The Diary of a CEO's Wife

A morning walk turns into a deep talk on building communities; why they thrive on systems, rituals, and heart, not just numbers or fleeting passion.

An ordinary Monday turns into a quiet lesson on love, gratitude, and marriage—where meaning hides not in milestones, but in everyday moments.

A rainy Sunday turns into a story of family, faith, and rekindled intimacy; proof that presence, not proximity, keeps love alive in marriage.

A candid reflection on daily writing, identity, and discipline; why true writers don’t wait for inspiration, they write to stay alive and aligned.

Reflections on parenting, marriage, and letting go; why raising independent adults means learning to embrace the quiet joy of an empty nest.

Starbucks was supposed to be my sanctuary that morning. Tempo Scan Tower, drop-off spot, safe plan: mix juice, Wi-Fi, a corner table where I could disappear into Headway . Except, plot twist: Starbucks was closed for renovation. The shutters were down, my drinking plan collapsed, and suddenly I had nowhere to go. It’s funny how such a small inconvenience can throw you off balance. For a split second, I considered loitering awkwardly in the lobby. Instead, I spotted a Bluebird taxi that had just dropped someone off. Rp 9,000 later, I was on my way across the street, supposedly to Starbucks Menara Kadin. But halfway, on instinct, I asked the driver to switch course: “Pak, Erasmus Huis aja ya.” That detour turned out to be a gift. Erasmus Huis , the cultural wing of the Dutch Embassy, is one of Jakarta’s underrated havens. The library is cool, bright, and lined with shelves of Dutch and English books. It also has Warung Belanda, a cozy little café with both indoor and outdoor seating. Per...

Nothing dramatic, nothing spectacular today. Just random little things strung together in a way that somehow made sense, at least to me. The day started with brunch: three people, warteg food, reheated from Monday. (Yes, Monday. Don’t judge, it’s called being resourceful.) There’s something oddly comforting about eating humble food together, like it sets the tone that the rest of the day doesn’t have to try too hard. After brunch, we headed to Vintage Vibes. The plan was practical: pick up a few things, maybe browse. Of course, I ended up finding something I didn’t know I wanted until I saw it. Isn’t that always how it works? The universe has a way of surprising us when we least expect it. Now here’s the thing: I was way too comfortable in my pleated dress to change. You know that rare feeling when an outfit makes you feel at home in your own skin? That was me today. So instead of switching, I just threw on a ceruty babydoll outer in the same tone, slipped into my matching Skechers, ...

After a full month of hibernation since my hysterectomy on August 15, I finally started opening myself up again to the social life other than family and church.  Last week it began with a day out with Mbak Fithri, and today it continued with a hangout session with Mbak Ike, who came all the way just to “kidnap” me for a few hours. Here’s the thing about me: I can get along with anyone, but I’m extremely selective with whom I give my time. My heart is like a little guesthouse: many can knock, few are welcomed inside. And when I do let someone in, I give my full presence. No scrolling, no gadgets, no half-hearted nods. Just talk. That’s what happened today with Mbak Ike. Posted with consent We sat at Hygge BSD, facing a wide glass window that overlooked the busy highway. Strangely, it felt like the perfect backdrop. Two women catching up on life, while cars and buses rushed by like background noise in a movie. We talked for one and a half hours straight, and honestly, it felt like f...

There are few things in life that test our character more than waiting. Not the kind of waiting where you’re stuck in traffic with your favorite playlist on, but the heavy kind; waiting without certainty. The waiting that weighs on you because you don’t know if it will end tomorrow, next month, or next year. I’ve been thinking a lot about this today because something big just wrapped up. A long-awaited promise was finally fulfilled. And in the process, I witnessed firsthand how differently people behave when placed in the uncomfortable chair of “ the waiting room of life. ” Imagine a waiting room where everyone has been told their name will be called someday, maybe soon, maybe late. You’d see at least two kinds of people. Some people sit quietly, open a book, maybe start a new project on the side while glancing occasionally at the clock. They don’t need to narrate their suffering to the entire room.  They choose dignity over drama.  They know that patience doesn’t have to be ...

Sunday mornings have this magical way of stretching out slowly, like they don’t want to end. This morning was one of those slow mornings, the kind where the house hums gently, everyone moves at their own pace, and there’s no rush to do anything other than exist. We had plans to go to church, but of course, life had its own little lesson in patience: the War Ticket frenzy. Thousands of people rushing online just to get a spot for worship every week; it’s kind of insane when you think about it. Praise the Lord indeed for the technology that lets us all battle for our pews without elbowing anyone physically. After church, we went for a late lunch, and that’s when I discovered MOKKA tucked away in a corner of the mall. I’ve walked past this mall so many times, but I never noticed it before. It’s funny how sometimes good things are hiding in plain sight, waiting for someone else to point them out. The restaurant was quiet compared to the line at Lekko just down the hall. And while MOKKA’s f...

This morning was wonderfully slow, the kind of slow where time doesn’t feel wasted but savored. Everyone in the house had their own lazy rhythm. No alarms, no rush, just soft hours unfolding. By two in the afternoon, we finally left for Pondok Gede to check our first house.  We had it lightly renovated: The old, tired canopy was taken down, so the two-story house could breathe and look elegant again. The walls and fence got a fresh coat of white paint, giving it that “new beginnings” look. The cracked tiles were replaced, no more tripping hazards waiting for unsuspecting guests. The windows were repainted, catching a bit of shine when the sun hits. House for sell or rent, near Mall Pondok Gede. Contact here. Now it’s neat, clean, and... how do I say this... ready to meet its "jodoh".  Although we don’t know yet if the match is a buyer or a tenant. Should we sell it? Should we rent it out? We don’t have the answer yet. And for someone like me, uncertainty is both fascinating a...

After a week of service in Toraja with 39 other students, our youngest finally came home today. My husband and I picked her up at Terminal 2D. She looked radiant, chatty, full of stories. No sign of exhaustion, even though the week must have been packed with activities.  One of her stories made me chuckle: she got carsick and threw up because the driver was speeding through bad roads right after she had stuffed herself with food.  But then, just like flipping a switch, she was all fired up again telling us how she trained her high school friends there on making a business model. She even used her daddy’s story about Tiket versus Traveloka. Not to mention that she still have editing project to be done later. This kid, I tell you, she seems to have a battery pack that never runs out. On the way home, she begged for a haircut. Honestly, the first thing we noticed at the airport was her very long hair. I mean, she’s a girl, so that’s normal, but still... she looked more like she h...

Every year, my husband and I get invited to the BCA Wealth Summit at the Grand Ballroom Kempinski, Jakarta. Same venue, same buzz, same format, even the same familiar faces. One of them is Ko Michael, who insists on   not   being called “Pak” because it sounds too old, hehe. It’s always nice to catch up with him, exchanging updates on investments, startups, and the comfort of knowing we’re still orbiting in the same world. With ko Michael the owner of King Foto Indonesia at BCA Wealth Summit One of the things that always makes the Summit worthwhile are the sessions that stretch my mind. Mari Elka Pangestu, Vice Chairwoman of the National Economic Council, talked about   The New Trade Paradigm and Its Implications to Indonesia .   One line stayed with me: in a world shifting from globalization to regional blocs, Indonesia needs to think less like a passive participant and more like a proactive designer of its role. It reminded me that wealth is not just about assets,...