Mother-in-law back to Java

Saturday morning I returned from the internet cafe, expecting to take Ika, Jevon, her mother and brother, to Warung Kolega, on Jl. Petitenget, in Kerobokan. Warung Kolega is a Javanese style place, with a ton of great food, cheap price and warung style long tables. My mother-in-law was due to leave today and I wanted to send her off with a full stomach, in case the bus broke down and she had to get out and push. Ika informed me that her mother cooked earlier in the day and had already eaten. She did not want to have to use the toilet on the bus, so preferred to take snacks with her, to eat on the bus. I’ve figured out why men have problems with mother-in-laws. You meet a girl you like, and this other person shows up from time to time, giving advice in her ear, especially in times of tension. Its like going on a date, with a girl who brings her best friend along as a coach.

You don’t really like the mother-in-law, she doesn’t really like you, but you are forced into each other’s company. Men are totally different. When I have a problem I don’t run crying to my daddy, or hold his hand for support. This whole dynamic, leads to the inevitable mother-in-law jokes. My mother-in-law has her good and bad points, just like anyone else. The bads one include not making any attempt to communicate and seeing dollar signs. The good points are she’s low maintenance and helps out around the house. A bag of nasi campur and my tiled floor, is an afternoon at the Four Seasons to her.

Ika was saying her mother used to be really brave about everything. She certainly wears the pants in her family. A year or so ago, she had some kind of heart reaction, which made her tone it down a bit. Now she’s scared of riding fast on a bike, or driving fast in a car, is scared of heights and doesn’t like the doctor.