CELEBRATING OUR 10TH ANNIVERSARY (Part 3): The Story Behind My Wedding Gown

Sonny Radji was a well known name as a batik oriental designer from my hometown, Surabaya, Indonesia.  In August 2002, my brother introduced me and my fiance (my husband now) to him since I told him I was going to bring a special oriental wedding gown to US but I wasn't ready yet and had no plan to pick/choose something. He then had initiative to bring us to Sonny's house/workshop and thought I might be interested to use him designing my wedding gown. At that time Sonny was my brother's client as he had own private business as a massage therapist.   

Sonny Radji presents Batik of Gong Xi Fat Cai, which was modelled in the Shrine Tjokro to welcome the upcoming 2562 Lunar New Year. Surabaya, Indonesia. 01/02/2011

With the helps of two women as his assistances, he finished designing and making it in 7 business days and done with all final touch, dry laundry and pressed totally in 10 days with a special price Rp1.200.000,- (one million two hundred thousand IDR). It was enough expensive at that time but not too expensive if he was the person who designed it as the first class designer in my hometown.  He confessed that it was the cheapest price of wedding gown he ever made in his entirely life as a designer but with high quality and standard for his fabulous work.

He told us they stayed till midnight and/or early in the morning to work for the details (beaded every single small item with their own hands).  Amazing work!  He used to finish a project like that at least 14 days but because we were going to fly to US in the next 12 days, so he had to finish it in 10 days and we had 1 day left to pack it together with other items.

Finally, it was ironic!  I even didn't wear my wedding gown when we married at that day, Oct 5, 2002. The reason was because my fiance told me we were going to marry at church too, so I decided not to wear it when we married and vowed at the backyard of our apartment.  One of friends suggested to wear it, but I preferred to wear my batik gown and my fiance did the same, too.

One year, two years, and so on, we haven't realized that plan and it became an old plan that seemed we were not going to make it.  Of course I was sad, very sad because I never had a chance to wear that wedding gown and married at church.  But I'm the kind of person that don't like to sink in the bad mood/sad all the time.  Then I had an idea, I would make a special moment to wear that wedding gown to celebrate our 10th Anniversary.  So, it was the first time I worn my wedding gown!  It was very special that night although nobody came and being invited, just three of us (my husband, me, and our little daughter) and enjoyed our special night. We danced and took pictures, enjoyed the foods I cooked, and shared them in my facebook account and this blog to express my happiness by becoming a "new" bride and welcoming a "new" groom.  Yes, I think we remarried again, hehehe.....

The late of Sonny Radji.  This photo I found
at his wife's inactive facebook account



Other sad news was when I searched Sonny online at the night I took out my wedding gown from my suitcase, I found him at facebook and noticed it wasn't active anymore.  I was very curious and took a look for some pictures of him and found out he had passed away already. I felt my heart running fast and still wasn't sure if he passed away.  Then I searched via google and found some articles from national media mentioned Sonny Radji Passed Away because of heart complication on February 16, 2012--two days after my book Enthusiasm in Indonesian version released (Republika Online News).  Then I believed.
 

I hold my tears hardly so they would not toast on my checks.  When my husband came home, I told about that news.  We both were very sad.  We both hugged each other and let our tears running.  We both never had experience such like that--having deep feeling and felt he was one of the best persons we ever met.  He didn't treat us like usual customer but more than that.  We felt like we knew each other long time ago.  How do I mention the person who has personality like that?  My husband even could not give a special word for it.  He was too nice, too pleased, too friendly, too kind, too helpful, too---too--and other too(s).

So, here they are.  I attach some pictures and they become special memory for both of us. I hope it will still fit on me in the next many years.(*)   



My wedding gown probably contains thousands
of beads from neck till the bottom of the layer
(you can't see on the picture). 
They are shaped as vertical lines and all the edges
of the layer.

 

Batik Gusti Ayu Sonny Radji full with golden threads.

Beaded strapless

 

Me, with a smile wearing beaded strapless.



My handsome groom.



My groom was smiling.

 

Introdung a "new" married couple: Mr. and Mrs. Abbott.
(hahaha!!!)

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CELEBRATING OUR 10th ANNIVERSARY (Part 2): Special Gift From Me For My Husband

First of all: Thank you family members and friends who had sent cards via mail and greetings via facebook for our 10th Anniversary.  We had special moment in our small comfy home in celebrating our 10th Anniversary, but very simple, sweet and memorable.  No guest invited, only three of us: my husband, me, and our little daughter.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I would love to share about a special gift that had surprised my husband.  Since I got the second job, I had started to think one day I would give a very special gift for our 10th Anniversary.  What was that?  I still didn't know at that time.  The idea came up when we moved last year to a small-renovated home, I noticed that our bed looked old--more than 15 years old--besides it was too firm.  It was not good for him who has pain on his neck and shoulder. We needed a better mattress, and I wanted it with a very good quality. I knew it wasn't cheap, so I prayed I would get it when big discount came.  My prayer was answered at the time I wasn't sure if I could realized it.

When I went to associate room to have lunch, there was nobody.  I saw pieces of newspaper spread all over the tables, so I decided to collect all and brought them to my table and started to read page by page.  In the end of the page I read, there was a full page of Sleepys advertisement.  They were having BIG DISCOUNT!!!  I was stunned with the prize for a mattress and decided the next day I planned to take a look.  One of their branch stores is located near my work, so I just took a walk to get there.  Finally I wasn't satisfied with the real mattress they offered like on the newspaper.  They made it look much better on the picture than the real one.  I kept looking all mattresses but nothing I could afford in the short time but I still kept waiting for the salesman who was serving two other customers.  When one customer was done, he then served the second one and asked me what I needed politely and friendly after he commented that the advertiser used to made the things look much better than the real one of what they were presenting.

He pointed a mattress located across the place where I stood up--even I passed it, how I could???  My eyes opened widely--didn't believe with the prize they gave: discount $400 and it was included with its boxspring.  WOW!!!  With his permission, I tried to lie down on it several minutes.  I was very sure it was the mattress my husband need.  He suggested me to lock the price and I did with only a small payment $100, and then I could pay the rest whenever I wanted till the time I chose for delivery after I explained him it would be for my husband gift for our 10th Anniversary.  (I could not believe it!!!)

This is not a real mattress and boxspring I bought.  It's similar like that for its performance. I think it isn't available to buy online because I have searched it several times. 



The delivery men came around 4.30 PM on Friday, Oct 5, 2012 when I was making cupcakes.  They brought a mattress, a boxspring, mattress cover, and boxspring cover.



My husband came from work around 9.30 PM when I was busy applying make up on my face (hehehe!). When I went downstairs, I asked him to read my recent post about Celebrating Our 10th Anniversary (Part I)

 

Then it was the time to give a special gift in a white long-regular envelope.

 

I called him: My Groom.  I think we remarried again, hahaha!!!



He opened the envelope and read my note.

VOILA!!!



This is what I wrote.



He was speechless--could not say anything.



But, I still didn't want him to go upstairs to see the mattress.  He needed to have his supper first to give him more energy.



What he ate?  I just cooked very small portion--just for 3 of us: nasi kuning (yellow rice), kering tempe pedas (hot fried tempe--not for our little daughter), Buffalo baked chicken, fried noodle, emping belinjo (Belinjo chips--my husband favorite chip from Indonesia), and fried egg swirls.

When he went upstairs to have quick shower and would wear his suit, I explained him that night we just got mattress delivery. For 9 inches boxspring, didn't fit to bring it upstairs, so they would bring 5 inches boxspring on Sunday with no extra charge for delivery.  It means we were going to sleep on the floor for 2 nights. That's cool! (hahaha!!!)



On Sunday morning two delivery men arrived.  I started to arrange to make it look neat and beautiful with layering new satin bedspread  with its matched pillow covers. I bought them from a clearence rack.  (How lucky I was to find them).



I added a small touch: a small accent pillow, a gift from children couple years ago.



Then I layered it with the beautiful comforter that has color matched with the satin bedspread, a Mothers day gift from my husband a year ago. It looked PERFECT!!!  I was so happy, so was he.  Then my little one started to jump on it.  "Oops!  Not for jumping, honey!" I warned her.
Then she lay down on it and said, "Mamma, it's very comfortable.  Can I sleep here?"
"Tonight?"
"Yes???"
Oops!!!  (I shook my head)***



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CELEBRATING OUR 10TH ANNIVERSARY (I): Ten Years Ago and Today

When I'm starting to write this post at 12.43 PM right now, I remember at the same date and time ten years ago, my husband and I, the children, my brother in law, Christopher, and some friends were having small party.  We were having lunch and enjoyed foods I cooked.  I prepared a day before and early in the morning before I got ready for my wedding.  Can you imagine it?  The children came early in the morning.  Sissy brought a medium bowl of fruits salad with real flowers as the topping.  I don't remember what the flower's name is.  That was a new thing for me.  Mimmy brought two her close friends and Bubby didn't feel good, but he was able to come.  My husband helped me to prepare everything.  I would like to share the pictures but my scanner doesn't work right now, so it's better I'll continue my story.

In the back yard of our apartment,1250 Providence Rd, Secane, we both vowed in our marriage:

The Groom: I, Gregory Abbott, take you, Fida Rojana, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy law, and this is my solemn vow.

The Bride: I, Fida Rojana, take you, Gregory Abbott, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy law, and this is my solemn vow.

The judge: "I introduce you a new married couple:  Mr. Gregory Abbott and Mrs. Fida Abbott!"

We both kissed each other while others gave applause to us.

Finally we got married after 1 year and a half having long distance relationship!

   

After everybody enjoyed their foods, we had time to play the music and danced inside our apartment. My husband had a favorite song that he would like to play for us and everybody to dance.  It was from the cassette I brought from Indonesia.  The singer is from Malaysia, Siti Nurhaliza, and her song title is: Betapa Kucinta Padamu (How Much I Love You) as you can watch its video for karaoke version below. 

   

And today, I sit in my office to write this special post in our special day while my husband is working and I got approval from my ex-assistant manager to take a day off. I cleaned the whole house, down stair and up stair, polished my nails and toes, took some pictures, write this post, soon I will cook, and wait for a special delivery come this afternoon. It would be a very special gift and big surprise for my husband to celebrate our 10th Anniversary.

Then in the night after my husband comes home from work, we will have a special time. What is that??? If you're interested to know what it is, please, stay tuned to read the next post. Thank you for your time to read this special post.

Happy 10th Anniversary, my darling Husband! 

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Slamatan Ala America

What does Slamatan mean?  According to Wikipedia, Slamatan  is the communal feast from Java, symbolizing the social unity of those participating in it. A slametan can be given to celebrate almost any occurrence, including birth, marriage, death, moving house, and so forth. Depending on the intention, the mood and emphasis may vary somewhat, but the main structure is the same. And Tumpeng is commonly the main menu in a Slamatan. 

Slamatan we did a year ago--around 2 months after son William had lungs transplant--was to celebrate our thanks to God for the new life He gave to our son, William.  He made all happen.  Since then, William has had a new life and he is able to eat like other normal person.  I was so happy to see him for the first time he ate so many foods.

These pictures below I found them yesterday in one of my many files.  They were taken at his appartement.  I had been looking for it so long after moving to a new house.  So, enjoy them and please, receive my thanks to all of you who have purchased any of my books/e-books, either in English or Indonesian version.  By purchasing them, you have supported the cystic fibrosis foundation to find the cure for many children who are suffering from this terrible disease. To those who haven't yet, if you're interested, you may visit Abbottsbooks and choose any book/e-book you're interested in.  Thank you for your support.

See you in the upcoming post in celebrating our 10th Anniversary! ***

With all my children and foods I cooked.

Foods, cake and fruits for Slamatan I prepared instead of Tumpeng.  



My first Tumpeng I made for a presentation at my husband class in 2007. 
He and his group got "A". 
Everybody was amazed and ate all foods without any leftover, even the lettuces (hahaha!).

  

My girls were enjoying their foods.

Son William whom we did Slamatan for.



All people who were in our Slamatan (of course + me).

My children were so happy, ready to eat all foods.

Sissy and Wanda



Children and Ruru

Happy children

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