Sorry I have been absent the last couple of days .... we have had severe issues with internet access from home.  And, at the same time we had systems problems at work ... both on the internal network as well as internet access.

I think we have the home issue resolved - after several extremely frustrating days of intermittant to NO access we had a technician come out and check the wiring on the house.  It appears (so they say) that some of the telephone wires used for internet access came loose.  The guy worked on that - and voila we have access again.  Overall, it looks pretty good.  Hmmm, wonder how long it will last.

Ok, about the flooding and Decy ... first, weather ... for the most part it has been dry since about last Thursday ... but that is the "most part".  This is still the rainy season and showers come and go.  Earlier this week while Decy was delivering some supplies to the flood victims there was flash flooding in the area she was at ... and many homes had 3 feet of water come rushing in.

Yesterday (Wednesday) there was a very heavy thunderstorm that rolled through the city.  Decy looked outside our house and noticed we had 18 inches of water running down the street.  This is odd, as during the worst flooding we had no water in the street.  This just goes to show you the flooding can happen anywhere at anytime.   Because our house is 4 ft above street grade it was not an issue.

All week long Decy has been delivering supplies to flood victims ... she has received additional donations of both money, food, school supplies, and even a bed.  With the money, she obviously buys more supplies ... and then makes deliveries.  I think she is pretty much to the end of the finances ... but has a bit left.  She is beginning to shift focus to the schools as many of the schools have lost all their supplies ... books, writing paper, pencils, etc.

Yesterday was Valentine's Day ... and Decy and I spent the evening together .... it was an odd mix of events, and not at all like I had planned/anticipated. She picked me up after work and we debated (in a nice sort of way) where to go ... stopped at the Shangri-la hotel and had a drink and snacks. Then, we ran over to hotel Mulia (where CJs is at) and met with the CJs manager ... and tried to organize seating on some opera tickets we are buying for a first ever in Jakarta event in April.  Then, we got a call from our Singapore friend named James who is here in Jakarta just for Wednesday night and part of Thursday .... so we met him at the Le Meridian hotel at Club 30 (Tiga Puluh).

We haven't been to Tiga Puluh in some time due to the quality of the band and DJ.  They were VERY happy to see us come back.  The DJ has been replaced (actually was last time) and was doing well.  Unfortunately (and hopefully only for last night) between music sets they had this "heckle and jeckle" comedy team ... who talked 75% in bahasa.  As for the band, they are so so .... but their contract runs out in 2 weeks.  (we think we saw the replacement band when we were leaving).

Here's something interesting about Tiga Puluh .... like I said they were VERY happy to see us.  After we ordered our drinks they brought us complimentary calamari (nobody else got any).  Then they advised they were doing a lucky draw and collected name cards from James and I.  Later that night two cards were drawn from a pile of about 50-75 .... first name drawn .... mine (for dinner for two) .... second name drawn .... James (buffet for two).  I recognize the odds of us winning both drawings is about 1 in 2500 to 1 in 5625 ... which isn't too bad ... but it DOES seem odd.  Then, later that night Decy was given a rose.  We left Tiga Puluh at 1230am ... got to bed at 130am ... alarm went off at 400am (I set it back 30 minutes as I usually get up at 330). I'm doing ok.

Today, I work only 1/2 day ... as Decy and I have an afternoon meeting with Chely's school counsellor to talk about college options. Tomorrow morning Decy has a 20 minute conference with 2 of Thasya's teachers.  That one is right in the middle of the morning ... which means I can't attend .... you know - missing 5 hours of work for a 15-20 minute chat.

Weekend is coming up .... my company is holding an employee event on Saturday ... not sure what to expect but it is being hyped up a lot.  It will be held at hotel Mulia. Theme colors are black, silver, and red.  Decy is having a special outfit made ... as for me ... I think I will just dress in black with some scarfs in the accent color.

Notice - that I did not talk about work.  It pays well ....

Well, need to close and take care of some other issues this morning.

ciao ciao.