Welcoming 2015...

Agaiiiin...Happy, happy New Year!

It's the 2nd of January (how time flies :p) and officially it's our first working day in this brand new year :). I don't know why but I'm soooo exciteeed...We're starting the year in high gears as the Capital has requested many inputs from the recent development of the issues I'm handling here. Well, that's all I can say about work :). How do you spend your day welcoming 2015?

Rasanya memang waktu berlalu dengan cepat ya :). Tahun lalu, kami tahun baru dengan berkumpul bersama keluarga besar di rumah Tante Mira di bilangan Jakarta Selatan, menyaksikan pesta kembang api (entah di mana) yang terlihat jelas dari lantai tujuh apartemen, dan dilanjutkan dengan doa bersama plus karaoke :).

Don't get me wrong...we usually use the event of new year's eve to gather with the whole big family, because everyone is in fact on holiday. Beside Lebaran Day, perhaps new year's eve is the only time when we all have no excuse but to come together and spend some time with the big family :). So far, it works...

Dan alhamdulillah, 2014 terbukti sebagai tahun yang penuh warna dan rasa buat kami sekeluarga. Selain segala kelucuan dan kehebohan yang kami sekeluarga alami yang sudah banyak dishare di blog ini, keluarga besar juga menyambut Vivi, tambahan keluarga baru setelah resmi menikah dengan adikku yang bungsu, Ajay, pertengahan Desember 2014 lalu. Selamaaat ya Om Atay et tante Vivi...welcome aboard :). It was a lovely wedding and  we enjoyed that through facetime :)

Sementara itu, penasaran ngga sih dengan tahun baru di New York City?
Sama dooong...
Saya aja penasaran hehehe...especially as this is our first new year's eve in the Big Apple.
Dan memang media massa sudah penuh segala rencana menggoda untuk menikmati tahun baru a la New Yorkers.
Just google it :)...

Mulai dari keriuhan di Times Square, the intersection of the world, dengan ball drop alias bola kristalnya yang kondang itu:); pesta kembang api di sana, termasuk di area seputar Battery Park, Brooklyn Bridge dan Liberty Statue; ada pesta khusus di Central Park; cruising di East et Hudson River menuju Staten Island; dan teman-temannya.
Banyaaak banget pilihannya.
Wuhuuuu..heboh sendiri jadinya :).

fire work at Brooklyn Bridge..Picture is taken from here

Well, well...but apparently, those are not for me :).
Udara yang ngedrop hingga minus dengan angin yang merontokkan tulang dan menusuk kalbu (he'eh beneer yaa :)) dan kemoterapi di hari terakhir di tahun 2014 yang harus saya jalani membuat saya berpikir ribuan kali untuk bergabung dengan orang-orang di luar sana. Lagipula, tahun 2014 benar-benar tahun yang penuh refleksi diri untuk saya. Jadi rasanya, kok ya ngg paaas untuk party-party. Plus, kami sekantor pun akan mengantarkan teman yang telah selesai menjalani tugas dan akan kembali ke tanah air bersama keluarga malam itu. Senangnyaaaa...

Akhirnya, akal sehat dan kondisi badan yang tidak memungkinkan yang membuat saya dan Udi, my munchkin, memutuskan untuk melewati tahun baru as it is. Nothing fancy, nothing extra special..just as it is...

Usai mengantarkan Mas Yudho, Mba Ina dan keluarga ke bandara JFK, waktu sudah menunjukkan pukul 11.30 pm. Sebentar lagi waktunya berganti tahun.

Selfie terakhir di tahun 2014 :)

On the way back, kami memutar mengambil jalur Brooklyn, untuk melewati Prospect Park yang katanya juga ramai dengan atraksi kembang api. Well, iseng lewat, ternyata saat kami mendekati taman itu, atraksi kembang api sudah dimulai. Jadilah kami menikmati dari mobil, sambil foto dengan smartphone. 

Sementara anak-anak tidur dooong dengan pulas :). Persis di gerbang Prospect Park, antrian mobil mulai terlihat. Jalanan masih ramai dan di mana-mana banyak orang meneriakkan happy new year. 

Prospect Park on new year's eve...

So, akhirnya kami lanjut menuju rumah. Via Brooklyn menuju Astoria, jalanan relatif sepi. Mungkin semua orang tumplek di Times Square, atau nongkrong di bar, or even stay at home because of the cold.

Menuju rumah, kami  mampir lagi ke Astoria Park.

Astoria Park.

Sepi, so peaceful..
Menikmati pemandangan lampu berkelip-kelip di Triboro Bridge, saya dan Udi langsung kangen Indonesia :). Beneran ...

All in all, it was a good day :)
Dan paginya, kami bangun disambut senyum manis anak-anak...
Alhamdulillah..
Welcome, 2015...

Thank you, 2014...

Alriteee...

Hold your horns, it's not yet 2015 :).

At least here, where I recently live...

While many of us are probably busy thinking about the best way of spending the new year's eve (I have to admit I am, too :) ) or you have celebrated triumphantly and wanted to write in your blog , I just wanna sit down for a while and write this.

2014...

What a year...

Previously, I have shared in my posting about mini self-reflection along the year on what my 'momentous' post in 2014. And I chose this :).

Again, 2014 has been a colorful year for me personally and my family. Many life-changing moments happen along this year. Truly a roller coaster ride, full of enjoyment, endless excitement with highest and lowest points. Just like a regular life for some, but truly an exceptional one for me.

To you who probably have been reading some posts in my blog, you remember how glorious I started 2014 :). I didn't mean to boast on it but I had so muuuch fun joining one lovely family of Kumpulan Emak Blogger in 2013 and becoming one of the finalists for Srikandi Blogger 2014. An awesome new blogging world was widely open for me and how I savored it! Meeting thousands of brilliant and talented women all over the world through blogs and social media is truly amazing and I learn a lot from them. Almost on everything...until today :).


Then my itchy feet took my to many beautiful places on earth..
From the biggest continent on earth to the freezing spot in landlocked country, from the breathtaking ancient world to the hippest civilization human can claim...from the greenery scenery of my own home town to the addicting peaceful world of underwater  heaven. Aaaah, I am totally blessed! All those trips just made me realize how magical the world we live in and how Allah the Almighty is the masterpiece of all creations.

Moving forward to the middle of the year, my family and I once again embraced a new place to be called home. The Big Apple. The City that never sleeps. The Empire City. The Capital of the World. Gotham city...whatever suits you :). Following our path as the civil servant, I was honored to join the big family of the Permanent Mission of Indonesia to the United Nations in NYC. Alhamdulillah...God speed!

Then, July 2014, I was confirmed to have breast cancer. Yuup...breast cancer. I was pretty much helped with the early detection and had had my mastectomy as well as series of chemotherapies to work on it. Not easy...not that easy at all :). Fear, anxiety, stress and uncertainty keep coming back and tormenting me. Truly a new battlefield for me :). But I know I'll get through it...with the help of My Creator and the endless spirit to celebrate more birthdays and spend more time with my loved ones.  Wish me luck, friends...It's a long and winding road, but hope is certainly there to embrace.  My journey are reflected in many episodes in this blog.

Meanwhile, on a lighter side, I have so many happy and cheerful moments with my loved ones. My loves, families, friends and colleagues... 

So, to wrap things up, 2014 is AWESOME :)

Thank you, 2014

For making me more grateful for everything I have...
For turning me into a more compassionate person...
For patiently accompanying me in my darkest hours...
For keeping up with my spirits and hopes...
For allowing me to spend more and more time with my kids and my hubby...
For opening up my eyes that everything is written in God's hands...
For ensuring what my priorities are in this life...
For convincing me that life is indeed beautiful!

2015 is just a few hours away now..
And I just can't wait to see what life brings in this new year...

To more brilliant days and clear blue skies :)

Bismillahirrahmanirrahiiiiim....

WW: Happy New Year, everyone...

Spending the first half of the last day of 2014 in my cozy corner at NYU Clinical Cancer Center for my 6th chemo :).

Have a fabulous 2015, everyoneeee....

Stay healthy, prosperous and grateful :)

Cheeers....

Project Sunlight for the #BrightFuture...

Do you know that the 19th of November is celebrated as the World Toilet Day?
Yuuup...World Toilet Day...
How cool is that...

Giant inflatable toilet in front of the UN building in NYC
photo is taken from https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152763229500589&set=a.141516105588.143476.669795588&type=1&theater 

I know some of you might be laughing or at least smiling..then start thinking why we need to have world toilet day anyway...

It's astonishing to know how simple thing as having a clean and proper toilet is indeed a luxury! A luxury that not everyone can enjoy.

For us who are lucky enough to live in a better world, sitting in a comfortable toilet every morning is just part of the routine. 
No fuss...just flush...

But as a matter of fact, this particular challenge has long been regarded as one of the issues that require urgent attention from the international community. No wonder the United Nations, together with UN Water and Unilever, which is sponsoring the Toilet Board Coalition (TBC), conducted a series of awareness raising campaign, including by putting giant inflatable plastic toilet in front of the UN headquarter in New York City on the World Toilet Day. 

World Toilet Day, with UN Water

Moreover, an inspiring seminar was conducted and a comprehensive report prepared by TBC was presented. Providing sanitation-related challenges and cases in India, interesting approaches combining creativity and knowledge have produced outputs that are effectively proven to be  working. Very intriguing! 

Another shocking truth that I got from this event is that how statistics show that many, many others, - approximately 2.5 billion people world wide, have not had access to improved and adequate sanitation, including toilets. Even 1 billion people still defecate outside, putting their life at risk of hygiene and health problems like diarrhea. 

In 2013, 1,000 children died every day because of diarrheal diseases due to poor sanitation and hygiene as well as unclean water. Even worse, for women and girls, open defecation also puts them in more risks for sexual harassment and violence. 

The comprehensive report

Can you imagine how many lost of valuables lives that we can actually prevent? 
How many bright lives of agents of change, our children, that we can spare if we address this sanitation issue.

Toilet is not only a home accessory that you probably need most in the morning. It's the necessary means required by everyone of us to live a healthy life. A healthy life that paves the way to our future. #BrightFuture.

Back home in my country, Indonesia, we do face the same daunting problems. With the constant growing population, extra limited space for decent living and lack of attention to important healthy habits, sanitation indeed poses big challenges. 

For sure the Government has taken steps to overcome it, including through the implementation of national program of community-based total sanitation. With its 5 important pillars comprising of the eradication of open defecation;  washing hands using soap; household water management; solid waste management; and liquid waste management, it has served as the main framework in addressing the issue of sanitation. But of course, the Government can not work alone to address this issue. Private sectors and civil societies have long partnered and worked hand in hand with all related stakeholders to come up with the solutions for this problem. 

This is when Project Sunlight, initiated by Unilever Global, steps into the picture. 
Commenced in 2013 at 5 countries, namely Indonesia, United States, United Kingdom, Brasil and India, Project Sunlight is the true realization of Unilever Sustainable Living Plan (USLP) aiming at encouraging millions of people all over the world to take real steps and implement sustainable living to ensure the #brightfuture of our children.

In 2014, Project Sunlight in Indonesia focuses on the theme of Healthy Future. And I am more than happy to introduce you to Dira Noveriani. 

Being a volunteer at Sahabat Anak, one of the non-governmental organizations in Indonesia focusing on providing quality education for street children in Jakarta, she teaches English, math as well as the importance of healthy cleaning habits to the kids. At her tender age of 16, she shares her dreams about teaching and raising awareness about the importance of sanitation, which directly links to healthy lives and the #brightfuture of Indonesian children. She also rightly points out that most of the time, the biggest challenge we have is being apathetic with our surroundings. No wonder she is elected to represent Indonesia for the global Project Sunlight. 

We can also contribute more to this global movement. 
Through 4 (four) easy ways, we can be part of these important steps to realize healthy future of our children.

First, VIEW.  Take your time to view this inspirational film at www.projectsunlight.co.id  as Unilever will donate Rp100,00 for every view of the film.

Second, ACT.  There are many ways to take part here, including by writing any ideas for #brightfuture at www.projectsunlight.co.id where Unilever will donate Rp1000,00 for every single idea, and becoming volunteers #brightfuture and directly provide health education and interact with children in many elementary schools at Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan, Makassar, and Yogyakarta. For this, Unilever will donate Rp100.000,00. Moreover, in cooperation with Lotte Mart, every purchase of Lifebouy, Peopsodent, and Domestos products, Unilever will donate Rp1000,00 to support the educational program and to provide sanitation facilities at Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.

Third, SHARE. All inspiring stories and videos about children's ideas to save their #brightfuture will certainly worth a share. These will further inspire others in doing the same thing.

And fourth, FOLLOW. Follow those inspirational stories at Project Sunlight and for sure we learn more and more on how to contribute to this noble movement. 

See...Easy steps and it won't take too much of your time to join this cause. You can definitely have more updates and details of this project as well on Unilever Indonesia fan page on Facebook.

And for me personally, all these good habits start from myself and from home.

Yup...starting from myself. 
By ensuring that I apply healthy habits like properly washing my hands, cleaning my teeth regularly, cleaning toilets, drinking plenty of water and living a healthy lifestyle.

2 liters of water or 8 glasses a day..don't forget :)

Not only that I ensure my own health but I also set good examples for my kids, Bo et Obi :).

don't forget to wash you hands properly, Bo :)

Don't forget, sanitation is the magic word. 
Some simple, yet lifesaving healthy habits can spare the lives of many future agents of change. Our children...

Let's show our support to this program and be part of it!

References:
- Project Sunlight Indonesia website https://www.projectsunlight.co.id/
- Fan Page Unilever Indonesia https://www.facebook.com/unileverid
- 'Get a Toilet' Building demand for toilets, a Report prepared for the Toilet Board Coalition sponsored by Unilever
- The Toilet Paper, Global Citizen and UNICEF publication.

And the holiday starts here....

Okaaay...

It's been a few days after winter recess officially started :). Blame me for enjoying holiday doing nothing but spending some times with Bo et Obi :p. So, holiday starts hereeee...

happy holiday dearest friends..

As the 23rd of December was the last day for Bo et Obi's school, they have around 2 weeks before coming back to school on January 5th, 2015.

The first day of the holiday break, we, Bo and I, spent some time at my clinic for my 5th chemo. Yuuup, it was a cold morning on the Dec 24 that we had our afternoon at NYU Clinical Cancer Center. 

otw to my clinic :)

It was a looong day...at least for Bo, as I'm so used to it now. But he was sooo happy with the hot chocolate they served from the machine here :). He made two cups that day...

facetime with Bapak et Obi, while enjoying his second hot choco :)

But being a good-natured boy as always, Bo was quite happy accompanying me getting my blood drawn and waiting for the results, consulting doctors, and finally getting my infusion.

We finished at around 4 pm that day. It was surprisingly longer than usual, but I was so glad it finally over. Because with all the taxol, herceptin as well as pre-medication they gave me, I ended sleeping all the way back home and till late that evening. I was pretty washed up after the chemo but have a much better day afterwards.

Then the next day was Christmas. Well, we don't celebrate christmas but we surely respect those who are celebrating it. We exchanged gifts with neighbors, friends and colleagues, including my dearest doctors and nurses as the clinic. Then, we decided to go to Manhattan taking the subway.  It was the perfect time to go out as the weather was nice and slightly warm as well.

selfie in the subway? why not...

Destination: Rockefeller center :)

You  know why? Because they will have the Christmas Spectacular Show (at night though) and that famous huge xmas tree was there as well.   

red, red, red..

Taking the N line, we went straight ahead to the 49th st and walked to the Plaza. Along the way, the crowds were flocking and taking pictures in those giants xmas decoration dotting along the 5th avenue. 





It was surely merry :).

Bo et Obi, posing after throwing some coins to the pond :)

We passed the Radio City Music Hall as well. Many had gathered here for the show tonight. Well, not for us though, as I know it would be too late for the kids and I could imagine how cranky they could be.

Other feast to my eyes were the beautiful display of the shops. Some of them were sooo meticulously breathtaking :).

say hi to Ms. Saks 5th Avenue :)

love the birds :)

Moving forward, we finally arrived at the Rockefeller Center. Boy, what a crowd! For sure we're not the only one spending that beautiful day outside :). It took a while to get a spot and take picture around that busy ice skating ring and the giant christmas tree. 

The giant christmas tree...

looks like a great fun skating down here...

No need to mention how we wiggled our ways from this bumper-to-bumper situation :). That giant tree is really attracting everyone's attention. I just remembered Kevin McCallister (remember Home Alone 2? :p) meeting his mom here after being lost for a while. Famous tree, indeed :).

Getting ready for the Xmas Concert and it was only 2 pm...

I really like the nutcrackers, or more like the band members to me :). Their uniform were so colorful.

Many angels were playing their tunes as well...at least in our heads :).

angels in glamourous white...

Then ..after squeezing ourselves for a while on the way near and around the Center, we decided to we couldn't miss the street vendor, of course. Sweet smell of roasted walnuts, giant pretzels and savory hints of the hot dog and kish kebab really filled the air. 

want some? :)

Obi just couldn't resist the cute giant pretzels :). And I could say she almost had it all by herself. Hungry little girl..

Bon appetite, Obi :)

We finally had our dinner at Chinatown that evening :). 
So, that's our little adventure at the beginning of winter break.
How about you? 

Strolling around Manhattan..

It was surprisingly a warm day during Christmas here..

No snow, no chilly wind, just a perfect day to stroll around Manhattan with the kids and enjoy the blue sky :)

St. Patrick's Chatedral, Manhattan, NYC

Join us on Skywatch Friday...to those who enjoy the majestic sky, wherever you are...

WW: happy holiday :)

Happy holiday, everyoneeee..

Busy Obi and her greeting card for her wonderful teachers at school...

Princess Nadine...

such a colorful card :)

Kado Istimewa di hari Ibu

Happy mother's day :)..

Selamat hari ibuuuu semuaaa...

Mudah-mudahan belum terlalu terlambat untuk mengucapkannya karena buatku, setiap hari adalah hari Ibu :). Setiap bicara tentang Ibu, saya langsung ingat mama yang saat ini berada jauh di tanah air. Mama yang dengan segala kehebohannya akan selalu jadi sosok yang dirindukan.

Banyak cara Ibu mencurahkan cintanya pada kita...dalam diam, dalam senyum, dalam pelukan, dalam tawa, dalam masakannya, dalam doanya...selalu. Dengan segala kesabaran, kelapangan dada, dan cintanya, memang Hati Ibu Seluas Samudra... 

Dan kali ini, bertepatan dengan hari Ibu, ada satu #KadoIstimewa yang bisa kita persembahkan untuk ibu tercinta maupun semua ibu sejagad raya...juga semua yang menjadi anak-anaknya...

Adalah Pakdhe Abdul Cholik yang dengan segala inisiatifnya yang luar biasa sehingga 125 blogger, including me, bisa berkumpul mencurahkan hati akan kasih sayang tak berbatas dari sosok ibu kita dalam bentuk tulisan. Mengharukan pastinya... 

we have the soft cover and hard cover edition :)
gambar diambil dari https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=672580576196895&set=gm.680081208774379&type=1&theater

So, jangan ragu...antologi dari 125 blogger yang satu ini dijamin akan menambah kecintaan kita pada sosok Ibu yang memang tiada duanya. 

Judul                             :  Hati Ibu Seluas Samudra

Penulis                         :  Susan, Diah Kurnia Sari, Abdul Cholik, dkk

Penyunting                :  Tim Sixmidad

Desain Isi                   :  SixmidArt

Desain Sampul        :  Dani  S.

Penerbit                     : Penerbit Sixmidad, Bogor

Tahun                         : Cetakan pertama Desember 2014

ISBN                            : 978-602-0997-02-5

Jumlah  Halaman   :  xii+624 halaman (total 636 halaman)

Ukuran                      :  15x21 cm

Harga                        : Rp 75.000,00 (soft cover), Rp 115.000,00 (hard cover), 

                                       di luar ongkos kirim

Order                         : melalui inbox Mas Belalang Cerewet 

Happy reading, everyoneee....saya mau telpon mama dulu yaaa, biar kangennya hilang :)

Terima kasihku yang tak terhingga...

"Indah, I know you can do this...just tell me what I can do to make you feel better. 

I'll be here.."

Siang itu, seperti biasa saya menjalani kemoterapi yang sudah dijadwalkan sejak jauh - jauh hari. Usai diambil darah untuk memastikan jumlah sel darah putih saya memenuhi syarat dan pemeriksaan onkologist,  saya pun menuju infusion center untuk diinfus. Saya memang selalu menjalani proses kemoterapi seorang diri, karena Udi, my hubby, harus mengantar dan menjemput Bo et Obi sekolah.

Dan Nina,  sudah menunggu saya di sana.

My Nina :)

Adalah Nina Belis, seorang suster berhati emas, yang membantuku menjalani hari-hari kemoterapi penuh tantangan yang harus saya jalani sebagai bagian dari pengobatan kanker payudara yang saya derita. Dan Kemoterapi memang bukan proses yang mudah. Betul-betul memerlukan persiapan jiwa dan raga menjalaninya :).

Sejak menjalani kemoterapi untuk yang pertama kalinya bulan Oktober yang lalu, Nina dengan sabar menjelaskan apa saja yang akan saya lalui, obat-obatan yang saya terima dan dampaknya di tubuh saya, seraya membesarkan hati dan meyakinkan saya kalau semua ini bisa saya lalui. Saya dijadwalkan menjalani kemoterapi sebanyak 2 fase, fase pertama sebanyak 4 kali per dua minggu sekali, dan fase kedua sebanyak 12 kali per minggu. Setiap kali kemo, saya memerlukan waktu 4 - 5 jam, di luar tes darah dan konsultasi dokter.

sebagian dari obat-obatan saya selama kemo..

Tentu saja, saya banyak menghabiskan waktu dengan Nina dalam proses ini.

Mungkin karena profesinya  sebagai suster professional,  Nina begitu telaten merawat saya. Mulai dari menit pertama saya tiba di Infusion Center, memberikan obat infus saya hingga memastikan saya nyaman dan tidak kekurangan sesuatu selama kemoterapi plus mengajak saya ngobrol untuk hal-hal di luar kemoterapi. Rasanya seperti ada mama di sisi saya, yang begitu ngemong dan hangat. 

Nina pun begitu sigap. Saat kali pertama saya menjalani kemoterapi untuk fase yang kedua dengan obat yang berbeda, sebelumnya saya sudah diinformasikan kalau obat yang akan diberikan kepada saya memiliki beberapa efek samping yang berbeda ke setiap orang.

Tapi saya tidak menyangka, kalau siang itu saya akan menggigil hebat setelah diinfus selama 45 menit. Begitu hebat sampai saya tidak bisa berbicara tanpa gigi gemeletukan dan badan bergetar hebat. Never ever in my life saya mengalami hal ini. Dan Nina, dengan tanggap langsung memberi saya 3 ekstra selimut, memberi pre-medication dan standby me sampai lebih dari 20 menit saat rasa menggigil hebat itu hilang begitu saya. She was there, dengan matanya yang teduh dan tangan hangatnya yang memastikan saya baik-baik saja.

Aaah Nina, I know you know how grateful I am for knowing you and having you as my nurse.

Nina yang selalu ramah menyapa saat saya sudah lelah menjalani serangkaian tes darah.

Nina yang selalu memuji apapun yang saya pakai, no matter how messy I look

Nina yang selalu meminta maaf sebelum memasukkan jarum infus ke tangan saya

Nina yang bolak-balik menanyakan apakah saya baik-baik saja

Nina yang rela mendengarkan celoteh saya tentang semua dampak kemo yang saya alami

Nina yang ikut tergelak saat saya cerita betapa Bo dan Obi menyukai gaya rambut botak saya yang baru

Nina yang selalu menguatkan hati dan yakin bahwa saya akan melalui semua ini dengan baik

Nina yang menyuruh saya menelpon mama saat saya benar-benar letih dan capek.

thanks to Nina, saya bisa menjalani kemo dengan hati lapang :)

I can never thank you enough for being there, Nina..

Sometimes we never know how others will touch your life in an amazing way...

Dan di hari yang istimewa ini, izinkan saya mengucapkan terima kasih yang tak terhingga kepada sosok malaikat yang dikirim sang Kuasa untuk saya. Semoga Tuhan membalas segala kebaikan hatinya. 

Selamat hari Ibu....

22 Desember 2014

Dari pojok New York City yang membeku

Menanti sang buah hati

Belum lama ini, kami sekeluarga merayakan ulang tahun anak-anak tercinta, Bo dan Obi. 

Bo kini genap 8 tahun, sementara Obi sudah menginjak usia 4 tahun. Rasanya baru kemarin saya dan Udi terharu biru saat tahu saya hamil.

Entah kenapa, saya sangat beruntung setiap mengandung. Kenapa? Karena saya begitu menikmatinya dan menjalaninya penuh suka cita. Padahal kami berdua jauh dari orang tua dan tidak berada di tanah air. Alhamdulilaaah saya tidak mabuk plus tetap super aktif hingga saat-saat terakhir. Well, seingat saya, saya agak merasa tidak enak badan saat tahu pertama kali kalau sedang hamil! 

But I have to say, pengalaman hamil dan melahirkan pertama kali memang sangat berkesan. Waktu hamil Bo, status saya adalah mahasiswa pascasarjana. Berdua dengan suami, kami tengah menuntut ilmu di Melbourne. 

hamil 8 bulan dan alhamdulillah studi saya pun selesai...yaay :)

Begitu tahu saya hamil, rasanya bahagia banget dan super was-was. Bayangin aja, kami tinggal berdua, status mahasiswa kere yang mengandalkan beasiswa, dan setelah dihitung, due date lahirnya Bo berdekatan dengan tanggal  visa tinggal dan belajar kami di Australia habis dan kami harus pulang ke tanah air. Kebayang dong hebohnya hehee... Tapi saya dan Udi bermodalkan bismillahirrahmanirrahiiim saja karena yakin semua sudah diatur-Nya.

So, life went on and we continued to enjoy our cherished moment together. By the time we found out that it was going to be a baby boy, our baby got his nickname already despite the fact that we haven't decided the complete name. Bo..that's how we lovingly called him. Until now :).

hamil tapi tetep semangat kerja niih, walaupun paruh waktu :) sampai 8 bulan kandunganku lhooo...

Rasanya benar-benar menakjubkan ketika pertama kali mendengar detak jantung Bo, melihatnya foto hasil USG sampai merasakan tendangannya saat di dalam perut.

Hanya satu masalah yang saya hadapi. Saya mengidap gestational diabetes (GD) atau diabetes selama kehamilan akibat hormon yang tidak beraturan selama hamil. Berbeda dengan diabetes melitus, GD akan hilang setelah sang bayi lahir, namun jika si ibu  tidak berhati-hati dengan asupan makanannya,  sang bayi akan tumbuh besar,  biasanya hingga melebihi 4 kilogram. Dan di Australia,  melahirkan dengan C-section adalah pilihan terakhir saat melahirkan akan membahayakan jiwa ibu dan bayinya. Dengan kata lain,  saya harus melahirkan secara alami. Saya pun semangat menjalani diet dan mengikuti semua arahan dokter. Makan betul-betul diatur, asupan karbo dicermati, banyak makan sayur dan buah, serta memeriksa gula darah 6 kali sehari, yaitu bangun tidur, satu jam sesudah makan pagi, sebelum dan satu jam sesudah makan siang,  plus makan malam. Repot, tapi semuanya saya tuliskan dalam tabel yang setiap minggunya harus saya konsultasikan dengan dokter . Tidak mudah lho ...dan ada masa di mana gula darah saya melonjak tinggi. Karena kebanyakan makan, atau saat banyak deadline essays, gara-gara stress :). Tapi alhamdulillaaaaah,  Bo tumbuh sehat dan normal, sementara berat badan saya justru turun hingga 6 kilo. Asyiiik kan ; p.

Dan tak terasa, due date sudah lewat 2 hari. Sampai hari Minggu pagi, tanggal 17 Desember 2006, air ketuban saya pecah. It was a big gush of water and I was a bit panic. Setelah menelpon ke RS, dokter menenangkan  dan meminta kami datang untuk memeriksa kondisi saya dan bayi. Dengan penuh semangat, saya dan Udi berangkat ke Monash Medical Center naik bus sambil membawa segala 'perlengkapan perang.' Tiba di RS, saya pun diperiksa dan detak jantung Bo masih baik,  air ketuban pun tetap jernih. Alhasil, saya pun disuruh pulang dan kembali besok pagi. Iya, disuruh pulang, dan diminta menghubungi RS kembali jika saya merasakan kontraksi. Akhirnya kami pun pulang. Eh, belanja AC portable dulu hehehe...karena saat itu Melbourne sedang musim panas yang super panas :). 

Minggu malam, saya mulai merasakan kontraksi, walaupun masih berjauhan dan tidak teratur. Senin pagi, kami ke RS lagi untuk pemeriksaan jantung Bo dan lagi-lagi kami disuruh pulang .. Kali ini, saya ngotot sama dokter minta tetap tunggu di RS. Soalnya malu juga pulang ke rumah padahal sudah dua kali bawa tas ke RS kok belum melahirkan juga, hahaha. Tapi insting saya ternyata benar juga. Sekitar tengah hari, saya sudah mulai merasakan kontraksi yang teratur dan dijadwalkan periksa pukul 5 sore.

Serunyaaaaa merasakan kontraksi demi kontraksi sambil mempersiapkan jalan lahir sang bayi.  Yang terasa hanya mules, mules dan muleees :). Akhirnya, sekitar jam 4, saya bilang  sudah tidak tahan lagi menahan sakitnya, walaupun dokter akan memeriksa satu jam lagi. Benar saja, setelah diperiksa ternyata saya sudah bukaan delapan. Langsung deeh saya dibawa ke kamar bersalin. Berdua dengan Udi, Dr. Kate Short duduk di ujung tempat tidur dan bilang,"Come on, Indah..you can do it..we want to see your baby." :p. dan tepat pukul 4.38 sore, Bo, yang nama lengkapnya Pramudita Darurazqi Frakarsa,  akhirnya lahir dengan berat 2.95 kg dan panjang 51 cm. Alhamdulillaaaah...sungguh pengalaman berharga yang tak kan terlupa.

Welcome, baby Bo :)

Aaaah, jadi panjang ajaaa cerita saat hamil dan melahirkan Bo :). Namanya juga pengalaman pertama yang tak terlupa. Nah waktu saya mengandung Obi....eiit, nanti aja ya lanjutannya, di postingan yang lain :). 

“Tulisan ini diikutsertakan dalam GA Hamil dan Melahirkan ala Bunda Salfa”

Into the woods..

No, this is not about that movie :)

It's just me sharing my photo while exploring the Bear Mountain area here in NY and love the ambience during the twilight hour.

The sky, the sun, the trees, the lake....

Truly a great creation of the Almighty.

I'm joining Skywatch Friday :)