I have been telling everyone about how tight our company's security is. This is why: At approximately 8:00 a.m. Jakarta time, there were 2 explosions at the Ritz-Carlton - Mega Kuningan and JW Marriott in Jakarta. At 9:25, the reports are saying that at least 6 people have been killed including foreigners.. The explosions took place at the ground floor in the restaurants at each of the hotels. We are at another Ritz-Carlton at the Pacific Place. These two hotels are about 10 minutes away. Right after the first report came out, about 10 minutes later, I heard an explosion outside our apartment building. So far, it does not seem to have done anything and traffic and the Police (which are right next door) are not reacting. Our company security has stated that I am to stay in our apartment and not go to the lobby or mall... as if I would!!! There are sirens going off everywhere and helicopters flying overhead. I will let you know if any more news comes to light.....Sitting tight in Jakarta.
I don't think there is anything scarier than hearing that a family member was close to a terrorist bomb site. It is especially hard to not be able to call them on the phone and make sure that they are okay. If you are wondering what my Mom and Dad are doing there, it is because my Dad works for Chevron in an upper management position {they call it 'upstream') overseeing the laboratories there. The phone systems there are pretty haywire so getting a connection and keeping one is extremely difficult. This means that our only source of communication lately has been through email. Can you imagine getting an email like this? I think my heart stopped for a full minute!
For the most part, my Mom and Dad haven't had to worry too much about things like this and up until now they had been enjoying the islands and exploring the cultural and historical sites in their area with no problems.
[You can see pictures and read about their adventures on my mom's blog.]
I've also got my Uncle Bruce on my mind. He's recovering from surgery that he had performed last week to remove some cancer from his body. This was also hard news to bear because I haven't had the pleasure to meet him yet in person. He and his lovely wife Chris reside in Maine where they work the land with their magic green thumbs producing fruit and vegetables in abundance.
They also tend bees, chickens, sheep and their two 'kids' which are glossy black Scottish terriors. It's been wonderful having family to connect with; he's the only Uncle {or extended family member for that matter} that I really have any contact with. My Grandmother put him up for adoption when he was born and it wasn't until my Dad was an adult and I had moved out to try my hand at being an adult in turn that we found out that my Dad had another sibling that he hadn't known about. It's been a joy getting to know him and Chris and to exchange stories, recipes, pictures and surprise packages. My heart aches to know that he has undergone major surgery and I am crossing my fingers and toes that he gets a free and clear pass at his next doctor's appointment.
Speaking of adoption, I saw the most heart wrenching story last night on TV. I've been following the '16 and Pregnant' show on MTV and the season finale was last night. I hadn't intended to follow the show, but having a small baby that wants to feed on and off all day lends myself to being parked on the couch at the whims of daytime television (and I am not a television person anyway, but when you don't have any free hands and you've read your fill for the day then you resort to what can entertain you while you're tied up).
The teenage couple on the program made the decision to give their baby up for adoption and it made my soul hurt just to watch it. They made the right decision because they didn't have the family situation or the means to support the baby, but it was just agonizing watching it; especially after just having had Chloe within the past month and a half. It was too much to see.
After watching that last night, all day today I've been appreciating even more all of the dainty and delicate features of my sweet baby and holding her close and breathing in her scent. I could not imagine putting up Chloe for adoption and I just think of how crushing it must have been for the girl on the show to have spent 9 months growing a child, to have gone to the hospital to have the baby and then to hand it over to someone and go home empty handed! Ahhh! That must be so hard!
After all of my miring in the 'pits of despair' I decided that I should share some more happy girl pictures because when things are hard, you just want a little piece of happiness to brighten your day. So here they are:
Do you have any uplifting news to share? I need some happy news to balance out the sad!
8 comments:
hey, lexi! just thought I'd say hi. chloe is gorgeous!!!
I saw the mtv show, too. my bro-in-law always makes fun of me and my mtv documentary type show viewing but when all is said and done, they are produced pretty good. in my opinion. too bad my girls aren't 16 or they would be forced to watch with me and write an essay afterwards! haha.
my last post is pretty sweet, a nice happily ever after story. :)
take care...
- laura
ps: will keep your parents and uncle in my prayers! :)
Lexi! I know exactly how you feel. My dad was at Bank of New York across the street from the WTC buildings the morning of 9/11. He experiences some pretty scary images. He had taken a flight into NYC that morning. The communication gap is the most frustrating. You and your family will be in my prayers. You probably feel like it's all surreal. Thank goodness you have the business of those little bambinos to keep your mind occupied!
I'm glad to hear that your parents are safe, we will keep them and your uncle in our prayers. As far as good news, I have some, that is good for our family (though I'm not sure how it will lift your spirits). Jordyn is almost potty trained! She's gone 2 days without diapers (she still wears them at night, but that's it) so we're quite excited about that. Hope your days are filled with joy and love!
Hugs and prayers for you and your family! That is so frustrating and I know it is not something anyone wants to deal with.
As for an uplifting story for you...Well, Ethan went to the beach for the first time ever and LOVED eating sand. Now I am worried how this will affect his digestive system, but oh, well...he had fun.
LOVE YOU!
Jessica R.
Oh my stars, that girl is cute! I've had fun getting myself all caught up on your blog. I've been so out of the loop in the blogging world with being gone for so long. But I must say, your little Chloe makes me smile, that's for sure! And I wish I could play with Peyton on his water slide. I'm glad to hear your parents are ok. I'm sure that is way scary to have something like that happen!
Well, not a whole lot of super uplifting things to say from my neck of the woods, but I was just uplifted by seeing your little cuties here. :)
That situation with your parents has to be so scary. I'm glad you have such a sweet, beautiful face to brighten your day. Chloe's so smiley. I love it. Is she "talking" to you yet? That's the best. Sorry to hear about your uncle. I strongly dislike cancer. That's putting it the nicest I can.
Wow...I feel you. This is my Daddy's second time in Iraq and its not any easier. Sometimes he forgets what a worry wart I am and tells me stories of being thrown from his bed when bombs hit or other contractors being shot. I understand.
No need to apologize for watching TV. I've succumbed to many shows that would be deemed laughable by others. Think "Hannah Montana."
Good news...Jack's walking! For the last month he's been motating this way, but now its his main way of getting around! Its so funny to see this tiny boy wobbling around with both his arms in the air babbling.
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