Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Hitting the Pool

A couple of weeks ago we headed out to Lippo Karwaci in West Jakarta for three days of fun in a nice hotel. Bella and Jake had a chance to show off their aquatic prowess!

Bella can now swim a good 20 feet all by herself.



Jake takes his first few steps into the pool...

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

The "Real" Concert

Today was the 'official' EC1 concert as yesterday was actually a dress rehersal. This morning over 250 parents packed the Pattimura Theater to watch the pre-schoolers, kindergartners and grade one kids put on a great show! Before the show we encouraged Bella to 'do her best,' 'sing real loud' and be sure to 'look out at the audience.'

Did we go too far.....?

You be the judge!

Monday, May 18, 2009

Bella's Spring Concert!

This morning was the annual "EC1 Concert" here at Pattimura. Check out our little superstar!



American Idol 2025? Absolutely!

Monday, April 27, 2009

Last Saturday was the annual "Family Fun Fair" here at JIS. This PTA run festival is always one of the most popular days of the year.... lots of fun! While Jake was home napping... Bella and Mark headed to the fair for a morning of fun, excitement and healthy eating.

One of our first stops... Bella trying her hand at 'throwing a hamburger into Spongebob's mouth'


Next stop: the JISINK Tattoo parlor


Bella smiles while getting her 'Mickey Mouse' tattoo


Bella shows off her new tat... only a matter of time before she comes home with a real one!


Next we headed to the 'build a soft toy' stand. Bella 'made' a little bear for Jake and a blue dolphin for herself!


Our morning wouldn't have been complete with out an all natural, healthy snack.


Before heading home we stopped by one of the 'mist tents' to cool off with a few of Bella's classmates


It was a great day... and Bella has already asked several times if 'we can go back to the Family Fun Fair next year!'

Sitting and Crawling!

Jake is now just over 7 months old and has started to crawl around and sit up by himself! He lives the good life of eat, sleep, play, have a bath and do it all over again... always with a big smile on his face.

Jake smiles for the camera as he shows he can sit up by himself.


Still learning to sit up... Jake takes a tumble!


No worries... big smile still intact!


And away he goes... in search of another meal.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

The Appendix Removal

Last week Mark had his appendix taken out! Below is a brief timeline of the excitement:

Sunday, March 15th:

4pm: Ignoring Icha's advice, Mark decides to stay at "Margo City" (a modern shopping mall about an hour from our house) for an extra 30 minutes. This pushes back dinner time resulting in Mark wofling down basically a 'bowl of meat' and some bread for dinner. This would later prove crucial in the original misdiagnosis.

10pm: Mark wakes up with a very 'acidy' stomach... thinking it was just the 'bowl of meat' going to work, Mark takes a bunch of Mylanta and goes back to bed. He sleeps on and off all night.... getting no more than 2 hours of shut eye as the pain gets worse.

Monday, March 16th:

6am: On the way to school Mark decides to take the day off. He quickly writes out his lesson plans in the car, calls in for a sub, drops Bella off at school and then heads to the "Global Assistance" clinic across the street from Pattimura.



7:45am: Mark meets with a doctor in the clinic. The doctor diagnosis Mark with "acute gastritis.' No doubt the 'bowl of meat' played a part in his thinking. Doc gives Mark an injection of Zantac and some top notch antacids and sends him on his way.

8:30-10:30am: Mark naps in the car while waiting for Bella... feeling better!

11:30am: After a light lunch of chicken noodle soup and bread Mark gets into bed to rest.... the pain worsens.

12:15pm: Pain gets A LOT worse... Mark wonders why the antacids aren't kicking in. Lunch returns.... not pretty.

2:30pm: Pain is really, really bad now.... feels like 'swallowing a pint of acid and then getting punched in the gut' - Mark calls doctor. Clinic stands by original diagnosis. Sends more meds via motor bike courier.

3:30pm: New meds arrive... Mark takes pill.... pill comes back up minutes later! Still confident however that it's just an acid attack... Mark tries to tough it out.

8pm: After putting Bella and Jake to sleep... Icha declares we are going to the hospital. Mark agrees.



8:30pm: Mark and Icha arrive at the emergency room of the nearby SOS clinic. IV administered. Several doctors come take a look.

10:00pm: Pain finally subsides.... blood is tested, stomach x-rayed... doctors consulted. Mark to spend night for observation.

Midnight: Ever the faithful and supportive wife, Icha finally goes home to be with the kids.

Tuesday, March 17th:

9am - 3rd ex-pat doctor visits Mark, declares: "Ok, we have decided it is best to send you to Singapore for a proper diagnosis and possible surgery if needed." -- calls are placed to insurance company.

8pm - after a day resting and visiting with more doctors, Icha, Bella, Jake, and Icha's mom... Mark leaves for the Jakarta airport via SOS ambulance.



10pm - Mark departs Jakarta via Garuda Indonesia flight.

Wednesday, March 18th:

12:30am - Mark arrives Gleneagles Hospital Singapore. Doctor reviews earlier blood tests, checks Mark's stomach and announces "It's an appendicitis, let's get you into surgery right away." Mark says "you mean right now?" Doctor says "Yes."



1:15am - Mark goes under the knife

2:45am - Mark awakens.... one appendix lighter - is wheeled back to his room, put into bed, given an IV full of goodies and is back to sleep

9:00am - Mark wakes up... calls Icha, talks with doctor, nurses etc. All is well. In private hospital room where he stays until Friday.... talking with family on the phone, reading and watching numerous crappy movies on HBO Asia. Ghost Rider was the pick of the lot!

Friday, March 20th:

2pm - Mark checks out of hospital.... heads to Borders on Orchard Road to buy gifts for Icha, Jake & Bella.

5:30pm - Mark departs Singapore via Singapore Airlines for Jakarta



8:30pm - Mark arrives home!

Thank you to everyone for all the well wishes during our little ordeal... your messages of support and love were most appreciated.

Saturday, March 7, 2009

The Movies

A few weeks ago Bella and Mark went to see "Madagascar 2" in a real movie theater! This was only Bella's second trip to the movies.... and she was very excited.

Bella loved the popcorn....


Bella settles into her chair just before the lights went down.


It was a good time... but Bella got a bit scared during the movie (too dark & loud) --- so we only lasted about an hour. Bella's favorite part of our excursion: playing video games in the arcade on the way out!