Master in Cooking

I guess in previous weeks ago I spent too much of my time playing Sims 3... that's why God made my PC broken so I can  stabilize my daily routines this week. Ah, it feels good to see the good side of everything, yes? :p (But still, I hope they won't charge me too much with the repairment; I'm broke, no kidding)

Well, since today is the day to post about dreams, I'm going to tell you about one of my deepest desire,  recently, if I may add :p... Yes!! As the title show you clearly, I am dreaming about reaching level ten of cooking skill!! (Geez, it's another thing you familiar of in in Sims 3 actually..)

It's not mean that I'm going to compete in Master Chef and win the competition nor being famous chef or what... Master cooking for me means I able to cook everything I wanna cook without burning myself or ended with serving horrifying quality of meals! Yippeee! :D

And the good news about it is, I'm on my way! Yesterday I try to cook Spaghetti Carbonara without seeing the full recipe, based only my intuition hehehe..

butter + chopped leek, garlic and chicken + cream (you may substitute it with full cream milk) + salt n pepper

Pour into cooked pasta and done! :p

As it was my first experience, it was not bad even actually I didn't put pepper (I was running out of it) and I couldn't decide should I put Italian herbs or not (ended with no..whatever I am running out of it also).. so in my opinion it tasted a bit plain. But thanks for the magnificent butter and leek which save everything! Afterall I think the taste it's not that far with the one I tasted in The Rock before hehehe... *brag myself* Aandd.. I think it will be great if we put same sliced mushrooms also!
(I give you my personal advice, people; if you can deal with something creamy, go on with this :) )

Well, next stop should be sushi! Or lasagna! Or cupcakes! Or Pepes Telor Asin! (my grandma's legendary recipe ;p)


See you next time people! Smoochiess!


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PS: I will be unavailable to post for quite long time, people, since I'm facing something big here and there and I think it's good time to runaway from internet some time... talk about my problem to focus! Please be patient since it will be pay off in my upcoming post, I swear! I won't be appear much in Facebook nor Twitter so if you need me, just kindly send me sms! I'll miss you all, readers! See you! 

Question of the Day

You know, I still can't believe some people have 575 above of TOEFL score. I mean, how they managed it? Geez! Magnificent. So wow-ness.

The Cat Eyes

Having a good times playing with make up previous days ago... I'm to shy to post it in full color since I still need a lot of study in this oh-so-girly-but-sure-it's-a-basic-knowledge thingy and the lighting was so bad that time, I can't make a trick of it.

Actually I was doing some tests for my upcoming almost-secret event so I put gold eye shadow in my left eyelid, and the grey one in my right to help me decide which one is look better. Turns out the grey one will suit my outfit better! :p Oh and don't forget about the magnificent eyeliner gel and mascara. I love Maybelline!

Practicing my cool face.. Even though I know my man will laugh out loud to this one :))

Enjoy your day, fellas! Kisses!

Ramblings and Babblings

Hey people, what's up? How are your Monday so far? Well, mine's is busy as usual! Today theme is cleaning entire house. I spent my morning by wiping and mopping the floor then doing laundry. Not to mention doing regular progress for my Final Project. Finally I'm done with the watercolor-ing! Next step is put the details using colored pencil..Well, before I lost my memories, I will tell you that my Final Project exhibition and last bar will be held this April! Whoaa!! That's mean no more Sims 3 and window shopping, eh?

Anyway as today is Monday, I'd like to post about my dreams! I know I know it will be more interesting if I post this sorta thing in the early morning, eh? But I've told you I was busy all morning! Well, just start it, eh?

In last Monday I had post about my dream to become a journalist. Today, my dreams won't be that far from all those writing thingy. I forget have I told you before about this, but even I was so thrilled about being a reporter for famous newspaper, I never think that I'll stick with that job for a long time. I mean, I should live in Jakarta, and God knows how I can't stand with traffic. Being a reporter is just like fulfill an old dreams. After I did it, I'm done with it. Too much thing will be abandoned if I choose to be a reporter for a long time. I mean, I soon will have a family you know.. But if I switch into contributor maybe the story will be different, well that's what I'm going to say next..

I also had mentioned in my last dream post that I'm so in love with the Sunday edition of Kompas since they have that lifestyle pages, most of contains fashion and the Parodi, a column written by Samuel Mulia that I head over heels. Ah, still they have them? I must admit I didn't read Kompas like for ages. I used to subscribed it but soon I found out it such a waste since I only read every Sunday (Yes, politics give me headache. And economy doesn't enough entertain me. Ah, I'm sorry for being an ignorant generation, fellas). So I just randomly buy Kompas if I go out on Sunday.

Well, that Samuel Mulia's column was the hit. I love how his sarcasm, I love the bitter humor, I love every piece of it. Sometimes I found his style in my writings (Blah. I am overrated). But the truth is he was the one who inspired me to do the same;

someday I want to have my own column where I can write everything and people won't bother about what ramblings I write about since they just love me, my writings.




Plus, having my own column won't force me to stay in the office 7 day/week nor spend days spinning around the city. Thanks to internet.


So, what do you think? Will I make a good column one? :p

Baby Caca

Finally, one of my 2012's resolution; post one artworks here regularly!
This is one doodle I made in my free time..

Have been crazy about babies illustration nowadays.. :p

Have a fabulous Free-day people! Smooches!!

Thoughts

A really rare chance, today I'm going to post in Bahasa :)


Pikiran random yang muncul pagi ini, dalam keadaan masih kepet belum mandi dan perut kerucukan, gara-gara postingan seorang junior, mau tidak mau saya jadi keinget juga kalau pernah memikirkan hal yang kurang lebih sama. Perasaan bersalah yang terbersit saat sedang dalam kenikmatan hidup dan teringat soal saudara-saudara kita yang jauh lebih tidak beruntung.

Sambil menggoreng telur (karena sungguh, lambung saya rewel sekali kalau pagi) saya jadi memikirkan hal ini lebih mendalam.

Berlebih-lebihan. Dalam Alquran sendiri sudah dikatakan bahwa Allah tidak suka hal-hal yang berlebihan. Tapi bagaimanakah yag berlebihan itu? Bagi mereka yang kurang mampu, daging kambing dalam Idul Adha mungkin adalah suatu kemewahan. Namun bagi saya yang besar di keluarga yang kental nuansa Arabnya, gulai kambing adalah makanan sehari-hari kami. Lantas, apakah itu membuat saya dan keluarga menjadi orang yang berlebih-lebihan? Karena kami menikmati hal yang buat sebagian orang adalah kemewahan?

***

Saya pernah membaca tulisan seseorang entah di mana saya lupa, penulisnya pun saya lupa. Intinya dia menulis, ia dulunya suka mencibir mereka yang membeli barang-barang branded, tas puluhan juta, buat apa? Tapi kemudian ia mencoba berpikir lebih arif, bahwasanya sebenarnya, apakah salah? Jikalau mereka membeli barang-barang tersebut dengan keringat mereka sendiri bukankah itu adalah barang halal? Dan siapakah yang tahu kalau ternyata mereka menghabiskan banyak tetapi juga berderma sama banyaknya? Atau lebih? Jangan-jangan karena itulah Allah menganugerahkan rezeki yang melimpah sehingga iapun bisa membeli barang-barang (yang menurut kita) mewah tersebut?


Kalau saya mencoba berfilosofis, sesungguhnya kita hidup dalam dunia di mana standar adalah ciptaan manusia. Bagaimanakah orang yang kaya? Buat sebagian orang kaya bisa jadi memiliki dua rumah dan mobil. Buat yang lain mungkin berpikir, wah itu belum kaya. Kaya itu kalau lagi di luar negeri tapi tiap kepengin ke jamban langsung pulang ke Indonesia! Sah-sah saja. Everybody have their own standard. Buat saya, ada beberapa hal yang batasannya jelas, ada beberapa yang mungkin abu-abu. Atau mungkin tidak abu-abu, tetapi hitam putihnya hanya hati kita yang bisa menentukan.

Lalu soal berlebihan tadi? Soal merasa bersalah karena 'bersenang-senang di atas penederitaan orang lain'?
Sepertinya juga harus kembali ke hati. Jikalau junior saya tadi, si Upik, terbersit rasa bersalah karena menikmati secangkir coklat hangat saat banyak saudara-saudaranya (dan saudara-saudara kita juga) kelaparan, bersyukurlah. Sesungguhnya mata hatinya belum tertutup. Bagaimana kalau Upik lantas berderma seharga coklat panas tersebut (atau lebih) pada saudara-saudaranaya yang membutuhkan? Apakah itu akan membuat seolah ia sedang berbagi coklat hangat tersebut pada yang lainnya? Mungkin saja. Apakah itu akan paling tidak sedikit menghapus rasa bersalahnya? Kita tanyakan jikalau ia mencobanya. Yang jelas, itu adalah kebaikan.


Dan sekarang, sambil menatap sepiring dadar hangat yang sudah dibalur kecap, saya mengucap syukur; Ya Allah Gusti terima kasih... hari ini masih bisa makan, masi sehat, masih ada tempat berlindung,... (daftar syukur ini masih akan berlanjut seandainya lambung saya tidak mengejang lagi karena rewel. Ah, kau lambung, sungguh rewel pagi ini!).

***

Ya Allah, sungguh saya adalah manusia penuh kekurangan. Jika ada salah persepsi, itu tak lain keterbatasan saya sebagai manusia, maafkanlah... Sesungguhnya engkau yang paling tahu apa yang tersimpan dalam lubuk hati. Nanti jika hamba beli sepatu lagi karena pengen, itu adalah hasrat duniawi, sepenuhnya hamba mengerti. Tetapi bukankah itu manusiawi? Dan sesungguhnya Engkau menyukai keindahan? Keindahan tampil dalam wujud sepatu lucu yang merengek minta dibawa pulang..

Jikalau hal itu terjadi Ya Allah, ketika dunia menawarkan semua kenikmatan, jangan biarkan hamba lengah. Jadikanlah kenikmatan tersebut sebagai jalan hamba untuk menjadi hamba yang bersyukur. Ingatkanlah hamba pada nasib yang lain. Munculkanlah sikap tidak suka berlebih-lebihan dengan teguran halus dalam sanubari hamba. Amin Ya Rabbal Alamin...

Should be.

"News can have no exception."

                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                              Tamaki Aso*

Tamaki Aso is the main character in famous Japanese tv series , Anchor Woman (News no Onna)

So Gimme More News!

Today is Monday so it's time to post about dreams! :)

I've been crazy about writing since I don't remember. Very young, exactly. The clearest moment relate to this interest is when I was in second grade of elementary school. I had a tonsil surgery that time and as recovery-gift, I asked my mom to buy me a diary. I don't remember where the idea came from :)

Right after the doctor let me out, we drove forward to nearest stationary store and I choose the cutest diary in that place; a hardcover one with clown picture in the cover. Soon after we arrived at home, I started my first writing. I write about my experience having a tonsil surgery. And since that time, writing is an integral part of my life.

(I still remember how my first diary looked like. The cover, the pinkish sheets... Seem like I am still having it someplace in my house.. Oh what memories :p)

In the other hand, my parents never realize that their oldest children have a big tendency in writing, neither do I. I always love Bahasa lesson. I did my writing task wholeheartedly, even my friends were freak out about that. But nothing really happened until I was in 6th grade and my Bahasa lecturer, Ms. Lilik, a very keen and dynamic teacher, encourage us to participate in writing essay competition which held by one of private tv channel, SCTV. I remember writing two full page-folio about my dreams, the craziest one, like having trip across the universe, visiting planets and so on. ( I forgot most of the details, sorry )

That was my first time participating in such competition so it was not surprising after sending the essay, that thing flew out off my mind quickly. But then you see how puzzled I was when weeks (or months?) after that, in the middle of holiday, Ms. Lilik called me. Sounded so crazy that time, she told me I win the competition. The first place.

In a nutshell, Ms Lilik had found my talent and after that shocking-but-happy moment she did a lot of help of letting me know every writing competition that were held. I win almost all competition, most as a first winner. PORSENI, then a writing essay that held by Total Indonesie, were a few. The rest was history.

As I grew up, I develop my writing skills into more literature-ish. I started writing short story, poem... and win several too. But when I started my day as uni student, I flipped.

Now that I become an art student in technology institute, I found it was hard to find a literature-ish atmosphere. But thanks God, at least I still can find my media to write. I become a a journalistic crew of ITS Online since I was freshman. The main responsibility of it was filling articles in www.its.ac.id. This is what I called flipped! After long time working with sort of poems now I must write news articles! Ha! What a different world!

But soon I enjoyed my work there and learn quickly  to write news. I also got a chance to do part time in local newspaper as a part of training.Then, hat happened next was surprising. Almost 4 years working there made myself clear about what I want to do in the future. You can guess what? Yes, become a journalist :)

an English-based-writing newspaper in Indonesia

My first crush is Media Indonesia. To be honest I don't really care about what they write there but after seeing the layout of the newspaper, I felt in love (seems I couldn't diminish my art sense even in this sorta things..). Some MI crews also had visited my campus couple years ago for sort of roadshow and I was amazed with how dynamic their crews are. So young and full spirited.

I also used taking Kompas as consideration. They never be in my first place since their style of writing is a way bit serious for me. But sure, I am head over heels withe their Sunday edition. The Samuel Mulia's column and all those fashion pages is just... coolness.

But then I met this English-based-writing newspaper, The Jakarta Post. They aren't really new for me since my uncle is working there as a jornalist too. But I never really pay attention to them until the time when I trapped in boring time of waiting in my uni language center and all I had there was tons of The Jakarta Post they have subscribed. Well, now finally  I know where I exactly want  to go! :)

I have did a bit research and they usually do recruitment around November. The requirements for applicants were quite general; 550 TOEFL score... must include our writing example in article...and on. I also got news several weeks ago that my senior in high school is having trainee as reporter there. I guess I'll pick some tips from her :)

Oh and it may sound a bit out of topic but do you know Anchor Woman or News no Onna? It is a famous Japan tv series back then in 90's. Go browsing for it cause I don't have much time to explain about it :p
It was a really good tv series. I first watched it when I was in junior high school, and  it still become my favorite after years. I learn a lot from it, and I think the story of the series was influenced me to working in a news field (the story was about a news tv anchor life, with all those intrigues).

So that's all the sharing of dreams for today, peeps! Happy facing weekdays! Ciao x

Simple Things that Made Me Happy

Having scrambled egg with warm rice as breakfast 

Ordering cola float ( I do it occasionally,  my body doesn't tolerate soda too much )

Wearing a kid's chrysanthemum hairpin that I use as brooch :p

Happy Saturday, people! And may you have a great Sat-nite ;p

xoxo

Dream House

Guys, have you seen the phenomenal Korean drama series Full House? I'll be very nice to tell any of you who haven't see this famous TV show that it was a love story about an arrogant movie star with a naive-writer-wannabe. Well, there's no point there actually... What I am going to talk about here is in the movie, the enemy-soon to be lover couple share a place in a magnificent, white-painted house called Full House (now you get where the title comes). Located in a beautiful coast, this minimalist, open space house stole my heart in a second.

images via google

As I soon will leave my parents house and having my own place (shared with my loved one of course), I spend my time to think about what sanctuary I would like to have. I can't resist that the Full House is so wonderful... but thinking about living far from the neighborhood seems scary for me. How if the fire is starting? To whom I should ask for help? Or a lot worse than that, how if any rats popped out in front of me when my man isn't home?? I'll die instantly.

Since it will cost a lot of money, I won't complaining saving for years now that a huge house with a lot of rooms never fails me. I come from a big family (and so my husband-to-be) so I am dreaming having a huge house with a large living room so we can keep everybody in a big family gathering like in Ied Mubarak.

The house also needs at least three bedrooms. Two for the kids, and one for mommy and daddy.

A comfy pray room, of course.

A spacious kitchen, pantry and dining area since cooking is my new hobby (and my responsible later).

It must has a private library which soon will be fulfilled by our family collection :) Good for kids also, so they won't spend too much time in front of TV.

A studio and working place that connected to the library so the adults can finish their work from home. I can paint where my man is writing. Or vice versa. Or we do both together :)

Carport and garage that can accommodate at least two SUV.

Nice bathrooms and storeroom.

A maid room (in case we have a household helper who stay overnight).

And a  massive yard where I can do jogging around every morning (and place where (soon) those little creatures will be running around :') ). There will be also a tiny fish pond in front yard, swimming pool in the backyard and small garden so we can grow our own vegetables :)

Oh and a high fence that full of vines. Lovely :')


I am looking forward to have a house in sort of housing or estate because most of estate agents offer facilities that cover security and any plus-facilities like playground or sport center. I was born in a sort of place and I love it.
The house itself should be painted in off white but the interiors should be eclectic, a mix of everything! :)

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So what do you think about my dream house, guys? A homey house is one of my biggest dream (and also most of you I suppose). I keep put a details in this dream over and over and still haven't get enough of it! :)

Happy Monday for y'all, cupcakes! xoxox

Are You With Me?

Hello there,

I woke up this morning with a mixed feeling. I have been dealing with some important issue nowadays until I realized, today is already February 4th?? Wow. Speedy, huh?

You know, some people may do something because of the need to do; for the sake of money for example. And some will do because they want to. Sounds idealistic? Or arrogant? But truly, would us be happier if we do?

I've been earning my own money since I was very young. I used to sell a tiny hand drawn pics when I was in 4th grade of elementary. I also won several competition and it give me cash. Even that wasn't much, I was grateful. And since I became a uni student, I worked as reporter for my uni offical website and become freelance designer. I earn some too. Still not that much to keep me alive, but at least I can buy gorgeous dress without starving. What's the similarity, you may ask. Well, I did it because I want. The cash, which is the basic needs *oh come on* just follow after.

Few nights ago I chatted with my man. I told him, that I wasn't anymore enjoy my work as art teacher . I didn't feel the challenge again. No, challenge isn't the best word to describe... I didn't feel the any interest anymore to work there. I'm just not into it, not like I had done before.
After some arguments, he said okay. But there is something tickling my mind then when he said "yes okay, for now. But later if you are really working (what he means is after the college life, a full timer), you shouldn't do that." As soon as he said that I pointed out a question "Is it? Is it mean, later, maybe when we feel the urge of money, I should keep my job even I don't like it?" He answered "You should differentiate it; is it a split second feeling, or not."

Back then, around the middle of 2011, my colleagues asked me to help her friend who worked as an art teacher in one of course franchise in Surabaya. I said yes in a second. After resign from my previous work and 'only' spend days by doing Final Project, a 1,5 work hour a week should be fine. And that's not permanent anyway, I'd only substitute her for one month.

Right after I finished, the owner of the franchise asked me to work permanently there. I said okay and starting from that time I spent my Saturday afternoon working. And months after that, also my Wednesday afternoon.

It went well at first but now, 5 months working there, I lost my passion.


I've been asking to myself, what's wrong. The pay was quite good. I love working with the kids even they give me headache sometimes (haha). But why now, there are always be a deep sigh every time I go to work. I keep on asking to myself; what's wrong?

Then I think maybe I lost my motivation. When the first time I agreed to work there was because I have free time and I think I can handle it. Plus, I love kids. And the pay was quite good. I suppose it wold be a good experience.

But now? I got plenty experience. And if it is not going to be same in the future, that won't  be that different. I have seen from angelic kids until the irritating ones. What else I am hoping for? Pay is not and never be my first motivation. Time? You know I have been dealing with my Final Project. As my graduation was cancelled, I put a higher standard to its result, to pay the time that I've been wasting.

Well, I haven't decide yet but you see where the winds blow...

In the other hand, my man is one of my top choice of people I'd like to share about. He listen to me, if not always it should be most of times, and give me good inputs. That's why I share almost all my problem, thoughts, to him. Even he can't prohibit me for doing any things (because he's still hasn't become my husband, and when he is already I am still hoping he would let me doing all I want to do indeed), he always give me different view to help myself choose the best decision. I should admit that I was a bit disappointed that night when he didn't immediately said he agreed with me when I said I would out because I didn't get the feel again to work there. I feel irritated when he questioning over and over about my decision, all the why-s and have-you-really-think-about-it thingy.

I know he did it for good. He just want to make myself sure that I make a right decision. But I guess that too much. All the worries, I mean. That's why it was irritating. Because then it sound like the things I have told to him was coming from overnight thinking, not long periods of time, which was I really have been doing. And still.

And maybe, deep inside, I was afraid that will be happen in our after-marriage life. I was afraid that he won't allow me to left anything when I 'only' lost my intentions, just because maybe in the first time I was so thrilled about it, or for a reason that he is hiding from me.

Life in the future will be more complicated. And I just want him to let me do what I want to do and left what I don't want to, just believe me. Cause that's called human right ,eh? And I suppose that's how Capricornian works. We tried to simplify almost everything and always listen to our heart better than our minds.


Ah, what a long babbling. I'll see you soon, dahling :)