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Perpanjang SIM via Layanan SIM Keliling

2012-02-01T12:33:00.005+07:00

Postingan pertama di 2012 ini...
*pake kostum french maid*
*bawa kemoceng*
*bersih2 debu di pojokan*

Sabtu kemarin saya mudik ke Malang, dalam rangka ~~ulang tahunan di rumah~~ mengurus perpanjangan SIM yang sudah expired setahun yang lalu. Awalnya sih males-malesan mau perpanjang SIM tanggal segitu, karena ga ada libur panjang di akhir bulan Januari. Mau mudik minggu sebelumnya pas ada libur imlek, saya mikirnya kantor Samsat bakal tutup.

Jadilah mudiknya tanggal segitu. Karena masih dalam jangka waktu setahun setelah expired, saya bisa memperpanjang SIM tanpa harus bikin baru. Bayangin kalau bikin yang baru, alamaaak...pasti ribet kalau ngurus sendiri tanpa lewat calo.

Nah, sebelum saya berangkat itu sudah diwanti-wanti sama mbak yang sudah perpanjang SIM beberapa bulan sebelumnya, bahwa kantor pelayanannya itu pindah. Kalau dulu untuk wilayah Kabupaten Malang itu bisa ke kantor Samsat yang di Kepanjen, sekarang harus ke Singosari.

Yaa...tentunya yang Singosari lebih jauh dong dari rumah saya yang di Malang Selatan.
Dan menurut cerita mbak saya, perpanjang SIM itu ribet banget kalau tanpa calo. Saya sih sudah bersiap mental ~~dan duit~~ untuk memakai jasa calo. Daripada urusan ribet dan gak cepet kelar, toh cuti saya cuma 2 hari.

E, ndilalah sebelum berangkat itu, ibu nelpon saya. Katanya ada layanan SIM keliling Polres Malang di Dampit. Lebih deket dari rumah saya *koprol*. Ternyata sodara-sodara, mengurus perpanjangan SIM via SIM keliling itu sangat amat gampang sekali. Hiperbola, yes?! Indeed, it was.

Menurut prosedur aslinya, kalau mendaftar di kantor Samsat, harus ada tes kesehatan, tes kepribadian, tes psikologi, tes Pauli...*tolong hentikan jari-jari saya*. Maksud saya tes kesehatan saja. Dan itu dilakukan di Puskesmas terdekat. Harus bolak balik Samsat-Puskesmas dong. Kalau di SIM keliling Polres Malang, langkahnya cukup begini saja:

1. Serahkan fotokopi KTP dan SIM, masing-masing 3 lembar kepada petugas.
Gak usah sok akrab menyerahkan kartu keanggotaan gym, ataupun kartu nama. Kecuali Anda adalah sales atau anggota MLM.

2. Isi formulir perpanjang SIM dalam map dan serahkan kepada petugasnya.
Isi formulirnya cukup standar, seperti nama, alamat, tempat tanggal lahir, pendidikan terakhir, apakah ada cacat fisik, tinggi badan, dsb. Jangan khawatir, nama pacar, nomor rekening apalagi nama binatang piaraan tidak ditanyakan :) #kalem #melipir. Jangan lupa SIM yang lama juga diserahkan. Tes kesehatannya juga tetap ada lho, tapi hanya cek tensi darah ala kadarnya. Dicatat pun sepertinya tidak :D

3. Tunggu giliran untuk difoto, scan jempol dan tanda tangan di dalam mobil SIM keliling.
Kalau mau touch up atau sisiran dulu silakan. Jangan kayak saya yang tanpa persiapan dan habis kehujanan, alhasil foto di SIM seperti tikus kecebur got :(
Oh iya, kalau merasa fotonya kurang oke boleh diulang kok, sebenarnya saya pengen ngulang foto ala ceribel gitu, tapi takutnya nanti kameranya langsung rusak. Dan pastikan jempolnya bersih ya, kalau habis ngupil ya dibersihkan dulu lah, kasian nanti yang antri di belakang Anda. *ada gitu ya yang ngupil pake jempol?*

4. Bayar biaya perpanjang SIM.
Cukup bayar Rp 130.000 untuk SIM C, dan Rp xxx untuk SIM A (maap saya gak tahu karena gak nanya-nanya, hehehe).

~~5. Harap-harap cemas menunggu SIM baru yang mau dibagikan.~~

6. Terima SIM baru dari petugas.
Gak usah sun tangan petugasnya segala, cukup bilang terimakasih saja. Jangan tergoda juga bertukar nomer HP sama petugasnya, walaupun Anda dibilang cakep, manis atau apapun, ya kecuali petugasnya ganteng :hammer.

Simpel bukan prosesnya? Daripada harus jauh-jauh ke kantor Samsat dan harus berurusan dengan calo? Nah, kalau jadwal layanan SIM keliling Polres Malang bisa dilihat disini nih http://www.satlantasresmalang.com/jadwalsim-1.php

*ternyata di SIM baru ini, nama, bulan lahir dan tinggi badan saya typo....aaarrrrgggghhhhh >_<

Thankful December

2011-12-20T22:47:00.004+07:00

Halo blog..... *nyapu2*

Maap ya yang punya lagi sok sibuk jadi ga sempet bersihin sarang laba-laba disini. Anyway, since 2011 is almost over, this post is important for me, karena lagi-lagi saya diingatkan untuk banyak bersyukur atas kebaikan-Nya.

Ya setelah 5 tahun lalu divonis kanker (baca ini dan ini) dan sudah ngerasa nyaman selama ini. Maksud saya, selama ini jarang ada keluhan apa-apa jadi saya pede aja gak check up lagi #dikeplak. Eh, check up kemarin di bulan desember ini juga hasilnya, alhamdulillah membahagiakan :)

Jadi kadar AFP sama Beta HCG saya normal menurut tes lab, yippiieeeee.... Dan hasil USG pun menunjukkan bahwa ovarium saya normal. Alhamdulillah sekali lagi :)
J..ja..jadi...saya sembuh dong? Ya anggap saja begitu, emang dulu pernah sakit ya? Pernah ya? Ha, masak pernah sih? #kumat

P.S:
*Sebenernya di bulan april saya sudah sempat cek USG, dan hasilnya ditemukan kista. Trus gak lanjut check darah dll, karena waktu itu sudah mau umroh.
**Saya gak terlalu paham juga, kista itu bisa menghilang dengan sendirinya ya? Apa ada jenis kista yang tau2 bisa sembuh dan hilang?
***Ada foto hasil USG donk tentu saja, emangnya cuma blog ibu hamil aja yang boleh majang foto USG? :D

Foto USG bulan april, itu tuh ditandain pake panah, itu kista

Foto USG bulan desember, kistanya bersih, yang saya kasi tanda panah itu...penampakan Sadako :D *seriously gak tau kenapa bisa kayak gitu, tapi kata dokternya bersih kok*

****Tetep harus jaga kesehatan, WAJIB itu! :)

Tourist Trap

2011-10-10T15:13:00.005+07:00

image from cartoonstock

Bagi para turis dan traveler, pasti sudah gak asing lagi sama yang namanya tourist trap. Apa sih sebenarnya tourist trap itu? Dan kenapa kata tourist trap jadi berkesan negatif? Menurut saya, tourist trap itu adalah atraksi (landmark ataupun show) dan aktivitas yang ujung-ujungnya tujuannya hanya mengeruk uang turis dan traveler dan tidak memberi nilai tambah kepada traveler itu sendiri. Yang namanya mengeruk uang ya kesannya negatif, padahal belum tentu semua orang berpikiran sama. Bisa jadi ada orang yang suka kalau uangnya dikeruk *ada yang gak suka, harusnya ada yang suka dong, kan keseimbangan alam*. Gak jadi negatif deh konotasi jebakan turis tadi :D

Wondering kenapa namanya tourist trap, bukannya traveler trap? Tapi saya bukan mau ngebahas turis sama traveler kok ;)

Dari blogwalking kemana-mana, saya jadi tahu juga bahwa tourist trap itu relatif. Tapi rata-rata yang dikeluhkan adalah, harga yang dibayarkan tidak sesuai dengan apa yang didapat. Contohnya, ada menara A di negara X. Sudah kesananya susah, di sekitarnya cuma ada toko suvenir mahal.

Kalau yang pernah saya alami sendiri sih, tourist trap itu misalnya, obyek wisata yang sudah dimanipulasi sedemikian rupa sehingga di brosur wisata tampak menarik, tapi pas kesana komen saya cuma "Oh gini doang..." *burung gagak berkoak-koak*. Atau waktu membeli suvenir, gombalan penjualnya maut sekali, sehingga saya membeli barang yang harga di pasar harusnya cuma setengahnya. Dasar gampang tertipu gombalan, cuih!

Dulu sebelum memulai jadi traveler, saya pikir tourist trap itu gak mungkin menimpa saya kalau saya masih berada di daerah yang saya bisa paham bahasanya. Eh ternyata, bahkan di Jawa Timur pun saya masih bisa kena tourist trap. Di Bromo tepatnya :|

Jadi gini ceritanya, awal Desember 2010 saya dan beberapa teman kesana untuk wisata erupsi. Pagi hari saat sunset itu kita mendaki ke titik pengamatan yang cukup aman dari asap erupsi. Waktu kita lagi jalan turun dan mengambil foto, ada 2 orang ibu-ibu yang sepertinya penduduk asli sedang merumput. Eh, nyari rumput maksudnya. Dua ibu ini tiba-tiba minta difoto. Perasaan saya sudah agak-agak aneh sih, eh ternyata benar. Selesai foto mereka berdua minta dibayar. Bilangnya sih seikhlasnya, tapi sewaktu dikasih 5 ribu malah minta nambah. Cape deeeehh.... -_-"

Kalau di luar negri, tourist trap yang paling berkesan adalah di Vietnam sewaktu saya dan teman-teman tour ke Tam Coc. Yang ditawarkan disini adalah menyusuri sungai dengan perahu kayuh dengan view bukit kapur menjulang tinggi di sisi sepanjang sungai. Seperti Halong Bay tapi versi darat. Viewnya cukup oke, harga paket perahu yang ditawarkan juga tidak terlalu mahal. Lantas dimana tourist trapnya?

Jadi, si pengayuh perahu itu sewaktu setengah perjalanan awal memuji-muji kita. Lantas, sewaktu setengah perjalanan terakhir dia sibuk menawar-nawarkan barang dagangannya dengan memaksa. Iya, maksa! Maksanya banget lagi. Walaupun kita sudah mati-matian menolak, dia lebih mati-matian lagi menawarkan barang ini dan itu, pokoknya semua yang dibawanya. Dan setelah mau turun pun, dia minta tips. Padahal sudah jelas-jelas tarif naik perahu itu disepakati sejak awal. *Sigh* -__-"

Ada lagi, tapi ini dialami teman saya. Ya di Vietnam juga sih. Ceritanya ada penjual buah yang pakai pikulan dan caping. Eh ujug-ujug si teman ini dipakein caping sama pikulan. Trus bilang ke kita -teman yang lain- biar ngefoto. Abis gitu minta dikasih duit. Lah, orang kita gak minta dipasangin caping sama dibawain pikulan. *Another sigh* -___-"

Tapi ya, walaupun gitu kita gak kapok traveling kok. Anggap saja ini salah satu "hiburan" tambahan dalam perjalanan. Lalalalalala..... :D

P.S:
*Anyway, kok banyak yang bilang menara Pisa itu tourist trap ya? Padahal saya belum pernah dan pengen kesana :D

Umroh, Apa Sih Persiapannya?

2011-09-14T15:40:00.007+07:00

Sebenarnya postingan ini mau ditulis di bulan April, sehabis saya menunaikan ibadah umroh. Tapi niat itu baru dilaksanakan sekarang :D
Saya cuma mau berbagi sedikit tips yang mungkin bisa berguna bagi yang mau berumroh. Ok, here we go.

1. Daftar di travel agent umroh/haji yang terpercaya,

Bagi yang terbiasa traveling tanpa memakai travel agent, umroh backpacking sangat tidak disarankan. Apalagi untuk wanita, dan sendirian. Walaupun anda adalah solo backpacker yang sudah pernah ke Timbuktu sekalipun. Karena visa untuk umroh cuma bisa diurus oleh travel agent. Jangan lupa pilih yang sudah terkenal reputasi bagusnya. Bakal nyesek sekali kalau ternyata travel agentnya abal-abal dan gak jadi berangkat umroh karena penipuan. Jangan mudah tergoda sama paket harga murah, lebih baik bandingkan dulu harga paket umroh yang ditawarkan travel agent satu dengan yang lain. Kalau jauh lebih murah banget sih ya patut diwaspadai.

Kecuali anda punya saudara/keluarga di Arab Saudi, anda bisa minta tolong untuk diundang. Jadi visa anda adalah visa kunjungan. Tapi pas sampai kesanapun tetap gak bisa sendiri lho ya kalau wanita, harus sama mahram. Titik.

Ribet kan? Ya iya, ribet. Makanya daftar di travel agent saja #bukanpromosi.

Kalau memang mau umroh saja tanpa ikut paket wisata ke negara lain dan cari yang agak murah, pilih season yang tepat. Bulan-bulan libur sekolah di Indonesia (Juli-Agustus) termasuk lebih mahal dibanding bulan lain. Begitu juga bulan Ramadhan, harga paket umrohnya lebih mahal. Bulan Maret-April itu termasuk cukup murah dibanding bulan lainnya. Cuaca di bulan ini juga lumayan, gak ekstrim panas ataupun ekstrim dingin. Selain itu, di bulan April biasanya masuk musim liburan sekolah di negara-negara Arab. Kalau umroh di bulan ini bakal sering lihat banyak anak-anak kecil yang super duper lucu dan imut #pengenbungkussatu #bawapulang :D

Kemudian, pilih paket yang satu kamar untuk 4 orang, lebih murah daripada satu kamar isi 2 atau 3 orang. Ini sih tips buat yang mau paket agak murah, kalau mau yang paling mahal plus tur ke Turki/Mesir/negara lainnya sih ya terserah. Bagimu duitmu, bagiku duitku :D

2. Lengkapi persyaratan untuk mendaftar,

Diantaranya adalah KTP, KK, akte kelahiran dan buku nikah (bagi yang sudah menikah) asli dan fotokopi, foto 3x4 dan 4x6 background putih, berjilbab, close up 80% masing-masing 6 lbr (biasanya) serta paspor yang masih berlaku. Gak usah sok cute dengan poto dari atas dan bibir dimonyong-monyongin. Simpan foto yang seperti itu untuk di upload di album facebook kategori alay saja.

Untuk pengurusan visa umroh, nama yang tertera di paspor harus terdiri dari 3 kata. Misalnya Rizka Unyu, itu cuma 2 kata, harus ditambah jadi 3 kata, Rizka Unyu Sekali. Contoh ini tentu saja fiktif karena nama saya tidak seperti itu. Dan nama belakang yang ditambahkan itu haruslah nama ayah. Bapak saya namanya bukan "Sekali" :D

Ada lagi syaratnya yaitu kartu kuning vaksin meningitis. Jangan khawatir, pengurusan nama paspor, visa, kartu kuning dsb bisa diurus oleh travel agent, nambah biaya tentunya. Khusus untuk wanita, di bawah umur 45 tahun yang umroh sendirian tanpa mahram, diwajibkan mengurus surat mahram. Nantinya travel agent bakal mengurus "mahram-mahram"an dengan sesama peserta umroh yang berjenis kelamin lelaki. Nantinya di visa umroh, anda bisa jadi "anak"/"keponakan" Pak X atau "adik"/"kakak" Mas Y.

Kalau peserta umrohnya wanita semua? Ya itu derita anda :p #ditoyormassal. Biasanya travel agent akan menggabungkan diri dengan jamaah umroh travel agent lain kalau kejadiannya seperti ini. Biarlah yang repot-repot itu diurus sama mereka, anda cuma tinggal melengkapi persyaratan dan bayar :D

3. Bagi yang masih newbi, sebaiknya ikut manasik/bimbingan umroh yang diselenggarakan oleh travel agent,

Ini penting, karena yang namanya ibadah, kita harus tahu syarat rukunnya. Jangan sampai kebalik misalnya, baju ihrom pria dipakai oleh wanita #kebangetan.
Buat yang sudah pernah umroh sebelumnya ada baiknya tetap mengikuti manasik ini, karena selain dijelaskan tata cara umroh dan prakteknya, kita juga dijelaskan nantinya di keimigrasian akan seperti apa, siapa muthawif/pembimbing kita disana, dll.

4. Bagi pegawai, pastikan ijin cuti anda sudah diaprove :D

5. Persiapkan barang bawaan untuk disana,

Gak perlu ribet, bawa yang penting dan secukupnya. Ini perlengkapan umum buat wanita aja lho ya, saya gak bahas perlengkapan buat pria, kan saya wanita #ngeles :D

- Perlengkapan ibadah (mukena/bergo,buku doa,qur'an).
- Baju panjang,celana/rok ganti,jilbab,jaket/sweater plus dalaman secukupnya (anda bisa nyuci sendiri atau di-laundry di hotel, tapi kalau males nyuci dan merasa laundry kemahalan, bawalah satu baju untuk satu hari).
- Kaos tangan dan kaos kaki, ini bawaan yang praktis untuk menutup aurat.
- Peralatan mandi, kosmetik, dan temen-temennya. Di hotel peralatan mandi biasanya disiapkan, tapi kalau saya sih mending sabun sendiri, karena lebih lembab di kulit :D
- Dokumen penting (Paspor,KTP,NPWP), ada baiknya difotokopi dan disimpan terpisah untuk jaga-jaga.
- Uang cash secukupnya, terserah dalam bentuk rupiah atau real, di Mekah/Madinah banyak money changer. Ukuran "secukupnya" itu bisa beda tiap orang, ada yang "cukup" buat borong belanjaan mahal satu koper penuh, ada yang "cukup" buat beli barang-barang gocengan #sayabanget :D
- Kacamata+pelembab+masker hidung, sangat-sangat dianjurkan untuk dibawa karena disana itu silau, panas dan kering. Sunblock juga dianjurkan untuk dibawa. Payung optional *kalau mau melindungi kulit wajah anda yang cantik itu saat thawaf siang-siang, topi lebar cukup kali cyin, payung bikin rempong*.
- Kamera, hp, plus chargernya. Gadget yang lain ditinggal dulu deh, kan tujuannya ibadah bukan main atau nonton :)
- Sepatu sandal yang nyaman, yang bisa dipakai ke masjid sekaligus tur kota.
- Obat pribadi, bukan obat tetangga apalagi obat hewan #krikkrikkrik.

6. Persiapan mental,

Wondering kenapa mental perlu dipersiapkan? Bagi muslim ibadah haji/umroh itu merupakan hal yang sesuatu banget #halah. Most of muslim i know, are eager to do pilgrimage. Tentunya pada gak mau dong, ibadah umrohnya sia-sia. Saya susah menjelaskan bagaimana persiapannya, karena persiapan mental ini sendiri sebetulnya abstrak. Saya cuma membantu menjelaskan persiapan yang riil saja. Kesiapan tiap orang untuk beribadah tentunya tergantung pada dirinya sendiri. Ain't it right? :)

P.S: karena pake sofwer kolase gratisan, jadi ada copyrightnya sesuatu di gambar saya...maklum gretongan -_-"

What is Your Quote?

2011-09-05T14:20:00.007+07:00

Saya suka nyari kutipan perkataan orang dari google. Kutipan yang lucu, menginspirasi, menghibur, mellow, membangkitkan semangat. Apapun, sesuai suasana hati. Bukan cuma perkataan orang saja. Saya juga suka mengutip lirik lagu atau potongan dialog film.

Nah, di bawah ini adalah kutipan dari teman-teman saya. Bukan bermaksud apa-apa sih. Hanya hiburan saja. Suatu saat mereka semua bakal growing older and wiser, tentunya perkataannya akan lebih keren untuk dikutip. Ini hanya mengingatkan pada mereka, bahwa sebelum masa-masa bijak itu nantinya, mereka pernah menghasilkan kutipan yang sesuatu banget seperti ini :D

"Jangan sok suci deh!" (Chocky, 26, Bos Sarkem)

"Bukannya nasinya itu pisang?" (Eriek, 26, TKI)

"Harga kejablayan itu tak terbeli" (Fitri, 26, Juragan Minyak)

"Hiunya berbentuk hiu" (Elly, 26, Kuncen Laut Selatan)

"Kelinci itu beranak apa bertelor?" (Ester, 25, Putri Solo yang Tertukar)

"Akhirnya, berat badanku lebih besar daripada ukuran sepatuku" (Dina, 26, Calo Tiket)

"Kok bibir darius sih, kurang kenyal" (Lulu, 27, Tukang Cendol)

Sebenernya masih banyak lainnya. Silakan kalau ada yang berkenan menambahkan sesuatu yang quotable :D

P.S: gambarnya mengingatkan momen ngetrip ke UG, hwaaaa....kangeeeennn T_T

tambahan quote dari sodari Lulu :D

Selamat Idul Fitri

2011-08-30T09:56:00.003+07:00

I sincerely say, Happy Eid Mubarak 1432H.

Semoga segala kebaikan selama sebulan kemarin gak terhenti di hari ini. Gak cuma amal ibadah kepada Allah saja, tapi juga amal kebaikan kepada sesama makhluk hidup lainnya. Bagi yang masih menyimpan marah, dendam, prasangka buruk, mohon diikhlaskan hari ini, *enak aja ngomong, dikira gampang neng?* ya namanya juga wishes, kan agar ke depannya jadi orang yang lebih baik :)

Untuk semua twit #nomention saya yg nyinyir dan nyindir, mohon dimaafkan apabila ada yg tersinggung. Percayalah, tidak semua kenyinyiran saya itu bermaksud buruk, kadang hanya ingin mengingatkan...again to be a better person :)

Untuk semua yang pernah tersakiti dengan ucapan, perbuatan, postingan/komen blog, reply twit/DM, status/komen facebook dan google+, post kaskus baik dgn prime id maupun klonengan atau forum lain, dan atau media lain apapun itu, maafin saya yaaa.

Mohon maaf lahir batin semuaaa... Love you all, XOXO

*coba posting blog dari mon Cheri, hape saiah :)

Sehari Di Kosan

2011-07-05T13:00:00.003+07:00

Saking nganggurnya saya sampe bikin posting beginian. Ya daripada bengong, mari kita mulai :D

Hari ini saya gak masuk kerja, sakit...ya sakit beneran, bukan "sakit". Sakitnya sih sepele, "cuma" sakit tenggorokan, atau radang tenggorokan, atau kerennya sih faringitis *kayak nama pantai kata si om*.

Ya gimana gak sepele, orang cuma tenggorokan pedih dan gatel gak ketulungan trus susah buat nelen makanan. Ya itu bukan sepele sih ya. Sakit kok disepelekan? *penulis plin-plan*

Setelah Sabtu kemaren saya ke dokter umum, diberi obat. Radangnya belum reda juga, malah ketambahan ekstra batuk. Batuk saya ini *kalo menurut telinga orang lain yang mendengarkan* bunyinya agak serem. Jangankan orang lain, saya juga serem *hyperbolic kumat*.

Ya bunyinya itu seperti kodok kegencet buldozer minta tolong, grok-grok gitu. Dan saya harus mendongak ke atas kalau mau batuk, atau at least bertingkah kayak kingkong. Memukulkan kepalan tangan ke dada. Ya gak seekstrim itu juga sih, kingkong versi moderat lah *apa sih?*. Kalau gak gitu batuk gak akan keluar sempurna. Setengah-setengah, nanggung, cuma uhuk-uhuk dikit, dan gak grok-grok langsung lega.

Karena seringnya batuk model gini, saya jadi punya posisi favorit untuk batuk. Yaitu posisi badan lurus di kasur, kepala nengok ke atas sambil pukul2 dada ala kingkong. Biasanya abis batuk kayak gitu jadi legaan dikit di tenggorokan.

Dan kemarin itu, badan saya keluar keringat dingin. Akhirnya saya periksa ke dokter spesialis paru. Diberi obat antibiotik, vitamin dan obat batuk. Kalau belum sembuh juga sih, disuruh kontrol nanti 5 hari lagi. Ih, amit-amit deh gak sembuh-sembuh. Mudah-mudahan cepet sembuh, biar saya bisa lincah kemana-mana lagi. Gak gegoleran kayak ayam sayur di kosan gini. Amiiin :)

*sebenernya ada stok film hasil ngopi kemarin, tapi tetep aja bosen di kosan. huuwaaaaahhh

*postingan ini ditulis sekitar jam 1 siang, dan saya kelaperan karena tadi cuma sarapan sereal 20gram

Short Posting

2011-07-01T13:53:00.002+07:00

Welcome July the 1st.

It's been half a year of 2011. What have i attained so far in previous semester? And what haven't i?

Ok, here's the short review:
1. GNOTA donation (done)
2. Monthly donation (done)
3. Macau - Hk in Feb (postponed, due to Mandala's bankruptcy, until some undefined time)
4. Body rafting at Green Canyon in Feb (done)
5. Cancer check-up in March (postponed)
6. First blood donor (done, in April)
7. Umroh in March (done, in April :D)
8. Teluk Kiluan in April (done)
9. Hanoi - KL in May (done)
10. Tidung Island in June (done)

Another personal 2011's resolutions? Ha, i'll keep it for myself :p
Let's hope and do the best to accomplish the rest ^_^

Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You

2011-06-22T10:45:00.003+07:00

Tadi saya iseng ngeyoutube buat nyari Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You. Awalnya sih nyari yang versi Muse. Eh kok malah nemu ini

Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You

You're just too good to be true.
Can't take my eyes off you.
You'd be like Heaven to touch.
I wanna hold you so much.
At long last love has arrived
And I thank God I'm alive.
You're just too good to be true.
Can't take my eyes off you.

Pardon the way that I stare.
There's nothing else to compare.
The sight of you leaves me weak.
There are no words left to speak,
But if you feel like I feel,
Please let me know that it's real.
You're just too good to be true.
Can't take my eyes off you.

I love you, baby,
And if it's quite alright,
I need you, baby,
To warm a lonely night.
I love you, baby.
Trust in me when I say:
Oh, pretty baby,
Don't bring me down, I pray.
Oh, pretty baby, now that I found you, stay
And let me love you, baby.
Let me love you.

You're just too good to be true.
Can't take my eyes off you.
You'd be like Heaven to touch.
I wanna hold you so much.
At long last love has arrived
And I thank God I'm alive.
You're just too good to be true.
Can't take my eyes off you.

I love you, baby,
And if it's quite alright,
I need you, baby,
To warm a lonely night.
I love you, baby.
Trust in me when I say:
Oh, pretty baby,
Don't bring me down, I pray.
Oh, pretty baby, now that I found you, stay..

*ganteng ya masnya? sayang udah almarhum :(
btw, saya jadi pingin nonton pilmnya lagi :D*

Postingan Nyampah

2011-06-20T15:30:00.003+07:00

"Selamat datang para pahlawan devisa".
Begitulah spanduk yang terpampang jelas di Bandara Internasional Soekarno Hatta Terminal 2. Sudah jelas spanduk ini ditujukan buat siapa. Tapi spanduk hanyalah spanduk, bukan begitu? Pada prakteknya para pahlawan-pahlawan ini gak dihargai sebagai mana mestinya. Miris.

Ini ada angin apa ya tiba-tiba saya posting beginian? Ya memang sih, karena sedang ramai berita itu. Berita tentang Ruyati, seorang TKI yang dihukum pancung di Arab Saudi. Gemes saya, geram tentu saja. Sama siapa? Sama pemerintah, pihak-pihak terkait, BNP2TKI yang kepanjangan namanya adalah Badan Penempatan dan PERLINDUNGAN Tenaga Kerja Indonesia yang tidak tampak ada usaha MELINDUNGI. Dan terakhir, sama saya sendiri. Lha kok bisa? Apa hubungan saya sama kasus Ruyati? Tidak ada, bukan? Atau menurut Anda begitu?

Saya merasa gemes sama diri sendiri. Seperti biasa, saya cuma bisa mencela dan menyalahkan kegelapan. Tapi belum bisa menyalakan lilin dan membagi cahayanya. That sucks! #gaksante
Dan karena saya masih #gaksante posting ini isinya kurang lebih cuma nyampah. Tidak ada solusi NYATA atau rasa PRIHATIN disini (butuh lebih dari sekedar prihatin untuk menyelesaikan masalah, aint it rite?).

Sebenarnya, cerita sedih tentang TKI apalagi yang bekerja jadi PRT (Pembantu Rumah Tangga) sudah lama terdengar. Tidak cuma di Arab Saudi, tapi juga di negara lain seperti Malaysia, Singapore, Hongkong, Kuwait dll. Dan menurut data Migrant Care tahun 2007 kekerasan terhadap TKI tertinggi terjadi di Malaysia (39%) dan Arab Saudi (38%). Walaupun data ini kurang relevan karena sudah lama, tapi bisa dibayangkan betapa rawannya nasib TKI di kedua negara itu.

Emang sih, gak semua TKI bernasib buruk, apes dapat majikan jahat, ada juga yang sukses tapi gak diberitakan di media (bukankah kecenderungan media kita itu berita buruk ya?).
Tetangga saya misalnya. Mereka berdua adalah suami istri yang bekerja di Jeddah, Arab Saudi selama hampir 10 tahun. Dan sepanjang waktu itu majikannya baik tuh. Malah mereka diberi kepercayaan dan dipinjami mobil majikannya untuk nganterin saya wisata keliling kota Mekkah waktu April kemarin. Gak cuma saya. Setiap ada tetangga atau saudara lagi haji/umroh, sama pasangan suami istri itu selalu diantar keliling dengan mobil majikannya.

Btw, berhubung tadi diatas saya sudah bilang mau nyampah, ya sudah sekalian saya cerita sedikit pengalaman waktu di Arab. Dari pertama kali menginjakkan kaki di Bandara King Abdul Azis, sudah terasa bagaimana perlakuan tidak simpatik dari petugas bandaranya.

Waktu itu pendaratan dua pesawat dari Indonesia, Garuda dan Lion Air hampir bersamaan. Dan mungkin memang selain jamaah umroh, di pesawat juga banyak TKW. Petugas bandaranya mengarahkan para TKW untuk masuk bis dengan tidak simpatiknya dan teriak kenceng-kenceng #gaksante "TeKaWe...TeKaWe...". Bahkan kepada jamaah umroh berseragam batik yang sudah tampak tua. "Ah, sambutan awal sama TKW aja sudah seperti ini. Gimana ntar kalo udah kerja sama mereka?", pikir saya waktu itu *sigh*.

Ada satu lagi kejadian tidak menyenangkan yang saya alami di Arab. Waktu itu saya baru pulang solat subuh dari masjid Nabawi sama Oma, mampir ke toko yang jualan gamis dan baju-baju lainnya. Penjaga tokonya laki-laki, masih muda, twenty something gitu lah. Dengan kurang ajarnya dia colek-colek saya. Kalau saya waktu itu memakai pakaian yang gak beres atau keganjenan sih mungkin saya akan menyalahkan saya sendiri. Lha ini, saya baru pulang dari masjid, masih pakai mukena lengkap, gak ngapa-ngapain kecuali bantu Oma milih gamis. Dengan muka kesel saya keluar aja dari toko itu, nunggu Oma dari luar. *Emangnya saya selai, dicolek-colek?* :mad

Balik lagi ke awal, tentang Ruyati. Selain Ruyati masih ada 23 TKI lain yang terancam hukuman mati. Darn! Gimana gak miris saya? Iya sih, dimana bumi dipijak, disitu langit dijunjung. Jadi dimanapun kita harus tetap hati-hati bawa diri. Tapi kalo ini ya, namanya pemerintah gak bisa melindungi rakyatnya. Emang kenapa sampe Ruyati membunuh majikannya? Karena membela diri? Karena biasanya disiksa?

Kenapa dia disiksa? Karena dia lalai? Kerjaan gak beres? Perlindungan terhadap TKI lemah? Majikan semena-mena?
Kenapa majikan semena-mena? Karena dia TKI ilegal (mungkin)? Karena majikan sudah membayar, jd merasa bisa semena-mena?
Kenapa Ruyati tahan disiksa? Karena dia butuh uang? Karena di tanah air keadaan lebih carut marut dan dia susah mendapat pekerjaan?

Ah, saya nyinyir sekali banyak nanya. Kalo bego-begoan menurut saya sih, salah satu mata rantai yang bikin dia disiksa sehingga akhirnya membela diri dan membunuh majikannya itu harus diputus. Itu gampangnya.

Enak saja bagi saya ngomong, toh saya juga cuma bisa mencela kegelapan kan? Huh!
*jedotin kepala ke tembok*

*Untuk alm. Ibu Ruyati, semoga dosa beliau diampuni dan amal ibadahnya diterima Yang Maha Kuasa. Untuk saudaraku pahlawan devisa lainnya, yang mengalami kekerasan, korban traficking, dll, maafkan saya yang belum bisa membantu menyalakan lilin untuk kalian, baru bisa doain :(*

Ojek, Bang!

2011-06-08T11:50:00.004+07:00

Berhubung blogspot udah bisa dibuka lagi, jadi semangat posting lagi. Yaayy \(^_^)/

Ok, postingan kali ini mengenai ojek. Kenapa saya ujug-ujug membahas ojek. Karena tinggal di Cikarang Baru, dimana lebih banyak jumlah ojek daripada mobil angkutan umum ke tempat yang saya tuju, ya saya sering sekali memakai jasa tukang ojek ini. Ya tentunya bukan jarak jauh sih. Kalau ke Jakarta misalnya, ya saya naik bis dong *gile boneng mau ngojek sampe Jakarta*.

Jarak terjauh yang saya tempuh dengan naik ojek adalah Pekayon, Bekasi Barat ke Jababeka, Cikarang. Yes indeed saya ngojek. Itu kejadian waktu saya pertama kali bekerja di S*** ini. Saya masih tinggal bersama Bude saya di Bekasi Barat. Dan waktu tempuh saat itu kurang lebih 50 menit. Itu pertama kalinya saya merasa stres dan sumpek karena saking banyaknya motor di jalan. Dan setelah saya pindah ke Cikarang Baru pun tetap lebih sering ngojek ke kantor :D

Karena seringnya ngojek itu saya jadi bisa menilai tukang ojek manakah yang lebih baik kualitasnya ojekannya #apasihbahasanya. Ini kriteria bego-begoan saya tentang skill yang harus dipunyai tukang ojek yang baik:

1. Bisa mengendarai motor *ya iyalah :hammer*,

Maksud saya, bukan cuma mengendarai motor saja. Dia harus tahu rambu-rambu dan aba-aba pengatur lalu lintas. Ini skill pertama yang harus dikuasai.

2. Mengutamakan keselamatan penumpang,

Jangan sampai dia menganggap dirinya Dani Pedrosa yang bisa ngebut dan ngepot seenaknya sendiri tanpa mempedulikan penumpang yang komat-kamit merapal doa keselamatan di belakangnya.

3. Berpartisipasi dalam menjaga kesehatan penumpang,

Ini termasuk kesehatan jantung penumpang, jangan sampai bikin penumpang sport jantung. Selain itu, hindarilah melaju di belakang kendaraan yang knalpotnya menyemburkan asap polusi. Dan sebisa mungkin menghindari jalan-jalan becek (bisa jadi nyiprat ke pengguna jalan yang lain), bau sampah (demi kesehatan pernapasan penumpang), bolong-bolong dan bergelombang (demi kesehatan pantat penumpang).

4. Menguasai ritme dan tempo,

Bukan cuma konduktor musik dan pemain sepakbola saja yang harus bisa skill ini, tukang ojek pun termasuk. Maksud saya, dia harus tahu kapan saatnya pelan, cepat dan waktunya menyalip kendaraan lain. Bisa kesel si penumpang kalau dia sedang terburu-buru dan kondisi jalan aman dan memungkinkan untuk melaju kencang, tapi tukang ojeknya bergerak seperti siput memanggul kulkas 2 pintu dan belum makan 4 bulan.

5. Menghindari kendaraan besar,

Baik saya sedang mengendarai motor sendiri ataupun naik ojek, saya sering terintimidasi dengan keberadaan kendaraan besar di jalan, seperti truk gandeng, bis besar, truk kontainer, truk pengaduk semen, tank, bulldozer, dll. Takut mereka berubah menjadi Optimus Prime, Megatron, Devastator atau robot-robot aneh lainnya (okay, ini berlebihan).

6. Turun di tempat yang pas,

Contoh tukang ojek yang tidak baik. Pas kita mau naik ojek ke bank misalnya, jangan sampai diturunkan di rumah sakit....yang berjarak 2 km dari bank tujuan kita itu. Hanya contoh, tidak ada tukang ojek, bank, ataupun rumah sakit yang disakiti dalam pembuatan kalimat ini.

7. Tarif yang sesuai,

Males kan kalau jaraknya cuma sepelemparan batu, tapi kita harus bayar mahal? Nah ini yang saya maksud tarifnya sesuai. Selain itu, jangan sampai melebihi standar yang berlaku. Kalau biasanya dari kantor ke kedasih itu 7000, ya sudah jangan meminta 8000.

Ada yang mau menambahkan? :D

Dari kriteria di atas, ada beberapa ojek yang skillful menurut saya. Ya karena semua kriteria dapat dilakukannya. Ada juga tukang ojek yang cuma menguasai 3 dari 7 poin diatas. Ya kalau menurut saya sih memang yang paling penting dan mendasar adalah bisa mengendarai motor dan mengutamakan keselamatan penumpang. Lainnya itu juga penting tapi bukan yang mendasar.

Terlepas dari itu semua, saya amat menghargai keberadaan tukang ojek. Lha wong saya gak bawa kendaraan pribadi, jadi susah pergi ke tempat yang jauh dan tidak terjangkau kendaraan umum. Walaupun kadang suka ngomel dalam hati kalau ada tukang ojek yang ngebutnya begajulan sih :D

*Eh, ngomong-ngomong jarak terjauh, setelah saya ingat kembali, jarak terjauh yang saya tempuh dengan naik ojek adalah dari Kota Mataram ke pelabuhan Bangsal di Lombok, pulang-pergi :D

*berita terkini, blogspot diblok lagi sama IS kantor keknya, hiks T_T

Nongkrong Cantik di Hari Minggu

2011-05-30T16:56:00.008+07:00

Rijika, hari Minggu melakukan apa? *

Hari Minggu kemarin, saya bangun pagi #penting #biasanyabangunsiang. Saya sudah niat mau ke Jakarta, ngajar di Taman Ilmu Setiabudi. Setelah beberapa minggu absen karena kesini kesitu, begini dan begitu, akhirnya kemarin kesampaian juga ketemu lagi sama anak-anak kecil lucu dan bandel-bandel itu... :D

Sebelumnya saya janjian dulu sama teman saya si bulet ini, ceritanya saya mau lihat kosan dia yang baru di daerah Karbela. Awalnya saya mau naik Transjakarta koridor 6 (sekalian nyoba, mumpung belum pernah) transit dan lanjut ke koridor yang lewat daerah Kuningan itu. Harusnya saya turun di Komdak atas, eh tapi kok ketiduran. Dan baru siuman dari tidur setelah Komdak lewat begitu saja. Akhirnya turunlah saya di Polda.

Ya sudah, saya naik P66 akhirnya, dan turun di Setiabudi One. Setelah telpon dan dijemput si bulet, kita beli sarapan ketupat sayur dulu sebelum ngajar. Sambil sarapan, saya ikut mendengarkan obrolan mas-mas yang sarapan di sebelah saya (catet, mendengarkan bukan menguping). Dia cerita ke temannya, kemarin malamnya habis futsal di Kuningan. Dan menurut dia, bayarnya cukup mahal karena sejamnya 400 ribu rupiah dan yang datang futsal cuma sedikit. Jadi lumayan besar patungannya.

Selesai sarapan, saya jadi ngobrol sama mpit. "Nanti kita bisnis lapangan futsal aja. Sekalian kosan cowok". Dan mpit juga setuju. Err...berasa man hunter sekali kita. Ya maklumlah, jiwa-jiwa muda, single dan menggelora *kok saya jijik sendiri sama bahasa di postingan kali ini ya*.

Setelah ngajar kelar, kita meluncur ke Senayan City. Belanja sekalian makan di Spageddies Italian Kitchen. Tempatnya cukup enak, bernuansa Itali dengan ornamen dedaunan plastik yang menjalar di tembok. Dan banyak pigura berisi testimoni dan tandatangan artis yang makan disitu (kok nama saya gak ada, saya kan artis!!! #diceburinkekawah).

Saya pesan Soup of the Day, yang ternyata hari itu adalah Mushroom Cream Soup. Rasanya creamy sekali dengan sedikit tendangan rasa jamur #halahbanget. Agak aneh di lidah saya sih, berasa makan bubur jamur. Selain itu saya pesan Chicken Spaghetti Primavera. Waktu makanan datang, lumayan juga porsi dan penampilannya. Seperti spageti ala oglio yang dimasak ditambahi dengan potongan ayam, sayuran dan taburan cabe kering. Dan bagaimana dengan rasanya? Enaaaakkk...yang jelas saya sih suka. Kalau mpit sih pesan cannelloni-sesuatu-saya-lupa-namanya. Rasanya enak juga, cheesy dan creamy, tapi saya sih lebih suka pilihan menu saya :))

Dan untuk minumnya, ada beberapa pilihan minuman beralkohol #iyasayatau #bukanuntukkonsumsisaya, soda dan jus. Pilihan kami berdua jatuh pada jus jeruk, yang ternyata setelah diminum saya nyeletuk, "ini kok kayak pulpy orange". Errr....

Harga makanan disini cukup variatif, mulai dari 10k untuk sup yang saya beli, 40-100k untuk menu pasta. Ada juga menu steak dengan harga variatif juga, di bawah 100k sampai diatas 100k. Dan bagi yang tidak mengonsumsi alkohol, wine untuk saus steak bisa diganti dengan saus jamur.

Sorenya kita ke Setiabudi One, nyoba nongkrong di Anomali Coffee yang pernah kita baca reviewnya di Tumblr *lupa lagi linknya, dooh*. Walaupun saya bukan pecinta kopi, tapi menurut saya kopinya lumayan. Suasana kafenya cozy dan ada free wi-fi. Asik buat nongkrong sendirian nyari inspirasi atau rame-rame sama teman ngobrolin urusan negara :)

Menikmati kopi sambil lihat kendaraan lalu lalang di Rasuna Said sudah, kita beranjak cari makan. Ada beberapa pilihan PKL, tapi saya sedang malas makan berat. Akhirnya kita malah ngglinding ke Kuningan Village. Oke, saya jalan dan mpit ngglinding #ditabokmpit :D

Kita berdua dengan sotoynya naik ke lantai 2. Dan di ujung tangga ke atas itu ada 2 orang mas-mas yang lihat kita dengan pandangan aneh. Eh, ternyata lantai 2 itu lokasinya The 3 House bistro and bar. Pantas aja tampak janggal. Masa iya 2 orang cewek berjilbab mau ngebir di bar -__-"

Akhirnya kita turun ke bawah, nah disitulah foodcourtnya berada. Tempat makannya bisa milih di teras luar atau taman, atau di dalam. Kita sih milih di dalam, ada AC jadinya lebih adem. Di tempat ini juga free wi-fi *yaaayy \(^_^)/*. Dan setelah tidak kenyang makan dimsum enak seharga 15 ribuan isi 3 potong, saya pun pulang :D

* biasanya tiap meeting Senin pagi si menejer suka nanya ke anak buahnya hari Sabtu-Minggu kemana. Jarang sih saya ditanya-tanya, tapi sekalinya nanya dia pasti kesusahan menyebut nama saya dengan benar. Eh, tapi pagi ini dia gak nanya ke anak-anak buahnya tuh

Traveling Tanpa Oleh-Oleh?

2011-05-26T20:04:00.005+07:00

Tema postingan saya kali ini mirip sama yang sudah pernah dibahas di milis IBP, yaitu mengenai oleh-oleh.

Definisi oleh-oleh:
sesuatu yg dibawa dr bepergian; buah tangan:

www.artikata.com

ini maksudnya foto toko oleh-oleh

Sebagai penyuka traveling, wajar rasanya kalau beli oleh-oleh untuk keluarga di rumah, sahabat/teman, rekan kantor atau special someone, sometwo, somethree dst... :hammer:

Kenapa saya bilang wajar, ya karena tidak semua orang berpikiran traveling-wajib-bawa-oleh-oleh. Ada yang bilang, memberi oleh-oleh itu wujud perhatian kepada orangtua, teman, rekan kerja atau orang terdekat kita. Ya gak salah juga, tiap orang pendapatnya beda-beda. Ada yang menganggap seperti itu. Ada juga yang menganggap bukti perhatian itu tidak harus dalam bentuk oleh-oleh sepulang dari traveling. Kalau misalnya, si traveler kebetulan waktu traveling kelupaan membeli, apa orang terdekatnya akan menganggap dia kurang perhatian gitu?

Saya sendiri, menganggap bahwa oleh-oleh itu bukan fardhu ain hukumnya. Apalagi saya tipikal gembel traveler yang biasanya cuma bawa uang ngepas untuk transportasi dan akomodasi. Jadi budget beli oleh-oleh itu sering kali tidak terpikirkan. Kecuali kalau memang saya niat belanja dan menganggarkan duit lebih untuk beli-beli.

Tapi walaupun saya bilang seperti itu, kenyataannya selama ini saya seringkali membeli oleh-oleh tiap kali traveling. Labil ya saya? :D

Baik itu oleh-oleh untuk saya sendiri, maupun orang lain. Saya gak terlalu spesifik membeli suvenir untuk saya sendiri, bisa apa saja. Paling sering sih beli makanan, yang kolosal gitu, alias banyak jumlahnya. Selain saya bisa ikutan menikmati, oleh-oleh semacam gini bisa dibagi rata ke teman-teman, hehehe.

Selain makanan, kalaupun harus beli oleh-oleh buat orang lain, saya biasanya nyari sesuatu yang khas tempat itu. Ya walaupun cuma gantungan kunci atau pembatas buku, tapi minimal ada sesuatu yang khas. Misalnya, di Singapore ya belinya gantungan kunci Merlion, bukannya pembatas buku wayang. Atau di Bali, belinya ya lulur Bali. Walaupun sekarang sudah banyak sih yang jualan barang-barang suvenir semacam itu bukan di tempat aslinya.

Susahnya kalau di tempat itu gak ada sesuatu yang bener-bener khas. Seperti saat umroh misalnya, susah nyari oleh-oleh yang khas Arab. Sebagian besar suvenir yang dijual (kerudung, sajadah, tasbih, boneka onta, baju, kopyah, dll) ber-cap made in China, made in India, made in Turkey atau made in Indonesia. Mungkin yang memang otentik itu cuma air zam-zam dan kurma (itu saja sudah banyak dijual di Indonesia).

Ada satu barang di supermarket yang saya lihat made in KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) yaitu tasbih mutiara. Entah mutiara imitasi atau palsu, yang jelas harganya gak bersahabat sama budget. Ya sudah, bawa air zam-zam sama kurma saja cukup buat saya, sama sedikit printilan made in India dan made in Turkey :D

milih, bukan beli oleh-oleh

Sebaliknya, kalau ada teman traveling saya juga gak terlalu berharap dan 'memaksa' minta oleh-oleh. Kalaupun bilang, "jangan lupa oleh-oleh ya..." itu cuma ngomong di mulut saja. Dibawain ya alhamdulillah, enggak juga tidak apa-apa. Saya tahu dan sudah pernah ngalamin kok, beli dan bawa oleh-oleh itu kadang merepotkan. Tahu cerita atau foto teman yang lagi traveling sudah cukup menyenangkan kok. Apalagi kalau saya punya kesempatan ke tempat itu juga satu saat nanti :)

P.S: Dari pengamatan saya, yang biasanya rempong nyari oleh-oleh ini itu biasanya kaum hawa. Barang bawaan waktu pulang bisa lebih berat daripada waktu berangkat. Tanya kenapa? :D

Me And Traveling

2011-05-24T13:06:00.008+07:00

Saya orang yang suka traveling. Dari kecil saya sudah suka jalan-jalan. Walaupun waktu SD saya selalu mabuk perjalanan, hampir tidak pernah saya menolak ajakan saudara untuk jalan-jalan. Keliling kota atau pergi ke pantai. Untungnya kebiasaan mabuk perjalanan itu sudah menghilang saat saya SMP.

Impian masa kecil saya adalah traveling keliling dunia. Thanks to my lovely dad, yang bikin saya mupeng dengan buku kecilnya yang berisikan catatan kota-kota yang dikunjunginya di seputaran Laut Mediterania selama menjadi pelaut, dan uang-uang koin yang dikumpulkannya dari berbagai negara yang berbeda :)

Dan saya baru bisa nyicil menuntaskan impian itu setelah bekerja. Iya, baru nyicil sekarang. Dimulai dari keliling sebagian keciiiillll dari Indonesia yang luas sekali ini. Dan sebagian keciiiillll dari negara-negara di dunia yang banyak ini. Better late than never, eh? ^_^

Buat saya traveling itu fun. Mau sendirian atau traveling keroyokan bareng teman-teman. Dibayarin/gratisan ataupun dengan biaya sendiri. Tapi sejauh ini saya belum pernah dibayarin untuk traveling (semoga someday ada yang mau bayarin saya buat keliling negara-negara seputaran Laut Mediterania, aamiin...).

Apanya sih yang menyenangkan dari traveling? Ya banyak. Bisa lihat tempat baru, ketemu orang baru, makan sesuatu yang baru yang belum pernah saya rasakan sebelumnya, dan yang terpenting adalah mendapat pengalaman baru. Jadi gak cuma refreshing atau lihat-lihat atau belanja saja.

Banyak lho yang bisa dipelajari dari pengalaman traveling. Mulai dari cara negosiasi dan sosialisasi sama orang asing, belajar mengendalikan ego sendiri, apalagi kalau traveling bersama orang lain. Termasuk juga tahu tradisi atau hal-hal unik di daerah setempat yang dikunjungi.Dan dari semua itu, yang paling besar saya rasakan adalah saya semakin mengagumi kebesaran Tuhan dan semakin cinta sama Indonesia.

Lha kenapa gitu? Walaupun saya bukan frequent-traveler kayak mbak ini, yang udah sering keliling Indonesia dan berkali-kali ke luar negri tetap saja saya bisa bilang seperti itu. Saya tambah cinta sama Indonesia *peluk-peluk Indonesia* #apasih.

Mungkin ada sebagian orang yang bilang,

"ngapain sih traveling? mahal, buang-buang duit...mending juga kalo dibayarin",

"ogah ah traveling, capek, libur itu buat istirahat di rumah,kumpul sama keluarga aja",

dst2. Atau ada yang bilang gini,

"wah, banyak duit ya kok sering traveling?".

Atau bahkan,

"kok traveling terus sih, kapan cari pacarnya?"

*mengerutkan kening*.

Oke, mari ditanggapi satu-satu.

1. Traveling itu mahal.

Gak selamanya yang namanya traveling itu mahal. Ambil contoh, ke Bali. Ada jenis akomodasi murah: naik kereta ekonomi, ngeteng bis, naik kapal laut kelas ekonomi. Atau akomodasi yang lebih mahal misalnya pesawat udara(tarif normal bukan promo). Penginapan murah: hostel, rumah teman/kenalan atau bahkan tidur di dalam sleeping bag di bawah bintang *romantis kan? :D*. Mau yang lebih mahal ada hotel mulai dari kelas melati sampe bintang lima, resort, dll. Lagipula, murah atau mahal itu relatif ;)

2. Libur di rumah saja, capek.

Kalau ini sih masalah pilihan. Saya kalau sudah kecapekan banget ya memang memilih untuk tidak traveling, orang badan cuma satu-satunya ini. Tapi kalau masih kuat lahir batin ya saya lebih suka menghabiskan libur dengan jalan-jalan. Ada kalanya memang, mood lagi pingin menghabiskan liburan di rumah saja. Sekali lagi ini masalah pilihan :)

3. Traveler == banyak duit.

Diaminkan saja kalau yang satu ini, hahaha :D

4. Gak sempat cari pacar(?)

Buat yang merasa menanyakan ini sama saya, maksudnya apa sih? Makasih ya perhatiaannya :))

Bukan apa-apa sih tapi menurut saya ini gak make sense. Traveling itu memungkinkan kita untuk ketemu orang-orang baru. Jadi bisa jadi kan ujug-ujug saya berkenalan dengan traveler bule muslim gitu terus have a relationship? *ngarep to the max* :))

What Are You Still Doing Here?

2011-05-21T16:12:00.005+07:00

Got this from here. I brutally copy-paste-ing it here, just in case you're indolent to click the link ;)
It would not perfectly fit your stories but i guess parts of her writing are true.

Dear You.

I had a brutal crush on you but I said to myself I wouldn't do anything about it. When I heard about you and another girl though, I thought it's now or never. So I simply walked to where you were and since then there has only been you.

You make me laugh so much and you awakens every butterfly in me. You whisper sweet words in my ear and I want to hug you all the time and you tell me you want me to. You giggle when I give you a thousand kisses all over your face and I remember you said I'm the prettiest girl in town. I don't think about what's happening or will happen, I'm just enjoying every moment with you.

But in every relationship we have - with girls, boys, friends - sooner or later we argue. And suddenly it all feels so fragile.

What will happen now?
How much does he like me?
Will this end what's between us?
Wow, there's so many things I still don't know about him.
Will he hurt me?
Will he say things that makes me cry?
If I stay now, will he take me in his arms if I get sad?
If I go now, will he call me tomorrow?
Gosh, WHY do I have to be so emotional?
Does he think I'm too sensitive?
Is this about what he said about things going so fast?
Wait - it was "so fast", not "too fast", right? Damn. I can't remember.
What does he want me to say when he tells me that?
But if he meant it in a bad way, why would he also tell me he doesn't want to be with anyone else?
I hope that part wont change now when we argue.
Is he as scared of all those feelings as I am?
I wish I was a mindreader.
What was we even arguing about?
Oh, I remember. Are we really having an argue about that?
Well, I guess this learns us that both are really stubborn.
I don't want him over there. I want him to be closer.
Will he reject me if I ask for a kiss instead of talking about whatever we think different about?

I really want you. I really like you. But I don't tell you that tonight. Instead I'm doing what I know is wrong - I'm walking away, I'm going home. Because even if we're having an incredible time, I don't really know you and your thoughts and if you think "us" is happening too fast instead of so fast, I don't want to hear it tonight. Each day I want to have you one more day so me liking you as much as I do is really freaking me out.

And to all of you whose hearts are aching by liking someone and not doing anything about it - what are you still doing here? Go tell them, go take a shot, go fall in love!
Sometimes you have to give life a push and hope that it's the right time and place and that both are ready for what may come. The worst thing that can happen isn't even that bad - if he/she doesn't feel the same at least you will feel awesome about telling them how special they are.
But if everything goes well, it can be amazing.

Remember though - your heart will ache anyway, because you're so scared to screw it all up and the feeling you get by the thought of losing something great is almost as awful as not having it at all.

Lots of love to all of you!

-tsf.

Balada Nomaden

2011-05-14T09:04:00.004+07:00

Sudah 3 kali ini saya pindah kosan selama tinggal di Cikarang Baru. Kosan pertama saya, rumah 1 lantai dengan 4 kamar, 1 kamar mandi, 1 ruang tengah dan 1 dapur mungil. Kosan ini cukup nyaman, karena berasa seperti rumah, bukan seperti kos-kosan. Bisa makan, nonton TV sambil curcol di ruang tengah sekalian setrika.

Lagipula tidak ada ibu kos yang menjaga disini. Tapi kondisi cukup aman dan nyaman. Tidak enaknya adalah letaknya dekat dengan sungai, jadi sewaktu Cikarang Baru kebanjiran, kosan inipun kena. Sudah 2 kali kosan ini kebanjiran, dan yang terakhir airnya sampai masuk ke kamar saya, kira-kira 10 cm tingginya. Barang-barang dan buku yang ada di atas lantai terendam air T_T

Salah satu korbannya adalah kamera pocket saya dan adaptor laptop, karena waktu itu saya letakkan di atas buku yang bergeletakan di atas lantai. Keduanya mati total, jadi saya harus beli baru T_T

Beberapa bulan kemudian saya pindah ke kosan kedua. Letaknya masih di gang yang sama dengan kosan lama, tapi lebih menjauhi sungai. Saya, Elly dan Ester menjadi penghuni pertama di kosan ini. Kami mulai mengetag sejak dari kosan ini masih dibangun dan belum jadi. Dikarenakan sudah ada hawa-hawa pengusiran dari kosan pertama :D

Ceritanya kosan lama itu dijual murah oleh ibu kosnya kepada temannya, karena si ibu kos butuh uang. Ibu kos yang baru ini mungkin setengah hati mengelola kos, dan memilih untuk menjual rumah ini ~~yang sampe sekarang masih belum laku~~. Jadinya kita harus mencari kosan baru.

Kosan kedua adalah sebuah rumah 2 lantai, 15 kamar tidur dan 5 kamar mandi. Tidak ada dapur atau ruang tengah untuk sekedar nongkrong-nongkrong cantik sambil ngerumpi ria disini. Ada sih tempat nongkrong, di balkon lantai 2. Tapi untuk ke balkon kita harus loncat jendela dulu, dan akhirnya jendela inipun oleh bapak kos dipasangi teralis :(

Kata anak-anak sih kosan ini sedikit mistis. Ada cerita tentang bercak darah yang tiba-tiba muncul di kamar. Atau suara orang asma di sebelah kamar, padahal sebelah kamarnya adalah jemuran. Ada juga anak kos yang ditiup-tiup kepalanya waktu tidur. Dan alhamdulilah dari semua cerita itu, bukan saya yang mengalami. Amit-amit jabang baby jangan sampai deh :D

Selain beberapa hal mistis ini, ada satu hal lagi yang bikin gak kerasan di kosan ini. Bapak kosnya. Lha kenapa bapak kos? Dulu awal-awal kosan ini ditempati, si bapak berjanji kalau kosan sudah penuh akan dibuat dapur, jemuran juga akan diperluas. Tapi sampai sekarang belum direalisasikan. Selain itu si bapak juga agak bawel dengan bayaran kosan. Dia salah satu korbannya :D

Dan minggu kemarin, saya, Elly dan Ester resmi pindah ke kosan baru. Kosan 2 lantai dengan 17 kamar. Dari awal lihat langsung suka karena ada balkon dan dapur disini. Minimal bisa masak mi instan lah :D

view genteng kosan baru

sunset view dari atas genteng kosan baru

Untungnya waktu pindahan dibantu oleh ~~2 ekor jinnya Elly~~ Agung dan Wawan. Lumayan terbantu untuk angkat-angkat barang yang cukup besar seperti rak buku. Tapi tetep dong, saya angkat sendiri buku dan majalah yang berat-berat itu. Dan hasilnya adalah bisep kram sampai seminggu :D

masih berantakan

lumayan rapi ^^

Pindahan itu capek, jendral!!

Jabal Rahmah dan Ondel-Ondel

2011-05-09T16:11:00.008+07:00

Jabal Rahmah

Jabal Rahmah (Mount of Mercy) adalah salah satu tempat yang paling saya ingat selama kunjungan saya umroh April kemarin. Ya tentunya selain tujuan utama yaitu Masjid Haram dan Masjid Nabawi.

Saya mengunjungi Jabal Rahmah di hari ketiga pas berada di Mekah. Selain Jabal Rahmah, agenda hari itu mengunjungi Jabal Tsur, Mina+Mudzalifah dan Jabal Hira. Pokoknya tema wisata kota Mekah ini adalah wisata gunung (Jabal=gunung). Dan memang topografi kota Mekah itu bergunung-gunung. Beda dengan di Indonesia yang kebanyakan gunungnya tanah atau batu kapur, di Mekah gunungnya batu. Dan orang membangun kota ini dengan memotong gunung berbatu.

Dan di tempat lain yang saya sebutkan itu mobil tour saya cuma lewat saja. Turun pun cuma sebentar, gak nyampe 10 menit di Jabal Tsur. Maklum, 8 dari 10 rombongan umrohnya orang berusia paruh baya keatas :)

Praktis, cuma di Jabal Rahmah ini saja yang turun agak lama. Dari awal saya sudah excited, karena muthawif(pendamping umroh) bilang disini bisa foto sama onta. Entah kenapa saya terobsesi naik onta. Dulu waktu ke Taman Safari Indonesia sama teman saya ini saya udah ngebet ingin naik onta, tapi gak keturutan karena kesorean :(

Jadi waktu dibilang di Jabal Rahmah saya bisa foto sama onta senanglah saya (wait, jadi excited pergi ke Arab cuma biar ketemu onta? | ya enggaklah!!)

Setelah sampai Jabal Rahmah saya langsung disambut bau kotoran onta. Dan mata saya langsung jelalatan nyari onta yang bisa dinaikin. Tapi, saya kecewa berat. Bukannya ketemu onta malah saya ketemu ondel-ondel disana. Onta yang saya bayangkan itu hewan padang pasir eksotis berwarna coklat, berpunuk dan berpelana kulit.

Onta beneran

Yang saya temui disana hewan berpelana karpet tebal warna-warni dan berkalung bunga imitasi. Dan diatas punuknya sudah seperti tenda kecil berwarna mencolok dan hore sekali. Persis seperti ondel-ondel berhias. Terang saja saya langsung ilfeel. Walaupun kata muthawif, semakin bagus hiasan ontanya semakin mahal tarif naik ontanya. Batal deh acara naik ontanya. Bahkan saya juga malas mengambil fotonya ~~ondel-ondel~~ ontanya.

Onta apa ondel-ondel?

Gambar dari sini

Jabal Rahmah sendiri adalah bukit kecil yang tingginya sekitar 15-20 meter dari permukaan tanah di kawasan padang Arafah. Jangan dibayangkan padang Arafah ini padang pasir berbatu dan tandus seperti padang-padang lain di kota Mekah. Banyak pohon ditanam di padang ini, jadi tampak cukup hijau untuk ukuran padang pasir. Pepohonan yang banyak ditanam disini biasa disebut Pohon Soekarno, karena dulu sewaktu kunjungan Pak Karno ke Arab Saudi beliau yang menyumbang bibit pohon ini. Pohon ini cukup membantu "mendinginkan" jamaah haji saat wukuf di Arafah.

Konon, suhu tertinggi di Arafah pernah mencapai 50 derajat Celcius waktu siang. Sampai-sampai pemerintah Arab Saudi mendirikan tiang-tiang tinggi untuk menyemprotkan hujan buatan, karena saking panasnya.

Itu kelihatan kan sprinklersnya? :D

Menurut cerita, tempat ini adalah tempat bertemunya Adam dan Hawa yang diturunkan di bumi. Dan menurut kepercayaan, Jabal Rahmah ini adalah tempat mustajab untuk berdoa minta enteng jodoh. Jadi tempat ini selalu ramai dikunjungi orang walaupun tidak sedang musim haji. Yang umroh pun datang ke tempat ini untuk berdoa.

Orang tua mendoakan anaknya agar cepat dapat jodoh. Istri berdoa agar tetap langgeng sampai kakek-nenek sama suaminya. Suami berdoa agar bisa ~~kawin lagi~~ langgeng dengan istrinya. Yang masih muda dan single seperti saya tentu saja berdoa biar dapat pasangan hidup #eaaa #bukannyasayadesperate #lhakansayadoanyasamaTuhan #bukankemanusia #iyaiyaneng #hashtagnyakokgakkelar2sih

*My prince charming, gak usah sungkan pake GPS atau nanya alamatku sama orang ya, jangan nyasar terus. OK? :D*

Sayangnya sepanjang tangga menuju puncak Jabal Rahmah yang ditandai tiang beton berukuran kurang lebih 1x6 meter ini banyak pedagang dan tukang foto dadakan yang mengganggu pengunjung. Mereka memaksa kita mau difoto oleh mereka. Saya sempat diminta tolong oleh seorang ibu dari Turki untuk mengambil fotonya dengan background tugu di Jabal Rahmah, eh dengan seenaknya si fotografer amatir merebut kamera polaroid ibu itu dari tangan saya. Ya jadinya kita tarik-tarikan kamera lah. Dan akhirnya setelah si fotografer itu disemprot sama si ibu, baru dia melepaskan pegangannya.

Belum lagi pengemis-pengemis cilik dan *maaf* cacat yang bertebaran di tangga menangis menjerit minta sedekah. Gak di Arab atau di Indonesia, di sekitar tempat-tempat seperti itu pasti banyak pengemis. Bukannya tidak mau memberi sedekah atau apa, tapi menurut saya memberi uang begitu saja tidak akan membantu mendewasakan anak-anak itu.

"Give a man a fish and he won't starve for a day. Teach a man how to fish and he won't starve for his entire life" - Chinese proverb

(tapi mereka kan masih anak2, lagian songong banget kamu neng, sok bisa ngajarin orang | ya emang ini kan sotoy dan songong2nya saya)

Balik lagi ke Jabal Rahmah. Diatas bukit ini biasanya para jamaah haji/umroh berdoa. Ada yang cuma melihat-lihat dan berfoto. Beberapa jamaah dari negeri lain yang solat lantas berdoa. Ada juga yang berebutan menulis nama dengan spidol di tugu beton penanda puncak Jabal Rahmah itu. Sampai-sampai bagian bawah tugu itu menghitam penuh tulisan. Konon, kalau menulis nama sendiri dan nama pasangan, maka hubungannya akan langgeng. Kata muthawif saya, itu semacam tourist trap, lha wong sewa spidol untuk menulis nama saja harus membayar 5 real.

Bawahnya item banget, itu bekas spidol semua

Padahal kalau dipikir-pikir, untuk menghormati pertemuan dua manusia pertama di muka bumi ini gak perlu menulis nama segala. Toh jaman Adam dan Hawa waktu bertemu juga tidak menulis nama di tugu. Boro-boro nulis nama, spidol saja waktu itu belum ada. Bahkan tugu betonnya pun belum ada sepertinya. Jadi doa saja cukup tanpa harus berlebihan berebutan menulis nama seperti itu.

Ah, tapi ini pemikiran saya sendiri. Biasalah, sotoy :)

Ala Nguping Jakarta

2011-04-28T13:42:00.003+07:00

Terinspirasi dari blog yang menghibur ini saya jadi kepikiran mau membagi beberapa cerita/ dialog absurd yang pernah saya alami.

Tentu saja nama pelaku dirahasiakan :D

Gak usah pake binatang sekalian gimana?

X: "Pak, kebabnya satu. Gak usah pake taneman."

Didengar oleh teman yang prihatin si X selama ini bukan makan sayuran tapi tanaman.

Kalau gitu renangnya zig-zag saja.

Teman: "Eh,kita nanti gak dapet sepatu katak semua bwt snorkeling, ntar kalo diseruduk babi laut gimana?"

Didengar seorang teman yang pengen dorong orang itu ke laut.

Sekalian buka fitness center deh.

Sedang membahas pedometer (alat penghitung langkah)

Mahasiswi frustasi: "Harusnya orang yang bikin alat kayak gitu mikir biar alatnya bisa digunakan semua kalangan. Kalau pocong sama suster ngesot kan gak bisa pake. Hantu kan juga butuh sehat..."

Didengar oleh temannya yang pingin masang alat penggetok kepala otomatis diatas kepala si mahasiswi ini.

Somewhere in Middle East

2011-04-25T17:37:00.004+07:00

Breakfast

A mosque by the sea

Fighting The Cancer

2011-03-14T16:00:00.009+07:00

*sambungan dari cerita sebelumnya*

2 minggu pasca operasi

Saya balik ke rumah sakit untuk mengangkat jahitan. Sebenarnya yang dilakukan dokter hanya memotong ujung-ujungnya, karena benangnya diserap oleh tubuh. Hasil jahitannya? Cukup panjang dan melintang. Beberapa cm diatas puser trus belok kiri disebelah puser dan berhenti beberapa cm di bawah puser. Sempat saya kepikiran bikin tatto tanaman, dimana bekas luka adalah batang pohonnya dan nanti minta digambarin daun dan bunga di ujungnya :D

Setelah itu dokter juga memberi tahu hasil lab saya. Dan ternyata...*drum roll* tumor saya sudah bermetastasis. Diputuskan bahwa saya menderita kanker ovarium stadium 1C. Jadi tumor yang sudah diangkat itu di ovarium sebelah kiri, tapi masih ada kanker ovarium di sebelah kanan.

Ada 2 prosedur medis yang paling umum selain operasi untuk mengobati kanker. Yaitu kemoterapi dan radiasi. Kemoterapi adalah prosedur untuk memasukkan obat-obatan ke tubuh pasien dengan tujuan membunuh sel-sel kanker, tapi seringnya sel-sel sehat lainnya ikut dibunuh obat ini. Sementara radiasi adalah penyinaran untuk menghancurkan jaringan-jaringan yang terkena kanker.

Yang umum dilakukan adalah kombinasi antara operasi, kemoterapi dan radiasi. Dan, pengobatan yang akan saya lakukan adalah kemoterapi. Sudah terbayang gimana gak enaknya proses itu. Banyak efek sampingnya, mual muntah, diare, rambut rontok, anemia, tidak nafsu makan dll.

Dokter bilang, yang terpenting adalah dukungan keluarga, dan pasien sendiri harus kuat, fisik maupun mental untuk meminimalisir efek samping kemoterapi ini. Menurut plan dokter, kemoterapi saya itu akan dilakukan 4 kali, masing-masing berjarak 3 minggu. Tiap kali sesudah kemo akan dites darah lagi untuk melihat kondisi saya. Dan juga perkembangan kankernya.

Nah, bagaimana bisa ketahuan kabarnya kanker yang ada di dalam badan saya? Kan gak kelihatan. Untuk itu kadar "sesuatu" dalam darah saya akan dites. Istilahnya tumor marker. Jadi dari situ akan ketahuan, apakah masih ada substansi asing penyebab tumor/kanker itu dalam darah saya.

Sebelum awal operasi sih, tumor marker yang dites pada saya adalah CA125,AFP dan Beta-HCG. Dari hasil pemeriksaan lab, sebelum dan setelah operasi, kadar CA125 dan Beta-HCG masih normal. Tapi kadar AFP yang cukup tinggi. Jadi untuk selanjutnya yang jadi parameter kesuksesan kemoterapi adalah seberapa turun AFP saya.

Cukup sebegitu saja tesnya? Tentu tidak :)

Tiap kali mau di kemo, saya juga masih harus tes darah, apakah jumlah sel darah merah, sel darah putih, Hb dan kawan-kawannya sudah memenuhi syarat *tadi sudah saya jelaskan kalau salah satu efek kemo bisa menyebabkan anemia kan?*.

Dan memang, Hb saya sempat turun setelah operasi. Sampai-sampai saya harus menghabiskan 7 kantung darah pasca operasi. Untunglah darah-darah itu mengalir lewat infus, bisa stres saya kalau harus menaikkan Hb dengan cara minum 7 kantung darah itu. *ini cuma imajinasi sesat saya*

Setelahnya pun saya dicekoki jus jambu merah, obat-obatan herbal (kunyit putih lah, teh mahkota dewa lah, minyak buah merah lah), dan beberapa makanan lainnya yang mengandung antioksidan tinggi.

Ibarat perang, sel-sel kanker adalah musuh jahat yang harus diperangi. Kemoterapi adalah senjata berat yang digunakan untuk menumpas musuh. Mulai dari rudal, senapan antitank, meriam, shotgun, bazooka, granat, ranjau, dll. Sedangkan antioksidan dan obat herbal yang dikonsumsi adalah latihan militer dan nutrisi tingkat tinggi bagi para pasukan untuk persiapan melawan musuh. Biar menang perang harus siap pasukan terlatih dan senjata yang hebat kan? ;)

Dan gak ketinggalan, seorang jendral yang kuat, gagah berani dan cerdas untuk memimpin perang *mulai meracau*. Walaupun nanti banyak pasukan yang terluka, mati atau cacat, tapi dengan determinasi tinggi, seorang jendral perang yang keren akan selalu bisa membawa pasukannya memenangkan pertempuran kan? :D

Beruntunglah, jendral perang keren itu mendapat dukungan dari banyak pihak. Keluarga, sahabat, teman, tetangga, dokter, perawat, sesama pasien, bahkan orang yang baru dikenalnya pun mendukungnya. Dan yang paling utama adalah Tuhan yang gak pernah meninggalkannya :)

For all you gave to me God, i am so thankful. I'd never give up on You :)

"لا حول ولاقوة إلا بالله"

Balik lagi ke cerita semula. Jenis kemoterapi itu ada macam-macam. Dosisnya, jenis obatnya, lama terapinya, dll. Untuk saya, jenis terapi dilakukan selama 5 hari. Jadi 1 hari obatnya dimasukkan ke tubuh saya lewat infus, 1 hari istirahat, 1 hari lagi diberi obat, 1 hari lagi istirahat dan 1 hari lagi diberi obat. Persisnya 3 hari diberi obat lewat infus dan 2 hari istirahat di sela-selanya. Sepertinya saya bakal jadi mayor ruang rawat inap 8 RS. Syaiful Anwar selama beberapa bulan ke depan :D

Kemoterapi pertama

Pada waktu kemo pertama kali, hasil tes darah saya sangat-sangat memenuhi syarat. Betapa tidak, selama di rumah saya makan-tidur-makan-tidur terus. Dalam 2 minggu saya berhasil menaikkan berat badan saya 4kg. Keren bukan? :D *padahal biasa aja :p*

Dan saya kelihatan amat sehat saat itu, jadi saya ditanya sama pasien lain yang kebetulan sekamar, "sakit apa?". Pertanyaan itu akhirnya menjadi pertanyaan paling sering ditanyakan orang lain pada sesi kemoterapi selanjutnya.

Terapi yang pertama ini berjalan cukup sukses, infus dan obat-obatan lancar. Hari pertama saudara saya datang berkunjung dan nanya, "Mbak ika gak muntah-muntah? Biasanya orang dikemo kan muntah". Saya yang saat itu ngerasa sehat-sehat dan memilih menginduksi diri dengan pikiran positif menjawab, "Ika kan sehat, kuat, gak akan muntah kok". Eh...besoknya saya mual muntah.

Besok-besoknya tiap kali obat dimasukkan lewat infus paginya, sorenya saya muntah. Beruntunglah ada ibu saya yang telaten menemani saya di rumah sakit. Ibu selalu menyiapkan teh hangat dan gak bosan-bosan menyupport saya. Karena saya belum berpengalaman, 5 hari kemo pertama ini saya manja sekali tidak mau mandi. Hanya diseka air hangat saja. Jorok dan bau sekali >.<

Setelah selesai satu sesi kemoterapi ini, saya boleh pulang ke rumah dan 3 minggu kemudian balik ke rumah sakit untuk kemo ke-2.

Kemoterapi kedua, ketiga dan keempat

Seminggu setelah kemo, saya dites darah dulu, untuk cek AFP. Dan kadarnya masih belum turun, sama seperti sebelum kemo pertama. Dan seminggu sesudahnya ada tes darah lagi untuk cek eritrosit, trombosit dan Hb. Dan sesi kemoterapi kedua ini masih tetap berjalan sesuai plan semula.

Saya daftar sendiri di poli rawat jalan dulu paginya. Kemudian daftar dan masuk ke rawat inap. Bawa barang-barang sendiri. Baru kemudian sorenya kakak saya datang menemani saya. Dan terapi ketiga dan selanjutnya juga seperti itu. Bahkan malam sebelum terapi keempat saya sempat minta ijin perawat untuk pergi ke mall dulu sama kakak saya. Dan dibolehkan :hammer:

Setelah terapi kedua ini efek sampingnya mulai terasa. Selain mual muntah, rambut saya juga mulai rontok, anemia, nafsu makan menurun dan timbul ruam-ruam aneh di badan saya. Tapi sekali lagi saya berterimakasih tak terhingga atas rahmat Tuhan dan dukungan serta cinta dari keluarga dan sahabat saya.

Awal diberitahu dokter, kemoterapi saya sebanyak 4 sesi. Jadi pada terapi keempat saya sudah senang sekali. Saya akan terbebas dari selang infus, obat-obatan, tes darah hampir tiap minggu dan efek samping yang tidak menyenangkan ini. Sudah bosan rasanya saya ditusuk jarum suntik.

Tapi setelah tes darah untuk cek AFP setelah terapi keempat, dokter menyatakan bahwa saya harus melakukan kemoterapi 2 sesi lagi. Jadi total 6 sesi. Ah, tidak percaya rasanya, padahal saya sudah merasa benar-benar sehat dan mulai muak dengan semua efek samping terapi. Tapi bagaimanapun, dokter tentu lebih tahu daripada saya, dan mau gak mau saya harus mempersiapkan diri lagi untuk kemo kelima dan keenam *sigh*

Kemoterapi kelima

Ini adalah kemoterapi dengan efek terburuk yang saya rasakan. Hb saya turun dibawah normal, jadinya saya harus ditransfusi dulu sebanyak 2 kantung. Memasang selang infusnya susah, sempat macet pula saat diberi obat, jadinya harus dipindah jarumnya. Pada saat sesi terapi saya juga muntah berat, tidak nafsu makan dan badan saya sakit semua. Mungkin ini akibat dari kondisi psikis saya juga. Saya benar-benar tidak siap untuk sesi kelima ini. Benar-benar 5+2 hari yang menyiksa. Saat sudah diperbolehkan pulang saya senaaaaaannng sekali.

Kemoterapi keenam

Kondisi psikis saya sudah jauh lebih baik saat ini. Saya sudah bisa menerima kenyataan sepertinya, bahwa terapinya harus 6 sesi :D

Walaupun terapi yang ini lebih lama daripada yang sebelumnya, karena lagi-lagi saya harus ditransfusi darah dulu karena Hb rendah, tapi saya senang karena ini adalah sesi terakhir. Terakhir untuk selamanya saya harap, Aamiin. Sudah cukup 6 bulan saja kemoterapi saya :)

Seminggu setelahnya saya cek AFP lagi dan alhamdulillah, kadarnya turun di bawah batas normal. Jadi saat itu dinyatakan bahwa kemoterapi saya berhasil. Tapi saya masih diharuskan untuk cek darah setiap bulan untuk memantau kadar AFP.

Pertengahan 2007

Saya rutin cek AFP tiap bulan dan alhamdulillah hasilnya normal. Karena sudah setahun sejak terakhir kali terapi, maka untuk selanjutnya cek AFP saya cukup dilakukan tiap 3 bulan sekali. Dan alhamdulillah lagi, selanjutnya kadarnya masih tetap normal.

Pertengahan 2008 saya pindah ke Cikarang. Dan sejak saat itu saya belum pernah cek AFP dalam darah saya lagi. Bandel ya, saya? Harusnya sih saya masih tetap cek AFP sampai sekarang. Dan sekarang sudah 5 tahun sejak operasi dan kemoterapi. Kalau yang pernah saya dengar sih, setelah 5 tahun itu biasanya akan dicek ulang, dan dilihat apakah masih ada kanker itu dalam tubuh saya. Dan setelahnya dokter akan memutuskan apakah saya sembuh total atau tidak.

Dan saya belum mengecek sampai sekarang. Saya begitu menikmati 5 tahun ini tanpa ada keluhan apa-apa pada ovarium saya. Saya sedikit takut sepertinya. Takut hasil tes tidak seperti yang saya harapkan. Ah, tapi sudahlah. Bukankah selama 5 tahun ini saya berhasil melewatinya dengan positif thinking pada Tuhan? Saya harus yakin juga kali ini :)

Semoga benar, tidak ada apa-apa. Dan saya divonis, SEMBUH TOTAL. Aamiin....

What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger - Friedrich Nietzche

*(maybe considered) to be continued

**btw apa kabar "isi perut" saya yang 6kg itu ya? ada sih poto tumornya jaman dulu pas baru dikeluarkan, tapi disturbing picture sekali...

It's Been 5 Years

2011-03-10T15:05:00.007+07:00

Kali ini saya mau posting dalam mothertongue aja. Alasan? So i dont missed any details yang kemungkinan gak tersampaikan dalam bahasa inggris, karena keterbatasan saya sendiri, hehehe. Kenapa juga ujug-ujug saya bikin postingan seperti ini? Tentu ada alasannya. Dan postingan ini masih bersambung nantinya. Dimohon sabar aja untuk nunggu kelanjutan ceritanya *kayak ada yang mau baca aja :D*

Dan dapat dipastikan yang saya tulis ini bukan hoax lhoo, tapi pengalaman pribadi ^^

Sudah 5 tahun berlalu. 5-critical-years, that's what people said :)

31 Januari 2006

Hari itu adalah hari ulang tahun saya. Saya diantar ibu pergi ke laboratorium untuk USG, memeriksakan kandungan. Apa saya hamil? Kayaknya mustahil, karena saya belum pernah NIKAH dan atau KAWIN. Tapi perut saya membuncit dan keras seperti orang hamil *kira2 perut saya seperti ilustrasi gambar diatas*

Ah, Ibu mana sih yang gak khawatir tahu perut anak gadisnya membesar seperti itu? :)

Saat diUSG, dokter menyatakan bahwa ada tumor/kista dalam perut saya. Kurang lebih 6 kg. Jujur saya enggak shock. Saya udah mengira-ngira sendiri sebelumnya. Sejak 6 bulan sebelumnya saya sering mengalami kram perut hebat. Dan pelan-pelan membuncitlah perut saya.

Saya emang ceroboh, apalagi masalah kesehatan. Mungkin kalau dari awal diperiksakan, ukuran tumornya belum sebesar itu. Tapi, masih untung yang ada dalam perut saya bukan kawat, beling, paku dsb :D
Dan sesuai anjuran dokter, besoknya saya memeriksakan diri ke rumah sakit.

Februari 2006

Berbekal hasil USG, saya periksa ke rumah sakit. Sama seperti diagnosa dokter lab, dokter di rumah sakit juga menyatakan bahwa saya menderita tumor. Tumor ovarium tepatnya. Dan mau gak mau, tumor itu harus diangkat lewat operasi.

Di bulan ini saya bolak-balik ke rumah sakit. Sebelum dioperasi, saya harus menjalani berbagai macam tes. Mulai dari tes darah (berkali-kali), urine, paru-paru, ginjal, jantung, anestesi, bahkan beberapa tes USG lagi.

Sampai akhirnya diputuskan bahwa saya akan menjalani operasi tanggal 6 Maret. Mengapa lama sekali? Sebulan lebih dari mulai saya periksa pertama kali. Apa karena saya periksa di rumah sakit umum daerah? Atau karena saya pakai kartu Askes (fasilitas sbg anak PNS)?

Saya gak mau berburuk sangka. Let's say ini adalah rumah sakit umum daerah. Yang jadi rujukan dari luar kota juga. Banyak pasien yang ditangani. Dan saya juga harus diperiksa dulu dengan seksama sebelum dioperasi. Jadi saya nikmati saja satu bulan ini :)

Sebelumnya, ayah saya diminta menandatangani surat persetujuan entah apalah itu. Intinya pas operasi nanti akan dilihat, apakah tumor ini sudah menyebar sehingga kandungan saya perlu diangkat. Ada kemungkinan bahwa tumor saya sudah ganas dan berkembang menjadi kanker. Tapi dokter meyakinkan, sebisa mungkin akan mempertahankan kandungan saya, biar saya gak menopause dini. Saya cuma bisa berdoa saja waktu itu.

3 Maret 2006

H-3 sebelum operasi saya. Hari itu saya mulai rawat inap di rumah sakit. Haruskah menunggu selama itu sambil menginap di rumah sakit sebelum operasi? Ah mungkin ini memang prosedurnya.

Saya ditemani kedua orangtua dan kakak saya. I am so thankful to have them. They were there to accompany me through that time. There are no hard or difficult things if the people who loves you are around :)

5 Maret 2006

Malam sebelum operasi, isi perut saya dikuras habis. Dan saya diminta tidak makan apa-apa sampai operasi. Satu lagi, saya diminta untuk tidur nyenyak agar fit keesokan harinya. Tidur nyenyak? Hmm baiklah, saya usahakan :)

6 Maret 2006

Pagi-pagi saya sudah bersiap. Sehabis mandi saya memakai baju operasi warna hijau muda. Sekitar jam setengah 9, ayah mengantarkan saya ke ruang operasi. Saya mau jalan sendiri menuju ruang operasi, tapi ternyata tidak dibolehkan. Saya harus dituntun di kursi roda. Benar-benar seperti orang sakit saja :D

Sebelum memasuki lorong ruang operasi, ayah berpesan pada saya. Banyak-banyaklah mengingat Allah dan membaca shalawat Nabi. Beliau dan ibu akan selalu mendoakan dari luar kamar operasi.

Di lorong ruang operasi saya menunggu sebentar. Kata perawat sambil memasang selang infus, ruang operasinya sedang dipersiapkan. "Gak usah takut, santai aja", katanya.

Saya memang tidak takut. Justru saya merasa tenang. Semuanya sudah saya pasrahkan sama Allah. Dan sayup-sayup terdengar lagu Phil Collins dari pengeras suara.

Oh, think twice, it's just another day for
For you and me in paradise
Oh, think twice, it's just another day
For you, you and me in paradise

Okay, lagu ini emang menenangkan, tapi kenapa juga di liriknya ada kata-kata "paradise"? :D

Tak lama kemudian saya dibawa masuk ke ruang operasi. Ruangannya besar, terang dan dingin. Seperti di film. Ada lampu besar di tengah langit-langit. Beberapa orang ada disitu, memakai jubah operasi dan masker. Saya dibaringkan di meja operasi. Seorang perawat memasukkan obat bius lewat infus saya. Dan saya merasakan kesadaran saya perlahan menghilang.

Kesadaran saya mulai kembali saat saya dibawa ke ruang isolasi. Yang saya rasakan saat itu...dingin dan perut yang terasa perih dan agak panas. Sepertinya operasi pengangkatan tumor itu berhasil, karena saya sudah tidak merasakan tekanan di rongga dada yang bikin napas saya berat seperti sebelum dioperasi.

Seharusnya setelah semalam berada di ruang isolasi besoknya saya sudah bisa dipindah ke ruang rawat inap. Tapi karena saya belum buang angin, saya harus berada di ruang isolasi semalam lagi. Betapa kentut itu adalah hal yang berharga *sigh*

Esoknya saya dipindah ke ruang rawat inap karena saya sudah bisa buang angin. Dan saya tidak pernah meremehkan kentut lagi setelah saat itu *halah*

Menurut dokter obgyn yang menangani saya, selain mengangkat tumor yang bersarang di ovarium kiri, kelenjar getah bening dan usus buntu saya diangkat, demi mencegah penyebaran. Tapi alhamdulillah, kandungan saya tidak diangkat. Dan tumor sebesar 6kg itu dibawa ke lab untuk diperiksa lebih lanjut.

Dan hari-hari setelahnya, saya sering kedatangan tamu. Saudara, tetangga, teman kuliah, teman sekolah. I just could thank them for their supports and embrace. Dan berdoa semoga Allah membalas kebaikan mereka semua dengan yang lebih baik :)

5 hari kemudian saya keluar dari rumah sakit dan pulang ke rumah. Bisa lebih cepat sebenarnya, cuma karena satu insiden di suatu pagi saya harus menginap satu hari lebih lama.

Jadi begini ceritanya, jadi saya itu disarankan biar sering jalan-jalan. Pelan-pelan tentunya. Awalnya sih masih takut-takut karena luka operasinya masih berasa perih, apalagi pas batuk rasanya seperti jahitannya jebol *hiperbola*. Hari itu saya banyak berada di luar kamar, jalan-jalan, duduk-duduk di luar sambil baca koran. Mungkin karena kelamaan di luar jadinya saya masuk angin. Dan paginya saya muntah-muntah. Benar-benar pengalaman muntah yang paling tidak enak. Rasanya seperti waktu batuk, jahitan serasa mau jebol.

Ah iya, pasca operasi berat badan saya tinggal 42kg. Tinggal tulang dan kentut. Tentu saja, karena yang 6kg sudah diangkat. Jadi misi saya setelah pulang dari rumah sakit adalah menambah 8 kg untuk mencapai berat badan ideal saya :D

*to be continued

**jadinya kok saya dianggep cerita horor sih posting beginian? padahal kan cuma mau share, hueee *mukul2 dada cimot* #lhaa #cimotlagi

How To Relieve Menstrual Cramps

2011-02-22T18:38:00.007+07:00

Women must be familiar with PMS(Premenstrual Syndrome). Wiki says that PMS is a collection of physical and emotional symptoms related to a women's menstrual cycle. Let's say simply (and harshly), it is women's jerk-time :D
Like it is not hard enough with the PMS, there is another problem to deal, menstrual cramps. Most women i know, experience some degree of menstrual cramps. The pain can be varies, from mild to severe. The cramps may felt in abdomen, in back, or even down the legs.

Here are some methods and foods to relieve the cramps:
1. Reduce caffeine, soda, fat, processed sugars, salt and alcohol. Wait, alcohol? Umm, indeed i don't consume it but so as readers know.
2. Vitamins that would help are vitamin B and E. *silakan nyemil beras dan taoge*
3. Increase potassium, magnesium and calcium. Do you think of eating metal bars or nails and so on? No you don't have to do that debus thing.
Easy choice for potassium: banana and orange *yaaayy, love these fruits*

For magnesium: lentils and nuts
For calcium: milk, cheese and yogurt.

4. Keep the body hydrating, could be by drinking plenty of water or consuming plenty of fresh fruits and veggies.
5. Do some mild exercises (walking, mild stretching, etc) will increase blood flow so it will help the cramps to go away.
6. Apply heat to your muscles when cramps occur. Try to put a hot water bottle on your abdomen or lower back.
7. Curling up or nestle on bed or couch like a baby would help *for me, mostly*

8. Consume herbs like the traditional jamu-kunyit-asem or else pain-killers drug.

Hope those tips above workin' for you women ;)

*dan tadi malem saya bela-belain beli pisang impor demi mengurangi derita kram perut inih, tapi sepertinya belum mateng bener, kurang manis rasanya :D*

Everyone Has A Good Side?

2011-02-06T23:36:00.004+07:00

Though he's lazy and lack of intelligent, he still has a good side, which is his loyalty to his bestfriend.
I believe that everybody has a good side. Even a conman has good side too, whether it shown only to his family or his pet.

*ya gak, 'res?*

No More Lad from Sunny Spain

2011-02-01T09:09:00.009+07:00

There'll be no more pics like these:

No more song like this

He was amazing in Atletico, and shining in Liverpool. Hope he plays excellent everywhere. But rite now i'm just disappointed.

*Kalo dulu suka Liverpool karena ada Torres, sekarang Torres udah pergi tetep lebih suka mendukung anak2 Melwood daripada Chelsea. Frankly. Kayaknya jadi jatuh cinta beneran sama Liverpool :">*

If so, no Torres no problem. YNWA. I hope Liverpool recruits this player, one of my fave Indonesian footballer :D

*lhooo, jangan deh....Cimot di Arema Indonesia aja :D*
*lagian posisi juga gak nyambung jek :P*

Beauty Treatment or Torture?

2011-01-25T14:45:00.006+07:00

Naturally, women always want to look good. Admit it, women! :p

Some do it in an effortless way, but some others do not mind to make harder effort to look prettier or to maintain their beauty, by themself at home or at beauty clinic. What i mean here with "effort" are, time to do the beautifying process, the treatment's costs and also the pain.

The pain?

Well, some of beauty treatment really painful, literally :)

I myself, uh...i do not mind to make effort but not that much. These are beauty treatments i ever had, face treatments particularly :

1. Facial

2. Chemical Peeling

Both are painful, i even felt like wanna scream when i had my first facial. Imagine when your blackheads (komedo) are forcely pushed away with little metal spatula. And when you're chemical peeled, some chemical cream were applied on your skin. And it left poignant feeling on your skin face. Even Elly explained it as razor blade crumbled were applied on your face. Ok, that's hyperbolic, but the poignant feeling is TRUE.

3. Microdermabrasion

Do you ever wonder when your skin face got rubbed by emery paper (baca: diamplas)? That is exactly how it feels. Not by paper ofcourse, i don't know what kind of tool they used. I was eyes-closed. This illustration below is totally manipulating. Look at her plain face. You won't be looking like that when you face this treatment. I was almost burst to cry, so awwwwful >.<

4. Acne injection

Face. Pimple. Needle. Yeah, that's it. Do i need to explain that more, uh?

There are still many other treatments. Botox injection, laser therapy, plastic surgery, liposuction and so on. Painful and costs alot. I wonder why does it named beauty treatment, instead of torture?

Wishlists in January

2011-01-13T09:49:00.004+07:00

Hello January!! Kissy kissy from me, muah :* (telaaaatt, udah tanggal 13 >.<)

I won't post my nu year's resolution here, i'll keep it for myself, thank you :)

Instead of it, i'll write down my wishlists. Here they are:

1. Cute shawl

2. Star projector

3. A pair of fitflop

Jadi kapan kita belanja nih? :D

Lunch at Pasta de Waraku

2010-12-27T23:35:00.012+07:00

As a pasta lover, how can't i resist such display like these one?

Tempted, eh?

So as a result, i try this Pasta de Waraku at Grand Indonesia, east mall, level 3A with her for lunch this last Saturday. We had to wait for about 10 minutes first. Soon after we had our table, we read the menu list.

The prices are *as i can remember*:

IDR 38K-68K ++ for most Pastas, Pizzas and Gratins

IDR 10K ++ for Japanese Tea (refillable)

IDR 15K ++ for Ice Lemon Tea

*all prices are subject to 10% government tax and 5% service tax*

Pricey eh? And the portion is too small for that price. This is my order, Penne Gratin Prawn something *i forget the name, sigh*

About the taste?

It's fine, cheesy enough but quite salty to me. *I have a low tolerant on salt* :(

There are extra gratin, pepper and chili powder. Ah, and i didn't find any chili or tomato sauce bottles on table *~~emangnya PeHa?~~*

first pic taken from here

Dasa Dharma Pramuka

2010-12-27T10:57:00.004+07:00

I'm kinda forgetful person. I use to search this term on google but i always forget it soon after. So instead of googling it every time, i'll write it down here :D

Scout Law (Dasa Dharma Pramuka)

1. Believe in God the Almighty

Takwa kepada Tuhan yang Maha Esa.

2. Preserve nature and love each other

Cinta alam dan kasih sayang sesama manusia.

3. Be an affable and knightly patriot

Patriot yang sopan dan ksatria.

4. Be obedient and collegial

Patuh dan suka bermusyawarah.

5. Help others with compliance and resilience

Rela menolong dan tabah.

6. Be diligent, skilled and cheerful

Rajin, terampil, dan gembira.

7. Be provident and simple

Hemat, cermat, dan bersahaja.

8. Exercise discipline, be brave and faithful

Disiplin, berani, dan setia.

9. Be accountable and trustworthy

Bertanggung jawab dan dapat dipercaya.

10. Have purity in mind, word and act

Suci dalam pikiran, perkataan, dan perbuatan.

My Buddies Wedding

2010-12-26T09:21:00.006+07:00

This two months i had attended my best friends wedding. November, 21st at Indri's and December, 4th at Vivi's. Can't believe that you both entering new life, galz. Congrats to you both. Have a happy and blessed married life ^^

Indri's

Vivi's

And mine? :D

Mister International 2010

2010-11-28T08:59:00.017+07:00

Since last thursday, i've been disturbed (in good way, of course) by the L-Men Mister International 2010 adv contest on TV. It was held in Jakarta, November 20th 2010 and followed by 40 countries. And the show was aired on November 27th 2010 on Trans7. Just imagine, parade of 40 hot hunks on TV is hard to resist, no? :D

So last night i watched the show and completely amazed with those hunks. Subhanallah *big grin*. Those body figures seemed like been perfectly sculpted. I dont know how hard men build their body since i am gifted with lean bod -Thank God- #diamukmassa. Yet as i ever read once in man magz that that kind of bod wasn't built easily. Rome wasn't built in a day, rite eh? Need alot of work out, discipline, healthy nutrition and balance lifestyle. So, big appreciation to the contestants and men out there who can bring it off.

The fully show itself was entertaining i think. The contestants are hot. The winner is among top of the top hottie (except the KD part *ini tante2 nyanyi gak pake gatel napa?*). Here are the contestants i like:

1. Azerbaijan
Name: Elnur Tagiiev
Age: 20

2. Brazil
Name: Caio Lucius Ribeiro
Age: 20

(Ricardo Kaka KW in chicken fur) :D

3. France
Name: Jordan Haag
Age: 19

4. Great Britain
Name: Ryan Terry
Age: 22

5. Spain
Name: Luis Alberto Maicas
Age: 20

*pada brondong2 semua >.<*

If i were the judge i will choose those guys i've mentioned as top 5, but unfortunately i weren't :D
The winner is Great Britain, 1st runner-up is Brazil, 2nd runner-up is Spain, 3rd runner-up is Indonesia and 4th runner-up is Greece.

Awkay, add one more country to travel, Azerbaijan >:)

Source: from here and here

*semoga ada siaran ulangnya di tipi, hehehe*

Happy 25th November

2010-11-25T23:37:00.005+07:00

Your touch heals me
Your hug warms me
Your smile comforts me
You're a special gift
The special gift God gave to me
Love you Mom

Hugs and kisses,
Your daughter

A Love Letter For Torres

2010-11-09T09:55:00.005+07:00

Tumbenan kali ini saya posting tulisan dalam Bahasa Indonesia. Bukannya saya gak cinta Bahasa Indonesia dan terlalu bule-minded dengan memakai Bahasa Inggris. Indeed, saya cuintaaaa mati sama Indonesia. Kali ini saya mau posting sesuatu, yang takutnya kalau saya tulis dalam bahasa Inggris, akan berubah esensi maknanya karena keterbatasan bahasa saya :D

Ini semua diawali dari obrolan geje dengan seorang kawan lama tadi malam. Dimana yang bersangkutan memberi tahu saya tentang Ummu Sulaim. Beliau adalah seorang wanita bangsawan yang terkenal dengan keimanannya di jaman Rasulullah saw. Tapi postingan kali ini tidak membahas Ummu Sulaim kok. Hanya saja saya terinspirasi dengan perkataan beliau saat beliau mau dilamar saudagar kaya Quraisy. Fyi, pada saat itu Ummu Sulaim ini sudah menjadi mualaf dan si pelamar adalah Abu Talhah yang masih kafir. Rude eh, my word? Ofcourse no, di keterangannya begitu kok, hehehe. *ngeles mode on*

Naaahhhh....berikut ini adalah kata2 saya yang terinspirasi oleh perkataan beliau. Ada yang saya edit sedikit tentu saja, hehehe. Tapi esensinya masih sama aja kok. Dan, karena saya sangat amat ngefans sekali Fernando José Torres Sanz*, maka tentu saja ini ditujukan kepadanya. Love you Torres *smooch* *kumat* :))

Oh iya, sebelumnya saya mau bilang. Bukannya saya mau bawa2 SARA dengan religion issue, tapi ini kan cuma curahan hati saya aja. Sekedar iseng, so random kalau saya bilang. Lagipula kemungkinan dibaca sama Torres pun satu banding semilyar. Emangnya Torres bisa baca tulisan Bahasa Indonesia? :D

Here it is...

Dear Fernando Torres,
saya tahu orang seperti Anda tidak akan ditolak kalau melamar wanita. Akan tetapi kita berbeda keyakinan. Tidak halal bagi saya untuk kawin dengan Anda. Namun jika Anda masuk Islam, maka yang demikian dapat menjadi maharku. Saya tidak meminta selain itu. Perihal baby Nora, saya bersedia menjadi ibu tirinya.

:hammer: :hammer: :hammer:

*Fernando José Torres Sanz, born 20 March 1984, nicknamed El Niño (The Kid in Spanish),is a Spanish footballer who plays for Liverpool and the Spain national team as a striker.

P.S: If any of you, mau berbaik hati mentranslate surat cinta saya buat Torres, saya akan sangat amat berterimakasih :D

I Write Like Stephen King

2010-11-04T21:26:00.006+07:00

When i randomly blogwalking, i found a site to analyze our writing. It is http://iwl.me/
It checks which famous writer we write like. I don't understand the algorithm of course. It just said that our word choice and writing style are compared with those of the famous writers.

And here is my result.

I write like
Stephen King

I Write Like by Mémoires, journal software. Analyze your writing!

What is yours?

By the way, who is Stephen King? :hammer:

In Memoriam of My Lovely Dad

2010-10-24T23:30:00.005+07:00

Today is October 24th. My dad was born at this date 65 years ago. So happy birthday for you daddy. Though you've passed away, your lessons and your kindness to me will always remain still :)

Between all of his children, maybe i'm the one who was more nurtured by him than my bro or sist. Cause since i was born, i was taken care by daddy. He was a sailorman (read this post), and quit that job when my mom was bearing me. Then he became an entrepreneur, and spent most time at home. So i passed most of my babyhood with him :)

My brother used to told me this story. When i was a baby, i whined alot. To calm me down my dad carried me behind his back. Once he painted the house. There were some men passing by and laughed. Maybe, a man painting house while carrying baby on the seemed amusing to them.

There are many sweet memories with him. When i was entering kindergarten, he's the one who accompanied me. He taught me to ride bike and motorbike. As i remember, i'm a slow learner in bike-ride-learning. I even bump into my neighbor's fence :D
Other memory is when i was in first grade of junior highschool. It was afternoon class, and i went to school by bike. My dad often rode motorbike behind me just to keep me accompanied. In weekend, when i went home, he always picked me up and treat me.

One thing i hardly forget is when he accompanied me during my illness. I dont mean to lowering my mom or my siblings. They all supported me together. Thank God for giving me a very precious family :)
Still many more memories that kept safely in my mind. I hope that those memories wont fade away ^_^
One of the greatest gift I ever had
Came from God, I call him Dad!

After Flood

2010-10-24T18:26:00.003+07:00

Few days ago, my room was flooded. It caused serious damage to some properties of mine. My books which i put on the floor are the first victim. They're all wet T_T
Then my digital camera too. I put it on those drowned books, so it got drowned also *sad*
Then my clothes which i put in a basket on the floor too =_='
Anddd...my mobile phone and laptop chargers. I've dried both. My mobile phone charger still could function well. But my laptop charger can't *crying*
Here's the pic of mud remained after the flood.

This morning i went to Jakarta to buy a new one. I went to Ratu Plasa at Senayan first. But i found nothing there. The adaptor stock is empty and they promise me it would be available in 8 weeks. WHAT?! 8 weeks without my lovely The Reds (my lappie's name), bored to death, no?
Then i went to Ambassador mall. There was DELL service center but now it's moving on to Mangga Dua mall. Shoot!

So, i ask him to buy me a charger at Mangdu, since he's there. Through confusing messages and calls, he bought me nothing, hahaha. Thank God, cause after then i found a store which sell original adaptor. Luckily, it's the same type with mine. Yaaayyyy *cheering*
Finally, i bought it, and now i can charge The Reds with this new adaptor and make this post. *dancing*

Amo La Pasta

2010-10-18T15:41:00.005+07:00

One of my post-Ied resolution is to cook Italian dish. I fancy Italian food, especially pasta. Since this is not food blog, i don't post the recipe. Just want to share a little bout those i've made.

There are many type of pasta.

Long Pasta

Short Pasta

Short Pasta

Minute Pasta (Pastina, used for soups)

Pasta all'uovo (egg pasta)

Fresh Pasta

Pasta for Pasta al forno (baked pasta) dishes

There are many sauce also to accompany pasta dishes. Such as bolognese sauce, pesto, carbonara, puttanesca, aglio olio, etc.
I've cooked two kind of sauce, which are bolognese and carbonara. While bolognese is tomato based sauce, carbonara is made of egg yolk and cream. Here are my two cooking.

Spaghetti Bolognese

Fettuccini Carbonara

Buon appetito! ^_^

Lebaran 2010

2010-10-04T22:25:00.008+07:00

Things happen and people change. Some are predictable and the rest aren't. Happiness comes, and sadness as well. But whatever the color of the day, whether grey, black, blue or yellow...YOU are the one who can pick it for coloring your day :)
Like these photos below, i choose bright color for my days ^___^

Cookies in jar

Morning breeze

Sometimes happiness is just as simple as curving your own lips into a smile.

Not A Fairytale

2010-08-27T22:58:00.003+07:00

Sleeping beauty sleeps peacefully in her place. Then prince charming comes. He wakes the princess up with his kiss.

Sleeping beauty opens her eyes. She thinks that the man stands beside her is her prince charming. Day by day, she passes her days with the prince charming. She seems happy at first. But later, she realizes that this prince charming is so corrupted. He even corrupts sleeping beauty, in a such way that the princess doesn't realized.

Then one day, prince charming shows his real "charm". He ruins her world. She is so disappointed. With all regrets and disappointment, she prefers to sleep again. Waiting for the real prince charming to come.

Sara Bareilles - Fairytale

Pageantry Parrot

2010-08-27T09:38:00.003+07:00

God must have been in good mood the day He created these creatures. Heavenly painted i think. I aint good enough at capturing the birds. This is so far, two images i like most from my birds-capturing-pics.

Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao)

Blue-and-yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna)

Have You Ever Meet The Angel?

2010-08-20T16:19:00.004+07:00

First, i want to ask. Do you believe in angel existence? If yes, how do you imagine them?
Fair white, gorgeous in shape, has pair of wings and a hallo above the head?
Well, that commonly angel shape that been dictated on book or movies.

But, have you ever concern? Angel may come in any form.
Maybe they come in a shape of old couple selling roasted corns. They do nothing specific for you. You just coincidentally saw them and feel the warmth. They are devoted and helpful to each other. And you are touched by their spirit to stand on their own feet and do not burden anyone at their old age.

In another time, you could see the angel's existence from the love of caring mom. She didn't mind to pick you up home in a hot midday. And she cooked you her best meal, one of your favorite dishes. She doesn't even complain when her children make fun about her motorbike-riding style, which is very slow. That because she is careful of herself and someone who rides with her.

Or once, it comes in a big hug of your good friend. When your heart is broken, she lends you her shoulder to cry on. Not only cheers you up, but she also holds your arms to help you stand up. Though she has her own problem, she doesn't hesitate to let you trash on her with your story just to makes you feel better.

Next time, the angel shows up in a smile of little toddler. She lightened up your day with sincere smile, a very sincere one. Whereas your mood is bad because of one thing and another. And somehow you feel so empty until you want to run away. And your tears are nearly pouring down. Then the little angel come just with one smile. It feels like she was telling you something. "Hey, an angel is just smiling at you, be happy".

So people, if you meet evil in many shape, don't worry. Angel come out in many more shape. You just have to realize when they're next to you ^^

Cooking Time

2010-08-19T10:23:00.009+07:00

Welcome Ramadhan *oh-so-late* :D
It's 9th days of Ramadhan, and Thank God i'm still fasting...full *grin*
One thing i'd like to write now. It is my cooking, yaaayy...umm not precisely my own cooking, but our cooking (me, Elly and Ester).

We've bought a magic jar (rice cooker+warmer all in one) before Ramadhan. And start to cook after then, but not often, just occasionally. So far i just cooked 3 times, wkwkwkw (instant food aren't counted).

1st cooking
Fried chicken(by Elly) and veggies soup(by me and Ester)

2nd cooking
no pic, but i cooked Chickpea with Baby Corn saute

3rd cooking
Shrimp Potatoes with Hot Sauce and Kangkung saute(by me and Ester)

All are simple. We are newbie, no? ehehehe
But i'm glad to do this, and learn to make better cooking :D

P.S: am wondering to make a good photographs of those cooking...

Random Thought

2010-07-28T18:25:00.009+07:00

This two months i feel so uncreative. No interesting posting and my mood is also gloomy gray. At office, i do nothing productive, a lot of daydreaming everyday. Kinda lost my passion, even in preparing or planning something fun. Where is me? *sigh*.

Okay, though this blog doesn't hit numerous reader, but it doesn't matter. I still like to write bout everything happens around me. My traveling journey, films or musics that i love to share with, my personal thought, etc. So random personal page, eh?

Everything i left back there, shouldn't influence me now, rite?
Hope soon i can stand still on my feet again and get my passion back. Not only mood, but yes, passion indeed.

You cannot move forward if you keep watching your back. #myrandomthought

P.S: Do you know what snowdrop means?

Nasi Tumpeng

2010-07-08T12:40:00.005+07:00

Suddenly, today i want to eat Nasi Tumpeng (Tumpeng Rice).

Tumpeng is a cone-shaped rice dish like mountain with its side dishes (vegetables and meat). Traditionally featured in the slamatan ceremony, the cone shape of rice is made by using cone-shaped weaved bamboo container. The rice itself could be plain steam rice, uduk rice (cooked with coconut milk), or yellow rice (uduk rice colored with kunyit (turmeric)). The cone shaped rice erected on tampah (rounded woven bamboo container) covered with banana leaf, and surrounded by assorted of Indonesian dishes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tumpeng

The problem is, i dont know how to cook it and prepare it. Well yeah, anyway there is no special occasion to be celebrated (Nasi Tumpeng is used to celebrate special or important event). I just want it!!

Sad Face

2010-06-19T15:06:00.007+07:00

Oh, why you look so sad?
Tears are in your eye,

I'll Stand By You - The Pretenders

You always say you hate to see me hurt, and you hate to see me cry. So all those times that you hurt me, did you close your eyes?
~Anonymous~

Insomnia Paranoia

2010-06-07T00:35:00.006+07:00

still want to count sheep, eh?

P.S: baru tau kalo bunyi "mbeeek"nya kambing itu di inggrisin jadi "baaa"

Shrek Forever After and Prince of Persia, The Sands of Time

2010-05-28T13:05:00.004+07:00

Two days ago i watched two movie respectively, Shrek Forever After and Prince of Persia,The Sand of Time.

Shrek Forever After

Shrek Forever After is another sequel after Shrek 1,2 and 3. Still tells about the same ogre but different problem. The story begins with the tale of Princess Fiona. A princess who is cursed and locked up in the tower guarded by dragon. The King and Queen of Far Far Away, which are Fiona's parents, ask someone for help. And that someone is Rumpelstiltskin. He wants to make deal with The King, but in a wicked-tricky way. He wants the kingdom.

Just a moment before The King signs the agreement, there come an information that Princess Fiona has already been saved. So the deal isn't made, and Rumpelstiltskin get mad and have a grudge to Shrek who saves Fiona.

Then the plot goes to Shrek's life. He already has 3 babies with Fiona. He seems happy at first, but lately the routinity makes him bored. He misses his previous life, free, feared by human, and careless. One day, he get very angry at his kid's birthday party. He argues Fiona then meet Rumpelstiltskin. Rumpelstiltskin knows that he has a chance to avenging his grudge, and offering Shrek a vicious deal.

Will Shrek make deal with Rumpelstiltskin? And how is the rest of the story? Just watch it yourself. I'm spoilering too much :D
Overall, i think this movie is darker and more mature than the predecessors. I laugh less, too. Doesn't mean this movie ain't funny. Still, it has its appeal too, yet i love Shrek 1 more ^_^

Prince of Persia, The Sands of Time

Prince of Persia is a videogame-based movie. It made by the team who brought the Pirates of Carribean trilogy to cinema. My first question about this movie is, why Jake Gyllenhaal? Well, i appreciate his effort to build his body for this film, but isn't there any other Persian actor or at least an actor with Persian's face?

Ok, so here is little plot spoiler. Prince Dastan (Jake Gyllenhaal) is an orphan who was adopted by King Sharaman, The King of Persia. Prince Dastan helps his brother, Prince Tus and Prince Garvis to conquer Alamut, an empire that been suspected to ally against Persia. Prince Dastan acquired a mysterious dagger during the siege. An dagger contains Sand of Time that kept by Princess Tamina (Gemma Arterton).

During the celebration of the conquer, Dastan wrongfully accused of poisoning King Sharaman. Then he is forced into exile, accompanied with Tamina. These both two seems can't get along at first. Along with the journey to save the dagger they can get along well.

This movie is kinda interesting though i can't capture the Persian exotism here. My favorite scene is rooftop running, jumping, climbing thing.. :D
Sorry to say but until the end i still think that Prince Dastan should not be played by Gyllenhaal. And i didnt see strong chemistry between him and Arterton in the movie, compared with Will-Elizabeth Turner in Pirates of Carribean.
Just my opinion after all ^_^

Orchid Edition

2010-05-25T15:08:00.006+07:00

Another pics to share with ^_^

Greeny White

Single Fighter

Obliviate

2010-05-21T16:41:00.008+07:00

Obliviate (oh-BLI-vee-ate) is one of spell at Harry Potter book. It used to modify or erase portions of someone's memory. I remember when Gilderoy Lockhart used this spell to Ron and Harry, but it backfired on to himself instead.

I guess i've been Obliviate-spelled. I kind of lost some memories, and dunno who cast me this spell. I admit that I have a problem with reminding something, but it get worse lately. Aaaarrrrggghhhhh!!! >.<

These are some list of things i forget (as i remembered) today :
1. My CDMA phone
I thought i lost it since a year ago, but yesterday nite i found it in my laptop case box. How come the phone get into the box? I really dont know (or even remember) about it.

2. My yellow mug
I just realized at noon that it wasn't placed on my desk as it used to be. Then i try to remember where the mug was. Then, taddaaaa...i found it in tea room. Omg, i put it there yesterday, and i forgot to bring it back.

3. My bank account number
I went to the ATM twice, because i forget my bank account number. Haven't wrote it yet on any note, too ~_~"

I'm not proud of it. Being a forgetful person is so tiring, and i try to find a way to overcome it. Hope i could diminish it T_T
Bon courage!!!

Sunset and Rain

2010-05-20T19:35:00.005+07:00

Just share some pics in my photo album, these two taken on my vacation to Karimun Jawa ^_^

The sunset

The rain

Will You Be My Shoulder When I'm Grey And Older?

2010-05-20T08:48:00.006+07:00

These nostalgic songs, remind me of the hustle bustle moment during finishing my bachelor thesis. I myself always love James Blunt's songs, though his voice ain't smooth and the songs are mostly dark and gloomy.

"High"

Beautiful dawn - lights up the shore for me.
There is nothing else in the world,
I'd rather wake up and see (with you).
Beautiful dawn - I'm just chasing time again.
Thought I would die a lonely man, in endless night.
But now I'm high; running wild among all the stars above.
Sometimes it's hard to believe you remember me.

Beautiful dawn - melt with the stars again.
Do you remember the day when my journey began?
Will you remember the end (of time)?
Beautiful dawn - You're just blowing my mind again.
Thought I was born to endless night, until you shine.
High; running wild among all the stars above.
Sometimes it's hard to believe you remember me.

Will you be my shoulder when I'm grey and older?
Promise me tomorrow starts with you,
Getting high; running wild among all the stars above.
Sometimes it's hard to believe you remember me

"Wise Men"

She said to me, "Go steady on me.
Won't you tell me what the Wise Men said?
When they came down from Heaven,
Smoked nine 'til seven,
All the shit that they could find,
But they couldn't escape from you,
Couldn't be free of you,
And now they know there's no way out,
And they're really sorry now for what they've done,
They were three Wise Men just trying to have some fun."

Look who's alone now,
It's not me. It's not me.
Those three Wise Men,
They've got a semi by the sea.
Got to ask yourself the question,
Where are you now?

Really sorry now,
They weren't to know.
They got caught up in your talent show,
With you pernickety little bastards in your fancy dress,
Who just judge each other and try to impress,
But they couldn't escape from you,
Couldn't be free of you,
And now they know there's no way out,
And they're really sorry now for what they've done,
They were three Wise Men just trying to have some fun.

Look who's alone now,
It's not me. It's not me.
Those three Wise Men,
They've got a semi by the sea.
Got to ask yourself the question,
Where are you now?

P.S: love the bold one ^_^

Does Love Hurt?

2010-05-07T14:59:00.005+07:00

Suddenly....just suddenly, because i have nothing to do at work, then found these pics randomly.

Of all pains, the greatest pain,
Is to love, and to love in vain.
~George Granville~

Why is it that we don't always recognize the moment love begins, but we always recognize the moment it ends?
~Anonymous~

You can close ur eyes to things u don't want to see, but you can't close your heart to things you don't want to feel.
~Anonymous~

I don't miss you and you alone, but I miss you and me together.
~Anonymous~

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
~Anonymous~

P.S: about the title, is there anyone who want to answer? ^_^

Carpe Diem

2010-05-06T10:28:00.005+07:00

yes do like same i do when i bored alot alot because of lesson and other things

GET A CAMERA GO OUT AND CARPE DIEM :D

- rizka - wrote:

> Gut, danke

> merhaba

>

> i'm fine, but just get bored because of the same routinity i've done...

> do you have any idea how to refresh my mind?

> :D

>

> Mithi wrote:

> > terime kasih

> >

> > i am okey still alive at least :D i was in another city for some research it made me so tired ..what about you i hope everything is ok

I woke up this morning normally at 6.45, then ironing my clothes and then took a bath. While i was taking a bath, suddenly this kind of random thought came into my mind. It was "Carpe Diem".

CARPE DIEM
Meaning

Usually translated from the Latin as 'seize the day', or sometimes as 'enjoy the day, pluck the day when it is ripe'.

Origin

The origin source for the Latin phrase is Horace - in Odes Book I:

Dum loquimur, fugerit invida
Aetas: carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero

which translates as:

While we're talking, envious time is fleeing: seize the day, put no trust in the future

Then i remember bout an old email which was sent by an old friend. A Turk who studies master degree in Germany. We met in social networking site. He's fond of Latin and photography. And he used to teach me some phrases in Turkish. Unfortunately, i lost contact. Last thing i know bout him is he was in the middle of sea something due to his study.

Anyway, thanks to you Mithi, who teaches me those word and particularly the "Carpe Diem" term.

Road to Bali Lombok (1)

2010-05-04T08:47:00.021+07:00

What will you do if u're a worker who works more than 60 hrs/week and u have a full-week-end-of-year holiday? Spend good time on the hoooooliday of course :D
That is exactly what i was doing at the end of 2009 holiday. I've prepared to go to Bali and Lombok since 2 months before.

At Thursday night, I and Elly went to Stasiun Jatinegara to took the train to Surabaya. We had same holiday destination, but a bit different itinerary and travel companion. I'm with Indri, and she's with Mba Luk. I met with Indri at Bungurasih then continued to Bali by bus. Indri was work and lived in Bali, so she could ask her friend to lend room and motorcycles which was very very useful for us both *thanks Yuan ^_^*

Okay, after heating my arse up for about 27 hrs (on train,bus,ferry,and taxi) we finally arrived at Kuta,Bali at Friday midnite. Then we successfully felt asleep easy in Yuan's room :D
The day after, drizzled washed Bali, made us feel lazy to went out. But finally, after it stopped we went out with Deni, Arif and Eriek (Indri's old friend from her previous office).

We made our first stop at Uluwatu temple.

This place has a great view (when i say great, i mean it). The temple, the cliff, the waves, just name it. They are all combined to make a spectacular place to see. Just beware of monkeys, some are quite aggressive.

Then we continued to Blue Point Beach and Padang-Padang Beach. Those two beaches are wonderful. Blue Point has picturesque view from above. This beach is also well-known for surfer because of its waves.

Padang-Padang located not far from Blue Point. This is the beach where Julia Robert took a scene for the making of Eat,Pray, Love movie.

Next beach is Dreamland. Crowded yet still beautiful. White sand and clear water. I met a cute baby boy named Andrea. He's so friendly and playful. Even i could took a picture with him :D

At afternoon, we went to Kuta beach on foot. Enjoying the sunset while cucimata-ing :))
Can't do better to end that superb day.

Artificially Uniquely Singapore part II

2010-04-30T14:33:00.032+07:00

Still a posting bout my traveling experience to Singapore. At 3rd day, we went to Singapore Botanic Garden. No direct way to this place by MRT, so at first we took MRT to Queenstown station. Actually, Commonwealth station is closer to the place than Queenstown, we just didn't know yet, eh :D

Then we took a bus, twice (forget the number) and got the closest bus stop with the Botanic Garden. It was at morning, but the temperature was quite hot already. We entered the garden, walked along the road and stopped near the swan lake. Then we walked again among the trees crossing the Ginger Garden to the Orchid Garden.

We saw the souvenirs shop, just sightseeing cos we can't afford to buy those expensive souvenirs (very low budget traveler we are :D). There are many Risis Orchid. The Risis orchid is a handcrafted model of Singapore's national flower. Real orchids are dipped in 24K gold and made into pins, brooches, earrings and pendants.

I myself like the orchid garden cos i could see lots of orchid and took the pics of many species that i've never seen before. But i had one question after saw those orchids. How do they keep it all bloom? Then the answer was coming right in front of my eyes. There are gardeners who brought fresh flowery orchid plants. Those flowery orchids then being arranged in some spot. Well yeah, so the curiosity was closed.

Then we continued to the museums. There are Singapore Philatelic Museum and Singapore National Museum on our list, but we didn't enter them cos they aren't free (again, low budget traveler mode on).

We just walked along the street, saw some directions in bus stop's plank. Then we found the Chijmes, which is not in our itinerary. Hell yeah, it is a chic place so we entered it.

Chijmes, was a Catholic convent and now a multifunction complex used for dining, entertainment and also shopping. The architecture is gothic style. According to wikipedia, it won a Merit Award in the UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation in 2002.

From Chijmes we continued walking around the street (yeah walking) to Bugis street. While we were walking we passed the National Library of Singapore. And we decided to enter it. Fortunately there was an exhibition held, named Rihlah. It's an exhibition of Arabs in Southeast Asia. So their origin is Hadramaut, somewhere in Yemen. First they came to Southeast Asia as merchant. They were spread to several city (as i remember, in Indonesia they came to Batavia and Malang, just that two city i could remember ^_^). Instead of merchandising, they also spread Islam to the local people.

After ate lunch at Bugis street, we went to Kampong Glam to look for mosque. Took the bus, we stopped by near the Bussorah pedestrian. And Sultan Mosque is right ahead the pedestrian. After had a pray, we walked along Kampong Glam area.

Many shophouses here, along Arab street, Baghdad street and Bussorah street. Souvenirs such as keyholders,T-shirts and many more are sold here. Textiles, carpets and Muslim's religious items are sold too. They blend with shophouses for crafts, art galleries, curious shops and restaurants. The whole atmosphere is pampering my sense.

A couple minutes after, the hard rain poured. We stayed at front of a shop terrace to wait the rain stop. As we were sitting, i watched people still walk away under the rain (using umbrella of course). What surprised me is the Singapore citizen seems not afraid of thunder and lightning. Unlike me, they just keep walking. I'm kinda afraid of the lightning and thunder (heard some stories bout people who were hit by lightning). Maybe, no one here in Singapore ever been hit by the lightning :D

Well then, we followed them. We walked under the hard rain till bus stop and then we went to Harbourfront station. My next destination is Henderson Waves actually. But it was night already when we got Mount Faber. It was dark too. So we canceled and went back to Harbourfront station. But there's still one place to go, the Chinatown.

I was pretty tired and hungry when i got here, so i couldn't enjoy the warm atmosphere. Le rouge est partout. I was dizzy to see that red color all around @_@. And my legs, felt like they need to be bandaged. In hunger, we were trying to find some food here, but all i saw around are pork and lard menu. Hopeless, we went back to Bugis, but even KFC was already closed.

Finally, we decided to buy something in supermarket. We found instant cup noodle, and they are halal (thank God). So each of us bought two cup noodles, for dinner and breakfast T_T

The morning after, i woke up late. My legs still felt painful. Plan of the day was just went to Bugis to find some souvenirs. This moment we went to Bugis on foot. Our Singapore Tourist Pass was just for 3 days use, and it was the 4th day we were in Singapore. Moreover, Lavender to Bugis street ain't too far, just a couple blocks right ahead.

After bought some things we went back, on foot again, in hurry. Cos our check out time is 12 o'clock and we finished shopping at about 11.45 :D
Luckily our backpack were already been packed, and so we check out from hostel then took MRT to Changi. By the way when we were boarding, i saw a beautiful creature God ever made :"> *hyperbolic*
A goodlooking man named Faisal, a Fly Emirates' employee (i saw it from his id :D). Unfortunately i didn't take his picture T_T

*tips:
- don't forget to return ur Singapore Tourist Pass card to get SGD10 deposit return
- after buying a single ticket for MRT you could also return the ticket and get SGD1
- muscular pain reliever is a MUST! i use Counterpain balm *ngiklan mode on*
- some museums are closed on Monday

She Will Be Loved

2010-04-30T12:31:00.004+07:00

This is my favorite song ever from Maroon 5. I fall for it since i heard for the first time. And though it's been a couple of years i still love it, love it and love it. Whether i'm happy or sad, bright or mellow, this song is always there. Can't resist Adam's voice and the appearance. I'm totally fall in love with this song ^_^

There are some acoustic version too, this one is for the example

"She Will Be Loved"

Beauty queen of only eighteen
She had some trouble with herself
He was always there to help her
She always belonged to someone else

I drove for miles and miles
And wound up at your door
I've had you so many times but somehow
I want more

I don't mind spending everyday
Out on your corner in the pouring rain
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay awhile
And she will be loved
She will be loved

Tap on my window knock on my door
I want to make you feel beautiful
I know I tend to get so insecure
It doesn't matter anymore

It's not always rainbows and butterflies
It's compromise that moves us along, yeah
My heart is full and my door's always open
You can come anytime you want

I don't mind spending everyday
Out on your corner in the pouring rain
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay awhile
And she will be loved
And she will be loved
And she will be loved
And she will be loved

I know where you hide
Alone in your car
Know all of the things that make you who you are
I know that goodbye means nothing at all
Comes back and begs me to catch her every time she falls

Tap on my window knock on my door
I want to make you feel beautiful

I don't mind spending everyday
Out on your corner in the pouring rain
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay awhile
And she will be loved
And she will be loved
And she will be loved
And she will be loved

[in the background]
Please don't try so hard to say goodbye
Please don't try so hard to say goodbye

Yeah
[softly]
I don't mind spending everyday
Out on your corner in the pouring rain

Try so hard to say goodbye

Artificially Uniquely Singapore part I

2010-04-28T12:48:00.027+07:00

This is my first backpack travel abroad. I'm soooo excited cause of some reason, such as:
1. First time i use my passport (while i got with sweat and struggle *lebay mode on*) and get it stamped by the immigration :D
2. First time i prepare all itinerary to travel abroad from scratch
3. First time i go backpacking travel with my sista
4. First time i feel the atmosphere outside my beautiful Indonesia ^_^
5. And sooo many first time experience

I went to Singapore on Sat noon, by plane (i got cheap fares due to Air Asia promotion). Took the MRT from Changi to Lavender station (my first experience using the MRT too). Ofcourse i bought the ticket first from the ticket counter. It was the Singapore Tourist Pass for 3 days. I'm pretty much adaptable with those card (by seeing locals use it first) :D
Just tap it on MRT entrance gate's scanner or if you take the bus, tap it on scanner near the front door. And when you stop, tap it again on scanner before you get out of the bus.

After arriving at Lavender station, we (I and my sista) looked for The Amigos Hostel. I already booked 2 bed at this hostel couple days before. We should turned left till found the Lavender street. But we turned right and get confused. Then hard rain was pouring down. So we were running to the closest shelter. Well, what an experience to start a trip. Lost, got wet of rain and hungry. Luckily, my sis brought 2 packs of nasi bungkus from home.

So now here we were, in Singapore, in the middle of garden shelter of an apartment, under the hard rain, wet and cold, ate the nasi bungkus heartily (it was the nicest meal i ever ate in Singapore, lovely home meal ^_^). After finished it, ah we ran out of drinking water T_T but we kept walking to find the hostel.

And after got lost (walk for a couple of blocks) we return to Lavender station and turned left. Finally we found the hostel, yaaayy. Small one, with hideous entrance gate besides the Lavender Hotel. The rooms are quite clean, and we share room with 6 other peoples cos it's an 8 female dorm room. I dont mind with it ofcourse, cos we got low price. Worth enough for us who used the room just for sleep and keep our backpack while we went around the city.

Soon after checked in, we went to Little India. As i guessed before, there must be a lot of Indian people there *ya eyalah :hammer:*. One thing i can't forget bout this place is the smells. Herbs, incense and so many things. What a new place to see and new experience ^_^

Then we continued to Clarke Quay to see some night view of the city. It is a nice place to hang around, to eat or even just to walking around. Kinda romantic place too (if you're here with ur couple :P). After finished with the night view we turned back to hostel and took a rest.

The day after, we woke up early and took MRT to the City Hall station. Then walked along the river to reach the Merlion statue. Many interesting things to see on the way there. Till finally we reached the Merlion park and took some photographs (as a proof that we've been in Singapore hehe).

Then we continued to Science Center (still by MRT). It is a cool place to learn about science things. There are mathematics' room, space science, sound exhibition, etc. And, yeah a roaring T-rex will welcomes visitors at entrance.

After took some photographs and played with some educative playthings there we continued to Sentosa Island. We took a bus at bus stop across the Science Center to Jurong East station. Then took MRT to Harbourfront station (this MRT is soooo helpful during our trip). Then we walked to the Vivo City to took the train to Sentosa.

We saw Merlion statue there, this is the third i've seen after those two in Merlion park near The Fullerton Hotel. There are two more actually, the fourth Merlion is located at the headquarters of the Singapore Tourism Board at 1 Orchard Spring Lane. The fifth Merlion is located at Mount Faber.

The choice of the Merlion as a symbol for Singapore has its roots in history. The Merlion commemorates the ancient name and the legend taken from the "Malay Annals" (literary and historical work from the 15th or 16th century) explaining how Singapore received its present name. In ancient times, Singapore was known as Temasek, which is Javanese for the sea. It was then as it is today, a centre of trade.

At the end of the 4th century A.D., Temasek was destroyed. As recorded in the legend in the "Malay Annals," Prince Nila Utama of the Sri Vijaya empire rediscovered the island later in the 11th century A.D. On seeing a strange beast (which he later learnt was a lion) upon his landing he named the island Singapura which is a Sanskrit word for Lion (Singa) City (Pura).

The Merlion, with its fish-like body riding the waves of the sea, is symbolic of the ancient city of Temasek. At the same time, its majestic head recalls the legend of the discovery of the Singapore by Prince Nila Utama, when Singapore received its present name.
www.newasia-singapore.com

At Sentosa Island we met Eni, our neighbour who works as a TKW (female labour) there. She brought her Philippine's friend (if i'm not mistaken) named Bing and another Javanese TKW also (i forget her name) who marries a local citizen. We went to the Siloso Beach and walked across the-damn-shaky-hanging-bridge to the quay.

The beach is umm...so artificial i think (the rumor is the sands are imported from Indonesia). They polished it up and make it as a tourism object. The government are very concern of the country's potential and they develop it to attract tourist. I wonder, if Indonesian government could do the same, how many tourist will be attracted to come? Our land and water are extremely beautiful and extraordinary exotic *lebay lagi deh :D* but i can't agree more with my own sentences ^_^

Here we were treated by Eni and Bing. They bought us meals for dinner. We ordered vegetarian food cos we're avoiding pork and lard. We also tried Bandung (a-rose-scented-and-tasted-drink) and Es Kacang Merah. Thanks to them both for treating us, so we could save money ^_^

At afternoon, we were parted cos I and sister want to see the Song of The Sea show. It was a pretty good show, a musical show combining with lasers and fireworks show. Though some of visitors worried because lightnings strike often at the sea (the show is held right at the beach), overall the show was amusing. After the show finished, we came back to hostel to take a rest and get prepared for the journey in the next day.

*tips:
- if u're traveler with high mobility, Singapore Tourist Pass is a worthed choice.
- tap water is drinkable (for you who want to save money, cos mineral water costs about SGD1.2 or above)
- i recommend to use umbrella than raincoat when it's raining (unless ur raincoat is chic, so it could be worn all the time, moreover it won't be easy to protect ur camera and take a pic if u wear raincoat)

Cope with the Cough

2010-03-10T10:26:00.006+07:00

See this image below, cute ain't it?

But unfortunately this innocent cute little thing is a figure of cough virus. Actually cough itself isn't always caused by virus. There are several causes, which are infectious causes and noninfectious causes.

Infectious causes include viral upper respiratory infections, sinus infections, pneumonia and whooping cough. Noninfectious causes include flare-ups of the following: chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, and environmental allergies.

Therefore, cough could be classified into 2 categories, acute which present for less than 3 weeks and chronic which present for more than 3 weeks.

As i reckon my own cough, it started two weeks ago, so i can say now that it's an acute cough. I had take meds and my cough was better last week, but this week it is getting worse. I went to doctor yesterday, and she gave me some pills, hope those pills would kill the virus immediately.

I already avoid fries,ice and anything cold, and also drink honey every morning as well. Cause I need to get better soon. This Friday i'll travel to Karimun Jawa. Need lotta energy before backpacking, rite?
*pray to God for my health ^_^*

Coco Avant Chanel

2010-03-06T10:10:00.002+07:00

I've just watched this film, Coco Avant Chanel (in English version it's Coco Before Chanel). Such an inspiring movie. It tells about the story of Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, who started from the orphanage but could became a successful couturier.

Her love life unfortunately wasn't a happy ending fairytale story. But she chose to be bold and voila, she's a legend rite? ^_^

I have a PMS and a Handgun. Any Questions??

2010-03-02T11:46:00.003+07:00

This pic mentions alot more than words. Here i found another one

C'est clair??

Le Petit Nicolas

2010-03-01T14:49:00.001+07:00

This is the 3rd french movie i've watched. Lately i kinda interested to european movie. They are unique ^_^

Le Petit Nicolas is a film based on French children's book. The story is about the little Nicolas, and the way he tells about his life with his child perception.
The characters of the movie are:
-Nicolas, the main character
-Alceste, Nicolas' bestfriend, he eats alot
-Geoffroy, his dad is very rich
-Clotaire, he's the bottom of the class
-Eudes, he wants to be a bandit
-Rufus, his father is a policeman
-Agnan, he's the teacher's pet
-Joachim, he has got a little baby brother
There are several characters also, Nicolas' parents, his teacher, etc.

At first scene, the teacher ask the class to write down an essay about what they want to be if they were adult. Nicolas knows what his friend want to be, but he don't know yet what he want to be. Then the story goes with the appearance of his friend, Joachim who has just got a little baby brother.

Joachim's situation seems so horrible for his friends, they even think that Joachim's parents will leave Joachim at forest because of the baby. Joachim also tells Nicolas some signs before he has a little brother, such as his dad is alot more caring to his mom and clean the trash without complaining.

At home, Nicolas finds the signs that meet Joachim's descriptions. Then he thinks that he'll have a little baby brother at once. He worries alot about it. Then Nicolas and his friends make plan how to abduct the baby so Nicolas don't have to leave home and stay at forest.

Will Nicolas and his friends do their plan successfully? Ah, i won't spoiler it ^_^
Certainly, this film is adorable yet humorous. Moreover the kids are cute and innocent.
J'aime beaucoup les enfants.

A Yellow Rose

2010-02-02T20:53:00.008+07:00

Once a moment, i saw a girl and a boy.
"A yellow rose",said the girl to the boy. "What for?",asked the boy.
"Do you know about floriography, or the language of flowers? This yellow rose has a meaning, and i guess you're smart enough to know what it means",she replied.

....
A day after

She stood in her room. Heavy rain outside washed her window. Deeply breathing, she looked at the window, lost her own thought. Thinking about what she had done. "Am I doing the right thing? I even dont know how i feel about it right now",she said to herself.
"I know i want to give more than a yellow rose to him, but there's a huge wall between us. Ah, i said us..there couldn't be an US".
"And him, he is happier. And even he's indifferent to me now.
Ah, let this rain wash all my tears away",she continued.

....
A couple months ago

The girl walked together with the boy. She felt a strange feeling. Butterfly on her stomach. A lot of them. But sometimes she felt upset too. The boy lifted her feeling up and down. She could feel happy,flattered,confused and sad all at once. Just because of the boy.
They were holding hands, "I like you", said the boy. "And i do like you too",said the girl.

....
Now she sits alone on the bench, seeing the boy from afar. She is sad,if I could say so. She smiles skeptically, and hides the aches in her heart. "I know i've fall for the boy too deep", she says. "I shouldnt have too, but i cant".
"But why?", i ask her. "There's "her" between me and him, and i'm just the outsider who came lately and fall for him at wrong time",she answers.

I see to the girl's cloudy eyes. But i see something different. There's silver lining there. Then i relievedly sigh, cos i know, she can handle and get through this.
"That's okay girl, you can let your tears down today, but tomorrow you'll shine again with your smile", i say.
She doesnt say anything. For a couple of minutes silence takes the air. Then she's smiling....sincerely.

Still Lotta Stories to Share

2010-01-06T15:34:00.011+07:00

One of 2010's resolution of mine is sharing my travelling stories. I have lotta pending stories to share.
But my writing mood still doesn't strike me yet, dunno why :sigh:

Here are those pending travel stories:

Tour De Jogja-Semarang part 3

It is about the Gunung Kidul's beaches

Baron beach

Sundak beach

Krakal beach

Tour De Jogja-Semarang part 4

Ratu Boko temple

Prambanan temple

Serenity of Situgunung

Simply, the title says all ^_^

Situgunung Lake

Curug Sawer

The Unforgettable Ujung Genteng

The journey of eleven, very memorizable

Curug Cikaso

Ombak Tujuh beach

Road to Bali-Lombok

I ended up 2009 with such a beautiful moment at Bali and Lombok

Sunset at Kuta Beach

Pura Taman Ayun

Sengigi Beach at Lombok Island

Hope i could get my writing mood back soon ^_^

Rizka Ducroisement

2009-12-07T13:17:00.011+07:00

Yesterday was my French lesson again. Even it took my lazy sunday morning, i still feel very excited of it. Each week i could learn something new. This sunday i know how the French got their family name.

1. From their ancestor's profession, i.e: Laura Boulanger, means Laura the baker.
2. From their geographical's origin, i.e: Marie Marseille, means Marie from Marseille,
or from their specific location, i.e: Henry Dupont, means Henry lives near the bridge.
3. From their individual descriptive, i.e: Emanuelle Petit, means Emanuelle the little, or Laurent Blanc, means Laurent the white.
4. From their parents' name, i.e: Charles de Gaulle, means Charles son of Gaulle.

And then i have an idea to rename my own name. And what i get is....taddaaaaaaa!!!

~~ Rizka Ducroisement ~~

Means Rizka lives near the road juction, kinda funny :D

I get one for Eriek too, it is Eric Des Chemins DeFer (Eriek lives near the railway).
And for Dina, well it's Dina Léglise (Dina lives near the curch).
Elly would be Ellie Dugare (Elly lives near the station) =)))

*as requested by Elly,
Ellie De Kusnadi (that simple) or Ellie Dubambou (sounds African, eh? :D)
as Dino requested again, here it is.... Dina Dupâturage
Safitri : Safitri de la Mare ^_^

The Rebellion Against Darmaji

2009-12-01T11:47:00.007+07:00

In the middle of hustle bustle at office, I and my friends went to karaoke yesterday. Just for the purpose of refreshing and have some fun. It was unplanned actually, but yeah, spontaneous action won't harm, eh? :D

So, the horizoners a.k.a the serongers (its previous name was the EER) which consist of her, him and me plus one co-star called buntal sang at karaoke. We used to make a record everytime we hit the karaoke. And this record was named "The Rebellion Against Darmaji".

Who is Darmaji anyway? And why on earth we conspire against him?

For detail story behind "Darmaji", just ask Elly :D
In short, we used to call our manager in varies ways. And one of them is Darmaji, lol. We kind of skipped out from job rutinity and pressure from Darmaji (sorry boss ^_^).

Though we sang lousyly, but it was so much fun. Now i'm listening to the record.
And i can't help my self from laughing my ass off. =)))

* this is my chat with elly

z_****a: ly ly
z_****a: yg awalnya si darmaji ituh gmn seh
z_****a: hahaha
a*****_***********85: awalnya darmaji?
a*****_***********85: album kita?
z_****a: kok bsa namanya si jack jd darmaji
a*****_***********85: si anak2 lendir itu bilang kebagusan ah dikasih nama berbau bule,, jack sparrow pula... , mereka ga ikhlas..
a*****_***********85: trus2 tiba2 b**m nyeletuk, darmaji ae.... gara2 kalu ga salah liat koran2 anonoh... pemerkosaan oleh wong deso namana darmaji...
z_****a: hooo
z_****a: dasar b**m
z_****a: berita pemerkosaan lagih
z_****a: wkwkwkwkw
a*****_***********85 is typing...
a*****_***********85: bisalah khayalan anak itu emang tingkat tinggi
z_****a: hmm hmm
z_****a: baiklah
z_****a: skrinsyutnya ini mo tak tampilin di postingan

Haven't Met You Yet

2009-11-25T08:50:00.004+07:00

It is the first single from album Crazy Love(2009) by Michael Buble. I like this song so much, and hardly resist to hear and sing it all the time ^_^

"Haven't Met You Yet"

I'm not surprised.
Not everything lasts.
I've broken my heart so many times I stopped keeping track.
Talk myself in.
I talk myself out.
I get all worked up, then I let myself down.

I tried so very hard not to lose it.
I came up with a million excuses.
I thought I thought of every possibility.

And I know someday that it'll all turn out.
You'll make me work so we can work to work it out.
And I promise you, kid, that I'll give so much more than I get.
I just haven't met you yet.

Mmmm...

I might have to wait.
I'll never give up.
I guess it's half timing,
And the other half's luck.
Wherever you are.
Whenever it's right.
You'll come out of nowhere and into my life.

And I know that we can be so amazing.
And baby your love is gonna change me.
And now I can see every possibility.

Mmmm...

But somehow I know that it'll all turn out.
And you'll make me work so we can work to work it out.
And I promise you, kid, that I'll give so much more than I get.
I just haven't met you yet.

They say all's fair.
And in love and war.
But I won't need to fight it.
We'll get it right and,
We'll be united.

And I know that we can be so amazing.
And being in your life is gonna change me.
And now I can see every single possibility, mmmm.

And someday I know it'll all turn out.
And I'll work to work it out.
Promise you, kid, I'll give more than I get,
Than I get, than I get, than I get.

Ohhh!

You know it'll all turn out.
And you'll make me work so we can work to work it out.
And I promise you, kid, that I'll give so much more than I get.
I just haven't met you yet.

I just haven't met you yet.
Ohh, promise you, kid, to give so much than I get.

(I said love, love, love, love...)
I just haven't met you yet

I just haven't met you yet.

Wishlists in November

2009-11-21T21:25:00.006+07:00

It's sat nite @ office, wew.
My manager was just go home, and i stay still. Kinda busy weeks we got here.

Here i post some pics of my wishlists, hope i have time to buy them soon.

1. Hiking sandals

2. Ylang-ylang tree

3. Flat shoes

4. Hipster jeans

2012

2009-11-16T09:48:00.004+07:00

First of all, i'm not kinda curious of this movie. Its trailer doesn't draw me in frankly. So why on earth i watched this movie? lol..
It tells about massive solar flame from the sun that causes physical reaction of neutrino (elementary particles that are electrically neutral). This reaction heats core of the earth rapidly. Hence, the earth crusts are shifted and cause big tsunami. This disasters happen in all over the world mostly.

Well, sounds promising? Frankly, in my opinion this film helped only by its publicities and special effects. It lacks of scientific things, which is i hope to be revealed more.
While it shows humanity side, i still get tedious to watch its cliche plot. Besides, the movie length is too long, i felt asleep several times while watching :D

All above is just my personal opinion (^_^)V
Oh, part i keen on in this movie is the ending soundtrack. Is there anyone know what song it is?

Love Today

2009-11-05T09:25:00.006+07:00

I feel rather miserable today. Kinda need a little mood booster, so i post these vidclip.
Listening to Mika's song usually makes up my day.

*later i think that posting clips are very annoying, dunno what makes me think that way*

Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?

2009-11-02T12:36:00.007+07:00

"Bonjour,
Je m'appele Rizka, et vous?"

Yesterday was my first french language course. Kinda learn it from scratch, so it's hard for me to hear what the lecturer said in Français.
The pronunciation is so complex. How could 'n' and 'm' become nasalized n some final consonants are normally unpronounced?

For example: un /œ̃/ -how to pronounce it correctly?-
And then the vowels, such in trois /tʁwa/
Then the accents (la cédille, le tréma, l'accent aigu, l'accent grave, and l'accent circonflexe).
And there are more rules...*my eyes rolling @_@*

And even to spell my first initial correctly, it's hard enough to do. I pronounce "R" in such way that heard like a snoring bull -_-!
However this first lesson was fun enough. I learned something new, and it is French. Yippiiieeee...can't wait for next week lesson ^_^

* Anyway, about the title of this posting, i mean nothing with it. I'm not about to ask if somebody would sleep with me tonight either,lol.
Just a part of "Lady Marmalade" lyric.

How To Gain Weight

2009-10-22T21:21:00.006+07:00

Have you people ever been in body weight problems? Some are gifted with proportional body weight. And some aren’t. It could be over or underweight. And there are many tips to those who are overweight.

Instead of it, I want to share tips to the opposite, that are want to gain weight. Just check it out.

1. Simply…EAT more.
Though you can eat whatever you like, I recommend to consume healthy food. Why healthy food? Well, I guess you don’t want to get too fatty and get sick because of food :D
Simple rules for healthy food are balance nutrition, less trans fatty acid and less preservatives.

2. Do exercise.
There are many benefits of doing exercise. This will help to convert the additional calories into muscle rather than fat. It will stimulate your appetite and you’ll be healthier also ^^.
If you want to put bigger effort for maximum result, try weight train. If you’re persist with your training schedule, you may get awesome gains.

3. Lower tense
I hardly say to you to be stress free, cos it’s not easy. But you can reduce or stay away from stress factor. Is stress related to body weight? Yes indeed.
Some people tend to eat alot when they are stressed out. On the contrary, some others don’t. Whatever you’re in your stress condition, the better thing is still avoiding stress ^^.

4. Alternative ways
OK, this is just an alternative ways. Don’t take it too serious though. Here it is:

Bad editing…

It is milk drink for pregnant woman :D
My friend once told me that she gained a few kilogram when she was consuming this, so I try it,lol.

Tour de Jogja-Semarang part 2

2009-08-16T17:53:00.013+07:00

The sun shines bright today. A sign for us to continue our trip. And the destination for today is Semarang, the capital city of Central Java, also known as the city of Lumpia as well.
Lumpia is kind of Chinese origin pastry similar to spring roll. It is a thin crepe which is rolled to wrap the filling. The filling could be chicken, meat or veggies.

Lumpia Semarang itself is filled with bamboo shoots,some veggies and meat/chicken. It is served with chili pepper and baby shallot. OK, enough talking about food, i get my mouth-watering already,lol.

We went to Semarang from Jogja around 07.30. First we went to Terminal Jombor to find a bus to Semarang. There are two bus actually, economy and exclusive one. This bus takes 3 hours approximately to arrive at Terminal Terboyo, Semarang. I was sleeping along the way, left Elly being flirted by an old man, lol, tut mir leid meine Kamerad :D

And we finally arrived at Terminal Terboyo, Semarang. First impression thing about this city is the weather. It is HOT AS HELL... The sun really really burnt out our skin.
But the show must go on. Then we went to our first spot in Semarang by DAMRI bus.

First Spot : Kota Lama (Old Town,or Outstadt in Dutch)

The Old Town is....old,lol. It is a complex of Dutch colonial heritage buildings in Semarang. Generally, the buildings follow 18th century European architecture. And the roads here are paved. Unlike Kota Tua in Jakarta, Kota Lama is more desolate and abandoned. Seems like the government doesnt do much to keep this heritage.

And another part of this complex is used as market and a place for public transportation to wait the passengers. Despite of it, we still kept continuing explore this area. Walked along the street to explore every side in the Old Town.

We saw the Gereja Blenduk or Blenduk Church. Blenduk means "dome" in Javanese language. As easily guess, it must be named due to it's red dome. The Curch is still used for religious activities, and there was a sunday Mass held at the moment. Then we walked again around the Old Town under the sun beam shower and saw more dilapidated buildings.

Kinda hot and tired frankly, but didnt stop our narcissism bones. Yeah, we still took photographs all the way, while people around were watching us. Risked our life as well, cos we also took photographs in the middle of the street, outran from passing vehicles :D

Watching the Old Town made my mind wanders. There must be alot of story behind every corner. Each windows, each doors, each walls and each ruins has its own story. This old buildings have something.
It's like a mature fair lady, wrinkly yet its beauty at past still exist. She doesn't need thick make up all over her, just a clean up. Then her grace will reveal naturally.

And uh, close from the Blenduk Curch i saw couple wearing wedding suits. They have had a prewedding photographic session. Seems like they chose the Old Town for it's colonial romanticism
(Talking about colonial romanticism reminds me of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar,dunno why,lol).
After chilled out our dry throat with ice tea, we went to the next destination, Lawang Sewu.

Second Spot : Lawang Sewu (The Thousand Doors)

Lawang Sewu is located at Tugu Muda round. Earned its name from the numerous doors and windows (doesn't reach a thousand though), this building gets the fame because of its spookiness.
First glance from outside, Lawang Sewu doesn't look like a haunted building, moreover we came there at midday. Later when we entered it, the eerie atmosphere slightly felt.
I even could imagine, the Dutchmen walked in the hall and passed along corridors and the stairs that beautified with stained glass art on the wall behind.

They used the building as the NIS (Nederlands-Indische Spoorweg Maatschappij) office. Well, i know then that Javanese term for Sepur or train comes from Spoor ^_^.
They also used this building as a function hall, proven from its ballroom on 2nd floor.

Then Lawang Sewu changed into tortured camp during Japan invasion. The guide even showed us the torturing room and the cell. He told us too that the corpses were thrown into a river behind the Lawang Sewu.

And sometimes, they were headless...uugghhh. There is a chamber under the building, but now it is closed. Someone has died in the underground chamber because of been possesed by spirit. That's why it is closed.

Contented with spooky tour in Lawang Sewu, we continued to the last destination in Semarang, Sam Poo Kong temple.

Third Spot : Kelenteng Sam Poo Kong ( Sam Poo Kong Temple)

Still under the hot sun beam at Semarang, we arrived at Sam Poo Kong temple. Red is everywhere, this temple is so Chinese indeed. Two dragons coil on top of main gateway.
Inside, they sell burn incenses and rent royal Chinese costumes out (in case the visitors want to take photographs in costume).

We took some photographs inside the temple, but pity us, we could not enter praying building.
Based on the story i've ever read, this temple was built as a memorial building for Ceng Ho, a Chinese admiral who voyaged to Asia and Africa.

This day i travel in hunger. Only ate a portion of siomay bandung at noon in front of Lawang Sewu. Yeah rite, instead of trying local cuisine, i ate Bandung-origin cuisine in Semarang :P.
Whereas Semarang known for Lumpia and Bandeng Presto (smoked milkfish which is cooked in high pressure cooker), we didn't try any of it at all T_T
We went back to Jogja in the afternoon by executive bus. A little cool treat after a hot journey in Semarang.

Today expenses:
Pedicab + bus to Jombor = IDR 7,5K
Jogja-Semarang(Terboyo) = IDR 18K (economy bus)
Bus in Semarang = IDR 2K
Lawang Sewu = IDR 5K + 20K for tour guide
Kota Lama and Sam Poo Kong = no charge
Semarang-Jogja = IDR 35K (executive bus)

*by the way, i ever heard a funny jokes about Lumpia, here is the story:

There is a foreigner who ate his first lumpia in Indonesian restaurant. He likes the taste so much, then he asked to the waiter who can't speak English well. This is their dialogue.
Foreigner : This is so delicious, what is this?
Waiter : That is Lumpia,mister.
Foreigner : What are the fillings?
Waiter : Chicken,mister. And ummm..... (thinking hard)
Young bamboo stick mister
Foreigner : Young bamboo stick? You mean that the bamboo is not ripe yet?
Waiter : Yes mister,not ripe, not old
Foreigner : Well, if young bamboo stick tastes this delicious, the old one must be more delicious, rite?
Waiter : .......

Tour de Jogja-Semarang part 1

2009-08-15T08:42:00.011+07:00

It's my first-official-backpacking-trip. I made plan with Elly since a few month ago to travel to Jogjakarta and Semarang, Central Java. And here I am now, starting my first day in Jogjakarta.
I went with bus from Cikarang yesterday afternoon. It took about 15 hours to arrive at Terminal Jombor, Jogjakarta. Yeah, what took us so long is the traffic jam.

Based on research we've done before, we looked for motel at Jl.Sosrowijayan. Poor for us, it was peak season n we haven't made any reservation yet. So we finally found a motel -kinda forget it's name-. We got a room with two beds, a fan and a bathroom inside, it is a bit stinky anyway, beggar cannot be chooser,huh? :D
Actually, there are soooo many motels there, it's just not our luck to get that room :D

Small tips for you, if you want to visit Jogja at peak season, make sure you already make a reservation first. You can see here just to compare the price cos as i said before, there are many cheap motels to choose. One recommended motel is "105 Homestay", it's placed at Sosrowijayan, clean, cheaper and a way more cozy than the motel i've stayed before.

After put our backpack at motel, we went to Kraton Jogja by pedicab. Fyi, there are hundreds of human pedicab here. And each of them will offer you a ride to go anywhere in Jogja. The one with us, took us to Kraton Jogja, Taman Sari and Benteng Vredeburg. And he waited for us while we were exploring those spots. Wew, felt like our own pedicab driver, but yes he was :D

First Spot: Kraton Jogja (Sultan Palace)

The Kraton Jogja, or in formal terms Kraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat is the principal residence of Sultan and his family. The current Sultan is Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X.
From its fancy halls, spacious courtyards and pavilion this Kraton looks oh-so-Javanese. And little touch of European style add enchanting value. No wonder this place captivates tourists, either local or foreign. There are some part of places inside Kraton that can be entered by tourists and some are prohibited. I wonder if i were Sultan's family and live in Kraton i would get distracted :D

Bangsal Kencana is one of prohibited part to enter, so i just took picture in front of it. Part of Kraton is used as museum and holds some collections such as gamelan instruments, royal carriages, etc. The museum contains collection of Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX. We could see his pictures, medals of honor, suits, hobbies stuffs and so on.

In other part of museum there is a room that holds batik collection. A lady statue who is drawing batik welcomes us at the entrance. We could see dioramas of such procession, equipment to draw batik, some batik collections. Ah, and there is a well inside the room. Yea...i'm not joking, a well, and it is there in the room. It is an empty well, and trellised. I saw it's bottom though, and it's full of coins. According to the guide, peoples have superstition that throwing coins into the well will bring good luck or something. I dont know whether it is true or not, i didn't try it :D

One thing that would remind me most of Kraton Jogja is the abdi dalem. Abdi dalem are court servant who subjugate their services to Kraton, Sultan and his extended family. They are low-paid, but very loyal. A lot of them are getting old by ages, but their devotion do not faded at all.

I almost forget to mention about the shadow puppet show which was performed in Kraton. The shadow puppet or Wayang Kulit is one of Indonesian heritage that has been acknowledged by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Bravo Indonesia (^_^)V
Performance of shadow puppet show is accompanied by gamelan (musical ensemble from Indonesia, typically from Java or Bali). I dont know exactly what was they were playing, but some foreign tourists i saw seems like enjoying the show ^_^

Second Spot: Taman Sari (Water Castle)

Formerly, Taman Sari was a place for Sultan and his family's recreation. Other function is used as hiding place for royal family from enemy attack. Once we enter, there is spacious yard which was used for performing traditional dance (as said by the tour guide). Then we will enter the bathing pool, inner and outer pool. In outer pool there are two pools, one for children, one for women.

Between inner and outer pool there is building for Sultan. He might peep...oh no, i mean he might watch women swimming in the outer pool, then he might ask one of them to accompany him. To show which one he choose, Sultan throws her jasmine flower( there are lotta jasmine plants in the Taman Sari).

I wonder why does this building have no doors, in as much as the building consists of several rooms. The guide explained us that it's the philosophy of openness. Actually, there are many philosophy along with Javanese building, particularly this Taman Sari. The architecture itself is a mixture and symbolization of interfaith harmony.

Then we went to the underground tunnel by walking through narrow alley in Kampung or village around the site. The villagers sell batik craft here, batik clothes and batik paintings. The underground tunnel is such a passageways to the Sultan palace.

There is secret tunnel too, according to the legend it connects to South Sea or Laut Selatan (The Indian Ocean) where Nyai Roro Kidul lives. In Javanese folklore, Nyai Roro Kidul is a supernatural queen of the South Sea. But the secret tunnel now is closed.

In the tunnel we could see such a circle construction which formerly used as praying room. In the center of the the praying room, there is a well for ablution, but it's dry now.
Around the Taman Sari complex lies some ruins, and they've been restored.

Third Spot: Benteng Vredeburg (Vredeburg Fortress)

This museum is kinda quiet and spooky. Inside i only saw dioramas and i didn't explore more. Outside there are few people took some photographs, yeah...you know, museum, vintage style.
Once, when we're inside museum there's a moment which caused us run out. Kinda goosebumping because of spookiness :D

Fourth Spot: Alun Alun Kidul

After spooky moment inside Benteng Vredeburg, we went to Alun-Alun Kidul or The South Square. It is famous for the-walking-through-two-banyan-trees-with-eyes-closed attraction, lately i know this is called Masangin. The belief says that those who succesfully do it will get blessings.

After renting black scarf to close the eyes, i tried the Masangin, just for fun. And....yaayyy, i did it successfully. No cheating, no peeping, just walking quickly ^_^

Then we bought Ronde, a warm ginger-taste liquid containing peanut, bread chunks, sugar palm fruit, and rounded rice dough. Such a perfect beverage to accompany everyone while enjoying afternoon atmosphere at South Square. Not only beverages, food are sold here too. Leker(thin crispy pancakes), fried mushrooms, fried bananas, and many more.

We went back to motel at dusk. After cleaning up our body, we go to Malioboro for the reason of our hungry stomach. It's crowded there, pedestrians, pedicabs, horsecarts load the road. And many Lesehan lie along the pavements. They set up open front tents, lay out straw mat and put small tables to place the food.

While we're eating, some minstrels entertained us with their guitar and voice. What a wonderful way to end up this first blissful day at Jogja. Now it's time to sleep, take a rest. Another journey is still waiting tomorrow ^__^

Travelling expenses:
Cikarang - Jogja (Terminal Jombor) on bus = IDR 120K
Transjogja = IDR 3K
Motel rate = IDR 100K
Pedicab = IDR 15K /bargainable (a tip for you, choose older one, mostly they are very bargainable :D)

Entrance ticket:
Kraton Jogja = IDR 5K + 1K for camera
Taman Sari = IDR 3K + 20K for tour guide (5K is okay for them actually ~_~")
Benteng Vredeburg = IDR 1,5K

Food and beverage:
Ronde = IDR 3,5K
Snack(leker,fried mushroom,etc) = IDR 1K ~ 10K
Dinner at Malioboro = varies, from IDR 10K ~ 30K

A Little Girl and Black Book

2009-06-27T14:18:00.007+07:00

Another story about little girl
A happy little girl
Her days are colored with flowers, rain, sands, and grasses
Sun shines her cloudy day

World is a fair place for her
There she could be grateful and learn everything
Perch the blooms with bees and butterflies
Buzz with fireflies

Little girl shows her color to the world
Red, yellow
Green, blue
White and violet

And black
Black?
She never shows it
She keeps her black in a book

Little girl doesn't share her black to the world
She hesitates to know
Will the world accepts her
As a happy little girl with black book

Security Alert

2009-06-10T19:42:00.009+07:00

It is today, since the-most-used-proxy-application-to-bypass-all-internet-blocking-systems-in-the-office a.k.a ult**s*rf is detected and blocked by the IS(Information System) Dept., i'm no longer can surf the internet freely. I used to use it to access my facebook and blog account. Well, since facebook isn't quite interesting anymore for me, i have no deal with it.
But the most annoying thing of it is i even couldn't access my blog.

And this window appears on screen (instead of my blog T_T). I'm wondering, what kind of content in my blog that makes this silly window appears?

* don't try the blocked-ult**s*rf on my own, she told me :D
** bad pic, ahahahaha, n how could I post this crap huh? ^___^

Is The Glass Half Full or Half Empty?

2009-06-05T11:25:00.006+07:00

This is a reflection for us. How we perceive on events or objects.
What is our point of view of any situation.
There may be both opportunity and trouble in every situation.
Are we gonna see it as blazes or blessings?
It is just our different point of view.

Once A Midday In A Bus

2009-05-28T16:59:00.008+07:00

"How much should i pay?"

It was the first thing i asked to a man who sat beside my seat in a bus. A question that unfolded a brief conversation in bus. Brief yet worthwhile.

After answered my question, the man shook my hand, while saying his name (i didn't hear it unfortunately T_T). I did shake his hand and said my name. Then the conversation flew.
He asked me sort of questions about the place that i lived and my job.
Then he told me things bout himself. He said to me that he's responsible to handle visit in prison.
Indeed, he's a prison guard, yet what he handled is sort of VIP visit (like ministers or chief of department of something)

Later he told me about his life experience. He was a high school graduate. And he could reach his position right now with hard work and determination (hmm..sounds familiar in my application letter :D). And he ever worked as a sailor (kinda reminds me of my father. Yea..he was,too).

"Father was a sailor man
Father was a sailor man
He was strong to the finich
Cause he ate his spinach
Father was a sailor man"

-- rearrangement from Popeye The Sailor Man :D

Back to my conversation with the man i met in bus. He taught me two things. Two important things that should be remind. Particularly in work, and could be implemented in daily life as well. They are "courtesy" and "honesty".
As we live with others, one should has a courtesy or politeness or good manner. And honesty helps us to form bonds of trust in human relationships.

Here i found two good quotes about courtesy and honesty.

“He who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love” - Anon.
“Honesty: The best of all the lost arts” - Mark Twain.

"Pardon me Miss, but i have to get out of the bus, cause it is already arrived at my destination. Good day to you and good luck",
said Mr.Sorry-i-don't-know-ur-name while waving me good bye.

* anyone know what "finich" is?

Night At The Museum 2

2009-05-22T15:30:00.005+07:00

I watched "Night At The Museum 2: Battle Of The Smithsonian" yesterday. The plot is about the artifacts from the Museum of Natural History in New York are shipped to the Smithsonian's archives. In my personal opinion, this movie is funnier than the prequel (not ROFL or CORL or even PIRL movie though).
But yes, it's funny ^^

For me, the most memorable character in the movie is Kahmunrah The Pharaoh, the antagonist character. Hank Azaria plays the pharaoh character good. He is so amusing.
Overall, i rate 3 of 5 points to this movie.

*fyi
ROFL: Rollin on Floor Laughin
CORL: Climbin on Roof Laughin (????)
PIRL: Plungin in River Laughin (what a!!!!)

the last two...i don't know the validity of the terms ^^
just made it for fun with my friend...of course the undefined one :D

I am The Center of Universe

2009-05-19T16:33:00.009+07:00

It is gonna be another posting bout my pals, people around me. Cos i live the life as the center of the universe...kidding :D
Anyway, my previous sentence, live the life as the center of the universe, it reminds me of someone,,umm two actually. One is my best partner in crime i mentioned once in FWB posting, and the other one is my ex-crush.

When I was so young and naive (uh huh? lol), i fell for someone. Cannot mention lotta things bout him. He's just another star that twinkles at the sky. Not the sun, center of universe. Maybe the star, i mean..him, is the sun of another galaxy, but not mine obviously ^^
He was oh so bigheaded at that moment..yea, that what i was thinking. I and my friend used to say "He seems like the center of universe and everything revolves around him". Ahahaha..sorry dude, seems so much hatred were involved.
Against our peace-loving nature, eh? No..we don't meant it seriously :D

Btw, did i say sun is the center of universe? I don't even know exactly where the center of universe is.. ^^
What i found in wikipedia is just, in science there is no center of the physical universe, since the Big Bang occurred everywhere and all galaxies are moving away from each other. I'm not about to write Big Bang, too (or maybe i'll consider it later ^^).

Well, this center of universe term is not literally. It is such a person or something that draws you in. And just like the earth that revolves around the sun, so do you revolve around your center of universe.

Back again to him, the center of universe :D, is he still chesty as he was? Well, i dunno bout that, but lately i found out that he is sort of brother-material(yep,hehehe). Kinda gives me good advice though a lil bit undefined sometimes.

And her, one of my best buddy. A buddy who can read your mind, just by seein' ur expression or eyes. A buddy who could finish your statements and makes codewords together. A buddy to share dreams with, good and bad moments, likes and dislikes, laughter and cries, rise and fall.
Even silliness, absurdity and insanity (i am getting hyperbolic in this paragraph ^^).
Together we're invincible..ahahahaha.

*anyway, will ya make the underconstruction page to-amend-my-grammar-thing hun??

Bansai!!!

2009-05-18T21:25:00.007+07:00

What will i post this moment? Just try to write down when surf the net using my friend's modem, :D
So this is kinda tribute to this very nice and humble guy (a very rough translation of Indonesian term of "baik hati dan tidak sombong").

Well, what am I going to write? No idea, frankly ^^

But..umm, since a tribute is something given, done, or said as a mark of respect or admiration, then i supposed to mention his kindness, but aaarrrggghhh...my deepest heart reluctantly admit it, :D

This thing kinda stresses me out, cos its connectivity is damn poor. Teaches me alot bout patience, eh? *sigh* Anyway, i should thank to the owner for this two months loan.

Merci beaucoup

Angels and Demons

2009-05-18T11:25:00.009+07:00

Angels and Demons finally....*big grin*
After a long waiting, this film was released at May 15th,2009.
I read the novel about a year ago, so kinda forget it.
As i remember, the novel is alot more interesting than the movie ^^
Lot details and places in novel was cut out.
But, interesting place and good looking guys in the movie make me eagerly want to go to Italy ^_____^

I guess this movie poster is for Spanish market, yea..based on the language, it's kinda cool poster too. Show both angel and demon.
But, an angel is usually shown on right side, am i rite?

Aaahh..i find this pic, the ambigram of Angels and Demons, cool isn't it?

*i'm wondering bout making the ambigram of Rizka,my name, anyone could help me please? ^^

Tu Me Manques

2009-05-11T14:00:00.006+07:00

What will you do if you miss someone?

a. Go meet him/her
b. Call him/her
c. Send him/her email/message

Let's analyze each answer!!

Assume person you've missed is in thousand miles away, will you go meet him/her instantly?
I guess the answer is no. Option number one, pass.

And what if you have his/her cell number, yet because of things you couldnot control, you LOST it. Ofcourse..number two, pass.

Let's check last option. You have his/her email address, and you type him/her some message.
Voila..you send it.
An hour or two...you wait for the reply. A day,two days and three days...still no reply.

Then you begin wondering, where is s/he? What happened with him/her? Why didn't s/he reply the message?

And at last....you'll still say.... I MISS YOU

A Little Girl

2009-05-09T14:46:00.007+07:00

There is a little girl
Living in her small world
World she created by her own imagination
Mountains stood from her ingenuity
Valleys set by her fantasy

And seas...
Seas full of her tears
Both tears of joy and sorrow

People ignore her
She's indifferent

People sneer at her
She stays indifferent

Nothing can distract her of her world
Her world is a way more beautiful
Rainbow descends
Clouds spread
Wave breaks
Wind gusts
Flowers bloom
Shadow remains its gloom

No material things
Just the beauty of light and dark
On her own world

* whoever this pic belongs to...i thank you ^^

Leave Out All The Rest

2009-05-09T12:02:00.004+07:00

It's midday at office, and i hear this song. Good song with deep lyrics, love it ^^
Linkin Park is totally brilliant, they're awesome, rite?!?
And this is it..

"Leave Out All The Rest" - by Linkin Park

I dreamed I was missing, you were so scared
But no one would listen, 'cause no one else cared
After my dreaming, I woke with this fear
What am I leaving when I'm done here?

So if you're asking me, I want you to know

When my time comes, forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some reasons to be missed
Don't resent me, and when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory, leave out all the rest

Leave out all the rest, don't be afraid
I've taken my beating, I've shared what I made
I'm strong on the surface, not all the way through
I've never been perfect, but neither have you

So if you're asking me, I want you to know

When my time comes, forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some reasons to be missed
Don't resent me, and when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory, leave out all the rest
Leave out all the rest

Forgetting all the hurt inside you've learned to hide so well
Pretending someone else can come and save me from myself
I can't be who you are

When my time comes, forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some reasons to be missed
Don't resent me, and when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory, leave out all the rest
Leave out all the rest

Forgetting all the hurt inside you've learned to hide so well
Pretending someone else can come and save me from myself
I can't be who you are

I can't be who you are

*what do you think of the lyrics? aint it cool?
every pieces of it is meaningful, i love it..
just love it...

Ho-hum

2009-05-05T12:50:00.002+07:00

Nothing....
Just have fun with the new template. It looks pretty nice. What if i add some little personal touch, like pyramid or sphinx pics? ^^
But how to add it? Anyone could help me please...?!?!

Friends With Benefits

2009-05-02T15:01:00.000+07:00

It was a year ago, when I had alot more free time than now, i found this kind of term. It started with my hobby, surfing the internet just for fun. Search for funny glitter graphics or texts for my friendster account (OMG..it feels like a long long time ago). Then i read something catchy. It was "friends with benefits" or FWB.
At that moment i was so curious, and tried to find out the meaning. I asked to my best buddy -my partner in crime- (miss u alot nggub...), and she told me that friend with benefits is a friend to f**k around with (sounds a bit rude huh?)

Friends with benefits can do things couples can do except without being labeled as a boyfriend and a girlfriend, when you ask if they want to be friends with benefits with you, you both have to agree on what those benefits are, and it doesn't have to contain sex. Kissing, hugging, and holding hands for example. If you both agree on sex, then it's also considered as friends with benefits.

I found many articles from google that related or mention this term. Based on an article i've read, researchers from USA had surveyed undergraduates students about friends with benefits.
Two-thirds of participants said they had been in a FWB relationship, and 36% said they currently were in one. The main advantage of such a relationship was no commitment, yet the disadvantage was the possibility that feelings would develop. Or even it could harm friendship.

Well, it's a survey in USA, and i dunno here in our country, Indonesia. It is obvious that we have different culture and norms. And i post this for the purpose of information. Not in detail, just in outline. And of course, i mean no offense to those who are in FWB, cos it's not our right to judge people.

And now i ask you people, if anyone of you had experienced or currently are in FWB, please share me your opinion. Or if you just read this post and donot have any experience with FWB, i would like to know your opinion too.

* Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes ^_^

The Underwear Oracle

2009-04-27T13:32:00.005+07:00

Finally, after all hustle bustle happened few days later, i could post some crap again.. ^^
Well yeah, instead of some work to do, i have a C language training class. But it's time to laid back again (for a moment), hehe.

As writen above, this posting is about underwear. Yeah...underwear, the undies. But don't ask bout the oracle, hehe. Last Tuesday, i went shopping with my pal to the department store, hunting some underwear. I'm very grateful to be a girl..especially when I kick around girl's stuff like girl's underwear. It's widely varied, from types to color.

Based on wikipedia, underwear (or also called undergarment) are clothes worn under other clothes, often next to the skin. They keep outer garments from being soiled by perspiration, shape the body and provide support for parts of it. Sometimes it provide additional warmth, some are intended for erotic effect, and special types of undergarments have religious significance (religious significance huh?..i'm wondering)

Undergarments commonly worn by women today include brassieres and panties (also known as knickers), while men wear briefs, boxer shorts, or boxer briefs. Items worn by both sexes include T-shirts, sleeveless shirts (also called singlets), bikini underwear, thongs and G-strings (Thongs and G-strings for male? Well, wiki says it). In additional, women's underwear are collectively known as lingerie.

Panties are divided into various types based on such criteria as amount of rear coverage, width at the sides, and height at which they are worn. There are briefs, hipster, bikinis, tangas/string bikini, thongs. Maybe some of you still donot understand what the difference between those types.

Briefs rise to the waist or just below the navel and have full coverage in the rear. Hipsters are similar to briefs, but are worn lower with the waistband around the hips. Bikinis are also worn at the hips, but the fabric at the sides is narrower. Tangas/String bikinis have full rear coverage, but the waistband is reduced to a narrow strip at the sides.

Thongs have a waistband similar to tangas, but the rear coverage is not as full. The G-string is a thong with virtually no rear coverage, the narrow strip in the back extending from the crotch all the way to the waistband.
Pffhhh....why dont people make it all simple, huh? ^^

Wikipedia shows some ilustration of these underwear types, but i wont put it here for the reason of appropriateness. I also wont put any single pic of undies i've bought ^^

Anyway, there is a "going commando" term. It is not a military term, it means not wearing underwear under one's outer clothing. Why do people choose not to wear any underwear? Maybe for the reason of comfort. Or another reason, it's more arousing maybe.. ^^

Well, at last, whatever it is, thongs or bikinis, wear undies or not wear it..it's all up to you ^^

My First Love

2009-04-20T15:20:00.009+07:00

Yesterday i went out with pals, to the cinema and bookstore. We watched "Knowing" which is a crap in the end.. -_-"
Nothing much to say about this movie..it's really disappointing. At least i still enjoy the day. And my disappointment was blown away when we kicked the bookstore. I love books and bookstore is a real haven for me. I could die peacefully buried in those books. Hyperbolic, am I? ^^
These are books i bought yesterday

n the "Travellous" is finished already..yaaayyy :D,
three books are still waiting. And when i saw my bookshelf, i found this books.

The "Naskah Laut Mati" is such a difficult book to read, no wonder i haven't finished it yet after months, hehehe. I haven't even read any pages of "The Witch of Portobello" yet. I also have one book left in office to read *sigh*. There are 4 more books, all in English, unfinished -_-"

My books collection are mostly traveling book. Frankly, i'm not a traveler(yet). And I hope I could be a traveler and write it out in a book someday ^^

*Haec olim meminisse iuvabit - One day we'll look back on this and smile

P.S : what is the title about? :D

Extremely undefined

2009-04-18T17:31:00.002+07:00

1. Saturday
2. 5.30 PM
3. At office
4. "Tears and Rain" by James Blunt
5. Blogging
6. Facebooking
7. Hungry
8. Some riddle solving
9. Wondering....what time will i go home?

1st time posting something related with my relatives

2009-04-13T12:12:00.009+07:00

This is the first day at office after long weekend holiday. Still feel jetlag afterall. Oh well, that's not proper term cos i wasn't on flight. Maybe, it is post holiday syndrome. As mention in urban dictionary, it is the kind of syndrome you have when you have gone through a holiday and no longer have a functional daily rhythm. No wonder, i'm drowsy and tired instead of feel energized.

Frankly, i go nowhere on holiday. I just visited my relatives in Bekasi. Furthermore, my brother was there too, relatives-visiting-thing and brother-business-thing ^^.

So, I was there, spending couple days. Playing with my one and half year nieces, Sophie and Nayla. Two cute nieces. There is a nephew too, Jason, Nayla's brother, but i didnt meet him cos he was out of town with his grandma -that is my aunty-.

This is Nayla's pic -Sophie calls her Nene ^^,(only got her pics). She's so cute with her curly hair. Lovable, hugable, approachable ^^.

*miss my nieces already...

Date with Jenson Button

2009-04-06T20:11:00.005+07:00

Well, the title is total lie cos I myself didn't really have a date with Jenson Button, but Kimi Raikkonen (i wish..haha, lol). Last weekend i had a word stuck in my head. It's "date". It started when my friend asked me whether i have a plan for weekend or not. And I surely had no idea for weekend. So I tossed a shout out in my facebook status, "any idea to get me a date this weekend?".
Sounds so desperate huh? But actually, i was not that desperate. Just wanted to have some fun with my facebook status ^.^

As mentioned in wikipedia, dating is any social activity undertaken by, typically, two people with the aim of each assessing the other's suitability as their partner in an intimate relationship or as a spouse. The word refers to the act of meeting and engaging in some mutually agreed upon social activity.
It also means "an appointment" according to thefreewebdictionary dotcom. Well..it's getting technical *sigh*

Anyway..for me, date is just a date. It hasn't to be with another significant one (ok..it's a bonus, ehehehe). I could date my parents, my sibblings,or my friends (same or different gender).
So...any date for me this weekend, eh? ^^

What Country Are You??

2009-04-03T20:19:00.005+07:00

another quiz just for fun ^^...but i have no idea bout the bikini
follow the link for the quiz

You Are Italy

You are incredibly chic. Your confidence and sense of style always shine through.

You are obsessed with presenting yourself well. You understand how much first impressions matter.

Your family is very important to you. You provide them with any emotional or financial support that they need.

But more than anything, you just enjoy spending time with your family... especially when food is shared!

What Country Are You?

Next stop, Egypt please!

2009-03-30T19:09:00.004+07:00

Here I post two unconventional tips for you who are desperately want to go on vacation without paying anything (i.e, in my case i desperately want to go to egypt and southern europe ^^)

1st
The "Truth or Dare" game

I assumed you are all know bout this game. For those who aren't, where the hell have you been for aeons?? Let's simply this, the winner of this game could ask the opponent to choose "Truth" or "Dare". If the opponent choose "Truth", then s/he ought to answer anything honestly. And if the opponent choose "Dare", then s/he ought to do the winner's request. So, if you're the winner and you're opponent have to choose, here are what you have to say,
For "Truth" = by any means, can you afford to pay me a vacation to egypt and southern europe?
For "Dare" = i ask you to pay me a vacation to egypt and southern europe :D

2nd
Make a contest

It is not a popular or singing contest certainly, it's just a funny contest with a funny announcement as follows:

"For all of you who are childless and intend to give me a free, uncompensated, tax-free, and bondless vacation to egypt and southern europe, i'll accept you as my foster parents"

*by all means, i mean no offense to those parents who have no successors or heirs.
this post is just a fun crap of mine... (^^)V

P.S: Luv ya parents ^____^

It's The Reds

2009-03-16T10:53:00.002+07:00

Seven months since my last posting, eh? Well..here are the brief summary:

1. Get job @ Samsung Cikarang...move out of hometown.
2. New friends and new life.
3. My red DELL notebook (it is called The Reds, cute ain't it? ^^).
4. And ofcourse....HAVE FUN!!

it's The Reds with Sidney (*^)(*^-^*)

Do you believe in dreams?

2008-07-22T14:34:00.001+07:00

This is not an eat-this-sleeping-pills-and-you-will-have-a-good-dream adv. But I want to ask first. Do you believe in dreams? What are your dreams mean? Were your dream good or bad?

I myself don’t affected much by dreams. As people say, dream is only something occurs in some sleep stages. For me, it is something fun occurs in our sleep. And I want to share about dreams. Certainly, this happens for reason. Though I ain’t dream in every episode, ehm...every sleep I mean, I used to got weird dreams.

When I was a little kid I often had a nightmare, fallen by the sun or being chased by monsters, yeah that are common nightmares. As I grown up, my nightmare doesn’t come very often, maybe just once or twice a year.

Lately, I dreamt about weird things. I ever dreamt a woman loves me and she wants me to be her girlfriend (hello!! I’m still straight). I also dreamt about having love affair with Kelly Purwanto. I am a married woman, and Kelly is my another man, yeah that damn hot Kelly (i wish!! lol). Another weird one is I order someone to make me a semi-naked self-portrait drawing (weird for me, really, but maybe not for others).

But I have certain nice dreams as well. I dreamt of Fabio Grosso, and I hug him, again, again and again :D. I am a huge fans of Grosso for sure. Then I dated David Villa-Silva serially, in my dream. Obviously, I love this kind of dreams and i wish to repeat those dreams. But unluckily good dreams aren’t repeatable.

I wonder, how could we categorized dreams? Which is counted good, bad or weird one?!

In my opinion, bad dream or nightmare is kind of dream that followed with anxiety, fear, or other negative emotions. Of course good dream is the opposite of it. If we are awake from such dream like this one, it usually brings us happy or good feelings. And sometimes if it is cut by a sudden wake up, we are upset cause we still want it more.

So what about weird dream?! This is the toughest one to be categorized. I consider kind of dream in this category is one with strangest thing that will not happen in real world. It could be bizarre settings, freak people, or weird plots. But, people have their own definition for weird things they consider, rite?!

A Hopeful Heart

2008-06-27T14:20:00.002+07:00

I've just try this quiz just for fun

Your Heart is Feeling Hopeful

For you, love is a feeling that's been growing and blooming.

Whether you're in a relationship that's deepening or found a new love, your feelings are slowly changing.

You're remembering how amazing love feels - and discovering emotions you've never felt before.

Deep down, your heart is susceptible to: Getting a little carried away

Your current outlook on love: Optimistic and playful

Your love life will improve if you: Stop and reflect on how your love is changing

Watch out for: Falling too hard, too fast - you've got to let your sweetie catch up with you!

What Is Your Heart Feeling?

Iqra'! (=to read)

2008-06-26T09:49:00.001+07:00

It is one of message in my cell phone that I wrote in draft. It is not a-message-to-send-to-others but it is a kind of message for myself. In other word, this is a motto or a slogan or catchword or whatever it called. I used to repeat this word everyday, verbally or non-verbally as a magic spell (sounds like a wacky-obsessed-Harry-Potter-person, rite?!).

As I have ever read, repeating such spells or words could affect our mindset or our custom. And the effect could be good or bad , it is up to the magic spell of course. That is why I used to repeat the “Iqra’!” word to motivate me to read and read more. And yeah...it works except kinda book entitled “How to choose a good and healthy goat” or something like that...:D

I choose to motivate myself to read more cause reading is very beneficial. It is very obvious, and I guess most of people can state detailed benefits more than I do.

In addition I have two others magic spells, which are “Alive and Kickin” and “Only God can judge me”. Those words aren’t my own words but inspired by others. Yet, these words are pretty effective as magic spells for me. A magic spell to alter myself to be more positive.

So, what about you?! What is your magic spell?!

Introduction

2008-06-24T20:37:00.001+07:00

This first posting is just a preface to the next postings. I make this blog to continue my hobby in writing which is started since I was a little child. I was the second winner of writing competition over Turen city. That was in my fifth grade of primary school (the best I’ve had ironically, lol :D)

Frankly this is not my first blog since there were two previous blog I have made. So why on earth I make this third one?! Well, I forget my first blog’s password. Not a quite good reason, but I did not want to make any posting at that moment (what the hell the first blog made for then,huh?! :D).

The second one was much more better. There were some postings in it, thanks God, and some comments as well. But I deleted this one because an error occured.

And finally, I hope this third one will be better. So I kindly ask for comments from any reader about the content or the grammar or everything. I ain’t good at grammar, and I do need help at it.