WW: La Mezquita, Cordoba, Spain

One of the historical mosques that #MyItchyFeet and I have visited :)

La Mezquita, Cordoba, Spain

The Mihrab..or the Niche..

The mihrab...

The ceiling...

one of the original ceilings of La Mezquita..

the famous pillars...

Join us on (almost) Wordless Wednesday and link up here :)

Welcome to the American Museum of Natural History in NYC #2 Islam

Hellooo and welcome back...

As I have promised before, I will get back with some more stories and details about the American Museum of Natural History in NYC. I feel like there are so many details that are too good to pass. And as we are in the middle of Ramadhan, the holy month for Muslims all over the world, I feel like sharing some segments of the AMNH about Islam.

So let's see what we have here :)..

Welcome to the American Museum of Natural History in NYC #2 Islam 

Awalnya saya tidak menyangka ada bagian khusus yang menampilkan Islam  di American Museum of Natural History ini, karena saya pikir akan banyak display mengenai alam dan kekayaannya. But of course I was wrong.. Dan display mengenai Islam sangat menarik lho, bahkan buat saya yang juga muslim.

Being part of the Gardner D. Stout Hall of the Asian Peoples, we found many interesting facts about the journey of Islam in many parts of the world. Especially in the beginning of the 7th century onwards. Even for a moslem like myself, I feel priviledged to know and learn more about Islam here in this museum.

Some of the artifacts being shown are hand-written Al- Quran, the holy Koran, that was found and brought from Africa. Some other artifacts, the old ones I should say, including elaborated swords and handicrafts can be witnessed here as well. One that caught my attention was the sword and something that looks like a club to me. 

As it says on the display, "Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia harbor relics of a cult of crocodile scabbards for ritual swords and knives...".  So the scabbard was made of crocodile . I have to say it looked like on as well :). Interesting... Have a closer look...

Do you see the croc in there..

On the same area, we also have more display of  the chart of Prophet Muhammad SAW (PBUH) and the Kulafaur Rashyidin, or the great khalifah after Prophet Muhammad SAW (PBUH) passed away.

There is sort of an introduction of the architecture of mosque and its minaret (tower), mihrab (niche) and courtyard. It makes me miss the many beautiful mosques we have back home.

And the music of Islam... How's that for another interesting  face of Islam. 

Too bad I didn't really catch the details of it. Do you see any familar musical instruments here? 

Another colorful spot we have here is about women of Islam. 
Some traditional yet beautiful costumes from different part of the Islamic countries  are there to see. Love to see them.. So elaborated and fashionable. Some even looks like haute couture to me :)...

Women of Islam

As we walked along the hall, we found the replica of the pillars and the windows of La Alhambra's famous Nasrid Palace. I just remembered our own journey to this amazing place of La Alhambra as I shared here.

I found this part of the displays very informative. Not only for us Muslims who like to know more about the journey of Islam in many parts of the world, including here in the US, but also those who are not familiar about this religion.
The basic 5 pillars of Islam, for example, is also explained here.

it was a bit dark but the information is clear..

And the display is superb as well...
Clearly depicting  the Islamic spirit and cultures ... 
in beautiful patterns and bright colors :).

I took all the photos using my smartphone, so some of them are not very clear.

This very segment also displays the rise of other religions like Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism. 

So, what do you think? Do you find this part as interesting as I do?


American Museum of Natural History  (AMNH)
Central Park West, 79th Street, New York City, New York, 10024-5192
Phone: +1 212 7695100
Open daily from 10 AM - 5.45 PM, except on Thanksgiving and Christmas 

Welcome to the American Museum of Natural History in NYC #1

Did you watch the Night at the Museum movie with Ben Stiller and the late Robin Williams on it? 

Watching all those animals and exhibits in the museum came to life is quite an experience indeed. And we were lucky enough to get the opportunity to visit the real Museum being depicted as the site of this movie. :)

Welcome to the American Museum of the Natural History in New York City.

Museum will always be fascinating for me and my kids. So many interesting things to see, explore and learn.

And as summer break is here,  a lovely visit to the museum will be great.
We went there last May.

Located in Central Park West at 79th  Street, New York City, this museum is the perfect place to start exploring the amazing world of discoveries, cultures and science at the same time. In 1869, the museum was firstly created after the proposal from Albert Smith Bickmore, a zoologist, to establish a natural history museum in NYC, was fully supported by Theodore Roosevelt  (remember Teddy... brilliantly played by Robin Williams in the movie..the US President as well as an avid explorer), William Dodge, J.P. Morgan,  and Joseph Choate. Initially located in the Central Park Arsenal on the eastern part of the Park, the Museum's first building located in 77th  - 81st street  was erected in 1874. Long story short, this monumental building comprises 5-story square is now the house of enormous collection from many parts of the world in many forms and objects.


So, as we were ready to explore the museum, we decided to take the train here as driving and paring in Manhattan an drive you crazy :). It was very convenient for you who live in or visit NYC to come to this Museum because subway 1 or 2 take you directly to the 81st St, right underneath this museum. By the time you are stepping out of the subway, even the tiles along the way show you the path to the entrance. So cute...

Look at all those ceramic murals :)

When you arrived at the lobby, you will be welcomed by the gigantic fossil replica of Balosaurus and Allosaurus in a combating scene under the remarkable dome. 

say hi :)..

What an incredible sight...
No wonder this Theodore Roosevelt Rotunda, the name of the the Hall, is incredible famous. Bo et Obi surely devour the moment here :).

the Grand Entrance of the Museum...

As this museum is extremely popular, the line for the entrance ticket is long and packed. But the great thing is, I got one-year free membership from my NY ID and we have a special line for that. Yaaaay....with my free membership, I can take 4 kids with me and less than 5 minutes, we got our tickets.

the tickets...

As usual, the suggested ticket price for this museum is USD 22 for adults, USD 12.50 for kids (2 - 12 years old) and USD 17 for senior and students. You can pay extra for 1 admission to the special exhibition, including the 3D IMAX movie, by paying USD 27 for adults, USD 16 for kids (2 - 12 years old) and USD 22 for senior and students. For SuperSaver tickets, where you can see verything, it will be USD 35 for adults, USD 22 for kids (2 - 12 years old) and USD 28 for senior and students. For more updated information about the tickets, feel free to check the website. 

Sooooo there we were...getting ready to explore and sooo excited about it.

Well, I have to warn you though, this museum is hugeeeee.
A lot to see indeed.
There are 45 permanent halls and one visit certainly won't cover everything.

As an illustration, the 4 of us explored it for almost 4 hours (that's the maximum we got with the kids :)), but we only managed to see 14 permanent exhibitions :). 

Basically, the Museum has permanent and temporary exhibitions, classified in several themes including biodiversity and environmental halls, animals, fossils, human origins and cultures, earth and space and sooo much more.

We started our visit with the Akeley Hall of the African Mamals, warmly welcomed by real-size African Elephants. Bo et Obi were fascinated with all those indigenuous animals from African deserts, savanas, plains, rivers and more. 

Lions, giraffes, deer, gorillas and so much more, complete with the information about their natural environments. 

I can almost hear his growls :)

Really...looking at those exhibitions made feel like we were there in Africa. 

Then we continued to browse the next hall, which is the African Peoples. 
Here we saw the interesting trails of civilizations in this continent. Stories about cultures, including their artifacts like masks, costumes and handicrafts were displayed.

what do you think :)

Next,we followed the path and saw the Birds of the world. 
Another fascinating part indeed...

fly high...

From here, we were heading to the Stout of Asian People Hall and Asian Mammals. Then of course we didn't want to miss dinosaurs part :).  As a matter of fact, Bo et Obi have been  been wanting to come to this spot in the first place.

sneak peak to the Fossils Hall..

Wanna know what we saw in the Fossils Hall ? And other parts of the American Museum of Natural History?
I'll be back with more stories and pictures on the next post.

Do you like museum, too? What is you favorite?


American Museum of Natural History  (AMNH)
Central Park West, 79th Street, New York City, New York, 10024-5192
Phone: +1 212 7695100
Open daily from 10 AM - 5.45 PM, except on Thanksgiving and Christmas

Reference:
American Museum of Natural History

Dolphins at Kiluan Bay, Tanggamus, Lampung

Wherever we may roam, His masterpiece will always be there..

Dolphins at Kiluan Bay, Tanggamus, Lampung, Indonesia

the wild dolphin...at Kiluan Bay

They are just amazing creatures..

                                      

Join us on Skywatch Friday and admire the endless beauty of the sky and nature all over the world

Flushing Meadows in summer

Summer is here...
Say cheeeseeeee :)

My daughter Obi just loves spending time outdoor. 

Well, who wouldn't? 
At least now, when the weather get warmer and 'friendlier' for our 35-degree-all-year-long-Indonesian-skin :).

Public parks and pools are her favorite...along with some scooter-time with her brother, Bo.

We are lucky that many parks are within the walking distance of our house, like Astoria Park, but one of our all-time favorite here is Corona Park, Flushing Meadows. 
We went here several times, in all seasons. 
Winter, spring, summer et fall :). 
The first time we came here is because we wanted to check the alien tower appeared in Men in Black movie. From that moment on, we keep coming back.

It's famous for its Unisphere and being the site for World's Fair back in 1940 and 1965. 
The last time we went here was before Ramadhan as they had the festival for the anniversary of the World's Fairs.

It was a great event, with many displays of antique cars, mementos from the Fairs, and fun activities for the kids. I should have probably put that story on another post. Yeaaah...will do :).

But for sure, we were having fun at that day.
And took a lot of pictures.
Really a lot of pictures :).

Obi in black-and-white 

Well, it was a great day..
Everyone was in good mood and we had our phones.
So..voilaaaa...
A photo session it was.

                Here are some of the shots we took on iPhone 6 and edited using Snapseed

Hope you like it :)

Say cheeers...

cheers..

                         

Obi and I :)

the 4 of us, under the Unisphere :)

Now that we are in the middle of Ramadhan, the holy month for moslems, we are fasting and trying to go a little easy on outdoor activities.

But I guess another trip to Flushing Meadows won't hurt :).

What's your favorite park near your house? Do you take lots of pictures in the park as well?

WW: the 4th of July Fireworks

It's an early celebration of the 4th of July here at Astoria Park :)

this photo was taken by Udi :)

and this one is mine :)

I can't wait to see the full celebration of it :). I hope we'll be able to make it ..

Join us on Wordless Wednesday and enjoy lovely bloghopping ;)

Happy Graduation, Obi ...

the graduation cake

"And next... 

To the girl who knows exactly what to do with paint and brush, here is our most artistic girl, Nadine Frakarsa.... C'mon down..."

Happy claps and cheers were filling the room, as my daughter Obi stepped up and received her certificate of recognition from her school, Mushroom House Daycare.

I almost broke into tears..

Happy tears..

bunny foo foo :)

I still remember.. 

Roughly 15 months before, when we rushly looked for Bo et Obi's school. 

Just moving in to NYC from Jakarta, Indonesia in May 2014, it took a while for us to get the house we wanted. After around 1 month, we finally got one in Astoria. Then the hunt for the school began... 

Or rather, we chose the house we lived in now because of the school :).

Here in NYC, they use the school zone system, especially for the elementary level. So, I have to make sure that our address is within the school zone of the school that we want. Sometimes even if you are living closely to one school, the school zone might be slightly different. Therefore, before we signed the contract, we made sure that PS 122 will be Bo's school -and soon Obi, too :).

As for Obi, as she was eligible for pre-K, we were looking for free Universal Pre-K funded by NYC near our house. They open the registration in February and we were in June already at that time. from 4 schools we applied, we finally got one spot, of two left, in Mushroom House Daycare. it was a close call but we made it ;).

So, Obi's new adventure begin in September 2014...

It was not a smooth sailing for Obi at the beginning. Huge adjustments have to be made and Obi was picking up the pieces at her speed. But with thel of Ms. Linly, Ms. Sallyan and Ms. Asha, my little girl surely learnt more and more everyday...

Obi, me et Ms. Linly :)

                                     

And how she loved her class.

Everyday there will be new story about whatever happens at school.

Obi made this, the class went to the park, Nadia did this, we sang this song, Brandon drew this.. On and on and on...

happy friends forever...Nadia, Brandon, Obi..

And now, after sharing so many beautiful moments together, the class finally said goodbye to its petit passengers.

The graduation started at 10 AM and filled with lovely songs, performances, and award presentations.

Everybody was a winner that day ;))

cheeers :)

The theme for the graduation day was creatively taken from Dr. Seuss' Oh the places you'll go... 

So lovely...

And there were many food and munchies for everyone, although my munchkin and I were fasting ;).

One lovely photo booth were prepared as well, complete with funny accessories that we could use.

With Ms. Sally and Ms. Linly :)

                                   

Cute photo book filled with colorful pages of Obi's day at school became a lovely memento, along with goody bags of stationery and sweets. Ah, and one lovely toutou as well :).

After for about 1.5 hours, the program was concluded. With mixed feelings, we all bid farewell to friends and teachers. Some will go to the same kindergarten, some will not. But for sure the friendship will stay in our hearts.

Thank you Ms. Linly, Ms. Sallyan and everyone at Mushroom House Daycare...

We are forever grateful..

Wherever you may be...

And I know my Rabb will always be with me..

wherever you may be...

Wherever  I may be...

Bunaken, Manado

The clear blue sky at Bunaken, Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Join us on Skywatch Friday