Juan cakes

A long time ago in a city called Washington, DC, Juan bought Madeleines from Starbucks for the kids one Saturday morning.  And then the kids asked for them each time we went for coffee.. and now, they are known as Juan cakes.  When we went to Singapore, lo and behold, there were Juan cakes.  So we had to buy them and think of Juan and our good times hanging with good friends in the 'hood.  We miss you!!

Three Days in Singapore

Under two hours by plane, but truly a world away.  There were big open sidewalks that looked like Paris to us, we could eat the food from the vendors on the street without being worried about getting sick, take a deep breath and not choke, drink water from the tap, and walk around at night with no worries.  Of course, you're not allowed to chew gum in public or walk around with food in public and there a list of other forbiddens as long as my arm.. but there are always trade-offs, right?  We were there for some doctors appointments, but had lots of time to play!  And shop. But it's also one of the most expensive places we've visited.. like Manhattan, minus the delis and the accent.

The best part--by far--was that we got to see Jeannie.  We got really lucky to have dates in common while she was in Singapore for a conference.  For those of you who haven't met her, Jeannie and I have been best friends since we met at Lincoln School in Nepal when we were 13.  Before that, she had spent a most of her elementary years in Jakarta! We then spent the better part of 4 years being teenagers together.  It was great to have some time with her, but we missed Mark, Lilly and Poppy.. so we'll just have to make a trip to New Zealand soon to visit them.

One evening we went to Newton Circus with Jeannie's boss Simon and his wife Dorothy.  This big open-air seafood market is known for its amzing seafood. We ordered waaaaaay too much food, including the pepper crab below.  I think Zeric ate 3 crabs all told.  We also had grilled garlic and lime shrimp (really jumbo ones), sweet warm Chinese buns (errrr. the baked kind), rice and fresh juice and greens and Tiger beer of course.  



We also too a trip out to the zoo one night to do the night safari.  It was a lot of fun!  The kids were so excited to stay up late.  We got there and jumped on an open bus for a tour of the nocturnal animals.  We were allowed to jump off once in the middle of the park and walk around.. both otherwise cruised through the park and saw loads of animals in about an hour.  It was perfect. We saw lots of kinds of deer, elephants, bears.  We saw lions and snow leopards, we went into the flying squirrel cage and had them swoosh over our heads.  We saw opposums and fish and snakes.  Best of all, we saw the giraffes--including Nalo, the latest addition to the zoo.  He is three months old, and we saw him sitting with his mama.  See http://giraffes.nightsafari.com.sg/baby-giraffe-drops-in.html for pictures of him.  We have few pictures of our trip to the zoo as no flashes were allowed near the animals.. but here are a few of the wildest animals in the house:

Later, we did an afternoon walk in Little India, which smelled just like if were on the subcontinent itself!  Jaffa got bangles that don't come off.. so now we call her Jaffa Jingle. We shopped and looked, and met a guy with great tattoos (take a close look at his forehead, what do yout think, Mom, should I do one like that??).

 On this trip, Zeric discovered Tiger beer.  He loves it, and I can even drink it.  We're about to start the search for it here in Jakarta.  Wondering if that's what Buddha is holding in his hand here too!

Finally, some pictures of the architecture to give you a flavor of the beauty and diversity of the city.. there's art deco, Victorian like we're used to seeing in DC, and other magical buildings.  We're pretty sure we'll be going back.. there's so much we haven't seen yet!

Art-attack!

The kids had an art-attack [their word!] the other day.  It took many forms: water color, lego, colored pencil on paper.  Here are some of the resulting collectors' pieces.

Rainbows [Eben, watercolor]



Rainbows [Jaffa, watercolor]





Butterfly [Jaffa, colored pencil on paper]



LEGO CREATIONS [Eben]

PRACTICAL MATTERS [Jaffa]

And below is a map of our complex.  Our house (in case you need to find us) is the second from the left in the top right corner.  Swimming pool is to the left of our house.  See also landscaping and the various guard houses.  Now you have all you need to come visit :)

While on vacation, the creative juices flow

As you know, we have had two weeks off from school.  Like me, Jaffa and Eben's strong preference is to stay at home and play with their own toys.  Left to their own devices many many creative things happen. 

The other day, Eben's cow wandered to a far off land (the kitchen) and explored a volcano (the gas stove, NOT turned on).  Silly cow decided to taste the lava, and got hurt "very, very badly".  The ambulance came zooming in, got the cow onto the stretcher.. and took her to the hospital.  Phew.

Now, the rubber kitchen rug has become the perfect moon surface... stay tuned.

Miss Jaffa, teacher extraordinaire

Jaffa, on the other hand, decided to be productive with her time by teaching school.  I don't think it was in French, but the students worked very hard.  I got to be the principal and reviewed everyone's work.  Jaffa had two teacher's assistants.. Theda, and Adi the elephant who also got a place at the front the classroom.

Wry rye

After some serious challah-making and bagel-making when Memere was here last, she sent some rye flour across the oceans.  I'm not going to mention how many more times the postage cost than the flour itself.. but we love having it!  I first used it for some fantastic pancakes and then I finally got brave and made my first loaf of non-challah bread.  It took 8 hours, and the finale was that I did the whole mist the loaf/hot skillet in the oven with ice cubes thing to get SERIOUS crust.

And then we ate it fo dinner with grueyere and turkey sausage.  It was great (if I do say so myself, though the bar isn't too high with a warm loaf of bread!).  The kids liked it, and really liked knowing that Grandpa Jon used to love rye bread too.  Maybe I'll get brave again and even get out the cloche!

Discovering 3D TV

Remember how close we are to China.  There are lots and lots of electronics here.. and the other day, we discovered 3D TV in a store in a mall close by.  We discovered it for a long time.  With awesome glasses.  So, if you were wondering what the Smith kids do on the weekend here in Jakarta, wonder no more!

We have fish. Yes, fish.

Meet Dorothy Goldie, Ruby Goldie, and George Washington Fishy Fish Fish.  They are ours.

Apparently two big dogs and the promise of lizards isn't enough in the Breslar-Smith pet department.

The great thing (NOT) about the great play places here [see November post] is that not only can you wear your kids out in a secure area with only the nanny supervising, but you get treats to take home.. like live fish.  Last time we were there (important detail: with me) Jaffa and Eben were allowed to take the fish for a walk (in their bags), but then they had to surrender them back to the artificial pond that they came from to play with all of their other fish friends.

Because of the French school's extended winter break--designed for fabulous ski vacations and very relevant to Indonesia--my kids got to go to one of these play places so that we could all get out of each other's hair, and were told NOT to come home with fish.  Sikom was also told NOT to come home with fish.  And now, we have fish.  Apparently these were the very last fish in the place and they would be VERY LONELY if they were to have been left there.  Because fish have feelings.

I don't know the first thing about taking care of fish.. but they have lived almost a week now in what used to be a vase, and they even have their very own plant.  So for now we are happy. We did have the conversation about how fish are ephemeral.. just like balloons (and drivers, but more on that later). 

So, when they die, we will be sad. And we might even cry. But we will not get anymore fish.

Update: 2 March.  Ruby was found floating this morning in her bowl.  It was sad, we cried :(  Then we buried her in the yard under the lime tree, and Jaffa put flowers on top of her little grave.  We had a conversation later, at dinner, about Buddhism.. and how Buddhists only eat the meat of animals that have died naturally.  Jaffa said, "like my fish, but there isn't enough meat on my fish--except maybe for a mouse sandwich."

RIP Ruby.

Update: 17 March.  The two are still chugging along, getting bigger. Jaffa has now labeled them.  Wonder what she would label me.. probably, "Mommy. Controller of TV privileges and mosquito bite scratcher."

Update: 20 March.  Went to a birthday party and got another fish.  I think I might need to give up on not having them as it seems to be a losing battle. Anyway, this one is much bigger than the others so we named him Giatno after our friend Pammi's very big driver who can't possibly be Javanese.  Maybe Sumatran.

He was flattered :)

Update: March 26.  Now, we have no fish :(  It was a rough weekend as we had three fish funerals.  I could venture a guess as to why, but I'm not sure.  I am sure that we don't know how to take care of them, and that the internet isn't all too helpful.  Everyone here understands now why we will not be bringing anymore fish into the house.. they are ephemeral and it is sad.  RIP fish.