Frank and Martha Blog

Frank and Martha Blog http://mamahit.net/blog/ A blog about the goings on in the Mamahit Family en-us Nucleus CMS v3.23 © Weblog http://backend.userland.com/rss http://mamahit.net/blog//nucleus/nucleus2.gif Frank and Martha Blog http://mamahit.net/blog/ Musical Drama - Disney's Aladdin Jr. http://mamahit.net/blog/index.php?itemid=378
At BBS, Adriel's favortie place to go is the Lab where I teach because he knows I will allow him to play online games there. While he played games, my students came in for extra class and practiced their for their practical exam comming up next week.

After we finished that, we went with the school car to Gedung Kesenian Jakarta to watch the play performed by BBS students. This year they performed Disney's Aladdin Jr.

I took a few pictures:

]]> Chronicles of our Life http://mamahit.net/blog/index.php?itemid=378 Sun, 7 Mar 2010 10:27:08 +0700 For a good friend http://mamahit.net/blog/index.php?itemid=377

Thanks to www.shabbypricess.com as usual.]]> Digital Scrapbooking http://mamahit.net/blog/index.php?itemid=377 Sun, 28 Feb 2010 03:04:23 +0700 Like my new look? http://mamahit.net/blog/index.php?itemid=376
So here's the new look. Hope more content will follow. :D]]> General http://mamahit.net/blog/index.php?itemid=376 Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:58:33 +0700 More recent Adriel http://mamahit.net/blog/index.php?itemid=375
So here it is. As promised.

]]> Digital Scrapbooking http://mamahit.net/blog/index.php?itemid=375 Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:29:32 +0700 Lion Dance at school http://mamahit.net/blog/index.php?itemid=374

]]> General http://mamahit.net/blog/index.php?itemid=374 Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:19:40 +0700 Kantor Imigrasi Tangerang vs. Kantor Imigrasi Bandara http://mamahit.net/blog/index.php?itemid=373
Last week I was informed by my VP Academic, that I was to attend a training in Singapore some time next month. It's not a big deal because it's all of one day... except that my passport has expired since 2 years ago. Renewing my passport shouldn't be that difficult because in the past I have always done it myself. But then again, that was some 7 years ago since I got my latest passport.

So immediately I went browsing in search of some help. I did get some information to help me, especially knowing which documents to bring. So I guess that information is out there and you might be able to find it too. What I want to share is a little reflection on how those two offices above operate.

Our school has a holiday for the Chinese New Year today. So I thought I'd get my passport application in today. I knew I was gonna have to go in three steps:

1. Buy application form. Submit application form.
2. Pay fee, Interview, photo & biometrics thingy.
3. Pick up passport.

Okay, so I didn't go as early as I intended. I got Adriel ready for school first. Dropped him off. Then came home, figured out the directions to the Kantor Imigrasi (Kanim) Tangerang an was on my way. Oh. Well, I did go to the bank first to get some money, then filled out my tires with more air. Uh. Then, I went to fill up my gas tank. Yeah, well by the time I was headed in the right direction it was much, much later. Add to that I made two wrong turns but finally found the place.

The Kanim Tangerang was already full. Full of waiting people. I knew I had to find my form so I did that first. The kind people at the photocopy center provided me a form with paper document holder and the passport cover for Rp 6000,- They had 2 forms. One required a "materai." Don't know the english word for it. So I bought my materai too. It cost me Rp. 7000,- Then the pen I brought along was blue when the instructions said use black ink. Bother.... so bought a pen for Rp. 3000,- Then I finally filled it out and got all of the documents ready.

When I was ready I headed to pick up a number that I knew I had to have. I had read earlier that even to submit your form you must get a queue number. When I went in search for it, the box of numbers was empty. I asked this guy about it and he just smiled. I asked if I just had to wait and he gave a slight nod and kept smiling. Hmm... so I went to wait and sat down. I figured I really needed to get one of those numbers so I got up again to ask about it. This time the lady looked up from her business and gave me the information I needed. They put out 100 of those numbers and that was it. I had to either come tomorrow and get a number at 7.30 am, or head over to the Kanim in the airport.

I was upset at the time. How could I not find all this information beforehand? I had to pick up a queue number at 7.30?? After that they don't accept applications anymore?? There were SO many uniformed officers working. And they only serve 100??? What if I went to the other office and they do the same thing? That means I won't get my application in today. But grumbling as I was I did head on over to the other office.

The closest way to the airport was through the back gate. At the gate I was stopped by airport security. Oh no, I thought. They're gonna make me go around. They aren't gonna let me through. But the man politely asked me where I was going and when I told him he let me through. Thank you Lord.

I arrived at the office. But the parking was also full. Oh no, I thought. Not a good sign. This place was more bare. They didn't have lots of signs like the last one. I couldn't find where I was supposed to pick up my queue number. Eventually I found it. They called my number quickly enough. And I went over and tried to give my application form. The one I got from Kanim Tangerang. They said I had to use another one. So I went around again, trying to find where I was supposed to get the form. I went over to the payment place and the guy gave me one. I thought I was supposed to pay for it, but he said no. Was I supposed to buy a new folder? He said it's in the back. On the way to the back I was so overwhelmed that I started to cry. I was just so tired of being thrown here and there. I got my folder. It was just a regular one. It didn't have any special writing on it.

I filled out my form. Copying from the one I had filled out before. I even helped another lady fill out hers. And just as I was finished they called my number.

I rushed over, handed over everything and the lady said come back in a week. Whew... all in all the second experience was a whole lot easier.

My vote: Go to Kantor Imigrasi Bandara.

The form is free.
They don't make you buy a lot of "extras."
The people are more informative and friendly.
Things move a lot quicker there too.
]]> Chronicles of our Life http://mamahit.net/blog/index.php?itemid=373 Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:11:33 +0700 Welcome baby Mikayla Rizka http://mamahit.net/blog/index.php?itemid=372
I wanted to start with a huge warm welcome to dear baby Mikayla Rizka... the longingly and lovingly expected baby of Susan and Ismail... hope she grows up to be a wonderful and beautiful young lady.. and yes, the prayers start now because you're gonna need it!! Just kidding... it's gonna be a wonderful journey for this new small family...

Congrats again...

As for other updates, we'll fill you in again soon... I've got some pictures I will start to upload... hopefully quite a few more by February...]]> General http://mamahit.net/blog/index.php?itemid=372 Fri, 22 Jan 2010 21:27:55 +0700 Oh-so-close... http://mamahit.net/blog/index.php?itemid=370

Still bleary eyed I immediately woke up when I saw TWO free tickets that weren't taken for next year. Ooohhh... Frank and I are going on a trip!! Yippee.... I went to the bedroom, took out my wallet and began my online transaction to pay for the small fee.

Maybe it was the adrenaline, maybe it was the coffee that hadn't really kicked in, maybe it was knowing I shouldn't be doing this right now but instead I better hurry or I'll be late to school... I don't know... somehow after grabbing the free tickets I messed up my credit card transaction... I was BLOCKED. I think I didn't enter the data correctly or something... I don't know...

At school I called and confirmed with the credit card company that my transaction didn't go through, so I called home and asked Frank to try again. The school's internet connection is not being friendly right now. And HE has to attend to nature's call... so there you go... bye-bye free tickets!!

So close... but so far away...]]> Chronicles of our Life http://mamahit.net/blog/index.php?itemid=370 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:14:55 +0700 Happy Birthday Sesame Street http://mamahit.net/blog/index.php?itemid=369

And found out that it's Sesame Street's 40th Birthday...

When I was around Adriel's age, I was living in Dallas, Texas, and my parents put a TV in me and my brother's room. And one of my most vivid memories is of watching Sesame Street on that small, squat TV. I have to admit, if I watch those old versions today I find it's pretty lame. But look, here's Bert and Earnie... don't they look cute together?

Although I must say my favorite so far was the Cookie Monster one and I didn't save it yesterday!! Oh well, the actual birthday will be on November 10th, so we'll keep seeing a new one until then... keep your eyes peeled for cuteness from Google!]]> General http://mamahit.net/blog/index.php?itemid=369 Fri, 6 Nov 2009 14:44:38 +0700 The spy-kid http://mamahit.net/blog/index.php?itemid=368

Ha-ha... I got you back :D No just kidding, Matthew was being a helpful video-taker at the Partnership Program at school yesterday.]]> General http://mamahit.net/blog/index.php?itemid=368 Sun, 1 Nov 2009 06:18:31 +0700