6 Weeks Pregnant

6 weeks pregnant

So this is what made my husband’s eyes watery. The moment the USG device touched the lower part of my tummy, that little sack is there, nice and round. There’s not much yet to see inside of it, as it is only as big as a sesame seed, but it was enough to excite both of us, that hubby changed his profile and announced that “wifey’s pregnant”. I was going to announce it to our immediate family, as it is just a natural thing to do. However, I was going to announce to my friends and everyone else after my second visit to the doctors, which is around 10 weeks, when I know the baby is there for sure, and the baby is growing. They say that the first trimester is the critical and the risk of miscarriage is higher than the other trimesters.

But, it seems that everyone is sharing our happiness and there is no way to move forward and think positive that baby is going to grow healthy!

Being 6 weeks pregnant and growing is aahh-maayy-ziiinngg! Never thought I’d love it, but I do. And I still can’t believe that I am pregnant. So I’m definitely asking my mum, mothers and future mommies for any tips and of course. With the help of our cyber friend Google, I typed “Pregnancy” and one website that has helped me and hubby understand pregnancy is http://www.babycenter.com. It’s got everything you need or want to know about pregnancy, week by week; and what I love most about is that they have a 3D animation of the pregnancy growth from the fertilization to the labor and birth. I think I’ve watched it over and over and I’m still mesmerized by how baby grows efficiently in the womb.

So, after asking around mum, mothers, friends and website, here is what I have learned during my 6 weeks pregnant:

1. I’m not going to eat in large chunks. But rather eating small portions frequently. This new eating habit, is somewhat difficult, as sometimes I do not know when to stop munching. I am getting the hang of it now, as my body is sending off signal (like, nausea) if I eat too much, so I try to stop after a while eating and to digest whether I still want more or not. I’m not going to stay or let myself hungry, but I will eat frequently in small portions.

2. Minimize instant and junk foods. So all those instant cup noodles, I give it to my husband for his midnight snack. I went to the groceries yesterday and bought raisins, apples, a pear, seedless dark grapes that I looove so much, cheese strings that I’m starting to love, salty crisps for a little indulgence, yogurt and whole bran cereal. I can’t tell you how proud I am, these small steps, I hope will make a big impact on the baby’s health.

3. Forgive myself and start living healthy. Before I knew I was 6 weeks pregnant, I was smoking and drinking occasionally. If I keep looking back, I would probably regret it, but there’s no time for that, and all that matters is how I’m going to have to make it up. So I have stopped smoking completely and will refrain myself to drinking and staying up late.

4. I won’t force myself to go the extra mile at work or at home. I will try to relax more often and rest whenever I can.

5. I need a bellyband, for my growing belly. Yes, some pants (meaning ALL) are very tight and starting to get uncomfortable. Thank God a friend of mine sells them and I can’t wait till it arrives in the mail.

6. Have fun and be thankful. For everything God has given.

There you go, 6 things I learned about being 6 weeks pregnant. My next appointment is on the 2nd February 2012, and by then I will (hopefully & fingers crossed) be ten weeks pregnant. Can’t wait to see baby growing inside.

Prapanca 21 review

Hi I hope you are all doing great. I’m taking today off to prepare for our Bali trip. This will be Jaron’s first plane trip and we’re so excited. It’s also a great chance to visit his grandmother who lives there.

Today I went for a body massage and spa at Prapanca 21, South Jakarta. I’ve been there three times and I recommend you ask for Mba Sri. She’s friendly and attentive and does a good massage. The place is nicely decorated with antique javanese trinkets and the likes. Appointment is necessary and ask for one of the private rooms. Today, I went for a body massage and strawberry scrub with a facelift mask for under Rp.300k. For a two hour treatment and a ginger tea drink to finish off I think it’s reasonable.

Phone signals can get weak. But hey, who needs a signal when you get massaged anyway.

Prapanca 21
021-72799520

Applying For US Visa Part III

Hello y’all..

I promise this is the last chapter of the application.

Once I got everything I need for my interview, I took the driver to Jalan Medan Merdeka no.5 where the walls of barricades covered the US Embassy. Good thing I booked my interview as early as 7am. Even then, when I arrived on time, there were people already queuing outside.

The line was well organized, there were security that asked for any electronical device like phones, chargers, usbs and the exceptional nail clipper. After going past security, I walked across the basketball court where there are shaded benches to wait for the 1st interview. I waited about 25 minutes and then they checked my documents and I waited again for the one on one interview and fingerprint.

This I waited quite a while. About 40 minutes.

And when my group number was called, we headed inside and had our fingerprints taken and then the one on one interview. It’s a quick interview asking what the purpose of out visit and yada yada yada… and APPROVED! phewww….!

I spent around 2 hours in the embassy. I happily walked out knowing that my visa (and Jaron’s) are approved.

Our passports was delivered around three working days later.

Can’t wait to spend summer in America.

Now, all I gotta do is list what to pack for Ja for the long haul flight and activities to do :)

Thanks, All. I hope all three parts of the information is useful.

 

Applying for US Visa Part II

Hi…

I finally managed to pay the fee. Well, actually, I got someone to do it for me. Tee hee. And in parallel of doing so, I managed to go online and fill out a form called the DS 160 which is the typical form for the typical (fidgety) traveller like me.

It can get a bit overwhelming, as I’ve heard from people that they bombard you with questions. Trust me. It’s not that bad. So here are some tips on filling it out:

- If it is your first time application, then go to Start An Application

- Once you click that, there will be an ID number, make sure you save that as you will be asked that ID when you would like to retrieve the application again.

- Take time to answer the questions carefully.

- And as it get to the end, make sure you print the confirmation letter.

- Oh, and this is probably a good time to take a good head shot of yourself. Just go into any photo developing shop like Fuji, Adorama etc and ask for a US embassy shot.

- Go over the questions and answers at least twice to make sure you acknowedge the truth. These answers will be asked again during the one on one interview.

- Once it’s done give yourself a pat in the back and pray for the interview to go well! :)

- Don’t forget to go over necessary documents that may help with the interview process.

Apart from the confirmation letter that has a barcode, I brought:

- Hubby’s passport

- Ticket itinerary and booking confirmation

- Kartu Keluarga

- Me and Jaron’s passport

- The email from my husband’s company inviting him to attend a marketing meeting, which lead us to the main reason why we are all travelling.

- The original receipt of the visa fee

- 2 copies of your photo

In my next post, I will tell you on how my interview went. :)

 

 

Cosmic shoes

I am sooooo in love with Charlotte Olympia’s Cosmic Collection. This quirky and pretty designer is my new favorite shoe designer. Sadly, I can’t find them here, and I’m stuck with a still 2D image of it in my laptop and iphone. Boo hoo.

 

Since I am an Aquarius, it’s only right if I only buy the Aquarius right? Wrong. I so, want to get my son’s ‘Birthday Shoes’

 

and while I’m at it, might as well…right…

 

They’re a whopping *Gasp *Sigh 495 poundsterling!! for the shoes….

Oh, how they are so on my wishlist..

These kitty flats are also my faves..

 

*looong sigh… 

Anyways, if there’s anyone (ANYONE AT ALL) who’s kind enough to spend that much on me, I’m a size 37-38. teeheee… 

Cheers! 

Applying for US Visa part 1

Good morning!

Thought I’d share on how to obtain a US Visa for Indonesian citizen today. I can tell you upfront, there will be many parts, so don’t get bored. This may get pretttteee interesting. Woo haa!

First of all, last year, my good friend Natalie asked me if I want to get my US Visa, and I thought heck, why not, no harm in trying right. It started out as an afternoon rendezvous on one of my post-delivery/maternity-leave days, and at that time, the fee to apply was Rp.1.5mio-ish. But somehow, somewhere between Christmas and new year, we kinda ignored it and here I am today, filling out a “USA MRV Fee” for Rp.1.6mio. Yes, peeps, it keeps on increasing! And people are still getting rejected!

Anyways, for those wondering what are the preliminary steps to apply, here’s how:

1. Go to http://jakarta.usembassy.gov/visas.html and click on the non-immigrant visa on the left side. It should tell you how exactly.

2. You must pay the non-refundable fee (Even for children) to obtain the visa. For this, you will need a Deposit Slip. The link can be found here. Since I will be a tourist, I choose the first Deposit Slip – $160 MRV Fee. Make sure you do not make copies as it’s one copy for one person only. If you are travelling with other members, like me and my son, I printed two. This slip has an expiry date. So pay attention to that, if you pass this date, you have to print out another one (Like me, unfortunately)

3. So once you have printed that, you must pay it to a Standard Chartered bank or Permata Bank.

The closest one from where I live is Permata Bank in Kemang. But when I got there, I was told, for US Visa payments, they have to be paid in Permata Bank in Melawai branch. So off I went to the Melawai branch, and being the clumsy as I am, I didn’t remember my passport number; I haven’t even picked up Jaron’s passport from the immigration (Silly me!). So, I took the ‘USA MRV Fee’ to fill it out. Remember to bring a copy of your passport, just to be safe.

So, this is as far as I got. Will update you later, once hubby’s picked up Jaron’s passport.

 

Fidgety traveller

I don’t know how else to describe what kind of traveller I am, or I will be. Since having Jaron around,  life has been differently good and challenging. I’m always trying my best so Jaron will have the best things in life.

So anyways, hubby’s been invited to a Midsummer Marketing trip in San Fransisco, CA in July, and he would like to take Jaron. Before this happened, we kinda made a pact to each other that it’s probably best if we take Jaron to San Fransisco after he’s two years old. So he can enjoy the sights as much as we do.

But, dear Papa is just so excited, we decided to go even before he’s one year old.

That would mean, I would have to take a 2 week off, and that would also mean, I would have to start preparing…now.

As exciting as it is the schedule that was once far off is moved much earlier and we’ll be leaving in 3 months. Thankfully, the strenuous process of Ja’s first ever passport is over,  all I, or, hubby have to do now is pick up Ja’s passport.

In parallel, tickets have been booked, as prices are not cheap and they keep on rising every day. All I have to do now is apply for a US Visa with baby Jaron. I’ve managed to make a list on what to do in San Fransisco. This should be exciting. And I can’t wait to go to the park (as we don’t have that many of them here in Jakarta)The last time I went was in the 90′s. teheee heee.

Just made two trips to Permata Bank with no result. Why? because the first time I went, it was the wrong branch to pay the visa application. And when I did go to the right branch today, I didn’t have my passport number and Jaron’s passport (which hadn’t been picked up). So either way, we learn something (ONE THING) everyday, so I’ll have to wait for Ja’s passport tomorrow.

I’ve also been browsing on how to travel long hours with an infant. Or what a bassinet looks like, in which, I don’t think baby Ja who will be eleven months when we travel, will be needing a bassinet. But then, I wouldn’t be able to sit him on my lap for the whole 22 hours. So I’m a bit nervous if we’d get a good seat. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

I’m already thinking of what to wear and what to bring for myself on the plane. I bought a portable padded toilet seat for Ja as well. I know, it’s still 3 months, I should be worrying about getting a visa. But oh, well. I do what I can.

I think I should sign off now and get back to work… or browsing… or writing… hmm, maybe I’ll be an evangelist and do a review on something or someone. I think I already have something and/or someone on my mind.

If you have any tips on flying long hours, please share. I’m dying to know.

Narsih waxing

Haai selamat pagi

Jam di iphoneku menunjukkan pukul 08:43 WIB. Pasti jam segini, hari Senin banyak ladies yang sedang ‘berjuang’ dengan kemacetan Jakarta. Entah itu, habis antar anak sekolah, ke kampus karena ada kelas pagi, ngejar meeting dengan client jam 9 (di Sudirman pula), atau like me, ngejar Narsih buka tempat waxing jam 9.

Yes, tempat waxing yang satu ini sudah menjadi langganan waxing dari sebelum aku married dan masih tinggal di rumah ortu di daerah Pondok Cabe. Jadi kalau mau sampai ke tempat waxing Narsih ini di daerah Pulo Raya, Jakarta Selatan, aku musti berangkat jam 7! Perjuangan ya demi kaki halus dan alis rapih.

Sekarang, dan sangat kebetulan sekali aku tinggal cukup dekat dengan tempat waxing ini. Hanya 20 menit. Jadi antrianku no. 1.

Di tempat waxing ini tidak ada plangnya. Hanya ada nomor rumahnya saja ’24′. Tempatnya sederhana, dan sistem antriannya juga sederhana tapi tertib. Hanya disediakan buku dengan tanggal hari kedatangan dan tinggal isi nama dan waxing apa sana yg dibutuhkan. Kalau ada langganan mba yang waxingnya juga bisa ditulis.

Bukanya memang jam 9, tapi tak jarang, 8.30 sudah ada beberapa orang yang sudah duduk manis. Kalau boleh saran sih, lebih baik datang weekdays dan pagi. Jangan pernah hari Sabtu. Actually, aku sendiri belum pernah, dan enga berani datang Sabtu. Males antriannya.

Teknisnya juga simpel kok. Bagian mana yang mau dihilangkan bulunya, pakai waxing hangat, or in my case, hot! (karena kalau hangat, malah enga begitu nempel dan malah sakit pas dicabut). Lalu bagian waxingnya, ditutup kain katun trus ditarik deh. Voila. Smoothness! Kalau yang tidak biasa memang sakit. Tapi it beats shaving yang harus setiap beberapa hari cukur lagi dan cukur lagi. Kalau waxing, kira-kira sebulan baru balik lagi. Kalau pengalamanku sih, makin lama, bulunya makin halus ya. Dan aku selalu minta mbanya untuk jangan diteken pada saat threading, ini bisa menyebabkan iritasi, dan jerawat. Euww! Not nice.

In my humble opinion, yang bikin waxing ini antriannya panjaaaaaang karena servis pengerjaannya yang rapih, threading yang teliti, jadi rambut halusnya ludes semua. Harganya? sangat terjangkau.  And plus, kalau memang antriannya panjang, bisa ngebakso dulu kok. Buatan Ibu Narsihnya lho! Enak.

Narsih waxing

daerah Pulo Raya

Ph: 08158212142