I am Melissa Marthese, a third generation Indo born and raised in Southern California.  I am the oldest of two girls born to parents, Chris Martheze (born in Ngawi, East Java) and Joyce Bakkers Leidelmeyer (born in Djakarta).  I am a single mother of three kids, who I have continued to raise around the same beliefs and upbringing that I had.  It has always been very important for me to preserve that part of our heritage for my children because it helps to shape our identity as adults and give us a sense of belonging.  So happy and proud to be an Indo.