:: Birthday and Being Loved

Birthday is special, true? One day in a whole year, everybody would suddenly turn up in front your face and loudly saying, "Happy Birthday!" Or following the significant technology development, nowadays people easily sending message over the web, blog or mobile phone! Over the past few years, birthday cards are no longer favourite, but people rather choose to use email or e-card to say the word. Easy.

For my self, this year I got heaps of message from friends here in Oz and overseas. Some left message on this blog, some added me new testimonials thru friendster, and heaps of messages were well received. To my surprise, I actually didn't expect any bday surprise this year. I feel too old to get another bday surprise. But thank God my close bunch of people are around on my bday this year and they still wanted to do it. Again. I also received some beautiful presents from them. A vintage style cosmetic box *thanks to Mike*, a cute red MNG top *thanks girls*, chocolate fondue set plus handmade bday card *thanks fen!* and a bunch of red rose thanks to sulfina. Today my friend at church did re-celebrate my birthday too. And the birthday cake was fantastic. I couldn't stop craving over it the whole day.

Double blessings on my birthday as well! These two best friends of mine, who practically doesn't know each other, live in two different countries, but really did sent me exactly the same verses from Bible. I feel so double blessed..*wink* Thanks for the prayer guys,,,and Di, you're right, "Karena doa lebih besar kuasanya daripada kado."

Thank you guys, you're so amazing. For everyone of you who has message me, left message, testimonial or whatever.. You are the bestest I couldn't ask for more. One more thing, I got one person who left a message in my comment box at my previous posting but I really couldn't identify him/her. Thanks for your greetings, and next time please leave me your name or whatsoever so I can thank you personally.

Till' my birthday next year ...

Friday, April 28, 2006

:: A Meaningful 23

I promised myself to write something to celebrate my own birthday. And now it's 8 minutes before midnight. It might bit a lil bit long though. So, bear with me okay :)

Yesterday, I bought this book from the Mr. Old Man at uni, titled Tuesdays With Morrie. Some of you might have heard about this book before. Or read it. This book is an international best seller and over 10 millions copies are sold worldwide. Me, my self was accidently recommended by a stranger in a public tram about 1.5 years ago while I was reading a book from the same author, Five People You Meet In Heaven. FYI, the author is Mitch Albom.

I started read the book yesterday. The story is based on a true story about an old professor who suffered a fatal illness that has no cure or treatment at that time. So this old professor decided to make the most of the rest of his life *which were very little time*. He shared people his life lesson by giving his very last class to his student. The subject called The Meaning of Life. Only one student attended the class. And the student was Mitch.

There are some interesting topics about life this man had shared to his student. About family, money, aging, love, marriage, culture, community, spiritual and some other stuffs. I found this book is very soul soothing. It does sound very jam packed with the philosophy things and deep professor's kind of thought but however the story were all written in simple and beautiful words. Very thoughtful and inspirational, I could say.

I read this book before I went to bed last night. Until finally I reached this part of the book, the seventh Tuesday with Morrie. The topic was about The Fear Of Aging. Mitch, the student, asked Morrie if he were afraid to grow old. Then gracefully, Morrie said, "Mitch, I embrace aging." When Mitch asked him what it means by embracing aging, Morrie explained: "It's very simple. As you grow, you learn more. If you stayed at twenty-two, you'd always be as ignorant as twenty-two. Aging is not just decay, you know. It's growth. It's more than the negative that you're going to die, and that you live a better life because of it."

But if aging were so valuable, why do people always say, "Oh, if I were young again" You never hear people say, "I wish I were sixty-five." That's Mitch's response. Exactly the same thing I'd ask if I were in his shoes. Then Morrie smiled and gracefully answered, "You know what that reflects? Unsatisfied lives. Unfulfilled lives. Lives that haven't found meaning. Because if you've found meaning in your life, you don't want to go back. You want to go forward. You want to do more, see more. You can't wait until 65."

Then he added, "All younger people should know something. If you're always battling against getting older, you're always going to be unhappy, because it will happen anyhow. And, the fact is, you're going to die eventually.

This part hit me. Really. What he said is true. Albeit I enjoy my life for the past 23 years, I sometimes do feel like if my life were a CD player, I wish I could press the rewind button and live my life back like when I was younger. I've been thinking my life could be much more stress-free and unburdened when I was 18 or 19. But that's not true either. I did have problems too when I was younger and I always wished I could jump to the future and live my life as an adult. I never satisfied. That's the problem.

Today I'm 23. Proudly saying it. I couldn't do anything about it...but to live it to the fullest. I've passed my baby period, my five, ten, fifteen, seventeen, twenty. and yesterday twenty-two. Been there, done that! No need to be envious. But still,,,even though I want to see more, do more, this is the fact: I'm definitely not yet at the stage of saying, "I can't wait until 65"!

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

:: Only in Australia...

Cute signs, huh?! You'll never find it in any other part of the world other than in this Down Under land. I usually find this kind of sign on the way out of town. My latest out-of-town trip was to Macedon City and Mt. Macedon early this month. When I saw these signs on the way back home, I asked Mike to pull over so I can get them pictured! Too bad it was dark, but thanks to the car light, then I was able to take couple shots of them.

After that, we continued the driving. And in a speed of glimpse, suddenly this 'thing' came out from the bushy side of the road...about to cross the street. And guess what? It was kangoroo! But never happened to me before the Koala would actually appear on the road or crossing the street. I always see Koala on a gum tree. Maybe next time?

Photo taken: 9th April 2006 Location: Macedon City Occassion: Macedon trip with housemates!

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

:: The Royal Botanical Garden Melbourne

This picture was actually taken last year around the end of November. One day after I purchased my new camera. I was so excited because of the newbie *wink* and for only God knows reason, I kept thinking about Royal Botanical Garden (RBG) as my first hunting spot.

That above picture is a picture of a little lake in the middle of the RBG, which is located pretty close to the CBD (Central Business District). I think the concept is pretty much similar with the Central Park in New York City, USA. Without the ice skating arena off course.

The photo, if you look at it really carefully, is not really right somehow. The proportion at the right side, the stitch. Yes the stitch. That's one of many features available in my camera I should get used to it. So when I saw this beautiful landscape which I'd find it difficult to get it in one shot, I thought, "let's just use the most of these features then." So, this picture is my first stitched photo. I combined three pictures to make this photo of landscape. It wasn't hard, but the tricky part was the times when I needed to hold my camera still without the tripod help.

Other than that, RGB is a beautiful garden. I just have to go there again sometimes. Let alone myself burried behind the camera... I'd always love to enjoy what Mother of Nature has given us...

:: The 'Basa-Basi' Thing

Oh my goodness...how I hate to do that. But apparently, all my friend agree that I'm very good at it. I don't understand why on earth we have to do that. I understand manner, but not sweet talking or other crappy things like that.

In Indonesia, you must have to do all the sweet talking, even though you just barely know the person. When you want to eat, you have to ask them if they want it so you can share it with them*eventhough you only got a lil piece of chocalate*... but still you'll get criticized if you do not show or not even trying to show any intention to do that.

What I think it doesn't make any sense is just there are so many unimportant protocols in our social life. I believe 'basa-basi' almost does nothing to improve our social skill, nor to help to create a better and honest relationship with other people. I think it's just bullsh*t. Thank God, for the last four years I could find a place where privacy is greatly respected. While privacy is really appreciated in this country, amazingly manners, honesty and social kinda relationship still can go along together, hence create a healthy social environment rather than in Indonesia.

The hardest part of this is when you have to do the 'basa-basi thing' in this country. I'd rather reading a textbook and staying in library for hours. Or sleeping. I just can't being nice and 'she-always-smiles' kinda girl. I think I never have adequate topic to talk with people...especially when I'm not in the mood or in the middle in something or while I'm having PMS. I prefer just quite. I think, 'how-are-you' greetings or 'very-nice-weather' today is more than enough. I don't have to be introgated like, where have you been, with who, why are you just wandering alone here, where is your boyfriend, have you eaten or the worst, when are you getting married. Sometimes, my heart screams, "Leave me alone!"

The funny thing is, like I've said before, my friends agree that I'm good at it. Maybe, yes, once in the blue moon. When the moon isn't blue, people might get me wrong and accuse me as a girl without attitude or being arrogant. I'm used to it when it comes to people saying bad things at my back, judging me for being flirtatious with boys or whatever. I'm not surprised too, when some of them who did that to me now have become good friends of mine. I'm tired to say this, but hello,..stop judging people. You don't know them, you never gone through what they've been through, so stop being such eejits with nothing to talk, then fill their mouth with useless topic and hurting people's feeling.

There are some points when we have to stop 'basa-basi'. When it's getting dry, don't even try to break the ice. Why we have to hassle? The ice is never there...and we don't need to break any.

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

:: Amusing and Great

This is called Memorial Cross located at Mt. Macedon, under one hour from Melbourne City. When it came to the idea to visit this wonderful city, I least expected it was gonna be good. It wasn't good, but it was darn awesome! According to this, in the nineteenth century, Melbourne's wealthiest residents escaped the summer heat and made their way to the townships of Macedon and Mount Macedon, where they built impressive mansions and created some of Victoria's finest gardens.

I was stumbled upon this huge cross and it never cross my mind that I would see that big cross in Melbourne. We arrived too early that day, so it was kinda foggy and freezing morning. The athmosphere was really sacred and yet mysterious in some ways. Love it...

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

:: My Botox During Weekend

My internet connection didn't work during last weekend, started from last Wednesday afternoon till today morning. I called the internet provider..twice...cause they promised me it would be working again on Friday morning, but it didn't. But finally they called, and gave me agood news...just this morning. Yay! Finally...

I was so pissed about this sudden internet disconnection without prior announcement or warning. But they said they already sent us a letter to let us know about it. Yeah..whatever! But in constrast, I feel so happy now, cuz' I think the internet connection has already upgraded to higher speed level. I usually download Greys Anatomy for 1 day for one episode, but this morning TWO episodes were done in 30 mins. Damn..it's cool. Haha.

Back to the story of weekend without virtual connection. Weekend felt so wrong without the internet...especially on Good Friday when all stores and public interest places were close, I and my housemates were practically only sat down on the sofa, watched Christmas cartoon program *I don't know why the heck they aired xmas story rather than easter!*

I realized how much this technology named "Internet" has a big influence in my life. Admit it or not (actually, I admit it), I enjoy surfing on the internet rather than watching TV. I cheries the easy of using BPAY to pay my almost overdue bills with few clicks. I love it when I open hundreds of blogs out there and read them for hours.

So glad everything back to normal today. Seriously..what's the website of Desperate Housewives series I must download today???

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

:: A Survey About The Women

I found this article from today mX. Interesting indeed, that's why I wanna share it here.

"If you want to know what's on a woman's mind, take a look at her body. She's worrying about its shape and size every 15 minutes, a survey has found. Chunky tights, muffin-top waists and flabby arms are just a few of her concerns.

In fact, only one woman in 50 is trully happy with her body, according to the survey of 5000 women for UK magazine Grazia. The women who worried about their bodies every 15 minutes or so were the lucky ones.

Twenty nine percent worried every waking minute. And more than half blamed their size and shape for spoiling their sex life. nine out of ten said they had dieted, with 41% saying they were constantly watching what they ate.

Half said they had lied about their weight, while almost a third cut size labels out of clothes."

It's freakin' surprising, isn't it? How many women around you care so much about their body issue like there are no more things that are important in life? Do they overconcern their body issue? Or, is it media and publicity have to be blamed over this matter? Or it's just how we define at ourselves for being flawed or fabulous?

Seriously, I'm really surprised. I don't understand why people see those celebrities who lost their weight significantly can be called 'sexy'? Do they just look like bunch of peeps who suffer malnutrition? Then, what's the good about it?

There are much much more things in life than just body weight issue. If I had a muffin-top waist and flabby arm, so what???

:: Candles

I always fond of candles. Not that kind of ordinary candles or birthday candles. I like the scented ones like camomile, lilyflower or anything smell comforting. Anything but lavender and vanilla. Lavender is 'too-everywhere', in your shampoo, your detergent, your car perfume...and vanilla never fails to remind me of ice cream..so it's kinda no good!

But don't get me wrong. I've never had even one! The problem is those scented candles I love are usually cost me damn expensive. Once I found a nice 'i-forgot-the-name' scented candles at Peter Alexander store. It smells gorgeous, very light and warm. Everything about the candle was purrr-fect, but the price. Shit. So I walked out the store, wishing someday somewhere I would find similar candle and don't forget, cheaper! But it's not easy. I never find one!

Today, I went to Myer and browsed thru the scented candles section. And again, I found a very beautiful white candle put in a glass. When I looked at it, I knew for sure its price would hurt my savings. The way of those candles were designed are trully elegant. Not to mention its scent. I claim that candle has kind of aroma that works as a perfume for your room. I'm talking about the devine ones, the expensive ones! If you took this candle home, I believe it would give your room a warm and yet very luxurious effect in it. Damn sure.

But yet for another time, I passed the chance. Again, I walked out from the store, wishing not for a similar nor cheaper candle. But praying for somebody would be kindly enough to have it as my birthday gift in approx. couple of weeks. Haha.

Friday, April 07, 2006

:: Shame On You

"People with lack of confidence are pathetic!"

When I used to live in suburb couple years a go, my neighbour had a dog which keep barking behind the fence each time I passed the house. Albeit I'd never seen the actual dog, but from the bark and its attitide, I could say it was a little dog. The only thing it could do was no more than barking all the time, but far from biting.

In the real world [I mean in the human world] some people also have this similar charateristic. They 'bark', they boast, they bluff, they never sick of telling something make her/himself prouder and look stronger. Sadly, what we see is merely a person with lack of confidence trying to convince other people things that they might be incapable to do. Or worse, forcing people to believe that they are worth it because they feel worthless.

What a pity.

Monday, April 03, 2006

:: Untitled Geez...it's April! I couldn't believe my eyes when I checked out my pink organizer this morning. I checked out my Grand Prix ticket I went to yesterday and the date was 2nd of April...so today is 4th! By the way, I realize I've been neglecting this blog for ages. Remember when I posted my last posting from Indo? Now I'm back in Melbourne again and been here for almost 2 months but still have written nothing! So many thing I should catch up when I came back here. Things I should tidy up, things I should get used to it again, but believe me...I'd done that in no time. My excitement is out of question, my life was like having its sparks again. My hectic schedule might stuck my head in distress, but my sprit feel like it is breathing again. About my study, currently I take 2 very interesting subjects which I couldn't take them out of my mind these days. They're really interesting in some ways, not boring like the other subjects are. Checking out Australian Financial review has become my daily habit each morning. Not to mention YahooFinance website or SAP software. If you'd seen my new blog layout, yes I changed it couple of times about weeks a go. But unfortunately, I wonder if I have to do something better than that. So I stopped. I decided to change the whole layout again. So please, be patient :) I'm kinda thinking I need to update my blog again soon. I started to feel the importance of this, especially for communication with friends kinda purpose. But the main thing is now I realized how many thoughts I just threw away into my rubbish bin of mind. I think I better write them down, sharing them to people, receiving pros and contra's. The feeling of being opened thru writing is just amazing...which I've never thought before. Anyway, I've been thinking to write something more in the future...something different compared to what I'd done back then. Let's see where my mind will take me... Until this time, I'll see you...when I see you :)