The year 2005 will be full of good things and challenges.
Indonesia has started with the massive problem of how to deal with the disaster in Aceh which will take an enormous amount of time, money and effort.
My part in helping the country along is to encourage people to give Bali a chance and come visit, hopefully pointing out some of the best features the island has to offer.
2005 is going to be a special year for me in other ways too because I am getting married to my girlfriend Ika who is expecting a child in July. Quite a pleasant surprise and one we’re both excited about.
Here are some facts so far:
Ika is 26 and comes from Semarang in Central Java and is Muslim. I met her at the fitness center I go to in Legian.
Before I took my month long trip overseas we both visited a doctor in Denpasar and had an ultra sound scan. The thing was done without appointment and cost 65,000rp and since that time Ika has been back every 2 weeks to check on things. When we first visited I had a chuckle because the doctor asked me to hand the money directly to him, something that would never happen in the west.
My plan for the future is to visit Ika’s family this coming weekend in Semarang. Our flight is on Merpati and goes via Surabaya on Friday afternoon. Total traveling time, about 4 hours including the stopover. Coming back means a 6:30am flight out of Semarang on Sunday morning, the only time they fly out. The round trip cost was 975,000rp each and I had the ladies at the small travel agency in front of Okie House on Poppies II look for flights for me.
Ika’s parents do not speak English so it will be fun smiling and eating with them.
Indonesia does have some screwy laws concerning marriage, like both parties have to be the same religion. I was reading through a sheet of rules yesterday and they include minimum ages for men and women wanting to marry (19 for a man and 16 for a woman). If either party is under 21, permission from their parents is required. It then goes on to say in the absence of both parents one will do. In the absence of any parents a next of kin or family friend will do, basically anybody, Fred the garbage collector could probably seal the deal if you are desperate.
The cool thing about having a child here in Bali is that medical care is cheap if you do not mind local doctors and getting some help in the form of a local nanny is do-able.
We have not come up with names yet and are open to suggestions. I offered up Mohammed Ali in tribute to Ika’s religious preferences.
That’s my exciting news for right now and I will keep you posted on developments. I know quite a few westerners end up with Indonesian partners and negotiating the cultural, linguistic, visa, money issues can be an experience. Different expectations stemming from a different world view can make things tough, but there are benefits as well. The other day Ika’s flip flop was flapping and I said I would buy her a new pair, she insisted it was better to glue them, something a westerner might not be so keen to do. Indonesians seem to be great with kids too and having a warmer climate seems more relaxing for them.
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I will double those congratulations Nick. You certainly did have some suprises for us Nick didnt you…wow.! Well we allhave to settle down sometimea Nick, even a wandere like you.
Best of Luck
Mark
Whoa!! Congrats Nick !! I’m very happy for you and Ika. Wow, big news.
I can tell you from experience being a father of 2 wonderful girls, one a really fresh one at 7 weeks old, that it can be the most trying and yet the most wonderful times of your life, all at the same time. You’ll remember my sentence above and will know exactly what I mean.
All the best Nick.
Dear Nick & Ika, congratulation for both of you, Wishing you all the best for year 2005 as one family.
I am wondering the new baliblog site doesn’t have the search engine? i loved to read your posts from previous message when i need some more info about places in Bali that you have visited.
Cheers.
Hi Coni,
We’ll be adding the search function back again very soon. Thanks for reminding us!
Congrats Nick!…and a happy holiday to you and Ika as well. I was in Bali at the end of November. I must’ve just missed you by a couple of hours or so. I was at the airport arriving from Jakarta as you about to leave Bali for the US.
Regarding the name…I’d suggest for either a Javanese or Balinese first name with your last name. For ex., Maharini O’Neil (girl) or Budianto O’Neil (boy). I would stay clear of religous names if I were you.
Congrats! Ah, the advantages of joining a fitness club are never to be underestimated.
Congrats Nick and Ika
I wish you both nothing but joy in the future.
Love reading your site, keeps me close to Bali in between holidays.
Kezza
Congratulations Ika & Nick,
Nothing like a new little life to settle you down. I wish the very best for you both (and your new addition!)
Have a great visit with the in-laws-to-be.
Jane
Congratulations Nick and Ika,
Wishing you all the best, we have just gotten back from Bali so missed you. However hope your meet the parents trip goes well.
Nick, I am so excited for you and Ika!! This is really a blessing. And I was thrilled to hear the news in person. Ika, you are beautiful and I enjoyed the video clip. I can’t wait to meet you and I wish you both good health throughout the pregnancy.
All best meeting the inlaws. Nick, you’re a prince.
Love to you both,
Jen
Thank you everyone. Its a new situation for us to step into and I am looking forward to all it offers.
Thank you everyone. Its exciting and and Ika and I are happy to share it on Baliblog.
Holymabloodygoly! Well, you’ll still always be old enough to be my dad, Nick, but congrats, man!
Nick,
We are very excited for you! Someday we’ll come over & meet Ika since now we know you won’t be leaving Indonesia anytime soon! Who would have imagined back to your Eugene days working in the fitness center the connection a club would later have in your life - you must have had intuition. We’ll look forward to following your stories and more pictures of you & Ika.
Nick
I am going out this second to get a bottle of champagne and get horribly drunk for you both.
Becoming a father is a scary and thrilling thing…I wish you nothing but life long happiness…
incidently, can I come to the wedding?
pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee…
Philip
Congratulations Ika and Nick .
Good things come to nice people.
Cheers Mick
Congratultaions to both yourself & Ika.
Hopefully we will be around in bvali sometime to wet the babies head!!!!!
All the very best of wishes to you both for a Marvellous future!!!!
Congratulations Nick and Ika
My best wishes for your beautiful future together.
I second what Ant said… though ’strayanise’ it to Holybezuka, but congrats indeed, to you and Ika.
Names? If ‘it’s’ a girl, she’ll be called Ging. Obviously. But for a boy, hmmm… I’m quite partial to Tobias… Ezekiel…
Spunky new site, btw… Norse…
Happy Happy New Year to y’all too…
Congrats,
I just read this post and just can’t believe it. Cheers to you. This is going to be a special year.
Josh
well done. nice going.
CONGRATULATIONS Nick, that is fantastic news for you and Ika, i hope all goes well for you in 2005
Kylie