Enough

Have finished reading Perahu Kertas.

Have to tell you that I like it a lot.

The story is simple. About love and friendship. Maybe it's not an exciting theme for people at my age.

But for me, it's good to have a break from reading English books.
The words that the author's use, the way she put them all together, the story itself, strongly enough to take me into each characters world, enough to make me happy and sad, in tears because of both. Enough to take me back to the good memories of myself old days. Enough to make me realise how I miss to write in Bahasa again. In a good Bahasa words, that is.....

Nobody knows

It's a title of a Japanese movie i watched a few weeks ago on tv. One of those which i cant get out of my mind. I watched it a few minutes late, but as I set my eyes on it, I hardly can move my eyes to other channel and glued to my seat straight away. The ending, was a mistery but brilliant. They let the ending floating without a real end. It's not a happy ending for sure, only leave the viewer trouble mind, probably not everybody, but I do. I keep thinking about those kids in the movie, until now, even after a few weeks later. It's not because it's a women-soapy-drama movie, or because of the motherhood, but simply because it's a well made film and breathtaking actor.

Later I knew that the movie was released in 2004, and it based on a true story (It trouble me more!!). The movie won 13 awards in many festivals. The main actor who played as Akira won the best actor in Cannes Film Festival. So I was right. It was a good movie!

In short, the story is about four siblings who are all have different fathers and never been to school. They are 14, 7, 3, and 2 years old. The existence of the three of them has been hidden from landlord and neighbours. So they spent most of their time in the house, only the eldest can go out to run some errand. The mother leaves the children at home for work out of town and give the oldest boy, Akira who is only 14 year old some money and assigning him to take care of his brother and sisters. After a few weeks the mother will come back bring more money and gifts. But one day the mother didn't come home for months, and that's when the journey of Akira and the siblings started. They have no money left, and have to live without power supply, gas, or water at home. They do their best to survive in their little world. They struggled between their innocent childhood and cruel responsibility they have to face in such a young age. Their longing for their mother, their wary fascination toward the outside world, their kindness to each other, their determination to survive on wits and courage are all beautiful, sad and painful to watch.

Entertaining/Heartbreaking

It took almost a year to finish The Witch Of Portobello. Whilst it was the busiest year i've ever had with the pregnancy, the birth, and the baby, reading was not so entertaining and relaxing. But it might also the book itself that I found almost have the same rhytym as any other Coelho's books, that bored me a bit. Thought I need a change.

Books I recently read, written by a new author, Khaled Hosseini. Kite Runner, I read it in 1,5 week. I would have not be able to put down the book and read the whole in one day if I was not too busy and tired. It was the first book that brought me to tears. After finishing the book, I couldn't wait to see the movie. The movie was disappointing, i guess the same as many other movies version from a novel. Many details were missing, story got changed, and the people are different than I pictured. Done nothing but destroying my imagination.

Then I didn't wait to read Hosseini's second novel, A Thousand Of Splendid Sun. I finish it in about 2 weeks. It was such a powerful story that brought me to emotional distress! :) Made me realise how fortunate I am to be what I am, what I become, what I have now as a women.

Both books were written in very detail. They have words full of quotes, written in uncomplicated way. Each pages dragged me to enter different world, as if watching a movie in the cinema. I don't remember when was the last time I went to the cinema. It was really ages ago. But if it was a really good movie, my seat in the dark little cinema will be a place to go into different world, place to forget about everything in your life, and when the movie finished and the light back on, bam! disoriented, then reminds me to be back to the reality. That's how I feel when reading his entertaining though heartbreaking books.

Menikmati Film Indonesia

Dua bulan terakhir ini saya menyempatkan diri nonton beberapa film Indonesia. Maklum, saya sempet bawa beberapa vcd film Indonesia dari hasil pulang kampung bulan Maret kemarin. Sebagian lagi hasil dari pinjam meminjam dari seorang Indonesia yang lain yang tinggal di kota ini.

Ada empat film yang berhasil saya tonton dalam dua bulan terakhir ini. Menarik. Ada yang 'sinetron banget', ada yang kaku, ada yang norak, ada yang cukup bagus, ada yang menyentuh, dan hampir semuanya gak masuk diakal.

Tapi saya gak peduli, saya menikmati semuanya. Saya menikmati kenorakan dan kekakuan bintang-bintangnya, gak garuk-garuk karpet lantaran gemes karena ketidakmasuk akalannya, menikmati salah satu film yang diproduseri Mr. Punjabi yang dibintangi bintang-bintang sinetron remaja papan atas yang lebih mirip sinetron daripada film layar lebar. Menikmati tiap adegan, setting dan permainan kameranya, menikmati bahasanya yang kacau, juga menikmati film yang harusnya menyeramkan tapi malah bikin saya senyum-senyum. Menikmati musiknya, dan menikmati cerita dan akting di salah satu film yang bisa membuat saya menitikan air mata.

Sedikit intermezzo, suatu hari hubby pulang pada saat saya masih menonton salah satu adegan dimana banyak remaja-remaja berpesta di suatu acara pantai. Ceritanya si tokoh utama dicekoki minuman keras sampai mabuk di lantai dansa. Hubby dengan polosnya bertanya,... "Itu cewek kenapa? mabuk? dia keliatan aneh" ;p Saya cuma senyum-senyum, sedikit malu, menjawab 'iya'.

Kembali ke perbincangan semula, biar bagaimanapun saya menikmati tiap detik dari tiap film tersebut. Mungkin karena sudah lama saya tidak melihat tontonan dalam bahasa Indonesia, mungkin karena setiap film unik, membuat saya gak peduli, dan yang pasti membuat saya kangen tanah air.

Tapi teteep,... ada satu hal yang saya harus akui cukup mengganjal. Setelah film ke-tiga saya mulai menyadari satu adegan yang tidak perlu yang cukup janggal yang ada di setiap film yang saya tonton. Adegan tersebut adalah adegan di bawah guyuran hujan. Ya, adegan itu. Sepasang sejoli berhujan-hujanan di bawah guyuran hujan deras, entah dalam situasi senang atau sedang dalam konflik. Entah sambil berlari-larian, sambil berpelukan, sambil marah-marah, atau cuma diam bengong meratapi nasib di bawah guyuran hujan buatan. Sebelum saya memutar film ke-empat saya berharap untuk tidak menemukan adegan ini. Tapi percuma aja. :)

Entah kenapa, sepasang kekasih dan hujan selalu ada dalam hampir tiap adegan di film Indonesia. At least ada dalam semua film yang baru aja saya tonton. Supaya lebih dramatis? Mungkin mau menunjukkan di Indonesia gampang turun hujan? Supaya si artis bisa lebih meresapi peran dan perasaannya? Please deeh....emang perlu banget ya??

Masih ada beberapa vcd lagi yang belum saya tonton. Akan menjadi kejutan manis kalo diantaranya ada yang 'kering' - bebas hujan.

Note:

Ini daftar film yang saya baru perbincangkan di atas plus rating.

1. Badai Pasti Berlalu (**)

2. Mirror (***)

3. Buruan Cium Gue (*)

4. Heart (****)

Harpot Mania

Everyone is talking about the latest Harry Potter book lately. But here I am, just finished the previous edition (6th), The Half-Blood Prince last night (*grin*). I know,... I'm soo sooo late. But better late than never (*grin*). I bought the book long time ago (of course) and read it as soon as I bought it, but I dropped it after only a few pages. For some reason I didn't find it appealing at that time, and I read other books instead. Besides, it needs lot of effort to read it in bed (the only place and time I could find convenient to read), as the book is quite thick, big, and heavy. So I just left it behind until few days ago I started to read and finish it. I knew I would read it eventually.

Not because it's a must. But I always (try to) read all the books I bought, eventhough it means few years later. I just looooove to buy books but hardly find time to read, especially in old days. I am expecting to read more now. You know... as I am not as 'busy' as before.

The other reason is, this is Harry Potter ! I read the first released book in 1997. I just realised that it was 10 years ago! I was in my twenties.... (ooops). I liked it as soon as I read it and continued to read the next released book with excitement. The story started when Harry turned 11 years old and he was almost turned 17 in the 6th edition. Also, look at the movie. The cute little boy with glasses has turned into young handsome teenager. And see how old I am now (oops oops), and I'm still reading it. Not only me, but all of Harry Potter's readers has grown too. It's not not only about Harry Potter, but I also about grew up with him. Amazing feeling, I thought! But I impressed with the author the most! If only I can write and be like her.... (*day dreaming*)

Back to the 6th edition, it was very 'dark', still magical, and Potter and friends still playing 'trio detectives'. The funniest was when Ron got poisoned by love potion :D. The sweetest was that love was hanging in the air. But the unexpected death of Dumbledore is the saddest, darkest, and most shocking thing. (I know.... I'm so so late to know about this ;p).

I wonder how is Hogwart without Dumbledore, and whether Harry can really kill You-Know-Who, and if he would get back together with Ginny. You who has read the latest book,... better keep quiet. I'm not accepting spoiler. I'm gonna read it (not very) soon,... as soon as I get the soft copy. ;p

Kesayangan

Duduk di Business Class dalam pernerbangan jarak jauh ternyata amat sangat nyaman dan gak ngebosenin. Selain perbedaan tempat duduk, service dan menu makanan yang lebih ok daripada kelas ekonomi, kita juga dimanjakan dengan fasilitas entertainment yang 'meriah'. Meriah karena selain banyak jenisnya, juga banyak pilihannya. Selain musik, games, internet, telepon (yang dua terakhir gak free of charge, of course), tentunya juga tersedia film-film. Semua itu bisa kita akses di monitor dan remote control (yang sekaligus bisa dipakai sebagai alat komunikasi telepon) yang tersedia di bangku masing-masing penumpang kelas bisnis. Bayangkan, ada lebih dari 10 games, 500 lagu/musik, dan 500 film yang bisa saya pilih untuk saya nikmati. Jadilah pada saat semua penumpang (termasuk hubby) tidur lelap, saya jadi orang 'norak', satu-satunya yang dengan penasaran browsing alat entertainment itu, sampai-sampai saya lupa tidur, dan buku yang sudah saya siapkan dari rumah pun gak tersentuh (*grin*)

Abis puas browsing isi peranti entertainment yang cukup canggih itu, akhirnya saya memutuskan nonton film. Nggak ragu-ragu saya langsung mencari satu film yang saya belum sempat tonton dan ingin sekali saya tonton, Music and Lyrics. Kenapa dari sekian banyak film yang bagus dan berbobot saya memilih film itu? Pertama, karena film itu pasti ringan, cocok buat saya yang sebenarnya sudah sangat lelah saat itu. Kedua, karena si aktor pemain utama di film itu. Yep, film itu adalah film terbarunya si Hugh Grant.

Dia bukan idola, saya pun bukan big Hugh Grant fans. Cuma suka. Entah kenapa. Kenapa ya?? Aktingnya biasa banget. Tampangnya pun gak cakep-cakep banget. Filmnya, semua drama. Gak variatif, dan membosankan. Kelakuan aslinya pun minus abis. Tapi saya ingat, dari beratus-ratus patung lilin artis film di Madame Tussaud Hongkong, saya memilih berfoto disebelah patung lilin Hugh Grant (kalo bukan nge-fans, norak kali ya ;p). Yaah... begitulah, apa daya saya terpikat sama mata sayunya dan aksen inggrisnya yang kental, dan charmingnya, dan tidak peduli sama apa kata orang lain dan dunia tentang cowok satu ini.

Sekarang tentang film Music and Lyrics. Drama komedi, ringan, secara keseluruhan biasa aja. Banyak keganjalan dan kekurangan sana sini (cieeh .... ). Tapi yang bikin menarik dan mengagetkan adalah ternyata aktor kesayangan saya ini bisa nyanyi dan nari di film. Meskipun narinya norak-norak gimanaa gitu, tapi jadinya bikin film ini menarik dan enjoyable. Dan satu hal, dia benar-benar menyanyikan semua lagu-lagu yang dinyanyikan dia di film ini. Acungin jempol! Suaranya gak heboh banget, tapi not too bad lah. Lagu paling norak (tapi lucu) yang dijadiin lagu pembuka film ini sempat stuck di kepala sampai seminggu (dooh!). Tapi ada lagu yang enak juga, nih ada liriknya. Intinya, Hugh Grant tetep jadi salah satu aktor kesayanganku lah (*grin*).

**********************************************

I've been living with a shadow over head
I've been sleeping with a cloud above my bed
I've been lonely for so long
Trapped in the past, I just can't seem to move on

I've been hiding all my hopes and dreams away
Just in case I ever need them again someday
I've been setting aside time,
to clear a little space in the cornners of my mind

All I want to do is find a way back into love
I cant make it through without a way back into love

I've been watching but the stars refuse to shine
I've been searching but I just dont see the signs
I know that its out there
There's got to be something for my soul somewhere

I've been looking for someone to shed some light
Not just somebody to get me through the night
I could use some direction, and I'm open to your suggestions

All I want to do is find a way back into love
I cant make it through without a way back into love
and If I open my heart again
I guess I'm hoping you'll be there for me in the end

There are moments when I dont know if it's real
or if anybody feels the way I feel
I need inspiration, not just another negotiation

All I want to do is find a way back into love
I cant make it through without a way back into love
and If I open my heart to you
I'm hoping you'll show me what to do
and if you help me to start again
you know that I'll be there for you in the end

*Way Back Into Love - Ost Music and Lyrics*

"A Fortunate Life"

Finished this book. Finally!

First classic Australian book I've ever read. Thanks to my friend, Sofi who lend it to me. Took ages to finish it, but it's not because it's too boring. I've only got distracted to other things. ;p

What can I say about this book. One of the books that I would have as a collection and re-reading. A book I would recommend other people to read. Combination between history, autobiography, and literature. True story about extraordinary life journey of Albert B. Facey (1894-1982). He wrote it in his elderly age (in his 80's), quite amazed with how he could remember his childhood life in detail. This book has helped me understand the past. I got the picture now what it was like to live and being a first settlement in this country in the 19th century. The life in that century was totally different than it is today (of course !). Also got a better picture of what how Australia involved in World War I and what Gallipoli is.

Facey had bitter and hard life, especially in his young age. Many people may experience the same, but not many can put it in writing like he did. Facey had no formal education. He taught himself to read and write. For some people this book can be boring. It was like reading an unimportant, dull journal. But for sure it's a great and moving book that had inspired many people. I'm one of them who enjoyed and moved by it.

"I have lived a very good life, it has been very rich
and full. I have been very fortunate and I am thrilled by it when I look back.''
-A. B. Facey-

Just Ordinary Days

I wonder,... why does this week go so slow. It's only Wednesday today! Heeeh.....
I know, I know.... I got this Monday off for a public holiday. But I have had enough. Can't wait for another break!

Btw, I had a quiet long week end. Didn't go to Darwin Cup (Horse Race). It's ok. I was not too keen anyway. Had 3 days of sleep in. Went to dinner and lunch with good friends, nice food, beautiful sunset. Went shopping, and watched a long outstanding movie, Pirates of Carribean: Dead Men's Chest. I know... I know.... we were a bit late,.. but we hardly had time to watch it. Lucky it still screened in the Cinema. Despite of all the critics about this film, I personally quite entertained. Easy, funny, well made movie, that's enough for me, at least for now. Not in the mood in watching complicated film. Now, I'm supposed to feel refresh! I was on Tuesday morning....

uugh.... Wish I could have another day off tomorrow.....(*sigh*)

Tired but Happy

A socialising day, that's what I would call today. That was because I was so busy meeting mates and had a good fun with them! In the morning-afternoon, I went to the mall. And as what usually women do, we chated and window shopping, and had meals. Today we also run for a movie.

Initially I and Myrna wanted to watch X-Men3, but Maysie did not like that kind of movie. So we ended up watching The Break-Up. It was actually not bad at all ! Vaughn and Aniston play Gary and Brooke, a modern couple whose relationship breaks down five minutes after the film started. They got into lots of quarrels from the very simple things until it got into very serious. The good thing about this film was it brought up the common problem that any couple can experience. It felt so real. Some dialogs seemed to be familiar, and the character of the Gary and Brooke reminded me to myself and my husband! (but of course we dont have same problem). It's supposed to be a romantic comedy movie, and I did laugh in some way. The two actors actually handle the emotional of the movie very well. And they got me. I could sense how annoyed irritated, and frustated Brook must felt to Gary, and I could be a bit teary at the end as well. I realised it’s really not that funny to break up, it’s painful, in fact. But I The Break-Up is an easy, light, watchable and recommended movie. You might have something to think about for your own relationship.

Not long after I got home, I had to go again. This time I and Andrew went to a small gathering at my classmate's house, Joji. Same girls who went to lunch on Wednesday plus their spouses came along. It was a good crowd, nice people, yummy meals, and beautiful weather. Even my husband enjoyed it.

What a day.... but I really had a good time. Life is getting better and better (i am saying this with BIG smile on my face) :D

Antara Desperate Housewife dan Transamerica

Minggu lalu saya dan hubby nonton film Transamerica. Dari judul dan posternya sudah ketauan kalau film ini mengandung unsur gender dan sex. Memang film ini menceritakan tentang seorang perempuan transsexual, yaitu orang yang mengidentifikasikan dirinya mempunyai jenis kelamin yang berlawanan dari jenis kelamin yang dia dapat pada waktu lahir.

Ceritanya tentang seorang perempuan transsexual bernama Bree - dimainkan oleh Felicity Huffman (pemain peran Lynette dalam Desperate Housewife), yang lahir sebagai laki-laki, bernama Stanley. Bree telah menjalani beberapa operasi dan terapi hormon, dan akan menjalani operasi final untuk menjadi wanita 'beneran'. Tetapi lalu dia baru tahu kalau dia mempunyai anak laki-laki bernama Toby (dimainkan oleh Kevin Zeger) berumur 17 tahun, dari hasil hubungannya dengan seorang wanita di masa mudanya. Kehilangan figur ayah, Toby tumbuh menjadi remaja yang nakal dan suka memberontak. Bree tidak berani memberitahu Toby bahwa dia ayah kandungnya, tetapi hal itu malah membawa Bree dan Toby pada perjalanan yang menantang dan membawa mereka menjadi semakin dekat pada kenyataan hubungan mereka .

Saya mengenal Huffman sebagai Lynette dalam serial Desperate Housewife. Selama menonton Transamerica, saya jadi merasa sedikit rancu melihat Bree sebagai 'perempuan' atau 'laki-laki'. Huffman yang berusaha mentransform dirinya menjadi laki-laki yang 'desperately' ingin menjadi seorang 'lady' jadi cukup membingungkan, karena tokoh Lynette telah sangat melekat pada pikiran saya. Akan tetapi saya akui film ini sangat menarik. Pertama karena peran transgender itu diperankan oleh wanita 'beneran'. Kedua, jarang sekali film yang mengupas masalah transgender, dan film ini cukup dapat mewakili masalah dan perasaan yang dihadapi para pria dan wanita transsexual. Ketiga, jalan ceritanya menarik, penuh kejutan, sukar ditebak, dan happy ending.

Tetapi sebenarnya bukan film nya yang saya mau bahas.

Cerita sedikit tentang suami saya. Dia bukan orang yang anti nonton serial TV, tidak juga anti nonton film drama. Tetapi entah mengapa dia men'cap' Desperate Housewife sebagai serial yang 'sangat silly' setelah mencoba nonton 1-2 kali. Saya sih tidak masalah untuk nonton sendirian. Dan dia juga tidak melarang saya nonton film itu.

Lalu apa hubungannya sama Transamerica??
Sudah pasti ada hubungannya sama pemeran utama film tersebut, Felicity Huffman.
Sepulang dari nonton Transamerica, suami saya sibuk sendiri di depan komputer. Tidak lama dia bilang... "sayang,... kamu tau gak kalo pemain utama film tadi itu ceweq asli!"

Laaah..... babe, kamu kemana ajaaaa??!!.....makanya nonton desperate housewife! :)
Padahal dia termasuk orang yang paling susah di boongin lho....
Ternyata dia melihat salah satu review/artikel dari internet mengenal film tersebut.

Jadinya saya acungkan jempol buat Felicity Huffman. Buat yang tidak tahu tokoh Lynette, ternyata Huffman dapat benar mentransform dirinya menjadi laki-laki. Hebat euy!