Monday Moments

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Monday morning, 8 a.m., I found myself walking hand in hand with my eldest daughter to a newly opened nail salon in our neighborhood market. The manicure and pedicure combo only cost IDR 115,000, which felt like a steal. The therapist had just moved to Jakarta after spending two years in Bali and TEN years in China. Her stories of adaptation and courage reminded me how many quiet warriors walk among us, their strength tucked into everyday jobs.

After our nails were freshly done and our hearts warmed by stories, we headed for early lunch: comforting bowls of bakmi. Followed by chamomile tea and Uno cards at a cozy corner café. This place was a gem, offering board games and a surprising collection of imported books you can browse freely. I already knew I’d want to come back. Time moved slower there, right in the modern market. 

Before heading home, I picked up a pair of shoes I’d sent for repair. They looked like new, and something about that felt symbolic: like small things can be restored with care. We caught the free shuttle bus home and walked the rest of the way through a “secret tunnel” that only residents know about. 

As soon as we got home, my daughter collapsed into a nap, while I jumped into what Mondays usually bring: catching up on a pile of weekend spillover work. Showered, caffeinated, and with a full heart, I powered through. By late afternoon, she was up and making her homemade version of liquid stock. I made ayam goreng lengkuas to go with it. 

Hubby got home and we had dinner. We caught up, shared bits of our day. After that, when the house finally quieted, my husband and I had our nightly ritual: watching Netflix. It’s our version of daily quality time. A tiny space just for us after everything else. This time we picked The Time Traveler's Wife movie. 

When my daughter was younger, we used to have regular “mommy-daughter days.” But as she grew older, she preferred staying home, in her own world. Lately though, she’s the one who asks for these days again. And so, we’ve decided to make Mondays our thing. She’s off from campus on Mondays, and I can usually steal half a day if I plan ahead. It’s not a grand event, but it’s special. A quiet reclaiming of something we almost lost to time.

To me, this Monday is a small reminder that joy is often found in the margins of our to-do lists. So maybe this week, you can also steal a little time with someone you love. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just real. Just shared. Just enough. 

Other stories worth noting

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