Another Victoria's Secrets

me, Albeta, Maria and Alex

Yesterday I went to Kemang for brunch at 10 a.m. with my schoolmates from Bandung: Albeta, Alex and Maria. At first we went to Sophie Authentique Splash at Jl. Kemang Utara but it was packed so we moved to the first branch at Jl. Kemang Selatan. We had a brunch until 1 p.m. and shared stories to catch up with our latest life story. It was actually a really fun thing to do, this brunch thing, instead of having lunch/dinner meeting, especially to start a long day with.

the first Sophie Authentique at Jl. Kemang Selatan

Sophie Authentique was started as home industry bakery that based on order and delivery since 2010. After three years, an opportunity came and the first bakery parlor was set at Jl. Kemang Selatan. The business was building great, consumer's accepting this positively and soon two other outlets were opened at Jl. Kemang Utara (Splash) and Jl. Cipete Raya.

can't help finding this cute swing stood idle

the warm, inviting, small bakery / café parlour

our breakfast: tuna salad, pork pâté authentique and butter sugar crêpe

Sophie Authentique
+62 21 7180011 - Open 8.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m.

• Jl. Kemang Selatan
  
• Splash Kemang, Jl. Kemang Utara
• Jl. Cipete Raya

@authentiquejkt

The Nine Brothers

On Saturday, on Oct 3, 2015, I attended the big family reunion from my father's bloodline. This is a Bantenese family association started by Thung Ho Boen, the sixth generation from one of Bantenese heroes, Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa. He had 9 sons and 3 daughters, and all of the sibling's descendants are gathered in Kioe Seng Tong association (which means "the Social Society of the Living Nine Brothers"--who carried the surname).

photo backdrop

The group name was updated into Keluarga Serumpun Tirta (which means the Tirta Cognate Family, to keep the KST abbreviation) in 2011 to avoid the use of Chinese language, according to the rules applied and filled with lots and various form of Tirta or Thung (which both mean "water") as last surnames.

some of the extended family we rarely meet

The big reunion was held at Hotel 101 at Jl. Surya Kencana, Bogor, located right in front of the family heritage house. We arrived at 7.45 a.m. but the event was started at 9 so we still had time for buffet breakfast at the hotel's restaurant so we did. At 9 a.m. we came to the function room where big tables of 10 were already set by the ancestor's group. I came from the first son of Thung Ho Boen, which was Thung Bouw Liem, so I'm at group number 1.

group from first son's line

After some opening speech and art performance, I had time to introduce my book Gerbang Nuswantara to the big family for 30 minutes. It was the first time I had to talk in front of a large audience all by myself but the fact that they're still family calmed me down. At lunch time, many came to me to discuss about the book or order it. It was really nice that I got to know more of them, too.


To add more excitement, a couple from the eleventh' siblings greeted my brother-in-law, recognizing us because they came to my sister's wedding party. The couple are friends of Kak Mona, Maruli's sister-in-law. I know things can be complicated when it comes to family, but it's always nice to have large, extended family, isn't it?

me, speaking about Gerbang Nuswantara on stage

After lunch, Bogor mayor, Kang Bima Arya, came to the event. He is interested on preserving cultural heritage--and our family house is one of the historical building in Bogor--plus he is married to one of the Tirta's descendants from the eleventh sibling. So I spoke to him and he was interested on reading Gerbang Nuswantara, which excited me so much.

the young mayor of Bogor and I

We came back to Jakarta at 2 p.m. and reached Cipete area at around 3:30. It was very crowded on the highway but thankfully we could make it back to Jakarta earlier so we could get some rest before heading to Frank's Smokehouse & Bar for its grand opening party. They had this smoked brisket beef and pulled pork buffet bar for only IDR 100,000 and some Jell-O (with Smirnoff) shots special for that night.

smoked brisket beef, pulled pork and side dishes

We stayed at the bar till midnight with lots of booze and laughter, and introduced to some new friends. What a change of situation! We had fun that night with some blues music and I felt so great being surrounded by the people I love. I really wish more days like this to come :)

my lovely family