How We Deal with Our Beloved Neinhorn

This book is one of Aidan’s favorite, about a Neinhorn (a pun on Einhorn, meaning unicorn) that always says “Nein”. But I’m not going to talk about the book. I’m going to talk about the Neinhorn in our household. Since he was born, I’ve always felt that Aidan is… difficult, strong-willed, or, the term I came across recently and liked the most, spirited. I’ve been wanting to write about this since a year ago, here’s READ MORE

Interview With The Toddler #1

During bedtime, right before Aidan fell asleep, he likes to have a conversation and a snuggle session with me, usually after a book reading session with Papa. Sometimes we invented stories about “der Eisbär, der Pinguin und der Affe” going to places for their vacation. Sometimes we recounted events and activities from the day. Last night though, I decided to interview him, then found interesting facts and unexpected answers from him… We talked in German, READ MORE

The Case for Early Daycare, or Kita (in Germany)

Kindertagesstätte, or more popular as Kita, basically means a daycare center for children in Germany. It is a collective term used for referring to Kinderkrippe or nursery for children up to three-years-old, Kindergarten for children age three to six, and Kinderhort, an after-school care for primary school children. This website gives a very comprehensive information about Kita. Our Kita, Kita Unikate Saarbrücken, is located in the same building as the University’s Mensa (canteen), only 200 READ MORE

Another Little Big Change

We’ve always known that we want two. One is too lonely, three would be too much. We just didn’t know that the second one will be around so soon ;). Aidan was just 18 months, when his little sister was born 4 months ago, so we were in the dreaded two-under-two situation. We knew that it’s going to be challenging, but we thought “alright, let’s have a crazy and chaotic three years, then get it READ MORE

Why is he so cute??

Our 16-month-old Aidan, unser kleine Mann It’s usually 10 pm, when Aidan is finally in his dreamland. He’s punctual like that, no matter whether we start the bedtime routine (change his diaper – put on a pajama – brush teeth – read books) earlier at 8 pm or at 9:30 pm. Most of the time, he would insist that both parents must be present at the book reading session, “Papa… da (there)! (pointing to the READ MORE

My Little Big Change

We did this photoshoot to celebrate one week together, kudos to our awesome friend @sreyasi_nc Today, April 17, was the estimated ‘finish line’ of my pregnancy. But… it turned out the little one got too impatient inside my belly and decided to greet the world exactly 2 weeks earlier. Not that I complained 😉 At that point I was actually urging him to come out ASAP because, my belly looked like it was about to READ MORE

Adult Coloring Book

First of all… yes, I’m at home. And yes, I’m procrastinating. I’m so sorry, dear work, research, and… similar stuff :(. How am I procrastinating –besides writing a blog post, of course–? The answer is… coloring! A friend *hi, Jen!* introduces me to this new addictive activity. It was addictive when I was a child, but then I moved on to drawing and painting, the more ‘grown-up’ stuff :p. The problem with drawing or painting READ MORE

Singapore Night Festival

The festival happened around two weeks after Singapore celebrates its golden jubilee, August 21-22 and 28-29. Actually, I found out about this festival accidentally, I’m so glad I didn’t miss it :). After the ‘cat & bear’s trip to Tioman Island, Malaysia’ (will write about this soon), we arrived back in Singapore on Monday, August 24 evening. On our way to the nearest 7 Eleven to have our dinner, ehem… ’cause I was craving steamy ramen cup :D, we READ MORE

About Saying Sorry

This morning, my peaceful shower time was disrupted by a neighbor child’s loud cries, and a woman’s –most probably the child’s mother– yells. At first the woman’s shouts were in Chinese, which I don’t understand at all. I assume that she expressed why she was angry. But then, the woman starts yelling repeatedly, “Say sorry!” Instead of saying sorry, the child’s cries grow louder and louder. The woman was so persistent to get to hear that ‘sorry’ word from the READ MORE

Bali, the Island of Gods

After more than 20 years living in Java, its neighboring island, I finally get a chance to visit Bali! This famous island that people often mention whenever I tell them I’m from Indonesia, “I know Bali!” they will say :). “Yeah, but I’ve never been there,” is what I usually respond with. Well, even though the Bali strait can be easily crossed with ferry from the eastern point of Java, my hometown is in the west part READ MORE