Thea May 8th, 2008
Still related to my last posting, here are some quotes for you who dreams to travel
The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only page (St. Augustine)
When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money (Susan Heller)
A good traveler has no fix plans, and is not intent on arriving (Lao Tzu)
The traveller was active; he went strenuosly in search of people, of adventure, of experience. The tourist is passive; he expects interesting things to happen to him. He goes “sight-seeing.’ (Daniel J. Boorstin)
Travellers never think that they are the foreigners (Mason Cooley)
I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them (Mark Twain)
To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries (Aldous Huxley)
Most travel is best of all in the anticipation or the remembering; the reality has more to do with losing your luggage (Regina Nadelson)
I found these quotes in Chic Magazine (No.10, 7-21 May 2008, page 162)
Thea May 7th, 2008
Working at a big company at Jakarta indoubtedly offers me many challenges, experiences and benefits at once. Hence, I am so grateful to have this opportunity. Eversince I joined this company two years ago, I have been trying to utilize every opportunity while keeping wishing that I can work at Jogja sometimes. I remember two years ago, I was so reluctant working in this big city. However, destiny brought me here.
I have several considerations why I still insist staying at Jogja and earning living there. First, Jogja is very nice city, less far hectic than Jakarta and friendly. Then, I plan to stay there with a new family and raise children at a city in where you can find schools and universities with good facilities.
Okay, I’m going to marry and manage that within specified time I wish I can be assigned working in Jogja-based office. I know it will be tough. Moreover, now I am appointed to be the new coordinator of two new areas at once. Nevertheless, I never stop wishing. Thank God, my husband to-be understands my position and he agrees to accompany me at Jakarta. Lucky me!!!
Two days ago, I chatted with him, talking about our plan in the future. I told him much about my new job, how good I can adopt with it and how can I cope the difficulties I face. At the end, the topic about job terminated, again, at our future life. Surprisingly he told me…
Hun, it’s all up to you. I will stay with you at Jakarta until you feel okay moving at Jogja and satisfied with your work here.
See..tell me how can’t I say that I couldn’t be luckier. Thanks dear:)
Thea April 28th, 2008
This time, people who walk and ride bicycle are the king. No cars, buses and motorcycle are allowed to pass the quick line along Thamrin- Sudirman route.
Then What do they do?? Some of them ride bicycle, have a healthy walk or even play football. In every 4th week of each month, Gov. of Jakarta runs a program called Car Free Day. In that day, presiding officer claims that the weather pollution decreases up to 50-60%. In addition, this program gives a larger paling area for Jakarta residents who these days face shortage of playing ground.
This program will be expanded in the near time to other streets such as Jalan Wijaya in Kebayoran ans Sunter in North Jakarta.
Thea April 25th, 2008
Do you have destinations list you wish you can visit with you spouse someday? If you don’t, why not listing it from now?
Today, I chatted with Wipie. We were talking about the importance of working hard and of course playing hard. I was intrigued by her story that she and Camat already wrote-off 4 out of 50 destinations they wish to visit. Definitely, Ogi and I also have several places that I wish to be there, however I never write them down in a list. I think it will be very cool to have them all in a list.
Last weekend, when buying rings, Ogi and I talked with the seller. He’s from Bukitinggi. I heard from my friend that it is a beautiful city and I really want to go there. He urged us to go there for honeymoon. Since we already have another plan for it, maybe we will visit that cool-calm city next year.
Once talking with Ogi, we discussed about managing our money in the future. We commit that we want to allocate money for leisure purpose:)) We are encouraged to do so after watching a tv show discussing about managing money smartly. What appeals us much that it’s not a sin to “waste” our money for leisure. I mean, we don’t have to put it in last priority, let say. Hehehe..I’m just happy to have a really nice justification in that show. And the next thing now is listing the places:)
Thea April 18th, 2008
To love justice, to long for the right, to love mercy, to pitty the suffering, to assist the weak, to forget wrongs, and remember the benefit-to love the truth, to be sincere, to utter honest words, to love liberty, to wage relentless war against slavery in all its forms, to love wife and child and friend, to make a happy home, to love the beautiful; in art, in nature, to cultivate the mind, to be familiar with the mighty thoughts that genius has expressed, the noble deeds of all world, to cultivate courage and cheerfulness, to make others happy, to fill life with splendor of generous act, the warmth of loving words, to discard error, to destroy prejudice, to receive new truth with gladness, to cultivate hope, to see calm beyond the night, to do the best can be done and then to be resigned. This is the religion of reason, the credit of science. This satisfies the brain and heart.
-from the 19th century freethinker Robert Ingersoll’s ” On Science and Reason, “in What’s God Got To Do With It? (Steerforth), A timely compendium of his writing, edited by “O” Magazine-
Thea April 11th, 2008
This morning, I sent a message to Wipi who just returned from her honeymoon. I reminded her that she had to turn my suitcases, which she borrowed for taking her stuffs to her new house. There are two suitcases with her, the small and the bigger one. Many times I urged her that I had to have my suitcase back before 12 April 2008 because I will be on business trip for a week. It means, I need a bigger suitcase to load all of my stuff. Moreover, the trip this time will be more lengthy.
Surprisingly, I received unexpected answer from her. She said she forgot that I would take my suitcase. Meanwhile, at the time I messaged her, she was in her way to Jogja with Arief. Even worse, she brought her apartment key with her and therefore I couldn’t access her apartment to take my suitcases.
Then, she offered an alternative. She asked me to buy a new suitcase which in return will be paid by her. I agreed and I planned to go to Centro for buying the new suitcase. Another message from her then came along. “Please don’t buy the expensive one, if possible get the discounted”. Hahahaa, I guess she’s already all out for her marriage and should tighten her expense, especially post-wedding life.
Okay, I get the lesson-learned. Be wise of my money and please don’t be too much with the wedding party:D
Thea April 9th, 2008
Seeing them stepping down from car, entering the building and walking on the red carpet, I couldn’t stand my emotion. I was mixed up and finally I felt my eyes watery. Then when she walked in front me, I heard She said:
Thea, don’t cry
I was so touching seeing my best friend finally had what she’s been waiting for. And definitely very glad to be her company in her wedding.
Congratulation Dear:)
Thea April 1st, 2008
Today, my lovely brother is celebrating his 21st birthday.
Four years ago, when I was 21 years old, I already graduated from college and obtained bachelor degree. Guruh hasn’t. Yet he gets a plus point. In his early twenty, He’s already run his own business. In the mid of this year, he plans to continue his study again, back to college he left for almost one year.
It’s very glad to know that he’s no longer a happy-go-lucky boy. Finally, he found a turning point which made him more mature and wiser conceiving his future. A little bit surprise for us, especially my mom and dad knowing that he’s eager to start business. There was a debate before giving his choice a go.
Once again, happy birthday my only sibling:)
Thea March 29th, 2008
Last time going home, I tried a unique food from Jogja, a hot culinary heritage named Oseng Mercon. My favorite seller is located in Kridosono stadium, Kotabaru area.
On Thursday night I went there with Ogi. We ordered two portions of Oseng Mercon, with white rice. Fifteen minutes later, the oseng mercon was served in front of us. Its appearance was brownish, with a lot of chilli seeds everywhere. Can u imagine how hot it was???
I picked a spoon of oseng and put it on the top of the rice. Then I ate just a little bit with the rice. Whuuuhhhh…it’s defenitely hot. Just like a “mercon” goes bombing in your mouth.
Ups.. I forget expalining what’s oseng mercon made of. The main ingridients are kikil (from joint part of cow) and of course chilis. Some people say, the comparison between kikil and chilii is 1:1. For cooking 1 kg of kikil, you need 1 kg of chili. However, other says that it’s 1:2, meaning you have to put 2 kg of chili for 1 kg of kikil. When my mom cooked oseng mercon, she used 1:1 comparison.
Okay, let’s back to my previous story. Once trying to finish the oseng, I didn’t realize that my eyes watered. And so did my nose. However, it’s really fascinating. Ogi and I never stopped moaning how hot it was. But, we continued eating anyway:D. Then, we rewarded ourselves with hot tea. Sluuurppp… our tongue went hotter:)). Lucky us in that night, the wind breezed cool, so it helped “wiping” the sweat in our head.
For you who can’t stand hot flavor, better never try this food. But if you insist, just try a little bit because you may have unbearable stomachache just like my friend. The capsaicin (the chemical contained in chilli) will make your tongue fiery as well as your stomach.
Thea March 25th, 2008
Within two weeks ahead, my best friend, Wipi, is going to marry with Arief. Arief is also my friend at college. I just don’t realize that the marriage is getting closer and closer. One of my best friend will soon say good bye to the single life.
Last year I had Yanti and Titi left us alone in single-happy-woman world. One year before Yanti and Titi, Mira got marry at Denpasar, which unfortunately I couldn’t be there witnessing their long-life promise.
Last week, I met several friends at Mayang and Janu’s wedding in Solo. Unexpectedly, many friends were there. Even Ester Dina, who’s currently working at Banda Aceh, was there. Life is changing. Post-college life gives another color to us. It’s really prominent. Some of them gain weight and others remain same or even slimmer. The conversation was around job and working life. No more conversation about cold war, diplomacy, economy and politic in Japan, and many more. We left those topics and now are facing job-related issues.
It has been two or three years ago, we had a lovely life at college. Now, we are working, though some of us are still strugling with thesis. Sometimes, I missed to be around them, to be in environment used to be near with me. Last occasion really brought me many memories. Next month, on the early week of April, I will take my friends walking through the aisle to reach their future life. I wish you all happiness, Sista:)
