Christmas in Parung

This year, we spent the christmas in Parung, just like last year.  Nico was picked-up by his auntie two days before christmas, while I and Renni went on the 24th.  We stay on Nico's grandma's home. There were increase of activities can be seen a day before christmas in the house, which mostly were the cooking.  

Christmas Eve

At night, on christmas-eve, after we all went to church, the children were playing with fireworks... lots of fireworks.  Nico and his cousins and friends were playing and running around in front of the house, holding and throwing the fireworks. They played until exhausted. On about 10pm, Nico got back into the house, cleaned up, hit the bed and went to sleep almost instantly.

So, after the kids went to sleep, we started the 'santa's job'.  Wrapped the presents, put on the name of the receiver on the presents, and arranged them under the tree.  And then hit the bed.

Christmas Day

On Christmas morning, everybody got busy. We all prepared ourselft to go to church. Nico, who was not going on the christmas eve mass, was also joining the mass for christmas morning, since it was the 'children' mass.  All the children were bringing a present for the infant Jesus.  

We were going for the 9am mass at Atang Sendjaja's St Ignatius church. After the communion, the children were queue for the blessing, and then went to the nativity scene to present their gifts.  After the mass, every child got a goodie bag!

Opening the presents

The kids could not wait to get home after the mass.  They knew that the presents were waiting under the tree. So, as soon as they got home, they were looking for their name on the presents and opened it.  They all seemed excited, even though they didn't get all of their wish list, they were all happy. Even the dogs have their present!

Christmas feast

What everybody waiting for were the christmas feast.  It would not be christmas without the christmast feast. At this time,  there were no diet applied :)  Since the relatives could not came for some reasons, there were an abundant supply of foods, so we could bring them home :D.

Gramedia Grand Indonesia

We were visiting Grand Indonesia today, because there's 30% discount for books in Gramedia during the grand launching this December.  Actually there was not much in the 'shopping list', since we have already visiting the re-opening of gramedia Citraland last month and spend much money back then. 

The store is really 'grand', there are enough spaces for visitors. So, the one who enjoy the day was Nico. He sat on the carpet near the book's stacks and browsing the books about cars and tractors.

One of the interesting spot is the windows facing the 'Bundaran HI', where Nico saw some tow-trucks passing by.

Nico at Pondok Indah Mall

This afternoon, instead of picking up mommy at the usual 'pickup point' near the BSD post office, Nico picked up mommy at the Pondok Indah Mall.

Arrived at the mall, we went to Pizza Hut and ordered a Personal Pan of Meat Lover pizza, which have so many -- Nico's favorite--sausages.  Nico seemed to like the cheesy crust and --of course-- the sausages. 

Mommy came and join us at the restaurant.  After finishing the meal, we all went down to see the miniature trains displayed at the atrium.  Nico was very excited when he saw the displayed trains from above, but when he actually arrived at the scene he seemed to afraid of the sound of  'coal-powered' train.  

He prefer to see the other toys that are displayed along the mall.  He even took one of the toy of a fire-truck, car, and an ambulance.  And I had to negotiate to make him put that toy back to the shelf.

SHS Teacher's end of year feast

To close the year of 2008, the Senior High teachers of Saint John's gather together and had lunch at Pondok Seafood BSD.  This event started by games lead by Mr Robbet, which mostly were guessing games. 

After the games, we started the 'feast'.  The food were exceptional. We have crabs, fishes, and other seafood.

Then the exchange of gifts took place after the lunch.  This was the interesting part, since we have to say something about the gift or the person who will received the gift.

The whole event was closed by (christmas?) message delivered by Mr Jack, Mr Severo, Mr Julius, and Mr Ansel, and a 'give thanks' song.

Nico had a haircut

We went to Nico's grandpa's house today.  And when grandpa saw Nico's hair, he took Nico to the barbershop not too far away from the house. 

Nico is a 'regular customer' for this old and nice barber.  When he was taken for the first time, he was still afraid and start to cry after a while.  But today, he seemed to 'enjoy' the haircut. Occasionally, he suddenly laugh because the razor tickled him. 

The haircutting was not take long, since it only used the razor to do the work.  To ensure safety, no scissors was used.  And after the barber finished the work, grandpa took Nico to the supermarket accross the street where he got the Dinosaurs toys.

Nico with the new 'shaolin-style' head!

Visiting School for Children with Special Needs

One social-act program of Saint John's School this year is a visit to a school for children with special needs (SLB) and an old-folks' home (panti jompo). And today, I was assigned to accompany (and take pictures) of the SLB visit.

This SLB visit was an event for students from grade 11 and 12, accompanied by Mr Mario as the program director, Ms Joice, and me.  We departed from BSD to Pamulang using a military truck. The students were quite excited, even though some of them had to stand all the way to the SLB.

At the SLB, each student (or with a partner) was assigned to a class. They had to assist the children in that class.  When the students saw the disable-kids for the first time, there were signs of fears and doubts in their faces.  It was a view that they have never seen before.  Children in this facility have mental retardation conditions.  Some of them have also other disability, they have speaking and/or hearing problems. Some even have to stay in a wheelchair.

After Saint John's students mingled for a while, they eventually get used to interact with the kids. Some of the students even seemed to have fun together!

One thing for sure if you see this kind of school, the children with special needs... is that you should be thankful for what you are now with all your abilities.

The tag is here

Finally, the tag I ordered arrived today!

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Junior High Pre-reunion Meeting at PIM

Group photo after the meeting. The boys' photo is "a little" blurred, thanks to a 'non-professional' photographer, hahahaha....

Allen, Bowo, Mothe, Anti, Willy.

Richard, Boyke, Stevie -- Defina and Ardi, who always argue on something that is not important -- Tutie and Alvin who is busy on the phone.

St Antonius Junior High Class of 1989-1992 pre-reunion meeting at Bistro Delafrance Cafe Pondok Indah Mall.  Most of us have not seen each other for 16 years.  So the 3 hours meeting was mostly used to share stories and exchange phone numbers.

Birthday Lunch at Taman Anggrek

The November-December birthday is celebrated with a birthday lunch at Hartz Buffet Taman Anggrek.  

Nico is so excited looking at his mommy opening the present.

Our first christmas tree!

We've decided that this christmas time, our home will be decorated with a christmas tree.  So, yesterday we 'hunt' for the tree at one of the hypermarket at Lebak Bulus area. We have picked this model, which is very different from the others, and bring it home, opened the box, and... there was another model in the box :(

So, me and my wife, Renni, hurried back to the store, and replaced the tree.  They also just realized that they put the wrong tag on the display! And with a little additional budget (which is already too much actually) we exchanged the tree. At least we got the one we want :)

No time will be wasted!

As soon as we got back home, I opened the box and we started to decorate right away, yes... right away, even though it was late already. The three years-old boy, Nico, was very excited and wanted to help decorating the tree.  As the result, most of the decorations hang at the lower part of the tree :) He also very proud of the star that he put at the tree, and always refer it to 'Nico's Star'

Today, Nico improvised. He take a chair near the tree so he can move ALL the decorations :D