Day OneHundred-FiftyTwo

Gin : Tonic 

Jakarta : Traffic

Simply put, you can't have one without the other.  (And yes, G&T, was used on purpose).  Doesn't matter when, doesn't matter where.  It just is.  People may complain from time to time that Houston traffic is bad, or the traffic in LA sucks.  Well, yes, traffic is never fun.  But you don't know traffic until you have driven the roads of Jakarta.  I cannot say it enough..... I will NOT miss this.

Day OneHundred-Fifty

I captured this moment at the back gate of our compound.  It isn't a road often visited as it leads into the heart of the kampung behind our house.  The road is more than busy with motorbikes and taxis flying through at any given moment.  I just couldn't help but do a double take when I saw this scene...and luckily I had my camera in hand.  

Day OneHundred-Sixteen

Introducing Ms. Nur -
I've saved the best for last.  (We have one more security guard but he is on holiday until next week.)  Ms. Nur is the reason we survive in Indonesia.  She is the most hardworking and caring lady I know.  She does ALL the cooking (and I mean all - I've cooked maybe 10 times over the past year and a half), and I'm convinced she is the best cook in the expat community.  She also does all the cleaning, laundry, and care taking of the girls when I am out.  She lives with us Monday - Saturday (leaving at noon) and has never missed a day.  She spends more time with Lily as she is home at noon and I am often running around and handles her with ease and with the love of a grandmother, doing anything for her...sometimes too much!  She has coffee ready every morning, fresh squeezed juice, lunches made, backpacks packed and doesn't ever miss a beat.  It took 2 days for her to see how Jim and I made our coffee and has it prepared just right ever since.  She has a daughter in college that she saves the little she makes to pay for her education in Economics.  The best part is see her off when she leaves on Saturday afternoon.  She transforms into styled hair, makeup and dress and is off to take her day and half off with her family back in her kampung.  I will one day truly miss this lady.  We have the life we do in Jakarta, mainly, because of this woman.

Day OneHundred-Fifteen

Introducing Gatot -

Security guard number 3!!  Gatot is a man of few words...and honestly, because of that...I'm somewhat at a loss myself.  As well as it's Friday night, after a long week.  I will say, he is genuine, caring and aware of everything that is about to happen.  He opens the door to the house, to the car, to the bus - always a step ahead.  And he watches after the girls with complete sincerity...he will jog around the block while the ride their bikes if necessary.  Here's a perfect example.....

Day OneHundred-Fourteen

Introducing Irsan-

Another of our security guards who has been with us since the beginning, Irsan makes me laugh any time he is on duty.  He has the classic Indonesian response to anything I (or the girls) say, which is to smile, nod and say "ya!" when in fact, he has no idea what is coming out of our mouths.  But regardless, he will "converse" with Cakes for hours on end, helping to make tents, play soccer or whatever she insists at the moment.  Having 4 kids of his own (3 girls), he is pretty much a pro.  He was very nervous about getting his picture taken and has been hiding from me for the past couple days!  So this one had to be fast and unplanned!

They ALL think I'm crazy by the way....GILA BULE, that's me.

Day OneHundred-Thirteen

Introducing Lucman-

Lucman is our driver.  It is often said your driver is your most important staff member.  You depend on them like no other, entrust your safety and kids safety in them, and look to them if you are EVER in any sort of accident.  Drivers in Jakarta have to have more patience then any human alive.  I'm not sure how they do it.  At least when I am stuck in traffic I can drown myself in my iPhone, Pinterest, FB, my kindle, iPad....WHATEVER.  But to sit and fight the millions of motorbikes and cars following no rules?  No thanks.  He gets us from point A to point B....not always on time and not always with ease, but hey, we get there, right?  After the mess of drivers we dealt with the first 6 months in Jak, I'm thankful (most days) that we have him.  I've been known to secretly want to strangle him more than once ....His favorite saying is "I don't know Mrs."...and I consider him one of the best dressed Indonesians around.

Day OneHundred-Twelve

Introducing Wito-

Wito is our gardener, pool man, handy man, painter, duster, floor washer and any other form of labor guru.  It is rare to see him without a smile and will do any job that is asked of him.  He has painted the walls of 2 homes (and repainted a few rooms in the second home).  He has a 3 year old daughter named Jessica who I keep trying to get him to bring over one day.  I'm pretty positive they don't have many photos of her and I would LOVE to do this for him.  He speaks very little English, but is one of the best at playing pretend with Moe & Cakes.  He owns only a bicycle, and it would be great to see him with his own motorbike one day.  He's 28.

Day ONE HUNDRED

Title:  Dominoes Anyone?

It's rare to actually see where the MILLIONS of motorbikes go when they aren't on the streets (who I am kidding, there are always motorbikes clogging the streets) - but when I passed by this "parking lot" of bikes, I had to have my driver turn around and go back.  Just blame it on the "gila bule" again.  Oh, and that used to be a tunnel...I can't imagine what it is like when they have to actually leave.

And a special pat on the back....we made it to the 100 mark!  Only 265 to go!  

Day Seventy-One

Still working to catch back up!  This picture is Tuesday's pic of the day, but technically taken on Monday.  The last night in Jogja we decided to head back to "town" and stay our last night in the Hyatt.  We were a little desperate for AC to be honest.  And we found a pool and slide that kept us busy for the next 24 hours.  The trip ended with everyone hoping to return again, which must mean it was a good time!

Day Seventy

The Sunrise Tour at Borobudur is the only way to see the gigantic temple.  It's completely different than viewing it during the day; no vendors swooping down for the kill, no crowds, and no heat (or at least not as much!) - all allowing the peace and splendor of the temple to take precedence.  Unfortunately, for my brother and I we also had NO sunrise.  But it was worth the few shots that I did get.

Day Sixty-Nine

I was determined to put my tripod to use on this trip....and proud to report back it was used a fair amount. This picture was taken in the monastery of Mendut Temple.  This stop followed Borobudur, and was a welcomed change....quiet, empty and with a decent breeze.  And when a Buddhist monastery is empty...you just have to pose like Buddah.  The giggles and smiles were sucked in and held for the 10 second count down and then released like air from a balloon after that click went off!

Day Sixty-Eight

And we are back from a short trip into Jogja.  It was a trip of amazing sites, amazing views, amazing conversation and one particularly amazing slide!  Thanks for being patient and letting me upload all at once post-vacation.  But then again, I guess you don't really have choice, as it is my blog :) -- but thanks, nonetheless.

This is what we got to wake up and go to sleep with for the first 2 days.  That's Mt. Merapi ("Fire Mountain") to the right, a year after it's last disastrous and deadly eruption.  Mt. Merbabu sits to the left and behind me you would find Mt. Sumbing.  What a view we had.

Day Fifty-Two

You have to have been an Expat in order to appreciate the pure beauty of this picture.  Husband got back from the States yesterday with a suitcase filled with goodness.  It's the little things in life.....
And just because it's Thanksgiving I'm going to show you a few more of the "little things" that I'm so thankful were brought back to the land of Indo.

Day Forty-Three

For an expat, there isn't much more wonderful than seeing the beauty of Christmas in local decorations...gives you just that little sense of home.  Oh and if you can't tell...this is an actual tree, hanging upside down from the ceiling of a local hotel.

Day Thirty-Nine

Rudi the Watch Guy - a staple in the Jakarta expat community.
I wasn't a fan of the "crooked" shot before I started taking them.  And now I can't seem to get enough!  A great way to get more information in a shot when a "standard" shot cannot...  What do you think?

Day Thirty-Seven

One of the great things about Jakarta is the art....and here is my latest purchase.  And the best part, the "choosing gallery" was brought to me and set up on my driveway!
The artist is known as "The Dot Man" - for obvious reasons.

Day Twenty-Five

Light at the end of the tunnel....just scared to actually go see what is there.

Kampung Tour

Day Twenty-One

Took the shot with this exact outcome in mind.  So exciting when that happens.  Inside the "center" of the Kampung (local Indonesian neighborhood).  "Parking Lot" of sorts....best part is the building in the background.  Definitely an example of the opposite ends of the Jakarta spectrum of life.