Our Long Way to The Destination

As some of you may know, we used to live in Montreal, QC. It is a nice city, however fate brought us to our new home...Edmonton, AB.
On May 23 '2008 we left Montreal driving to Mississauga,ON and stayed with our parents for 4days. It was like a family farewell, since we might not be able to see each other for longer period of time due to the distance. (Read my culinary report on that farewell here)
On Tuesday, May 27 '2008 we started our long 5 days journey across 4 provinces. These are some pictures I took during those 5 days.

When driving across Ontario, mainly we saw lakes and beautiful scenery. Lake Superior definitely is super big. Summer was just begun so the weather was nice not that hot but breezy. We had bad experience with filling up gas near Wawa, ON where gas station is rarely found. We almost run out of gas, thankfully we found one at just a right time. After that, we always filled up our gas every time we saw a gas station, full tank!.. coz we did not want to take a risk if there would be no gas station ahead. We also had difficulty in finding hotel in that area. Normally we drove until around 8pm and checked in a hotel for resting and continued the journey early morning the next day. But there was once when Christian had to drive until 11pm to find a motel. Poor him...

Thursday May 29 '2008 we reached Winnipeg in the afternoon. We stayed at Nyoman and Paul's house for a night. Too bad we could not stay longer there, we just wanted to get to our destination the soonest, but it was a good reunion. I would like to make a special note about their daughter, Sarah...I was so impressed with her attitudes. She is a very good girl and I think Paul and Nyoman are successful parents. Winnipeg does not change much since I left it 8 years ago...a nice medium sized-city.

Then we continued our journey to the next province, Saskatchewan. It was the most boring time, coz what we saw was only flat farm land nothing else.

Bianca got so cozy trying to enjoy the trip by reading her book given by Nyoman with bunny as a company and of course her pacifier. I am glad she was so cooperative during our trip.
We spent a night in Saskatoon, it was my first time to visit this city. In my humble opinion, it is also a nice small city.

This picture was taken when we crossed Lloydminster, the border city. It means that we were almost there to our destination.

Finally on Saturday afternoon, May 31 '2008 we arrived at Edmonton, AB our destination. After that long journey, I can only thank God who gave us guidance and protection during the trip. Thank You Lord for Your unchanging love and mercy!

A Good Two Days Visit From A Very Good Friend

I supposed to post this writing long time ago, but due to my procrastinating behavior and bunch of my motherhood activities (a good excuse, right?) I only posted it today.
We were having dinner Tuesday, July 29, 2008 when the phone rang. Christian picked up the phone and instantly handed it to me. I almost could not recognize the voice. Yes, it was a call from my dear friend Peter, a good friend from my Australian uni. Suddenly I realized that I almost forgot oz's accent...it was so hard for me to understand his very thick accent on the phone...(sorry Pete...). So we agreed to meet up the next day.

We picked him up at the hotel on Wednesday at 6.30pm. We were late for 30min, Christian had to take another route around to avoid the traffic. From the hotel we went for dinner at a Malaysian Restaurant nearby, good foods they served (the above picture shows Bianca, Peter and me while we were waiting for the foods). After that we went to West Edmonton Mall, the biggest mall in North America, we were quite late to reach there, it was already 8pm something, so we did not spend enough time to wander around since the mall closed at 9pm. Peter said that he would go back to the mall the next day and he did all by himself (Good for him considering the distance from his hotel to the mall is quite something and he is new to this town...).

The next day, I invited him to come over to our place for dinner. Chris picked him up after work, since his hotel is on the way to get home. I cooked Chinese-indo food Fuyunghai, it is crab omelet with tomato sauce, and bought 3 kinds of Chinese meals (mushroom, tofu and spicy chicken), since I did not have enough time to prepare every thing. For dessert I made fruity pudding with homemade strawberry syrup. Chris bought a bottle of red wine and they both finished it up that evening. It was a very good time spending with him.

On the first day, Bianca was a bit cranky when Peter sat beside her in the car on the way to the mall. She cried a lot to my surprise, coz normally she is not like that, she is the most social little girl I've ever known. I needed to switch seat with Peter, I think she needed mommy to sit beside her. By the time I sit on the back with her, she stopped crying.
On the next day, she has known Peter better, so she spent some times sitting beside Peter while watching cartoon on TV. cute....

During the visit, Peter brought us some gifts from Australia. And here is what we got. The blue shoes were a gift from Pat, my best girlfriend in Sydney. The Vegemite is a typical spread in Australia which I'd never tasted before mainly because I did not dare to try it. I am glad Peter brought it for us, so that I have an opportunity to try it. The taste is not that bad though...but it is not my favorite. We also got a key chain which is not shown in the picture since Bianca did not let it go out of her hand. And of course Tim Tam is my forever favorite chocolate coated biscuit! Thank you Pete, thanks Pat!
It was definitely a good visit with him....

A Friendship Poem

Thank you Ary for sending me this beautiful yet meaningful poem....

We need friends for many reasons,
all throughout the season.
We need friends to comfort us
when we are sad,
and to have fun with us when we are glad.

We need friends to give us good advice,
We need someone we can count on,
and treat us nice.

We need friends to remember us

one we have passed
sharing memories that will always last.

Spread the poem of friendship to:
1. Charlotte
2. Pharma
3. Shinta
4. Judith
5. Tutut

Kreativ Blogger Award

It's been more than 3months I did not update this blog...mainly because I do not have enough time to keep up with 3 blogs which I should maintain...
So..big apology from me to all my beloved readers...


Two weeks ago, I got this award from my good friend, Febrie-Krucils' Mom...
Thank you for giving me this award...

It has been done according to the following rules:
1. The winner may put the logo on her blog.
2. Put a link to the person you got the award from.
3. Nominate 5 blogs.
4. Put links to the blogs.

5. Leave a message for your nominees

So now, I would like to nominate my friends:
- Widi
- Elyani
- Irma
- Ari
- Tutut

Happy blogging every one!

TAG...TAG...

Got this tag from Ayin in the middle of my hectic time moving away to another province...

This time around I am not gonna pass it along to others...

1. What do you want for your birthday?
~nothing in particular~

2. Who will be your next kiss?
~hubby and daughter~

3. When was the last time you went to the mall?
~yesterday to Kingsway mall looking for some stuff for Bianca~

4. Are you wearing socks right now?
~no, it's hot here now~

5. How did you spend your summer?
~picnic-ing with my friends and lil fam, travelling to cities nearby~

6. Have you been to the cinema in the last 5 days?
~Nope~

7. What was the last thing you had to drink?
~coconut juice with pulp~

8. What are you wearing right now?
~stretchy jeans skirt and top~

9. What was your last purchase?
~wet wipes, zippy cup~

10. What was the last food you ate?
~rice and green jackfruits gulai~

11. Who would be the person you would call if you were up in the middle of the night and couldn’t sleep?
~noone~

12. Have you bought any clothing items in the last week?
~nope~

13. Do you have a pet?
~nope, wish I would have had fish~

14. What made you laugh in the last 5 days?
~an unknown lady waved to my husband in downtown Saskatoon, she thought my husband was someone she knows~

15. If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?
~home in Indo or somewhere in Venice or beach in Sydney~

16. What is the last thing you purchased online?
~skype credit~

17. One thing you hate about yourself?
~procrastinating behavior~

18. Do you miss anyone?
~my nieces, nephew, my sis~

19. What are your plan and my friends for the day?
~having dinner together (I cooked) and fixing our car license plate~

20. Last person you msg’d?
~mom in law~

21. Ever went to a camp?
~yup, long time ago~

22. Are you a good student in school?
~guess so~

23. What do you know about the (your) future?
~it's in His hand~

24. Are you wearing any perfume or cologne?
~not now, but yup sometimes~

25. Where is/are your best friend/s right now?
~in Indo~

Today's Humor

Secret To Success

A young man asked an old rich guy how he made his money. The old guy said, "Well, son, it was 1932, the depths of the Great Depression. I was down to my last nickel. I invested that nickel in an apple. I spent the entire day polishing the apple and, at the end of the day, I sold the apple for 10 cents. The next morning, I invested those 10 cents in two apples. I spent the entire day polishing them and sold them at 5:00 p.m. for 20 cents. I continued this system for a month, by the end of which I'd accumulated a fortune of a $1.37. Then my wife's father died and left us 10 million dollars." from: conectique_newsletter@conectique.com Thursday May15'2008

A Gift from Norway

My virtual friend, Ayin sending me a gift all the way from Norway...as a token of unity...as one big Kunti family...
Thank you Ayin....

Lover's and Best Friend's Birthday

As I've mentioned on my other blog, April is month of birthdays in the Sianturi's. Today in fact is my father in law's birthday. April 2nd is my husband's birthday. April 5th is Bianca's. April 10th is my mother in law's. April 27th is Shinta's-Chris' sister's. And a lot more to come for Chris' cousins. So for me it is like the busiest month of the year beside December. Busy to greet them happy birthday, make phone calls, send birthday wishes, choose gifts and prepare party.

For my husband's birthday this year, at first I did not have any idea of what to give. I don't want to give something ordinary...clothing, including shoes , hats, belts, and other accessories to me are ordinary gifts. This time I wanted something special and...more, not in term of money..but more useful.
Lately, he's been begging to own GPS for our car and I kept postponing to say yes. So 3 days before his birthday, finally I said yes and let him order GPS from e-Bay. He found himself a very good deal on a brand new Navigon 7100, the one he 's been having his eyes laid on, and since it was available in Ontario, it will be easier for us to get it sent. I am so happy that at the end, we received the package exactly on his big day...so it was a perfect gift for him.


Later on that day, we went out for having dinner. It was so touching when he stated that he wanted to take me and Bianca to a restaurant which serve pasta-the food I like, as I know that he does not really like pastas. As for me, he needs not to do it, since it was his birthday, his special day...his preference should come first, why mine? However he insisted to go to that special place, and we did. I felt so touched, so loved...Thank you my lover and my best friend!


And on Sunday April 6th, after church service, we had a small party for Bianca and her dad. We did not tell all of the church members ahead of time that we would have party on that day. We just casually invited people to come down stair after the service for fellowshipping. I cooked the main dishes with the help of our good friend. Below are pictures of that small birthday celebration.


Once again, happy birthday my dear husband and daughter! Thank you Lord for days You have given to us..Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom...

Long-time Stored Homework

Got this homework 2 weeks ago and just got a chance to do it now..sorry Feb...



Heres the Rules :
* First copy and paste it.
* Do not remove any content.
* Just add One word related to your blogs.
* If you don’t like the concept Pls! say no?
* Our main goal is we are going to circulate our number of friends.
* The more people join the “pass it to the front” the more links we generate.
* Lastly write only one word “short” for your blogs…
* Keep it simple and short,i know some of you have more than one blogs.
* The color is only black, gray, or white plssss avoid using any color okies

Let me show you :1.-Filipina,2.-Stories,3.-Abroad,4.-Husband,5.Gagiers, 6. Life 7. Everything, 8. Offer, 9. Moments, 10. Journey, 11. Simple 12. ABaLe 13. Eucalyptus 14. Greiche (Gege) 15. Wilda 16. Truly 17. Debbie 18. Febrie 19. Lidia

Everyone do this kind of Linky Game recently. Why don't I pass this one to them too?!

Not for me this time...feel uncomfortable to bug people to do the homework...

More Snowy Places

As I've promised on the earlier post, here are some pictures of more snowy places...

The first two pictures were taken on early January 2008 after a snow storm in Montreal. The snow piling up on the road and pavement. Pedestrian needed to walk on the street together with cars and other vehicles since the pavement had not been cleared yet. For car owners it was not so nice way to exercise and build muscles.


Look at the white car covered by snow below...At that time, some cars got scratched by snow remover truck since they were not visible to the truck driver. It was not the driver's fault though..the car owner should move the car before the street was cleared out, but they did not do it.


The next four pictures were taken in Mississauga, ON during our Christmas holiday visit. It's at my in law's neighborhood.





It is spring time now in Montreal..however the weather is weird..two days ago we still had some flurries all day long. Fortunately it did not stay on the ground. We are expecting more warmer days and greenies to come...hopefully we are not going straightly to the next winter!

A Cold Windy Day in Quebec City

During Easter long weekend, Christian's parents came visiting us. They came over for spending some mutual times with Bianca, our daughter. They arrived on March 22, 2008 early in the morning. It was quite cold morning in Montreal.



Since they were in town, we wanted to entertain them and as they have been familiar with city of Montreal already, we decided this time we're gonna take them for a ride to Quebec City.
So we left on Saturday morning, we did not expect that Quebec City could get so cold on this time of year. When we got there, cold and strong wind welcome us. We could not bear the cold, thus we took a short walk to a cafe and stayed inside for sometimes. Apparently it was a wrong choice since the foods are so expensive there. None of us order food, except me..lucky me, pregnant woman..I got a privilege of ordering main menu, and I had fetucini alfredo, shared it with Bianca whilst every body else just got a cup of coffee.



After warming up, we took a walk again to take some pictures, but I could not stand for cold too long. We did it quick and the results are not that great. We went back to our car and headed back to Montreal. My father in law said that he wants to visit Quebec City again during summer. And yes...it's a great idea..Quebec City is a nice place to visit especially when it is a little warmer.
At the end...enjoy the not so great pictures!

Laugh Our Way

Simply Irresistible
After a party, as a couple was driving home, the woman asks her husband, "Honey, has anyone ever told you how handsome, sexy and irresistible to women you are?" The flattered husband said, "No, dear they haven't." Then the wife yells, "Then what the hell gave you THAT idea at the party tonight?"


from: conectique_newsletter@conectique.com
Wednesday April 2'2008

Tag From A Friend

Got this homework again from Febrie...

I'm Passionate about :
1. My little happy family
2. Cooking
3. Blogging and internet thingie
4. Singing and Music (I let my hubby playing the music..)
5. Fashion and shopping

Mostly I say :
1. Babe, Daddy, sayang...all of the dearest-soft voices call for my hubby and my lil princess
2. No... with my serious expression to warn Bianca
3. Mesti kok gitu...kalo lagi sebel sama sesuatu
4. Hello, thank you, please, bye...on the phone
5. Good morning sayang...pas Bianca bangun tidur
6. Ati-ati daddy...pas suami brgkt kerja

I've just finished reading :
1. Our daily bread
2. Today's Parent
3. A card from good friend

Before I die, I want to :
1. Pleasing God
2. Buy a house
3. See my kids grown up and have good education and life
4. Traveling around the world

I love listening to :
1. Lighthouse Family
2. Josh Groban, Charlotte Church, Andrea Bocelli
3. MLTR
4. Kahitna, Glenn Fredly
5. Jim Brickman
6. Praise and Worship
7. David Archuleta (the 2008 American Idol top ten finalist)
8. and many more...

What my friends like about me :
I am a good listener and never judge people easily, and generous...

Last year I've learned :
1. Not to take everything so serious
2. Not to trust anyone easily
3. Keep all of what I heard just for my ears
4. Not too sensitive
5. Indonesian living overseas is more into gossip than anything else..so be ware!
6. Not to get close to some people I noticed that have potential ruining my own life
7. That PhD is not everything and family should come first


Now I would like to throw the ball to Judith, Melanie and Tutut...love you gal!

You Have My Heart Award

Another award I've got from Deetha..
Thank you dearie...

Award From A Friend

Febrie gave me these two awards. And I have to convey it to my other friends. What a nice circle of friend we have!

And I am gladly giving it to Endah, Ayu, Judith, Melanie, Elyani and Deetha. You go girl friends!!

Humor of the Day

courtesy of: www.cartoonstock.com

The Nice Husband
Bernie was invited to his friend's home for dinner. Morris, the host, preceded every request to his wife by endearing terms, calling her Honey, My Love, Darling, Sweetheart, Pumpkin, etc. Bernie looked at Morris and remarked, "That is really nice, that after all these years you have been married, you keep calling your wife those pet names." Morris hung his head and whispered, "To tell the truth, I forgot her name three years ago!"

from: Conectique_newsletter

Simply I Love You..

It is Valentine's Day again, and it means we have spent 3 years together. I remember 3 years ago, we decided to become girlfriend and boyfriend...it was hard, since we lived far apart, but we managed to go through that rough and long road until we walked down the isle July 1, 2006.


As I mentioned on my previous post, I bought a card and a box of chocolate for my husband the day before February 14. Late at night while he was asleep, I wrote something on the card and hid the card and chocolate under our dining table. Early in the morning on the D-day, I woke up and prepared his lunch box and of course I did not forget to slip in the card and the chocolate. I pretended as it was a normal ritual helping him before going to work. I even asked him,"Do you want some chocolate for snacking babe?" (as he likes to bring chocolate coated biscuits to eat when he gets his morning break). He answered,"yes please". Before leaving he asked,"which chocolate you put in my box? celebration?" he mentioned a brand. And I full of hesitation nodded and smiled.


Around 10.20am the phone rang and it was him from work. He said,"Babe..thank you for the card and the chocolate..I love you wifey! Happy Valentine's Day". I could not respond anything but smiled. Then he asked me to put him on the speaker so that our daughter can hear him, and he said,"Daddy loves you Bianca..."

OK, to make it short, when he came home from work, he surprised me with red roses and kisses and simply whispering I love you to my ear. Then he took us to a Vietnamese restaurant as I craved for meatball soup-pho.


This year...again, I am just so thankful for what I have in my life. I thank my God for what He has given and done into my life. Thank you my beloved husband for wiling to share household jobs and take care of our little Bianca....that what partner really means. Please stay as nice as you have always been. I love you...

Rude, Ignorant or Selfish?

courtesy of http://www.cartoonstock.com/

I completely aware that today is Valentine's Day. However, since the day is not end yet, I won't share a story related to it. Instead, I wanna share something that really irritated me.

Yesterday, I went to see my chiropractor as usual for every Wednesday evening and Saturday morning. The treatment went well, the doctor was super nice. On the way home, I stopped by at a Chinese restaurant to buy some foods since I was not cooking yesterday. From the window, I saw that the place was empty, no customers at any scene, the light was a bit dim. First thought that came into my mind was it was close. Then I read the sign of the opening hours, 11am-10pm weekday..hmm..it was only 5.45pm. So with full courage I pulled the door and it was unlock which meant the restaurant was open. A gentlemen greeted me briefly, smiled and went inside. Another man came out, a skinny Chinese guy with yellow-colored hairs, no smile on his face. I said that I want to have a look at the menu book. When I was reading the menu book, his mobile rang and he answered the phone. It took a while, and when I was about ready to order, he was still on the phone. He took the order book and started to write my order and gave me a look of "what do you order?". He did not even bother to hang up the call. What the.....Okay...then I gave a sign "no no..I need to ask you something first". With a sigh he hang up and concentrated to my questions. I needed to ask about mixed vegetable, since the menu did not explain what it is. With peevish he said,"It is many kind of veggies put together". Then I asked again,"how do you prepare, stir frying or?" Quickly he said,"stir fry"...Okay...calm down man...so quickly I finished my order, paid the bill and before sitting down, I asked him if I could get a glass of warm water. I can easily get thirsty this time when I am pregnant, and because the weather outside was cold, I asked for warm water. He responded,"I don't have warm water", without even looked at me. Then I said,"ok then, plain tap water is fine" and he said,"just have a sit and I'll bring it to you".
As I placed my order, some customer arrived, two families. The skinny guy started busy serving them, while I was sitting around. I was waiting and waiting for the water, but he did not come to me. I saw he brought 3 glasses of cold water for the family on my left, without seeing me. And then he passed me by and prepared the table for the family on my right...again he did not look at me or I might be invisible at time. Normally at this time of situation when the service was not satisfying, I could blow up easily, but not at that time. I waited and waited, until he brought me my order. When he handed it to me I took a chance to say something to him...simply I was saying,"I'm waiting for my water but you never bring it to me". And he simply said,"I am just by myself here". What the...I can not understand...how can you be so rude and ignorant while you work at a place where people require good service and respect? oh please...do you have a right to ignore the customer for to-go and worship the customer for dine-in? what is so difficult to bring a glass of tap water? So I left the place shaking my head. Fortunately the cold air eased my irk.

I took the metro and tried to forget that rude skinny guy. I made another stop at a supermarket to buy a card and a box of chocolate for my husband and a carton of milk for me myself. Then I had to walk from the store to our apartment, app. 7minutes away. Piles of snow were on the side road as it was snowing early that day. The pavement was cleared out for pedestrian. I walked with 3 plastic bags on my hands, one on the left and 2 on my right hand. The cleared pavement was not that wide, it only permits like two people walking side by side. So with the bags, I had to twisted it when people passed by. About halfway home, I saw a car parked laterally on the pavement blocking the way for pedestrian with the lights all blinking. Imagine, both side of the pavement was full of snow piling up high about 70-80cm. I can not comprehend, how people can get so selfish and ignorant. Even though the light was blinking, it does not mean they have a right to do whatever they want to do without even thinking of others...how people can walk pass by? I tried to seek judgement from other people who happened to be on the same situation as I was. There was only one Spanish-looking guy who happened to walk behind me. When I shake my head and raised both of my hands, he did not seem to care of what's been happening. He was easily jumping over the snow piles and then walked on the street, yes I mean STREET where a car or other vehicles can run over you! But in my case, I am a woman, 7.5 week pregnant, and carrying 3 plastic bags not to mention my heavy overcoat...how can I jump over those piles of snow. I started to observe which pile was the lowest one and carefully dipped my boot on the snow. Eventually I managed to pass that 2.5meter space which was taken by the stupid car (well the car was not stupid though..the owner yes!). Another 3minutes remaining until I reached home. As soon as I opened my door while taking off my boots, I told every things that just happened to my husband and he was not able to understand either. How people can get so rude, ignorant and selfish? I wonder how...I wonder why...seems like I still can not get the answer...

My First Homework

After awhile, I found some virtual friends over blogging. They are nice and I feel close to them, even though they are..kind of invisible..hehehe. This is my very first time to get a homework from my incredible invisible friend - Febrie (after almost 2 years without homework).

Anger is only one letter short of danger
If someone betrays you once, it is his fault;
If he betrays you twice, it is your fault.
Great minds discuss ideas;
Average minds discuss events;
Small minds discuss people.
He, who loses money, loses much;
He, who loses a friend, loses much more;
He, who loses faith, loses all.
Beautiful young people are accidents of nature,
But beautiful old people are works of art.
Learn from the mistakes of others
You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself.
Friends, you and me…
You brought another friend…
And then there were 3…
We started our group…
Our circle of friends…
And like that circle…
There is no beginning or end…
Yesterday is history.
Tomorrow is mystery.
Today is a gift.
So now, let’s see how many circle’s of friends we can make
by simply adding your link on this Friendship Meme!

1. Catsy Carpe Diem.
2. Catsy Download
3. Out of the Blue
4. A Day to Savor and Relish
5. A Piece of Idea.
6. Write Shy
7. Stupid Wise
8. Online Memorylane
9. See Me For What You Will
10. Michelle’s Small World
11. Chez Francine
12. Cronaca.
13. Le bric à bric de Cherie
14. Life
15. Hanna
16. Angriani
17. Farah
18. Anoushka
19. Noushy Syah
20. Eagle
21. Dasir.
22. Shirei.
23. Abibakar
24. Novee
25. Kopi Susu
26. IndahOke
27. Mygreatesthappiness
28. A Devoted Wife
29. Add yourself here

END COPY HERE

Would like to pass this Friendship Meme link to BLOGGER :

1. Rosy
2. Dewi Joris
3. Ayin
4. Endah


"KEEP POSTING ... KEEP BLOGGING ... AND TAKE CARE .. !!!
Happy Valentine's Day!