A Change, a new start

With virtually the entire world celebrating and feeling optimistic about the future now that the US has an intelligent, rational and progressive leader, I had to post an image of the momentous occasion. Go Bama and may peace and prosperity be his legacy!

Family Skiing

After two weeks of ski school, the boys are now both very able skiers. Kyle can ski any beginner or intermediate run, and we don't really have to wait for him. Brock can ski any run on the mountain. I take him in the moguls, the powder and off-piste in the trees. We can now ski as a family and everyone can find a run that they enjoy. Having a family activity that everyone enjoys is such a positive new dimension to our lives. We were extremely proud of the boys for sticking with the ski school, even on the cold windy days, and improving so quickly. I can't wait for March when we get to ski together again!

Another day in paradise
Skiing on the Villars side of the resort
One of my favorite runs 'le chaux'
Skiing above the clouds
Dunja with a kickass mogul run above her

Village Life

Of course, skiing is the focus in Villars during the winter. Almost everyone who lives there, young and old, ski in some form or another. Alpine skiing is the most popular, but there are also a wide range of cross country ski trails, back country touring options, telemarking, snowshoeing, sledding and even dogsledding options available.

Dunja and Olivier walking, Brock sledding
Dogsled team
Skiing with our cousins

Matterhorn

Zermatt and the Matterhorn

Flight Over the Alps 2

World famous Matterhorn
South of Alps towards Milan, Italy
Saas Fee ski resort and highest revolving resaurant in Europe (3500m)
Village of Saas Fee (1800m)

Flight Over the Alps

Brock and I went on an 80-minute flight around the Alps one day. We left Sion in the Rhone Valley and climbed as high as 14,000 ft. At my request, the pilot took us behind the Dents du Midi (the main mountain we look at from our chalet), over to the ski resort of Chamonix and Mont Blanc, back east over the Grand St Bernard pass to Zermatt and the Matterhorn, beside Monte Rosa and over the ski resort of Saas Fee (where we take our JIS students skiing every Easter), and finally back to the airport in Sion. It was an absolutely spectacular flight.

Mont Blanc from the SE side
Quick shutter 'stops' propellor
Ancient Sion castle
Future pilot
Plane that took us around and over the Swiss Alpsth

Christmas and Kyle's Birthday

With clear blue skies the entire holiday, we were treated to stunning winter vistas every day. It was quite a cold December this year in Switzerland, with temps around freezing or a bit lower every day, but the sun and beautiful scenery helped motivate us to get dressed and out the door skiing every morning. We even skied Christmas day after opening presents, and New Year's day, despite going out to party in the streets with the rest of the village until around 1:30am. Note the goggle tans on the boys!

Lego was in high demand this year
Kyle turned 5 on New Year's Eve!
Brotherly love
Waking up to the Dents du Midi never gets old!

Local Skating Rink

Having a hot wine while the boys skate
Becoming one with the ice
Second time on skates
Okay, I have taken a lot of stick from my friends for the last posting on my blog. There is concern that witnessing the goat slaughter last month may have caused trauma to our boys' young and fragile minds. I can report that they haven't had any nightmares, exhibited any cruelty to animals, or asked for any sharp weapons for Christmas since the said incident, however, in the interest of putting this controversial parenting choice behind us, I thought it was time to get some new (and purer) images posted. You will note a plethora of clean white snow and smiling boys in the coming photos. This is partly because we just spent 3 weeks in Switzerland and partly to make me look good as a father!
Our Christmas was absolutely brilliant, and our time there has helped convince us that we are perhaps ready to leave our comfortable lives in Jakarta and return to the land of 4 seasons, no domestic help, and much more modest lifestyles.

Hari Idul Adah

For most of us non-muslims living in Jakarta, today just meant we didn't have to go to work, but for the vast majority of Indonesia's population, today signified the 2nd biggest holiday on the Islamic calendar: Idul Adah. As the story goes, Abraham showed his devotion to God by willingly sacrificing his son. Just when his son was going to be killed, God intervened and sacrificed a lamb. Today, on Idul Adah Muslims who can afford it pay for a goat or sheep to be sacrificed (a goat costs about $70 here), and then they share the meat with family, friends and the poor. The security guards outside our house sacrificed two goats today and Brock and Kyle watched in fascination. We'll see if they have nightmares about it tonight!

Face Painting at Birthday Party

Today was Kyle's classmate's birthday. Juliette had a very nice party with a magician and face painting. I confess that I did not attend. I sent the boys with our nanny, Wasila, which we try not to do, but I am fighting a flu bug and sore back and knew I wouldn't keep up with a gang of 5 year olds. The boys came home with stories to share and art on their bodies to show off. We had some fun messing around with the camera and Photoshop!

Brock's 1st Gymnastics Competition

Brock started gymnastics this year, and after only 3 months of training, he got a taste of competition. He was in 4 events: the vault, the parallel bars, the high-bar, and the floor routine. The other boys in his age group had all been in gymnastics for over a year, and they were stronger on the bars, but Brock learned his floor routine the best and won the gold medal in that event. Way to go!

Kids Being Kids

One of the realities of being an English teacher is that you have to grade a lot of essays and other written work that takes up your time. Yesterday morning when Dunja was out shopping, I thought I'd steal a couple of hours to grade some papers. I told the boys to stay out of my room so I could concentrate. Well, kids being kids, they found ways to entertain themselves. Brock ended up in the front pond catching tadpoles and Kyle found some body paint and went to the backyard to cover his canvas. The nanny and gardener were obviously watching a good TV show in their kitchen!

UN Day

United Nations Day was actually on October 29th on our campus, but I just discovered some photos that I took on the day. It is a great day at school, with over 60 nationalities represented in our student body... lot's of national pride in the air, balanced with a definite mood of tolerance and internationalism. The mothers also take great pride in cooking popular dishes from back home and giving everyone a sampling. This year, I ate a chili dog (USA), chicken tikka (India), pork sate (Philippines), bratwurst and pretzel (Germany), sushi rolls (Japan), nanaimo bars and maple syrup snow cones (Canada), and assorted pastries (France). Yes, I was very full afterwards!

Mall Culture

Life in Jakarta for many, including us, means frequent trips to the mall on weekends because it is an escape from the heat, and there is little else to do on some weekends. Every time we go to the mall we buy an ice cream. We often eat at our favorite Chinese restaurant when we go to the mall. The boys love dumplings and the fish. This week we had lunch at Kenny Rogers Chicken.

Kyle's Taekwondo Belt Test

Today, Kyle had his first belt test. He now has a white belt with a yellow stripe. I was very impressed by the discipline in the class. All the children sit with good posture while waiting their turn to be tested. Kyle takes it seriously and listens carefully to the instructions. He was very proud to be awarded with a new belt. Together with his soccer trophy, it has been a satisfying week for him.



Check out my new belt!
Kick the pads but keep your hands up!
Good form!
Follow the teacher's moves
Warming up

End of Soccer Season

This past weekend marked the end of the soccer season for the boys. It has been a very positive couple of months where we've seen them both improve their soccer skills, but just as importantly, they have learned to be committed to a team. They didn't miss any practices or games. On Saturday, there was a round robin tournament format that kept them busy playing and me busy running from one field to the other. In the afternoon we had trophy presentations and a party. It was a long day but a fun one. Next Saturday, we get to sleep in because there are no 8am games to run to!
Team Spain celebrating the season
Beautiful ice cream cake

Spa Day for the Boys

The boys went for a shampoo and head massage. May as well pamper yourself while you live in Jakarta! Brock is determined to let his hair grow long, so he passed on the scissors.

Best Costume at Halloween Party

Our halloween party a couple of weeks ago had some fantastic costumes, but I would have to give first prize to this girl who came as Lady Liberty. She had covered her entire body with silver paint. Sensational!

Halloween Party

This year we went to a Halloween party in a housing complex rather than around Pondok Indah. The complex only had around 20 houses, but most of them had lots of candy to dish out. In fact, most allowed the kids to take handfuls from the bowl, so our boys have lots of goodies for the next several weeks. Brock wore his JIS dragon costume and Kyle went as Batman. After trick or treating, we had a BBQ and party in a field with a huge bonfire. It was a great party for both kids and adults.


Trick or Treat!
Knock knock, scary dragon calling
Roasting marshmellows and sausages over a huge bonfire

Pumpkin Carving

This year the boys designed and carved their own pumpkins for halloween. They really took their time and did a great job. Under mom's watchful eye they even kept all their fingers in one piece!

Our finished masterpieces
Artist at work
Scooping out the brains

UN Day at PIE 2008

It was UN Day at both PIE and Cilandak campuses this week. Brock decided he wanted to represent Canada this year, rather than Switzerland. It is a fun day for everyone, with over 60 nationalities within the student body all wearing their colorful national costumes. The food fair that the moms put out is always a highlight!

Proud Canadians

Sunday at ISKI with the French gang

Dunja has brought the boys to ISKI a few times this year. There is a large group of French families who are members there and can sign us in as guests. It is ideal for kids because there is lots of green space and a big swimming pool. It is also nice for Dunja because she gets a day of speaking French with friends.

Saturday Soccer

Kyle had his soccer game at 8am this Saturday, and Brock had his at 10am. It's been a good season, but I am also counting 3 more Saturdays!

Canadian Thanksgiving Dinner

Canadian Thanksgiving Day was Sunday, October 12th, and the CWA (Canadian Women's Association) organized a dinner at the Four Season's Hotel. The ambassador and about 100 other Canadians were there to eat turkey and celebrate the occasion. I made a connection and bought a case of Big Rock beer from Calgary! It wasn't cheap but it will sure taste good.

Kyle's New Look

Kyle has been growing his hair all year, but this week he decided he wanted to get it cut. We miss the surfer look, however, he is pretty darn cute with the clean cut look, too!

Beachin' it in Bali - 3

Our week in Bali was one of my best trips ever to this island. I really felt relaxed and ready to return to Jakarta by the end of the week. It helped that we stayed in a beautiful ocean view suite at the Aston Bali in Benoa for the first half, and then we spent 4 nights in a comfortable, private villa in Sanur for the second half. We ate very well and spent lots of time in the water. Both boys loved the jet skis. They also thought it was pretty cool to get henna tattoos.

Quality family time
Our 3 bedroom villa
Low tide beach combing
Keeping cool
Sanur beach is much quieter than Kuta
Handsome Brock
Beautiful Kyle

Beachin' it in Bali - 2

We rented jet skis at Benoa and Sanur beaches. Brock loves to drive with the throttle to the max!

Beachin' it in Bali - 1

View from the terrace of our suite
Hotel pool
Dragon tattoo
The guy was a pretty good tattoo artist
Fruit carving is a real art. This watermelon was on display at the breakfast buffet.

Halloween Season

One of the many fulfilling aspects of living overseas and working in a multicultural job setting is that you build an eclectic base of friends. Three of our friends, Dave, Dave and Mindy, are roommates and they have hosted a big Halloween bash for the past three years. They share a big house that is right beside an infamous 'rumah hontu' (Haunted House) in Jakarta. This neighboring house is believed to be haunted, so it remains eerily empty because Indonesians are superstitious and truly believe that ghosts occupy it. It even made it in the newspapers. Anyways, Dave 1 is a fantastic artist and he just designed this party invitation. I had to put it on our blog and share it. Their parties are one of the best of the year. Can't wait to put on something psychedelic and party on!

The Rest of the World Prevails

Last Sunday was our annual Colameco Cup golf tournament, in memory of our colleague Andy Colameco. Held during the same week as the real Ryder Cup, we have a USA versus the World tourney. It is all good fun but there is definitely pride and bragging rights at stake. This year, the USA went down in flames, with a final tally of USA 45 and The World 60. Even Bintang beer tastes good when you are drinking it out of the Cup!