Laura Joy Land

Hello there. It's been a while, hasn't it? I'll spare you my excuses for not blogging in four months, as blogging about not blogging is rather redundant, wouldn't you agree? Instead, let's just focus on the reason for my writing resumption: VOLUME. A while ago some flashing blue, red and green lights appeared on a tree-covered hill a few miles away from our house. For some time we pondered as to what was up there: a restaurant? a hotel? a private home occupied by someone who likes living in a flashing house? Then, one lovely, quiet, still, calm and peaceful night, our curiosity was killed, and our eardrums took a good beating too: the lights belong to a karaoke bar. Now don't get me wrong, I love a good karaoke session, especially here in Batam where renting a karaoke booth is one of only a handful of 'things to go and do' with your mates. However, the flashing blue lights on the hill don't belong to cute little reasonably soundproofed karaoke boot

Here are a few random snapshots taken at the weekend; some funny, one just random, and one that's decidedly not funny... "Take the transversed path; the road less travelled."  Is it just me, or is there something not quite right about this sentence?   "I found me Enjoya!" Well done you! ;) Sounds a bit Bristolian, innit me luverr.  Mwah. Here's the decidedly not funny one:  "Watch Out! The dangers of homosexuals spying on our children." There's a relatively large gay community in Batam, but as far as I can tell, they live their lives in the shadows, as the majority of locals are genuinely scared and unaccepting of homosexuality. :(  I came across a shop selling plus-sized clothing. It's called Huge's.  Hadi tried to tell me that the designer's name is Huge, but I'm not convinced... And finally, the cute baby-grow for Daddy's girl! :)

What a lovely Sunday that was. In fact, what a lovely weekend. On Friday night we watched the new Bond film, which I found highly entertaining. The opening action, the general plot, the crazy villain: all good stuff. However, I have to say I was rather appalled at the portrayal of women in this one. I know, I know, Bond's a player and it's all tongue-in-cheek, right? Well, not this time. In my opinion, there's no excuse for the superficial way in which the villain's female slave was introduced and treated. Bond takes two minutes to figure out her past and then, twenty minutes later, despite offering to save her from her life as a sex slave, still thinks he's entitled to jump in the shower with her. Argh. And then there's Moneypenny: the female agent who misses one shot and subsequently decides she's not cut out for the field and would be better off behind a desk, doing the occasional 'favour' for Bond. I'm amazed that they managed to fit such

Every day I see things that I wish I could capture on camera to share with you. Most of the time I don't manage to snap a picture because I'm sitting on the back of a motorbike at the time: it's either not safe to try to take a photo, or by the time I fish my phone out of my bag, the astounding sight has passed. I say astounding, because I really believe you'd be astounded by some of the things I see. Like a family of five on a two-seater motorbike, the kids without helmets, and at least one of them is sleeping soundly while Dad weaves in and out of traffic over bumpy roads. Or how about two guys on a motorbike, with a glass door balanced between them?! I suppose I should add myself and the hubs to this list, since we can often be seen commuting home with two backpacks, our grocery shopping, and of course an ever-increasing bump between us ;) Fortunately words are usually easier and safer to photograph, and by golly are there some funny words around Batam. What makes

I had a birthday. My 28 th to be precise. At school I selfishly threw myself a birthday party with my grade 4 class, although I’m sure they didn’t mind eating cake or playing musical statues (to Gangnam Style) for half an hour. In the evening I celebrated with family: my mother-in-law prepared traditional Javanese food and my brother and sister-in law brought a special kind of cake that is baked layer by layer. I received parcels from faraway places, including wonderfully comfy PJs from my brother-in-law and his girlfriend in Bandung, and a lovely top from H&M’s Mama collection from my brother and his girlfriend (we’ve never met, but I’m pretty sure she played a role in choosing it). Me and my little kicker. I wouldn't normally post photos of me in my PJs, but seeing as there's a baby bump to show off, I figured I'd make an exception. So, my first birthday as an expectant mum was delicious and comfy!

It’s Friday again. This week has been better than previous ones. Our students have had midterm examinations the past two weeks, with a reduced timetable as a result. Finishing teaching just one hour earlier every day makes a huge difference to my stress levels. Usually, I teach Grade 1 for 90 minutes at the end of the day, separated by a 15 minute break in which they remain in the classroom with me. I loath these lessons because the kids are tired and restless and the time just drags. So this week, teaching them for 45 minutes and then sending them on their way has been blissful. It goes without saying that I’m dreading going back to the normal schedule next week. It isn’t just my teaching schedule that’s stressing out this mum-to-be. My employers have refused to pay me maternity leave. Their reason? It would be ‘difficult’ for them to replace me for three months, and parents would complain. They are also being very difficult about ‘allowing’ me to resign. They like to make up