Wonderful Wednesday with Oh My Heartsy Girl

January is super cold here in NYC but no snow coming until last Sunday. As temperature dropped to minus double digit C, the solemn snow shower started.

not much but enough to get the kids excited..

We had slightly snowy Sunday and surely kids got so excited. Even Bo et Obi started to drag us out of the house and said that they wanted to play snowball. So sorry kiddos, apparently we didn't have enough snow this time >_<.

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It's a bit different from last year as we had heavy snow and some storms even since October.

But now, as it's (almost) Wednesday, time for another Wonderful Wednesday people.

It is our 85th "Oh My Heartsie Girls "Wonderful" Wednesday's Linky Party and We Welcome You. We have lots of inspiration to share. And we appreciate your stopping by to share your blog with us. And We wish You A Happy New Year!! 

Your Links Are Seen On 10 blogs this week.

Oh My Heartsie Girl & Co-Hosts Welcome's you!! 

:❢:❢ #OMHGWW Starts Early Because Somewhere Its Already Tuesday ❢❢ And if you looking for something special from last week, there are so many good recipes and crafts, you can find them here :❢:❢ 

All The Entries Here :❢:❢

And If this is your first time to join us ~Welcome~ and if you are revisiting our AKA Wordless Wednesday Now... "Wonderful Wednesday Party's, since were anything but wordless....

Welcome Back!!  

♥~~♥

We hope you will Party With us each week and follow our Host and Co-Hosts This Week On Twitter or Bloglovin ♥~ MEET THE HOSTS of #OMHGWW ~♥ 

 

January's Co-Hosts For Oh My Heartsie Girls Wonderful Wednesday!!

♥Karren-Host // Oh My Heartsie Girl // New-Decorating with Pantone's Twin Colors of 2016 Twitter | Bloglovin | Google+ | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | HomeTalk

 

♥Co-Host Christine Mello // Must Love Home // Winter Bistro Table //The Winter Bistro Table is a modern interpretation of Bistro style. Casual dishware, simple wine glasses, cotton linens and candles are hallmarks of the classic style. Fun touches like the wine tags and napkin rings can personalize this simple style to your own taste. Twitter | Bloglovin | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest 

 

♥The Fabulous Journey// Fabulous Journey // How To Shop As A Fabulously Frugal Fashion Hunter//A frugal fashion hunter knows that a bargain hunter seldom, if ever, pays full price for anything! Twitter | Bloglovin | Google+ | Facebook | Pinterest |Instagram 

♥Co-Host Evija Roberts// From Evija With Love //New Feature on the Blog // I decided to do a new feature on the blog so if you have any craft, DIY upcycling projects, please submit for a chance to be featured! Twitter | Bloglovin | Google+ | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram

♥Co-Host Donna Wirthlin // Two Chicks And A Mom // Valentine's Day Sugar Cookies and Icing Recipes//These two recipes are used regularly in our family, especially around many holidays. If you need to make sweet treats for an upcoming school, church or community function (or just for the family), these cookies and icing recipes are the best! Twitter | Bloglovin | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram

 

♥Co-Host Ashleigh // Simply Wright // Italian Wedding Soup Pasta Bake// A twist on an Italian tradition that the whole family will enjoy! Facebook | Google + | Pinterest | Instagram | Bloglovin  

♥Co-Host Sarah-Ann Hamlin // Living Intentionally Simple // Vanilla Chia Granola // Simple delicious granola recipe that everyone will love. | Bloglovin | Pinterest |  

♥Co-Host Christine Ryan // A Sprinkle of This and That // One Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken//One Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram

 

♥Co-Host Indah // My Purple World //Tahu Isi - Fried Tofu with Vegetables Filling// Tofu and vegetables are indeed match made in heaven. Try this simple recipe for yummy munchies using tofu and your favorite vegetables. Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram

 

♥Co-Host Susan B Mead // Susan B Mead // Safe. Secure. Serene. // THE STORMS OF LIFE That’s where we lose our balance and our bearings, teetering, falling, toppling into despair. Oh, Father, I truly don’t want to go there…I want to be SAFE. SECURE. SERENE Twitter | Bloglovin| Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

 

Your Co-Hosts Picks From Last Week

 

Co-Host Pick Sara-Ann Hamlin Living Intentionally Simple//The Lou Lou Girls// Baked Snicker Doodles 

 

Co-Host Pick by Donna Two Chicks and A Mom //Mia Bella Passion // Paper Bunting

Co-Host Pick By Christine Mello of Must Love Home // Farm House Kitchen//

Worthington Court  

Co-Host Pick by Evija of Evija With Love // 2 Bees In A Pod // Ikea Rast Hack

Co-Host Pick By Shellie of The Fabulous Journey // Designer Trapped// Kitchen Cabinet Organization

Co-Host Pick by Ashleigh of Simply Wright //Chemistry Cache// Easy Gluten Free Baking Tips

 

Co-Host Pick by Christine Ryan of A Sprinkle of This and That // Oh My Creative // Frozen Yogurt Hearts Granola Valentine

Co-Host Pick by Susan of Susan B Mead //Strength and Sunshine // Slow Cooker Macadamia Chicken

Host Pick by Karren of Oh My Heartsie Girl // Bombshell Bling // Stitched Heart Garland  

Host Pick by Karren of Oh My Heartsie Girl // Atta Girl// Transferring Vintage Images With Mod-Podge 

♥Disclaimer: When you add your link along with your email, it will be used only to send you an invitation to join us for the party. It also gives Oh My Heartsie Girl or Co-Hosts permission to share your posts, pictures and links if featured in upcoming posts. Any content used will be given proper credit and link-backs will be provided. But Now.....Let's Party!! ..And Open for a Week.. Stop by add new Links all week long!! Share With Us your recipes, reviews ,crafts, home decor, fashion posts, jewelry, paper crafts and yes, Linky Parties and Giveaways. 

Please Don't Link and Run-

Comments Are Welcome & Link-backs are Appreciated 

We Want To See It All! 

And Please Feel Free To Pin A Few of Our Features

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:❢:❢Take a Minute and Tweet To Let Your Friends Know About Our Party❢:❢:

But Now.....Let's Party!! …

Don't be shy and feel free to join us :)

New York Times Travel Show 2016

"Where do you wanna go, Ma?" Asked Bo, my boy, while excitedly looking at the spin-and-win roulette. 
"Where do YOU wanna go, Bo?" I asked him back and smiled. 
"Let's go to the place where we can snorkel and dive, as you like it" Bo said seriously and started spinning.

***

The New York Times Travel Show 2016

Do you like coming to an expo?

I do, especially if it's related to traveling. 
And we just had the annual New York Times Travel Show last week at Javits Center.
I won't miss it for the world!
My itchy feet tickle since God knows when and coming to this prestigious gathering feels like joining a party with old friends, great food and endless photo sessions. 
It makes me thrilled and super happy :). 

How can't you be so thrilled?

Displaying more than 500 exhibitor booths in 16 different Pavilions, starting from the amazingly diverse Asia to the classically elegant Europe, from the adventurous Africa to mystifyingly intriguing Pacific, this exhibition really spoiled its visitors with vast variety of first-class holiday options which suit different walks of life. Cruise trips, adventurous vacations, well-being and healthy travels to family-fun-packed holidays are being introduced, reintroduced, and even auctioned during this three-day travelvaganza.

As you continue to be amazed with places and attractions you are familiar with,  get yourself prepared with new destinations, off-beaten tracks and once-in-a-lifetime experience that will surely fill your blog and social media platforms with endless stories and photos. 

Being held since 2003, this international travel exhibition has been famously coined as the biggest of its kind in the East Coast region. Harboring hundreds of countries and travel industries from every corner of the world, NY Times Travel Expo certainly has a lot to offer. Seminars, book signing, cooking demo, cultural performances, free goodies, discounted trips,  raffles, and more can be enjoyed during this show.

As Bo, Obi and I arrived in this Hall, we first headed to the Asia Pavilion cultural show, as we had a medley of 5 traditional dances from different part of Indonesia, like Rengkak from West Java, Pakarena from South Sulawesi, Sirih Kuning from Jakarta,  Gending Sriwijaya from South Sumatera, and Giring-giring from Kalimantan. What a lovely performance! 

medley of 5 Indonesian traditional dances

Cukup banyak pengunjung pameran yang begitu menikmati pertunjukan tari-tarian tradisional yang khusus digelar untuk kegiatan ini. Ragam tarian Indonesia yang ditampilkan, gerak lincah para penari dan  kostum tradisional yang berwarna-warni membuat panggung di paviliun Asia ini penuh dengan mereka yang menikmati budaya asli tanah air. Dari beberapa orang lokal yang saya tanya, rata-rata mereka mengenal Indonesia namun belum pernah mengunjungi negara kita tercinta. Semoga ketertarikan mereka ini bisa membuat mereka penasaran dan benar-benar mengunjungi Indonesia ya. Aamiiin.

gemulainya para penari membawakan Gending Sriwijaya

And not far from the stage, we saw the Wonderful Indonesia booth. Inspired by the famous Pinisi boat, Wonderful Indonesia booth indeed showcased the beauty of our beloved country, including its world-famous coffee and traditional cuisine. 

Wonderful Indonesia booth

Dan serunya lagi, booth kita yang mengadopsi bentuk Kapal Pinisi dipenuhi pengunjung yang antri untuk mencicipi kopi Papua dan Sumatera yang dibagikan gratis selama pelaksanaan pameran. I bet they enjoy the exquisite taste of our original worldwide famous coffee.

anyone wants to try Papua and Sumatera coffee?

But of course, more fun sparks from the photo booth. Who wouldn't take photos and selfies these days. Almost everyone, I guess, including me. And in our booth, we have a specially prepared photo frame which is indeed instagramable :). Super fun indeed :)

cheeers....I was really having fun at the photo corner :)

For sure I wasn't the only one having fun here. We have some guests coming and join the selfie time. Some of them got a chance to take pictures with the dancers and wearing the properties, most of which are indeed originally from home, like the head piece from Bali, West Java and more. Bahkan banyak pengunjung lain yang  mengabadikan momen kami selfie dengan telpon pintar dan tablet mereka masing-masing. Mungkin bingung kali ya melihat kehebohan di pojok foto ini :).

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For sure ada banyak booth pameran dari berbagai negara lainnya. Kami sempat berkeliling dan mengunjungi beberapa booth yang menarik. Salah satunya booth National Geographic yang sejak dulu terkenal dengan foto-foto perjalanan ke berbagai pelosok bumi yang luar biasa cantik dan menariknya. Dan kita pun asyik berfoto a la cover majalah ngetop ini. Plus properti lucu, jadi deh foto kita a la (Dora the) eksplorer :).

Who's the explorer :)

Tidak lupa kami mencoba keberuntungan dengan mengikuti berbagai undian, kuis, dan raffles yang diselenggarakan beberapa operator tur maupun maskapai penerbangan. Well, who knows? Siapa tau memang ada rezeki kami yang nyangkut di salah satu undian ini :). Dan memang berbagai undian dan hadiah ini menjadi salah satu daya tarik 

Bismillahirrahmanirahiiiim..semoga menang :)

And as I said before, the fun is not complete without enjoying the taste of the world. Culinary experience is indeed pack and parcel with the whole traveling package. So kami pun sempat mengikuti demo masak dari Afrika Selatan dan satu lagi dari Estonia. Sayangnya kami tidak selesai mengikuti demo-demo tersebut  karena Bo et Obi pun jadi merengek lapar dan minta dibelikan makanan dan minuman.

demo masaknya seru juga :)

Di beberapa panggung yang tersebar di banyak tempat seputar areal pameran ini juga berlangsung banyak diskusi, book-signing dan workshop  seputar traveling dan trik-triknya. Sepertinya seru, hanya karena anak-anak tidak begitu betah duduk lama di sesi tersebut, saya pun hanya sempat melihatnya sekilas. Yang ada anak-anak menarik saya untuk melihat booth di bagian depan yang memang sangat menarik karena menampilkan banyak foto dan backdrop yang mengundang #myitchyfeet to go there dan membagikan banyak souvenir gratis, mulai dari alat tulis, pin, stiker, environmental bags sampai kalung dan boneka lucu. Bahkan di sudut relaxation booth tersedia pijat gratis yang antrian panjang mengular. Plus tato temporer menggunakan hena yang ditawarkan di boot Maroko. They really know how to attract people's attention :). Jadi tambah semangaaaat deh kami.

Anjungan utama dari negara-negara sponsor besar..Seru :)

Tidak lupa kami mampir ke bagian Amerika dan mendapat banyak informasi menarik, plus tawaran mengundang, untuk menjelajahi negeri tempat kami bertugas hingga 2018 nanti. Kalau dipikir-pikir, rasanya banyak sekali negara bagian di AS yang layak didatangi. Jangankan saya, Bo et Obi pun langsung semangat menyebutkan tempat-tempat favorit yang mereka lihat di pameran ini. Mostly it involves robots, princesses and beautiful beaches :). Langsung berdoa semoga selalu diberikan kesehatan, rezeki dan kesempatan untuk menikmati ciptaan-Nya di belahan bumi lain. Aamiiiin.

So many destinations, so many interesting places..aaarrghhh...

All in all, it was a fun dat at New York Times Travel Expo 2016. 
Tidak rugi rasanya menikmati pameran yang super lengkap ini dari pagi dan mendapat banyak inspirasi perjalanan yang membuat daftar #myithcyfeet makin panjang. Plus segudang doa agar kami bisa benar-benar menjejakkan kaki ke sana.
We got home late in the afternoon with a big bag packed with all our dream travel destination. And some free goodies, too. If you happen to be around NYC next January, don't miss this expo!.

***

"Oh noo...that was so close! I spinned it too hard, Ma! We didn't win" exclaimed Bo sadly.
You know what? He only missed one strip over the spin-and-win roulette which pointed his dream destination.

"No worries, Bang.. When the time comes, we will definitely visit those places." 
And can I get an amen for that :)

Stay Blessed, People

2016 starts with a big bang for me.
Lots of early-year assignments and meetings plus  pending issues from previous year make the first three weeks of the new year flew fast.
Well, I'm not complaining. All is settled as we finished those tasks one by one.
But I just need a break in between.

stay blessed, people :)

Everyday, we pass this beautiful part of Astoria Park while dropping the kids to school in the morning or when Udi picks me up from the Subway station. 
Many time we just walk 2 blocks here to play in the kids' playground or pick up some dried leaves and have a picnic.
And sunset will always be gorgeous down here.
Even just a snap from my phone.

that LIRR track is surely a stealer

It might sound simple but this is exactly the little break I need. 

I just look up, look ahead and realized how blessed we all are.

Simple beauty surrounding us is a stark reminder how we can always witness our Creator's masterpiece. 

have a great weekend...

Stay blessed, people.

Enjoy your weekend.

And if you enjoy the beauty of the sky above you, join us on Skywatch Friday here :).

Mama, Meet Robonator

"Mama, meet Robonator," said Bo that night as I arrived at home from work.

It was almost bed time and the kids were apparently waiting for me. He held  the Lego, his Robonator, that he just finished building.

Mama, meet Robonator :)

"Woooow, Robonator? What exactly is it, Bo?" I asked him back as I took a closer look at it.

"It is a robot that is a terminator, alligator and tofunator all at once, Ma. This robot is so powerful, it can terminate all its enemies, strong like an alligator and like me, loves to eat tofu," explained Bo excitingly.

And I couldn't help but smiling.

Proudly.

My son certainly knows how to use his imagination. And Lego helps him channel it out.
Seems like robot, alligator and tofu can be a perfect match :).

Lately we have been battling whether or not to give my kids some times with gadgets. I know it is somehow almost impossible to shun it away from kids nowadays but so far we manage to give them some time only on weekends to use gadgets or computers for games. Rasanya susah atau bahkan hampir tidak mungkin ya untuk benar-benar melarang anak-anak untuk tidak menggunakan gadgets sama sekali. Jika digunakan untuk berbagai hal dan kegiatan yang tepat secara terukur, tablet, telpon pintar dan perangkat canggih yang menjadi bagian dari hidup kita sehari-hari pun bisa membawa banyak manfaat bagi anak-anak. Tapi memang salah satu tantangan terbesar yang kita hadapi adalah bagaimana memastikan anak-anak tidak kecanduan dan bisa mendapat manfaat dari itu semua. Tidak terkecuali anak saya, Bo et Obi.

They of course can use computers to check MyOn, the student web where they check their homeworks and reading list. But not for Minecraft or online games. Besides, Bo needs to practice his trombone. 

At first, it's not that easy to cut those gadget playing times. Bo et Obi  keep asking and whining why they are not allowed to use my hubby's or my phone. But then as my hubby plays Lego together with Bo, he complains less. I occasionally play with them but I have to admit I need more and more practice :). While Obi is back to her colored pencils and paper. She love drawing very much, especially princesses.  Even now Bo uses more of his time to play with his Lego alone. 

the Robonator and its 'pet' :)

This interlocking toy bricks have certainly smitten many kids and adults as well. 
Permainan bongkar pasang yang menggunakan bongkahan plastik kecil warna-warni dan beraneka bentuk ini memang sangat menarik and mengasah kreatifitas. Apalagi saat ini sudah semakin banyak tema dan karakter terkenal di kalangan anak-anak yang diusung oleh perusahaan asal Denmark ini. Tidak heran kalau makin banyak yang menggemari, bahkan kecanduan, dengan permainan ini. 

I don't intend to list the benefits of playing Lego for kids as we have so many articles writing about it. Just google it :). I just want to add it up to the list that Lego is indeed fun and beneficial for kids and parents. Dan memang ada banyak artikel yang telah menuliskan manfaat bermain Lego bagi anak-anak, salah satunya artikel yang ditulis Mba Lia a.k.a Lidya Fitrian. Mama Pascal dan Alvin, yang biasa disingkat Calvin ini, memang rajin menuliskan berbagai cerita dan pengalamannya mengasuh dua jagoannya yang cakep ini. Dan kalau teman-teman membaca beberapa postingannya, bukan rahasia lagi kalau Calvin menggemari Lego. Sama seperti Bo et Obi :).

some of the characters that Bo plays with most of the time.

Saya ingat, kalau Ade, panggilan sayang Alvin, bahkan sempat memenangkan hadiah piala untuk menyusun Lego sesuai dengan tema dan imajinasinya. Bravoooo Ade..pasti mama Lidya Fitrian yang selalu mendukung kedua anak cerdasnya. Bahkan kalau tidak salah, Calvin dan Bo punya kaos Lego yang mirip ya :).

Kalau Bo et Obi berbagi kegemaran bermain Lego dengan Pascal dan Alvin, saya menimba banyak ilmu blogging dari Mama Lidya. Salah satunya adalah konsistensinya dalam blogwalking. Terus terang, untuk urusan yang satu ini, saya angkat topi dan acungkan jempol. She's the queen of blogwalking indeed. Rasanya di semua blog yang saya hampiri, Lia sudah duluan memberi komentar. Kalau sudah begini, rasanya semangat bersilahturahmi dengan teman-teman di blog jadi makin tinggi. 

Oke, kalau begitu saya blogwalking dulu yaaaa.
Dan Bo et Obi, jangan lupa mainan Legonya dibereskan yang rapi :).

WW: Russian Tea Room

I'm having a blast in one of NYC's timeless fine dining spots.

Dominated with radiant red, it feels like stepping out in another world as I dined and had fun with my lovely friends.

Love all the details :)

One of the corners :)

Russian Tea Room is surely a place worth a visit!

Have fun bloghopping in (almost) Wordless Wednesday and feel free to link up here :)