Thursday, November 8, 2007
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Bad, Good, Great
Finally..... I can log in to blogger! I don't know what happened with my internet connection, but it's been very hard to log into Blogger and browsing Youtube. Also have trouble in opening some websites like Baby Centre and BBC, and some blogs which are hosted by blogger. Or if could get in to Blogger, I could not save my posting or upload photos. Soooooo frustrating. Made five calls to the internet provider to complain, but got nothing but conclusion that they have no problem with my internet connection. And that's one reason why I haven't been blogging lately.
The other reason is that I was busy. I have things to do almost everyday that forced me to go out and spent times with friends and new people and had a blast of Indonesian food! I had class and project to do a home, had some things to prepare and to researched for application, had to find and book some things for the coming plan holiday, went to International Bazaar where hubby busy voluntering at the Australian lam burger stand, and I was only busy strolling along and eat bakso and sate from Indonesian food stand, and got invited to the meeting of Ibu-ibu Dharma Wanita of the Indo Embassy. They usually get together every month and have cake/craft demonstration and arisan! I think I was expected to join the arisan too. But at the time I went there, they have a feast to celebrate Eid. O... My... God.... the food....for people who live far away from home town like me, eating authentic food was something luxurious, especially if it's free :D. Started from martabak telor and krupuk rengginang, followed by main course: lodeh, ayam goreng, dendeng balado, teri goreng kacang dan pete (yes, pete!!!!), and sambel goreng cumi. All made by ibu-ibu, and all taste great. Just perfect. Yuuum...! I made sound very norak, but I that's what I felt! Tasting real Indo food again was soooo....greeeat! Anyhoo, it's nice to know there's bunch of Indonesian here, and they are all nice and helpful. I got to know some new people, but the important thing, I know what to get the food if i really want to get one, especially the difficult one like lontong and bakso. Someone has apparently can cook it for us. :D And the other day I got invited to a my indo friend's 1 year old son birthday party, and had another indo food feast, and ended up bring home sambel goreng teri and emping, and couple of teh tong tji. I felt sorry for hubby who has been left out for quite a while. But he seems didn't mind hot dog and sandwiches for munchies in a few nights.
Basically I felt more energetic lately and don't have to take a nap anymore. But at the end of the week I felt pain around my lower abdomen so I had to see my Obgyn. He said everythings looks ok, the twinges pain may caused by the grow of the baby which make the uterus expanded so much that the ligaments in my abdomen are stretching to make room for it. But he suggest me to have lot of rest and reduce activity outside the house! Gosh,... but I have so much plan and need to do so much things. Not good, especially when I just gained my energy back and feel like going out a lot and go back to my favorite place,... Malls. (*hiks*). I reach week 16 today, that means I just enter the 2nd trisemester. So far I can still wear my usual clothes. Wearing maternity clothes are more comfortable but they are still a bit too big. By the sound of what doctor said, seems I am going to need maternity clothes soon.
I guess I better have a rest in the next few days to gather all the energy and health for the coming holiday.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
It's Only 5.30pm
when I woke up from a nap, and surprised that the sun had gone down!! It was completely dark inside the house and and pitch black outside as if it was 9pm. I felt soo strange as if i was dreaming. Usually the sun would set down around 7-7.30pm. Apparently that's how the day light saving in Amman ended. Today we had to switch the time 1 hour backward, and the sun does really rise and go down earlier than usual.That's explained why KFC which supposed to be open at 12.00pm didn't open when we got there at 11.55am (we got a bit upset to see that they didn't have a single chicken on the shelf when they supposed to be open in 5 minutes). But that was because we didn't know the time has changed! It must have been still 10.55am when we got there. (*grin*)
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Big Question
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Play The Beads
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 ! :)
Sunday, October 14, 2007
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. :)
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
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.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Bamboo Mambo
Monday, September 24, 2007
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 -
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.
Monday, September 17, 2007
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.Tuesday, September 11, 2007
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?
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==
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Morning Surprise
Layout Change
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
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
One Fine Evening
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
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.Monday, August 27, 2007
Long Live Indomie
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.


