this mama life

This week feels forever.  Shorter day light longer night time.  It is official that summer is end and winter is creeping in.

 

I am back to the usual bump and grind.  Back to being solo parenting again.  Back to do every thing by myself.  Make all the decisions and responsible for almost every thing. And back to those anxious feelings at night time.  I am alone and there is no one to tag me out or give me a hug at the end of the day.  On the good days, when I was asked how I cope with this pattern of life I would say, invite some friends over for dinner or go for shopping, on the hard days, I just want to cry and scream!

camping with kids

This is part two of our school holiday-extravaganza!  Yes, after a trip to Bali, my darling husband decided to spend his two weeks off bonding with his lovely sons and gorgeous wife.  He opted for road trip to down south.  As much as I would love to stay under the five star hotel or resort I was presented with camping at the caravan park under the blue sky or dark actually at night time, with a star :)

 

After we had organized who was going to look after all our animals, got stock up on food etc, checked the engine and tires of our Ute, as early as 5.30 am we were all up and off we went! It took about 5 hours or more to Bremer Bay.  Stopped at Williams for fuel and yummy pies, then Kataning to let the snot-gobblers ran wild at the cool park!

bali with kids

The school holiday that just passed was pretty full on.  My boys and I went to Bali for couple days.  The main purpose of the visit was to attend my cousin wedding.  Mister Hubby was busy with work so unfortunately couldn't join the fun.

We flew with Jetstar as usual, thank God it was punctual.  We arrived in Bali past noon and went straight to the hotel.  This time I chose Seminyak area to stay, where all other families from Jakarta ( including my mother ) and Manado were staying too. The boys went straight to the pool and didn't come out until we almost left for dinner.

 

Over dinner I had been thinking what was I gonna do to keep the boys occupied during this 5 days.  For sure I couldn't drag them around Kuta Center every day or along the Seminyak road to check out the gorgeous shops.  I was very glad that I found this book! It packs with practical information and activities for kids from all aspects, i.e.; nature, art and culture, action,water sports plus the kids friendly restaurants as well.  Highly recommended!

the day mums get breakfast made & served

Well, I don't know about you but I had a good time yesterday. No, I didn't get breakfast made and served in bed ( first because they forgot, second I hate eating in my bed ) in fact I had to make them quick breakfast before we headed to a footy game.  

While making their breakfast and a quick sip of coffee for me, I asked them where's my Mother's Day kisses and cuddles? T1 gasped and ran out quickly and came back with a big parcel wrapped in blue polka dots paper.  While T2, as always a cuddle and kissy person gave me big hugs and a wet kiss :) I was presented with beautiful home made card that this year there were less spelling errors.  My T1 did himself painted and draw this cute fishy that I guess it resembles myself? I love it! It had been weeks that I wasn't allowed to enter/clean his room because he was making something special for Mother's Day.

i try

The last two weeks that had passed was pretty hectic but in a happy and fun way.  We spent a lot of our week-ends while Mr. Hubby was here doing some fun things at the beach, either it was body surfing, or just catching the waves and got dump at the beach with full sand under our bathers, crabbing, walking and beach hopping.  We did participated in Cleaning Up Australia, though not so many rubbish to collect ( is it a good sign?) around our river.  The kids were happy, the dog was happy too, everybody was in the good mood.

2012 in words and photos

I guess it's not too late to post this favorites pictures from the last year.  As you know I am not making any resolutions for the new year.  But I am hoping for just three little things :  good health, "something" for my mother that hopefully will be done by this year, and if the situation and condition are allowed a little work for myself out of my mama's job.

Here are the highlights of my 2012 in words:

Between March and April we spent five full weeks on big road trips.  We drove from Western Australia across to Tasmania. Our accommodation varied from B & B, a friend's house, a little cottage, a relative's house, a little shack near the beach and just with our two tents out in the bush. There's something about the joys of a road trip.  Hopping in and out of the car for new experiences, witnessing amazing scenery, and getting a chance to try lots of new food.  Most of the times was pretty good and smooth, but we also had some rough times.  Still we enjoyed our journey and I can't wait for another road trip!

In July I went back to my home town while my husband and the boys went back to his home town.  While I was enjoying a bit of retail therapy, pampering myself,  eating yummy good food and caught up with my friends, they encountered a little farm life style and father and son quality time.

Darwin was our next destination in August! It was also my brother-in-law's 50th birthday, so we had a big celebration at the very nice resort!   It was my second time to Darwin after more than ten years ago.  It was awesome time, we caught up with all our cousins and relatives who also came to wish my brother-in-law a happy 50th!

During school holidays in October, we paid a visit to Sydney where my husband has been working for couple months. I took the Boys to Taronga zoo, Luna park, museums, Sydney tower and did the sky walk during the afternoon while hubby was working.  I also met my cousin who I haven't seen for very long time, more than ten years!  Last time we took the boys to Sydney was when they were 5 years old.

Then came December, a month that just passed, we spent two weeks  altogether for Christmas and New Year in Jakarta and Jogjakarta.  This time I had managed to arrange a trip for us to Kota Tua or Old Batavia.  We had bike riding around the old Batavia, which was fun and very interesting.  Some of the buildings are ruined and I guess haunted.  The old café Batavia is still there and still amazed me! Going to Jogjakarta by train was a fun experience for my boys.  We had pretty good time exploring the culture of Jogjakarta, and of course the famous Borobudur and Prambanan temples are a must to do while in Jogjakarta!

I'd like to begin the new year with good spirit, regular exercise, clean eating, stay healthy and happy! :)

it's that time of the year!

Every time our family  has to go  back to Indonesia to see my mother or to spend Christmas together I always dread  the idea that we are going to JAKARTA.  I am happy to go home alone or just with my kids.  But not with hubby.  Why? Because Jakarta can be cruel to people  who can't tolerate the pollution and the traffic.  Jakarta is not friendly for people who love outdoor things, and honestly it is not that kind to children either. 

happy holidays!

Just a short post this time, as I am leaving for holiday tonight.  I am looking forward to spend Christmas with my mother and family and closest friends back in Jakarta.  But I am so not looking forward for boarding a flight at 2.30 AM with two kids in tow.  

Well, what can I say, budget airline? I am just hoping and really praying that the flight is on time and no delay, yes please Jetstar?

Perhaps, this will be my last post in 2012. So here to a happy holiday and Merry Christmas to all of you who celebrate it! Be good, sing carols, be merry and don't forget to give Santa milk and cookies :)

HoHoHo!

this mama

 

This mama here is feeling a bit uncertain and kind of lost. This mama here is in dilemma.

But this mama tries hard to be strong and face whatever it is going to happen.  This mama will do her best to do what is best for all of us.  It's not gonna be easy but this mama will find the way to cope.

Sometimes, this mama wish that she were a boy so she could make the rules as she goes. But she's just a mama so she should understand.

keep calm and eat chocolate that's what i do!

Mr. Hubby is traveling a lot these days.  He's been commuting interstate and only home on the week-ends.  I miss him.  The Boys miss him.  The dog misses him.  We miss him.

It's not the empty side in the bed or the empty chair at the dining table, but the realization at the end of the day that he's not going to walk through the door with his usual, "Daddy's home" .

I always nervous every time Mr. Hubby has to go away.  I have this acute paranoia that I can't sleep the whole night until early morning.  I will hear every noises and my imagination will go wild.  I know it's pathetic but I can't help.  I just have to live with it.  Usually on the forth days I will crash and sleep through the night.  And the next day the cycle will begin again.

Being a single parent when he's away it's not easy for me.  Boys after school activities is one thing, I have to drop one boy here then get to drive to another place for the other one.  Then the homework that I sometimes feel like it's my homework rather than the kid's! Not to mention the argument I have to sort out about who is going to have shower first or  the dog has been fed yet, forms from school that need to be signed, sport carnival to attend, and all the different dramas that can happen in my household.

When he's away I sometimes think about all the single parent out there and how lonely those nights can be when you don't have someone to bounce ideas off of or to make decision or to share the worries that had been in the back of your mind.  I also admire their strength, being a solo parent is tough.  I've got it easy compare to these women.

He often asks me, "so you don't think you can cope when I'm away?" and my answer is always the same, "well, I suppose I can, I have to, I have no choice".   I am okay but I don't like being a solo parent.  I need Mr. Hubby, I couldn't imagine doing this all without him.

xoxo