Schueneman Family Blog

Early morning we left Portage, IN, heading straight to the Counsel General of Indonesia Embassy in Winnetka, Chicago, IL. We stopped by at Panera Cafe, to get a cup of Coffee and to change our clothes to a more formal attire. Bill wore a very nice Batik, red color Prada. Bill Schueneman, my lovely husband, looked soooo handsome in it. I try to match him, I wore red Kebaya.

Bill and I arrived at the Ceremony place on time, but the Ceremony had a late start, given us a chance to say hello to Staff of the Indonesia Counsel there. They are very nice and very informative. I found out that I have to re-register my Passport and inform them my current address.

1 interesting fact. All the “Bule” (nickname for all caucasian) wore Batik, and all the Counsel Staff wore Black suit. it’s so funny!

The Ceremony starts at 10:30AM. It was a very nice and elegant ceremony. I felt so overwhelmed. A bit teary. I really pay attention to the reading of Indonesia Values (Pancasila), Constitution Emblems, Prayers, Salute to the flag while we sing Indonesia Raya (national anthem). I am so proud to be an Indonesian.

TO BE CONTINUED

Setelah upacara selesai, ada penghargaan khusus kepada karyawan kedutaan yg berprestasi. Pemotongan tumpeng pertama diberikan kepada karyawan Kedutaan yg tertua, namanya Pak Jeffrey, orangnya murah senyum banget dehhh. Setelah itu, pemberian ucapan MERDEKA! Dan saying goodbye ke Konsul General Bpk.Hidayat.
Iyahh bener…… beliau pension, jadi beliau akan kembali ke Indonesia tgl 30 August.
Bill pakai Batik Prada warna merah, keren deh pokoke, jahitannya juga bagus dan rapi banget ;o)
Pas kita salaman, Pak KonJen menyampaikan pujian buat Batik yg dipakai Bill, “Bagus sekali” katanya…… wahhhhh Bill seneng banget…… Made his day!

Lunch time! Menu : Ikan rica-rica, Tahu Bacem, Soto Bandung (“The Best” kata Bill), Ayam Goreng, Nasi, Urap mantab, Daging Suwir (gw lupa euyy), Krupuk Udang, Es Alpokat, Uli + Ketan Hitam, Kue hijau……. Kenyang dehhh!

Setelah itu kita hang out sama beberapa orang Indonesia……. SKSD dehhh biasaaa ;o)

Nyetir pulang, walo cape tapi hati bahagia banget. It’s all, the new experiences, meeting friends, all the glorious food were really worth it.

Saturday morning, we head up early to Traverse City. Curiousity calls, after some reports from friends, on how attractive the city is. off we goo…… no breakfast, but settled with a few pieces of mango ;o)

Arrive late in the afternoon, just in time for lunch. “PIRATE” Restaurant we selected, because they have excellent outdoor lake view and an attractive menu of seafood ;o) yummy…. I ordered some mussels. Bill ordered some Crab-Cake…… it is so small, compare to my food….. sorry my dear….. We shared the mussels…… uuuhhhh sooo goood! The closing menu is Chocolate Cake… no guilt today, we’re on vacation….. Let me tell you….. that Chocolate Cake is soo good it doesn’t last longer than 7minutes!!

We stopped by at Sleeping Bear Dune. From the brochure, it looks ok. With your own eyes, it’s amazing! I’m still wondering how can a desert exist in the middle of ‘jungle’. Oh well, I’ll just enjoy the view and the hiking.
10 steps…. wouw our sandals only makes us slower…. we took it off…. barefoot we go……. 30 steps…. woowww the sand is soo hot…. we managed to lift our feet up a little bit so it catches the warm (not cold) breeze…. continue….. 150 steps…… we only arrived in the middle of it…… it feels already an entire day we hike, yet we’re so far from the top!……. we turned around (I sit down) we enjoyed the view of the lake behind us…… WONDERFUL VIEW! …….. Bill said, let’s go to the top and you’ll be stunned by the amazing view of Lake Michigan…… I was so tired, running out of breath and the sand feels hotter….. yet, we proceed……… 60 more steps……. OK! I GIVE UP! I am so out of breath. I can’t handle the temperature (98F), my knees were shacking too, I felt so weak……..
Luckily, being a wonderful husband, Bill agrees to go down with me. Phewwww….. soooo relieved!
We went down and made a promise that we will try it again, but next time, we’ll try very early morning.

Right after we enjoyed the Rail Trail route. It’s a contunuous view of amazing lakes and forrest. I love every single stop we made in that forrest. So peaceful and such a beautiful view of the Lakes.

Next we’re of to Portegon, IN. Chicago here I come……. Wuuuzzzzzzzzzz