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Kelly's Diary Entries Diary Navigation: Choose A Diary Entry -------------------- Latest Entry: 6/21/00 -------------------- 6/15/00 6/6/00 5/24/00 5/10/00 5/3/00 4/25/00 4/18/00 4/12/00 4/6/00 3/29/00 3/22/00 3/15/00 3/8/00 3/1/00 2/23/00 2/16/00 -------------------- Kelly's Introduction

April 6, 2000

Once a week, Orion and I go to a "Mom & Kids" playgroup consisting of several expat SAHMs and kids and we rotate among the members’ houses. The purpose of this is to give our kids a real fun and safe time within our supervision while the Mothers can update each other on the where-you-can-buy-the-cheapest-fruits up to the latest economic and political situation in our host country. The "Host" usually prepares some cookies and drinks for the kids while the Moms can sip coffee leisurely. Kids learn to interact and play together and you can really see them having a good, fun time.

Last week, the hot issue of the Mothers was the murder of an expat French lady who happened to be a friend of one of our members. She was a mother of three young girls and due to return to France in a couple of months before this heinous crime happened. It’s a tragic story of burglary and her trying to fight the culprits who broke into their house. Most expat houses here maintain several staff including security guards (one for daytime and another for night duty), in this woman’s case, it was the off day of the guards and her husband was away on a trip. Luckily the kids were not harmed, but apparently the second daughter witnessed everything and must be traumatized terribly.

Well, this incident surely leaves a bitter taste in the mouth and made me really scared and worried for a couple of days. I know that this can happen anywhere in the world but the reality of it happening to "us" or to someone we know is really bothersome. Several nights, especially when Aaron is out late or out of town, I can only lie down and listen to the "nightsounds." Sometimes I cry when my imagination runs so wild and embracing Orion beside me is the main thing that gives me comfort. Prayer also soothes my frayed nerves and I pray so hard that God keep us safe and free from harm. Incidents like this make you appreciate life more and give you a different perspective on appreciating that you have. Material things are necessary but it should not really be what we should live for. If that woman just gave it all to the thieves and told them to just leave them unharmed, then maybe, she could still be alive with her kids and husband. Really, life is short and it’s too beautiful not to be lived well.

On another note, my two growing boys -- Orion and Jaga (our Rottweiller) both got their respective shots last Saturday. Orion was pretty relaxed with the doctor and actually enjoyed the visit until something pricked him and he let out a scream. He had a sound sleep in the afternoon but felt "sookey" (cry baby) when he woke up. You won’t be able to tell the difference whether it’s for real or not, although Aaron and I found it amusing though. He really knows how to get attention when he wants it.

See you next week.

From Indonesia,