No Dressing

My first salad.

Persistent

Fell asleep saying my bedtime prayer... It's the same lengthy lines every night I may have bored God, too.. :)

Breakfast

Kawat, a cup of tea, almond slices. Have a good day!

Minta Chips...

Teman makan siang di belakang city library.

The Very Definition...

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves." Corinthians

Geographically Challenged

Not a fan of Gibran, but I guess He and I agree on one thing...

...Love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.

True Believer

...But the funny thing about answered prayers is they come to you in unexpected ways.- Marvin Warren

To Err Is Human To Forgive Divine...

Maaf Lahir Batin. Selamat Puasa. Semoga Berkah. Aamiin...

He who shows hatred to those who hate, will never be at peace; He who is patient with those who hate, will find peace; such is the Law. He who bears ill-will to ill-wishers, can never be pure, But he who feels no ill-will, pacifies them who hate; As hatred brings misery to mankind, the wise man knows no hatred -- The Buddha

Rare Commodity

Where do people go to buy some time? Provided that one has time to go look for and buy them.

A Game?

After several 'aqcuaintances' with the 'cave men', I have to acknowledge your theory, John. It was not very easy to play along. I tend to quit the game to preserve my sanity. My bad.

Consequence

Yeap, I missed out on this one.
And many more Kodak moments to come...

Winter In This Other Half Of The Globe -Reposted-

No snowflakes :). But a lot of hot chocolate.
I wonder if the birds fly north instead of south...

Fine Line

It's discouraging to know if patience, to some extend, may infact turn into obliviousness or even stupidity.
But be patient anyway...

Until Then, It's Here...

Pic. Courtesy of Om Rani

Still Here...

Seems ignored. But thought of every so often... Been occupied. Be right back!

Curling Up Season

This Little Guy

Here is Afif when I was there last month. No embarassing sob this year! I'm just all grown up now. Huhuhu.. Umm maybe I cheated a little. He was fast asleep when I left at 5 in the morning. I'm not really good with goodbyes. So sneaking out was the better way. Afif is also all grown up now. He's a rather serious kid. But a 3 y.o. will always be 3. You wont believe how mealtime with him could resemble a middle east peace negotiation. I'll tell you more about him later. More of Afif's on my flickr.

Ebony & Ivory

The church on my street put a banner up wishing moslems Selamat Puasa.
It's just touching...
My whole life I've never seen a mosque wishing Christians Selamat Natal.

Living...

Got home from babysitting. Syalwa put on several ounces. She's so soft and mushy like strawberry jam and like duck feather cushion. Syawal was handful as always. Tiring as always. And irresistable as always.
Soak in a bag of tea. Run the water in the tub. Put on Natalie Merchant's one Fine Day. Start the decent weekend.

Hiks...

Hmmmm... days are dragging lately. I miss Afif with glazing eyes and a long sigh every 3 years old I see with his mom.

Anytime...

The things I look for the most since I moved here are the things like barging in to one of the girl's room and dragging them out of bed --from their deep serene beauty nap-- to go get ice cream or siomay. We are allowed to do this without being considered intruding :)

Bad Day

When you've had a bad day, don't you just wanna go home to familiar faces? They don't have to do or say anything. They don't even have to know if you just had a bad day. Just be there when you open the door. If you agree with me raise your hand...

Untamed Heart... --Reposted--

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Caroline: What did the doctor say?
Adam: That I'm not allowed to stick knives in my stomach.
Caroline: Adam your heart is diseased! You need a new one.
Adam: But this is my heart! I'm afraid that if they take it away I won't be able to love you the same.
Caroline: You don't really love with your heart, it's just a saying.You love with your mind and soul, not you heart.
Adam: [Touching his chest] Then how come I hurt here when you're not with me?
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Apparently I have a weak heart for romantic movies :D.
People love with the mind not with the heart. Given that your heart is perfectly fine and healthy, if you are crazy, as in insane crazy, as in psychotic crazy, as in you-are-mentally-ill-you-need-to-be-institutionalized crazy, will you be able to love?

Series Of Choice

A lot of times we know what is good for us but choose to do otherwise. It's never not our choice.

"...Afterall, life is nothing but series of choices."

From an episode of Lost the ABC series season 1. After I chose to be a couch potato.

Tell Me...

'Do people understand... or they tolerate?'

Took psychology in my senior year. Wanting to understand why people do what they do. Too naive yaa.. Hehe

Three Years Of Wonder

Here he is. Three years old today. Got me all charmed and spellbound. You know how they say that little kids are so privileged. They blabber meaninglessly and still be understood. Explore every possibility to be nonsense yet still make sense. Some grown ups ask that much attention hehe. Happy Birthday... Light Of The Universe...

The Weather...

The Scientist: so... if there is a color to describe your day today, what is that color
The Saint: Cream?
The Scientist: why?
The Saint: I feel a bit creamy...
The Scientist: like coffee?
The Saint: No... Like cafe latte with too much milk?
The Saint: What's your color today?
The Scientist: mine is blue
The Scientist: cos i'm happy
The Scientist: because last night I read a lot of stuff
The Saint: Cool...
The Saint: But isnt blue when you are sad?
The Scientist: depend of ppl
The Saint: Ok...

So what is creamy weather?

From The Weekend DVD Rally

---------------------------------------------
Maggie Feller: Shoes like this should not be locked up in a closet! You should be living a life of scandal. You should be getting screwed in an alley behind a club by a billionaire while his wife waits in the car and he told her he just forgot his wallet!
Rose Feller: Please tell me you just made that up.

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Ryan: You know, I came over here, and I was noticing you, and well, wow. You're like...cute!
Maggie Feller: Darling, you're like twelve!
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Maggie Feller: The art of losing isn't hard to master; so many things seem... f... filled... with the intent to be lost that their loss is no disaster. Lose something every day. Accept the fluster of lost door keys, the hour badly spent. The art of losing isn't hard to master. I lost two cities, lovely ones. And, vaster, some realms I owned, two rivers, a continent. I miss them, but it wasn't a disaster. Even losing you... the joking voice, a gesture I love... I shan't have lied. It's evident the art of losing's not.too hard to master though'it may look like... Write it!... like disaster.

The Theory Of Idealism

You know how your mom always told you to finish dinner and one of the reason why was because there were many kids in Africa who were starving. I've been finishing dinner since years ago now but the African kids are still starving. Even with the UN there.

Firsts

Afif was 16 months old when he first walked.
His first walk to me was like a month later when I just arrived home for a quick visit. He held his one shoe in his hand and slowly walked towards me and was smiling hesitantly. He reached my hands, handed me the shoe, and hugged me.
There's a punch in my chest knowing I won't be there through his many firsts.

Seasons Greetings

...Well, my days went by at a dizzying pace. I was always running to and fro. And then before I even knew where I was, off to dreamland I would go. I'm the one who's always being swept away. But now I realize that a day of my life is the price I must pay for tomorrow. I've thaught to treasure every day with its joy and its sorrow...

...Now that night has finally come to the busy city sky where quietly the moon is shining down on the paths of people hurrying home, she sheds her light all around. Silently at the close of day we'll pray. Tomorrow's just a dream away, Close the curtain on today... --Emi Fujita, edited--

Winter Sentiment

Every other season came along and I was alright... --Mariah Carey

The Saint

Simon Templar: I am Marin Depores. I am from Spain but I am named for a Peruvian Saint, who could cure the sick, or the injured, by the laying of hands.
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Simon Templar: My name is Buro Houtenfaust. I was named for a Saint who was a very wealthy man. He had the wine, the women, the songs, the whole bit, and then inexplicably, took a vow of poverty and became a hermit. Ran off to live in the forest, in the nude.
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Simon Templar: My name is Thomas Moore. I was named after a Saint who died for his faith.
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Simon Templar: Allow me to introduce myself. My name is August Christopher. I was named for St. Augustan, who coined my favorite phrase, 'Give me chastity and give me constancy, but do not give it yet.'
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Saintcatherine: My name is...Saint Catherine. I named myself after... no particular Saint. There are actually 6 Saints by the name of Catherine. Some were Saintly by their holiness and religious perfection. Some by their mystical experiences of apparition. And some by their noble life, piety, charity, and kindness. As previously stated, no particular Saint inspired the the name 'saintcatherine'. The author of this blog --which is me-- merely enjoys The Saint as one of her favorite movies and likes the feel of pronouncing saintcatherine at the tip of her tongue.

Unintentional Self-Consciousness

My Boss gave me a mug for my birthday. The writing says

"All men are animals. But some make better pets"

I was chuckled when I read it. I couldn't help but thinking if he was beginning to be self-conscious for whatever reason. And that he was speaking on behalf of his 'kind'. Until he asked "Kok ketawa sih, lucu ya, emang artinya apa?"

Gubraak...!!!!

First Scraped Knee

Talked to Afif Thursday night. He told me he had tripped and fallen. His knees were scraped and bleeding. He just got back from my parents' place and ran towards the gate. That was the first time he had fallen and had a scraped knee.

"I wish I was a little girl again, because scraped knees are easier to heal than a bruised heart." --Jessica Something--

Huehuehue. It's so true. So he should be alright. Most kids if not all have scraped knee now and then. Like most people if not all have bruised heart now and then. Anyhow, Afif should be alright. He was telling me about it all cheery and blabbering. Like he hadn't been hurt at all.

Hot Chocolate Season

Every remark is always... delicious.

Overwhelming Thanksgiving

An excerpt from a forwarded email sent to me on Thanksgiving Day.

"Sahabat wanita membawakan kau kari ayam dan menggosok kamar mandimu ketika kau membutuhkan pertolongan.."

And does your laundry even when she has loads of.
And remembers your nephew too when she shops for her nieces.
And calls up your mom now and then coz she knows you're far away.
And stayed up all night to sew on sequences for the dress you were going to wear for your sister's wedding the next evening while you had a good night sleep tired from running errands.
And all the little and spesific things that make having girlfriends great.

Happy Thanksgiving Day Girlfriends... And everybody!

A Token Of My Amusement

Since day one of my arrival, my 'whole entire universe' a.k.a my shoulder bag had had a 'whole different universe' in it. Besides the regular girl's must-have-dont-leave-home-cant-live-without-it items, there were wet disinfectant tissues, diapers, cartoons of chocolate milk, water bottle, miniature race car, Timezone Power Card, and amusement ride tokens. Among other. They're not there anymore now. Except for one.

A ride token came rolling out of my coin purse today as I was paying for a toast. Afif's eyes would all shine sparkling on a train or plane ride with that token. One token is all it takes to put sparkles in his eyes... and mine.

Here We Go Again

It was a fine leap from my 'normal' rythm. Although I screwed now that I'm back. A lot of cathcing up to do. Emails, all read, replied, and deleted. Late due reports, I'll get by. Account and bills, balancing. Book loan, two weeks fine --oops-- Emotional set back, uuhhmmmmm.... hanging on. And a place call office to go to every morning. Done reality check. Time to wake up.

Anticipating

Less than 24 hours from now I'm gonna see Afif. I don't care if it's not his wake-up time yet, he has to pick me up at the airport when I arrive tomorrow morning.
But I already dread the day I'm gonna leave again :( I'll just skip that day and leave a day early...

"Have a heart that never hardens, a temper that never tires and a touch that never hurts." Charles Dickens

Couldn't Agree More

"One Thing That Really Makes Us Sober In This World Is The Sheer Cold Fact That We Can Only Do Our Best. The Rest Ya Sebagaimana Izin Allah..." Aditya Mulya

The very thought can miraculously be the source of my strength and serenity at times of near insanity.

Emergency Landing In Puerto Rico

Strange dream last night. My dreams are always weird anyway. They almost always overlap in time, people, location, happenings. Last night I was on a supposedly small airplane that all the sudden opened up to a luxurious huge ballroom and served fine dining. And then the plane had to make an emergency landing due to engines failure. Guess where my dream randomly picked an airport? An airforce base in Puerto Rico. The first two things on my mind were that Puerto Rico is a US territory so we'll be safe --Dunno where I got the idea from-- and the other was 'Isn't Ricky Martin from Puerto Rico?'. Then the pilot gathered us to give explanation of the situation but he stopped and went back to look for his manual. I thought he meant a book on 'Flying Aircraft For Dorks' but he came back with a motocycle magazine. Weird. I should go check on astrology.com and see what they have to say. I don't think weird dreams have meanings tho'.

The King Himself

Afif Two years and a half. Time Flies. More here

Never Fail You

I believe all along that Friends never fail you. Always there when you're down. Always there whenever you're in need of entertainment and comfort. Always there to let you forget all your troubles. Always there to put a big smile on your face. Even to make you laugh until you come crawling down on the floor. And even when you're falling asleep, they keep going until all 4 episodes of the DVD.

I was talking about the 'Friends' series. You know Rachel, Monica, & Joey. Yeah, those stupid characters but couldn't live without them. No offense.

But come to think about it, my friends can do those role perfectly too. Only that they're not machine operated device that you can push the button when ever you need. That's why we don't break them to pieces or smash them onto the wall when we fail each other.

How 'Bout That...

Talked to this little guy here a while ago.

'Ai sayang Bunda Lia?'
'..., ..., ..., Ndaaaa'

Oooouuuchh... How 'bout that for a stab right through the heart.
Ow Well... I caught him in the wrong time. His mom went 'He answers no to every question now' to cheer me up.

Just To... Maybe To... Or to...

Just got back from Bandung with the grandparents and aunts. My back still hurts and I got a light headache. I need a 12-hour sleep to recharge. I wish I don't have to show up for work tomorrow --but then most probably my paycheck won't show up for me--

I was supposed to babysit for Syawal on Saturday. I had promised. But I went to BDG with the aunts and grandparents instead with the presumption that the baby was gonna come with us. But his mom decided to bring him to work with her. I felt bad. Not too much... I mean, I would always babysit for him anytime. This is probably the first time I 'left' him. Besides, I really thought he would come with us.

The two points above sums up my regular weekend. It's either the grandparents or babysitting for me. I have a pathetic social life :). If you count family get together as a social event then I definetely have a vibrant social life. I'm not complaining. My family is fun --seriously, you should meet my grandpa-- We crack up jokes all the time. And baby Syawal is too adorable not to babysit for. Just seemingly, come to think about it, that's all I do this past year. Well, I'd have a girls day out with Diva whenever opporrtunity allows --opportunity here means when her husband is out of town or has to work on weekend--. That doesn't come often either.

As for a time for me. I'd squeeze in a couple of hour to go sit in the library. They have an adjacent coffee shop now. But then it only gives me enough time to return books and checked out a couple more --never have finished an entire book at home even after an extended 3 weeks loan--. I never seem to find time to spend a full day looking for a pair of shoes that is so me --I need a fullweek in that case ;)--. Afif also needs a new jacket. Or just to finish a Nicholas Spark in one sit. Or to have a slumber party at my place or one of the girls'. Ow... This is not an option geographically speaking :D A two-hour bubble bath coming home on Sunday, If I get home on Sunday, is all I look forward to. Put in movies, too. So... My weekend should be alright. But not too... 'social', if there is such term.

I seemed to have all the time in the world when I was in college. I didnt care much about time management back then. It's either sleep or out with the girls. And just when I know a little, there's not much time to manage. Is the clock ticking faster nowadays?

It's Autumn Again

It's Autumn In New York --Ephy and I Love the movie. You should see it if you haven't-- It doesn't get any prettier than this anywhere. Pardon me if I seem to be talking about seasons only. Afterall when one season comes the other is just around the corner. Very little time to talk about everything else in life. And afterall it's my blog. I can talk about whatever pleases me ;)

Popped Up On My Mind And On My Cell

Just got off 'smsan' with Al. I dont talk to her much. Funny was, I thought about her and all the girls the whole day and really wanted to talk to them. She popped up on my cell. I got menstrual cramps which I dont usually get, a bit too much workload that I'm regularly used to, and to sum up my misery, an internal meeting until way pass my punch out time. Phheeeww.. What else do you need besides your best friends' chattering mouth and a bar of Hershey. Since both were unavailable, I had settled for a cup of tea. It's like when all else fail, there's always tea.

I know this is what you get when you choose making life elsewhere. I'm not complaining.. I'm sighing.. Ow well, Great weekend y'all..

The Truth About Love -- TOEFL Version

___ causes people to fall in love remains one of the most basic human mysteries.

A). That
B). What
C). It
D). Whom


Love is an emotion that can not be ___

A). Defined easy
B). An easy definition
C). Easily defined
D). Defining Easily


These were in my 2000 practice questions. No matter how intrigued you are to analyse the content of the sentence, try very hard not to. Stick to the structure and make your choice. You will run out of time otherwise if you think about it too long. But besides the point, If you do insist on pondering some more about this four-letter word, I have no suggestion :) Have a great weekend...