Amazing Weeks

We have just finished a very successful Grandparents visit.....our very first visitors to our new world and we have all had an incredible time

His parents came from Brisbane and despite health issues, they were able to have a fantastic time and be a part of our life here in Jakarta.

They arrived on a FRIDAY night - now I've highlighted that because everyone who knows Jakarta knows that Friday night is THE worst night of traffic. The kids went straight from a swimming mini meet at school to the airport. Our staff were totally organised though - had roast chicken dinner prepared for the trip so that they would still get food at the right time (and have enough energy for football the next morning). After the olds got through the Visa, Immigration, Luggage and Customs treadmill, they were out at 7:30 and treated to the biggest hugs and kisses that the airport may have ever witnessed. It only took us 2 hours to get home in bumper to bumper traffic, but although it was midnight where they had come from, they were wide eyed and buzzed by the "fascinating" car trip home.

Sat morning they were superstars - leaving home at 7 for the first football match of the weekend. We were home by 10 and then stayed in for the rest of Saturday (see we are compassionate at times). On sunday morning we were out by 6 to take part in a 5km run and a 2.5km fun run (which we didn't make them participate in). After that we went and watch Bear's team in a crucial football match (which they thankfully won).

Took them to some big malls that afternoon (had to drop something off in town so took the opportunity). Plus - they wanted to go to our local computer/electric train store. The shopping bug was warming up.

Monday they recovered while we went to work/school. On Tuesday it was a public holiday, so we took them to Taman Mini. Very interesting, very nicely done, but a few too many steps for someone with artificial hips.

On Wednesday I took them to school to show them the wonders of a totally resourced school. Impressed would be an understatement. Plus, after showing the kids report cards, they know that our kids are making the absolute most of all of the opportunities they have been given ("excellent" attitudes in all areas). Physically huge school but small school friendly - we love it.

Wednesday afternoon we took Bear to the final of his football league. A 4-4 draw after being 2 down twice. Fantastic effort - really exciting game. The next day he went to his first ever school camp - very cute - especially as he insisted I stayed until I could give him a kiss while he was on the bus (guessing it was just in case he changed his mind about going). He was fired up to go.

On friday night we had J's 40th birthday party with lots of our Jakarta friends. It was lovely to have a party for J and he was very happy to have his Mum there with him. I was lucky to have been clever enough to alternate between champagne and mineral water. Tiredness only hit me when we were up at 6am to head to school for 2 games of football at 8am (and since I am the coach of one team that means I need to yell loudly - so the less my head hurts the better). After the games, we had a swimming carnival until 1 with C girl, followed by another football match at 2:30. They needed to win to come third in the league, unfortunately they were coming a draw until the last 5 minutes, when the other team got 2 more goals. They were temporarily crushed.

That night we went to a quiz night at our favorite expat club. We always have a great night there as it is very friendly, plus we got the pleasure of taking the Olds and a couple who have been our friends for years but have never been there. We came third - not bad out of 12 teams (and missed first spot by only 3 points (we got 137). On Sunday we did not leave the house, the first treat was a massage, which the Olds don't remember ever having in the last 30 years and then the kids made an upmarket resturant in the dining room and served us homemade pizza for lunch (made the previous day by our cook). Does life get any better than this??

Mon we let the olds recover while we were at work/school, they explored the neighbourhood and took photos of the many interesting things within walking distance of home. On Tuesday I took J's Mum to have a pampering morning/lunch (A special fundraising event for the expat club we are in). She had her first manicure in 20 years and had a face massage and pedicure (with champagne and strawberries of course). She met another expat Mum (Grandma) at lunch and they then planned a Museum tour the next day. Making friends in this environment is easy.

On Tuesday night I went to another 40th birthday party - girls only. It was themed "naughty uniforms" and everyone came in something short or skimpy. I went as a footballer as I had that uniform already (thanks to C girl). Plus - very not girly, which suits me. After initial drinks at her house, they had "metro Mini's" as the "luxury transport" - which are very dodgy, no airconditioning, dirty, buses, with doors that don't shut - but hilarious as only 1 person on the 2 buses had ever been on one before. After starting at her house, we went onto 4 places (although I only survived 2). All very fun and although it sounds dreadfully silly, it was actually a really clever idea as expat women in this country spend very little time feeling good about themselves (as the ladies here seem so much more exotic than us). Was planning on leaving at 9, but let's just say - I failed big time.....but the kids did not miss their bus in the morning.

On Wed the olds went to the National Museum and then factory outlet shopping (I had taken them the previous week and they wanted to go back again for some more bargains) - the bug had well and truly hit them. Gucci shoes, Burberry shirts, the list goes on and on....

On Thu we took the two little ones (C girl had a project to finish) and went to Taman Safari. Again - we have never been. What a fantastic surprise it turned out to be. You drive around in your car, feeding zebras, lamas and deer. The buffulo, monkeys, lions and tigers are also wandering on and off the road (different areas, but we didn't open our windows in these areas), plus there are elephants, giraffe, hippos, pumas, bears, rhinos etc - all in the most beautiful rainforest on the side of a mountain. It was breathtaking (I will put up photos when I have the chance). I wouldn't go on the weekend (when it's bumper to bumper) - but mid week - I will be taking all of our visitors there from now on (because the drought is broken and they are all going to be visiting now - right?). Munch sat on my knee, Bear sat between his Grandparents, feeding the animals with carrots. Our driver looked liked he had never had more fun in his life.

On friday we had a quite day, they only left the house to look at lights and they bought a beautiful red / clear star light as a gift for us in memory of their visit.

On Sat we had only 1 football match in the morning at 8, followed by a 2 hour football clinic with PJ ?. An Australian professional footballer who works for ESPN in Singapore. The kids and I spent 2 hours with him, I don't think I've laughed that hard on a football pitch before (it was fun - I wasn't laughing from sarcasm). Really great clinic. Took the Olds to another factory outlet on the way home (told you they had the bug). Recovery time - 1 hour, before heading out to Cibubur for J to play AFL against Singapore (hows that for confusing football talk, soccer and Aussie rules in one day).

Unfortunately - he landed badly in the first quarter. Hurt his wrist. Came off, got it strapped, went back on, played the rest of the game. Got home at 7, the Olds and the kids were near exhaustion at this time. They stayed home, we went to a massive 60th birthday party/coaches party. It was huge. Sit down meal, live band, great entertainment (magician), very touching speeches, hosted by the most lovely family (5 sons from all over the world) and home at 3 - not the last to leave. Starting to believe that 60 is not so old after all.

More massages followed the next morning, a quick trip to another factory outlet for last minute purchases while J went to SOS and discovered he had broken his wrist in 2 places (and had not taken anything for it other than alcohol). Another resturant meal at home (the kids made it this time), followed by drinks at our neighbours for the last 4 hours of the Old's visit to Jakarta. A lovely afternoon was had as they chatted (many things in common with J's Dad as they are from the same part of the UK) and the kids played together brilliantly (as they always do with their neighbours (we are so lucky in this respect).

A final tearful farewell on the front lawn and we saw them off (they didn't want us to have a 3 hour turnaround to the airport - yes, we are grateful and no - we did not argue with them).

I thinking it will take them a few weeks to recover from their visit. But they are great sports - they took every opportunity to see the kids and us.

We are off to Perth this week for Asian Allstars Swimming competition this weekend. We will have family and friends there at the same time .......People to see, places to go............. life is anything but dull.

Jakarta really does rock

(Please note, the last 2 weeks don't accurately portray life here - it's big even for us).

Football and Visitors

Our guest of honour have been with us for just over a week now and have just changed their flight so they can stay with us for an extra weekend. Their beloved son is away all week, so it makes sense to stay until after the weekend (no - that wasn't sarcasm - it's nice to see that the love you have for your kids doesn't go away at a certain age).

Kids and Grandparents are very happy. There have been lots of gymnastic shows and dancing acts after dinner. Grandma is very happy to not have to cook or clean and be able to just relax (not sure she has ever had the opportunity to do that before - given they had 6 kids) and they have been dragged to school, swimming carnivals, quiz nights, Taman Mini and shopping malls.

We had a 40th birthday party on Friday night for J and I know that they were thrilled to be there and were very happy to meet our friends. They worked the room and didn't go to bed until 1am - given that they are not very well, that was a huge effort on their behalf - especially when they were getting up and leaving home at 7am for yet another football match (we didn't make them, but they hadn't seen Munch play - so they wanted to).

Although we haven't left Jakarta yet for a look see with our special guests, they have been to 5 football matches - including the final for Bear's team. It was a draw (4-4), which - given that the last time they had met they were a draw and both teams were undefeated - they let it stand and both teams win the league. Which is a pretty great outcome - especially as it is school vs school and U8. Both teams will play each other in the final for the Greenfields (knockout league) in April - that will be interesting as their has to be only one winner.

I will be taking my MIL tomorrow for a pampering day - if you know me you will know that this isnt' actually something I do - I hate manicure/pedicure/cream bath stuff - sitting there and having people touch you and you have to sit still - yuk. But it's a fundraiser, is with a bunch of other ladies and includes lunch at a great Italian resturant - plus - given her delight yesterday after having a massage, I think she is going to LOVE it.

A visit to the Museum later in the week and they will finally be going out of town on Fri/Sat to see Bogor Botanical gardens and watch J play football in a lovely leafy, park (where the kids will ride bikes and run amok as all kids should).

It has been so great to finally get to show them what we have been talking about all these years (and now at least they know we aren't mad for loving it here).

Soccer Kids

I always wanted to be a soccer Mum, but this weekend was crazy.

No J unfortunately as he is gone with work. But Bear and C girl had brilliant games yesterday (in that they were close and nail biters) - both got through with wins in the league.

Today we had 3 official games. Bear's got a win so they are through to the next round. Munch is in a C division and they played an A team, that's the luck of the draw unfortunately. We played a local Indonesian school. They showed a lot of mercy and our kids got 3 goals (after the other team got a 5 goal head start - which they kept as a buffer). At the end of our game our kids were disappointed, but not gutted. I'm the coach and am very proud of my kids - they played their heart out and had no subs for the entire game.

C girl played the other big international school. She is in the B division and they played the A division team. When the score was 0-7 and the best team were still in position (ie - no mercy), plus the parents from the other team were laughing so loudly that it was impossible to ignore, the game was stopped. There was still 4 quarters, but the last one was only 3 minutes long. It wasn't all the parents - but unfortunately they were really loud and our kids were really upset about it (plus - why didn't I do anything????). The mercy rule is there for a reason - a loss is a loss at 6 -0, it doesn't need to be 20 - 0, they still learn to lose.

So after that, the C team in the same age group had turned up with no-one to play. So the B team played the fresh and ready C team. Bear got a play and was the first person to score for the game - he's feeling like king at the moment - he's 3-4 years younger than everyone on the pitch. Anyway, both teams finished with a decent score on both sides and heads held high.

The two oldest played 2 hours of football in the blistering heat of Jakarta - have no idea how they do it but I love watching (under the shade of a big umbrella).

Massive bribing in the way of a TRIPLE ice-cream was paid on the way home (you try to convince a 6 year old to stay at football for an extra 1 hour to watch a practice match, after she had already watched an hour long game) - she held my hand on the way off the pitch and asked innocently -"how come your so nice when Dad's away" - um let me see....... I lack imagination.

A Father / Son Fairytale

Once upon a time (about 30 years ago), there was a little boy who had a dream. He played soccer and what he really wanted to do, was to see Australia play in the world cup. When he met a beautiful maiden, who he made his wife (she had no choice - this is a fairytale after all), he mentioned continually his childhood dream to see Australia play in the world cup. They had a beautiful daughter, then a gorgeous son, followed up by a fiesty (but alas another gorgeous) daughter. Much to his dismay (and his wife), his daughter refused to play football when she came to the rightful soccer playing age.

Then, wouldn't you know it, December 2005 - Australia got into the world cup. A promise is a promise, so we applied for 5 tickets to the world cup. Because FIFA is by and far one of the most colourful of institutions, and because the Australian organisers enjoy what you would call a "monopoly", only 4 tickets could be put into any bid - big problem - there are 5 people in our family. So we made 2 seperate bids. In his great rush - the father, having dreamed his whole life of joining this, didn't tick the "ticket only" box for his and his son's petition. Instead he ticked the "stay with the Australian group in the nice hotels and have everything catered" box. Oops. For the girls he ticked the "ticket only" box.

Now I don't say this out of bitterness because I am a bit of a cheap skate and would have had a miserable time if I'd paid that price x 5. I really would have loved to have gone as a family (but not as a "the works" option). We knew a lot of people that put in bids for "ticket only" and a few people who had put in bids for "the works". Funnily enough all of the people who put in for the "works" got their tickets (this option was 1000% more expensive funnily enough) while we know no-one who got "ticket only" tickets. After he got the tickets, we asked if we could change the name on some of the games (the girls go and we get to see a game each) - but No, Australian administration was adament that this was impossible (in actual fact is was very possible but for some reason the Australian leg were adament to not allow it).

Luckily, this was all over by Jan 1st and the two boys had 5 1/2 months to anticipate and I had 5 1/2 months to come to terms with just how much it was costing. Trust me, I was at peace with it by Jan 06 (I was planning my trip to Paris with C girl for the following year).

They met some "very minor celebraties".

Bear was the mascot for the Aussie celebrations

They were part of the crowd. J's procedure was to put Bear on his shoulders and carry him when in a crowd - explains why he lost 4kg in 2 1/2 weeks away.....he's a heavy kid.

Not sure where the rest of this girl's uniform is....I'd either lose a national dress competition with this or romp it in...........inspiration to stay on that treadmill..... (note I am not going to comment that my husband took this photo (if your husband wouldn't - you need to work on your relationship...just saying).

This one I got off Ninemsn as he was Channel 9's poster child.

This is before the first game, they had arrived only 12 hours before and it's a 22 hour flight from Sydney. They saw every Australian game.....Bear still watches the games on You Tube trying to work out where he sat.

They were also the roving reporters for a local radio (NXFM - newcastle). Unfortunately, after leaving on Sat afternoon the first I heard from them was on the radio on Tuesday morning - after they had won the first game........someone was sooooooo drunk (with happiness?). But it was really nice to hear his voice.

Is it just me - or does he look tiny - he was 4 1/2 at the time. They went to Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Cologne, Munich and Berlin during the stay. They visited legoland, the mercedes museum and some historical sights. They also got to see the Australian team training up close.

For two and half weeks, they joined the Australian Touring contingent. Considering Bear still talks about it, I think they had a fantastic time together.

Especially when surrounded by football, trains and lego (his three favorite things in the world even now).

Although there were crowds, I know that his Dad would keep him safe no matter what.

Because when there is this Dad involved, he will stop at nothing to protect his child.

And that look on Bear's face when he looks up at his Dad, it makes it all worthwhile. I don't know many Dad's who would actually want to go on such a huge trip alone with his son, but he loved it - and in his own words he couldn't think of anyone he would have prefered to take (gee thanks - joke joyce).

By the way - NO, they are not going to South Africa. We know what we know, and I will not be taking my children there any time soon).

Fingers crossed I can talk J into going with the entire family to Rio in 2014. His concern is we will have two blonde girls (11 and 15 yo at that time) that totally lack street smarts as they have been living inside a warm cushy bubble....we will see what the next 4 years bring (no doubting Australia will qualify).

Jakarta Allstars

We've just had a completely football mad weekend. Coca Cola tryouts from 8 - 9:30 on Sat morning - then off to JIS for the JYS Allstars weekend for U11. It was a trial tournament to see if there was interest for the overseas tournaments that are held for the U13 and up age group.

After a month of tryouts and coaching, C girl played her heart out. Unfortunately only a 3rd place - they lost the first game, after losing heart in the second half (and they played the first half brilliantly).

C girl was the only girl in the tournament - but she knew at least half the boys in the two JYS teams, having played /trained with at least half of them over the past year in two seperate leagues. When the white team played the blue team, it ended in a draw, so they were pretty evenly spread (but the white team won (beating Arsenal)) - but great fun overall and I am pretty happy she was in the blue team.

Seeing Santa this afternoon at the ANZA kids christmas party. Need finish the weekend quietly with a party.

Phuket Football

This is the 5 shattered teams just after the U11 girls lost in the final. C girl was devestated. A girl from the other team had her in a lock with the referee a few meters away - 3 times - every time our team had a goal kick. They lost 0-1 and she was devestated - with me. How could I let anyone do that to her and not stop it (it wasn't for lack of wanting to - J had hold of the back of my t shirt).

So now KLASS (who definitely have no class) are at the top of my DIRTY list. Harrow were at the top - but the KLASS coach told them to do it (Yes I can prove it (we walked past when he had this one girl off to the side going through the tactics) and they played FOUL (as in EVERYONE on the team played foul). The refereeing was ridiculous - to the point where I thought the kids should catch the ball - there were no "handballs" anywhere and the pushing and pulling (and arm locks) was ridiculous. One of our girls got such a big kick in the back of the leg that she went down and out (but the ball wasn't even near her at the time of this). As usual - our school played cleanly. It only got us two 2nds, one 4th and 2 last (the two youngest teams of their league), but they did it as good sports.

Anyway - I know I sound bitter - but the parents of the girls team were staying in the same hotel- we usually get along alright (and that is after losing in both directions) - but after such a dirty game - I couldn't trust myself to even be in the same bar (we went to the beach instead - which was pretty great at sunset). Luckily the kids get over it pretty quick. They came second after all (from 9 teams). Poor old Bear's team came last - got whipped in every game. But they put up a big fight and were the youngest team. You wait for next year - they will be in the same age group - and they might even win a game or two.

Phuket

The two big kids, J and I spent the last weekend in Phuket for a football tournament.

This was at the beach on Thursday. How many kids get to say they spent the day at the beach with their friends in Phuket.