Let it snow...

We did not get to play around with snow the other day, since Christian was not able to go home before it's too dark. Like I said, inventory could take up his time a lot and indeed he spent the whole day staying in the company.
The snow that we got in the last two weeks was nothing compared to what we have it now. We had snow storm on Sunday, Dec 16 '2007. Early morning on that day around 7.40am, I looked out through my window, and this was what I saw. Christian's bike was almost invisible. I could only see some part of its saddle. You may compare it with the picture I put on my previous post.


And if you take a closer look to the right of the bike, this is all snow, and it is not the whole pile. Since I was not able to shot the whole pile, I took two pictures separately. The picture below was the top of the snow pile. The top is higher than our balcony fences.



Next time I will post more snowy pictures in this blog. For now, let's enjoy what I have around our apartment.

Let it snow..let it snow..let it snow...!!

Bright White Monday

We've been having snow since two weeks ago. However, the initial snow from two weeks before does not stay long. Last night we started to get some more snow, and it gets really serious at this moment. The snow is just like white cotton candy shredded from the sky.

Most of elementary schools in Quebec is closed due to snow storm that we may experience today. Christian is doing inventory job at work, so he has to go to work no matter what. He called from work, telling me how high the pile of snow is out there. He thought that I did not see anything since I did not go out. In fact, I saw the bright white snow piling up every where. From my window, I saw some kids playing around outside our apartment too. They threw snow into each other and then giggled...what a nice view.

We are planning to go out and play outside if Christian could go home a bit early today. Well, not so sure though...coz inventory normally takes a lot of his time. Finger crossed then!
I will tell you if it really happens...okay? For now, I just stop here and show you the picture of Christian's bike at our balcony. Enjoy!

Laugh of the day

picture courtesy of: http://www.kersteins.com/blogdepuree/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/bouche_toothbrush_02062006.jpg

I read this joke on conectique newsletter this morning and really put smile on my face...


Husband: When I get mad at you, you never fight back. How do you control your anger?
Wife: I clean the toilet...
Husband: How does that help?
Wife: I use your toothbrush.


A good way to start off my day...but I would never do it to my husband though...

Ex=annoying???

Picture courtesy of: http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/e/ex-boyfriends.asp

To be honest I do not really want to talk about what I am going to say in this writing, coz I do not sweat on small things. However, something really makes me giggling and I thought it would be good to be written.

My husband and I, both of us have our exes. And as normal human being, each of them behave differently. Most of my exes cut off our communication after I got married, and I also do not make a move to contact them or else they still communicate with me as friends, genuine friends-relationships. Some of them got married and we can talk freely about family matters, supporting each other for good.
Some of my husband's exes are still contacting him, mostly through friendster. They are married too, and they live far away from us. Oh well, I just want to mention two of his exes (coz they really make me giggling), two extremes...opposite to each other.

The first one, like I said before she's married, got a kid. She was from his high school time. She sends messages to my husband every now and then (even though my husband does not respond). She acts like I am never exist. She does not really want to know me, who I am, what's my name, etc. It's completely fine with me though. She is still day dreaming about what they did/went through when they were couple. My husband always shows me her message before making any decision about what he's going to do with it. Some of her comments were approved, and some were not because we think that they are inappropriate. I really do not have problem with her comments/messages, but my husband feels uncomfortable every time he received her message. And I know what he feels, I would feel the same way if I were him.

The second one, she's married, has a kid too. I said two extreme before coz the first one does not really want to know me or does not care, but the second one wants to be close friend with me.She knows that I am here with him, she tried to be nice to me from the very first time we knew each other, but she tried too hard and it was sickening sweet. As for me normal-nice would be just enough and if only that were what happened I would have been just fine with us being good friends. But since it was too much, I am not comfortable with it. Unfortunately, she took it hard.
One day my husband (at that time was my fiance) asked me to check his account, and I found her message wishing him a happy birthday. On behalf of him, I sent a reply message saying thank you for her wishes. At that moment I was so genuine, really appreciate what she did (in wishing my husband a happy one), I even did not take it hard of what she said in that message. Too bad, from that day on, she keeps assuming that I am always checking on my husband's account. At first I only smiled when my husband told me that she assumed that I read her message for him (yeah..my husband always tells me when he got a message from her). But after many times, it is quite annoying. Even if I were checking on my husband's account, so what? any problem with it? (Orang Indo bilang: "makan siomay di pesawat, so what gitu loh?" hehehehe..). My husband never complaints if I check his account, there are days that he's too busy and he will ask me to do it for him. And if I check his account, it does not mean that I want to control him and that I do not trust him or that I am curious of what he does behind my back...NO!! I 100% trust him. He is a good husband, he loves me so much, and above all...he is in God, this is the key that he won't betray me.

Once my husband wanted to withdraw his friendster account, because he wants to protect my heart, but I said that it is absolutely okay with me...I do not have a problem with it, and why bother of what his exes did and thus he has to lose contact with other good friends? So I encouraged him to keep his account.

I want to be a very understanding wife. Just think a positive way..they love him so much and it makes them not realizing what they did.

Hm..what else should I say as a closing?
Well, at the end of the day I can tell you folks..it is good to have exes, really makes your day..

Note: for all exes, I never hate you personally..it is not a war that I offer..nor a battle. It's only small-little things we might ponder before going to bed, what would you feel if you were on my position?
Have a good day and God bless you!!

Posted on Friendster by Lidia Ratnawati on January 24, 2007 at 09:13 PM

You are a masterpiece..

It was a new experience and definitely an amazing one for us as parents. We got to see the doctor and she let us heard our baby's heart beat and saw His beautiful creature. With the tiny hands and quite big heart for his/her body size. No doubt No more...I love you my baby...

And Christian said,"yes you are there love..papa loves you and loves mama..you both are precious gift from God".

I think this following song will be suitable of what I am feeling about my baby...(I cut it off in the middle for special purpose, and will post the rest of the lyric when the baby grown up)

Before you had a name or opened up your eyes
Or anyone could recognize your face.
You were being formed so delicate in size
Secluded in God's safe and hidden place.

With your little tiny hands and little tiny feet
And little eyes that shimmer like a pearl
He breathed in you a song and to make it all complete
He brought the masterpiece into the world.

You are a masterpiece
A new creation He has formed
And you're as soft and fresh as a snowy winter morn.
And I'm so glad that God has given you to me
Little Lamb of God, you are a masterpiece.
(song by: Sandy Patty)

Posted on Friendster by Lidia Ratnawati on October 15, 2006 at 06:46 AM

Mama knows you are there..

Friday, August 4' 2006 I took my home pregnancy test. It was a nice surprise for Christian, when the result came out positive. He smiled and from that day on we both have been praying for this little one inside my tummy. To be honest, we did not really expect the baby comes so fast, but we did not prevent that to happen either. I did not get my period after getting married, so it was like "bam"...we did it and the baby is on his/her way!!

For several days prior to it, Christian always teased me every time I mentioned that I felt lousy and I said I could be pregnant. He said, “No you're not...", but other times he said," Yes, you are". Even when I decided to buy a home pregnancy test, he acted plain. I remember when we got home Thursday nite, he said, “how if the result came out negative?". This question made me nervous when the next morning I sat in the bathroom holding that stick. As for me at that time, he seemed not supportive at all. Later on I realized that he was nervous too. He does not want me to be disappointed if the result is negative. That Friday was a joyful morning for both of us.

From that day on I have been watching over what I eat and trying to get enough sleep/rest and also taking maternal vitamins. I diligently browse over the internet everything about pregnancy, baby and expecting mother. I get Christian to see and read all the interesting pictures and articles on the internet. He gets so excited about the baby and tells the whole family and friends that he is soon becoming a father! He is also busy choosing name for baby boy and girl. He takes over some of major household jobs, including doing laundry, groceries shopping, cleaning up and sometimes cooking too (especially when I don't feel like cooking).
However, for me, I want to keep this pregnancy for myself, until I am sure that I am pregnant. Well I told this good news only for my sisters and closest friends. I waited until we saw the doctor on Sept 13 '2006. It was the earliest date I got from my appointment with the doctor in a clinic. To my surprise, unlike in Indonesia, in Canada the doctor will wait until you are sure that you are pregnant, or at least your pregnancy is about 8weeks. I remembered, when I called for an appointment the receptionist asked me whether I am really pregnant or not, and she suggested me to go to a pharmacy to get a pregnancy test. She also questioned me when was my last period, and when I answered she said, “Then you are pregnant" and there she set me for the appointment date.

The doctor was so nice, but at that first check up, I did not get any evaluation/test due to lack of facilities. The doctor only checked my blood pressure, my breathing and tried to listen to the baby's heart beat. However, the baby was only 10 weeks old, so we were not able to hear his/her heartbeat. The doctor said that normally she will listen to the heartbeat at 12 weeks, so it was a bit early. She referred me to a doctor in a hospital for next check up, considering there are lots of equipment in the hospital compare to the clinic. She also mentioned that the cost probably is cheaper in hospital. Oh yeah..in Quebec, pregnancy is under government cover, so you need to get a status to be able to be covered. Even though Christian has a family based private insurance from his company, I am not able to use it for visiting doctor because I am still under tourist visa. So as you know, we had to pay 105$/ visit, it is a lot considering I am not working now. Well, but we trust in Him, He gives us this little one, we are blessed, and we believe that we are provided!

As I promised to keep this pregnancy for myself until I got to see the doctor, I should have written something in this blog right after I saw the doctor. However, since I did not get to hear the baby’s heartbeat on that first check up and no ultrasound taken, I was still in doubt. Despite the fact that I do not have my period for these 3months, that my tummy is getting bigger, and that I feel nausea every now and then, deep in my heart I still could not believe that there is a little human being growing inside my tummy. I was worried if it’s not a baby, I was worried would he/she be okay? (Long time ago, I read an article in a magazine, a woman did not get her menstruation and her tummy got bigger and bigger, at first she thought that she was pregnant, but at the end doctor found out it was cancer, a severe one). Oh…I was terrified!!

Then these days came, when I got really really bad nausea. It struck me! We prayed that nite and I told my husband after praying that God wanted to tell me something. I spent my days worrying and with this bad nausea God wants me to see that the baby is really there and that he/she is okay. I rubbed my tummy and whispered, ”It’s okay baby…mama knows that you are there, I am sorry for worrying too much and for being doubtful. Mama should trust God, I am sorry for being hypocrite, while every night and morning mama prays for you, mama still holds on not let God takes good care of you, not believe that God forms you from the very first time. Mama learns that everything from God is beautiful, that including you…”

And I cried to God, please forgive me oh Lord…

Thank you Lord for this wonderful gift!

Posted on Friendster by Lidia Ratnawati on September 30, 2006 at 07:31 AM

Inspired by You

It has been a long time since I wanted to create a blog. My first blog on Friendster is a lil messy, coz I was a beginner and am still.
There are some people that really inspire me in this blogging thingie. They are very productive that I can not imagine how they manage to balance between family, career, themselves and still have time to write. And it is not just writing, they produce great quality of publications that people can read and take the good out of it.

Mentioning names, first I want to say that I envy one of my good friends - I Made Andi Arsana. He is a very productive writer, you can find a lot of his article on the Jakarta Post, popular yet scientific articles. He published his book. Recently, he received two prestigious scholarships for doing his PhD, while he is away from home and his beloved family, he also produced a brilliant idea to be in touch with his students by distance teaching using sophisticated technology...what a WOW...!! I am inspired by him, indeed!
I am also inspired by two Dewi...Dewi Joris and Dewi Setiawati. The first Dewi is my good friend from my youth years. She is a busy woman, a mom of two kids, a working mother, runs a home business, yet she manages to write two blogs. The second Dewi is my new acquaintance who has become my little sister. We have similarity, we love to cook. She is young, busy with her study, job and of course social life, yet she organizes a group on Facebook.
I am also amazed of what Ayu Husodo has done. She is a mother of two, working in a store, living temporary overseas to accompany her husband, owning an online business and is also able to maintain blogs.
I could not imagine how they are all juggling between work, life, family and personal thingies..yet again they produce very inspiring writing.
My husband also inspires me, while he spends most of his days working in a company, when he gets home he takes time to play with our daughter, even though I know he is tired. He also tries to read news online every day. I remembered one day when I asked, he said that he wants to keep up with the world's situation.
So then...the envy pushed me to start up my blog with the hope that people might get the good out of it. Thank you for inspiring!! All the credits go for you...

The Romantic Maritime

Our wedding was a blast. We enjoyed the time spent with families, especially because it has been a while Christian did not see his aunties and uncle. We even did not realize that we should had some time for ourselves as a newly wed. Until two weeks after the wedding that we decided to have this special time only for us. Christian took 2 weeks off, therefore we went for our honeymoon.
We chose the maritime - east part of Canada as our destination, considering that I had never been there before and that it was met our budget. So there we were...leaving Montreal early morning on July 16, 2006. We preferred land route since we would be able to see more of the sites by doing so. We spent 5 days in 3 provinces (New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia). I liked PEI with the Anne of Green Gables thingie at the most, since it brought the book I read long time ago became real. I think Christian liked Peggy's Cove with the romantic lighthouse and the calm waves or maybe the maritime museum where he had an opportunity to sit on the Titanic's VIP wooden seat. The magnetic hill and the reversal falls was amazing, the confederation bridge was spectacular, the citadel was unique. Well too many beautiful places to mention...

The highlight of that trip is the adjustment we'd made toward each other and the togetherness (we are physically and emotionally closer and closer... even more)..not to mention the lobster that we ate during those 5days...such a heaven!! And I suspect Bianca was formed and given to us during those trip...thank you Lord!

A New Stage in Our Lives

I would like to start this blog with an old posting from my Friendster blog. And all started here..when I say I do to him in front of His people...

I can't believe it's almost two weeks we have been entering a new stage in our lives..it is a married lives..and it is wonderful. Times to times God has proven His faithfulness..our relationship was a very long meaningful journey..this journey taught us to value this married lives at the best.

Once I was down, once I doubted..could he be the one from God? Many difficulties along the way before walking down the isle..our differences make it hard for us to adjust to each other...we have different habits...for example I earn money easily and am a big spender, buying things and things I do not really need..he is a hard worker and good in managing money..I love details and am a perfectionist, but he does not and is not...not to mention things liked family interference...lot of things kept me pondering, is it a bad sign? But these drew me closer to God..I want to trust Him..in my prayer I said,"oh God please..show me..please..if he is the one, we will make it..God.. but if he is not the one, please prepare my heart and his to accept it. Let Your will be done". The question got bigger and bigger as it approached our wedding day.
Encouragement came at the right time from the right person..a letter from my sister reminds me to keep trusting God and His wonderful plan in my life. Keep trusting Him that he is the one for me. She has seen many good things and miracles happened in our relationship and she is so sure that he will become a good husband, head of family and father as well. And you will be surprised if I am telling you now, my sister has never met him in person..how could she say such thing. But that was it...my sister accepts him as part of our family and gives him trust, even though she's never seen him face to face. I still have her letter with me and it feels so good that your family has no doubt in the decision you made, especially if you come from a family that is not so easy to let you date someone that come from different background (for you to know, I come from a Chinese family which known as a very strong-bound family and won't let their daughters to go out with guys who come from different background. And my husband comes from batakese family, which also known as a very strict family and want to keep their sons marrying girls from their own tribes). To our surprise, we do not face these difficulties relating with parents' approvals.

To make it short....we planned for a small simple wedding party..but it turned out to be a beautiful and bright party..(and noisy too..hehehe..)..one of his aunties said it was a perfect wedding (wowwwwww....I am so flattered). We are so grateful to have family and friends that really support and help us. I could not imagine how we can handle that party without their helps. The headache paid off!!

We learned alot during this moment:
1. Not only based on religious thingies, but practically and technically getting married is so exhausted that you will never want to do it again...once is enough! (imagine all the headache you have to face during the preparation, alot more with arguing among relatives and in laws). Arshinta..you were rite!

2. When everything is not perfect, it is a good opportunity for us to really seek God and depend on Him. So as a perfectionist I may say..thank you Lord for making it imperfect, otherwise I would have been so proud of myself.
3. Man should leave his parents to be with his wife and become one. But it is never easy to let your own son go, even if he married to an extremely good girl, the girl that you like so much..
so girls be prepared of your mother in law's jealousy...it could be very tough and may become your first nightmare..Do not hate her for doing it, just comprehend..it may be beyond your understanding, but put yourself in her position, I am sure you will understand.
4. Communication is the key..use the time before going to bed or after waking up to talk openly with your spouse. Solve the problems you have on that day, do not keep it until the sun sinks down.
5. Take your spouse hands in yours, and say prayer everyday (for us, we do it every morning and nite). Place God as the head of your marriage!

6. Once I said that I live to please everyone around me. I know now that at the end you can not please anyone..You have to draw the line, and be sure to not hurting others badly.

7. this is a lesson for me, once I was afraid to live inconveniently, it scared me to have limited access to money...but now I realize how good it is to be able to live at the least, how good it is to be able to differentiate what you want and what you need..

So...it's been wonderful folks!! I am happy...he is happy...everybody is happy...
Lord we give you thank, for You are faithful!! We walk with our hands in You oh Lord..We will trust in You and not be afraid, for we know You will be there..this is wonderful day that You have made!

And as a closing we want to share this beautiful song from our wedding ceremony..enjoy!!

As we come into Your presence Lord
Lifting our heart as one
And with one voice we sing
Promise to be faithful till the end
Forever love You our God

As for me and my house
We will serve You Lord
Together forever we will love You more
Your love is higher than the heaven
Knitted us as one
Great is Your unfailing love

Posted by Lidia Ratnawati on July 14, 2006 at 01:06 PM