever), "When I swam mama, I did not have fever right mama? The cold water took it!" I said, "Yes, Leia, but you can not spend forever in the pool right?" She smiled..."I had fun today mama!" I smiled..."Then, That's all matter to me..."

www.tayadabatik.com

I just have to remember today, I woke up, and before I made my cup of coffee, my laptop was on, and I saw, www.tayadabatik.com is up and running. I smiled, and thanked God, that I have such a wonderful husband who cares enough (yes, I begged, like I never begged before) to make such a wonderful website. So, Thank you, it was so sweet yet simple, it is from your heart to mine.

After A Box of Chocolates

"A Box of Chocolates" a book on parenting by Hanna Carol.

I just need to write this, just to remind myself about little things like:

We all leave marks in our children's soul.

There will be our fingerprints all over their lives.

It could be an encouraging words, appreciation or support,

There are precious fingerprints that they will keep and

cherish as long as they live.

In contrary,

Our words of condemnation, our harsh punishment,

our ignorance or maybe our absence, might be an

agonizing fingerprint that they wish to get rid of.

Those fingerprints will stay forever in

our children's lives. So, let us be wise about it.

Till We Meet Again

It was Monday, around 5.42 pm, I received a blackberry message saying:

"Grandpa in Semarang passed away around 2 minutes ago" from my mother in law.

My first reaction: Sad, I have to call Tommy.

Me to Tommy: Hey, where are you?

Tommy (with chirpy voice): At home of course? Where are you?

Me: On the way home, hey, have your mother called you?

Tommy: Nope, why?

Me: Hmmm....your grandpa passed away about 2 minutes ago.

Tommy: Whaaaaaaat?

Me: Yeap, better call your mom now!

Tommy: Okay!

I arrived at home around 15 minutes after that. I have received another message saying: "Leaving tonight for Semarang, Leia should stay in Raden Saleh!"

"You can go home after the third day prayer."

Three days, I thought, what should I say to Leia?

Me: Leia, eyang uyut passed away about 5 minutes ago.

Leia: Passed away? does it mean that he is not with us anymore?

Me: Yes, he is not with us anymore. I have to go to Semarang, and you will be staying with Oma and Opa in Raden Saleh.

Leia: Okay, will you be back tomorrow then?

Me: No, in three days.

Leia: What? three days? I thought eyang uyut is not with us anymore, why should you go there then?

Me: Hmmm.....(good point) we have to bury him, we have to show him some last respect, that is why, we will go there.

Leia: So, three days then?

Me: Three days then.

We left Jakarta, around 9.30 pm by train, and arrived in Semarang around 4.00 am.

It was all quite when we arrived at the house where he used to lived.

He was in the coffin, peacefully, looking good for one last time.

He was the grandfather of my husband. He was the glorious man of his time.

He was buried with Military ceremony, with the highest respect that one soldier could have.

So, good bye eyang Kakung, till we meet again. Rest in peace.

A New Year's Vacation

I started my new year, by having a vacation. I think it was a perfect fresh start for me.
I went to Bali with Leia, my mother and father and later on my husband. We stayed in a little cozy inn called, Jambu Inn, the place to stay each time we were there. It was nice, clean, and cozy home for us in Bali. It located in Sanur beach, in front of the famous fish restaurant called Mak beng.
Our vacation was relax, stress free but yet excited and fun.
We began our vacation, by visiting the most exciting and fascinated, Bali Marine and Safari Park. Not like any other Safari park that I've visited, this park offered even more than seeing a bunch of animals. First, we took a ride in a huge looked a like safari car, got in, and they took us to the main lobby of the park, called Barong lobby. In there, we can see lots of marine animals, and we can choose which activity we would like to do. We decided to go on the Safari, animals safari. Again, we lined up to get in the safari car. Once we got in, sat down, by surprise, we had a tour guide. She was a young lady, speaking fluently both in English and Indonesia. She threw lots of knowledge on these animals, I mean, she knew her stuff, whether she was just memorized them, or she truly knew all of them, bottom line, it was a very interactive and enchanting animal safari tour that I've ever had here in Indonesia. Highly recommended, but not for those looking for a jet setter vacation. Hahaha. It also has a little water park, which totally safe for young children, especially at Leia's age. Leia was crying, since we won't be able to play in there. Next time Leia, I promise.
Then, we had out to Ubut the next day, just for the love of Bebek Bengil, my dad's old love. Even though we have it here in Jakarta, it was nothing like the one in Bali. The dirty duck was so breath taking, delicious even more each time we had it. For dessert, coconut pie, with Bali coffee, there's nothing like that! I mean nothing! Life is too short for not having coconut pie in Bebek bengil.
Next, we drove about 3 hours away from the crowdedness of Bali. We went to a little village called Tulamben, which famous for snorkeling and diving. We stayed in the nice hotel, called "Mimpi" (Dream). It was so quiet, and peaceful. No signal for Indosat or forget about your BBM for once, because AXIS did not even exist in this village. It located right just below the Holy Mountain (Gunung Agung). It was so very nice, we had the nicest nasi campur bali in there!!! I mean the nicest!!!! Yummy!!!!!
Since we lived near the beach, we always started the morning by walking on the beach, and my mother would join the free yoga session that they offered right on the beach. We laid on the sun, canoeing, swimming, or eating! Nasi Bali Segare and Mak beng were just right in the walking distance. I went to Batu Jimbar to see lots of cheap ceramic, and strolled along in Seminyak, hunting for the nicest sandals. My love of nice and unique sandals. I stopped by the Lana and Lanne boutique, just off Seminyak and found the nicest sandals, okay, I saw one of my friend wore it, and fell in love on that spot! I had to have the sandals. So, I bought it! Yay!
That night, we went to Denpasar, to eat the famous cuisine from Singaraja, called Sio Bak. It was all pork, combine with nice sauce and you ate it with fresh chili padi. It was amazing!!!!
To top off the night, we went to the Bali Kopi House. For us, who still have a space in our heart to love coffee, this place was just like a little coffee museum, they have coffee machine from way back when! The grinder, the espresso machine, it was from all generation, from all materials that I have never seen before. It was exquisite, and very educated. They even have paintings in coffee! See, Bali offered you so much more than Ayana resort! At least for me!
No, I didn't go to spa, or one of those jet setter vacation, but what I had it's one of a kind!
I love Bali, and I shall be back soon!