RIMBA BACA LIBRARY

So as I was explaining in an earlier post, Amal and I now go regularly to a library that's situated close to our home. I had heard of this library a while ago, but never really found the time to go until a few weeks ago when we went with a few friends of Amal's. That's when I realized just how great their collection was and I thought this would be a good weekend activity with Amal. And I think the stars aligned cause on that day, Amal borrowed his first book and devoured it in one day only (it was a 200-page book!).

Arts and crafts area

Children's books area

Adult books area

I highly recommend this library if you live in Jakarta Selatan. It's called RIMBA BACA and is situated on Jl. RSPP (Jl. Intan) no. 21B, Cilandak. It's behind Rumah Sakit Fatmawati, and you enter through a small street right across from Citos.
They have a facebook page with lots of photos so check it out: Rimba Baca.

The way it works is that you pay a one-time annual fee of I think Rp. 350,000 and you're entitled to borrow 5 books per week. I honestly think you really get your money's worth with the extensive collection of books they have, instead of having to buy all these books you might want to read :)

PARISIAN CHIC

Do you also feel frustrated when you see how effortless french women look? It's as if they didn't even take a minute to think what they would wear today, yet they look fabulously chic, even when wearing just jeans and a t-shirt. Well, that my friends, is called parisian chic :)

It's actually quite simple and that's why French style icon Ines de la Fressange wrote this book to give you a few tips she's learned throughout her life as a model, mom and parisian: "No complete outfits. Don't look "rich". Wear two scarves. Make sure you own the following: a man's blazer, a trench coat, a navy sweater, a tank top, a little black dress, jeans and a leather jacket. And Converse sneakers. And flats: "Some people think that shoes are ladders. No man is going to say, 'I would love you so much more if you were 10cm taller.' Women are suffering, you know. Elegance is about feeling nice."

All the photos you see above are from her book, which mostly includes photos of Ines and her 16 year-old daughter, Nine d'Urso, who I find absolutely gorgeous. Her hairdo and look is so laid back, which I know she's inherited from her mom. You might already know all the advice she's giving in the book, but it's a nice reminder :)

RAISING BOYS

I'm currently reading a book called "Raising Boys" by Steve Biddulph and it's really quite an eye-opener, especially for Moms because we're the opposite sex as our child and we don't really (and girls will never really) understand boys!

For example, I feel like cuddling my son all the time, and all he wants to do with me is play-fight :)

The book opens with "The 3 Stages of Boyhood" and I think it's really interesting because I can see it with my own kid, even though these stages are up to adulthood. Here they are (quoted from the book):

0-6 years old: Boys need lots of affection so they can "learn to love". Talking and teaching one-to-one helps them to connect to the world. The mother is usually the best person to provide this, although a father can take this part.

6-14 years old: At about the age of six, boys show a strong interest in maleness, and the father becomes the primary parent. His interest and time become critical. The mother's part remains important, however, and she shouldn't "back off" from her son just because he is older.

14- adulthood: From about fourteen years of age, boys need mentors -other adults who care about them personally and help them move gradually into the larger world.

NB: For single mothers (like myself), the book says "Single mothers can raise boys well but must search carefully for good, safe, male role-models and must devote some time to self-care (since they are doing the work of two)."

[image of Amal and his dad, who coincidentally, wore the same color clothing on the same day]

ALMOST EVERYTHING BOOK

I was looking around in the office the other day, because we received some books which we haven't sent to our Community Libraries in Cipanas and Kalimantan yet. And lo and behold, I found this amazing picture book called "Almost Everything", with great designs of animals, vegetables, costumes, music instruments, etc. It's quite a big book so it's even more impressive when you see it. I would definitely recommend this book for kids :)