Beauty of Life

A Start of of a New Beginning

2012-01-03T21:14:00.004+08:00

...and the belly is getting bigger. The quickening, it's the baby's movements in the womb, starts to be stronger. My steps upstairs to my room are getting slower. I started to spend longer time in the closet selecting what to wear today.

Exercise? Sure I do it every other day. If not swimming, I do yoga or pilates. I try to eat healthy in good portion, meaning not too much. Morning sickness has diminished, though I often feel nausea after I take the DHA pill.

Four months to go. It feels that my delivery time is still far ahead, but I try to enjoy the moments. The moments of being pregnant with two sons. Yup! Starting May 2012, my life, our family's life, will be totally changed!

I will soon be a mother of 3!!! By the time I hit 35, I will have three children. Whew... Saying it out loud feels weird, in a funny, proud kind of way.

I am a proud Mama of Getar and Alarik, and really excited to welcome the new addition to our family. I am happily married to Abdes for 13 years, being best friends for 16 years.

Year 2012, I am embracing you with open heart. I am ready with whatever challenges and opportunities that will come to me and my family, no matter what the Mayan prophecy had said. I am grateful for what I have for now, for what powers I have to live our lives. I believe The Almighty has written a path for me to live. All I have to do is just do good to myself, my family and to my surroundings.

May 2012 is a lovely year for all of us that will lead to a happy and prosperous life.

(Almost) Yearend Notes

2011-12-14T15:33:00.005+08:00

Time flies. It is almost end of 2011. I am about to throw out the fancy small organizer notebook, which I always love to buy every January.

It is like a common thing to write about our 2011 reflections. It's like every Media will have some sort of kaleidoscope of "who's who", "what's the hottest events", the unforgettable moments of 2011", "#1s of 2011", and such things.

So let's make one.

For my business, it's been a good year. Just established a very mutual cooperation with one of the best resort in Bali (in fact, in Asia). A homework for us is to employ more staff, energetic smart ones, to join our team.

For my personal life, as I have written in my previous blog, we are about to add a member to our family. We will not be a small family anymore. In 2012, we will add one more human being to this cramped world. Sorry, Mother Earth... It was not our intention. This is truly God's gift. It'll be such a sweet, unexpected gift, who will come in end of April 2012. She or he will come to this world, definitely for a reason. With God's blessings, hopefully the baby will be born healthy and complete, and I will be recovered promptly.

Year 2011 has a couple more weeks to go before it is finally gone. I have made mistakes in the past. I truly have learned my lessons. I will be a better person for myself, my husband, my kids, my family, my team and my community.

I am baaaackkk.....!!!

2011-12-10T14:43:00.010+08:00

Yup, I am back to my blog page after, gosh...more than 3 months. There have been a lot of things happened in my life.

First, we had a wonderful family trip, with the in-laws, to North Sumatra.
Second, business has been running pretty busy after the Eid holiday.
Third and last.... *drum roll*, I am expecting our third child!!!

The last happening was the main reason I haven't blog. Every spare time has been rather spent on the bed, or in front of the TV. Now, the pregnancy has started to be more enjoyable, even I still experience nausea beyond the first trimester.

OK, as I promised in my last post, I will share photos of our trip to North Sumatra. From Bali, we spent one night at my in-laws, then off we went to Medan. It was a big group. Total 14 pax! Yup, the more the merrier. It was the first big trip with my husband's parents, his sisters + spouse + children. We spent 2 nights at Medan, then we went to Siantar for one night, stopped over at Tebingtinggi, one night at Parapat/Lake Toba, went to explore a bit of Samosir island, stopped over at Berastagi, then spent the last night at Medan, before left the city to Jakarta.

I had pretty much high expectation on the culinary tourism from this trip, and low expectation on the service or hospitality. Well, that's quite right. The hospitality of people there is far below any service we can get in Bali. Services at hotels, restaurants, public places were not very warm, though not bad at all. They are kind people, but serving with smiley face was just not in their blood.

Food? Super fantastic. All of us enjoyed the food so much, expect me. Hahahaha. I felt weird at first, wondering why everybody loved all the food. I found out the answer on our first night at Parapat, when we stayed at Lake Toba Hotel. I realized I hadn't got my period for the past one month (I did one full month of fasting!). Voila! Positive result on the test pack. That's why my taste bud had been abnormal, and I became fatigue pretty easily. Yeay! Unexpected blessings...

So, here are the photos that I've taken mostly from my Blackberry camera. Enjoy...

Welcome to Medan!

Dressed up in Kebaya for family gathering in conjunction with Eid celebration. That handsome young man is my first son.

Posed in front of the hotel where we stayed in Medan, with my sister-in-laws.

The street food stalls are so tempting...

Lemang, made of sticky rice, in combination with Sari Kaya, a concoction of coconut milk+palm sugar + egg, is super perfect at Tebing Tinggi. Gotta try!

This is the ultimate public transportation in North Sumatra. Count how many passengers can this motor-taxi take!

These are the grand children of my in-laws. The two boys, one in pajamas (but with sneakers on) and one with shawl, are mine.

During this trip, hubby couldn't let go of his Olympus EP3. Even a 'not so normal' view would be his object.

On the boat, on our way to Samosir island.

The traditional house at Samosir. This is where the 'Sigale-gale' live puppet show is regularly shown. Gotta try if you come with a group of friends to Samosir. You will experience the 'Manortor' dance, and wear the "Ulos' fabric. Some Rp amount of donation is expected (couldn't remember the amount).

The view of Toba Lake from top. We took the not common street to go to Berastagi. When we stopped at this area to take some photos, we could clearly hear the sound of "Uwuk..uwuwkk...", the shoutings of Siamang (black furred, tailless gibbons, native in Sumatra, Kalimantan and Thailand) in the woods.

This is our family photo opportunity, on the BSA, Becak Siantar Asli (Original Siantar Motor Taxi). The motor used for this taxi is a classic UK-made motor. Totally cool. The taxi riders definitely do not want to loose their coolness, so they pick a genuine masculine ride!

This last photo, including our family photo on BSA, were taken with the cool Olympus EP3. Hubby took this picture, perfectly portraying the beautiful view around Toba Lake.

Eid Mubarak!

2011-08-29T15:06:00.004+08:00

Ramadhan month is about to come to its end. Let's ignore the fact that there's indefinite settlement about when 1 Syawal or Idul Fitri is. Well, I completed the fasting month. Waking up in the morning to prepare meal was the hardest task for me. Those heavy eyelids, waking up to the yelling alarm, then with task to think what to cook (with drowsiness). I missed one morning due to the fact that I changed the alarm setting to weekdays only, unintentionally.

Imagine, fasting and site inspection with client, then followed by lunch meeting at a fancy restaurant! Yup, done that.... Passed the test, thankfully.

It is a new beginning, of course. It becomes a reminder how physical fasting is like an exercise to our body and mind. I lost 2 kgs, thanks to the fasting. Should I try Monday-Thursday fasting from now? *undecided* The last month also reminds me to always control my anger and other bad feelings. Ego containment is another big task, isn't it?

We are now going to pack our things to travel to Jakarta, then off to Medan, North Sumatra. It will be quite a journey, as the travel involve 14 pax. My parents-in-law, sisters in law with family, all of us. We will depart for Medan on Wednesday, then to Siantar and Brastagi. We will return to Jakarta on the 7th, and to Bali on the 8th. Wait for my postings about our trip to North Sumatra. Hubby has prepared all of his 3 cameras in a special backpack, ready for photo stock hunting! Will share those, too, for sure.

To my friends and family, all I can request now is your forgiveness for any shortcomings coming from me. Eid Mubarak, to those who celebrate!

Make My Life Up

2011-08-03T10:05:00.003+08:00

I haven't done any postings for a while. My left brain has been so busy and successfully kept my right brain quiet. I have been so focus on the now, no chance of letting my mind wandering and creating imaginations.

So, last Sunday, I decided to buy a novel. Nicholas Sparks' novel. Yeah, sure it will trigger my right brain again. But, I could not read it at my usual speed (two overnights to finish). It is Ramadhan. I have to wake up at 4 in the morning, plus the Decolgen I took to heal my cold. As consequence, I am not sharp anymore.

So the drowsy sluggish me have to find a way to be alive. In front of the mirror is where I always find my cure. My morning and evening regime is putting on layers of creams. I could not live without those creams. Moisturizer, special for my oily-rather-dry skin. Special cream for my over 30 skin. Eye cream. Sunblock SPF 40. Sometime, need concealer. Foundation cream. (Duh, I want to look good when I reach 60!) Then simple powders, blush on, eye liners, mascara, lip gloss. Next is doing my hair as been taught by my hair dresser. Turn on the hair dryer, roll up some curls, dry them up, roll them down, then style it with wax.

I guess my point of saying those things is I love to be in front of the mirror. I love putting on make ups. My man never complains so far. I definitely encourage Moms readers to take the chance being in front of the mirror and to enjoy being a woman. That's the privilege of being a female human. Evolve ourselves. Learn how to accentuate our age-appropriate beauty, without looking like a monster. To look and feel beautiful are not sins. Putting on make ups for women can boost up confidence. It is a process to appreciate ourselves.

Irreversible Transformation

2011-07-13T16:33:00.007+08:00

This thought came when I was folding the laundry, in front of the tumble dryer. *imagine a scene of Desperate Housewife, the nice one though, not the naughty one.*

One question.

"If I have all the money in the world, all the available time, but only for this weekend, where would I go? Alone."

Snorkling at Bunaken? Learn to dive at Raja Ampat? Feeding the Komodo? Horseback riding at Bromo? Eat all kind of foods in Medan? Reaching the equator line at Pontianak? Shopping in Jakarta? Watch movies and go clubbing in Singapore? See the exotic shows in Bangkok? Exploring the old city of Hong Kong? Extra fast trip to New York to have bagel with cream cheese at Manhattan? Come to a party at Ibiza? Or go down under for a winter getaway?

The truth is I don't know where I want to go if I have to go alone. Having this imagination leaves me feeling guilty.

That's the problem for me who have been married, happily for sure, for almost 13 years (plus the 3 years relationship before getting married), with two children.

It sounds like a privilege to be a fun, fearless, independent woman, who can go anywhere in the world and enjoy the luxury that the world offers to a woman.

Being married, being a mother, totally changes a woman's life. Not in a negative way. It is a transformation; an irreversible transformation. Like a caterpillar that turns to be a butterfly. No matter how fun it looks like to be a crawling creature, the butterfly just can't go back to be a caterpillar (a bad sample, isn't it? Well, it is better than making a comparison of tadpole --> frog, right?). The butterfly just have to fly and explore the world as a flying creature.

Well, I have finished folding the laundry. It's time to prepare dinner for hubby and the boys.

Living in the NOW

2011-07-10T09:40:00.005+08:00

It is sunny lazy Sunday morning on the most populated planet in the universe (at least at the southern hemisphere where I am now by the time I write this blog).

How are you today? What were your feelings after waking up this morning? Any pimples breaking out on the face? How's the baby fat on the tummy? Any diminishing cellulite on the thighs from the body sculpting [self] sessions? Any ideas what to cook for family brunch? Are the children awake yet? And...hey, where's my hubby?

I only want to say that I am happy. Happy for everything I have. Happy for everything I do not have. I am happy that I am 5'1" - 109 pounds, the same size as Eva Longoria and Reese Whitherspon. I am happy for the man in my life, also the boys that we have. Happy to have a haven, with 15 years mortgage. Well, I do not want to mention all the things that I do not have.

Because, happy is a state of mind.

I do not want to ruin my feeling by thinking about the things I could not have or earn, thinking about the places I cannot go or live in, thinking about the items I could not afford. I would not feel bad for not having any daughters [I will have daughters-in-law in the future]. I would not be obsessed to have a killer body like the hot mama, Heidi Klum, or a perfect hair as Jennifer Aniston has. I would never have golden voice with cute face like Sherina Munaf and Andin. Hell yeah I would not be jealous with Selena Gomez.

I feel happy for everything I am now.

However, this feeling does not make me stop dreaming, though. Dreaming about things that I can achieve with the state of me now. Dreaming about the circumstance that can build a better me. I am weaving my dreams with my happy threads.

James Dean once said, 'Dreams as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.'

My feeling indeed will affect the people around me. I want to be a person whom my family and friends happy to be with.

Have a fabulous Sunday, gorgeous!

Make Love, not War… Make Kids, not Love?

2011-07-08T11:33:00.001+08:00

This morning, I congratulated a good friend of mine who celebrated her wedding anniversary. She responded to me, said that she’s been married for 4 years, but with no kids. It’s a pressure, she said. I thought it was social pressure, which is very common to happen in Indonesia, or mostly in Asia and in any traditional society. Traditional society most likely views marriage as a gateway to family-building, not merely a holy unity between a man and a woman.

Oops, after I said to her it is common to face social pressure, she told me thankfully she has never received such conduct.

It is her biological clock that gives pressure.

They have tried many times to no avail; which should be the pregnancy positive result. She has always counted her fertile days, month after month, for years.

I told her she should take it easy. Make love, not war. Do it with no pressure. Think about those young love birds who bravely decide to do it, without thinking the consequence, then…boom, a shot gun wedding it is, or even without a gunshot, a ‘premature birth’ of first child would come shortly after the wedding.

I did not say those words in such a frank way, though. I did not want to hurt her feeling, or give more pressure to her. Imagine she would then have a new pressure; now not counting the fertile days, but trying to act like a teenager in love who would do it with no deep thought. I did not want her to say to me, ‘Easy for you, you have two boys’.

It is definitely a pressure when you are doing something that you have set a definite goal and deadline. Not just for having kids. This could happen to any of us in any circumstance. Think about our school days when final exam is just around the corner and our parents, or in tougher case, the scholarship board, await for our grades to determine the next action. Think about the final thesis deadline and the oral presentation exam which dates are set. Think about the deadline given by our boss at work or client who wants us to submit the proposal by a certain date.

“A goal is not always meant to be reached, it often serves simply as something to aim at.”

Bruce Lee once said the above words. Definitely true. It is our effort that counts. It is the process that means a lot. The world will see how hard we have tried. The goal would be a bonus. If in the end, we do not get what we have dreamed of, it will not be a bad idea to set a new goal, to have a new dream.

I told my friend who celebrates her anniversary to always keep the romance alive. Wasn’t that the reason we all got married at the first place, because of the passionate romance? Enjoy the ‘no children’ life while you can. Make love with the person we love. The ‘Invisible Hand’ will do the rest.

Contradictive Attraction

2011-07-05T23:43:00.003+08:00

Devilish things indeed are alluring.

We often heard people say (especially in my country), rules are made to be broken. People have the tendency to peek, if they are told not to look. We are interested to know secretive issues that we are not supposed to know.

We also often see how (good) girls are attracted with (really) bad boys. The more her parents told her not to date such guy, the more likely the girl will go out with him. The worse the boy is, the more attractive he is. It is the never ending challenges that keep the passion alive.

We also often been told that husbands are most likely lie to the spouse if she limits the social life of her husband. The tighter she put an invisible chain around her husband neck (extreme visualization), the harder effort he would take.

Lessons learned are to limit setting strict boundaries, especially to our children, as those boundaries would definitely lure us, human, to cross over them. Explain to the young ones what the consequences of an action, not merely putting a 'do not enter' sign in front of the red door. Let our partner move as a unique individual while showering him or her with passionate love.

Last note, always remember, there are types of human whowere just born bad and undeniable attractive. Just stay away.

Blessed Love

2011-07-04T15:17:00.005+08:00

Everyday is precious.

Everyday is equally precious.

I wanted to treat this day as ordinary as possible. I wanted to have a wonderful ordinary day. I am blessed for everything that I have.

However, 34 years ago, my mother gave birth to me. That makes today is more precious than any other day. She risked her life to give a life to me, her first ever child, a precious love of her and my Papa.

On Blackberry Messenger, my buddies sent me birthday wishes since I haven't opened my eyes until now. On Facebook *smile, thanks for social media, everybody knows*, my wall has been poured with lovely birthday wishes. From my cousin in Adelaide, all my Balinese cousins, uncles, aunts all over Indonesia, friends and clients from all over the world.

At office, my team gave a surprise, called for a briefing at meeting room, in where a cute birthday cake with candles lit. I did not expect it; surely I appreciated the effort.

At home, my kids, the boyz, they are always be... my precious. My hubby, as always, wants to give the best for me. I insisted that I did not want any birthday gift. The reason is because he always let me or buy me, anything I want (based on our $$ circumstances, for sure), at any time of the year. He turned on the alarm at midnight, woke me up with the first birthday wish and kiss. He arranged a family dinner for tonight with my parents. Finally, on the way to work, he gave me two options of birthday gift which I should not turn down. I just love him too much, as much as he does.

One Snapshot of Women's Life

2011-07-01T15:40:00.006+08:00

Is it possible for a woman to have a wonderful lovely [complete] family and a promising bright career?

Please answer honestly.

I don't think so.

Everywhere I see and read, also have been told, successful career women do not have a strong loving manly husband with good character and well-behaved children. Either she is a single parent, happily single or has a husband who acts as house-husband.

Has it been written by the universe that a woman should always be a household manager, or in corporate terms, a mother is the CFO of her household? And such household is a super important not-for-profit corporation that cannot be simultaneously managed with a similar corporation, moreover with a for-profit corporation?

I should also say, a married woman job is very tough. She should always be present at all time to make sure the household runs well, with great TLC. She should be a skillful talent to coach the other team members [read: children, also domestic workers]. It would be a plus point if she can produce tasty meals, at several times in a week. At the same time, a woman should always maintain age-appropriate beauty, good communication skill, and always be well-presented so that the CEO [read: husband] would not go to 'temp agency' to fulfill his desire [read: pay for s*x, one night stand, and similar actions], or in worst case, go 'shop around' to 'hire' a new CFO [which one is worse case, depends on the woman --> well, that's another subject].

I feel sorry if a woman is always domesticated as if the man is her master. She does when he allows. She makes friends with the ones he approves. In some case, a woman does not have a voice to say how many children she actually wants; have the option to control her pregnancy.

A woman can be so blessed to be with a man who respect her as a partner and a friend. A partner who helps to build each other characters to suit and fit each other along the way. A friend to share all kinds of happiness and anger.

Welcome to the month of July, it's my month. I feel so blessed for being a woman with a wonderful man in my fine life.

Breaking out from inconvenient truth

2011-06-28T11:35:00.007+08:00

Do you rather know the truth and have to feel hurt... or forever live in denial and feel happy?

Would you appreciate the situation where everything is disclosed.... or would you rather feel the sweetened up thing?

*sigh*

Sometimes people (read: women) loves to live in the dreamworld, a sort of candy land in Katy Perry's video clip. Everything looks nice, all are set in order. Everything said and done are aimed to please us. Our surroundings, for the sake of maintaining stable condition, choose to produce actions or words that we want to accept. In other cases, we may prefer believing our feeling that comfort us, rather than digesting the inconvenient truth.

Knowing the truth hurts, most of the time. However, forever living in lies sucks.

The option is in our hand. Well, I'd rather say, in our senses.

Open our eyes, hear closely, feel the signs; those are ways to wake up from the dream and live in reality. Reality bites, c'est la vie. Didn't we already cry out loud when we're taken out from our mother's womb to enter this insanely wonderful world?

Friday night rants...

2011-06-24T21:26:00.008+08:00

It's Friday night. I got numerous broadcast messages on my BBM about parties tonight. Several emails also came in promoting social events in cool hang out places.

Ah, enough talking about hang out.

It's Friday night. So what? A mom has never ending tasks to do (yet, I still can manage to sneak out and blog... the boys have just gone to bed, together, peacefully). Business work? Well, I love what I do for living, so I never think that I have been working all this time.

It's my country that I have been thinking about.

The responsible ministers who did not react sufficiently responding to the case of Ruyati, Indonesian migrant worker who was sentenced to death, and numerous workers more in the waiting line for similar case, facing similar sentence. A proof of diplomacy failure and government disability to protect the citizen. It happened just few days after our President was given a standing ovation after his speech before the ILO convention.

The corrupt government and political party personnel who ' had to take medical check to Singapore' one day after the official letter of arrest was issued. Today, Indonesian and Singaporean Ministers of Foreign Affairs had a meeting. What have been their resolution? Bring all the dirty politicians home?

The poor traffic and public transportation management. No policemen stopped children on motorbikes, even though clearly those boys and girls are too small on their motors, without helmet, while texting on their mobiles. Geez, I can imagine Oprah's reaction if she ever saw these acrobatic action... she'll make a new pledge, no phone zone on motorcycles, kiddos! Or, the 'cool father' on motorbikes, right hand on the motor grip, left hand holding a baby or toddler. Yes, it's true! Everybody can ride motor or car, and eventually have driving license. You can be color-blinded, emotionally-sick and physically-challenged, illiterate... and can have driving license. It's so cheap to get credit for motorcycles; Rp 2.5 million down, Rp 350,000 per month for three years. It is an economic-driven decision. Compare if we have to take taxi (at least Rp 20,000 or Rp 50,000 per way) or waiting for the 'ugly-but-confident' public van (the fare is at least Rp 5,000).

People can build anything, anywhere, without coordination (and permit) from local authority. As consequence, the beautiful rice paddies in my neighborhood is now under construction to build 'ruko' or some kind of strip malls. And in those small stores, people can open any kind of business. From laundry (it's booming, the cheap ones, where the laundry are dried just in front of those small stores by the street, where you jeans can wave hello to every people on the road), 'warung makan' (the small food vendors, where you can have big nutritious meal with Rp 10,000... slightly more than a USD 1), motor mechanic workshop, and other SMEs. I am not saying this is not good. This way, the grass root economy in Indonesia is stronger than...let's say in the U.S. Rent is much cheaper, selling price is lower, market share is available...

Ah, enough rants for tonight. I am just a nobody in this big country. My words won't change a thing. Only my action will affect my surroundings, not the whole community.

The mosquitoes start to bite me. Good night. Have a nice weekend.

Let's hang out...

2011-06-19T20:06:00.004+08:00

Lately, I have visited several after-hour hang out places in Singapore, Jakarta and Bali. The part that I particularly fancy from those visits are the up beat music. I always go with my hubby and friend(s). Never alone, ever... (yup, not once in my life, never!)

I also had fun exploring the people who come in as couples, groups, never alone. Everyone have booze. Everyone seem to unleash their hidden dance skill. Interesting view. Some wear regular clothing. Some women wear incredibly skimpy skirt and showed off the model-type legs (+), or could not hide the bulky boobs and butts (-).

Cigarette smoke is the thing that I hate the most. Once I am at home, the smoke smell remains. Only in Singapore, those who want to smoke has to step out and do it outdoor. That happened to our close friend who took us to Clarke Quay area, he just could not stop the urge to smoke :) and therefore had to get out of the building.

There are numerous people who live this lifestyle as their profession. I am not going to question whether it is a matter of self-motivated decision, desperation or just no other options. There are DJs, VJs, bands, dancers, models, hostesses, waiters, bartenders, venue manager, representatives of beverage companies, brand promoters, security guys, and several informal occupations. I know several people who work in this field, simply because they love it. They just love the work environment, love the work hazard.

I, eventually, felt pity for the girls who work as bar dancers, or models (as so they called themselves, even they are not always doing real model work). Walk or dance on bar table or small stage, where a group of guys cannot take their eyes off those girls (body or body parts). I can see from their facial expression, on and off stage, they love to be admired for their physics. Long legs, thin tummy, lean body. What would their fathers think about their daughters do such performance? What if their fathers are among the guests, how would they feel? (hey, today is Father's Day, that's why I said this).

I don't have any daughters. Not planning to have one in the future (just daughter-in-laws). But I can feel how my father would react if I am on stage just showing off my body, not my brain.

It is modern age, though. Family has different values. So, what the heck... Let's hang out. Make sure no family members are on stage showing off provocative moves in skimpy clothes!

Human's a human

2011-06-16T21:46:00.003+08:00

I fly, I fall. I swim, I am drowned. I walk, I stumbled.

No matter how hard we try, how long our prayers are, all I can say is: it is human to err.

No question about it.

The Assassination of an Imagination

2011-06-13T16:49:00.005+08:00

Well, I am a type of person who often use my ...wait... right brain, instead of the left one. I am a subjective person, rarely use logical sequential, often irrational. I can remember overall details, and have a tendency to build imaginations from an incidence.

Ha...!

If a particular action has been imposed on me, I tend to build expectations based on my intuitive. Sounds scary for someone who have a social status like mine (??). I truly realize there would be no clear ground of what I have in mind, hmm, in my deepest heart, actually.

Today, I slowly have executed an assassination of a particular combination of imagination and expectation. I buried the combo inside of me, glazed with honey and securely tightened with golden lock.

I am not sure whether the assassination is successful, because there is no clear strong intention. Maybe I just made it semi alive, demi dead. Until then, I will just put my usual regular mask and walk head up high.

*no blood is involved in this posting, just a bit of internal invisible tear*

A big NO

2011-06-12T20:35:00.003+08:00

A big NO has been said. It prevented a big thing to happen. It also caused some kind of disappointment within my deepest mind. But, the big NO makes the rejected counterpart proud of me.

Will there be any second offer?

Will there be any better circumstances?

*deep internal wish*

Mystery of the Universe

2011-06-11T21:59:00.002+08:00

Things don't happen randomly.

There are no such accidents.

Reaction is always preceded by an action.

Life is no random incidents.

The above four sentences are my self reminders to always act and speak consciously, to always think the impact of my action and words. I often forget. As do other people.

Sometimes I ask to myself [and to God], why such incident has to happen to me. Often, I cannot find an answer.

Eventually, the universe will provide the answer.

I will just be patient.

Prices of drugs in Indonesia escalate

2011-02-21T14:20:00.002+08:00

*this writing was inspired by today's headlines on Kompas*

Who to blame?

Pharmaceutical companies who invested billions of dollars to produce generic drugs, but package them nicely and pay expensive advertisement, so the generic drugs do not look 'generic' anymore, so they have the right to charge the extra?

The government of Indonesia, particularly the Ministry of Health and our parliament, who have been moving very slowly to form a national health insurance scheme for all Indonesians? No national insurance scheme allows the market to rules, just like in U.S., hence the prices of drugs have no caps.

Our parliaments, a.k.a. the representatives of Indonesian people, actually speaks something here and there. But I feel they are more likely to enjoy the celebrity lifestyle where everything they utter and act will be covered on the Indonesian TV.

What about the Planning Body of Indonesia, who (I think) should allocate more budget for the health insurance scheme for all Indonesians? BS, Indonesia has no money!?!? It is the matter of fund allocation and wise-spending. Get more money from the haves and the 'supposed-to-pay-more' entities. Wider the tax base, not the tax rate.

The medical 'smart and brilliant' community' who with their white jacket and the nicely-framed degree certificate on the wall, plus the collaboration of medico-pharmaco, write 'whichever drugs offer better incentive to me' prescription to the patient.

The medical schools that produces medical professionals who can write great prescription but so far rarely can explain the logic and communicate with the patients... and yes, they charge the school fee very expensive!

The community, a.k.a patients, who got sick and have to pay out of pocket for all costs of medical care, with the mind set that 'acceptance' the best way of living (perhaps more the traditional Asian way?). No complaints, no asking why the doc has to prescribe that damn expensive drugs, while there are actually cheaper options?

So, who to blame? Everyone? Again, like I said above, I have a more 'acceptance' way of living. I prefer that way, instead of giving myself a headache, and eventually will bring myself to the drugstore to buy Panadol, or paracetamol in generic terms.

Well, since there are more people like me, there have been limited voice of demand to have rationalized price of drugs, the supply of such regulation will not occur in the near future.

A Note from an ex Starbucks-o-holic

2010-04-28T12:46:00.004+08:00

Yes, I was one of them.

I was one of the Starbucks lover, who mindlessly spent almost USD 4 for a Tall Caramel Machiatto, sometimes a couple of times a week before classes (especially during winter). I often went to the Starbucks at downtown ATL, at the Equinox building.

When we moved back to Bali, fortunately, our company handled Starbucks Bali for its Nusa Dua's outlet opening. I could have access to 'free coffee'. Yes, by having a meeting at my client's site, of course, what else they offered. Off business hours, I paid personally as I thought I really like to coffee, the ambience and it is one of our client. Back then, when we did not have to pay mortgage yet (as we stayed at my parents' during the first two years after our return), I could easily spent almost Rp 40,000 for that damn sweet TCM (yes, Tall Caramel Machiatto). Loved it so much... Also the Frappucino, not to forget. My boys also loved it, yeah, we're all coffee-lovers. (ehm, except my hubby darling).

So, ok, now it's not like that anymore. Starbucks coffee really gets deep into my pocket. On the street where my office is located, now I can easily choose one among three coffee providers. All have similar taste, good coffee, easy parking access. Their difference is only on price. For similar taste, well, for slightly lower level of utility (talking from my economist part of brain), I only have to pay half of Starbucks price. I'd simply go to J. Co (yes, this Indonesian doughnut company really killed Krispy Kreme in Kuta, Bali, and other part of Indonesia, I believe) or Baker's Corner (also a domestically owned company), next to Starbucks Denpasar. Open and fair competition really do help customers to get better quality at lower price.

The 2008 global crisis really hit Starbucks, badly. One budget item to slash, on top of the list, as also suggested by Suze Orman, is spending on Starbucks. I did that! For the sake of financial freedom (yay! when?)

Just a fun note, even Justin Bieber mentioned in his hits "Baby" that he didn't need anymore Starbucks. Thanks to his 'baby', who woke him up everyday :)

Personally, I do really feel, holding a Starbucks cup is like an accessories to my whole appearance. Funny, but sadly true.

However, at the end, money always win. Good bye Starbucks.

Great Poems

2010-04-11T03:22:00.006+08:00

I just uploaded on my other blog, beautiful pieces by the great poet, a Nobel-laureate, Pablo Neruda (1904-1973).

If You Forget Me.
The words are very humble... The heart within is beautiful. Longing, yet not desperate.

However, if you need a sweet desperation, please digest this one: A Song of Despair

New Tweets

2010-03-17T13:50:00.007+08:00

Thanks to Twitter, UberTwitter and my Blackberry Bold... Posting my thoughts has became so much easier. I rarely write of my blogs as I have limited spare time to go online on my laptop, either at home or office. Work loads at office have taken my energy so much. We got less working time as Abdes and I have to drop our second son to his toddler school plus daycare. His pick-up time is at 4pm, so before that we have to depart from office. Usually, after that we go home, unless there are urgent things to be finalized on that day.

I am quite an intense Twitter. I follow Hollywood stars, mostly, my hubby and my brothers, of course! I learn how to be more popular on Twitter from @Allysa_Milano, I got celebrity updates from @RyanSeacrest, @GiulianaRancic, @IAmCattSadler, @TheOprahShow and @TheEllenShow...funny words from @ConanOBrien, even scarce updates from @rbrtpttnsn who can cure my obsession to Edward Cullen :) etc etc

So, folllow my tweets, tweeps :) @nirmalatrisna
I am more alive there!!!

It does not mean I am going to kill my blogger page. I will continue blogging, mostly for thoughts that take more than 140 characters :)

See you around!

I am proud to be an Indonesian...

2010-02-09T17:29:00.003+08:00

Amid the political bruhaha in this country, I still have faith in my country.

Even the infrastructure is not as tidy and modern as our neighbors, I still love my own land.

Though I write my blogs in English, I am proud to be an Indonesian.

My pledge:
I start from myself to be a modern, tidy, yet following our good tradition and faith, female global citizen.

No Phone Zone

2010-01-19T00:02:00.001+08:00

No texting while driving...No phone while driving...

*thanks to Oprah for the reminder!*

Starting a new start

2010-01-08T20:56:00.002+08:00

I personally reckon that December 31 and January 1 are just ordinary days where its morning still has the same sunrise. Well, December 31 is a bit special because it is the last page of my diary/organizer/calendar. It means I have to get a new one to start managing my tasks and meetings. Other than that, I have no celebration, as there is nothing to celebrate. No fireworks, no trumpets, no DJs, no whatsoever...

However, as I mentioned earlier, the next day, January 1, is a new start. A new page of my diary/organizer/calendar. I am excited as I got to write on a new fresh looking page. I am starting a new start where I can move forward with fresh ideas and spirit.

Starting a new start, a new better mind-set from my head...

The least I could do for a fresh start was with a new hair-cut ;)

Happy New Year 2010.

Snap Shots During a Trip in Bali

2009-10-28T15:04:00.006+08:00

The ladies are washing tools in a - I'd rather say it's a gutter, rather than a stream...

The boys are playing Balinese traditional instruments on the day after Kuningan, just outside our vehicle, when we passed them at a small village in Ubud area.

The street boy is checking his foot. The shot was taken at the traffic light in Tohpati area, Denpasar.

Lesson learned: Dealing with a Queer

2009-10-21T17:50:00.002+08:00

1. Understand that a queer always exaggerate any matters and issues, regardless of their management level, career path, wealth, social status, whatsoever...
2. Keep tone of voice low to show our maturity in dealing with such person.
3. Bright everything up with a great sense of humor - that person is just having his PMS!!
4. Relax... he is the queer, not moi!!!

Reading Project: Eat, Pray, Love

2009-10-18T20:49:00.006+08:00

I just finished reading the Indonesian version of "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert. *For those who didn't have a clue about this book, and want to know more before reading it, please go here* It was quite an effort to finish reading a novel, amid the hectic business schedule, taking care two kids, making the household without a maid.

Got interested in reading the book when Abdes and I found out that a third part of her memoir took place in our home island. Especially when it was announced that the book will go to the big screen. The local news reported that starting this weekend, the shooting will take place in Ubud, Gianyar. This is a big news and a good one of course. As it will be a good promotion for the tourism in Bali. I am sure the movie will be a box office, produced by Brad Pitt, and starred by the brilliant Julia Roberts. (sigh)... I wish I can be one of the interpreter for Julia Roberts.

Well, I knew the book was New York Time Best Seller. I saw the book, the English version, at Periplus bookstore. I thought it was a cook book, combined with meditation and something with psychological thingy around it. Ha! Don't judge the book by its cover and its title, right!

The biggest attraction that made me bought and read the book was merely due to the fact that Gilbert chose Bali, Indonesia, along with Italy and India, to cure her imbalance in life and find happiness for herself. Also that the book was reported to experience huge success. The author was invited by the Queen (yes, Oprah).

The fact that Gilbert found love in Bali has drawn several conversation between Abdes and I, as Abdes was (yes, now he is a local in Bali) a visitor to my home island. Anyone that wants to enjoy life, in a true meaning - not just the consumerism and other hedonistic things - will feel the magic of Bali, and love it. Abdes experienced it.

It is interesting to know, and hard to understand though, how one can feel devastated and frustated with one's life, while others can easily search and find for peace at heart. I am fully thankful to God that I didn't and hopefully never have to suffer from such spiritual crisis. I am amazingly blessed with everything that I have, and anything that I don't have.

One final note about the book, the Indonesian version that is, I felt disappointed with the translation. There are many words that should not be fully translated into Indonesian. Perhaps footnotes can be a good way to explain several English and American phrases. (such as "See you later, alligator", "See you in a while, crocodile"). I couldn't understand the translator's mind of translating 'temple' as 'kuil', it should've been 'pura'. The translator should have been thinking the words as an Indonesian, how a local speaks Bahasa Indonesia, not just choosing the words as a translation project. The translator should have interpreted the sentences so the spirit of the story remains...not lost in translation.

Batik :: Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

2009-10-02T11:25:00.002+08:00

Batik is Indonesian cultural heritage, and now it is in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Read more here.

Today, Indonesians are urged by the President to wear Batik, in accordance to the inclusion of Batik by UNESCO as intangible heritage.

I saw several people in Bali in Batik, today. Particularly my fellow mates at KITASATUBALI. However, we must acknowledge that batik tulis, not just any batik motive print, is the one that is endorsed by UNESCO as Indonesian heritage.

Nevertheless, it is really good to know that Indonesians start to appreciate the culture, even in the most informal, popular way! It's never too late :)

Let's laugh...

2009-07-11T02:07:00.003+08:00

Photo was taken by Abdes, June 2009

Road Trip 2009

2009-07-10T11:35:00.005+08:00

We just came back from a fun and exciting trip. It is our first family trip by land from Denpasar to Jakarta. It took us four days to reach final destination, my in-laws house in East Jakarta. For comparison, a regular commercial bus takes 24 hours from Denpasar to Jakarta. So, to save our energy, we decided to make stop over.

The ferry

Dive for money

First, we spent two nights in Surabaya. After passing teakwood forest in East Java, passing by the horrific Lapindo mud in Sidoarjo, and got confused at the toll road of Surabaya, we arrived at Mercure Surabaya, located at Jalan Darmo, the main street of Surabaya city. We were so tired. Especially Abdes, who had to drive by himself. The boys were tired too. Getar didn’t complain a bit. He enjoyed every miles we went. Such a great boy! Alarik? Well, what can I say… We amused him with a portable DVD player. The 12 hours trip from Denpasar to Surabaya was dominated by the sounds and moves of Bee Movie, Madagascar 2 and Dora the Explorer. Ha!

For the first dinner in Surabaya, a friend of us, Hendro, took us to Layar, the most famous and delicious seafood restaurant in town. It was really good!!! The crab, shrimp and scallop were cooked Chinese style.. Definitely recommended and would love to come back if we visit Surabaya in the near future.

The next day, after trying to bring our Kijang to Toyota repair shop (at no avail, as the shop had very long waiting list), we went to Tunjungan Plaza. It is the biggest shopping mall in Surabaya. Yes, it is big… compared to malls in Bali. But as we plan to do our shopping spree (it’s hyperbolic, trust me, didn’t have the unlimited budget!) in Jakarta, we didn’t buy a thing at TP. For lunch, we tried Suki, a Chinese style steamboat. Taste? Good….

It is not a visit to Surabaya without a stop at Rawon Setan, translated as Devil Beef Soup, or more like Beef Soup which taste like Devil (weird translations..). There are many Rawon Setan, or at least that’s what people want to say due to its popularity. But the one we went is the original one, the only one in the world… No branch restaurant, no franchise. It is located right in front of J.W. Marriott Surabaya. Thanks to Hani, a busy ophthalmologist who happened to be my high school mate. She and her kids picked us up at the hotel and treated us with Rawon Setan. We were lucky to have seats and I was amazed by the quick service there. Just in time we finished our meal, groups of people started to come and waited behind us, ready to take over our seats. Interesting… No wonder it is called Rawon Setan…as we, Indonesians, have a popular exclamation of surprise. “Setan…, so yummy!”

The next day, after our second night stay at Mercure, we prepared ourselves to continue our trip. This time was to Jogjakarta. Oops, almost forget to tell that breakfast at Mercure was really good. Soto ayam, or chicken soup a la Surabaya, was delicious. All service was wonderful and very friendly. Room rate? Very reasonable. Around Rp450,000 (USD45) per night for standard room. Location? Strategically located.

Leaving Surabaya, we decided to make a stop for lunch at Madiun. This city is famous for its Pecel, a kind of vegetable salad with peanut dressing. We drove around the city, asked local men by the street, to find the best pecel in town. Well, it was Sunday, the most famous one was closed. So we visited the second best one. The pecel for lunch was just as expected. So we left Madiun with full tummy and continued to Jogjakarta.

Long story is shortened, we arrived at Jogjakarta at late afternoon. Malioboro street, the most famous avenue in the city was packed with tourists, local ones. I saw several Caucasian tourists near our hotel. We stayed at Grage Ramayana Hotel, 100 meters from Malioboro street. Abdes found this hotel online while we were in Surabaya and booked straight away as he didn’t want us driving around to find a place to sleep.

This time, we were totally exhausted. Alarik was asleep until dinner time. Abdes had headache, but I had the worst headache ever! I couldn’t open my eyes. I had tears in my eyes due to my headache. I even hardly swallowed any food. Getar? Amazing… he’s totally cool!!

So we decided to call a masseur to our room. Thankfully, the hotel staff was really nice. She was really helpful and emphatic, genuinely, not just because she had to do so. Sorry, I forgot her name. So after a nice massage and a couple of cups of hot ginger, we were recovered.

The morning after, we had gudeg for breakfast. It is a requirement to eat gudeg in its origin city. We were lucky that a really old lady had her food stall right in front of the hotel.

Gudeg Lady in Jogja

Abdes took the boys to Malioboro while I packed our luggage. Alarik was very excited to see trains. In Bali, we have no trains. So, no wonder he got so excited because he only saw trains in Thomas the Tank Engine. They went around Malioboro by becak. Cool experience for the boys. A new vocabulary for Alarik: becak, a front seated passenger pushbike.

Alarik on a becak

Getar at Malioboro Street, Jogja

This route, the trip felt more exciting as we were reaching closer to Jakarta. For lunch break, we stopped by at a gas station in a small city near the border of West Java (forgot the name). We underestimated the food. Ordered Nasi Timbel package, authentic cuisine of West Java, we finished all the food. Delicious!

Interestingly, as we took the south route to Jakarta, we made another stopover at Tasikmalaya, the city in West Java, where Abdes’ grandfather is originally from. Abdes wanted to stop here as he really wanted to eat at Laksmana noodle. Without asking any directions from the locals, he just wandered around, trying to remember the way from our last trip here a year ago and voila…. His wish was fulfilled. We enjoyed the noodle, the fruit juice and martabak (a kind of Indonesian pancake, thick, filled with cheese, chocolate or peanut) for snack on the road.

So, after Tasikmalaya, Abdes had to drive a long way… and when we finally reached the toll road and saw traffic signs with Jakarta directions, we felt that we almost made it. Phew… Abdes was a great driver! We arrived safely at his parent’s house on Monday late evening. Hugs, kisses, laughs, stories were promptly around the house. The car, our beloved 1996Kijang, was ready to be sold in Jakarta! *yes, that was the only reason we made this road trip to Jakarta! The car was Jakarta registered and titled under Abdes’ father’s name. We would be better off if we sell the car in Jakarta. And yes, we were!*

Short Break

2009-06-05T17:27:00.001+08:00

It is definitely nice to sit down and just do nothing.

It is me and my cappucino, in the middle of bustling world.

Are you healthy... mentally?

2009-04-28T12:47:00.002+08:00

A newspaper article (Jawa Pos, page 1, April 28, 2009) just stroke me today: 1-3% of Indonesian are mentally ill. It means approx. 5 million people in Indonesia are either depressed or CRAZY!!!

Reasons behind this shocking prevalence are high demand of consumerism that is not supported with strong mentality, weak family or social support, also low spirituality. These are issues that I reckon should be taken care by mature adults and parents. Apparently, yesterday issue of Kompas also stated that children mental health is dependent on good relationship quality in the family. It means that parents have high responsibility to provide basic needs of their children, including love and respect.

The problem is many parents themselves are not mentally healthy, or handicapped parents. Maybe they are not ready to be parents, they are shocked with massive responsibilities as parents, or maybe have the thought that giving materials to the family is more than enough. Moreover the moms, who often bear huge shocks to always have to take care of the kids and missed all their 'me' times. Every time the baby cries, trigger her brain to silently shout her depressed feeling. Baby blues syndrome often is not well handled by the mom, and her husband who never realized there is such syndrome.

Hey, sounds like mental health is very complex, right! Surprisingly, limited budget is disbursed to public health programs to prevent and control mental health problems. Social stigma is also a big issue why mental health is never brought up in prevention level. Who want to be tagged as a crazy patient?

So let's take this to the ground. Start from ourselves. Are we mentally healthy? I think we should see some indicators, for instance can we laugh at our difficulties in life?, can we calmly handle baby cry in the middle of night?, can we talk heart to heart with our significant other and deal with our problems?, do we sweat on small stuffs and treat them as if third world war will occur?, etc.

Every human deal with difficulties and problems in life. Because that is life all about. Even a baby enters the world with a cry, not with a laughter...because the baby knows living in this world is not easy!

Deal with our problem, not cry with them. Bright up our mind. Be healthy in our deep spirit. It will be a huge capital toward a better life.

Election Day in Indonesia

2009-04-09T23:19:00.003+08:00

I fulfilled my right and obligation as a citizen of Indonesia. I voted in the legislative election. It was quite complicated, receiving four sets of papers, choosing the one to represent me in the legislative. Those outdoor signboards that surrounded Denpasar for months actually did not affect me. I chosen the one that I really know have tracks in the politic.

Checking the evening news, I was quite thrilled to know the top party.

Well, this happens once in five year. (There will be a president election in few months.) We have to do something to make sure that citizens are well represented in the legislative. The democrazy (yes, it is spelled with 'z') in Indonesia is for sure still in the beginning of a learning curve. Actually I am quite ashamed that there are a lot of my friends who think they're too cool to vote.

At least I care to vote. Not that I think I understand politic. It is just a way to show that I care my country. That's the least I can do for Indonesia for now.

Up to date

2009-04-03T18:14:00.002+08:00

No blogging time. No chatting time. No facebook-ing time. No nap time.

Wish a day is more than 24 hours.

Alhamdulilah, thank God, for what I am going through now.

Life in Compliance

2009-03-15T05:51:00.001+08:00

Have you ever felt nervous lately?
Have you ever felt so edgy?
It felt like the brain in your head swollen and ready to explode…
Have you ever felt the end of the world is coming?
Have you ever felt walking through a dead-end alley?
It was like life is going nowhere…

I was there few months ago.

One ultimate key to walk away from that point is surrender
Believe in the Almighty Power

I am now floating
Ready to fly to a new journey

New from me in early March

2009-03-03T22:52:00.000+08:00

It has been a while since my last posting. Thankfully, the reason is we have been working on projects for our clients. A national corporate opened their new outlet in Bali – we’re doing their grand opening and gathering events. Several others are in the pitching stage. Business has started to pick up after dormant period. Global crisis for sure has affected us, yet hopefully it will not be worse several months down the road.
Our boys are very understanding. We are very lucky to have my parents who live in the same city. We have to leave them at my parents’ house, sometime until late, especially when we have to handle client visits. Great appreciation to my parents, for helping us in this matter.
What else? Hmm… I have so many things happening in my life and around mine. Overall, amid the rough period, Abdes and I still have each other… in the bad and good times, just as our wedding vow. Life’s not perfect. But, hey, that’s what life is all about, isn’t it? We are formed by how we manage all the imperfections of life.

Out of the Blue

2009-01-30T14:55:00.002+08:00

Interesting. Purposive.
Few of my old friends, came out of the blue. Connected like pieces of puzzle, which suddenly are found in every corners.
They came to my life for many reasons. Good ones.
Let's celebrate friendship, one vital key in life.

Eye. Sight. Red. Virus.

2009-01-24T11:17:00.004+08:00

The title of my post tells what I am about to write.
Talking about sight, about eyes. I have red eye (actually, eyes, as my right eye is a bit red, too) since Monday. The left eye was very sore on Tuesday, as if I just went out from a boxing ring (pretending to be Layla Ali). Got the virus from my eldest son, who got it from his class mate. Even my baby son's eye got infected. As the virus transmitted vastly, my hubby quarantined himself in our room...left the three of us in the boys room.

We are getting better by end of this week. However, I still have to wear my Oakley in my meeting with clients (true!). Just couldn't let people to feel awry by looking at my red eye.

This event has made us realize the importance of washing our hands properly and how unimportant is to rub our eyes... and the importance of having cool eyewear for meetings :)

This Week in Denpasar

2009-01-12T15:30:00.002+08:00

Big rain last weekend. Floods were happening in several spots in the city, including my residence complex. Yeah, interesting....
The rain was so hard for hours in Saturday night, thus many eyes could not be closed thinking about whether the water will ruin the property. Thank goodness, ours were safe. Washing machine and tumble dryer work normally after enjoying the rain. We missed our big barrel of garbage which was floating to our neighbor. My hubby enjoyed walking through the flood in the mission to capture our garbage bin.
As I talked to several friends today, some suffered more than us due to the flood. Geez, the rain is getting harder approaching the Chinese New Year. Yet, there are no actions from local authorities to fix this problem. Hellow...anyone there?

Well, rainy or sunny, it is just the way it should be... For intermezzo, check out this announcement that my hubby found in a men's room of a local resto. Perhaps this way we can reduce the flood :)

Snapshots of the Week

2009-01-09T15:29:00.006+08:00

As I have no specific stories of my current life, I'd like to share few shots taken with my SonyEricsson.

This one was taken on our way up to Kintamani:
This is the latest I took on the way to office... snap shot of the week I guess...*check out the two black creatures at the parking lot*

Another New Year...Another Promises

2009-01-06T14:08:00.002+08:00

1. Be more assertive in proposing ideas...yet, the ideas themselves should be positive and creative
2. Be more patient in handling different type of personalities....yet, there are certain kinds of personalities that cannot get along with others and have to be quarantined from business relations.
3. Be more discipline to reach our goals....yet, take time to enjoy life with our loved ones.
4. Be more understanding with our spouse...yet, do not sink our own personality to please him.
5. Ultimately, be more thankful to The Almighty for whatever we have and do not have in life.

Holiday Season Greeting 2009

2008-12-26T11:31:00.002+08:00

Happy Holiday Season!

2008-12-24T13:04:00.003+08:00

"Ho..ho...ho..., " said Santa on the truck.

"Merry Christmas..."

"Selamat tahun baru 1430 Hijriah".

"Happy New Year 2009".

May the new beginning opens prosperous opportunities to us so we can be more meaningful human beings.

Kuliner Kampung

2008-12-12T11:35:00.008+08:00

(or Traditional Cuisine)

The true taste of Indonesian food cannot be found anywhere else, except in the local markets. True!!

Few weeks ago, we made our stop at Pasar Senggol Kereneng, in north Denpasar area, for nasi goreng and tahu campur. The taste? Yumm.... *til I forgot to take the photo*
The price? Less than a dollar per portion. Awesome!

Look for this sign if you happen to stop by at Kereneng. The sign said that this warung (food stall) is only for the hungry people..

Yeah, sure! Yumm...

My Super Woman

2008-12-01T11:41:00.002+08:00

Another feedback comment on a comment from a friend. The comment was also given online, via messenger. *geez, my social networking is getting further from the real world*
She asked me whether I had maid. So, as I don't have one, she said I was a super woman. Am I? Of course not. My super woman is actually my mom. That's what I told her. I don't want to take the credit of my mom's superb spirit. She wholeheartedly takes care of my babies, started with Getar in 2000 and now Alarik since 2007. There were even periods when she had to baby sit three boys!!! I just couldn't thank her enough. I do my best to never let her down, to let her know how I much I respect and love her. I was also reminded by Mario Teguh, the super motivator, aired last night on Metro TV, to continuously extend our love and gratitude to our beloved mother, today and everyday. Coz, we will never know when will be our last day on this earth.
Mami, thank you for everything, for every spirit you delivered to me, body and soul. I love you!

About online social networking

2008-11-29T10:22:00.003+08:00

It's been 9 days after my last posting. My online neighbor has asked me why I haven't put updates on my blog. Well, I've been away from my laptop for a while this past week. I was doing simultaneous interpreting job in Nusa Dua, meeting with our client as they have new promo this December. And when I am in front of my laptop, my paper works await to be finished.

Well, here I am. I want to write a bit about online social networking, the one that is so in now is facebook. I have one. That was my q to my online neighbor. Well, she didn't have one. She posted her thoughts about it here. That's fine, sis. Either fs (friendster), fb (facebook), or none...we'll be ff indeed. That's friends forever...

Sick & Tired...wanna puke!!!

2008-11-20T16:58:00.004+08:00

It has been happening since few months ago, didn't notice the start of time line. Apparently, I got so sick and tired, then it tickled my brain nerve of puking!

Nope, it ain't pregger again!

It has been caused by this:

These things are everywhere... all over and every corner of town. I started taking photos of them since couple of days ago, so just I can share them to the world beyond.

Apparently, this is not a beauty contest. Or is it??? For sure I don't plan to choose any one of them. Holy cow, they're just displaying their best photos (ya..ya..ya..), and they expect me to believe they can represent me in the parliament??? This kind of thing only benefit the digital printing business (thank goodness, hopefully that's not the least thing these people on the big banners can do!! Do the math, in average, the cost of digi print is Rp 30.000 per meter)

That's all my rant for now, before I become (more) sarcastic.

WOW...Internet on Me!

2008-11-19T21:24:00.004+08:00

I was being a bit narcissist, so I googled myself (yeah, who didn't!!!).
Mostly, I found pages that I've known. Yet, the most interesting page was this one - read here.

Gosh...Thanks to that Willy guy who made me famous..and also to Mocona who kindly enough posted my family photo!!!!

*Pak, Bu...paling gak, numpang ngisi guest book di blog saya, dan lapor ke saya, bahwa saya akan dijadikan bahan pembicaraan di konferensi Anda... Tapi bagaimanapun juga, terimakasih atas keisengan Anda*

Then, there is this lady who (I assumed) like my poetry, and posted them here- scroll to the mid section. Thanks for putting my name as the writer :)

Finally, I've done it...

2008-11-19T16:32:00.002+08:00

One of my new year resolution is to work out and eat healthy so the flabby tummy is gone. Finally, this afternoon, on month number 11, I dragged my lazy feet and drove myself to a ladies only fitness club, signed up for aerobic class. Better late than never, mama!

The Fast among the Furious

2008-11-17T12:33:00.011+08:00

Just a traffic report from my view while driving on Teuku Umar Street, Denpasar.

Geez, I can tell that the Ferrari surely didn't fit the traffic view. It's too glittery, too bright, too red, too fast...

*apologize to the unknown owner, sure you paid a fortune for the shiny wheels*

Event of the Year

2008-11-05T14:30:00.001+08:00

image courtesy of yahoo.com

Important Little Things

2008-11-04T14:21:00.004+08:00

There is a phrase that suggested us not to sweat on little things. Yet, sometime, these little things that bother or stay deep in our heart. Few happenings in my life for the past one week, involving little things but with major impacts.

- At Guess? shop, Kuta, Abdes and I went for window shopping. Apparently, he found one Tee that was originally tagged Rp 396K, discounted at half price. Surely, it was a bargain. We confirmed to the shop attendant and she said that the Tee is discounted from that tagged price. At the cashier, interestingly, the POS computer stated that the Tee has original price Rp 496K (more or less, I forgot the exact figure). Hey, as a customer, surely we don't have access to POS and definitely we are informed by the price tag. Both, the cashier and shop attendant, didn't convey any apology when they told us the price difference. They just assumed that we would cancel the purchase and did not think that their system made failure. I thought, should I complain to these girls and tried to get them apologize? It's small stuff though. But I reckoned these girls, looked like underpaid staffs (sorry Guess?) should learn something. I didn't view any shop manager around. After complaining a bit, we cancelled our shopping. As I walked away from the cashier, one of the girls apologized, "Maaf ya, bu!" Geez...if this happened in the U.S., where customer is really the King or Queen, surely we will pay the price as tagged, not as in the POS computer.

-At Carrefour Sunset Road Bali, few days ago, as we went for weekly groceries shopping, I wanted to have cash back (using my BCA debit card). I've done this several times at my previous shopping trips. So, there I was, at the cashier, saying politely in Bahasa Indonesia, I'd like to have cash back of Rp500K". You know what, the cashier (it was a male, trainee cashier, no name tag) looked at me and said,"Ma'am, if you'd like to have cash back, I suggest you go to the ATM downstairs." Hellowww.... I asked for cash back! I tried to calmly respond, but I'm sure I sounded agitated,"If I go to ATM, it is NOT cash back!!!" Well, he didn't respond, went to ask his colleague, and for sure, I did get my cash back.

-In preparing for an MC job, I usually have to attend briefings. The client hands me rundown, program review, etc. In my last MC job, I was a bit pissed off as I was told to come twice to the venue, quite far from home, with no points of meeting. No papers, no details. The client's organizer again wanted me to come for the third time. Whaaaat??? You're wasting my time...and my gasoline!!!! With all due respect, I came all the way down there, with a purpose to obtain details on the event. Thankfully, a friend, who hired me, successfully did the talk when I was away, that I shouldn't come again. Please, do respect people's time.

So, those three events happened in just one week. I tried to learn my lessons; to react calmly to other people's behavior, and to treat other people respectfully, even for little things, because how little an event is, it will stay deep within.

LARGEST pizza in town!!!

2008-10-21T17:25:00.002+08:00

Following my previous post on Warung Itali's pizza, finally we went there again, ordered the largest pizza...and the yummiest one, too!

I forgot the exact dimension...perhaps around 60cm :) One slice of this large pizza is approximately the same 3.5 slice of regular pizza. The best part is...this triple-sized pizza is charged double price of the regular one.

Boys in Green

2008-10-21T17:14:00.005+08:00

Loooveee... these photos!
Taken by Abdes, fully inspired by our eldest son, Attarilan. My youngest one delightfully followed his brother and posed on the grass.

Brothers forever....

Yummiest Pizza in Town!!!

2008-10-13T14:48:00.010+08:00

Gone around town to search for dinner, we landed up at Warung Italy at Jalan Kunti, Seminyak. Quite close to where we live, actually. We saw that Warung Italy (warung is an Indonesian word, literally mean, little diner) just opened a pizzeria. So, we just gave it a shot, a culinary visit.

The pizza chef (I don't know the best word to describe the person behind the counter who prepares pizza dough and its toppings) demonstrated the dough spinning, threw it in the air, and did everything interesting to make the pizza. The wood fire oven was also there. The most interesting thing is the pizza chef was purely Italian (at least he spoke Italian and looked like one, too). The atmosphere was very Italian, as two people sitting next to our table were Italians, and they chatted loudly.

So, the pizza came. Oops, sorry I forgot to shot the pizza as we were starving and dug the pizza instantly.

Yummmm.... the pizza was SUPERB!!! Thin but chewy dough, great mozarella with chicken and mushroom.

The great thing is IT WAS CHEAP!!! Regular sized pizza was around Rp50-60K. And, if we want to have a family size pizza, that is trippled the regular one, is only tagged double price. Cool...

Hmmm....need to make a trip to Seminyak again very soon... It's the pizza calling!

OK, for your eyes only, here are the photos I've taken after dinner.

Mamamia...!

New collection

2008-10-10T10:58:00.006+08:00

Abdes and Adi Suhendra, a friend of us, jointly had a photo shooting for Ting's company. At the end, I ended up having new photo collections :)
Credit goes to Abdes Prestaka. Couch & rug are properties of Brasa custom made furnishings, owned by Ms. Ting. Thanks also to Adi Suhendra.

check out more photos of "Red Couch & Me" here.

Denpasar was a mess!!!

2008-10-08T10:17:00.003+08:00

These were all happened yesterday, Tuesday, October 7, 2008.
Geez, it was raining since morning, then stopped, then pouring again non stop since late afternoon till evening around Denpasar. Traffic jam at Teuku Umar street.

*traffic jam in the afternoon at Simpang Enam, Denpasar

In the evening, more traffic jam, water was everywhere. Flood. Collision of motorbike who went too fast under the pouring rain, tried to break and evade car. People had to walk their motorbike as the engine went off. Sedans' engines were dead as the water got into the engine. An apartment complex (a.k.a kos-kosan) had water up to human's chest. Short circuit had caused fire. Rice paddies were destroyed.
Mr. Mayor of Denpasar...(he's just got appointed), can you PLEASE take care of this problem, the same old thing, happened every rainy season. Poor drainage system in Denpasar, I bet that's the cause. Pity, that the city income is not distributed to solve important and vital aspect of the city.
Denpasar was a mess yesterday. Rainy season is here. Should we all be worried that the same thing would happen again?

Selamat Lebaran 1429 H, mohon maaf lahir & bathin

2008-09-26T23:27:00.002+08:00

How dare!!!!

2008-09-25T16:15:00.004+08:00

Melamine was included as an additive ingredients????

This has been the headline news in all Media after the Chinese government found out there were dairy products with melamine, that had caused deaths and sickness of thousands of babies.

In Indonesia, it implied to the withdrawal of various dairy products imported (legally and illegally) from China, including Oreo and M&M's. The Indonesian FDA suspected that those snacks might contain tainted Chinese milk. Apparently, there is a list of products suspected contaminated with dangerous chemical ingredients.

Ouch, my favorite snack and candies have been contaminated with melamine? After all these years, I've eaten that dangerous chemical ingredients? What about my boys? I've given them these snacks since they are allowed to eat solid food. What would happen to them over time???

My big Q is, how dare those people to have this conduct?!?!?!?!

Shouldn't this be considered CRIME??? Again, we, the customers, are at weak bargaining position. Isn't there any international agency/institution which can handle this matter with justice?

Oh My Indonesia...

2008-09-24T08:58:00.003+08:00

I read a good article on Kompas newspaper (Kristiadi, J. Paradoks Demokrasi Popularitas, Kompas, Sept. 23, 2008, p. 1). It was about how horrific the politic situation is in Indonesia. This kind of politic and instant image management of politicians will drain Indonesia into darker and worse condition. Like John Mayer said in his song, 'it is hard to change the system, when we're standing in the distance'. Well, it doesn't mean that I have the ambition to be in the system... No way, José. Suddenly I remember those people that have been chosen by the party to be CALEG or Calon Legislatif, or people to be in the pool of legislature election. Sadly and frankly saying, most of them are instantly processed to be politicians. They were chosen because the political parties have to fulfill certain numbers of people, that have to consist a certain percentage of women.

I'd like quote what Mr. Kristiadi had quoted in his article. It was taken from Time Magazine, Septembe 12, 2008 edition. It is perfect to portray my Indonesia.

'The country has all the ingredients for success: a stable democracy, a wealth of natural resources and a large consumer market. But Indonesia is not keeping pace with Asia's booming economies.'

Y'all know why...

Things happened in my life lately

2008-09-20T13:47:00.003+08:00

Lots of things happened in the past weeks.

We got our first training client which session was very exciting and inspiring.
I went rafting for the very first time.
This year's Ramadhan is Getar's first half-day fasting.
I was a witness of a traffic accident, a bad one, and I myself had to drive the injured victim to the nearest hospital.
We baked our first bread.
We tested for cooking our food to be served in our Lebaran fiesta.
We were the lucky customer at Carrefour Bali to receive vouchers in the amount of our shopping value.
Alarik's first "shake hand and kiss" or salam.

Marhaban ya Ramadhan

2008-08-31T22:50:00.000+08:00

Selamat menyambut bulan suci Ramadhan.
Mohon maaf lahir dan bathin.
We wish that this year, our fasting can be fruitful and blessed by The Almighty Allah.

Scavenger Hunt in Bali

2008-08-27T09:28:00.008+08:00

These photos were taken when my hubby and I went around Denpasar - Kuta to get stuffs for us.

You can find fresh carrots to rotten toilet bowl.

Old plates to older plates are there to be found.

All we need is patience...

So, come to Bali, scavenger hunters!!!

Parenting Lesson of the Week

2008-08-16T11:32:00.007+08:00

Hey parents out there, do you think it's so simple being a parent? For those who think that having a kid who has passed the toddler years, do you think it'll be easier to handle an 8-year boy????

Again, I had a quarrel with my oldest son. It's just about simple thing, when I talked too hard to him (yeah, coz I was impatient with him)...and he exhibited his ego by shouting back at me. In just 15 minutes, we gave each other big hugs and said how much we loved each other.

I agree that I should not be too hard to him. No, it's not like I act that way to him every time. It's just there are times when I felt too tense after work, he is tired after school. I have a thought that he's big enough where he should act and think in certain ways, that of course he couldn't...coz he's just 8! Hhrrgghh....

Parenting is about being patient to our child. Parenting is also an art how to communicate and 'listen' to our child's character.

Look at his cute face. I love him dearly. ...

"I apologize for hurting your feeling. "

Brothers Forever

2008-08-03T02:00:00.004+08:00

Cute pic of my two sons

Few Photos of our Vacation

2008-07-28T17:19:00.009+08:00

School holiday has passed. Here are what left behind:

*Nenek with her grandsons, at Beratan Lake, Bedugul village, Tabanan Regency, Bali

*this is Getar in the middle of a rice field, at the backyard of Bebek Bengil Restaurant, Ubud, Bali

*The longest bridge in Bali, namely Jembatan Bangkung, at Pelaga village, Badung Regency

*next to the Bridge, there's a public toilet. Yes, that's it, in the middle of a rice field :)

*in the middle of a traditional food stalls "pasar malam", one late afternoon in Bangli Regency

*Family trip at the Bali Art Festival (Pesta Kesenian Bali), Art Center, Denpasar, Bali

There's always a first time

2008-07-28T00:34:00.010+08:00

It's been quite a while since my last posting. Yup, the best excuse is [apparently, it is the true good one], I have been a bit busy for the last couple of weeks. Getar went back to school after long holiday. He's in 3rd grade now. Cannot believe how time flies, he's a big boy. Even he has to wake up at 5, he's so excited going back to school with longer school hours. He got a fever for two days last week. Thank God, it was not a major ill. We thought he might just too tired with the new schedule.
What kept me (and hubby) busy are our new projects. First, our company obtained our first marketing research project. We have been selling (passively, though) this service through company profile, printed and online. The client found us through search engine, then contacted us, had a meeting, brainstormed, and had a deal. It is currently going on quite well, right on track at this moment. We hope to have some similar projects in the near future.
Second, I have been preparing myself for today's event, where I will do MC in front of the President of RI for the first time. The event will have the Nobel laureate, Prof. Mohammad Yunus. I obtained this job from my loyal client who referred me to provide this service. He personally insisted the Palace Protocol to have yours truly as the MC and assured my quality (thanks, Pak!) My comment on the event, exciting but a bit annoying. Since Friday, I had to go to the venue (45 minutes drive) to meet the organizer, then the Presidential Protocol, and did rehearsal. Had to spend extra cash for fuel. This morning, woke up at 4 am, dressed up and made myself up. Baby Al had to spend the night with my Mom so I could prepare myself timely. I was ready at 7 am at BICC. Yup, had to go very early in the morning to avoid traffic jam and most importantly, the security hassle due to the President's arrival. Anyhow, I did my best. My clients expressed their satisfaction. Alhamdulilah... I look forward to the Farewell Dinner on Wednesday (no President, though....)

Local Election in Bali

2008-07-09T17:44:00.001+08:00

Wednesday, July 10 is the first local election in Bali where we have to choose our Governor (paired with the Vice Governor). Interestingly it is a democracy learning of our people. Though the channel and methods are simple (such as billboard placement, flyer distribution, public debate on their visions and programs), the candidates were properly portrayed as how they are. Well, as we are still in the first grade of elementary school in democracy, the quick count of today's election(IMHO) has not yet showcased that the Balinese are in the state of demanding progression. My people are still eaten by the political figure, not fully digesting the programs of Governor candidates. Anyhow, as I said, this is democracy learning. We are still learning. Learning does not automatically lead to brightness.
Mangku Pastika - Puspayoga, the quick count has noted that they are in number one position. Detailed counting will be finished on July 21. I look forward to your Administration that will lead to better and more prosperous Bali.

YouTube posting

2008-07-09T17:40:00.003+08:00

Please check out my YouTube posting... all about my boys who creatively found way to have fun at no cost :)..
video

Yes, it is my day!

2008-07-04T12:27:00.002+08:00

I was born 31 years ago. Now, here I am....Alhamdulilah.

Thanks a lot to my parents who have raised me. Heaps of appreciation and lots of love to my Mommy, who had given birth to me and sacrificed a lot to make me who I am today.

Tentang Kepercayaan

2008-07-01T13:55:00.002+08:00

Jangan pernah percaya dengan orang lain sepenuhnya, nanti kita tidak siap kalau dikecewakan. Sakit hati itu, katanya, lebih sakit daripada sakit gigi (yang pernah sakit gigi parah, seperti Boru R, pasti protes!)
Kalau mau percaya sama orang, ya kasi 77% kepercayaan lah. Untuk pasangan hidup, kepercayaan yang kita berikan barangkali bisa lebih banyak, sebanyak 93%. Tentu lebih banyak, kan kita sudah mempercayai hidup kita untuk diikat sedemikian rupa bersamanya. Tapi lebih sedikit daripada CI 95%, yaitu tingkat kepercayaan data penelitian kuantitatif karena hidup lebih berisiko daripada riset!
Lalu, kalau kita gak percaya sama orang, jangan sepenuhnya juga. Kasi 21% kepercayaan aja deh, sehingga kita juga gak terlalu sebel sama orang tersebut.
Oya, kenapa saya bisa memberikan angka-angka persentase pasti untuk tingkat kepercayaan? Ya, tau aja! *berapa persen Anda percaya dengan saya?*

In Laws in Town

2008-06-26T22:13:00.004+08:00

My in laws are in town to warm our new house. They arrived last Friday and probably will stay until early next week. My father in law is a music lover, particularly Indonesian oldies and local songs. Wheres my mother in law... she is a wonderful cook! Any produce we got from the market can turn into yummy food!! Lucky me, huh :)

Well, as they are here, we've been listening to Indonesian oldies. For instance, now my father in playing guitar and singing "Semalam di Malaysia". On the road, we played CD of Ebiet G. Ade. We enjoy this intermezzo :)

We might invite some friends over to our place for a house warming party. My mother in law for sure will cook several of her signature cookings: sambal teri medan, kari + roti canai, sayur asem, gepuk, mi medan...yumm, yummm

Pussyyyeeeeng nonton berita

2008-06-13T12:18:00.003+08:00

Beberapa minggu terakhir ini, setiap nonton berita di teve, selalu pusing dan ngomel. Apalagi suamiku, bisa-bisa dia membanting bantal dan mengeluarkan kosakata permakiannya dengan lengkap. Kalau tidak ditenangkan, acara santai pulang kerja bisa berakhir dengan nelangsa memikirkan mau jadi apa negara kita ini. Bayangkan saja, isi berita belakangan ini, kalau tidak tentang demo penolakan kenaikan harga BBM, berlanjut kasus FPI, lalu SKB 3 Menteri, kasus sidang suap terkait dana BLBI, lalu juga penjelasan pemerintah yang (menurut kami) bernilai formalitas semata.

Seperti makan buah simalakama....Kalau gak nonton berita, rasanya ketinggalan zaman. Tapi kalau nonton berita, mau berantem, kayak kurang kerjaan. Pussyeeeenggg!!!

*BTW, saya baru sadar... tanggalan hari ini is so creepy...Friday (June) the 13th!!!

Bali ...The Villa Haven and Heaven

2008-05-31T16:42:00.004+08:00

Anybody want to invest in Bali? Buy a piece of land or property and [hopefully] business will come along the way.
It's been years since property booming, and Bali enjoy the benefit. There are numerous villas around the island, either they are solely owned by locals/Indonesians or co-owned with foreigners. The Bali government has started to levy taxes to villas. Previously, villa owners could gain more profit as there were no such regulation; they could disguise their villas as residents. Well, finally the government was awaken by the possibility of more income resource!

As for tourists, nowadays, commonly choose villa as their vacation haven. More choice means more efficient market! For groups, renting villas can be more cost-effective and there are no strict 5-star hotel rules which sometime can be annoying. At my future resident compound, there will be two houses that are built and designed as villa. Ha, there will be swimming pools in my residential compound! Great!

While the Prestaka residence, we eagerly develop our house as a semi-villa [it will be without swimming pool]. Wait and see ;)

Appreciation Extended to My Pal

2008-05-29T09:54:00.000+08:00

Thanks for making up my blogs, D-Eby! Sure you can kill those insomniac times effectively.

Prices Go Up...Up...and Away!

2008-05-29T09:12:00.003+08:00

Started by the fuel price hike, now prices of materials and stuffs also went up. Why? I guess there is no other explanation except the law of supply-demand, production-consumption theories...bla..bla..blaa

Can I just easily increase my MC and translator fees?

Can we mark up higher production cost and management fee for our projects?

Prices won't stop increasing. Got to find ways to boost our revenues (in righteous way).

Rants from the bottom of my heart

2008-05-17T15:54:00.004+08:00

"Am I wasting my brain? I have a master degree in health economics, but I am not active in that field since the past 6 months. I want to do more research to develop health financing and insurance in Indonesia. I want to give lectures on health economics for public health, economics and medical students. The school where I had taught before my departure for the U.S. rejected me for a childish reason. I was being polite enough, riding motorbike 30km away to show up my face and report that I have completed my graduate study and ready to serve the university. The Head said I was too busy doing research and would have no time to give lectures. Ain't he kidding or what? Academicians are dedicated to do research and give lectures simultaneously in order to enrich the field and themselves. Apparently, the Head's hated my father too much. My father is a professor in public health. I don't know the details how and why the feeling grew that deep and affected the Head's professional assessment for the sake of the university's development...and for the country!!! So, could I just do private research? Actually I could, but I was not properly paid. Hey, human is a rational creature and sure I would need incentives to act. I could go to Jakarta and work for a multinational or international agency. So, why didn't I go? I could not put work above family as I am married and have two kids. Jakarta is not a healthy city to have a family. A friend of mine, from a state university in East Indonesia said that my expertise is very much needed by my country. Yes, I know that! But I could not do pro-bono works. We cannot afford single income to pay our bills and mortgages. In my deep heart, I felt that I am betraying my country and my scholarship provider as I am not fulfilling my promises. I TRIED!!! I stayed as a full time researcher for two years upon my return from ATL. Besides getting my articles published in several national journals, invited to speak in seminars... I got not much in return. Am I being too materialistic? Heck, tell me I am not. Who could survive as a volunteer in the rising price of fuel and all commodities? I promise to myself, I dedicate some of my time to assist the development of Bali social health insurance scheme which I have been doing since mid 2006. I will also develop a research and training agency, of MY OWN, one day!!! For the time being, a fellow scholarship recipient has been kind enough to obtain my CV and promised to get projects for me as a trainer or consultant. Now, I am committed to develop my company and gain maximum profit. In that way I will have extra time to do health economics (and other public) projects where I can pay my dues to my country!"

Finale Week

2008-05-16T17:09:00.006+08:00

1. Indonesian Uber Cup team is going to final against China this weekend.

2. Next week, American Idol crowning night, David vs David. Who do you root for?? The cute one or the hunk one?

Rajin Posting, ya?

2008-05-16T16:56:00.002+08:00

Itu pertanyaan/komentar datangnya dari tetangga yang hidupnya nomaden :) dan sekarang sedang ada di negeri penjajah.

Begitulah... belakangan agak rajin posting, karena memang sedang memerlukan outlet dari segala macam rutinitas. Hebohnya, koneksi internet di kantor, entah kenapa, lemmooooott banget sehingga sulit ngangkat website-nya blogger. Terus, akhirnya sambil nunggu anak les, saya kadang cari hot-spot untuk bisa posting. Sebenarnya sekalian mengirim email urgent yang pakai attachment agak berat.

Jadi ya begitulah, ibu tetangga, saya agak rajin posting supaya bisa sekalian beranjangsana di dunia maya dengan teman-teman di berbagai belahan dunia. Seperti sekarang ini, sambil menunggu jadual appointment facial dengan dokter kulit (hehehe, kudu rajin merawat kulit. maklum, udah masuk kepala 3!!!), mampir di warung kopi yang ada hotspot.

Badminton Week

2008-05-14T17:26:00.004+08:00

This week is Badminton Week, as Indonesia is currently hosting the 2008 Thomas Cup & Uber Cup. I watched almost every evening as it is broadcasted by Trans. I am being a bit proud of the women team. They're quite good so far. However, I shouldn't be too excited as Indonesian Uber Cup team has not met the tough Chinese!

Well, Badminton or bulutangkis as we commonly say it in Indonesia, is a very popular sport in rural and urban areas. I think this is the only sport that Indonesian has been victorious at. This sport provided our first gold medal in the Olympic game!!! At first, my favorite player was Mr. Taufik Hidayat. Hopefully he and his team, also the women team, can bring victory for the Indonesian people. Please make us proud....

Time to Refocus

2008-05-14T16:46:00.003+08:00

Usually people make New Year Resolution. What about a not-so-Midyear Resolution???

Yup! I just got to remind myself that I have to reshape my goals and alter my endeavors in order to achieve them. These are my principles of re-focusing my life:

SPIRITUAL

Be more discipline in doing my Sholat. No matter how sleepy I am, how cold the morning is, how lazy I feel, practicing my religion is better than anything!

Have more positive attitude. Embrace anything in this life in positive attitude; always view it from positive side. In this way, frustration can be reduced. Ambition can be smoothened to follow the flow of life.

FAMILY & RELATIONSHIP

Spouse is NUMERO UNO – family comes after. I shall respect and love my husband more and more each day, thus I will receive equal reaction (remember the physical equation à action = reaction). Yup, if we have healthy relationship with our spouse, we will build up as a solid partner to develop healthy family.

Enjoy parenthood as it comes once in a lifetime. Times in my boys’ lives are special. I enjoy every single thing I do as a mom of two little boys. I’ve talked to several other parents with grown-up kids, and they have told me that for sure, they’d like to have those times back when we can hold our babies in our arms, and never let them go.

Mom is the best chef. I got this label from my oldest son. Sure, I achieve this not by standing in the dark but by trying hard and enjoying every seconds in the kitchen. Being honest, I am not the best chef in the world. Yet, hearing my son proudly said to me, ”Mom, you’re the best chef!” is the best thing to me! So, I will be more active in the kitchen…especially I am about to have my dream kitchen of my own!!!!

WORK & BUSINESS

Have definite objectives. I have started to have a vision book, similar to a vision board as suggested by Oprah Show (geez, I am an Oprah maniac!). I clearly write what I want, how I want, where I want.

Be more proactive. As a business owner and employer, I have to be more assertive to sell our services.

Set high standards. Successful and wealthy persons always have high standards and never lower them.

Never take NO for an answer. In business, always find ways to achieve our goals. Sure, by HALAL modes only.

Back to Spiritual and Family. If anything bad happens in work and business, remember the spiritual and work principles.

HEALTH & FITNESS

Eat consciously. Less rice, please. More veggies, lean meat and fruits J Low fat milk is also important!

Move..move…move… Get on the gym ball and do the work outs. Lie on the mattress and do those yog-ilates (yoga mixed with pilates). Shed away those flabby baby tummy in three months!!!! (yup, put high standards!)

Measure of a Man

2008-04-29T16:16:00.001+08:00

Let’s talk about something deep, about value of our lives, the purpose of living as human being.

I suddenly remembered a spiritual autobiography of Sydney Poitier as I had casual talks with my hubby. I reckon Poitier’s moral is quite interesting and it reminds us about how we should live our lives.

The point is about how you measure a man. Do you consider a man is successful if he owns full garage of expensive cars, big residents that is expensively furnished, or if he is the CEO of a multinational company with huge buck of salary? Those are the common standards to state that a man is success in his life.

Well, apparently Mr. Poitier has different view. He stated that measure of a man is his family, particularly children whom he raised. (Herein, I rephrase what he conveyed in his autobiography). The children should love their father and mother with all their heart.

I totally agree with him. Family values are intangible, yet they are sustainable in our lives. Bonding of family love strengthens our soul to embrace any challenges and obstacles.

I don’t reckon one is successful, even if he is the top manager in a giant company, yet he just got a divorce and abandoned their beautiful two children. I don’t envy a man if he has a gorgeous mansion and built-up car, yet he has many extra-marital affairs.

Children are like clays and parents are the potters. Parents mold the children with their values, beliefs and loves. Children will grow up as how their parents have formed them. A successful man is when he has solid family bonding with children who have characters and wits to embrace the life.

As closing, I’d like to quote Sir Edward Coke; “A man’s family is his greatest treasure.”

Build your family and love your family.

Smirnoff Republic Street Party

2008-04-24T17:07:00.006+08:00

This is one of our best creations.
Client: Smirnoff
Venue: In front of Double Six
When: January 2007

It was featured by national Media and MTV Asia.

We are currently crossing our fingers; hopefully we will have to organize it again this year!!!

Iya = Tidak

2008-04-24T12:23:00.004+08:00

Ceritanya waktu itu, ada teman sekantor membawa martabak manis rasa coklat. Ditawarkannya martabak itu kepada segenap isi kantor. Tentu, reaksi kami, yang sedang menderita penyakit jam tiga sore (lapar ingin ngemil), tidak ada yang menolak. Satu orang kantor, dengan santai menjawab "iya" tetapi tidak beranjak juga dari kursi empuknya. Dia tetap saja memelototi layar komputer sambil membereskan pekerjaannya.

Pemilik martabak kembali menawarkan kudapan itu kepada teman-teman yang belum mendapat jatah martabak. Ada yang memang tidak suka coklat, atau ada yang baru saja selesai makan siang. Nah, satu teman yang tadi menjawab "iya" tentu ditawari martabak lagi untuk kedua kalinya. Eh, dia menjawab ''iya" lagi, tetapi tetap tidak menjamah sepotong martabak pun.

Lalu saya berseru,"Buruan ambil martabaknya, entar kehabisan lho!"

Kata teman saya itu,"Saya baru selesai makan mie goreng barusan."

Saya menimpali lagi dengan heran dan iseng,"Lho, kalau gitu kok tadi jawab iya?"

"Memang begitu Mbak ya, orang Bali selalu menjawab 'iya', walaupun belum tentu mau. Kalau bilang 'tidak', nanti dibilang tidak sopan".

Saya dan satu teman lagi yang juga orang Bali seketika protes,"Masa semua orang Bali gitu. Saya gak punya kebiasaan itu. Kalau tidak mau, mending jawab 'tidak terimakasih' daripada bilang 'iya' tapi diam-diam saja."

"Tapi di tempat saya begitu, Mbak. Kalau ditawari makanan oleh seseorang, harus menjawab 'iya'. Kalau menolak, nanti dibilang sombong. Perkara nanti tidak mau, ya gak jadi masalah."

Melihat saya memasang wajah heran, dia melanjutkan lagi. "Kan di daerah saya, banyak anggapan tentang ilmu hitam. Jadi kalau kita menolak tawaran makanan dari seseorang, orang itu bisa tersinggung. Bisa muncul tanggapan, 'wah orang ini menolak makanan saya, jangan-jangan saya dianggap bisa ilmu hitam atau mau meracuni dia.' Begitulah, Mbak."

Oh, rupanya ada latar belakang seperti itu. Kata 'iya' rupanya tidak selalu berarti 'setuju, tidak menolak, mau', tetapi bisa juga berarti 'tidak, terimakasih'.

Maid oh Maid!

2008-03-28T13:07:00.003+08:00

We have been soooo busy lately arranging schedule of our lives, as we have no maid since a month ago. Well, in six months, we had three different maids hired from a local agent. All were terrible. Yup, I guess now we totally believe that these maid agencies have their dirty business where they arranged to have those maids employed in one household only for no longer than two months period. At first, I was (well, my hubby was too) naively [wanted] to believe that the agent lady had good deed to help us. After three maids recruited from her, we knew that there is a conspiracy to benefit the agent only. The first maid went home during Eid and never came back (though she promised to). The second one said her husband had a traffic accident and followed by the death of her younger brother (or whoever she said...) The last maid was the most annoying one, she lied to us saying it's her second employment in Bali and only had been here for short period after Jakarta. Eventually, she left the house for afternoon shopping, massage by herself and managed to be home by foot. In addition, she acted so rude to my Mom, Queen of the House!!! We kicked her out after several events which I don't want to explain further.

Ever since, we have been trying to search for a maid by ourselves, passively though, as we don't have the time to visit villages around Bali. I've been calling almost all of my female friends, asking them to get an extra maid for me. We've been asking employees of a restaurant near our office, to get her friends who are unemployed to be a maid. I put my yahoo!messenger status as "URGENT, need maid!" We were so desperate that we even want to hijack a wandering maid at a mall!!!

A friend of mine, a man, weirdly said, "Lebih gampang cari istri daripada cari pembantu!" (it is easier to find a wife than a maid!). Damn.... It is our consequence as working parents to have a maid at home to keep the house tidy and mostly to do the laundry. We're willing to pay good salary if we found a maid in the near future. Up to now, it is our unaccomplished mission to search for a maid. Perhaps this weekend, we're going to villages to recruit one to work for us. Wish us luck!

Prestaka in Chinese Costumes

2008-03-06T22:23:00.003+08:00

One simple question

2008-02-22T15:56:00.004+08:00

In the middle of our busy schedule, take time to sit back, relax and ask yourself.... what benefits do I bring to my society? As we, human, were brought to this world, with a mission.

Time Flies...

2007-12-17T16:56:00.001+08:00

So true.... I never really realized how time flies so fast! It was just like yesterday when I felt him in my tummy, and breast-fed him for the first time. Now....look at him, he's 9 months young!! He has started to crawl, enjoying Michael Buble's tunes, laughing to my silly face, grabbing Dad's glasses or even pulling Big Bro's hair.

Suatu hari di bulan September 2007

2007-09-11T11:10:00.001+08:00

Sudah cukup lama saya tidak posting di blogger ini. Kenapa? Alasan klasik: sibuk. Saya tidak sempat membuat tulisan, baik yang layak maupun tidak, karena waktu saya dalam sehari sudah habis dikonsumsi untuk kegiatan lainnya. Dari bangun tidur, sejak masih dalam mimpi, Alarik sudah berseru untuk digendong, dibersihkan dan diberi makan. Abangnya, Getar, juga ribut minta sarapan. Ayahnya? Kebetulan tidak terlalu rewel :) tetapi tentu saja, saya berusaha menyiapkan (atau memberikan instruksi) sarapan. Setelah ritual sarapan kelar, lanjut ke ritual mandi. Abang seringkali keasyikan bermain, atau kelamaan makan, sehingga harus berulang kali diingatkan untuk mandi. Ritual ini berlanjut dengan prosesi berpakaian dan dandan. Tentu, mama mereka, yang paling cantik sendiri, harus mandi juga. Proses pakaian dan dandan juga tak kalah seru dan heboh dibandingkan dengan tiga lelaki Prestaka.

Setelah itu, acara berikutnya adalah pemberangkatan yang kadang terjadi dalam satu kloter, atau bahkan dua kloter. Getar bisa ikut ayahnya ataupun mama, lalu dijemput lagi oleh Mama (atau Ayah). Bulan ini Getar ikut dua kegiatan ekstra, yaitu English course di EF Bali, dan karate di sekolahnya SD 08 Dauh Puri Denpasar. Dia sudah berhenti les sempoa, karena bosan mengulik-ulik bulir-bulir sempoa :)

Nah, di kantor kampus, saya sekarang sedang mengerjakan sebuah penelitian yang dibiayai oleh kantor Organisasi Kesehatan Dunia, setelah sebelumnya banting tulang mengerjakan seminar internasional desentralisasi kesehatan. Saya juga mulai aktif berkontribusi dalam KITASATUBALI, kantornya Prestaka. Di sini juga pekerjaan menumpuk, mulai dari urusan keuangan, administrasi, laporan dan printil-printilnya, apalagi setelah kelar project penyelenggaraan seminar internasionalnya Bank Indonesia di Le Meridien Bali. Internet di kedua kantor saya ini broadband, tetapi belum sepenuhnya bisa saya manfaatkan untuk blogging :) Paling banter, chat di y!m, atau update profile di friendster. He..he..he...biarpun emak beranak dua, gaul di dunia maya jalan terrrusss....

Sampai di rumah, pada waktu yang tidak menentu, saya kembali berurusan dengan rutinitas hidup bersama Alarik, Getar dan Abdes. Minggu lalu, acara malam kami di rumah selalu ditemani oleh Wentworth Miller dan Dominic Purcell.... Gila seru banget! Kami sudah habis melahap semua DVD musim kedua film mereka, dan tidak sabar untuk menonton musim ketiga, yang baru akan diputar tgl 17 ini di Fox. Nah, minggu ini, acara malam kami adalah membaca dan memutar otak soal denah rumah. Ooopss, belum saatnya bicara soal yang terakhir ini. Biar Yang Di Atas yang mengatur semua, sambil kami mengerahkan energi agar MESTAKUNG alias semesta mendukung.

Begitulah hari-hari saya dan keluarga Prestaka. Dua hari lagi, kesibukan akan bertambah di pagi hari, karena bulan Ramadhan akan dimulai hari Kamis ini. Rutinitas lainnya sih belum berubah, dari acara untuk Alarik, Getar dan Abdes, juga KITASATUBALI, kampus dan JRP. Syukur-syukur masih ada job ngemsi juga. Serrru...

Mohon maaf lahir dan bathin ya! Terutama karena kami sering malas untuk menghubungi teman-teman lama di negeri seberang. Keluarga D-Eby yang sempet main ke Bali (nengokin Omanya yang ultah) tidak sempat kami temui :( , thanks for the SMS. Maaf lahir bathin yaaa... Nandya dan bebe, selamat berbulan Ramadhan di ATL. Semoga bisa ketemu Nandya dan Ahya di Bali setelah Lebaran nanti. Riatu, apakah masih rajin menghadiri acara buka puasa bersama? Mencari masakan Indo di rumah-rumah pengajian? Jangan lupa ajak Renata, tuh! Re, we miss you!!! There are no thrift stores in Bali!!!! Frank & Telly, selamat puasa, thanks for your kindness to take my friends staying at your place this week. Mamanya Michael dan Ryan di ATL, how are you doing? Belum ada rencana ke Indo?

Bulan September 2007, Bulan Ramadhan 1428H...semoga membawa berkah bagi kita semua, mengawali bulan-bulan yang lebih baik lagi di waktu mendatang. Chao!

WELCOME TO THE WORLD!!!

2007-06-25T11:50:00.003+08:00

This was my baby, 7 months inside my tummy:

And, this is him after getting dressed on his birthday, March 16, 2007:

Welcome to this world, ALARIK PRESTAKA.
It was so hard finding the name of our second child. We decided to give the first name only, plus his Daddy's last name (Prestaka). It follows the international standard of name, so it will be easy for him to
Alarik actually means the noble leader, named after a famous king in Germany. We, his parents, wishes him to grow up as a noble gentleman who will be a great leader for his family and community!!!

Si Ndut mau bergaya?

2006-12-04T10:22:00.001+08:00

Tips dari www.maternityandstyle.com..... berguna untuk nyonya ndut yang tetep mau gaya....

One word: cleavage. Pregnancy provides the best opportunity you'll ever have to flaunt your increased cleavage, so try wearing scoop-neck t-shirts or sweaters.
Try synthetic materials. Wear pants made of synthetic materials that stretch to fit your new curves.
Think a little tighter. Over-sized, baggy clothes create a bulky look. For a sexier style that slims your silhouette and emphasizes your features that aren't expanding, wear snug-sleeved tops, skinnier pants, and knits that stretch to fit your form. These are both sexy and feminine.
Dark Colors. Dark colors are slimming, so choose pants, skirts, and dresses in classic hues such as black, brown, navy, wine, forest green, and dark gray.
Stripes. Avoid horizontal stripes, which will make you look wider than you really are.

One down...more to go? - The Smack Down Victims

2006-11-29T10:56:00.001+08:00

This morning news on TV keeps on bugging my mind. It's about a death of a boy (third grade student) in West Java, Indonesia. The parents suspected that their son was deeply injured due to a 'fight' at school... and the fight was 'Smack Down' style. The boy played smack-down with other two boys, just like the famous TV show from US. Initially, the parents had no idea why their son had to be hospitalized. X-ray showed that the boy had broken ribs and lungs. Apparently, the boy's friends who visited him while he was hospitalized for six days, told the parents about the smack down fight at school.

Later on in the news, there was another case that happened in Central Java, precisely two boys (about the same age as the poor boy in West Java) who fainted after a smack down fight at school. One boy's head was bumped to wall by his senior in elementary school. On TV, the two boys said they got their lesson and would never watch nor play smack down fight again.

On the Internet, I also found several similar cases (all victims are in elementary school) who got injured after smack down fights. Schools respond by applying close-watch to kids activities during breaks. Some schools put announcements which say that kids who conduct smackdown fighting would be punished, even expelled from school (after the third notice).

The news anchorpersons reported that the father of that poor boy in West Java went to police to request that the respective TV station should stop the program. People who were interviewed on this issue said that the TV Program Commission (Komisi Penyiaran) should be strict on censoring such program. Onthe other hand, the TV station explained that the program is aired at 10pm - pass kids' (normal) bedtime - with a rating symbol.

Well, who's to blame?

Should we blame the TV station for being such capitalists, airing program with high-rating, obtain pecuniary benefits from advertisement....yet, ingoring their social responsibility as public education agent?

Or, is it the fault of Government of Indonesia, particularly the legislative, for being such insensitive politicians, who only care about their private interests... yet ignoring that government and legislative are people's representative in the country's administration?

Perhaps, the blame should be on parents and family? Parents and family are the smallest unit in the community that should protect the next generation. They are the ones who hold the control in their respective households, not the kids. Discipline and basic education, plus love and responsibility are in the hands and hearts of parents.

Yet, subsequent question popped up in my mind.... who are the educators of parents? Their parents and grand parents?

****

As a mother of a young man (first grader, precisely), what I can do on this subject is to educate my own flesh and blood, our immediate families, our friends that we, parents, have the ultimate responsibility to develop better generations for the country and the world.

I sincerely extend our condolences for the parents in West Java, Indonesia, who just lost their son. I do hope that's the only (I know) and last victim of smack down.

****
News on smackdown victim, read here.
Comments fromt TV station - that will not stop the program, read here.
All links are in Bahasa Indonesia

Permainan kata & imajinasi

2006-11-25T11:44:00.000+08:00

Ibu-ibu teman2ku, alias teman2ku yang udah pada ibu2,
Saya baru membuat blog, yang rencananya berisi karya tulisan puisi bertema ibu-ibu.
Liat karya perdana dan selanjutnya...di fiksisaya.blogspot.com

We're expecting baby....

2006-11-23T15:58:00.002+08:00

Waktu hamil anak pertama, saya dan hubby sepakat untuk menjaga kejutan jender bayi kami. Tapi lain halnya dengan kehamilan kedua ini. Ini gara-gara ada bias dengan harapan, keinginan dan tebak-tebak buah manggis :)

Akhirnya, pas kunjungan ke OB kemarin, setelah mengintip kondisi si baby yang insya Allah sehat dan lengkap....kami akhirnya bertanya kepada dokter, apa jender bayi yang sedang dikandung.
Si dokter dengan tenangnya mencari-cari petunjuk di layar mesin ultrasound....menyorot sebuah organ yang menunjukkan bahwa....

He..he..he... Ternyata hasil intipan dokter itu 180 derajat berbeda dengan tebakan teman-teman dan keluarga.

Maternity Dress

2006-11-16T12:17:00.002+08:00

How a pregnant mom can still look chic in 'kebaya', the Indonesian national dress? The answer is...
:)

Cerita Jalan-jalan Idul Fitri 2006

2006-11-11T10:26:00.001+08:00

Ada yang ketinggalan untuk di-blog, karena keterbatasan akses internet di kantorku. Alhasil, harus menunggu jadwal kosong untuk mampir di kantor hubby.

Ceritanya, abis Lebaran kemarin, kami sekeluarga memutuskan untuk mengeksplorasi Bali. Ya, masa' orang luar Bali aja yang keliling pulau indah ini. Kami pergi ke daerah timur. Jalan bypass Tohpati-Ketewel yang baru membuat perjalanan lebih singkat dan nyaman. Di tengah perjalanan, mampir makan dulu dooong.... Tepatnya di daerah pantai Kusamba, dekat pura GoaLawah.

Kami makan sate lilit ikan dan teman2nya. Enak? Hmmm....tentu saja. Kalo nggak, ya gak kita mampirin deh tempat makan di desa terpencil ini.

Sate lilit dibakar di atas tempurung kelapa. Jadi, baunya wangi...

Ini teman-temannya si sate lilit. Ada nasi putih, tentu. Terus sebagai condiments, ada kacang goreng dan sambel matah! Wueennakk... Sayurnya kangkung + kacang panjang yang dikasi bumbu kayak urab...namanya sayur kalas.

Akhirnya, sampailah kami di Amed, sebuah pantai indah yang masih 'culun', terletak di kabupaten Karangasem. Amed ini terkenal karena laut dan lansekapnya yang indah. Lautnya merupakan salah satu surga bagi para divers maupun ygn cuma bisa snorkling, karena bisa melihat indahnya alam bawah laut. Ada kapal Jepang yg karam pas jaman perang dunia II. Trus, ada LSM (entah apa namanya) yang setia banget ngejaga indahnya alam Amed. Mengenai detil Amed, kayaknya 'google' atau 'dogpile' aja sendiri ya....

Pojokan Amed dekat hotel yang kami tempati. Ada bukit, jukung/sampan dan debur ombak. Indah....

Airnya jernih banget... sangat mengundang untuk berenang mengarungi pantai Amed :)

Ibu Hamil dan Pasangannya

2006-10-11T11:26:00.001+08:00

Bersyukurlah ibu hamil yang memiliki pasangan (resmi) dan disayangi oleh si dia tersebut.

Seperti juga dengan diri saya, yang sedang berbadan dua dan disayangi oleh pasangan saya. Memang sih, di awal-awal minggu kehamilan, si dia sempat kurang sensitif dengan perubahan emosi yang terjadi pada diri saya. Untungnya, si dia cepat sadar dan minta maaf kalau membuat emosi ibu hamil tambah kacau. Maklumlah, katanya, sudah lama gak mendampingi ibu hamil. Ya gitu deh, gara-gara jarak kehamilan pertama dan kedua yang sampai enam tahun lebih. Semua seperti kejadian pertama lagi! Termasuk adaptasi pasangan dengan ibu hamil. Untungnya, sekarang sudah berjalan baik. Ibu hamil sudah tidak terlalu sensitif lagi dan si dia pun selalu penuh perhatian.

Oya, kehamilan kali ini, agak berbeda dengan kasus kehamilan pertama. Dulu, seringkali saya tidak suka berada dekat-dekat dengan si dia. Entah karena apa. Tapi sekarang, kebalikannya. Hormonnya beda kali, ya….

Soal makanan (iya, lagi-lagi!), si dia selalu berusaha memenuhi keinginan ibu hamil. Mau spaghetti….ok. Mau steak….ok. Nggak mau makanan Padang, ok gak jadi ke resto minang. Males masak, hayo aja kita ke resto. Tapi…. Itu hanya terbatas pada wilayah Denpasar dan sekitarnya saja. Tidak berlaku lintas kota lintas provinsi. He…he…he… Pho idaman saya, ternyata, tidak menjadi buah tangan si dia yang baru kembali dari sales call di Jakarta. “Bawa pho pake tupperware?” begitu si dia balik bertanya pas saya tanyakan tentang pho. “Gak mungkin banget deh, saya bawa-bawa tupperware isi pho!” Ha..ha..ha…Emang sih, kasian banget, kalau si dia mesti keliling nyariin pho, sementara dia pun di Jakarta super sibuk.

Eh, tapi sesibuk-sibuknya si dia di Jakarta, tetap saja dia membawa buah tangan untuk ibu hamil. Saya dibawakan celana (gaya) khas ibu hamil dan kamisol, plus cheese stick yang enak dan kurma Tunisia yang juga enak banget. Jadi, gak masalah lah, soal tidak adanya pho, yang penting si dia cepat kembali, membawa oleh-oleh dan berada dekat dengan si ibu hamil.

Makanan dan Ibu Hamil

2006-10-05T10:44:00.002+08:00

Katanya kalo lagi hamil, mesti makan dua porsi setiap sesinya. “Kan, makan buat berdua”, begitu kata orang-orang.

Hmmm….. kalau begitu badan si ibu hamil otomatis bakal super bengkak, duuoonggg!!! Soalnya, si baby kan gak perlu kalori sebanyak ibunya.

Kata sumber ilmiah, yang sayangnya saya lupa referensinya, ibu hamil hanya perlu tambahan 500 kalori dari 2100 kalori standar (harian). Jadi, ibu hamil gak perlu otomatis nambah makan banyak-banyak dan jadi gemuk (dan tidak cantik, he…he…he…), dengan alasan “kan lagi hamil!”.

Gitu deh… pembenaran atas pola makan yang sedang saya alami sekarang ini. Gak terlalu doyan makan banyak, gak doyan nasi, gak terlalu demen ngemil, dan malahan gak terlalu ngidam rujak. Soal makanan, saya senang makanan simpel dan tidak terlalu berbumbu ‘medok’. Senengnya makan di tempat yang bersih dan rapi, alias…resto yang pricetag makanannya agak mahal. Bukan karena sok kaya, melainkan karena gak tahan sama kejorokan warung dan kantin. Kalo gitu, malahan gak jadi makan….tapi jadi super nausea! Kadang saya mau juga sih, sama makanan kampung. Itu kalo udah kepepet, alias sadar diri kalo terus-terusan makan di resto bagus, kantong bisa jebol. Tabungan buat kelahiran si baby bisa amburadul dong.

Oya, soal makanan idaman, yang belum kesampaian kan si Pho, ada lagi tambahannya nih. Yaitu….Mrs. Winner’s chicken!!!! Uhuy banget deh. Pake mac & cheese, green beans, plus jalapenos pickle. (pasti deh, Bunda Bintang ketawa geli, ngebayangin ibu hamil di Bali ngidamin ayam soulfood yang berkalori tinggi! Bun, waktu nelpon saya minggu kemarin, makanan ini belum teridam-idam. Tiba2 aja karena bosen sama ayam KFC, jadi teringat sama ayamnya Bu Pemenang!)

Trus, jadi inget sama komentarnya Mama Michael & Ryan, yang kangen sama baso Abang-abang di Indo. Saya malah gak berani, Mama M &R! Ini gara-gara tayangan investigasi salah satu stasiun tivi swasta Indo, yang menemukan ada seorang pedagang baso (kios) di Jakarta, asli, menggunakan daging tikus sebagai oplosan baso sapinya. Di tivi, dikasi liat tuh, perburuan tikus di sawah, proses mencincang dst. Si Abang baso ini malah gak bilang sama sekali ke bini dan anak2nya. Tega benerrr! Ya gitu deh…saya jadi parno makan baso yang sembarangan.

Di minggu ke-15 kehamilan saya ini, gara-gara makannya gak banyak, perut memang tidak mblendung gede. Kalau pake jins hipster plus kemeja kerja, ya agak-agak gak kelihatan hamil. Kalau lagi centil, baru deh, jalan-jalan pake babydoll atau kamisol plus kardigan. Baru deh keliatan. Kata artikel di majalah Mother & Baby versi Indonesia, kalau hamil baby perempuan, katanya siiih…, makannya tidak sebanyak kalau lagi hamil baby laki. He..he…he… Katanya lho… Pembuktiannya, kita tunggu bulan Maret nanti, insya Allah, nunggu kelahiran si baby dalam perut saya ini.