To My Sweet Little Darling

Hi little missy,

How are, how old are you now?

Please tell me directly once you find this out, will ya?

Wanna ask you some questions:

- Are you happy?

- Have you make friends?

- Who are they?

- Which one is your favorite?

- What makes you feel happy?

- Where do you wanna go? Any specific place you want to go? Do you often dream bout it?

So many things.. 

I really wanna spend more time with you..

Play with you, see you gigglin and smilin..

Wish I could turn back time, 

Be better me, get more money, so I don't have to be away from you..

Wish you could see me as a good daddy.. really wish..

To be honest, being a man is hard, a good father is even harder..

It is not an excuse but, merely a fact for most men out here.

So, when it comes for you to pick one, be wise! Look at your mum and ask her, get her permission..

Come bug me anytime, anywhere! There's nothing more important than you, mommy, and your big bro!

That's it for now..

Love,

Papa

Now I will tell you how I was living my childhood in terms of Economics

Today, it is known by "yapping" Yeah, this may the thing that you are reading son!

So, see these images below:

These IDR 10.000 notes come from different era or generation. Say, RA Kartini notes came as early as 1985 and the latest note Frans Kaisepo was release as the latest version on 2016. My question to you is "are they have the same value? and how come?"

I can give you a clue. You know I was born in the year of dragon 1988. At that time, the Ra Kartini Version is more common but, I was still in my infants period. I did not know the heck money was, correct?

Growing up, I remember I got some of those notes as a pocket money from my uncles or aunts (mostly Tjut Njak Dhien Version). This note was released on 1998 and I was around 10 years thus, still in elementary school (SD Negeri Tegalrejo 5 Salatiga). 

Having just a note of that in my 10 year was like being a king as I could have what I want. I remembered I owned an action figure of a Magneto size 15cm (Marvel Character) and it cost only IDR 4000. Google one of it now and see how much it is.

Ok back to the point, have you answered my question?

I won't help you to answer this but instead, ask you with a more follow up questions:

- How much did gold worth in 1985? and How much is it now?

- How much USD worth back then? and now?

- What is this phenomenon called?

- How are you dealing with this?

I want to make you think and question yourself about how you perceive a "value"?

Dig deeper about how may the world works and how you cope with that.

One thing (of many others) that I regret is not being wise with what I have (money especially). Your grandfathers, grandmothers did not say anything about this and let me deal with this with whatever I could think of. 

So, I don't know when you will discover this post but, at least I have said what I think best for you and how you could deal with your life in your era/generation.

You are a man, a brother, and a son! Be one, and act like one!

Don't ever say that you din not have anything and felt that you are powerless. 

That's bullshit! 

You are a man, toughen up and man up! You can cry but, can never surrender! Just, do it and make a move!

No matter what, I will always be proud of you and your sister!

So yes, study and keep asking questions! 

Love,

Papa

Now Talk about Money!

Growing up, 

I know nothing about money.

Your grandma only taught me how to be carful as it is hard to get.

Save, save, save she said

Nothing else..

I will tell you, that's not entirely true.

Saving is important but, there are just more than that.

Son, you gotta know how the world works, how the money works.

You need to discover your worth and makes sure you are able to utilize it properly.

Me and your mom are just lucky that we are not what they say "sandwich generation" at least we do not have to think that much of your grandparents. Meaning, they can take care of themself financially.

So, me and your mom have to work hard that you will have the same privilege. No parents will enjoy their kids' suffering. However, we must not let you be indulged and spoiled.

Thus, you gotta work hard and earn much. You will understand it later.

You need to learn all instruments that prevent you financially poor.

Invest, invest, invest that is something that I want you to do and master.

"Make the money works for you" That's something you need to figure out growing up.

My era and your era will be very different. You need to adapt and learn how to deal with that.

One advice for me is that you need to master what is called by "Compounding effect"

Master that and be the man who controls the money not the one controlled by it.

Remember that, you are a man and you need to in control!


I love you and your sister!

Love,

Dad

The Ugly truth about Reality

Son, from this day forward, you may see my posts containing some of my experience and how I dealt with them.

Some may be useful, some may not, but bare with them.. at least you know.. I never expect you to understand it but, again.. at least you know..

There were lots of things that I regretted I never tried or really fought for .

Driving, swimming, those are 2 things up until know I have not mastered.

You may realize why your mother and I push you to have a swimming lesson.

Yes, to never feeling regretful not trying or not doing.

I wish I could teach you myself those skill.. Well, I might still have a chance to teach you how to drive a motorcycle. One thing that I enjoyed in my life is driving motorcycle.

The truth is, up until this post is published, your parents own no car 😄

Yes, that's the truth.. maybe an ugly one.

But, that's not the one I want to talk about.

I really want you to know how harsh life can be for your parents.

You may now realize that, I was not always present during your childhood.

Yes, I was away working and could not be with you, your mom, and your sweet sister.

That's what man have to do and you are a man!

You have the bigger burden to be functioning well in your life, society. You can never sit and relax.

Even you are lucky enough to find a wife rich enough financially.

Correct, financially!!

You are a man, always remember that!

You need to show that you are functioning!

But, no worries!!

It's not always that bad..

You some privileges to be a man.

I think that's for today.

You have to know your worth and working hard to be able to earn the respect from others.

You could never counting on only yourself.. You still need others and will always need others.

But, having great strength and independence are not bad things.

 Love,

Wow 2025 is in its half time! It is time to reflect.

 I have to say that time really gone fast.

I am now a father with 2 kids.

I am no longer a boy, am I?

I used to say that nothing can wear me off easily but, 37 is really a challenge to not "sigh" every after going upstairs entering my office on the 3rd floor. Come on man! 3rd floor only!

What a time to reflect!

You may now have the ability to afford something that back then you could only imagine.
The luxury of drinking and staying up late is long gone.

You are now are worried that your glucose spikes up. The fear that you could not accompany your kids while they are getting married is real.

One and two friends you know were gone already making it hard to believe that you still have a lot of time in the world.

I am in disbelief.

I am beginning to worry.

Questioning the very existence of what I believe.

Tho, I can tell that I am well.

It is just the way He is working on me, I must believe.

It may not be that hard but, life is never easy.. 

Even the have, has its own problems.

Yeah, I should say so.

Miracle is miracle, finding a fully functioned toilet in the middle of jungle is a miracle.

Ok, enough blabbering 

Son, be a good boy!
Take care your sister and never let her down.

I can not always be there for you.

Man up! Be responsible!

It never be easy becoming a man...

It's ok to feel sad, It's ok to cry.

Trust me.. Everything is gonna be alright.

I love you!