Steph’s GEE Spot

Well, for those asking… I’ve had a great holiday!  J  Started well with my flight flying off 15 minutes early, although the ride was a bit bumpy ‘cause it was raining.  You can see lightning outside the window.  I remember thinking, please don’t hit the plane.  Ha ha ha  But then, I went on thinking, hmmm… I assume that they have made the planes “lightning attack free” right?  I mean, that’s part of the perils of flying so they should have considered that.  And I did later on found out that yes, some of the key people who make the planes did some tests on lightning so that planes are somehow “lightning attack free”.  I just hope they did a thorough test.  J

I think around 30% of the occupants in the plane comprised of teenagers who were on their spring break.  I assumed that they’re mostly kids of expatriates working in Jakarta.  When asked where they are going to stay, the answer’s all the same, Hard Rock Café-hotel.  Whew!  That confirms my thoughts that these kids are rich.  =P  And observing these kids, I hope that when I have kids of my own, they will grow up that way too.  I mean, not the snobby snotty rich-kid type who’s always being handed the silver-spoon.  I am talking more about how these kids gets to explore the world at such a young age.  Having these kinds of experiences broadens their perspective on everything.  Here’s to our generation bringing up “the best” generation yet to be… (for lack of better words), discovered and revealed.

Well, mostly Max and I just went surfing.  Him surfing in the water while I surfed (combed) the beach for just about anything and everything.  Ha ha ha  Don’t worry, I plan to learn one day.  And he does plan to teach me… so you guys be patient.  You will one day hear from me that I know how to swim already and not only that, I surf.  Ya right!  =P

Highlights of my trip… well, we had planned on going on some of the cruises around Bali.  But on the days that we reserved our slots, Max got sick (flu).  And myself, although not sick, but with my period, it seems like I’m more sick than him because I slept almost the whole day through.  Anyway, it was good that from the start, the cruises somehow didn’t appeal to me that much, otherwise, I would have been extremely disappointed.  I was really more of after the food there and I got more than what I had hoped for.  So everything’s good! 

J   

Anyhow, now, it’s time to seriously start planning what I’m gonna do on my 5 weeks holiday in Perth on June-July.  Ho ho  Any suggestions?  J

Make your summer more fun & get the chance to meet your match!

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*** I’m helping my friend pass on this message.  They own the place.  They’re really nice people - you can look for Clarice or Patrick when you call for inquiries.

I think everyone needs to go on vacation once in a while to get back their sanity.  =P

I’m gonna go away this time for 2 weeks again to Bali.  If it isn’t because my bub loves the surf waves in Bali, I’d opt to go explore other places — there’s just too many wonderful places to visit, even a lifetime is not enough.

Anyhow, I see myself binging on food there.  I absolutely love the seafood in Jimbaran Bay!  And all the different varieties of chili available… ah… heaven!!! 

My Australian visa has been approved.  Yeeha!  Australia… here I come!  And it may very well one day become… my island home.  :)  Just want to share the good news.  Thank you for your prayers.  God bless you all!

Monday, February 5, 2007

Have you heard the news about Jakarta flooding?  As of today, 20 people were found dead and 340,000 families evacuated their houses.  Make that 340,001 – myself included.

At around 1:30am Friday, February 2, one of my flat mates knocked on my door.  When I went out to see what it’s all about, water was already coming into the house.  Within one hour, the whole house is ankle deep.  Needless to say, we were very much alarmed and was already thinking whether we should evacuate immediately or what.  Around 3am, the rain had stopped.  Thinking that it couldn’t get any worse, everyone tried to go back to sleep.

Not long after, rain started pouring down again.  Heavy rain at that!  I couldn’t sleep - all the while I kept opening my eyes checking whether I’m near to floating already or not (It may sound funny but I tell you, it’s not even close to being funny).  At around 6am, the water was getting higher and higher.  By 7am, the water inside the house is almost knee deep.  I then proceeded to move my things up to higher levels so as to avoid them getting wet.  (Note: the house is a bungalow type so there was no second floor to rely on to put the things.)  We decided then to evacuate while we can cause we don’t know how much worse it will get.  I was only able to take with me 4 pairs of clothes.  I didn’t even remember to get my toiletries – that’s how distressed I was.  We shut down all power and left.  Outside the house is much worse, it’s thigh deep.  We had no choice but to wade through the murky-dirty water.

When we were finally able to get a taxi, (there were 5 of us) we contemplated where to go.  A friend’s house nearby or to the school?  The school has 4 floors - the water can’t get that high can it?  That was what was going through our head that time.  And it was a good decision – it seems.  By the way, I forgot to mention I was still in my pajamas since I was not able to change amidst all the hullabaloo.          

When we got to the school, the head of the school was arranging a meeting with the principals to discuss contingency plans if ever this case happens again.  I was asked to join them.  Picture this, I was in a room with 5 people, all of them in their executive suits, while I was in my pajamas.  Ha ha ha  Thinking back, I should have taken a picture of it.  I learned then that the flooding happened because a nearby province (Bogor) opened their dam and since Jakarta is the next province lower than Bogor, the water naturally flowed down here.  Otherwise, even how hard it rains, it’s very very rare that they get floods here in Jakarta.

Anyway, since it was still raining heavily, we can’t get out.  I really wanted to go back home and check on things but we can see from where we are that conditions hadn’t gotten any better, much worse in fact.  We had to wade through dirty water again just to be able to grab lunch.  Our feet were so dry already – but I just kept hoping that it won’t get any fungal complications – that would be pure nightmare.

We stayed in the school that night.  I kept praying that the rain will stop completely – but it did not.  It poured even harder.  By midnight, all power in the school was shutdown because water was already going into the basement parking of the school where all the electrical controls were located.  By that time, I gave up on ever retrieving any of my stuff anymore.  We were thinking that our house may be neck deep in water already.  I gave up all worries and surrendered to exhaustion.

When I woke up at 7am, the basement parking, which is approximately 20 feet high, is already filled to the brink with water.  Anyhow, we still left the school premises as we can no longer survive there another day since there’s no power, no way to cook and get food, etc.  Again, we waded in thigh deep waters.  I quickly went home and check on how things are – lo and behold – the waters have cleared.  It’s as if no flooding had ever happened.  I was dreading opening our door to see the chaos inside.  Anyhow, it’s much better than expected.  The water inside the house got as high as the knee only.  For me, it’s short of a miracle.  I don’t know where all the water had gone.  There’s water and electricity even while some areas don’t have.  But since it’s dirty and all, we went back to my friend’s house and decided to wait it out a day but we left the refrigerator running. 

By Sunday evening, there were news that Bogor was opening their floodgates again.  The last time, they opened only one, this time, they’re opening ten floodgates and the President has given the go signal.  I almost panicked – I was thinking, now what?  Do I go home or not, it’s even more dangerous this time – the house can catch fire because of the plugged-in refrigerator.  Although the flood would have stopped the fire hey?  =P 

Anyhow, thank God for keeping me level-headed.  I decided to call a local Indonesian friend to find out the real deal.  The news is true but they’re opening the floodgates towards the East of Jakarta.  I was in the west side – so should be no problem.  *whew*  I just prayed again and hope for the best.

Came home Monday morning and started cleaning the house – good thing the school sent cleaners to help us out.  Thus, we were able to finish cleaning sooner than expected.  By late afternoon, it feels like home again.

*sigh*  I’m just glad that this ordeal is over.  By the way, nobody tell my parents please.  I didn’t let them know anymore to avoid making them worry.  It’s good that when my mom called, she didn’t ask if my area is affected, I would either have to lie (which is not good) or to skirt around the topic, she just asked how I am.  So I said I’m fine and everything’s ok.  J  The important thing is I’m safe.  J

I do hope such a thing like this never happens again.  I don’t want to ever undergo the same stress I went through the last couple of days - all the worrying and hard work.

You won’t believe this.  But after all the cleaning we did yesterday and settling in, we had to evacuate again early this morning at 4am.  Aarrrggghhhhh!!!!!  This time around though, we had become sort of an expert already in evacuating our place.  Everyone just calmly went about putting things back up to the high places when we realized that water’s gonna rise again.  By the time the water started really coming into the house, everyone was ready to go.

News has it that this situation will last until the end of the month.  Wahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cleaned the house again today.  The first time, we felt we can happily just settle in again after cleaning.  This time, even after all the cleaning, the smell is so bad.  I’m now staying at a friend’s house - I might be staying here temporarily until things go back to normal.  Don’t want to have a third evacuating experience EVER!!!  Lord have mercy on us.

Special thanks to Wendy, Tito Paul and Pastor Noli who wanted to take me in as soon as they knew I was in trouble.  J  Your kindness is very much appreciated.  I’m deeply touched - beyond words.  Thank God for friends like you.  J  Don’t worry about me though, I’m ok.  I’ll call you guys up if I need the help.  J

Stay safe and happy!

God bless you all!  J

Steph

I recently finished the book entitled “It’s Not About the Bike – My Journey Back to Life” by Lance Armstrong.  I feel that I should share it with you.  Lance Armstrong is a well renowned cyclist.  He broke a lot of records and won a Tour De France prior to his cancer, and went on to win four more Tour De France titles after he survived cancer. 

Personally, I have a friend who’s just 30, married only a few years and have a less than a year old baby daughter.  He was diagnosed a few months ago with stage 3 sinus cancer.  It’s a good thing he came from a well-off family but still, he seems to be on the losing end in his battle with cancer.  Results don’t look good.

Another good friend of mine suffered a heart attack a few weeks back at the age of 32 – it killed him instantly. 

It almost seems like it’s the “IN” thing today.  I hear stories like these here and there, but still, nothing had prepared me for the shocking news of good friends becoming victims to these deadly diseases.

Reading this book will help you understand more, what some, if not all, cancer patients go through.  It is a very personal insight into how Lance felt before, during and after his diagnosis.  One minute he felt like he’s on top of the world, the next minute everything came crashing down – hard.  Learn how he used his strength as a cyclist to battle his cancer.  Even at his weakest point, he sets goals to achieve – and that’s what kept him going.  I’m very positive you will gain a lot of insights – in terms of the business (by battling your own fears) and about cancer in general.

It will also motivate you as you learn how persistent he was in his goal to win the Tour De France.

I know some of you are not avid readers of any kind of book, but this book is extremely easy to read, it’s just like listening to a friend tell you a story.  I laughed and cried a couple of times reading through it.  Who knows, maybe after reading this book, you find you have the knack for reading after all.  J  I have the book in Microsoft reader format.  If you want a copy, just let me know and I can send it to your personal email so as not to clog everyone’s inbox.  Other than that, if you want a paper copy, well, I’m not gonna send that over to you, ha ha  I’m sure you can find it in bookstores near you.  J

Oh by the way, I think I should mention also that there’s a lot that you can learn also about IVF (In-vitro fertilization), again, I don’t mean for yourself, but you can very well pass on the information to some of your friends.  J

Happy reading!

To a long, healthy and meaningful life,
Steph

My latest tv channel addiction is Discovery Channel and Zone Reality.

Some of my faves in Zone Reality channel:

-          America’s Dumbest Criminals

o        This is really funny.  Some people can be sooooo D-U-M-B.  Ha ha ha  I can definitely be so much better at being a criminal than these guys ever will be.  =P

-          Amazing People

o        They show different kinds of amazing people, from someone who makes sculptures out of butter, someone who had survived 4 lightning hits, someone who invents all sorts of bicycle, etc.

Discovery Channel I don’t have to explain I guess.  I love the diversity of their shows.  I just watched something fascinating tonight.  In —, hmmm, where was the place?  Ha ha ha  there goes my memory.  Ha ha  Anyway, somewhere out there, there was a kid who had a big tummy ever since he was born.  But since the parents didn’t think that it’s a sickness or anything, they thought that it’s perfectly normal for a kid to have a big tummy and it will just go away as he grows up.  But when he was 7 years old, one day in school he suddenly had difficulty breathing and feels so much pain in his tummy.  The school doctor sensed that something was wrong, immediately sent the kid to the nearest hospital. 

When the kid was x-rayed, it showed that he had a big cyst in his tummy.  They quickly operated on him.  Needless to say, they had difficulty operating because they have to be careful of connecting nerves and stuff.  But they were finally able to do everything right.

Afterwards, they opened up the cyst and found a thing inside.  It had so much hair, had feet and hands and something of a face.  It’s scary looking.  The father didn’t even want to see it.  The mother did but after a few minutes of looking at it cried and walked away.  The kid had ‘something’ living inside him for 7 years!!! 

You can find the full story at: http://www.channel4.com/science/microsites/S/science/medicine/bodyshock.html

I’m HOME!!!  :)  After less than 3 days here, I feel like I’ve never been away.  ha ha  In reality though, I’ve been away for 7 months more or less.  I guess that really is how the saying goes, there’s no place like home.  Even if you leave for quiet sometime, when you come home, you’d fit right into the puzzle. 

Well, been busy the last few days meeting friends and going to parties, and there’s even more coming.  It’s not tiring though, it’s fun seeing old friends again. 

Hope everyone is having as much fun as me.  :)  Happy holidays!!!

I’ll be home… I’ll be home soon… (humming…)

Although, far from having a holiday vacation, my schedule’s jam-packed already.  aaahhh!!!  =P  That’s ok, think positive!  That just means that I’m in demand.  he he he 

Anyhoo, after this holiday vacation, gonna look forward to my next holiday on March with my bub.  :)  And then after that, hopefully will be able to get a good visa that will allow me to stay in Perth for at least a year. 

If anyone can help me with info on how to be able to get my visa granted faster and easier, do let me know.  I would very much appreciate it. 

Have a very Merry Christmas!!! 

And the blessing continues… this is definitely my best birthday ever!!! 

Yes, it’s true that in a few more years, I’ll be turning to the big 3-0.  My twenties are a blur to me. I hardly remember them. And here I am, living far from home…  Wasn’t it just yesterday that I was planning my Sweet 16 and praying to get as far away from high school as quickly as I possibly could?  Well I did, but it just happened so quickly! Fortunately, there are no regrets. I’m where I belong in every sense of the word… only, I am “older” now… I’d like to think that makes me “wise”.  I am grateful.

My desires have changed, my heart has changed, my outlook on life, all of it has changed… matured, I’d like to think.  I’m happy; I’m settled.  I am content with who and what I am.  So many wonderful things are happening all around me… and within me. 

The thing or should I say, the person that I’m most thankful for this birthday is my bub.  He is truly God given.  I haven’t met someone who is as understanding, and as sensitive to my needs as he is.  It was only through unexpected circumstances that we met, and I am truly thankful for that.  I hope that whatever we have will be… forever.  I love you baby.