Now that Christmas has passed and life resume to normal, our kids maybe still busy playing/enjoying their Christmas presents. But did you know that there are kids who are not as fortunate as ours? I’m talking about the orphanage children here in Indonesia.

I stumble on Give Jewelry and my heart melts, instantly.

BRACELETS WITH PURPOSE

Give Jewelry is a sustainable movement to provide food for children in orphanages throughout Indonesia. The vision is simple: every bracelet purchased directly benefits kids in need. So no matter what type of bracelet you choose: friendship bracelets, charm bracelet, leather bracelet, beaded bracelet, cuff bracelets  or any of their other bracelets, you’re really choosing to make a difference.

Knowing by purchasing one bracelet you can actually provide a one whole meal for a child is a tremendous feeling. You are giving them a better life. You can watch their full length documentary of the visit to Sumba and Bali Orphanage on YouTube.

Some of the areas that Give Jewelry are working on – the Indonesian orphanage – is located in the dry land of Sumba. This speaks volume to me as my late aunt who passed away from breast cancer last June was a pastor in Kupang. Her husband, a native son of Kupang and her has been doing a lot of humanitarian works in these small places to help the people. So now can you connect the dots why I feel this ‘calling’ to support Give Jewelry?

ONE PIECE –> ONE CHILD –> ONE WEEK OF FOOD

Give Jewelry is selling truly beautiful affordable handmade pieces. Do check out their products. These bracelets are helping children in Indonesia not only to feed them but also for medical treatments like you can see on this moving documentary. With every bracelet you purchase, Give Jewelry provides one week of nutritious food (that’s 21 meals!) for a child in need.

Below are some simple steps you can take to raise awareness of hunger, encourage activism and create lasting change.  With your help, we CAN end world hunger, one child at a time!

Would you like to get involve and support this cause that has become very near and dear to my heart? It’s so easy:

• Subscribe to the Give Jewelry blog
• “Like” Give Jewelry on Facebook
• Follow Give Jewelry on Twitter
• Subscribe to Give Jewelry YouTube channel

For Tatter Scoops readers, Give Jewelry is giving you guys’ special discounts! Woot woot! Easy as pie, if you decided that this is a cause worth supporting, please do buy a bracelet (or two or more!) and upon check out in the Comment Box please use this code: Tatterscoops to receive a FREE Survivor Purple Cancer Awareness Bracelet or Pink Breast Cancer Awareness bracelet as their thank you gift.

What are you waiting for? Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and their bracelets would make a perfect gift for your daughter, mother, girlfriend, etc.

If you do support this, please do let me know by leaving a comment below. Also please watch this 5 minutes video.

With my old camera that is…

Since I was alone for Christmas because my son was over at his Dad’s, I decided to go ahead with my friend to watch the Grand Prix Marching Band Indonesia 2011 held on Christmas Eve here in Jakarta. She coaxed me saying I could take some really cool pictures.

For the records, I knew nothing about marching band and never watch them exclusively.

We got to the big stadium and got front row seats where I quickly took some pictures. After lunch break we went back inside and it was packed! We had to kiss our seats goodbye and stand by the edge. Were difficult taking pictures so I went down, positioned myself right next to this guy who carried the big white lens. His big camera and lenses made me feel so small hah but what the heck, I was determined to take lots of pictures.

I was blown away by these marching bands performances. Before, I would think “Ah, so what they’re just bunch of kids playing musical instruments.” But what I didn’t know was, they are pretty much theatricals, there are storylines even characters brought to life with the music pieces they are playing. It was so much fun.

My two favorite marching bands were from BCK Duri their theme was Harry Potter. So brilliantly done and the music they played were out of this world.

Here’s an amateur video of their performance I found on YouTube.

The other favorite was from Pupuk Kaltim (Bontang PKT) – which by the way is already a household name for Marching Band in Indonesia. How on earth they made the sounds came out to be in perfect stereo is beyond me.

And here’s another YouTube video of their performance:

After the loud day at the stadium – I went to one of the newly opened mall where my family was then headed home.

It is our family tradition here that on Christmas Eve and New Year Eve to have my uncle + his family also my aunt and her family to come over just before midnight. With my mother being the eldest, they always gathered here. We would be praying before midnight followed by midnight meals. Yes, we would eat! Then my mom would call her mother who is in another town.

We stayed up late on Christmas Eve not to open presents but to pray and just be together. Granted, everyone was in mad dash to wake up the next day and get to church for our 10am service.

Before having the families over I decided to play around with my camera some more. Object of experiment? Bokeh lights. Using the Christmas tree and some props I came up with these shots. Of course me being the worst critique of myself, I wasn’t very satisfied with them but for a first try some actually came pretty good. What do you think?

So that is how I spent my Christmas Eve, falling back in love with my old camera. How did you spent yours?

It’s been 3 years…

Since I had a ‘proper’ Thanksgiving meals of turkey, green beans casserole topped off with delicious pecan pie and pumpkin pie.

Had to cancel my reservation at the American Club’s Thanksgiving Dinner tonight because of financial priorities.

My mother’s oven doesn’t have the power to cook a whole turkey.

There are many logistical reasons why we’re not celebrating Thanksgiving Day the way it’s being celebrated back in the States.

But deep in my heart I am thankful.

For this year hasn’t been nothing short but amazing in its own way. Looking back, it’s so easy to spot the things that I’m grateful for.

Here’s why my heart is swollen with so much gratitude – in no particular order:

• Seeing my boy thriving after he started school. It’s amazing to watch him grows intellectually day by day and blossoming into a soon-to-be 5 years old boy. His sudden interests in math – which by the way, could never come from his mother’s genes! The way he speaks Indonesian and English. My heart that is walking and breathing outside of my body is growing and I couldn’t be more thankful to have him. For the constant reminder he teaches me to slow down, to stop and laugh at the silly little things.
• To receive VIP treatments at The Holiday Inn in Bangkok for free after winning their photo contest, I would’ve never even imagined that my picture would land us there in Thailand. But it did! It wasn’t a dream. They are still using that shot around their hotel and on their Facebook page.

• For the health of my family, I can’t stop giving thanks to the Almighty for this one. Even when we lost two beloved members of our family, my faith were forever sealed that God is good all the time. My aunt may lost her battle to breast cancer but she lives on in our hearts forever and my Oma (Grandma) now rest in peace after a long amazing life. Even after the scare of my father’s health, God still answer our prayers and he’s now on the road to recovery.
• For my best friends who keeps me sane. These girls are my voices of reasons when I hit the slump. Their love gives me the strength when I thought I had none left. Yes, you girl! Those who can truly sees the real me without passing judgments, who let me vent yet give me some slaps of reality when necessary. Your friendship means the world to me. Thank you!

“Friends ask you why you’re crying. Best friends: already have a shovel ready to bury the loser that made you cry.” - unknown

• The wonderful people that I met at my current job, the ones that I will leave in just a few days. Friendships were made. The laughter we shared in that office. So many people who touched my life. I will keep the memories of working side by side with them close to my heart and keep the friendships made.
• All my bloggy/Facebook/Twitter friends…it’s amazing how social media works isn’t? I have ‘met’ some truly amazing amazing people here online from all corners of the world. If only I could squeeze everyone here – it would be one darn long list. So if you read this post, if we communicate through Facebook or Twitter then I am thankful for you! My blog has opened up connections with others that enrich my life, it builds not only connections but also friendships, albeit the distance. Two highlights of my 2011 so far also include how thankful I feel to be a part of World Moms Blog’s contributor and being featured on The Parent Du Jour.
• Despite the end of my marital ties with Mr. X, his families still plays important roles in my life. My wonderful ex-mother in law who calls me her daughter…I could’ve never asked for a better mother in law. So to use the letters ‘ex’ pained me. Love that woman like my own mother!

Whether you celebrate the holiday or not, it is important to remain thankful for all the blessings, big or small.

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving Day?

photo credit: gogoloopie

It’s another gorgeous day… She would be lying on a hammock sipping frozen margarita that she let sits quietly on a table nearby, while gentle wind caresses her face…the sky so blue and clear. Problems would be left miles away. Worries would be tucked in a double padlocked trunk.

A little boy would be playing happily building sand castle. The sun kissing his face beautifully, his curly hair shines and glistens in that dark chestnut brown color. Once in awhile he would call out to her “Mommy…look!” and proudly shows off his masterpiece of a sand castle. A faithful dog resting in under the shade, lazily enjoying life.

Her fingers would be dancing following strokes on the keyboards, molding beautiful words that move souls. It would grab people by their collar; tie them down to read the story until the very last dot. Take them places; paint them images so vividly they could touch it. Entice them with feelings, tears even.

Inside their little place, the walls would bear witness of their journeys…of places they have seen. Captured, frozen in times and framed by passions. Faces, familiar or not will tell their own stories through windows of their soul. In colors or monochrome…the chronicles are there.

Shelves will be covered with books. Glorious books and she would have all the time to savors the words, the feelings of real papers between her fingers, the smell of books could transport her to far far away land. The little boy would have his own mini library in his room as he shares the love of words as his mother thirst for them.

After the sun has rest, after she tucked the boy in, hugs and kisses abounds. She’d turn some music low…she’d curl up on her favorite chair, looking out the window she’d see blanket of stars and close her eyes. Gratitude, strong as waves washes over her soul transporting her to her peaceful inner self. A place where there is no more sorrow, no more pain. Thankful for all the blessings big, small, little, unexpected ones…even thankful for the long winding roads that leads her to where she is now. Then as she opened her eyes she realized that place is right there, no longer an imaginary spot hidden inside her heart where she used to withdraw and hide. She is finally home at last.

Clicking sound by the door made her turned her head around and she got up.

Their gaze met; locking in deeply…they stood there for a minute. Her smile drew; her eyes soften as he took her in, all of her into his embrace with just a stare, the twinkle in his eyes says more than words could express. Without a touch he has hold her tighter than anyone she could ever imagine. Her heart overflows with gratitude as she has indeed come so far…and then her smile widen.

She opened her eyes and she’s still in that bed that’s been theirs for nearly 2 years now, still in the room that belongs to her parents. Her curly hair boy still snuggled so close to her. She can smell him, she kissed him softly. For tomorrow she must wake up very early and start the day as she usually does.

A dream…

It’s just part of her dreamy rose-tinted-glasses imagination but she is living, she is healing, she is learning, she is finding her happy place and most importantly she is moving on…

That click by the door might come sooner or later or even never at all…She just had come to terms that with or without that guy life must goes on, right? What matters most is for her to heal first.

So yeah, living is what I’m gonna do and find my own true happiness – from within. One day she will make it…somehow…

Visiting Bangkok, Thailand means you must check out their temples! And here are the top 3 temples you have to see. We did not use a travel agent service. Holiday Inn Staffs were super nice and wrote down the names of the temples in Thai for us to show taxi driver. We booked the taxi to take us to three places for 500 baht which is not a bad deal.

1. The Grand Palace:

Built in 1782, this place is huge with 218,000 square meters. It is the royal residence of Thailand’s kings. It have government offices as well as the famous Temple of Emerald Buddha.

350 baht or around 11 USD you will get your entrance ticket. Mind you please don’t make the same mistake I did…wearing a dress. I totally didn’t think much about it until we get there and saw the sign that says shorts/mini skirt is not allowed. There is a place where you can rent out a sarong like cloth to cover up. I didn’t do that since the lady at the ticket counter gave me a “No problem” after she saw my dress.

The Palace is packed with tons of people. It is one of the most visited place of Bangkok so be careful with your belongings.

The intricate patterns and design of the whole place mesmerized me. They have a small cafe in there for you to get some cold drinks after walking around the huge area, a bit pricey but it is to be expected.

2. Temple of The Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho):

Covering an area of 80,000 square meters, this place is also pretty big. This place is much smaller than the Grand Palace. Ticket fee is 50 baht (1.6 USD)

The main attraction of this place is of course the Reclining Buddha statue. You must take off your shoes, to come inside. The huge Buddha is really something amazing. First time that came to my mind was how they built that thing? It is HUGE!

3. Temple of The Dawn (Wat Arun):

Located right next to the Chao Phraya River, this temple is just as majestic as the others, built somewhere in 1809. Temple of Dawn, is named after Aruna, the Indian God of Dawn.

One suggestion: you might want to bring a hat because it can get really really hot there. Also be careful when going up the stairs. Some sides have railings but some doesn’t. Heights never give me fears but I must admitted that going down the stairs made my knees a little wobbly.

From Wat Arun you can easily hop into one of the many river tour boats. Remember to haggle! We paid ours for 700 bahts (23 USD) for an hour of river tour.

For more pictures from Bangkok, feel free to check out my Flickr account.

Remember my excitement after I found out I had won second place of the Holiday Inn Stay Together Photo Contest last year?

Well…I’m finally going to use the winning voucher to stay at their hotel. Air tickets are paid, the two hotel rooms they provided are confirmed…we – and by we I mean my two brothers, Lil’ A and myself – will be flying there this Wednesday, March 30th, 2011.

The voucher is actually about to expired – next month! But since I just started a brand spanking new job right after I won, I had to postpone the trip to Bangkok until now.

Glad to know the boss had given me an a-okay to take my leave for this even telling me to enjoy it and take lots of pictures. Yahooo!

One of my brothers was a bit worry about the language barrier and getting lost since their written language is not in Latin. Had to shoot down his worry wart self with jokes. If I can survive China for 2 months then I’m sure we would all be doing just fine for 3 days there. Armed with a calculator…haggling shouldn’t be a problem. Map and address to the hotel will help to track our way back after exploring the city.

It’s been awhile since I last travel…last time was our short visit to Singapore so this much needed short break would be just what I needed.

Can’t wait to see all those grand temples, tasting real authentic Thai food, and do just a little bit of shopping therapy.

My next posts would be about Bangkok and our adventures there so stay tuned!

photo credit: Terry Waller

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