Play The Beads

For those who knows me too long must know that I have passion in doing handy crafty work. I like doing crazy (according to some people) things, like: Paper Tole, Scrapbook, Making Cards, Knitting, Cross Stitch, Jigsaw Puzzle, etc. Some people think I was nut when I show them my paper tole work, where I have to cut many an small pieces of paper and built it into 3 dimension picture with glue. Others could not understand how could I finish a picture of 10.000 pieces jigsaw puzzle. Sometimes I even dream about it. Example, when I worked on puzzle, I would dreamt about pieces of puzzles everywhere and connected it. When I worked on cross stitch, I dreamt about the pattern, tangle yarn, match colour. When I worked on paper tole, I dreamt about the mountains of glue melted... and many other strange dreams.

As much as I like doing it, there are times when I busy with work and other things, too tired and has no time to do anything else. That's when hobbies started faded away. It has been left out for quite a long time.

Not long ago I learned how to knit. I like it but I didn't have so much time after that. I know I have to do it again before I completely forget how to.

But in the past few weeks I've been having fun playing with my new toys, ie: beads, wire, pliers, crimps, clasps, headpins, etc. Yes, I am now at the stage of learning to make jewellery. Apparently not so easy! Especially the ones with wire. Same as other hand craft work, you have to be creative and super patient, as you are working with tiny bitty beads or soft/hard wire sometimes. But I lovee it! I have so much FUN ! :)

Beads for my lariat necklace project with varies of tools

One of the charm for the necklace. Making the loop and wrap on the wire is really a challenge.


Some of the charms I've been making so far.


Simple necklace I made for our first project.

Ketupat Lebaran

Lebaran,... selalu jadi salah satu penyebab saya kangen pulang kampung. Bukan karena saya ikut ngerayain, bukan karena kangen ramenya beduk dan takbiran, bukan karena hebohnya petasan, bukan karena sepinya jalanan Jakarta, tapi karena...anteran ketupat (dan teman-temannya) dari tetangga-tetangga! Ada tetangga Jawa, yang semur dan lodehnya mantap, ada tetangga Sunda yang opornya leker, dan ada tetangga Padang yang rendang dan sambel goreng hatinya pedes bukan main. Ketupat plus lauk pauknya yang bersantan, pedas, berlemak, plus krupuk dan sambel, aaaah.....slurp.. slurp... :)

Gak terasa udah 3 tahun absen lebaran di Jakarta, dan tiap tahunnya saya ada di tempat yang berbeda. Dua tahun sebelum ini, di Adelaide dan Darwin, Australia, dimana Lebaran tentu saja tidak terasa. Tahun ini, di salah satu negara di Middle East. Mau tau gimana ramenya lebaran disini? Ternyata sama saja seperti di Australia. Lebaran tahun ini disini dirayakan pada tanggal 12 Oktober, bukan 13 Oktober seperti di Indonesia. Buat kami yang tidak merayakan ternyata sama sekali tidak merasakan suasana meriahnya Eid / Idul Fitri. Malam sebelum Eid, gak ada ramai-ramai beduk lebaran, gak ada rame-rame takbiran, acara TV Dubai dan Saudi Arabia (saya tidak bisa menangkap acara tv lokal) tidak ada yang berubah, gak ada acara special Lebaran. Toko-toko kebanyakan tutup, tetapi supermaket dan restoran buka seperti biasa. Sama seperti hari Jumat secara umum. Kota lebih sepi dari biasa, dan tidak ada suara petasan. Intinya, semua berjalan normal seperti biasa! Kantor-kantor libur 2 hari. Sangat amat mengherankan terutama buat saya yang biasa tinggal di Indonesia. Meskipun tidak ikut merayakan lebaran, tapi dampak dari hari raya ini sangat terasa di Indonesia, bukan cuma buat mereka yang merayakan, tapi hampir bagi semua warga. Seenggak-nggaknya jalanan lebih sepi dari biasa, tontonan TV semua bertema lebaran, yang kerja dapet bonus THR, sebagian dapet libur lebih dari satu minggu, dan sebagainya. Jadinya saya gak tau warga jordan ini ngapain aja untuk ngerayain Lebaran. Mungkin mereka bersilahturahmi antar keluarga saja. Sepertinya juga tidak ada perayaan besar kenegaraan. Yang pasti, secara umum saya tidak merasakan suasana lebaran di kota ini. Kesimpulannya: Lebaran di Indonesia jauh lebih heboh dan ramai, dan lebih asik karena ada ketupaaat. :)

Anyway, for those who celebrate, have a blessed Eid day. :)

Expecting

I've been waiting for so long to tell this. In the past 3 months I've been feeling tired, sleepy, and lazy most of the time. I know I know,.. for anyone who knows me, it's sounds like very 'me'. But not only I felt it more than usual (so bad that I have to lied down or took a nap), but after a few weeks, it also followed with other symptoms, like headache, heartburn, bladder 'calling' 100 times at night, and... growing tummy.

Guess what, ... yes,... I'm expecting!

I know! Can you imagine, me, pregnant? It was a rather shocking when I found it out too. ;p

I welcome the second trisemester this week. The last first trisemester had been full of new sensations. This very new experience, so amazing that I could freak-out and excited at the same time. Doctor said being pregnant means live as normal. But I don't agree. I definitely have to take a good care of myself more. More cautious of myself. Have to watch what I eat, what I drink, what I see, what I hear, what I say, what I feel, and what I do. Automatically I have to switch the way I think, as I am not only think about myself anymore. So, yeah, this is another changes in my life I should take, and I am really thankful for that.

As I am in the second trisemester now, my tummy is a little bit showing. At least that's what people said when they see me. I am hoping to feel better, have more energy, more energetic and enjoy this new experience more.

Bamboo Mambo

Ada taneman baru di dalem rumah. Gak jelas taneman apa, tapi yang punya toko nyebutnya bambu. Yang berulir-ulir gini kalo gak salah namanya love bamboo.

Sebenernya sih gak sengaja, kebetulan aja nemu vas gede lagi sale. Ke toko bunga, cari yang cocok, kebetulan juga nemu taneman ini yang tampangnya unik, tinggi, tahan lama, dan gak perlu banyak perawatan. Tinggal di jogrokin aja di vas dan diganti air tiap minggu.

Ternyata taneman ini juga masih tergolong salah satu lucky bamboos. Menurut feng shui taneman bambu simbol keberuntungan dan kesuksesan karena bambu tumbuh cepat dan kuat. Punya taneman bambu di rumah dipercaya bisa meningkatkan energi di dalam rumah, memberikan penghuni rumah energi tambahan buat menghadapi hari-hari dalam kehidupan mereka. Juga dipercaya membawa keberuntungan pada rumah, bisnis, dan orang-orang yang dicintai. Sifat bambu yang mudah menyesuaikan diri dengan cuaca, dan dapat bertahan lama, menjadi simbol dari kemampuan untuk maju terus dan beradaptasi dengan perubahan dalam hidup. Tanaman bambu yang disimpan di dalam rumah dan kantor akan membantu pertumbuhan dalam segala aspek dalam kehidupan. Tanaman ini juga melindungi penghuni rumah dari 'unforseen force'.

Hmmm...gak tau bener apa nggak, tapi mudah-mudahan bener deh. Yang pasti sih it's nice to see green fresh thing in the house.

Promised Land

Top of the mountain where I can see Dead Sea in the distance (left side)

"Go up unto...Mount Nebo in Moab, across from Jericho, and view Canaan, the land
I am giving the Israelites as their own possession. There on the mountain that
you have climbed you will die."
- Deuteronomy 32:49-50 -

And there was I standing on that mountain. A biblican place full of history, one of the important pilgrimage site located in Jordan. On this mountain is where Moses is said to have seen the Promised Land, a land he was himself forbidden to enter. He died at aged 120 and was later buried in the area, but the exact location of the burial site is unknown.

Enough about the history, the complex itself is a sanctuary completed with museum, some stone marks, old church, old ancient mozaics, a hugh artistic monument inspired by bronze snake upon a pole used by Moses, and shaded with some pine and olive trees .

I couldn't believe that we were supposed to be able to view Dead Sea, Jericho, Jordan River and Jerusalem (which is in Israel - different country!) on a clear day. Unfortunatelly it was a bit hazy when we were there, I could only see the Dead Sea vaguely in the distance.

This plaque is a direction finder points that shows various locations throughout the region.

I never seen a bus full of group tour in town, but there were few of them there up in that mountain. Every group accompanied with tour leader who were busy explaining the history of the place. I couldn't understand a thing, as they spoke no English. Not sure, but they might be Italian, Greek, Japanese, or Korean, and Philipino. But out of the blue, I heard someone said "Ini loh tempatnya Musa....",.. "panas ya, mustinya bawa payung", "jangan cepet-cepet!", "ayo-ayo foto disini"...... a group of people who are definitely from Indonesia!. :D They were just practically walked past us, and ignored us. I and hubby could only smile and look at each other, amaze to see a bunch of people talking Bahasa. ;p

After about 2 hours wondering around and took pictures, we headed back. On the way back we dropped by to a mozaic and souvenir shop full of tourist. Lots of nice things there, i felt like I shopping! Best thing was that we got half price discount on everything in the shop as we are residence of Amman. So I knew that they charge tourist double price! What a pricey...
As we have to go through a town called Madaba, we did a bit of exploration there. We went to St George's Church, where we saw interesting mozaics. We were tried to see other recommended church, but it was closed, and I started to get tired from long walk,...we were then drove back home, which only took us about 45 minutes.

Nice day, good to be out and about again. Check out more pictures HERE.

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 (****)

How's Live?

Chatted with a friend in Sydney this morning. She asked me how is it like living in the middle east and whether I like living here, and whether it feels like home.

Hhmmmm.. what can I say?

This country located in the other part of the world, with its differences and unique from other country. The weather, believe it or not it has 4 seasons. We are going into autumn and will reach winter soon. Yes there is winter here. With snow! As much as I want to see snow, I'm not sure if I'd like the cold. The food, also different. Hard to explain. I might need to take pictures of them to show you. Less pollution, no motorbikes, and not too many buses. Some of places are modern and clean. It has some good malls and supermaket, and I did meet some nice, friendly, and welcome local people.

But in some ways this country does remind me to Indonesia/Jakarta, where majority of people are moslem, how people drive, how people just can not line up, how boys/men stare at women passing by, and how people smoke. This might contribute a sense of feel like home, in which it means I wasn't so surprise, less cultural shock, and able to adapt to the new environment easily.
Some of foreign friends who usually live in western countries have trouble in adapting some of local habits here. Many of my girl friends can't stand how men stare, honk their car, follow them, make comment, or try to make silly conversation. One of my friend really annoyed and hardly get over it. She thinks it's serious harassment to women. Other friends can't stand how people drive. They don't indicate, park or stop in the middle of the road, don't give away in the place they suppose to give away, and honk a lot. Other friends complains about how people don't line up or stand very close when queue in public places like bank, ATM, and other customer service places. Other friends sigh when there isn't any 'Thank You' words came from the mouth of cashier in shops after they made payment. The foreign couple from Canada who used to live in Jakarta love Jakarta better as people are more friendly, welcomed, helpful, and respectful. They even love Jakarta traffic better! I could say at some stage here is worse than Jakarta.

I have recently started to drive and get used to the left side road and traffic. For me, as far as I have internet and phone connection, know where to get my stuff, more mobile and get to get around by myself, make friends, have some friends to talk and have coffee with, and just enjoy whatever you do, that's enough. In fact I haven't feel bored since I came here. So I guess so far I adjust quite well, but still, far from feel like home.

Back to the local people habits, I recommended you to see this to see that I was not exaggerating . This was posted in 2005, and hasn't been changed much.....

== Dear Olin, thanks for the inspiration ;p==

Morning Surprise

I woke up this morning and surprised with what I saw outside. Clouds! It was cloudy and no bright sun! Where did the sun go?? It almost looked like it was going to rain. Does it mean summer is going to end soon? Oooh... noo... it's going to be freeeezziiing cold!

Layout Change

New layout!

No particular reason. Just bored with the old one and found this template. No particular reason as to why I chose this template either. I like the balloon, that's all.

Also I found out that I've entered into a next step in my life. I'll tell the details later. But for that reason I'm now feel a need of refreshment, a change, like changing the layout of my own blog.

Not a very great layout, but pretty happy with it and this will do for a change I needed now. I have to get use to the fact of sidebar is now on the left side, though. I might change my mind and returned to the old layout. ;p

One Fine Evening

Conversation of 3 women in a fancy cafe

A = Are you just recently married ?
Me = Errm,... not really, I got married in 2005.
M = OMG, I got married 10 years before you, in 1995.
A = And I was in 1985!

Hmmm... a bit weird.....

and I suddenly felt young. ;p

Experience Damascus

coffee/tea seller in Al-Hamadieh Soukh

I'm not sure how, but I got quite busy lately. Since I got back from Damascus, I had to attend so many appointments, helped a friend moving out and attended so many lunches. Not only that. Hubby was sick, and I've been not feeling well too. Fatigue. feel tired, feel like want to sleep all day, and almost everyday have new things to complain about.

You might be waiting story about Damascus. I might not have many words to tell about Damascus and its tourism site, as I didn't go to any tourism site such as mosques or museums even though I stayed for 5 days. Partly because hubby was there for work, so I had to explore the city by myself in the afternoon. So mainly I just enjoyed the hotel and looked around and shopped a bit. I gave up exploring the city at the 3rd day, I felt so tired from 3 days full walk, and it was very hot (40-42C in the afternoon). I spent the last 2 days in the hotel, enjoyed the pool and spa, or just sit by the pool and read, and have room service. Very nice treat.

Damascus, Syria, was a busy and alive city, very different than Amman. That's strange, considering it’s only take about 3 hours drive from Amman. It totally a different city. It packed with people (population might be triple than Amman), and of course heaps of vehicles, and more pollution. Houses, apartments and buildings closed to each other, narrow streets, little alley, and traffic jam everywhere. But I supposed nothing can compare to Jakarta if we’re talking about traffic. It has a lot of cafe and restaurant. I could see a lot of green such as parks around the city or farms out of town. Also lots of old maintained building. They use it as residences or shops, or restaurant. Local people are very more friendly and relax. They don't care what skin colour you have and will not hesitate to offer you tea or coffee in their shop. I felt more relax and safe to walk around and shop by myself.

The unique place to visit is of course the soukh (market). Unique because it sells most of fine middle eastern antiques, furniture, ornaments, linen, and jewellery. It located in a very old area with lots of old building, places that you never imagine. It huge and crowded, and dirty. Reminded me to Jakarta Kota and Pasar Baru. Shopping is good. Lots of nice thing to buy, you can go crazy. But you have to know good shop and bargain to get best price. The antiques of course not cheap, but lot more cheaper than in Australia. For me, Indonesian furniture and etnic ornament's price are still more reasonable.

Slightly out of the topic, of course I and Andrew as a foreigner were excited to see everything in the soukh. The place itself, the people, the shops, building, what they sell, etc were all new and interesting. But not for Ms M, the local from Amman who is hubby's staff who came along for work. She is still very young, maybe in her mid twenties. I could tell that she didn't have any interest at all in everything in the market. All the amazing furnitures and paintings, fine and unique table clothes, walk around crowded dirty streets, all seemed too boring for her. I'm sure she is more interested in malls and all modern clothing shops. Reminded me to myself back in Indonesia. Since when I was interested in indonesian traditional dance, batik, songket, wood craft, wayang, etc? Maybe only since I met my hubby. I remember when I was a little, I always get bored if we (I and parents) went to the Indonesian handicraft section in Sarinah. I always say no if my mum wanted to buy me batik clothing, I learned ballet dance instead of Bali dance, and switched the channel if it showed traditional dance or wayang. It's funny that now I appreciate them more. Seeing foreigner amazed with our culture and tradition made me proud of my country. I think at the moment that's the only thing that Indonesia can be proud of. Anyway, Ms M was excited when I told her that there are more modern shops like Kookai, Benetton, GAP, etc not far from the hotel. She went to the a mall (which she found not impressing) and walked around modern shops the next day, while I and Andrew went back few times to the soukh. She may appreciate middle east handicraft and antiques later when she is older. :)

The other interesting thing was driving. There was no speed limit. On the highway you are welcome to speed 100-200 km/hour. The scenery out of town wasn't so appealing at all. But we found some un-common things on the way, which we captured on the camera. We had to go through immigration and customs in both Jordanian and Syrian borders. Although it only take about 2 hours to reach Syrian border, but it takes about 1 hour to process everything in both borders. We had to go through all the 'important' immigration and customs process, including registering and apply for insurance for our car. That's when I learned that people here are also doesn't have enough patient and attitude in taking line/queue. I may say it worst than Indo. ;p I might still laugh of their rude attitude, as such attitude didn't surprise me. But no for my hubby. He thinks it's totally unacceptable and the most annoying attitude, ever.

Damascus photos are now available. See in "Picture Of My Life" list at the right side bar, or simply click here. You need to click the little image to see bigger and clearer image.

Long Live Indomie

Look what I found on Damascus trip!

An old bike parked on the side of the Straight Street at the Old Market, with Indomie box on its basket!

Big billboard of... Indomie! Not sure name of the street and location. Captured this from taxi on the way to Soukh Al-Hamidieh

Can't get away from it.... bump into this truck on the highway (still in Syria) on the way back to Amman.

I know it was just only Indomie. But this product is amazing. Save me lot of time from hunger (*grin*). Easy and taste good, everybody loves it, even my hubby. And more amazingly its available everywhere! well at least it's in every countries I've been to so far. Even in this area where hard to find Indonesian products and food. Hope to travel to other countries and will take picture anytime I see Indomie in different countries :) That's my plan. :D

Curious if I have some Indomie at home? Of course I have. Here is the picture (only) few packs of Indomie I bought here, in Amman, Jordan.

Back In Town

I've done Damascus, and now back in town. It was an interesting and relaxing trip. Just wished the temperature was more friendly. I think my skin is doubled darker now, not tan. I can't be tan. Just simply become darker :(. Stories and photos of the trip will be posted later. Have other things in mind at the moment and not feeling too well, as well as hubby. Think we caught up Syrian bugs. Hope won't be too bad.....

Out of Town

Oh,.. and Happy Independence day, Indonesia! I had an interesting day today watching lots of Indonesian (and locals) played traditional independence day games, dangdut music and dance (of course), and enjoyed Indonesian food at the celebration hosted by Indonesian Embassy. ;p

Shocking Result

Your Emoticon is Shocked

Just seen the most shocking result ever.

Another Transformation

Found this when I browse YouTube last night. I tought it's lovely and quite amazing.

Transformation

Time to be a real narcissist. :D

After a few days digging to all my pictures collection, i found it easy to find my childhood's and current's, but hard to find the 80's and 90's. And here they are, some of them I could get from each decades of my life. Reminded me to how old I really am (*sigh*)...

So, how do I transformed? Do I look so innocent in the 70's? Do I still look innocent now? :D

Let's Go To Pup!

One of the thing I found in west part of the city. I thought I'll share. :)

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

Nationality Confusion

On one hot day:

me : salamualaikum
taxi driver : .... mumbled
me : ila Mecca Mall (to Mecca Mall)
taxi driver : ok
taxi driver : (mumbled in arabic)
me : la arabic (no arabic)
taxi driver : where are you from?
me : not answering
taxi driver : from Japan ?
me : no
....

Another day in a cafe

me : can I have grilled chicken caesar salad and orange juice, please
waitress : sure, ok. Anything else ?
me : No, thanks
waitress : Are you from Japan?
me : no
...

On one fine day in a salon

me : I want to have my hair wash and blow dry.
man A : of course, come and have your hair wash here (then he started to wash my hair)
man B : (sitting on the sofa near me), where are you from ?
me : Australia.
man B : (smile, looked puzzled)
me : but I'm originally from Indonesia, Jakarta. You know?
man B : Ooooh,....I know Indonesia. I thought you from Japan.
me : (smile, sighed)
...

Another day in another taxi

taxi driver : where from ? china?
me : no
taxi driver : philipine ?
me : no
taxi driver : Japan ?
me : no
...

I don't understand...

Tell me, do I really look like Japanese?

Inget Kampung

Kemarin, tiba-tiba saya pengen nonton Harry Potter. Setelah ngeluarin segala bujuk rayu, akhirnya si hubby mau juga nemenin. Tapi bisa-bisanya kita keabisan tiket, padahal kita datang 1/2 jam sebelum film dimulai. Emang sih disini film ini baru keluar. Masih fresh dan rame, terutama kemarin yang notabene malem sebelum weekend. Ngomong-ngomong tentang keabisan tiket, kapan ya terakhir saya nonton keabisan tiket? Nggak inget. Mungkin juga karena kita gak terlalu sering nonton, tapi juga karena sebelum ini kita tinggal di Darwin, gak ada acara macet dan gak pake acara ngantri di bioskop. Mau film paling top, paling rame, ato paling heboh, kita bisa pegi dari rumah 10 menit sebelumnya, dan nggak pernah keabisan tiket ato dapet tempat duduk yang gak enak. Enak banget :)

Karena gak jadi nonton, jalan-jalan lah kita. Ketika mulai lapar, kita mutusin buat nyoba satu restoran asia yang katanya 'enak'. Setelah nyoba makan makanan asia di 4 tempat, sebenarnya saya sudah mau menyerah buat makan makanan asia di negeri ini. Selain gak autentik, juga rasanya biasa aja. Tapi karena rekomendasi teman-teman, akhirnya saya n hubby mencoba restoran Noodle House.

Aneh tapi nyata, saya hampir gak percaya sama pendengaran saya saat masuk dan memilih tempat duduk. Tapi benar! saya benar-benar mendengar lagu Yang Terbaik Bagimu-nya Ada Band! Lalu disusul lagunya Letto (lupa judul), lalu Satu-nya Dewa... dan seterusnya. Aaah.. jadi kangen Jakarta. Eerm...mungkin buat orang lain biasa aja. Tapi buat saya yang tinggal di negara orang, yang jauh dari peradaban Indonesia, rasanya benar-benar aneh dan surprise bisa mendengarkan lagu-lagu yang biasa saya dengar di Jakarta, dengan bahasa indonesia, di tempat umum di suatu restoran di kota ini. Senyum pun mengembang (*grin*).

Senyum semakin gede setelah melihat apa yang tersaji di meja.... pot-pot sambal! termasuk salah satunya cabe ijo kegemaran saya! Jadi saya bisa bebas ngambil sambal semaunya. yay! Catatan: Ini pertama kali saya liat ada sambal nangkring di atas meja restoran. Makanannya pun ternyata gak mengecewakan,..seenggak-enggaknya jauh lebih baik dari pada restoran asia lain yang pernah saya coba.

Kesana lagi? Pastinya!

First Bake

Another update of my recent cooking experience, which has been become more creative and authentic. All made from scratch, involved little bit war in the kitchen, but no pain this time.

I was surprised of myself as the result was not too bad at all. Very tasty and yummy (of course that's whay Hubby said, .... but it's true! ;p). I even got the highest rank I've ever had for the Ayam Goreng Kecap/Fried Chicken with Soy Souce dish, which was 9 out of 10! (ranked by hubby too, of course). That's perhaps motivate me to do my first baking dish later on, Makaroni Schotel/Baked Macaroni, which is delicimo too. :)

Ayam Goreng Kecap

Baked Macaroni (Macaroni Schotel)
first time baking in oven!!

Something I Missed From May

It was 13th of May last year,
when I firstly start this blog
accidentally,
just for fun.

didn't think I will go this far

didn't think I'm going to write this much

didn't think I'm going to post this much
didn't think I'm going to have so much fun

a bit too much so I didn't realised a year has passed

This might be a little bit too late

but I'm proud to say

happy 1st anniversary to my own blog ;p

Delicimo

As far as I don't like cooking, I'm surprise to find myself enjoying it (sometimes) lately. Maybe because we have such a fancy kitchen, maybe because I don't work, maybe because I started to get use to all the pain (*grin*).

Followed to my cooking attempt, trial and error last year and recent cooking incident, here is an update of few meals that I made since I've been here.

Note:

• It's hard to get ingredients and cooking spices for Asian/Indo dishes. So for the start I have to use spices in ready package. It turned out ok, it's practical, and better than not cook at all. (*grin*)


• These are only few meals that I took the picture when I remember. I cooked lot more.
  

Tom Kha Gai

Beef Rendang

But I also made few meals from the scratch. With all original spices, and with sweat and pain (*grin*) like this ones:

Nasi Goreng

Sweet and Sour Chicken
made it from scratch. Pretty proud with myself for this one


and of course, Perkedel Kentang (Potato Cake)

They might not look too good, but it taste good! At least hubby likes them and always finish them all. No complaint, no stomach ache, no critics. :D

So, what do you think? Do you think I'm improved ???

Morning Has Broken

After not being able to sleep until 3am last night, sleep-in was what I need this morning. But unfortunately I couldn't. A very annoying-noisy noise woke me up at about 8am. So loud that I couldn't go back to sleep and had to get up. Hhhhh....

Found out that the noise came from the apartment building about 3 blocks away from my apartment. An empty land at the back of my apartment made clear and loud sound went straight to my bedroom.

Here is what happened, taken from my bedroom window.

Yep, bunch of men were cleaning apartment building's wall. They certainly did a good job, in cleaning the building (the wall looks white rather than brown now), but they also has successfully ruined my morning.

Anyhoo, interesting to see how they do it. That's why I took the pic.

What Has Happened

Here is what has happened in the past few days

Unpack our stuff (of course!), which packed in 71 boxes, weight more than 1400 kg.

Taking out things from the boxes are easy. It finished in 3 days. But arranging and tidy things up around the house, that does took more than a week.

House is more like a house now. No more echoes because of empty big space. All drawers and cabinet filled. I’m surrounded by things that familiar to me. Even the smell of the house changed. Smell like our house.

Found a scale from one of the boxes. Found out I put on weight. 2 kg. (oops!). Exercise! I need exercise!

Had gain another bad habit. Lucky if I can sleep before 2am. Then I’ll get up very late and feel tired the whole morning. Will feel better and have more energy around 5pm onwards, and less and less dream! I found this very very strange.

Had enjoyed a few drinks since I've been here but no allergy reaction. Yay! But I drank the most poisoned cocktail I've ever had last week, one glass of vodka with mix fruit juice. Not only it calm me down (very strangely too “calm”) (*grin*), but also gave itchiness for a week. The worst I've ever had!

Attended the weirdest wedding I've ever been to. For the start, reception started at 8.30pm (which make me eat something before we go) Women guest placed in different room with men guest. Then the meal didn’t come out until 11.30pm (glad I’m smart enough to have noodles before we go). Few big round tables and chairs, big video screen screening what the couple’s doing before and at the reception, a decorated stage for bride, cheerful and romantic music with a blast sound system, and dance floor in women’s room. Only tables and chairs in men’s room, but they got appetiser first. The strangest thing was that men’s guest can’t see the bride! What’s the point to go to a wedding if you can’t see the bride and groom? But apart from all odd, we are glad we were invited. I was lucky enough to be in women’s room as I could see both bride and groom. The Bride was beautiful and gloomed. The Groom looked happy. They danced on the dance floor so romantically, like they were the only people in the world, whilst guest and cameramen were busy taking pictures and video. They looked very relax, happy, and in love! I’ve never seen anything like that in a wedding party. I almost burst in tears! We wished them a happy new life together.

Had been hearing lots of ‘local’ top-40 music. I think my brain and ears have finally agreed to accept peculiar melody, beat, music, and language local music have. Simply to say that I didn’t have headache anymore when I hear them and I started humming some of local songs now. ;p

Had abandoned Peter Carey’s “My Life As A Fake”. I think I’ll give it a break and shift to Harry Potter, since Harry Potter season is here. New movie and new book just came out. Harry Potter is everywhere. It reminded me that I haven’t read the last book, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Good time to be back to reading routine.

Will It Be A Lazy Day?

Have you ever feel so lazy to do everything??

So lazy for even getting up from bed ?
So lazy for having shower ?
So lazy to make coffee and breakfast ?
(*sigh*)

When I thought today is gonna be lazy and dull day,
I just got a call, telling me that our stuff is coming this evening...

Yay!!!!!

I suddenly filled up with excitement. Bright smile on all over my face. :D

Can't wait.

7 Keajaiban Dunia (Baru)

Main article: New Seven Wonders of the World

Two "New Seven Wonders" lists have been promoted since
2000.

In 2001 an initiative was started by Swiss corporation New Open
World Corporation (NOWC) to choose the New Seven Wonders of the World from a
selection of 200 existing monuments for profit. Twenty-one finalists were
announced January 1, 2006. The results were announced on July 7, 2007 and are:

Great Wall of China, China
Petra, Jordan
Christ the Redeemer (statue), Brazil
Machu Picchu, Peru
Chichen Itza, Mexico
Colosseum, Italy
Taj Mahal, India
Great Pyramid, Egypt [Honorary Candidate]

Sumber:Wikipedia


Saya jadi bertanya-tanya. Mana Candi Borobudur? Bukankah Borobudur termasuk salah satu dari 7 Keajaiban Dunia juga? Itu yang saya dengar dan pelajari waktu kecil.

Tapi, setelah selidik sekilas di dunia google,... gak ada informasi yang mengatakan kalau Borobudur termasuk dari 7 Keajaiban Dunia. Candi Borobudur gak pernah termasuk dalam daftar dari 7 keajaiban dunia!! Borobudur cuma masuk di daftar “The Forgotten Wonders” di situs WonderClub.com.
Juga Borobudur diakui sebagai salah satu dari daftar warisan dunia (World Heritage List/WHL) oleh UNESCO Nomor 592 Tahun 1991.

Lalu kemarin, telah dikeluarkan daftar 7 Keajaiban Dunia Baru. Daftar ini berawal dari sebuah yayasan di luar negeri yang mengampanyekan program New Seven Wonders of the World. Dipelopori oleh petualang asal Swiss, Bernard Weber, pemilihan tujuh keajaiban dunia versi baru ini dimulai dari tahun 1999, melibatkan 20 juta orang di dunia dengan sistem jajak pendapat melalui internet dan telepon. Pemilihan nominasi dilakukan secara bertahap. Pada awalnya telah masuk 200 unggulan dari berbagai negara, yang selanjutnya diperas secara bertahap hingga menjadi 21. Konon, sejak babak awal seleksi, dari 200 usul menjadi 70 unggulan, Candi Borobudur, tidak termasuk sebagai finalis. Sedangkan Opera House Sydney dan Patung Liberty masuk dalam daftar. C'mon.... how silly was that ??!! Gak tau siapa yang salah, si pak Weber yang kuper dan bukan petualang sejati, ato instansi terkait tertentu di Indonesia yang gak tanggap dan cekatan.

Ada berbagai kelemahan dari program ini:

• Pemilihan ini tidak diakui oleh lembaga internasional seperti UNESCO dan dianggap sebagai proyek pribadi Pak Webber.
• Negara berkembang seperti Indonesia yang kurang akrab dengan internet dan telepon kurang bisa mensosialisikan pemilihan ini.
• Kriteria pemilihan tidak jelas, cuma berdasarkan selera pemilih. obyektivitasnya diragukan
• Jajak pendapat yang menggunakan internet dan telepon juga akan membatasi responden pada kalangan tertentu yang akrab dengan internet maupun telepon internasional saja.
• Sistem pemilihan sama kayak pemilihan bintang idola televisi
• Pemenang adalah yang bisa mengumpulkan dukungan dengan berbagai cara, belum tentu yang terbaik.

Walaupun demikian, hanya sebagian kecil (salah satunya mungkin saya) yang menyadari hal diatas. Daftar 7 Keajaiban Dunia Baru telah disebarluaskan, mendunia, dan cukup sensasional. Siapa yang akan peduli sama kenyataan diatas? Siapa yang akan peduli sama sejarah pemilihan daftar baru tersebut? Daftar baru sudah di keluar dan di sebarluaskan. Tentu saja akan menguntungkan negara-negara yang tercantum dalam daftar baru tersebut, terutama untuk meningkatkan popularitas dan tujuan pariwisata, dan meningkatkan pendapatan negara.

Contohnya adalah tempat dimana saya tinggal sekarang, masyarakat merayakan hasil jajak pendapat tersebut dengan kembang api dan keramaian di tengah kota semalam suntuk. Tentu saja setelah sebelumnya rakyat didorong untuk berpatisipasi dalam jajak pendapat ini. Dimana-mana di pasang slogan "Vote for Petra". (Untuk catatan, Petra memang pantas untuk dinobatkan jadi salah satu keajaiban dunia)

Kembali ke Candi Borobudur. Berdasarkan fakta diatas memang tidak seharusnya menjadi masalah kalau Borobudur tidak termasuk dalam daftar diatas. Tetapi, apa salahnya kalau bisa masuk dalam daftar tersebut atau setidak-tidaknya termasuk dalam finalis? Bukankah akan menambah kepopuleran, kebanggaan, dan pendapatan bangsa? Kenyataan bahwa candi ini bahkan tidak termasuk dalam daftar finalis, sangat mengecewakan. Beberapa orang asing yang saya kenal bahkan sangat menyayangkan hal ini. Pertanyaannya adalah: Mengapa?? Kurang tua? Kurang otentik? Kurang ajaib? atau kurang terkenal?

Kenyataan bahwa Borobudur masih termasuk dalam daftar WHL dimana kriteria WHL sangat jelas dan melalui proses penilaian yang panjang, serta dimonitor secara terus-menerus sebenarnya cukup membanggakan. Tetapi sekali lagi, hanya segelintir orang yang tau tentang hal ini.

Ditengah keterpurukan dunia kepariwisataan Indonesia, terutama karena alasan keamanan, travel warning yang disebarluaskan lewat internet untuk memperingatkan warga negara asing 'bahaya'nya travel ke Indonesia, masuknya Airlines Indonesia dalam blacklist di Eropa, ditambah berita 7 keajaiban dunia baru ini tentunya akan mempengaruhi persepsi masyarat dunia. Nama Borobudur mungkin akan semakin tenggelam dan akhirnya jumlah wisatawan asing akan semakin berkurang.

Duh, napa jadi sok nasionalis dan serius banget ya? Cape juga serius gini :D But I', seriously annoyed with this. Gemes gitu loh. :)

Tapi, ok juga kali ya kalau bisa liat beberapa tempat yang disebut 7 Keajaiban Dunia Baru itu. Dari sini, mudah-mudahan saya bisa liat Petra, Collosseum di Itali, dan Great Pyramid di Mesir. (*grin*)

Old Music, Old Theatre

In an old Roman Amphitheatre at downtown of Amman last Thursday, we sat under the stars and spent the night listening to classic music concert complete with the Choir. They played famous classical numbers such as Choral Fantasy (Beethoven), Rhapsody in Blue (Gershwin), and Carmina Burana (Carl Orff).

I'm not an expert in music, but I love classic music and enjoyed listening to it every now and then. The concert was good. The Orchestra and Choir were professional. The musicians played very well, and the choir did a great job especially on Carmina Burana. But there's something I can't explain that I think was missing. I didn't get a dramatic sensation or goosebumps I thought I would get. I'm not sure why. Might be the sound system, or might be my expection is too high, or might be because I didn't sit at the middle,...I don't know.

Anyway, listened to old classical music at the old ancient Roman Amphitheatre..... I would say that's a rare experience and I'm glad I was there to experience it.

and here is a bit of the video from the concert when they performed Carmina Burana. This time the video is originally uploaded by me. Yes, I'm starting to upload own video on utube now. :)

Enjoy!

It's All About Waiting

Another weekend has gone

(have I mentioned that weekend here is Friday and Saturday?)

and here I am, still

waiting for our stuff,

waiting for car registration and paper works,

waiting for other paper work (better not to mention what it is here),

waiting someone to fix air con,

waiting for someone to fix the floor,

waiting for someone to fix kitchen's plumb,

waiting.. waiting...

Inhale.... exhale....

patient,

lots of patient,

relax,

and enjoy the wait

(*sigh*)

PS:

Pretty sure I'll lose my temper if i didn't get my stuff by next week.

Little Blue Boy

Say hello to Pocoyo!

I don't know much about this little blue boy. First time I watched him about 3 weeks ago, after Spongebob. Eerrrmm.... yes, I'm old, and I still like to see cartoon and anime, and I stay tune on Disney channel and Show Kids every now and then since I moved here (*grin*).

Anyway, I never heard this Pocoyo show before, and as soon as I watched it, I couldn't move my eyes from it. It's soooo cute! Made my laugh, so entertaining, even for people at my age. This is an anime series program for kids ages 2-6 (i think). It does not have many characters, the story are very simple and educating. The little blue boy named Pocoyo is the main character of the series and the programmes centre around his adventures, who is full of curiosity and adorable. Check the POCOYO WEBSITE and see this video. You better watch it NOW before they take it out from youtube!

From My Old Mailbox

I didn't get many letters for myself, what we received were mainly bills, and lots of advertising 'junk' mails every now and then. But also from it, I received some good news, packages and interesting things to read.

Now I miss it.

Here, there's no such thing called 'mailbox' in houses or residences. No mailbox on the street for people to send letters. There's no such occupation as a Postman. People don't usually know and recognise name of the streets. They have to go to post office if they want to send letters or package. People have to rent mail box in the post office. So most of postal address here are PO Box.

This is only one of many unique things this country have.

Such A Pain

It was hot,

pressure was in the air,

It involved lots of screaming and yelling, and splashing

and here are the result

some burns on my right wrist,

another one on the other hand

some more on further up near elbow....

another one under my left eye (it's covered my make up now so I cant take picture),

............

and few more everywehere such as my left leg and neck (not too bad), and floor.

..............

yes, splashes of hot cooking oil, fresh from the fried pan decided to land on my skin and everywhere in my kitchen yesterday

...............

all of that pain i gained, just for making these.....

delicious potato cake with corned beef

................

and you now know why I don't like cooking.