This year, I had the pleasure of organizing a one-of-a-kind Administrative Professionals Day networking event—with a glamorous twist of mystery and intrigue! Inspired by Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, we hosted a themed celebration that transported our hardworking admin professionals straight onto the luxurious rails of the famous train (minus the murder, of course!).
To get into the spirit, I revisited the 2017 film directed by Kenneth Branagh and soaked up every clue from the audiobook—beautifully narrated by Dan Stevens on Spotify. These helped shape the tone and aesthetic of the event: stylish, suspenseful, and just a little bit cheeky.
Invitations: First-Class Tickets to a Mystery
I designed invitations that combined elements from the original book cover and a map of the Orient Express route. In the interest of workplace friendliness, the word “murder” was swapped with “mystery”—a small edit that kept things fun and appropriate.
Decor: Champagne, Crystal, and Clues
Our setting evoked the refined charm of 1930s rail travel. Think: champagne flutes, white gloves, pearls, and vintage-style crystal glasses. Mustache props, paper magnifying glasses, and fingerprint graphics added a playful layer of sleuthing fun.
A Potluck with a European Twist
In true team spirit, our event was a potluck. For my contribution, I leaned into flavors from the regions the Orient Express might pass through:
Hummus and Shopska Salad (a fresh and tangy Balkan dish)
Pita Bread & Simit – Turkish sesame-covered bagels that were a big hit
Apple Cardamom Muffins – served with little mustache-topped toothpicks for a detective-worthy garnish
Apricot Kolachke Cookies – a sweet nod to Eastern Europe
It was a delicious spread that perfectly complemented the event’s international flair.
A Celebration to Remember
Organizing this event was a creative joy, and seeing everyone get into the theme made it even more rewarding. Administrative professionals are the engines that keep everything running—so what better way to honor them than with a first-class journey full of elegance, fun, and just a hint of mystery?
March is always a whirlwind for us—and this year was no exception.
Jackson turns 11!
We kicked off the month with a magical celebration: Jackson’s birthday! This year, he chose a Harry Potter-themed escape room, and it did not disappoint. The kids gathered at our place in the morning and we took a hired bus to the venue. It was so much fun having all the kids together in the bus – sharing snacks, excitement building. When we arrived, we locked up our phones (so no pictures!) and we began our adventure. Wands were waved, spells were cast, and puzzles were solved. After escaping Hogwarts just in time, we headed home for pizza and birthday cake. I’m ready for the birthday parties to get a bit smaller and more intimate, and this was perfect.
Not long after, Indonesia entered the sacred and festive time of Idul Fitri. I wanted to do something meaningful for my colleagues who were fasting, so I put together Buka Puasa boxes for them to enjoy as they broke their fasts. I filled little boxes with dates, dried apricots, roasted almonds, banana muffins, and almond crescent cookies. It was a small gesture, but one filled with gratitude and respect for the beautiful diversity of traditions here. Sharing food has a way of bridging cultures—and it’s always one of my favorite parts of living in Indonesia.
Wandering Wonders: Our Cambodian Adventure
After a busy March filled with birthday celebrations and local traditions, we capped it off with something truly unforgettable—a journey to Cambodia.
Our travel got off to a bumpy start. I booked the trip at the last minute. There were no direct flights available, so we had a layover in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The originating flight was delayed in taking off, so we missed our connection. There were no other flights out the same day, so we had to stay overnight and try again the next morning. The airport shuttle did not show up, so I had to download the Grab app and take a Grab taxi to the hotel. In the morning, we were to head back to the airport. Unfortunately, the shuttle driver was late and still had to stop at another hotel before taking us to the airport. I had a meltdown on the bus, worried that we would miss the next flight as well. The driver drove like a madman around Kuala Lumpur and got us to the airport on time! We had intended to overnight in Phnom Penh and take a car from the hotel. I reorganized everything, cancelled the hotel, and asked that the driver meet us at the airport. He did, but because it was now Sunday around noon, the traffic was much worse than originally scheduled. What was supposed to be a 5.5 hour drive took us over 7 hours. Luckily, we stopped at a 7-11, and stocked up on some road snacks! (and we did stop halfway at a ‘rest stop’ with ‘Western’ toilets.)
We FINALLY arrived in Siem Reap—the gateway to Angkor Wat and the heart of Cambodia’s ancient Khmer Empire.
We stayed at a boutique hotel called Jaya House River Park. After the very long journey to get to Siem Reap, the warm welcome at the hotel was just what we needed. The cold towels at reception hit the spot. As we checked in, I was offered a ginger mojito and Jackson requested a Shirley Temple. (after describing the drink, they made one just for him!) We loved our stay at this hotel.
We started out with a photography tour to build up some skills to capture our best photographs. We started at the Bayon temple and ended at Ta Prohm (yes, the one made famous by Tomb Raider). We then went to the Apopo museum to learn about how rats are used to find undetonated landmines.
We made the mistake of going to see Angkor Wat in the afternoon. It was now the first of April and while the sun on the temple gave it a magical golden glow, the sun on us was just too much. In the olden days, elephants were used to carry visitors the distance to the temple. Elephants are no longer used, and there are no other options but to walk 45 minutes to the temple in the blazing sun. It was really hard to appreciate where we were, when we were actively trying not to pass out. The entire Angkor complex is enormous and awe-inspiring—we wandered through crumbling corridors, peered up at intricate carvings, and then needed to make our way back to the car. Once in the car, we went directly to the hotel to rest. Upon our return, the manager noticed that Jackson was miserable and in tears. He offered to bring him another Shirley Temple! I agreed, and it really made an impression on Jackson how kind the people of Cambodia are.
Over the next few days, we avoided the temples in the afternoon, and instead went swimming at the hotel pool, went out for gelato, and did some souvenir shopping.
Before we knew it, it was time to head back to Indonesia. We returned with tired feet and full hearts. Cambodia gave us more than just beautiful photos—it gave us perspective, connection, and a deeper appreciation for the history and resilience of this incredible region. If you’ve ever considered exploring Cambodia—go. It’s not just a trip; it’s an experience that will stay with you long after the passport stamps fade.
March reminded me of just how full life can be when you embrace it—celebrating the big moments, honoring the meaningful ones, and always staying curious about the world beyond your doorstep.
Here’s to the chaos, the connection, and the cake.
This year, we decided to shake things up a bit for Thanksgiving—and it turned out to be one of our favorite celebrations yet. Instead of the usual big fancy dinner, we turned the holiday into an after-school playdate for Jackson and his school friends. It was casual, joyful, and filled with laughter (and a few flying Nerf darts).
Jackson invited a handful of his classmates over to experience a mini Thanksgiving feast. For many of them, it was their first time trying traditional Thanksgiving food, and watching their reactions was half the fun. We kept the menu classic and comforting: mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and not one, but two kinds of pie—apple and pumpkin. Instead of going the traditional turkey route, we opted for a beautifully roasted chicken, which ended up being the perfect size and much easier to manage.
The kids were adventurous, each taking little bites of everything. Some were surprised by the tartness of cranberry sauce; others loved the richness of the stuffing. The pies were a hit all around, and we’re pretty sure we converted a few pumpkin pie skeptics.
After the feast came the real highlight of the day: an epic Nerf war outside. The kids dashed around, teaming up, laughing, and using everything from bushes to trees as cover. It was chaotic in the best possible way—just pure fun and energy, the perfect way to run off a few helpings of mashed potatoes.
In the end, this unconventional Thanksgiving reminded us what the holiday is really about—sharing, gratitude, and connection. Whether it’s around a formal dining table or on the lawn with Nerf blasters, it’s the people (and a little pie) that make the day special.
A colleague of mine was retiring, and he purchased himself a Jeep Rubicon to celebrate. He envisions himself doing a lot of off-roading in his retirement.
It was the perfect opportunity to plan a Jeep retirement party for the office!
I don’t have many Jeep items at home to reuse – I used a little metal Jeep leftover from our Wild Kratt’s party and a Jeep blanket that I’ve had for years…it came with my circa 2008 Jeep.
We had a large room with 3 long rectangle tables, and 8 round ‘high top’ tables – each with white tablecloths. I created a few printables and a digital sign to build some ambience. The printables were used in wooden picture frames and placed on each table. The digital sign was displayed on the computer monitors in the conference room.
A local balloon merchant came in and created two balloon stands, and I packed up my wagon with a few decorative items from home.
I designed stickers, and had a local printer print them up for me. They were stuck to short brown paper bags filled with popcorn and placed on each table.
We had a potluck lunch, so for my food contributions I provided chocolate cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, “Jeep” style sugar cookies, popcorn – flavored with Trader Joe’s Elote seasoning, and fresh squeezed lemonade. Other colleagues brought pizza and KFC. We also had a local dish called Tumpeng. It is a mountain-shaped cone of cooked rice accompanied by side dishes. It was so delicious!
We had loads of fun celebrating our colleague and sending him off in style.
We celebrated Independence Day on June 11this year with a Hawaiian theme.
My job was to organize party favors and pass them out at the end of the event.
Typically, U.S. companies donate merchandise that we pass out as our guests are leaving. Unfortunately, this year, we did not have many items to give away. I had some food coupons, highlighters, and cookies.
Due to budget constraints, we purchased only the bags – hoping for additional donations. I ordered the bags from a local company, and I designed the artwork for the front of the bag. It had to be simplified to meet our budget constraints, but I’m proud of my work! I even incorporated the event slogan – Spirit of Aloha.
I organized a team of twenty summer hire students, and taking shifts, we managed to give out over 1000 ‘thank you for coming’ gifts!
It was so hot, and so humid. I’m glad it is over…and we don’t have to do it again until next year!!
As Webelos assistant den leader, I planned the activities and kept a record of attendance throughout the year. I ensured that all scouts received credit for the adventures that they had completed. I went back through WhatsApp messages to make sure I credited those scouts who sent photos of the work they completed at home, and I worked with parents to help scouts wrap up adventures that were still outstanding.
Then, as awards coordinator, I followed up with the other den leaders to ensure an accurate accounting of the adventures their scouts had earned. Honestly, that was the biggest challenge.
Once I made sure my tallies were correct, I organized the belt loops, pins, badges, and awards by den. I attached all the “bling” to card stock and paperclipped the cards to an envelope. The envelope listed all the adventures earned, so the Cubmaster could read off the envelope during the awards ceremony, and afterwards, the scouts had a safe place to store all of their “bling”!
Once the cards and envelopes were organized, I created a PowerPoint presentation – complete with a photo of each scout engaged in a scouting activity from this past year. Next to each photo, I listed the adventures that were earned. Having the presentation organized by den allowed the cubmaster and assistant to easily follow the program and hand out the awards in order. The scouts got to see their pictures up on the big screen along with their list of accomplishments, which helped keep them entertained while waiting for their turn to be called up for recognition.
Once all the kids received their recognition, we thanked the parent volunteers with certificates of appreciation and parent pins. We said farewell to our cubmaster of three years. Gifted him with an Indonesian Batik map, a Yeti coffee mug, and a multi-tool pocket knife. Then we welcomed our new Cubmaster.
After the official ceremony, we played live action game of CLUEDO (based on the board game Clue) – where the scouts were given cards with another scout’s name, the name of one of the six essentials, and the name of a location in the party room – in the doorway, sitting in a chair. They had to tag the scout named on their card, with the item listed, in the location listed. Once tagged, they were out. The scouts had a blast playing this game while the parents chatted over coffee, samosas, and donuts.
We are all ready for a good rest over the summer, but also excited about the adventures awaiting us in the fall.
