Mawar Sharon Christian School - when children bring us real joy

"When you welcome even a child because of Me, you welcome Me." Mark 9:37

This album is dedicated : Miss Rini, Miss Lia, Miss Esther and all sisters at Mawar Sharon Christian School. And also to Steve Andres – British Columbia (Canada). I miss you all.. miss our sharing and fellowship time.

Recently I just felt imbalance. Everything went wrong. A severe disruption happened. My beliefs were shaken, and I’m questioning my values. I’ve never experience this feeling after I have family. I’m always content with my life. Life, at times, becomes unbearably sad when to talk a great deal is not helpful; to pray and to hope is difficult. Silence, which causes, us to be in awe of the action of God within us, remains.Just a seed of faith leftover; my sisters of Christ from Mawar Sharon Christian School – Surabaya- Indonesia wrote me an encouragement and sweet emails. How God work wonders in life’s most unpredictable turn. How we’re apart thousand miles and I was rarely wrote them any personal mails. Mawar Sharon Christian School was the worth remembered one. First, it’s Jensen’s current school. It’s a school where love, hope and faith is around. Second, I met great persons that I really respect. I think that's a life does matter. It's amazing to know people with strong heart to give. People who can turn their problem and difficulties to be great moments and still can be such a blessing to their surrounding. What a real winner of life ^_^ It comes into my attention that strong faith is greatest treasure I can pass to my kids. I don't really expect a thank you from my kids for being their parent. What I do really hope is that one day, they will thank to God for every tiny blessings in their life. These old pictures remind me those sweet moments and fellowship I did with my brothers and sisters at MSCS. How we share silly dancing, singing and laughing with our blessed children. How a simple “Miss Ingrid, I love you” and great teddy bear hug could light up my day. A shy angelic smile, an innocent prayer, a heaven voice when all little hands was lift up to sing “We are the reason” and entertaining dance “Joy to the world” at Christmas. My dear children MSCS It’s not you that learned from me, yet me who learned from you. I learned not to take everything for granted. That life offers more than extrinsic values. My beautiful sisters at MSCS, wait for me to join your next fellowship. I know that your prayers always protect me since dawn till night. Keep having a pure heart to serve God and children sis. Miss you allGod bless you alwaysMiss Ingrid
Location: Mawar Sharon Christian School, member of Association of Christian Schools International

Class 2009 ladies nite - motherhood=baby+bingo+wine+pizza+FUN FEARLESS FEMALE

One good ladies nite, where we; ladies MBA class 2009 decided to throw a baby shower for Alle for her born-to-be baby girl, Isabella. I’m so glad that despite our study load, we always welcome extension of our classmates’ family member.

Unbelievably , this is a place when motherhood, mother sensibility, babies; all stuffs will freak guys out can merge beautifully with wine, pizza, humus, cheese and wokamule - good tasty mexican dip made by our pretty Tats (I hope I spell it rite). I, love-eating chocolate-addicted; of course welcome all snack time with open heart.

Alle, looks so beautiful as always. She’s bit self-conscious about 10 kg baby-fat (Alle, I got over 21 kg for both pregnancy and never came back to my size). Yet I believe, she won’t care when she looked at her baby born in the world. She would never forget their smell and teeth less smile (It’s the cutest smile you’ve ever seen). How you would be grateful that they can sleep like angel whilst you’re experience severe sleep deprivation.

That’s what always amazed me about motherhood. It changes our selfishness to be selfless. You will never have stronger love than that. How in the world you will do anything for your sake of your children. How their tears broke your heart more than your own sadness. There will be no second without you worrying about anything in regard of your family. It is incredible sensation how their words can melt your heart in amazing way (Mum, you’re kind. Mum, don’t cry. Mum, you look beautiful. Mum, I’ll be good boy. Mum, where are you). How you’ll feel that you’re prettiest woman if you pick them up at school and they will run to you with sparkling eyes. How you’ll feel needed when they are feeling sick (yep, children is always looking for their mother). I’m sure with 100% confidence level that Alle will be the best mum for her daughter and Daniel will be luckiest man in the world being loved abundantly by them.

Thank you for Susan who comes to join us. The only girls who couldn't make it is only Lindsey, Lee Sim and Charlyn (cutie girls where are you???)

Tat gave me wine, which always knocked me down no matter how little it is. I fell in love with Tat's place, reminding me with our apartment at Sydney. Hello hubby; I hope we can live there, with city views. It would be nice perfect place when I could stand in balcony, enjoying our meals under the star. The refreshing green bathroom is just like our bathroom back home.. The touchy part, when I was invited to Tats’ room to see her “Morris” (I gave Morris teddy bear on her bday so that she wouldn’t be that lonely when she’s juggling with Accounting “Mental Journey” and Manec. Morris could simply hug her over and over again). Now I know why she always looks pretty, she always gets good sleep J It’s also unofficial celebration for the building blocks of our WAM (Women and Management) club although we didn’t mention it at all J WAM can wait until final exam is over.

One notable coincidence, we just learnt about dummy variables in D&D today and there were couple of baby dummies there. But of course, that last one is lots cuter ^_^

Melbourne Business School - Classmates 2009

The MBS Bungee Jumping by classmates 2009


12th August 2007
It’s winter, cloudy weather and it’s raining when my former elementary classmate picked me up at the airport on 12th August 2007. Yep, it’s freezing out there and all of sudden I remember about first time I went to Sydney. Yesterday I was still in my cozy and warm house. Our house isn’t that luxury but it’s our sweet home. And now here I am at Melbourne. It’s Sunday, I went to Federation Square, Flinders Street Station, State Library, Yarra River… oh it’s beautiful although I prefer Darling Harbor Sydney. Yet I guessed it takes a while to love your city before you really love it and it just breaks your heart to leave it.

O-week and WOM
The journey has finally just started. I don’t know what to do yet my enthusiasm and curiosity will lead my instinct well. And when the O-week started, here I am as again the minority as the only mum among all of my 61 classmates for September intake, the women in my class was 21 persons (Melbourne Business School has 2 intakes / year). O-week just gave us insight about what’s going on at Melbourne Business School, getting know the faculty and staffs, and of course getting know our classmates. My classmates have awesome and diverse background. I think in term of quality, I was nothing to them. I’m just ordinary mum who always tried to give best example for her sons, to never give up on their dreams no matter what. And I have my own vision here. Yet bear in mind that I came not being the most brilliant / outstanding one but to learn. I just want to be better Ingrid. The O-week is including get to know our surrounding neighborhood by “Breaking Boundaries” activity at last day. We're going around city for 3 hours (walking!!!) to take pictures in 10 fabulous places (Citybath, Carlton Garden, Chinatown, ANZ gothics building, Arts Center, Sofitel, Bourke Street Mall, Southern Cross station, Grand Hotel and Rialto). My group came up with unique idea like climbing trees at Carlton garden. Honestly speaking, i was so freaked out. I was afraid of height. It made me to feel dizzy. Yet I’ve been encouraged by my “cool” classmate, Mike, who climbed the tree easily. As I trusted him, I even climbed higher.
Later on, in World of Management, 2 weeks intensive pre-term course followed by presentation, assignment and closed book exam (MBS really train us harder to be good leader by giving us pressures in our first days ^_^); The supplemental reading “How smart people to learn” and Stress Management are crucial to be learned and the understanding of mindset model and transition curve.

After 2 weeks of intensive course, we have celebration. We really enjoy the bonding that slowly formed within our girl classmates that I took our picture. Just bit encouragement what we’re doing and what we are going into. I imagine we are like Dumbledore’s army in Harry Potter movie, who overcome Voldermort’s evil spirit by our friendship, loyalty and sacrifice (that’s my favorite scene when Harry Potter realizes what makes him different than Voldermort).

Post WoM and surviving midterm and approaching final term

First lectures always bring some puzzle faces especially Managerial Economics and Accounting class. Yet we’re getting better. During midterm and assignments due, you will see chaotic and exhausted face. We’re just that tired. No more decent meal, but quick sandwich whilst discussing our syndicate project. No more dream to study beside swan pond of University of Melbourne. Don’t expect to study on green grass like when my husband was studying at UNSW.

More and more, I’m so much impressed by my classmates’ background. I develop mutual respect and understanding of them. Every person is fascinating and adds something to my learning curve. I think they are unique and we all simply deserve to have best 20 months learning experience. That’s what I love from this MBA program, despite my terrible homesickness being away from my family’s warmth, language problem and smallest standard deviation in term social life. Although I’m living in most livable city in the world, I hardly explore Melbourne (8th December is officially called our independence day when we survived final term). My days are pretty much around university of Melbourne, Lygon, CBD and nearby suburbs (although I did make to go to Tulip farm the other day and pretty much amazed by the breath-taking views and neighborhood along the journey). I have so many friends at Melbourne that I knew since I was at elementary, but I hardly meet them. I think 24 hours / day is just not enough.

I value my classmates’ uniqueness and all things that I can learn from them. Life is never ending learning process. I’m confident, that by our uniqueness and diverse background, each of us will give different impact although we may end up with same job and in same industry. And I’m not surprise that most of them will be notably leaders that I will recall “Gee, they are my classmates; we were juggling with Manec and Accounting together”. I will forever value our coffee-break and lunch sharing, our quick getaway to Corkman (I think whoever own that place is just genius, knowing we need quick refreshment place).

Although I myself am not impressed with my midterm result, I view midterm as chance to evaluate my understanding. And term 1 is just too early to judge who’s smartest. I worked at higher education industry; I knew how learning curve works. We will be surprised by “later” genius in next terms. It’s because first term is hardest in term settling-in process (for overseas students like me) and after years working; to adjust your life habit into studying routine isn’t that easy. You’re going to be like trial and error as if in Prolog programming, when every error will add to your learning database. You’re trying to find best way that works for you. We can even end up in deep frustration, because our past success. Everyone in the class is smart in their own way. In educational psychology, even multiple intelligence consists of 9 aspects (8 attributes and special intelligence). You cannot master in everything. So never look down to others. Furthermore, if you comeback to workforce, although high grade will secure you with good job, people still regard you pretty much on your personality.

Look at our pictures; in our unofficial classroom (CUB) who defines Melbourne’s weather in real meaning. I think our batch is doing well. Furthermore when we’re at utmost pressure when all assignments due; we’re still making effort to participate at International Food festival. Despite my tiredness and discouragement toward the event, in last moments my senior classmates from ASEAN club lend me hand (thanks to Kerri, Endi, Adele and Anson).

There are 6 teams from our batch (US, Rusia, Mexico, Peru, Indonesia and India). And I’m glad that India won the cup. We even drank beer from the cup afterward. Winning and losing is an outcome we cannot control. What we can control is our attitude toward other’s achievement and acknowledges it with sincerity. Furthermore, it’s the process to enhance our learning curve, personality growth and leadership capabilities and to shape our character. That’s the things you cannot learn in books, lectures or first rank B-School. And that reinforce my favorite quotations “The most beautiful things in life cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart” (Helen Keller) and “We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love. (Mother Theresa)”. Both are outstanding women who give significant impact despite their difficult circumstances.

And that’s reason why I prefer MBS than other B-schools. We are smaller class that I expect I can have warmer and intimate classmates. It’s something that’s crucial for me who grew in small town, when everyone knows anyone. Everyone comes to MBA program with different background, culture, expectations and dreams. And I do hope, regardless how hard we cope in 1st term; we will get what we’re looking for and benefit for it. It’s simply because all of us deserve it.
In short, I’m looking forward to welcome my term breaks and looking forward for new experiences added to my learning curve including reinforcement of the importance of time management. My regret is my wasted time due to homesickness that produce nothing yet it’s integral part of my process.

Class 2009.. yeahhhhhhhh go for it !!! How time flies from our O-week days. I can’t wait you all at our graduation day, using our graduation clothes and cheer up whilst throwing our toga up in the sky and said “We did it” And yep, we will do it together in our own way and that’s again; the beauty of our program.

Wish you all the best with your syndicate assignments. Strive the best, but never lose the essence of yourself. Remember about sustained competitive advantage we learn at Managing People for High Performance for Human Capital Management “Valuable, unique and difficult to imitate” J

Under Lygon's street sky - my birthday dinner

Dedicated to my dear family : James, Jensen and Joel for giving me life

Yesterday was my birthday. First call ring at 12.01 sharp.. Guess who? My lifetime soulmate and best friend, my dear husband James. How I’m still amused that after 12 years together (from friendship until marriage) we still care each other that much. It’s common knowledge that after you have children, it’s hard to find time with your spouse. Romantic things suddenly went off and you forgot what makes you saying “I do” at first place. But James and I are always making effort to keep romance alive. We know each other too well to know what will make other party will be at utmost happiness.

The good thing by marrying your best friend, they know you so well that you don’t have to sweat small stuffs. I know how James wasn’t impressed with all those online social site such as friendster, multiply and of course facebook. His practical mind state, “why should put online things that you can do directly to the person? It’s impersonal”. He’s always this caring, sensitive, introvert and compassionate person. “Scientist” type of guy yet warm inside. Yet he signed up facebook for the sake of me. Cheers to James, who is in the distance, yet somehow always be there for me. Someone who always believes in me, see the good things in me, appreciate what I’ve done, and never break my heart. I’m officially never have broken heart. James is my first and last love. And that makes pursuing my higher degree harder. I have warm, intimate family and home sweet home I should leave behind under few circumstances I couldn’t control.

I thought this birthday will be such “lonely and sad times” when I will be immersing myself with those quantitative concepts (I couldn’t believe that I was teaching one of those subject 8 years ago), and crying under my blanket missing my family and friends. Furthermore, since Joel’s birth last year, I thought I would never have my birthday as Joel’s birthday was only 5 days after me and it’s just efficient way to celebrate his birthday than mine. I don’t mind at all. I’m a mum who would do anything for the sake of my family. There is no little part called Ingrid in me, but James, Jensen and Joel. It’s always about James, Jensen and Joel in every aspect in my life. And that’s the mystery of love I could never understand, how God can transform our selfishness to selfless love to our loved ones.

Then my birthday was followed by tons of calls and messages from my friends all around the world. Unfortunately I got full-day class on Thursday. It’s hardest day in my week with Financial Management first in the morning, and then followed by Managerial Economics (who tumble up all of my logical thinking) and Data & Decision.

I never realized how much I love my hubby until I was apart from him. He’s my first and last love so that’s it. There was little part questioning was I making right decision to marry him? But now, I know how I made best decision in my life.

MBA? I still no idea why I’m doing still trying to find my reasons. I’m always someone who believes that doing something in life, you have to do it from your heart, and as perfectionist and thinker; I don’t find any reason to do it. I’m losing my passion and always around by my warm and intimate family, it’s hard being alone here. My family always share and support, kiss and hug everywhere (if you’re alone, come to our home you will feel welcomed).

Yet miracle happens. My classmates really made my day. It started they brought me flower (it’s still nice till I write this). I was feeling special although I couldn’t entertain my friends’ intention to put flower on my table. I thought it’s going like “attention-seeker” act. I’m not that confident. I’m still that “small-town” girl who is willing to try something but still afraid doing it. Initially shy girl who wrote poetry in the top of her roof, who wanted badly being writer and couldn’t understand why she couldn’t go to literature and psychology major that she loved despite her family intention to take scholarship offered into computer science major.

We spent birthday dinner at Lygon street, my favorite street (because it’s the closest to my place). I’m so happy about birthday wish said by my friends especially part “May your family can go here asap and you can have your own daughter”. Yeah, I want a daughter. James will be so happy with the presence of daughter and so do I. We will be great parent. But of course it’s not now. Yet again, I’m looking forward for Joel’s first birthday on 9th October. Thank you again my friends especially Shilley and Smiley (and if you read this, you know which nicknames RU in). Now I see humanity in MBA ^_^

Seed of happiness - Tulip Farm Melbourne

My hubby think it’s useless thing to go to Tulip’s farm. He’s never been flowery person. Romantic man at heart but always thinks giving flower to girls is so wasted. Yet according to my MANECO lesson, my utility to go is very high -> AUD$1mio. So after counting my Willingness To Pay for my journey (my never ending assignments, reading and lesson that I should catch up), I decided to go after persistence offer from my friends. It’s cloudy, and we went so early in the morning, I reckon it wouldn’t that good. Surprising, it’s just one fine day. I found great deal of my seeds of happiness

The good thing is, I found that I am same Ingrid, simple girl who’s value simple things in life (fresh air, blossoming flowers, a cup of hot chocolate and tongue-melting dutch poffertjes).

The neighborhood was so awesome. I think I love Melbourne than Sydney even more. It reminded to the small town I grown up. The people are so friendly and nicer. The houses are lovely just like in HC Anderson’s or Enid Blyton’s house, the café are so homey. I cannot put into words the magic of beautiful view along the way. I’m falling in love with its neighborhood and it does recharge my energy in positive way. It’s so beautiful and breath-taking. How complicated I am. In one side, I love living in hi-tech building, yet love to have dinner with friends in floorboard, fireplace and flowery table cloth. I want my country home sweet home.

After 1 month juggling with my terrible homesickness, language and numbers and all of those strategic thinking (the more I think, I think my husband should be the one who takes this course instead of me as he’s the strategic thinker and “true scientist and brain” in our family).

Thanks God, I’m grateful to decide to go to Tulip farm. Strolling the tulip lines, I keep thinking my triple JE, wish them to be here with me. I wish that I could comeback in perfect sunny day wearing my favorite white dress. In short, I have big surplus ^_^ It’s nothing related with my dutch heritage. I simply appreciate life. I’m thankful for my loving ones. I’m thankful to meet my lifetime soul mate at first date, thankful to watch my sons’ teeth less smile, and thankful for being chocolate-addicted. Until now, I keep thinking (my old folks will poke me as they told to stop thinking!!!) why I could finish high literature novel or more than 10 literature movies in one day yet need to spend hours to understand 31 pages business case. Am I in the right course? What am I doing here? I’m nothing to have such MBA material?? Until calls from my sponsor keep me sober what I’m actually doing here. I have promise to fulfill.

It starts series of good events today despite the windy and cloudy weather. I went to church at city, and feeling that I didn’t sing so long. Daddy, wish you are here to play me guitar and I’m the singer (as always). The downside is only it’s muddy, and I have to wash my only running shoe :’(

(PS : Dad, don’t comment anything. You come here to Melbourne on December and I’ll show you the magic of Melbourne that will change your point of view. Yet if you think Sydney is still better, of course I’ll go with you).