Selamat Jalan, Tita!

She came into my life in late 2005 by accident, when I had fancifully googled for hits on my name.

But I believe it was Providence that had led our paths to cross. What more with her being a student in Delft, the place that I was destined to go next.

Back then, our online exchanges revolved mostly on queries about the Netherlands' living condition, lifestyle and other life-saving trivias. And of course, on my previously impending pregnancy! She even gave me tips on different breathing techniques during contraction!

When we finally met in early October 2006, she is as nice in person as she was in her cyber correspondences. I was enthralled to be graced by her marvellous presence and infectious warmth. I do believe certain aspects of one's personality and expressions on cyberspace will reflect how one behaves and conducts oneself in real life. For instance, if you're witty in your writings, chances are high that your knack for repartees will as rib-tickling in person.

We met up occasionally thereafter, always inside my apartment when she came to Delft on Thursdays to wrap up her dissertation, see her professors and other pertinent matter PhD scholars do. :-)

On one occasion she arrived at our doorsteps with some winter clothes and baby blankets for Sadia that are more practical to wear here, than in Bandung where she's off to next. Her thoughtfulness blew me away.

So today, our paths intersected again albeit for the last time in the Netherlands. Tita and her family are bound for Indonesia this Thursday. They're taking the SIA's 1100 hours flight to Singapore enroute to Jakarta.

This late afternoon, Tita, my family and I traipsed to Leonidas Lunch & Tearoom, situated a little farther away from Delft's town square, to enjoy some desserts and coffees, and each other's company. Leonidas, famous for its Belgian chocolate, has the nicest Belgian-infused hot chocolates and brownies!

Today, we all had three different types of coffee with Tita choosing the most amusing of all coffee - 'Koffie Verkeerd' which literally translates as 'Wrong Coffee.' Tita explained that since coffee is normally taken black, to put warm, frothy milk in it, is considered wrong! We let out a hearty guffaw after adding some gratis chocolate-covered coffee beans to our concoction, thus rendering the coffee more 'sinful.' Our fill of merriment was however not appreciated by two smartly-dressed ladies - either in their late 40s or early 50s - sitting on the next table as one of them kept giving me the daggerlooks. Oh well, they're pompous windbags after all, what else do you expect from such lot?




My husband and I both relished our favourite brownies whilst Tita savored her cheesecake, generously drizzled with cherry sauce. Leonidas also took care of Sadia by offering her a boxful of Duplos and animal figurines to play with. That came in handy for only first five minutes or so following which Sadia threw some Duplos under the table and wanted to have a go at the miniature menu card holder. Anything forbidden is game!

After teatime ended, we walked back towards the direction of the train station from which Tita would board her train to Amsterdam. However, we gladfully enticed her to bring home some of the apple crumble we had baked earlier during the day. She was agreeable to the idea and took the opportunity to play with Sadia for a while. Interestingly, Sadia who usually warms up slowly to strangers takes an instance liking to Tita, every single time she drops by. Perhaps, sharing the same namesake has some 'charming' advantages!

Tita then proceeded to bundle up again to brave the elements. We said our final goodbyes at the same fateful elevator that entrapped Tita the very first time she came to see us (by the by, the stairs are offlimit anyway due to a long-awaited paint job). Sadia smiled and almost jumped out of my arms as she looked at Tita, through the lift's small opening, who was waving excitedly back to us. And when we pulled her away from the lift, she cried in protest. How sad! I placated her by putting her face back onto the opening but alas, Tita had already vanished from plain sight, pressing her way down to the ground floor.

Sadia became quiet, as if understood and acknowledged the natural occurrence of people coming and going from her lives. Poor Sadia! On a side note, I seriously need to find her some playtime buddies of her young age.....

And to DR Tita, thank you for all your help, generosity, kindness and considerate good-nature towards me and my family. Most importantly, I truly appreciate our budding friendship. It has been a great privilege knowing the affable you. Now with a doctorate added to your list of accomplishments, I wish you all the best settling down and making a fantastic life there in 'mild-weathered' Bandung.

Also, happy to know that the mug will contribute nicely to your mug collection. So, if you want to play tourists in Malaysia come October onwards, let me know in earnest!