Project Life 2013 ~ Title Page

Yes, I joined the wagon!!! I'm doing 2013 Project Life. I'm so very excited about this. 

I know that I'm way behind this year, but I promised myself that I will catch up and I really want to do this.
I also figure that since we started a new adventure in Indonesia...I need to capture all the details I can get.

However, there are some challenges I found at first.
1. Being away from the US means I have to adjust myself with the scrapbook supplies I have. There are not that many scrapbooking stores in town.
2. Printing the photos isn't as comfortable as it used to be. I MISS Walgreens online ordering!
But after weeks of learning and accepting the reality...I now can move on.

So without further ado, here's my 2013 Project Life Title Page.

I'm doing a hybrid Project Life system, half papers and half digital printable.

On this page, I decided to put the map of Indonesia, the photo of the house that we currently live in, and of course the newest family picture.

Now, some close up pictures of the 4x6 cards I made.

I'm loving this so far..and I really can't wait to finish up some more pages. 

Until then scrappers.

Finding A Home

Hi everyone,
Life has been busy, but I haven't forgotten this blog.
I'm going to share with you all my new journey and new life in Indonesia, and I will start today.

After we decided to go back to Indonesia, my husband and I had this conversation, about where we're going to live. We both agree that we should live in Bali.

Three weeks after we arrived in Indonesia, our family finally made a trip to Bali. We were so excited and couldnt wait to see what Bali has to offer.

Bali is BEAUTIFUL. Bali is crowded. Bali is just GORGEOUS!!!
We looked for houses that we could rent or possibly buy. We looked for jobs. We looked for business opportunity. We spent most days on the road, and most sunsets on the beach.

The kids had the greatest moment playing at the beach. They LOVE it!!!

After 5 days searching, we didn't find what we're looking for.
Bali is a bit expensive for our budget, and I, personally had a strange feeling about the place {silly me}.
Bali is also known as the Island of Gods {literally}, and I guess that's probably why I don't like it anymore.

We left Bali and went back to Surabaya, where my folks live.
They offered us to live with them for awhile {or until we figure out the housing issue}. We took the offer right away, because Surabaya is a metropolitan city and also the second largest city in Indonesia = More Opportunity.

So, now...we all live with my parents.

My parents live right in the heart of downtown Surabaya. We live in a shophouse {that's what they call it here}, it's a building for business and also a residency at the same time. Our home is close to malls, city hall, governor's office, traditional market, and other business places. It's so strategic but very noisy and busy.
But for now...we're enjoying it.

Although...we haven't yet found a house for ourselves, but we've already called this place as our {temporary} home, thanks to my parents.

Here's the picture of the building we live in now...

What a change our family has to experience...but we're enjoying the journey.

Well, that's all for now. I will be back again with the new adventure story.
Thanks for stopping by.

5 Minutes Friday ~ Bare

Ok, so...today isn't Friday anymore, however, I still want to play along with 5 Minutes Friday party hosted by Lisa-Jo Baker.

I checked this week prompt out on Friday afternoon. When I saw it, I was so clueless, not sure what to write. I decided to take time to come up with a topic for my writing. I don't know if this ok or not...Oh well!!

'

This Friday, February 8th, 2013, Prompt is BARE

GO

Bare..

Bare Feet.

Bare Hands.

a BARE FAITH.

I remember when the pastor in my church preached about the little children faith. Their faith are so simple, pure and just simply plain. The only persons they trust are their parents.

Whatever the parents say,command, and decide for their lives, these children know those are for their own good.

I remember when I used to have a strong faith. I hardly felt worry and knew that tomorrow is going to be a better day.

But when problems and troubles strike real hard...I simply just lost it.

I need to learn to be like these little children.

I need to be like my kids, trying to be patient and just trust.

I need to learn to have a BARE Faith ~ a strong belief that when troubles come, I know Somebody up there is holding me tight with His everlasting arms ~

So help me GOD. 

STOP

Until next time.

Scraplifting Sunday #1 ~ Love the Fall Season

I'm back again...Two days in a row...hardly happened before. :D

Anyway, I stayed up pretty late Saturday night. Lets say I only had an hour sleep. No kidding. I was so excited to create a layout that I didn't feel sleepy or tired.

This will be my very first layout since I came to Indonesia.
To be honest...awhile ago I felt that I lost my passion.
For once, I forgot how to scrapbooking.
Then, I realized that I don't have a space to make a mess.
I wanted to give up scrapbooking, but I didn't dare to do it.

So...I tried a different approach.
I need to do a scraplifting.

My scrapbooking board on pinterest has 845 pins of layouts.
I pinned and pinned...wishing that one day I will scraplift some of them.

That day is finally here.

I approved scrapliting.

Scraplifting is a great idea to bring your mojo back.
Scraplifting is a great idea when you stuck and can't finish your creation.

As weird as this quotation may sound, but the great Artist, Pablo Picasso, said it all.

"Good artists copy, Great artists steal."

So, here's my scraplifting inspiration made by Melanie Blackburn.

and here goes my layout,

I LOVE the way Mel did the layers.
And that's what I stole from her layout.

A couple of closer looks

Fall is totally my favorite season. This picture was taken in November 2009, it was a gorgeous Fall day. We decided to clean up the leaves,....but ended up playing with them.

Being away from my comfort zone, it pushed me to use my whatever supplies I have. And still...turned out really great.

Well...I'm really sleepy and tired. Gotta go to work in the morning...

So, thank you for stopping by and I wish you a great and wonderful week.

5 Minutes Friday ~ Afraid

Back in December 2012, I was browsing around the internet looking for some inspirations, and I came across Lisa-Jo Baker's Blog. I didn't really find the inspirations I was searching, however, I found a great linky party she hosts every Friday.

The party is called 5 Minutes Friday.

Here's all about it;

Friday, time to crack open the chocolate ice cream and unscripted version of beautiful you!

Got five minutes? Let’s write. Let’s finger paint with words.

Let’s just write and not worry if it’s just right or not. Here’s how to play along:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat for pure unedited love of the written word.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Go leave some comment props for the five minute artist who linked up before you {and if you love us, consider turning off word verification for the day to make it easier for folks to say howdy}

It’s a great way to catch your breath at the end of a long week.

OK, are you ready? Give me your best five minutes for the prompt:

This Friday {Feb 01, 2013} Prompt is AFRAID.

GO

Afraid is a word that I can really relate at the moment.
Ever since we arrived in Indonesia, our plans fell through.

We didn't live in Bali.
We couldn't start our own business.
Our kids can't go to school yet.

Deep down in my heart, I regret the decision to go back to Indonesia.
We're in the deepest hole....our family has ever experienced.

I'm so thankful for my parents who took us in.
But how long we should stay with them.
We're trying to get back on our feet.
It's hard. It's risky.

I lost hope, but at the same time I have to be strong for my husband and my kids.
My biggest worry is my children.
I'm afraid of their well-beings at this moment.

Also,
I'm afraid of not knowing what the future will hold for us.

STOP

Well...that's it.
I hope I can make it on time next Friday :D.
Have a great weekend everyone,

Hello, Good Bye

Today, 4 months ago we left Lincoln, Nebraska.

It was really {REALLY} hard to say good bye to our friends. But our lives must go on.

From Lincoln, we flew to the sunny California. We spent about 9 days visiting old friends and family. We also did a little vacation. We visited Disneyland, Santa Monica Pier, drove along the Pacific Coast Highway and walked around downtown Hollywood. It was one of our best vacations ever!

October 1st, 2012, we flew 10 and a half hours across the Pacific Ocean to Taiwan. Spending 12 hours layover at the Taipei International Airport. Last but not least, flying the last 6 and a half hour to Surabaya, Indonesia.

Dustin and Phoebe were excited and enjoyed the trip so much. Leo and I shed some tears as we left our best memories behind.

It's not quite 4 months since we landed in Surabaya, Indonesia.

Surabaya is my hometown. The city where I was born and raised and spent most of my teenage years.
A place where we're going to call 'HOME' for awhile.

Ever since we left the States, our lives have been changed.

Leo and I are having the most difficult times adjusting to the new lifestyle. On the other hand, Phoebe and Dustin are having a really great time learning and enjoying their adventure.

We miss Lincoln so much. It's our HOME and it's where we left our hearts.

As the new journey begun, we will try our best to welcome new things and possibilities. We're looking forward to the new adventure. And, we definitely will create the most awesome memories ever.

Good bye 2012...and welcome 2013.

It's better late than never. So, let me wish you the best and most memorable year EVER!!!
Happy {belated} New Year!!

Life Changes

Dear Friends,

I've been putting this off  for awhile now and I think that today is the best time to share with you about my big life changes.

The first one is ~ My family and I are moving overseas in a few weeks. We're going home to Indonesia, a place where my husband and I were born and raised.
This sudden change isn't really a delightful one, but we believe that this is God's plan. So far, he's been in control and we're on the right track.

If you ask me WHY? well, here's the story.

12 years ago, I came to the United States of America as a student. I went to College here in Lincoln, Nebraska. My husband came a year later. We both have all legal papers. However, those student papers were expired at some points. So, we decided to pursue permanent resident status for both of us. The process began 7 years ago. There were lots of prayers have been said and the answer never came.
In the beginning of this year, we finally got a result, and the answer was a big NO.

My husband and the lawyer decided to appeal the case, then again we have to wait for another year or two.

A few weeks ago, while in the process of renewing his driving license, the DMV officer told him that he can't have a new one...not until he has a real documentation that says he's a legal permanent resident. He called the Immigration office, and his Immigration Officer couldn't help him either. He has to wait until next year when the judge give the verdict for his case.

My lovely husband felt that he's a dead man walking. We all lost hope.
This is when we both decided to just go home for a few years and let the kids meet their grandparents {my parents have never seen them in person since the day they were born} and also learn the culture.

After all...we realized that this isn't a bad idea at all. But as a human, I'm all scared, excited, and frustrated.

I hope this personal matter answers the big WHY question.

Here's an image of the world map.

We leave Lincoln, Nebraska, to Los Angles, California. Flying out from LAX to Taipe, Taiwan. From Taipe we fly to Surabaya, Indonesia, to meet my parents. From Surabaya we're gonna go to Bali, where we eventually will live.

No jobs waiting for us. No house. No car. Nothing. Our lives will start all over again with 2 kids. Scary? I'm terrified.

Im trying my best to stay positive and have faith. Trying to be strong for my husband, and be patient for my kids.

Well...enough for that....my tears are falling down uncontrollable. :D

The Second Change ~ will be this blog. I LOVE blogging..and am trying my best to keep up with it. A couple of months ago, I decided to make changes here, on my blog.

When I started, I dedicated this blog solely for crafting life. Sharing my greatest passion. However, I realized I wanna do more rather than just sharing my crafty works.

So....with all this moving craziness, I will move forward with the vision I have for this blog. You will see more about my personal life and other things. I hope you don't mind...and actually will enjoy it!

Wow...I think I was over exaggerated when I said big life changes. I thought I would have more than 2 changes, but these are the only ones I came up with. Silly me!! but they're big though!!!

I guess this is enough for a day.
Thank you for letting me share and please remember me and my family in your prayers.

So Happy To Have You Layout ~ Frosted Designs Sketch Challenge # 48

Hello and Happy Tuesday,

I can't believe that it's been 6 months being on Frosted Designs Design Team. I'm totally honored and proud to be part of it. One of the best teams I've ever been in.
I was given a chance to continue on to the next term....but, at this moment, I'm not quiet sure what to do.

Anyway...the last layout sketch challenge and my last layout are all up on their blog.
It's really worth it to check the blog out, the DT rocked the last challenge and the sponsor is really generous with the winning prize.

Well..here's my layout that I titled 'So Happy To Have You'.

The picture was taken 5 and a half years ago, when Dustin was just born. It was a beginning of a new family. My hubby really LOVES this photo...and my...I'm glad that I finally finished scrapbooking it. 

I guess that's all for today.

Will see you again soon.

So Cute So You Layout

Happy Tuesday dear Scrappers,

A new sketch challenge is up on Frosted Designs Blog.
Here's the sketch,

and here's my take on the layout,

I went through my pile of pictures in my external hard drive and found this really cute photo of Dustin, and I printed right away.

Anyway...
I hope you come and play along with this week sketch.

Thanks for stopping by...until later :D

The First Day......

of August and I've been back to my normal {and crafty} life about two weeks ago now.

My dear Mother In Law went back home to Indonesia and I'm back to the same old routines. My kids were really looking forward to it. They just hated when their mom worked too much outside home. :D
And I'm definitely happy to finally made a real mess in my scrap corner.

A couple of days ago, I checked my blog and realized that I haven't been blogging in like a month and a half. Well...{I don't want you to count how many times I've said this....but again}...I'M Back!

While I was busy working, I had some chances to re-think about my life and my blogging life. I decided to make some little changes. You will see this along the way.

Anyway... I have a new layout to share.
This layout was made for the newest and most current Layout Sketch Challenge at Frosted Designs Blog. So lets not wait, here's my layout titled 'The Prettiest Face'

This is a 8.5x11 layout and I just LOVE making layouts like this.

The picture is my daughter, Phoebe, and it was taken this past Mothers Day. My hubby wanted to take a self portrait of him and her...and for some reasons the camera zoomed in without him knowing. Although the picture didn't come out the way hubby wanted, but we all think that this is a picture perfect.

So yeah, that's all for today and I hope you all a great rest of the week.
Thanks for stopping by.